A soccer-hoops parlay for Wednesday

A full slate of NBA games and four FIFA World Cup games leaves you with endless options on the parlay front for Wednesday, but we've got one that stands out. And best of all, this low-risk, high-reward parlay includes better-than-even odds (+102 odds to be exact). So, before you begin Hump Day, log into your DraftKings account and place this parlay.

Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history after taking down Lionel Messi and Argentina last week, and don't be surprised if they pull off another upset and defeat winless Mexico on Wednesday. But just to be safe, we're going to take Saudi Arabia (+1.5 goals) on the spread for the first leg of our parlay.

Yes, we know Saudi Arabia finally looked human after getting shut out by Poland on Saturday, but don't let that deter you from betting on them against Mexico. This team has its entire country behind them, and a win over Mexico automatically gets them to the next round. Few thought Saudi Arabia would win a game in their group, let alone advance to the next round, and now they're another win away from shocking the world, again. Saudi Arabia controls its own destiny, and even if they lose to Mexico on Wednesday, don't expect it to be by more than a goal.

Saudi Arabia outshot Poland, 16-9, and controlled the ball 64% of the game. And against Argentina, goaltender Mohammed Al-Owais stopped five of six shots. Meanwhile, Mexico has yet to score a goal in the World Cup and has just three total shots on goal. You can very well make the argument Saudi Arabia should be favored instead of Mexico, which is why Saudi Arabia's +1.5 on the spread is a steal.

As for the final leg of our parlay, take the Bucks over the Knicks. Milwaukee is coming off a 3-1 homestand while New York has won consecutive games just twice this season. Even at home, don't expect the Knicks to win this one. Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably playing the best basketball of his career, and the Bucks lead the league in rebounding and are fifth in points allowed. The Bucks certainly miss Khris Middleton, but they've certainly learned to win without the All-Star.

It doesn't help that Julius Randle is coming off a season-high 36-point performance vs. the Pistons, but it's the Pistons. Detroit is the worst team in the NBA at 5-18, and a blowout victory over the Pistons is nothing to get too excited about if you're New York. The Bucks are almost impossible to beat if they shoot 40% or better from deep, and they've shot 46% from 3-point range in back-to-back games. Expect this game to be close, but trust the better team to come away victorious, which is Milwaukee.

The Parlay: Saudi Arabia (+1.5) vs. Mexico AND Milwaukee Bucks (ml) vs. New York Knicks (+102 odds via DraftKings)

Bet $100 to win $102

In the news ...

College Football Playoff announces new top 4 — The top four in the CFP won't remain the same for a third straight week after Michigan defeated Ohio State on Saturday, knocking the Buckeyes out of the top four. Georgia remains No.1, followed by No. 2 Michigan, who was previously No. 3, followed by TCU, and one-loss USC. The Bulldogs (-150) remain the consensus favorite to win the national championship, followed by the Wolverines (3/1), Ohio State (8/1), TCU (12/1), and USC (12/1).

Rose Bowl given Wednesday deadline for College Football Playoff — ESPN is reporting that the College Football Playoff committee has given the Rose Bowl a deadline of Wednesday to determine whether or not it wants to be part of the New Year's Six Bowl rotation in this next contract. The Rose Bowl has to determine what it's comfortable giving up and what it needs to keep in order to be a part of this new deal with the expanded CFP. 

Fury unretires, again — Reigning heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has officially unretired for the second time in his career and is set to defend his belt on Saturday in London against Derek Chisora. The heavy-favored Fury (-3000) is a career 32-0-1 and has won each of his last three fights by knockout. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jared Shlensky