Definition
The term 'looking ahead' in sports means to literally look ahead of one's schedule. It occurs when a team is looking ahead to their next opponent.
When does this occur?
Looking ahead happens all the time in sports. Specifically, it happens when a team is about to play a division rival (or school rival), a revenge game (especially when their opponent humiliated them badly in their last matchup), or a combination of the two already stated. The best sport to use this angle is actually the National Basketball Association (NBA), since look ahead games seem more prominent in this sport. Combined with the travel angle, the looking ahead angle can be used quite well and will yield great results in the long run.
How can one use this?
Teams that are looking ahead usually do not play to their potential on the game prior to the targeted game. Teams usually are sluggish, do not care as much, and are not motivated to play. The coaching staff also might not be as intense and care as much-they might not fully go over the scouting reports, watch footage, coach as intensely, etc. All around, it is difficult to back a team that is looking ahead towards its next game.
Example
A great example of a team that is looking ahead and the best situation in which to fade a team exist when a team is off a back-to-back game (playing their second game) and is facing a non-division rival seeking revenge, while our team is looking ahead for their next home game in which it will be a revenge game against a hated division rival in 2 days. In this situation, the team to fade is really not that motivated to win the game and is more interested in their next than the current game. On the other side of the court is a non-division team that is seeking revenge (a motivated opponent).
Other angles
After a team has 'looked ahead' there might be a let down factor that the sports gambler must take into account. After a team has expended much energy in defeating their look ahead opponent, most often, this team will lose their next game. Mentally and physically, they were heavily preparing for this matchup; the next game might not be worth as much-hence why even try? Thus, in general, it is usually a good be to fade a team before and after a 'look ahead' game.
Summary
In closing, 'looking ahead' means to look ahead to one's sports schedule. Teams in this position do not fair well, on average, before and after the 'look ahead'