This week we’ve taken a look at four of the big sporting events across the world to provide you with a 10/1 acca
- Women’s EURO 2022
- Australia vs England Rugby Union
- Irish Oaks
- World Matchplay Darts
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ENGLAND WOMEN -3 GOAL HANDICAP (Vs Northern Ireland Women, Friday 8pm) 10/11
ENGLAND WOMEN came into the Euro’s tournament as one of the favourites, and have looked every part a likely winner in their two games so far. They’re
A 1-0 victory against Austria in their opener may not sound impressive, but once scoring they never looked like being troubled by the Austrians. In fact, the visitors only managed two shots on goal, and with England having 59% possession it was a comfortable win to kick off the tournament.
They then followed that by breaking the record for the biggest ever win in a Women’s Euro’s game, demolishing Norway 8-0. It was a breathtaking performance and one that further enhanced their reputation as serious contenders to lift the trophy.
Northern Ireland are already out after suffering back-to-back defeats in their two games so far. They were comfortably beaten in both games (4-1 defeat to Norway, followed by a 2-0 defeat by Austria), and will be low on confidence coming up against the most lethal attack in the tournament so far.
England need to score three goals to break Germany’s record of 11 goals in the group stage (back in 2001), so will be determined to try and score as many as possible and give their confidence another boost in the process. We’re all over a comfortable victory for the Lionesses here!
ENGLAND +3 handicap (Australia vs England, Rugby Union – 10.55am Saturday) 10/11
Barring a mad 15 minutes in Perth, ENGLAND would already have this three-game series sown up and can be backed with confidence to take the Sydney decider on Saturday morning.
Reverting to their kicking game, an essential cog in this England machine, worked the oracle last weekend as England flew into a 19-point lead, and the side showed real character to weather the wallaby storm when Marcus Smith was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on.
That was an impressive performance given the inexperience of the England backline, and whilst the formidable Aussie prop Taniela Tupou will once again pose problems, Australia has their own headache in a back-to-form Billy Vunipola.
Both Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje are out of Saturday’s game, but this England squad has plenty of depth to it and it’s not as though the Australians haven’t had their own injury problems this series. The market appears to have overreacted to the England absences, and with a +3 handicap on side, they’re the weekend pick across the Internationals.
EMILY UPJOHN (Irish Oaks, Saturday 3:45pm) 4/9
There could be an each-way play here in either Emily Dickinson or Cairde Go Deo, but EMILY UPJOHN should be winning this comfortably.
Those of a certain persuasion will inevitably be worried about backing a Gosden-trained odds-on shot after Inspiral’s stunning defeat at 1/7 in the Falmouth Stakes. However, this should be different, as this giant three-year-old, by Sea the Stars, is fully fit after three runs this season and should improve on her effort in the Oaks.
The primary reason for that is that she should not miss the break by anywhere near as much as she did at Epsom. She was unlucky to stumble that day, but still made up all but a short head on the winner Tuesday.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly does not take her chance here and there does not look a replacement in terms of calibre. As long as she breaks evenly, or even if she doesn’t, she should be getting the job done before heading onto even bigger prizes.
STEPHEN BUNTING (Krzysztof Ratajski vs Stephen Bunting, PDC World Matchplay – 7pm Saturday) 11/10
The PDC World Matchplay, often considered the biggest darts major after the World Championships, takes place at its traditional home of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from Saturday, and in the tournament’s opening game, STEPHEN BUNTING can be backed to defeat the Polish Eagle Krzysztof Ratajski.
Ratajski got to the semi-final stage in this event 12 months ago and is an exceptional floor player but has been handed a tough opening draw against ‘The Bullet’, a quarterfinalist in the 2019 World Matchplay.
Bunting has been in good form this year, giving Michael van Gerwen a scare in the semi-final of the Austrian Darts Open back in May, whilst Ratajski’s form has slowed down a little and he may struggle to produce his best given this is likely to be a partisan crowd in favour of the St Helens thrower.
The last meeting between the two was an epic quarter-final clash in the 2021 PDC World Championships, which Bunting edged 5-3, averaging over 101 and checking out over 50% of his doubles. That may give him the mental edge on Saturday evening in what promises to be a tight affair.
*Odds Correct At Time Of Writing – 4pm Thursday 14th July*
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