Tony Kelshaw
England begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with their toughest Group C fixture by travelling to Naples to face Italy. With Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta making up this pool, Gareth Southgate would no doubt settle for starting out with a solid draw.
The big two in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B clash in Paris and we reckon Netherlands can pick up a positive result against hosts France. Les Bleus have been hampered by some key injuries on top of some significant international retirements, making them worth taking on.
Leeds are out to 11/4 in bwin’s Premier League relegation odds after claiming a crucial 4-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux. Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and Rodrigo scored for the Whites, with Jonny and Matheus Cunha replying for Wanderers.
Newcastle have been cut to 11/10 in bwin’s Premier League top 4 odds following their dramatic 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest. Emmanuel Dennis put Forest in front but Alexander Isak levelled with a volley and later struck a stoppage-time penalty to settle the issue.
Arsenal have been trimmed again to 8/13 in bwin’s Premier League outright winner odds following a 4-1 home victory over Crystal Palace. The Gunners moved eight points clear at the top of the table after a straightforward win over managerless Palace at Emirates Stadium.
Sergio Perez has been cut to 12/1 in bwin’s F1 drivers title odds after claiming victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Perez crossed the line 5.3 seconds clear of team-mate Max Verstappen, who fought back from 15th on the grid to give Red Bull a second one-two of the new season.
The 2023 Formula 1 season is again scheduled to start with the Bahrain Grand Prix in March and end in Abu Dhabi in November. Ongoing problems with the coronavirus pandemic could still affect plans, but the sport is hoping to complete a record-breaking 24-round campaign.
The 2023 US Masters is not far away, with players due to tee off at Augusta National on April 6. The first of golf’s four majors is set to be more competitive than ever, with allegiances split between the US-based PGA Tour and the new Saudi-funded LIV Tour.
Home advantage has not been a factor in El Clasico of late and we’re taking Real Madrid to stun Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday night. The away team has won four of the last six meetings between Spain’s big two and the Whites need to claw back some of their nine-point deficit in La Liga.
Ajax can leapfrog Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie table with a win in Amsterdam on Sunday and should be the fresher team. The visitors enjoyed a fantastic victory in the Europa League on Thursday but a hectic schedule could count against them on the domestic front.
We’re continuing this season’s Serie A predictions with a 15/2 Sunday treble from the 27th round of fixtures in Italy’s top division. AC Milan claimed the Scudetto title last term following a thrilling battle with city rivals Inter but Napoli are runaway leaders this time around.
Manchester City remain favourites at 5/2 in bwin’s Champions League winner odds, despite being handed a tough route to the final. Pep Guardiola will face a former club after the reigning Premier League champions were paired with Bayern Munich in the quarter-final draw.
Manchester United are 27/20 favourites in bwin’s Europa League winner odds after being drawn to face six-time winners Sevilla in the quarter-finals. The winner of that tie will face a semi-final against either Juventus or Sporting, who beat Arsenal on penalties to reach this stage.
West Ham are 5/2 favourites in bwin’s Europa Conference League winner odds after being drawn to face Gent in the quarter-finals. The Hammers will face either Anderlecht or AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals if they can get past Gent, who are 12/1 to go all the way.