Tony Kelshaw 
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have both shown how erratic they can be at the Cricket World Cup, so we reckon the value lies in supporting the underdog here. The Crusaders went into the competition under a cloud, but enjoyed a confidence boost when beating Afghanistan in Cardiff on Tuesday.
England and the Netherlands will do battle in a Nations League semi-final and we feel this contest could go all the way to extra-time. The Three Lions are more advanced in their development than a promising Holland outfit, but the timing of this match makes it tough for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Australia and the West Indies both got off to a fine start at the Cricket World Cup but we reckon the men from Down Under are better equipped for sustained success. Aaron Finch’s side look to have peaked at just the right time, having claimed eight straight ODI wins in the run-up to this tournament.
France will be looking to pick up a third straight win in their Euro 2020 qualifying group when taking on Turkey in Konya on Saturday night. However, the Crescent Stars are currently alongside the world champions on six points, so it would be no surprise to see this being a competitive contest.
Greece have made a solid start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, but a resurgent Italy are still rated a class apart in Group J. The Azzurri travel to Athens with six points from two matches and look as though they mean business again after surprisingly missing out on last year’s World Cup.
Bangladesh and New Zealand both kicked off the Cricket World Cup round-robin stage with cracking wins but it is hard to oppose the Kiwis at The Oval. They enjoyed three easy victories against the Tigers on home turf in February, prevailing by eight wickets twice and then by 88 runs when batting first.
South Africa have made a poor start to the Cricket World Cup and things are unlikely to get any easier when they face India in Southampton. The men in blue were our pre-tournament fancies to lift the trophy, with the 1983 and 2011 champions boasting star names in all departments.
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka both began their Cricket World Cup campaigns with predictable defeats, but the former showed more encouraging signs in our book. Phil Simmonds’ side enjoyed some decent moments in a loss to Australia, whereas the Crusaders looked all at sea when crushed by New Zealand.
Liverpool and Tottenham will battle it out in Madrid on Saturday night and we’ve asked our Bwin News editors for their expert Champions League final predictions. Bwin is offering odds on a huge range of markets ahead of this clash and here’s three contrasting betting tips on how to cash in.
South Africa ultimately suffered an emphatic defeat against England but showed enough early on to suggest they should be able to bounce back versus Bangladesh. The Proteas crushed the Tigers 3-0 when they last met in this format in October 2017, prevailing by 10 wickets, 104 runs and 200 runs.
Saracens are fancied to beat Exeter in the Premiership Rugby final for the third time in four years when they clash at Twickenham. Mark McCall’s men prevailed 28-20 in the 2016 decider and romped to a 27-10 triumph 12 months ago, with the Chiefs edging out Wasps to lift the trophy in between.
England will be looking to justify their status as pre-tournament favourites when facing South Africa in Thursday’s ICC Cricket World Cup curtain raiser. The hosts should be in fine spirits, coming off a 4-0 series win over Pakistan and an emphatic warm-up victory against Afghanistan at this venue.
Australia are expected to begin the defence of their ICC Cricket World Cup crown with a smooth success against Afghanistan in Bristol. The holders have impressed in two warm-up wins, notably beating hosts England in Southampton, where David Warner and Steve Smith both looked in good nick.
New Zealand were runners-up in the last Cricket World Cup and can get off to a flying start in this summer’s tournament when facing Sri Lanka in Wales. Their opponents revolutionised the ODI game when lifting this trophy in 1996 but are no longer the force of old and have slipped down the rankings.