Tony Kelshaw 
Real Madrid are 5/4 joint-favourites in bwin’s La Liga winner odds after bringing back Carlo Ancelotti for a second spell as head coach. The 62-year-old Italian led the Whites to Champions League glory in 2014 and returns following an 18-month stint in charge of Everton.
Brazil crushed Peru 4-0 during the Copa America group stage and it will be a surprise if they don’t confirm that superiority in the semi-finals. The holders haven’t been overly impressive during their last few matches but still look a cut above Los Incas with home advantage.
England put in a rock-solid performance to beat Germany at Euro 2020 and surely only have to remain fully focused to see off Ukraine in Rome. Andriy Shevchenko’s side have plenty of spirit and energy but lack the quality of their opponents in practically every department.
Denmark have played like a team possessed since losing Christian Eriksen and are fancied to overwhelm Czech Republic in Baku. The Czechs have also exceeded expectations and shouldn’t be underestimated but all the vibes are the Danes will take some stopping.
Uruguay versus Colombia is rated the pick of the Copa America quarter-finals and we’re sweet on La Celeste’s chances of success. After getting off to a sluggish start, Oscar Tabarez’s team look to have hit top form at just the right time to shine in the knockout stages.
Argentina look determined to end a 28-year wait for Copa America glory and are expected to ease past Ecuador in the quarter-finals. La Albiceleste impressed as convincing Group A victors, whereas La Tri just about managed to scrape through Group B in fourth place.
With several of Europe’s leading clubs in a transitional period this summer, we’ve taken a look at which past seasons have seen the biggest exoduses of title-winning players and how it affected each team’s performances in the following years.
Milwaukee are just one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1974 after taking a 3-2 lead over Atlanta. The Bucks are searching for their first title in 50 years, while the Hawks are also aiming to make franchise history by securing a finals debut.
Brazil seemed to lack a little intensity during the second half of the Copa America group stage but should be back fully focused for the quarter-finals. Chile battled hard to progress from their pool but fears remain this ageing side is a fading force in terms of elite-level quality.
We’ve reached the business end of Copa America and a tight tussle is on the cards in the opening quarter-final between Peru and Paraguay. Los Incas would traditionally be expected to shade this tie but the absence of several key forwards could even things up in Goiania.
We flopped badly with our Euro 2020 both teams to score tips at the last-16 stage but are having another go for the quarter-finals. There was a mixture of entertaining encounters and tight tussles to start the knockout rounds and that trend could continue.
Los Angeles Clippers kept the Western Conference Finals alive and kicking with a superb road-trip victory over Phoenix Suns to extend the series into a sixth game. Monty Williams’ side had lost only one of their seven post-season games at Phoenix Suns Arena.
Emotions will be running high when the British & Irish Lions visit South Africa this summer looking to avenge a narrow loss from 12 years ago. Since then, they have prevailed 2-1 in Australia and played out a thrilling tied series against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Uruguay have a big incentive to beat Paraguay in their closing Group A contest, as a victory will keep them away from Brazil’s half of the knockout draw. La Celeste do seem to be running into form after a sticky spell in front of goal, with their star strikers back firing.