Aussie Rules – AFL – Freemantle vs Port Adelaide Power
The first of my big betting events comes from the AFL as we creep ever closer to the end-of-season play-offs. These two sides have top eight ambitions, with Freemantle on a terrific run of form. The Dockers had a bye last weekend, which came off the back of consecutive wins, and they will be full of confidence entering this tie.
That double helped them bounce back from a disappointing run of three consecutive defeats, and they remain on the fringes of the top eight. Their home form at the Optus Stadium has been very strong with a 5-1 record in front of their own fans, and only four teams can boast better home form so far this season.
Port Adelaide Power have not been quite as consistent, and are struggling to secure back-to-back victories. Their recent record of W-L-W-L-L means that they are very tough to predict, and they hold a 3-3 record in away games so far. Their victory at the MCG against West Coast encapsulated their season. It was a game that they weren’t supposed to win, but they somehow put in their best performance of the campaign.
A victory here would give them some breathing space in the top eight, and would provide a huge step forward for their play-off ambitions. Travis Boak, a perennial ball-winner will have a huge say in this game, and he will be looking to influence this match, and help the Power put some more points on the board. Since switching back to midfield, he’s climbed up official AFL Player Rankings, and he could be the man to keep an eye on here.
The home side usually wins this tie whenever these two teams meet, and it’s hard to look beyond Fremantle’s home form. Bradley Hill could be crucial in this game, and he’s already collected a season-high 35 disposals.
Port Adelaide Power haven’t won here since 2014, and they will be determined to end that run this weekend. However, the home side are in excellent form and should be able to take another step towards a top eight position.
BT Sport have coverage of all AFL games this season, and UK viewers can enjoy highlights of all of this weekend’s fixtures.
Soccer – Copa America – Argentina vs Colombia
The Copa America gets underway this week, and this is one of the highlights of the opening set of fixtures. Argentina vs Colombia is the second of our big betting events, and I can’t wait to stay up and watch this high-profile clash.
Argentina were desperately disappointing at the 2018 World Cup, and they’ll be keen to show that they aren’t a fading force when they take to the field on Saturday. They warmed up with a fairly routine victory over Nicaragua, with Lionel Messi and the impressive Lautaro Martinez both notching a double.
Jorge Sampaoli’s reign was a disappointing one, and the new era has certainly left fans feeling more positive. The players look a little more interested, and it remains to be seen how they fare when faced with tougher opposition. Lionel Scaloni has been put in charge until the end of this tournament, and this is his chance to give the football authorities a big decision to make.
They have managed to reach the final in four of the last five stagings of this tournament, and they have a very successful record at the Copa America. They haven’t been successful at this tournament since 1993 and this is a tough start to their campaign.
With Paraguay and Qatar to come, Argentina will almost certainly qualify for the next stage of the competition if they can get something from this fixture.
There’s been a change at the top for Colombia, with Carlos Queiroz tasked with guiding them to victory in Group B. They finished third at the last tournament, and will be keen to build upon their relatively positive World Cup 2018 showing.
Like their opponents, they will know that a victory in this opening tie should help them cement their place in the next round of the competition. Queiroz hasn’t had too much time to assemble his squad, but he has plenty of talent at his disposal, and I can’t wait to see his starting XI here.
This game is one of the highlights of the opening Copa America fixtures, and It should be a fascinating match-up between these two sides.
Premier Sports will be showing every single game from the 2019 Copa America this summer in the UK.
Soccer – Copa America – Brazil vs Bolivia
Hosts Brazil get their Copa America campaign underway in Group A as they take on Bolivia on Saturday. The Selecao prepared for this fixture in ideal fashion by dismantling Honduras 7-0, although they did lost Arthur to injury in the process. Their opening game should be a thrilling 90 minutes, and it’s the third of my big betting events.
Neymar’s absence is a bit of a blow for Tite and his men, but they have plenty of depth to their squad, and the boss wasn’t short on options. Their World Cup 2018 campaign was a little disappointing, and they looked devoid of ideas of Belgium, but they can be a force in this competition. They have a good record in this competition, and with it being played on home soil, they will be roared on by passionate locals.
They have a slightly tougher group than Argentina with Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia, and each of their opponents will provide stiff opposition here.
36-year old Dani Alves is included in the squad once again, whilst Phillipe Coutinho will be hoping to overcome a below-par domestic campaign when he takes to the field in this opening clash.
It’s a nice easy start to the tournament for Brazil with Bolivia having won just one competitive match since October 2017. That sole success came against Myanmar, and they have scored just twice in their last six matches. Bolivia are likely to be defending for the majority of this tie, and it remains to be seen how long it takes from Brazil to unlock their defence.
This game will be live on Premier Sports 1 on Saturday evening, and UK viewers can enjoy all of the Copa America clashes on this channel.
Boxing – Featherweight – Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad
There’s another fascinating bout taking place on Saturday night as Josh Warrington takes on underdog Kid Galahad, and it’s the fourth of my big betting events for this weekend.
This Yorkshire match-up should be absolutely fascinating with the Leeds fighter taking on his Sheffield rival as his bids to defend his IBF Featherweight crown.
Warrington is a man on the up, and he is likely to have the majority of West Yorkshire rooting for him at the First Direct Arena, although he must be careful not to underestimate his opponent.
His fight against Carl Frampton was one of the best displays I’ve witness in many years, and if he can keep up those energy levels, he should be able to protect his crown with relative ease.
Galahad has gone under the radar in recent years, and he is on the comeback trail after his drugs ban of 2014. He’s been working hard since returning to the ring, and he’s been almost foot-perfect in recent years. The 29-year old has risen up the IBF rankings, and will have plenty of supporters travelling the short journey to cheer him on.
Although he is the underdog in the betting, there is still plenty of pressure on Galahad to succeed, and he could make a big statement with a victory here.
This fight is live on BT Sport on Saturday night, and viewers can also enjoy a tremendous undercard.
See the LATEST ODDS now for the above FEATURED BETS at BOBBY’S WEEKEND BETS!
