What a week we have ahead of us, dear sports fans! In Europe, the intensity dials up as the Euro 2024 group stages reach their business end. We’ll see the fight for continental football glory heat up in the Americas too with Copa America getting underway on June 20th.
Meanwhile, cricket fans won’t want to miss the drama of the ICC T20 World Cup as the eight best teams battle it out in the Super Eight stage.
And to cap it all off, the ice hockey world holds its breath as the Edmonton Oilers take to the ice in a do-or-die clash. They need a win to level the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final series and prevent the Florida Panthers from securing the coveted trophy with a game to spare.
With so many sporting events heading our way over the next seven days, here are the best bets to make from June 20th to June 26th. We have sourced the odds from bookmaker Pinnacle to bring you the best deals of the week.
Best Football Predictions This Week
Euro 2024 is already in full swing and the excitement for football fans is about to go through the roof with the Copa America kicking off soon. To whet your appetite for this action-packed week, here are our football picks:
Poland and Austria to Draw @ 3.490
Poland’s eight-game unbeaten run came crashing down on Sunday as they fell to the Netherlands. Despite taking an early lead through a superb Adam Buksa header, Robert Lewandowski’s absence proved costly. While Michał Probierz’s side enjoyed some fortune early, Wout Weghorst’s deserved winner before the half-hour mark ultimately sealed their fate.
Das Team did have some encouraging signs in their display against Oranje. Their seven shots on target against a strong Dutch side are promising but conceding 21 attempts raises severe defensive concerns. Now, they head to Berlin with much to ponder.
Lewandowski’s return will be a massive boost but a sterner test awaits. Under the astute management of Ralf Rangnick, Austria are a resurgent force, and Poland will need to find a way to contain them if they’re to extend their European adventure.
Austria’s seven-game unbeaten run met a bitter end on Monday night. Their Dusseldorf encounter with France saw them concede a first-half own goal from Max Wober. Despite a valiant effort, they were ultimately unable to overturn the deficit, handing victory to a determined French side.
There’s a complex history between these two nations, but their head-to-head football record paints a different picture. Their only clashes in the past 16 years came in Euro 2020 qualifiers back in 2019. Poland emerged victorious in the away fixture by a solitary goal, while the return leg ended in a stalemate.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Neither side can afford to drop points in this match. This suggests a cagey encounter in Berlin. While Austria might see more of the ball, a potentially returning Lewandowski could tip the scales for Poland. All things considered, a tense draw seems the most likely outcome. Bookmaker Pinnacle has this outcome priced at a tempting 3.490.
France and Netherlands to Draw @ 3.310
A clash of titans will be the headliner of June 21st’s Euro 2024 proceedings. The Netherlands and France are set to go head-to-head at the Red Bull Arena in a massive Group D affair.
Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side showed their battling spirit by coming from behind to defeat Poland 2-1 in their opening match. Meanwhile, Les Bleus also secured a narrow victory over Austria, although their win was overshadowed by Kylian MBappe’s nasty nose injury.
Top of the pile in Group D thanks to their superior goal difference, the Netherlands can secure a place in the last-16 with victory on Friday. This would also see them notch up their fourth consecutive win, following comprehensive 4-0 victories over Canada and Iceland in their warm-up matches.
Their only blip in recent form came in a friendly defeat to Germany back in March. However, that reverse is a mere blip in an otherwise impressive eight-game run, underlining their credentials as serious contenders for Euro 2024 glory. But they’ll need to be wary – their upcoming opponents got the better of them during the qualifying stages.
France enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 home victory over the Dutch just before they were drawn together in this Euros group stage. They also emerged victorious from their previous meeting in the qualifiers, albeit with a narrow 2-1 win. History appears to favour Didier Deschamps’s men on this occasion.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
MBappe’s potential absence, however, might make it difficult for France to overcome the Dutch challenge this time around. As per reports from the French media, the new Real Madrid signing might not be involved Friday evening and the veteran Olivier Giroud will replace him in the starting XI.
MBappe’s pace was instrumental in breaking down Austria’s resolute defence, and his presence could have been the difference-maker they needed on Friday. With both teams boasting strong rearguards, this clash of the titans could be a low-scoring affair.
While the Netherlands have been prolific scorers in recent times, Deschamps’ French outfit is known for its defensive solidity. A tight encounter with a goalless draw wouldn’t be a surprise. Bookmaker Pinnacle offers an enticing 3.3x return on successfully predicting a draw in this one.
Chile to Beat Peru @ 2.030
The second day of 2024 Copa America kicks off on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a Group A battle between Peru and Chile.
La Bicolor are unbeaten so far in 2024, having secured a 1-0 victory over El Salvador in their final warm-up match. Meanwhile, Chile head into the tournament on a high after a convincing 3-0 win against Paraguay in their friendly.
Peru head into their Copa America campaign in a rich vein of form, boasting a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions. This turnaround in fortunes is largely credited to the appointment of the experienced Jorge Fossati as coach in late 2023.
Prior to Fossati’s arrival, Peru had endured a dismal run, failing to win any of their previous seven matches in all competitions (six defeats). This poor form significantly hampered their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, as they currently languish at the bottom of the CONMEBOL table with a meagre two points from six matches.
However, under Fossati’s astute leadership, a clear improvement is evident. He’s overseen victories in three of his four matches in charge, with a resolute defence conceding just once (a 4-1 win over the Dominican Republic).
Peru will face a friend-turned-foe in their opening match, with Ricardo Gareca in the opposite dugout for Chile. Gareca, who masterminded Peru’s return to the World Cup stage in 2018, has enjoyed a positive start to his tenure with La Roja, winning two of his three matches in charge. Their only defeat came in a friendly against the 2022 World Cup runners-up, France (3-2).
Under Gareca’s guidance, Chile have rediscovered their attacking spark, scoring eight goals in just three matches across all competitions. This is a significant improvement, as it matches their total goal scoring output from the previous eight games combined.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Gareca’s intimate knowledge of the Peruvian squad could prove to be a significant advantage for Chile. He understands their strengths and weaknesses better than most, and this could be key to unlocking their well-drilled defence.
On the other hand, Chile have arguably faced tougher opposition throughout 2024, which could serve them well in this encounter. We are tempted by bookmaker Pinnacle’s 2.030 odds for a Chile win.
Best Cricket Predictions This Week
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has reached the Super Eight stage, where the remaining eight teams battle it out for a coveted semi-final spot. These teams are divided into two groups, each eyeing the top two positions that guarantee semi-final tickets.
As of writing, only odds for the Bangladesh vs Australia clash in Antigua and Barbuda are available. So, here’s our prediction for the match, and let us warn you, it’s a pretty wild one!
Bangladesh to Beat Australia @ 5.790
The 2024 T20 World Cup’s Super Eight stage continues on Friday morning with a clash between Australia and Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda.
Australia dominated Group B, marching through with a flawless record. Meanwhile, Bangladesh defied expectations in Group D, edging Sri Lanka to secure a well-deserved qualification spot.
Australia’s chase of an unprecedented treble is still on track as they seek to become the first team to become world champions in all three formats simultaneously. They emerged from the group stages as one of only three teams to win all four matches.
They dispatched the associate nations with ease and even against England, victory never seemed in doubt. This impressive run has seen them shorten the odds, closing the gap on pre-tournament favourites, India.
However, a significant challenge awaits in the Super Eight stage. Drawn into Group A alongside India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, Australia will likely face a barrage of spin bowling – a different proposition compared to the earlier stages.
Australia can’t afford to be complacent against Bangladesh, despite their much-anticipated clash with India looming next week. The Tigers inflicted a heavy 4-1 series defeat on the Aussies in their last five-match encounter at the end of 2021, a result that will be firmly etched in the memories of both teams.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Bangladesh kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign in style, securing a crucial opening win against Sri Lanka by chasing down 125 with an over and two wickets in hand. Towhid Hridoy’s explosive knock of 40 runs from 20 balls spearheaded their chase.
Their only blip in the group stage came in the second game against South Africa, where they fell agonisingly short by just four runs in a thrilling encounter. However, they bounced back convincingly in their final group match, dismantling Nepal by 21 runs.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib shone with a career-best four-wicket haul, securing Bangladesh’s place in the Super Eights and keeping their hopes of ending their ICC silverware drought alive.
Australia have been quite dominant up to this point, but the Bangladeshi bowling attack has been quite ruthless so far as well. They were excellent against a star-studded South Africa team and have the potential to deal a lethal blow to the Baggie Green’s invincible run. We will take a bold route and back Bangladesh to beat Australia at odds of 5.790.
Best NHL Predictions This Week
The Edmonton Oilers have kept the Stanley Cup Finals alive by nicking a win in the fifth game, preventing a Florida Panthers series victory with two games to spare. But can they repeat the trick and deny the Cats again when the rivalry reignites on Friday evening?
Connor McDavid Over 0.5 Goals @ 2.100
The Edmonton Oilers have dragged themselves back into Stanley Cup title contention after two nail-biting victories in Games 4 and 5 of the final series. The Florida Panthers now face a third shot at sealing the Stanley Cup Final, this time on Friday evening in Edmonton.
Edmonton have outscored Florida 13-4 in the last two encounters, with Connor McDavid registering four points in each match. The Oilers’ star player has hauled his team right back into the hunt, with a chance to force a decider after falling behind 3-0.
The Florida Panthers roared out of the gate as they started the series by thumping the Edmonton Oilers 7-1 in the first two games. However, Edmonton seemed to have figured out Panthers’ netminder Sergei Bobrovsky in the last three games. The Oilers now hold a hefty 16-8 goal advantage over those three encounters, with each game yielding more than seven goals.
There’s been no fluke about these goals. After a combined expected goals of just 9.47 in the first two games (5.59 in Game 1 and 3.88 in Game 2), the last three contests have seen a significant rise, with 7.95, 8.45 and 6.24 expected goals. The ice has opened up at 5-on-5 and the refs haven’t been shy with the whistle, which has seen the Oilers capitalise on both the power play and penalty kill.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Expect Connor McDavid to get on the scoresheet again. The Oilers’ talisman has gone into overdrive in these playoffs, racking up 42 points in just 23 games. That’s a points tally on course for nearly 150 over a full 82-game season. He’s been even more lethal recently, notching eight points in his last two games and ten in his last three.
The 27-year-old will look to continue his stellar form and take the series to its final game. We will back him to score over 0.5 goals at odds of 2.100.
Best UFC Predictions This Week
The UFC touches down in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time this weekend, bringing a fight card that’s still shaping up to be one of the best UFC Fight Nights of the year, despite some late shuffles. Here are our picks for the night:
Long Xiao to Beat Chang Ho Lee @ 1.892
This weekend sees the bantamweight finale of Road to UFC Season 2, with Xiao Long and ChangHo Lee trading blows for a coveted spot on the UFC roster. Xiao from China edged his way into the finale through a split decision and a majority decision in his initial bouts.
On the contrary, Lee dominated his opponents, achieving stoppage victories over Rana Singh and Daermisi Zhawupasi to clinch his place in the final match-up.
Xiao Long, with a record of 26-7-0, prepares to clash in the Octagon at 5’8″ and 135 lbs. The 26-year-old orthodox fighter boasts a 70″ reach. His rival, ChangHo Lee, also 5’8″ and 135 lbs, holds a 9-1-0 record and a 69″ reach.
Xiao lands 5.13 significant strikes per minute with a 49% accuracy rate, while Lee lands 4.30 strikes per minute with a 69% success rate. On defense, Xiao absorbs 3.49 strikes per minute and blocks 54% of incoming attacks. Lee, on the other hand, takes just 1.03 strikes per minute and defends against 47% of them.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Xiao Long thrives in the heat of a scrappy, intense fight, exhibiting relentless aggression in his takedowns and superior control. With a wealth of experience over Chang Ho Lee, Long’s extensive fight history could be the key factor.
Lee has shown he can be dominated, and Long’s relentless style may enable him to control the fight from the opening bell to the final minute. We are, therefore, accepting bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a Long win at 1.892 odds.
Ribeiro vs Gadzhiyasulov Over 1.5 Total @ 2.850
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, a Russian light heavyweight, will make his promotional debut this Saturday against DWCS alum Brendan Ribeiro. The 30-year-old Gadzhiyasulov, who trains in Bahrain, is undefeated in eight professional fights and has secured five first-round stoppages, highlighting his dominant style.
Ribeiro, after earning his UFC contract with a spectacular first-round finish last autumn, encountered a challenging Octagon debut earlier this year, falling to Zhang Mingyang.
In his last outing, Magomed Gadzhiyasulov secured a unanimous decision victory over Jose Medina in round three. Gadzhiyasulov dominated the striking exchanges, outlanding Medina 117 to 213 total strikes and 73 to 156 significant strikes. Notably, 91% of Gadzhiyasulov’s significant strikes landed at distance compared to just 66% for Medina.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
While Gadzhiyasulov possesses undeniable knockout power, his tendency to leave his chin exposed and adopt risky stances is a concern. Despite the odds favouring Gadzhiyasulov, Ribeiro has a genuine shot.
However, Ribeiro’s striking is similarly rough around the edges, and he leaves his hips open to attack. Additionally, Ribeiro can be controlled on the ground. Although Gadzhiyasulov remains the favourite, we anticipate a fight that goes beyond the bookmakers’ predictions. Consider backing the fight to go over 1.5 rounds at a value of 2.850.
Ho Kang to Beat Gafurov @ 2.400
Two bantamweights desperate to begin their 2024 campaigns on a high clash in Saudi Arabia as Kyung Ho Kang meets Muin Gafurov. Kang secured a second-round submission of Cristian Quinonez in his UFC debut last year, but his momentum was halted by a points defeat to John Castaneda at UFC 295 in November.
Gafurov, meanwhile, endured a rough 2023. He took a short-notice debut loss to Castaneda last June, followed by a swift (73-second) submission defeat to Said Nurmagomedov at UFC 294 in October. Both fighters will be eager to turn the tide in this pivotal bout.
Gafurov is a threat both on the feet with dynamic striking and on the ground with his powerful wrestling. However, his aggressive style has a significant downside, often leading to him depleting his gas tank and fading significantly in the later rounds.
This was evident in his fight against Anheliger. Although he managed to rebound, the same issue resurfaced when he stepped in as a late replacement against Castaneda – his cardio woes ultimately cost him the fight.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
Gafurov is the favourite here, as odds from bookmaker Pinnacle suggests. He has the experience and the physique to get the better of Kang. However, his poor recent form and UFC bad luck entices to back a Ho Kang victory at 2.400.
Best Rugby League Predictions This Week
We will be treated with some juicy rugby league action in Australia as the 2024 National Rugby League season enters week 16. We will highlight two matches for our rugby league predictions this week.
Storm to Cover -6 Spread Against Dolphins @ 1.980
The Melbourne Storm sail north on Friday night, aiming to solidify their grip on top spot in the NRL ladder. Wayne Bennett’s men bounced back from a two-game losing streak with a narrow two-point victory over the Cronulla Sharks. Meanwhile, the Dolphins will be looking to bounce back from a strong start that fizzled out in the second half of their previous outing.
The Melbourners head into this clash with momentum on their side, having secured back-to-back victories – an eight-point win over the Newcastle Knights and a more convincing 14-point triumph against the New Zealand Warriors.
The Storm also hold the upper hand in recent history, having secured an eight-point victory over their upcoming opponents in their previous meeting at Suncorp Stadium. While they were held scoreless in the second half, their dominant first-half performance (24 points to 4) proved enough to secure the win.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
The Dolphins need to win this to prove their top four credentials, but an in-form Storm could be too hot for them to handle, even at the comfort of their home turf. We will back the Storm to win this and cover a -6.0 spread at 1.980 odds.
Warriors to Cover -5.0 Spread @ 1.847
Rock bottom beckons for the Des Hasler-coached Titans after their demoralising loss to the Tigers. Back on home soil this week, they face a wounded Warriors outfit, still reeling from throwing away a seemingly comfortable 14-point lead against the Melbourne Storm.
Desperation hangs in the air as both sides chase a morale-boosting victory at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite just one home win at Cbus Super Stadium this year, the Titans cling to hope. Their impressive away victory over the Warriors in round eight serves as a reminder of their potential, and they’ll be desperate to replicate that form to climb out of the NRL cellar.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 19th, 10:00 P.M. (GMT)
The last three meetings between these sides have all been won by the away team. If history is anything to go by, New Zealand will be favourites to take home the victory this time around. We feel confident of a Warriors win as well, so we will back them to cover a -5.0 spread at 1.847 odds.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Get ready for a thrilling weekend of sport! We’ve curated a selection of the most attractive upcoming fixtures, all from a betting perspective. So, settle in and join the excitement from the ease of your own home. Here are our top betting recommendations for the week ahead:
- Poland and Austria to draw @ 3.490
- France and Netherlands to draw @ 3.310
- Chile to beat Peru @ 2.030
- Bangladesh to beat Australia @ 5.790
- Connor McDavid over 0.5 goals @ 2.100
- Long Xiao to beat Chang Ho Lee @ 1.892
- Ribeiro vs Gadzhiyasulov over 1.5 total @ 2.850
- Ho Kang to beat Gafurov @ 2.400
- Storm to cover -6 spread against Dolphins @ 1.980
- Warriors to cover -5.0 spread @ 1.847
These picks all offer exciting potential for a healthy return on your wagers. The Bangladesh win over Australia is certainly the boldest call of the bunch, but if you’re feeling adventurous, it could land you a fantastic near six-to-one payout!
