Tennis – Wimbledon (concludes Sunday 12 July)
Week one at SW19 was played in blistering high temperatures but it’s the tennis that is set to be hot in week two as Andy Murray goes in search of his second Wimbledon title. The Brit is available to back at [3.7] in the Mens Winner market, just behind Novak Djokovic, [2.26], with the ever-popular Roger Federer and French Open champion Stan Wawrinka next in at [7.2] and [12.0] respectively.
After surviving an almighty scare against Britain’s Heather Watson, Serena Williams is the red hot [2.32] favourite in the Womens Tournament. The American’s quest to win the title was made slightly easier on Saturday following the shock exit of defending champion Petra Kvitova. Maria Sharapova is now trading as the second favourite at [7.8].
All 16 men and 16 women will be in action on Magic Monday and you can follow our expert tips and analysis from Sean Calvert (Men) and the guys at Abelson Info (Women) in our dedicated Wimbledon section.
Cricket – The Ashes (five Tests, starting Wednesday 8 July)
Cricket fans will be in clover this summer when England try to win back the Ashes in a five-Test series against old rivals Australia. After retaining the Ashes in August 2013 England went to Australia later that year only to be whitewashed 5-0, only the third time in Ashes history that scoreline has been achieved.
A recent revival in the one-day game has injected Alastair Cook’s side with some much needed confidence going into Wednesday’s first Test in Cardiff, and following the desperate news on Saturday that Aussie fast bowler Ryan Harris has had to retire from the sport due to injury, England have shortened to [5.0] in the Series Winner market. Australia can be backed at [1.45] with the Draw trading at [9.0].
Our cricket expert Ed Hawkins will be providing analysis, news, previews, and in-running updates throughout the Series.
First Test: 8-12 July, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Second Test: 16-20 July, Lords, London
Third Test: 29 July-2 August, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Fourth Test: 6-10 August, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Fifth Test: 20-24 August, The Oval, London
Golf – The Open (16-19 July)
Staged at the home of golf, St Andrews, this year’s Open Championship promises to be a mouthwatering affair with two of the game’s global stars heading the Winner market.
Rory McIlroy – [7.2] favourite – had already bagged three tournament wins in 2015 by early May as well as finishing fourth in the season’s first major, the US Masters. The Northern Irishman has gone off the boil slightly in the last six weeks, missing consecutive cuts on the European Tour before finishing T9 at the US Open. At the 2010 Open Championship, the last time it was staged at St Andrews, he fired a record-equalling 63 in the first round before eventually finishing third.
Quite incredibly for a 21-year-old, American starlet Jordan Spieth, [10.0], is on course for a season Grand Slam having won the first two majors of 2015, and in winning the US Open he demonstrated that he is at ease on a links-style golf course. He will be a very popular selection, and perhaps an even more popular winner, even on these shores.
Starting from this week we’ll have unrivalled content ahead of the Open, including course guides, The Punter’s in-depth preview, top nationality analysis, Paul Krishnamurty’s trading tips, each-way selections, and much much more – all available at our superb Open Championship section.
Horse Racing – Newmarket July Meeting and Glorious Goodwood
(9-11 July & 28 July-1 August)
If horse racing is your thing then July is stacked with top quality meetings including the fabulous Galway Festival in Ireland. But for those who love top class flat action, glamour, and not least be able to watch it on good old Channel 4, then this week’s July Meeting at Newmarket, and then Glorious Goodwood later in the month should be right up your street.
The July Cup is the feature race on Saturday and it will see a clash between Australian sprinter Brazen Beau – [3.7] to back – and impressive Royal Ascot winner Muhaarar, [3.8], while later in the month at Goodwood we have such races like the Sussex Stakes and Goodwood Cup to look forward to.
Our big-price winner seeker Tony Calvin – who put up [110.0] Oaks winner Qualify in June – will be providing daily tips for all Channel 4’s coverage, while Betfair Ambassador and leading jockey Ryan Moore will be proving insight on all his rides at the big meetings.
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*The new Premier League season starts on Saturday August 8th when Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur at 12:45, before a full weekend of fixtures. Chelsea are the [2.66] favourites to retain their title with Man City available to back at [3.9], Arsenal at [5.5], and United at [6.8].
