Brazil are red hot favourites to defeat shock Copa America finalists Peru on Sunday evening and it would take a brave man to back against Tite’s side on current form.
With the majority of the Maracana crowd backing Brazil, home advantage could give the 2019 Copa America favourites a clear advantage this weekend.
At the time of writing, 888sport’s Copa America 2019 odds show Brazil at 3/10 to win inside 90 minutes on Sunday night.
The hosts last lifted South America’s prestigious trophy back in 2007 but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Brazil secure their ninth Copa America crown. All signs point towards a successful evening for Tite’s side…
Brazil were the better side in every area of the pitch against Argentina and a repeat of that performance will probably be enough to win.
On paper, the hosts have the stronger squad and Peru may find themselves up against it from start to finish. An early goal for Brazil will settle the nerves and 9/5 for over 2.5 home goals has a decent chance.
The Copa America 2019 Golden Boot award is well and truly up for grabs and five players are sitting on two goals ahead of Sunday’s showpiece.
The third-place playoff between Chile and Argentina will give us a better indication as to whether the Golden Boot accolade is still on offer but Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino could be the one to watch.
If so, the 6/5 for Firmino to score in 90 minutes looks like a good bet. The Liverpool striker scored Brazil’s second in their Copa America 2019 semi-final on Tuesday night…
Peru’s 3-0 victory over Chile just 24 hours later sent shockwaves across South America.
Most football fans expected Chile to reach their third Copa America final in a row but Peru had other ideas, producing one of the standout performances of the tournament to advance to Sunday’s main event and the underdogs are now 4/1 to lift the trophy.
If there was an element of luck about their penalty shootout success over Uruguay, there was never fortuitous about their semi-final triumph.
Peru deserve their spot in the 2019 Copa America final and punters should respect the South American minnows ahead of the contest. 8/5 for both teams to score is worth considering.
The two-time winners were priced at 18/5 to get the better of Chile in the semi-finals and you won’t find many punters who had Peru to win by three goals to nil. Following that up with a Copa America final victory over Brazil is a tall order…
Brazil are worthy favourites to win the Copa America 2019 title on Sunday night – Tite’s side are third in the FIFA world rankings with Peru ranked as the 21st best international team.
In football, anything can happen and Brazil cannot allow complacency to sneak in or else Peru will stand a decent chance of springing a real upset.
At the prices, there isn’t much value in backing Brazil to win at 3/10 but the 23/25 for Brazil to win by two or more goals is a much stronger price.
The Copa America 2019 final is here and punters can follow the latest tournament news, football tips and betting odds via the 888sport blog. Good luck with your 2019 Copa America final bets!
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha started with a £40 million bid over the weekend. David Ornstein has since reported that there is little progress towards a deal, despite Zaha wanting a move to the Emirates.
Crystal Palace’s star has been a feature in transfer news for several windows now, as he’s developed from exciting, raw prospect to a constant threat in the final third.
No Premier League club is as reliant on one player as Palace are on Zaha – prising him away from Selhurst Park will take an almighty bid.
The Gunners have had a quiet window so far, despite losing Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer to Juventus. Here are four reasons that signing Zaha wouldn’t be the best move…
Extortionate Transfer Fee
Crystal Palace have every right to ask for the kitchen sink and more for Zaha. In this day and age, Arsenal's £40 million opening bid is an insult.
Quite simply, the Eagles do not want to sell their best player and the financial strength of even mid-table Premier League sides means they cannot be bullied in the same way anymore.
Arsenal will likely have to pay well north of £60 million for Zaha but the Gunners aren’t going to splash the cash like the Manchester clubs this summer.
By top six standards, they are under financial constraints, and throwing that sort of figure at Zaha would surely take them out of the market for plenty of other players unless they make a significant sale (which seems unlikely).
For other teams, £60 million on a player of Zaha’s calibre, with his unquestionable talent, isn’t a vast overpay. In Arsenal’s case, though, this would deplete their budget too much to make any sense.
Questions Over Style?
Arsenal’s squad construction is curious. Signing Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was bizarre, particularly after years without adding a marquee centre forward.
Unai Emery made it work last season, though, and the duo have flourished in north London whether playing together or rotating as the main striker.
Chucking Zaha into the mix would, if anything, make it a yet trickier puzzle for Emery. Playing all three isn’t an option in most matches.
Zaha has flourished having been given freedom for Palace, allowed to roam from a central position and pick the ball up on the turn. He wouldn’t have that luxury at the Emirates.
Then there’s Mesut Ozil. Rumours of Ozil departing have been flimsy at best. He was in and out of Emery’s side last year, mixing the majestic with the anonymous.
Zaha would be another option along with the two strikers and Ozil. In that sense, though, it would be a luxury and a very expensive one at that.
The fit in the current forward line isn’t perfect, and signing Zaha alone would not improve Arsenal’s odds in next season's football betting odds for the Premier League title.
Other Transfer Priorities
That leads us nicely onto Arsenal’s other priorities this summer. Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang can form a scary front line. It is Arsenal’s main strength at the moment. The rest of the team still needs work.
While a wide player would be nice, the centre of defence, full-back and central midfield are all more important than forwards for the Gunners right now.
If Arsenal are going to feature in the latest football transfer news updates for signings, it should be for reinforcements in other areas of the pitch, not another forward.
Arsenal are 7/5 to finish in the Premier League top four next season. For that to become a good price, or for the odds to drastically shorten, the defence needs a revamp, and a new midfielder is needed to at least attempt to fill the Aaron-Ramsey-shaped hole.
2019 Is The Summer Of Opportunity
Arsenal were well in the top four race last season. Chelsea – who won finished in the top four ahead of Arsenal and won the Europa League final - are facing a transfer ban, have lost Eden Hazard and are an unknown quantity under Frank Lampard.
The Gunners need to get this window spot on if they are to return to the Champions League in 2020/21. Improving the squad is an absolute must for Arsenal.
Manchester United must also sign players, but the Red Devils have a financial advantage that should give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer margin for error that Emery isn’t so fortunate to have.
Is the Zaha basket the right one for Arsenal to put all their eggs in? Does it leave them enough money to make notable additions elsewhere?
These are the questions Arsenal need to really consider before they send that monstrous cheque across London to Selhurst Park.
With Chelsea in turmoil and Manchester United continuing to be Manchester United, nailing this summer window could see Arsenal back in the top four. It’s hard to see Zaha, considering Arsenal’s limited resources, being the answer.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Whether you’re ready to admit it or not, Liverpool are on the verge of winning their first Premier League title. Jurgen Klopp’s side were leading the way for most of 2018/19 but had to settle for second place behind Manchester City.
Credit where credit is due, Pep Guardiola’s men were outstanding during the title race run-in, winning 14 Premier League games in a row to end the campaign. However, Liverpool will take great confidence from their 2018/19 bid for glory.
Fresh from winning the 2018/19 Champions League final, Liverpool can go one better in the Premier League this campaign. Here are five reasons why the Reds look destined to lift the English title for the first time in the Premier League era…
Last Season's Disappointment Will Fuel Hunger
It was a case of ‘close but no cigar’ for Liverpool in their pursuit of Premier League glory last season, with the Reds finishing just one point behind Manchester City at the top of the table.
However, Liverpool still recorded 97 points from 38 league games – the highest points tally NOT to win the title in Premier League history. With that in mind, it would be foolish to write Liverpool off.
Klopp’s side are priced at 9/4 in 888sport’s football betting odds and lots of Premier League followers will fancy the Reds to end their 30-year wait to lift the English title.
Salah, Firmino & Mane To Run Riot (Again)
Liverpool’s terrifying trio combined for an incredible 69 goals in all competitions last season and Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will take some stopping in 2019/20.
If all three players manage to stay fit for the entire campaign, Liverpool could be destined to lift the title. Salah and Mane, along with Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were involved in a tie for the Premier League Golden Boot award last season.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see all three Liverpool strikers fighting for that individual accolade in 2019/20. Watch this space, Liverpool’s front three could wreak havoc.
Liverpool Have Premier League's Best Defence
With just 22 goals conceded in 38 Premier League games, Liverpool finished 2018/19 with the best defensive record in the top flight.
Alisson Becker kept an impressive 21 clean sheets in his first season in English football and his presence in the Anfield goal will give supporters reassurance. However, the back four also deserve plenty of credit – Liverpool’s defensive unit is now one of the best in world football.
Virgil van Dijk, a leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or award, is a commanding presence alongside Joel Matip while the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are maturing into world class full-backs.
Champions League Win Key For Momentum
Imagine if Liverpool had missed out on the Premier League title AND lost to fellow English outfit Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final.
Luckily for the Reds, they came out on top against Spurs in European football’s showpiece fixture and that victory could act as the catalyst for Premier League success to follow. 888sport’s early Champions League odds have Liverpool at 7/1 to retain the European Cup next season.
There is a certain affinity between Liverpool and the Champions League but if it comes down to picking European glory or the Premier League title, the domestic crown would probably be the pick.
Liverpool Will Learn From 2018/19 Crumble
Liverpool were six points clear on Boxing Day last season and the Reds should’ve took full advantage. There was nothing that Klopp’s side could do about Manchester City’s perfect run but Liverpool must ensure that their form does not tail off after the festive period.
If the Reds find themselves in a similar position, Klopp will not let Liverpool fall short. With one or two signings in the summer transfer window, Liverpool will cement their status as main Premier League rivals to Manchester City’s crown.
The Reds have an ideal opening weekend fixture against Norwich City and a convincing win could set the tone for the rest of the 2019/20 season. Watch this space, Liverpool will be right in the mix for the second season running…
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
We’ve created the most complete team profile so that all Southampton fans will be in the know, with the latest and most interesting facts around Southampton – from historical stats to betting odds, you will find all the answers regarding the club.
After flirting with relegation under Mark Hughes, Southampton pulled their way to safety in the second half of the 2018/19 Premier League season under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Saints drifted up and down the relegation odds last season, but are as long as 9/2 in 888sport’s Premier League betting to go down in 2019/20. 888sport is the place to be for all the latest Southampton betting news and information!
Southampton - 2019/20 Squad
Going into the 2019/20 season, Southampton’s squad is in good shape. Ryan Bertrand, the England international left-back, is a standout name on the team sheet.
Hasenhuttl has an array of midfielders to pick from, including former Juventus man Mario Lemina, set piece master James Ward-Prowse and Danish box-to-box Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Nathan Redmond provides pace and creativity in the final third.
Southampton recently added young striker Che Adams from Birmingham City. Adams shone in the Championship last season and is a player to watch in 2019/20.
Who Were Southampton's Top Scorers Last Season?
1. Nathan Redmond – 9 goals
2. Danny Ings – 8 goals
3. James Ward-Prowse – 7 goals
4. Shane Long – 5 goals
5. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 4 goals
Who Are Southampton's Top Scorers Of All-Time?
1. Mick Channon – 228 goals
2. Matt Le Tissier – 209 goals
3. Bill Rawlings – 198 goals
4. Terry Paine – 187 goals
5. George O’Brien – 180 goals
Who Owns Southampton Football Club?
Southampton are owned by Lander Sports Investment, who bought an 80% stake in the club in 2017.
What Are Southampton's Biggest Rivalries?
Southampton’s biggest rivalry is with neighbours Portsmouth. Referred to as the South Coast Derby, Saints and Portsmouth are fierce rivals and the atmosphere at the matches is often extremely intense.
Harry Redknapp’s departure from Southampton to Portsmouth in 2005 amplified the rivalry, causing a war of words between the chairmen of the two clubs.
The bitterness has faded slightly since then, however, with the teams having not faced since they were both in the Championship in 2011/12.
What Are Southampton's Highest Salaries? How Much Is The Club Worth?
According to Spotrac, Southampton’s total player wage bill in the 2018/19 campaign was just over £70 million. Danny Ings, who was on loan from Liverpool, was the club’s highest paid player, receiving £75,000 per week.
Since 2016, Southampton’s kits have been manufactured by Under Armour. The seven-year deal brought an end to Southampton’s three-year stint with Adidas.
Southampton's Most Memorable Moments & Greatest Achievements
Southampton have had some unforgettable moments down the years. Perhaps the most memorable of all, though, was back in 1983/84, when Saints narrowly missed out on the First Division title, finishing just three points behind Liverpool.
An FA Cup semi-final defeat in the same season was painful for the south coast club, too, in what turned out to be a campaign of near misses.
A few years prior, in 1976 to be exact, Southampton had lifted their only major trophy as they beat Manchester United in the final thanks to a late goal from Bobby Stokes.
In more recent years, Saints suffered FA Cup final heartbreak with a final defeat to Arsenal in 2002/03. Relegation followed two seasons later before some dark years in the late noughties.
Successive promotions took them from League One to the Premier League in two seasons, however, and they were unfortunate to lose the 2016/17 League Cup final to Manchester United.
An established Premier League once again, Southampton are heading into their eighth straight top-flight campaign.
Southampton: Fan Profile
Southampton have a loyal following on the south coast. Their anthem ‘When the Saints go marching in’ is regularly heard at St Mary’s on matchdays.
Like all Premier League clubs, Saints have their fair share of famous fans. Craig David is a big supporter of the club, as is TV presenter Ed Chamberlain.
St Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Southampton have played their home matches at St Mary’s since August 2001. The ground has a capacity of just under 33,000, and had its record attendance for a match against Coventry City in April 2012.
The stadium hosted a Euros qualifying match between England and Macedonia back in 2002 when Artim Sakiri famously scored past David Seaman directly from a corner.
Famous Southampton Legends
Over the years, Southampton have had plenty of club legends. All-time top scorer Mick Channon was a star for the club through the 1960s and 1970s despite leaving for a couple of years in the late 1970s to play in South Africa and for Manchester City.
Matt Le Tissier is the name that most football fans will think of with Southampton, however.
Le Tissier, now a pundit on Sky Sports, was an icon at The Dell and was one of the most naturally gifted English footballers over the last few decades. He was nicknamed ‘Le God’ and was loyal to Southampton throughout his career.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Claus Lundekvam and Matt Oakley were stalwarts. Marian Parhars became a fan favourite prior to relegation in 2004/05.
As the club climbed the football pyramid in the early 2010s, Rickie Lambert, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jose Fonte and Adam Lallana played their way into Southampton’s history books despite all four moving onto pastures new soon after promotion to the Premier League.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
We’ve created the most complete team profile so that all Brighton fans will be in the know, with the latest and most interesting facts around Brighton – from historical stats to betting odds, you will find all the answers regarding the club.
Brighton survived a relegation scare in the 2018/19 campaign as they eventually finished 17th, just two points above 18th placed Cardiff City.
The Seagulls were a prominent name in the relegation betting odds throughout 2018/19 and will be in 2019/20. 888sport’s blog is the place to be for all the latest football betting information and odds in the upcoming season.
Brighton & Hove Albion - 2019/20 Squad
Heading into the new Premier League campaign, the Brighton squad is one of the weakest in England's top flight. In Shane Duffy, Mat Ryan and Lewis Dunk, though, they have a solid defence to build on.
New manager Graham Potter has options in midfield too, with Yves Bissouma, Dale Stephens and Davy Propper all more than capable and Pascal Gross is a good goal threat. Glenn Murray provides the punch up front with support from Anthony Knockaert and Solly March.
Club legend Bruno retired at the end of the 2018/19 season and received a fond farewell from the club where he spent seven seasons and made over 230 appearances.
Who Were Brighton & Hove Albion's Top Scorers Last Season?
1. Glenn Murray – 15 goals
T-2. Shane Duffy – 5 goals
T-2. Florin Andone – 5 goals
T-4. Jurgen Locadia – 4 goals
T-4. Anthony Knockaert – 4 goals
Who Are Brighton & Hove Albion's Top Scorers Of All-Time?
1. Tommy Cook – 123 goals
2. Glenn Murray – 109 goals
3. Kit Napier – 99 goals
4. Peter Ward – 95 goals
5. Bert Stephens – 94 goals
Who Owns Brighton & Hove Albion?
Brighton & Hove Albion are owned by Tony Bloom, who took over a 75% share of the club in 2009. Bloom is a professional poker player and made much of his wealth through online gambling.
What Are Brighton & Hove Albion's Biggest Rivalries?
Crystal Palace are Brighton’s main rivals despite the two teams’ stadiums being over 40 miles apart. It is a peculiar rivalry, and one that has only developed in recent decades.
For a long time, Palace have been Brighton’s closest geographical Football League team, though there have been long periods – like the 1990s and early 2000s – when they very rarely faced each other.
What Are Brighton & Hove Albion's Highest Salaries? How Much Is The Club Worth?
That ranks 18th in the Premier League for last season, with only Cardiff and Huddersfield – who were both relegated – spending less on wages. Pascal Gross was the Seagulls’ highest paid player, receiving around £50,000 per week.
Nike are Brighton’s current kit manufacturers and have been since 2014. The deal was recently extended to cover until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Most Memorable Moments & Greatest Achievements
Brighton have a long history including many ups and downs. The greatest time in the club’s history has arguably been in this decade, however.
The club came back from the brink of bankruptcy and nearly falling out of the Football League to become a Premier League side within just a few years.
A new stadium breathed fresh life into the club as they competed in the top half of the Championship before earning promotion to the top flight under Chris Hughton in 2016/17.
The Seagulls also enjoyed four seasons in the top flight (or Division One as it was called back then) from 1979 to 1983.
They played in their first and only FA Cup final in 1983, forcing Manchester United to a replay, but losing the second match 4-0 as Bryan Robson scored a brace.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Fan Profile
Brighton has a good local following, as they are the main football team in the area. While they do not have the reputation of some other Premier League supporters, the Amex Stadium is seldom short of atmosphere on a matchday.
Songs like ‘Sea, Sea, Seasider’ will be belted out from the terraces, and the fans have more than played their part in some crucial home wins for the Seagulls in recent years. Fatboy Slim and Des Lynam are two of Brighton’s famous fans.
Amex Stadium, Brighton
Falmer Stadium has been Brighton’s home ground since 2011. It hosted its first competitive match in August of that year, as Brighton lost to Doncaster.
The ground’s capacity is just under 31,00 and it is currently known as the American Express Community Stadium, though it is commonly referred to as the Amex.
Famous Brighton & Hove Albion Legends
Brighton have a long list of club legends from their over 100-year history. Few can rival the brilliant Tommy Cook, the club’s top scorer and county cricketer for Sussex. Cook went on to manage Brighton as well as serving in both World Wars.
Jumping forward nearly a whole century, Glenn Murray has become an iconic figure at the club over his two stints and he could well overtake Cook on the goal scoring charts in 2019/20.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The heavyweight boxing landscape flipped on its head earlier this month after Andy Ruiz Jr’s surprise victory over the previously unbeaten Anthony Joshua. That result could go down as one of the biggest shocks in boxing history…
With so many elite fighters in the heavyweight division, picking a standout boxer is difficult but we’ve given it a go. Without further ado, here are our top five heavyweight boxers right now…
Anthony Joshua
The golden boy of British boxing, Joshua was widely regarded as the best heavyweight boxer on the planet prior to his fight with Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019. However, what followed at Madison Square Garden, New York was a crushing moment for Joshua fans…
Joshua was handed the first defeat of his professional career, with Ruiz knocking him to the floor four times in the space of four rounds. The result sent shockwaves across the boxing world and Joshua will need to prove that he is mentally strong enough to bounce back.
Whether it was a case of complacency or not, Joshua’s unbeaten record is gone – and it will never return. 888sport boxing odds show Joshua at 3/10 to make amends in a rematch later this year and plenty of punters fancy the British fighter to do just that.
Let’s not write Joshua off just yet. With 22 wins and one defeat on his professional record, it would be foolish to suggest that his career is about to go downhill. His next fight is crucial though – this is the ideal chance for Joshua to prove his status as an elite boxing star.
Oleksandr Usyk
After spending the majority of his career fighting at amateur level, Usyk decided to try his hand at professional boxing in 2013. He finished his amateur career 335 wins from 350 fights – the highlight being a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Usyk will make his heavyweight debut at some point in the near future and the rest of the division will be keeping a close eye on his progress. If he can make a smooth transition from cruiserweight to heavyweight, the likes of Fury and Wilder will be wary of his skillset.
The biggest negative surrounding Usyk’s chances of heavyweight glory is his build. Standing at 6 foot 3 and weighing approximately 14 stone, he may be found wanting at this level. He may not be able to generate the same sort of power as other heavyweight fighters…
Boxing fans are excited to see whether Usyk can make the transition. If Usyk can maintain that same agility and dominance in the heavyweight division, it will be only be a matter of time before he is involved in a world title fight.
Deontay Wilder
Widely regarded as the most dangerous fighter in the sport of boxing, Wilder’s reputation is growing. The 33-year-old has a 41-0-1 professional record with 40 of those victories coming inside the scheduled distance – that’s an incredible 98% knockout rate.
Wilder has successfully defended the WBO heavyweight title on nine occasions and he will put his world title on the line once again in September. Cuban Luis Ortiz has been granted a second opportunity to face Wilder after losing to the American in March 2018.
Sometimes rash in the ring, Wilder has been accused of going too gung-ho at times and he is one of boxing’s controversial figures. As a person, he has made a handful of eyebrow-raising comments over the years but as a boxer, his record in the ring speaks for itself.
With a future rematch with Fury looking likely in 2020, Wilder will be quietly confident of confirming his status as the most dangerous heavyweight boxer on the planet. Beating Fury will not be easy but the American may take a more aggressive approach in the rematch.
Andy Ruiz Jr
Did anyone really expect Ruiz Jr to defeat Joshua? The Mexican was a massive underdog on most betting sites, with 888sport going 1/20 for Joshua to win the fight. However, Ruiz Jr dug deep to secure one of the greatest heavyweight victories ever.
Ruiz Jr acted like the utmost professional all week ahead of the bout. He was asking to hold the world title belts, requesting photographs with Joshua and conducted himself well in the press conferences. Was he trying to lure Joshua into a false sense of security? Possibly…
On fight night, Ruiz Jr looked calm and collected approaching the ring. What happened over the next seven rounds of heavyweight boxing was incredible, with Ruiz silencing his critics – and there were plenty of them. In the blink of an eye, he shot up the world rankings.
With three world heavyweight titles under his belt, Ruiz Jr has to rank as one of the top two fighters on the planet. Remember, he had just five weeks to prepare after stepping up as a late replacement for Jarrell Miller. Just imagine how good he could be with a 12-week training camp!
Tyson Fury
Still the lineal heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury is arguably the best in what is one of boxing’s deepest divisions. Fury got his career off to a flyer with a first-round knockout over Bela Gyongyosi in 2008 and he always looked destined for greatness.
He was a huge underdog ahead of his fight with the great Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 but Fury taught the Ukrainian a lesson. Awarded the win by unanimous decision, Fury was at the top of the world.
Personal issues got the better of him for some time but Fury made a comeback to the sport in June 2018 – over two and a half years after the Klitschko bout. Since then, the hunger for boxing has returned and Fury was up on most scorecards when facing Wilder in December.
However, the judges scored the bout all square and rumours of a potential rematch in 2020 are rife. Fury is priced at 4/6 in 888’s sports betting odds to silence his critics and add a loss on Wilder’s record. He sets the benchmark for success in boxing’s heavyweight division.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
And then there were four. The race for the 2019 Women’s World Cup is well and truly on – and all four remaining teams will fancy their chances of glory.
Lifting the showpiece trophy in women’s football is the ultimate goal for every player involved this summer and they are now just 90 minutes away from a date with destiny in Lyon on July 7th.
The United States (22/25) stand in the way of a first Women’s World Cup final for England. Team USA are widely regarded as the best female team around and Jill Ellis will have her players fired up and primed for a huge effort on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Phil Neville will try to conjure up a plan to stop the USA in their bid to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
In the second Women’s World Cup semi-final, the Netherlands face Sweden in what could be a fascinating encounter. Holland were crowned European champions in 2017 but this is their first appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
Meanwhile, Sweden have reached the semi-finals in two of the previous four tournaments and that experience could be key.
So, let’s take a look at both Women’s World Cup 2019 matches. There is so much at stake for all four nations and it is an exciting time for the women’s game. Fingers crossed for lots of goals and excitement – there’s no hiding place at this stage of the competition.
ENGLAND vs UNITED STATES
Can England’s Lionesses do what England’s men failed to do last summer and reach a World Cup final? Based on their performance in the last eight, you’d have to say that Phil Neville’s side have every chance. Sit back, relax and watch what could be a fantastic contest…
England never really got out of first gear in the group stages but the Lionesses took their game to new heights in their 3-0 victory over Norway last time out. Ellen White has been as consistent as ever in front of goal and she could pip her rivals to the Golden Boot award.
The 16/5 available for England to win in 90 minutes is tempting. Defensively, the Lionesses are robust and the United States will have to work hard to break England down. Team USA haven’t come up against an attacking unit like England this summer and that could play into England’s hands.
With Germany suffering a shock defeat in the quarter-finals, Team USA’s route to a fourth Women’s World Cup trophy is a little easier. 888sport football betting odds have the United States at 3/4 to win the tournament this summer and they are looking scarily good.
They set a new record for the biggest win in World Cup history in the group stages, putting 13 goals past a hapless Thailand. Since then, the USA have been much more efficient though they did come under late pressure from hosts France in the previous round.
However, Ellis’ side repelled the waves of French attack and confidence is high ahead of this clash with England. The 11/10 for over 1.5 United States goals on Tuesday night should be snapped up ahead of this Women’s World Cup semi-final.
NETHERLANDS vs SWEDEN
The Netherlands will be confident of reaching their first Women’s World Cup final this summer – and who could blame them? With five wins from five games, Holland have been one of the standout teams and they deserve to feature in the showpiece.
We’ve had some low-scoring matches in the 2019 competition but the Netherlands tend to consistently score goals. With two or more goals in four of their five games, backing Holland to score over 1.5 goals at 29/20 could be the way to go.
Holland have won the last two meetings between the sides without conceding a goal and it may prove prudent to back that outcome again here. Punters can get 13/5 for Netherlands to win to nil on Wednesday night – that may be the best bet of the semi-finals.
Sweden came from behind to defeat Germany in the quarter-finals and it would be unwise to write Peter Gerhardsson’s side off completely. Capable of holding their own at this level, Sweden could spring another Women’s World Cup shock.
With just one defeat so far this summer, Sweden have been consistently strong and Holland will be wary of an upset. They have had the beating of Sweden in recent years but this is the World Cup semi-finals and anything can happen.
888sport’s latest football betting odds have Sweden at 9/4 to win in 90 minutes. A second Women’s World Cup final appearance beckons if the Swedes get their game plan right – the Netherlands aren’t invincible and Sweden could exploit their weaknesses.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Football fans, strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a thrilling ride. There are just four team remaining in the 2019 Copa America and predicting an outright winner at this stage is still incredibly tough.
Brazil, 4/5 favourites in 888's sports betting odds, have home advantage but Tite’s side have failed to inspire confidence for large parts of this summer’s competition.
A mouth-watering clash with arch rivals Argentina awaits in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The game is scheduled to get underway at 1:30am but it could be worth staying up for.
Brazil and Argentina are two of the strongest teams in international football and plenty of punters will be expecting a top-quality affair in Belo Horizonte.
The second semi-final sees Chile, Copa America winners in 2015 and 2016, face Peru. While this contest may not be as glamorous on paper, both countries have their own scintillating brand of football and this could turn out to be some spectacle.
888sport football odds have priced Chile up as early favourites at 9/10 to win inside 90 minutes.
Without further ado, it is time to take a closer look at both Copa America 2019 semi-finals. This is the business end of the competition and it is ‘do or die time’ for all four nations. Let’s hope for an exciting and entertaining double header…
BRAZIL vs ARGENTINA
Touted as favourites to lift the Copa America crown for the first time since 12 years, Brazil have struggled to cope with the weight of expectation so far this summer. Booed off the pitch on several occasions, Tite’s men need a statement victory and they need it quickly.
Beating Argentina would certainly go down well with Brazil supporters across the country and all will be forgiven for their sub-par efforts if they can reach the 2019 Copa America final. 4/5 for Brazil to win inside the scheduled 90 minutes is a decent price.
Gremio star Everton Soares has been one of Brazil’s top performers this summer and he could make the difference here. Priced at 14/5 to score in Wednesday’s Copa America 2019 semi-final, Everton is one of our players to watch for the future.
However, it would be foolish to write Argentina off. The 14-time Copa America champions last lifted South America’s prestigious trophy in 1993 and the entire nation will be hoping for that run to end this year. With Brazil stuttering, you never know…
Lionel Messi has not been at his brilliant best but this could be his time to shine on the Copa America big stage. Leading Argentina to the 2019 Copa America final would be an incredible achievement and Messi is a 13/5 chance to get his name on the scoresheet.
Brazil should prove too strong for Argentina but this is the Copa America and anything can happen. Both teams to score is the value bet at 11/10 and we could see lots of goal-mouth action in this contest. What a way to start the 2019 Copa America semi-finals!
CHILE vs PERU
Chile were tipped to struggle in most pre-tournament Copa America 2019 predictions but it hasn’t panned out that way for Reinaldo Rueda’s side. Winners of the last two Copa America tournaments, Chile are still capable of holding their own on the international stage.
Alexis Sanchez, virtually non-existent for Manchester United in 2018/19, has stepped up to the plate this summer. With two group stage goals and the winning penalty in the Copa America quarter-finals, Sanchez is in good form and 47/20 to score is a decent price.
La Roja continue to defy the odds and 9/10 for Chile to win in 90 minutes offers reasonable value. A 1-0 group stage defeat to Uruguay is the only blemish on their 2019 Copa America record and Chile will be quietly confident of reaching the final for the third time in a row.
Like Argentina, it would be unwise to write Peru off though. Chile haven’t been perfect by any stretch of the imagination and punters may fancy a surprise semi-final result. The 18/5 with 888sport for Peru to advance to the final offers immense value.
A Peru win wouldn’t go down as one of the greatest Copa America shocks but it would raise eyebrows across South America. Peru have failed to score in three of their four games this summer but 10/13 for over 0.5 goals here looks like a good bet.
The heart says Peru but the head says Chile – experience at this level is vital and those two Copa America victories could help Rueda’s men here. Peru will give it a good go though and this one could go the distance if Ricardo Gareca’s side stand resolute in defence.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
With Royal Ascot 2019 now at an end, from an ante post betting point of view it is well worth picking through the results with a fine toothcomb and finding out what the future plans are for many of the runners.
Naturally it pays to focus on the Royal winners going forward, but there are also lots of horses that filled the places that should go down in your notebook too.
Gold Cup hero Stradivarius is now on a seven-race winning streak, with his last defeat coming on Champions Day in 2017.
"What an amazing horse he is. He is a horse for the big occasion and I love him dearly," said his jockey Frankie Dettori.
"I am only nervous because the people care so much about this horse. It's a wonderful story. Every time he runs he delivers."
Stradivarius will now head to the Goodwood Cup and will attempt to win it for a third time. If he does so he will equal Double Trigger’s hat-trick of victories in the race (1995,’97 and ’98).
Melbourne Cup scorer Cross Counter finished fourth at Ascot and will also head to Goodwood for Charlie Appleby, while fifth-placed Flag Of Honour will have an entry for Aidan O’Brien.
The Mark Johnston-trained runner-up Dee Ex Bee looks all set to rock up at Goodwood too with connections indicating that different tactics will be employed this time.
“Going forward, we are thinking that it is probably not ideal for our horse to make his own running. Having something to aim at might help him, as he enjoys a battle” said assistant trainer, Charlie Johnston.
Britannia scorer and bookies saviour Biometric will probably be seen at the Glorious Goodwood meeting next but at present does not hold any engagements. Runner-up Turgonev is likely to run in the Golden Mile at the same venue.
South Pacific, who led home stablemates Constantinople and Eminence in the King George V Stakes will head to the Goodwood Cup before having a crack at the Irish St Leger.
Mark Johnston’s Persian Moon, who finished fourth behind three Aidan O'Brien runners, will probably head to Goodwood too.
"It was very exciting, and we were thrilled. We might have a go at the big three-year-old mile-and-a-half handicap at Glorious Goodwood next.
"That might be the plan. We'll see how it goes" said Persian Moon’s racing manager.
The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket is the next target for the Albany runner-up Celtic Beauty.
The race winner Daahyeh has been installed into next year’s horse racing betting odds with 888sport for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.
Brian Meehan, trainer of the 100/1 third-placed Aroha, said: "The Lowther would be the race that comes to mind and then the Cheveley Park. She doesn't need too much more. That was her fourth run.”
Aidan O'Brien has earmarked two potential options for Japan following his rousing victory in the King Edward VII Stakes.
O'Brien said: "We probably have two choices with him. There is either the Grand Prix de Paris (at ParisLongchamp on July 14) or come back to Ascot for the King George (July 27).
O'Brien must also be tempted to have a go at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe later in the year. Japan is priced between 12-1 and 16-1 for Europe's richest race.
The Phoenix Thoroughbred-owned Advertise has come out of the Commonwealth Cup well and is on target for the July Cup, for which he is a 3/1 chance with us here at 888sport.
Also prominent in the betting for the July Cup is the Wokingham winner Cape Byron, who was racing over six furlongs for the first time at Royal Ascot and is currently trading at 6/1 for the Group 1 sprint.
French raider Watch Me provided a 20-1 shock victory over Aidan O'Brien's Hermosa when landing the Coronation Stakes.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained daughter of Olympic Glory will probably have a longer-term engagement at the Arc meeting at Longchamp in early October.
When Thanks Be triumphed in the Sandringham Handicap Hayley Turner became only the second female jockey to ride a Royal Ascot winner. It will definitely be worth following the first half dozen fillies in this race in the future.
Baghdad held on gamely in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes and made it a Royal Ascot double after scoring in the King George V Stakes last year.
Early entries for the four-year-old include the Tattersall’s Stakes and the Bet365 Trophy at Newmarket, plus the Irish St Leger in September.
Pinatubo broke the track record when taking the Chesham on the final day of Royal Ascot. "We'll step up in class now, obviously.
"Something like the Vintage Stakes (at Goodwood) could be for him, the way he travels. The National Stakes (at the Curragh) wouldn't be out of the question later” said his elated trainer, Charlie Appleby.
After a narrow victory in the Jersey Stakes, Space Traveller will be staying at the same trip for the foreseeable future.
"That's the next step for him, the Lennox (at Goodwood) - something like that and that would suit him well. It is the only place we can go really” said his trainer Richard Fahey.
Fresh from taking the Hardwicke Stakes, Roger Varian’s Defoe looks set to return to Ascot in a bid for more Group One success in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes where he likely to go head-to-head with Arc heroine Enable.
As we speculated in last week’s Royal Ascot review double-winner Blue Point has indeed been retired.
"Blue Point has a fantastic mind, is a natural athlete and was a pleasure to train. I have every confidence he will, like his sire Shamardal, be a huge success as a stallion" said Charlie Appleby.
Runaway Wokingham victor Cape Byron will need to put his best hoof forward again if he is to score in the ultra-competitive July Cup.
And finally, Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Cleonte may well take on the mighty Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup.
That concludes all the horse racing news from Royal Ascot 2019. We really hope you have some success playing the future ante post markets.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
It has been labelled silly season by fans as newspaper columns and tabloid websites publish transfer gossip, ranging from the unlikely to the outrageous, in an attempt to keep readers interested during the summer months.
Much of what we come across can be filed under nonsense, but this season seems different as clubs from the Premier League aim to make their moves early.
The transfer window has been altered to coincide with the opening weekend of the 2019/20 season which gets started on Friday 9th August at Anfield where Liverpool take on Norwich.
That seems to have geed managers up a bit and we have seen a flurry of transfer activity during June with teams like Aston Villa, Man Utd, West Ham and Wolves moving on their transfer targets.
This is just the start, so it’s best to keep track odds and changes on the 888sport mobile betting app alongside other news or football betting apps.
Let’s peel back the headlines and take a closer look…
Aston Villa Have Been Busy
Aston Villa have been busy in the transfer market as they aim to hold their own on their return to the Premier League.
Many bookmakers have them picked as one of the favourites to be relegated but The Villans are an ambitious lot and the board have backed Dean Smith’s vision for the future.
Fans can take heart from last season’s efforts when they snuck into the top tier through the play-offs and with the right signings there’s no reason why they can’t perform above expectations, especially in the first half of the campaign.
One of the first names to arrive at Villa Park this summer was former Birmingham attacker Jota who penned a two-year deal, joining forces with Dean Smith who he worked with at Brentford.
The Spaniard was one of the standout performers for Birmingham last season and his form caught the eye of Smith who believes he deserves a step up and will be of use this year.
Brazilian Striker Has Fans Excited
The 28-year-old is certainly no stranger to English football and will be keen to hit the ground running with his new employers. This looks a fairly safe investment by the Villa manager who knows exactly what he’s getting with Jota and obviously trusts the player.
The step up in class from Championship to Premier League is huge, it’ll be interesting to see how he copes.
Jota’s arrival has been backed up by the signings of 24-year-old Dutch international winger Anwar El Ghazi from Lille, London born defender Kortney Hause who was bought for £3m from Wolves following a successful load spell, and Wesley Moraes.
The latter is a 6ft 3inch Brazilian striker who has already got fans talking. The 22-year-old played 107 times for Club Brugge, scoring more than 30 goals and all eyes will be on him when Villa get started against Tottenham in London.
The signings made so far suggest Dean Smith aims to go on the attack this season, but what do 888Sport traders make of the club’s chances of survival.
The betting suggests they have taken up position on the fence, offering an eye-catching 9/2 for a top 10 finish. Relegation is seen as a more likely outcome and punters will find plenty of 2/1 around.
The Pressure's On Solskjaer
Moving from a side expected to spend much of the season at the wrong end of the table to one struggling under the weight of expectation. This is a vitally important campaign for Manchester United and manager Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer.
The former Red Devils player was brought in to replace Jose Mourinho in the second half of last season and made a blistering start.
The gaffer instantly transformed the fortunes of his side, pushing them into contention for a top four finish, but they staggered across the finish line, ending down in sixth.
Missing out on the riches of Champions League football was a real body blow for a club with United’s outgoings and although in an ideal world the young manager would be given the kind of time afforded to Sir Alex Ferguson in the early part of his career, it’s just not a luxury that can be spared in modern football.
Ole’s side must show serious improvement on last season, either by finishing in the top four of the Premier League or following Chelsea’s example and winning the Europa League.
There’s money available to spend as the Old Trafford board understand the team needs to be strengthened in just about every department but Solskjaer hasn’t been as active in the transfer window so far as fans would’ve hoped.
With Chelsea in turmoil at the minute, losing both Eden Hazard and Mauricio Sarri, there’s an opportunity for United to take the bull by the horns and really push for a top four finish in the coming months.
A convincing summer is needed, and they must follow that with a strong start to the season.
Welsh Wonderkid's In Town
Daniel James was brought in from Swansea and that’s seen as a decent move, although it has done little to excite fans, especially casual followers.
The 21-year-old winger has been capped at every level for Wales from U17s through to the senior squad and was one of the standouts during what was a poor season for The Swans last time.
£12m has been sunk into this transfer and that will only increase expectations on the young man who will be asked to get his new employers up the park, quickly turning defence into attack.
A lot of weight to place on the newbie’s shoulders but Solskjaer has shown faith in his abilities and the player will be keen to repay that. If James can catch the eye of his boss, there’s every chance he’ll be handed a starting roll against Chelsea on 11 August.
A decent enough start from the club but they will have to spend big in the coming weeks if they are to dampen the growing unrest amongst supporters.
Manchester United have been written off as 25/1 no hopers with 888Sport to win the Premier League and that looks about fair, although there will be interest in that quote from the value hunters amongst us.
A top four finish would do for the Red Devils board and that has been chalked up as an even money shot.
Wan-Bissaka Arrives In Big Money Deal
21-year-old right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka arrived at Old Trafford from Crystal Palace in a deal thought to be worth in the region of £50m.
It has been reported that the England U21 international will scoop a staggering £80,000 per week and it was a move that caught may off guard.
Fresh from his efforts at the U21 European Championships, Wan Bissaka wants to continue the form that saw him catch the eye last season.
The winds of change are blowing through Stratford as West Ham are challenged with improving on last season’s mid-table finish.
The Hammers ended 10th last term and that went down as a decent effort following a poor start, but more is expected of a side with a fantastic new stadium and money to spend.
A return to Europe is long overdue and regulars at the former Olympic Stadium are beginning to demand a return on their investment.
There hasn’t been an awful lot for the claret and blue faithful to cheer in recent years, but Manuel Pellegrini is hoping he’s the man to change all that. The jury is still out on the former Man City manager and he’ll be judged on how his side fair this term.
West Ham are ringing the changes, showing many of their misfiring stars the door while bringing in reinforcements in an attempt to freshen things up and change the mentality in the dressing room.
There’s something in the east London air that tells us merely competing at the top level won’t be enough anymore. The club must move towards European football and go deep in the two cup competitions.
Easier said than done in a Premier League that seems to get more competitive in every department year on year.
A big ask but there’s nothing to say West Ham can’t drive at the top eight and ask questions of the likes of Everton and Wolves who finished just a few points ahead of them last time.
Fornals Will Do His Talking On The Pitch
Pellegrini unveiled Pablo Fornals and although the 23-year-old Spaniard didn’t immediately set pulses racing when his £24m transfer from Villarreal was confirmed, the attacking midfielder does boast a couple of caps for Spain and that doesn’t come cheaply.
Not a household name just yet, Fornals will be confident in his ability to let football do the talking and if he can help get his new employers higher up the park and on the front foot, he’ll have the fans chanting his name in no time.
Fornals was a product of the Malaga youth system, coming through the ranks at La Rosaleda where he scored seven goals in almost 60 appearances.
His fearless attitude and attacking style of play caught the eye of Villarreal who took advantage of a 12m Euros buyout clause in the youngster’s contract.
It proved a shrewd move as he went on to play 70 times for The Yellow Submarine, both in La Liga and in Europe, as well as featuring for The Red Fury at U21 and senior level.
Pablo is a player who loves to get forward with the ball at his feet and he’s one that’ll entertain the crowds, dragging supporters up out of their seats.
How much of a difference will he make to this West Ham side? There’s a decent 13/10 available at 888sport on them matching the efforts of last season and finishing in the top 10, 14/1 they end in the best half dozen.
The former is sure to be popular, especially with punters building accumulators.
Hungry Like The Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers upset the expectations of many when finishing seventh last season and sealing Europa League qualification.
It was better than fans dared to dream this time last year, but it was a deserved achievement thanks to a record of 16 wins, nine draws and 13 defeats.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will now enjoy the backing of the board as he aims to build a squad capable of handling the intense schedule that comes with campaigning on the continent.
Raul Jiminez isn’t exactly a fresh face at the Molineux as the 28-year-old Mexican striker played 38 times for the club while on loan from Benfica, but the move has been made permanent and that will only help settle the scorer.
He seems to be enjoying his football in England, chipping in with 13 goals and his recent form has also earned him a regular slot in the Mexican attack. Jiminez will be key to any success Wolves have in 2020.
Matching the levels of last season is going to be a big ask for Wolves but traders are in no rush to write them off, having had their fingers burnt last season.
Improvement to a top six finish has been priced at 9/2, a top four unlikely at a market best price of 16/1 with 888sport. Holding their ground and ending in the top 10 seems much more likely and can be backed at 2/5.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
