While this weekend’s spotlight will no doubt focus on South Africa and the football World Cup final, there’s still plenty of sport on offer here in the UK and with luck we can find some decent betting odds to back. The weekend’s highlights at home include the British Grand Prix and the Scottish Open golf tournament. Add the Tour de France, which appears to finally be back on two wheels, and international cricket and the weekend has something to offer everyone.
Starting at home, how can we miss the British Grand Prix with both Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button racing in fine form? Hamilton has to be at the top of the drivers championship and is now outright favourite to win the title at 7/4. Button has also firmed coming in from 10/1 to 8/1 to take the title. Sebastian Vettel is second pick at 5/2. For this Saturday’s race, online bookmakers have made Sebastian Vettel favourite at 9/4 ahead of Lewis Hamilton at 3/1 and Mark Webber at 5/1. Webber has been in good form and if he can avoid any problems on the track, should race well here. Hamilton will be dangerous on his home track and looks the one to beat.
When it comes to cricket, England are playing Bangladesh and, although it looks easy, the visitors are no longer the walk-overs they once were. Betting does suggest otherwise, however, England is 1/10 to win while the best price for the visitors is 8/1.
In Scotland, the Scottish Open goes into day two with low scores the order of day one. Phil Mickelson (even for a day) was well favoured early, however, he failed to fire while all those around returned low scores. Darren Clark returned a six under on day one to lead by one from England’s Graeme Storm, Ireland’s Damien McGrane and Italian Edoardo Molinari. Ernie Els is the current favourite at 10/1 although still 4 strokes off the lead. Clark is second pick at 12/1 followed by Mickelson and Molinari at 14/1. If Mickelson can finish one or two in this event he will take the world number one crown from Tiger Woods. It’s early days, but Clark is in form and Mickelson has a lot to play for.
The Tour de France is heading towards the mountains and we finally have a decent race. The problems that faced riders in the early stages are gone and riders seem to be faring much better. There has been little change to betting with Alberto Contador still a short 8/15 favourite from Andy Schleck at 7/1. There has been some money for Cadell Evans again and he is in to 11/1.
We can’t leave today without a brief look at the World Cup final on Sunday. The Netherlands (6/4) are looking at perhaps a third time lucky situation while Spain (3/5) are looking to be winners at their first attempt in a final. It will be a dour affair and while Spain are the favourites, I like the look of the Dutch.
The best betting odds for the weekend:
Motor Sport
Hamilton and Button to go one-two – 7/1 – William Hill
Vettel and Webber to go one-two – 5/1 – PaddyPower
World Cup football
Netherlands to win World Cup – 6/4 – Bet365
Scottish Open golf
Mickelson to win Scottish Open – 16/1 – Coral
We’ll leave the Tour de France until is settles down a little more and, as for the cricket, you won’t get any better than 1/10 for England anywhere so look elsewhere for good bets.