Italy Women v Netherlands Women
Women’s World Cup – 2.00 pm
BBC
This could well be the most entertaining of the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. Italy have set the tournament alight with some wonderful, fearless attacking football. They have been a big surprise package on their return to the Finals after a 20-year absence. Le Azzurre have not sat back and now stand on the brink of a semi-final berth. They were underdogs to make it out of their group through an automatic qualification spot.
They turned that upside down by beating Australia and Brazil to top spot in Group C. They did benefit from an easier round of sixteen tie when they went up against China. Italy just held their composure so well, handling the pressure of having been clear favourites for that tie. It didn’t throw them off their game and they continued to do what they have been doing. Italy Women are the 15/4 underdogs To Qualify but will have plenty of support.
The Netherlands are the reigning European champions and are on a seven-match winning streak. They have, however, looked a bit more ragged and unconvincing than Italy have done. The Dutch were on the ropes in their round of sixteen tie against Japan but squeezed through thanks to a late penalty. The Netherlands have been able to call on big moments from their star players like Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema. It is a credit to them that they have been winning still and they are 21/20 favourites with top bookies to win this.
Germany Women v Sweden Women
Women’s World Cup – 5.30 pm
BBC
The Germans have been faultless through this competition. They went into the tournament as one of the front runners, but they have not taken the big spotlight attention that the likes of France and the USA have done throughout. Perhaps it is because the Germans have played a slower, more calculated, conservative game. It looks as if it has been at times, a caution-first approach from the Germans.
They have not conceded in any of their four games at the tournament, so that indicates that they are playing to their defensive strengths. It is not as if they have been totally goal shy. Germany have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven games played. They have not conceded in any of their last five played and they are W6 D1 in their last seven fixtures. Top bookmakers have Germany at 7/5 to win to nil.
Sweden have quietly progressed throughout the tournament. They were happy to play second best to the USA in the group stage because it left them in the easier half of the knockout draw. The Swedes had to grind out a 1-0 round of sixteen win against Canada. Sweden are W5 L1 in their last six games with a clean sheet in three of those. They lost 2-1 in a friendly against Germany back in April and are 12/5 underdogs To Qualify from this one.
Karolina Pliskova v Angelique Kerber
Eastbourne Tennis Final
BBC
This should be some showdown at Eastbourne on Saturday in the final of the Women’s draw. Pliskova and Kerber are expected to be leading contenders when Wimbledon kicks into gear next week. Kerber is 7-4 up over Pliskova in the head to head and has won the last three non-Fed Cup matches against the Czech player. Kerber also won the only previous grass court meeting between the two players. Another huge benefit that the German received was a walkover in the semi-final of this tournament.
Put all that together and Kerber sounds like a favourite for this, but the leading bookmakers have her as 6/5 underdog. That’s because Pliskova has been in scintillating form at Eastbourne. She hasn’t dropped more than three games in any of the last three rounds of the competition. That includes her 6-1 6-2 win over third seed Kiki Bertens in the semi-final. Pliskova is at 4/6 odds to win the final on Saturday in what should be an absorbing contest.
New Zealand v Australia
Cricket World Cup – 1.30 pm
Sky Sports
It is a battle for top spot in the Cricket World Cup standings on Saturday. Old rivals New Zealand and Australia go head to head in a fantastic match at Lord’s. Australia are topping the table having won six of their seven games played so far and they made a big statement in their most recent game, a big 64 run victory over hosts England. That was played at Lord’s where this contest is being held. Australia are 1/2 odds-on favourites with top bookmakers to beat the Kiwis.
In the last ten completed ODI internationals between the two nations, things are even at five wins each. It has been a while since they met each other though, not having come into contact with each other since 2017, a three-match series which New Zealand won 2-0. New Zealand need a win in this one to guarantee that they get a top-four finish. They will also be looking to put their first loss of the tournament behind them.
New Zealand couldn’t handle the slower pitch at Headingley in their last contest against Pakistan. That ended New Zealand’s unbeaten streak at this year’s World Cup. But the conditions at Lord’s should them a bit better. But they will be wary of what Australia did to England recently at the ground. The top order for New Zealand are going to have to play a big part here and with captain Kane Williamson in superb form, they will have their backers at 13/8 underdogs.
Uruguay v Peru
Copa America – 8.00 pm
Premier Sports
It has been a fairly comfortable ride for Uruguay so far at the Copa America 2019. They topped their group with a W2 D1 record. They did have a little bit of work to do in their final match as they were up against Chile in a battle for top spot. However, a late goal from Edinson Cavani got the Uruguayans the victory. The win over Chile leaves Uruguay at W5 D1 in their last six games. They have taken a clean sheet in five of those six games. The top bookmakers have them as 8/13 favourites to win this game, which will probably one of the best bets of the day for punters.
Peru, who have taken top-four finishes at two of the last three editions of the Copa America only got through to the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams. Their success came against Bolivia after having drawn their opening game 0-0 against Venezuela. The Peruvians got a 5-0 thumping by Brazil in their final game. Peru have lost seven of their last thirteen games played. They have managed to take just the one win in their last four (D1 L2). They look a bit short of the quality to defy 5/1 underdogs odds, but they have surprised in recent Copa America tournaments.
