Sri Lanka v Australia
Cricket World Cup – 10.30 am
Sky Sports
Four matches have now been wiped out at the Cricket World Cup. The persisting rain is taking some of the shine off what has been a brilliant tournament so far. Sri Lanka have collected four points from their opening four games. That leaves them in a competitive position still to make a run at the top four. They aren’t expected to get that done though. This is a tough match for them and Sri Lanka are the big 9/2 underdogs.
Their match against Bangladesh in the week was rained off. They probably would have won that, so that was a dropped point for them. Australia were stumped by the power of India in their big headlining match-up but then held their nerve against Pakistan to pick up a 41-run over them. The Australians did have a bit of a batting collapse in the fixture though. But still with the batting power of David Warner, who is 13/5 to top score for them, and the lethal bowling threat of Mitchell Starc, the win for the Australians is expected.
Netherlands Women v Cameroon Women
Women’s World Cup – 2.00 pm
BBC
The Netherlands are the reigning World Champions and they looked as if they were going to be left frustrated in their opener against New Zealand. But a stoppage-time goal from Jill Roord got the Dutch up and running. This on paper, is the easiest fixture that they will get in the group stage. Three points from it will likely land the Dutch in the next round. That was the fifth straight win for the Netherlands in their current form and they have not conceded in any of their last four.
Given their star power of Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema, the Dutch will be expected to coast in this. The Netherlands Women are 8/15 to win to nil at leading bookmakers. Cameroon battled gallantly in their opener against Canada but still took a 1-0 loss. There just wasn’t any kind of attacking threat coming from them. Given the amount of effort they put in, they are likely to tire in the second half of this fixture. The Netherlands, with their slick style, will likely be one of the best bets of the day for punters.
Canada Women v New Zealand Women
Women’s World Cup – 8.00 pm
BBC
The Canucks got an opening win on the board in the World Cup. That was a 1-0 success over Cameroon. It wasn’t a thumping that they delivered to the African Nation but Canada won’t be worried about that. They are in great form with no defeat in any of their nine games played in this calendar year, winning eight of those. The big thing about Canada is not their scoring output, although they have Christine Sinclair (who needs four goals to be the top goalscorer in the history of the women’s game at international level), it’s their defence
Canada have conceded a total of one goal in their last ten games. That’s a remarkable run and it suggests that they will likely keep the Kiwi’s at arm’s length. Canada to win to nil is at 21/10 with leading bookmakers. New Zealand almost got a point out of the Netherlands in their opening game but conceded in the 92nd minute. That was heartbreaking for them after such a bold defensive effort. They are still looking for their first ever point at a Women’s World Cup.
Argentina v Colombia
Copa America – 11.00 pm
Premier Sports
This is a huge heavyweight clash right at the start of the group action at the Copa America. Whoever comes out on top in this game is likely to go all the way and top the section. Argentina have lost four of the last five Copa America Finals, and all of the hype is whether or not Lionel Messi will finally win his first major international trophy.
They have an enviable attacking line-up, but Argentina face a stiff challenge in Colombia. Los Cafeteros have had a great warm-up, and have been scoring freely. They are a good young side and go into this one as 5/2 underdogs. That keeps Argentina at odds-against at 6/5. This is going to be a tense game, perhaps one that they will both care about not losing more than anything.
Tyson Fury v Tom Schwarz
Boxing – 4.00 am (Sunday 16th)
BT Sport
After the shock defeat for Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz, Tyson Fury is the next big heavyweight to step into the ring. The heavyweight division was rocked by Joshua’s defeat and it sent a big warning that no opponent can be underestimated. Fury will be taking on German challenger Tom Schwarz, who is going into the biggest fight of his career.
Will Fury avoid the same fate as Joshua? Well, the leading bookmaker have him as short as 4/9 for a knockout win. There’s not a great deal known about Schwarz and how well he will stand up and compete in such a high-level fight. He looks a little slow in the ring though and if anything, Joshua’s defeat will have Fury dialled in and focus him even more.
