BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 22nd-23rd JUNE

Soccer – Copa America – Qatar vs Argentina

There were mixed fortunes for each of these two nations in their respective opening tournament fixtures, and this will be a fascinating match-up between the pair. Argentina are long odds-on for this Copa America clash, and it is the first of my big betting events this weekend.

It’s been a terrible couple of years for Argentina, and not even the mercurial Lionel Messi can help turn things around. After an underwhelming 2018 World Cup, Scaloni’s men opened this years Copa America with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia. For all of their attacking riches, they were unable to find the back of the net against their opponents, and their worrying downward trend continues.

It was their first defeat to Colombia in 12 years, and it puts a dent in their hopes of reaching the final once again. They have a great history in this tournament, but their recent record is not quite as impressive. They have been involved in the last two finals, but have failed to get over that final hurdle.

They did have their chances in that game, but were unable to take them. They should get plenty more in this match.

In contrast, Qatar were left feeling very satisfied with their lot following their 2-2 with Paraguay. The invited nation weren’t expected to pick up many points during the course of this tournament, but their opening day stalemate left their small band of travelling fans in a state of delirium.

It proved that they will be no pushover this summer, and they are likely to give the rest of their opponents plenty to think about. They fell behind as early as the fourth minute, but they had the spirit to fight back, and not let their heads drop.

Qatar have not really been given much of a chance by the bookies, but they won’t go down without a fight. They are unlikely to get anything from this tie, but it certainly doesn’t look like they will be embarrassed by Argentina. Messi and co seem short on confidence at the moment, and they appear unable to find the best starting XI. However, they should have the individual quality to come through this tie.

With Qatar buoyed by their unlikely draw, and Argentina deflated by their opening loss, there will be an interesting mix of emotions going into this game.

I can’t wait to see how Argentina approach this one. It is expected to be one-sided, but it could be closer than the bookies imagine.

All of the matches from the Copa America will be shown live on Premier Sports this summer.

Soccer – African Cup of Nations – Algeria vs Kenya

Despite it being mid-June, there is a surprising amount of football on at the moment, and the AFCON could potentially go under the radar as a result. Algeria will be quietly fancied for success in this year’s competition, and they open their tournament against Kenya. It is the second of our big betting events for this weekend.

Djamel Belmadi’s men have been preparing for their trip to Egypt with a number of warm-up games including a decent victory over Mali. Their Doha-camp looks to have served them well, and they are clearly taking this year’s event very seriously.

They’ve been drawn in Group C, and will face Tanzania and Senegal, but they begin their campaign with a potentially tricky-looking tie against Kenya.

Riyad Mahrez and Andy Delort combined for a strike against Mali, and the duo will look to link up once more in this fixture.

Algeria are odds-on favourites for this tie, and they do have that extra star-quality, but Kenya will be no pushovers, and they will fancy their chances of getting off to a fast start.

The Harambee Stars have been talked up by their own Federation President and they will provide plenty of danger from wide areas. They have faced Madagascar and DR Congo, and performed well in both of those ties. Victor Wanyama is arguably the team’s biggest name, and he will look to be instrumental in the centre of the park.

It’s an interesting match-up between the pair, and both sides will be desperate to get off to a winning start. Opening fixtures in the AFCON are rarely high-scoring and one-sided affairs, and this game could be tighter than the odds-on price suggests.

Algeria will be determined to pick up three points, and they do have more firepower than their opponents. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly they can break down Kenya in this opening Group C game.

EVERY single AFCON game will be shown on Eurosport 1 or Eurosport 2 this summer

Soccer – Copa America – Peru vs Brazil

We’re back to the Copa America for the third of our big betting events this weekend. Brazil got off to a fairly comfortable start last weekend, but how will they fare against a lively Peru side?

The hosts could not have asked for a simpler start to their Copa America campaign as they cruised to a 3-0 victory against low-scoring Bolivia. However, the scoreline does not tell the full story…

The home fans booed at the break as Tite’s men trudged off the field having failed to find a way through.

Brazil will be without Brazil for the entire tournament, and whilst they did appear to lack a focal point at times, they had enough going forward to eventually find a way through in the second half.

Coutinho, who has had a wretched season at Barcelona this year was instumental in his side’s victory, and he’ll be looking to help his side pick up maximum points here.

This will be significantly tougher for Tite’s side, and the 56-year old cannot expect Gareca’s men to give his side an easy ride. Peru put in a decent display last year at the World Cup, and although they could only pick up a goalless draw against Venezuela last weekend, they did have the ball in the back of the net twice.

Peru will have already faced Bolivia by the time they go into this final group game, and they will be expected to have collected four points from a possible six by this stage. There could be plenty to play for in this fascinating tussle between the pair.

Los Incas have some very talented players, and they will be determined to upset the odds in this clash. Gareca’s side know that they have the ability to frustrate their opponents for long periods of the game, and they will be looking to find gaps in the Brazilian back-line.

This is Brazil’s toughest task during the group stage, and if they can overcome this challenge, they will fancy themselves to go all the way.

Peru vs Brazil will be shown live on Premier Sports this weekend for UK viewers.

Aussie Rules – AFL – Port Adelaide Power vs Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide Power are back on home turf after facing a number of games on their travels, and they will be hopeing to use home comforts to propel them back into the top eight. Their clash with high-flying Geelong is the fourth of our big betting events for this weekend.

Power have suffered from inconsistency this season, and they find themselves just outside the top eight going into this clash. This is about as tough as it gets, and with a 3-2 home record this season, Geelong will be expected to leave with all of the points here.

The Cats have a perfect 6-6 record on the road this season, and they are going to take some stopping! They come off the back of a bye, but had won eight in a row prior to their week off. They sit top of the ladder, and have plenty of momentum, and it’s simply a question of whether they can maintain it here.

The Power have a terrible record against the Cats, and have failed to win 14 of their last 15 meetings with this weekend’s opponents.

Scott Lycett is likely to be key to Power’s chances if they are able to get anything from this clash. He has been a big improver in recent weeks, and he could be instrumental for the hosts.

However, Tim Kelly is unstoppable at the moment, and he may prove decisive in this match-up. He was excellent against North Melbourne, and will take plenty of confidence into this one.

Geelong will be expected to be victorious, and it’s hard to see them tripping up anytime soon. They must maintain their focus, and not get complacent in games such as this one.

All AFL games this season will be part of the highlights package shown on BT Sport in the UK.