BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 6th-7th JULY

Soccer – Swedish Allsvenskan – Sirius vs Ostersunds

We’re heading to the Allsvenskan once again for the first of our big betting events this weekend. This is the archetypal mid-table fixture, however it appears that the two sides are heading in different directions.

Sirius picked up a notable result at the weekend with a 1-0 away win at Norrkoping. Although most of the focus will be on the losing side, credit must go to the side who were only promoted to this level in 2016. They were superbly well organised, and although the hosts were wasteful at times, IK Sirius defended well for large periods of the game.

Sirius’ second half of the campaign was a significant concern last year, but they seem to have plateaued for now. They are a little inconsistent with a recent record of W-L-W-L-W. Home defeats to Hacken and Djurgarden are concerning, but both of those sides are above them in the table and playing well. This should be much easier.

The recent transfer window activities have skewed results slightly in the Swedish top flight, although IK Sirius have not been one of the busiest sides this summer.

It doesn’t seem like yesterday that Ostersunds were competing in the UEFA Europa League against Arsenal. Ian Burchnall’s side are currently sat tenth in the Allsvenskan, and they seem to be treading water at the moment. They aren’t going anywhere fast, and they are winless in five.

They come here off the back of successive home draws, with their 1-1 draw against Sundsvall a particularly damaging result. Ostersunds did keep a clean sheet at the weekend, which seems to be a step in the right direction, but they need to find their shooting boots once again. They’ve netted just 13 goals so far this season, with only four sides (including the bottom two) netting fewer so far this campaign.

This is a fascinating match-up, and it’ll be interesting to see if IK Sirius can build upon their superb away win last weekend. Ostersunds could struggle to keep them off the score-sheet here, and I can’t wait to see which way this swings.

Allsvenskan fans in the UK can catch the live action this weekend through online bookmaker streaming services.

UFC – Light Heavyweight – Jon Jones vs Thiago Santos

It’s already been an exciting 2019 for UFC fans, and this is another potentially mouth-watering clash between Jon Jones and Thiago Santos. UFC 239 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena and this headline bout is the second of our big betting events taking place this weekend.

Although there has been plenty of talk between the pair ahead of this bout, it is notable that there is healthy respect between the duo. Thiago Santos listed Jones amongst his top fighters, with his opponent happily sitting alongside the likes of Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

However despite this, he described Jones as “not a good role model”. His presence inside the Octagon has certainly helped Jones become a household name although his antics elsewhere haven’t always impressed.

Following Jones’ story is fascinating as there is always an unexpected twist or turn. He has already seen off Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith, and will be confident coming into this bout. However, the constant talk of Metabolite is hanging like a millstone around his neck, and it is consistently a talking point.

Santos claims that he sees “no weakness” in his opponent, and knows he will have to be at his absolute best here. He called him “well-rounded”, “intelligent” and “incredibly skilled”, and knows he’s in for a tough night.

Jones is unsurprisingly odds-on and a very short price ahead of this fight. It is going to take a significant effort from Santos to overturn Jones, and the money is against him here. He spoke of Jones’ tactics, alluding to his underhand tactics which often take place during the bout. The referee is unable to keep on top of them, and many an opponent has suffered because of these.

It would be a career dream for the Brazilian to topple Jones, and although it seems unlikely, I think he appears to be suitably motivated for this match-up. I don’t think it’ll be straightforward for Jones to hold onto his light heavyweight title, and Santos will be determined to bring the belt back to Rio.

It is a decent match-up, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Santos has got the measure of Jones and his perceived ‘tactics’.

This UFC bout can be viewed on BT Sport this weekend. Viewers in the UK can access all of this year’s match-ups across their network.

Soccer – Russian Super Cup – Lokomotiv Moscow vs Zenit St Petersburg

As we’re edging closer to the return of competitive football, a number of leagues are beginning to get back underway. Russian football returns this weekend with the Super Cup taking place between Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg, and it’s the third of our big betting events.

Zenit have been training hard in Austria this week, and they have been taking part in a number of pre-season friendlies. Artem Dzyuba has returned to the camp, and is likely to play a significant role once again.

They ended the first half of the season on a high with a convincing 4-1 victory over Yenisey. Sebastian Druissi netted twice and Sardar Azmoun also finding the back of the net. Zenit made a slow-start to the campaign, but they found their groove eventually, and if in the same frame of mind – they could be hard to stop here.

Lokomotiv have not had much luck in the Russian Super Cup in recent years, and were defeated in last year’s event. They managed to hold CSKA to a goalless draw, but were defeated in extra-time. This is also a repeat of the 2015 Super Cup which saw Zenit win 4-2 on penalties.

Lokomotiv have not clinched this piece of silverware since 2005, and have lost each of their last four appearances in the Russian Super Cup. It has been a hard-luck story for Lokomotiv and they will be determined to finally get their hands back on the trophy.

They ended the season with back-to-back 1-0 wins in both the Russian Premier League and the Cup, and they’ve looked good in their recent friendlies as well.

It ended 1-1 when they met in April, and with both sides seemingly defending well going into the summer, this could be a slow-burner. However, it is a fascinating curtain raiser to the second half of the season, and I can’t wait to find out whether Lokomotiv can finally end their hoodoo in this competition.

Many online bookmakers will be streaming this game live for viewers in the UK

Aussie Rules – AFL – Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power

This fixture which is often known as the “showdown” is always one that I look out for on the fixture list. It is a clash between two very competitive sides in the south, and the Crows vs the Power is the fourth of our big betting events this weekend.

There’s not a huge amount between these two sides in the ladder with the teams sat sixth and ninth respectively. The Crows put up a superb fight, but came up short against the runaway leaders. Geelong won 96-69, leaving the Crows to lick their wounds in sixth. Their 8-6 record isn’t bad, and their top eight ambitions are still very much in tact.

The Power aren’t quite as conistent, and their recent record of L-W-L-W-L makes them incredibly hard to predict. After surprisingly toppling the Cats, they folded against the Western Bulldogs on a very soggy pitch. They are very capable on their day, but their young squad seems equally adept at displaying moments of inexperience.

The Crows have dominated the showdown in recent meetings, and they have won each of the last three. They’ve won eight of the last ten fixtures between this pair and they will be going off favourites once again here. However, the unpredictable Power could make it difficult for them.

Port Adelaide Power have become frustratingly unpredictable and unreliable, and coach Ken Hinckley has told his players that they must “grow up” and “toughen up”. They still hold play-off ambitions, and if they can repeat their outstanding performance against the Cats, then they are in with a chance of upsetting the odds here.

BT Sport are showing highlights of each AFL fixture this season for the benefit of UK viewers