Elite Sports Betting Tips: July 8
Nations League Volleyball - Italy vs Serbia - Point Handicap - Serbia +12.5 @ $1.75
Nick
A must win clash for Serbia if they’re to keep pace with the Top 6.
They were a rabble against Slovenia a couple of days ago - although this was mostly self-inflicted - committing nearly double the amount of unforced errors as their opponents.
Their attack is still devastating though, and against Italy their attacking prowess largely rests on Aleksandar Atanasijevic’s shoulders, most of their attacks going through the opposite hitter.
Italy on the other hand are sitting 2nd overall and in cruise control, virtually assured of finals playoffs.
I’m backing Serbia to at least pinch a set off Italy, which should be enough to ensure this comes through. 1.5 units
MLS - FC Cincinnati v New York Red Bulls - 1x2 New York Red Bulls @ 2.32
CBod
Cincinnati will be hosting for the 9th time this season with only one other team across both conferences of the MLS with a inferior record - just 10 points at home from the 8 matches.
They’ve only won once in 6 games and conceding 14 along the way, including 6 in their last 2.A good time for the leaders of the Eastern Conference to visit.
And the Red Bulls have been better away from their New Jersey stadium this season, racking up 19pts in 10 games and subsequently holding the best away record in the whole MLS.
To get 2.32 with the above points considered seems a bit of value. 1 unit
CSGO - IEM Cologne - Mibr vs Movistar Riders Winner: Mibr @ 1.95
Alex
While these teams have only faced off once before with Movistar Riders winning 2-0 at Katowice in February, both teams look relatively even in form and skill.
Considering this match is a Bo1 format, the map will be a huge factor. This looks very much like a 50/50 contest. With the overtime promo included, Mibr at 1.95 seems like a good price. 1 unit
UFC Vegas 58 - Rafael dos Anjos vs Rafael Fiziev Fight Not To Go The Distance @ 2.28
Blake
The UFC heads back to the Apex in Las Vegas this weekend for another card littered with quality fights from top to bottom.
The Main Event however does provide the most intrigue and it looks an exciting match-up with division legend Rafael dos Anjos going toe-to-toe with rising star Rafael Fiziev.
These two were set to meet previously but for one reason or another haven't stepped into the octagon together yet.
That all changes this weekend and we're expecting an all action affair.
Fiziev will be looking to make a statement as he hunts title shots in the near future and dos Anjos is still fighting at an elite level right now.
For that reasons expect the judges to not be required in this one.
It feels a fight where Fiziev has the tools to put dos Anjos away but it's a dangerous fight for both men so we'll play a little conservatively and hope that either way this one finishes inside the distance. 1 unit
Outrights - ATP Wimbledon - Winner Nick Kyrgios @ 3.80
Matt
Wimbledon comes to a close for another year this Sunday, and i think I've found one in the Men's draw with Nick Kyrgios to win the tournament outright.
Only three players remain, with Djokovic and Norrie fighting out for the remaining spot in the final.
Kyrgios got a free ride after Nadal pulled out of their semi final with injury.
Djokovic is heavy favourite to win the Semi Final and the tournament, but in the likely chance he meets Kyrgios in the Final I fancy Nick's chances to knock him off.
Nick's big serving game is perfectly suited to grass and has fared well for him recently, with strong performances this grass court season so far.
On top of that he would come into the game fancying his chances, and currently holds 2-0 head to head record having won both previous encounters vs Djokovic.
While Djokovic is deserved favourite I think he will really struggle to break Nick's serve, and if Nick plays to his best, he could definitely be crowned Wimbledon champion, come Sunday night. 1 unit
MLS - Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers -1x2 & Total - Seattle Sounders & Under 4.5 @ 2.18
Cesar
The MLS continues this weekend! It has been quite a good month packed with action for the Major League Soccer and Seattle Sounders has definitely been part of that!
They’ve won eight of their last 17 matches, and have scored two goals or more in nine of their last 17.
Although they sit mid table in the Western Conference, they are definitely not a team underestimate.
Portland timbers on the other hand, slowed down months ago, but managed to pick themselves back up and get good results to climb out of the bottom of the league.
Winning here for Portland means getting level with Sounders and obviously getting further away from the bottom of the league.
Considering the recent form of both teams and what’s at hand this game, attacking football will be a given here.
Seattle sounders seem to have the upper hand playing at home and having a couple key players in form.
Sounders to win scoring more than 1 goal for sure, but a determined Portland keeping the scoreline under 4.5. 2.5 units
WTA - Wimbledon Womens Singles - Elena Rybakina vs Ons Jabeur - Total Games Over 22.5 @ 2.07
Nathan
The match we’ve all been waiting for, the Ladies Finals at this years Wimbledon Championships!
What a matchup we have lined up between Rybakina and Jabeur who have burst through their respective brackets to earn their debut Grand Slam appearances.
This will be a belter with both players brining in unique styles of play, Jabeur possessing the element of finesse and turn in her strokes while Rybakina likewise able to match up against all forms of groundstroke play as displayed in her victory against the powerful Simona Halep.
From a H2H standpoint, these two have met each other 3 times (1 being a retirement) and in both of the completed matches, we’ve seen at least 1 set go to a tiebreak as well as 2-1 scorelines to the victor, split 1 a piece for the ladies.
We continue to ride that trend here at the All England club, expect a tough, gritty contest that will push 3 sets or if not, will be sure to see a tie-breaker where a 7-6 6-4 score will still get us over this generous overs line! 4 units
Boxing - Mark Magsayo v Rey Vargas - Winning Method Vargas by Decision @ 2.48
Brad
The WBC Featherweight belt is on the line this weekend in Texas with champion Mark Magsayo taking on challenger Rey Vargas.
This is the first title defense for Magsayo after he took down long time belt holder Gary Russell Jr. back in January via majority decision.
For Vargas this will be his second fight at featherweight after beating Leonardo Beaz in his debut at 126 pounds back in November.
This promises to be a fascinating bout between two undefeated fighters.
Magsayo may have more experience in this weight division but Vargas is an exceptionally talented fighter who has the capability to pick apart the game of the current belt holder.
The big question on Vargas is if the former super bantamweight champ (116 pounds) has the power to finish Magsayo.
On the flip side to that, Vargas will have the height and reach advantage in this one and will look to use his superior distance management to see his hand raised at the end of 12 rounds.
We’re backing the Mexican to become a double weight champ in a fight that will go the distance. 2 units
CFL - Winnipeg Blue Bombers v BC Lions - BC Lions -3 @ 1.91
George
It is a battle of the undefeated this weekend in British Columbia, but there's only one team who look to be primed for this contest.
Despite being 4-0 the Blue Bombers haven't clicked on all cylinders yet, and have needed some bouts of good fortune over the last month to get to a perfect 4-0 record.
On the other side, the Lions had their first scare of the season when they squeaked home for a 34-31 win against the lowly Ottawa Redblacks last week and may be the reason behind a conservative book line for the contest.
The Blue Bombers still look too one-dimensional on offense for my liking, struggling to find any rhythm in their running game and relying too much on Zach Collaros' arm at quarterback.
The Lions look potent, and have the ability to force turnovers on defence that will give them the upper hand. 28-17 scoreline I'm predicting, going in favour of the Lions. 2.5 units
2nd T20I - England v India - Jason Roy Total Runs Over 22.5 @ 1.85
Dom Rae
India comfortably defeated England on Thursday in the first match of this T20I series to gain some revenge for a freak of a Test Match earlier in the week.
India set the home side a daunting target of 199 and that total never looked in danger as England lost early wickets and couldn't build any partnerships throughout the chase.
Saturday's match is at Edgbaston which has seen some monster totals in the Blast in recent weeks, with Birmingham Bears bludgeoning 228 last month and Hampshire clubbing 186 on Thursday, so runs are on the cards and Jason Roy could be the man to get them for England.
Roy is a world class operator and has averaged 31.22 in this year's Blast from 9 innings and he also hit 73 and 101 in England's recent ODI series in the Netherlands.
Despite being out for four in the first game, excuses can be made given England were under pressure to get early runs.
Opener Roy is more than capable of bouncing back from that and his recent form suggests a score of 23 or more should be within his grasp. 1 unit
AFL - Gold Coast Suns vs Richmond Tigers - Winner - Richmond @ 1.87
Caelum
The wheels may have just fallen off the Suns bandwagon in the last couple of weeks.
With injuries continuing to mount and now two close losses on the trot, the finals dream may be over for Stuart Dew's men.
They now host a Richmond side fresh off the back of an important win against West Coast at home.
Although Dustin Martin will be missing with a hamstring injury, Richmond should go into this one full of confidence.
Dion Prestia is back after his concussion against Geelong and young key defender Ben Miller is back into the team to help counter a Suns forward line who will be very key forward-dependent.
Sam Day returns to the side, while former no.2 pick Jack Lukosius also returns, with his role in the side yet to be known.
With Izak Rankine out of the side however, the plan seems clear for how the Suns plan to tackle Richmond.
The Suns may give the Tigers some trouble if their key forwards, led by former Richmond man Mabior Chol, can take control up forward.
But given how important this is for the Tigers, with top four still as much of a possibility of missing the finals, we'll back their experience to get the job done.
Up forward, Tom Lynch will be hoping to once against best Sam Collins, and Jack Riewoldt should have the quality to do just that on either Charlie Ballard or Caleb Graham. 1 unit
F1 British Grand Prix 2022 - 1st Practice Winner - Leclerc, Charles @ 2.50
David
Equipped with a fresh power unit which saw him take grid penalties in Canada, Charles will be eager to put in some laps and try to test out his new car and this should equate to fast times in first Practice.
Worthy to note he’s set the fastest time on 1st Practice 5 out of 9 times so far this year and on the times that he doesn’t, he usually came in second. I think 2.50 might be too long a price here. 3 units
Major League Baseball - Orioles v LA Angels - Baltimore Orioles & Under 8.5 @ 3.10
Matt R
The Orioles have a much better designed logo than the Angels however, not so much better that they will go the over 8.5 total. 2.5 units
AFL - St Kilda v Fremantle - Winner - St Kilda @ 1.93
Nathan P
The Saints are riding high after their huge win over the Blues last week with big Tim Membrey absolutely firing!
Saints look whole again with Jack Steele back and despite their strong season so far, still suspect if Fremantle are the real deal just yet.
Under the bright, bright lights of Marvel Stadium where the Saints feel most at home, they get it done to keep their top 8 hopes alive. 2 units
League of Legends - LCK - Gen.G vs T1 - Correct Score (in maps) T1 to win 1-2 @ 3.90
Ben
This match sees 1st play 2nd, the two top dons of the Korean League of Legends ladder battling to secure top spot on the ladder this year.
The series will be very close, im expecting to see a full 3 game series go down to the wire with T1 to secure the bag in the 3rd!
Noting that Gen.G carries an undefeated 6 win streak to start the season so far, it's time they dropped a match to the OG kings of league of legends, T1 Fighting! 1.5 units
CSGO - IEM Cologne 2022 - Faze vs 00Nation - Map Handicap: -1.5 Faze @ 1.60
Alex
Should be a straightforward match for Faze. They've been in great form having won 4 of their past 6 matches against top tier opponents.
Their two losses were against Big, narrowly losing both matches in the 3rd map. Expecting Faze to take this 2-0. 1 unit