Top 5 bets for the Ryder Cup Day 1 & more

When does the Ryder Cup start?

The action gets underway just after 1pm UK time with four foursome matches on the first morning. World number 1 Jon Rahm and Europe’s record points scorer Sergio Garcia are first out for Europe, taking on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Paul Casey and debutant Viktor Hovland are next, taking on world number 2 Dustin Johnson and Open champ Colin Morikawa. Lee Westwood, playing in his 11^th Ryder Cup, partners Matt Fitzpatrick against Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger, and the final match of the morning sees Rory McIlroy partner Ian Poulter against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

Rahm/Garcia v Spieth/Thomas - Stop at a Europe Hole Win 36-39

The first match of the Ryder Cup is so important, and Rahm and Garcia, arguably Team Europe’s star turn, have been sent out to lead by example. Team USA have also named two of their very best in Spieth and Thomas, and rather than a cagey affair, there should be lots of attacking golf and players taking risks. This market awards 10 points per hole played without a win for the named side, so sellers believe Team Europe will win one of the opening three holes, buyers think it will be at least hole for before the visitors get on the board. 

What’s the big game in the Championship tonight?

Third-placed West Bromwich Albion face QPR at The Hawthorns tonight in a match between two teams that have gone a little off the boil. The Baggies can go top with a win, but have drawn their last three games, while the Hoops have dropped to 8^th after back-to-back defeats.

Total Goal Minutes 148-158

QPR have scored the second most goals in the Championship this season but conceded the 4^th most and they were up to their usual tricks in midweek, when they drew 2-2 with Everton in the Carabao Cup before sealing a last 16 place on penalties. We’ve seen money for Total Goal Minutes, but will West Brom, who have conceded only seven goals in their eight games, joint second best in the division, be so accommodating?

When is the Cambridgeshire run at Newmarket?

The Cambridgeshire is run at 3.40 on Saturday afternoon, but the three-day Cambridgeshire meeting continues today. Today’s action is highlighted by two Group 2 contests, the Rockfel Stakes at 3pm and the 3.35 Joel Stakes.

Favourite Rush 29.5-31.5

This market awards points depending how many favourites win today at Newmarket. It’s no points if no favourites win, 10 points if one wins, 20 for two favourite winners, 33 for three, 50 for four, 70 for five and 100 for six or more. Looking at today’s card, there is a 1/2 favourite in the first and three more races have a favourite priced under 2/1. Punters who think those short-priced fancies are good things will be buying the Favourite Rush spread, but will they be rewarded?

What time is today’s Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings IPL game?

In today’s IPL game, at 3pm, second-placed Chennai face Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are third, but the two sides come into this in very different form. Chennai beat champions Mumbai in the first game back, while Bangalore were trounced by nine wickets with 10 overs to spare against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ravindra Jadeja Player Performance 32-36

Jadeja is a genuine all-rounder who can score in this market – which awards 20 points per wicket, 10 for a catch and 1 per run – in multiple ways. He took three wickets and scored 62 runs when Chennai beat Bangalore in the first part of this season, back in April. Can he repeat that form today in Sharjah?

Who is playing in the Super League play-offs?

Warrington Wolves host Hull KR in the Super League play-off eliminator. While Wolves have been to the Grand Final four times in the past nine years, KR have not made the play-offs since 2013, and having finished bottom of the table last season, just making it this far is some achievement.

Total Points 42-45

Last night’s play-off eliminator between Wigan and Leeds had only eight points in total, but there’s still been money for the overs in the Total Points market between Warrington and Hull KR. Back in May, Warrington beat Hull KR 50-26 in a 14-try game, will there be a repeat of that tonight?