The weekend is coming right up, and here at betcha, we are going to continue bringing our best bets for this weekend’s slate. While we might not have heavy hitters on deck, with no All Blacks action and the FIFA Club World Cup behind us, there is still certainly plenty of action for us to sink our teeth into.
Also, I don’t want to toot my horn too much, but we went 4-for-5 last week, with the miss being a refund, so some would say we’re on a bit of a heater. Let’s carry that momentum on aye?
The Blackcaps are back in action under their new coaching staff after Gary Stead stepped down, as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. They face Zimbabwe again after winning their first two matches in the tri-series. Last time out, the Blackcaps’ bowling attack halted any momentum Zimbabwe was building by restricting them to just 120 runs in 20 overs, which set up an 8-wicket win.
I think New Zealand could deliver similar damage to Zimbabwe this time around, and this will be a big opportunity for key player Rachin Ravindra to find his rhythm again. He’s most likely to bat at No. 3, which should suit the 25-year-old, who seems due for some runs heading into this one.
The 3M Open is set for this weekend at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, offering some of the struggling names on tour a chance to build confidence, especially with the heavy hitters sitting this one out. With that being the case, we could see players like Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Maverick McNealy, and Akshay Bhatia step up and make a push for the title.
My best bet for this weekend’s tournament is former champion Cameron Champ to secure another top-20 finish. He’s been showing signs of the form we haven’t seen since he lifted this trophy in 2021, averaging a top-20 finish over his last four starts. Now, he brings that form to a course and competition where he’s had one of the biggest successes of his career.
After one of the worst performances the Warriors have put together this season against the Knights, they still managed to grind out a win thanks to one of the wildest endings I’ve ever seen, with Leka Halasima scoring on the final play. This weekend, they will host a struggling Titans side for the Saturday afternoon kickoff. With another week under their belt, I expect them to put together a more efficient performance.
That leads me to believe there could be some tries from the Warriors’ attack this weekend. If so, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (RTS) looks like a strong chance to cross the line once again. And really, who’s going to count out Halasima from scoring again, given his natural knack for finding the chalk in just about any situation?
The first Wallabies vs Lions Test was closer on the scoreboard than it should have been, thanks to a late try that flattered the Australian performance. Many believe the Wallabies were fortunate to escape with the score line they did after a lackluster first showing against the touring side.
As for the Lions, they’ll be aiming to be far more clinical this time around. If they can clean up their execution, they should be able to stretch the score line in the second Test. With that in mind if they stick with a similar line up and prioritize continuity, the 10.5-point start looks like solid value for those backing the Lions heading into the weekend
After the summer break, F1 is back with one of the biggest changes in recent memory, as Christian Horner has been relieved of his duties after more than 20 years as Red Bull’s team principal. As the teams head to Belgium, all eyes will be on Red Bull and how they respond to this dramatic shift in their hierarchy and decision-making.
That said, I think Max Verstappen could be in for a strong race this weekend, returning to a track where he has won three of his last four appearances. If anyone is capable of making a statement after such a major shake-up in the F1 world, it’s Verstappen.
His odds for a podium finish at a circuit that has treated him so well recently might be worth a look.