Knockout Football, Wimbledon & Rugby: Denis Kirwan’s Weekend Betting Preview
This weekend's sporting calendar brings together the football tournament knockout stage, Wimbledon, international rugby, and the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
Sports journalist Denis Kirwan shares his views on the biggest sporting events of the weekend, highlighting the key storylines and the most interesting betting opportunities.
France are now 15/8 favourites with 1XBet Ireland to win the WC and that looks a good bet based on what we’ve seen so far. This French side are a joy to watch. Should they go on to win their second WC in three editions, they may go down as the greatest WC team in history, eclipsing even the great Brazilian team of 1970. Their legendary attack of Pele, Rivellino, Tostão and Jairzinho is now matched by Mbappe, Olise, Dembele and Doué. France are 1/6 to defeat Paraguay in tonight’s Round of 16 and the South Americans are 14/1 to cause what would be a seismic upset. France are just evens to win -2 goals in the handicap. Kylian Mbappe is 8/13 to add to his goal tally and it’s 12/1 on him to score a hat-trick. That’s worth a shot. He’s virtually unstoppable. A France/Argentina final is considered the most likely outcome at 4/1 with a France/England decider next best at 7/1.
Jannik Sinner is 4/5 favourite with 1XBet.ie to successfully defend his Wimbledon men’s singles title. His task has been made easier by the absence of Carlos Alacaraz but he melted in the Parisian heat to exit the French Open in the second round and with temperatures set to soar at Wimbledon, Sinner looks a risky bet. 39-year-old Novak Djokovic is playing in his 21st Wimbledon. He’s 6/1 to match Roger Federer’s record of eight men’s titles. He may well do but time appears to be catching up with the legendary Serb who had a battle in his first round. At 50/1, the value lies with up and coming young Brazilian player, Joao Fonseca, who sailed through his opening two matches. Aryna Sabalenka is 3/1 favourite to become the tenth consecutive different winner of the Wimbledon ladies singles title. Amanda Anisimova suffered the ignominy of a 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2025 final and Anisimova is 14/1 to bounce back and claim this year’s title
The World Rugby Nations Championship features the twelve strongest rugby nations in the world – six from the Northern Hemisphere, four from the Southern Hemisphere and two guest nations, Japan and Fiji. Ireland play all six non-Northern Hemisphere teams over three Saturdays in July and three Saturdays in November with the finals taking place in London at the end of November. Andy Farrell’s men are 7/1 with 1XBet.ie to win the series and 11/4 third favourites after France and England to be the top Northern Hemisphere side. Ireland get this inaugural series underway this morning against Australia in Sydney and it’s close to call with both teams 10/11 to win and the draw at 20/1. The advantage is with Ireland who have won seven of the last eight tests with the Wallabies. With no injuries to report, Ireland can make it eight out of nine and get the series off to a flying start.
Cork and Limerick are long odds-on to make it through to the All-Ireland hurling final this weekend.The Rebels are 1/3 to see off Galway, who are priced at 100/30 and will be happy that they are not playing Limerick, who have beaten them in three recent semi-finals in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Galway will relish their underdog tag as they have beaten today’s opponents in their last five meetings. The Tribesmen have nothing to lose and should be backed at 10/11 +5 points in the handicap. Limerick are considered virtual certainties to beat Clare tomorrow. The Treaty are 1/5 to ease through to the final while the Banner can be backed at 9/2. Limerick are as ruthlessly efficient as ever and beat their neighbours by a whopping 15 points in the Munster round robin series two months ago. Limerick at 4/5 -6 points looks the bet.
From the football tournament knockout stage to Wimbledon and international rugby, this weekend promises plenty of memorable sporting moments. Follow the latest action, expert insights, and major events with 1xBet Ireland.
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