Who will start for England against Croatia on Sunday?
Since yesterday, Jack Grealish has been cut from 9/4 into a best price of 11/8 to start England’s opening match of Group D against Croatia in the European Championships.
The English midfielder is as short as 5/4 with some bookmakers after an eye-catching performance against Romania which saw him win the penalty that ensured England head into Euro 2020 with a win. Grealish is one of many in-form attacking talents that Gareth Southgate has at his disposal but is fancied by a number of punters to edge out the likes of Jadon Sancho at 21/10, Marcus Rashford at 10/11 and Raheem Sterling at 5/6 to secure a spot in England’s starting XI.
The Aston Villa captain has received widespread praise from England pundits and fans alike with his ability to add a new dimension in the attacking third. His willingness to run at defenders proved to be invaluable in England’s warm up games and may well be key to unlocking Croatia’s defence come Sunday.
Contenders odds
Odds for Tyrone Mings to start for England against Croatia have also shortened dramatically from 7/2 to a best price of 11/10. With significant doubts over Harry Maguire’s 21/10 fitness, Southgate will need reinforcements to fill up to three centre back spots and bookmakers expect Mings to be at the forefront of the manager’s thoughts.
Jordan Henderson’s long-awaited return from injury against Romania also caused some notable movements in the market with the Liverpool captain shortening from 9/4 into 7/4. With an important 45 minutes under his belt, Henderson will now compete with the likes of Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Jude Bellingham for a starting spot in central midfield.
Sports-specific betting guides for smarter wagers
Welcome to Best Of Bets’ practical, sport-by-sport betting guides designed to help you place smarter, more informed wagers. These insights complement our bookmaker reviews, bonus comparisons and expert tips so you can spot value, manage risk and bet with confidence.
Use our featured affiliate links and on-site banners to compare odds, boosts and place terms with the trusted UK bookmakers we recommend. Always gamble responsibly and only if you are 18+.
How to bet by sport: tactics, trends and value
Every sport prices risk differently, and understanding those differences is the gap between a good idea and a value bet. We focus on market structure, team news, scheduling and conditions, then align them with the right bet types and staking discipline.
Track closing line value, shop prices across our partner sportsbooks and prioritise markets where your knowledge edge is strongest. Fractional odds remain standard in the UK, but checking both fractional and decimal displays helps when comparing minute price gaps.
Football betting: markets, line-ups and in-play edges
Team news moves football markets quickly, especially in player starts, cards, shots, goals and bet-builders. Blend data (xG, chance quality, set-piece threat) with managerial tendencies and schedule context for sharper pre‑match and in‑play decisions.
If you’re following international tournaments, note how starting XI uncertainty and travel can widen bookmaker pricing spreads. Use our banners to find price boosts, bet-builder offers and best odds on key selections with regulated UK operators.
Premier League and cups: data that drive decisions
Expected goals, shots on target, set-piece xG and pressing intensity (e.g., PPDA) are core inputs for match odds and totals. Look for mismatches like high set-piece xG teams versus opponents with below-average set-piece defence to target corners, shots and scorer props.
Manager styles matter: low block teams suppress shot quality but can concede volume, influencing unders on team xG but overs on corners. Track referee profiles for cards and penalties, and remember cup ties can change risk profiles as teams chase outcomes late.
International football: qualifiers, travel and rest
Qualifiers and international friendlies introduce travel fatigue, altitude and quick turnarounds that can depress pressing and chance creation. Age profiles and limited training time often favour simpler, direct patterns, which can boost set-piece value and long-shot frequency.
Motivation varies across groups and windows, so check whether a nation has already qualified or rotates heavily. Price movement near team announcements is common, so consider early positions only if you anticipate a line-up angle, and always compare odds via our links.
In-play tactics: tempo shifts, subs and late value
Live pictures and data feeds reveal tempo changes, tactical tweaks and substitutions that reshape shot quality and card risk. Late-game scenarios with chasing teams can spike corners and shots; use in‑play lines to capture these surges rather than forcing pre‑match overs.
Time decay affects prices as the clock runs, so anchor decisions in game state rather than “due a goal” logic. Cash‑out is a tool, not a strategy; plan exits before kick‑off and avoid emotion-led decisions that breach your staking plan.
Horse racing: form, ground, pace and price strategy
Racing rewards discipline, deep notes and efficient each‑way staking when terms are favourable. Read form beyond finishing positions, paying attention to pace shape, ground, class moves, weight and trainer patterns.
Use our bookmaker partners to compare extra places, best odds guaranteed and price boosts on targeted races. Small edges compound when you secure top of market each-way terms and avoid late over-bet favourites.
Handicaps, graded races and spotting class drops
In handicaps, identify horses that were ridden for education, faced bad draws or met trouble in running yet shaped well for today’s conditions. Class droppers moving from stronger races into easier company can hold concealed form against unexposed types at shorter prices.
In graded races, look for pace pressure that sets up closers or lone-speed types that can dictate. Watch for trainer placement patterns and seasonal targets; some yards peak specific strings at festivals or meetings with historically strong results.
Pace maps, draw bias and sectional times explained
Pace maps help you forecast run styles and energy distribution, which steer win and place chances. Draw biases vary by track configuration and going, so cross-reference draw trends with current field shape and likely pace.
Sectional times reveal whether a horse was forced into inefficient fractions or shaped as a hidden improver. When sectional upgrades align with today’s pace and draw, you’ve a sound basis for a value play at double-digit prices.
Each-way terms, place boosts and staking choices
Each‑way bets are strongest when generous place terms meet open fields and you’ve a live price versus true probability. Shop place terms through our banners, noting that the same horse can be a marginal each‑way elsewhere but a standout value with enhanced places.
Align stakes with confidence and price, not emotion; multiple small each‑way bets often deliver steadier variance than one large win‑only. Avoid chasing into shortening favourites unless there’s fresh information that truly upgrades their chance.
Tennis betting: surfaces, schedules and momentum
Tennis markets reflect serve/return dynamics, surface speed and scheduling fatigue. Short turnarounds after late finishes, travel between time zones and back‑to‑backs can blunt performance even among favourites.
Build player profiles by surface, opponent handedness and rally length tolerance. Track injury timeouts and taped areas as context, but verify whether the market has already moved before you step in.
Grand Slams, Davis Cup and travel calendar timing
Grand Slams add best‑of‑five for men, altering stamina demands and comeback probabilities versus regular tour events. Davis Cup and team events introduce atmosphere, venue familiarity and captaincy choices that affect selection and motivation.
Travel from fast to slow surfaces, or outdoor to indoor, can swing match‑ups more than ranking suggests. When schedules compress, underdogs with fresh legs can keep sets tight, creating value in game or set handicaps.
Serve and return profiles, lefties and tie-breaks
Big servers on quick courts deliver tie‑break heavy matches, boosting over games and tie‑break props. Strong returners who attack second serves can flip favourites on slow courts where rallies extend and patience matters.
Left‑handers can trouble opponents with forehand patterns into the backhand wing, particularly in deuce‑court return games. Map these tendencies to court speed and altitude to refine totals and handicap positions.
Clay, grass and hard courts: what really travels
Clay rewards movement, topspin and point construction, while grass favours first‑strike tennis and low bounce skills. Hard courts vary widely, so check historical hold/break rates at the venue rather than assuming a generic profile.
Players with adaptable patterns and efficient serve plus one tactics travel best across surfaces. When both players prefer similar patterns, lean on recent venue data and fatigue factors to price small edges.
Cricket betting: formats, player roles and conditions
Cricket requires reading format tempo, pitch character and role clarity for batters and bowlers. The toss and dew can be critical in limited‑overs; plan pre‑match and in‑play contingencies around these variables.
Use franchise leagues for rich player data, and adjust for venue size and boundary dimensions. Check workloads across tours to anticipate rotation, especially for fast bowlers with heavy schedules.
Test, ODI and T20: tempo, risk and selection value
Tests reward patience and skill against movement, so note swing-friendly venues and wear across days. ODIs balance accumulation and bursts, while T20s compress risk into short, decisive passages where match‑ups dominate.
Select markets that fit format: session runs, partnerships and wickets in Tests; top bat/bowler and powerplay lines in T20s. When teams rest stars, props on emerging players can present mispriced opportunity if the role upgrade is clear.
Player props: matchups, roles and batting positions
Top batter value often lives at stable positions with strong powerplay or middle‑overs records. For bowlers, identify match‑ups versus right/left-handed clusters and assess death‑over assignments where wickets spike.
All‑rounders with defined overs and top‑six batting hold outsized upside in performance points markets. Review form, role certainty and recent venue impact before committing to player props at shorter odds.
Pitches, weather, dew and chasing versus setting
Surface hardness, cracks and grass cover shape swing, seam and spin, while humidity and wind enhance movement. Dew aids chasing under lights by skidding the ball and reducing grip for spinners, potentially flipping pre‑match totals.
In-play, reassess targets after the first powerplay or midway time‑outs. If conditions ease for the side chasing, consider totals overs or modest chase handicaps when the live price lags the new baseline.
Golf betting: course fit, weather and tee-time draw
Course architecture and agronomy filter the field into profile winners: approach-led tracks, driving tests or short-game playgrounds. Strokes gained splits by approach distance and around the green help you align player skill with course demands.
Weather stacks the deck via wind, rain and morning versus afternoon waves, creating draw biases. Each‑way markets shine in deep fields, especially when our partner bookmakers offer extended place terms.
Strokes gained, approach play and putting profiles
Approach is the most repeatable skill; target iron specialists whose proximity fits the course’s dominant yardages. Putting volatility means you want sustained tee‑to‑green form backed by at least neutral putting trends.
Short courses can amplify wedge play, while longer tracks reward elite long irons and distance. Use recent form as a tiebreaker, not the foundation, and avoid overreacting to one hot putting week.
Wind, rain and altitude: identifying weather edges
Windy weeks favour low‑ball flights, creative shot‑making and superior lag putting on slower greens. At altitude, balls fly further and approach windows change, benefiting players comfortable adjusting numbers and trajectories.
Rain softens greens, helping high‑spin approach players hold targets and attack pins. Monitor tee‑time splits and consider wave plays if one side faces calmer, drier conditions through the scoring windows.
Each-way terms, dead-heat rules and bankroll goals
Enhanced places can turn a good each‑way into a standout bet when the field is deep and volatile. Read dead‑heat rules before you place, and align stake sizes to your bank so a near‑miss doesn’t derail your week.
Use our banners to secure the best each‑way terms and odds ladders across UK partners. Diversify positions across outrights, top 20s and match‑ups to smooth variance across four days.
Safer gambling: limits, time-outs and age checks
Online betting should be enjoyable, controlled and available only to adults aged 18+. Set clear budgets, consider deposit limits and time‑outs, and never view gambling as a solution to financial concerns.
We promote socially responsible betting and partner with licensed UK bookmakers that support safer‑gambling tools. Please check ID and affordability requirements, and opt into reality checks where available.
Tools: deposit limits, reality checks and exclusions
Use deposit and loss limits to cap exposure, and activate reality checks to keep sessions short and focused. If you need a pause, take a time‑out or apply self‑exclusion across all accounts via recognised schemes.
Customise product‑level blocks if certain sports or markets trigger poor habits. Treat these tools as standard practice, not a last resort.
Advertising standards: offers, clarity and fairness
Promotions should be clear about eligibility, min odds, wagering and expiry, and we only feature licensed operators. We never suggest gambling will solve money problems or boost social status, and we avoid content of strong appeal to under‑18s.
Read full terms before opting into any offer and ensure it suits your style of play. If something is unclear, contact the bookmaker’s support before placing a bet.
Get help: support lines, charities and best practice
If betting stops being fun or you feel out of control, seek confidential help from the national helpline or accredited charities. Share your plan with a friend, limit access to funds and take a structured break from betting.
We encourage all readers to review safer‑gambling guidance before major events and set personal limits in advance. If you’re under 18, do not gamble under any circumstances.
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What is Best Of Bets and who is it for?
Best Of Bets is a UK sports betting tips, strategy and bookmaker review site for readers aged 18+, featuring sport‑specific guides, odds comparisons and affiliate links to licensed operators.
How do your sport-specific betting guides help me place smarter wagers?
They explain market structure, key data and bet types per sport with staking discipline, helping you spot value and manage risk without chasing losses.
How should I compare odds and boosts across bookmakers?
Use our banners and affiliate links to shop prices in fractional and decimal, compare boosts and place terms with regulated UK sportsbooks, and monitor closing line value to see if you consistently beat the market.
What should I check before opting into a bookmaker offer?
Always read full terms—eligibility, minimum odds, wagering, expiry and payment restrictions—and ensure the promotion suits your budget and style of play.
What football betting edges does Best Of Bets highlight?
We combine line‑up news, xG, set‑piece threat, managerial styles, scheduling and referee profiles to target match odds, player props, bet‑builders and in‑play opportunities.
How can I find value in horse racing using your guides?
Look for ground suitability, pace maps, draw bias, sectional upgrades and favourable each‑way/place terms while avoiding late over‑bet favourites.
What matters most when betting on tennis?
Surface speed, serve/return profiles, fatigue and travel, handedness match‑ups and tie‑break likelihoods shape smarter totals and handicap selections.
How do you approach cricket betting across formats?
We weigh pitch and weather, toss impact, player roles and venue size to select formats‑specific markets—from sessions and partnerships in Tests to powerplay and player props in T20s.
What are the key factors for golf betting?
Align strokes‑gained profiles to course demands, factor wind and tee‑time draw, and seek each‑way value where our partner bookmakers offer extended places.
Do you provide safer‑gambling advice and who can use your site?
Yes—set budgets, use deposit limits, reality checks, time‑outs or self‑exclusion with UK‑licensed bookmakers, and only bet if you are 18+.
