Best of the Weekend Sport. Our Picks for the Racing and Euro 2024

Euro 2024 certainly hasn’t disappointed on the entertainment front. Even previously dull England did their bit to set the pulse racing with that late turnaround against Slovakia. This weekend sees the best round of fixtures yet, with the quarter-final stage presenting a fascinating lineup. On the racing front, we have one of the most anticipated 1m2f events of the season, as the Classic generation butt heads with the older horses in the Coral-Eclipse, whilst Haydock stages the always excellent Lancashire Oaks.

Here, using data presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our best bets for what promises to be another enthralling weekend, including in the huge England vs Switzerland game.

Saturday: Lancashire Oaks – Haydock 2:40

We kick things off with the big event for the fillies and mares on Merseyside. As the title suggests, this Group 2 affair takes place over the 1m4f trip but, unlike its Epsom namesake, is open to runners aged three and older. Recent years have witnessed a strong age trend in this contest, with each of the past ten editions being landed by a four-year-old.

Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany and Queen Of The Pride from the John & Thady Gosden operation are the standout contenders from amongst the four-year-olds in 2024, having each scored in Group 3 company last time. It’s tough to split the pair, but with Tiffany having the German 1000 Guineas winner back in second that day, her form looks marginally stronger. She switches back to the turf from the all-weather and moves up to 1m4f for the first time. However, her most recent turf outing resulted in a strong staying effort to land a Listed class event over 1m3f at Baden-Baden, suggesting she may be up to the task. David Simcock’s Sinology ought to relish this step up in trip and rates the most appealing each-way option at around the 20/1 mark, but we will keep this simple and stick with the favourite.

• Recommended Bet - Tiffany @ 2/1 LiveScoreBet

Saturday: Coral-Eclipse Stakes – Sandown 3:35

The betting market makes the 2024 Coral-Eclipse a one-sided affair, with Derby king City Of Troy trading around the 1/3 mark on the back of his Epsom heroics. 4lb clear of nearest rival Luxembourg and receiving 10lb from his stablemate, he’s the one they all have to beat. It would be great to see him add to his reputation with another exhilarating display, but taking such skinny odds about a horse having his first start over this 1m2f trip isn’t really for us.

Coronation Cup winner Luxembourg is a viable each-way option, as is the improving Jayarebe, whilst Al Riffa isn’t out of it on the pick of last season's form. However, the one we like best for an each-way punt is the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter. A perfect three from three last season – including in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes – a stumble at the start ruined his chance in the 2000 Guineas. He then did well to finish as close as he did on unsuitably soft ground in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last time. The suspicion is that we are still to see the best of this son of Invincible Spirit and he looks a solid bet to hit the frame.

• Recommended Bet - Ghostwriter each way @ 7/1 with BetMGM

Saturday: England vs Switzerland – 5pm

Having failed to set the pulse racing during the Group stages, Gareth Southgate’s men sent the nation's heart rate through the roof with their last-gasp heroics against Slovakia. Next up for the Three Lions is this clash with one of the most quietly impressive sides in the tournament. Dispatching a big-name footballing nation when seeing off Italy in the last 16, the Swiss will head into this full of confidence.

England start as marginal favourites here, but on their form in the tournament thus far, they have no right to be. Utterly dominant against Italy and having held Germany to a draw in the Group stage, Switzerland are a well-drilled side with a set system. England, in contrast, have been good at the back but struggle to create, with reports suggesting Southgate may tear up the script and go with a back three for this one. That suggests a side clutching at straws and Switzerland are solid value to progress.

• Recommended Bet - Switzerland to Qualify @ 6/4 with BetUK

Saturday: Netherlands vs Turkey 8pm

Last but not least, what promises to be a firecracker of an encounter in Berlin on Saturday evening. The Netherlands are strong odds-on favourites but hadn’t looked particularly impressive before that rock-solid win against Romania in the Last 16. They may simply be peaking at the right time, but make limited appeal at around 3/10 to qualify.

It is tempting to side with Turkey at a general 14/5 to make it through but a better bet may lie in the goals market. With a goal to shots on target ratio of 0.64, the Netherlands are one of the most ruthless sides in the tournament to date but have been far from watertight at the other end – allowing their opponents an average of 5.25 shots on target per game. Facing a side who are dangerous from range and set-pieces, this is unlikely to prove plain sailing for Ronald Koeman’s men in what should be an entertaining clash

• Recommended Bet - Over 3.5 goals @ 39/20 with BetMGM