Sports fans are in for a treat in 2024, with the upcoming schedule jam-packed with a host of exciting events taking place throughout the year.
For anyone inclined towards sports betting, this presents a golden opportunity to take advantage of some tasty odds before the events get underway.
With that in mind, we have pinpointed five ante-post bets for sport in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2024, starting with a tip that may not go down too well in the Emerald Isle.
Six Nations Championship
Ireland claimed the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship earlier this year before heading to the Rugby World Cup in France as one of the favourites to win the title.
After coming up short in the quarter-finals against New Zealand, Andy Farrell’s side may need some time to get over yet another heartbreak on the biggest stage.
The fixture list for the 2024 Six Nations is not in Ireland’s favour, with the team handed tricky away trips to France and England during the tournament.
France are the bookmakers’ 5/4 favourites to win the title after finishing second this year and they look a good bet to knock Ireland off their perch.
Cheltenham Festival
The annual Cheltenham Festival in March is the highlight of the National Hunt season in the UK and Ireland, and the ante-post markets for the big races have already been published.
Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins is generally the man to follow at the meeting given that his stable is packed with top-class hurdlers, chasers and bumper horses.
However, the pick of his Cheltenham runners could be a horse who is yet to run for the Mullins stable but is already prominent in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle.
Bunting has been described by Mullins as a lovely hurdling type who jumps well. Odds of 12/1 for the Triumph will vanish if the horse makes a winning debut over the Christmas period.
City of Troy – Epsom Derby
We turn our attentions to flat racing for our next ante-post tip which is another horse that has received rave reviews from its all-conquering trainer.
Aidan O’Brien has described City Of Troy as the best two-year-old he has ever trained – lofty praise given some of the superstars he has had in his stable.
The horse was installed as the favourite for several big races next year after cruising to an impressive victory in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in October.
City Of Troy can be backed at 5/2 to win the Epsom Derby in June and that looks exceptional value given how highly he is regarded by O’Brien.
Champions League Final
Manchester City claimed their first Champions League title at the end of last season and have been well-backed to defend their crown this term
Pep Guardiola’s side have booked their place in the knockout stage and will undoubtedly be tough to beat as the season progresses.
However, we have a sneaky suspicion that Real Madrid can stop Man City in their tracks and become European champions for the 15th time in their history.
Los Blancos are also through to the last-16 of the tournament and look well worth an interest in the outright market at odds of 13/2 with several leading bookies.
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
For many Irish sports fans, the number one betting event of the year is unquestionably the prestigious All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
The dust had barely settled on the 2023 tournament won by Dublin when the best GAA betting sites In Ireland published odds on the next edition of the event.
The reigning champions are rated as 11/4 shots to retain the title, but they may find it difficult to go back-to-back in the face of some extremely tough competition.
Kerry were narrowly beaten by Dublin in this year’s final, but we strongly fancy them to gain their revenge and deliver a winning return to punters at odds of 15/8.
