Betting Preview – Thursday 12th June 2014

One of the biggest days in the sporting calendar on Thursday as the 2014 World Cup kicks into action in Brazil and the US Open gets underway in North Carolina!

HORSE RACING
There are six meetings in the UK and Ireland on Thursday – they are:

Newbury (1:50pm, Flat)
Nottingham (2:00pm, Flat)
Yarmouth (2:10pm, Flat)
Leopardstown (5:50pm, Flat)
Uttoxeter (6:00pm, National Hunt)
Haydock (6:10pm, Flat)

They also race at the Vaal in South Africa from 11:00am.

FOOTBALL
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil gets underway on Thursday and the host nation take on Croatia in Group A of the competition – the live matches on Thursday are:

Major League Soccer – Portland Timbers v FC Dallas (3:00am kick-off, live on BT Sport 1)
World Cup 2014, Group A – Brazil v Croatia (9:00pm kick-off, live on ITV & RTE 2)

CRICKET
The opening day of the First-Test between England and Sri Lanka takes place on Thursday (live on Sky Sports 2 from 10:00am) at Lords.

Elsewhere, the fifth and final day of the First-Test takes place continues between the West Indies and New Zealand (live on Sky Sports 3 from 3:55pm) at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

GOLF
The opening round and day one of the US Open takes place on Thursday afternoon (live on Sky Sports 4 from 2:00pm) from the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Justin Rose is the defending champion after victory in the second major of the year twelve months ago.

GREYHOUNDS
There are six BAGS cards on Thursday – they are:

Sunderland (11:03am)
Sheffield (11:11am)
Romford (2:08pm)
Crayford (2:18pm)
Sittingbourne (6:38pm)
Newcastle (6:38pm)

They also race at Monmore (7:25pm) and Hove (7:31pm) on Racing Post Greyhound TV.

HOCKEY
The World Cup continues on Thursday (live on Sky Sports 1 from 9:55am) from the Hague in Holland where the opening match of the day is the women’s 11th place play-off, before the men’s 11th place play-off gets underway at 12:30pm.

Elsewhere, the women’s semi-final gets underway at 2:30pm and 6:45pm.

RUGBY LEAGUE
Super League action takes place on Thursday night (live on Sky Sports 2 from 7:30pm) between the Leeds Rhinos and the Huddersfield Giants at Headingley.

TENNIS
The Gerry Webber Open continues on Thursday from Halle in Germany (live on Eurosport), while the Aegon Classic (Queen’s) continues in London (live on ESPN).