tadley

It's Sorana Cirstea retirement year and she's going out with a bang, playing the best tennis of her career. She has a win/loss record of 17-5 this year and 14-3 on clay. She's been in great form in the tournament, not dropping a set and has three bagels. They met just last April on the clay in Rome, which went to a third set, so I like the over.

Two players in sensational form on the clay, so I don't see this being over quickly. Kostyuk is the favourite after winning all 15 of her clay matches this year. Svitolina is no mug, though, and has won her last 12 clay matches, including the title in Rome where she beat Rybarikina, ?wi?tek, Sviatlana and Gauff. She will give every point her all, and I see three sets in this one.

Alina Charaeva has only ever played three professional grass games, winning just one against struggling Barthel. Minnen is a capable grass player who had an 8-2 win/loss record on it last year. She has played twice on it this year already in qualifying, so has that advantage over her opponent as well.

Mika Stojsavljevic won their only meeting, which was on grass in straight sets. However, that was in 2024 when Jones was ranked just inside the top 800. She is now up to 136 in the world, so will be a lot tougher to beat this time. She doesn't play a lot of grass tournaments but always takes part at Wimbledon, where she has an impressive 10-3 win/loss record. Stojsavljevic played just six games on grass last year, winning just one. I think she will find Jones a completely different player to the one she beat last time.

Leinster look a class apart once again. They dominated the series last year, winning 10 of their 11 completed games, and are just as strong this season. There can be no doubting they have the strongest batting squad, so a decent tally looks assured. North West finished bottom last year. They lack a bit of quality but do possess some decent all-rounders, but that might not cut it.

Zarinca won nicely at the third time of asking and now qualifies for handicaps. It looks to be in here on a very winnable-looking mark and probably won't need to progress much to win this.

Both games have been close, with Nykøbing winning game one by 2 and Ikast winning game two by just one point. Ikast must be kicking themselves for losing game one after leading by 7 points at one stage. It shows there is little between them, which makes the tie appeal.

A win over Chambéry Savoie last time would have guaranteed Limoges a European spot. But now Chambéry Savoie stand just three points behind them, so Limoges could really do with a win in this one. A win and a draw have eased Dunkerque's relegation worries, with them now being three places from safety. It's not that they've suddenly improved a great deal; they just played two pretty ordinary sides. Limoges are simply the stronger outfit.

Sussex have lost two of their three games, and although their batting looks up to scratch, their bowling has been ineffective. In their three games they've conceded 191, 199 and 213. Conceding 213 to struggling Middlesex last time was particularly worrying. Hants have won all three games. They are a stronger bowling outfit and bat well and hard, so look to have a clear edge.

Dijon have home advantage, but that's all they have going for them. Their last 15 games' record reads W2 D1 L12. One of the wins and the draw were against bottom-three sides, with their best effort being against fifth-bottom Nîmes. Therefore I can't trust them at odds-on. Selestat are also in the lower reaches, but they've won 2 of their last 3, with the defeat being to PSG. They look the value.

Silkies Sib rarely runs a bad race and its record at Wolverhampton is 1-2-3 and 3, so it should be looking for a place at least. Its OR has dropped to 55, and last time it was at that level it duly obliged by winning. Trainer James Owen sends out just this one today and has had five winners from his last 26, with 41% being placed.

Tremblay aren't finishing the season with just one win from their last four. Saint Raphael, by contrast, have won their last five, including an upset win over third-placed Montpellier. They bring the stronger current form.

England clearly have the best players, with the two Lukes occupying the top two places in the rankings. It didn't do them any good last year when they were dumped out by Germany 9-4. Netherlands have the world number three and four in the form of Van Veen and Van Gerwen. They make a formidable team and look far better value at 8.00

Clare won in 2024, but last year it didn't go well. Severe injury problems probably took their toll. They look in better shape this time and can certainly mix it with the best.

Lancashire underperformed, finishing 5th despite having a strong squad. They've really impressed with signings over the winter, enrolling quality players at this level, so I see them doing a lot better than 5th.

Warwickshire finished down in 5th last season but were hampered by drawing nine games, the most in the league. They've strengthened their squad and look capable of a better performance this season.

Verstappen kept himself in the title race last season despite clearly not having the best car. That speaks volumes about his skill, which should see him once again go well this season. Despite him slamming the new regulation, it should be to his benefit as he has the skills to master the new designs. The Red Bull has looked very promising in practice, so I rate him as the most likely winner.