Predictions for the Most Anticipated Sporting Events of 2021: What the Bookmakers Expect

Although the whole world is still waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to end, at least for now there is no shortage of reasons for cautious optimism regarding the sporting events planned for 2021. While the biggest sporting events were postponed last year, several major tournaments have already been scheduled for this year. During this time, people have learned to adapt to the circumstances of the pandemic, and competition organisers have also gained experience operating under additional precautionary measures. However, many pressing questions remain unanswered, including whether spectators will return to the stands. As the new year begins, “Betsafe” bookmakers predict what it will bring to the world of sport and  whether the global sports business will gradually return to its former course this year.

Several major sporting events have been announced for 2021, eagerly awaited by fans both in Latvia and elsewhere around the world. The main focus will undoubtedly be on the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, and the organisers promise that they will take place as scheduled. Time will tell what format the upcoming Olympics will take and whether they will also be open to spectators, but “Betsafe” bookmakers are already predicting the success of Latvian athletes at this major sporting event. Experts assess the chances of Latvia’s Olympic athletes winning at least one medal of any kind at a relatively high 77%, while the probability of winning a gold medal is estimated at just 33%; at present, it would be quite difficult to name any realistic candidates for this honour.

The European Football Championship was also postponed last year. And although the Latvian national football team still has a long way to go before taking part in the tournament, football fans’ interest in it has not diminished. The predictions of “Betsafe” bookmakers indicate that Europe will have a new champion this time: England or Belgium will win the title for the first time. Meanwhile, participation in the qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup will be more relevant for the Latvian national team, as it is in the same group as the Netherlands, Turkey, Montenegro, Norway and Gibraltar. At least for now, hoping to qualify for the final tournament would be too ambitious a goal for Latvia, but experts estimate that overtaking Montenegro and Gibraltar and finishing at least fourth in the group is by no means unrealistic.

The annual World Ice Hockey Championship is also expected at the beginning of summer and will most likely be hosted in Riga this time. Bookmakers currently cautiously estimate the Latvian national ice hockey team’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals at just 20%. Nevertheless, given that the team will be playing in its home arena and that its head coach is Bob Hartley, any other outcome would most likely be considered a failure. Meanwhile, in the NHL context, the start of the new season is eagerly anticipated, with high hopes placed on Elvis Merzļikins as part of the Columbus team. Before then, however, he will face competition from Joonas Korpisalo within the team, as they battle to determine the starting goaltender. “Betsafe” recalls his outstanding performance last season and assesses Merzļikins’ chances of again ranking among the NHL’s top five in shutouts this season at 25%.

Finally, speaking of combat sports, the pandemic-ridden year of 2020 did not prevent Mairis Briedis from becoming the World Boxing Super Series champion and the lineal champion of his weight class, but his next step towards further success is now eagerly awaited. Bookmakers give a 40% probability to the prediction that Briedis will make his heavyweight debut this year and win his first bout. His move up to the heavyweight division is a cautious but logical step, and the first fight would most likely serve as a modest warm-up. Potential participation in the World Boxing Super Series or a bout against an elite heavyweight, such as Alexander Povetkin or Dillian Whyte, would be expected somewhat later.

“In terms of sporting events, 2021 promises to be very interesting, and we can only hope that the pandemic will not affect it as drastically as it did last year, although, of course, time will tell. I would like to believe that this year the world will gradually be able to recover and return to its previous path, when it was not medical professionals but the visiting team’s players who had to worry about the boisterous crowds in the stands,” comments Valters Rozmanis, a “Betsafe” prediction expert.

“Among this year’s anticipated sporting events, Latvia’s best prospects are certainly in ice hockey, where our team has traditionally achieved good results against its opponents. Therefore, in my opinion, the Latvian team reaching the quarter-finals—as well as winning a medal—is almost guaranteed, regardless of where the championship takes place. All the circumstances point in that direction, and this is an event no one will want to miss,” adds Kaspars Dvinskis, an LNT sports news presenter.