World Athletics Championships free betting tips and predictions

Free athletics tips, best bets and analysis for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Where to watch

BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website, 15-24 July

Best bets

Fred Kerley to win the men's 100m
2pts 5-6 bet365

Shericka Jackson to win the women's 100m
1pt 6-1Coral, Ladbrokes

Preview

After a two-year delay, the 2022 World Athletics Championships begins on Friday in Eugene, Oregon - the home of distance running in America.

Over the next nine days the great and good of the athletics world will descend upon the Pacific Northwest in their pursuit of world championship gold.

The primary British medal hopes come in the middle-distance events on the track.

Olympic silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson has a strong chance of going one better in the women’s 800m following an impressive Diamond League campaign. And in the men's equivalent, rising star Max Burgin has registered the fastest time in the world this season and is expected to try to make all.

Tokyo medallists Laura Muir and Josh Kerr will be aiming to make it on to the podium again but face competitive fields in the 1,500m.

The marquee events on the track, the 100m, are even more intriguing than usual this year.

In the men's race much centres on the performance of Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, who has struggled with injuries since his bolt-from-the-blue Tokyo win. Indeed, since winning Olympic gold he has failed to run below ten seconds without wind assistance.

The versatile Fred Kerley, who finished second in Tokyo, is favourite after recording a world-leading time of 9.76 at this track last month.

With the Italian Jacobs unlikely to replicate his Olympic performance, Kerley seems a rock-solid selection and may lead home an American 1-2-3 with Trayvon Bromell and defending champion Christian Coleman possible medallists.

In the women’s 100m, three Jamaican heavyweights are expected to duke it out with double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson doing battle.

The youngest of the three, Jackson appeals at the prices to spring an upset. The 27-year-old has run the second-fastest time in the world this year and is on an upwards trajectory.

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