THE Confederations Cup is under way in Russia this week with ITV4 broadcasting all the matches live.

The nature of the competition means that one or two weak countries are involved and the stronger nations have rested players. Therefore, it is a tournament to tread warily when betting, for example Thursday’s evening game (7pm kick-off) has Chile favourites to beat Germany. The bookmakers chalk up the South Americans at 31/20 (Paddy Power), a draw 13/5 and the Germans 9/5 (Bet365/Betway).

The earlier kick-off (4pm) concerns the two underdogs in the group, with Cameroon 11/8 (Paddy Power) to get the better of Australia, who are 11/5 (Betway). The stalemate is priced at 12/5.

The weekend games will be the final group fixtures and most of the bookmakers have priced them up. Russia meet Mexico on Saturday (4pm) but it is the visitors that are the shorter odds, at 13/10. Russia are 21/10 and a draw 13/5 (Bet365). Portugal versus New Zealand looks desperately uncompetitive, as illustrated by A Seleccao being no bigger than 1/12 to win the game. However, there is handicap betting available; Portugal -3 is 17/10, New Zealand +3 11/10 and the tie 7/2.

Group B concludes on Sunday at 4pm and the two matches are priced similarly. Chile are 4/11 to overcome Australia, with the Socceroos 15/2 and a draw 19/5; whereas Germany are 2/5 (Betway), a draw 19/5 and Cameroon 15/2.

The big rugby international takes place at Eden Park on Saturday morning UK time (Sky Sports 1, 8.35am) with the All Blacks taking on the British and Irish Lions. New Zealand are still warm favourites to dispose of the best we have to offer; Stan James are a best price 1/4, the Lions are 4/1 and a draw 33/1 (Bet365/Betfred).

There is a discrepancy on the handicap line: Paddy Power and Stan James are -10 New Zealand but Ladbrokes and Coral have the Lions at +12.

In addition to the regular markets such as first tryscorer, Paddy Power are offering alternative total points spreads; for example over 41.5 points is 4/7 and under 11/10 and over 50.5 is at 7/4 and under that mark 2/5.

There are also a number of other cross-continent matches taking place at the same time and guessing the revised strength of the home nations has led to differing opinions by the layers. Scotland are 1/3 (Paddy Power) to beat Fiji, who are 10/3 with 32Red (Saturday 4am kick-off). A draw is 29/1 (Unibet). Scotland are -8 with Paddy Power on the handicap whereas Fiji are +11 with 32Red.

BBC2 Wales are televising the Samoa versus Wales game on Friday morning (7.30am). The Welsh are 4/7 (Paddy Power), a draw 23/1 (Unibet) and Samoa 23/10 (32Red). The handicap line ranges from Wales -5 (Paddy Power) to Samoa +7 (Bet365).