Expert Jury: Tottenham's transfer business among the best in the Premier League

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best sports bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Dan Childs: The Netherlands look overpriced to defeat France in their Euro 2022 quarter-final in Rotherham. The Dutch women cruised through the group stage, while France made hard work of beating Belgium 2-1 and were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland.

Damien Conlon from BoyleSports: France have looked an exciting team at Euro 2022 and are on a superb run of form. European Champions Netherlands, despite being unbeaten so far, have flattered to deceive at times, but are capable of scoring goals so I’m backing the impressive French to win and both teams to score in Saturday's quarter-final.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: I'm going to stick with The Lancashire Rose, Lisa Ashton, to win the inaugural Betfred Women's World Matchplay from the Winter Gardens. She has been phenomenal this season, winning seven of the 12 Women's Series events, and in what should ultimately be a shootout against Fallon Sherrock for the title, I'd take her.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: In the absence of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who is out of the tournament through injury, France need a source of goals and Kadidiatou Diani could provide that in their clash with the Netherlands on Saturday. She scored against Belgium in the group stage and netted 13 league goals for PSG last term.

Which signing has caught your eye this week?

Dan Childs: As a keen follower of the EFL I was interested to see West Brom snap up Turkish midfielder Okay Yokuslu on a free transfer from Celta Vigo. Okay looked a decent player when the Baggies took him on loan during the 2020-21 Premier League season and he should do well in the Championship.

Damien Conlon: Although Antonio Conte admitted the Djed Spence transfer wasn’t his decision, the acquisition of the marauding wing-back is a good one for Spurs. He played a major role in Nottingham Forest's promotion and has plenty of potential. Conte has a proven track record of developing hard working wing-backs and Spence will be another to add to that list.

Steve Davies: If I was a Hull fan, my head would be spinning. Who knows what to make of this barrage of newcomers, mainly from the Super Lig? Antalyaspor winger Dogukan Sinik is the latest, bowling up at the Tigers just six weeks after scoring twice for Turkey in a Nations League tie against Lithuania. Antalyaspor finished seventh in the league, he's in his prime at 23, and while there will be doubters it's undoubtedly eye-catching.

Liam Flin: Roma were off the pace in the race for the Serie A top four last season but snapping up Juventus forward Paulo Dybala on a free could do them the world of good. The Argentinian scored 115 goals in 293 appearances for the Turin club and could be hugely successful in the capital.

Give us your best Premier League relegation bet

Dan Childs: Nottingham Forest are spending lots of money but I still think they could struggle. They relied heavily on loan players last season and I'm not sure they have been adequately replaced. Most of their new signings, apart from Jesse Lingard, are unproven in the Premier League.

Damien Conlon: As the odds suggest, Bournemouth are clear favourites to make a swift return to the Championship. It's going to be a tough season for the Cherries. They have lost a number of key loan signings from last season and questions remain as to whether star man Dominic Solanke can flourish in the Premier League.

Steve Davies: For pure value, I'm for going Brighton at 9-1. They've been weakened by Yves Bissouma's departure and they'll be cut again if Marc Cucurella goes to Manchester City. They can't score goals, and the crowd can very quickly turn on Graham Potter, who could easily get fed up. Their defence is getting older and they showed last season they can do losing streaks. They may go backwards this season and could easily get dragged in.

Liam Flin: Leeds still represent good value for me. Jesse Marsch has a lot of work to do after they survived by only three points last term and the loss of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips should not be underestimated.

Which Premier League club are winning the transfer window?

Dan Childs: Tottenham have made a great start to the window and the free-transfer signing of Ivan Perisic could be their best signing of the lot. I also like Crystal Palace's deals for Cheick Doucoure, who looks like a Premier League ready midfielder, and Malcolm Ebiowei, who has bags of potential.

Damien Conlon: Aston Villa have made some smart additions. Many major clubs across Europe were linked with midfielder Boubacar Kamara in January, so to get the France international on free transfer looks good business. Shoring up the back line with Sevilla’s Diego Carlos will have Steven Gerrard’s men hoping they can make a push for Europe.

Steve Davies: You've got to love what Spurs are doing. Conte struck gold in January getting Bentancur and Kulusevski, but that was a mere amuse-bouche for this summer's main course. Yves Bissouma is a Hojbjerg with bells on, Richarlison and Perisic give options on either flank, Djed Spence has always looked good. Fraser Forster is a good back-up for Hugo Lloris. The list goes on.

Liam Flin: Once again Chelsea have not messed about. Kalidou Koulibaly is an upgrade on Antonio Rudiger, who departed for Real Madrid, and Raheem Sterling is still one of the best attacking players in the Premier League, so was a fine piece of business at less than £50 million.

Does Wayne Rooney have what it takes to be a top-flight manager?

Dan Childs: I don't see why not. He did a great job in very difficult circumstances at Derby and will have learnt a huge amount from the experience. I think he would be wise to take another EFL job first though, as he has plenty more to learn before taking the Premier League plunge.

Damien Conlon: In a short managerial career, the signs have been positive. Rooney demonstrated his determination and man-management skills during his spell at Derby, despite considerable restraints and point deductions. He learned a lot from Sir Alex Ferguson and will be hoping to bring a similar management style. His winning mentality and record of improving a collective group of young players at Derby pave the way for a potential return to the Premier League sidelines.

Steve Davies: A lot of managers are only as good as their coaching staff and the impression at Pride Park was that he delegated well to a good team. That said, he was the figurehead, he was enormously respected and he overachieved in the circumstances. He's learnt from good people, swears he's driven, and let's face it, he doesn't have a future in the media. He'll do fine.

Liam Flin: Yes, absolutely. His excellent man-management abilities were clear to see at Derby, where he impressed in challenging circumstances, and he should only go from strength to strength in MLS with DC United.

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