Steve Palmer's Solheim Cup predictions and free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for Solheim Cup between the USA and Europe at Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf, midday on Saturday

Best bets

USA to win Solheim Cup
6pts 1-2 Hills
Nelly Korda top combined scorer
2pts 13-2 Betfred, BoyleSports, Hills
USA to win 18-10
1pt 14-1BoyleSports
Jessica Korda top combined scorer
1pt 12-1Coral, Ladbrokes

Preview

The 17th edition of the Solheim Cup - the women's version of the Ryder Cup - starts in Ohio at noon on Saturday and Team USA are difficult favourites to oppose.

The Americans have five players inside the top 20 of the world rankings, while the Europeans have only one, so the home side's strength in depth should be decisive at the 6,903-yard, par-72, Donald Ross-designed Inverness Club.

Catriona Matthew is a calm character, but the Scot has every right to start flapping when she sees the stars who are lining up against her European team in the three-day competition, which finishes on Monday - Labor Day in the States.

World number one Nelly Korda spearheads the American side, and she is further inspired this week by the fact her older sister Jessica has also qualified for a spot on Pat Hurst's team.

Throw in Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and Lizette Salas, as well as the predicted attendance of around 150,000, and the 1-2 about USA looks generous.

Overseas travel is still so difficult due to Covid, so away supporters will be thin on the ground.

With USA available at 4-7 for the Ryder Cup, plenty of punters will be considering a USA-USA double, which pays almost 11-8 at best prices.

The Solheim Cup action starts with four foursome matches on Saturday morning, then four fourball matches in the afternoon. Sunday sees a repeat of those sessions, before the crucial 12 singles matches on Monday.

A total of 28 points are up for grabs, with 14.5 points required to win outright. Europe, the defending champions, need only 14 points to retain the Cup.

Matthew is bidding to become the first European captain in history to win the Cup both home and away, having guided the team to a 14.5-13.5 victory at Gleneagles in 2019. And Europe have won three of the last five editions.

The cards seemed stacked against Europe this time, though, and a heavy home victory can be expected.

The Inverness Club has even built the largest grandstand in LPGA history - a two-deck, 72,000 square feet pavilion with a 300-degree view of several holes for 7,500 people - to provide USA with even more intimidating support. Expect those adorned in the Stars and Stripes to have plenty to cheer.

A hearty investment in Team USA, a more speculative stab at the correct score, and wagers on the Korda sisters to top score in the tournament are the preferred plays.

The Kordashians, as they have become known, partnered each other to great effect in the last Solheim Cup. They dished out two thrashings together in the foursomes sessions, were unbeaten with different partners in the fourballs, then both won their singles matches.

Nelly Korda was a nervous Solheim debutant in 2019, but she tees up for a second time as the dominant player in the sport and the Olympic champion. The Kordas are the women the Europeans will fear most.

Inverness Club course guide

Course Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
Length 6,903 yards
Par 72

When to bet By noon Saturday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from noon Saturday

Time difference Ohio is five hours ahead/behind the UK & Ireland

Course overview Donald Ross designed Inverness Club, which was completed in 1918, and it has been renovated several times since. It has hosted the men's US Open four times and the US PGA twice. It plays to 7,730 yards for men.

It is known as a shotmakers' track, demanding accuracy, while the relentless elevation changes make club selection difficult. The 2020 Drive On Championship was staged there - American star Danielle Kang won the event, with Europe's Celine Boutier only one shot behind. There are only three par-fives and three par-threes.

Event history USA lead Europe 10-6

Weather forecast A mixture of sunshine and clouds throughout, with light to moderate breezes

Schedule - Saturday and Sunday Four foursomes matches followed by four fourballs matches Monday 12 singles matches

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