Who will be lifting the Wimbledon trophy on July 14?
Who will be lifting the Wimbledon trophy on July 14?

Wimbledon 2019 betting tips: Preview & best bets for men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on Sunday


It's the men's singles final at Wimbledon on Sunday and tennis expert Scott Ferguson is hoping for a spectacle, with one best bet to consider.


Recommended bets

1pt Djokovic 3-1 or 3-2 at 6/4

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer in both of their previous Wimbledon finals

For the 48th time, and the 19th in a tournament final, the superstar pair of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer do battle.

Once upon a time, the Swiss veteran had the wood on the current number one, but those days are as long gone as honour and honesty in politics.

As detailed in Chris Hammer's excellent form guide, Djokovic currently leads the head-to-head record 25-22. The first four all went to Federer, before Djokovic cracked the top five.

Since the start of 2011, the year Federer turned 30, it's 19-9 in favour of the defending champion and in finals over their careers, it's just as decisive, 13-6.

Federer has won two of their past 10 clashes, a cycle which started in March 2015, and when trying to find something which might favour him, even the grass head-to-head leans to Djokovic - 2-1, with his wins in the 2014 and 2015 finals. Djokovic has won their last four clashes in any of the majors with Federer's last success in the 2012 final.

The semi-finals told a fairly similar story - both finalists took an early lead, followed by a lapse, then stepping up a gear and winning in four sets. Obviously Federer had the higher grade test, he went off the boil for a few minutes in the second set, dropped serve twice and then regrouped to shut Rafael Nadal out of the match.

Roger Federer: Swiss ace celebrates during his semi-final victory over Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon 2019

Djokovic celebrates reaching another Wimbledon final

Djokovic's lapse was a little more concerning. After winning the first set comfortably, his forehand simply went missing, with a bunch of unforced errors handing back the early advantage to Roberto Bautista Agut, and it took a while into the third set before he got his mojo back.

This was against a player who had beaten him twice this year but you'd be crazy not to think Federer would be even better prepared to seize upon any opportunity like that if presented.

Federer was magnificent to watch against Nadal, but the grass turned that match up in his favour. He does not gain that advantage over the four-time champion Djokovic, in fact the Serb has won the title four times against Federer's two this decade.

As much as I would love to see it, I struggle to see Federer winning this.

There is no weakness on the Djokovic backhand to be attacked. Over five sets, the stamina battle has to go the way of the gluten-free Serbian wall. Federer can pinch a set, possibly even two via a serving clinic and possibly even another lapse from Djokovic but I struggle to see him prevailing, less than a month out from his 38th birthday.

This is a match I would much rather enjoy watching than punting heavily on. Who knows just how many more times we will get to see it. I can see a battle for a while before Djokovic prevails.

Best bet: 1pt Djokovic 3-1 or 3-2 at 6/4