There are plenty of Carling Cup ties to get stuck into on Wednesday night with several Premier League teams in action. There will doubtless be many fringe players on view, and it will be a chance for the lesser lights to carry out a giant-killing act (totesport – Carling Cup).

There are five 1st-leg Champions League qualifiers taking place on Wednesday night with four-time European Cup winners Bayern Munich in action looking to qualify for the group stage of the competition (totesport – Champions League).

The semi-final stages of an unpredictable Copa America will get underway on Tuesday evening when Argentina’s conquerors Uruguay will face a Peru side which defied the odds to see off Colombia in their last-eight showdown on Saturday night.

If you have been betting on this year’s Copa America you are probably wondering what is going on with the likes of Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. Just one win has been recorded between the three powerhouses of South American football. Having drawn both their opening matches Uruguay are staring a first round exit in the face. Only a win over a youthful Mexico side will do. Can Diego Forlan and co finally come good when it counts?

The new Premier League 2011/12 football season is just around the corner – 39 days to be precise – and the runners and riders are all gearing up with the transfer market set to hot up between now and the end of August (Premier League 2011/12 – outright winner).

All 12 teams involved have now played one game in the 2011 Copa America and the action resumes on Wednesday evening as hosts Argentina will be looking to give their fans something to cheer when they face a tough second test against Colombia in Goup A.

The European Tour stops in France this week and a strong field will battle it out for the Open de France title and the 500,000 euros first prize. Miguel Angel Jimenez will defend the crown he won last year, with plenty of strong contenders set to push the Spaniard, including Bubba Watson, as the American makes a rare appearance in Europe.

Chelsea are now almost certain to turn to Andre Villas-Boas as their new boss as owner Roman Abramovich takes a massive gamble in his quest for Champions League (Chelsea 8/1 Outright) glory – it may work, but the odds are arguably stacked against the 33-year-old.

A stunning performance at the US Open has lifted Rory McIlroy to superstar status and the 22-year-old will surely go onto win more Major titles. But the Northern Irishman now faces the prospect of increased expectations, as the world’s top players turn their attentions now to The 2011 Open Championship. We take a look at five players who could shine next month at Royal St George’s.

The 2011 US Open has thrown up some memorable moments over the years, none more so than when Tiger Woods claimed the title on ‘one leg’ back in 2008. The three-time champion will not be in the field this year due to injury and we will have a look at the other Americans that might have a say in proceedings this week (2011 US Open – outright).