To help with your selections for each sport, we've pitted our experts against the Fitzdares ambassadors - a host of legendary names including Sir Geoffrey Boycott and John Motson...

1. Six Nations

Stuart Barnes, Fitzdares ambassador - France

"England are favourites, but as I partially work out rugby on a race-like form guide, I'd side with France"

Danny Till, oddschecker rugby tipster - England

"For me it’s a two horse race between England and France, but I narrowly prefer the defending champions. England didn’t exactly set the pulse racing in the autumn, but they won every game and showed that their pack is Europe’s most powerful. In a year where away games look more winnable due to the absence of crowds, travelling to Wales and Ireland won’t be as daunting as usual. If the outside backs are released more consistently, they will be very tough to beat. However, the opening round clash with Scotland could throw a major spanner in the works."

2. Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cornelius Lysaght, Fitzdares ambassador - Royale Pagaille

“As this competition gets underway two horses stand out for the Gold Cup: the established Al Boum Photo, which is being aimed at a rare big-race hatrick, and the very much upwardly mobile Royale Pagaille. Though ABP is an admirable performer, doubts linger about the quality of the two races he’s won, so it may just be that the scene is set for a talented newcomer to grab centre stage, and after stunning successes at Kempton & Haydock it would be no surprise at all if that was the highly progressive Royale Pagaille.”

Andy Holding, oddschecker racing tipster - Minella Indo

"At this stage, Minella Indo would still be my number one choice in what looks a wide-open Gold Cup as the form of his gallant runner-up spot in the RSA Chase last year has stood the test. The likes of Allaho, Battleoverdoyen, Aye Right, Castlebawn West, Easy Game and Pym have all come out this season and run to a high standard and other than his untimely fall at Leopardstown in the Savills Chase, he's done nothing to detract from his star qualities. Providing he comes through his next examination in the Irish Gold Cup all roads will lead to Cheltenham - a track which he has fond memories of on his last two visits."

 

3. The Masters

Jeremy Chapman, Fitzdares ambassador - Dustin Johnson

"Sorry to be so boring but I think Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas will fill the first two places at Augusta. DJ was different gear at the long-delayed Masters in November and could well win his second Green Jacket in five months, something that has never happened before nor will do again. His last five Masters finishes read 6-4-10-2-1, miles better than anyone else. Thomas gets closer every year (39-22-17-12-4). Both are great iron players which is key. It’s the best Major for punters as it’s the only one always on the same course. Rory will again be trying TOO hard because he is desperate to join the elite band who have done the Grand Slam. Bubba Watson best outsider."

Niall Lyons, oddschecker golf tipster - Collin Morikawa

"Collin Morikawa got his first look at the Masters in November and made the cut. He should strip fitter for that debut performance and the quality of his approach play is sure to give him a fair chance of landing this title some time in his career. He is an early achiever so can see him winning this and adding to his major tally after landing the PGA in 2020."

4 & 5. Wimbledon

John Inverdale, Fitzdares ambassador - Daniil Medvedev (Men's), Naomi Osaka (Women's)

“Daniil Medvedev is flying after a sensational end to 2020 and I expect him to break his Grand Slam duck this year, and assuming he hasn’t won in Australia, I think it could be in the same city he won the ATP World Tour Finals. Naomi Osaka is half-way to a career Grand Slam and it would be no surprise to see this young superstar make it three out of four at Wimbledon.”

Ross Whent, oddschecker tennis tipster - Novak Djokovic (Men's), Simona Halep (Women's)

"No grass court season in 2020 makes this year's tournament extremely difficult to call. None of the emerging have been able to prove themselves on grass or for some, pick up the necessary experience to compete at the latter stages of this tournament. With a lack of grass court specialists at the top of the game right now I make Djokovic the legitimate favourite and most likely winner. Milos Raonic would be my outsider of choice.

"For the women’s tournament it has to be Halep to retain the title. Only dropped one set in 2019, become very accomplished on grass. No one else is really in great form, Serena’s chance has come and gone to win again."

 

6. Euro 2021

John Motson, Fitzdares ambassador - Spain

“After a relatively barren nine years without an international trophy, I fully expect the next generation of Spanish talent to hit peak form this summer led by their experienced talisman Sergio Ramos. Under the tactically-shrewd coach Luis Enrique I really think this is Spain’s year.”

Martin Laurence, WhoScored - Portugal

"For me there are two teams that as things stand head into the tournament in the strongest shape, both in terms of their squad depth and their record in recent years. France are one of them, and the other is holders Portugal, who are yet again a longer price than I would expect. Given the fact that this is a much improved Selecao side to that which won the Euros five years ago, I'll go for the longer shot.

"In reality they are a centre-back short of being a great team but the likes of Cancelo, Guerreiro and Dias offer a solid platform for Silva, Jota, Fernandes, Felix and Ronaldo to make the difference."

7. T20 World Cup

Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Fitzdares ambassador - England

"Not many teams to choose from really. The pitch condition is crucial though, as they really can be awful over there. If it’s in good condition in the Final then I’d side with England. If it’s turning, India.”

Ryan Elliott, oddschecker cricket tipster - India

“In what was a straight shootout between England and India for my T20 World Cup winner selection, I've gone with the hosts. While both sides possess supremely talented batting line-ups, India's bowling options look a little more potent in home conditions - particularly in the shape of the world-beating Jasprit Bumrah.

“Elsewhere in the market, Australia's batting reaches nowhere near the level of consistency as the aforementioned giants, so they're not being touched, although the mercurial West Indies and Pakistan sides could prove dangerous outsiders”.