My blog

Just another WordPress site

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Dead Rubbers For City And United 

Manchester City and Manchester United have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League ahead of tonight’s fixtures on match day six. Both their opponents cannot finish in the top two so in theory the matches at home to Hoffenheim and at Valencia are dead rubbers. Liverpool and Tottenham qualified last night so all four teams from the Premier League will be playing in the knockout stages. 

There is nothing to be gained from winning the group rather than finishing second so City and United have very little to play for other than pride. Valencia can only finish third so are already heading for the Europa League and there is only a small chance of Hoffenheim overhauling Shakhtar in third place. The double on two DRAWS pays 22/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Last weekend’s Premier League match at Chelsea did not go well for City. They lost for the first time this season and the atmosphere was toxic. Abuse of any type is still prevalent in English football and there is a line between passionately supporting your team and acting like a brat. City have a long injury list and being competitive at home against Everton is the priority. In the meeting with Hoffenheim UNDER 2.5 GOALS is 13/5 with Paddy Power. 

In the last 20 Valencia matches in La Liga and the Champions League only three have produced more than two goals. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford was a goalless draw. Jose Mourinho’s squad suggests the match is an inconvenience ahead of the away match with Liverpool in the league on Sunday. Team selection and motivation will be key but the circumstances point to BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE at 11/10 with Betfair.     

The racing is more than ordinary with no standout race that is worth three figures to the winner. The nap of the day is running in the maiden hurdle at Leicester (1.30) over just less than two miles. There are only two winners in the 12 runner field and Cardigan Bay has something to find with the favourite. That horse is EBONY GALE who won a bumper last season and is 6/4 with William Hill to win this race today

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Tottenham Can Take Care Of Business In Barcelona 

Southport play Tranmere at home in a FA Cup second round replay next Monday and if they win the tie will welcome Tottenham to their small ground in the third round. The rules now state that FA Cup matches have to be played in line with the draw and as Southport came out of the hat first the fixture must be played at Haig Avenue. That means Tottenham could be visiting a stadium with a capacity of about 5,000 so tonight’s trip to the Nou Camp in the Champions League will be a good prep match. 

Tottenham must match or better Inter Milan’s result at home to PSV at Barcelona to progress to the last 16. If they don’t rest Harry Kane and Deli Alli so they are ready for a potential trip to Southport and Barca, assured of top spot, do play the second string, TOTTENHAM should be backed at 29/10 with Betfair. Barcelona are odds-against to win a home match which suggests the bookmakers have got wind or heard rumours of team selection. 

The objective for Liverpool is to beat Napoli in their crunch Champions League match at Anfield. A 1-0 win or win by two clear goals will be enough to get out of the group but if Liverpool win by one goal and Napoli score they are out. If PSG can’t beat Red Star in Belgrade any victory for Liverpool will suffice.  However, they must take care of business assuming PSG win. 

Napoli have not lost any of the five group matches they have played so far and are the highest scorers in Serie A, averaging more than two goals per match. There are a number of permutations that would suit either side but one event could keep the final outcome in the melting pot. You can back BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 4/7 with Ladbrokes.    

One of the bets of the day is in a race that has attracted just three runners at Fontwell. The handicap chase over three miles and two furlongs (2.10) could see no horses finish and a void race if there are three mishaps because these days jockeys are not aloud to remount after falls or unseats. If the horse has a clear round SCOOP THE POT is the nap at 11/10 with Paddy Power.   

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Tottenham Could Be The Odd Team Out

It’s a Champions League week and although the two Manchester clubs are through to the knockout rounds Tottenham and Liverpool have their backs against the wall. Liverpool have the easier task as a win against Napoli at home by 1-0 or by two clear goals will be enough to progress and that objective can be achieved.

Tottenham must match or better Inter Milan’s result at home to PSV Eindhoven in their final match of the group stage which just happens to be against Barcelona in Spain. Both matches begin at the same time on Tuesday so there could be some tactical implications as the scoring develops. Sadly this looks like a task beyond Tottenham but Liverpool should be fine. ENGLAND is 9/4 to be the nationality of the Champions League winners.

Tonight’s Premier League fixture between the home team in Everton and Watford is a crunch match due to a feud between the clubs. The Watford owners were unhappy with the way Everton expressed an interest in their then manager Marco Silva. The Portuguese coach moved north and former Watford star man Richarlison made the same journey. Watford could have their noses put out of more joint because EVERTON are fancied to win the fixture and that outcome is 4/5 with Betfair.

Cheltenham stages its last meeting of the year which brings the track a step closer to the festival next March. The four days that matter most dominate National Hunt racing like no other event in any sport. However, the supporting meetings are well attended and the racing at the weekend should attract a big crowd. The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is the highlight and the main contenders ran in the BetVictor Trophy Chase last month. Baron Alco won that race but RATHER BE was going well when brought down and can prevail this time and the best ante post price is 7/1.

The best race today is the Class 2 juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (2.15) over a distance of just less than two miles. In the context of jumps racing the runners are babies and no horse has run more than twice. In fact there are no winners in the field but LIVA has the best form from one start and can prevail at 11/10 with Betfair for wealthy owners who deal at the top end of the market.

Rick’s Sports Betting: Who Is Your Sports Personality of the Year? – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

In the last 10 years cyclists and one tennis player have accounted for six winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. This year’s award appears to be a four way battle and the only contender from those sports is Geraint Thomas who won the Tour de France. However, his prospects won’t be helped by the perception that the sport has a doping problem. That may or may not be true but Thomas is also at a disadvantage as the Tour was shown on ITV4 which is a minority channel compared to the ITV main channel and the BBC. 

The last decade has also seen winners from Formula 1, athletics, football and horse racing. Ryan Giggs and Sir Anthony McCoy were subject to campaigns within their sport to get them the honour. Last year’s winner, Mo Farah, was a big outsider and an interview on the night which was gate crashed by one of his young children could have been the decisive factor. A year ago Anthony Joshua was the sixth odds-on favourite in 12 years not to win SPOTY. The market is more open this time and there are four names with a genuine chance of picking up the award.

Thomas also suffers from the theory of recency. It takes a special performance in July that resonates with the voting public in December. The Welshman rode into Paris at the end of the seventh month wearing the Yellow Jersey. The scarcity value of a British rider winning the most famous bike race in the world has gone due to the wins for Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. Until there is evidence to the contrary cycling has an image problem which makes Thomas the most unlikely winner of the four. The late announcement of the nominees makes campaigns from a sport difficult.  

Lewis Hamilton won the award in 2014 which was a World Cup year. England were dismal in that tournament in Brazil and Rory McIlroy finished second behind Hamilton after winning two major championships, including the British Open. I’m sure it takes great skill and commitment to win the F1 Driver’s Championship but the sport is predictable and Hamilton did not produce a SPOTY winning year. Five championships should not be sniffed at but the other contenders are preferred.

Harry Kane won the Golden Boot at the World Cup and England reached the last four for the first time since 1990. They look nailed on for the Team of the Year but I have a sneaking feeling that the honour will go to Leicester City for non-sporting reasons. Kane started the World Cup well but did not score in England’s last three matches. His sporting achievement was in June and July and something happened last weekend that could trump anything else. 

Love him or hate him you can’t deny that Tyson Fury has made a stunning return to boxing. Many judges thought he beat Detonay Wilder is Los Angeles but the fight was declared a draw. Tyson has come back from the brink and proved all his doubters wrong. Boxing has a history of winning the BBC award with Henry Cooper and Lennox Lewis. Fury actually showed some dignity in reacting to the perceived injustice of the Detonay fight and that could give him an edge when the public vote for the Sports Personality of the Year.     

              

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Three More Points For City At Chelsea

Chelsea have not been able to beat Everton or Manchester United at home this season so avoiding defeat against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge today looks beyond them. If it’s possible City are looking an even slicker outfit after their record breaking Premier League campaign in 2017/18. The champions are unbeaten in 14 matches on the road in the Premiere League and all but three of those road trips have resulted in winning three points. MANCHESTER CITY are the bet at Evens.

Liverpool could have overhauled City at the top of the league by kick-off time. Their match at Bournemouth is the early live TV fixture while Chelsea and City lock horns at 5.30. Liverpool were fortunate to beat Everton and the win at a struggling Burnley midweek was expected. They have kept winning without impressing and just like Arsenal most of the damage is done in the second half. However, Bournemouth are unlikely to fold so the DRAW at 7/2 with bet365 is the prediction.     

There is a third televised match in the Premier League this evening which is Tottenham’s match at Leicester. The visitors are third in the Premier League despite not buying any players in the summer and still having to play home matches at Wembley. Crowd numbers are plummeting at the national stadium but the club’s travels continue to bring rewards. In fact Tottenham have scored in all but one of 22 Premier League matches and Leicester are unbeaten in six matches. It’s tricky to call the outcome but BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 4/6 with Ladbrokes is on. 

Blaklion was unseated at the first fence in the Grand National this April after finishing fourth the previous year when looking like the most likely winner for most of the race. The plan to hold up the horse this year never materialised due to that very early mishap. BLAKLION is back at Aintree today for the Becher Chase over three miles and two furlongs of the National course and distance and is the tip at 4/1 with Coral.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Villa Can Be Top Dogs In Tonight’s Midlands Derby

West Brom and Aston Villa are the two highest scorers in the Championship so obviously they are going to play out a goalless draw in tonight’s league match at the Hawthorns. The current league table and odds suggest West Brom can record a home win but the betting value lies elsewhere. 

Villa are five places and four points behind their opponents and have the inferior goal difference by five goals. Both teams are unbeaten in five matches but Villa have recorded one more win and scored 17 goals over this spell. It’s also worth mentioning that Albion have conceded at least one goal in all but one of their 20 matches in the Championship this season. Therefore, the value lies in backing ASTON VILLA at 2/1 with William Hill.

It’s that time of year when awards are handed out and one of the biggest and best is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. In the last 12 years six odds-on favourites have not won the honour and last year Mo Farah was the winner at 40/1. A bike rider who not many people had heard of came second because there was a campaign in his sport to vote for him. 

This year for the event in Birmingham there will be a shorter list of nominees which will be announced at the start of the programme. On the basis of being in people’s minds TYSON FURY looks a massive price at 13/2 to win Sports Personality of the Year in 2018. 

It’s the first of the two-day Sandown Tingle Creek meeting and there is a decent card at the track today. The most lucrative race is the 2.25 Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. It’s an open looking race with seven runners quoted at single figure odds this morning. 

Darlac has leading form claims but the horse is unproven on soft ground. ALSA MIX is unbeaten in three races and gets the fillies and mare’s allowance of seven pounds and is the each way bet at 14/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Could Manchester City And/Or  Liverpool’s Unbeaten Runs End? – By Ian Hudson

By Leave a Comment

This Saturday could be pivotal to the outcome of the Premier league because both Liverpool and Manchester City look vulnerable in away fixtures. The two top teams in the Premier League are unbeaten (before Liverpool’s match on Wednesday at Burnley) but one or both of those records could go this weekend. Bournemouth and Chelsea could upsets but it would be a major shock if both teams picked up three points at home.

Liverpool have been winning matches in the Premier League without playing as well as last season. It was all about the front men but this season the defence have impressed. Liverpool have conceded five goals in 14 matches and only let in one goal at home. They rode their luck against Everton who missed some big chances and clinched the win in the 96th minute with one of the most bizarre goals of the season. Their luck could run out on the road at Bournemouth.

The home side had lost four matches in the Premier League in succession before beating Huddersfield at home but even they conceded a goal. The fixture list has caught up with Bournemouth and they lost matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in the last month. That run of tough encounters will not happen again this season and despite winning no points out of 12 the three points against Huddersfield took Bournemouth to sixth place ahead of the Premier League programme on Wednesday. Liverpool could suffer a league defeat in this meeting. 

Manchester City were much better value than the 2-1 score line at Watford on Tuesday. They had the chances to be several goals in front before Watford pulled a goal back in the last 10 minutes. Suddenly a defence that were knocking the ball around confidently at the back were under a bit of pressure. City held on to win the match but they can’t afford to be so wasteful against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Since losing to Tottenham in the league Chelsea have won two matches without conceding a goal so are in good nick for the City match which they could win. 

There are three live matches on Saturday because Tottenham are away at Leicester in the evening. The home club are still in turmoil after the tragic loss of their chairman and the emotion of the situation will soon replace the adrenaline. It is tough for visiting sides because they want to respect and sympathise with the club but also look after themselves and try to win the match. After losing to Arsenal at the weekend Tottenham were at home to Southampton in the week and three points from that match and a win at Leicester gets their season back on track.     

Newcastle’s home match against Wolves on Sunday could also be telling. Both clubs are a few points and positions out of the relegation situation but a defeat in this match would drag either team back into the battle to beat the drop. Wolves have not won in five league matches and Newcastle had won three of their last five before playing at Everton this week. Recent form points to a home win and three points for Newcastle and troubling times for Wolves. 

Everton lost against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday but deserved something out of the match. In the last 20 minutes (and most of the extra minutes) the Blues looked more likely to score than the Reds. We all know what happened in the last minute of added time but two home matches should repair some of the damage. Everton are fancied to beat Watford at Goodison Park in the Monday Football night match.  

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Will It Be A Good Day For Trump?

There is a man called Trump playing Joe Perry in the UK Championship in snooker today but I don’t think he is any relation to The Donald. The US President is probably more a pool man so he will be interested in the third day of the Mosconi Cup. The Ryder Cup of pool brings together the best five players from Europe and the United States at the Alexandra Palace in London. The away team are leading by 6 matches to 4 with 11 more points up for grabs. The tournament continues until one team has reached 11 points and EUROPE are 5/4 with William Hill to come from behind and win the 2018 Mosconi Cup.    

Oxford and Cambridge play each other at most sports these days but other than the Boat Race the biggest occasion is the Varsity match in rugby union. It’s the 137th such meeting and in the history of the match there has only ever been one of two winners. Cambridge have won the last two matches but are the underdogs this time. However, they can limit the margin of defeat so CAMBRIDGE +8 at 10//11 with Ladbrokes is the bet in the student’s rugger dust up.  

There are no meaningful football matches in England and the rest of Europe tonight but there is a big football match in the United States but the punt-off in the NFL fixture is not until 1.20am. Jacksonville are at Tennessee and the visitors have won just one of the last seven corresponding fixtures and a low-scoring encounter is expected. The match brings together the 30th and 28th highest scoring teams in the league and the total point’s line is 39.5 which is well below average. The Vegas handicappers may have overreacted to the stats so OVER 39.5 POINTS is the bet of the night at 11/10 with Betfair.  

The richest race of the day is the handicap chase over three miles and one furlong at Wincanton (1.30). The trends suggest Captain Buck’s is the horse to back but no wins in nine races over fences does not instil much confidence. A breathing operation has done the trick for COLOMBO who is well treated on past form so the horse is the selection to win this race at 7/2 with bet365. 

Will Tiger Woods Win A Major In 2019? – By Ian Hudson

By Leave a Comment

Golf is now almost a 12 month sport and no sooner has one season ended than the next one begins. In fact the Race to Dubai on the European Tour and Money List on the PGA Tour for 2019 have already begun. The core seasons begin in January and John Rahm in Europe and Brooks Koepka in the States are the players to back to be top dogs on their main tours. Tiger Woods is 7/2 to win a major next year and that is not the worst price in the world.  

Woods looked tired and demotivated at the Ryder Cup but that was one week too many at the end of such a great season. The former world number won contended in the last two majors of the season and won the Tour Championship. Woods then had to travel to Paris for the Ryder Cup but he was emotionally and physically drained. Even in his halcyon days he underperformed in the matches so playing so poorly this time should not be of great concern to his fans and backers.   

Woods led the British Open at the start of the back nine on the Sunday but one poor hole cost him dear. He almost chased down Koepka at the PGA Championship but just came up short. However, his ability to still compete at the highest level was displayed when he beat the best other 29 PGA tour players in the season finale. It was a Woods master class thanks to a great swing, iron play and putting. The 14 times major champion is now good enough to add to that tally.

He is chasing Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 majors but he has not won one of the four titles that matter most since 2008. Nicklaus won his last major aged 46 and Woods turns 43 at the end of the year. That means he will have 16 more chances to win more majors before passing the age at which Nicklaus won one. Given no more injuries and operations Woods could be competitive until he reaches 50 which doubles his opportunities to get to 15 majors and beyond. However, you have to think if he comes up short in 2019 Nicklaus’s total will not be overhauled.    

The US Masters is Woods’ best chance to win another major. He is a four times winner and the course is ideally suited to his game. Woods won his first major in the Masters Tournament in 1997 and the fairways provide some scope for wayward driving. Putting under pressure was always a strength and the greens at Augusta are amongst the fastest and most challenging on the tour. The second most successful player in major championship golf can bring the house down by winning the 2019 US Masters. Woods in his prime won more than one major some seasons.

Koepka has now won three of the last seven majors and that is Woods-esque when he was winning them for fun at the start of the century. He defended the US Open title and then won the PGA Championship. Koepka played on the Challenge Tour and European Tour at the start of his career so his game is more than one-dimensional. He overpowers courses of the tee and his confidence must be sky high. Kopeka has won more majors than regular tournaments but if he can start winning in the less demanding weeks the Money List is within his scope.          

Rory McIlroy is thinking about focusing on the US PGA Tour in a concerted effort to win more majors. The logic is that he will be competing against the best players more often. Rahm is more loyal to the European Tour and money won in the majors and WGC events counts. However, Rahm will play enough regular tournaments in Europe to boost his prize money and make him a leading contender for the Race to Dubai which he can win in 2019.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Harry Is Odds-On To Win In The Jungle

Is it possible to resist backing Manchester United to win a match at Old Trafford at odds of almost 2/1? During the Alex Ferguson era that proposition was unheard of even when Arsenal were in town. Some bookmakers are offering much lower odds for a home win so it will be interesting to see how the betting market reacts from now until kick-off at 8pm. Jose Mourinho’s job could be on the line. 

Mark Hughes has not let his backers down by winning the next-manager-to-leave market but Mourinho is the new favourite. However, he has a habit of getting a result when he needs it most. There is a good chance that could be on the cards by half-time because Arsenal have not been in the lead at the break in any match this season. The logical bet is MANCHESTER UNITED/DRAW at 14/1 with bet365.

Harry Redknapp’s name is not appearing in any lists for the next manager of a club. He has been in charge at Southampton and there is a vacancy now that Hughes has gone. It’s questionable whether Redknapp can be taken seriously as a football manager as his main role in the jungle appears to be cleaning out the dunny. REDKNAPP is 4/7 to be the winner of I’m A Celebrity.    

Southampton have appointed a caretaker manager and the temporary role begins with a Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Wembley. I wonder if Mauricio Pochettino will now rest players so his squad peaks for the FA Cup third round tie at Southport or Tranmere early next month. The home team won the fixture 5-2 last season so anything similar makes TOTTENHAM -1 the bet at Evens with Betfair.   

There is an early evening All-Weather meeting at Kempton but it’s debatable whether the place will be packed out for the Class 5 race that opens the fixture at 3.55 on a working day. The fifth race at 6pm is a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs and there is a decent prize up for grabs. TROPICS is the top weight but the horse has performed well on artificial surfaces over the last year and is the nap at 11/1 with Ladbrokes.  

Will Tiger Woods Win A Major In 2019? – By Ian Hudson

Golf is now almost a 12 month sport and no sooner has one season ended than the next one begins. In fact the Race to Dubai on the European Tour and Money List on the PGA Tour for 2019 have already begun. The core seasons begin in January and John Rahm in Europe and Brooks Koepka in the States are the players to back to be top dogs on their main tours. Tiger Woods is 7/2 to win a major next year and that is not the worst price in the world.  

Woods looked tired and demotivated at the Ryder Cup but that was one week too many at the end of such a great season. The former world number won contended in the last two majors of the season and won the Tour Championship. Woods then had to travel to Paris for the Ryder Cup but he was emotionally and physically drained. Even in his halcyon days he underperformed in the matches so playing so poorly this time should not be of great concern to his fans and backers.   

Woods led the British Open at the start of the back nine on the Sunday but one poor hole cost him dear. He almost chased down Koepka at the PGA Championship but just came up short. However, his ability to still compete at the highest level was displayed when he beat the best other 29 PGA tour players in the season finale. It was a Woods master class thanks to a great swing, iron play and putting. The 14 times major champion is now good enough to add to that tally.

He is chasing Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 majors but he has not won one of the four titles that matter most since 2008. Nicklaus won his last major aged 46 and Woods turns 43 at the end of the year. That means he will have 16 more chances to win more majors before passing the age at which Nicklaus won one. Given no more injuries and operations Woods could be competitive until he reaches 50 which doubles his opportunities to get to 15 majors and beyond. However, you have to think if he comes up short in 2019 Nicklaus’s total will not be overhauled.    

The US Masters is Woods’ best chance to win another major. He is a four times winner and the course is ideally suited to his game. Woods won his first major in the Masters Tournament in 1997 and the fairways provide some scope for wayward driving. Putting under pressure was always a strength and the greens at Augusta are amongst the fastest and most challenging on the tour. The second most successful player in major championship golf can bring the house down by winning the 2019 US Masters. Woods in his prime won more than one major some seasons.

Koepka has now won three of the last seven majors and that is Woods-esque when he was winning them for fun at the start of the century. He defended the US Open title and then won the PGA Championship. Koepka played on the Challenge Tour and European Tour at the start of his career so his game is more than one-dimensional. He overpowers courses of the tee and his confidence must be sky high. Kopeka has won more majors than regular tournaments but if he can start winning in the less demanding weeks the Money List is within his scope.          

Rory McIlroy is thinking about focusing on the US PGA Tour in a concerted effort to win more majors. The logic is that he will be competing against the best players more often. Rahm is more loyal to the European Tour and money won in the majors and WGC events counts. However, Rahm will play enough regular tournaments in Europe to boost his prize money and make him a leading contender for the Race to Dubai which he can win in 2019.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Harry Is Odds-On To Win In The Jungle

Is it possible to resist backing Manchester United to win a match at Old Trafford at odds of almost 2/1? During the Alex Ferguson era that proposition was unheard of even when Arsenal were in town. Some bookmakers are offering much lower odds for a home win so it will be interesting to see how the betting market reacts from now until kick-off at 8pm. Jose Mourinho’s job could be on the line. 

Mark Hughes has not let his backers down by winning the next-manager-to-leave market but Mourinho is the new favourite. However, he has a habit of getting a result when he needs it most. There is a good chance that could be on the cards by half-time because Arsenal have not been in the lead at the break in any match this season. The logical bet is MANCHESTER UNITED/DRAW at 14/1 with bet365.

Harry Redknapp’s name is not appearing in any lists for the next manager of a club. He has been in charge at Southampton and there is a vacancy now that Hughes has gone. It’s questionable whether Redknapp can be taken seriously as a football manager as his main role in the jungle appears to be cleaning out the dunny. REDKNAPP is 4/7 to be the winner of I’m A Celebrity.    

Southampton have appointed a caretaker manager and the temporary role begins with a Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Wembley. I wonder if Mauricio Pochettino will now rest players so his squad peaks for the FA Cup third round tie at Southport or Tranmere early next month. The home team won the fixture 5-2 last season so anything similar makes TOTTENHAM -1 the bet at Evens with Betfair.   

 

There is an early evening All-Weather meeting at Kempton but it’s debatable whether the place will be packed out for the Class 5 race that opens the fixture at 3.55 on a working day. The fifth race at 6pm is a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs and there is a decent prize up for grabs. TROPICS is the top weight but the horse has performed well on artificial surfaces over the last year and is the nap at 11/1 with Ladbrokes.  

 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Can Southport Win The FA Cup?

Harry Kane was the leading scorer in the World Cup and Hugo Lloris was the goalkeeper for the winning team. Eric Dier scored the crucial penalty for England against Colombia and Dele Alli is one the best young players in the Premier Cup. The romance of the FA Cup means if Southport beat Tranmere is their replay at home  Tottenham will be visiting their small ground in the third round. Southport are in the bottom half of the sixth tier while their potential opponents are still in the Champions League. Southport are 5,000/1 to win the FA Cup but more realistically TOTTENHAM are 8/1 with William Hill.   

There is a full programme of Premier League fixtures over the next two nights and this evening’s live televised match is Manchester City’s fixture at Watford. There is an old saying that you should never back teams playing away from home at odds-on but City are the bankers of the night. The champions have won the last eight meetings with Watford, scoring 27 goals and conceding four. The average winning margin over that run is almost three and City are now at a different level. There is no reason to suggest that average won’t be maintained which means MANCHESTER CITY -2 is the bet at 11/5 with Betfair. 

The Mosconi Cup is the Ryder Cup of pool and there is a similar dynamic. The United States traditionally have the most talented team but were beaten 11-4 by Europe in Las Vegas last year. Its an annual not biennial event so the best pool players from Europe and the US are competing at Alexandra Palace in London for the next four days. Many of the visiting players are in form so UNITED STATES are tipped to win the 2018 Mosconi Cup at 12/5. 

There is an All-Weather meeting at Lingfield today and the best race is the Class 2 handicap over five furlongs at 2.20. Tomily has the best Racing Post Ratings and comes out on top on statistical trends. The horse has a good draw but recent runs do not bode well. VERNE CASTLE has not got a good draw but the horse is suited to the Polytrack at Lingfield so is the each way nap at 16/1 with Paddy Power. 

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Crazy Goal Keeps Liverpool In Touch

One of the most bizarre goals in the history of the Premier League completed the derby day home treble and kept things tight at the top of the table. If you believe in the concept of name on the trophy Liverpool’s 96th minute winner against Everton will have confirmed this view. In a serious of freak events Divick Origi was on hand to take advantage of a Jordan Pickford clanger and the ball bouncing off the bar to break the hearts of Evertonians with the winner. With luck like that LIVERPOOL can keep on the coattails of Manchester City and are now 4/1 with William Hill to win the Premier League. There is a full programme of matches this week.

If you can’t be a good manager then being a lucky manager is important. Gareth Southgate got the rub of the green with England in the World Cup and he has now been dealt a good hand from the draw for qualification for Euro 2020. The semi-finals and final are being played at Wembley and England should progress to the tournament. They will play what looks like a list of budget airline destinations in the group stages and there is nobody to fear. ENGLAND are 8/1 to be the champions of Europe for the first time. Their next fixture is in February.

There are two big chases this Saturday which are often a form guide to future races. The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown is often the starting point for the best horses over two miles. That is certainly the case this year because Altior is the odds-on favourite and the horse’s season–long target is the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. ALTIOR is 11/8 with Ladbrokes to win that race for the second successive year.

The Becher Chase is run over the last three miles and one and a half furlongs of the Grand National distance and is a major trial for the big one next April. Any race over the big fences is a spectacle and course form is important. BLAKLION was brought down at the first and finished fourth when looking like the winner in the last two Nationals and is 10/1 to win the Becher Chase.

There are two jumps meetings today and they race on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton. Plumpton is a funny little track where experience of the course is vital. Horses often show better form than at other venues so we should focus on course winners. SNIPPETYDOODAH has won two races at Plumpton, the latest on heavy ground so the soft going today should not be an issue. The horse is the nap in the handicap hurdle over three miles and one furlong (1.30) at 9/1 with bet365.

Irish Trainers Can Win The Big Races – By Ian Hudson

By Leave a Comment

There is a significant trial for the Champion Hurdle and one of the most prestigious handicap chases of the season on Saturday. The action takes place in the north east and south of England at Newcastle and Newbury racecourses. The Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Ladbrokes Trophy Chase are the highlights of the televised racing but both are key in the context of more important races later in the season. Samcro and Kemboy, both trained in Ireland, can put down markers for bigger tests.      

The big hurdle race at Newcastle is a Grade 1 race over two miles and half a furlong and horses aged four and over are eligible. It’s the first leg in the Road to Cheltenham series which also includes the International Hurdle and Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. It’s a recognized trial for the big one in March. Buveur D’Air won the race last season and then won a second successive Champion the following March. Two horses won three renewals back in the 1970’s and Irving was the winner in 2014 and 2016. The race has a history of producing multiple winners.   

Samcro was still scheduled to run on Thursday so a great race and showdown is on the cards. Samcro and Buveur D’Air are first and second favourites for the Champion Hurdle so the race on Saturday will be a good form guide. Despite being one of the best novices last season Samcro has not delivered against seasoned hurdlers. The horse is a potential winner of the Gold Cup and not going chasing this season is a surprise. Maybe connections are looking at Samcro being just the second horse ever to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup because he has the scope to emulate Dawn Run. However, Sommerville Boy could be the fly in the ointment on Saturday. 

The winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival in March is running against experienced and proven horses for the first time. The way Sommerville Boy won at Cheltenham suggests the horse could be something special. Mistakes at the last two hurdles would have cost lesser horse the race but Sommerville Boy recovered and stormed up the hill to record a narrow win in the festival opener. The Fighting Fifth brings together the best novices from last season and the Champion hurdler in a race which can establish Samcro is the best horse over hurdles in Britain and Ireland.   

The Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury was called the Hennessy for many years and some stalwarts still call the race that name. It’s a handicap chases over three miles and two furlongs and has a history of being a good form guide for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. Since 2012 the winner has then won one of the two biggest chases of the season three times. Native River won the race in 2016 and won the Gold Cup in March. It’s a race in which horses in the first season out of novice company also have a good record. Kemboy has an excellent profile for the race.  

Samcro and Kemboy are trained by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins in Ireland. Both trainers have wealthy backers and dominate jumps racing at home. Their horses are primed and ready to take two big pots back across the Irish Sea. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Cardiff Can Beat Out Of Form Wolves

Cardiff and Wolves have history from their time in the Championship because a crucial fixture ended in acrimony last season. Wolves won that match in south Wales but the outcome could be different in Cardiff tonight. The home team are in the relegation places and the excellent start made by Wolves in the Premier League has been negated by four defeats in their last five matches. 

Despite having potentially the more experienced players proven at a higher level Wolves were outplayed by Huddersfield at home last Sunday and lost the match quite comfortably. Wolves have not scored more than one goal in seven league matches on the road. CARDIFF are the team to back at 29/10 with Betfair to record a third home win of the season. 

Its FA Cup weekend and there are 20 ties in the second round. The winners go into the pot with the Premier League big boys. The Golden Ticket of an away match against Manchester United and life changing gate receipts is getting closer. For non-league teams losing at the second round stage is akin to losing a semi-final for the bigger clubs. 

Solihull Moors are one step away from that potential dream tie but BLACKPOOL are tipped to win on one of the smallest grounds in the fifth tier. The League One team are in the mix for promotion to the Championship but can also reach the third round of the FA Cup by beating Solihull in 90 minutes on the road and that outcome is 19/20 with bet365.    

The best bet of the night could be Dundee United to beat Ayr at home in the Scottish Championship at odds against. The visitors are the league leaders but their opponents have won five of their last six fixtures since the appointment of a new manager. DUNDEE UNITED are an improving team playing with enough confidence to win this fixture and a home win can be backed at 11/10 with Ladbrokes. 

There is a decent televised card at Newbury today on the first day of the track’s winter festival. It seems just about anything that lasts more than one day is called a festival and what we actually have is what for many years was the first day of the Hennessy (Ladbrokes Trophy) meeting. UKNOWHATIMEAMHARRY is not bothered about word games and the horse is the nap in the 3.00 race at 7/2 with William Hill.