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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Europa League Should Be Better For English Clubs 

Events in the first legs of the semi-finals of the Champions League could not have worked out much worse for the Premier League clubs but outcomes should be better at the same stage of the Europa League. Tottenham must overcome a 1-0 deficit against Ajax after the first match at their new stadium while Liverpool played well but suffered at the hands of Lionel Messi in losing 3-0 in Barcelona. Chelsea and Arsenal go into bat for the Premier League this evening in the Europa League for which ENGLAND is 4/7 with Ladbrokes to be the winning nationality.  

Arsenal have lost their last three league matches so finishing in the top four in the Premier League looks beyond them. The other route into the Champions League is winning the Europa League. That process continues with a home first leg match against Valencia in the last four. Arsenal have not conceded in five home matches in the competition and Valencia have fallen off the pace for a top four finish in La Liga. The Spanish outfit are unbeaten in six knockout matches in the Europa League but ARSENAL look a good bet to win this fixture at Evens with bet365. 

Chelsea are at Eintracht Frankfurt in their first leg last four meeting in the Europa League. The home team have scored at least one goal in 40 of 44 competitive matches this season but two of their three leading scorers will be absent in Germany tonight. Maurizio Sarri has hung on to his job with Chelsea through thick and thin and results in the Europa League have helped his cause. A top four place in the Premier League looks likely and a decent result in Frankfurt is on the cards. A DRAW would be acceptable and that outcome is 23/10 with Ladbrokes.

Whichever horses win at Punchestown today, Ruby Walsh will not be riding any of them. He announced his retirement with immediate effect after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup with Kemboy yesterday. He has won the six big races in the sport but injuries over the last few years have taken their toll. There is no jockey against the name of BAPAUME in the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown (5.30) as Walsh is the trainer’s main jockey but the horse has the best form and can win this race at 9/4 with bet365.     

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Another National On The Cards For Tiger Roll 

The last four races at Cheltenham yesterday were won by well backed favourites and Ireland lead Britain 8-6 in the race to train most winners and keep the Prestbury Cup.  Tiger Roll won the cross country chase for the second successive year and is on course to win back-to-back Grand Nationals. The horse has now won at four consecutive Festivals and yesterday’s victory was never in doubt. TIGER ROLL is in fine form and despite a weight hike looks a horse to back at 6/1 with Betfair to win the Grand National at Aintree next month. 

The feature of the third day is the Stayers’ Hurdle over three miles at 3.30. Racing over the next two days is on the New Course which presents a greater test of stamina. The most interesting runner is Faugheen who is attempting to complete the Champion Hurdle/Stayers’ Hurdle double which has never been achieved. The horse is three from three over this distance when completing the course and the trainer has won the race in the last two years. However, PAISLEY PARK was impressive over course and distance in January so is the selection at 7/4 with Paddy Power.   

All four English clubs have qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League after winning the away legs of their last 16 ties. It is a free draw on Friday so the odds are heavily in favour of at least one Premier League match-up in next round. Meanwhile Arsenal and Chelsea are flying the flag for England in the Europa League. Arsenal have to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Rennes at the Emirates this evening. One early goal changes the dynamic and a 2-0 win is enough to progress. ARSENAL can do enough to win the tie and are 17/20 with Betfair to do just that. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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RB Leipzig Are The Bankers In The Europa League 

If football was an exact science and form from one match was related to form from another you would conclude that Derby County are one of the best teams in Europe. They eliminated Manchester United from the EFL Cup in the tie at Old Trafford and United beat Juventus in the Champions League. That would suggest if the logic held that Derby are better than Juventus. Of course football doesn’t work like that but Jose Mourinho had one of his great victories in Turin last night. MANCHESTER UNITED are now 33/1 with bet365 to win the Champions League.   

Even during the halcyon days during the Arsene Wenger era Arsenal did not win a European trophy and they have never won one in their history. The new boss, Unai Emery, was the manager of Sevilla when they won the Europa three seasons in a row so he takes the competition seriously. Arsenal lost to Manchester City and Chelsea at the start of the season but are now unbeaten in 14 matches. They can extend that run against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates tonight and secure qualification for the knockout rounds. ARSENAL are 7/1 to win the Europa League. 

There are 24 ties in the Europa League tonight in all four corners of Europe. The winners of the competition qualify for the Champions League so there is a meaningful prize at the end of the long-winded journey to the end of the rainbow. Celtic are flat track bullies in Scotland and then come up short when they meet anyone decent in Europe. RB LEIPZIG are fourth in the Bundesliga and have won some tough away matches so are one of the bankers to win at Celtic tonight at Evens with Ladbrokes.  

The principle meeting today is the jumps fixture at Newbury but the racing is fairly average. There is a half decent mares’ novices’ hurdle over two miles at 2.25. Sula Island has some fair form on the Flat and made a good start to her career over hurdles. However, if the horse had shown a great deal at home the connections alone would be reflected in the betting market. A more solid proposition on ratings is POSH TRISH as the horse sets the form standard so is the nap at 9/4. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Arsenal Can Continue The Run Of Wins 

Arsenal lost their first two league matches but have since put together a run of 10 wins in all competitions. Some of the football in the home win against Leicester on Monday was stunning and now they take that form into a match at Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League. In the halcyon days Arsene Wenger would have stuck his nose up about playing on Thursdays but new manager has a great pedigree in the competition and ARSENAL are 7/1 with bet365 to win the Europa League.  

Unai Emery was the manager of Seville when they won three Europa Leagues in as many years. He has won over the Arsenal fans with a breed of winning and exciting football. His players are growing in confidence and that process can continue in Portugal tonight. Sporting have lost their last three matches against opponents from England and Emery is unlikely to play the second string as he values the Europa League. ARSENAL are the team to back at 21/20 with Ladbrokes. 

Celtic and Rangers are in Europa League action tonight and both Glasgow teams could struggle to win. Chelsea will be too good for BATE Borisov at Stamford Bridge in the same competition. They have failed to win just one of their last eight Europa League fixtures and can continue that run against the Belarus champions. BATE lost 6-0 to Arsenal on their last visit to London and even though the win might not be so convincing CHELSEA -2 at 5/4 with Betfair is the recommendation. 

Carlisle is not the most glamorous of tracks but the setting is as good as any in the country. Its an urban course in woodlands but the quality of the racing rarely matches the scenery. The sport today is nothing special but only one of the seven races has not attracted the important eight runners for each-way betting. There is a competitive handicap chase over three miles and two furlongs at 3.40 with 11 horses in the field. BALLYMALIN has the form to win the race at 5/2 with Coral. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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North London Double On The Cards Today

Arsene Wenger keeps coming back and using up his lives and Arsenal can get him out of trouble again by beating Watford at home today. It looked like he would be getting his coat but then Arsenal beat AC Milan in Italy in the Europa League on Thursday. Football fans are fickle and the flood of anti-Wenger feeling could have subsided and beating Watford at the Emirates would continue that process. Watford have won three of the last five meetings but ARSENAL must be backed at 1/2 with Ladbrokes to win this fixture.

Tottenham can complete a north London double by winning at Bournemouth in the other live TV fixture. Their Champions League campaign came to a shuddering halt against Juventus last week but the quest for a top four place in the Premier League continues today. Bournemouth have only scored one goal against today’s opponents in five matches in the Premier League. Bournemouth have not lost in six fixtures at home but TOTTENHAM can end that run at 8/15 with William Hill. The double with Arsenal is a 5/4 chance.

It’s the Sunday before the Cheltenham Festival so the racing is understandably ordinary. The festival looks like starting on the softest ground for 20 years. Warwick and Market Rasen stage jumps cards two days before the biggest betting meeting of the season. The richest race of the day is the handicap chase at Warwick (3.55pm). The 11 runners are closely matched in an open contest. On ratings and course form TALK OF THE SOUTH is the horse to back at 4/1 with bet365.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Wenger’s Last Stand?

The Beast from the East relented and yesterday there were no abandonments in the Premier League and the two Sunday fixtures look like going ahead. That is bad news for Arsene Wenger because if Arsenal lose to Brighton the Frenchman could be out of his job. It’s only because other bosses are in more perilous situations that Wenger is as big 8/1 to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

An away match at Brighton is not a bad fixture when you desperately need a result to save your job. Even though Arsenal have not managed a win in their last six starts on the road they could pick up maximum points today. Amazingly no side in the Premier League has suffered more defeats than Arsenal since the start of the year. Brighton have lost three league matches at home but their opponents were one of the big boys so ARSENAL must be backed at 17/20 with William Hill to win today.

Manchester City’s relentless progress to the Premier League title can continue at home to Chelsea in the late live match. The visitors have won two in eight away from home. However, Chelsea usually find the net at other grounds and they have scored in all but two of their last 14 away fixtures in the league. The obvious bet is CITY to win and BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 21/10 with Ladbrokes.

The All-Weather fixture at Southwell has survived the freeze and racing on artificial surfaces has again been a godsend. It’s not the best racing in the world but at least the meeting provides some betting action. DAWN DANCER is the standout bet at 5/4 with Betfair in the equal richest race of the day (2.45pm).

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Europa League Huge For Arsenal Now

Manchester United set the precedent last season by qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. The minor European competition could be Arsenal’s best route into the one that matters most because they are falling off the pace in the league. Needs must and Arsenal are in need and Arsene Wenger wants to keep his job and he’s an intelligent man.

Jose Mourinho worked out that United had a better chance of getting into the Champions League from winning the Europa League than finishing in the top four.  Wenger may have come to the same conclusion so ARSENAL should be fully focused when they play at Ostersund tonight in the last 32 of the Europa League. The Premier League team are 9/2 with Ladbrokes to win the trophy.

There are some big outfits in the Europa League this season, including Atletico Madrid who have played in two of the last four Champions League finals and Napoli who are league leaders in Italy. Arsenal must not be losing to Ostersund this evening if they want to compete with these clubs. They are now sixth in the Premier League and eight points adrift of Chelsea in fourth place. With 11 fixtures remaining Wenger may now see the importance of the Europa League just like Mourinho did last season.

It will be cold when Arsenal take on Ostersund in Sweden tonight and the atmosphere could get very chilly if they continue the run of not conceding in one of their last 12 matches. However, there is a significant gap in class and Arsenal must concentrate on the Europa League because of their position in the Premier League. In any case the DRAW is the standout bet against Ostersund at 3/1 with William Hill.

I hope you will be all staying up until 3.56 in the morning to watch the women’s cross snowboarding final but if you must retire early you could have a few quid in your pocket after a winning horse racing bet. Kelso is the most lucrative meeting today and the Morebattle Hurdle (2.25 is the richest race on the card.  In snowboarding speed is important and contenders BETTER GETALONG. The horse with that name should be backed to win the Kelso feature at 2/1 with bet365.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Who Is Kyle Edmund? 

Lets be honest now a week ago who had heard of Kyle Edmund and knew what he did for a living? The professional tennis player from Beverley in the East Riding Yorkshire is in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and currently the third favourite for the Sports Personality Of The Year award. If Edmund wins the Australian Open Anthony Joshua must unify the world heavyweight boxing titles or Harry Kane must be the leading goalscorer in the World Cup that England win to beat him in the contest. EDMUND was 500/1 to win the first Grand Slam tournament of the year before play began and now plays Marin Cilic in the last four at 8.30 tomorrow morning. He is now 12/1 with William Hill to cause a ‘Leicester City’ type upset.

The post Alexis Sanchez era begins at Arsenal and what better way to send him on his way to Manchester than progressing to the final of the EFL Cup at the expense of Chelsea tonight. The second leg of the semi-final tie at the Emirates tonight will be Chelsea’s seventh match in 22 days. The 4-0 win at Brighton at the weekend was not typical of their start to the year. The first match at Stamford Bridge was a nil-nil draw so it’s all to play for now. ARSENAL have only lost once in 25 home matches and are the bet at 11/10 with Ladbrokes to qualify for the final. MANCHESTER CITY will be the opponents and they are currently the favourites to win the EFL Cup at 1/2 with Coral.

With an inspection at Exeter planned this morning Catterick is the only jumps meeting that definitely goes ahead and there are two All-Weather fixtures at Lingfield and Kempton that presumably won’t be affected by the weather. The six races at Catterick offer total prize money of £60,000 which isn’t too bad but not a fortune. The betting industry is petrified of the maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals being reduced to £2 due to the negative impact on betting office viability and the knock-on affect on racing and reduced prize money. BENTELIMAR will win less than £10,000 for prevailing in the richest race at Catterick (3pm) and the horse can be backed at 10/11 with William Hill.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Arsenal and Liverpool are two of the historical superpowers of English football with massive followings around the world. However, in the modern era of huge overseas investment in Premier League clubs even millionaire owners cannot compete with the resources available to Manchester City due to the backing of some of the richest men in the world. Studies show that there is a relationship between the size of a club’s wage bill and their average finishing position in the league. Or to put it another way City have the most money and are the champions elect this season.

Arsene Wenger keeps living to fight another day and is running out of lives. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil always seem to be on the brink of leaving the club but should be playing against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium tonight. Jurgen Klopp’s brand of heavy metal football produces many goals but Liverpool continue to show frailties at the back. ARSENAL have won all but one of their last 14 Premier League fixtures on their own patch so should be backed tonight at 6/4.

 

There are six matches in the second round of the darts PDC World Championship tonight and Michael Van Gerwen is topping the bill. The defending champion and number one seed plays the 32 seed so the draw has worked out as expected. Van Gerwen has played James Wilson four times and won every match and is 1/33 to progress this time. The Dutchman is different class and is only 5/6 with Ladbrokes to win this match four sets to nil and that is the standout bet of the night.

There is a decent card at Newbury today worth £137,000 over six races which is more like it after some derisory money on offer during this week. Potentially the best horse in action is Finian’s Oscar at 2.30pm. The horse won at Grade 1 level over hurdles but couldn’t keep up with the pace in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown 13 days ago. Today’s trip means the horse will be more in his comfort zone and the ratings suggest FINIAN’S OSCAR should be backed at Evens with William Hill.

Could Be Curtains For Koeman – By Rick Elliott

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Ronald Koeman and Slaven Bilic are vying if that’s the correct word to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked. Bilic staked his claim thanks to West Ham’s dreadful home defeat to Brighton on Friday night but Koeman could get back in pole position if Everton lose to Arsenal today at Goodison Park. The atmosphere will be toxic and if Arsenal score first the home crowd could turn on Koeman. Everton are in disarray on the field and the club captain is in hot water and this makes for a cocktail in which ARSENAL can benefit and win the match at 19/20 with William Hill.

In the second leg of the North London against Merseyside double header Tottenham welcome Liverpool to Wembley Stadium. Tottenham were impressive in drawing at Real Madrid in the Champions League while Liverpool scored seven times without reply away to Maribor in the same competition. Both sides are stronger in attack than defence and that could lead to a high scoring match. The standout bet of the fixture is more than two goals at 8/11 with Ladbrokes.

There is a Grade 1 winner running at Kempton today. San Benedeto won a novice chase at the highest level at Aintree in April. He then ran well behind Altior at Sandown so the form over fences is proven and there for all to see. The horse runs over hurdles today and Old Guard will be a tough nut to crack as a former winner of a Grade 2 handicap hurdle. However, SAN BENEDTO has the class to prevail and can be backed at 2/1 with Coral to win the Kempton 4.20pm race.