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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Arsenal Are Equipped To Win The Europa League

Arsene Wenger prided himself on Arsenal not playing in the Europa League and he only had to face that indignity in his last season in charge. Arsenal reached the last four and missed out on a route to the Champions League but the new manager has won the trophy three times. Unai Emery was the manager of Sevilla when they won the Europa League from 2014 to 2016. He knows how to juggle commitments at home and in Europe. Chelsea are also playing in the Europa League this season but with such expertise at the helm ARSENAL are the team to back at 8/1. Manchester United won the Europa League at the end of the 2016/17 season and as a result qualified for the Champions League.

The two London Premier League outfits and the Glasgow giants are in Europa League action tonight. Arsenal are too short to back at home to Vorskla Poltava from the Ukraine. Celtic are unreliable so a home win against Rosenborg is not guaranteed. Rangers will struggle to avoid defeat against Villarreal. That leaves CHELSEA who can beat PAOK away from home and that outcome is 4/5 with Coral. The home side have not conceded in only two of their last 10 matches at their own ground. The only concern is that the Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri, did not prioritise European football with Napoli last season. He will want to impress everyone at Chelsea and that means taking the Europa League and tonight’s match in Greece seriously.

It’s the first round of the Tour Championship which determines who wins the FedEx Cup and $10 million bonus. There is a limited field of the top 30 golfers in the standings and the players go out in 2-balls in point’s order. Tommy Fleetwood has come a long way in two years and today is paired with Tiger Woods who has also had some journey. The course suits the former world number one so the head has to rule the heart and WOODS is the bet to outscore Fleetwood over 72 holes at 10/11 with Ladbrokes. Justin Rose is tipped to win the championship and FedEx Cup.

It’s the first day of the Ayr Gold Cup meeting at the Scottish course. The meeting was abandoned last season because a part of the track was unsafe but all is in order this time. The famous Doonside Cup Stakes (3.35) is a listed race over one mile and two furlongs and is the most lucrative of the day. MORANDO, owned by the racing club associated with Leicester City, can beat the opposition at 3/1 with William Hill

Is There A Crisis At Tottenham? – By Ian Hudson

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Who would have thought there would be crisis talk so early in the season at one of the best managed clubs in the Premier League? Tottenham have now lost three matches in succession for the first time during the Mauricio Pochettino era. Losing to Liverpool is no disgrace but the manner of defeats against Watford in the Premier League and Inter Milan in the Champions League suggests all is not well. Tottenham have a large contingent of players who reached at least the semi-finals at the World Cup so motivation could be an issue.

Brighton should win enough matches at home to stay in the Premier League and the battling point at Southampton on Monday suggests they are prepared to fight for points on the road. Albion finished 15th last season with 40 points but had the eighth best home record with seven wins and 29 points. A win and draw in two home fixtures this season to date suggests points won at the Amex Stadium will be crucial. Brighton can pick up at least one point when Tottenham visit on Saturday.

Fulham have been outside the Premier League for four seasons but their wealthy owner has invested in some players to prevent an immediate return to the second tier. The club’s benefactor is the same businessman who is trying to buy Wembley Stadium so you would have thought he has deep pockets. However, three defeats in the Premier League has left the club lurking just above the relegation places.

Watford won their first four matches but had a reality check when losing at home to Manchester United last weekend. For the last three seasons Watford have stayed in the Premier League without doing anything special. There were no notable signings in the summer so they may find their true level this season and losing away from home against Fulham is probably more representative than beating Tottenham at home.

The clever clogs deal to play at the Olympic Stadium counted for nothing as West Ham lost their first four matches in the Premier League. Where the impressive win at Everton came from last Saturday is anybody’s guess. Everton were poor and lacked the basic skill of passing the ball to a team mate. However, West Ham produced a competent away performance and can take confidence into the home fixture with Chelsea who have won all five league matches so far.

Eden Hazard also played seven matches in the World Cup but there appears to be no hangover. He said the three week break was enough and he looks sharp. The new Chelsea manager appreciates his qualities in attacking areas and can forgive him not tracking back because he is so effective in the final third. Hazard can provide the quality to help Chelsea win this London derby against West Ham. Another defeat puts the Hammers back in the relegation mire.

There was always going to be a period of adjustment at Arsenal after the departure of Arsene Wenger. The signs were not looking good after two defeats but Arsenal have now won maximum points from three matches in the Premier League. Everton visit the Emirates on Sunday on the back of that abysmal defeat at home against West Ham. Current form suggests this is the home banker on the schedule. Everton won three matches away from home in the Premier League last season.

They are now going through managers like confetti and the optimism surrounding Marco Silva has diminished after a moderate start. Losing at home to the bottom club in West Ham does not augur well. Arsenal lost two Premier League matches at home last season but can avoid defeat against Everton and secure another three points. If results go their way another win takes them into a Champions League qualifying position and the new man goes a long way to winning over the fans.

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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Wins For The Manchester Clubs In The Champions League 

ENGLAND is the second favourite behind Spain to be the nationality of the winners of the Champions League. Liverpool beat a star-studded PSG at Anfield but Tottenham threw away a great chance to beat Inter but lost in Italy on the opening night of the group stages. The Manchester clubs begin their campaign to win the Champions League tonight. United have been the champions of Europe three times but MANCHESTER CITY have never won the old European Cup or Champions League and are 11/2 with Betfair to break their duck.

The Premier League champions are at home to Lyon at the start of the group stages of the biggest club competition in Europe and the rest of the world. The Champions League is huge because most of the best players appear in the major leagues in Europe, in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France. Pep Guardiloa is banned from the touchline for tonight’s match at the Etihad but he would have had his say before tonight’s meeting which starts his campaign to win the Champions League as a manager for the third time. A CITY WIN TO NIL is the bet at 11/10.

Young Boys are the champions of Switzerland for the first time since 1986 and are playing in the group phase of the Champions League also for the first time. The English Premier League is much richer than the Swiss First Division and money usually talks in this type of fixture in which United can beat Old Boys. MANCHESTER UNITED have lost just three of their last 20 away games in European competition and can secure three points in Switzerland. The away win is 7/10 with bet365.

Two of today’s three Flat meetings in Britain offer over £100,000 in prize money and Yarmouth is the richest fixture. The most valuable race is the listed contest for fillies over one mile and two furlongs at 3.35. Chain Of Daisies has the highest Racing Post Rating but as a horse aged three Winter Lightning gets five pounds and Chain Of Daisies carries an extra three pounds for winning a previous listed race. The weight advantage of eight pounds means WINTER LIGHNING is the horse to back at 6/4 with Ladbrokes.  

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Goals Expected At Anfield Tonight

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In May when Brazil played Croatia in a friendly international at Anfield Neymar came on for the second half and changed the game. Brazil were easily the better team and very few spectators present envisaged that Croatia would go much further in the World Cup. Neymar scored the first goal and Roberto Firmino clinched a 2-0 win at the ground where he plays domestic football. The two scorers are playing at Anfield again tonight but on opposite sides. Liverpool host Paris St-Germain on match day one in the Champions League. Their six home games in the competition last season saw 24 goals. LIVERPOOL AND BTTS is 12/5 with Ladbrokes as they embark on a season in Europe that could culminate with them winning the Champions League.

Tottenham begin their campaign in one of the new 5.55pm slots. Kick-off times will be staggered this season so that on any match night there are two fixtures at this time and the other six will begin at 20.00 GMT. No Premier League team will have a home match starting at the earlier time. Tottenham are away at Inter Milan this evening but they have not recorded a win in their last five away competitive matches against teams from Italy. Inter are suffering from a lack of form and several players will be absent due to injury. Tottenham are trying to avoid losing three matches in succession for the first time during the Mauricio Pochettino era which began in 2014. TOTTENHAM can win this match and that outcome is 13/8 with Betfair.

There are four Flat meetings in Britain today and one fixture on the level in Ireland. October is a huge month for Flat racing with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp and Champions Day at Ascot. The Breeders’ Cup takes place in November and there could be plenty of runners from these parts, including Laurens in the fillies and mares turf race. The Galway Festival in the summer is huge but today’s meeting will be more low key. The most lucrative race is the listed contest for fillies and mares over one mile and four furlongs at 5.15. PRINCESS YAIZA has the rating and form to win the race and the best odds are 11/4.   

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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All Premier League Champions League Final?

The last and only time two Premier League clubs met in the final of the Champions League was at the end of the 2007/08 season when Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties. If they are kept apart in the draw both Liverpool and Manchester City can go all the way and meet in the final in Madrid next May. Manchester United and Tottenham also begin their Champions League campaign this week and but MANCHESTER CITY are 9/2 favourites with bet365 to be champions of Europe.

Southampton and Brighton have never played in the Champions League but there Premier League fixture tonight is as big as any fixture in Europe. The south coast derby in Southampton doesn’t look like producing a feast of goals. In 12 of 15 Brighton’s last away matches there have been less than three goals. In a low scoring match SOUTHAMPTON can prevail and a home win is 11/10 with Betfair.

It’s the finale of the US PGA season this week with the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup and $10 million bonus up for the grabs. Justin Rose is the world number one, Olympic champion and major winner so it would be appropriate if he was top dog in the States. You can back ROSE at 8/1 with Ladbrokes for the Tour Championship and a win would clinch the FedEx Cup.

The Ayr Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious handicaps of the season and the six furlongs contest is being run at Scotland’s premier track on Saturday. Only one horse has won the race more than once since 1980. (Funfair Wane in 2002 and 2004). Only one favourite has won the race this century and the current market leader is URBAN BEAT at 10/1 with Coral. Today’s nap is THEO who is 6/5 with William Hill to win the 3.20 race at Worcester.

Anthony Joshua meets Alexander Povetkin in the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight title fight Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. The Russian is no mug and JOSHUA is 7/2 to win by a decision or technical decision.

Rick’s Sports Betting: Could The Manchester Clubs Contest A Champions League Final? – By Rick Elliott

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There is a direct correlation between the size of a club’s wage bill and how they perform and this is definitely the case with the Champions League. On that basis Manchester City can finally win the competition and justify the massive investment in the club. For many years City were in the shadow of United in Manchester and Europe and until they win the Champions League as a club and global brand they will be the second biggest club in town. However, the balance of power can shift if City do win the Champions League and they are favourites to do just that in 2017/18.

The Champions League is the Holy Grail of European football because the earnings from playing in the group stages and beyond are huge. Teams from the minor leagues across Europe are involved in qualifying from July but come the final in May two of the superpowers are battling to win the trophy. The days of relatively small Midlands clubs with a modest income like Nottingham Forest winning the European Cup are long gone. The winners are now one of the richest clubs from Spain, Germany, Italy and England. The last English winners were Chelsea in 2011-12.

The last winners from outside the four biggest European leagues were Porto in 2003-04. They beat Monaco 3-0 in the final and they were the last team to reach the final outside teams from the four richest leagues. The last 14 finals have brought together teams from those major European football nations. The manager of Porto was Jose Mourinho who would love to lead Manchester United to Champions League glory. The only two United managers who won the European Cup or Champions League were knighted and that would appeal to Mourinho’s sense of importance.

The final in two years from 2014 to 2016 was a meeting between two clubs from the same city. The matches between Real and Atletico from Madrid are the only occasions in which neighbours have contested the Champions League final. United and City have never met in European football and Manchester could emulate Madrid if the two clubs met in the final in Madrid in May 2019. It would arguably be the biggest game in the history of both clubs and the winners would have bragging rights for years. The Spanish giants will be hugely motivated to reach a final in Spain.

The draw for the group stages of the 2018/19 Champions League has been kinder to City than United. In fact there were tough draws for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United and City’s were made favourites to progress furthest of the Premier League teams. The Premier League representatives were first or second favourites to win their groups and on form all four should progress to the last 16 but things then become more difficult.

Over the last eight years the four Premier League clubs have played in the groups 19 times between them. That involvement has produced just two finalists in Liverpool last season and Manchester United in 1010-11. There have been six appearances in the last eight onwards but none of the four Premier League clubs involved in 2018/19 have won the trophy over the last eight years. English clubs consistently qualify for the knockout rounds but don’t deliver at the business end of the Champions League.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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City Favourites For Champions League

The ultimate fly on the wall documentary is the story of Manchester City’s record breaking title winning season in 2017/18. City beat all before them in the Premier League but they will be known as flat track bullies until the Champions League is in the trophy cabinet. The huge investment in the club is paying dividends but the ultimate goal is to be champions of Europe. Winning the Premier League by 19 points is a fine achievement but the next step is being dominant on the continent. After a kind draw for the group stages MANCHESTER CITY are the favourites to win the Champions League at 5/1 with Ladbrokes.

There is a huge match in the Championship which brings together the top two teams in the table. Leeds are at home to Middlesbrough in a classic six-pointer. Both clubs have won 13 points but Leeds have the better goal difference so occupy first place. Middlesbrough would overhaul them with a win but any other outcome means the positions remain unchanged. Leeds have beaten Boro at home in all but one of the last five meetings and have looked impressive this season to date. However, the visitors can avoid defeat so the best bet is the DRAW at 5/2 with William Hill.

One of the biggest fixtures in rugby league is a meeting between St Helens and Wigan. The two sides are first and second favourites to win the Grand Final respectively so tonight’s match could be a prelude to trying to be top dogs at Old Trafford.  Home advantage should help Saints record a narrow win but WIGAN can win the handicap market with a start of 6 points at 10/11 with Coral.

There are six Flat meetings and two jumps fixture in Britain and Ireland today and this evening and the racing is about quantity over quality. The Curragh stages a decent handicap for horses aged two (a nursery) at 5.20. Cardini often finds a way of not winning a race and ROYAL CANFORD can exploit favourable weight conditions and the horse should be backed each way at 12/1 with bet365.

Liverpool Looking Good For A Title Challenge – By Ian Hudson

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Four teams have won their first three Premier League matches and three of those are live on television this week. The clash between the home team in Watford and Tottenham could decide the league leaders if Liverpool drop points at Leicester in the early Saturday live game. Manchester City look home bankers against Newcastle and Arsenal should win on the road against Cardiff.

It is rare to have so many teams with maximum points after three sets of fixtures. Indeed seven teams are unbeaten and West Ham are the only team who have not picked up a point. Even at this early stage the season looks like being more competitive. Manchester City won the title by 19 points in 2017/18 and had the league won by Christmas. Liverpool and Chelsea are in good shape to give the champions a run for their money and Tottenham also look like potential contenders.

Liverpool have never won the Premier League and have not been champions of England since 1989/90. They have had the odd window of opportunity over the last 25 years but not got across the line. This squad looks like the strongest they have assembled in the Premier League era and they could be top dogs in England again. Liverpool were the biggest spenders in the summer but making up such a huge gap with Manchester City could be beyond them this season.

Without fear of contradiction Leicester City will not win the Premier League again in the modern era of vastly wealthy clubs. However, if they beat Liverpool at home they could be in the top four, depending on other results. The halcyon days of winning the league and playing in the Champions League are in the past but Leicester can establish themselves in the second band of clubs. They are a level below the major city superpowers but good enough to avoid relegation. They can prove that point with a home draw against Liverpool this weekend.

Watford have picked up maximum points from three matches and are currently in a Champions League qualifying position. The fixture list has been kind and the home match against Tottenham is the first meeting with a side with the resources to finish in the top eight. You can only beat the teams put in front of you but the bubble should burst against Spurs. There were no notable arrivals at Watford during the summer and staying in the league is their main objective so the fans must enjoy their heady position because it won’t last long.

As much as the Manchester United defence was leaky Tottenham were impressive in winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in Monday Night Football. The post match talk was all about Jose Mourinho’s future but maybe there should have been more focus on the other manager and what he is achieving. Mauricio Pochettino could succeed Mourinho at United but for now he can lead Tottenham to another win on the road, against Watford. Three points could take the club to the top of the table.

There are two ways of looking at Manchester City’s draw at Wolves. On the one hand you could say the champions were average or you could identify that Wolves are a decent outfit at this level. The latter is nearer the mark and City can get back to winning ways with a high-scoring win at home against Newcastle. The Geordies have not won a match yet this season and Rafa Benitez is unhappy with Mike Ashley. The owner spent £90 million on the House of Frazer but has not given Benitez funds to make Newcastle fit for purpose. City could expose their limitations.

Cardiff were everybody’s tip for an immediate drop back into the Championship and they look an average outfit for the top division. Arsenal will require time to adapt to the new manager and this could be a slow process. However, they can win their second fixture in succession after two defeats but there will be much tougher assignments in the future because Cardiff look destined for a swift return to the second tier. Liverpool or Manchester City will win the league.

Rick’s Sports Betting: Four Into Six Does Not Work – By Rick Elliott

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The Champions League is the Holy Grail of European football and the most lucrative domestic competition in the world. The vast income from television money allows those taking part to invest in the best players and pay the highest wages. These clubs get stronger and are better placed to qualify again so the wheel keeps turning. Breaking into the top four of the Premier League is required for qualification and it has now become any four from six. Two of the superpowers must miss out.

There are three leagues within one in the top tier of English football. The big city clubs based in London, Manchester and Liverpool (but not Everton) are always in the top six and it’s virtually impossible to break into that select group. These clubs have the financial clout to offer the best wages and attract the best players. Leicester City were the exception to the rule when they won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season. They caused the biggest shock in sports history to beat the rest.

Leicester are now established in the second band of teams in the Premier League. They will never be the champions in the current setup but will not fall into the relegation places with the squad. There have been some departures from the title winning team but the club is financially sound. The overseas owners will invest in players if required to maintain their top flight status. There are about 8 clubs that will more often than not achieve mid-table safety.

The bottom tier includes the clubs that have been recently promoted from the Championship the previous season and perennial strugglers. Teams like Brighton, Huddersfield and Watford do not have the ground capacity or resources to avoid the struggle of staying in the top division. Burnley have a small budget and are overachieving but will find their level and that could be among the group for which the nightmare scenario of dropping into the Championship is feasible.

Last season all the teams that were promoted in the four divisions did not suffer an immediate return to the lower level. The trick is to survive the next season and invest the television money in players who can establish the clubs in the Premier League. Huddersfield were fortunate to survive their first season in the Premier League. They had a great start but lack quality and could struggle this time. All the pundits think Cardiff are up against it and will go down. Newcastle will be in trouble if or when Rafa Benitez gets fed up with no transfer funds and leaves.

At the other end of the table it will take something extraordinary to prevent Manchester City not defending the title. In any case there is a nil percent chance of the champions not finishing in the top four. The three champions before last season failed to make the top four the following year but City will not finish outside the Champions League qualifying positions. United may be one of the elite to miss out. Jose Mourinho is up to his old tricks and it could all end in tears.

Naby Keita is a massive signing for Liverpool and they now have a world class keeper. Overhauling City may be beyond them but a top four position looks assured. Tottenham have not bought any players but conversely they have a settled squad and look booked for another top four finish. Chelsea are better equipped to adjust to a new manager so Arsenal could miss out again. The Gunners will miss the leadership and preparation skills of Arsene Wenger and that means finishing outside the top four and no Champions League football again.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Atletico Madrid had the best defence in La Liga statistically last season but tonight’s  Super Cup match against Real Madrid has goals written all over it if you take the evidence of recent outcomes. The match that brings together the winners of the Champions League and Europa League is basically a pre-season friendly but when rivals from the same city meet there will be a competitive edge to the match. The last eight Super Cup meetings have produced 28 goals at an average of 3.5 goals per match. However, Atletico’s mean defence and Real’s weakened starting 11 may make this a relatively tight contest so UNDER 2.5 GOALS is the bet at 4/6 with Coral.

At the end of last season’s Champions League final Gareth Bale basically said “I want to leave Real Madrid. Are you interested in buying me?” The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus has changed the dynamic and Bale could be the beneficiary. Ronaldo scored 451 goals for Real Madrid so there is an opportunity for another player to fill the void. BALE can be backed at 7/4 with bet365 to score at any time against Atletico tonight.

It seems strange that any type of cricket fixture in Britain should be between Birmingham and Lancashire. The T20 Blast has rebranded Warwickshire to call them the name of the second city but that won’t change the likely outcome of tonight’s match at Edgbaston. Birmingham must win to have any chance of finishing in the top four while a win for Lancashire would increase the chances of a home match in the next round. LANCASHIRE should be backed to extend their run to four wins at 4/5 with Betfair.

Salisbury is the most lucrative of five meetings in Britain today and the six races offer £100,000 in prize money which is a decent pot. The richest race by far is the Listed fillies’ stakes for horses aged three and older over one mile and two furlongs at 3.40pm. On form and ratings CHAIN OF DAISIES can win the race for the second time and that outcome is 3/1 with William Hill.