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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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It’s The Day Of The Famous Cheltenham Roar

One of the greatest sporting events in the world is upon us because the 2019 Cheltenham Festival starts today. There are 28 races over the next four days in what is called the Olympics of National Hunt racing. The meeting brings together the best horses trained in Britain and Ireland in championship races over hurdles and fences and a variety of distances. There is also the champion bumper and cross country race. Fourteen of the 40 Grade 1 races this season take place at Cheltenham this week. 

There are betting markets for the leading trainer and jockey and we have already suggested Paul Nicholls is a backable price to train most winners. If he has a good week than Harry Cobden will ride several winners. He has the ride on Clan Des Obeaux in the Gold Cup and several other nice horses in the handicaps. He might have to ride at least four winners but HARRY COBDEN is the bet to be the top rider at Cheltenham at 16/1 with Coral. 

There has just been a wonderful week of Champions League football in which three of the four away teams won on the night and qualified for the quarter-finals. Two of the three winners were big outsiders to move into the last eight after the first leg of the ties. Manchester City will be hoping history does not repeat itself as they have a 3-2 lead over Schalke ahead of the home leg. However, they should join Manchester United and Tottenham in the next round after a match for which BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE is the best bet at 4/6 with Ladbrokes.    

Juventus host Atletico Madrid in the other Champions League fixture tonight but face a tough task in overturning a 2-0 defeat from the first leg. The final of the competition is being played at Atletico’s new stadium at the start of June but it won’t be a Madrid derby because Real were knocked out by Ajax last week. It could be an all-Manchester final which has never happened in any competition before. Atletico can keep things tight in Turin where UNDER 2.5 GOALS is the bet at 4/6 with Coral.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Could Man United Win The Champions League? 

When bookmakers starting paying out you know something is a done deal. Fred Done once famously got egg on his face when weighing in punters who backed his beloved Manchester United to win the Premier League only for Arsenal to overhaul them on the run-in. But if you had a bet on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being the next permanent manager of the United the winnings will be in your account with some bookies. 

No team in the history of the European Cup and Champions League had recovered from a two goal deficit from the home leg to progress. After doing that against PSG MANCHESTER UNITED are 8/1 with Paddy Power to win the Champions League and with Ole at the wheel anything is possible. 

Norwich are the top scorers in the Championship and always perform in front of the cameras. In 12 televised league fixtures they have won 10 and drawn the other two. They are live on TV tonight against Swansea at Carrow Road where they have scored three goals or more in six of their last eight fixtures. The home team have found the net more than twice in all but one of eight matches in the Championship. 

Norwich are not solid at the back and in 16 matches both teams have scored in all but three occasions. Swansea have let in at least one goal in eight matches on the road. The statistics suggest goals and most for Norwich but Swansea are improving and could avoid defeat. The best bet is OVER 3.5 GOALS at 13/8 with bet365.  

There is plenty of racing today but its all quite ordinary but there is a decent handicap over one mile and four furlongs on the All-Weather at Dundalk (7.45). Chaparral Dream is progressive but the handicapper could have caught up with the horse.  Active Approach has a decent profile but has not run for 228 days. At a bigger price ALHAJJAJ makes some each way appeal at 8/1 with Paddy Power. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Arsenal Look Like Europa League Contenders 

Arsenal now have two chances of qualifying for the Champions League. They are back in the hunt for a top four finish in the Premier League and in the last 16 of the Europa League. The second option is more likely because Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea are contenders for the two Champions League places up for grabs. Manager Unai Emery won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2014, 2025 and 2016 so knows what it takes. ARSENAL are 5/1 with Betfair to win it this season. 

Emery takes Europe’s second level competition seriously and will probably play a strong team against Rennes in France today in the first leg of this last 16 tie. Arsenal have won six of their last eight matches in the Europa League and should improve that record on the road against Rennes. The hosts are currently 10th in the French league but over perform in Europa. However, a weakened defense will struggle to prevent an ARSEANL win and that outcome is Evens with Paddy Power. 

Chelsea are at home to Dynamo Kiev in the first match of their tie in the round of 16. The Blues are one of just five clubs to have won three separate European competitions. They could also qualify for the Champions League by two routes but league position looks more realistic. Even though Chelsea are the favourites to win the Europa League it’s a long journey to the final in Baku at the end of May. They can get a step closer against Kiev and CHELSEA -1 is the bet at 4/5 with Betfair.  

At a time when trainers are striking about poor levels of prize funding Chelmsford should be applauded for putting up decent money. The track stages two AW Championships Fast Track Qualifiers tonight. The more competitive race is the Class 2 contest over two miles at 6.25. Grey Britain has the highest rating in the field while Amade won well over the distance last time out. However, AIRCRAFT CARRIER is a progressive stayer and can oblige at 5/2 with Paddy Power.  

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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United To Score But Fall In Paris 

The teams playing away from home in the second leg have progressed to the next round from the two last 16 ties played in the Champions League to date. In fact there were two away wins last night which augurs well for Manchester United who are 2-0 down to PSG after the first match at Old Trafford. A goal for PSG won’t change much as United will still need three goals to qualify for the quarter-finals. However, enforced changes will not help their cause.  

One goal won’t be enough regardless if PSG find the net and the home team have not conceded in five of their last six matches. The Paris club have not lost any game by two goals since their last Ligue 1 fixture last season when the title had long since been secured. Injuries and suspension weaken United so winning the match looks beyond them. However, they can score but will struggle not to concede so the best bet of the night is BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 3/4 with Coral. 

Porto host Roma in the other Champions League fixture this evening. The home team is trying to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Italy. When Roma win the first leg of a European tie they have qualified for the next round 26 out of 30 times. Porto have not won any of their last five round of 16 Champions League ties and struggle at this level. Roma have the attacking ability to score at least once and that should decide the tie. ROMA are 1/2 with Ladbrokes to qualify for the quarter-finals.  

There is twice as much prize money up for the grabs at the two All-Weather fixtures tonight than the two turf and one AW meetings in the day. The 7.00 contest at Kempton is a Class 2 conditions race over one mile that is a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. However, the favourite is more likely to run in Dubai than Churchill Downs. The main objective for JAHABTH is the UAE Derby at Meydan at the end of the March. The horse can make that target a reality with a win at 11/10 with Coral. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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A Night Of Goals In The Champions League 

Tottenham’s season seems to be unraveling but a crisis will become a drama if they are knocked out of the Champions League tonight. They have a 3-0 lead over Borussia Dortmund heading into the second leg of the last 16 tie in Germany. It would be unthinkable if Borussia managed a turnaround but they have never come back from three-nil down in Europe. The stadium will be rocking if the hosts score early. 

The home team have scored in 26 of their last 27 outings but that they have conceded in all but two of their last 12 matches. If Tottenham score an away goal Borussia need five to progress and they have conceded 13 times in six fixtures. The Bundesliga leaders will go for broke in the first half and that should create space for Kane so the bet is BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 1/2 with Ladbrokes. 

Real Madrid have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the last eight years. Things are going badly wrong in domestic football but with a 2-1 lead from the away leg Madrid should progress again at the expense of Ajax in the Spanish capital tonight. History is on the side of the home team because Ajax have won just two of their last 15 meetings with Spanish sides and lost all seven against Real.

Madrid have played three matches at home since the first leg in Amsterdam and suffered three defeats. They are too far off the pace in La Liga and Barcelona got rid of them in the Spanish Cup. Ajax are above average scorers in the Eredivisie and Champions League and can score tonight. An early goal for the visitors would put a cat among the pigeons and nicely set up OVER 3.5 GOALS at Evens with Coral. 

The highest grade and most lucrative race today is the Class 3 novices’ limited handicap chase over three miles and a bit and Exeter (4.15). Spring Wolf is a progressive horse but unproven over the distance while Garrane’s best form is earlier in his career. THE OGLE GOGLE MAN goes well on the projected soft going and the distance won’t be an issue so is the selection at 5/1 with Ladbrokes.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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City Can Win Low Scoring Affair With Schalke

Two of the three Premier League teams to have played their first leg matches in the last 16 of the Champions League have not scored a goal. Manchester United and Liverpool had home matches against PSG and Bayern Munich and go into the away fixtures as underdogs to progress to the quarter-finals but Tottenham are fine. 

Manchester City are in action tonight against Schalke in Germany who have exited the competition at this stage the last three times they have qualified. Tottenham take a 3-0 lead into their second leg away to Borussia Dortmund. GERMANY is 9/1 with Paddy Power to be the winning nationality. All their three representatives have ties against English clubs.    

Bayern Munich are in good shape to qualify for the last eight but Dortmund are all but out. Schalke are big outsiders to beat Manchester City over two matches. City are still in the hunt to win four trophies and although tonight’s meeting in Germany will be more difficult than the FA Cup win at Newport there are similarities. The Premier League leaders are long odds-on to bring a lead back to Manchester but Schalke are no mugs at the back so UNDER 2.5 GOALS is the bet at 13/10 with Ladbrokes. 

The final of the Champions League is being played at Atletico Madrid’s new stadium at the start of next June. That gives the club a huge incentive to qualify for the final for the third time in the last six seasons. Tonight’s home match against Juventus is a big test and the Italians have one bloke called Cristiano Ronaldo in their side. Defensively Juve are in a bit of disarray and the home team can take advantage.  ATLETICO MADRID are 9/5 with Paddy Power to win tonight. 

There is a lucrative Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs on the All Weather at Newcastle today (3.10). There is over 28 bags (of sand…grand) up for the grabs for the winning horse and there are several genuine contenders. Keyser Soze is the top weight without a chance and Sanaadh won over the course and distance in December. However, PINNATA is a progressive horse who can handle a weight hike for a recent C & D win and the selection at 10/3 with Ladbrokes.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Liverpool Don’t Lose Against German Opponents At Anfield 

Liverpool have a tremendous record against opponents from Germany at Anfield and that could be enhanced when they play Bayern Munich there in the Champions League tonight. The first leg of this last 16 tie brings together the teams in second place in the Premier League and Bundesliga. Jurgen Klopp knows how to beat Bayern from his time as the manager of Borussia Dortmund.

In 17 fixtures at home against German sides Liverpool have won 14 and drawn three. Bayern are missing several stalwarts including Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben and Liverpool have had a break because they were not involved in the fifth round of the FA Cup. LIVERPOOL are unbeaten in 19 Champions League fixtures at home so are the tip at 6/5 with bet365. 

At first glance Barcelona should be bankers to beat Lyon in France in this evening’s other Champions League fixture. They have won seven of their last 19 away matches in the competition but that record does not justify being odds-on to win tonight. Lyon are the only team to beat PSG in Ligue 1 and they beat Manchester City at the Etihad in the group stages on the Champions League. Barcelona would take a narrow deficit back to the Nou Camp so LYON should be backed at 16/5 with Ladbrokes. 

The eight ties in the fifth round of the FA Cup were all won by teams higher in the hierarchy than there opponents. For the first time there were no replays scheduled so matches would be decided by extra time and penalties but all eight produced a definite outcome after 90 minutes. The draw for the quarter-finals has kept alive the prospect of a first all Manchester Cup final but UNITED seem to have their names on the trophy so are the bet at 10/3 with bet365 to win the FA Cup for the 13th time.  

The Cheltenham Festival begins three weeks today and with equine flu behind us its all systems go for the jumps meeting that matters most. The racing today is like the chalk of the cheese of Festival action. However, there is a decent handicap hurdle over two miles and half a furlong at Taunton (4.15). On past form SMAOINRAMH ALAINN looks a big price so should be backed at 10/1 with Ladbrokes.

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Can The Final FA Cup Fifth Round Tie Also Go To Form?

The romance of the FA Cup has taken a blow after all seven ties played so far in the fifth round were won by the team higher in the hierarchy after 90 minutes. There are no replays from now on but extra time and penalties was not required in any of the ties. Ultimately Manchester City’s quality told against Newport and they are through to the quarter-finals. This week the club play Schalke in the Champions League and Chelsea in the final of the EFL Cup. MANCHESTER CITY are 10/1 with Betfair to win four trophies which no English team has ever done in one season.

If the final tie of the fifth round is won by the higher ranked team Manchester United will beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight. All in the garden was rosy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before PSG were too good for United in the Champions League. If United lose tonight his credentials for being the permanent manager will be questioned. However, Chelsea are in disarray and a defeat at home would be damaging for the manager, Maurizio Sarri. The PSG reverse could be a blip and MANCHESTER UNITED are tipped to beat Chelsea at 11/4 with Paddy Power.

It’s the third round of matches in the Six Nations at the weekend and a potential decider when Wales play England in Cardiff on Saturday. The old rivals are the only teams to have won their first two matches but England are top of the table as they have picked up two bonus points. They have the superior point’s difference by 32 so 16 points per match. Home advantage is worth six points so on current form England should be 10 points favourites. You can back ENGLAND -4 at 10/11 with Coral.

In cricket England embark on a five match One Day International series against West Indies and there are two fixtures in Bridgetown this week. The home team won the three Test series 2-1 but that result went against the latest form. England are first in the official ODI world rankings and West Indies are in 9th place. The home team defied the odds in the Tests but over five 50 over’s matches ENGLAND can beat their hosts 4-1 or 3-2 at combined odds of about 4/7 with Paddy Power.

The Cheltenham Festival begins three weeks tomorrow and there are some final potential prep races at Kempton on Saturday. The Dovecote Novice’s Hurdle often produces a decent winner who gets into the picture for similar races at the Festival. Wissahickon looks a good thing in the Winter Derby at Lingfield on the same day. There are many Nationals these days and ROYAL TARA is the tip to win the Surrey version at Lingfield today (3.50pm) and that outcome is 5/1 with Coral.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Mixed Night For Arsenal And Chelsea

New managers at Chelsea and Arsenal have not really had the desired effect and both clubs have dropped out of the Champions League places. However, they do have another route into the competition and that is by winning the Europa League. In the halcyon days under Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger playing in the poor relation to the Champions League would be unthinkable but needs must. In fact the Europa League could buy both new bosses some time and the combined price for CHELSEA OR ARSENAL to win the competition is about 3/1 with Coral. 

Arsenal are away to Bate Borisiv for a match the manager should take seriously. They are not involved in the FA Cup at the weekend so the Europa League is the only chance of a trophy. Unai Emery won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla and is expected to field the first string today. Arsenal won a corresponding match 4-2 away from home in 2017. Bate have not competitively since December and ARSENAL have the form to beat their hosts by at least a goal at 5/4 with Ladbrokes. 

Chelsea have lost their last four away matches without scoring a goal and a similar outcome against Malmo could see the end of Mourizio Sarri. The hosts have not been beaten at home in 18 matches but most of those fixtures were in the Swedish League. However, they have lost just 2 of 14 fixtures in Europe in Sweden.  Chelsea meet Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday which could be seen as a priority. MALMO can inflict a damaging defeat on the manager at 7/1 with Coral. 

Thankfully equine flu is now just a bad memory and some trainers who had been in lockdown are now allowed to have runners. Kelso stages two decent races (2.25 and 3.00) but there are only four and two runners in these contests which have odds-on favourites. Clonmel features a Grade 3 novice hurdle over three miles at 2.40 and on ratings MOSKOVITE is the bet at 11/2 with Ladbrokes.  

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Tottenham Face Tough Task At Wembley 

The Premier League’s chances of producing the winner of the Champions League were reduced with Manchester United’s 2-0 loss at home to PSG last night. Tottenham are in action tonight when they meet Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Wembley Stadium. 

United had a reality check against the champions of France who were missing Neymar and Edinson Cavani but were still much to good at Old Trafford. Tottenham face the best team in Germany in the first of three clashes between Premier League and Bundesliga outfits. PSG’s win now means FRANCE is 6/1 with Betfair to be the Champions League winning nationality.  

   

Tottenham beat Leicester 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday following three league matches in which the points have been secured with late goals. It’s encouraging that Dortmund have let in at least one goal in nine of their last 10 matches but Tottenham will be without Harry Kane and Deli Alli this evening. 

PSG coped without two major payers against United but it could be a different kettle of fish for Tottenham. Dortmund will not be at full strength but depth of squad could be the deciding factor. The visitors might not be going back to Germany with three points but would take the DRAW and that outcome is 23/10 with Ladbrokes.   

Ajax host Real Madrid in tonight’s other last 16 fixture and the defending champions should have no fears about a trip to Amsterdam. Real have won six and drawn one of their last seven matches in all competitions. They have also won five of six away fixtures in the Champions League. Ajax have not been in great form since returning from the winner break so REAL MADRID are the bet at 10/11 with Betfair. 

Was it an overreaction or did the BHA get it right? That question is hopefully hypothetical because racing resumes in the UK today after a six day break due equine flu. We should not worry about the quality of racing at four meetings in Britain but Fairyhouse in Ireland stages the richest race. The rated chase over almost three miles at 3.05 is a good opportunity for CALL IT MAGIC, the tip 3/1 at Ladbrokes.