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Today’s Sports Betting Preview & BONUS Tips – By Rick Elliott

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Three Will Become One Or Two In The Champions League 

The odds on England being the winning nation of the Champions League dropped slightly after Manchester United were humbled by Barcelona. There could be a further fall after tonight’s two fixtures as England’s representation will be down to two clubs at the most. Liverpool look home and hosed against Porto but Manchester City or Tottenham will be out because they meet at the Etihad in the second leg of the quarter finals. Tottenham take a 1-0 lead north after the first match at their new stadium. BARCELONA are now 15/8 with Betfair to win the Champions League.  

Manchester City are still chasing the dream of winning the quadruple but they face a massive test tonight. The omens and recent form are good because they have won nine of their last 11 home matches by two goals or more. Even if Tottenham score that margin of victory would suffice for qualification for the last four. Tottenham have actually looked a better outfit without the absent Harry Kane but then he could score the crucial away goal leaving City requiring three to qualify. MANCHESTER CITY are 4/7 with Ladbrokes to go through to the semi-finals for the first time.  

Liverpool take a 2-0 advantage to Portugal and one away goal means the home side require four goals to win the tie. The prospects of winning the Premier League and Champions League double has gone under the radar with all the speculation about City winning the lot. However, this evening they could be in the last four of the Champions League and the league leaders. Liverpool have only won six of 18 jaunts in Europe and victory tonight is not essential. They can go through if BOTH TEAMS SCORE which can be backed at 4/5 with Betfair.  

The Craven Stakes at Newmarket (3.35) is the last major trial for the 2,000 Guineas back at the same track at the start of next month. The race distance is one mile which is the same as the Guineas so a course and distance winner will emerge. ROYAL MARINE has the best form and can win the Craven at 7/4 with Ladbrokes. 

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This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Manchester City Go Marching On To The Quadruple

The sporting season continues with huge events in football and golf. There are the first leg matches in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the US Masters from Thursday. Four Premier League clubs have reached the last eight of the biggest domestic Cup competition in the world and potentially England could have three representatives in the last four. A Premier League team has not won the Champions League since 2012 and ENGLAND is 4/6 with Betfair to be the winning nation.

Liverpool begin their tie at home to Porto on Tuesday and Manchester United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford the following evening. The all Premier League tie begins tomorrow night when Tottenham take on Manchester City at their bright new stadium. Liverpool, Watford and seven of the biggest clubs in Europe will have their say but the impossible dream goes. Manchester City are 9/2 with Paddy Power to win the QUADRUPLE and that is now a feasible objective.

There are now just three points between Tottenham in third place in the Premier League and Manchester United in sixth. It’s any two from four for the final two Champions League qualification spots. Chelsea could go above Tottenham and Arsenal with a home win against West Ham this evening. The Hammers have not found the net in their last 11 defeats and have picked up just one point from seven road trips. CHELSEA TO WIN TO NIL is the bet at with 13/10 with Paddy Power.

The Masters Tournament is the first major championship of the season and the only one of the four played on the same course. Jack Nicklaus likes Dustin Johnson for the Green Jacket. Tiger Woods is looking for his fifth title at Augusta National and 15th major in total. Justin Rose has the game and temperament to win his second major but we could see just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam. RORY MCILROY is 7/1 with Betfair to join that exclusive club.

The feature race of the week is the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday. The level of interest will never reach that of the real National at Aintree but the Scottish version is still one of the biggest betting races of the season and bookmakers go 10/1 the field. Another handicap chase, at Kelso over almost three miles (3.40), is the richest race of the day. The top weight is MIDNIGHT SHOT but a seven pound claimer’s allowance could help the horse win at 4/1 with Betfair.

Raheem Sterling Could have The Last Laugh 

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Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

In the past England have gone through qualifying games with ease and then not produced the goods when it mattered most in tournaments. They look good enough to go unbeaten in the group stages of Euro 2020 and progress to the finals which are being played in 13 cities next summer. England have shortened in the betting to win the tournament and are now a best price of 11/2. 

Gareth Southgate’s team are the first England outfit to score five goals in consecutive matches since 1984. RAHEEM STERLING scored four goals in the two matches. He is still young enough to be the PFA Young Player of the Year and is 3/1 with Paddy Power to win the main award for senior players.  

The WGC Matchplay in golf brings together 64 players in 16 groups of four who compete on a round robin basis. The group winners progress to the knockout rounds over the weekend after matches over the next three days. Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win the event for the second time and Dustin Johnson is the number one seed based on world rankings. The top seed has won the event five times since it was first played in 1999.  Johnson was the champion in 2017 on this week’s host course. 

If McIlroy and Tiger Woods win their groups they will meet in the last 16 over 18 holes on Saturday morning. McIlroy, the winner in 2015, could not have got a much easier draw as he plays the lowest seed from two bands and the second lowest seed form the other band. RORY MCILROY is 7/10 with bet365 to win Group 4.  

The racing at four meetings is ordinary today with no banker bet that stands out. The headline on the front page of the Racing Post complies with a system and ratings to identify potential winners of the Grand National. Only three horses meet eight criteria for potential winners of the greatest race in the world. Tiger Roll and Rathvinden are qualifiers but the best value is ROCK THE KASBAH at 20/1 with Paddy Power. 

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott 

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 England Can Continue The Qualifying Run In Montenegro 

All three British teams and Ireland won their opening fixtures in Euro 2020 qualifying but England were the most impressive. The team on the pitch at the end of the 5-0 win over Czech Republic included two teenagers for the first time for over 100 years. Gareth Southgate does not concur with the adage that you can’t win anything with kids because he will play youngsters if he thinks they are good enough. The semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 are at Wembley and ENGLAND could be running around the stadium with the trophy and that outcome is 13/2 with Ladbrokes. 

The process for qualifying for the finals being played in 13 cities across Europe next summer continues for England with a match in Montenegro tonight. They did not drop a point during qualifying for Euro 2016 and potentially England can win maximum points from the group this time. Twenty one wins in the last 23 qualifiers suggests England breeze through the qualifying process against teams below them in the FIFA rankings. Montenegro’s star player, Steven Jovetic of Monaco, is absent through injury and ENGLAND are the bet at 4/11 with Paddy Power.  

The Indian Premier League is the lucrative Twenty20 tournament that brings together some of the best limited overs cricketers in the world playing for eight franchises. The teams pay for a fortune to attract the best players in the format. Matches are played on a home and away basis and a playoff series won by Chennai last year. The RAJSTHAN ROYALS have Ben Stokes among their overseas stars and can improve on their fourth place finish during the 2018 regular season. Jos Buttler opens for the Royals and he can help his team win the 2019 IPL at 8/1 with Ladbrokes. 

The Grand National takes place a week on Saturday and Tiger Roll could be the shortest priced favourite for over 40 years. The horse has a great chance to become the first back-to-back winner since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. However, BRISTOL DE MAI ran a great race to be third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has been allocated a manageable weight and is the better option at 25/1 with Paddy Power.  It’s all about the Flat this Saturday with the Lincoln Handicap and Dubai World Cup taking place at Doncaster and Meydan and we’ll preview both races this week. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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England On A Journey From Wembley To Wembley 

England play Czech Republic tonight at Wembley at the start of their Euro 2020 campaign which could end back at the national stadium next summer. The finals of the European Championships are being played in 13 cities and the semi-finals and final are at Wembley where England won the World Cup in 1966 and lost on penalties to Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 1996.  There would be a neat symmetry if the Germans were the opponents again in July 2020. 

Even when England were rubbish in the World Cup and Euros Wembley was something of a fortress. In the modern era England have won 14 of their last 15 competitive matches at home. The problem wasn’t qualifying but justifying the hype when it mattered most. Czech Republic lost in the final of Euro 1996 but the golden generation is very much in the past. Their first choice goalkeeper misses tonight’s match through injury and the best bet is ENGLAND -1 at 10/11 with bet365.

It is a tale of two Tigers when the Grand National and US Masters take place. The horse and golfer with that name are returning to the scenes of former glories. Tiger Roll is trying to be the first horse since Red Rum to win successive Grand Nationals at Aintree while Tiger Woods is looking to win the first major of the season for the fifth time at Augusta National. The horse has a better chance than the golfer but coincidence betters may back the TIGER DOUBLE at 66/1 with Paddy Power.  

The richest race of the day is a Class 1 Listed NH Flat race at Newbury (5.05). The jockey Noel Fehily is retiring and has his last ride at the track on Saturday. It would be appropriate if he had a winner during the two day meeting and this bumper gives him one of his best chances. Nobby was entered in the champion bumper at Cheltenham but was withdrawn at the 48 hour declaration stage. However, Fehily could have that horse’s measure with GREEN DOPLPHIN at 9/4 with bet365. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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 England Can Make Home Advantage Count In Euro 2020

The two year cycle of international tournaments moves on to the finals of the European Championship. However, rather than in one host nation Euro 2020 will take place across 13 cities in the continent. The semi-finals and final will take place at Wembley Stadium next summer and England have a good record playing at home in the World Cup and Euros. 

Portugal are the defending champions and still have the nucleus of the successful squad from 2016, including Cristiana Ronaldo. The four semi-finalists at the last World Cup were from Europe and France won the trophy. A bright young squad with some emerging talent and home advantage can see ENGLAND be the champions of Europe for the first time and that outcome is 7/1 with bet365.

The Tour Championship is a new concept for snooker and replicates the FedEx Cup in golf. It’s a three-tournament event with the highest earner winning the trophy but the most lucrative event is this week’s actual Tour Championship. There are eight players involved and invitations are based on ranking points over the last year. Every qualifying player has accepted the invitation for an event being played in Llandudno. 

Ronnie O’Sullivan recently became the first player to record 1,000 century breaks in competition but the event may not get juices flowing. The extended format makes for fewer shocks and matches are decided over 17, 19 and 25 frames which favours the current world champion, Mark Williams. The number one seed is MARK ALLEN who can justify his status by winning the Tour Championship at 15/2 with Betfair. 

There is a marathon handicap chase over three miles four and a half furlongs at Taunton today (4.30). The Class 3 contest is the second richest races of the day but it has only attracted five runners which is disappointing in terms of each way betting as only two places count. DANCING SHADOW is proven in long distance chases and has the form to win this race at 15/8 with bet365.  

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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England Are Contenders For Euro 2020

The semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 are being played at Wembley Stadium so England have a great chance to win just a second major international tournament after winning the World Cup in 1966. The format takes the finals to 13 venues around Europe. The qualifying tournament begins this week and the conclusion could be ENGLAND as champions of Europe and that outcome is 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

There is an international break so no fixtures in the Premier League for two weeks. Liverpool and Manchester City are vying for the title and its any two from four for the remaining Champions League qualification places. Tottenham and Manchester United are in the quarter-finals of this season’s competition and Chelsea have dropped of the pace. ARSENAL are 4/7 with Paddy Power finish in the top four.

Rory McIlroy won the Players Championship on Sunday, an event known as the fifth major due to the quality of the field. The confidence gained from his play over the last four holes sets him up for the US Masters. That is the only major he requires to complete the career Grand Slam and this could be the year. RORY MCILROY at his best is difficult to beat so is the bet at 8/1 with Ladbrokes to win the 2019 Masters Tournament. There are average grade events in Europe and the States this week.

The week after the Cheltenham Festival is always low key and the highlight is a mares’ novice hurdle Finale at Newbury on Saturday for which the final fields are not known. The Grand National meeting at Aintree takes place in two weeks so there is a lull in the jumps season in Britain. Tiger Roll and Anibale Fly advertised their prospects for the National with impressive runs at Cheltenham.

However, Navan stages an excellent card for a Monday in the week after the Festival. The richest race of the day is the novice handicap chase over three miles at 4.30. This is an open contest with several potential winners based on official ratings. MONO LINO has gone up in the weights after a win at Naas 22 days ago but could still be ahead of the handicapper and is 4/1 with Paddy Power to win this race.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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All Manchester Cup Final Gets Closer

The next stage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job interview for the permanent manager of Manchester United is the club’s FA Cup quarter-finals tie at Wolves. Fixtures at this stage will be decided after extra time and penalties as there is no provision for replays. United have not conceded in seven of their last nine matches in the competition. Solskjaer won the Cup with the club as a player and can keep alive the dream of doing it as the boss by progressing to the quarter finals. MANCHESTER UNITED are 4/6 with Ladbrokes to qualify for the next round. 

United and City have never met in a major final but that can come a step closer when the Blues knock out Swansea today. City have played eight matches in three Cup competitions in 2019 and have scored 36 goals. They do have some injury doubts but the squad is huge while Swansea’s top scorer is unlikely to start. The match precedes a two-week international break so there will be no need to rest players for bigger upcoming matches. Pep Guardiola should put out a strong starting 11 so SERGIO AGUERO to score two or more goals is the best bet at 3/1.  

We have tipped CRYSTAL PALACE to win the FA Cup so they should be backed at 11/10 with Ladbrokes to eliminate Watford in today’s other tie. The jumps racing bandwagon moves on from Cheltenham to Uttoxeter where the Midlands Grand National takes place today at 3.35. One of the highlights of the Festival was Bryony Frost and Frodon winning the Ryanair Chase. She rides the horse with the best Racing Post Rating at in the Midlands version of the National. MILANSBAR has the form to win the race and that outcome is 8/1 with Ladbrokes.  

Wales must beat Ireland in Cardiff today to complete the Six Nations Grand Slam but could come up short. If the home side fail to win England will win the title as long as they beat Scotland at Twickenham. England will know the result from the Principality Stadium at the start of their match. There could be an extra spring in the step of their players because IRELAND are fancied to beat Wales at 11/10.  

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Paul Nicholls is The Trainer In Form Heading In To Cheltenham

It’s the jumps meeting that matters most and the Olympics of National Hunt racing. The Cheltenham Festival dominates a sport like no other single event in any other sport. Most of the biggest betting races of the year take place at Cheltenham over the next four days. There are 40 Grade 1 jumps races each season and 14 are run at the Festival which features the main championship races over hurdles and fences.

The betting for the leading trainer is dominated by the Irish contingent of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott who are a combined price of 4/6 to be the top trainer. The shortest priced British trainer is Nicky Henderson but the man in form is PAUL NICHOLLS who can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to train most winners at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

By hook or by crook Manchester United and Tottenham are through to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Manchester City take a lead into the home leg of their last 16 tie against Schalke and should progress. Liverpool have a tough task in beating Bayern Munich in Germany after a goalless draw at Anfield in the first match. Real Madrid and PSG are out of the competition after being prominent in the outright betting. ENGLAND should have three representatives in the last eight and it could still be four so look interesting at 4/5 with Coral to be the winning nation.

The Players Championship is known as golf’s fifth major due to the quality of the field it attracts. There are rarely any absentees from the top 50 players in the world rankings and it is the prize players crave the most after the four majors. The championship has a fixed home at TPC Sawgrass which is famous for the island green on the 17th hole. It is a course that puts a premium on accuracy over distance and suits JUSTIN ROSE who is 16/1 with bet365 to win the title.

It’s the final match day in the Six Nations which has come down to a showdown between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff. Only a draw would let England in to win the title and they are rare in the sport. Wales have a superior average point’s difference of three over Ireland and home advantage is worth about six points. On that basis WALES -2 is the bet at 10/11 with Coral.

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Tottenham And United Have Different Challenges

Tottenham and Manchester United have away legs in the last 16 of the Champions League with contrasting chances of progressing. Tottenham take a 3-0 lead to Borussia Dortmund while United are looking to overturn a home 2-0 first leg defeat to PSG in France. Current form suggests Tottenham could lose out while United can get through to the quarter finals. It would take two huge turnarounds for that outcome but momentum and confidence are huge in sport. The DOUBLE on Dortmund and United to qualify for the next round pays 208/1 with bet365.

Manchester City and Liverpool have home matches in the Premier League which could continue the momentum shift to City. They are scrambling 1-0 wins while Liverpool have lost their way in front of goal. That will be of no concern to football fans in Sheffield because Wednesday and United meet in that city’s derby at Hillsborough tonight. The home team have had one defeat in 11 league matches and could handle their opponent’s high temp game. WEDNESDAY look a big price to win this fixture at 13/5 with Coral.

Its match day four of the Six Nations and in this case the tide could turn in favour of England. They lost the crunch match against Wales in Cardiff but are just two points adrift of the leaders. Wales are 3 points favourites to win in Scotland while the line for England for the meeting at Twickenham with Italy is 35 points. Wales look vulnerable on the road but ENGLAND will beat Italy and can be backed at 8/13 with bet365 to win the title before those matches.

West Windies won the Test series 3-1 and the ODI matches was tied 2-2 because there was one no result due to rain. The sides now play in a three fixture Twenty20 series with meetings this Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. West Indies won the last ODI match by seven wickets which featured a score of 77 in 27 balls by Chris Gayle. His confidence and the home team’s momentum make WEST INDIES the team to back to win the series at 8/13 with bet365.

The Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday is the highlight of the racing week but that’s just the oeur d’ouevre before the main course that is the Cheltenham Festival which begins a week tomorrow. There is a decent novice hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown today (2.00) in which Zero Ten is the top-rated runner. However, THE ECHO BOY has the form to win this race at 9/2 with Coral.