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This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott 

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Liverpool Can Get Back To Top Of the Table 

Manchester City came from two goals down to beat Swansea in the FA Cup yesterday and moved a step closer to winning four trophies this season. However, they could be overhauled at the top of the Premier League if Liverpool win at Fulham today. Even though Liverpool are relatively low scorers away from home for a team in their position three points should be secured in West London today. If Liverpool can beat Bayern Munich in Germany the LIVERPOOL/LIVERPOOL halftime/full time double result looks a good thing at 4/5 with Ladbrokes.

Chelsea can avoid defeat in the other Premier League fixture at Everton in a potentially low scoring match. Watford and Wolves are in the hat for the semi-finals of the FA Cup with Manchester City. Millwall or Brighton will make up the four teams in the draw after today’s tie in east London. The home team have not won in five league matches at their own stadium but beat Birmingham on the road in their last Championship fixture. BRIGHTON have the Premier League class to win the tie in 90 minutes at 6/5 with bet365. 

The Grade 2 mares’ novices’ chase at Limerick in Ireland at 4.15 is the richest race of the day. Redhotfillypeppers is a horse with a great name who will relish the conditions and has produced some decent effort over fences at the start of her novice chasing career. However, MISSY TATA is a smart mare who has won five hurdle races and one chase in six starts so is the nap of the day at Evens with Ladbrokes. There were some significant runs at Cheltenham in the context of the Grand National and despite the obvious claims of Tiger Roll Gold Cup runner-up ANIBALE FLY comes into the mix at 12/1 with bet365.   

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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A City Draw Would Throw A Cat Among The Pigeons 

The twists and turns of who wins the Premier League could take another twist and turn today when Manchester City play Watford at home. The defending champions have won their last two league matches by one goal to nil but those results are not sustainable. When teams focus on not conceding the crucial winning goal does often not arrive and that could be the case at the Etihad today. City have won 14 matches at home but in eight of those both teams have scored. Watford can pick up a valuable point today and the DRAW is 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

Crystal Palace host Brighton in the other TV match and that could also result in a draw. Neither team can be trusted to produce a dominant performance in a meeting of two teams from the bottom half of the table. There have only been 25 goals in the Premier League at Selhurst Park this season and that is the lowest total of the 20 grounds. Palace have not found the net in half of their 14 Premier League matches at home and Brighton are not prolific on the road. Therefore the best bet is UNDER 1.5 GOALS at 19/10 with Coral.

The Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival is a strange day for racing. We are all looking forward to the jumps meeting that matters most and betting turnover could be paltry for a Saturday but there again some might take the view that winning money could come in handy before the action begins on Tuesday.  The Imperial Cup at Sandown (14.25) is a lucrative handicap hurdle in its own right and MONSIEUR LECOC is the selection at 4/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Pivotal Night In The Premier League

Liverpool and Manchester City have winnable matches at home in the Premier League on what could be a pivotal night for the destination of the trophy. While City should beat West Ham by at least one goal Liverpool have a massive test of character against Watford and it would be no surprise if they conceded. Watford are emerging as one of the best of the rest and Wolves loss at Huddersfield leaves them level on points in the race for seventh place with a game in hand which they play tonight. 

Even Fulham scored against West Ham who will struggle not to concede in the first half. The Hammers have conceded the first goal in five of their last six matches against much inferior sides than tonight’s opponents at the Etihad. The CITY/CITY half time/full time result is 1/2 with Betfair. Watford have scored 22 goals away from home in the league this season but Liverpool have made Anfield a fortress so BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 9/10 with Paddy Power is the bet in this match.  

The goalkeeper that refused to be substituted made all the news after Chelsea lost on penalties to Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup. That episode hid the fact that Chelsea held City over 120 minutes and had chances to win the match. Chelsea play at home tonight against Tottenham who lost at Burnley last Saturday. However, that fixture finished 28 hours before the end of proceedings at Wembley. Chelsea looked drained and in turmoil so TOTTENHAM are the bet at 5/2 with Betfair.   

There is an intriguing handicap chase over two miles and four furlongs at Wincanton (2.50) on a day of moderate action just 13 days before the Cheltenham Festival. The meeting dominates jumps racing and its bread and butter fare today. Overland Flyer is on a winnable mark and has form over the course and distance while Dentley De Mee has strong claims on form at a higher level. However, the veteran OPENING BATSMAN can compete and is the each way tip at 13/2 with Paddy Power. 

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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Derby Could Make FA Cup History

There are 20 teams who could win the FA Cup this season and seven of those are in the Premier League and head the betting. There are currently seven representatives from the Championship still involved in the competition. No side from outside the top tier has won the Cup during the Premier Leaguer era. In fact the average finishing Premier League position of the winners of the trophy is four. 

Wigan were the last team from outside the top six to win the Cup. They beat Manchester City in the final in 2013 but were also relegated. Despite some upsets in the earlier stages the cream always rises to the top in the Cup rounds that matter most. If a Championship club can make history it could be Frank Lampard’s DERBY who are 33/1 with Ladbrokes to win the FA Cup in 2018/19. 

There are four fourth round replays tonight and the live TV match is Newport’s home tie against Middlesbrough. This meeting brings together hosts who are 14th in League Two and opponents who are fifth in the Championship. The winners will play Manchester City at home in the fifth round. Newport have lost just once in their last 14 fixtures and the priority for Boro is promotion to the Premier League.  

Newport have done well at home against bigger teams in the Cup and beat Leeds last season on their own patch. Leeds are seven points better off than Middlesbrough in the Championship. County led Tottenham until a late Harry Kane goal turned the tie for the Premier League outfit. A win over Boro may be beyond them but Newport can take the replay to extra time and the DRAW is 5/2 with Betfair. 

The freeze has relented which means there were no inspections planned for the jumps meeting at Market Rasen and the All Weather fixture at Newcastle. There is very little to get excited about today and the racing is at a low level. There is a Class 4 handicap over one mile at Newcastle (6.15) and the favourite is a course and distance winner. However, Executive Force is running in a better race and REY LOOPY is a better proposition at 13/8 with Ladbrokes. 

Thomas Can Win The Second Leg Of The Hawaii Swing – By Ian Hudson

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Justin Thomas has the best recent course form so can win his second Sony Open in three years. Gary Woodland has been knocking on the door in this tournament and could make the frame again. Jordan Spieth at his best could lap most of the field and can get his career back of track after a winless season. There is plenty of course form to assess and the geography of the Hawaii location makes for special demands. 

The modern history of the Hawaiian Open dates back to 1965. However, in 1999 the tournament was given a fixed slot and renamed the Sony Open. It’s now the second event of the year but the first regular full field tournament. The host course is at the Waialae CC in Honolulu and in the week after the Tournament of Champions forms the second leg of the Hawaiian Swing. Xander Schauffele won the season opener on the Plantation Course in Maui last week but is resting on his laurels this week. 

In 1998 there was a low-scoring runway winner which did the event no favours. The course was significantly overhauled and the changes left two par 5s and a par of 70. Even though the par was reduced the yardage remained the same. The course now measures 7,044 yards which is short by modern standards even for a par 70 track. There are four par 3s and a number of demanding and almost drivable par 4s.  

Waialae used to require accuracy off the tee but wayward hitters then did well over a number of years and the most important attribute was finding the Bermuda greens in regulation. The greens are tricky but less awkward than those on the Plantation Course last week. The tee-to-green specialists no longer have an edge and the tournament has evolved into a putting contest. The highest winning score over the last six years is 17 under and no winner recorded such a low score in the previous six. 

Despite the modifications and changing nature of the tournament the biggest factor is still the wind. If the wind really gets up players able to keep the ball low and shape shots are at a considerable advantage. Tee times can be important so check the weather forecast to have an idea of when the wind is expected to get up or die down. It’s wise to be wary of players due to be playing in the worst conditions over the first two days. Given good starting times Thomas is the player to beat.

The current world number four combines current and course form with a decent skill’s profile. He set the course low for the tournament in 2017 and produced a steady tied 14th effort last year. Thomas also finished tied 6th when he first played in the Sony Open in 2015. The selection finished third in the Tournament of Champions last week so the Hawaii conditions will not be a culture shock. It’s rare that a player has so many elements in his favour so Thomas is tipped to win the Sony Open.  

Woodland is a consistent operator who has found it hard to win on the PGA Tour. However, since 2015 he’s had four three top 10 finishes in the Sony Open and not finished lower than tied 13th. Spieth has made the top 20 in 2017 and 2018 with an overall scoring average of 66.25. However, the field are playing for second place because Thomas’s profile stands out.      

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Are You Backing Burton At 50/1?

Manchester City are owned by a state and sponsored by one of the most cash rich airlines in the world. The club have been estimated as the fifth richest in the world and revenue was over half a billion Euro during the 2017-18 season. One of Burton Albion’s main commercial partners are Russell Roof Tiles, a national manufacturer of roofing solutions who employ 10 office staff and have plants in Burton and Lockerbie. BURTON ALBION are 50/1 with bet365 to beat Manchester City in the first leg of the EFL semi-final tie at the Etihad Stadium. Stranger things have not even happened at sea and even this David would not fancy his chances against Goliath, characters in the most famous underdog story ever told.     

Backers of Manchester City in 90 minutes betting would earn a return on investment of 4%. This fixture must present the most blatant money buying opportunity in the history of the EFL Cup. However, the match is live on television on a quiet night for football action so there should be plenty of betting interest but identifying bets that are not ridiculously weighted in favour of City will not be easy. The handicap odds are related to the match odds and a 1/25 favourite is expected to win by three goals or four goals. On the basis of a potentially weakened City team and motivated opponents the recommendation is BURTON +4 at 20/23 with Ladbrokes.   

There are five second round matches in the BDO World Championship in darts, starting from 1pm to 7pm. There are fewer mismatches than in the PDC version and the second round is more competitive than at the same stage in the other organisations’s showpiece occasion. On seedings the closest match brings together Richard Veenstra and Scott Waites and the value lies in backing VEENSTRA at 6/5 with bet365 to progress to the quarter-finals of this world championship of darts.    

In terms of Class and prize money the best race of the day is the conditions stakes over six furlongs at Kempton (18.15). Corinthia Knight is a smart horse who has won over the course and distance but was a well beaten favourite last time out. Guliver is another decent course and distance winner but ran below form in his last race. The booking of Ryan Moore and some smart form makes CENOTAPH the banker of the meeting at 10/11 with Ladbrokes. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Tottenham Can Get Back On Track At Cardiff

There is a full programme of fixtures in the Premier League this week culminating in the showdown at the Etihad between Manchester City and Liverpool. The chasing pack just behind the teams in first and second place in the table are hoping the match ends in a draw. That includes Tottenham who are away at Cardiff in the early evening live fixture on the back of losing to Wolves at home. . 

They have played every team in the bottom half this season and won all 10 of those fixtures and have the best away statistics in the Premier League. Cardiff have lost all their meetings with the elite six clubs and let in 22 goals in those matches. Despite playing 11 matches in 35 days TOTTENHAM can get their season back on track by beating Cardiff, a result that can be backed at 1/2 with Ladbrokes.  

Everton are at home to Leicester City in the first Premier League match of 2019 and the outcome is difficult to call. This should be a straightforward home win but Everton are on an inconsistent run. They were beaten 6-2 by Tottenham in their last home match, scored five goals in beating Burnley on the road and lost at Brighton without scoring a goal. Everton have conceded in their last seven league matches. 

There have been 14 goals in the last five matches against Leicester who have beaten Manchester City and Chelsea and lost to Cardiff in December. There have been more than two goals 8 times in 10 meetings but the goals tally could be higher today. Leicester have managed just one clean sheet in seven fixtures. Form suggests OVER 3.5 GOALS is the bet at 12/5 with William Hill.  

The biggest match in darts takes place on the first day of the year. Michael van Gerwen should beat Michael Smith in the final of the PDC World Championship but the odds will only attract the money buyers. Set handicap betting comes into it’s own when there is a big favourite and underdog in a two-way contest. It’s the best of 13 sets or first to seven and MVG -2.5 SETS is 4/6 with Coral.  

Cheltenham stages its traditional New Year’s Day fixture with top class jumps action. The Grade 3 handicap chase over two and a half miles and a bit is the richest race of the day (2.00). On ratings Give Me A Copper is a leading contender for the in-form Paul Nicholls. However, the bottom weight is on a decent mark and is ridden by a seven pounds claimer so DUSTIN DES MOTTES is the tip at 7/1 with bet365. 

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Manchester City Can Get Three Points From Must Win Game

The most significant match of the season in the Premier League takes place on Thursday and it’s a home fixture against Liverpool that Manchester City must win. The visitors are unbeaten half way through the season and seven points ahead of City in second place. If Liverpool avoid defeat they would be in a strong position to be the champions of England for the first time since 1990. They could go for broke and secure the three points that could decide the title. MANCHESTER CITY have their backs against the wall and can win the match and that outcome is 21/20 with Coral.

The elite six clubs have broken away from the rest of the league and there is now a six point gap between Manchester United in sixth place and Wolves one place below. The race for a Champions League spot next season is any two from four because Liverpool and Manchester City surely cannot miss out from their position in the table. The three London clubs have slipped up while United have won the three matches with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge. The fixtures have fallen kindly for the caretaker manager and MANCHESTER UNITED are 9/2 with bet365 for a top 4 finish.

The biggest match in darts takes place on New Year’s Day. Michael Van Gerwen plays Michael Smith in the final of the PDC World Championship. There are two world titles up for grabs in darts and the BDO version begins on Saturday. The elite players contest the PDC event which VAN GERWEN can win for the third time and he can be backed at only 1/4 with Ladbrokes to beat Smith in the final on Tuesday.

Cheltenham stages its traditional New Year’s Day meeting which is the track’s last but one fixture before the Festival in March. The Christmas meetings at Kempton and Leopardstown led to a shake in the ante post markets for some of the races at the jumps meeting that matters most. Without running LAURINA has shortened in the betting for the Champion Hurdle. The mare gets a seven pound allowance from the male runners and is now 5/1 with Ladbrokes to win the race.

City Can Get Back On Track At Southampton 

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All Liverpool’s fans Christmas wishes have come true because their team have won both festive fixtures and Manchester City have lost theirs. Even Tottenham found a way to lose at home to Wolves from a goal in front yesterday. Liverpool have won five in a row while City have dropped nine points in five matches which means they are now third in a two-horse race. 

The showdown at the Etihad on Thursday is now a must not lose fixture for the champions. MANCHESTER CITY are 8/11 with Ladbrokes to beat Southampton on the road by more than one goal. Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions than any team in the Premier League this season so they could score the first goal and still lose by at least two goals.  

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not a better football manager than Jose Mourinho but Manchester United have a better football team than Bournemouth. Whether Bournemouth would beat United at Old Trafford once in 12 meetings is another matter. The fixtures have fallen kindly for United’s caretaker manager. The odds suggest a home win in today’s fixture but football is a sport of fine margins. 

The most popular number of goals scored by any team in a Premier League fixture is one and the next most common tally is nought. Two is the third most scored number of goals by any one team. United have conceded one goal or more in all but two of 19 league matches this season and a correct score of TWO-ONE in today’s home meeting with Bournemouth is 8/1 with bet365. 

The first televised match of the day is Crystal Palace’s home match against Chelsea. Palace have just won at Manchester City while Chelsea have been inconsistent in December. The hosts have kept seven clean sheets this season which is the most of any team outside the top four. Chelsea are the lowest scorers in the top six which means the bet of this match is UNDER 2.5 GOALS at Evens with Betfair.   

The richest race of the day is the handicap chase over three miles and three and a half furlongs at Haydock (2.00). Stamina on the soft and heavy in places ground will be an important attribute as the race will be a slog. VERY FIRST TIME is potentially on a good mark and has won on soft going so is the tip at 8/1 with William Hill.  

It’s All Looking Rosy For Liverpool – By Ian Hudson

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There was a full programme of fixtures in the Premier League on Boxing Day and the following evening. This article was written before those matches had been played so there could have been some significant results. Liverpool had a winnable home match against Newcastle while Manchester City had a tough assignment at Leicester. Tottenham were one of the home bankers on Boxing Day so the league table will probably have the same shape ahead of the weekend programme. Arsenal and Chelsea were odds-on to beat Brighton and Watford on the road. 

Liverpool are unbeaten after 18 fixtures thanks to outstanding defensive stats. The forwards are now showing the form from last season and that combination could see Liverpool win the title for the first time since 1990. The bench looks stronger than last season and the goalkeeper looks more solid. However, Jurgen Klopp might have to manage his side to win more than 100 points. The intensity of the football may lead to a dip in form towards the end of the season but they can maintain the pace by beating Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.     

Arsenal are keeping in touch with Chelsea for the fourth Champions League place. After losing their first two matches in the Premier League they put together a run of 14 matches unbeaten. Unai Emery has brought a fresh energy to the Emirates but Arsenal have conceded 24 goals which is the most by six goals of the top five. They also have the worst goal difference of the elite quintet. The relative strengths of the teams means Arsenal are up against it to avoid defeat against Liverpool. 

Crystal Palace are the epitome of inconsistency. In December they lost at Brighton and West Ham and then beat Manchester City at the Etihad. In terms of bookmaker odds that result is the biggest upset of the Premier League season to date. Assuming a home win against Cardiff on Boxing Day Palace are working their way into mid-table safety. Palace are now an improving outfit and the steady accumulation of points can continue with a draw against Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

The visitors lost two of their previous four league matches before the trip to Watford who are another team in form. Chelsea have picked up the points to stay in touch with the top four but they have had the easiest run of fixtures which will even out by the end of the season. The club are in need of a new striker and they are the lowest scorers in the top five. Any side that can select Eden Hazard will be a threat but hauling Chelsea to three points at Palace looks beyond him.      

Manchester City did very little wrong against Palace but lost out due to some freak goals. They recorded a typical amount of possession for home matches and won the corner count 13-0. City fans hope it was a blip and the result at Leicester will have revealed a great deal. Southampton won two matches before their Boxing Day fixture and are pulling away from the relegation places. However, City can get their season back on track by picking up maximum points at Southampton. 

The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era at Manchester United continues with a home match against Bournemouth. They scored five goals in a league match for the first time since the Alex Ferguson days against Cardiff in Solskjaer’s first match as the caretaker boss. A Boxing Day win over Huddersfield at Old Trafford would maintain the momentum and three points against Bournemouth would complete a perfect start for the temporary replacement for Jose Mourinho.  

Boxing Day can be strange for results and matches often do not go to form. Some underdogs will win on the Bank Holiday and there could be some different scenarios at the weekend. Liverpool should still be the league leaders at the start of the New Year and their first match of 2019 is Manchester City away from home. 

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Saints Can Go Marching On

Goals are on the menu when Southampton host West Ham in tonight’s Premier League match and the home team can score most. The fixture has a recent history of producing high scoring matches and seven of the last nine meetings have produced three goals or more. Six West Ham players are long terms absentees while another four are not certain to start. 

Southampton have fewer doubts and they are a team playing with more confidence since the arrival of a new coach. Statistically when a club sack a manager there is no significant improvement over the rest of the season but the Saints can defy that trend. A game plan has reaped rewards in terms of points and the process can continue with a SOUTHAMPTON win and that outcome is 5/4 with Betfair. 

There are 20 players left in the PDC world darts and six matches today. The double on Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen in the top half of the draw is 3/10 which will only attract the money buyers who see a 30% return on investment worth the risk. MICHAEL SMITH has beaten his opponent in the last 16 five times in a row. The ante post selection is now 10/1 to win the world title for the first time.   

It’s the second day of the two jumps festivals in Britain and Ireland. Altior is the best horse running at Kempton but is long-odds to win the Grade 2 Chase over two miles. The 1.20 race is just about the best novice chase run this season and Kalashnikov is another short priced favourite. The weights favour the horse but DYNAMITE DOLLARS is progressive and the nap of the meeting at 7/2.    

There are two Grade 1 races on the card at Leopardstown and the Future Champions Hurdle is hard to call. The top level chase over two miles and one furlong is more straight forward and the favourite should oblige. FOOTPAD was a leading novice last season but ran poorly and falling on his reappearance at Naas 42 days ago. The horse can get back on track and is the banker of the card at 5/4 with Paddy Power.