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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.

MANCHESTER UNIRED Is The Bet At 21/10

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MANCHESTER UNIRED Is The Bet At 21/10

If Manchester United beat Arsenal at the Emirates in the Premier League today they will rise to the third place in the table and in great shape to qualify for the Champions League. The turnaround in results and performance has been remarkable under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and he surely must get the permanent manager’s job. His guidance has seen United win 14, draw two and lose just one of his 17 matches in charge. They beat Arsenal away from home in the FA Cup so a win for MANCHESTER UNIRED is the bet at 21/10 with Betfair.

Manchester City beat Watford at home yesterday which leaves Liverpool four points off the pace in second place in the Premier League. The pressure is on for them to beat Burnley at Anfied today and nothing less than three points would be highly damaging. Despite some goalless draws in tough matches Liverpool have had no trouble dispatching inferior opponents. They can stay in touch with City with a convincing win and LIVERPOOL -2 is 5/4 with Paddy Power.

Chelsea could move above Arsenal with victory against Wolves at home. The visitors are battling with Watford for seventh place and potentially qualification for the Europa League. Wolves have played five league matches in London this season and are unbeaten in those fixtures. On first glance Chelsea are in decent shape but the value of their recent form is questionable, Wolves can secure the DRAW and that outcome is 16/5 with Betfair.

It’s the eve of the eve of the Cheltenham Festival but Naas has produced a great fixture with €227,000 in prize money up for the grabs. The highlight is the Leinster National over three miles at 4.50. It’s a wide open handicap but on form and ratings the horse to back is DE NAMES ESCAPES ME at with 9/2 Paddy Power.

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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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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England Can Beat The Handicap Against Wales

Wales and England are not the best of friends but when thy meet on the rugby field the rivalry becomes more intense. They clash today in a potential Six Nations decider at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Both teams have won their opening two fixtures so the title is on the line today. England’s form is the stronger and they can win beat Wales for the fifth meeting in succession. Scoring records suggest they should be about 10 points’ favourites so the bet is ENGLAND -4 at Evens with Paddy Power.

Tottenham are at Burnley today in the Premier League. They have won their last 16 league matches against teams outside the top eight and are on a run of four wins. That recent form has been achieved without Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Burnley are unbeaten in 2019 with four wins and three draws. However, they have won just two points in their last 14 home matches against the top six. The balance of form means TOTTENHAM are the bet at 4/6 with bet365. 

Leicester the home team and Crystal Palace are becalmed in mid-table safety, free from relegation worries and unlikely to qualify for Europe. They meet today in the Premier League when Roy Hodgson will become the oldest manager in Premier League history. The visitors are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup while Leicester have lost five and drawn one of their last six matches. PALACE are a decent outfit on the road so can oblige today at 5/2 with Paddy Power

Kempton stages two novice hurdle races that could be significant pointers for Cheltenham. However, the richest race on the card is the Class 1 handicap chase over three miles at 3.35. Some of the runners appear in ante post betting for similar races at the Festival but today’s prize is worth winning. GLEN ROCCO is a progressive horse with course from so is the nap at 7/2 with bet365.  

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.

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.

More Cup Games Should Go To Form 

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The teams higher in the pyramid than their opponents have won the four FA Cup ties played in the last 16 so far. There are three fixtures today and two ties involve Premier League teams playing clubs lower down the hierarchy away from home. Swansea host Brentford in the other match which brings together two teams from the bottom half of the Championship. The home team are three places and four points better off than their opponents but have played one more game. Home advantage can be key and SWANSEA are fancied to win the match at 8/5 with Paddy Power.

There were only seven Premier League teams in the fifth round which is lower than average but the three that have already played have progressed to the quarter-finals. Manchester United visit Chelsea on Monday which means another team from the top division will qualify for the last eight. With Wembley getting closer the bigger outfits are focusing more on the Cup. Wolves (at Bristol City) and Crystal Palace (at Doncaster Rovers) are potential winners so should play strong teams. The DOUBLE for both Premier League teams to win in 90 minutes is 9/4 with Coral.     

Sunday racing was introduced in Britain to share the decent racing over two days of the weekend. However, the reality is that yesterday there was full of grade races and there is nothing better than Class 3 contests at Huntingdon and Market Rasen today.  In Ireland many of the major races take place on Sunday and Navan stages two grade 2 races this afternoon. Blow By Blow looks a big price in the novice chase at 3.25pm but the nap runs in the conditions hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at 2.20pm. On form and ratings BACHASSON is the horse to back at 13/8 with Paddy Power. 

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Could A Championship Team Win The FA Cup?

There are five replays in the fourth round of the FA Cup this week. Potentially the number of teams from the Premier League in the last 16 could be the lowest since Wigan won the trophy in 2012/13 when they were relegated. A team from the top flight has always won the Cup in the Premier League era and that is likely again. An interest and speculative bet is the 18/1 with Paddy Power which is the combined price for the teams from the CHAMPIONSHIP who could still win the FA Cup.

Manchester City are just two points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title having played one more match. Liverpool’s game in hand is tonight’s visit to the London Stadium to meet West Ham. The visitors have not conceded in four of their last six matches on the road. The Hammers have lost three matches on the bounce and are there for the taking but Liverpool are not at their best so the DRAW is the bet at 4/1 with Coral.

England are now 5/6 to win the Six Nations after the brilliant win against Ireland in Dublin last weekend. Wales produced a stunning comeback to beat France on their own patch. Scotland did not cover the handicap in beating Italy at home. Wales begin their campaign with two away fixtures and the expected win in Italy will mean maximum points from those trips. The remaining schedule means WALES are the value at 11/4 with Paddy Power to win the Six Nations.

England have not only lost the series in the West Indies, currently at 2-0 down with one to play, they were embarrassed. On form and world rankings heading into the three Test series England had the potential to win each five day meeting. The margins of defeat have been 381 runs and 10 wickets. Two swallows don’t make a summer but WEST INDIES can complete the clean sweep and that outcome is 13/8 with Coral.

The Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday is one of the last prep races for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 39 days. Native River has won the race in the last two years and won the Gold Cup last season. Four of the last seven winners have also won the steeplechase that matters most so this is a key trial. Running plans have not been confirmed but the winner should be noted. In the richest race of the day at Wolverhampton (5.55) the nap is ARCANDA at 15/8 with Paddy Power.