Inter, Sevilla, Feyenoord a thrilling Euro treble all to win

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inter tackle Serie A minnows Chievo Verona, while the Bathtubs battle Celta Vigo and Feyenoord face Eredivisie also-rans Roda JC Kerkrade. Our top trio are all either favourites or odds-on to win their forthcoming fixtures, but punters can read on to find out yet more reasons why this is the brilliant bet to pick…</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHElaedoRVY/VgEWqpn8PUI/AAAAAAAAAHM/QYf7AcFLC5k/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHElaedoRVY/VgEWqpn8PUI/AAAAAAAAAHM/QYf7AcFLC5k/s640/35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Chievo Verona v Inter Milan</strong><br /> <br /> Roberto Mancini’s men could not have asked for a better start to the season, with a perfect record of three wins in as many matches, including a Milan derby triumph, and are 21/20 for a fourth straight victory.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Inter have lost just one of their past nine match-ups against Chievo, it looks unlikely the Venetians can trouble the Nerazzurri, who currently top Serie A.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main men Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic will be the Milanese club’s biggest threats, and are 9/2 and 11/2 to net first and last respectively.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Sevilla v Celta Vigo</strong><br /> <br /> Sevilla, odds-on 4/5 favourites, should see-off the Celts, who they finished 25 points ahead of in La Liga last term, with ease.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering the gap in quality, as the Bathtubs come into this clash on the back of a emphatic 3-0 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach, the likes of exciting attackers Kevin Gameiro and Yevhen Konoplyanka should enjoy stretching their legs here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Roda JC Kerkrade V Feyenoord</strong><br /> <img alt="Soccer - Dutch Eredivisie - Feyenoord Rotterdam v Willem II Tilburg - The Kuip" class="alignnone wp-image-99100 size-large" height="399" src="http://news.coral.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Dirk-Kuyt-600x399.jpg" width="600" /><br /> Dutch giants Feyenoord are firing on all cylinders, just one point off the Eredivise summit, so will be keen to rack-up goals against promoted club Roda who they are 4/7 to defeat.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last time these two teams met in 2013/14, the Rotterdam titans did the double over the minnows, smashing six past the Miners, who they have beaten 20 times to four.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Familiar Premier League faces and attacking trio Dirk Kuyt, Colin Kazim-Richards and Eljero Elia contribute to odds of 2/1 for Feyenoord to fire in three or more.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br />

Inter, Sevilla, Feyenoord a thrilling Euro treble all to win

Inter tackle Serie A minnows Chievo Verona, while the Bathtubs battle Celta Vigo and Feyenoord face Eredivisie also-rans Roda JC Kerkrade. ...

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MAN CITY, ASTON VILLA AND MIDDLESBROUGH A CRAZY CAPITAL ONE CUP TREBLE

<span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">The big teams have entered the Capital One Cup at the third round stage, and to celebrate Coral offer customers an enhanced treble of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough all to win in 90 minutes at 4/1.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Premier League leaders Man City face relegation favourites Sunderland, while Tim Sherwood’s Villans tackle a West Midlands derby against rivals Birmingham City and Boro battle Wolverhampton Wanderers. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Each of the three featured teams in this tasty treble are individual odds-on favourites for victory without resorting to extra-time, so to ensure real value why not take this combined and boosted price bet instead?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Read on to discover specific reasons why this one should come off…</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Sunderland v Man City</span><br />This is a repeat of the 2014 Capital One Cup final, which Man City won at Wembley 3-1. A repeat scoreline at the Stadium of Light is a 10/1 chance, will Manuel Pellegrini’s men are odds-on 1/2 favourites to win in normal time.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Samir Nasri has two in last four appearances against the Black Cats, and is likely to start on Wearside, so represents real anytime value at 11/4. Young Man City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, meanwhile, could follow up his recent Premier League goal against Crystal Palace by striking last again at 4/1.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Aston Villa v Birmingham</span><br />The Villans have historically had the better of Second City derbies, winning 51 and Birmingham just 38, so it’s no wonder Sherwood’s side are odds-on 10/11 favourites to win without needing an additional half hour.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Gabriel Agbonlahor has a great record on derby day, as the Villa clubman has four goals in six starts against the Blues. Back him to net again anytime at 7/1.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Middlesbrough v Wolves</span><br />You have to go way back to 1951 for the last time Wanderers won on Teesside, so Boro are odds-on 4/6 favourites for victory in 90 minutes. David Nugent has three in four against Wolves, and grabbed the opener last time out at Nottingham Forest.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqu9cQJCXN8/VgEVgrk24YI/AAAAAAAAAHE/eavydsluQMI/s1600/49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqu9cQJCXN8/VgEVgrk24YI/AAAAAAAAAHE/eavydsluQMI/s640/49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>

MAN CITY, ASTON VILLA AND MIDDLESBROUGH A CRAZY CAPITAL ONE CUP TREBLE

The big teams have entered the Capital One Cup at the third round stage, and to celebrate Coral offer customers an enhanced treble of Manche...

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CAPITAL ONE CUP: SWANSEA, HULL FEATURE AS PL TEAMS TACKLE CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS

<span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Tuesday evening will truly make for terrific viewing, as the Capital One Cup round three brings punters a selection of plum midweek match-ups.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">In this particular trio of tussles, Championship sides Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet, while Premier League clubs Swansea City and Bournemouth battle plucky second-tier teams Hull City and Preston North End respectively.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">So, Coral experts preview the most enticing odds from these cracking cup clashes…</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Hull City v Swansea City</span><br /><br />The KC Stadium welcomes a Premier League visitor back to it’s turf, as the Swans hit the road and head for Humberside. As hosts, Hull are 11/5 for victory in normal time, with Steve Bruce’s boys flying high in third place in their Championship promotion push.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Tigers attackers Abel Hernandez and Mohamed Diame are respective 7/4 and 10/3 shots to be on target and take advantage of the Welsh club’s wobbles away from home. Still, Swansea are favourites at 11/8, or 3/1 to win to nil, having undone Hull twice last term when both were in the top flight.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Garry Monk would be unwise to rest his main men against this tenacious team, with scorers of the past four goals against the Tigers, Bafetimbi Gomis (11/2 for the opener) and Ki Sung-Yueng (the same price anytime), great value for another glut. Fringe players do need games, however, and this could be the perfect opportunity for summer striker signing Eder, 6/1 to have the final say, to stand out.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Middlesbrough v Wolverhampton Wanderers</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">In the past seven scuffles between these two sides, the spoils have gone to the hosts on six occasions, so Boro are odds-on match favourites at 4/6 to make the most of their home advantage, or 17/10 to win to nil.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Aitor Karanka and co have lost just one game all campaign, with Uruguayan attacker Christian Stuani and familiar face David Nugent making for a potent pair recently, a local boy Stewart Downing pulls the strings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Wolves, meanwhile, have had a disappointing start to the season, though Arsenal academy product Benik Afobe is still good value for a goal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Preston North End v Bournemouth</span><br /><br />Recently promoted Preston have been struggling to get to grips with Championship life, while Premier League new boys Bournemouth have also had to adjust.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">The Cherries’ incredible rise means this pair only last duelled in 2013 both as League One teams, and Eddie Howe’s south coast side should have too much quality for their second-tier counterparts, which is reflected in their 11/10 price to triumph.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson just cannot stop bagging goals, and is 9/2 to net first if risked ahead of the weekend. Ex-Manchester United man Joshua King could prove a better shout then a 5/1 in the same market.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">As for the Lilywhites, midfield threat Daniel Johnson (5/1 to notch anytime) and another Red Devils alumni in on-loan striker Will Keane (9/4) could prove fruitful punts at Deepdale.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Betting tip:</span> Back the Swans at 3/1 to sink Hull to nil as the Tigers struggled against them last term.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DOxc4gREKI/VgEU7f7hIJI/AAAAAAAAAG8/OXLaQxbtWZM/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DOxc4gREKI/VgEU7f7hIJI/AAAAAAAAAG8/OXLaQxbtWZM/s640/32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>

CAPITAL ONE CUP: SWANSEA, HULL FEATURE AS PL TEAMS TACKLE CHAMPIONSHIP CLUBS

Tuesday evening will truly make for terrific viewing, as the Capital One Cup round three brings punters a selection of plum midweek match-up...

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Rugby league World cup 2015 : Australia v Fiji , Scotland v Japan preview

<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003056; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia v Fiji (Pool A): 1.45am (AEST), Thursday, September 24 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff</span></h4> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia’s first step on their pool-of-death path is taking on the dangerous Fijians in Wales, and Michael Cheika has shown his hand by picking Will Genia and Bernard Foley as his halves combination, with Quade Cooper left out of the 23. Michael Hooper and David Pocock will both start in the loose trio, Rob Simmons and Kane Douglas pair up in the second-row, and Matt Giteau will wear the No.12 in a line-up that otherwise contains no surprises.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiji were spirited in their 35-11 tournament-opening loss to England – trailing by just seven with 15 minutes to go – but their ball control and penchant for kicking away possession with ill-conceived short kicks let them down badly. They have made just three changes to that line-up – all in the forwards. The Wallabies will be wary of Crusaders wing danger-man Nameni Nadolo after his dynamic showing against England.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia could be a bit rusty, but should finish over the top of the weary Fijians, who have had a short five-day turnaround leading into this clash. The $13 on offer for a Fiji boilover is tempting for a flutter, but realistically the Wallabies will go close to knocking off the 25.5pts start with a late rush.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wallabies have won 16 of the 19 matches between the sides, last going down to Fiji in 1954. Their last meeting resulted in a 49-3 victory to the green-and-golds in 2010.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Way It’s Shaping</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Australia by 30</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0188c2;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Australia -25.5pts ($1.91)</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="color: #0188c2;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">First Try Scorer – Adam Ashley-Cooper ($7.50)</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="color: #0188c2;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">First scoring play – Australia Penalty Goal ($2.50)</span></span></span></strong></div> <h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003056; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scotland v Japan (Pool B): 11.30pm (AEST), Wednesday, September 23 at Kingsholm, Gloucester</span></h4> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riding the glorious high of their stunning upset of the Springboks in Brighton, The Cherry Blossoms take on the Pool B second seed, Scotland, in a clash that will have a major bearing on quarter-final qualification. The Scots are unlikely to be caught on the hop by Japan after getting a harrowing sneak-peek on Saturday, and have named a virtual full-strength side – with captain and halfback Greig Laidlaw and flyhalf Finn Russell at the forefront.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japan have made six changes to the side that pipped South Africa, including replacing both starting props, while Haqrumichi Tatekawa moves from centre to flyhalf, and Amanaki Lelei Mafi has been promoted from the bench to No.8.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scotland has won all four previous matches between the nations, by an average margin of 44 points.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The underdogs’ watershed performance has seen Japan listed at a cautious $5.75 for the win with a 14.5pts start, but the four-day turnaround will make it very tough to pull off another giant upset. Nevertheless, Scotland do struggle to score tries, and if Japan plays with the same commitment and daring as they did on the weekend it’s difficult to see this one turning into a blowout.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Way It’s Shaping</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scotland by 8</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: #0188c2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Japan +16.5 ($1.91)</span></span></strong></div> <h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003056; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">France v Romania (Pool D): 5.00am (AEST), Thursday, September 24 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London</span></h4> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">France opened their campaign with a solid 32-10 win over Italy, but have made 13 changes to that side with a short four-day turnaround to contend with. No.8 Louis Picamoles and winger Noa Nakaitaci are the only players retained from the victory against the Azzuri. Hooker Dimitri Szarzewski has been named captain, while Morgan Parra and Remi Tales are the new halves pairing.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romania, who warmed up for the World Cup with a 21-16 loss to Tonga, have named a very experienced line-up for the showdown with their arch-rivals. The Europeans nations have met 49 times, with France winning 39 and Romania eight, with two drawn. France has won the last five by an average of 46.6 points.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">France should win relatively comfortably, but the influx of new players will affect continuity so take on the 40.5pts line at your peril. Favourites are just 2-6 against the line at the tournament so far – although Les Bleus are one of those two sides to have prevailed ATS.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Way It’s Shaping</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">France by 22</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: #0188c2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Romania +40.5pts ($1.91)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: #0188c2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcfraI-4wI/VgEUZcfeIEI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Mhld2pSkXRQ/s1600/83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcfraI-4wI/VgEUZcfeIEI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Mhld2pSkXRQ/s640/83.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: #0188c2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

Rugby league World cup 2015 : Australia v Fiji , Scotland v Japan preview

Australia v Fiji (Pool A): 1.45am (AEST), Thursday, September 24 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Australia’s first step on their pool-of-d...

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NRL Finals: Can the Roosters and Cowboys keep premiership hopes alive against the Bulldogs and Sharks?

<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">After a thoroughly entertaining first four games, two premiership contenders will line up in the second week of the finals with the Bulldogs and Sharks tasked with trying to stop them.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Canterbury and Cronulla had vastly different experiences in their respective elimination finals, with the former just edging the lowest-ranked team in the post-season and the latter embarrassing the defending premiers.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">But now the real test begins as they face off against the Roosters and Cowboys, both of whom are looking to bounce back after heartbreaking week-one losses.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">With the NRL season now at a stage where all games are do-or-die, Grandstand looks at whether that will bring the best out of the favourites or give the underdogs the inspiration they need to get over the top.</span><br /> <h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.5em 0px 0.25em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sydney Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs - Friday at SFS, 7:55pm AEST</span></h2> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The Roosters are no longer on their pedestal and the Bulldogs are perhaps lucky to be here.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The minor premiers fell to a quality premiership contender in week one but should have enough firepower to overcome the Bulldogs, who barely scraped home against the eighth-placed Dragons.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Eighth-placed St George Illawarra was considered one of the easy-beats of this finals series and lost half-back Benji Marshall early in the game, but still pushed the Bulldogs into golden point, only just losing on the back of a Josh Reynolds field goal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Meanwhile, the Roosters were outlasted in a brutal battle with the experienced Storm, ending their 12-game winning streak, but losing consecutive games is not something to which the tricolours are accustomed - they haven't done so since rounds five to eight.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Pritchard's attack on the left side of the field has taken on extra significance since Trent Hodkinson's injury and his combination with Josh Morris and Curtis Rona could cause problems for Jackson Hastings, Blake Ferguson and Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who haven't clocked extended periods defending as a unit.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">But coach Trent Robinson can take a similar tack at the other end, with Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou, who could have a field day in the air over Sam Perrett.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The possible return of Mitchell Pearce dominated the pre-match conversation before Robinson wisely opted against bringing him back too soon, having a less than fit player in a vital position and risk losing him for even more important games.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><strong>Snapshot: </strong>Based on recent form and results, the Roosters can beat the Bulldogs even without Pearce and with Hastings in at half-back. Greg Inglis's performance on a bum knee in week one should be more than enough evidence for Robinson to hold back his star for one more week.</span><br /> <h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.5em 0px 0.25em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks - Saturday in Townsville, 7:40pm AEST</span></h2> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">North Queensland is in a similar position to the Roosters, having gone down narrowly to a team that now looks grand final-bound.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The Cowboys' loss in Brisbane can hardly be counted against them considering the quality of opposition and the game, while the Sharks looked formidable in destroying an admittedly lacklustre (read: utterly woeful) South Sydney side.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">So, form suggests these two teams should be pretty evenly matched and the teams' recent history backs that up.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The Cowboys won 15 games from round four to round 22, climbing to the top of the table and some pundits' premiership calculations in the process. The only team to beat them during that stretch? Cronulla, twice. (It is also worth noting the Sharks beat the Roosters in both their encounters this season).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The Sharks travelled up to Townsville in round 16 with the Cowboys riding high after a record 11-game winning streak. They looked set to continue apace after storming out to an 18-0 lead at the half before the Sharks ran in four unanswered tries to score the 24-18 win.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">After that heartbreaking loss, the Cowboys rattled off four straight wins before a trip to Shark Park saw a total role reversal, with the Sharks taking an 18-0 lead shortly after the break, only for the visitors to come back with a pair of tries in two minutes, but the supposed comeback kings ultimately fell short, losing 30-18.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">But, for all the history and as good as the Sharks were last week, the Cowboys finished three places ahead of them for a number of reasons, primarily the presence of the game's greatest half-back.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Johnathan Thurston was typically influential against the Broncos and did everything but win them the game. Sick of losing in the finals, Thurston has the biggest of chips on his shoulder and will be at his game-breaking best on Saturday night, but the bigger point may be Michael Morgan.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">The pivot looked underdone against the fast-paced Broncos but will be better for the run. He didn't look too hobbled by the ankle injury that saw him miss two weeks and should have regained some match fitness from the hit-out.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Unfortunately, he will be coming up against an in-form Sharks unit that looked great last week on the back of a powerful performance from team leaders Paul Gallen and Michael Ennis.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Gallen was particularly strong after earning criticism from some corners for his play in the round-26 loss to Manly, and the Sharks' fringe runners like Luke Lewis and Wade Graham will be testing the defence with their power and ball-playing ability.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;">Andrew Fifita, if he recovers from the back problems that plagued him against Souths, will be a huge addition for the dominant forward pack.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWNwdMRVm0k/VgETqpzIUhI/AAAAAAAAAGs/7MV73z7RqpE/s1600/74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWNwdMRVm0k/VgETqpzIUhI/AAAAAAAAAGs/7MV73z7RqpE/s640/74.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span>

NRL Finals: Can the Roosters and Cowboys keep premiership hopes alive against the Bulldogs and Sharks?

After a thoroughly entertaining first four games, two premiership contenders will line up in the second week of the finals with the Bulldogs...

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