Bolton v Leeds: Trotters could edge unappealing encounter

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Bolton v Leeds</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Sunday 6th August, 16:30<br />Live on Sky Sports</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><br />Bolton</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Bolton</span> picked up 86 points en-route to League One promotion last season - their <span style="font-weight: 600;">best tally since 2000/01 </span>- as they bounced back to the Championship at the first time of asking under <span style="font-weight: 600;">Phil Parkinso</span>n's tutelage.<br /><br />High levels of debt and ownership uncertainty continue to dog the Trotters off the pitch but Parkinson's patchwork team of <span style="font-weight: 600;">free signings </span>and <span style="font-weight: 600;">loanees</span> performed admirably in League One. Eight triumphs from their final 12 games ensured a top-two finish despite the club operating under a transfer embargo.<br /><br />Wanderers' campaign was built upon a miserly defence but they've looked to strengthen in forward areas this summer. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Will Buckley</span> and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Sammy Ameobi</span> the most eye-catching arrivals amongst nine new additions.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Leeds</span><br /><br />For the seventh consecutive season, Leeds start the season with a different manager. Garry Monk resigned in the summer and United's new owner Andrea Radrizzani raised eyebrows when courting APOEL Nicosia boss <span style="font-weight: 600;">Thomas Christiansen </span>as his replacement.<br /><br />The Whites were in contention for a top-six finish for the bulk of 2016/17 but a tally of only six points from their final eight matches saw Leeds slide out of the play-off positions. The Yorkshire giants became only the <span style="font-weight: 600;">third side in 29 years to miss out on the top-six having tabled 75 points</span>.<br /><br />Monk's lack of a Plan B and United's slim squad was to blame but both angles appear to have been rectified. A raft of players have arrived at Elland Road and with Pontus Jansson suspended, on-loan Everton defender <span style="font-weight: 600;">Matthew Pennington</span> is in line for a debut appearance.<br /><br />Elsewhere, question marks over star striker <span style="font-weight: 600;">Chris Wood</span>'s condition remain following a hectic summer with New Zealand at the Confederations Cup.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Leeds</span> have been made <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="8/5"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2.60</span></span> favourites for Sunday's showdown but I'm unwilling to invest in the visitors at such quotes, just yet. With Jansson banned and last season's loan star Kyle Bartley no longer about, United do appear <span style="font-weight: 600;">weaker at centre-half</span>.<br /><br />What's more, the guests boast a bizarrely <span style="font-weight: 600;">poor return when travelling to newly-promoted clubs</span>. Leeds have won just once in 10 trips, losing on six occasions (W1-D3-L6).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Bolton</span> can be backed at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="2/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2.98</span></span> - a reasonably price considering the Trotters suffered only three home defeats in League One. The Wanderers arrive with promotion momentum and clubs in similar circumstances often tend to fare well in their campaign curtain-raiser.<br /><br />Across the past 20 seasons, sides promoted from League One have returned a very respectable <span style="font-weight: 600;">W9-D11 L7</span> when playing at home on the opening weekend - a loss rate of just 26%. Bolton can be supported at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="11/10">2.12</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span>in the<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span>Draw No Bet market.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span><br /><br />Neither <span style="font-weight: 600;">Bolton</span> nor <span style="font-weight: 600;">Leeds</span> were prolific in the final-third during 2016/17. Collectively the duo averaged just 1.40 goals per-game in attack whilst leaking only 0.90 goals per-game at the back.<br /><br />Leeds may have lost their stability at centre-half and with Wood potentially not up to full speed after a tiring off-season - the Kiwi was involved in 51% of Leeds' goals last season - I'm <span style="font-weight: 600;">not particularly keen on a high-scoring contest</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Under 2.5 Goals</span> is on the short side at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="4/6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.68</span></span> but it looks the most likely scenario considering the two teams provided profit in this market in 26/46 (57%) of their respective home/away league fixtures last term.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bets</span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Bolton draw no bet</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="11/10">2.12</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="4/6">1.68</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="4/6"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxLLx2nVcATl1uZSLpFj7YwtPoD5Z36a56zd4_4Vo0IwDNziefMfttdr5ZKZbunrdXqLiKxMeEF6C0o035ue0_e0EX3822mOCL8exBE7JAuSDmy7HfXrmqm2XZGe6PHuceg7XsKde6sU/s1600/Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1200" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxLLx2nVcATl1uZSLpFj7YwtPoD5Z36a56zd4_4Vo0IwDNziefMfttdr5ZKZbunrdXqLiKxMeEF6C0o035ue0_e0EX3822mOCL8exBE7JAuSDmy7HfXrmqm2XZGe6PHuceg7XsKde6sU/s640/Large.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /></div>

Bolton v Leeds: Trotters could edge unappealing encounter

Bolton v Leeds Sunday 6th August, 16:30 Live on Sky Sports Bolton Bolton  picked up 86 points en-route to League One promotion last seaso...

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MLS betting: Bulls march on the Bronx

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">ew York City v New York Red Bulls<br />Sunday, 23:00<br />Live on Sky Sports Football</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The New York Red Bulls steam to Yankee Stadium on the back of <span style="font-weight: 600;">five straight wins in all competitions</span>, and Jesse Marsch's team are <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">attractively priced at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="14/5">3.80</span></span> to come away with all three points.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The improvement in the Red Bulls' performance since they lost the last derby match 2-0 has largely been down to a shift in formation. Marsch is now playing with three at the back, and that has allowed key man Sascha Klejstan space and time to influence the game.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has paid dividends, and given the fact that NYCFC come into this after a humiliating turnaround at the hands of Toronto FC, the Red Bulls will surely feel that they have a massive chance to avenge that defeat in June.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One reason for the poor performance of Patrick Vieira's team last time was the absence of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Yangel Herrera</span> from the midfield, and his return should stiffen their resolve, but the Red Bulls have worked out how to play away from home, and <span style="font-weight: 600;">having lost six in a row on their travels</span>, have now won three on the spin, and are looking to make it four for the first time in 15 years.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a notoriously difficult League in which to travel, but New Jersey to the Bronx shouldn't be too much of a stretch and so it's the new look Red Bulls all the way for me in the latest New York derby.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back New York Red Bulls to beat NYCFC @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="14/5">3.80</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Montreal Impact v Orlando City</span><br />Sunday, 00:30<br />Live on Sky Sports Football</span><br />Normally, I'd be a big supporter of Orlando City to win at Montreal, given the unpredictable nature of the home team's form and the sudden strengthening of Jason Kreis' side. The presence of both Kaka and Orlando's new signing Dom Dwyer at the <span style="font-weight: 600;">midweek All Star game</span> means, though, that both might be on the bench for this, and so proceed with caution.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">I still think that Orlando are a big price at</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="16/5">4.20</span></span>, but the goals market for this one is also interesting. Orlando are a lot more attack-minded than their results suggest, particularly now that Cyle Larin is back from his misdemeanours, and Montreal's games tend to be full of goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that Kreis will be attack-minded here, with or without Kaka and Dwyer, and with Ignacio Piatti likely to return to the starting line-up, Jonathan Spector and the Orlando back line will have their hands full.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orlando's away games haven't been high-scoring, and so this in one of those occasions when I'm going to favour a hunch, and a sense of how the game might play out, over the stats. Normally I look for both of those elements to work in harmony, but I feel that, tactically, this will be wide open, and the prices reflect the recent statistics rather than the likelier outcome, which gives us a bit of value.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both clubs HAVE been involved in high-scoring games against a certain kind of team, and that's what we're looking at here, and with <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">a price for Over 3.5 Goals that looks too big</span></span>, we have the chance to make a useful play.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Over 3.5 Goals in Montreal Impact v Orlando City @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="7/4">2.70</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Portland Timbers v LA Galaxy<br />Sunday, 21:00<br />Live on Sky Sports Football</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LA Galaxy showed marked improvement last time out against Seattle and Sigi Schmid will be looking for that to continue at a Portland side who return home to Providence Park after an excellent away series.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Portland won in Vancouver with half a team and then came very close to defeating Houston and so <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">it's no great surprise to see them as short as</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="1/2">1.50</span></span> for the visit of the Galaxy.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schmid is a very smart Coach, though, and his team will be helped by the <span style="font-weight: 600;">sweltering conditions</span> in Portland. The game has been moved because of expected high temperatures, but despite those measures, don't expect a high tempo, energetic game. The Galaxy will come to keep things tight and this will suit them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For all the nightmares under Curt Onalfo, LA have already showed us this season that they're suited to playing away from the spotlight of the StubHub Center, and if their form at home had matched that away, Onalfo would still be in a job.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schmid will look to build on the clean sheet against the Sounders and counter attack against a team that loves to do just that. Another 0-0 draw has to be a big runner here, but I'm <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">happy to lay the Timbers at around the</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="8/15">1.54</span> mark.</span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet: <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Lay Portland Timbers against LA Galaxy @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="8/15">1.54</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="8/15"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl71GUDJmWyzAlQURf5Uo1Ul_yrVQ1rCFg48xhtCOMYy8Yb8nnHiA6Zr6XjLnUOcA8l6CCWkK0QlMKh-TcJBtOdcW0U6Y5lbBxIW0PZQmausR39DMFn8A7z_U_SbTXUTmG_BbRdffvvRA/s1600/USATSI_10143707_4sublz8l_eoe75jyh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl71GUDJmWyzAlQURf5Uo1Ul_yrVQ1rCFg48xhtCOMYy8Yb8nnHiA6Zr6XjLnUOcA8l6CCWkK0QlMKh-TcJBtOdcW0U6Y5lbBxIW0PZQmausR39DMFn8A7z_U_SbTXUTmG_BbRdffvvRA/s640/USATSI_10143707_4sublz8l_eoe75jyh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

MLS betting: Bulls march on the Bronx

ew York City v New York Red Bulls Sunday, 23:00 Live on Sky Sports Football The New York Red Bulls steam to Yankee Stadium on the back of...

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Aston Villa v Hull: Back Bruce's boys to tame the Tigers

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Aston Villa v Hull</span><span style="font-weight: 600;"><br />Saturday 5th August, 17:30<br />Live on Sky Sports</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><br />Aston Villa</span><br /><br />A rotten start to life in the Championship saw Robert Di Matteo dismissed as Aston Villa boss last season and while <span style="font-weight: 600;">Steve Bruce</span> failed to put the Claret & Blue into promotion contention, the Villans came close to puncturing the top-half.<br /><br />The 1982 European Cup winners have since bolstered their squad with the additions of new captain <span style="font-weight: 600;">John Terry</span>, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Christopher Samba</span>, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ahmed Elmohamady</span> and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Glenn Whelan</span> and bookmakers have marked the Second City club out as second favourites to take Championship title honours.<br /><br />Last season's leading scorer Jonathan Kodjia is set to miss the opening month of action along with Jack Grealish and Mile Jedinak. Reports suggest <span style="font-weight: 600;">Gabby Agbonlahor </span>could lead Villa's attacking line with<span style="font-weight: 600;"> Scott Hogan </span>also struggling for full fitness.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Hull</span><br /><br />It's been another <span style="font-weight: 600;">tumultuous summer</span> for Hull City with an exodus of first-team players departing, disgruntled supporters deciding to stay away and an ownership that lost faith in the Tigers a long time ago.<br /><br />With highly-rated head coach Marco Silva also moving on, City appointed former Russian manager<span style="font-weight: 600;"> Leonid Slutsky</span> as their new boss. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ola Aina</span>, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Kevin Stewart</span>, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ondrej Mazuch</span>,<span style="font-weight: 600;"> Michael Hector</span> and<span style="font-weight: 600;"> Frazier Campbell</span> have all arrived to plug the gaps but Slutsky's squad still looks threadbare at best.<br /><br />Pre-season results have encouraged Humbersiders and with <span style="font-weight: 600;">Abel Hernandez </span>and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Adama Diomande</span> likely to be fit, as is midfielder <span style="font-weight: 600;">David Meyler</span>, handing Hull a timely boost ahead of their Saturday curtain-raiser.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Hull</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="3/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">4.00</span></span> recorded back-to-back victories to kick-off their Premier League campaign 12 months ago, including a surprise 2-0 triumph in Swansea. However, that was the last occasion the Tigers tasted victory on the road in league football with City scoring just seven more goals during a miserable run of results (<span style="font-weight: 600;">W0-D3-L15</span>).<br /><br />Since 2003/04 <span style="font-weight: 600;">relegated Premier League clubs have lost 13 (57%) of 23 away matches on the opening weekend</span> of the Championship and following another transitional summer, I'm not expecting Hull to be capable of turning the tables so soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Aston Villa</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="11/10"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2.12</span></span> hold plenty of appeal at the prices. The Claret & Blue have beaten the Tigers in nine of their last 10 meetings at Villa Park and returned an impressive <span style="font-weight: 600;">W12-D8-L3 on home soil</span> last term despite their obvious toils.<br /><br />The Villans collected 71% of their points tally as hosts during 2016/17 and I make the home side a <span style="font-weight: 600;">rock-solid play</span> in the Match Odds on Saturday evening.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span></span><br /><br />Aston Villa were the Championship's dullest club to follow in 2016/17 with matches averaging just 2.07 goals per-game. With eight of the past 10 Villa Park fixtures featuring fewer than three goals and only 25/35 (71%) of games under Bruce's watch delivering for <span style="font-weight: 600;">Under 2.5 Goal</span>s, a repeat is understandably skinny at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="4/7"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.59</span></span><br /><br />However, more adventurous punters could be tempted to back an Aston Villa win '<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">to nil</span>' at <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">21/10</span> - a selection that's paid out in nine of the home side's past 12 victories as hosts - or the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1-0</span> (11/2) and <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2-0</span> (7/2) correct scores seeing as eight Villa Park triumphs arrived via one of those two correct scores.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bets</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Aston Villa to win @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="11/10">2.12</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="11/10"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbs3k_vCr-PfL4Ljhcmezwt-OeQbLh-67QsUhu5bdikn9HH2_ZkK4tZ1vlBD3xaJvJWF8es22HPpvswfTZRw4sjbKgqz8vs3gwtosJIi7AnLPN2aHdruA1VLAqXs0scY2RjcI0uadXhI/s1600/Aston-Villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1000" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbs3k_vCr-PfL4Ljhcmezwt-OeQbLh-67QsUhu5bdikn9HH2_ZkK4tZ1vlBD3xaJvJWF8es22HPpvswfTZRw4sjbKgqz8vs3gwtosJIi7AnLPN2aHdruA1VLAqXs0scY2RjcI0uadXhI/s640/Aston-Villa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Aston Villa v Hull: Back Bruce's boys to tame the Tigers

Aston Villa v Hull Saturday 5th August, 17:30 Live on Sky Sports Aston Villa A rotten start to life in the Championship saw Robert Di Mat...

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NRL Preview: Panthers v Tigers

<div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>NRL Preview</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sunday, August 6, 4pm (AEST) at Pepper Stadium, Penrith</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It will be an interesting week in the Cleary household this week, with Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary taking on his father and Tigers coach Ivan Cleary for the first time. The Tigers coach spent plenty of time at Penrith as head coach and is in the unusual position of attempting to plot his son’s downfall this week. In another strange twist of fate, brothers Dallin Watene Zelezniak and Malakai Watene Zelezniak will be on opposing sides as well. The Panthers have named skipper Matt Moylan on an extended bench as he attempts to make his return from injury.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>History</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Panthers have won four of the last five against the Tigers after dropping seven straight. The Panthers blew away the Tigers at Campbelltown in Round 2 earlier this season. Winger Dean Whare crossed for a double in the big win.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Form</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Penrith are on the fringe of the Top 8 with a 10-9 record, outside on only differential. The Panthers have won four straight and eight of their last 10, taking advantage of a soft draw late in the season that has seen them play eight of their last 10 games against teams outside the Top 8 and none inside the Top 4. The Panthers have conceded 16 or fewer in four of their last six. The Tigers remain second last on the ladder with a 5-14 record but have been in good form with road wins over Newcastle and Gold Coast sandwiching respectable losses to Top 8 teams Manly and Parramatta. The Tigers are conceding just 15.25 points per game over the last month.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Key Matchup</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nathan Cleary v Luke Brooks: Nathan Cleary has been brilliant this season, scoring eight tries and setting up another 11. He’ll have a point to prove this week not only against his father, but against Tigers halfback Luke Brooks. Brooks has started to take more ownership of the Tigers side and is definitely taking the line on more often. He still needs to make improvements to his short kicking game to build pressure when the Tigers are in the opposition 20. The rumours won’t go away that Cleary could end up in Tigertown when his current contract expires and Brooks will be determined to remind Ivan Cleary of what he currently has on his books.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stats That Matter</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– Penrith are 9-10 ATS with an 11-8 under record while the Wests Tigers are 10-9 ATS with a 13-6 under record.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– The Panthers have won four of the last five against the Tigers after dropping seven straight.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– The Tigers have covered 10 of their last 12 getting a start of 10 or more.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– The Wests Tigers have gone under in five straight.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– The Panthers are 4-5 ATS with a 7-2 under record when favoured by double digits.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– The Tigers have gone under in 8 of their last 10 day games.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Final Thoughts</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Wolf is playing the unders here. The Tigers defence has improved over the past month, while the Panthers are 7-2 under when favoured by 10 or more.</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How It’s Shaping Up</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Penrith by 7</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Best Bet</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Under 42.5 ($1.88)</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Other Recommended Bets</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Penrith 1-12 ($3.10)</b></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div> <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsz_MA1yZSv2chZcgy4lRhUAY8xrCbvg1Gj81aGIEqGQZaivr-CNxvDcLV7XJkC9UXlb7zMOvBaDWah6JKXdGX1XfmHAkXWAdyp4QrBSlHlhbKi97um1z_eSDOaMNyhjjbhrizmcJJ7E/s1600/2017Aug04010015_652344648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsz_MA1yZSv2chZcgy4lRhUAY8xrCbvg1Gj81aGIEqGQZaivr-CNxvDcLV7XJkC9UXlb7zMOvBaDWah6JKXdGX1XfmHAkXWAdyp4QrBSlHlhbKi97um1z_eSDOaMNyhjjbhrizmcJJ7E/s640/2017Aug04010015_652344648.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>

NRL Preview: Panthers v Tigers

NRL Preview Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers Sunday, August 6, 4pm (AEST) at Pepper Stadium, Penrith It will be an interesting week ...

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NRL Preview: Sea Eagles v Roosters

<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">NRL Preview</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, August 6, 2pm (AEST) at Lottoland, Sydney</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Sea Eagles will be happy to return to Brookvale this week after heavy back-to-back road losses to the Dragons and Storm respectively. The Panthers are sniffing around just outside the Top 8 and will be ready to pounce if the Sea Eagles can’t rediscover their early season form. Meanwhile, the second-placed Roosters are tracking along nicely and have named hooker Jake Friend on an extended bench.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">History</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Sea Eagles have won four of the last five clashes against the Roosters. Manly won the Round 5 clash at Allianz Stadium 18-12, with Sea Eagles centre Dylan Walker crossing for a double. Four of the last six matches have topped 40 points.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Form</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manly enter this off back-to-back humiliations, road losses of 52-22 to St George Illawarra and 40-6 to Melbourne. The Sea Eagles have now fallen to seventh with their 11-8 record. Manly’s defence ranks 11th in the NRL while their attack rates third. The Sea Eagles have conceded 30-plus five times this year. The Sydney Roosters are second on the ladder with a 14-5 record. They have won three straight and six of their last seven, coming off a 22-16 home win over North Queensland. The Roosters have conceded 16 or fewer in their last three.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Key Matchup</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Martin Taupau v Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: The Wolf is expecting the Sea Eagles to come out fired up after a disappointing fortnight. Martin Taupau has been the leader of the pack all season and nothing will be different on Sunday. JWH has started to mature, and like Taupau, he has become one of the leaders of the Roosters pack, especially in the absence of Boyd Cordner. He’ll cart the ball up all afternoon and will make it his mission to stop Taupau. The Wolf can’t wait to see these two go toe-to-toe on Sunday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stats That Matter</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Manly are 9-10 ATS with a 10-9 over record while the Sydney Roosters are 10-9 ATS with an 11-8 over record.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Manly have won four of the last five clashes against the Sydney Roosters.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Four of the last six matches have topped 40 points.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Roosters have won two of the last three clashes at Brookvale.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Sea Eagles are 14-8 ATS after conceding 30-plus points since 2014.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Roosters are 20-28 ATS away from Allianz since 2014 with a 28-20 over record and are 10-19 ATS with a 19-10 over record after scoring 20-plus the game prior.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">– As a road favourite of less than a try, the Roosters are 2-7 ATS with a 6-3 over number.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Final Thoughts</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Wolf is expecting plenty of points on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Lottoland and is predicting a strong response from the Sea Eagles to stop their season from unravelling.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How It’s Shaping Up</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manly by 4</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Best Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over 40.5 ($1.88)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manly 1-12 ($3.30)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEyRjbHNscxqkOCn5Q0lUWpI44Yq1X8Gasu5aVu6gZ7OzgP76dTV5aW6KZwmVd57M5zJw16Kf-dWLeuJa4ZzfM93d1js125h2YRMONUXNzNZeXTKeWctPdfxkLUzJWSRzXqAEb_sZOZ4/s1600/2017Aug04123134_661312506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEyRjbHNscxqkOCn5Q0lUWpI44Yq1X8Gasu5aVu6gZ7OzgP76dTV5aW6KZwmVd57M5zJw16Kf-dWLeuJa4ZzfM93d1js125h2YRMONUXNzNZeXTKeWctPdfxkLUzJWSRzXqAEb_sZOZ4/s640/2017Aug04123134_661312506.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

NRL Preview: Sea Eagles v Roosters

NRL Preview Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters Sunday, August 6, 2pm (AEST) at Lottoland, Sydney The Sea Eagles will be happy to return ...

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AFL Preview: Crows v Power

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adelaide v Port Adelaide</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday 4:40pm at Adelaide Oval</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A compelling Round 20 finishes off with an absolute ripper as Adelaide and Port Adelaide square off in the latest chapter of The Showdown.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Form</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adelaide sit top-of-the-table with a 13-4-1 record. The Crows have the best attack in the AFL while they rank fourth defensively. Adelaide had won four straight before drawing with Collingwood last weekend. Adelaide have scored 100-plus in six of their last 10 outings. The Crows are 8-2 at the Adelaide Oval this year.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Port Adelaide are fifth on the ladder yet have the best defence in the AFL and the third-ranked attack. The Power have an 11-7 record. Port have won five of their last seven and enter this off a 63-61 win over St Kilda. Port have been kept to 65 or fewer in their last two and three of their last five. Port have not conceded more than 88 in seven straight.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stats That Matter</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Adelaide have won the last 4 clashes with rivals Port.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Crows have covered 4 of the last 6 meetings with Port.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The over has hit in 4 of the last 5 Crows-Power matches.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Adelaide have won 23 of their last 27 at the Adelaide Oval.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Crows have conceded more than 70 points in just 2 of their last 7 at the ground.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Adelaide have covered just 2 of their last 7 as a favourite of less than two goals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Port have covered 4 of their last 6 as an outsider.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Port are 7-2 under as an outsider at the Adelaide Oval.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Port have covered just 1 of their last 4 as an underdog at the Adelaide Oval.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– The Crows are 5-2 ATS at Adelaide Oval when favoured by less than two goals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Port are 4-9 ATS at Adelaide Oval after scoring 70 or less.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">– Adelaide are 16-8 ATS at Adelaide Oval after scoring 100-plus.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Betting Data</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2017 Line: Adelaide 12-6, Port Adelaide 10-8</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2017 Over-Under: Adelaide 8-10, Port Adelaide 7-11</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What To Expect</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is hard to go past Adelaide in this one. They have been the form team of the season and have an excellent recent record over Port. The Power have underachieved this year and have had a habit of struggling against the top teams. The Crows tend to hold their form at home after a good attacking showing. The Crows have too much firepower.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How It’s Shaping Up</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adelaide by 21</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adelaide -10.5 ($1.91)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Player Markets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tex Walker has booted three or more goals on eight occasions this year and booted four the last time he took on the Power.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taylor Walker 3+ Goals ($2.20) </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60llMxdth35yBHyPE7lknvfwQjGkIXJen3tyTDGrP_TSSVp14P_1-pvofj6w3Tj8E5J3GsIF1BxfubrpI0ZmCF_qCnmSZe06gQltpk0_RtoU7_Kzr4llIHicgSMs4vpvgnakIyHB7xV8/s1600/499386-tlsnewslandscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="620" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60llMxdth35yBHyPE7lknvfwQjGkIXJen3tyTDGrP_TSSVp14P_1-pvofj6w3Tj8E5J3GsIF1BxfubrpI0ZmCF_qCnmSZe06gQltpk0_RtoU7_Kzr4llIHicgSMs4vpvgnakIyHB7xV8/s640/499386-tlsnewslandscape.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

AFL Preview: Crows v Power

Adelaide v Port Adelaide Sunday 4:40pm at Adelaide Oval A compelling Round 20 finishes off with an absolute ripper as Adelaide and Port A...

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AFL : St Kilda v West Coast Sunday 1:10pm at Etihad Stadium

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Saints and Eagles both sit on the edge of the Top 8 making this game absolutely critical to both team’s finals fortunes.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Form</strong>St Kilda’s form has gone south of late with three straight losses after a run of four straight wins that included a 67-point demolition job of Richmond. The Saints have been held to 61 or fewer in all three of those matches and lost to Port last week despite holding them to 63. The Saints are down to 11<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> on the ladder with a 9-9 record.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Coast continue to mix their form, going 4-4 over the last eight weeks without consecutive wins or losses. The Eagles are up to eighth on the ladder with a 10-8 record following a 68-point home win over Brisbane. West Coast have kept opponents to below 50 in two of their last three. The Eagles have the fifth ranked defence and rate ninth in scoring.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; 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;">Stats That Matter</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– West Coast have won eight straight against St Kilda, including the last three in Melbourne.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Eagles have covered 3 of the last 4 against the Saints.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The under has hit in 5 of the last 7 Saints-Eagles games.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– St Kilda have covered just 5 of their last 15 at Etihad.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The under has hit in 9 of the last 12 West Coast games at Etihad.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Saints have covered just 1 of 6 as a favourite at Etihad this year.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The under has hit in 8 of the last 10 when St Kilda have been favoured by less than two goals.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– West Coast are 18-7 under as an interstate outsider since 2012.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Eagles have covered 4 of their last 5 as an interstate underdog.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The under is a perfect 9-0 when West Coast are an interstate underdog of less than two goals with the Eagles 3-6 ATS in the situation.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Saints are 24-14 ATS in Melbourne day matches.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– St Kilda are 13-3 ATS in day matches after being held to 65 or fewer.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– West Coast are 17-9 under after keeping a team to 60 or fewer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Betting Data</strong>2017 Line: St Kilda 7-11, West Coast 8-10<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2017 Over-Under: St Kilda 7-11, West Coast 7-11</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">What To Expect</strong>Supremely confident about the under here and there is come confidence about a West Coast win too. The angles are big for the under here, particularly with West Coast as an interstate underdog. When a close interstate underdog, the under is 9-0 since 2012. The under has hit in 4 of the last 5 clashes and St Kilda are a big under team as a small favourite at Etihad. Chips in under.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>West Coast by 7</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; 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;">Best: Under 172.5 points ($1.88)</span></strong></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJLcQYT0XC5Yp1W-7Kubrr1kVz4Ptzk3yp5Vs1CvJG4grthR9lNBSXO4OefknylrigoZagIJ4UKIfsij5cEAf8NrhNG8EWdI6xQ1gBge3WIcuwh0ISHj9ZTxtfsYjsKMJztu886_54yU/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <br /></div>

AFL : St Kilda v West Coast Sunday 1:10pm at Etihad Stadium

The Saints and Eagles both sit on the edge of the Top 8 making this game absolutely critical to both team’s finals fortunes. Form St Kild...

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Richmond v Hawthorn Sunday 3:30pm at MCG

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Tigers and Hawks square off in a mammoth Sunday afternoon battle with Richmond looking to lock down a Top 4 berth and the Hawks clinging to an unlikely finals dream.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Form</strong>Richmond have moved up to fourth on the ladder with a 12-6 record. They rank second defensively but rank worst of all Top 8 teams in scoring, rating 11<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> overall. The Tigers have won three on the trot and seven of their last nine. Richmond have kept opponents to 66 or under in six of their last nine matches. Richmond are 7-2 at the MCG this year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hawthorn have found their groove after an awful start to the season with just one loss – a close defeat to Geelong – in their last six games. The Hawks are up to 12<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> on the ladder with an 8-9-1 record as they look to make an unlikely surge to the finals. Hawthorn rank 15<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> in both scoring and defence.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; 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;">Stats That Matter</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">– Hawthorn have won 3 of the last 4 and 9 of the last 13 against Richmond.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Hawthorn have covered four straight against Richmond.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The under has hit in 4 of the last 5 Tigers-Hawks clashes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Richmond are 48-29 under at the MCG since 2012 with eight straight under games.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Tigers have covered 9 of their last 12 at the MCG.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Tigers are 20-31 ATS as a favourite at the MCG since 2012 with a 32-19 under number.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Hawks have covered 4 of their last 6 at the MCG.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Hawthorn are 15-6 under as an outsider since 2012.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Hawks are 13-8 ATS as an underdog since 2012.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Richmond are 28-14 under after keeping an opponent to under 70 points.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Richmond are 42-19 under after scoring more than 90 points.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Betting Data</strong>2017 Line: Richmond 13-5, Hawthorn 9-9<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2017 Over-Under: Richmond 4-14, Hawthorn 5-13</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">What To Expect</strong>The total on this should jump about 140 even if it is a beautiful sunny day. These two are a combined 27-9 under this year and all the angles suggest this will be a low-scoring affair, heightened by the stakes of the match. Richmond are a huge under team at the MCG and big under team off a good attacking performance while the Hawks are a big under team in the rare situation as an underdog. The under can be bet with total confidence.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>Richmond by 13</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBiNuXyebRNe0fIYekKVicezOxMl1VYOauPJz17eGF4zlDMR1fig4z1v0Of51HaduVxSMlxID8M4LJVsry134bXL9muY2IhlxiViwavDHak02JDXkdbNYFJiTncES7J2_pt4zwzCAhvg/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBiNuXyebRNe0fIYekKVicezOxMl1VYOauPJz17eGF4zlDMR1fig4z1v0Of51HaduVxSMlxID8M4LJVsry134bXL9muY2IhlxiViwavDHak02JDXkdbNYFJiTncES7J2_pt4zwzCAhvg/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <br /></div>

Richmond v Hawthorn Sunday 3:30pm at MCG

The Tigers and Hawks square off in a mammoth Sunday afternoon battle with Richmond looking to lock down a Top 4 berth and the Hawks clingin...

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Netherlands v Denmark: Expect qoals in quest to be queens of Euro 2017

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Netherlands v Denmark</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, 16:00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Live on Channel 4</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was sad to see England fade so badly in their semi final against the Netherlands, but the Dutch thoroughly deserved their success, and are now the strong favourites to beat Denmark and become the fourth host nation to win a European Championship. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Netherlands are 1.78 to win the game in normal time, and that seems about right after their 1-0 Group win over the same opposition, but that's a game that really sticks in my mind. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tipped over 2.5 goals and also fancied the Danes to cause an upset, and both things very nearly happened. Denmark missed a hatful of chances in an open first hour, and we saw a real weakness from this Netherlands team. The Danes are certainly the team that has come closest to upsetting the hosts, and it seems right that they provide the final opposition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There isn't too much doubt that the two best teams have made the final, and to go against type in these big events, I expect a relatively open game. I know that the Dutch have conceded just once in the competition and that the Denmark v Austria semi final seemed a real bore, but this could well be an occasion on which styles mesh to lead to an entertaining game, and with Over 2.5 Goals trading at around the 2.50 mark, that's too big given the attacking talent on offer. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we saw against England, the Netherlands have felt the need to entertain a large crowd, and they've started to bare their attacking teeth and play on the front foot. That will suit Denmark, who had an uncharacteristically poor game in front of goal in that Group Stage defeat, and that's unlikely to be repeated. I think that they'll score and make life hard for a team that has played well, but had a lot of luck throughout the competition. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're thinking of backing the Danes to win in 90 minutes, then I wouldn't put you off: their chances are a lot better than a rather derisory 5.00 would suggest and Pernille Harder could cement her status as the best player at this tournament if she produces a match winning display. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Dutch will be nervous, eager to please, and desperate to win. They'll attack from the start with their flying wingers, and might just start to look more vulnerable than they have done in the whole tournament. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Euro 2017 has been a joy, a breath of fresh air, and a competition that might just change the womens' game for ever. I hope, and expect, that it will get the final that it deserves.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommendation</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back over 2.5 goals in Netherlands v Denmark @ 2.50</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiFQWMefRp3tMrsZD7ToB7KXaGGqxZ69rDebtwT36xJVc0hYgY83Lm7dfElcWWZtV_ynJBOvZSSFtxbDBinYI7DI9VN5lmPWRW1NNdTxV_PTOZLuXQmCwBpVNVeXs161imWkBOK4KLmI/s1600/39894186_304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="940" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiFQWMefRp3tMrsZD7ToB7KXaGGqxZ69rDebtwT36xJVc0hYgY83Lm7dfElcWWZtV_ynJBOvZSSFtxbDBinYI7DI9VN5lmPWRW1NNdTxV_PTOZLuXQmCwBpVNVeXs161imWkBOK4KLmI/s640/39894186_304.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Netherlands v Denmark: Expect qoals in quest to be queens of Euro 2017

Netherlands v Denmark Sunday, 16:00 Live on Channel 4 It was sad to see England fade so badly in their semi final against the Netherland...

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Saturday Championship Tipsheet: Goals to continue to flow at the Cottage

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wolves 2.66 v Middlesbrough 3.00; The Draw 3.30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It would be remiss of me not to start with arguably the biggest game of the opening weekend fixtures - from the perspective of title contenders at least - especially given that, despite showing three live games, Sky Sports have snubbed it. A baffling decision.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wolves are trading as the joint third favourites in the Championship Winner market, Middlesbrough have overtaken Aston Villa as the favourites; both clubs have spent fortunes in an attempt to return to the Premier League, it's a mouthwatering opening day clash that's for sure, and it's a tough one to call.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wolves were an almighty gamble to win the title last term, having been matched at 100.00 before the off they eventually started the season at around the 20.00 mark. I wasn't keen on their chances, simply because they'd brought in so many players that it seemed impossible that they'd gel quickly and get off to a good start. That proved to be the case, and my thinking is much the same this time around.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They've been backed again, from 19.50 into around half those odds, and like last year they've made a plethora of signings, 12 at the last count including six Portuguese players. The significance being that Wolves' new boss - Nuno - is also Portuguese. Ruben Neves is the stand-out signing, costing the club close to £16m, showing that Wolves really do mean business this term.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I have my doubts about Wolves' chances. It's fine to bring in five or six players when most of them have experience of English football - Middlesbrough for example - but bringing in a dozen players when at least half of them have never played in England. Well, it's a big ask.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As alluded too, Boro have spent big, and all bar one of their signings has experience at this level and/or English football. Fifteen million pound signing Britt Assombalonga is a proven Championship striker, full-back Cyrus Christie played in this division for Derby last term, midfielder Jonny Howson has played at this level with Norwich and Leeds, while £5m goalkeeper Darren Randolph and £6.5m striker Ashley Fletcher have been brought in from West Ham.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My gut feeling is that Middlesbrough's new recruits will settle much quicker than those at Wolves, and that if Nuno's men do develop into a promotion-chasing team then this could well be the ideal time for Boro to face them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Garry Monk's men are title favourites let's not forget, yet they are the outsiders to win this match at 3.00, so with Opta telling us that Boro have a terrific recent record against the Molineux outfit - winning their last four clashes - then a chance is taken on the away side to live up to the early hype.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back Middlesbrough to Win @ 3.00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fulham 2.10 v Norwich 3.85; The Draw 3.70</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From a betting perspective some people love the start of a new season, and I can understand that. If you have the time, and you put the work in, you can gauge better than most how best prepared some teams are, how organised they're looking, how fit they are etc.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, as someone who has very little time to scrutinise more than just a handful of clubs, and someone who - I'll be honest with you - detests friendlies at the best of times and therefore takes little notice of pre-season results, I'm a bettor who keeps stakes relatively low in the early weeks as I try to assess the abilities of each club.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So apart from a quick internet search to see who has signed who, and a brief look to see if any patterns have emerged in those mostly meaningless friendlies, much of my analysis is based on how clubs performed last season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fulham did remarkably well to finish sixth last term and despite them being joint third favourites for the title this season I believe they'll do very well to finish in the top six. The Cottagers' squad is largely the same and I just feel that they over-achieved last term. They have signed striker Aboubakar Kamara, and what I love about that is that he'll wear squad number 47 so that he can be known as AK47!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But we can't make a case for a bet based on that bit of trivia, though we can make a case for goals being scored if Fulham are anything like the team they were last season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Slavisa Jokanovic's men were among the great entertainers in the Championship last term with their matches averaging over three goals per game. They were involved in 142 goals during last season's 46 matches (85 scored, 57 conceded), the only club who were involved in more were Saturday's opponents Norwich with 154 goals (85 scored, 69 conceded). No guesses for where I'm going with this.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if, unlike me, you are interested in pre-season friendlies then Fulham's last five played all produced at least three goals, in fact 20 goals were scored at an average of exactly four per game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll speak more about the Canaries in future previews but right now I'm just interested in backing Over 2.5 Goals in this clash. Both of last season's meetings between these two sides produced exactly four goals per game, and the meeting before that ended 4-2 to Norwich.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.86 (best bet)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preston 3.00 v Sheffield Wednesday 2.70; The Draw 3.40</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I gave Sheffield Wednesday a favourable mention in my pre-season preview and I believe they are worth backing at Deepdale against a Preston side that lost boss Simon Grayson to Sunderland during the summer.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alex Neil is the new man in charge of Preston, and he's more than capable of carrying on the good work started by Grayson, but the club have done very little transfer business leading up to the new campaign and I just sense an on-form Owls side should be too good.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Declan Rudd has replaced Anders Lindegaard in goal for the Lancashire outfit, and right-back Darrell Fisher has come in from relegated Rotherham, but other than a few players from Cork City and a former Manchester United youth player it's hard to argue that Preston have actually strengthened their squad.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday finished fourth last term and they've added to their squad by bringing in the excellent George Boyd from Burnley. Jordan Rhodes has been signed permanently from Middlesbrough, and he has been one of the Championship's leading goalscorers for a number of years now. If Carlos Carvalhal can keep star man Fernando Forestieri focused and motivated than I strongly fancy the Owls to have a very good season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We'll get first evidence of just how good they are on Saturday, but on a weekend that is full of trappy fixture I'm willing to wager that they'll start their campaign with a victory.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back Sheff Wed to Win @ 2.70</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm1NZKw0cJSQnEJVirPfnd7ytA0EjpYjN7qiGeM7_xrzKtPgo2YVdi0R6nR_mG-sqMYTf6f6LzkeoKCxbxjgkZgttUe4GvhJnONwmBfVYuf-PdYP9ss5T34PWeKd2UE_XmhscSzO1IBw/s1600/fulham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm1NZKw0cJSQnEJVirPfnd7ytA0EjpYjN7qiGeM7_xrzKtPgo2YVdi0R6nR_mG-sqMYTf6f6LzkeoKCxbxjgkZgttUe4GvhJnONwmBfVYuf-PdYP9ss5T34PWeKd2UE_XmhscSzO1IBw/s640/fulham.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Saturday Championship Tipsheet: Goals to continue to flow at the Cottage

Wolves 2.66 v Middlesbrough 3.00; The Draw 3.30 It would be remiss of me not to start with arguably the biggest game of the opening weekend...

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FA Community Shield: Chelsea v Arsenal

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reigning EPL champions take on the current FA Cup holders in the traditional curtain raiser for the English football season. The pair have seen more than enough of one another in recent times and never disappoint. Both sides have made key signings in the summer and have done so in the same part of the field – up front.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Arsene Wenger has finally pulled out the cheque book and added Lacazette to help solve their recent woes up front. More importantly it seems as though Alexis Sanchez will remain for at least one more year. The decision not to sell him is likely to cost millions as the Chilean is in the final year of his contract and will be leaving on a free at seasons end. Injuries did play their part last year, as they always do with the Gunners, and getting the likes of Carzola and Ramsey back will feel like new players have been added to the squad.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Conte has been slightly more active than Wenger but not as much as one would expect for a side that will be playing a lot more football than they did a season ago. The signing of Neymar is also about to shake things up. Hazard has reportedly offered himself to Barca as a result and then there is the Diego Costa saga… It has now turned into a legal battle with Costa’s lawyer announcing that they will explore all legal avenues to secure his exit from Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile Matic has made his way to Old Trafford while Ake and Cuadrado have been sold to the clubs that they were loaned out to. The club has added one key figure in each area of the field with Rudiger to join the defensive line, Bakayoko to fill the hole in midfield and Morata to be the prime target up front.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These two are no strangers to one another and have been involved in some pivotal battles of late. In their first EPL meeting last season Arsenal thrashed the Blues 3-0 in what was the game that changed Chelsea’s season. Down 3-0 at half time Conte changed to a 3-4-3 in the second half and his side never looked back winning 13 straight league games to take a stranglehold of the league. Chelsea then got their revenge in the return fixture winning 3-1 in a dominant display. It wouldn’t end there with the Gunners scoring an upset win in the FA Cup final but in their preseason ICC encounter it was Chelsea that looked the goods in a comfortable 3-0 win.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Both sides have lost multiple matches in the preseason and against sides they were expected to beat. Chelsea have not won the Shield since 2009 while Arsenal have won 2 of the last 3. Arsenal have won 14 of 21 while Chelsea have a poor 4-7 record in their 11 Shield appearances. It makes the price on offer for Arsenal very attractive, especially with a wide open encounter predicted. There have been 3 or more goals in 6 of the last 8 with both teams scoring in 10 of the last 14. We could see a handful of goals!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Best: Over 2.5 goals ($1.66)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Value: Arsenal WIN ($3.40)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5vP11yqnCJajd4z9aGoMEziQv9BQ3PUQc367RA6ZosGtVs_WLP4xHO4zSRUEFLglnh3wiKJos3MIY25OQxtWsyOT1tCg_XILw8ADUoXUi62X4t03S3wKrUhnB572AozioWsvawXpHw8/s1600/arsenal-chelsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5vP11yqnCJajd4z9aGoMEziQv9BQ3PUQc367RA6ZosGtVs_WLP4xHO4zSRUEFLglnh3wiKJos3MIY25OQxtWsyOT1tCg_XILw8ADUoXUi62X4t03S3wKrUhnB572AozioWsvawXpHw8/s640/arsenal-chelsea.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

FA Community Shield: Chelsea v Arsenal

The reigning EPL champions take on the current FA Cup holders in the traditional curtain raiser for the English football season. The pair ha...

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Michael Ballack: Back Bayern to overcome new look Dortmund

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pre-season tours are stressful - but you have to get on with it</span><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A tour of America or Asia has become a regular part of pre-season training for some German clubs. Or to be more exact: it is a summer marketing tour for some German companies.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has been common practice in England a lot longer than in Germany, I know that from my time at Chelsea. It is just part of the business. That's why I can't understand the panic about the Bayern's losses to Inter and AC Milan.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These trips are really stressful, for players; the travel, the heat, the matches - there is very little time to relax and recuperate. It is mainly a marketing campaign and a huge task for the player. No manager is really happy about it, but this balancing act is part of the game. The club decides. You have to manage it. There is no option.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really appreciate that the traditional fans, those who have followed the game through it all, prefer the days when clubs were clubs and not businesses. It is important that clubs maintain a connection to these fans, but you can't stand still while the game changes around you. Adapting is an important part of the game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The real problem occurs when the clubs are struggling during their first games of the new season due to their toll the pre-season tour has taken on the players. Bayern can avoid these issues with the strength and depth of their squad but it is not so easy for the smaller teams.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From my experience, it is only during the last couple of days of a pre-season the players get back to full fitness for the season ahead. Once Bundesliga starts, preseason and last season do not matter. This is the one truth that every club knows.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Super Cup: Bayern can take advantage as Dortmund adapt to Bosz</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saturday, 19:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Live on BT Sport 1</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a game that football fans all over the world look forward to. The first meaningful game of the season and, for the fourth time in five years, it features Munich and Dortmund.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A win or a strong performance can help a team hit the ground running for the new season, but a Super Cup win does not guarantee a good season. I am really curious about both teams, how they will line up and approach the game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bayern have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far compared to the other big European teams. The question is: is their squad strong enough to be in the mix for the Champions League title?</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was impressed by Dortmund last year. Thomas Tuchel's departure was not down to their performances on the pitch, it happened due to issues behind the scenes.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The team must band together behind the new manager, Peter Bosz. How long will that take? Such a process needs time. There is always an adapting phase when a new manager is bringing in his new philosophy.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Bosz has shown how to play successful and attractive football at Ajax. I am curious about Dortmund as I think the appointment of Bosz and the quality in the squad will lead to an exciting season for them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is an important test on Saturday - for both teams - but with Dortmund finding their way at this stage of the season, I'll take Bayern on two-goal handicap at 15/2.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back Bayern Munich -2 v Borussia Dortmund at 15/2</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSn-WZNsKGw5awncv6XHbH9fS3lFN9Qd2xX5a3dKqwrLvdaRZgg3z1Y_EooB2vhOMqMTi8Bi1g26FNXmBH4DuBToNmwndltwtXaL7bFk0ff4F4bOkXPcIrljezyUbOR8K8XlPWQOgIM4/s1600/2017Apr07105159_624384216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSn-WZNsKGw5awncv6XHbH9fS3lFN9Qd2xX5a3dKqwrLvdaRZgg3z1Y_EooB2vhOMqMTi8Bi1g26FNXmBH4DuBToNmwndltwtXaL7bFk0ff4F4bOkXPcIrljezyUbOR8K8XlPWQOgIM4/s640/2017Apr07105159_624384216.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Michael Ballack: Back Bayern to overcome new look Dortmund

Pre-season tours are stressful - but you have to get on with it A tour of America or Asia has become a regular part of pre-season trainin...

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