US Open Tips: Day 6

Roberto Bautista-Agut v Juan Martin Del Potro<br /> <br /> This shapes as the match of the day and there will be nothing between. There was nothing between then in their two prior encounters (1 win a piece) and they will both grind away from the baseline in this one. 4 of the 7 sets they have contested have totalled 12 or more games and Wolfy cannot see either man winning in straight. Overs, Overs, Overs!<br /> <br /> Best: Over 39.5 games ($1.85)<br /> <br /> <br /> David Goffin v Gael Monfils<br /> <br /> They have played one another on three occasions and all three encounters have gone the distance. Both men are also coming off very tough 5 sets wins in their respective second round matches and neither have had a season to remember. With so many of the big names out of action this year Goffin and Monfils would have been two of the names at the top of the list to take advantage. They have failed to do so and The Wolf is expecting this encounter to reflect their seasons. It will be topsy turvy and we could see another 5 set thriller.<br /> <br /> Best: Both Players Win A Set – YES ($1.53)<br /> <br /> <br /> Rafael Nadal v Leonardo Mayer<br /> <br /> Nadal has a perfect 3-0 record against Mayer and has not dropped a set to him but if he plays as passive as he did in the first hour against Taro Daniel the Argentine could cause him some trouble. Mayer has been player super aggressive tennis as highlighted in his wins over Gasquet and Sugita. In his last match alone he thundered down 20 aces and blasted a total of 63 winners. With Nadal content to play deep behind the baseline Mayer will be allowed every opportunity to push the tempo and hit winners. Wolfy can see him taking at least one set.<br /> <br /> Best: Over 30.5 games ($1.80)<br /> <br /> <br /> Roger Federer v Feliciano Lopez<br /> <br /> He may refuse to admit it but there is no way that Federer is 100%. He looked down and out against Youzhny but somehow got through. He improved to 17-0 against Youzhny and has as dominant a record against Lopez. He is 12-0 against the Spaniard and has won 15 of the last 16 sets. The fact that Lopez cannot take control from the baseline should help Federer but with Youzhny breaking his serve on 4 occasions The Wolf can see this one going beyond three sets. Have to be on the Overs.<br /> <br /> Best: Over 35.5 games ($1.80)<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxDxkXzhz8IAwSnkvb7IKn9FjsCLfuHi3XAMuGzBE8FvOuSgFhRxcOtbvbGxOBSVLjob6u9uNn70wCh29-FXTbF1vcpZ6bHG3TWzaHJ71CBd-6Dd_E3IevLbpCs_J8N9OmrarVAMQg8k/s1600/2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="700" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxDxkXzhz8IAwSnkvb7IKn9FjsCLfuHi3XAMuGzBE8FvOuSgFhRxcOtbvbGxOBSVLjob6u9uNn70wCh29-FXTbF1vcpZ6bHG3TWzaHJ71CBd-6Dd_E3IevLbpCs_J8N9OmrarVAMQg8k/s640/2600.jpg" width="640" /></a>

US Open Tips: Day 6

Roberto Bautista-Agut v Juan Martin Del Potro This shapes as the match of the day and there will be nothing between. There was nothing bet...

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Saturday Sports Multiple: A Madrid draw the headline in a 9/1 weekend wager

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 1: Back Spain to draw with Italy at 3.40</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pick of this weekend's World Cup qualifiers takes place in Madrid, where Group G leaders Spain take on second-placed Italy. Only the group winners will earn an automatic World Cup spot, and with both teams facing straightforward remaining fixtures, this looks like Italy's last chance to take the initiative.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, defeat for either side would almost certainly condemn them to the play-offs, so I can't see them throwing caution to the wind here. As Jack Lang points out in his must-read Match Preview, it's also worth noting that each of the last five meetings between these sides has produced two goals or fewer. A tense, but mutually acceptable draw looks to be on the cards.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 2: Back Birmingham Bears to beat Glamorgan at 1.83</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glamorgan are not the most fashionable cricket county but they are an improving Twenty20 side and having reached the last eight of the Natwest Blast three times in the last four seasons, they earned their first trip to Finals Day since 2004 after a nine-wicket demolition of Leicestershire in the quarter-finals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But at their current odds, they don't look good value to overcome the Bears in Saturday's semi-final. Birmingham pulled off the performance of the last eight when chasing down a big Surrey score at the Oval, and with their New Zealand trio of Grant Elliott, Jeetan Patel and Colin de Grandhomme all in top form, they should be able to make home advantage count and reach the final.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 3: Back Manly to beat Penrith at 1.67</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penrith missed a big opportunity to secure their NRL play-off place against the Dragons last weekend and now face a crunch game against Manly.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Panthers have a good record at the business end of the regular season, having won their final game for the last four seasons in a row, but they could be up against it taking on a Manly side that also needs the win to clinch a top eight spot.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sea Eagles haven't been at their best in recent weeks, but their kicking game has often got them out of trouble, as it did against the Warriors last time. They will also be strengthened by the return of Curtis Sironen, while Penrith must do without key man Dylan Edwards. Back the home side to edge a tight one.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEoSxJ_b9V2ponGxN2OBxSZjQKFR5ILFmsSMy09IhTBpGJUqvr0uubpymRh5b3jfkmf37YMSEnxp2w-iYbTGnBDLBV38vCdnM4GXajBNL_hvsYZVqyHRziAtqrwjqj_pstdeKXXsgAbw/s1600/vitolo-italy-spain_uakfhfhek7p616u68ntigo431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEoSxJ_b9V2ponGxN2OBxSZjQKFR5ILFmsSMy09IhTBpGJUqvr0uubpymRh5b3jfkmf37YMSEnxp2w-iYbTGnBDLBV38vCdnM4GXajBNL_hvsYZVqyHRziAtqrwjqj_pstdeKXXsgAbw/s640/vitolo-italy-spain_uakfhfhek7p616u68ntigo431.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Saturday Sports Multiple: A Madrid draw the headline in a 9/1 weekend wager

Bet 1: Back Spain to draw with Italy at 3.40 The pick of this weekend's World Cup qualifiers takes place in Madrid, where Group G lead...

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Spain v Italy: Back electric Asensio to pierce Azzurri backline

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spain v Italy</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 19:45</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on ITV4</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home comforts key for Lopetegui's men</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spain already have one foot at Russia 2018, having cruised to five wins in their six Group G matches to date. But there's a lingering feeling of unfinished business as far as Italy go, meaning that Julen Lopetegui's side will be keen to put down a marker when the sides do battle at the Bernabéu on Saturday evening.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the Azzurri who put paid to Spain's hopes at Euro 2016 last summer, and more frustration followed for La Furia Roja when the sides met in Italy in October: Vitolo's strike looked to have put Spain on course for victory, only for Daniele De Rossi to level late on. They will be hoping a return to home soil helps them get the job this time: they haven't lost a competitive game in Spain since March 2013.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The squad has been lent a vintage sheen with the recall of David Villa, some three years after he last played for his country. He is one option to replace the absent Diego Costa, although Álvaro Morata is probably the more likely stand-in. Tucked in behind will be the usual battalion of pint-sized creators, with David Silva and Marco Asensio in especially good form in the opening weeks of the European season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Italy eyeing Madrid upset</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Few teams came into this week's World Cup qualifiers in better nick than Italy. The Azzurri have won seven of their last nine matches, with the other two results respectable draws against Spain and Germany. Confidence in the camp should be high, not least because they've racked up 16 goals in their last three games (albeit eight of those were scored by an experimental side against San Marino).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been fighting talk ahead of the match from the camp, with De Rossi insisting that Italy will be going for the win in Madrid. "There's nothing to lose against Spain but it's a final for us," the Roma stalwart said. "It's difficult to play for top spot. We're playing for a lot, as the play-offs are filled with pitfalls."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giampiero Ventura has been testing out a 3-4-1-2 formation in training ahead of this game, with Leonardo Bonucci reunited with former Juventus team-mates Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini at the back. Marco Verratti is expected to be given licence to roam behind a front two of Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile. That means that Lorenzo Insigne, who has made a flying start to the campaign with Napoli, will drop down to the bench.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value may lie with the draw</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given Spain's imperious home form, it's no huge surprise that they are 1.83 favourites to win at the Bernabéu. Yet given that their goal difference is four goals superior to that of Italy, plus the fact that their remaining fixtures are a shade kinder, a draw would not be a disastrous result by any means. The main priority may just be avoiding defeat.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being the case, the draw comes into our consideration at 3.50. Seven of the last 13 meetings between the sides have ended all-square at full-time, with most of those remaining games - the Euro 2012 final blowout being the obvious exception - being close affairs.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thriller may not be on the cards</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recent games between these sides have tended to go low in terms of goals: since that Euro 2012 showdown (Spain won 4-0 on that occasion), all five meetings have gone under 2.5 goals. With Italy likely to try to keep things tight, another attritional match could be on the cards, meaning the unders is the way to go, even at skinny odds of 1.59.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asensio can make capital gains</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No bets have jumped out as unmissable so far, but that changes when we arrive at the Anytime Goalscorer market on the Sportsbook: the 16/5 available on Asensio to notch on Saturday night looks too good to turn down.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 21-year-old has only made one start for Spain's senior team so far, but looks likely to get the nod off the back of his superb Real Madrid form and should feel right at home at the Bernabéu. He scored twice there against Valencia at the weekend and once in the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Marco Asensio to score at 16/5</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoPgu4A8xxBN5PyPCl0zTDTrNAeIy4RjCQsk4etEG5bj1_UTMcaWoER5PXk5kAMOY5RSgSlYQ4pcE-DJdh1i4R5yCoOdsuEjCrsDTM7RuxziqnoDxdAedYzNKs_-p4h3OI2viLpfUe3Y/s1600/2841014_big-lnd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoPgu4A8xxBN5PyPCl0zTDTrNAeIy4RjCQsk4etEG5bj1_UTMcaWoER5PXk5kAMOY5RSgSlYQ4pcE-DJdh1i4R5yCoOdsuEjCrsDTM7RuxziqnoDxdAedYzNKs_-p4h3OI2viLpfUe3Y/s640/2841014_big-lnd.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Spain v Italy: Back electric Asensio to pierce Azzurri backline

Spain v Italy Saturday, 19:45 Live on ITV4 Home comforts key for Lopetegui's men Spain already have one foot at Russia 2018, havin...

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Wales v Austria: Unwanted draw looks the value bet

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wales v Austria</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, 19:45</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live On Sky Sports</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time for unbeaten Wales to truly deliver</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wales are unbeaten in Group D but a series of draws have put them four points behind Serbia and Republic of Ireland.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris Coleman's team have only won one of their six games, drawing two of their home matches and all three of their away ties. They really should be leading this group, having been ahead in four of the five games that they've eventually drawn.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps the weight of expectation is proving difficult for the side to deal with, after they unexpectedly reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Where once Welsh fans feared the worst, they are now expecting their team to win matches. Allied to this pressure, they are also meeting sides that are now unlikely to underestimate them and will set up to avoid defeat.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coleman has a strong squad to choose from with no major injuries, but has also found room for six uncapped players. Among those looking for a debut are two players that are exceptionally young at this level - the 17-year old Liverpool forward Ben Woodburn and Chelsea's 16-year old defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austrians in equal need of points</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like Wales, Austria are also struggling with the post-Euros blues, but for very different reasons.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having looked one of the best teams in qualifying for Euro 2016 and fancied as a dark horse in the tournament, Austria failed to deliver on the big stage. They finished bottom of their group, behind Hungary, Iceland and the eventual winners, Portugal.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Austria have subsequently lost two of their World Cup qualifiers to the joint group leaders Serbia and Republic of Ireland. Like Wales, they have eight points, with an inferior goal difference.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marcel Koller's team are unbeaten in their four matches since losing those back-to-back fixtures, but have drawn three of them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to discount draw</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wales are the favourites at 2.30, with the draw at 3.25 and Austria out at 3.70.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering that Wales have drawn so many games in qualifying and Austria are also on a run of stalemates, it's difficult to look beyond the draw.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wales of course have the talent to win this in front of their passionate crowd, especially if the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey can rediscover the form from last summer. The Draw No Bet market is a decent option if you fancy a home win at 1.59.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visitors should find net</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.61, with overs available at 2.44.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Wales having seen less than three goals in each of their last four games and Austria doing likewise in their last five, it's no surprise to see under 2.5 goals rated as the favourite.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a little slim to recommend. Instead go for Both Teams To Score at 2.10. Austria have found the net in all but one of their World Cup qualifiers.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bale is in better form than you might think</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are constant rumours of Real Madrid cashing in on Bale in the press, but even if 2016-17 wasn't a vintage season for the Welsh superstar, he's still delivering on the international stage. Bale has scored four goals in the five qualifying games and is available at 2.10 to add to his tally.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back the draw at 3.25</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back both teams to score at 2.10</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Bale to score at 2.10</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99igoY9a9prKDfxT-PTLJYRTxXjwRqO8J_OhO5xttJvopJ6_Sqz2JTx6Oq30T6faoXKi7C0Np9TTILzhmbuFIjpxlIf053hfo-RXgvyM1OEAahXlAmB42c-iBt2T2c9lYjzblfFY10qs/s1600/promo300057773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99igoY9a9prKDfxT-PTLJYRTxXjwRqO8J_OhO5xttJvopJ6_Sqz2JTx6Oq30T6faoXKi7C0Np9TTILzhmbuFIjpxlIf053hfo-RXgvyM1OEAahXlAmB42c-iBt2T2c9lYjzblfFY10qs/s640/promo300057773.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Wales v Austria: Unwanted draw looks the value bet

Wales v Austria Saturday, 19:45 Live On Sky Sports Time for unbeaten Wales to truly deliver Wales are unbeaten in Group D but a series ...

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Georgia v Republic Of Ireland: Follow the trends and back another slim Irish win

<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Georgia v Republic Of Ireland</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday, 17:00</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In-play could be the way to back an Ireland win</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Followers of trends will not dither too long before reaching a verdict on Saturday's World Cup qualifier between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the two countries meet, Ireland always win. That's eight victories from eight games since the nations first met in 2003.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the fourth time they have clashed under Martin O'Neill's watch, as Georgia were also part of Ireland's Euro 2016 group. All three of the previous games were extremely close with individual moments of brilliance from Irish stars in the second half of each game delivering the three points, even if they didn't quite deserve them on the run of play.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aiden McGeady did the business three years ago in Tbilisi; Jon Walters unlocked the door a year later in the return game after a brilliant run from Jeff Hendrick. Last October, it was the now absent Seamus Coleman that forced Ireland across the line after Georgia had dominated long periods of the match in Dublin.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put simply, they have a body of evidence to support the theory that they really, really owe Ireland one. But there is something in the make-up of this Georgian side that prevents them from getting the results that their performances often deserve. Local observers offer the simple reason that they are short of a quality striker. Yet Ireland are not blessed with prolific front men either, but a feature of this World Cup campaign has been their spirited ability to get results from grim positions.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's why they are joint top of the group with four matches remaining. Georgia, by contrast, are second from bottom with three draws and three losses from six outings. After their near miss against Ireland, they did draw away to Wales to really affect the top seeds' chances of progression. But they could not follow it up at home to Moldova, with Saturday's hosts drawing both home and away against the one nation they would be expected to beat.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They can frustrate bigger and better teams, yet they frustrate their own supporters more than anybody. Two years ago, they did help Ireland out by tripping a complacent Scottish side up in Tbilisi. Ireland should not make the same mistakes as that overconfident Scottish bunch because they have struggled at this venue before and know the price of poor application. This is a banana skin they should have seen coming from miles away.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serbia are in Dublin for a crunch encounter but this fixture holds the key to the rest of Ireland's autumn. O'Neill is without Hendrick and long term absentee Coleman along with his Everton colleague James McCarthy. But Jon Walters has made good progress across the week and he has a strong experienced core that have performed when the heat is on. Georgia are down a few bodies and if Ireland are fully tuned in, they have the capability to escape with three points. At 1.79 it's worth a punt although they are likely to hit a longer price in-running if the previous meetings are an indicator of what's to come here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slim winning margin seems likely</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes the trends do matter. Ireland rarely do things the easy way. Two of their three wins in this group have been secured by a single goal margin and they needed a late flurry to beat Moldova 3-1. Georgia aren't the most potent force in the world so if Ireland get ahead, chances are they will just try to efficiently close out the game rather than go for the jugular. In the Georgia +1/Ireland -1 market, the Handicap Draw appeals at 2.82</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Draw/Ireland could be the best big-priced option</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the Half Time/Full Time market this is the other option to the main selection if this match is a slow burn and parity is retained until the interval. Georgia have found it hard to put in consistent 90 minute performances. They actually led at home to Serbia at this ground before losing the match. O'Neill feels that his group are in good physical shape for this stage of their campaign so this could be a longer priced solution to staking a win bet at reasonable odds.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recommended Bets </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Draw/Ireland Half-Time/Full-Time @ 4.60</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ireland win @ 1.79</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwns0mWYdz8C7ZRg85PzrlyRKJH4TN89zCB-lUfxm6pgs11CzFdgWqwqZqdBbp0qnXaYoLeJc2IBeTnGIpu4TsPaSy8SomGiBbOFaVllS1403UtuG57eFPLbhf1u_PY_p8uQIgcoVofhk/s1600/000cf8a8-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwns0mWYdz8C7ZRg85PzrlyRKJH4TN89zCB-lUfxm6pgs11CzFdgWqwqZqdBbp0qnXaYoLeJc2IBeTnGIpu4TsPaSy8SomGiBbOFaVllS1403UtuG57eFPLbhf1u_PY_p8uQIgcoVofhk/s640/000cf8a8-800.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Georgia v Republic Of Ireland: Follow the trends and back another slim Irish win

Georgia v Republic Of Ireland Saturday, 17:00 Live on Sky Sports In-play could be the way to back an Ireland win Followers of trends wi...

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The Daily Acca: Germans to concede in the Czech Republic

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 1: Back BTTS in Denmark v Poland @ 8/11 - KO 19:45 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a Group E Qualifier between Denmark who are third and Poland who are six points clear at the top.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Poles have played six, won five and drawn one. They have scored 15 goals thus far, but with seven conceded at the other end, only two of the other half dozen teams have a worse defensive record.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denmark are level on points with Montenegro and it appears likely that those two will be fighting it out for the runners-up spot and a possible Play-off place.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Åge Hareide's hosts won 3-1 at Kazakhstan when they were last in action and prior to that they drew 1-1 with Germany in a friendly. Both teams to score has landed in four of their last five outings and the same can be said for eight of Poland's last nine.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 2: Back BTTS in Czech Republic v Germany @ 1/1 - KO 19:45 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Group C now for another both teams to score bet as I feel that it is overpriced at even money for the fixture between Czech Republic and Germany.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Germans are top of the group having taken maximum points from their six matches to date. They have netted a whopping 27 goals during that period and conceded just one at the other end.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That kind of stat would make you think that both teams to score isn't too likely this evening, but this is arguably Germany's trickiest game to date and away from qualifying, they haven't been keeping too many clean sheets.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Czechs are in desperate need of points if they are to challenge Northern Ireland for second place and they have to throw a bit of caution to the wind this evening. That should lead to an attacking game with plenty of goals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet 3: Back Under 3.5 Goals in Malta v England @ 4/5 - KO 19:45 BST</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Into Group F now for Malta versus England and while the markets are predicting a comfortable away win, I'm not convinced that it will be by a wide margin.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is very rare that England score more than three goals in a game, even against so called minnows. The reverse fixture at Wembley only finished 2-0 and they only beat San Marino 5-0 when they faced them in 2014.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">England's main goalscoring hope, Harry Kane, is yet to open his Premier League account this term and Malta have conceded more than three on just two occasions since October 2013.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gareth Southgate's men will be sent out to do a professional job and get the three points, but there will certainly be no instruction to try and rack up a huge score.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Acca</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back BTTS in Denmark v Poland @ 8/11</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back BTTS in Czech Republic v Germany @ 1/1</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Under 3.5 Goals in Malta v England @ 4/5</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLWV3sCB_1jH5goDPuaXD-yWFoKRXUcbWEdt7S560xB_FjwPaa_APyYm6CE6HbxYjfsqz_mTZ_MUDJMZAWY7c9JJHhoQAkiOxUV2rA15_oQJg2dlu_N4cyM0zHzEOOh4MeGrIEXiPv-0/s1600/1434698423-110612_the-thao_loew_dan-viet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="594" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLWV3sCB_1jH5goDPuaXD-yWFoKRXUcbWEdt7S560xB_FjwPaa_APyYm6CE6HbxYjfsqz_mTZ_MUDJMZAWY7c9JJHhoQAkiOxUV2rA15_oQJg2dlu_N4cyM0zHzEOOh4MeGrIEXiPv-0/s640/1434698423-110612_the-thao_loew_dan-viet.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

The Daily Acca: Germans to concede in the Czech Republic

Bet 1: Back BTTS in Denmark v Poland @ 8/11 - KO 19:45 BST This is a Group E Qualifier between Denmark who are third and Poland who are six...

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Football Bet of the Day: Expect another blank for Czechs

<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;">Czech Republic v Germany</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Friday September 01, 19:45</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">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;">The football romantic in me is sad that the Netherlands are struggling so badly at the moment, but the hard-headed tipster in me is delighted. The Dutch were hammered 4-0 by France in Paris <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;">last night,</span></span> a result which comfortably covered our <span style="font-weight: 600;">Asian Handicap</span> bet.</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;">We're staying with the World Cup qualifiers, and heading across to the Czech Republic. The Czechs are facing <span style="font-weight: 600;">stiff competition</span> in their bid to reach next year's World Cup finals, and frankly the last thing they need is to take on runaway group leaders Germany.</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;">Jogi Loew's side are in a <span style="font-weight: 600;">comfortable position,</span> and know they are closing in on their ticket to Russia. They are unbeaten in the group, and have conceded just one goal in their six qualifiers. Given that Germany won the summer's Confederations Cup with a much-changed squad, and won the U21 Euros as well, it's fair to say German football is still on a high.</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;">Conversely, the Czechs have won just two of their six qualifiers, and one of those victories was against group whipping-boys San Marino. They are four points adrift of Northern Ireland, and can't afford many more slip-ups. They have <span style="font-weight: 600;">drawn a blank</span> in three of their six games in the group, including two of their three home qualifiers.</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;">Given the Czechs' struggles in front of goal, and Germany's miserly defending, I'll go for No in the Both Teams To Score market 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="10/11"><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;">1.90</span></span>. That way, even if the Czechs draw 0-0 (just as they did at home to Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland), we still land a winner.</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;">Recommended Bet</span><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;">Back No in the Both Teams To Score market 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; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="10/11">1.90</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 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="10/11"><br /></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR85fh3QIx67kX1jKibDp-QjY2Gv70Xt7o0UBBIft_KdwHhOdjrc5TvaOG1lkps8a8iR77vr413XcZKVmxRUqKLP7kCUP4K2dAcd30VQ1tZAWxmrsrjR4XAjQqhcw7ERFKgXkofwcl6JU/s1600/csm_120047-GettyImages-613390154_95e8654ee7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1360" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR85fh3QIx67kX1jKibDp-QjY2Gv70Xt7o0UBBIft_KdwHhOdjrc5TvaOG1lkps8a8iR77vr413XcZKVmxRUqKLP7kCUP4K2dAcd30VQ1tZAWxmrsrjR4XAjQqhcw7ERFKgXkofwcl6JU/s640/csm_120047-GettyImages-613390154_95e8654ee7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Football Bet of the Day: Expect another blank for Czechs

Czech Republic v Germany Friday September 01, 19:45 Live on Sky Sports The football romantic in me is sad that the Netherlands are strugg...

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San Marino v Northern Ireland: Bet high on goals, cards and corners

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Marino v Northern Ireland</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 1 September, 19:45</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Mix</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lambs to the slaughter</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Marino have lost their six matches in Group C by an aggregate of 30 goals to one, including a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in Belfast last October. According to the Fifa rankings, Gibraltar are the only worse team in Europe.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visitors in solid second place</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northern Ireland have built on last summer's Euro Championships appearance with another impressive qualifying campaign under Michael O'Neill. Their only dropped points have been away to their strongest opponents - Czech Republic (0-0) and Germany (2-0) - and group leaders Germany are the only side to have scored against them.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the Czech Republic at home to Germany on the same night, three points for Northern Ireland here would consolidate their hold on second place before their home clash with the Czechs (currently third) on Monday night.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A question of how many</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anything other than a Northern Ireland win is unthinkable, with San Marino having taken just a solitary point from 51 qualifiers in the past decade (that was a home 0-0 against Estonia three years ago).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's more a question of what shape an away win will take and one of the options to consider is Northern Ireland to win by a margin of four-plus goals or to win off -3.5 on the Asian handicap, which amounts to the same bet.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sixty per cent of San Marino's defeats in qualifiers in the past decade have been by four goals or more and it is notable that only three teams who failed to beat them by that distance went on to qualify for the finals tournament.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northern Ireland are in a good position in Group C, though admittedly still a long way from qualification, and may have the class nowadays to win by a big margin, as they did in the reverse fixture.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The caveat is that the score was only 1-0 before the 79th minute in that match even though San Marino had been playing with 10 men for half an hour by then.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should also be noted that Northern Ireland's biggest away win under O'Neill was 3-1 in the Faroe Islands (and that was 1-1 until the home side went down to 10 men midway through the second half).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 3.5 goals worth considering</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northern Ireland have a good chance of stepping up to over 3.5 goals at 1.80 against such weak opponents, although only four of their 10 wins in this qualifying campaign and the last one (where their improvement really kicked in) have gone that high.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bet on late goals</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goals-related bet that appeals most is for the second half to have more goals than the first. As noted already, that happened in the reverse fixture against San Marino and against the Faroes a couple of years ago. On both occasions Northern Ireland were slow to get going and did not open a big margin until they had a one-man advantage in the second half.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Marino nearly always concede in the last quarter of their matches as they begin to tire, with almost 40% of their goals conceded coming in that period in the last two qualifying campaigns.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combination Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betfair Sportsbook have an interesting bet that combines Over 2.5 Goals, Over 2.5 Cards and Over 8.5 Corners at 7/4. We know the goals is likely to come off, and so is the corners as San Marino's last eight qualifiers have had nine or more.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Marino's disciplinary record is poor too, with at least three cards in five of their six matches in this campaign, so that does not look a bad bet at all.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Over 2.5 Goals, Over 2.5 Cards and Over 8.5 Corners at 7/4 with Betfair Sportsbook</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZNfg1Re5T6smpbIazeaDJ68vnJjlfmy03DU4cukxf1oBivkhKmZ2RK6F56ZNo6JcIuoG8-4lKknlSAOxLFB8NGJr6Q5RhhfmQHGxr5u00Z4Xa6hrJJPVTxQCeFTZx4TelNZoNMIHoEQ/s1600/steven-davis-northern-ireland-v-san-marino-081016_tp5nnkk4r74d141cagaikndxb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="620" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZNfg1Re5T6smpbIazeaDJ68vnJjlfmy03DU4cukxf1oBivkhKmZ2RK6F56ZNo6JcIuoG8-4lKknlSAOxLFB8NGJr6Q5RhhfmQHGxr5u00Z4Xa6hrJJPVTxQCeFTZx4TelNZoNMIHoEQ/s640/steven-davis-northern-ireland-v-san-marino-081016_tp5nnkk4r74d141cagaikndxb.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

San Marino v Northern Ireland: Bet high on goals, cards and corners

San Marino v Northern Ireland Friday 1 September, 19:45 Live on Sky Sports Mix Lambs to the slaughter San Marino have lost their six m...

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US Open Tips: Day 5

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Federer was pushed to 5 sets for the second consecutive match while Dimitrov was not so lucky – going down in straight sets. With few of the favourites being able to dominate the door is open for someone to go on an unlikely run. Will we have a first time winner…</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bottom half of the draw is the most open we have seen in decades! Cilic is the only man to have won a slam and the only player to have made a major final. Furthermore, Querrey is the only other man in this half to have made a semi final at a slam and that came at Wimbledon this year. The Wolf’s long-shot John Inser is still in the draw and will be hoping for fast conditions over the next week.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now to the serious stuff… The Wolf is rolling out all 5 chips on Coric +3.5 ($1.85) and Over 40.5 games ($1.85) in the Zverev/Isner clash.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 5: Feature Previews</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diego Schwartzman v Marin Cilic</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As mentioned Cilic is the only major champion in this half of the draw and he continues to firm in the winner market. The Wolf says there is a lot of tennis to be played and with so many big servers in this section the upsets could continue. Schwartzman is more than capable of causing an upset here and The Wolf wants to draw our attention to several key stats. Cilic faces a very different opponent to Mayer in his previous match. Mayer posed no threat from the baseline and failed to take advantage of any opportunities. He will not be afforded the same luxury against Schwartzman who has generated 14 breaks of serve through two matches! They are phenomenal numbers and Wolfy says we should not be surprised. The Argentine ranks second on the tour for return games won over the last year at 34.5%. Cilic will not have it all his own way in this one.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best: Schwartzman +5.5 ($1.80)</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin Anderson v Borna Coric</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Backing up from a big win is never easy but The Wolf cannot ignore the performance or Coric when under pressure. He is 4-0 in breakers this week which looks surprising on paper when you consider his opponents to date (Zverev and Vesely) had much bigger serves. As we saw against Zverev the Croatian can handle the ball coming at him at 220km per hour. Anderson may be 2-0 in the H2H but both meetings came two year ago when Coric was still 18 years of age. Look for the Coric inside out forehand to play a huge role in this match. He will look to attack the Anderson backhand and it will draw both errors and short balkls that will be dispatched accordingly. The +3.5 is a 5 chipper!!!</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best: Coric +3.5 ($1.85)</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denis Shapovalov v Kyle Edmund</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wolf stood and applauded the performance of Shapovalov against Tsonga. He was adamant that the stage and opponent would be too tough a task for the teenager but his aggressive brand of tennis has a tendency to rattle opponents. He also has great court craft for such a young player. He looks to attack with the forehand and moves forward at every opportunity. Edmund delivered in spades as our 5 chipper against Johnson but he faces a very different opponent in this one. The pair have met twice already this year. Edmund was victorious in their Davis Cup clash after Shapovalov was famously defaulted for hitting the empire with a ball. He was down two sets and a break and has definitely come a long way. He beat Edmund in Queen’s in three very tight sets and we could be in for the long haul when they meet for a third time. This one could be going the distance.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best: Over 40.5 games ($1.85)</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mischa Zverev v John Isner</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just hoe much will Zverev have left in the tank… He is coming off back to back 5 set wins while Isner is as fresh as a daisy. There is a positive for the German – this will not be a match where a lot of energy will exerted. Going off their previous meetings and their serve/volley styles we will be lucky to see a 9+ shot rally. The H2H reads 2-2 and all 4 clashes have been close to say the least. Half of the 12 sets contested have gone the distance (breaker or longer) including the 5th set at the Aus Open this year. It is the most accurate encounter to go by and one that Zverev won 6-7(4) 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(7) 9-7. Strap in folks. We could see 5 tiebreakers.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best: Over 40.5 games ($1.85)</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiWtGCAjug8qTwSSWNcA914tIbCv7TgCLvxOi90TAJV0qoLdC2LVlb64ZGBxOsIGfKQSFhwuyElI0mnFktYmmnTjgNLed0rTwstUa3CMh4LS4YSYjY8kzwL737FfTgmzTa2BxbbMx09c/s1600/2155169-45060790-2560-1440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1050" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiWtGCAjug8qTwSSWNcA914tIbCv7TgCLvxOi90TAJV0qoLdC2LVlb64ZGBxOsIGfKQSFhwuyElI0mnFktYmmnTjgNLed0rTwstUa3CMh4LS4YSYjY8kzwL737FfTgmzTa2BxbbMx09c/s640/2155169-45060790-2560-1440.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

US Open Tips: Day 5

Federer was pushed to 5 sets for the second consecutive match while Dimitrov was not so lucky – going down in straight sets. With few of the...

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Mike Holden on the Football League: Go to war with Pennock's battlers

<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;">Gillingham v Shrewsbury</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Saturday, 15:00</span><br /><br />Gillingham bagged their first goals of the League One campaign in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Southend last weekend - potentially turning a significant corner in the process - and they look decent value to bring high-flying Shrewsbury back down to earth. Take the <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;">3.00</span></span> available on the home win. It's a price that <span style="font-weight: 600;">most would have hoovered up</span> without hesitation a month ago.<br /><br />It's no secret that the Kent club have downsized over the summer, due to an ongoing court case with former caterers. Core players like Bradley Dack and Cody McDonald have been allowed to leave, making way for <span style="font-weight: 600;">cheaper alternatives</span>, and a long battle against relegation over the next nine months is to be expected. But that shouldn't detract from their ability to beat a side operating on similar resources.<br /><br />After several months of bitter conflict behind the scenes - much of which you suspect has been instigated by <span style="font-weight: 600;">Adrian Pennock</span> at the behest of chairman Paul Scally - the mood in the dressing room appears to have finally shifted in the manager's favour. Pennock now readily talks about a siege mentality and having a squad he would be happy to "go to war with".<br /><br />It was a sentiment perhaps best summed up by summer signing <span style="font-weight: 600;">Tom Eaves</span>. The six-foot-five striker was jeered by his own fans in the first half against Southend, after misplacing a succession of passes, but he responded with a hat-trick and could go from strength to strength in a new 4-4-2 formation, which provided the extra width that led to his first two goals.<br /><br />Shrewsbury will obviously arrive in confident mood, sitting pretty in third position with 10 points from the first available 12. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Paul Hurst</span> has heaped praise on his players for their remarkable efforts up to this point, but is under no illusions about the nature of regression to the mean and a downturn might only be a matter of time.<br /><br />Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Oxford last weekend, he said: "It's extremely unusual, I have to say, to have had the level of performance we've had over the first five (league and cup) games. All the time, you tick them off and you're waiting for the next one thinking 'there's going to be a dip'. At the minute there hasn't been one."<br /><br />The prices for this game are purely a reaction to the respective standards set by the two teams over the course of August but it often pays to keep a level head and <span style="font-weight: 600;">take a long-term view</span> when assessing games in early September. Shrewsbury might have the better long-term prospects but over the course of 90 minutes at Priestfield, Gillingham ought to be slight favourites.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bet</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; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1pt Gillingham to beat Shrewsbury @</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="2/1">3.00</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;"><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;">Oldham v Charlton</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Saturday, 15:00</span><br /><br />Charlton delivered what many were calling a real statement of intent at Rotherham last weekend, overcoming a sickness bug to outplay their hosts and bag a comfortable 2-0 win. But those familiar with <span style="font-weight: 600;">Karl Robinson</span> will be aware that famine can often follow feast, especially in the most inhospitable surroundings, and winless Oldham are worth chancing 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="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> here.<br /><br />It's been a thoroughly miserable start to the season for the Latics but a nadir might have been reached at Blackpool when they conceded twice in the opening 15 minutes, prompting <span style="font-weight: 600;">angry scenes</span> among their sizeable away following that included chants of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' and one supporter coming on to the pitch to berate the players.<br /><br />It was all very unsavoury but could actually serve a purpose for <span style="font-weight: 600;">John Sheridan</span>, who was less inclined to blame the players himself in the midst of an injury crisis and various other mitigating circumstances that have made life tough of late. Indeed, his decision to name only three subs at Bloomfield Road was a clear message to the board ahead of the transfer deadline.<br /><br />Playmaker <span style="font-weight: 600;">Jack Byrne </span>has now arrived on loan from Wigan, joining Haiti international keeper Johnny Placide from Guingamp, while Sheridan is also hopeful of getting at least couple of his nine crocked players back, which could make the Lancashire club an altogether different proposition seven days on.<br /><br />If they retain the intensity shown in the second half at Bloomfield Road, when they stopped feeling sorry for themselves and pulled a goal back to go down 2-1, then they might return to the standards they were setting at the back-end of last season when keeping <span style="font-weight: 600;">10 clean sheets</span> in the final 22 games, and taking 29 points from 11 games in which they scored the first goal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bet</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; font-weight: 600; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1pt Oldham to beat Charlton @ </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; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="3/1">4.00</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 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="3/1"><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/AVvXsEgaMD4ktu2nm-lgnCtElewo_ETsLKUrWRDvgcZmSbQKR5XJzxR1MAvvGqJda9we46UUvGKsjfiAsjayaa_PmCt0tl9fE1r4w9W6iVv8TOR4YSqDTkqONgOCEVG-7z4nIt6ecie19ddbI4s/s1600/mk-dons-karl-robinson_3815297.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/AVvXsEgaMD4ktu2nm-lgnCtElewo_ETsLKUrWRDvgcZmSbQKR5XJzxR1MAvvGqJda9we46UUvGKsjfiAsjayaa_PmCt0tl9fE1r4w9W6iVv8TOR4YSqDTkqONgOCEVG-7z4nIt6ecie19ddbI4s/s640/mk-dons-karl-robinson_3815297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Mike Holden on the Football League: Go to war with Pennock's battlers

Gillingham v Shrewsbury Saturday, 15:00 Gillingham bagged their first goals of the League One campaign in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Southen...

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NRL Preview: Dragons v Bulldogs

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">NRL Preview</strong><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Sunday, September 3, 4pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium, Sydney</strong></span><br /> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong> <figure style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="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 Dragons can force their way into the Top 8 with a win over the Bulldogs, but must overcome an awful recent record against the men from Belmore. Josh Dugan has been recalled to the side after he was dropped for missing the team bus to Penrith last week. For the Bulldogs, Chase Stanley replaces the injured Brett Morris, while Josh Reynolds has been named on an extended bench in a late push to play his final match for the Bulldogs before moving to the Wests Tigers next season.</span></div> <div style="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;">History</strong>The Bulldogs have won five straight and 10 of the last 11 against the Dragons, including a 16-2 victory in Round 14 this season.</span></div> <div style="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 George Illawarra are ninth on the ladder with a 12-11 record but a win over Canterbury will lift them into the Top 8 if Penrith-Manly does not finish in a draw. The Saints have won just four of their last 11 and have not won consecutive games since Round 13. They enter this off a 16-14 win at Penrith. Canterbury are out of the hunt with a 9-14 record but have won consecutive games against Manly and Gold Coast, posting their two highest scores of the year. Both wins have been double digit victories. Canterbury have won just two of their last nine at ANZ.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></strong></span></div> </figure><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;">Stats That Matter</strong>– St George Illawarra are 13-10 ATS with a 13-10 under record while Canterbury are 11-12 ATS with a 17-6 under 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;">– Canterbury have won five straight and 10 of the last 11 against the Dragons.</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;">– Three of the last four matches have tallied 23 points 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;">– The Bulldogs are 28-27 ATS at ANZ with a 31-24 under record while the Dragons are 7-10 ATS with a 10-7 under 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;">– The Bulldogs are 9-3 ATS getting a start of 6.5 or more at the ground while the Dragons are 3-9 ATS as a favourite of more than 6.5.</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;">– The Bulldogs are 20-9 under after scoring 24 or more 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;">– Canterbury are 12-6 ATS in day games at ANZ while St George Illawarra are 4-7 ATS.</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;">Final Thoughts</strong>The Dragons have too much on the line to lose, but the Bulldogs would love nothing better than costing their old rivals a finals spot and will make them earn it across the 80 minutes. The Dragons were able to grind out a good win over the Panthers last week and will need a repeat effort here. If Josh Reynolds is named in the final 17, the Bulldogs will be doing everything in their power to farewell one of their favourite sons in style. The Dogs with +8 looks a great bet in what should be a low-scoring and heated affair.</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>St George Illawarra by 4</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 Bet<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Canterbury +8 ($1.91)</span></span></strong></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"></strong></span><br /> <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;">Other Recommended Bets<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Under 41.5 ($1.88)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9tjjMT7QDX81Znzoxu5CN5osaknN2K15snKexpmWsB5EfAPkV_VI8BU2fn_nY7bdcJV6sHfyzgUbEKvzweooXsfrUn0Po1dcEtdPzxQABAgRHAuTpM_qDzwflDomlWtDWt6NnBA-j60/s1600/r0_170_4488_2693_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9tjjMT7QDX81Znzoxu5CN5osaknN2K15snKexpmWsB5EfAPkV_VI8BU2fn_nY7bdcJV6sHfyzgUbEKvzweooXsfrUn0Po1dcEtdPzxQABAgRHAuTpM_qDzwflDomlWtDWt6NnBA-j60/s640/r0_170_4488_2693_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

NRL Preview: Dragons v Bulldogs

NRL Preview St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs Sunday, September 3, 4pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium, Sydney The Dragons can forc...

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NRL Preview: Tigers v Warriors

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">NRL Preview</strong><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Sunday, September 3, 6:30pm (AEST) at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney</strong></span><br /> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong> <figure style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="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 Warriors will be looking to finish their disappointing seasons on a good note at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night. The Tigers have had a disruptive season, with the sacking of Jason Taylor and the contract sagas surrounding Mitchell Moses, James Tedesco and Aaron Woods. Ivan Cleary has made a big difference to the club and the signs look brighter for 2018. Meanwhile, the Warriors are once again the perennial underachievers of the NRL and it’s hard to know where they go from here. They should be doing much better, with the roster they have assembled. Shaun Johnson has been named for the Warriors after making his comeback from a knee injury against the Sea Eagles last week. There have been reports that he hasn’t trained during the week, so it’s worth keeping an eye on late team news. Former Warrior Tuimoala Lolohea will be determined for a big match in front of his former coach Stephen Kearney and remind him of what he let go. The Tigers will be missing Matt McIlwrick and Michael Chee-Kam through suspension, while both Luke Brooks and Elijah Taylor have been named, but could be late withdrawals.</span></div> <div style="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;">History</strong>The Tigers have won three straight against the Warriors and did the double over the Auckland-based side in 2016.  The teams have played five straight matches that have topped 40 points.</span></div> <div style="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>Wests Tigers sit second last on the ladder with a 6-17 record. They enter this off back-to-back losses against Top 8 teams. They have not conceded more than 28 points in their last 10, a reasonable effort for a team that did so four times in the first 14 rounds. New Zealand have dropped eight straight games and have fallen to 13<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">th</sup> on the ladder. They have conceded at least 22 points in all eight of those. They enter this off a 22-21 golden point home loss to Manly. They have not won away from Mt Smart this year.</span></div> <div style="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;">Stats That Matter</strong>– Wests Tigers are 12-11 ATS with a 16-7 under record while New Zealand are 8-15 ATS with a 13-10 over record.</span></div> <div style="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 have won three straight against the Warriors and have posted at least 34 points in each of them.</span></div> <div style="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 teams have played five straight matches that have topped 40 points.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– New Zealand are 10-31 ATS in the final six rounds of the year since 2012.</span></div> <div style="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 Warriors are 21-35 ATS away from Mt Smart since 2014 while they have covered just 3 of their last 13.</span></div> <div style="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 Warriors have covered just 3 of their last 16 night games while the Tigers have covered 11 of their last 16 night games.</span></div> <div style="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 have covered 6 of their last 8 at Leichhardt.</span></div> <div style="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;">Final Thoughts</strong>This is a match that could be dictated by whether the halfbacks play for their respective sides. Luke Brooks has been named to return from a hamstring injury, while Shaun Johnson has also been named in his second match back from a knee injury. The Wolf recommends keeping an eye on team news as it wouldn’t surprise him if either player pulls out before game day. The Tigers are building nicely towards 2018 and will want to leave their Leichhardt fortress on a good note. The Warriors simply can’t be trusted away from Mt Smart.</span></div> <div style="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>Wests by 6</span></div> <div style="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 Bet<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Wests 1-12 ($3.10)</span></span></strong></div> </figure><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"></strong></span><br /> <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;">Other Recommended Bets<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Over 44.5 ($1.88)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTepexNlcizDwjXWi0zk45swoNWJGruYswKjLua6w6oLRKhI9OR88WvhXBwdNS021KUc5dPf-KfIauy-iVFRjT0oopLJus3aDqXHKVX8TNhiJgPK4N2Q8ZU9z8jHf_jLMKoMeAovh6kZQ/s1600/15c93e5b1b213477e6487cdb5e6b0e68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTepexNlcizDwjXWi0zk45swoNWJGruYswKjLua6w6oLRKhI9OR88WvhXBwdNS021KUc5dPf-KfIauy-iVFRjT0oopLJus3aDqXHKVX8TNhiJgPK4N2Q8ZU9z8jHf_jLMKoMeAovh6kZQ/s640/15c93e5b1b213477e6487cdb5e6b0e68.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

NRL Preview: Tigers v Warriors

NRL Preview Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors Sunday, September 3, 6:30pm (AEST) at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney The Tigers and Warriors wil...

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NRL Preview: Knights v Sharks

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">NRL Preview</strong><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Sunday, September 3, 2pm (AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle</strong></span><br /> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong> <figure style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="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 Sharks will know their fate when they run out onto McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. A Top 4 spot will be up for grabs if the Eels lose, while the outcome of the Sea Eagles and Panthers could decide if they need to win to finish in 5th spot. Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will be desperate to take a win into the finals, especially with one win in their last four games. The Knights look like they have wrapped up the wooden spoon for another year, but will look to finish their season on a winning note on Old Boys Day. Daniel Saifiti is out for the Knights, while Jack Bird has been named on an extended bench for the Sharks.</span></div> <div style="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;">History</strong>The Sharks have won five straight against the Knights including a 19-18 win in Round 5 this year.</span></div> <div style="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>Newcastle have all but claimed a third straight wooden spoon with a 5-18 record. They have lost their last two games, conceding at least 44 in both. The Knights have scored 26-plus in three of their last four. Cronulla are fifth on the ladder with a 14-9 record and will know heading into the game if a win will elevate them into the Top 4 (they need Parramatta to lose). The Sharks have won just one of their last four games and enter this off a 16-14 home loss to the Sydney Roosters. Cronulla are 9-2 on the road this year.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></strong></span></div> </figure><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;">Stats That Matter</strong>– Newcastle are 11-12 ATS with a 13-10 under record while Cronulla are 9-14 ATS with a 12-11 under number.</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;">– The Sharks have won five straight against the Knights including a 19-18 win in Round 5 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;">– Cronulla won the last meeting in Newcastle 62-0.</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;">– The Knights have failed to cover their last three as a double digit home underdog after conceding 40 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;">– The Sharks have covered 9 of their last 13 road games.</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;">– Cronulla are 13-5 over as a road favourite.</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;">Final Thoughts</strong>The Sharks need to make a statement before the finals start as they attempt to defend their title. The Knights will look to lift on Old Boys Day, but the Sharks look to have too much fire power across the park. The addition of Jack Bird would also be a big bonus. Wolfy says to back the Sharks 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;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>Cronulla by 16</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 Bet<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Cronulla 13+ ($2.15)</span></span></strong></div> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></strong><br /> <div class="su-table" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other Recommended Bets<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial;">Over 45.5 ($1.88)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC6_sfQMgubrMupbKpoMR43neM7FoaYkXz4PAVTX8ivHfmUr3qn8vQSDUMz2edEkbc1NSCMc7hSYXjG3Ki1V18Dv58GcgGMfSLyLfz1MsPdlRsrlMAROhap11AcUo2JRJjPLawE5gStc/s1600/2017Sep01065256_662405332.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/AVvXsEhbC6_sfQMgubrMupbKpoMR43neM7FoaYkXz4PAVTX8ivHfmUr3qn8vQSDUMz2edEkbc1NSCMc7hSYXjG3Ki1V18Dv58GcgGMfSLyLfz1MsPdlRsrlMAROhap11AcUo2JRJjPLawE5gStc/s640/2017Sep01065256_662405332.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

NRL Preview: Knights v Sharks

NRL Preview Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks Sunday, September 3, 2pm (AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle The Sharks will know...

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Football Bet of the Day: France to advance with Netherlands win

<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;">France v Netherlands</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Thursday 31 August, 19:45</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Live in 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;">A bad choice in Badalona <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;">last night,</span></span> as our selection Elche won their Copa del Rey tie, but only after a penalty shootout. The 2-2 draw that preceded it was no good to us, and we move on.</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;">A bit of World Cup glamour awaits us this evening, as France take on the Netherlands in Paris. A late error from Spurs keeper <span style="font-weight: 600;">Hugo Lloris</span> gifted Sweden a late winner against Les Bleus in the last set of qualifiers, and now the Swedes are level on points with Didier Deschamps' side, with the Dutch three points behind.</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;">Having missed out on qualifying for EURO 2016, the Dutch are once again in serious danger of failing to qualify for a major tournament. Coach Danny Blind paid the price for a series of poor results, and his replacement <span style="font-weight: 600;">Dick Advocaat</span> has taken the helm for the third time. He has led his side to a 5-0 WCQ win over Luxembourg, and comprehensive friendly wins over Morocco and Ivory Coast.</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;">However, this is the first big test for the Oranje since Advocaat took charge, and there are big concerns over the team's defensive capabilities. They have kept just one clean sheet in qualifying, and tonight they'll be without Virgil van Dijk, Jeffrey Bruma and Rick Karsdorp. Veteran <span style="font-weight: 600;">Robin van Persie</span> has been restored to the squad, but it would be a surprise if he started.</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 French have a frightening array of talent, with plenty of big decisions for <span style="font-weight: 600;">Didier Deschamps</span> to make. Olivier Giroud may well be given the nod to spearhead the attack, with Antoine Griezmann in support. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Paul Pogba</span> and N'Golo Kante will look to win the midfield battle. It says a lot that Barcelona's new mega-money signing Ousmane Dembele hasn't made the squad, and PSG target <span style="font-weight: 600;">Kylian Mbappe</span> isn't likely to start.</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;">France have won both home qualifiers so far, beating Bulgaria 4-1 and Sweden 2-1. In their last two friendlies in Paris, they beat England 3-2 and thrashed Paraguay 5-0. This is a high-pressure match, but I think France have the quality to take advantage of a Dutch team that has lurched from problem to problem since Louis van Gaal stepped down in 2014. The Netherlands lost three of their five away qualifiers for the Euros, and in this campaign they lost 2-0 in Bulgaria and were held to a 1-1 draw in Sweden. The French have won their last three games against the Dutch, and I believe that sequence will be extended.</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;">Recommended Bet</span><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;">Back France -1.0 on the Asian Handicap 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; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="1/1">2.02</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 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="1/1"><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/AVvXsEj84Ne0mznyn1YfqrerWY7CLkZ_U2aEcnwzBEExAREjo3r4UsQJp2SigoO6SM09nlDDwalbzOgYjQAKnel-un9NX13EUaNhIadeB0q8FwmW-5fOmx_BaRoR_c8AN1iP-iQqmvYXuwlxVmg/s1600/paul-pogba-netherlands-v-france-euro-qualyfing-10102016_1tng681kjye531lope5z69ewhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84Ne0mznyn1YfqrerWY7CLkZ_U2aEcnwzBEExAREjo3r4UsQJp2SigoO6SM09nlDDwalbzOgYjQAKnel-un9NX13EUaNhIadeB0q8FwmW-5fOmx_BaRoR_c8AN1iP-iQqmvYXuwlxVmg/s640/paul-pogba-netherlands-v-france-euro-qualyfing-10102016_1tng681kjye531lope5z69ewhl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Football Bet of the Day: France to advance with Netherlands win

France v Netherlands Thursday 31 August, 19:45 Live in Sky Sports Football A bad choice in Badalona  last night,  as our selection Elche ...

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Transfer Deadline Day: All the latest prices on the big moves

<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;">With twelve hours to go until the transfer window shuts again - until January - there's still a lot of uncertainty around where <span style="font-weight: 600;">Alexis Sanchez</span> will be playing his football for the rest of the season. He's currently <span style="font-weight: 600;">2/5 to make a move up to Manchester City</span> but with Arsenal having already shipped out Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain this would surely leave them woefully short of creativity up front.</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;">Equally it may well be the catalyst in a wider series of moves that could involve <span style="font-weight: 600;">Riyad Mahrez</span> who is rumoured to have departed training with the Algeria National Team to finalise a transfer somewhere... <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;">it's currently 11/8 that he ends up at Arsenal</span> and 3/1 that he makes the move to La Liga to line up alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.</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 protracted potential transfer of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Jonny Evans</span> to Manchester City is still ongoing with bids from Arsenal and Leicester City rejected over the past few days. He's <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;">8/11 to finally make the move to the Etihad</span> and <span style="font-weight: 600;">13/5</span> to remain a West Bromwich Albion player. Like the potential transfer of Alexis Sanchez, this could trigger a transfer for Eliaquim Mangala who seemingly has his heart set on playing football at Inter Milan, he's <span style="font-weight: 600;">6/4</span> to make the move there.</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 departure of Evans will leave a big hole at the Hawthorns which Tony Pulis will want filled before 11pm tonight, the aforementioned Mangala could be used as a makeweight in that deal - he's <span style="font-weight: 600;">13/5</span> to head to the Black Country club - or perhaps Pulis' will finally get his man in Mamadou Sakho who is reportedly close to signing a long-term deal at Crystal Palace. The Liverpool central defender is <span style="font-weight: 600;">1/4</span> to sign for Frank De Boer's side or <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;">11/2</span> to make the switch to Albion.</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></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/AVvXsEgpMseGthQP0Z3kKMGZLr2J-VW4W9siguF3scSVoj2XnLKcG022THJXCGhM6vXEJServanYgeaVssKkjDdfN7RyVMNmXAus1ONQT-kU2PH2mD9ILB1ok-LoTNvyIx5iK-SwQbepOhqb92k/s1600/Sanchez_01_DPNK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMseGthQP0Z3kKMGZLr2J-VW4W9siguF3scSVoj2XnLKcG022THJXCGhM6vXEJServanYgeaVssKkjDdfN7RyVMNmXAus1ONQT-kU2PH2mD9ILB1ok-LoTNvyIx5iK-SwQbepOhqb92k/s640/Sanchez_01_DPNK.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

Transfer Deadline Day: All the latest prices on the big moves

With twelve hours to go until the transfer window shuts again - until January - there's still a lot of uncertainty around where  Alexis...

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