NRL Preview Round 21: Sharks v Sea Eagles

<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cronulla Sharks v Manly Sea Eagles<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sunday, August 5, 2pm<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney</span></strong><br /> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This shapes up as a very important match for the Sharks if they have aspirations to finish in the Top 4, sitting one win behind the Dragons who are currently in 4th spot. Meanwhile, it’s hard to know how the Sea Eagles will respond here after they inexplicably threw the match away against the Panthers last week.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Recent Form</strong>Cronulla are sixth on the ladder with a 12-7 record. The Sharks have won 10 of their last 14 and have not lost two straight since Round 6. The Sharks are 8-1 against teams outside the Top 8 this year, not suffering a defeat since Round 1. Cronulla rank fourth in defence and ninth in scoring. Manly have lost three straight and seven of their last eight. They are down to 14th on the ladder with the second worst defence and rank eighth in scoring. Manly have conceded 84 points the last two weeks.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Stats That Matter</strong>– Cronulla are 9-10 ATS with an 11-8 under record.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Manly are 9-10 ATS with a 10-9 under record.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Manly have won 14 of the last 16 against Cronulla and 8 of the last 10 at Shark Park.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Five of the last seven meetings have tallied 34 points or fewer.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Sharks have not posted more than 20 against the Sea Eagles since Round 19 of the 2009 season.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Cronulla are 18-27 ATS at Shark Park since 2015 with just four covers in their last 18.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– As a favourite at Shark Park, Cronulla are 12-24 ATS with a 21-15 under record while as a favourite of 6.5 or more they have covered just 4 of 16.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The over has hit in four straight Shark Park day games.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Manly have covered 5 of their last 7 away from Brookvale while as an underdog of 8 or more away from Brookvale, the Eagles are 11-4 ATS since 2015 with a 13-2 under record.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Sea Eagles are 7-14 ATS away from Brookvale after scoring more than 24.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Final Thoughts</strong>The Sharks are classic grinders, making the 8.5 start to the Sea Eagles very generous. Cronulla have not posted more than 20 against the Sea Eagles since Round 19 of the 2009 season. That’s an amazing stat! It’s hard to see a blowout if the Sea Eagles bring the same enthusiasm that they showed for the majority of last week’s match against the Panthers. The Sea Eagles have also covered 5 of their last 7 away from Brookvale.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It Shapes Up</strong>Cronulla by 4</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"></strong></span><br /> <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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best: Manly +8.5 ($1.91)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Value: Cronulla & Under 42.5 ($2.65)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">First Tryscorer: Valentine Holmes ($10)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8krVGRvhd0/W2U0TSdsqpI/AAAAAAAAGvU/b30oRM_JkWo4dw68cKIl3SFE7Eacs82-wCLcBGAs/s1600/2018Aug03121928_800685472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="600" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8krVGRvhd0/W2U0TSdsqpI/AAAAAAAAGvU/b30oRM_JkWo4dw68cKIl3SFE7Eacs82-wCLcBGAs/s640/2018Aug03121928_800685472.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

NRL Preview Round 21: Sharks v Sea Eagles

Cronulla Sharks v Manly Sea Eagles Sunday, August 5, 2pm Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney This shapes up as a very important match fo...

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AFL Preview Round 20: Demons v Suns

<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melbourne v Gold Coast<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sun 3:20pm at MCG</span></b><br /> <b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Demons will be looking to consolidate their spot in the Top 8 and boost their percentage on Sunday afternoon at the ‘G, when they take on the 17th-placed Suns. With a couple of tricky games coming up, the Dees need to make sure they put plenty on the Suns, and it is hard to see how they won’t on the wide expanses of the MCG. The young Suns side won’t have to legs to compete for the whole game, and Hogan and McDonald will be licking their lips when the tiredness kicks in. </span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"></b></span><br /> <div style="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;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Form</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Melbourne </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(LWWLW) – The last few months have certainly not been as seamless for the Dees as their red-hot run earlier in the season, but you can tell they are definitely building some good momentum ahead of, dare we say it, a stint in September. Gawn and Oliver are easily the best ruck-rover combination in the game right now, and they are complimented by a deep midfield that was very impressive in the way they fought back against the Crows in Adelaide. When they are on song, and streaming forward they are almost impossible to stop. </span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Gold Coast </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(LLLWL) – Beating the Swans for the first time, on the SCG no less, was one of the proudest days for the club in their short history. That was all undone very quickly when the young side failed to deal with the comedown of such a win. They completely imploded against Carlton, who had won just 1 game for the year- and despite kicking the first 3 goals of the game they ended up losing by 35 points. It was hard to find many positives in the game, and it was well summed up by another brain fade by skipper Steven May- who illegally floored Ed Curnow and will miss ANOTHER game. Keep your bloody feet on the ground when you block, champ! </span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Stats That Matter</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">– Melbourne have won the past 5 clashes<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Gold Coast are 3-15 on the Over/Under this year<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Tom McDonald kicked 5 goals in their Round 8 meeting<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Dees are averaging 103 points per game this season (#1 in the AFL)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Clayton Oliver is averaging 122 Fantasy Points per game over the past month<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Suns have won just 3 fourth quarters this season (-242 points)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Jordan Lewis averages 113 Fantasy Points per game against the Suns<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Melbourne have covered the spread in 7 of their last 10 matches</span></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betting Data</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Line: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Melbourne- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">12-6; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Gold Coast- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">10-8</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Over-Under: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Melbourne- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">10-8; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Gold Coast- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">3-15</span></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What To Expect</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wolf is expecting Melbourne to bully the Suns and put a mountain of points on, especially given this game is at the MCG. Keep an eye on the weather though, there is a little bit of rain around- so if that is the case Gold Coast 0-50 Points ($2.50) looks a good play. Clayton Oliver should rack up the handballs against a Suns side that just cannot stop contested ball-winners, while the tall timber stocks should have a good day in an under-manned Gold Coast defence that is missing Steven May thanks to another mindless suspension. Dees by PLENTY- they’ll pile it on in the second half when the Suns tire.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>Melbourne by 61</span></div> <h4 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span></h4> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best Bet: Melbourne 121+ Total Points ($1.99)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Value Bet: 4th Quarter Margin- Melbourne 33+ ($4.50)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Player Prop: Clayton Oliver 35+ Disposals ($2.50)</strong><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />First Goalscorer: Tom McDonald</strong></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXZmAS3p-n4/W2UzruEQ38I/AAAAAAAAGvI/ToXSBb7l5XYvQ3c8aMgBaeFgonr_upc7wCLcBGAs/s1600/AFL-Round-10-Melbourne-v-Gold-Coast-Suns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1001" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXZmAS3p-n4/W2UzruEQ38I/AAAAAAAAGvI/ToXSBb7l5XYvQ3c8aMgBaeFgonr_upc7wCLcBGAs/s640/AFL-Round-10-Melbourne-v-Gold-Coast-Suns.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></strong></span></div> </div>

AFL Preview Round 20: Demons v Suns

Melbourne v Gold Coast Sun 3:20pm at MCG The Demons will be looking to consolidate their spot in the Top 8 and boost their percentage on ...

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International Champions Cup Betting: Juve too fit for unprepared Real

<div class="entry-body__intro" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan Fitch previews the weekend International Champions Cup matches and fancies Juventus to upset Real Madrid.</span></div> <div class="entry-body__story" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">International Champions Cup games, August 4th/5th</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another draw for Inter</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Inter Milan</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/8">2.38</span> v Lyon <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/8">2.90</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="13/5">3.60</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday August 4</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kick off 19:00, Live on Premier Sports 2</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lyon got off to a winning start in the ICC, when they scored a late winner to defeat <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Benfica</strong> 3-2. They had taken a two goal lead in the first-half and were able to recover after Benfica fought back after the break.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The French club have done well to hang onto their star players <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Memphis Depay and Tanguy Ndombele</strong> this summer - so far - and look likely to give Inter a tough game, having added Benfica to a list of pre-season scalps that include <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fulham</strong> and Wolfsburg.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inter have now draw three successive games in pre-season, with their opening ICC match against Chelsea seeing them lose on penalties. The odds of <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="13/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>3.60</b></span></span> for a fourth <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">drawn</span></strong> look too big, in a game between two well-matched teams.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Juventus too big against Real</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Real Madrid</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="6/5">2.20</span> v Juventus <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/8">2.86</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="5/2">3.50</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday August 4</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kick off 23:00, Live on Premier Sports</strong></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real's pre-season got off to a poor start when they lost <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2-1 to Manchester United, despite being able to field a reasonably strong squad. It was Madrid's first outing of the summer against a United side that were playing their fifth game of pre-season, so it's perhaps no surprise that they felt the pace, with some players that featured in the World Cup such as <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Isco and Toni Kroos</strong>, coming off the bench very late in the game to play just a few minutes.</strong></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It's a surprise then to see Real as favourites against a Juventus side playing their fourth game of pre-season. Juve are unbeaten so far, defeating Bayern Munich and drawing with Benfica in the ICC, before beating the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MLS All-Stars</strong> on penalties.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Like Real, the Italians have brought a strong squad to the USA. They did perhaps look thin in attack, but their new signing <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Andrea Favalli</strong> has provided a cutting edge. With that in mind, back Juve to avoid defeat in the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Double Chance</span></strong> market at <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/6"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">1.67</span></span>.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Barca can claim first win</strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">AC Milan</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/8">2.84</span> v Barcelona <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/5">2.40</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="14/5">3.80</span></strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday August 5</strong><br /><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kick off 01:00, Live on Premier Sports</strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Barcelona looked to be cruising to victory when 2-1 up against Roma with twelve minutes remaining, only to eventually lose 4-2. The result meant that Barca have failed to win either of their ICC games in 90 minutes, having needed penalties to defeat <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tottenham</strong> after a 2-2 draw.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> AC Milan have also failed to win their two ICC outings. A penalty defeat to <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Manchester United</strong> after a 1-1 draw, was followed by a 1-0 loss to Spurs. In both games you could have argued that Milan had the better squad of players at their disposal, yet they still failed to come out ahead in admittedly tight encounters.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> There could then be some value in a Barcelona victory. Their price is large enough to play it safe and back the Spanish champions in the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Draw No Bet</span></strong> market at <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/5"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">1.78</span></span>.</div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>RECOMMENDED BETS</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>Back the draw between Inter and Lyon at 3.60</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>Back Juventus double chance against Real Madrid at 1.68</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>Back Barcelona draw no bet against AC Milan at 1.78</b></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QV572x1JONY/W2UzFBIs52I/AAAAAAAAGvA/3ZjCb8svDocfRheMMSRTlJvryybY84wkgCLcBGAs/s1600/944856568_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="838" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QV572x1JONY/W2UzFBIs52I/AAAAAAAAGvA/3ZjCb8svDocfRheMMSRTlJvryybY84wkgCLcBGAs/s640/944856568_.jpg" width="640" /></a><b><br /></b></div> </span></span></div>

International Champions Cup Betting: Juve too fit for unprepared Real

Dan Fitch previews the weekend International Champions Cup matches and fancies Juventus to upset Real Madrid. International Champions ...

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The Punter's In-Play Blog: Major champs chanced from just off the pace in Ohio

<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For much of the first day in Ohio, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Dave Tindall's excellent First Round Leader pick, Kyle Stanley</span></strong>, looked likely to oblige at the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">WGC-Bridgestone Invitational</span></strong>. It's very often the case that the morning starters enjoy the best of the conditions and if someone posts a great score in the morning, nine times out of ten it's enough for backers to collect but not yesterday. The afternoon starters at Firestone averaged fractionally less than those that started early and it was agonising to watch <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ian Poulter</strong> get up-and-down successfully from a greenside bunker on 18 to pip him. Here are the standings after round one with prices to back at 11:45.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ian Poulter -8 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="13/1">14.50</span><br />Rickie Fowler -7 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/2">6.60</span><br />Kyle Stanley -7 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="29/1">30.00</span><br />Jon Rahm -6 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9/1">10.00</span><br />Patrick Cantlay -6 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="25/1">26.00</span><br />Si Woo Kim -6 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="54/1">55.00</span><br />Rory McIlroy -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/1">9.20</span><br />Justin Thomas -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="12/1">13.00</span><br />Jason Day -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="14/1">15.00</span><br />Marc Leishman -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="37/1">38.00</span><br />Luke List -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="59/1">60.00</span><br />Kevin Na -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="79/1">80.00</span><br />Anirban Lahiri -5 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="159/1">160.00</span><br />Tiger Woods -4 <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/1">16.00</span><br />-4 and <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="27/1">28.00</span> bar</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a time when I'd be concentrating hard on the early leaders at Bridgestone. Between 1999 and 2005, four first round leaders went on to win and Jim Furyk lost a playoff in 2001 having been tied at the top after day one, but it's been <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a very different story of late</strong>...</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adam Scott won wire-to-wire in 2011 but here are the positions after round one of the last dozen winners.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2006 - Tiger Woods - fourth, trailed by four strokes<br />2007 - Tiger Woods - fourth, trailed by a stroke<br />2008 - Vijay Singh - second, trailed by a stroke<br />2009 - Tiger Woods - eighth, trailed by four strokes<br />2010 - Hunter Mahan - 37th, trailed by seven strokes<br />2011 - Adam Scott - led by a stroke<br />2012 - Keegan Bradley - ninth, trailed by four strokes<br />2013 - Tiger Woods - third, trailed by two strokes<br />2014 - Rory McIlroy - 14th, trailed by five strokes<br />2015 - Shane Lowry - 22nd, trailed by five strokes<br />2016 - Dustin Johnson - ninth, trailed by five strokes<br />2017 - Hideki Matsuyama - 15th, trailed by four strokes</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stats make the price on Poulter look skinny</strong> and they make one or two on -4 and only four adrift look tempting. There are some top-class players inside the top-13 but I'm not convinced many of them represent value towards the head of the market. The new favourite, Rickie Fowler, is always too short for my liking and I'm not at all sure Jon Rahm has the patience for this course over four rounds.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas look fairly priced</strong> but I've taken a small chance on two of this year's three major winners at juicy prices from four back - US Masters winner, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patrick Reed</strong>, and US Open Champ, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brooks Koepka</strong>, at <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="41/1"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>42.00</b></span></span> and <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="27/1"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>28.00</b></span></span> respectively.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">pre-event picks</span></strong> were disappointing. Justin Rose, who was my main fancy, pulled out before the off with a back injury so I was only left with modest bets on Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari and they ended round one on -1 and level par respectively. I was a bit disappointed with their performances but I was really dissatisfied with <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">my main fancy</span></strong> in the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Barracuda Championship</span></strong> - <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brandon Harkins</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starting on the 10th hole, Harkins began the event very well, eagling 13 and birdying 14 and I forgave him his missed birdie put from five feet on 16 when he birdied the 18th, just as I went to bed. Nine points was a nice start and an important start given that up with the pace has been the place to be in this event most years so if I could wake up to see him on 15 or so points I'd be more than happy. He ended the round with five.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first round ended with <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ollie Schniederjans in front</strong> and bizarrely as it sounds, given he missed the cut in Canada last week, he's picked up from where he left off! After two rounds in Ontario, nobody had made more birdies than Ollie (15!) but he managed to also record eight bogeys, one-double bogey and one triple! Yesterday he made six birdies and an eagle but he didn't drop a shot. He'll begin his second round with 17 points already in the bag and at first glance he looks fairly priced at 6/1 but he's led twice before after round one on the PGA Tour and he went on to finish 54th and 39th.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one I like at this stage is Aussie vet, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arron Baddeley</strong>, who sits tied for second and just three points adrift of Schniederjans. As a 37 Australian in search of his first win in a couple of years (and his second in seven years), he fits the profile of a Barracuda winner quite nicely and I can see him emulating his countrymen, Geoff Ogilvy and Greg Chalmers, who won here in 2014 and 2016.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Zealander, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben Campbell</strong>, who won the New Zealand PGA Championship in February, leads the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Fiji International</span></strong> at the halfway stage by four strokes over Aussie vet, Andre Dodt, but I haven't given up on <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">my sole selection, Justin Harding</span></strong>, just yet. The in-form South African started slowly and he's still eight off the lead but that could all soon change if Campbell wobbles at all.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">presence of Dodt is an irritation</strong> given he was very much considered before the off so I've had a tiny bet on him at <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/1"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>8.80</b></span></span> because I'd kick myself if he won totally unbacked.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll be back tomorrow with a good look at the Bridgestone at halfway.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WGC Bridgestone Invitational Pre-Event Selections:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Dustin Johnson @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/1">9.00</span><br />Justin Rose @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="15/1">16.50</span> (Non-Runner)<br />Francesco Molinari @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="29/1">30.00</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In-Play Picks:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Brooks Koepka @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="27/1">28.00</span><br />Patrick Reed @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="41/1">42.00</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Barracuda Championship Pre-Event Selections:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Steve Wheatcroft @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="89/1">90.00</span><br />Brandon Harkins @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="94/1">95.00</span><br />Ben Crane @ <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="129/1">130.00</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In-Play Pick:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Arron Baddeley @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="18/1">19.00</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fiji International Pre-Event Selection:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Justin Harding @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="16/1">17.00</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In-Play Pick:<br /><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Andrew Dodt @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/1">8.80</span></span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07Nn5uLleH4/W2UxpQHi6aI/AAAAAAAAGu0/Qs_K_YIP3Akn-GIGO_OK1HdM--jjsPmjACLcBGAs/s1600/Ian-Poulter-bunker-1280.956x538.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07Nn5uLleH4/W2UxpQHi6aI/AAAAAAAAGu0/Qs_K_YIP3Akn-GIGO_OK1HdM--jjsPmjACLcBGAs/s640/Ian-Poulter-bunker-1280.956x538.gif" width="640" /></a><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/1"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

The Punter's In-Play Blog: Major champs chanced from just off the pace in Ohio

For much of the first day in Ohio,  Dave Tindall's excellent First Round Leader pick, Kyle Stanley , looked likely to oblige at the  WG...

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Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina: Masher can take the short price favourite to later rounds

<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina<br />Saturday, 22:00<br />Live on Sky Sports</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Championship boxing comes from Cardiff's Ice Arena Wales on Saturday evening as Sky Sports bring us all the action from Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina for the vacant <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Commonwealth lightweight title</strong>. Undefeated local Cordina, taking part in only his eighth professional contest, enjoys the backing of bookmakers but in Dodd he'll face a man renowned for his love of causing an upset.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mouth-watering clash of styles here, we have the polished boxing skills of Cordina who is tipped for the very top of the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lightweight division</strong> against the rugged, all-action set-up of Dodd who pays little attention to records or reputation.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Odds suggest Masher will be outclassed</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 34-year-old Dodd travels to the Welsh capital with a record reading 15 wins against three defeats and a draw. Since making his professional debut with a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fourth round TKO</strong> win over Scottish journeyman Giuseppe Daprato, Masher has driven himself into title contention with a host of impressive performances.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has lost to Andy Townend for the central area belt at super featherweight, Scott Cardle for the British lightweight gong and, most recently, Tommy Coyle with the Commonwealth strap on the line.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supporters of the popular Birkenhead warrior will take heart from surprise wins over the likes of Gary Buckland, Francesco Patera, Lee Appleyard and a stunning points decision against <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thomas Stalker</strong> for the Commonwealth crown at the Echo Arena last summer. Dodd also secured an impressive draw with Cardle in a rematch after being stopped in the last round against the same opponent.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite losing only one of his last seven Dodd is a heavyweight <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="19/1"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>20.00</b></span></span> on the Betfair Exchange. Strangely, that's a bigger price than the draw at <span class="inline-odds" style="border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="17/1"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>18.00</b></span></span>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0.5rem auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Heavy-handed Cordina in a rush</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe Cordina is the decorated amateur making a splash in the paid ranks. The 26-year-old Cardiff orthodox boxer won a string of medals in the vest of Wales, including gold at the European Championships 2015 in Bulgaria and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Commonwealth Games</strong> bronze at Glasgow 2014.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning over early in 2017 he has risen through the charts thanks to a run of knockout wins, beating six of his first seven opponents inside the distance.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The spare for Cordina - birth name Joseph Samuel - was a four-round points cheer vs Spaniard Lesther Cantillano last October, but he responded to halt Lee Connelly in four and Hakim Ben Ali inside three for the WBA International title on the undercard of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Joshua</b></span> - Parker last time. It's worth noting that was only the second time experienced Belgian Ali had been stopped.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's not a lot to take from Cordina's price to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(187, 187, 187); border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>win the fight</b></span> with 1/33 on the Sportsbook but punters will get 1/4 about the KO/TKO result. We'll take the odds-against price that Dodd can take Cordina to the later rounds.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dadaFVYGqBg/W2UxNNVwlvI/AAAAAAAAGuo/bE4znZDQ6Mcbxn--K9x6KxHggVZDxL4RgCLcBGAs/s1600/skysports-cordina-dodd_4379387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1096" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dadaFVYGqBg/W2UxNNVwlvI/AAAAAAAAGuo/bE4znZDQ6Mcbxn--K9x6KxHggVZDxL4RgCLcBGAs/s640/skysports-cordina-dodd_4379387.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina: Masher can take the short price favourite to later rounds

Sean Dodd v Joe Cordina Saturday, 22:00 Live on Sky Sports Championship boxing comes from Cardiff's Ice Arena Wales on Saturday eveni...

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NRL Preview Round 21: Panthers v Raiders

<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sunday, August 5, 4:10pm<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Panthers Stadium, Penrith</span></strong><br /> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Panthers got out of jail against the Sea Eagles last week and kept their Top 4 aspirations alive in the process. They take on a Raiders side who were embarrassed 44-10 by the Storm last week. They’ll have a licence to throw the ball around which makes this a massive danger game for the Panthers.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Recent Form</strong>Penrith are fifth on the ladder with a 12-7 record. The Panthers rank sixth in scoring and defence. The Panthers have won just two of their last six and have conceded 22 or more in five of their last seven. Canberra are 10th on the ladder with an 8-11 record. They have lost their last two and have won just four of their last 10. The Raiders have the second best attack in the NRL while they rank 13th in defence. Canberra have conceded 26 or more in four of their last five.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Stats That Matter</strong>– Penrith are 10-9 ATS with an 11-8 over record.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Panthers have covered just 1 of 6 while they have gone over in 5 of 7.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Canberra are 8-11 ATS with a 12-7 over record, going over in seven straight.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Panthers have won three straight against the Raiders with all matches decided by four points or fewer.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– A Nathan Cleary field goal separated the teams when they met in Canberra in Round 14.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The last six at Penrith Stadium have been split down the middle.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Six of the last eight matches have topped 44 points so high scorers have been commonplace.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Penrith are 24-17 ATS with a 25-16 under record at Penrith Stadium with 12 covers in their last 16.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– As a favourite of more than a converted try, Penrith are 10-6 ATS.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Raiders are 29-18 ATS away from Canberra Stadium with a 20-10 ATS record (19-11 over) as an underdog.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Getting 6.5 or more, the Raiders are 10-4 ATS while off scoring 16 or fewer they are 7-2 ATS.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The over is 16-7 in Raiders day games on the road.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Final Thoughts</strong>The Wolf is keen to play the overs here. The Raiders can’t make the finals and will look to play an attacking brand of here. The Green Machine have gone over the total in their last seven matches, while six of the last eight matches between the Panthers and Raiders have topped 44 points.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It Shapes Up</strong>Penrith by 4</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"></strong></span><br /> <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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best: Over 44.5 ($1.91)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Value: Penrith 1-12 ($3.10)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">First Tryscorer: Dean Whare ($13)</span></span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0yA8mCFRtQ/W2UwUuzClvI/AAAAAAAAGug/yXttPycNNVEFZsl-2iQ2DtDhZ1Dpmd4RACLcBGAs/s1600/2016Sep14022100_526309178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0yA8mCFRtQ/W2UwUuzClvI/AAAAAAAAGug/yXttPycNNVEFZsl-2iQ2DtDhZ1Dpmd4RACLcBGAs/s640/2016Sep14022100_526309178.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>

NRL Preview Round 21: Panthers v Raiders

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders Sunday, August 5, 4:10pm Panthers Stadium, Penrith The Panthers got out of jail against the Sea Eagle...

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AFL Preview Round 20: Eagles v Dockers

<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Coast v Fremantle<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sun 4:40pm at Optus Stadium</span></b><br /> <b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round 20 finishes up on Sunday afternoon with a cracking Western Derby between the Eagles and the Dockers at Optus Stadium. The Eagles still sit in 2nd place despite their form slipping a little of late, and with Collingwood, Port and GWS snapping on their heels, they must win these games, and win them well, to give themselves a crucial home Qualifying Final. They will likely find some some stiff resistance from a young Freo side that will be pumped to upset their big brother in one of the biggest games for the year, and it is safe to say there will be plenty of noise from this patriarchal Perth crowd!</span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"></b></span><br /> <div style="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;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Form</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">West Coast </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(LWWWL) – It was their worst loss of the season by a fair way last week when they succumbed down in Hobart by 40 points to a side ranked 8 spots lower than them. Adam Simpson was filthy with the lack of effort his side displayed- because despite missing a few key players they still had plenty of cattle that should have worried the Roos. They were absolutely SMASHED around the ball by North, finishing -26 on contested possessions and -8 in clearances, which meant the Roos were allowed to rack up an extra 14 inside 50’s- which they took full advantage of. Boy did they miss Nic Nat and Shuey. </span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Fremantle </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(LLWLL) – They showed tremendous spirit and enthusiasm in their win over Port at Optus Stadium a few weeks ago, but they haven’t been able to match it with Essendon or Hawthorn over the past night, just looking like they lack a little experience. A 7-11 season, especially considering they have missed Fyfe and Sandilands for large chunks, has been a good result for this young side; and Lyon has got much needed experience into emerging youngsters like Langdon, Brayshaw, Cerra and Banfield. A lot better at home than away, but given their age profile that isn’t too much of a worry.</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Stats That Matter</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">– West Coast have won the last 6 Derbys<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Freo are 2-6 on the Over/Under at Optus Stadium<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Lachie Neale had 35 disposals and 138 Fantasy Points in their Round 6 meeting<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Eagles average 90 points per game<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Shannon Hurn has won the last 2 Glendinning Medals<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– West Coast have won 8 of their 10 matches at Optus Stadium<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Andrew Gaff has had 30+ disposals in 5 of his last 6 matches<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Freo are -131 points in 2nd quarters while West Coast are +143</span></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betting Data</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Line: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">West Coast- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">11-7; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Fremantle- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">9-9</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Over-Under: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">West Coast- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">8-10; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Fremantle- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">6-12</span></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What To Expect</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Coast should win, but Wolfie really likes the look of this huge line in the Western Derby. You know Ross Lyon will find a way to get his boys up for this, and with the Eagles still missing Kennedy, the Dockers can definitely keep it tight. The margin in Round 6 was only 8 points, and while it might be a bit higher than that in this one, the Wolf expects the Dockers to bring a huge amount of pressure and at least challenge the Eagles.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>West Coast by 18</span></div> <h4 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span></h4> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Fremantle +36.5 ($1.91)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Value Bet: Elliot Yeo 120+ Fantasy Points ($3.25)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Player Prop: Lachie Neale 35+ Disposals ($2.40)</strong><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />First Goalscorer: David Mundy</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Glendinning/Allen Medal: Jeremy McGovern ($11.00)</span></strong></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvf8MTN9yBU/W2Uv8o6aynI/AAAAAAAAGuY/QA84LOPHkWorFyVyQZvqF9XENd9H2LqfgCLcBGAs/s1600/8f5ba0318955272fb9cc96e9ab1021d7_Shueytack-3737-c-90.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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvf8MTN9yBU/W2Uv8o6aynI/AAAAAAAAGuY/QA84LOPHkWorFyVyQZvqF9XENd9H2LqfgCLcBGAs/s640/8f5ba0318955272fb9cc96e9ab1021d7_Shueytack-3737-c-90.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br /></span></strong></span></div> </div>

AFL Preview Round 20: Eagles v Dockers

West Coast v Fremantle Sun 4:40pm at Optus Stadium Round 20 finishes up on Sunday afternoon with a cracking Western Derby between the Eag...

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AFL Preview Round 20: Crows v Power

<b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adelaide v Port Adelaide<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Sat 4:35pm at Adelaide Oval</span></b><br /> <b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just when you think Super Saturday can’t get any better, along comes one of the biggest Showdowns in recent memory! It’s the 45th installment of the Showdown, with bitter rivals the Crows and the Power both sitting at 22 wins apiece- and this one will be as big as it gets. The Crows have been very disappointing this season, and they will miss Finals despite contesting the Grand Final last year. That doesn’t not matter one bit when it comes to Showdown time, and you just know Adelaide will lift for this…..they have to! It’s their Home Game, and they will be home the ’19th man’ will be in full voice against a Port side that is electric on its day, and needs this win to keep themselves in the frame for a Home Qualifying Final. Strap yourselves in punters, this could be the game of the season!</span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-align: center;"></b></span><br /> <div style="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;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Form</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Adelaide </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(WLWWL) – Trying to get a read on Adelaide’s form this season has been close to impossible, especially given all the ins and outs every week. They are finally getting some key personnel back now- but they aren’t playing with much rhythm. Against Melbourne (and, coincidentally, against Port in Round 8) Don Pyke lamented his side’s costly lapses when in a position of control- and from the outside it seems like the Crows aren’t playing with the hunger needed to be a genuine Premiership threat with excuses flying around everywhere. Wayne Milera and Hugh Greenwood have continued to improve and are now an important part of the Crows at either end of the ground. Milera’s ball use is second-to-none and Greenwood’s tackling and attack on the ball is showing up his more experienced teammates.</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Port Adelaide </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(WWLLW) – After slipping up in winnable games against Freo and GWS, the Power got the win they desperately needed despite the horrendous conditions in Ballarat last Sunday. Fortunately for Port, the conditions perfectly suited the contested ball bulls in the midfield and Charlie Dixon had the game Power fans had been waiting all season for. You could it was a case of ‘I lead, you follow,’ for big Charlie, and the Power certainly went along for the ride. When he is up and about, and Ryder is handing the ball to his clearance kings- the Power are very hard to beat. Problem is, that isn’t happening consistently enough!</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Stats That Matter</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">– Adelaide have won 5 of the last 6 Showdowns<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Port have won 7 of their 9 games at Adelaide Oval this season<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Robbie Gray kicked 6 goals in their Round 8 clash<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– 8 of the Power’s last 10 games have gone Unders<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Eddie Betts is averaging 3.8 goals per game in his last 4 against Port<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– The Crows are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 matches<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Tom Rockliff averages 130 Fantasy Points per game against Adelaide<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />– Adelaide are averaging just 73 points per game since Round 10</span></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betting Data</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Line: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Adelaide- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">6-12; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Port Adelaide- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">7-11</span></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">2018 Over-Under: </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Adelaide- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">7-11; </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Port Adelaide- </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">5-13</span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"> </b></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="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What To Expect</span></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy oh boy, is Wolfie excited for this one! Adelaide had the wood over Port in recent times, but that was broken in Round 8 and you certainly can’t imagine any blowouts here. Both sides have shown a propensity for fluctuating their efforts across quarters, and like last Showdown, Wolfie is very keen on the Wire to Wire market. Either team under 15 appeals as well, but the Wire to Wire market suits the statistical patterns of both these sides perfectly. Power in a close one.</span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">How It’s Shaping Up</strong>Port Adelaide by 4</span></div> <h4 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span></h4> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Wire to Wire- Any Other Result ($1.97)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Value Bet: Both Teams Score 80+ Points ($4.80)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Player Prop: Hugh Greenwood 8+ Tackles ($2.50)</strong><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />First Goalscorer: Robbie Gray</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Showdown Medal: Patrick Ryder ($26.00)</strong></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFsEkrvoQv0/W2UvUhCQsAI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/O8acAPnOeWABGTrhRtItsd1PNIMZhrm1wCLcBGAs/s1600/2015Jul15020459_472044102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="594" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFsEkrvoQv0/W2UvUhCQsAI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/O8acAPnOeWABGTrhRtItsd1PNIMZhrm1wCLcBGAs/s640/2015Jul15020459_472044102.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></strong></span></div> </div>

AFL Preview Round 20: Crows v Power

Adelaide v Port Adelaide Sat 4:35pm at Adelaide Oval Just when you think Super Saturday can’t get any better, along comes one of the bigg...

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