The Punter's In-Play Blog: Chesson can press on at Silverado

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">n stark contrast to the Alfred <span style="font-weight: 600;">Dunhill links Championship</span>, which <span style="font-weight: 600;">looks a done deal</span>, after three rounds in California, the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Safeway Open</span></span> is still wide open. Here are the current standings with prices to back at 11:40.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Tyler Duncan -14</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="11/2">6.40</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Chesson Hadley -13</span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="5/1"></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="5/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">5.80</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brendan Steele -12 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="6/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">7.20</span></span><br />Bud Cauley -12 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="6/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">7.20</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emiliano Grillo -11 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="12/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">13.00</span></span><br />Graham DeLaet -11 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="14/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">15.50</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Finau -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="15/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">16.50</span></span><br />Phil Mickelson -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="17/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">18.00</span></span><br />Bill Haas -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="28/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">29.00</span></span><br />Andrew Putnam -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="64/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">65.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">-9 and <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="54/1">55.00</span> bar</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />After a one-under-par 71 in round three, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Tyler Duncan</span>, playing in his first PGA Tour event as a member (also missed the cut in the 2015 US Open) remains in front but I do wonder for how long? He's putting superbly, with Chesson Hadley in second the only man recording better Putting Average stats this week, but <span style="font-weight: 600;">surely the pressure is going to tell at some stage?</span> The stats are also against him given the last two winners came from off the pace...</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brendan Steele came from four back to win 12 months ago and Emiliano Grillo trailed by two strokes two years ago. This doesn't look like an easy place to convert a lead and converting a lead in just your second PGA Tour event is a huge ask.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Hadley was my <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">only pick from the off</span></span> and I'm far more confident about his chances than I was yesterday. After a sensational 61 in round two, he was always likely to suffer some sort of reaction and he did. He played his first three holes in two-over par yesterday but he recovered nicely enough to get himself under-par for the day and I fancy he can kick on again today. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Nobody's putting better than Hadley</span>, he has a very respectable record in-contention, and the market is correct to make him the man to beat.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defending champ, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Brendan Steele</span>, isn't putting brilliantly and would be better suited to being a bit further off the pace and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Bud Cauley</span> is hitting fairways and greens relentlessly but he's still looking for his first PGA tour title and he hasn't been brilliant in-the-mix. He went in to the final round of a PGA Tour event within two strokes of the lead twice last year but finished third and 10th.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Graham DeLaet is notoriously flaky</span> in-contention and he's also still looking to get off the mark and the market's correct to favour the 2015 winner, Grillo, over DeLaet. The diminutive Argentine clearly loves the venue and he looks nicely poised for a final round charge.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of the four players on -10, my halfway pick, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Bill Haas, makes most appeal at the prices</span>. Pre-event favourite, Tony Finau, is missing far too many greens, Phil Mickelson hasn't won for more than four years and I thought he got a bit jittery after a fast start yesterday, and Andrew Putnam is another that hasn't yet won.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summary, <span style="font-weight: 600;">it's clearly wide open but Hadley could just be the one</span>. He won twice on the Web.com Tour last year and he also lost two playoffs, so of all the contenders, he's the one that has plenty of recent experience of being in-contention on a Sunday and he's fared really well. Yesterday's underwhelming third round was totally understandable after Friday's brilliance and he's the one to beat.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As detailed in the In-Play Tactics section of <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">the preview</span></span>, we've seen all sorts of drama over the last two years here so although the tournament finishes late it might just be worth staying up to trade and to take on the odds-on shots in-running.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">21:30 - October 07, 2017</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In stark contrast to last Saturday, when he chuntered and moaned away a three stroke lead at the British Masters, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Tyrrell Hatton</span> grasped the nettle at Kingsbarns today to shoot a second successive seven-under-par 65 and he now takes a five stroke lead in to tomorrow's final round at St Andrews. Here's the latest state of play with prices to back at 21:20.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Tyrrell Hatton -18</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="1/5">1.21</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Gregory Bourdy -13</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="18/1"></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="18/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">19.50</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Dunne -11 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="22/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">23.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ross Fisher -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="64/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">65.00</span></span><br />Luke Donald -10 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="89/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">90.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">-9 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="129/1">130.00</span> bar</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Five strokes is a <span style="font-weight: 600;">huge advantage</span> to take in to the final round and it's very hard to see Hatton failing to defend the title tomorrow but the stats suggests it's not a done deal just yet. Over the last 30 years, 25 players have led a European Tour event by five and only 20 of them of them converted. In fact, more recently, in the last 12 years, <span style="font-weight: 600;">four of the last 11 to lead by five have been beaten and one of them, Kennie Ferrie, failed here in this event</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 2005, Ferrie limped around St Andrews in 77 strokes and Colin Montgomerie beat him by a shot but the situation was quite different to this one. Three men were tied for second - Monty, Ricardo Gonzalez and Henrik Stenson - but on this occasion, Gregory Bourdy is the only player within seven and it's highly unlikely that Hatton will do enough wrong to get beat. He looks impossible to oppose and anyone looking for a bit of interest tomorrow needs to <span style="font-weight: 600;">look at the Without Hatton market <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">here</span>.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I had to plump for one in that market it would be <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ross Fisher</span>. He's far enough back to feel relaxed and to play freely tomorrow, he's already finished second in the event twice previously and he found his form in style today, finishing his third round with six birdies in his last seven holes.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">14:00 - October 07, 2017</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sole pre-tournament pick, Chesson Hadley, <span style="font-weight: 600;">threatened to break 60 at Silverado</span>yesterday but he had to settle for a course record 61 in the end when he failed to birdie the last two holes and its PGA Tour rookie, Tyler Duncan, that shows the way at halfway. Here are the latest standings with prices to back at 13:50.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Tyler Duncan -13</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="7/1">7.80</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Brendan Steele -12</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="3/1"></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="3/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">3.95</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chesson Hadley -11<span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="13/2"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">7.60</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Finau -9 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="15/2"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">8.40</span></span><br />Zac Blair -9 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="33/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">34.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graham DeLaet -8 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="22/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">23.00</span></span><br />Brian Davis -8 <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="189/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">190.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;">-7 and <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="37/1">38.00</span> bar</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The first time the event was played here at Silverado, three years ago, Sang Moon Bae sat second and just a stroke off the lead at this stage before going on to win by a comfortable two shots but <span style="font-weight: 600;">the last two winners have come from some way back</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emiliano Grillo, and the man he beat in the playoff, Kevin Na, both rallied from tied 19th and six adrift through 36 holes in 2015 and last year's winner, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Brendan Steele</span>, was tied for 16th and fully nine strokes back at this stage. The current top-three have opened up a bit of daylight between themselves and the field but the last two renewals indicate this could still be wide open.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The leader had a run of three straight bogeys yesterday, which included a couple of <span style="font-weight: 600;">iffy putts</span> and I'm happy to oppose him in his first PGA Tour event. He's led or co-led at this stage four times previously (once on the Latinoamérica Tour and three times on the Web.com Tour) and he's finished 17th, 52nd! second and fifth. I'd be surprised if he kicked on and won here.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Steele has already flopped from the front here</span> before (in 2015) and he'd be better suited to coming form off the pace. His usual caddie, Christian Donald, is having a week off this week and he has his coach, Chris Mason, on the bag for the first time ever. It's clearly working as he's ranking number on for Greens In Regulation, having hit all 18 in regulation on Thursday but he isn't putting well and he makes no appeal at less than <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="3/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">4.00</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time after time we see players struggle to back up a low score and that's <span style="font-weight: 600;">a big negative for my man Hedley</span> and it's definitely worth looking further down the leaderboard. Pre-event favourite, Tony Finau, is lurking but the two I like at the prices on offer this morning are <span style="font-weight: 600;">Bill Haas and Ryan Moore.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haas just looks far too big at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="37/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">38.00</span></span> when he's a best priced 25/1 on the High Street and Moore looks a juicy price at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="54/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">55.00</span></span> given his stats suggests he's finally putting a bit better. Yesterday's in-play poke, Martin Laird, chipped in for eagle at the 18th yesterday to put him up in to a tie for 15th and I'm happy to go in to the weekend with those three and Hedley onside.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">11:00 - October 07, 2017</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hole averages for yesterday's second round at the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Alfred Dunhill Championship</span></span> have been published and unsurprisingly given the improved weather, all three courses played easier than they had done in round one. I've listed the averages for each course yesterday below with Thursday's averages in brackets, followed by the difference between the scores on Thursday and Friday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">St Andrews - Par 72 - 69.89 (71.57) 1.68<br />Kingsbarns - Par 72 - 69.91 (72.82) 2.91<br />Carnoustie - Par 72 - 71.3 (73.25) 1.95</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd theorised on Thursday that playing Kingsbarns yesterday in the benign conditions would be advantageous and the stats do support that but the players I backed that played there (Joost Luiten and Romain Wattel) didn't score well and two players that played Carnoustie now dominate the event. The defending champ, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Tyrrell Hatton</span>, fired an extremely impressive seven-under-par 65 to move to the top of the leaderboard and brand new dad, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Tommy Fleetwood</span>, joined him at the top with a record-breaking nine-under-par 61. They were both fabulous rounds but Tommy's was incredible. Fleetwood beat the average score for the day by ten strokes and beat a record that had stood for 22 years. The previous record of 64 had been set by Colin Montgomerie at the 1995 Scottish Open.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know they're already underway in round three but for what it's worth, Paul Lawrie won the inaugural Alfred Dunhill from eight back at halfway in 2001, Stephen Gallacher won the 2004 edition from six adrift and tied 11th and David Howell was also six back and tied for 20th at this stage before going on to win the 2013 edition but the vast majority of winners have been up with the pace at halfway. Lee Westwood sat tied 15th in 2003 but that was a really congested leaderboard and he only trailed by three. Every other winner has been inside the top-five places.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">It's hard to see anyone other than Hatton or Fleetwood winning now</span> but I'm happy to wait and see where we are after round three. Hatton has the pressure of defending to overcome and he was very frustrating to follow last weekend and both of them (especially Fleetwood) have the age-old problem of backing up a really low round. Changing venues will help and they're both playing the easiest course (Kingsbarns) today but I'm not prepared to rush in on either now.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be back later with a look at the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Safeway Open</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">10:25 - October 06, 2017</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hole averages for yesterday's play at the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Alfred Dunhill Championship</span></span> have been published and they make for interesting reading.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">St Andrews - Par 72 - 71.57<br />Kingsbarns - Par 72 - 72.82<br />Carnoustie - Par 72 - 73.25</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As expected, Carnoustie was the hardest course on the rotation, averaging one-and-a-quarter strokes over-par but what is striking is that Kingsbarns, traditionally the easiest of the three courses played, actually averaged a shot-and-a-quarter harder than St Andrews.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has to be taken in to account that the more fancied players played St Andrews yesterday but I'm still surprised that Kingsbarns played so tough and it reinforces my believe that playing Kingsbarns today, in the calmer conditions, is the <span style="font-weight: 600;">best scenario</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those that played St Andrews yesterday are at Carnoustie today, so they have the luxury of playing the toughest course in the calmest weather, but if yesterday's stats are to be believed, either they've tricked up Kingsbarns this year or it <span style="font-weight: 600;">plays tough in windy conditions</span> and all those at Carnoustie today will be at Kingsbarns tomorrow, when the wind is again set to blow.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My in-play bet from yesterday, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Joost Luiten</span>, has only parred his first three holes at Kingsbarns but I've added to the portfolio with a tiny bet on <span style="font-weight: 600;">Romain Wattel</span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="43/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">44.00</span></span>. He's playing the same rotation as Luiten but he's started better and after two birdies in the first three holes, he's now just one off the lead.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The defending champ, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Brendan Steele</span>, is one of three men tied at the top at the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Safeway Open</span></span>, after an opening seven-under-par 65. He's the only man trading at a single-figure price and he makes no appeal. The 2015 winner, Emiliano Grillo, is two back and tied for fourth. <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Dave Tindall's fancy, Zach Johnson</span></span>, and Ryan Moore are both within three and Webb Simpson and Phil Mickelson are amongst a large group of players tied for 12th and just four off the lead.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I liked all three of Dave's three picks (his third selection, Hadley, was <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">my sole pre-event selection</span></span>) but I'm going to leave Zach alone for now and scan even further down the leaderboard. Although Sang Moon Bae was hard on the pace all the way in 2014, the last two course winners, Grillo and Steele, came from miles back so we can scan quite a long way down the leaderboard. <span style="font-weight: 600;">This is still wide open and the one I like from six adrift is Martin Laird.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Scotsman likes the venue and he has course form figures reading 3-64-8 but he started off slowly yesterday, double-bogeying the par four 13th (his fourth hole of the day) to put him on the back foot. He rallied well late on, birdying three of the last four holes and if he can carry on that momentum today he might make for a nice trade in the outright market and he could be value in the place markets.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've backed him in the win market at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="119/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">120.00</span></span> (best price 80/1 on the High Street) and I've also had a couple of small wagers for him to finish inside the top-ten and the top-20 at 6/1 and 5/2 respectively with the Sportsbook.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">17:50 - October 05, 2017</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given the field is split around three different courses for the first three days (see Event Structure in <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">the preview</span></span>), the <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Alfred Dunhill Links Championship</span></span> is always a tricky event to evaluate and it's especially hard to assess when the weather's windy and changeable.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In recent editions, most of the big names have played the Carnoustie - Kingsbarns - St. Andrews rota over the first three days but this year they've kicked off at St. Andrews today and there'll be at Carnoustie tomorrow before playing Kingsbarns on Saturday. The weather forecast suggests <span style="font-weight: 600;">a bit of respite from the blustery conditions tomorrow</span> and some are viewing that as a break for the more fancied runners but I'm not at all convinced.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will get to play the hardest course in the easiest conditions but they can't just go there and survive tomorrow. They'll need to score. The forecast for Saturday is very blowy and they'll struggle to go low around the easiest of the three venues - Kingsbarns.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those that have played Kingsbarns in today's windy weather will have a chance to kick on again at St Andrews tomorrow but they will then have to face Carnoustie in the worst of the weather on Saturday and <span style="font-weight: 600;">I fancy those that have already played Carnoustie today have had the best of the draw.</span> The last four winners have all kicked off at Carnoustie on day one and I can see it happening again.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the previous 16 editions of the event, all bar two winners were within four of the lead and inside the top-30 after day one so being up with the pace is usually very important but given the forecast, I haven't concentrated solely on the leading pack and the one I like at this very early stage is <span style="font-weight: 600;">Joost Luiten.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luiten fired a two-under-par 70 around Carnoustie today and I thought he was too big at around the 50/1 mark. The Sportsbook did go 50/1 after he'd finished his round, with six places still up for grabs. That's been cut now but anywhere around <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="49/1"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">50.00</span></span> is still very acceptable on the exchange. He doesn't have spectacular event form but he's a fine links exponent and he sat second with a round to go before finishing 24th in 2013.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Safeway Open</span></span> has kicked off on the PGA Tour but I'll look at that one tomorrow after the opening round.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Alfred Dunhill Links Pre-Event Selections:<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Chris Wood @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="39/1">40.00</span> - Non-Runner<br />J.B Holmes @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="59/1">60.00</span><br />Ross Fisher @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="69/1">70.00</span><br />Eddie Pepperell @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="74/1">75.00</span><br />Callum Shinkwin @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="139/1">140.00</span><br />Austin Connelly @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="159/1">160.00</span><br />Jeunghun Wang @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="199/1">200.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">In-Play Picks<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Joost Luiten @</span> <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="49/1">50.00</span><br />Romain Wattel @ <span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative;" title="43/1">44.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Safeway Open Pre-Event Selection:<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Chesson Hadley @ 60/1 (Sportsbook)</span></span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-weight: 600;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">In-Play picks<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Martin Laird @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="119/1">120.00</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Martin Laird - top-10 @ 6/1 and top-20 @ 5/2</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Bill Haas @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="37/1">38.00</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Ryan Moore @ </span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="54/1">55.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu7DugdLAUvDBn7kcFnE4q0UcOkZJtoW_UhiBCqdVYHRNB1aKKYpYOoRt1iJujEX1M0jl75vb0gWGvRd3WytYpmKg3_otl0GK4seTMfSPK4pdn6JhJiM6fcVRCQzucehBD77gyUI_Tqo/s1600/golf-brendan-steele-travelers-champ_3160799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu7DugdLAUvDBn7kcFnE4q0UcOkZJtoW_UhiBCqdVYHRNB1aKKYpYOoRt1iJujEX1M0jl75vb0gWGvRd3WytYpmKg3_otl0GK4seTMfSPK4pdn6JhJiM6fcVRCQzucehBD77gyUI_Tqo/s640/golf-brendan-steele-travelers-champ_3160799.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none; padding: 0px 2px 1px; position: relative; transition: color 0.2s;" title="54/1"><br /></span></span></span></div>

The Punter's In-Play Blog: Chesson can press on at Silverado

n stark contrast to the Alfred  Dunhill links Championship , which  looks a done deal , after three rounds in California, the  Safeway Open...

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World Cup Qualifier: Socceroos v Syria (2nd Leg)

<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WCQ: Australia v Syria (1-1)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tuesday 8:00pm (AEDT)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />at Stadium Australia, 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;">He warned us to respect Syria and continues to have very little belief in Ange Postecoglou. On paper the 1-1 draw is a good result as Australia were able to grab the all important away goal but the danger signs were again there to be seen.</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;">The Socceroos are now as unconvincing as the coach himself. How players can be making their debut in such a crucial match is beyond all belief! The selections of Jurman and Risdon were bizarre to say the least and what is Rukavytsya doing returning to the squad after a 4 year hiatus.</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;">This tie is far from over and if you find that hard to believe The Wolf says to look at some of the Socceroos recent matches. The Socceroos have won just 1 of their last 7 matches across all competitions and only 3 of their last 9 in qualification. Defence has clearly been the issue which makes Postecoglou’s persistence with a back trio even harder to comprehend. The Socceroos have maintained just the 1 clean sheet in their last 9 World Cup qualifiers and if they are to concede multiple goals in this one they will be in HUGE trouble.</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;">Postecoglou has hinted that Cahill and Rogic will get the start with Luongo and Troisi to figure at some point. The Wolf says there is no questioning what Cahill has done for his country but he should not be starting. As we saw against Thailand the 37 year old cannot play 90 minutes – so why would you start him!!! If Australia needs a goal in the closing stages Cahill needs to be on the field. Against Thailand he was subbed off on the hour mark and was on the sidelines for the period that he was needed most.</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;">For the final 20 the Socceroos bombarded the Thailand penalty area with cross after cross but our best aerial weapon was on the bench… Clearly Ange hasn’t learnt from his mistakes! With the Socceroos unable to keep their opponents out The Wolf expects a very high scoring encounter. The Socceroos haven’t lost at home in a qualifier since 2008 and a boisterous home crowd should get them over the line. Both teams to find the back of the net but after a nervous first half the Socceroos will take control. Ideally they will need a multiple goal buffer heading into the final 15 minutes and The Wolf cannot see them holding on if they have to rely on their defence.</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> <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;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best: Over 2.5 goals ($1.80)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Other: Both Teams To Score – YES ($2.20)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Value: 2nd Half Over 2.5 goals ($4.25)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Correct Score: Australia 3-1 ($13.00)</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NAGkuF6J_X_pRkBm-WoP7fdsbekf5T2hYu9maiJ7XdwTYdiEsSGCrL8LcY_ZK2tYgFobmQ-WyAqT-P0Xta0z0SvpbzoqGFIhlJ1ujPeDbopOpahuyhxwP-6Lzzik90quzUS97gm8P1U/s1600/Syria-Australia-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NAGkuF6J_X_pRkBm-WoP7fdsbekf5T2hYu9maiJ7XdwTYdiEsSGCrL8LcY_ZK2tYgFobmQ-WyAqT-P0Xta0z0SvpbzoqGFIhlJ1ujPeDbopOpahuyhxwP-6Lzzik90quzUS97gm8P1U/s640/Syria-Australia-2.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>

World Cup Qualifier: Socceroos v Syria (2nd Leg)

WCQ: Australia v Syria (1-1) Tuesday 8:00pm (AEDT) at Stadium Australia, Sydney He warned us to respect Syria and continues to have very ...

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Shanghai Masters: 1st Round

<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 Race To London heats up this week with 1000 points up for grabs. With less than that separating 8th to 24th in the race we are likely to see several players shoot up the rankings on the back of a strong showing. Federer returns this week and will be hoping to gather some early momentum ion what is his first competitive appearance since the US Open.</span></div> <h5 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; font-size: small;">Feature Previews</span></h5> <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;">Robin Haase v Richard Gasquet</strong>Haase is a classic example of a player with ability in the top 50 who will never be able to break into the top 20 due to his inconsistency. He made the semi’s at the Montreal Masters but has lost his last 4 matches on tour. He has now lost in the first round in 6 of his last 8 tournaments. He puts up a fight but once things go pear shaped he virtually falls off a cliff. Gasquet has really found his feet over the last month and with a 5-1 record against Haase we should see him post a comfortable win.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best Bet: Gasquet -3.5 ($1.85)</span></strong></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;">Andrey Rublev v Damir Dzumhur</strong>A red hot Rublev accounted for Dzumhur at the US Open but The Wolf cannot look past the Bosnian in this one. His game is steady and the same does not apply with Rublev who is a bit of a yo-yo. Dzumhur was on a 8 match win streak prior to his loss to Dolgopolov and he was clearly fatigued in the deciding set against Dimitrov last week. His early exit has given him plenty of time to recover and he will take full advantage.<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;">Best Bet: Dzumhur WIN ($1.80)</span></strong></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;">Juan Martin Del Potro v Nikoloz Basilashvili</strong>We faded Del Potro last week against Dimitrov and The Wolf says we will be backing against him again today. Basilashvili has been in decent form since the US Open and has matches under his belt already this week after coming through the qualifiers. He has wins over big servers such as Muller and Troicki over the last month and Posposil who he beat in the qualifiers is the ideal lead in opponent. He may not get the cash but Basilashvili will definitely cover the line and raise some eyebrows along the way.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Basilashvili +4.5 ($1.91)</strong></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JaL0oeR-J2jPyDkhyphenhyphenSpQV-PDCJmkV7d8LgWOgqOHiMSv2z7htNjDjWEg1mskJ4Cg8hQgjbZ1L5fyk4nlh2eoX10RtKuNlQUYtT_xXyO_mP1dncxw3z0ngpsnCJw_YiIda00fdB-p1W8/s1600/juan-martin-del-potro-out-of-australian-open-2017-images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1000" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JaL0oeR-J2jPyDkhyphenhyphenSpQV-PDCJmkV7d8LgWOgqOHiMSv2z7htNjDjWEg1mskJ4Cg8hQgjbZ1L5fyk4nlh2eoX10RtKuNlQUYtT_xXyO_mP1dncxw3z0ngpsnCJw_YiIda00fdB-p1W8/s640/juan-martin-del-potro-out-of-australian-open-2017-images.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>

Shanghai Masters: 1st Round

The Race To London heats up this week with 1000 points up for grabs. With less than that separating 8th to 24th in the race we are likely t...

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ATP Beijing / Tokyo: Finals

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the disappointment of The Wolf Mannarino earned his first career win over a top 5 ranked player and has been rewarded with a meeting against Goffin in the final of Tokyo. All eyes though will be on the clash between Kyrgios and Nadal in Beijing. The pair have met 4 times with 2 wins a piece. Nadal is yet to beat the Aussie on a surface other than clay which makes for a very intriguing clash.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ATP Beijing Feature Previews</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rafael Nadal v Nick Kyrgios</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kyrgios won the battle of the young guns and if he can repeat his performance on serve this match will be on his racquet! As we have seen in the past he plays his best tennis against top ranked opponents and his H2H records against the world’s are the supporting evidence. He is 2-0 against Djokovic, 1-1 against Federer, 3-1 versus Zverev and 2-2 with Nadal. Both the Spaniard’s wins have come on clay while Kyrgios won at Wimbledon on grass and in straight sets at Cincinnati leading into this years US Open. On that occasion Kyrgios made 70% of first serves winning 85% of those points and was dominant behind his second ball winning almost 70% of those points. Nadal has had trouble dealing with the Kyrgios power game on fast surfaces and this surface plays right into Kyrgios’ game style. The Wolf is with the bookies on this one and says Kyrgios can claim another big scalp!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best Bet: Kyrgios +2.5 ($1.73)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUXYOFf42DP85B6C2chuSMQSnL_wlq3jRxjdQmu2g3g9urvVD5BK0lT3rMplMYF_mV_xyVN5h30D_e0nWrsvNc_MjaG8gVf4NkCQudyOME8-Zjzk6xLnrqydJbjVj4hECx8ZjJRLp09M/s1600/451ECEAD00000578-0-image-a-84_1507385449864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="636" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUXYOFf42DP85B6C2chuSMQSnL_wlq3jRxjdQmu2g3g9urvVD5BK0lT3rMplMYF_mV_xyVN5h30D_e0nWrsvNc_MjaG8gVf4NkCQudyOME8-Zjzk6xLnrqydJbjVj4hECx8ZjJRLp09M/s640/451ECEAD00000578-0-image-a-84_1507385449864.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>

ATP Beijing / Tokyo: Finals

To the disappointment of The Wolf Mannarino earned his first career win over a top 5 ranked player and has been rewarded with a meeting agai...

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Norway v Northern Ireland: Irish defence to hold firm in Oslo

Norway v Northern Ireland<br /> Sunday 8 October, 19:45 BST<br /> <br /> A long road back for the Norwegians<br /> The Norwegians haven't qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000 and they have missed out once again as the best they can do is finish third in Group C - six points adrift of Northern Ireland in second.<br /> Lars Lagerbäck is the latest manager given the chance to try and revive the fortunes of a nation that is the only team to have played and never lost to Brazil - they have faced them four times without defeat.<br /> The former Sweden boss was appointed earlier this year and it was against the Northern Irish at Windsor Park. They were beaten 2-0 on that occasion, but since then they have taken seven points from a possible 12 in qualifying and drew against Sweden in a friendly.<br /> Enthusiasm must be tempered however as the victories were at home to Azerbaijan and away at San Marino. They couldn't beat the Czech Republic on this ground and they were thrashed 6-0 in Germany.<br /> <br /> One more point needed for the Irish<br /> Michael O'Neill continues to take Northern Ireland from strength to strength and although their five match winning streak was ended by Germany on Thursday, it's hardly the end of the world to be beaten 3-1 by arguably the best national side in the world.<br /> The situation is complicated for the Irish as there are nine groups and only the best eight runners-up go into the Play-offs. As things stand, even a defeat would see them have enough points to make the top eight, but a point would absolutely guarantee it.<br /> They have played four times on the road in Group C to date and after beginning with a 0-0 draw in the Czech Republic, they lost 2-0 at Germany, before winning 1-0 and 3-0 at Azerbaijan and San Marino, respectfully.<br /> <br /> Hard to call a winner<br /> There is no denying that Norway have improved under Lars Lagerbäck as after missing out in the Play-offs during their Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign, their results were pretty poor.<br /> I wouldn't say that he has turned them into a truly competitive nation just yet though and he clearly needs more time to bed in the next generation of players.<br /> This match doesn't mean anything to them in terms of this competition as while they could finish anywhere between third and fifth, given the respective fixtures of the teams in third and fifth, whatever their result against Northern Ireland, they will almost certainly stay in fourth.<br /> Their opponents don't need to win the game either - they just need a draw. While I'm sure that Michael O'Neill will tell the press that they are going to Oslo to win, I can absolutely guarantee that he would take a point prior to kick off - as would his players.<br /> I very much doubt that the Irish will get on the foot too often and leave themselves exposed at the back so out of the three match results options - home win 2.56, away win 3.25 and draw 3.25, I would have to side with the latter.<br /> However I'm more keen to take something at a bigger price though as I like the look of 0-0 in the Correct Score Market at 8.60. It's a full two points bigger than 1-1 and I just can't see there being many goals at all in this close-fought fixture.<br /> <br /> Solid NI defence to get the job done<br /> A quick overview of the goal markets now and Over 2.5 Goals is trading at around the 2.48 mark, with the Under at 1.65. It's no surprise at all which way the layers are leaning as neither team really need to win.<br /> Northern Ireland have only conceded goals against Germany in this qualifying campaign and their defenders will know all about Norway's main attacking threat - Bournemouth's, Joshua King.<br /> I'm happy to go even lower when it comes to goals though as I think that Under 1.5 could prove a worthwhile investment at 2.86.<br /> This selection would have landed in two of Northern Ireland's four away games in Group C and it also covers us if our 0-0 is scuppered by just a single goal.<br /> <br /> Recommended Bets<br /> Back Under 1.5 Goals @ 2.86<br /> Back A 0-0 Correct Score @ 8.60<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldKb_F6DW3ZJ7n0e8kz_weWW9t_KWSWldiHpsJtTqFEOqiLV7fl2Q76ZgBZzlCD4xNKBF5rTJb3tfyo6wyvNUQhiPdGgz3xTa66d1hOG3OR9BlCikt_iiApmM6LVhuWAS5Dp3BSzPKnY/s1600/skysports-conor-washington-northern-ireland-norway-omar-elabdellaoui_3917885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldKb_F6DW3ZJ7n0e8kz_weWW9t_KWSWldiHpsJtTqFEOqiLV7fl2Q76ZgBZzlCD4xNKBF5rTJb3tfyo6wyvNUQhiPdGgz3xTa66d1hOG3OR9BlCikt_iiApmM6LVhuWAS5Dp3BSzPKnY/s640/skysports-conor-washington-northern-ireland-norway-omar-elabdellaoui_3917885.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Norway v Northern Ireland: Irish defence to hold firm in Oslo

Norway v Northern Ireland Sunday 8 October, 19:45 BST A long road back for the Norwegians The Norwegians haven't qualified for a maj...

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Gillingham v Portsmouth: Gills to cause Pompey problems on Sunday

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gillingham 4.30 v Portsmouth 1.92, the draw 3.50</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, 14:30</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Football</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be the first meeting between the pair in the third tier since 1983, and neither side are in particularly good form. Portsmouth tend to be overpriced in this division, and the away odds of 1.92 do not interest me at all.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenny Jackett's side are too inconsistent. Their recent form figures read LWLWL, so I won't be in a rush to take the odds-on price for them in the televised game.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gillingham are 23rd in the table with just one victory, but there are signs of improvement under interim-boss Peter Taylor. He took over from Ady Pennock, and it seems the team are more organised. Taylor has also improved the work-rate.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The total of just seven points is an obvious worry - and that's their lowest tally in this division after 11 matches since 1988. But Pompey have won just one of their five away league games this term, so they are by no means an attractive betting option. Pompey are also light in the striker department. Nine-goal leading scorer Brett Pitman is out for a month, whilst Conor Chaplin won't be making the trip either.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the Gills; and Taylor collected a point from the 0-0 against Scunthorpe in a dreadful match. His team had just one shot on target and surrendered possession, and that was also his first game in charge since Pennock's exit.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gillingham's latest fixture was a 1-0 loss to Blackburn, and it was clear Taylor's work on team shape has improved the side. They didn't cave in and looked resilient, and they are obviously keeping games tight; so we should be looking to the Under 2.5 Goals here.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am happy to take a chance on the hosts, as Pompey have only kept one clean sheet away from home - and I would also look to the 1-0 Correct Score.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bets</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Gillingham Draw No Bet 0.5pt @ 3.30 </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back Under 2.5 Goals 0.5pt @ 1.85</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcyZyGCPR3kCWgfnEeeQtQPJ0qWHFNhmFJddf99PcPMXXuiOtHqNATbnh8ngIYbtoxcogRfwuD1GOA_BPDR0YcPit1Eq9OY63aCbFcBoke8dNBxF77rkgtTeAFtdaJnmngYyuMxrmZc4/s1600/image.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="848" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcyZyGCPR3kCWgfnEeeQtQPJ0qWHFNhmFJddf99PcPMXXuiOtHqNATbnh8ngIYbtoxcogRfwuD1GOA_BPDR0YcPit1Eq9OY63aCbFcBoke8dNBxF77rkgtTeAFtdaJnmngYyuMxrmZc4/s640/image.webp" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /> <div> <br /></div>

Gillingham v Portsmouth: Gills to cause Pompey problems on Sunday

Gillingham 4.30 v Portsmouth 1.92, the draw 3.50 Sunday, 14:30 Live on Sky Sports Football This will be the first meeting between the ...

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