Derby v Bristol City: Rams to take advantage of distracted Robins

<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;">Friday night sees promotion-chasing rivals Derby and Bristol City lock horns at Pride Park. Mark O'Haire previews the encounter...</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;"> <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 style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Derby v Bristol City</span><br />Friday 19th January, 19:45<br />Live on Sky Sports</span></strong></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;">Cameron Jerome lines up for Derby debut</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;">Second-placed <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Derby</strong> reduced the gap to the runaway Championship leaders Wolves to ten points after beating struggling Birmingham 3-0 at St Andrews last weekend. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Johnny Russell</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matej Vydra </strong>and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Andreas Weimann</strong> all grabbed goals as <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gary Rowett</strong> returned to haunt his former club.</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 Rams made a sluggish start to proceedings with goalkeeper<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Scott Carson</strong>, who Rowett has said is worthy of an England recall, pulling out a couple of impressive stops. But County rode the early pressure and soon exerted their authority on the encounter to seal a sixth win in eight outings.</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;">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;">Cameron Jerome</strong> is available to make his Derby debut but the striker might need to wait for his opportunity from the bench. Elsewhere, midfielder <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bradley Johnson</strong>remains the hosts sole injury concern.</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;">Will Robins have one eye on Man City clash?</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;">Bristol City</strong> boss <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lee Johnson</strong> believes his promotion-chasing team could be becoming victims of their own cup success. The Robins were beaten 1-0 at Ashton Gate by Norwich last weekend, extending their losing streak to five matches.</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;">City saw far more of the ball throughout the game but struggled to break down the Canaries defence. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Josh Brownhill</strong> hit the post before Norwich scored the decisive goal against the run of play with 10 minutes to play and Johnson suggested his side struggled with the physical exertion so soon after their League Cup date with Manchester City.</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;">Bristol City could be forgiven for having one eye on Tuesday night's return tussle with the Premier League leaders but the visitors will be unable to make sweeping changes. The Robins are in the midst of an injury crisis with club captain <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bailey Wright</strong> and strikers <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt Taylor</strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gustav Engvall</strong> joining the already lengthily list of absentees and doubts for Friday.</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;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Match Odds</span> - Rams out to extend home record against Robins</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;">Bristol City's</strong> <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"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>3.85</b></span></span> 4-1 win over Derby in the reverse encounter was their biggest league win over the Rams since winning 3-0 in February 1985 but the Robins might not be afforded the same chance when they travel to Pride Park.</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;">Derby</strong> <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="11/10"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>2.12</b></span></span> have won 11 of their last 14 home league matches against the Robins (D1 L2), scoring at least three goals in each of their last three meetings here. The home side have claimed<strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> eight victories in 13 home outings </strong>and recorded clean sheets in seven of their most recent 11 Championship matches.</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;">With Bristol City very short of offensive options, potentially distracted by Tuesday's semi-final second leg, and having failed to score in three of their last four, their might be mileage in backing 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="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </span>Derby win 'to nil' at 5/2</strong>. All eight of Derby's triumphs at Pride Park having arrived alongside a clean sheet.</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;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span> - Rowett will have his men well drilled</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;">Considering Derby have conceded just three goals in their last 11 games and only three of their 13 Pride Park matches have delivered 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;">Over 2.5 Goals</strong> <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="11/10"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>2.10</b></span></span> market, it's difficult to imagine a high-scoring encounter on the cards.</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;">Rowett's men are formidable defensively and outstandingly organised so should relish the battle against a Bristol City side that's received numerous plaudits for the manner of their displays under Johnson.</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;">Nevertheless, the Robins have returned <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Over 2.5 Goals</strong> profit in 11 of 13 trips to top-six clubs - six of their most recent 11 featured Over 3.5 Goals - so I'm happy to swerve the standard goals lines.</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;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Anytime Goalscorer</span> - Vydra can net again</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;">Matej Vydra</strong> is the Championship's top goalscorer, averaging a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">goal every 104 minutes</strong>. The Czech hitman has notched eight goals in his last 11 appearances at Pride Park (opening the scoring in six of seven games when he's found the net).</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;">Vydra's <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16 goals in 22 starts</strong>, together with the fact that he's on penalty duty for the Rams, means I'm happy to back the home striker to net again at <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>6/4</b></span>.</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;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR3lbkLT_U5o0XhBoZ8L_JhCaa-vHDDz-pf41pI-oHUR3pYo5PYlChvS2NOQBTn-IDSEa7fd7Vpp8yXQITTtKugBkLTEpozeg0X4q6mCWoWUn3R8AekudRDqL_9Xg4EkoRWo_1B5prdo/s1600/Derby-County-celebrate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR3lbkLT_U5o0XhBoZ8L_JhCaa-vHDDz-pf41pI-oHUR3pYo5PYlChvS2NOQBTn-IDSEa7fd7Vpp8yXQITTtKugBkLTEpozeg0X4q6mCWoWUn3R8AekudRDqL_9Xg4EkoRWo_1B5prdo/s640/Derby-County-celebrate.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Derby v Bristol City: Rams to take advantage of distracted Robins

Friday night sees promotion-chasing rivals Derby and Bristol City lock horns at Pride Park. Mark O'Haire previews the encounter... D...

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UFC 220: Miocic v Ngannou

<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;">UFC 220 is HERE and TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts will host the UFC’s first PPV card of 2018.</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;">In the Main Event, current Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic will attempt to break a UFC record of 3 title defences in his weight class when he takes on “The Predator” Francis Ngannou. With each man riding a streak of 4 first round KO’s, fireworks are guaranteed in what is set to be one of the most important fights in Heavyweight history.</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;">In The Co-Main Event, current Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is set to defend his strap against high flying contender Volkan Oezdemir. After drastically different results in both of their previous fights, this fight could go either way and The Wolf is excited for the underdog. The main card is rounded out by three fights in 3 different weight classes and will provide a big opportunity for the lesser known guys.</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 Wolf breaks down the main card with an emphasis on the two main fights and as always has provided us with “The Main Card Multi.”</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;">Thomas Almeida vs Rob Font</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The first fight on the main card is a battle of top 15 bantamweights with Thomas Almeida taking on Rob Font at 135 pounds. With the shakeup at the top of the division back in November and the fact that both men have lost each of their last bouts, the main stage of a UFC pay-per-view is a great spot to get their careers back on track.</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;">Almeida a well-rounded fighter, has an impressive MMA record of 22-2 with his only losses coming via top-flight competition in the form of Cody Garbrandt and Jimmie Rivera. Apart from that, Almeida has been flawless and built an impressive highlight reel of KO’s, with a black praijed in Muay Thai, Almeida is a danger to any 135er on the feet. A highlight reel KO could catapult Thomas back into title contention.</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;">His opponent Rob Font is coming of a submission loss to Pedro Munhoz and unquestionably will be looking to make his way back into the win column. A veteran of six UFC fights, Font has shown himself to be a tough fighter to beat and a dangerous finisher with 10 of his 14 victories ending by way of stoppage. His career highlight thus far was his knee KO of Matt Schnell back in December of last year. Font was dominating the fight before closing it up at 3.47 of the 1<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">st</sup> round.</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;">In Summary, the big stage could affect one man more than the other and the best fights often come out of the most overlooked bouts. The Wolf really likes the style both men bring and says look for a 2<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">nd</sup> round finish to Almeida in this one.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best: Thomas Almeida WIN ($1.85)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value: Almeida by KO ($3.25)</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;">Gian Villante vs Francimar Barroso</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The second fight on the main card is a Light heavyweight bout between Gian Vilante and Francimar Barroso. A big stage is set for the two UFC vets, with a combined 19 fights under the UFC banner, UFC 220s main card is the biggest stage for both their careers.</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;">Villante who is coming off back-to-back losses, will be looking to rebound in a big way. A former collegiate level grappler and football star, Gian poses a strong game for any opponent and will be looking to control Barroso on route to a victory. His knockouts of Aussie Anthony Perosh and Cody Donovan are two examples of the pressure he brings. Villante is looking to knock you out or take you down, nothing in-between.</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;">His opponent Barroso, is a also a strong grappler and looks to impose himself in most of his fights.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With both men at the tail ends of their career, this one could be a real flip of the coin. The Wolf likes power of the favourite in this one, Villante by KO.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best: Villante WIN ($1.56)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value: Villante by KO ($3.00)</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;">Calvin Kattar vs Shane Burgos</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The third fight on the main card sees Boston native Calvin Kattar take on rising star Shane Burgos, in a bout that would place the winner inside the top 15, of the UFCs stacked 145lb division.</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;">Calvin Kattar who will be competing in his 2<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">nd</sup> UFC bout, holds an impressive 17-2 MMA record, which includes a big victory over Andre Fili at his UFC debut. A dominant grappler, who likes to control his opponents both against the cage and on the ground, will be looking to extend his win streak to 10, in what is the biggest fight of his career. His opponent Burgos, is sitting at a undefeated 10-0 with the UFC hype machine starting to get behind him.</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;">Trained under legendary MMA coach Tiger Schulmann, the sky seems to be the limit for this young man and a big win on a UFC PPV, will go a long way in making him the UFCs next big star.</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;">A battle of experience vs youthfulness here, the Wolf likes the look of Burgos and expects him to get the victory via Decision.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best: Goes the Distance -YES ($1.60)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value: Shane Burgos by Decision ($3.00)</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;">Daniel Cormier vs Volkan Oezdemir</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Co-Main event of the evening sees the light heavyweight title on the line, when reigning champion Daniel Cormier takes on Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir.</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;">Coming off the toughest loss of his career, DC looks to bounce back from his KO defeat against Jon Jones, with a vintage performance over the dangerous Oezdemir. After the news came out that Jones had failed his pre-fight drug test, the MMA world was again thrown into a spin with a possible 4 years suspension hanging over his head. In the meantime, Cormier was handed back his 205lb title and promises not to lose it anymore. An Olympic alternate in wrestling, Cormier has been involved in combat sports most of his life and the challenge of Oezdemir is nothing DC hasn’t seen before.</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;">With an MMA record of 19-1-1, Cormier has looked great in all of his fights expect for those against Jones and the challenge of a heavy hitter is just another day at the office. Formerly fighting at heavyweight, Cormier has fought some of the hardest hitting men in the world and has shown an incredible ability to absorb damage and comeback from it.</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;">Both fights with Anthony Johnson, Roy Nelson and Alexander Gustaffson are just a few examples of DC’s ability to take a punch and keep moving forward. Look for DC to push the pace in the bout and further solidify himself as one of the best to ever do it.</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 man he faces is one of the scariest 205 pounders ever and in the short 12 months he has been in the UFC, he has risen from an unknown to a title challenger.</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;">A combined fight time of 70 seconds over his last 2 bouts will do that, as Oezdemir ran through Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa. Putting both men to sleep with relative ease, Volkan has struck dynamite and DC needs to very careful of getting hit clean, particularly after the first KO loss of his career. There is relatively large component of unknown in this bout, we have seen little of Oezdemir and a step up in competition such as this one is no easy task for the man fighting out of Switzerland.</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;">But there are exceptions to every rule, The Wolf loves the underdog in this one and can’t count Oezdemir out. TW likes his chances early.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best: Goes The Distance -NO ($1.32)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value: Oezdemir KO Round 1 ($7.00)</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;">Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />IN THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING, two colossus collide as the baddest man on the planet will be decided when reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic looks to make UFC history with 3 title defences. Miocic will need to go through a predator, Francis Ngannou who is arguably the scariest fighter in the UFC right now. Both men are on a streak of four 1<sup style="box-sizing: border-box;">st</sup> round KO’s & are looking to continue in devastating style.</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 current Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, has left his mark on the sport with an incredible ability to absorb punishment and constantly push forward. Combine this with collegiate level wrestling and golden gloves boxing skills and there is a real argument for Miocic to be considered one of the best ever.</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;">His last 4 bouts he has steam-rolled 3 former UFC champions and a K1 grand prix winner. Arlovski still hasn’t woken up from his KO loss, Miocic then knocked out former champ Werdum with a jab while running backwards. Stipe then survived an early onslaught from Overeem to KO the Dutchmen inside a round and most recently at UFC 211. Stipe Miocic avenged 1 of his 2 career losses, by rolling through Junior Dos Santos with a right hand that’d end anybody’s night in the UFC.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />On the doorsteps of greatest, Stipe Miocic has been just about perfect as champion, though he has shown in the Overeem, Hunt or Struve fight that he can be hit and the man he faces Sunday only needs one shot!</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;">Just four short years ago Francis “The Predator” Ngannou was homeless in Paris, after stumbling into an MMA gym while training to box, his coaches knew where his future should lie and has honed his skills ever since. Since then Ngannou has been ferocious in victory demolishing anyone who has stood in his way. From his debut KO of Luis Henrique, to the beat down he gave Arlovski and lets not forget the highlights of highlight reel KO’s over Overeem. Francis has sent a message to all UFC heavyweights with each bout and will look to extend his UFC resume at 220.</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;">Just like the Co-main event, there is a heap of uncertainty and with both men possessing the ability to end the fight with one shot, the only thing guaranteed is fireworks. How great of a grappler is Ngannou? Can he weather a storm? Can Miocic weather Ngannou’s biggest shot? Sunday we find out!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best: Totals Over 1.5 Rounds ($2.20)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value: Miocic Round 3 ($15.00)</strong></span></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CiDCha03cdbnpNLikXKrAOJbUuXtMTdvbX3NKZIy-qHVdYd-AHZaUm7SLP1EzHNCQ3GzsLaA1zDCUTjPL8WnfzdXkXXX2izHJWZ3uIup-KG0GWWMG7xzd9vNCgIIP3F0y2gFqXW5G8g/s1600/26814454_1526730204028951_8906340545675687206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CiDCha03cdbnpNLikXKrAOJbUuXtMTdvbX3NKZIy-qHVdYd-AHZaUm7SLP1EzHNCQ3GzsLaA1zDCUTjPL8WnfzdXkXXX2izHJWZ3uIup-KG0GWWMG7xzd9vNCgIIP3F0y2gFqXW5G8g/s640/26814454_1526730204028951_8906340545675687206_n.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>

UFC 220: Miocic v Ngannou

UFC 220 is HERE and TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts will host the UFC’s first PPV card of 2018. In the Main Event, current Heavyweight...

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CareerBuilder Challenge: Preview and Tips

<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;">Course</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 CareerBuilder Challenge is unique on the PGA Golf Tour as it is played on three different courses. The TPC Stadium Course, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and the La Quinta Country Club will be the three courses that the players will play on this year.</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 Stadium Course is the official host of this tournament and will also be where the final round is played. All the three courses are just over 7200 yards in length with a Par-72 layout. The weather conditions are expected to be much better than last year when the tournament was hit by a lot of rain.</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 17th hole on the Stadium Course is called ‘Alcatraz’ since it is an island green that can often cause some late drama in the tournament. The fairways are generous and the Par-5’s are pretty easily reachable by PGA Tour standards. In fact, it is the Par 5’s where the big scoring moves will be made.</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;">All the three courses are among the easiest on the Tour and the Wolf expects a large number of birdies and eagles to be hit this week.</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;">Tournament Overview</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;">This tournament was won by Patrick Reed in 2014, Bill Hass in 2015, Jason Duffner in 2016, and Hudson Swafford won the tournament last year to be the defending champion.</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 format of the tournament was changed in 2012 from a five-round format to a standard four-round format. The cut is, however, after 54 holes, not 36 holes.</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;">Form is a very important factor when looking at the field in this tournament because the easy nature of the courses means that anyone going through a hot streak has a chance to win it. A three round cut, however, lends kindly to the leading players allowing them more opportunity to showcase their class against the rest of the field.</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;">In general, players that can get some excellent distance from the tee have an advantage because they put themselves in excellent scoring positions on the Par 5 holes. Players that are good ball strikers and running hot with their irons will have plenty of opportunities to catch up on the Par 4’s, though.</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;">Stats That Matter</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 has identified the following statistics to keep an eye on for this tournament:</span></div> <ul style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem 1.1rem; padding: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Par 4 Scoring</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strokes Gaines: Off the Tee</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greens in Regulation</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strokes Gained: Putting</span></li> </ul> <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;">As mentioned earlier, this tournament is going to be all about scoring. The conditions last year were not the best and Hudson Swafford still managed to finish with -20 total for the win. Duffner has -25, Bill Hass had -22, and Patrick Reed had a -28 in the years before for their victories.</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 Wolf expects this year to be around the -25 mark for sure as well.</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;">Predictions</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’s favorite for this tournament is the same as the bookmakers, <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Jon Rahm at $10.00</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">. He is easily the best player in the field and in a class of his own. Rahm is in excellent form and finished 2nd at the Sentry Tournament of Champions earlier this month. He finished 34th at this course last year and will benefit greatly from that experience.</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;">Jon Rahm is one of the most incredible scorers in this lineup and the Wolf can see him absolutely crush this easy course. Rahm is 96th in Strokes Gained: Putting, 74th in Par 4 Scoring and only 170th in Greens in Regulations.</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 value pick, the Wolf likes <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Webb Simpson at $23.00</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">. A T4 at the Sony Open in Hawaii last week means that Simpson is in excellent form. He also loves playing at this course and has made the cut 7 times out of 8 starts with his best finish being a T5.</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;">The stats back up Webb Simpson as well as he is 9th in Par 4 Scoring, 28th in Strokes Gained: Putting and 54th in Greens in Regulation. The Wolf also likes <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Phil Mickelson at $23.00</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"> </span>and recommends that you keep an eye on him for some in-play betting.</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 Wolf thinks that <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Chesson Hadley at $51.00</strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"> </span>is a good play as an outside bet. Hadley seems a perfect fit for this course but has missed the cut all the three times he has played here. He is, however, an unrecognisably improved player since that time and should do much better this time around.</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;">He is 90th in Par 4 Scoring, 36th in Strokes Gained: Putting, and 37th in Greens in Regulation. If Hadley can get some early momentum then he could surprise a lot of people this week.</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;">Recommended Bets</span></strong></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;">Tournament Winner</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best: Jon Rahm ($10.00)</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: Webb Simpson ($23.00)</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roughie: Chesson Hadley ($51.00)</span></strong></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;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tournament By Country</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top Aussie: Geoff Ogilvy ($3.75)</span></strong></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;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />72 Hole Match Bets</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big 6 v Field: The Field ($1.42)</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reed vs Simpson: Webb Simpson ($1.95)</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kisner vs Mickelson: Phil Mickelson ($1.92)</span></strong></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; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Johnson vs Howell: Charles Howell ($1.95)</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/AVvXsEidoWcyQY2gvrUgvCuALNB-TWQI1IM55uTZeYrZk1NMBvtiYrOXv9EltO1pDKlrRgt9GLUdMtWCXeLT9U9VDQC2RsJVjaEZYWLbSpA7Aaa1ZeOhGma5nPX8FlpOb59n4hvAw7MImepAwHk/s1600/careerbuilder-challenge-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoWcyQY2gvrUgvCuALNB-TWQI1IM55uTZeYrZk1NMBvtiYrOXv9EltO1pDKlrRgt9GLUdMtWCXeLT9U9VDQC2RsJVjaEZYWLbSpA7Aaa1ZeOhGma5nPX8FlpOb59n4hvAw7MImepAwHk/s640/careerbuilder-challenge-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong></div> <div class="ssbp-set--one ssbp-wrap ssbp--centred ssbp--theme-9" data-ssbp-toggle="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"> <div class="ssbp-container" data-ssbp-post-id="76845" data-ssbp-share-text="" data-ssbp-short-url="" data-ssbp-title="CareerBuilder Challenge: Preview and Tips" data-ssbp-url="http://blog.williamhill.com.au/golf/career-builder-challenge-preview-tips/" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> </div> </div>

CareerBuilder Challenge: Preview and Tips

Course The CareerBuilder Challenge is unique on the PGA Golf Tour as it is played on three different courses. The TPC Stadium Course, the...

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Australian Open Day 5: Preview and Tips

<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;">Aus Open 2018: Day 5</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;">Federer barely broke a sweat in his opening match and The Wolf says his match will resemble more of an exhibition that a contest.</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;">Day 5 – Men’s 3rd Round Feature Match Previews</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;">Andreas Seppi v Ivo Karlovic</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Chase the Ace punters were rolling in thanks to 48 aces from Ivo Karlovic and they would be crazy not to be on him again in what could be another long 5 setter. He holds a 2-1 edge in the H2H against Seppi with two of those encounters going the distance. In their last two matches, both won by Karlovic, Seppi has generated a total of only 4 break point opportunities – converting only once. The big serving Croat is winning over 85% of points behind his 1st serve and his opponents rarely get a look in. The points in his matches rarely last more than 3 shots so fatigue is rarely a issue in his matches. The Overs looks like it’s set high but it isn’t! There will be multiple tiebreaks in the match and we only need to go 4 sets for the Overs to salute.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Over 44.5 games ($1.91)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Number of Sets – 5 Sets ($3.10)</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;">Ryan Harrison v Marin Cilic</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Cilic has quietly making his way through the draw and we won’t hear his name until he meets Rafa in the quarters. Afetr a slow start in his opening match we saw the best of him against Sousa. His serve was dialed in! He won over 90% of points on serve and didn’t face a single break point. It was reminiscent of his serving performance against Federer in the semi’s of the 2014 US Open – a tournament he would go on to win. He is 5-1 lifetime against Harrison and crushed the American in their two meetings last year winning both matches in straight sets and dropping a total of only 7 games. Cilic will not be dropping a set.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Cilic -6.5 ($2.00)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Sets Cilic 3-0 ($2.10)</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;">Rafael Nadal v Damir Dzumhur</strong>Dmunhur is getting no respect whatsoever in this one and The Wolf is surprised. He couldn’t understand how the Bosnian was outsider against Millman in his previous match and with Rafa employing some unusual tactics this one should go longer than expected. We’re used to seeing Rafa stand deep behind the baseline to return but camping behind the Melbourne sign to return will take the pressure off the weakest part in Dzumhur’s game. The underdog will be allowed to get into rallies and that is exactly what he wants to do. He is solid off both wings and look to more forward where possible which will prevent Rafa from completely dominating. Dzumhur won titles in St Petersburg and Vienna last year for a reason –  he can play ball! The Wolf is shocked to see the total set this low and gives Dzumhur every chance of winning a set.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></strong><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Best Bet: Over 28.5 games ($1.83)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Value Bet: To Win A Set – Dzumhur ($3.40)</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;">Nick Kyrgios v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />What a 3rd round matchup!!! Cancel your Friday night plans because this one could go into the early hours of the morning. This will be their first meeting and we could not have picked a better stage for the show. Kyrgios has breezed into the 3rd round without dropping a set and his serve continues to be virtually unbreakable. Tsonga on the other hand is coming off the match of the tournament. He was down and out against Shapovalov but managed to recover from a 5-2 deficit in the deciding set – reeling off 5 straight games to close out a emphatic win. It was his big game experience which got him over the line and The Wolf believes that it will be a key factor in this match as well. He will not get intimidated by the crowd, or the Kyrgios serve. He has a much stronger return game than the Aussie and will look to attack his opponents backhand with heavy inside-out forehands. The Frenchman also has a significant edge in net play and says the first set is more important for Kyrgios than himself. If Kyrgios falls behind we could see his mental frailties come to to fore. We will witness 4 or 5 long sets of enthralling tennis and The wolf cannot wait. The Overs is the best bet of the tournament to date with Tsonga to win the value.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Over 40.5 games ($1.83)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Tsonga WIN ($3.40)</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;">Grigor Dimitrov v Andrey Rublev</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Dimitrov fans will be very nervous following his performance against McDonald but The Wolf is sitting in the background saying ‘I told you so’. He said to stay away from Grigor in the futures markets and is shocked to see Dimitrov this short in the market against a player that has huge upside. Rublev was spectacular against Baghdatis and literally blew him off the court. The Russian generated 9 breaks of serve and hit winners from all angles of the court. His forehand is like something we have not seen before and his opponents do not know how to deal with his aggressive game style. He wins close to 40% of return games and will attack what was a glaring weakness in the Dimitrov game the other night – his backhand. McDonald was consistently rewarded when he attacked the wing and Rublev will be able to do it with one major difference – RAW POWER! Let’s also not forget that Rublev beat Dimitrov in straight sets at the US Open last year.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Rublev +4.5 ($1.83)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Rublev WIN ($3.20)</strong></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;">Day 5 – All Men’s Tips</span></h4> <div class="su-table" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <table style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; height: 361px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em !important; width: 826px;"><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <tr class="su-even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Match (Time AEDT)</span></strong></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tips</span></strong></td></tr> <tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(11:00) Carreno-Busta v Muller</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Carreno-Busta WIN ($1.66)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: 1st Set Correct Score 7-6 ($2.75)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(11:00) Edmund v Basilashvili</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: To Win A Set – Basilashvili ($1.67)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Sets Edmund 3-1 ($3.70)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(11:00) Harrison v Cilic</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Cilic -6.5 ($2.00)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Sets Cilic 3-0 ($2.10)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(11:00) Seppi v Karlovic</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Over 44.5 games ($1.91)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Number of Sets – 5 Sets ($3.10)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(12:30) Nadal v Dzumhur</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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 Bet: Over 28.5 games ($1.83)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Value Bet: To Win A Set – Dzumhur ($3.40)</span></span></strong></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(13:00) Kyrgios v Tsonga</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Over 40.5 games ($1.83)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Tsonga WIN ($3.40)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(14:00) Schwartzman v Dolgopolov</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Schwartzman +1.5 ($1.83)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Sets Schwartman 3-2 ($6.50)</strong></span></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(14:15) Dimitrov v Rublev</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><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: Rublev +4.5 ($1.83)</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Value Bet: Rublev WIN ($3.20)</strong></span></td></tr> </tbody></table> </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;">Day 5 – Women’s 3rd Round Feature Match Previews</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;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Kaia Kanepi v Carla Suarez Navarro</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />There is no shortage of history between these two ladies. They have met on 8 occasions winning 4 matches each. Close matches have been a rarity with 6 of the matches ending in straight sets. It is quite amazing that in the last 5 matches one of the two players has won no more than 5 games. Both women are streaky players which explains the scorelines and in terms of form it is Kanepi who is hitting the cleaner ball at the moment. She has wins over Watson, Kasatkina, Cibulkova and Puig already this season. As long as she can deal with Navarro’s high looping ball flight she will win this match.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Under 20.5 games ($1.91)</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;">Jelena Ostapenko v Anett Kontaveit</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The Ostapenko roller coaster continued in her last match as she and Ying-ying Duan traded 13 breaks of serve! The French Open champion will have to tighten her game up if she is to remain in the tournament but as mentioned on several prior occasions The Wolf simply cannot ignore her ability to hit winners. She has 63 winners through two matches which is quite incredible. Similarly, Kontaveit is not shy to go for her shots and it makes for a unpredictable affair. they will go the distance and it will be Ostapenko in three sets.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Sets Ostapenko 2-1 ($4.00)</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;">Elise Mertens v Alize Cornet </strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Gavrilova was labelled as a false favourite by The Wolf and Mertens showed why in a straight sets win over the Aussie. She remains undefeated for the year following her win in Hobart and there really is no weakness in her game. Her serve is very solid serve and she has remarkable depth with her groundstrokes. The absence of unforced errors in her game frustrates her opponents and The Wolf cannot see Cornet replicating the performance she had against Goerges.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Best Bet: Mertens WIN ($1.57)</strong></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;">Day 5 – All Women’s Tips</span></h4> <div class="su-table" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <table style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em !important; width: 656px;"><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Match</span></strong></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tips</span></strong></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bondarneko v Rybarikova</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Rybarikova WIN ($1.62)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Allertova v Linette</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allertova -1.5 ($1.83)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Kanepi v Suarez Navarro</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under 20.5 games ($1.91)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kostyuk v Svitolina</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Svitolina -7.5 ($2.10)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bertens v Wozniacki</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Bertens +5.5 ($1.80)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ostapenko v Kontaveit</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sets Ostapenko 2-1 ($4.00)</span></strong></td></tr> <tr class="su-even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mertens v Cornet</span></td><td style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204) !important; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 1em !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mertens WIN ($1.57)</span></strong></td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrika9KGXrKC1fDKVfSE8yggZfB8zGczW167bJBlKRBcj6lUzO9XGf5tkMWpjz3xIty7YqpcQL1Dlr5gBB80zcYsSkRCPsgCeWc1c2AS9VTOTVAxLx9nP0mNwD-2YQYw_kzMGsgFCWa3Q/s1600/skysports-rafael-nadal-tennis-australian-open_4207542+%25281%2529.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/AVvXsEjrika9KGXrKC1fDKVfSE8yggZfB8zGczW167bJBlKRBcj6lUzO9XGf5tkMWpjz3xIty7YqpcQL1Dlr5gBB80zcYsSkRCPsgCeWc1c2AS9VTOTVAxLx9nP0mNwD-2YQYw_kzMGsgFCWa3Q/s640/skysports-rafael-nadal-tennis-australian-open_4207542+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br />

Australian Open Day 5: Preview and Tips

Aus Open 2018: Day 5 Federer barely broke a sweat in his opening match and The Wolf says his match will resemble more of an exhibition th...

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