Rugby World Cup Final: Bettors confident England will beat South Africa

<div class="entry_body__intro" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After Saturday's semi-final win, the build-up to this weekend's final between England and South Africa begins with Max Liu's guide to the important betting markets...</span></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">England are </span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/7">1.57</span> favourites</span> on the Exchange to win the Rugby World Cup for the second time in their history when they play <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">South Africa </span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="2/1">3.00</span></span> in Saturday's final.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">England are 4/1 to start with a try again</span></span></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eddie Jones' men stormed into the final when they beat New Zealand 19-7 in the semi-final with one of the most sensational performances in Rugby World Cup history. After fronting up to the Haka, the Red Rose stunned their opponents with <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Manu Tuilagi</span> scoring a try after two minutes.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">England try is </span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/1">4.80</span> in the final's first scoring play</span> market.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Springboks</span>, meanwhile, overcame <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wales 19-16</span> in a dramatic semi-final on Sunday.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is the first time either side has reached the final since they met in France in 2007, when <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">South Africa won 15-6</span>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">England odds-on to cover handicap and 50/50 to win both halves</span></span></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">England's sole Rugby World Cup win came in <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2003</span> when they beat Australia 20-17 after extra-time, thanks to Jonny Wilkinson's iconic last minute drop goal. But this time bettors believe the Red Rose will be more comfortable.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnvxcg1CX6Gdk0T0l9Co_PFPObPrlJtafNVif32hKJ_Nsf2bqebbgtz6DgogbOOwFOC1bPUXShv0qifszMVuYsi-fDedFH7dsai-TT9D0-yhVbfLGsbxfofGybkMJ0q16bHz1D3ud-Ww/s320/GeorgeFordEngland1280.956x538.jpg" width="320" /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are backing captain <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Owen Farrell</span> and his teammates to win by a bigger margin this time, with <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">England </span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="10/11">1.90</span> to cover a -4.5 point handicap</span>, and South Africa +4.5 available at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.08</span>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you think Jones's men will be dominant throughout then you can back <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">England/England at </span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.12</span></span> in the half-time/full-time market.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRmoxsbVqBfO2DlTTBQnmQalcVpA-u7mA8TQfecZUD94beeaiZv45iEklRVToR_UmsJHSl4sEZL-oqHCWsLr9S2-J1weGeP0S0g5QKSUBIjc35ZXeoxUFjACf3ed_eawEW5B95FLhfw4/s320/south+africa+semi-thumb-640xauto-89584.jpg" width="320" /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">South Africa have already <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lost one match</span> at this world cup, against New Zealand in their opening group game, whereas England have a 100% record (although their cancelled group match against France was deemed a draw). No team has ever won the world cup after losing match in the group stage.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">England and South Africa have played each other four times in the past 18 months with the teams winning two matches each. When they met on 3 November 2018 - almost exactly a year to the day from Saturday's final - England edged it <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12-11</span> at Twickenham.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Saffers were backed at 19/1 for world cup glory</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will the final be higher scoring contest than that match a year ago? <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">England's over/under mark is set at 20.5 points</span></span></span> - a line they crossed in all of their matches at this world cup apart from their semi-final victory over New Zealand.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">England</span> came into the tournament as second favourites behind defending champions the All Blacks, although Jones's men have traded as high as <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="10/1">11.00</span><span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> for world cup glory in 2020</span></span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">South Africa</span> were also considered leading contenders, thanks to the way they have improved over coach Rassie Erasmus in the past 12 months, and if they upset the final odds then it should be big pay day for whoever backed them at the high of <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="19/1">20.00</span> in the outright winner market</span>.</span></div> </div> </div>

Rugby World Cup Final: Bettors confident England will beat South Africa

After Saturday's semi-final win, the build-up to this weekend's final between England and South Africa begins with Max Liu's gu...

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ATP Paris Masters Day Two: Verdasco to double up his day one winner

<div class="entry_body__intro" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's more action at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, with first and second round matches taking place. Our tennis columnist, Dan Weston, discusses today's schedule...</span></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Verdasco gives us a good start on day one</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a good start to our Paris Masters campaign with Fernando Verdasco getting us a three-set <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">underdog victory</strong> over Borna Coric, who has really disappointed towards the end of the season, and the Spaniard's reward is a second round meeting with Alexander Zverev - more on this later.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our hopes for our outright pick in the bottom half of the draw - long-shot Denis Shapovalov - also received a boost with the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">withdrawal of Roger Federer</strong>, which was something I discussed as being possible in the outright preview given the Swiss veteran's continued desire to manage his schedule to avoid expending considerable energy.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lajovic and Fritz looking like slight early value</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving back to today's action though, we have six first round matches as that stage concludes, and four matches in the second round, as that round gets underway. In the early matches in round one, I think that the market has a couple of the matches priced the wrong way around, with <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dusan Lajovic</strong> <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">priced at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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">2.12</span></span> against the lucky loser, Corentin Moutet being the first.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lajovic is certainly nothing to write home about indoors but Moutet's <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">serve numbers</strong> illustrate that he's unlikely to be able to succeed at this level without notable improvement, and I expect that this match will be one of the more return orientated clashes of the day.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the second early match I mentioned, Frances Tiafoe looks short <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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="10/11">1.89</span></span> against Taylor Fritz - I perceive both are <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a little over-rated by the market</strong> in general currently, but I think Fritz, who I think has more long-term potential as well, to have a decent chance of taking this as a very marginal underdog.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Verdasco can compete against Zverev</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The majority of other prices look about right to me, although for today's recommendation, I'm going for a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Verdasco double</strong> to back up yesterday's winner in tonight's match, starting not before 2000 UK time. Verdasco's service/return points won numbers this year are simply better than his win-loss record on hard courts (I mentioned yesterday, for example, that his last six losses were all in tight three-setters), while the reverse is arguable for Zverev, whose strong tiebreak record on hard courts this year has been of benefit to the German top ten player.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzVwAMXB8bizRYoJY4t42vugmhdGd2uxUGm-ffPd7K6-7JuA1vgJ_5FXP6KH4ZFh7z3k75pecNXYLLePS35HbJN6SEd-1VPd-fjSagKgzeNBoOK8pEjrpXdS-coMcSZQgoYRhI1q0cUI/s320/Verdasco1280.956x538.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Zverev being a little over-rated by the market is nothing new, but I think Verdasco </span><strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can compete here</strong><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">. The 'Verdasco to win a set' market is still to take shape, but should settle at around even money for the 'yes' outcome.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can also consider Verdasco on the game handicap. The +3.5 game line <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>is </b></span></span><span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; 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">2.10</span>, with the +4.5 game line likely to settle around the <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/6">1.65</span> mark. It could be worth buying that extra game, given that it enables a one break in each set type 6-4 6-4 scoreline to be a winner, but he's covered +3.5 in all but one of his recent three set defeats and I'll take a risk with the <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">bigger price</strong> around the +3.5 games at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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">2.10</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shapovalov among others in action on day two</span></strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other matches, our outright pick, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Denis Shapovalov</strong>, starts his tournament against Gilles Simon, while the highly rated by the outright market, Daniil Medvedev, does likewise (after a first round bye) as he faces Jeremy Chardy. British eyes will be on Kyle Edmund, who has had a torrid recent run of results, and he's a marginal favourite over Ricardas Berankis, who is no mug indoors.</span></div> </div> </div>

ATP Paris Masters Day Two: Verdasco to double up his day one winner

There's more action at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, with first and second round matches taking place. Our tennis columnist, Dan Weston...

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Chelsea v Manchester United: Vote for Pedro

<div class="entry_body__intro" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chelsea face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and with much-changed sides expected to be on display, Andy Schooler is taking a chance on a 7/1 shot.</span></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; 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="color: #161616; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Chelsea v Manchester United</span></span></strong><br /> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wednesday, 20:05</span></strong><br /> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Main Event</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These two met on the opening day of the Premier League season and things looked very different to how they are now.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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;">Manchester United</strong> triumphed 4-0 back in August and while the scoreline flattered them, it was an impressive start to the campaign and a miserable one to the Frank Lampard era at <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chelsea</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since then, it's been a long, hard struggle for United but Chelsea have undoubtedly shown there is much to like about their new-look side, packed with young talent.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Blues head into this last-16 tie on a <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">seven-game winning run in all competitions</strong>, one which began with a 7-1 demolition of Grimsby in the last round of this League Cup.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Encouraging signs for United</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the same night, United were scraping past Rochdale on penalties at Old Trafford. It was a result which summed up the lethargy at Old Trafford but there have been <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">definite signs since the international break that they are emerging from their slump</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They held league leaders Liverpool with only a late equaliser denying them all three points and followed that up by ending their away drought, first in the Europa League at Partizan Belgrade and then domestically with a 3-1 victory at Norwich.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The return to fitness of <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthony Martial</strong> appears to have made a difference, while <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcus Rashford</strong> has also performed well with the Frenchman back in the side to aid him up front.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They will also head into this game knowing they are <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unbeaten in their last four against Chelsea</strong>, including a win here in the FA Cup last season.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course, the problem with the Carabao Cup from a punter's perspective is you can never be sure who is going to make the starting XI.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Visitors tempting - but team news vital</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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;">Ole Gunnar Solskjaer</strong> must be tempted to name a strong side and maintain the positive momentum of the past couple of weeks. If he does, quotes of <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="16/5">4.20</span> about the Red Devils <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>winning the game</b></span></span> will be quickly snapped up. However, it seems more likely that Rashford, Martial and a handful of others will be left out with a trip to Bournemouth to come on Saturday lunchtime.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chelsea, with home games against Watford and Ajax to come in the next week, will also likely make several changes. <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Billy Gilmour</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;">Marc Guehi</strong> started against Grimsby but aside from that it was still a very recognisable ream with the likes of <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcos Alonso</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Callum Hudson-Odoi</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;">Michy Batshuayi</strong> all included.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Several regular first-teamers also made the bench, albeit they weren't needed.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Goals seem likely</span></strong></h2> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAmDHmrsy_ajZOVAQ3FWIIl0AX8GKPG4MtLtOd6l3riZWeksPdpDq032IoSXhk2BD6r3ik6JDhz_8uJCCwakuQZFYC1aS2R83YDbw2eSW2akkJDNSqnSxvP0-pjAlNoLSFDjTFYfonzQ/s320/1280+Andy+Robertson+Pedro+Super+Cup.956x538.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong></div> <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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></strong> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can't be backing Chelsea at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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="20/21">1.97</span> without seeing the teams though. For the record, the draw is a <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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="11/4">3.70</span> shot.</span></strong></div> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In terms of the goal markets, <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>over 2.5</b></span></span> has generally been the way to go with Chelsea and that's at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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="10/11">1.91</span> here. <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>Both teams to score</b></span></span> is <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="8/11">1.75</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It wouldn't be difficult to make a case for either option but the uncertainty over the line-ups points me away from something so short.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Punt on Pedro</span></strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead I'll happily take a punt on <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pedro</strong> <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>opening the scoring</b></span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Spaniard is a player who seems likely to start. His chances have been limited of late but he made the XI against Grimsby and this looks an ideal opportunity for Lampard to keep him very much involved with a flourishing squad.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lampard spoke about Willian's recent workload after the weekend win at Burnley so it's not hard to envisage Pedro slotting in on the right of the attack, a position from which he <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">scored 13 goals last season</strong>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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;">Nine of those came at Stamford Bridge and significantly seven of the nine were the first goal</strong>. He's <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/1">8.20</span> to net the opener here and that is tempting.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Luke Shaw out injured, that side of the pitch has been a bit of a weakness for United with Ashley Young filling in as best he can. He's never been a natural defender though and often looks vulnerable.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pedro scored in that game against Grimsby from the penalty spot so he may well have that <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">added responsibility - and chance of scoring</strong> - in this one too if regular taker Jorginho is again left out.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Opta fact</span></strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Manchester United have won six of their last seven League Cup matches against Premier League opposition (L1), including a 3-2 victory in the final against Southampton in 2016/17.</span></div> </strong><br /> <div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Chelsea v Manchester United: Vote for Pedro

Chelsea face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and with much-changed sides expected to be on display, Andy Schooler is taki...

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Liverpool v Arsenal: Motivated Gunners can claim win

<div class="entry_body__intro" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arsenal have a track record of winning games with a below-strength side and can repeat the trick against what is likely to be a much-changed Liverpool on Wednesday.</span></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; 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="color: #161616; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Liverpool v Arsenal</span></span></strong><br /> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday, 19:30</span></strong><br /> <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Live on Sky Sports Football</span></strong></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You rarely get <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; 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="10/11">1.89</span> about <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liverpool</strong> <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>winning</b></span></span> a home game these days and it's doubtless a price which will attract many ahead of this last-16 tie.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, while the Carabao Cup always bring with a fog when it comes to looking at the team news, it seems more likely that <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arsenal</strong> will be the ones fielding a team most resembling their first XI.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gunners need a result</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unai Emery under increasing pressure</strong>, he can ill afford one of the Anfield defeats which Arsenal have become accustomed too - they've already lost 3-1 there in the Premier League this season.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A home league game (against Wolves) follows on Saturday, not the worst game to have after a midweek outing, while the Gunners are going along nicely in the Europa League and know a home win next Thursday would all but take them through to the knockout stage.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if Emery does decide to leave out a number of his stars, then <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Arsenal's back-up players are now well adjusted to life together</strong>. They've fielded a reserve XI for large parts of two long Europa League runs in the past two seasons, while several domestic cup ties have been negotiated with a youthful side.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several of those players are now making an impression on the first XI too - think <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Joe Willock</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;">Bukayo Saka</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In short, they are used to winning together.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The same cannot be said of Liverpool's back-up players.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Second string may fall short</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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;">Jurgen Klopp</strong> has not had the same opportunity to blood youngsters with his club being in the Champions League. And when he's given them a chance domestically, it's often failed to reap dividends.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Liverpool lost at Wolves with a youthful team in last season's FA Cup and while they did overcome MK Dons in the last round of this competition, they failed to truly convince. A goalkeeping howler gifted them the lead and the Dons had some great chances to level before eventually losing 2-0.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keeper <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Caoimhin Kelleher </strong>played that day as did <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ki-Jana Hoever</strong> (unavailable for this game), while the front three had an unfamiliar look - teenagers <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harvey Elliott</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rhian Brewster</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;">Curtis Jones</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While a stronger XI can be expected here, it's hard to see <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Virgil van Dijk</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mo Salah</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;">Joel Matip</strong> being risked after recent knocks, while it also looks an ideal opportunity for <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sadio Mane</strong> - who played virtually all summer - and the much-used <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Andy Robertson</strong> to get some rest.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bottom line is <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Carabao Cup is the lowest priority on Klopp's list</strong>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, he'll still have England internationals <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Joe Gomez</strong>, <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Adam Lallana</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;">Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</strong> ready to step in but it will still be a scratch team with little experience of playing together as a unit.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8o0-Nx0XBeLFmIBH493r2pWRx55CyAMccmMQlwYwLP4pAzTm6xMIvU9PW5T0BnkTHyaLEZGN9eE_N0QWvQbXlivi3BnTo75Y4aUzJ7bGzYq-iQJCMTudSiAeOHmBMx6iZlulJPQXqMA/s320/Emery+Hood+1280.956x538.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For me, this makes Arsenal of interest at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="16/5">4.20</span>.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The competition means more to them and there's a real need to produce a performance, especially after Sunday's home draw with Crystal Palace - a game they led 2-0 and one in which captain <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Granit Xhaka</strong> decided to take on his own fans, who have long been on his back.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fixture's goals history</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on, it's no surprise to see <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>over 2.5 goals</b></span></span> at <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="4/7">1.57</span> given the history of this fixture.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the seven meetings since Klopp arrived at Anfield, that bar has been cleared on six occasions. In fact, all six games in question have seen <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>over 3.5 goals</b></span></span> (<span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/8">2.34</span> this time) and four of them <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>over 5.5</b></span></span> (a <span class="inline-odds" style="background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="7/1">7.80</span> chance).</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still, with so much uncertainty over who will play I'm always loath to head down such a route.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Keep it clean</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I prefer a cards bet, or rather one focusing on a lack of them - <span style="color: #161616;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(255, 184, 12); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b>no cards</b></span></span> can be backed at <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">20/1</strong> via the Sportsbook's last booking market and that looks big.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thinking behind it is that the game is being refereed by <strong style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Andre Marriner</strong>, one of the most lenient Premier League referees.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's already taken charge of a no-card game at Anfield this season (when Newcastle were the visitors) and Liverpool are one of the best-behaved sides in the top flight - they sit second in the fair-play table at present having topped it in 2018/19.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The card count in the domestic cups is lower on average and Marriner produced just three cards in his four FA Cup ties this season, showing none in one of them.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arsenal, whose discipline is much worse, are the problem here and undoubtedly the reason the price is so high, but with the most recent make-ups in meetings between these two being 2-3-2-1, a lenient ref being in charge and this being a League Cup tie, a small-stakes punt at 20/1 looks worth a try.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, 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; color: #161616; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; 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="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Opta fact</span></strong></h2> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Liverpool have lost consecutive League Cup matches at Anfield - 0-1 against Southampton in 2016/17 and 1-2 against Chelsea last season; this is their worst ever run in the competition on home soil.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Liverpool v Arsenal: Motivated Gunners can claim win

Arsenal have a track record of winning games with a below-strength side and can repeat the trick against what is likely to be a much-change...

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Football Bet of the Day: Union to lose their way in the Black Forest

<div class="entry_body__intro" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> After a winning start to the week, we're staying in Germany, because Kev thinks there won't be a cup upset in Freiburg.</div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; font-family: BetFairFlama, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></div> <h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.5rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Distracted Union to tumble out</strong></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://btfr.co/162866368" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 184, 12); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Freiburg v Union Berlin</a></strong><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday 29 October, 17:30</strong></div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It's rare that a goalless draw constitutes an excellent start to the week, but Sandhausen's stalemate with Wehen Wiesbaden suited us just fine, as we <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://betting.betfair.com/football/football-tips/sandhausen-v-wehen-wiesbaden-betting-tips-predictions-281019-140.html" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 184, 12); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">opposed the hosts</a></strong> at odds-on. We'll stay in Germany for tonight's action, because Freiburg are up against Union Berlin in the DFB Cup's second round.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Union recently beat Freiburg 2-0 in the Bundesliga, a result that took many (including me) by surprise. However, I believe there are several reasons to believe the outcome will be different this time around.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Firstly, Union are preparing for one of the biggest games in their history, a Berlin derby against Hertha this Saturday. Those sides have never previously met in the Bundesliga, and with Union far from certain to stay up, who knows if this season's clashes will be the last for a while? Union's players wouldn't be human if they weren't <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">distracted by the derby,</strong> and I wouldn't be surprised if coach Urs Fischer shuffles his pack.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI19od_XKWNlhSSI08JnXoDB0ZpMLXo0suUe1tGILYLT77gBQQg70uCCWCNT4Wehokoqo3DCK5t9xrUTlScTUnGapSyiDqtsMUj3PlLVNgLNxnjwSXFsQOgIHe9ExpREKMfv8XciK2PU/s1600/christian+streich+1280.956x538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="956" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI19od_XKWNlhSSI08JnXoDB0ZpMLXo0suUe1tGILYLT77gBQQg70uCCWCNT4Wehokoqo3DCK5t9xrUTlScTUnGapSyiDqtsMUj3PlLVNgLNxnjwSXFsQOgIHe9ExpREKMfv8XciK2PU/s320/christian+streich+1280.956x538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="entry_body__content" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 8rem 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="editor" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Freiburg probably won't play their strongest team either, but they will be keen to make amends for their recent defeat in Berlin, and their overall form is <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">exceptional.</strong> They beat RB Leipzig 2-1 at the weekend, and they are third in the league after nine matches, which is remarkable. Coach <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christian Streich</strong> continues to turn water into wine in the Black Forest - it's worth remembering that SCF also held Borussia Dortmund to a 2-2 draw at the Schwarzwald Stadion earlier this season.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Union have lost their last three away games in the league, and I find it hard to believe they won't be distracted by Saturday's showdown in the capital. I'll back Freiburg <strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://btfr.co/162866368" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 184, 12); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">to win</a></strong> at <span class="inline-odds" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #ffb80c; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; color: #161616; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 3px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11/10">2.10</span>.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </div> </div> <section class="betting_copy" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f0f0f0; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 1rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: #161616; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2019 P/L</h2> <div class="editor" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Points Staked: 146<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />Points Returned: 135.24<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" />P/L: -10.76 points</div> </div> </section></div> </div>

Football Bet of the Day: Union to lose their way in the Black Forest

After a winning start to the week, we're staying in Germany, because Kev thinks there won't be a cup upset in Freiburg. Distr...

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US OPEN – MEN’S PREVIEW

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wolf’s Best</span></span></h2> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Novak Djokovic @ $2.20</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like him or hate him, he just wins. I wasn’t that impressed with Djokovic’s form at Wimbledon, but saved match points in the Final against the GOAT in Federer to take the Championship. Has made the Final at Flushing Meadows in 7 of the last 8 years and the Semi Final stage in his last 11 appearances, and is easily the best hard court player in the game by a fair margin. Has won four of the last five Grand Slam titles, and looking at his draw you can pencil in five of the last six. The ultimate challenge, and the match everyone will be looking forward to will coming in the Quarter Finals when he faces in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev who just beat him in Cincinnati. Don’t tell me ‘Djoker’ hasn’t earmarked that match in the calendar already.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Next Best</span></span></h2> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dominic Thiem @ $29</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clay-courter has a sneaky good record at the US Open. He would be over the moon with being the fourth seed, knowing he can avoid the big 3 until the Semi Finals, giving the Austrian an extremely friendly draw. If he can win his quarter, he’ll likely see Rafael Nadal in the Semi Final. The Austrian is well acquainted to seeing the Spaniard on the other side of the net, playing 13 times across their career including one of the best games of 2018 in the US Open Quarter Final where Nadal got through in a fifth set tie-break. Thiem’s got a 15-5 record at Flushing Meadows, and although he was ill and forced to withdraw from Cincinnati it could be a blessing in disguise. He’s had a demanding schedule across the year, and was probably due for a much needed break. Could face either Bautista-Agut or Kyrgios in the Quarters, and I think he’ll be too good for both of them. Knowing how Nadal’s body has the tendency to break down in the back end of the year especially on the hard courts, I think he’s a huge chance to upset the Spaniard in the Semis and reach his first US Open Final.</span></div> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">Rafael Nadal @ $4</span></span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wasn’t so lucky to draw Federer in his half at Wimbledon, but will be thrilled to see Federer, Djokovic and Medvedev all in the top half. Will face US Open giant killer John Millman in the first round, who caused a huge upset last year beating Federer. Unfortunately I can’t see Millman doing the same thing this year against Nadal. I expect the Spaniard to cruise to the Quarters, where he’ll probably face Russian Karen Khachanov. The Russian troubled Nadal in the US Open last year, but I can’t see it happening again. Expect Nadal to reach either the Semis or Final, but certainly don’t take the $4 for him to win. As discussed in the Thiem preview, his body tends to breakdown in the backend of the season, especially on the hard courts, and even if he gets past Thiem he’s not touching Djokovic.</span></div> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">Roger Federer @ $8</span></span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Has not won the US Open since 2008, and has not won his quarter at Flushing Meadows in four of his last six appearances. His loss to Andrey Rublev in the lead-up was played down, but after a grueling Wimbledon campaign it’s quite possible that the 38-year-old may have run out of petrol tickets. He also played the clay season this year for the first time in a while, so it will be interesting to see how the Swiss legend plays here. In his favour is an extremely easy first week, with his first real test likely to come at the Quarter Final stage against Kei Nishikori. Unless Djokovic unexpectedly stumbles before the Semi Final stage, I can’t see Federer reaching the Final.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Value Bet</span></span></h2> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roberto Bautista-Agut @ $67</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fact this bloke is the =13<span style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> favourite is laughable, especially when Alexander Zverev is at $34! RBA is in the easiest quarter of the draw, playing the best tennis on his career. At 31, he’s finally cracked the top ten for the first time in his career. Was sensational at Wimbledon, and his first two sets against Djokovic in the Semi Final were huge. Has enough hard court tennis under his belt in the lead-up, with his first real test likely to come in the fourth round against Nick Kyrgios, if the Australian can find his happy place in the first three rounds. He’ll avoid the big three until the Semi Finals if he can get that deep, where he’ll face Nadal. Look, he probably won’t win the US Open but the <span style="box-sizing: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">$10 to win his quarter</span> is outstanding value.</span></div> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kei Nishikori @ $67</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Has reached the Semi Final stage in three of his last four appearances at Flushing Meadows, including the Final in 2014. Has been unwell in the lead-up, but clearly enjoys the US Open surface based on recent performances. Will have some tough matches along the way, likely facing Australian Alex De Minaur in the third round, and Milos Raonic in the fourth – but I’m backing him in to win both of these games, especially with an injury cloud over Raonic. Should see Federer in the Quarter Final, where he will likely start at $3.50. Knowing how consistent the Japanese is, you may as well look at taking the <span style="box-sizing: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;">$10 to win his quarter</span> before he does go into $3.50 against Federer.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Draw</span></span></h2> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Quarter Finals</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Djokovic def Medvedev<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Federer def Nishikori<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Thiem def Bautista-Agut<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Nadal def Khachanov</span></div> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Semi Finals</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Djokovic def Federer<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Thiem def Nadal</span></div> <h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"> <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Final</span></span></h3> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Djokovic def Thiem</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tv0P7Xq5VuwYSmnA9Ej2QITCUBBx_Jw2LZXM1-LdPHm10nJ-24zr3xlbX5-ALcG6m_2JR_pGSRb6hOcGcZPIBINsjFxDzzvy6pXq2TOh-cWTQWRh9ykj5MO0GfO6uaXfAXShuiKbkeg/s1600/58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tv0P7Xq5VuwYSmnA9Ej2QITCUBBx_Jw2LZXM1-LdPHm10nJ-24zr3xlbX5-ALcG6m_2JR_pGSRb6hOcGcZPIBINsjFxDzzvy6pXq2TOh-cWTQWRh9ykj5MO0GfO6uaXfAXShuiKbkeg/s400/58.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232539; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <br /></div>

US OPEN – MEN’S PREVIEW

Wolf’s Best Novak Djokovic @ $2.20 Like him or hate him, he just wins. I wasn’t that impressed with Djokovic’s form at Wimbledon, but s...

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