Steve runs the rule over this week’s US PGA Tour event, what’s it going to take to win at Pebble?
AT & T Pebble Beach National: Mallinger to shine for The Punter
Posted by Golf on February 7th, 2012
Middlesbrough v Sunderland: Black Cats to earn Arsenal date
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Sunderland will see off out-of-form Middlesbrough at the second time of asking, predicts Michael Lintorn…
Golf Betting: Rory and Tiger’s odds are simply too short
Posted by Golf on February 7th, 2012
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will have an army of followers this week, in the Betfair markets that is, but Paul Krishnamurty believes both are worth taking on at their current short odds.
Premier League Betting: Cisse and Ba let Newcastle aim high
Posted by Premier League : UK & Ireland Football on February 7th, 2012
Michael Lintorn reflects on a glorious start for the Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse pairing and other duos who worked together up front for club and country…
Will Sachin Tendulkar make his 100th Century?
Posted by Stan James on February 7th, 2012
In their first meeting since the World Cup Final last April Sri Lanka will play India as part of the triangular Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia (1/2 Series Outright). The hosts take a break as the spotlight focuses on the two sides that contested the World Cup Final back in April last year and especially on Sachin Tendulkar.
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Big two very closely matched says Nicholls
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Paul Nicholls believes there will be little to choose between old rivals Kauto Star and Long Run as the pair prepare to lock horns for a fifth time in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Betfair Super Saturday: Will star-studded Newbury card get go-ahead?
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
With Saturday’s card at Newbury at the mercy of the elements, Betfair have opened a market regarding whether racing will take place…
Champion Chase: Big Zeb worth chance to bounce back at odds
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
With current prices in mind, Timeform’s Adam Brookes believes he’s found the value bet in the second-day feature of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Dubai Desert Classic: Kaymer back on The Punter’s menu
Posted by Golf on February 7th, 2012
Our man takes a good look at the last leg of the Middle East Swing, where Rory McIlroy’s a warm order, but is he value?
Cheltenham Ante-Post Betting: Who’s running in what?
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
David Cleary tries to work out what some of the different Cheltenham markets may look like nearer race day and the key events between now and then.
Evra Ready For 7/2 Old Trafford Snub
Posted by Tom Lee on February 7th, 2012
With no proper jumps racing to get stuck into I find myself reduced to trawling twitter for a bit of lunchtime entertainment, and quickly stumbled across a quote from @VictorChandler regarding Saturday’s Manchester United v Liverpool lunchtime kick-off, with the Gibraltar based firm offering what looks to be a very appealing 7/2 about United full back Patrice Evra refusing to shake Luis Suarez’s hand in the usual pre-match line-up.
I suspect even if you’ve been held hostage by nomadic goat herders in the middle of the Gobi desert for the past few months you’ll be fully aware of the row which has been raging after allegations of racist abuse were made by Evra towards Suarez after the league game between the two clubs at Anfield in October.
With Suarez on as a sub last night as he returned from the 8-game ban imposed by the authorities after an investigation into those claims, there has to be a very real chance ‘Pool boss Kenny Dalglish will choose to unleash him from the start against the 19-time Champions, and if he does that’ll place the two men in a most intriguing situation.
Bets only stand if both players make the starting line-up (otherwise stakes are returned), but you’d have to say both are more likely than not to be prominent names on their respective manager’s teamsheets, and having witnessed Evra’s furious reaction at Anfield last year, plus the abuse he got when he returned to Anfield for the recent FA Cup tie, there has to be a strong possibility he’ll choose to make a statement of intent and refuse a handshake.
If he does, we can mop up a little bit of 7/2 on a quiet day, a price that looks simply too big when you think Chandler are forced to offer 1/6 that the pair put their differences behind them and engage in said handshake.
Bookmakers can be caught out in these type of situations – I vividly recall being able to take 12/1 about Robinho sucking his thumb as a trademark goal celebration when he netted his first Manchester City goal back in 2008 – that was Boylesports who dropped that clanger, and although this isn’t quite as generous the 7/2 looks worth a nibble with a pair of outwardly feisty characters like Evra and Suarez about to lock horns again.
To find the bet, head across to Victor Chandler and navigate your way to the market by clicking on “football specials” on the left and there you’ll see the link to the “Evra, Suarez Specials” market.
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Big two very closely matched says Nicholls
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Paul Nicholls believes there will be little to choose between old rivals Kauto Star and Long Run as the pair prepare to lock horns for a fifth time in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Follow The Money: Steel to make the cut
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Two backs and one lay from our friends at Follow The Money. You’d be disappointed if it was anything else…
India v Sri Lanka ODI Betting: Jayawardene to return to captaincy in style
Posted by Cricket on February 7th, 2012
Mahela Jayawardene takes over the Sri Lankan captaincy for the second time and his first challenge is to take on the out-of-sorts world champions. The value lies with the outsiders, the value lies with Sri Lanka, says Richard O’Hagan.
Timeform US SmartPlays: Tuesday February 7
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Timeform’s US team again highlight three back selections at Turf Paradise in North America this evening……
Golf: Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Posted by David Jenkins on February 7th, 2012
Race to Dubai: Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Assalamu alikum! Here we are back in the UAE for The Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
This tournament was born in 1989 when the European Tour visited Asia for the first time. Look at it now – we can’t actually get away from the place and it’s not even in Europe!
Date: 9th – 12th February 2012
Venue: Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE
The flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, The Majilis is a challenging championship par 72, 7,301-yard layout designed by architect Karl Litten, the original 18 holes were built in and around the dunes of a beautiful site on the edge of the city of Dubai – it was the first all grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 88!
Yards: 7,301 yards
Par: Par 72
Field:
This week there’s a welcome return to some of the games’ best players who have been using the perfect UAE weather to perfect their game in time for this tournament. It also includes some significant experience from stateside including Fred Couples (94/1), Mark O’Meara (189/1) and US Walker Cup star in the making – Peter Uihlein (189/1 – all Betfair).
However, no one is currently on form like perma-odd shortening Paul Lawrie (28/1 with Betfair) – he has amassed 1 Million Euros since mid December in winnings and currently lies third in the Race to Dubai after a sensational 1st place in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters – a tournament he won 13 years ago in the same year he triumphed in the little known Open Championship!
Consider…:
Unlike in Qatar – the weather will be on the side of all of the players and the locals will be keen to see an exciting finish similar to Middle Eastern delights the Majilis course has delivered on many occasions previously.
However, here’s hoping the interested locals will bring more billionaires and belly dancers than bombers and leave explosions of any sort strictly to the professionals coming from the sand traps!
Ones to watch:
Alvaro Quiros (19/1 with Betfair) again! In 2011, Spain’s Quiros was tied 65th after an opening round of 73, staged one of the biggest comebacks in the history of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, to win the tournament at 11 under.
He was eight shots behind the leader after 36 holes. He’s getting back into the swing of things now and his enormous length will prove of some sizeable advantage this time around as his average drive is blowing in a desert storm at 324 yards!
World number 75, George Coetzee (31/1 with Betfair), is enjoying a hectic but satisfying schedule across both African and Middle Eastern regions since an off season focus on specific practice has delivered rewards meaning a career high 17th position in the R2D.
In particular, an improvement in driving accuracy and putting have been the key factors to his ever developing game that he hopes will blow sand in the faces of his golfing colleagues giving them all the hump.
Ones to win:
Hoping to win the coveted decorated but grotesquely smelly camel ride is Peter Hanson (21/1 with Betfair) of Sweden who with three top fives in his last four outings is playing some fantastic competitive golf. Benefitting in 2012 from a little more length from the tee and a white hot putter – providing both of these key elements are on fire, he will surely be leaving the Desert Classic Competitors eating dust.
World Number three Rory McIlroy (24/5 with Betfair) looks tasty yet again as each of the last six outings on the European Tour have netted him six figure winnings and include – at their very worst, an 11th place.
On a course he loves, Rors will be looking to retake the 2nd world ranking spot, enjoying further success in the desert after a recent second place in Abu Dhabi. Hopefully the return to the scene of one of his three victories will motivate the youngster as all eyes look to him to fulfill his Middle Eastern promise.
Trick shot:
A winning margin of 4 strokes here at the Emirates will return 34/5 with Betfair.
Jenks out!
(In case it wasn’t hugely obvious, all odds this week have been brought to you by our friends at Betfair)
Will Fabio Capello be in charge of England for Euro 2012?
Posted by Stan James on February 7th, 2012
Stan James are offering a price of 11/4 about Fabio Capello not being in charge of England in the Euro 2012 Finals this summer as the pressure builds on the Italian after his public spat with the FA over John Terry. We are 1/4 that he is still calling the shots in the June tournament. “This could all be a storm in a teacup and it might blow over pretty quickly.” said StanJames.com spokesman Rory Jiwani. “That said, a seed of doubt has been sown and it’s not out of the question that this issue of John Terry’s captaincy deteriorates and Capello walks.”
FEB 7: MR FIXIT’S TOP TIPS
Posted by Mr Fixit on February 7th, 2012
AFTER landing a Super Single double over the weekend thanks to Sunderland and Fiorentina I’m aiming to make it three in a row.
And I’m for a biggie in League Two leaders Cheltenham who travel to promotion rivals Crawley. Cheltenham have been something of away experts this season and look in better shape than their hosts at the moment.
Here are my top tips for Tuesday with prices from top tips sponsor Unibet where possible.
Five to follow
Bournemouth
Birmingham
Swindon
Cheltenham
Newport
Perm any 4 and all 5 (6 bets)
Top treble
Bournemouth
Birmingham
Swindon
Pays £57.87 to a £10 stake at Unibet
Both teams to score
Sheff Wed v Blackpool
Crawley v Cheltenham
Kidderminster v Luton
Dunfermline v Kilmarnock
Athletic Bilbao v Mirandes
Perm any 4 and all 5 (6 bets)
Super Single
Cheltenham
(10-3, Unibet)
Bonkers Bet
Birmingham 2, Portsmouth 0
(13-2, Unibet)
National Hunt Chase: Blenheim has staying target after Ayr win
Posted by Betting at Betfair on February 7th, 2012
Blenheim Brook booked himself a ticket to next month’s Cheltenham Festival with a fine performance in the novice chase at Ayr on Monday, the highlight of a treble for trainer Lucinda Russell.
Evans cut in price as Contador picks up a ban
Posted by Stan James on February 7th, 2012
Australian Cadel Evans has been cut to 15/8 to retain the Tour De France title he won in 2011 following the two year suspension handed to rival Alberto Contador. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has banned Alberto Contador for two years for doping. He has also been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory and will miss this year’s Tour and the Olympics.
