Super League Betting: Galpharm braced for Friday night blood and thunder

Super League / Stuart Jones / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Wolves and the Giants in action at the Magic Weekend

"I will be taking Warrington to win by a margin of 1-12 points and unders in the over all points market."

Huddersfield need to improve their finishing if they are to overcome a quality Warrington side on Friday night. Meanwhile, two unpredictable sides compete with the Grand National for Stuart Jones' attention...

On Friday night we are treated to a top of the table clash. Warrington and Huddersfield have both won six games and lost two so far in this extraordinarily topsy-turvy season and the winners at the Galpharm Stadium will take clear top spot until at least Sunday.

It has been a season of big performances and surprise results so far with Warrington's past fortnight a perfect example: they lost to the struggling Catalan Dragons just a week after a brilliant win over last year's champions Wigan.

As such it is hard to trust any "form", but it is in these big games between title contenders at least that we can really be sure to see the two sides putting in their best efforts. For this reason it has to be a concern for Huddersfield that when they came up against a Wigan side that was not running at full capacity, they blundered their way through the game and missed a real opportunity.

Nathan Brown has rotated his side constantly so far this season, leaving out plenty of stars in last week's victory at Wakefield, but he needs his big men to stand up on Friday. There is little doubt that the Huddersfield pack will cause all sorts of problems for Warrington, but it is their finishing out wide that has held up their charge so far. Against a strong Wigan defence they went to pieces near to the try line and it's questionable as to how much improvement they can manage in that area.

Warrington, meanwhile, are slick in the backs and strong up front. It is their big game experience and extra quality in vital areas that I expect to take them through and, in a tight game of small margins, I will be taking Warrington to win by a margin of 1-12 points and unders in the over all points market.

On Saturday, two unpredictable sides battle it out in a game bafflingly timed to coincide with the Grand National. Hull KR have had a difficult start to the season, losing some important players, most notably playmaker Michael Dobson, picking up only two wins in their eight games.
Leeds have been every bit as shaky as last season, but they have started getting players back from injury and last week's performance against Wigan was by some way their most encouraging of this term.

Round eight aside, Leeds have been a team to keep onside in the final quarter of games, their pacey backline seen to best effect when the opposition tires and things open up. KR have been vulnerable late on throughout the season, injuries exposing a lack of depth through the 17, and Leeds should be backed giving up four points in the second-half handicap.

Recommended Bets
Back Warrington to win by 1-12 @ [3.0]
Back under 46.5 pts @ [1.83]
Back Leeds -4 on the second-half handicap @ [1.91]

Wigan came up short against Warrington in round seven, but that game raised the bar, and the Warriors' Friday night trip to Headingley has plenty to live up to. Stuart Jones selects the best bets....

Wigan's backline has been clinical so far and now they're boosted by the return of a key player. Meanwhile, Stuart Jones believes Huddersfield can recover some pride this weekend....

Stuart Jones believes the Giants backs can make the difference when the champions go to the Galpharm on Friday night. Meanwhile, can the Rhinos ignite their campaign against Saints?...

Play Casino & Poker here

NBA Betting Preview: Lakers won't underestimate the Thunder

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 25 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Like his team, Kobe is starting to hit the heights

"LA are peaking at the right time and will come out firing against this young Oklahoma rotation."

Kobe and co. are on the up but Oklahoma are having a good season and could cause the champs a few problems. Nick Shiambouros selects the best weekend NBA bets.

The Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 93-89 in a pulsating encounter at the United Center on Thursday evening. The Bulls trailed by nine points at the half but staged a big rally in the third quarter ,scoring 27 points. Chicago sealed the victory after Luol Deng made a huge three point shot in the last minute of the game.

This was a very impressive performance by Chicago who are firing on all cylinders at the moment.
The new look Denver Nuggets beat the Boston Celtics 89-75 with a stellar defensive effort late on Thursday. The Nuggets held the Celtics scoreless over the final six minutes to record their second straight victory after trading Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York.

The injury hit Boston Celtics only dressed nine players in this game and this defeat is best forgotten.
There are a couple of very interesting games with playoff implications taking place this weekend.

The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in a nationally televised game on Sunday. Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and won his fourth MVP award last weekend after he led the Western Conference to victory in the All-Star Game. Bryant has elevated his game over the past few weeks and is determined to lead his team to a third consecutive NBA title.

The Lakers have won two games in a row since the All-Star break and appear to be playing with a lot more urgency than they were earlier in the season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are having an excellent year and are in fourth place in the Western Conference just 2.5 games behind the Lakers who occupy the third spot.

The Thunder added some size to the rotation this week when they acquired Kendrick Perkins from Boston in a last minute trade before the deadline on Thursday. I think this was a very shrewd move by Oklahoma who really needed a big man inside the painted area.

This promises to be a close run affair but I just favour the Lakers in this one. They are peaking at the right time and will come out firing against this young Oklahoma rotation. They should be priced around [1.9] in the match odds market.

Later on Sunday, the Miami Heat take on the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Arena. Earlier this week the Knicks moved heaven and earth to sign superstar forward Carmelo Anthony from Denver in a multiple player deal. The Knicks traded Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov in exchange for Anthony and veteran point guard Chauncey Billups.

The Knicks have paid a very high price for Carmelo Anthony but I believe he is worth it. He is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA and his high energy playing style will suit New York down to the ground.
The Miami Heat have only lost five games at home all season but I think the Knicks could cause an upset. Carmelo Anthony and company should give Miami plenty to think about in this much anticipated game. New York is currently priced at [2.68] in the match odds market which is more than fair in my opinion.

Recommended bets:
Sunday back Los Angeles at [1.9] in the match odds market v Oklahoma
Sunday back New York at [2.68] in the match odds market v Miami

Kobe and co. are on the up but Oklahoma are having a good season and could cause the champs a few problems. Nick Shiambouros selects the best weekend NBA bets....

The 60th All-Star Game takes place this Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. This celebration of basketball is one of the most popular fixtures in the sporting calendar and is also a chance for some off the wall...

With over half the season completed it's time to look ahead and assess the chances of the teams who could be in contention to win this year's championship. Nick Shiambouros provides the rundown....

Play Casino & Poker here