World Cup on Betfair: Easy victory for England but group leaders held

Product reviews and advice for best reference

Against All Odds: Mourinho to mastermind one last victory

"The last four results at the Nou Camp between these pair have been 2-2, 3-2, 1-2 and 2-2, so three of those four would be good enough to send Real through to the final to play either Atletico or Sevilla."

Lay Barcelona v Real Madrid @ 1.774/5

Barcelona are odds-on for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid and despite the match being played at the Nou Camp, Paul Robinson thinks that their price is a touch short.

Barcelona put their Champions League setback behind them on Saturday by beating Sevilla 2-1 in La Liga. Things weren't looking too rosy at half time though as Barca were 1-0 down and staring at back to back defeats. Credit where it's due though and things had turned around by the hour mark thanks to goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi.

Tito Vilanova is still battling health issues but that hasn't stopped his side from running away with the league title and they currently sit 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid in second and 16 ahead of Real in third. The Champions League is obviously the priority now, with the Copa del Rey bottom of the list.

It's been a disappointing season for Real Madrid and it's looking likely that Jose Mourinho will leave once it ends. The 'Special One' will want to silence his critics before he goes though and the only way he could possibly do that is if he wins the Champions League and probably this competition as well.

Madrid face a huge eight days starting tonight as they play Barcelona again in La Liga on Saturday and then they go to Old Trafford a week today for the second leg of their Champions League tie with Manchester United. Given that they are so far adrift of Barca in the league, it is likely that they will go all out for progress in the Copa del Rey this evening and then possibly rest a few key personnel at the weekend with the United game in mind.

The first leg of this tie finished 1-1 at the Bernabeu a month ago so it's evenly poised ahead of the match, which can be seen live on Sky Sports One at 20:00. The last four results at the Nou Camp between these pair have been 2-2, 3-2, 1-2 and 2-2, so three of those four would be good enough to send Real through to the final to play either Atletico or Sevilla.

Taking everything into account, Barcelona's odds of 1.774/5 are just a shade too short for me, and that's why I'm making them my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Barcelona v Real Madrid @ 1.774/5

Wagered: 56 pts
Returned: 51.11 pts
P/L – 4.89 pts (after commission)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

MLB Tipping Sheet: Home run heroes can fire Yankees to victory

"Eleven of the 17 home runs given up by Alvarez this season have been off the fastball. MLB's top 50 in home runs off fastballs contains five Yankee's regulars."

Back NY Yankees

Phil Dolan takes over from Richard Fletcher with today's baseball tips and he fancies New York to stretch their lead at the top of the AL East

Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins
This is the final fixture in a four-game NL East series. Washington have a 2-1 lead in the series after their 4-0 victory on Sunday. Carlos Zambrano (4-7, 4.20 ERA), who has not won since June 3, starts for the Marlins this evening. Edwin Jackson has pitched well in his first season with the Nationals (5-4, 3.73 ERA) and with a little support I expect Washington to extend their lead over the Braves at the top of the NL East.

Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
The Bronx Bombers host the Blue Jays in the opening game of this AL East series. This is a tough matchup for Toronto's starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (5-7, 4.36 ERA) against #2 in the Yankees rotation Phil Hughes (9-7, 4.33 ERA). According to ESPN Stats and Information, 11 of the 17 homeruns given up by Alvarez this season have been off the fastball. MLB's top 50 in homeruns off fastballs contains five Yankee's regulars. Even at 1.58n/a I'm backing the Yankees!

Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers
Live on ESPN America
The Dodgers open this three game series against the Phillies with Chris Capuano (9-4, 2.41 ERA) on the mound. Capuano lost his last start, however he has been one of the biggest surprises of the Dodgers season, solidifying their rotation. Joe Blanton (7-8, 4.98 ERA) starts for the Phillies. Blanton has lost his last two starts and the Phillies lost 10 of their last 11 before the All-Star Break. I expect a Dodgers victory.

Recommended Bets
Back Washington Nationals
Back NY Yankees
Back LA Dodgers

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Downpatrick victory for Cause of Causes

"The good ground was a big help to him and while we were hoping for a good run today, we were also very conscious that he would be better for the outing. And so now it's all systems go for Galway."

Cause Of Causes, owned by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club, bounced right back to form to record his second victory over hurdles when landing the Winner Alright Hurdle at Downpatrick this afternoon.

The four-year-old really appreciated the better ground as he left behind the disappointment of his defeat on unsuitably testing ground at Perth on his previous start.
Today's run was expected to have brought him on nicely for the Galway Festival and trainer Gordon Elliott was thrilled with the manner of victory.

The winning handler said: "He won very nicely and we're delighted with him. Obviously he made a bad mistake at the last hurdle but other than that he was great. He picked up really well after the last and won a shade cosily.
"Paul (Carberry, jockey) said he travelled really well throughout and that he wouldn't have come off the bridle if he hadn't made that mistake.
"The good ground was a big help to him and while we were hoping for a good run today, we were also very conscious that he would be better for the outing. And so now it's all systems go for Galway.

"He'll have entries in the Galway Hurdle and a four-year-olds' conditions hurdle at the meeting. We'll have to wait until nearer the time before making a decision which way to go with him but this was a great boost, and we're looking forward to bringing him out again in a couple of weeks' time."

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Premier League Results: Norwich victory stuns Tottenham

Premier League / Mike Norman / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Anthony Pilkington celebrates his goal against Tottenham

"Alan Pardew’s men recorded their fifth successive victory in the Premier League thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa and another strike from ‘bargain’ buy Papiss Cisse."

Norwich stun Tottenham, Newcastle record a fifth successive win, and Everton thrash Sunderland on an afternoon of Premier League action.

Tottenham remain in the final Champions League qualifying slot, but only just after they surprisingly lost at home to Norwich this afternoon.

Spurs were available to back at just [1.32] prior to kick-off but found themselves behind inside 15 minutes after Anthony Pilkington put the Canaries in front. Jermain Defoe equalised shortly before half time but the expected dominance never came, in fact it was Norwich who deservedly grabbed the winner in the second half through Elliott Bennett.

Norwich were matched at [14.0] to win the game, whilst the 1-2 Correct Score was backed at [50.0] In-Play.

The reason Spurs cling narrowly onto fourth place in the table is because of Newcastle's 2-0 victory over Bolton at the Sports Direct Arena. Alan Pardew's men recorded their fifth successive victory in the Premier League thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa and another strike from 'bargain' buy Papiss Cisse.

The Magpies are level on points with Tottenham having played 33 games apiece but stay in fifth place because of a worse goal difference. The 2-0 Correct Score was backed at a high of [18.5], with a home victory touching [3.35] In-Play.

In the Top Four Finish market Newcastle can now be backed at [4.6] having been matched at a massive [100.0] at the start of the season. Tottenham are available to back at [1.7] with Chelsea - who face Fulham this evening - at [2.64]

In the afternoon's other game, Everton thrashed Sunderland 4-0 to confirm their recent dominance over the Black Cats. This is the 18th game in a row that the Toffees have failed to lose to Sunderland, recording 13 wins in that time. A win for David Moyes' men was backed at [2.4] with an Everton Win to Nil matched at a top price of [3.4].

Two teams who have seriously under-achieved this campaign meet on Tueday night and it's hard to pick a winner. The draw is over-priced anyway so it makes sense to think a share of the spoils is on the cards, says...

After Mario Balotelli's red card yesterday, and Wayne Rooney's extended run without a yellow card, Ralph Ellis makes a case for discipline being a vital factor in this season's title race....

Followers of Lee Dixon's column would have enjoyed a great day if backing all his selections on Easter Sunday. Mike Norman explains......

Amazon Watches Center

Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Storm to victory

Timeform Radio Tip / David Cleary / 28 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

David has selected two over jumps at Catterick

"Back over hurdles, Ballymacduff is a hopeful suggestion at [11.0]."

David Cleary makes the case for a couple of promising runners at decent odds on Tuesday afternoon...

It would be fair to say that today's racing isn't the most appealing from a punting point of view, with options at value odds thin on the ground. However, there are a couple of runners on the jumps card at Catterick that will hopefully perform better than the market expects.

The two-mile handicap chase at 15:20 is a rerun of a similar event at Wetherby a week ago. Saveiro ran out a clear-cut winner from Zazamix on that occasion and is likely to confirm form against that unreliable rival. Saveiro, however, had a race set up for him at Wetherby and on a sharp track on less testing ground may not have things so much in his favour. Storm Surge, after a short break, was still travelling well when making a bad mistake six out in that race. He has the form to figure off his current mark and could have a race run to suit. With Saveiro very short, Storm Surge looks the bet in the race.

The most competitive race on the card is the staying hurdle at 16:50. The Red Laird will be popular after a promising return to action, but he was beaten in this race off a lower mark on his final start last season, so he needs to have improved. The pick of the weights is Ballymacduff, his second over three miles at Musselburgh looking solid form. He's made mistakes over fences in two starts since and his stable, that of George Charlton, hasn't had a winner since last April. However, it has had three seconds recently, suggesting a revival is at hand. Back over hurdles, Ballymacduff is a hopeful suggestion at the prices.

Recommended Bets
Back Storm Surge @ [9.0] in the 15:20 at Catterick
Back Ballymacduff @ [11.0] in the 16:50 at Catterick

Paul Smith supplies two bets for Monday afternoon and explains how you can get your week off to a sweet start......

Coughing in Paul Nicholls' yard, backing the horses of out-of-form trainers to come good and taking on one of the Queen's horses at odds-on. Rory Delargy explains all....

Two bets courtesy of Terry Norman on a busy day of racing.......

Amazon Watches Center

Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Merry dance to victory?

Timeform Radio Tip / Andrew Sheret / 19 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Merry King triumph at Ffos Las (above)?

Andrew Sheret selects two bets from Sunday afternoon's cards...

Merry King (13:30, Ffos Las) relished the step up to 2m4f at Leicester last time, winning very much in the style of one who should go on to better things. That form leaves him closely matched with today's market leader Ohio Gold, and with the potential for better still, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looks to represent a bit of value at current odds.

Patavium (14:10, Market Rasen) got back to winning ways in smooth style at Catterick last month. He's nine now but was better than ever on the Flat last year (won twice) and a 6 lb rise is unlikely to stop Edwin Tuer's gelding going close (has won off higher mark over hurdles before).

Recommended Bets
http://sports.betfair.com/Index.do?mi=104913608&ex=1&origin=MRL&rfr=3013
http://sports.betfair.com/Index.do?mi=104913627&ex=1&origin=MRL&rfr=3013

With a fabulous Friday at Newbury fresh in the memory, it promises to be a cracking racing weekend, and Alan Dudman is your host for a packed Saturday programme. Rory Delargy is on hand from the Cheltenham studio, and he outlines his best bets for the day......

Harry Bowles selects three intriguing bets from the card at Betfair Free Friday at Newbury this afternoon......

Two bets from the in-form David Cleary to try and make this a good Thursday for all of us......

Amazon Watches Center

Championship Previews: Excellent odds for Brighton victory

Championship / Andrew French / 14 February 2012 / 1 Comments

Brighton boss Gus Poyet

"Birmingham have been particularly mean at home this season; 15 teams have visited St Andrews in the league, and nine of them have left without a goal."

A full midweek programme of Championship action has had Andrew French scouring for the best bets of the night, and he believes Brighton to beat Millwall is exactly that.

Brighton v Millwall, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Brighton [2.1], Millwall [4.2], The Draw [3.5]

Crazy price alert! Brighton are unbeaten in nine in all competitions, and have won five of their last six at home. They are hosting a Millwall side that has lost five of its last seven. The Seagulls should surely be a shade of odds on - shouldn't they? They are now available to back at [2.1] having been available at [2.22] on Monday.

Gus Poyet's side made a superb start having come out of League One and were top of the table in early September. Perhaps understandably they couldn't sustain that and had slid down to 16th by the end of 2011. However, Poyet brought in three loan players from the Premier League (Sam Vokes, Gonzalo Jara and Joe Mattock) and 16 points from the last 18 has lifted them back to 8th.They refused to settle for a draw at Leeds on Saturday, and have won their last three at the Falmer Stadium without conceding a goal.

Millwall have failed to score in eight of their last 11 league games and are in the thick of the relegation scrap in 20th. Brighton have played all four sides beneath the Lions in the table at home - and won the lot.

Back Brighton @ [2.1]

Middlesbrough v Nottm Forest, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Middlesbrough [2.02], Nottm Forest [4.4], The Draw [3.5]

It seems that the fears among some Middlesbrough fans that their promotion push may falter due to a lack of squad depth are coming true. Boro have gone six games without a win since Boxing Day - and travelling all the way down to Ipswich for a farcical abandonment on Saturday won't have helped. Goals have not been in plentiful supply at either end of the field at the Riverside this season: just 27 in 15 league games. All of Middlesbrough's last six home games have produced less than 2.5 goals: in fact 80% of Boro's home fixtures this season have gone the same way.

And here they are hosting a team that scored its first goal at home since November 19 on Saturday. Forest may have broken their scoring duck hosting Watford but their finishing was still profligate. No surprise they have the worst scoring record in the division then (0.79 goals per game) - and they're up against a defence that lets in less than a goal a game at home.

Back Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.76]

Birmingham v Hull, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Birmingham [1.93], Hull [4.7], The Draw [3.6]

When you've got a defence that gives little or nothing away, it makes it a good bit easier to win games. Birmingham have been particularly mean at home this season; 15 teams have visited St Andrews in the league, and nine of them have left without a goal. That 60% clean sheet rate at home is the best in the division: indeed, no visiting Championship team has managed more than one goal at Birmingham this term. Chris Hughton's side are unbeaten in nine, and have managed five shut-outs in that sequence.

Hull are unbeaten in four but they have not been frequent scorers - they have one of the worst scoring record in the division, surprising for a team that is sixth. They average only 0.86 goals per game away from home and have drawn a blank in four of their last seven league outings.

Back Birmingham Clean Sheet @ [2.34]

Home games at Barnsley and Ipswich have produced plenty of goals in recent months, and Andrew French believes that trend will continue when Birmingham and Middlesbrough visit this weekend....

Birmingham have won six consecutive games in all competitions says Andrew French and he believes they have an excellent chance of beating promotion-chasing Southampton....

There's a full programme of Championship action in midweek and Andrew French has picked out his best bets including Nottingham Forest's dreadful home form set to continue....

Amazon Watches Center

Opera Hat Chase: Warrior seals Naas victory

News / Timeform / 11 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Bog Warrior got back on track at Naas.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse..."

Bog Warrior justified cramped odds by winning the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas...

His task was made easier by the late withdrawals of Blackstairmountain and Donnas Palm, and Davy Russell dictated matters from the front.

He was very impressive when winning the Drinmore in December, pulling well clear of his rivals, but fell on his last start at Leopardstown.

Jumping safely rather than exuberantly, Bog Warrior never came off the bridle in beating Slieveardagh by 11 lengths and trainer Tony Martin can now look to the future.

"I'm very relieved and he's back on track," said Martin.

"There'd been no signs that his fall had affected him in his schooling. He jumped grand today. Davy thought his jumping was right enough.

"The ground will dictate where we go, he definitely likes to get into it, but once there's yielding in it I'd be happy to take my chance.

"Where next I don't know. We'll get him back and see how he is because he did put his back out when he fell.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse in soft ground. He's definitely a winter horse."

If heading to Cheltenham, Bog Warrior has a multitude of options including the Arkle, for which he can currently be backed at [15.0], the Jewson ([17.5]) or the RSA ([22.0]).

Mouse Morris is delighted with how First Lieutenant's preparation is going as he prepares to bid for his second Cheltenham Festival triumph next month......

The highest Timeform-rated sprinter in the world, the unbeaten Black Caviar, posted a record equalling victory at Caulfield on Saturday, claiming her eighteenth consecutive success on a major Australian racetrack, and now looks set to raise her rating beyond 135......

A step up to seven furlongs proved to be no barrier to success for the incredible Black Caviar as she stretched her unbeaten record to 18 in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield......

Amazon Watches Center

Valencia v Barcelona: Visitors to recover and seal first-leg victory

/ Michael Lintorn / 01 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

The Copa del Rey offers Barcelona's best chance of domestic silverware

"Valencia have triumphed in each of their last four two-legged ties with Barcelona, the last of which occurred in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey four years ago."

Barcelona head to Valencia for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on the back of two rotten performances and results, but Michael Lintorn expects them to react well...

Valencia v Barcelona, Wednesday 20:00, Sky Sports 3, Match odds: Valencia [5.4], Barcelona [1.77], The Draw [3.9]

There's so much to factor into betting on this encounter, before even considering how much of an impact the two-leg scenario will have on both coach's strategising.

The case for Valencia is far stronger than for most sides facing Barcelona. They have triumphed in each of their last four two-legged ties with the Catalan giants, the last of which occurred in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey four years ago.

In addition, Barcelona have prevailed on just two of their last eight trips to the Mestalla and their domestic away form this season falls way short of their lofty standards, Saturday's draw at struggling Villarreal marking their seventh travelling stutter.

But despite all that, you can't look at Barcelona's unusually big odds of [1.77] and not feel tempted. Their record on the road remains flawless in the cups after all, with six wins in six and AC Milan and Real Madrid among those conquered, while Valencia have won only two of their last seven games.

The decisive trend in prompting this writer to back the visitors even after the poor displays against Real Madrid and Villarreal though is that they have never gone three matches without a victory under Pep Guardiola, bouncing back on ten occasions, and by an average win margin of three goals.

Correct score

Barcelona have won all three of their Copa del Rey away fixtures by a one-goal margin however, while ten of Valencia's 11 home defeats since November 2008 have come in the same fashion.

So Guardiola's men are unlikely to recover as emphatically this time, especially as Unai Emery is fairly cautious in these games and will prioritise ensuring that his team head to the Camp Nou with progress still possible. 0-1 [[9.4]] and 1-2 [[9.2]] consequently appeal as correct score options.

Best Bet: Barcelona to win @ [1.77]
Other Recommended Bet: Barcelona to win 1-0 @ [9.4] or 2-1 @ [9.2]

Barcelona head to Valencia for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on the back of two rotten performances and results, but Michael Lintorn expects them to react well......

A tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way......

Talk that AC Milan are still scrambling for a way to sign Carlos Tevez perseveres, however while that move remains highly unlikely, there has been plenty of action in Milan on deadline day......

James Eastham expects this match to follow the form book as Group D reaches its tantalising conclusion....

Amazon Watches Center

Michael Vaughan: Phenomenal Dhoni to lead India to victory again

ODI preview / Michael Vaughan / 21 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Captain's knock. Dhoni's well-paced 35 not out got India over the line in the 3rd ODI.

"If England bat first and get more than 300 they’ll once again go close but the smart money is on India prevailing again at [1.7], against an England side who still can’t come to term with the conditions and don’t seem to learn from their mistakes."

Michael Vaughan is full of praise for the Indian captain and has a few harsh words to say about England's inability to learn from their mistakes. The latter will cost Alastair Cook's men again, as India go 4-0 up.

England came much closer to winning a match than they did in the first couple of ODIs on Thursday but it wasn't quite enough.

Where did they lose the game? Firstly, in the bowling department. India bowled full and straight, whereas England were guilty of bowling short and wide far too often. Those are freebies on these wickets to batsmen of this calibre.

Jonathan Trott played really well to score 98 but when the analysts in the England backroom staff crunched the numbers in the aftermath of the match, they'll have picked up on the fact he only scored one boundary during the last 10 overs. For a batsmen who is well set on a good wicket, that's simply not enough.

And finally, and most worryingly of all, there was the fielding. Dropped catches, missed run-outs, overthrows. You name it, England were guilty of it. Which is all the more remarkable when you consider that just a couple of months ago it was the Indians who were slow and clumsy in the field and England who looked energetic and sharp.

In the end it was left to MS Dhoni to play a typical 'finisher's' role and score the winning runs with another of those wristy drives to the boundary rope. Dhoni is a phenomenal limited-overs player, arguably the best in the business. Not since Australia's Michael Bevan has a batsman been so good at pacing a run chase. He knows how long he has to play himself in, knows when to accelerate and has an instinct for where to score his runs. Dhoni almost always finishes the innings unbeaten.

But at 30 he may decide that he needs to cut back on his workload in the near future. Keeping wicket, batting in the middle order and captaining India in all three formats takes a hell of a lot out of you and he may decide to give up the Test captaincy over the next couple of years, or indeed give up the longest format altogether. We'll have to wait and see but for the time being England have to work out a way of getting him out or else this series is only going one way and that's towards a whitewash.

Can we make a case for England winning the fourth ODI in Mumbai? We said already that their best chance was to post a big score and try to defend it by taking early wickets and hope the pressure of a big run chase got to the batsmen. Well, 298 looked like an imposing total on Thursday but in the end it was a relatively comfortable chase for India, when you consider they still had five wickets in hand. If England bat first and get more than 300 they'll once again go close but the smart money is on India prevailing again at [1.7], against an England side who still can't come to term with the conditions and don't seem to learn from their mistakes.

Alastair Cook's side are terrific on green wickets at home where the ball moves all over the place. But a 5-0 loss here in India a couple of years ago, a 6-1 drubbing against Australia in January this year and losses to Ireland and Bangladesh at the World Cup are all proof they simply can't replicate that form away from England. The first thing the management need to address is the issue of the wickets they prepare back home. If they're going to play on 300+ wickets away, they need to have practice of playing on those on English soil. Get used to hitting more sixes, learn to take wickets when there's no assistance and learn to use spin to reduce the run rate. Until they do that, they're a pretty one-dimensional team.

On the plus side, Kevin Pietersen has scored 46 and 64 in his last two matches and is looking his old confident, aggressive self. A big knock from KP may not be enough to win England the match but at [5.0] he's the stand-out bet to top score for his side.

3 pts Back India to win @ [1.7]
2 pts Back Kevin Pietersen to be England top batsman @ [5.0]

A change of personnel is unlikely to radically change England's fortunes against a side who are getting better and better in this series. The obvious bet is the good bet, says Michael Vaughan....

Ed Hawkins previews the third one-day international at Mohali on Thursday and applies betting rule No 1...

India were vastly superior in the first match and there could be more of the same here unless a couple of England's senior players put in much improved performances, says Michael Vaughan....

Play Casino & Poker here

World Matchplay Darts Tips: Will hunger drive Chisnal to victory?

Darts / Alex Lee / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Chisnall prevail or is Alex wide of the mark?

"Chisnall has what’s known in sporting parlance as ‘the hunger’. For this reason, back him to beat Walsh tonight."

Don't expect any lightning quick play when two of the game's most careful throwers meet on Sunday night but do expect an intense battle of wits, says Alex Lee. Meanwhile, there are three ofther matches to get your betting teeth into.

Paul Nicholson and Colin Osborne possess strikingly similar throwing styles. Both have, to put it nicely, a 'considered approach'. In other words, they take forever between flinging each dart. That's where their similarity ends, however, with Nicholson the self-styled bête noire as opposed to the more laid-back Osborne.

The 'Aussie Geordie' loves nothing better than to wind the crowd up, while Osborne is more of a quiet grafter. Although Osborne is experienced enough not to let the atmosphere get to him, I fancy Nicholson to adapt to the noise quicker and more decisively. I can't see any upsets here, despite the players being more evenly-matched than the odds suggest.

Next up, Dave Chisnall is one of a number of players who have come through the ranks of the BDO and fancy their chances among the PDC fancy dans. While Walsh has been in the PDC for several years, he hasn't scaled the heights and looks like he's on the descent. Chisnall only joined up with the PDC this year and has what's known in sporting parlance as 'the hunger'. For this reason, back him to beat Walsh tonight.

Tonight's third game sees James Wade take on Jamie Caven. Although Caven is a likable sort with his cheeky chappie demeanour, Wade will view him as nothing more than a barfly to swat on his way to the second round. The Machine will take Caven apart tonight and for this reason a Dutch of 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 is where the clever money is heading.

The last match of the night pits Raymond Van Barneveld against Steve Brown. If there's one player who looks like he isn't enjoying himself on the oche, then it's Barney. Brown's capable of posting a fair few legs, but the best of 19 format should be long enough for Barney's class to show, regardless of how miserable he looks on stage. Perhaps take Brown on the +2.5 handicap market at around even money for a value punt.

Recommended Bets
Back Chisnall to beat Walsh @ [1.66] or better
Dutch Wade 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 versus Caven

Alex Lee commences a tournament-long tipping column with a look at the first day's World Matchplay action...

It has taken the best part of two decades to happen but Phil 'The Power' Taylor's stranglehold on the game of darts is finally relinquishing....

The big names have fallen by the wayside but Alex Lee can only see the market favourites going on to land the UK Open final...

Play Casino & Poker here

Follow The Money: Sound of Victory?

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 11 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

"Over to Ffos Las now where in the final race, the 17:20, Joyful Sound has been well supported on his handicap debut. Matched at [6.2] punters clearly have a lot of faith in him to open his account with him now vying for favouritism at [4.5]."

The FTM boys talk us through their rationale in recommending their usual two backs and one lay.

Welcome to follow the money for Monday 11th July. Today's movers come from Ayr and Ffos Las

We start with Ayr where in the 14:00 maiden stakes, Flambard House has been on the drift this morning. He has been backed as low as [2.92] but now trades at [3.5] as punters start to lose patience in Howard Johnson's horse to break his maiden tag after three unsuccessful attempts. On form he sets the clear standard, however with Bomber Jet expected to improve a great deal and an interesting unraced Kevin Ryan horse in opposition, this looks another challenge that may well be beyond him.

Staying at Ayr and in the 16:30 handicap Shamdarley has been well backed in to [4.2] from a high of [5.7] for the Michael Dods yard. This lightly raced three year-old started the season racing in some good standard three year old handicaps, winning at Doncaster and subsequently not disgracing himself from too far off the pace. Things didn't go to plan at this course last time out but that was on soft and he faces very different ground conditions today. He takes on a reasonable field but nothing stands out and this well-bred gelding can surely add to his blossoming career.

Over to Ffos Las now where in the final race, the 17:20, Joyful Sound has been well supported on his handicap debut. Matched at [6.2] punters clearly have a lot of faith in him to open his account with him now vying for favouritism at [4.5]. Andrew Haynes' three year old showed enough to suggest he can win a race on his second start in a good maiden at Salisbury, he was then upped in trip to 10 furlongs, a distance that never looked like suiting and understandably ran pretty poorly. He drops two furlongs today to the mile and starts off in the lowest class of handicaps so this should be as easy a task as he's faced and looks the perfect opportunity to get off the mark.

Recommended Bets:

Lay Flambard House @ [3.5] Ayr 14:00
Back Shamdarley @ [4.2] Ayr 16:30
Back Joyful Sound @ [4.5] Ffos Las 17:20

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Stratford and Southwell....

Follow The Money's three Saturday selections come from Chester and Newmarket....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Newmarket, Ascot and York....

Play Casino & Poker here

Follow The Money: Well-backed colt's victory Bid

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 14 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Never mind Ascot, FTM are off to Yorkshire

"Garstang has been backed dramatically into [8.4] from [16.5]."

Away from the glamour of the Royal Meeting, today's Follow The Money movers all come from Thirsk.

In the opening 13:45 6f Selling Stakes, First Bid has been well-supported in to [1.9] from an earlier [3.75]. Kevin Ryan's colt was a comfortable winner of a similar event last time despite running a little green in the closing stages. Afterwards, connections paid to hold on to him, suggesting there is more to come and the form has been boosted by the runner-up who has since gone on to win so he can be expected to defy his penalty here.

Amadeus Denton has drifted alarmingly in the 14:15, out to [4.3] from [3.85]. This two-year-old gelding from the Michael Dods yard has to give weight away to all his rivals here who include three previous winners and that may be beyond him. His win last time at Doncaster does not inspire confidence as he was flat out to beat a weak-looking field at odds of 3/10 and this looks tougher. With substantial money coming for his main market rival, he looks best left alone this time.

Finally, in the 17:15 5f handicap, Garstang has been backed dramatically into [8.4] from [16.5]. Although better known for his exploits on the all-weather, John Balding's eight-year-old gelding ran with credit on turf earlier this month at Musselburgh and may be able to exploit his lower mark in this sphere today. He had to overcome a tricky draw and then pulled too hard but still wasn't beaten that far in sixth. The jockey reported afterwards that he hung left so this track may be more to his liking and the considerable drop in grade makes him an interesting contender in an open contest.

Recommended Bets
Back First Bid @ [1.9] Thirsk 13:45
Lay Amadeus Denton @ [4.4] Thirsk 14:15
Back Garstang @ [8.4] Thirsk 17:15

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Carlisle and Sedgefield...

Today's Follow The Money comes from the cards at Doncaster and Salisbury....

Today's Follow The Money come from the meetings at York and Bath....

Play Casino & Poker here

The Championship Betting: Victory essential for Hornets' play-off push

Championship / Andrew French / 21 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Dougie Freedman is hoping his Crystal Palace side can get at least a point at Doncaster

"The Eagles were making a half-decent fist of staying up with only one defeat in four before suffering a damaging home defeat to Scunthorpe a week ago."

With just a handful of games to go the Easter programme has a big say in deciding who goes up and who goes down, and Andrew French is hoping Watford can see of Barnsley and push for a play-off spot.

Friday April 22
Coventry v Scunthorpe
If ever a change of manager has saved a season, then it certainly has for Coventry. The Sky Blues were in freefall under Aidy Boothroyd, plummeting from 5th in mid-December to 19th by mid-March due to a run of one win in 17 games. However, caretaker Andy Thorn has steered City to four games without defeat, three of which they have won - and victory in this game would end any last lingering doubts about the drop. Coventry have won their last two at home, including last weekend's defeat of promotion-chasing Millwall. They also fare well at the Ricoh Arena against teams in the bottom half, winning seven out of 10. Despite a morale-boosting away win at Crystal Palace last weekend, Scunthorpe still have plenty to prove on the road. That success was preceded by a run of 11 successive away defeats for the Iron, and the fact they have conceded at least once in each of their last 10 trips suggests Coventry will find the net.
Back Coventry at [1.88]

Doncaster v Crystal Palace
This fixture is really a case of never mind the quality, just find a winning bet. In form terms, these two are about as off-colour as you can find; Doncaster haven't won at home in seven attempts, Palace are without an away win in 15. In fact, Rovers haven't done much winning anywhere recently, with just one success in their last 15 outings. They have lost four of their last five and are not safe from the drop. So as much as they will want to win this one, they can't afford to lose it either - particularly as defeat would see them drop to 21st as Palace would leapfrog them.

The Eagles were making a half-decent fist of staying up with only one defeat in four before suffering a damaging home defeat to Scunthorpe a week ago. But Dougie Freedman's side did manage a draw in their last away game at Leicester, and they would happily take a point - although with two of their last three at home they can probably afford to be a little more cavalier than their hosts.
Lay Doncaster at [2.36]

Saturday April 23
Watford v Barnsley
Mathematically Watford are still play-off contenders, but they will almost certainly need to win this game for that statement still to be true after 90 minutes. The Hornets, tipped by many as relegation fodder, have far exceeded all expectations though and while their form recently has been poor (no wins in five), back-to-back draws at home to Norwich and away to Leeds shows they are in good heart. They also score goals, particularly at home; they have netted at least once in each of their last 13 outings at Vicarage Road and have only fired blanks twice in front of their own fans all season. They should be able to continue that good record against Barnsley, as only three sides (all in the bottom six) have conceded more away goals than the Tykes. They also have a dismal record when travelling to sides above them in the table, losing 10 of the 15 matches and failing to keep a clean sheet in any of them.
Back Watford at [1.92]

Since the start of 2011 Andrew has had 34 winning bets from 51 selections, resulting in a profit of £188.17 (£10 stake/liability on each selection)

There's still lots to play for in the Championship and Andrew French believes Preston, Hull and Crystal Palace can go along way to achieving their aims by securing vital home wins this weekend....

Andrew French is in terrific form currently and he believes Preston, Leicester, and plenty of goals at Vicarage Road, are the key to keeping that run going....

Bristol City's recent good form could come to an end at Barnsley says Andrew French, Ipswich should beat Crystal Palace, and expect goals in the Lions' Den when Millwall host promotion-chasing Leeds....

Play Casino & Poker here

US Masters Tips: Victory Margin market

US Masters / Steven Rawlings / 24 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Phil Mickelson on 18 last year, moments after scuppering the Punter’s wager

“The stats suggest that two strokes should be favourite and anything over [4.5] will be a very fair price.”

Mickelson may have scuppered his bet last year but Steve's playing the percentages again this time around...

I've looked back over the last 30 years results at Augusta and the thing that sticks out like the most painful of sore thumbs is Tiger Woods' demolition job in 1997, when he won by a staggering 12 strokes. Given how close it is most years that really was a remarkable achievement, the likes of which I doubt we'll ever see again.

It's usually a tight affair and only four times in that period was the margin any greater than three.

Thanks to Phil Mickelson's icing-on-the-cake 72nd hole birdie, three was the margin last year, as it was two years earlier when Trevor Immelman won. Prior to that, the only other three-stroke win was Wood's 2002 success.

With ten occurrences, two strokes is the most common winning margin. The event has gone to a play-off seven times and has been won by just one stroke six times, so another way to play the market could be to lay the higher margin outcomes, especially given that Woods isn't the force of old and it's hard to see anyone else streaking away with it.

That last gasp birdie by Lefty scuppered my two stroke margin bet last year but I'm going try again this time around. The stats suggest that two strokes should be favourite and anything over [4.5] will be a very fair price.

An Augusta ace is perfectly possible, but patience will be rewarded......

Dan Fitch takes a look at the golfers who made winning majors into a habit....

Before making your Masters bets consider these five punting principles from our golf betting expert Paul Krishnamurty...

Play Casino & Poker here

Isildur1 Six Figure Victory

Online poker pro Viktor Blom had another massive win recently. Blom is known as Isuldur1 and routliny takes on massive high stakes with other online poker players. This time it was a $620k victory against Scott “urnotindangr” Palmer. They played nearly 750 hands at online poker room PokerStars, with Blom winning in the end. There were playing a game of $50/$100 PLO, but as there was a mandatory 3-bet in place the stakes were effectivly $300/$900. Blom’s tally is up over $800k at PokerStars, a first since he joined the site.

Play Casino & Poker and Win