Home and Away: Back the Welsh to crack Strach

Bet 1: Wales (AWAY) @ 4.6
Bet 2: Uruguay (HOME) @ 1.64

Jonno Turner looks at international action taking place in Europe and South America as he compiles two picks to kick start the weekend in style.

We're off to Scotland for our penultimate pick of the week - as Gordon Strachan's side welcome Wales to Hampden Park in the home boss' first competitive game as manager.

The Scots have won just two of their last half a dozen outings, and will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to the Welsh in this reverse fixture back in October.

That leaves Strachan's side sitting bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, having secured just two points from their opening four games.

And having laboured to draws against Serbia and Macedonia on their own patch, the Scottish faithful will be desperate to see their side put in a positive performance here.

Wales travel north in decent form having won two of their last three - but have been a little off-colour on the road of late, and that could explain the big price available on Chris Coleman's side.

The Red Dragons are also faltering in the qualifying group, and sit one place above their hosts, with a point more in the bag - but those victories will have given them some momentum ahead of this clash.

History certainly favours the visitors, and they have not lost to the Scottish since 1984 - and, importantly, they have Gareth Bale fit for this tie.

The Welsh wizard needs no introduction, but as the only genuine world class player on the pitch this evening, he is likely to be instrumental in the outcome of the game. It will be interesting to see how the Scots cope with his ability, following a media storm this week when Dundee boss John Brown encouraged his countrymen to 'take his legs off'.

With a draw no good to either side, this promises to be an exciting game, and I think that Coleman's side are excellent value for the win here.

A win here, and another against Croatia on Tuesday, could revive their slim World Cup campaign hopes - and I don't think they will waste the opportunity to put three more points towards that total this evening.

Bet 1: Wales (AWAY) @ 4.6

Off to slightly warmer climes now for our final selection of the day - as Uruguay look to extend their impressive home form in a World Cup qualifying clash with Paraguay.

Oscar Tabarez's side go into this clash on the back of some excellent results in front of their own fans, and are unbeaten in 11 outings, which will boost confidence in the Charruas camp.

The hosts currently sit fifth in their mini-league - and desperately need a win here in order to heap pressure on Venezuela, who are immediately above them, and face a tricky tie to Argentina tomorrow.

Tabarez has seen his charges collect most of their points so far on their own patch, and they will be keen to take advantage of another opportunity here, with an away trip to Chile on the horizon.

Visitors Paraguay go into this clash having won three on the bounce - but they have been suffering from travel sickness of late, and their form on the road has been miserable.

Six losses from their last seven away from home suggests that Gerardo Pelusso's side may struggle in this one, and they sit bottom of the qualifying group with just seven points from nine games.

Fifteen goals shipped from their last seven on the road indicates that the Guaranies have weaknesses in their backline, and that could play a key part in the outcome of this clash, with Uruguay full of vigour - and having smashed a whopping 17 goals in their last six at home.

Bet 2: Uruguay (HOME) @ 1.64

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French Open Betting: Can Caro crack her Slam duck?

French Open Betting / Guy McCrea / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Is Caro ready to roar at the Garros or will she crumble on clay?

"It could be worthwhile backing Wozniacki to win her quarter [2.24] of the draw."

She is the world number one but still doesn't have a Grand Slam singles title. Guy McCrea as if Caroline Wozniacki will end that wait at the French Open ...

Yes she will

Opening Up

Put simply, this is the most open women's Grand Slam in recent memory. The absence of the Williams sisters means this will be the first time that neither has been involved in a Grand Slam singles tournament since the 2003 US Open.

I could name a dozen players who have a chance - but all have questions surrounding them. Australian and US Open champion Kim Clijsters ([14.0] to win the French) hasn't played since the end of March. Another contender, Victoria Azarenka [6.4] is bang in form but you still doubt if her fitness is good enough to last seven matches at a major.

It all adds up to an amazingly open field and Caroline Wozniacki [7.0] has a terrific opportunity to take advantage.

Recent Form

Wozniacki's results on the clay are a match for anyone's heading into Roland Garros. Yes, the Dane has taken a couple of dispiriting defeats to young German starlet Julia Goerges [23.0] in Stuttgart and Madrid. She was also beaten by a resurgent Maria Sharapova [7.6] in Rome.

But these knocks aside, Wozniacki has gone pretty deep in all the WTA clay events she has played. Ultra-consistent, she also has plenty of second week experience at the Slams to draw upon.

She'll go on and on

Wozniacki often seems indefatigable, like she could run forever around the court. Thanks to countless hours of fitness work with her support team, the Dane is in superb shape. There is no one currently on the WTA with Wozniacki's ability to outlast opponents. How many really believe they can stay out with her for three hours or more and win?

Clay court duels can be long, drawn-out affairs - especially if weather conditions turn cooler and make the surface even slower. It might not be pretty to watch, but in these wars of attrition, Wozniacki is usually the last one standing at the end.

No she won't

Clogged up on clay

However much work she puts in, the feeling remains that this surface negates one of Wozniacki's greatest strengths - her movement. Unlike others, such as defending champion Francesca Schiavone [24.0] and Jelena Jankovic, the Dane is unable to naturally 'slide' on the dirt. This means that she can't get to balls in the way that she can on hardcourts.

In addition, Wozniacki's groundstrokes - especially her forehand - tend to sit up more on the clay and this gives opponents the chance to attack her more easily. Wozniacki's shots just don't get the 'zip' off the surface that they do on a hardcourt.

The Hand of History

Historically, the French Open champion has normally chosen not to play an event the week directly beforehand. The last to do so was Mary Pierce who won in 2000.

Recent titlists such as Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova have all preferred to familiarise themselves with conditions on-site in Paris rather than compete for ranking points elsewhere - as Wozniacki did this week in Brussels. Although the balls used are the same, the Dane will find conditions different at Roland Garros and, as such, may be vulnerable early on.

No Father Time

When Wozniacki plays on the WTA, her father and coach Piotr will normally come on court to talk to her at least a couple of times during a match. But on-court coaching is not permitted at the Slams. I don't suggest that Piotr is wholly responsible for her many victories - but Wozniacki does clearly value those words of wisdom to help turn matches in her favour. Can she do the problem solving on her own at the majors?

Back Caro or not?

Because it is such an open field, I can understand why there is considerable backing for Wozniacki on the markets. But while she might do it, I am sceptical of her decision to play the week beforehand, rather than get to Paris early and acclimatise to conditions. I also question her ability to respond if she meets an in-form big hitter later on. It could be worthwhile backing Wozniacki to win her quarter [2.24] of the draw, as she is so consistent and knows how to reach the second week of the Slams. But for an outright win, I am not convinced.

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