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South Africa v Pakistan 3rd ODI Betting: Can Pakistan produce again?

"We don't play on odds as short as South Africa so again the wise money will be a trade on Pakistan"

Recommended bet
Back-to-lay Pakistan at 2.6213/8

Ed Hawkins had an inkling the tourists would improve and after levelling the series at 1-1, he wonders whether they can take the lead in Jo'burg on Sunday...

South Africa v Pakistan
Start time: 08.00GMT
TV: live on Sky Sports

South Africa
The series is level at 1-1 and South Africa will be wondering what happened to their batting at Centurion. They lost five wickets for 36 runs and never really recovered after that, posting a paltry 191, to lose by six wickets. Dale Steyn returned to the side after missing the first ODI but despite one wicket and an economy rate of under four an over, the tourists were relatively comfortable in chasing the total. They could make one change. Kyle Abbot, who held onto his place for game two but was wicketless, could be replaced by Rory Klieinveldt who was unfortunate in the extreme to miss out having taken four wickets in Bloemfontein. It is possible he suffered a niggle, though.

Pakistan
A much improved Pakistan performance and the last two matches have captured perfectly why they can be so frustrating for gamblers. You never know which side will turn up. It was the bowlers to the fore in Centurion. The giant Mohammad Irfan took four wickets and Junaid Khan two. Saeed Ajmal, the spinner, was also on song with two wickets. There will be concern about Umar Gul's form - he went for more than seven an over - so Wahab Riaz must be in with a shout of plaing this time.

Innings runs
The average first-innings score in the last ten first-innings is 219. Jo'burg has a reputation for big runs, largely because of the South Africa v Australia epic which produced 872 of them in 2008. Recently it has been more of a bowler's wicket. Four times in the last ten games the side batting first have failed to post 154 or more. Pakistan were responsible for one of those, notching 153 in 2007. 15 of the 26 matches have been won by the side fielding first.

Match odds
South Africa could argue that their rhythm was upset by rain in Centurion but they were already on the rocks by the time the heavens opened. There could be more rain around for this clash and, as ever, we would advise that it normally helps the side chasing. Last time out there was some huge money trying to get against South Africa but this time the market is a little calmer. The hosts are 1.594/7 with Pakistan 2.6213/8. We don't play on odds as short as South Africa so again the wise money will be a trade on Pakistan. Before their first wicket on Friday they had drifted to the cusp of 4.003/1 so the value is clear if they can get a foothold.

Top South Africa runscorer
Cricket can be a cruel game. Colin Ingram, star of the show in the second ODI with a century, got a first ball duck in Centurion. Perhaps he will now post another score? He is 5.004/1. Hashim Amla is jolly here at a scandalous 3.7011/4. Graeme Smith is 5.004/1 and AB De Villiers 4.507/2. Farhaan Berhadien, who top scored last time, is 8.4015/2.

Top Pakistan batsman
Kamran Akmal, as discussed in our previous preview, was shunted up to No 3 but the value on him has now gone. In truth we are looking at the powerful middle-order of Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik for runs.

Recommended Bet

Back-to-lay Pakistan at 2.6213/8

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FA Cup Betting: Old guard to produce again for Chelsea

FA Cup / Frank Gregan / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

They did it in midweek - can they do it again on Sunday?

"The combined age of Chelsea's four scorers on Wednesday night was about a millennium-and-a-half and it may prove fruitful to stick with the elder statesmen again."

Roberto Di Matteo has wasted no time getting Chelsea back to winning ways and that good run can continue at home to Leicester in the FA Cup, says Frank Gregan

Chelsea V Leicester City, Sunday KO 1405 Live on ESPN.Match Odds: Chelsea [1.3], Leicester [13.0], The Draw [6.2]
While the Chelsea faithful will be delighted with the start that Roberto Di Matteo has made, the away fans making the trip down from the East Midlands will be wishing that Andre Villas-Boas had been given just a few more weeks in the job. What looked like a banana skin when the draw was made now looks like a home banker thanks to Di Matteo putting his faith in the old guard and the Chelsea legends stepping up to the plate these last couple of weeks.

There's always been rumours about player power at Stamford Bridge but the caretaker manager appears to be comfortable with the input of his senior players.

John Terry is a doubt for Chelsea as is his central defensive partner David Luiz, which only strengthens the argument that Di Matteo will rest some of those that played a major part of the 120 minutes in midweek. Raul Meireles is available for selection after suspension and the midweek bench was testament to how much strength in depth the Italian has at his disposal.

Leicester have Paul Konchesky available after a three match ban but Liam Moore, Conrad Logan and Danny Drinkwater are all cup-tied.

Match Odds
This is one of those markets that can have you reaching for the defiblarator. [1.3] is short, there's no denying it but where else can you make 30% on your investment in a couple of hours? It's difficult to see any other outcome other than a home win, it's accepted that Birmingham City did the Championship proud in the last round by drawing at the Bridge but that was against a team in disarray.

Di Matteo can't have reunited the dressing room in such a short space of time. Those who were AVB's favourites and now find themselves warming the bench won't be thrilled about the change in circumstances but the important thing is the players that the Italian has placed his faith in are producing. History is not on Leicester's side, Opta points out that the Foxes have never beaten Chelsea in the FA Cup, losing all four ties and despite knocking out Premier League new boys Norwich in the last round Stamford is likely to prove to be a bridge too far for Nigel Pearson's men.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Chelsea managed 'overs' on their own on Wednesday night against the side lying fourth in Serie A and who have conceded less than a goal a game on the road in the Italian league this season. It's therefore no surprise to see 'overs' priced at a miserly [1.64]. Leicester also have goals in their camp, Opta points out that Jermaine Beckford is the joint top scorer in the FA Cup this season with five goals and has scored 14 in his last 15 FA Cup games. 'Overs' it is then, but if you don't like betting odds-on take a look at over 3.5 goals at [2.64]

To Score
The combined age of Chelsea's four scorers on Wednesday night was about a millennium-and-a-half and it may prove fruitful to stick with the elder statesmen again. Frank Lampard's goal came from the penalty spot but the timing of his late runs into the box looked spot-on once again. The selection in this market was a toss up between Didier Drogba and Lamps but the latter gets the nod because he's the main man when a spot kick is awarded. He's also likely to be a much better price at [2.3] compared to Drogba who will be in the region of [1.9]. If you were impressed by the Opta fact relating to Jermaine Beckford's FA Cup goalscoring record you should consider the [5.5] that should be attainable for him to score at any time during the match.

Chelsea win Both Halves
Those of you that have a fancy for Chelsea but are trying to keep off the blood pressure pills might find this a more relaxing market. The [2.5] that should be available looks a very tempting proposistion.

Recommended Bets
Back Frank Lampard to score at [2.3]
Back over 2.5 goals at [1.64]

After an impressive performance in midweek and some high-scoring cup games at Anfield, Mike Norman firmly believes Liverpool will beat Stoke on Sunday, and probably without conceding a goal....

Gareth Purnell trains his punting sights on Everton's Saturday lunchtime test at home to Sunderland, and he believes goals will be at a premium......

A thoroughly professional performance is expected from Tottenham when they host Bolton in the early-evening kick-off. The Trotters will battle hard, but home advantage means Spurs will get the job done....

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Against All Odds: Man City European clash to produce goals

Against All Odds / Paul Robinson / 16 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Manchester City travel to Portugal this evening for a first leg clash against FC Porto in the Europa League. It's expected to be a tight affair but Paul Robinson thinks that both goalkeepers will be kept very busy.

Porto find themselves in this competition after a disappointing Champions League campaign which saw them pick up only eight points from a group that consisted of Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and APOEL Nicosia.

The main problem was that they dropped too many points at home as their results at Estádio do Dragão were; 2-1, 1-1, 0-0.

Domestically, the Dragons lie second in the Primeira Liga with 43 points from 18 matches, which is five points less than table toppers, Benfica. While goals were hard to come by in Europe, Vítor Pereira's men have been free scoring in the league and they have notched 42 already this year, so I am willing to put their Champions League bluntness down to a blip, especially when they have the likes of James Rodriguez and the incredible Hulk in the team.

Manchester City also bowed out of the Champions League in the group phase and as it was their debut season in the competition, coupled with the fact that they had a tough draw, I can overlook their poor European displays and assume that they will improve from now on.

In terms of goals, three out of their six fixtures went Over 2.5 Goals, including two out of three away from home. The goals have dried up a touch domestically of late, but while the Carlos Tevez saga continues. Mario Balotelli is available for European competition and he has a knack for producing goals on the big stage.

Roberto Mancini will be desperate to lift the cup as the shadow of Jose Mourinho looms large in the background, so you can expect him to send his side out to grab at least one away goal this evening.

Recent results point to a low scoring affair but both of these teams have plenty of goals in them and they will both be taking it very seriously. Under 2.5 Goals is trading at around [1.89] and that seems a bit skinny to me as I really fancy this one to be a goalfest.

Recommended Bet: Lay Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.89]

Juventus travel to Parma tonight in Italy's Serie A knowing that a win will return them to the top of the table. The market has them odds-on but Paul Robinson thinks that Parma will be no pushovers....

Leyton Orient travel to Bournemouth this evening for a clash in the third tier of English football. The home side are odds-on but Orient have lost just twice in their last 11 on their travels. Paul Robinson talks us through...

Napoli host Chievo this evening in Italy's Serie A. The home side are expected to win comfortably but Paul Robinson believes that the value lies in the goal markets....

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Can Waldvogel produce a Sunday evening spectacular?

Timeform Radio Tip / Will Hayler / 17 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will's pick runs in the last race at Wetherby

"Waldvogel clearly has his issues and was turned over at long odds-on last time, but the switch back to a left-handed track ought to prove a positive... "

Will Hayler is backing a horse that some regard as unreliable to produce the goods in Yorkshire today...

Nicky Richards and I haven't always had the best of punter-trainer relationships but I'm going to give him a chance to atone himself today and back Waldvogel [2.5] to send me home happy at the end of a long afternoon shift by winning the 18:15 at Wetherby.

He clearly has his issues and was turned over at long odds-on last time, but the switch back to a left-handed track ought to prove a positive and his unreliability is factored into his price - he would be odds-on if guaranteed to repeat the form of his win over Aikman at Musselburgh in January.

Having been given too much to do at Huntingdon two runs ago, Archie Rice will still be in plenty of notebooks and is next in the betting, but I'm still far from convinced that he will get home over two miles in hurdles - he could be very keen on the Flat and only just seemed to stay a mile and a half on occasions.

Jeremy Grayson casts his eye north of the border as he selects a pair of promising Saturday afternoon runners......

David Cleary tells us why he prefers the card at Ayr to that at Newbury and who provides the best betting options for the day....

Rory Delargy is paddock-side for day two of Cheltenham's April Meeting and he has a couple of fancies to pass on....

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