The Master on Minded

Paul Nicholls has had some bad luck with his jockeys in recent times. Both Ruby Walsh and Noel Fehily are injured which has hindered his plans.  Who can Nicholls find to replace such talent, well as it happens he can only call on the best Jockey probably ever to live! Yes, the one and only AP McCoy will ply his trade on the undoubtedly brilliant Master Minded this Saturday at Cheltenham in the Tingle Creek. He won brilliantly last time out and looked the horse he was 2 years ago. he flopped last time at Cheltenham but seems to have a spring back in his step now. The odds are decent too 1.93 looks excellent considering what he is up against. I cannot see this getting beat and so will have a maximum bet of 10 points on this one with the one and only AP on board.

1st Bet: Cheltenham 1.55 Grp 1 Chase

Master Minded to WIN

10 Points @ 1.93

Boxing now and Amir Khan seems to be doing all he can to build back his reputation since being KO'd by Prescott under the guidance of Freddy Roach. He now fights in Las Vegas against a real puncher in Maidana. This is the biggest test he has faced since Bredis Prescott and will make or break his career in the states. Though not technically the best Maidana can hit hard something Khan will be very wary of. I believe Khan will be to quick and powerful in the end though and should win within the twelve rounds. Betfair give odds of 2.14 for this to happen and I will place a mid-large size bet of 7 points to win.

2nd Bet: Khan Vs Maidana

Khan to win by KO, TKO or tech Decision

7 points @ 2.14

In the multiple section of the blog I am going to go a little left field so to speak. I am going to use  the under/over 2.5 goals markets in 4 games. Using statistics from head to heads between the teams I can use this market to create a 4 fold with very good odds. Here is the bet I have placed

3rd Bet: Under/Over 2.5 Goals 4 fold

Fulham v Sunderland -Under 2.5

Newcastle v Liverpool-Over 2.5

Everton v Wigan- Over 2.5

Tottenham v Chelsea- Over 2.5 

3 Points @ 10.93

Hopefully these will pay for a very expensive night tonight!!

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

England's hopes of achieving rugby World Cup glory next summer looked to be slimmer than Peter Crouch's chicken legs a month ago. However, a pasting of the Aussies at Twickenham a fortnight ago means the echo of Sing Low Sweet chariot can be heard once more and English optimism is raised again. The Litmus test I feel will be on Saturday when the wounded World Champions South Africa arrive. The Springboks suffered an unprecedented loss last weekend against the Scots, who will feel a similar rejuvenation as England in many ways. South Africa are without some key players after some suspect 'supplements' were found in the bloodstream of Chilliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson. This seems the perfect time to play the 'Boks and surely England will round off an impressive Autumn campaign with a convincing win. The handicap is -5.5 with odds on Betfair of 1.98.

International Rugby Union Handicap Betting

England VS South Africa

ENGLAND -5.5 @ 1.98

5 points to win

One of the great National hunt races this side of the new Year takes place on Saturday at Newbury. The Hennessy Gold Cup showcases some great Chasing talent many who have competed at Grade 1 level. The racegoers favorite Denman heads this field and no doubt there will be plenty of support for this one. He is however 8lbs higher than when winning this last year and at the prices I am going elsewhere. In such a competitive and large field I am always willing to punt on 2 selections Win and Place as the race pays 4 places. The 1st of these will be Cheltenham winner Burton Port. Having won at the festival this horse keeps getting better and at odds of 9.6 to win and 2.66 to place looks a solid alternative to Denman at the weights. My other selection is Neptune Collonges at a big price who on his best form has a big chance and will hopefully put in a big performance. He is handsomely priced at 17.5 to win and 4.4 to place with in form Noel Fehily on board.

Hennessy Gold Cup 

BURTON PORT to win and place @ 9.6 and 2.66

3 Points on Win, 3 points on Place

NEPTUNE COLLONGES to win and place @ 17.5 and 4.4

2 Points on WIN, 2 Points on Place

As has become customary on this blog we finish off with some sort of multiple bet for those who like small bets for large returns. And what better chance of winning a multiple do you have than with the NFL. Looking at the fixtures five teams stand out as having a high percentage chance of winning: these are the REDSKINS, GIANTS, RAVENS, TEXANS and the FALCONS. This makes a 5 point multiple which gives combined odds of 7.76.

NFL Five-Fold

REDSKINS

GIANTS

RAVENS

TEXANS

FALCONS all to win

5 Points @ 7.76

Hopefully some good picks there and back to winning ways.

Nicholls takes on the Imperial Empire

Until March last year Paul Nicholls had his hands super glued to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star and Denman looked to have had this contest locked down, and the odds represented this (5/4 and 9/4). Nigel Twiston- Davies had other ideas with Imperial Commander who landed the prize in fine style under the Stewardship of Paddy Brennan. Nicholls goes up against the Commander once again at Haydock. He brings with him a potential Gold Cup chance for the 2011  festival with Sir Alex Ferguson owned What A Friend. This horse has impressed after winning a Totesport Bowl at Aintree last seasons and straight after I backed him for this seasons Gold Cup at a whopping 42/1 (he is now 14/1). Bragging aside, this horse looks the real deal. This blog is all about good value and good chances, so backing Imperial Commader at 1.72 after a shocking run last time out would not represent this. What a Friend certainly has great value in comparison at 5.00 to win and is 1.91 to be in the top two. If Imperial doesn't fancy it What a Friend is without doubt the most likely to take advantage. I would advise putting a little more on the place so you will make a profit if it comes 2nd.

1st bet: Betfair Chase
What a Friend- Win and Place
2 points on WIN @ 5.00, 5 points on PLACE @ 1.91

Prizefighter in the form of the Super Featherwieghts hits Sky Sports Screens on Saturday. As a Lancashire Lad I have to go with 'The Mongolian Warrior', 39 year old Choi Tseveenpurev who has been based in Oldham for years. He began his career fighting in China, Mongolia and South Korea before emigrating to the exotic land of Oldham. He has sparred with Prince Naseem and Amir Khan, has an Iron Chin and has never been beaten on British soil. I'm backing Choi with both head and heart on Saturday, he is priced 3.4.

2nd Bet: Prizefighter Super Featherweights
Choi Tseveenpurev to Win outright
5 points @ 3.4

After some of my beloved International football enjoyed midweek its a return to league fixtures and what better way to kick off your weekend than a cheeky 5 fold win to boost the beer funds. I'm going for just a few games with a bigger stake. In this weeks accumulator Man Utd and Chelsea will be thrown in from the Premiership, Celtic and Rangers whisked in from the SPL and QPR sprinkled on top from the Championship to make a tasty looking bet. 8 Points is a big stake but the odds are not huge @ 5.96 as these selctions are all big favourites

3rd Bet: Football multiple
Chelsea
Man Utd
Rangers
Celtic
QPR

8 Points @ 5.96

Good luck on whatever your betting on this weekend, always bet responsibly (eg not on Audley Harrison)


Blog Profit/loss update

-57.36

And STILL the Heavyweight Champion of the World...............

A good game of baseball,  Andy Goode playing in an England Rugby Shirt ever again, Holloway fielding the same Blackpool team on Saturday as midweek, a funny female comedian ........... this is a list of things more likely to happen than Audley Harrison becoming the new Heavyweight Champion of the World on Saturday night! I'm not gonna spend any more time disrespecting Audley, he has done incredibly well to even be getting a shot at a World title when you look at his career, which at best can be described a shaky. The result is there. the value however is not. Haye has got the bookies running scared and his latest price on Betfair is 1.18 so you have to be a very rich man to be ploughing into that if you want a decent return. So the average punter needs to forget the 6.6 hope and pray for a miracle bet on Harrison, which some pundits are suggesting and turn the attention to round betting. Realistically speaking this fight should go no further than the 6th round, I believe Audley may last passed the third if he is cautious so my advice is to have a go on group round betting on the 4th-6th rounds. For Haye to win in rounds 4-6 you can get on Betfair 3.95 which is as good a price as your likely to find.

1st Bet: Haye VS Harrison Grouped round Betting
Haye to win in rounds 4-6
6 points @ 3.95


Last weekend's test matches showed that England are capable of competing with  the best of the Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand should have had a man sent off and a slow start cost England a shock victory. England can be buoyed by a good second half and should take some confidence into this weekends clash against Australia. The Wallabies were efficient but by no means brilliant against the Welsh and I believe England, provided they start well and cut down on penalties, will overcome the men from Down Under. They are attractively priced at 2.72 currently on Betfair which is definitely worth a punt an even looking tie, especially at Twickenham.

2nd Bet: Test Match Rugby- England VS Australia
England to win
6 points @ 2.72

Accumulators are every football fans favorite. Small stakes for big wins. They should however come with a Government health warning. Everyone knows a tale about someones friends brother who put on a quid on 12 teams to win £10,000 11 teams won but Livingston drew with Cowdenbeath, Sound Familiar? The best way I have found to do this kind of bet is to spend more and allow yourself to get one wrong. My weekly football patent consists of 8 teams win a sevenfold costing me £8 rather than £1, meaning that if one doesn't come through I will get back roughly a 10th of my original win. Here is my bet for the football this weekend.

3RD BET: Sevenfold

Newcastle
Tottenham
Chelsea
Arsenal
Rangers
Celtic
Ipswich
Reading
8 GAMES in a SEVENFOLD
1Point per line
8 Points staked
total return=234.11
1 wrong return = 22.68-39.98



Blog Profit/Loss Update
-53.68

back over obstacles

The National Hunt season returns, and if like me, you prefer the thrill of hurdles it is an exciting time. So get ready for exciting days ahead such as Cheltenham Gold Cup, World Hurdles and of course The Grand National. To kick off the blog this week I'm going to look at the NH racing at Ascot. Paul Nicholls has brought a strong string to this one and after reading his entry on Betfair he seems to reckon  Take the breeze is his best chance of the day. He is priced 8.2 on the exchange site to win and is 2.76 to place. As this is a conpetative race I am going to put more on the place than the win to, hopefully, guarantee good return even if it only places.

1st bet: 3.40 Ascot
Take the Breeze Win and Place
3 Point on Win @ 8.2
7 Point on Place @ 2.76

Britain hosts some NFL on Sunday. Yes, Wembley, home of football will welcome the American equivalent in all its splendor. The 49'ers take on the Broncos, for the NFL literate this is not a classic clash but worth a watch nevertheless. It is also evenly priced and for me the 49'ers are good value as the broncos look less than average having just been thrashed at home by the Oakland Raiders.

2nd bet: NFL in London
San Fransisco 49'ers to win
5 points @ 1.83

I've saved the best until last. This for me is the bet of the weekend. In the four nations rugby league it is crunch time for England, they need a win. However, if you follow England RL you will know this means we will get beat, and the likelihood is it will be a heavy beating particularly as the Aussies are so very very strong. I'm expecting a tight opening twenty minutes, however  the more England chase the more the aussies will exploit. Australia are 1.98 with a -18.5 handicap and I really like the look of this one- GET ON!!

3rd bet: Four Nations Rugby League
Australia -18.5
5 points @ 1.98

Lets hope these can reduce the deficit.......

Blog profit/loss update
-72.20

Down the Rowley Mile

Last week I predicted that the International break would be boring, and it did not disappoint. This week (thankfully) the Barclays Premier League returns. Also their is some exciting Horse Racing going on over at Newmarket and its round two of the Heineken Cup. Throw in an NFL accumulator and we're ready for an exciting weekends betting.

So we will start with this weekends football action. After losing two games on the trot Arsenal will look to bounce back to form at the Emirates on Saturday when they welcome Birmingham. Since returning to the Premier league Birmingham have done brilliantly and in truth look as though they are on their way to becoming an established top flight side. This is mainly due to the fact that their home form has been so good, this cannot be said however for their away form which has been that of a relegation candidate. This leads me to conclude that Arsenal will cast aside their poor form and get back to winning ways on Saturday. They are a short price to do so, however so I will put them in what could be described as a 'Big 3' Treble with Man Utd who entertain West Brom and Chelsea who are a good price away at Villa. This enhances the odds to 3.06 which on paper looks good, I will place a cautious 5 points on this to come through.

1st Bet: premier League Treble

Man Utd to Win 

Arsenal to win

Chelsae to win

5 points on Treble @ 3.06 

2 year old Group 1 action from Newmarket is next. It is the Dewhurst Stakes which is for 2 year old thoroughbreds and fillies. In reality their are only 3 who can realistically be put up as the potential winner of this race, they are Frankel, Saamid and Dream Ahead it is the latter which I believe will prevail. Frankel is priced up at 1.78 which is too short for a decent looking renewal. Dream Ahead is 4.2 on Betfair and like Frankel and Saamid has won all his races so far, so as they say in Boxing "Somebodies '0' has to go". Dream Ahead is also 1.72 for the place which is what we can at least expect. I am confident of a place so will put more on the place than the win. I will stake 2 points on the win and 5 on the place.

2nd Bet: Dewhurst Stakes 

Dream Ahead Win and Place

2 points to Win @ 4.2 and 5 points on Place @ 1.72

Heineken Cup action continues and if anything was learn't last week it was that home advantage is extremely important. 10/12 Home teams prevailed last week, and the bookmakers have priced the games accordingly. This means their maybe some value on the handicaps for away sides. In many of this weeks fixtures the bookies have been a little generous when numbering up the handicaps. For a starter the outstanding team of last week was Llanelli Scarlets who beat Perpignan 43-34. They have been given +12away to Leicester which is a little much all things considered. Also Northampton were not brilliant last week and never troubled the -14 handicap. However they play Edinburgh up in Scotland who were not exactly World beaters against Glasgow in the opening round. -4 looks a good bet for the Saints who should cement themselves as group favorites. Both are 1.91 but when put in a double  gives odds of 3.64.

3rd bet: Heineken Cup Double

Llanelli +12 to win

Northampton -4 to win

5 points on Double @ 3.64

To finish this week off some Sunday night NFL will round off your weekend, to make it interesting throw a 7 fold accumulator. This should include the Texans, Saints, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears and the Jets

4th Bet: NFL accumulator

Texans

Saints

Packers

Steelers 

Giants

Bears 

Jets

3 points on accumulator @ 8.19

Blog Profit/Loss Update

-52.20

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

International weekend zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Waking up on Friday morning is usually welcomed by the feeling of anticipation and excitement for the weekend and all that comes with it. Anticipation of popping down to the bookmakers for a cheeky accumulator and deliberating whether or not Cardiff are a good shout away at Doncaster or whether Arsenal are a reliable 'banker' at home to Bolton. That is until you remember it is international weekend and that feeling is replaced by sheer disappointment. This week I will be keeping well away from football, as apart from anything else I couldn't give a rats arse if Greece beat Latvia or if Ukraine will be too good for Canada. So the order of play will be Heineken Cup Rugby, NFL week 5 and Prizefighter Boxing.

The Heineken cup returns tonight with Northampton at home to French outfit Castres. Northampton lie second in the Aviva Premiership whilst Castres have struggled recently in the Top 14. Add to this the fact that French teams are notoriously bad on the road in Europe, Northampton are worthy favourites and I am picking them to pile some points on Castres tonight. The handicap is -14 on Northampton, I believe they will win by more than this, possibly a lot more.

1st Bet: Heineken Cup Handicap Bet

Northampton -14

7 Points @ 10/11

It is the 5th round of what looks to be a very open NFL competition, which has seen already both last years Superbowl teams lose. There have been a few surprise teams which look a lot stronger then last year. One of those is the Chicago Bears who have found there feet in the NFC North and are a real challenge to Green Bay. They are away in Carolina to face a Panthers side are 0-4, however the Bears are 20/21 to win the game, a nice price going on form so I'm gonna get stuck in.

2nd Bet: NFL game bet

Chicago Bears to win

7 Points @ 20/21

Sky's Prizefighter has seen some very entertaining evenings and has been a big success. The Twenty20 style revamp of the sport produces exciting fights with plenty of Knockouts. Its the return of the heavyweights tonight and for me there is only two fighters who can win the £32,000 prize, Michael Sprott and Matt Skelton and this is evident in the prices. Sprott is marginal favorite 13/8 and  Skelton is 2/1, my money will be on Skelton who looks to revive his career on Saturday night and will relish the format of Prizefighter. 

3rd Bet: Prizefighter Winner

Matt Skelton to win overall

6 Points @ 2/1

Happy Punting everyone and I will return next weekend, might need waking up after watching Wales v Bulgaria......

Blog Profit/ loss Update

-45.85 

 

Bonjour Longchamp! un vainqueur s'il vous plaît

The racing calender turns its attention across the channel to Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Granted this is not the strongest renewal. It lacks the depth and class which we have become accustomed to, last year was a particularly good race and saw Sea of the Stars, arguably the best ever winner of the race storm home from a seemingly impossible position. Sea of the Stars was favourite that day and duly obliged, this year the 7/2 favourite  is Behkabad which to me looks too short. Workforce is 2nd favourite, undoubtedly a good horse given its a derby winner, it looks a little inconsistent for me to put her up in a race like this especially at 11/2. The value for me is with Aidan O'Brien's Cape Blanco. Blanco ticks most of the boxes for an arc winner and if there is a bit of pace in the ground will have an outstanding chance. She is priced around 11/1 so is well worth and Each Way shout and should go close.

1st Bet: Arc De Triomph

Cape Blanco @ 12.00

3.5 Points E/W- 7 point bet

Sunday sees an all London clash at the bridge when Arsenal travel west to play Chelsea in the highlight of the weeks Premier League action. Chelsea have a fantastic  recent record against the gunners and last weeks form can be chalked off as both teams won convincingly in the Champions League midweek. Fabregas wont play on Sunday which means Arsenal may struggle to contain Chelsea's robust midfield. Drogba is also due a big game after going missing at Eastlands and subsequently being taken off. Chelsea are 8/11 against Arsenal and I will put it in a 4 fold along with Man City, Huddersfield and Rangers to give me odds of 6.38.

2nd Bet: Football 4 fold

Chelsea

Man City

Huddersfield

Rangers

3 Points @ 6.38

The Ryder cup is now under way, but as of today (Friday) not much has happened. The Europeans marginally look to be handling the conditions better and in my opinion will win it with a couple of points in hand. This will be the first 'major' trophy Monty has won, so he best enjoy it as it is almost definitely the only one! Europe are 8/11 to win so will up the usual stake for this kind of bet to 8 points.

3rd Bet: Ryder Cup Outright

Europe to win overall

8 points on the win @ 1.73

Well I'm off to the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Enjoy your weekend and hope we can get into some profit after this weekend!

Blog Profit/Loss update

-41.69

Fairwell to Knowsley

During my short time writing this blog I have given little clues as to which teams I support in any of the various sports I have written about. This is about to change. Not through blind loyalty, but smug confidence. If the title of this blog hasn't given it away yet, I am a St Helens RLFC supporter, a very happy one. Tonight's game against the Giants is gonna get emotional, last competitative game at Knowsley Road which has been our home for 120 years added to the fact that immortal legend which is Kieron Cunningham is playing his last ever game for a club he has represented for 16 years. Saints cannot lose this I feel. Huddersfield are in good form , beating Warrington last week in a shock play-off game. However it was a slog and that extra game may have just taken it out of them, and Saints will not give them a 22 point head start. I fancy a tough 60 minutes but fatigue will tell, the cream will rise, and Huddersfield will cave like a New Delhi weightlifting arena!  For me Saints will win in excess of 10 points to send Kieron out in style at the Grand Final. My first bet is a 6 point single on Saints -10 @ 1.91.

1st Bet: Handicap Bet
St Helens -10
6 points @ 1.91

Horse Racing this evening at Wolverhampton. Granted its not Ascot Gold cup  and there will be no summer dresses or crazy hats but there is a good looking thing in the 5.45. Bouncy Bouncy came from last to first at Brighton last time and their is nothing in this race which is anything better than he faced that day. He is currently at 4.00 and should go well as he has been supported. 4 points the win on this one.

2nd Bet: 5.45 @ Wolverhampton
Bouncy Bouncy to win
4 points @ 4.00

Like this blog NFL is in its third week and while the bookmakers are getting to grips with whose going to be good and bad this year, punters have a chance to take advantage. The Jets after a bad start against the ravens bounced back to beat the highly rated patriots. They play the dolphins this week and to my surprise are 11/10 to win. Miami struggled last year and I'm not convinced about their prospects this season. Meanwhile the Packers look the real deal with two strong looking victories already, Double these two up and theres a decent 3.41 double.

3rd Bet: NFL double
Jets to win
Green Bay to win
5 points on double @ 3.41

Finally lets have a look at this weekend football action. The fixture of the weekend undoubtedly is at Eastlands and I like price on Chelsea at Man City. They have looked irresistable this season, and I believe with Essien, Mikel and Ramires they will win the midfield battle allowing the deadly trio of Drogba, Malouda and Anelka to show their undoubted class. They are 6/5 to win at Eastland. I'm proposing putting them in a four fold with Arsenal, Man Utd and Cardiff which gives decent odds of 7.13.

4th Bet: English football Four fold
Chelsea
Arsenal
Man Utd
Cardiff
4 Points win @ 7.13

Goodbye from me, and goodbye to Knowsley Road....



Profit/Loss Update:
 -33.12

Nobody said it was easy......

After last weekends disaster I am back with my tail firmly between my legs. The Crusaders played their Welsh hearts out but alas Hull FC showed little bottle in the biggest Hull derby for some time, getting stuffed by their city rivals costing me £17.50. Nevertheless nobody likes a quitter, if at first you don't succeed and any other moral boosting cliches are the order of the day.

So the first bet will again be on the Super League Play-offs. Its week two and Wigan, the League winners were beaten last week by Leeds. Thanks to Pat Richards kicking display they face Hull KR who travel to the DW Stadium. Similar to last week I am leaning towards the rather large looking Handicap given to the underdogs. Hull KR are +12, and after last weeks performance this looks generous to say the least. They may not beat Wigan, but they will give them a run for YOUR  money. 5 points on Hull KR +12 @ 10/11 is advised.

1st bet:   Hull KR +12 Handicap
7 points @ 1.91

Home advantage in the Premier League seems to be hugely, well, advantageous! Blackburn have a great record at Ewood Park and Fulham seem to struggle on their travels, so the Even money about Rovers is a good looking price. I am going to double it up with the nailed on result at Stamford Bridge for my second bet.

2nd Bet: Football Double
Blackburn to win
Chelsea to win
6 points on the double @ 2.2

Horse Racing makes its debut to the blog now, as we travel to bonny Scotland for the Ayr Gold Cup. Looking at the past winners of the race it becomes clear that anything above 9st 3 will find it difficult to win as only two horses above this weight have won the race in the past 24 years. Also only one favourite has won in the same period of time. David Nicholls has won this race 5 times and brings a very strong group which includes the consistent Victoire De Lyphar who is priced 7/1 and should go well. I am going to go E/W purely because of the numbers in the race, 2.5 points E/W and 5 places are getting paid.

3rd Bet: Ayr Gold Cup
Victoire De Lyphar E/W @ 8.00
2.5 points E/W

With the remaining 2 points out of the 20 I will stake each week I am going to place a 5 fold on this weeks Aviva Premiership action using the Handicap market to give me a good return. This will consist of Leicester Tigers -1, Bath +5, London Irish -8, Saracens -8 and Newcastle Scr. This will give me odds of 50.00 and I will place 2 points on to give me a tasty return of 100.0

4th Bet: Accumulator- Aviva Premiership Handicap
Leicester Tigers -1
Bath +5
London Irish -8
Saracens -8
Newcastle Scr

2 points @ 50.0 accumulator

Hopefully a better week than the last with a bit of luck. Enjoy your weekends sport and happy punting.

Blog Profit loss update: -20.0 points

Opening weekend, in more ways than one

After various evenings down the pub, numerous pints and even more rants, I have decided to place my head with it's considerably noisy mouth on the chopping block and write my pearls of sports betting wisdom down for all to see...well, all three people who will probably read this! This blog will concern sports from  football to horse racing, NFL to rugby league and everything in between...... well, not badminton or handball but you get the idea.

|C

This is the big opening weekend, not just for the blog but also for the new NFL season and the Super League play-offs two of many sports which this blog will feature. My aim is to look for the best tips for your weekend's punting pleasure, both in terms of its chance and also the price. I will give myself 20 units to bet with, 1 unit could be as much or as little as your occupation or Government handout allows, just a way of keeping track of my profit (fingers crossed!).

So, that's enough of the nitty gritty.  Let's have a gander at the weekends action.

It's play-off time in the Super League, and there's one team which has crept in at the 11th hour.  You better believe it, the boy-o's from North Wales have done it, quite incredible. After finishing stone cold last in 2009 Brian Noble and his men did enough at Wrexham last week, with some help from the Saints to pip Castleford to 8th spot.  Now they travel to the Galphram to face the Huddersfield Giants, who faired poorly in last years play-offs. I am not particularly confident that the Crusaders will be advancing any further, however it will be a lot closer than Mr P Power or Mr W Hill think and I will happily take a +14 handicap on Crusaders @10/11 and double it up with Hull FC -4 @ 5/6 to give me a decent looking 2.5 double

1st Bet: 

Hull FC -4

Crusaders +14

5 points on Double @ 2.5

Now I go across the pond in search of Yank inspired betting diamonds. Yes it's over the top, yes it stops every 15 seconds for a Dominoes Pizza add and yes there are a lot of men in tights but all that aside it can be profitable on occasion. The outstanding value on the opening weekend of the NFL has to be America's Team the Dallas Cowboys @ Washington on Sunday, they are 10/11 to win by more than 4(-3.5 handicap), when you consider the cowboys are 3rd or 4th favourites for the Superbowl and Washington are 33/1 it has to be worth a few pretty pennies.

2nd Bet:

Dallas -3.5

5 points on single @ 1.91

After the dull shadow which is the International break is over, we return to bask in the sunshine of the Barclay's Premier League. The bookmakers, it seems have a tendancy to forget that Tottenham are a top 4 side when they are away from home, they were priced 6/4 in week 2 to beat Stoke which I was more than happy to take. They travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday and are priced at an incredible 11/10 against a West Brom side who look susceptible to any team with top 8 expectations,  7 points the win  I say.

3rd Bet:

Tottenham to win 

8 points on Single @ 1.91

I will place all my selections in a 2 point accumulator to make it 20 points altogether

4th bet

Hull FC -4

Crusaders +14

Dallas -3.5

Tottenham (WIN)

2 points on accumulator @ 14.1

And that's that, first blog done, 20 points stake and hopefully some returns!

Adios for now.