by ·Comments Off on The Aegon Championships (Queen’s Club) – Tournament Preview
The Aegon Championships (Queen’s Club) - Tournament Preview

The Aegon Championships, more commonly known as Queen’s, starts on the 19th June, with the final being played on the 25th. Queen’s is the traditional curtain-raiser for Wimbledon and represents a chance for the competitors to fine tune their form ahead of what is one of the most prestigious competitions of the year.

Andy Murray will hope to defend his title Photo Credit: skysports.com

Andy Murray

Murray will be hoping to break records with a sixth Queen’s win as he looks to successfully defend his title. The Scot claimed success here last year, weeks before winning Wimbledon, and will be hoping to do the same again this year. Murray hasn’t won a grand slam since winning Wimbledon almost a year ago, but did manage to make the semi-finals of the French Open, narrowly losing out to Stan Wawrinka. These were encouraging signs for Murray, who is hoping to hit form at just the right time in order to win a third Wimbledon title. He goes in to Queen’s as the huge favourite, despite his indifferent form.

 Skybet Outright Winner – Andy Murray – 11/8

Wawrinka has been in good form going into the tournament Photo Credit: skysports.com

 

Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka will be hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to challenge for a third grand slam title. After losing out in straight sets to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final, Wawrinka will be hoping to go one step better. The world number three is the second highest seeded player at Queen’s and after beating Murray in the semi-finals of the French Open, he will feel confident of doing the same again.

Skybet Outright Winner – Stan Wawrinka – 12/1

Raonic reached the final last year at Queens Photo Credit: skysports.com

Milos Raonic

After losing out to Murray in last year’s final, Raonic will be even more determined to win his first Queen’s title. Now ranked sixth in the world, the Canadian will see Queen’s as an opportunity to make a statement, with Novak Djokovic, Rodger Federer and Nadal not competing. Raonic is yet to win a grand slam, and will be hoping Queen’s can set himself up for Wimbledon glory.

 Skybet Outright Winner – Milos Raonic – 11/2

 Dark horses

If you’re looking for a well-priced long shot at Queen’s, then Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych are great value. Ranked 11th and 14th in the World respectably, both have shown in the past they are more than capable of going the distance. Tsonga reached the quarter finals of Wimbledon last year, and the semi-finals in both 2011 and 2012. Berdych by comparison was beaten in the semi-final of the competition by last year’s winner, Murray.

Skybet Outright Winner – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – 20/1

Skybet Outright Winner Tomas Berdych – 16/1

by ·Comments Off on Cameroon vs Chile – Match Preview
Cameroon vs Chile - Match Preview
Confederations Cup, Group B 
Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow 7pm

Cameroon vs Chile – Match Preview – Cameroon and Chile will begin their Confederations Cup campaigns this Sunday at 20:00 GMT. The South American outfit are making their tournament debut and will find life difficult in their opening Group B match against a youthful Cameroon side. Winning the African Cup of nations was Cameroon’s ticket into this tournament; a tournament they believe they can go all the way in. However, Alexis Sanchez and co will come out all guns blazing in what could prove to be a cracking match.

The African side enter the match in mixed form. In their two recent friendlies, they beat Morocco 1-0 but where then halted by a Colombian barrage of goals that ended in an embarrassing 4-0 loss. Manager, Hugo Broos, will be looking for his side to rejuvenate the form from their wonderful African Cup of nations campaign earlier this year. Cameroon will also be searching to avenge the aggravating loss to France back in 2003 in the Confederations Cup final. Can Cameroon cause a shock in Group B with a win?

Skybet Match Result – Cameroon to Win – 6/1

Chile are favourites to finish second in Group B, unsurprising taking in to consideration their personnel such as Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. Chile have also had a shaky run of results in their recent friendlies. The most recent loss against Romania has left manager, Juan Pizzi, hoping his side can look to their key players for results this campaign. Can Chile calm the nerves with three points?

Skybet Match Result – Chile to Win – 8/15

The last time these two nations met was all the way back in 1998, when they met at the FIFA World Cup. The match ended 1-1, could we see another draw on the cards?

Skybet Match Result – Draw – 3/1

Vincent Aboubakar Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Chile are without their first-choice goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, due to a calf injury.

Chile will have to look to second choice goalkeeper, Johnny Herrera, to fill the Manchester City keeper’s boots. Herrera plays his club football in his home country of Chile, for Club Universidad de Chile, in the Primera Division. Can he begin his campaign with a clean sheet?

Skybet Clean Sheet – Chile to keep a Clean Sheet – 10/11

Cameroon are without left-back, Ambroise Oyongo, due to a knee injury.

The African champions will look to key attacker, Vincent Aboubakar, who is their best hope for a goal against the solid Chile defence. Can Aboubakar produce the goods?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Vincent Aboubakar to score Anytime in 90 mins – 3/1

 

by ·Comments Off on Denmark U21’s vs Italy U21’s – Match Preview
Denmark U21's vs Italy U21's - Match Preview
UEFA U21 European Championships, Marszałek Piłsudski Stadium, Kraków 7.45pm

Denmark U21’s vs Italy U21’s – Match Preview – Denmark and Italy will begin their Under 21 European Championships at the Marszalek Pilsudski Stadium on Sunday 18th June. Italy are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament; lifting the trophy a record five times. The match promises some great football on display and what could be a tighter match than many initially thought.

Italian manager, Luigi Di Biagio, will be hoping his side can live up to their hype and begin their campaign with a victory. Italy topped their qualification group, conceding only three times in ten matches; containing some dominant wins for Europe’s most successful youth side. However, they haven’t played a competitive match for over 3 months which could see a rusty performance from the Italians. Having most recently lost to Spain back in March, can the Italian’s kick off with a win in Poland?

Skybet Match Result – Italy to Win – 8/13

Denmark were the surprise performers in the qualification stages. Niels Frederiksen’s side booked their place in the tournament without losing a match in Group 5 of the qualifiers; with 28 points out of a possible 30. The Dane’s will look to continue this impressive form going into the tournament. Like Italy, Denmark pride themselves on their defensive efforts and actually shared the best defensive record in qualifying with their opponents on Sunday. With both sides proving hard to break down, can Denmark get the edge and continue their form?

Skybet Match Result – Denmark to Win – 19/4

Domenico Berardi Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

The Italians have no fresh injuries or suspensions to deal with to alter team selection.

Striker, Domenico Berardi, will be key for his nation if Italy are to kick off with win on Sunday. Berardi plays his club football for Sassuolo in the Italian Serie A. Can he deliver for the Italians?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Domenico Berardi to score Anytime in 90 mins – 13/8

Much like their opponents, Denmark have no injury or suspensions worries ahead of Sunday’s match.

Danish striker, Kenneth Zohore, proves to be one of Denmark’s biggest threats. Zohore had a good season in the EFL Championship for Welsh side, Cardiff. The young Dane scored 12 goals in 24 matches for the ‘Bluebirds’ and manager, Niels Frederiksen, will look to Zohore as his biggest threat.

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Kenneth Zohore to score Anytime in 90 mins – 5/2

by ·Comments Off on Germany U21’s vs Czech Republic U21’s – Match Preview
Germany U21's vs Czech Republic U21's - Match Preview

UEFA U21 European Championships,  Stadion Miesjski, Poland 4pm

Germany U21’s vs Czech Republic U21’s – Match Preview – Tournament second-favourites Germany begin their tournament by facing underdogs Czech Republic in an intriguing game in Tychy.

The Germans will, as always, be strong favourites for this match and most matches but the Czech Republic have history in this tournament as they were victorious in 2002 with a certain Petr Cech picking up the Golden Player award for his outstanding performances.

Despite the Germany squad being depleted due to Joachim Low’s decision to include a large amount of youth players for the Confederations Cup, Stefan Kuntz still has a strong pool of player to choose from.
Such talented names include Borussia Dortmund’s new acquisition – the highly-rated Mahmoud Dahoud, potential Liverpool target Max Meyer from Schalke and Mitchell Weiser the versatile midfielder from Hertha.

Despite the senior team’s consistent and vast success, the German U21 side have only won this tournament once – in 2009, although a large part of that squad went on to become World Cup winners in 2014. Just the one solitary victory leaves Germany behind teams such as Soviet Union and England in the tournament winning table and they will want to rectify that immediately.

Team News
Towering Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah has removed himself from the squad with injury but aside from that Kuntz has a full squad to choose from.
The Czech Republic have no injury concerns and also able to choose any player.

Gnabry could be heading to Bayern this summer Photo Credit: express.co.uk

Players to Watch
Serge Gnarby is a name which has recently come back onto the European radar after a brilliant season with Werder Bremen, scoring 11 goals in 27 appearances in the Bundesliga. Such form prompted Carlo Ancelotti to purchase him for the powerful Bayern Munich and the ex-Arsenal attacking midfielder will be hoping to show Arsene Wenger what he has missed out on and retain that level of performance for his country this summer. Damage can be caused by Gnarby’s direct dribbling and lightning pace so the Czech backline will have to be vigilant for that constant threat.

Patrik Schik has been attracting interest from some of Europe’s top teams Photo Credit: uefa.com

Patrik Schick has burst onto the scene this campaign with an excellent return of 11 goals in just 14 starts for Sampdoria this season and as such is strongly rumoured to be one of the first name of Max Allegri’s wish-list for Juventus summer transfers. The 6ft2 forward has also earned a senior national team call up as a reward this season and has celebrated his first goal for the Czech Republic with a strike in a friendly against Malta. For his size, Schick is deceptively quick and loves to play on the shoulder of the last defender – any lapses in German concentration and the striker could well put them to the sword.

by ·Comments Off on Portugal vs Mexico – Match Preview
Portugal vs Mexico - Match Preview
Confederations Cup, Group A
Kazan Arena, Russia 4pm

Portugal vs Mexico – Match Preview – European Champions Portugal begin their Confederations Cup by facing 2015 CONCACAF Cup victors Mexico in what promises to be an enticing match-up in Kazan.

Portugal have not been in the greatest of form performance wise since claiming the European crown in France last summer; stumbling over the line against weaker sides such as Andorra, Cyprus, Faroe Island and Gibraltar whilst suffering defeat against Switzerland in their opening World Cup qualifier and in a friendly against Sweden.

Mexico, on the other hand have only tasted defeat once in their last 13 outings – in a friendly against Croatia – and with the CONCACAF Gold Cup to defend in July, Juan Carlos Osorio’s side will be hoping to garner some momentum from this tournament to storm the next. El Tri are always difficult to beat and are deserved dark horses in any competition.

The two sides have only twice previously faced each other, both resulting in a victory for The Selecao – most recently in 2014 where a last minute Bruno Alves goal won the friendly.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been in scintillating form this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Players to Watch 
Cristiano Ronaldo is a born winner. The 32-year-old wants to emerge victorious in every single competition he plays in and the Confederations Cup will be no different. On an unprecedented high following the magnificent success in France 2016; Portugal’s talismatic captain will be eager to prove it was no stand-alone fluke. The global superstar has also just retained the European Cup for the first time in the Champions League era with Real Madrid, and it would take a brave man to back against the current World Player of the Year to continue that form onto the international stage once again – adding to his already wonderful record of 73 goals in 139 caps for Portugal.

Javier Hernandez holds the current top scorer record for Mexico Photo Credit: skysports.com

Javier Hernandez is an extremely popular figure in Britain after his stellar spell at Manchester United, although many feel he was underutilised for a man of his abilities before he was shipped off to Bayer Leverkusen. Since then the recently-turned 29-year-old has rebuilt his reputation by scoring 39 goals in just 76 games for the German side whilst also becoming his nation’s highest-ever goal-scorer with a massive 47 goals by netting against Croatia in May and surpassing Jared Borgetti’s record. Chicharito always has the potential to turn a half-chance into a goal and will be a constant danger to the usually resilient Portuguese defence.

Team News 
Fernando Santos is are blessed with a full-strength squad to choose from and are likely to line up with all the big hitters starting.

Rafael Marquez is the only injry concern for Mexico, a back-problem potentially keeping the experienced centre-back out of the side.

 

Suggested Tips:

by ·Comments Off on UK / Ireland Horse Racing Preview – 18th June 2017
Horse Racing Preview - Huntingdon - 17th October 2017

Horse Racing Preview

Here is our horse racing preview for Sunday 18th June 2017 across UK and Ireland Horse Racing today, unit stakes advised upon each selection.

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 18th June 2017 – Doncaster 2pm – Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation Handicap

Mon Beau Visage – 2/1 – 2pt stake

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 18th June 2017 – Doncaster 3pm – Into Africa Classified Stakes

Alexander M – 6/4 – 2pt stake

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 16th June 2017 – Doncaster 4pm – Yorkshire Wildlife Park Handicap

Evergate – 11/4 – 2pt stake

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 18th June 2017 – Doncaster 4.30pm – Bren Slingsby Handicap

Dellaguista – 4/1 – 2pt stake

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by ·Comments Off on Spain U21’s vs Macedonia U21’s – Match Preview
Spain U21's vs Macedonia U21's - Match Preview
UEFA U21 European Championships, Group B, Gdynia Stadium, Poland 7.45pm

Spain U21’s vs Macedonia U21’s – Match Preview – Spain and Macedonia will kick off their Under 21’s European Championships on 17th June with their opening match in Group B. Spain haven’t held back in their team selection, flying plenty of Premier League and La Liga stars over to Poland for the tournament. Macedonia are not to be taken lightly however, having impressed in the qualifying stages and Spain will understand that they can’t walk over their opponents.

Spain’s star-studded squad will be the team to beat in this summer tournament, with the likes of Arsenal right-back, Hector Bellerin, and Real Madrid prodigy, Marco Asensio, amongst the action; just to name a few. A nation often to set the trends, Spain haven’t approached the tournament like countries such as England, and have brought players that many would assume are senior squad standard. On paper, Spain should start their campaign winning three points without a flinch.

Skybet Match Result – Spain to Win – 2/9

Marjen Radeski could cause the Spanish defence problems Photo Credit: UEFA.com

As aforementioned, Macedonia impressed during qualifying. They topped their group that consisted of France, Iceland, Ukraine, Scotland and Northern Ireland; losing just once the whole campaign. Macedonia have lost just once in sixteen matches and most recently beat Bulgaria and Montenegro in friendlies to give them a psychological boost heading into the tournament. Striker, Marjan Radeski, will be Macedonia’s biggest threat in attack. Radeski plays his club football for FK Metalurg Skopje in the Macedonian third division but do not be fooled as the striker will cause problems. Can he help Macedonia cause a massive upset?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Marjan Radeski to score Anytime in 90 mins – 7/2

Real Madrid attacker Ascensio could be the star player of the tournament Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Spain have no injuries or suspensions to alter their team selection.

They will look to their dazzling array of star players to go all the way in the tournament. These players consist of Hector Bellerin, Jorge Mere, Marco Asensio, Denis Suarez, JL Gaya, Sandro, Saul Niguez, Gerard Deulofeu, Inaki Williams and Borja Mayoral. It would take a brave man to bet against Spain U21 lifting the European Championship trophy.

Skybet Tournament Winner – Spain – 3/1

Macedonia U21s are without attacking player, Viktor Angelov, due to injury.

Being outclassed in personnel all over the field, Macedonia will hope to continue their magnificent form into the tournament and provide a big shock with an opening match win. Can they pull it off?

Skybet Match Result – Macedonia to Win – 14/1

 

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by ·Comments Off on Russia vs New Zealand – Match Preview
Russia vs New Zealand - Match Preview
Confederations Cup, Group A
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg 4pm

Russia vs New Zealand – Match Preview – Russia and New Zealand will kick off their 2017 Confederations Cup campaigns on Saturday 17th June at 16:00 GMT. The hosts, Russia, will feel confident heading into the match with some decent form in their recent friendlies. The Russians easily beat Hungary 3-0 and then drew 1-1 with tough opponents, Chile.

The tournament will be Russia’s last competitive international matches before the 2018 World Cup; of which they are hosting. Stanislav Cherchesov’s men will look to make a big impression in this opening match, in front of a home crowd at the Stadion Krestovskyi. With the nightmare of last summer’s European Championships in their heads too, the Russians are playing for personal pride as well as patriotic pride. Russia are favourites for the match, will they make it a routine victory?

Skybet Match Result – Russia to Win – 30/100

New Zealand qualified for the Confederations Cup by becoming the Oceania Champions- a fairly weak continent of competitors. New Zealand boss, Anthony Hudson, shouldn’t be feeling too much pressure however as his team are viewed as rather large underdogs; with recent form to not suggest otherwise. In their two recent friendlies, ‘The Kiwis’ have lost at the hands to Northern Ireland and more embarrassingly, Belarus, in 1-0 defeats that haven’t left much hope for them in this tournament. It would be a monumental turn around to overcome the Russian riot heading their way.

Skybet Match Result – New Zealand to Win – 10/1

Fyodor Smolov will be a danger to the New Zealand defence Photo Credit: skysports.com

Team News

Russia are without left-back, Fedor Kudryashov, due to a yellow card suspension.

Other than him, Russia are at full strength for their opening match. Russia will look to key attacker, Fyodor Smolov, to be a presence in the New Zealand box. The striker scored in their recent friendly against Hungary and if selected, will be looking to get another international goal

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Fyodor Smolov to score Anytime in 90 mins – 10/11

Forward Chris Wood will be hoping to make the same impact for country as he did for club Photo Credit: radionz.co.nz

New Zealand have no injuries or suspensions to alter team selection.

EFL Championship striker, Chris Wood, has had an impressive season with Leeds United and his country will now look to him to do the same in his nations colours. Wood ended the season as the league’s top goal scorer with 27 goals and four assists; a statistic that make him New Zealand’s danger man, can he provide a goal for his country?

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Chris Wood to score Anytime in 90 mins – 3/1

 

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by ·Comments Off on UK / Ireland Horse Racing Preview – 17th June 2017
Horse Racing Preview - Catterick - 31st October 2017

Horse Racing Preview

Here is our horse racing preview for Saturday 17th June 2017 across UK and Ireland Horse Racing today, unit stakes advised upon each selection.

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 17th June 2017 – Lingfield 5.50pm – Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap

King Kevin – 5/1 – 1pt stake (EW)

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 17th June 2017 – Lingfield 6.20pm – Happy 21st Birthday Amy Handicap

Ya Jammeel – 3/1 – 2pt stake (EW)

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 17th June 2017 – Lingfield 6.50pm – Kew Electrical Fillies’ Novice Median Auction Stakes (Plus 10)

Take Shelter – 5/4 – 3pt stake

Horse Racing – UK / Ireland – 17th June 2017 – Lingfield 8.20pm – Sharon Simmons Memorial Median Auction Maiden Stakes

Margherita – 10/11 – 2pt stake

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by ·Comments Off on Horse Racing Preview -York & Sandown – 17th June 2017
Horse Racing Preview - Haydock, Newbury & Newmarket - 21st July 2017

Today’s horse racing preview comes from York and Sandown. I took yesterday off to study for the forthcoming Royal festival next week, which should be an amazing week of solid racing.

14.40 Sandown – Randox Health Scurry Stakes (Listed) (5f)

A competitive renewal that see’s the smart Listed Westow Stakes winner Fashion Queen make an appearance. She took the scalp of Ardad that day to thirteen lengths, even at the weights you would have to think the form looks held.

My opinion in Ardad is complimentary; he has lost his way significantly since landing the Flying Childers at Doncaster last season. The Abbaye form has to be respected when mid field; the winner has already stamped his authority on the sprinting challenges this season.

Ardad looks ground dependable for me, not too soft or too firm, if getting good racing ground he most definitely can out run his 8/1 odds. Copper Knight had really turned a corner this year, with wins in the Sustainable Handicap at Chester and he then went on to win at York when landing the Unibet Sprint Stakes.

His sole run here over course and distance last year saw him literally put in his place, to say Easterby has found him making a pleasing transition is an under statement, a horse on top of his game and very hard to beat in this form.

Copper Knight : 2pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

14.55 York – Best Western Hotels Ganton Stakes (Listed) (7.8f)

I’m sorry to start this off in this manner, but I really thought Jamie Spencer gave Spark Plug the most under-enterprising ride in the Listed Festival stakes three weeks ago.

Leaving his mount far too much to do in the closing stages to be defeated by a nose. It’s not the first or last time Jamie Spencer will get it all wrong this season and cost a winnable ride into a disaster. We will see a jockey change this time with James Doyle taking over.

Last year’s Cambridgeshire winner drops to under a mile for the first time in his career and has to be taken on merit that his fractions from York over today’s designated trip has shown he can handle the drop, and Sandown.

Thikriyaat is a very interesting appointment here by Sir Michael Stoute. Last year’s Bonham Stakes winner showed nothing here at York when finishing on the tailenders.but to be fair he is a very lightly raced four year old, more to come I think.

Mondialiste has completely gone backwards since his Arlington Millions accomplishment, he would have to bring that form here and some, but his York Stakes run from last season was behind the very smart colt Time Test.

With the stacks of negativity that Mondialiste is going to struggle to turn the bad form around, I can swiftly move on to an entry that could have been over looked. Khafoo Shememi of Richard Hannon’s picked up his first win on turf for the new year at Sandown Park , he went on to record a gutsy win that day.

Sean Levey has impressed me this year with some good confident rides win or lose and for me, Khafoo cannot be underestimated.

Spark Plug : 2pt each way @ 9/2 (BOG)

15.30 York – Catherine Kinloch Paver Memorial Macmillan Charity Handicap (0-105) (6f)

Most of the evening I have been going back and forth to get Roger Varian’s Ekhtijaar beaten, his Sprint Trophy win I thought was far better than his current rating, In fact to say I think he is rated at least 10-12lb higher than his current 94 and I generally feel a pattern horse in the making.

It would be an insult to not at least look over the opposition, Golden Apollo won impressively at Pontefract recently, only a 5lb assessment which gives an element of a big run still to come. Ran well over 7f here at York at the May meeting when behind a good winner in Battered, drop in trip looks a good move and feared.

Ekhtijaar : 3pt win @ 7/2 (BOG). (NAP)

15.50 Sandown – Randox Health Handicap (0-100) (8f)

Greentide showed attitude when losing last time here when splitting Laidback Romeo and Sir Roderic, the trio are closely matched again, but I thought Greenside showed enough to get a Royal Hunt Cup invitation, but again he has to show he is still worthy.

In punter terms I again feel Greenside is a solid bet, I can’t see his two adversaries reversing the form it up holds.

Greenside : 2.5pt win @ 5/2 (BOG) (NB)

Good luck, Gamble Responsibly

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