All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

PDC Auckland Masters 2017 – Darts Preview

August 10, 2017 by Ieuan Ivett·Comments Off

PDC Auckland Masters 2017 – Darts Preview – The PDC is taking its World Tour down under beginning with the Auckland Masters this Friday. The televised (ITV) three-day event has some big names not featuring all for personal reasons. Both Michael van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis have requested not to take part in the tournament due to both their wives recently giving birth.

Here are some of the outrights ahead of the PDC Auckland Masters:

Gary Anderson – Skybet Outright Winner – 5/2

Reigning champion Gary Anderson will be hopeful of defending his title Photo Credit: skysports.com

Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson will be defending his title after coming out victorious in Auckland last year. Anderson is currently favourite to retain his title with his opening match being against tough Australian opponent, Kyle Anderson. The Scotsman has never shown any signs of a crowd being against him alter his performance and it is unlikely he will let that happen this time around. Great outright odds for Anderson, worth a punt.

Phil Taylor – Skybet Outright Winner – 3/1

This could be Phil Taylor’s last Auckland Masters tournament Photo Credit: skysports.com

Following his incredible victory at the World Matchplay a couple weeks back, Taylor will be looking to earn more silverware on his lap of honour with the PDC Tour. Dispatching of Michael van Gerwen with ease showed that ‘The Power’ is not retired yet and still has some darting fuel left in the tank. The game’s greatest ever darter will be looking to the upcoming Australian/New Zealand masters’ as a chance to get more silverware with some big names side-lined for these events. Following his recent form, wouldn’t want to bet against him.

Peter Wright – Skybet Outright Winner – 100/30

Peter Wright needs to get back to winning ways Photo Credit: skysports.com

‘Snakebite’ Peter Wright has endured a frustrating few months; continuously losing in big pressure matches. Wright is due a piece of silverware having shown signs of vast improvement on the doubles in large majorities, however has still lacked that cutting edge. His first match is against Corey Cadby of Australia where he will be looking to get off to a flying start. Snakebite could slither to the trophy on his day.

Daryl Gurney – Skybet Outright Winner – 9/1

Daryl Gurney could upset the favourites if in similar form to the World Matchplay Photo Credit: skysports.com

Daryl ‘Superchin’ Gurney has turned up the heat in his recent outings on the PDC Tour. Losing in the final of the Shanghai Masters to Michael van Gerwen and losing in the World Matchplay semi-final to Peter Wright are not so much defeats in the big scheme. His meteoric rise up the PDC Order of Merit has been astounding to watch this year and is quickly becoming not just the ‘hot prospect’ but the one to beat. His opening match is against Australian, Rob Modra. Long odds from SkyBet on the in-form, talented 31-year-old.

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Carabao Cup – First Round – Colchester United vs Aston Villa – Match Preview

August 8, 2017 by Ieuan Ivett·Comments Off

Colchester United vs Aston Villa – Match Preview – Colchester United are hosting Championship side Aston Villa in their opening match in the newly-branded, Carabao Cup. The League Two side face one of the toughest draws with the Premier League sides set to enter the tournament at the latter stages.

In their previous outing, Colchester fell to the feet of Accrington Stanley in a 3-1 defeat that didn’t give them the ideal start to their League Two campaign. Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa side drew with Hull in their Championship curtain raiser as hot-cold striker Gabby Agbonlahor scored inside the first seven minutes of their Championship campaign.

The League Cup is renowned for providing big shocks in the early stages, often with plenty of ‘squad rotation’ players featuring for the higher ranked clubs. Colchester will be hoping that their opponents will feature some youth and squad rotation players to help their bid to provide one of the big shocks of the round. Big odds for Colchester in this one.

Skybet Match Result – Colchester to Win – 11/2

Aston Villa have had yet another summer strengthening their squad from top to bottom. The most noticeable addition so far this transfer window has been the arrival of Chelsea legend, John Terry on a one-year deal. The 36-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the ‘Villians’ season opener but will be unlikely to feature in this match.

Aston Villa’s new signing and captain, John Terry, could feature in the Carabao Cup Photo Credit: skysports.com

Aston Villa are clear favourites for this tie, however it is unclear the team that Steve Bruce will play. Bruce’s focus will be on gaining promotion back to the Premier League and it is unlikely he will name a strong squad; at risk of injuries. However, with their pride taking some battering over the recent years, the thought of getting knocked out this early to a lower league side isn’t ideal for the club or fans. Clear favourites for this match.

Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Aston Villa to Win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 – 4/1

The initial stages of the League Cup can often see some goal-fests with plenty of second string defenders and goalkeepers crossing the white line. It is very possible we could see plenty of goals in this match.

Skybet Under/Over 3.5 Goals – Over 3.5 Goals in the Match – 9/4

Gabby Agbonlahor had the dream start to his Championship campaign with a goal. If he starts again, he could be causing plenty of problems for the Colchester defence.

Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Gabriel Agbonlahor to score Anytime in 90 mins – 13/8

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Women’s Euro 2017 Final – Denmark vs Netherlands – Match Preview

August 5, 2017 by Ieuan Ivett·Comments Off

Women’s Euro 2017 Final – Denmark vs Netherlands – Match Preview – The final of the 2017 UEFA Women’s EURO is upon us with surprise finalists Denmark facing the hosts, Netherlands. The tournament has provided plenty of shocks with defending champions Germany crashing out in the quarter finals having won the previous six tournaments in a row.

Netherlands

The host nation has really impressed since their opening match against Norway in Group A. Their potent attack of Lieke Martens, Vivienne Miedema and Shanice van de Sanden has helped the Netherlands score nine goals in their five outings. Not only the ‘Clockwork Orange’ attack has been prospering in front of a home crowd however; the defence has also illustrated stability and rigidness having only conceded once in their path to the final.

The Netherlands have been in great form and home support will be an advantage Photo Credit: skysports.com

After gliding through the group stages without a hiccup, the hosts continued to showcase their class in their quarter-final against Sweden where goals from Barcelona winger Lieke Martens and Arsenal striker Vivienne Miedema elated a packed-out home crowd. The semi-final saw Netherlands face their toughest test against an England side who had been scoring for fun in the run up to the fixture. However, the hosts made lightwork of the English disposing of them in a clinical 3-0 victory. The ruthless, potent manor of the Netherlands style of play will make it hard to bet against them in this final.

Skybet Match Result – Netherlands to Win – 3/4

Denmark

Denmark have been defying the odds since the group stages in an impressive manor. Qualifying second through Group A, behind their final opponents, was unexpected for the Danes following a tough Group draw. Their final group stage victory over a strong Norwegian team saw them clinch second place in the group and a quarter final draw against tournament favourites, Germany.

Denmark defeated Austria on penalties to reach the final Photo Credit: skysports.com

The Danes fairy-tale continued as two second half goals including a late winner from right-back, Theresa Nielsen, provided the tournaments biggest shock and saw them progress to the semi-final stages and draw the other surprise package of the EURO’s, Austria. Penalties decided the Danes fate, in which they held their nerve and beat the Austrian’s 3-0 to see them astoundingly reach the final of the tournament. The underdog story has captured the eyes of all Women’s football fans across Europe and although they will be playing against a difficult away crowd, plenty will be cheering for the underdogs back home.

Skybet Match Result – Denmark to Win – 15/4

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