Author: Online Betting Pro

I am a punter that loves to follow the horse both in Australia and the United Kingdom. I enjoy writing about sports betting and also casino, poker and bingo. In my spare time I like to keep fit by playing football and going for long bike rides. I also like to travel the world and see amazing place s and meet wonderful people along the way.

Golf: The Honda Classic Preview

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After the dramatic weather and slippery greens of Riviera, PGA Tour players will be jumping at the chance to get to the warmer conditions of Florida when the Tour moves to The Honda Classic this week. Rory McIlroy has traditionally been the star of The Honda Classic, and he marks his return to the PGA Tour for the first time since the FedEx Cup playoffs with another attempt to conquer PGA National.

Here’s more on The Honda Classic:

The Course

The PGA National (Champion) course in Palm Beach, Florida is a 7,140 yard, par 70 course created by George & Tom Fazio.  The course hosted the 1983 Ryder Cup and has since hosted 19 Senior PGA Championships.  This year sees four greens reshaped and fairway adjustments around the “Bear Trap” (holes 15, 16, 17).

The Sound Bites

“I’ve got more experience at it. I’ve spent well over a year of my career at world No. 1, so I’m pretty used to it by now” – Rory McIlroy sounds an ominous warning to the rest of the field.  He’s comfortable being number one.

“I can putt as great as possible back home, but until you come out on Thursday … it won’t matter. It’s the one area that I was not overly concerned with in the offseason. It was just the one area that let me down the first couple of weeks, but it’s a long season” – Phil Mickelson hopes to improve his putting this week at an event he missed the cut in last season.

The Defending Champion

Last year’s tournament was Rory McIroy’s to lose.  And he did.  Rory made double bogey on 16, bone on 17 to shoot a final round 74 an open the door for Russell Henley to win in a four man playoff.  McIlroy wasn’t playing particularly well at the time so this year will be a much tougher assignment for the field to keep him out of the winners circle.

Henley carded a 72, to get into the playoff and then outlasted Rory, Ryan Plamer and Russell Knox.

The Contenders*

Rory McIlroy – $4.50

Dustin Johnson – $17.00

Justin Rose – $23.00

Sergio Garcia – $26.00

Martin Kaymer – $26.00

Justin Thoms – $51.00

Daniel Berger – $101.00

*The Honda Classic odds courtesy of Sportsbet.

The Winner

Rory McIlroy won here in 2012, lost in a playoff in 2014, won everything last year and is quite simply the best player on the planet.  He’s an overwhelming favourite at just $4.50 which is crazy low for a golf tournament.  But it is his first start in USA since September so we’ve thrown the others in the mix too.

DJ is in a nice space after his self-imposed exile.  He’s playing for the fourth straight week and already has two top 5’s.  Not that handy on the PGA National course though.

Justin Rose has top fives in last three visits here, and Lee Westwood is 5 for 5 in cuts made at the Honda.  Nonetheless, we’re with Rory.

Cricket World Cup: Day 13 Preview

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The Three Big Questions

Next big upset at the Cup?

See our suggested multi today featuring upsets in both today’s games.  They’re probably more heart than head, so we’re looking at the West Indies as the side most capable of upsetting more favoured opponents.  Their next two matches are against South Africa and India and they could spring a surprise in one or both of those.  In particular, the match against India at the WACA is a great opportunity for their tall timbers to make things uncomfortable for their batsman.

Who is the most frugal bowler in the World Cup so far?

There are a few one games conceding only two runs per over, but of the bowlers who have bowed more than 10 overs, New Zealand’s Danile Vettori leads the way, giving away only 3.03 runs per over.  He’s followed by Mirwais Ashraf (3.66), Paul Stirling (3.75) and Mohammed Shami (3.82) in a list that gives no indication as to which type of bowler is having the greatest run-rate impact in the tournament whatsoever.

Which batsman is doing the most damage per balls faced?

Our weird way of asking who has the highest strike rate in the tournament is answered by the name, Andre Russell.  The West Indian Mr T lookalike is striking at an impressive 265.38 from his 26 balls thus far; proving a real point of difference at the end of an innings for a West Indian tam that have scored in excess of 300 in all of their efforts to date.  Brad Haddin (221.42), last night’s hero Kevin O’Brien (192.3) and Brendon McCullum (182.55) finish off the list.

Today’s Matchup

1. Scotland v Afghanistan, University Oval (Dunedin – partly cloudy), starts 11:00am local time

Scotland – $2.35

Afghanistan – $1.59

Afghanistan start as favourites for match 17 of the Cricket World Cup, against the struggling Scotland lads. They’re favourites because they lead the head to head 5-3, although Scotland got the better of them at the time of last trying, a big win by 150 runs in Abu Dhabi.  Scotland’s World Cup woes against England and NZ have also seen them lose popularity amongst punters and bookies.  Scotland are desperate to overturn their disappointing returns with the willow, and may have been eyeing a sub-continent side as a reducing their concerns against pace bowling.  But, Afghanistan quickies are some of the best going around so it won’t be easy to escape the barrage.

2. Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

Sri Lanka – $1.22

Bangladesh – $4.35

The World Cup tale of the two Asian sides in the day’s second match has been vastly different.  Bangladesh were impressive in their only appearance in the tournament, whereas their rivals have been very poor.  A loss to New Zealand was followed up with a nail-fittingly close win over Afghanistan; a win that failed to instill confidence in anyone watching.  Mahela Jayawardene was the obvious plus, but he always is and always has been.  They have always (perhaps too much so) relied on Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan, and that reliance is proving to be to their detriment.  Sri Lanka need contributions from more of the squad if they are to get up and beat a Bangladesh side desperate to get into the quarter-finals and buoyed after the bonus point they gained from the Brisbane washout.

Today’s Bet

The Day 13 Double Upset Multi

Bangladesh and Scotland To Win – $9.57

Odds from Luxbet.

Cricket World Cup: Day 12 Recap

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Ireland and the UAE unexpectedly combined for the most exciting match of the Cricket World Cup so far; an absorbing contest that was ultimately decided in Ireland’s favour by just two wickets, and with four balls to spare.

Check out our quick review of the game below:

Day 12 Results

Ireland v UAE

One of the defining characteristics of the best test playing cricket nations is that they always find a way to win despite not playing their best cricket.  It happens time and time again when associate nations (a la Afghanistan against Sri Lanka) give the better teams an almighty scare before eventually losing composure and confidence or letting nerves get the better of them.  It has happened to Ireland in the past too, but last night they were able to get one over UAE in similar circumstances; displaying the winning mentality of a top 8 side that allowed them to scrape home against an excellent UAE effort.

UAE capitalised on a solid start to post 278 from their 50 overs and set Ireland a tricky chase.  The innings featured their first World Cup hundred to batsman Shaiman Anwar, and their first hundred run partnership in World Cup cricket too, between Anwar and Amjad Javed.  They were helped by some ordinary death bowling (theme of the tournament), and some strange tactics from Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien.

Ireland managed the tricky chase relatively comfortably despite a clump of wickets at the beginning and the end of the innings.  The key to Ireland overhauling the 278 was the partnership between Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien.  The pair put together 72 in no time, to guide Ireland from a position of uncertainty at 171/5 to a position of dominance that was never relinquished.  The tense scenes were tailor-made for the hard hitting O’Brien, but not so for the UAE fielders who went down like cramping flies (with cramp) and put down catches with the same regularity.

Ultimately, Ireland did the things the great teams do.  Win, when perhaps they shouldn’t.

Ireland 279 for 8 (Wilson 80, K O’Brien 50, Javed 3-60) beat UAE 278 for 9 (Anwar 106) by 2 wickets

 

Europa League Preview February 26th

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Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and Celtic are in action in the Europa League on Thursday as they bid for a place in the last sixteen. Although this competition is the poor relation of the Champions League, it can still provide plenty of entertainment as the Celtic versus Inter Milan tie illustrated last week.

Inter cruised into a 2-0 lead before Celtic hit back and a see-saw game ended 3-3. The Italians won’t be taking anything for granted in the second leg and look a solid bet to go through. Italian teams are famous for their ability to defend slender leads so it was surprising to see them ship three goals at Celtic Park. Argentine striker Rodrigo Palacio scored twice in the first leg and has been rested this week. He is worth supporting in the goalscorer markets.

Everton will be going through the motions when they host Young Boys with a 4-1 first leg lead. Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture but was unable to produce the same clinical finishing in the Premier League at the weekend as the Toffees scrambled a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester. They shouldn’t need him tonight as it is virtually a dead rubber and one to avoid, betting wise.

Liverpool still have work to do in Turkey against Besiktas with only Mario Balotelli’s controversial penalty to defend. The arrogant Italian grabbed all the headlines in a dour encounter at Anfield and it would be no surprise to see him heading for pastures new in the summer. Besiktas aren’t anything special but they are good enough to make Liverpool work hard for a place in the next round. The best bet may be Liverpool in the “draw – no bet” market.

Tottenham are level with Fiorentina after a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino tried to rotate his squad for the first leg but ended up in no-man’s land with a poor result and his side being extremely fortunate to salvage a point against West Ham. He is now trying to save enough for Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Chelsea and his team selection will tell us how serious he is about this competition.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see his plans blow up in his face with this match stretching to extra-time or even penalties. I think Spurs will go through but it may cost them at the weekend.

Liverpool to win DRAW NO BET @4-5 Coral

Inter Milan to beat Celtic @8-13 SkyBet

Rodrigo Palacio to score at any time @8-5 Paddy Power

Tottenham to qualify for last 16 @6-4 Bet365

Protectionist returns on Blue Diamond Stakes day

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The Melbourne Autumn Carnival includes three top level feature races at Caulfield on Saturday and the reappearance of Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.

The Peter Young Stakes sees the return of last season’s Flemington hero as he makes his first start for Kris Lees. He stormed to a four-length success in November under Ryan Moore when trained in Germany by Andreas Wohler and this race is well short of his best trip.

Fiorente managed to win this race before going on to take the Group 1 Australian Cup and that is the route sketched out for Protectionist. Lees has also drawn up a Plan B if the five-year-old proves ineffective at middle-distances with the $1millon Sydney Cup in April as an alternative target. The horse most likely to beat him for speed on Saturday is Paul Beshara’s Happy Trails, three times a Group 1 winner at or around Saturday’s distance.

He won the Mackinnon Stakes and will be sharper for his run earlier this month when staying on into sixth in the CF Orr Stakes.  He has reportedly been working brilliantly since and carries maximum stable confidence this weekend.

Atmospherical could provide Craig Williams with a victory in the Oakleigh Plate after being drawn in barrier 4. The well-fancied Vain Queen and Earthquake are feared most and should be competitive from barriers ten and eleven respectively. Earthquake is unbeaten in three starts at Caulfield and usually runs well fresh.

Atmospherical is a daughter of Northern Meteor and was last seen finishing third to Chautauqua in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes. That was her first at this distance in five starts and she can reverse the form with runner-up Flamerge who has a nightmare draw in barrier 17.

Fontiton is all the rage for the $1million Blue Diamond Stakes after being drawn in barrier one. Robert Smerdon’s filly will be trying to become the fourth consecutive filly to win this race on Saturday and will be difficult to peg back.

The one that could give her a run for her money is Pride Of Dubai, supplemented at the cost of $55,000 after finishing second in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Colts & Geldings Prelude. He was beaten by Of The Brave (drawn 9) with Sampeah in behind in third place. The son of Street Cry looks to have every chance from barrier five.

Caulfield Saturday

Happy Trails (race 6) @6.0 Bet365

Atmospherical (race 7) @10.0 Bet365*

Pride Of Dubai (race 8) @5.50 Sportsbet

*Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4

Cheltenham Gold Cup Ante-Post Preview

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With most bookmakers offering non-runner – no bet on the feature races at Cheltenham, now is a good time to seek out some early value. Bet365 are offering money back on all non-runners at the meeting and the other firms will gradually follow suit as the meeting approaches.

The market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup has been dominated by Silviniaco Conti since he recorded his second King George VI Chase victory in December. Paul Nicholls issued an up-beat report on the gelding this week, suggesting that he is in much better shape than he was last year when fading into fourth place on the run-in. He is obviously the one to beat but does not represent any great value at around 7-2.

Last year’s Gold Cup changed dramatically after the last fence with Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti swamped by three horses arriving late on the opposite side of the track. Leading the charge was Lord Windermere who is back to defend his crown for Jim Culloty. Having won the RSA Chase the previous season, he seems to be one of those horses that peaks at exactly the right time. I felt that he ran a fine trial when third behind Carlingford Lough in the Irish Hennessy and is worth a bet at 14-1 with Ladbrokes. He is as short as 10-1 elsewhere so the 14-1 may not last much longer.

I respect the chance of Many Clouds having supported him in the Hennessy at Newbury at the start of the season. Oliver Sherwood sent out his 1,000th winner not long ago so he knows how to prepare them for the festival. I did not get on him at longer odds so will not be rushing to back him at 8-1. Road To Riches struck me as a doubtful stayer earlier in the season and I have more regard for Djakadam.

There won’t be many Mullins horses on offer at 16-1 at the festival and he could not have won any easier in the fog at Gowran Park in January. With Ruby Walsh aboard, he can bide his time and see how the race unfolds. No decision has yet been made about Foxrock but he has run three terrific races in succession and may not get his favoured soft ground.

I don’t like backing novices in the Gold Cup so cannot see Coneygree featuring while Holywell is worthy of respect. He has won here at the last two festival meetings and Jonjo O’Neill would not be running him unless he felt that he was back to his best.

Tips

Lord Windermere @14-1 Ladbrokes

Djakadam @16-1 Ladbrokes

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3 (Non-runner – no bet)