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Clermont v Toulon – European Rugby Champions Cup Final Preview

Posted on 2015-05-01 by Online Betting Pro

Clermont and Toulon compete for a place in history, as the French pair battle it out to become the first ever winners of the European Rugby Champions Cup at Twickenham at 5pm (BST) on Saturday.

The tournament replaced the Heineken Cup for the 2014/15 season and has proved to be an entertaining competition thus far, but can a showpiece final crown a positive debut season?

Toulon won the final two editions of the Heineken Cup, including an excruciatingly close 16-15 victory over Clermont in the 2013 final at Lansdowne Road. If Toulon do succeed in beating Clermont once again, they will become the first side in history to claim three consecutive European titles. They are marginal favourites to do so, priced at 10/11 at Stan James to win. It’s sure to be another tight affair though between two of Top 14’s leading teams though.

Clermont proved their credentials with an emphatic 37-5 victory over Northampton Saints in the quarter-finals before beating Saracens in the semis. However, despite boasting the highest tacking success rate in Europe this season (89 per cent) and having conceded just 20 points in their last three continental outings, their league form of late has been poor to say the least, losing their last three Top 14 outings.

Clermont’s poor run of form in the league has left Toulon four points clear at the top of the table. However, it is Toulon’s European form that has been most impressive this season, a competition in which they have won each their last eight fixtures – a new record.

Toulon have also had the best of their recent head-to-head encounters, winning three of the last four, while Clermont haven’t beaten Toulon away from their Stade Marcel Michelin home since 2011.

Team News

Despite no British team reaching the final, there will still be two English and two Welsh representatives starting the game. Steffon Armitage and Leigh Halfpenny will line-up for Toulon – who also have Jonny Wilkinson now amongst their coaching ranks – while Nick Abendanon and Jonathan Davies start for Clermont.

Clermont Auvergne: N Abendanon; N Nakaitaci, J Davies, W Fofana, N Nalaga; B James, M Parra; V Debaty, B Kayser, D Zirakashvili, J Cudmore, S Vahaamahina, J Bonnaire, D Chouly (capt), F Lee.

Replacements: J Ulugia, T Domingo, C Ric, J Pierre, J Bardy, L Radoslavjevic, C Lopez, A Rougerie.

Toulon: L Halfpenny; D Mitchell, M Bastareaud, J M Hernandez, B Habana; M Giteau, S Tillous-Borde; X Chiocci, G Guirado, C Hayman (capt), B Botha, A Williams, J Smith, S Armitage, C Masoe.

Replacements: J-C Orioli, A Menini, L Chilachava, J M Fernandez Lobbe, V Bruni, R Wulf, F Michalak, R Taofifenua.

Best Bet

Toulon to win (-7 handicap) – 9/4 at Ladbrokes

Mutua Madrid Open 2015 – Preview

Posted on 2015-05-01 by Online Betting Pro

The 2015 Madrid Open starts on Saturday. But world number one, Novak Djokovic, won’t be competing due after he pulled out for a second consecutive year, citing he seeks a period of rest ahead of the Rome Masters and the French Open later this month.

That gives the rest of the men’s field a hope of finally grabbing a title in 2015, a year in which the Serbian has totally dominated so far – breaking records to become the first player to win the first three ATP titles of the season, as well as the Australian Open in January.

Meanwhile, in WTA, can Serena Williams maintain her unbeaten start to 2015?

ATP Preview

Despite Djokovic’s current domination of the men’s game, clay belongs to Rafael Nadal. And it is unsurprising to find that the Spaniard has won the last two tournaments here in his homeland – along with victories in 2005 and 2010 – making him the 7/5 favourite (888sport) to triumph here once more.

The Spaniard is still well off peak form though and there will be a host of challengers ready to put the pressure on him for the title.

Kei Nishikori, last year’s finalist who was forced to retire in the third set, will be eager to show he is ready to break the ‘big four’, and is available at just 3/1 (888sport).

Then, of course, there is the small matter of Roger Federer (4/1 at 888sport) and the newly-married Andy Murray, who is remarkable value at 20/1 (888sport) to win the tournament. Admittedly the Scot has been off the pace in recent months, but 20/1 is simply stunning value for the 2008 winner and certainly worth a few quid each-way – especially considering Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are on the other half of the draw.

Best Bet: Andy Murray e/w – 20/1 at 888sport

WTA Preview

Serena Williams (5/2 at 888sport), the only female player to win here more than once, has a favourable draw, with her greatest rivals up to the semi-finals likely to come in the form of Anna Ivanovic, and then either Petra Kvitova (20/1) or Eugenie Bouchard (40/1 UniBet).

Things are certainly harder to call on the other side of the draw, with Caroline Wozniacki (20/1 888sport), last year’s winner Maria Sharapova (13/2 BetVictor) and Simona Halep (5/1 bet365) all battling it out for the other final place.

Best Bet: Serena Willliams outright – 5/2 at bet365

Rugby League: ANZAC Test Preview

Posted on 2015-05-012015-05-01 by Online Betting Pro

International Rugby League – ANZAC Test Preview

Who

Australian Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis

Where

Suncorp Stadium

When

Friday, 7.45pm (Australian Eastern Time)

Odds

Australia – $1.44

New Zealand – $2.87

Form

Most recently, the Kiwis enjoyed narrow wins over Australia in their past two meetings during last years Four Nations. The wins came against severely weakened opponents so we’re taking the recent form with an almighty grain of salt.

Despite turning Suncorp in to an overseas fortress, winning four of their past five there (including one against England), New Zealand have won just one-from-15 Anzac Tests since the annual clash’s inception.

Teams

Australia: 1 Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) 2 Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) 3 Michael Jennings (Roosters) 4 Will Chambers (Storm) 5 Josh Dugan (Dragons) 6 Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys) 7 Cooper Cronk (Storm) 8 Matthew Scott (Cowboys) 9 Cameron Smith (Storm) 10 Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers) 11 Greg Bird (Titans) 12 Sam Thaiday (Broncos) 13 Corey Parker (Broncos).

Interchange: 14 Luke Lewis (Sharks) 15 Trent Merrin (Dragons) 16 Nate Myles (Titans) 17 James Tamou (Cowboys) 18th man: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles) 19th man: Josh Papalii (Raiders).

New Zealand: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 Jason Nightingale, 3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Kieran Foren, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Tohu Harris, 12 Kevin Proctor, 13 Simon Mannering (c).

Interchange: 14 Thomas Leuluai, 15 Martin Taupau, 16 Sam Moa, 17 Greg Eastwood, 18 Lewis Brown.

Preview

History is New Zealand’s enemy tonight.

The Kiwis, who have a tendency to score first before badly running out of steam, are looking to overcome 13 straight ANZAC test match defeats, and will need to call upon every inch of NRL form that exists within their squad.

The New Zealand underdogs have belief after last years Four Nations, but injuries to key personnel including Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kieran Foran, and Jason Nightingale may have curtailed any momentum garnered from last seasons tournament win. Instead they will rely on form front rower Jesse Bromwich and the electric footed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to inspire an upset that would leave a lot of punters upset.

Tim Sheen’s Australian squad are bolstered by several names who missed last years Four Nations finale, in addition to bright prospects Alex Johnston and Will Chambers. Greg Inglis gets a chance to play his preferred fullback position after Billy Slater was ruled out through injury, and that in itself is a reason to tune in tonight.

Other mouth watering prospects include Cronk v Johnson, Scott and Woods v Matulino and Bromwich, Luke v Smith.

Prediction

Australia’s stranglehold over the annual fixture looks set to continue in tonight’s 2015 edition (also the 100th anniversary of the first major contribution of ANZAC troops in the First World War). Despite the Kiwi’s Four Nations win (including the back to back wins) the Australians have too much quality on paper and are traditionally to fit for their trans-Tasman rivals in the early season figure. We’re predicting the Kangaroos to pull away in the final quarter to win by 14.

Sportsbet Betting Special

Representative Round Special – Place a Win / Try Combo bet on any Representative (Fiji v PNG, Samoa v Tonga) match this weekend and if your player scores a try but the team loses, you’ll get your cash back.

Punchestown Festival – Friday Preview

Posted on 2015-04-30 by Online Betting Pro

There are two Grade 1 races on Friday at Punchestown and Willie Mullins looks set to win them both. He saddles the Cheltenham first and second in the Champion Hurdle and has four entries in the Champion Novice event.

Mullins has dominated the Grade 1 races all week and opposition to his star hurdlers has dried up here. There are only two rivals to Faugheen and Arctic Fire and both look well out of the depth. Faugheen only had a length and a half to spare over his stable companion at Cheltenham but had the race won a long way from the finish.

Ruby Walsh is one of the finest judges of pace in the jockeys’ room and he made sure that the Champion Hurdle did not turn into a crawl. Arctic Fire was held up in the rear and ran on past beaten horses to finish second. That was a fine effort and he looked set to go one better at Aintree when taking a crashing fall at the last flight. Fortunately, both he and Walsh escaped relatively unscathed. Walsh will once again look to dictate matters here with Paul Townend presumably trying to keep closer tabs on the favourite. The outcome will probably be the same as at the festival.

Mullins and Walsh then team up for Nichols Canyon in a much more competitive Champion Novice Hurdle. The former John Gosden inmate is one of four Mullins-trained runners here, although he looks much the best on form.

He was classy enough to finish second in a Group 3 on the flat and his only defeats over hurdles can be excused. He unseated his rider at Leopardstown in December and refused to settle when finishing third at Cheltenham. He was always cantering over his rivals at Aintree before easing to a four and a half length win over Parlour Games. That shows that his Cheltenham form was all wrong and he is the one to beat on Friday.

The pick of his stable companions may be Outlander who was well beaten when runner-up to Shaneshill at Fairyhouse. He had previously finished sixth at Cheltenham and has ground to make up on Nichols Canyon on that evidence. Sempre Medici was a creditable sixth in the County Hurdle before winning Grade 2 at Fairyhouse over two miles. He is unproven over this trip while Alpha Des Obeaux could emerge as the biggest danger.

The Mouse Morris-trained gelding was second to Supreme Hurdle winner Douvan here in January and looked booked for the runner-up spot at Aintree when falling at the last. Thistlecrack went on to win the race and finished a close second here earlier in the week.

Nichols Canyon @10-11 Skybet

Premier League Darts: Week 13 – Birmingham Preview

Posted on 2015-04-29 by Online Betting Pro

After dramatic, incredibly mixed week of fortunes in Cardiff, Premier League Darts action heads to the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, with just three rounds of fixtures remaining.

Gary Anderson started the night with a surprise 7-1 slaughtering by Stephen Bunting, while Michael van Gerwen recorded the first 7-0 victory of the season when he obliterated James Wade – in what was the first to-nil scoreline since MVG beat Phil Taylor on the opening day of Premier League Darts 2014. However, by the end of the night, form was turned on its head as Anderson beat the Dutchman 7-5 in the final match.

In the night’s other fixtures, Barney maintained his return to form by beating Dave Chisnall 7-5, while Phil Taylor could only draw with Adrian Lewis.

Dave Chisnall v Adrian Lewis

It’s a double fixture week for Adrian Lewis, and it really couldn’t come at a more important time. After struggling in the early stages of the season and being on the verge of relegation, he has turned his form around and is now unbeaten in his last four fixtures, putting him on the verge of the play-offs.

However, he faces one of the most in-form players this season in Dave Chisnall, who sits in second place and could all-but secure his place in the play-offs with a victory here.

Verdict: Dave Chisnall to win – 13/8 at bet365

Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson

Three consecutive wins have shown that the reigning champion is definitely back to his best, but he’ll be up against it with Gary Anderson, who ended van Gerwen’s unbeaten run last week.

With Adrian Lewis to face in the last fixture of the night, Barney will force his way into the play-off positions if he wins both the night’s fixtures.

Verdict: Raymond van Barneveld to win – 5/2 at BetVictor

James Wade v Stephen Bunting

Stephen Bunting shocked the Cardiff crowd last week with a 7-1 battering of Gary Anderson and he’ll be eager to keep his play-off hopes alive with a victory over James Wade, who has picked up just one point from his last five matches.

Verdict: Stephen Bunting to win – 13/8 at BetVictor

Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor

In the night’s ‘big match’, MVG lines-up against a Phil Taylor that is really struggling for form.

Indeed, The Power has won just one of his last five and is in real threat of falling out of the play-off positions. However, he won’t face a tougher opponent than the young Dutchman who, despite finally losing his unbeaten record last week, remains three points clear at the top of the table.

Verdict: Michael van Gerwen to win – 10/11 at Paddy Power

Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld

Lewis and Barney line-up to make up their fixture deficit on the rest of the table.

Essentially, the winner of this match – subject to their earlier results – will put themselves in pole position for the play-offs with just two rounds of fixtures after Birmingham.

With the way Barney has been performing of late though, it’s hard to look past him.

Verdict: Raymond van Barneveld to win – 13/8 at 888sport

BET OF THE NIGHT: van Barneveld (v Anderson) and Bunting to both win – 8.17/1 at BetVictor

Punchestown Festival – Thursday Preview

Posted on 2015-04-29 by Online Betting Pro

Willie Mullins has dominated the Grade 1 races at the Punchestown Festival this week and he will be hoping to continue the trend on Thursday.

He has three runners in the World Series Hurdle at 5.30 led by former Champion hurdler Hurricane Fly. The gelding has been a phenomenon over two miles and has won 26 of his 40 races. At the age of eleven, he battled on to finish third to his stable companion Faugheen at Cheltenham and his appetite for racing seems as strong as ever.

It is a bold move by Mullins to try the eleven-year-old at this three-mile trip for the first time. He has won over two and a half miles but that was way back in 2010 so this really is a step into the unknown.

Last year’s Champion hurdler Jezki relinquished his crown this season but bounced back to win at Aintree. That was over two and a half miles, although he may well have finished second but for the last flight tumble of Arctic Fire. Mark Walsh takes over in the saddle to replace the retired Tony McCoy and the gelding has not always been the easiest horse to settle.

With the market leaders not guaranteed to stay, the value bet could be Tony Martin’s Dedigout. He has won his last three races at Gowran Park, Navan and Fairyhouse and will not be found wanting for stamina. He would certainly appreciate a shower of rain but is worth supporting at the early 7-1 on offer with Paddy Power.

The star of the show on Thursday is undoubtedly Un De Sceaux who was a most impressive winner of the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham. He would still be unbeaten but for a fall at Thurles and he has hardly put a foot wrong since. He had six lengths to spare over God’s Own at Prestbury Park and is already a hot favourite for next season’s Champion Chase.

Official ratings give him upwards of 18lbs in hand of his rivals on Thursday and, given a clear round, he should chalk up another Grade 1 success. The best bet on the card at Redcar has to be Godolphin’s Bow And Arrow who won by a staggering 13 lengths at Thirsk last week. He turns out quickly under a 6lbs penalty and is certain to go up considerably more once he has been re-assessed.

Dedigout 5.30 Punchestown @7-1 Paddy Power

Bow And Arrow 3.25 Redcar @4-5 Betfair

Author: Online Betting Pro