Tag: Scotland

Four Nations Defending Champions May Struggle to Keep Pace

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

New Zealand’s chances of defending their Four Nations rugby league title are looking seriously slim after the exit of long-term coach Stephen Kearney and a heavy warm-up loss to Australia. Here’s a look at all the teams involved and their chances:

Australia

Strengths: As far as spines go, the Australian set up is incredible. Smith, Cronk, Thurston and Boyd are all NRL premiership winners, and when they play together they are nigh on impossible to get the better of.

All are consummate professionals who pride themselves on error free play, quality decision-making and high involvement. Add Greg Inglis to the mix, and it’s hard to fathom how any side will beat them.

Weaknesses: It’s very hard to find weaknesses in a squad that features the likes of the above. But in Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan, together making up the right-hand edge of the Australian backline, they have two hot or cold players that have struggled to make an impact at test level. The duo was dreadful against the Kiwis considering the amount of ball they had, and completely failed to exploit Solomone Kata on his NZ debut.

Star Turn: At just 21 yeas of age, Cronulla Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes is only just beginning his NRL and Test career. However, the influence the fleet-footed winger can have on the tournament stretches far beyond his relative inexperience. After making a promising debut, including a try, in the warm-up match against the Kiwis, Holmes is poised to set the tournament alight with his skill and speed.

The only possible saving grace for opposition teams is if Mal Meninga can’t find room for Holmes once Josh Mansour returns to the squad after missing the warm-up match because of his wedding.

Odds: $1.60 at Palmerbet.

Predicted Finish: Australia to win it. There is just too little chance that all of them have an off game on the same day.

New Zealand

Strengths: Big and mobile forward packs have always been part of the Kiwis game. 2016 is no different. The Kiwis pack boasts the likes of Dally M Medal winner Jason Taumalolo, NRL Prop of the Year Jesse Bromwich, and the reliable Melbourne Storm backrowers Tohu Harris and Kevin Procter. As a result, the Kiwis should get plenty of metres and go-forward out of their big men.

Weaknesses: The warm-up loss to Australia revealed a number of chinks in the New Zealand armour.

Johnson’s fifth tackle plays have been criticised heavily. Rightfully so too; the flamboyant number 7 struggled to kick in general play, and often tried to force the issue with last tackle attacking raids that his outside men weren’t on board with.

Opposition teams will be wise to exploit the weak defence of Kenny-Dowall’s right edge (made worse with Simon Mannering’s withdrawal from the tournament), while the Kiwis back three might also struggle to gain yards deep in their own half.

Look out for Kidwell opting for young gun Te Maire Martin rather than the ineffective Lewis Brown in the utility role.

Discipline is probably worth a mention here too.

Star Turn: One of the standouts in the Kiwis warm up game was Martin Taupau. Coming off the bench, the Manly powerhouse had 129 metres for 10 carries to go with five tackle busts, to easily be New Zealand’s best on the night. Coming off the bench gives Taupau an opportunity to make a seriously meaningful impact.

Odds: $4 is the best offer on NZ, from Ladbrokes.

Predicted Finish: The Kiwis haven’t always travelled to the UK well. Most recently they lost a bilateral series in 2015. They’re also still familiarising themselves with a new coaching structure, as well as missing key players (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mannering). They might struggle to make the final this year. 3rd.

England

Strengths: New coach Wayne Bennet has a tricky task ensuring his team are equipped to compete with the Kangaroos and Kiwis. It’s made manageable playing on home soil. It’s made believable thanks to the powerful forward pack he has at his disposal. Josh Hodgson, Sam and George Burgess, James Graham and Elliot Whitehead all NRL-experienced, and all (save for George maybe) are coming off excellent seasons.

Weaknesses: Gareth Widdop’s poor year in the NRL this season could worry the hosts, however, a bigger worry is probably the lack of big game experience. They haven’t made many tournament finals of late and gave up a late last minute try to the Kiwis in the most recent World Cup. The lack of experience and big game mettle could hurt them in the key stages.

Star Turn: Take away injury and suspension, and Canberra rake Hodgson may have been the first English winner of the NRL’s prestigious Dally M Medal this season. As it was, Hodgson finished eight points behind the winners but was arguably more influential for his team’s run to the finals.

Odds: $5.50 looks great money from Bet365. LuxBet also has an option on an Australia / England final at an attractive $2.30.

Predicted Finish: 2nd.

Scotland

Strengths: The ultimate underdogs will struggle to win a game in their first ever Four Nations. The squad looks too light on paper to scare any of the three heavyweights. If they are to get anywhere near, they’ll need the kicking game of former Man of Steel, Danny Brough, or the NRL expertise of Aitken, Coote, Douglas and Linnet.

Weaknesses: Not so much of a weakness as a simple reality – they are playing the three best nations in world rugby league.

Star Turn: Lachlan Coote isn’t in the powerful mould of Inglis, nor does he have the speed of a James Tedesco, but he is very clever. Essentially, he’s another half. With a tremendous short kicking game and an unparalleled rugby league brain, the Cowboys number is a tremendous boost to the tournament rookies.

Odds: Not really worth mentioning, but you’ll get 500/1 at most bookies.

Predicted Finish: Can’t see them winning a game. Last.

Four Nations kicks off this Friday, October 28th.

International Soccer Preview – Wednesday 25th March

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The domestic action takes a break this week with some Friendly Internationals ahead of this weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifiers. The top match on Wednesday night sees Scotland welcome Northern Ireland to Hampden Park while there is also a fascinating clash between Germany and Australia.

A game between Scotland and Northern Ireland is unlikely to be the recipe for a half-hearted kick-about, even if many International friendlies go down that route. Both teams have given their supporters plenty to cheer about in the early qualifying games for Euro 2016 and will be keen to keep the momentum going here.

Scotland face Gibraltar on Sunday while Northern Ireland host Finland so neither team will line up at full-strength. Both managers will be intent on using this match to add the finishing touches to their preparation for Sunday so we can expect plenty of squad rotation.

Scotland are currently in third position in Group D behind Poland and Germany while the Irish have taken nine from a possible twelve points in Group F. Both will be expected to consolidate their positions with victories this weekend. This looks a very tricky one to call and that usually makes the draw the logical choice. Hopefully there could be some goals and 2-2 may be worth a punt at long odds.

The game between Germany and Australia in Kaiserslautern will also be a warm-up for Euro action for the hosts who have made a sticky start to their campaign. They currently trail Poland in the group and have suffered a dip in form since lifting the World Cup in Brazil.

Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos won the Asian Cup in front of their home fans and it will be a great opportunity for them to test their mettle against the world champions. This is Australia’s first match since beating Korea Republic in the Cup final on January 31st but they are without Tim Cahill and Matthew Spiranovic. They showed in that tournament that they have some strength in depth and are likely to test the Germans.

The man to be on in the goal scorer markets is Marco Reus. He missed the World Cup through injury and will be keen to make up for lost time. He has been in fine form for Borussia Dortmund and can set the Germans on their way to a two-goal victory.

Scotland v Northern Ireland DRAW @14-5 Boylesports

Scotland 2 Northern Ireland 2 @28-1 Betfair

Marco Reus to score first @5-1 Paddy Power

Marco Reus to score and Germany win @7-5 Paddy Power

Germany 2 Australia 0 @6-1 Paddy Power

Cricket World Cup: Day 28 Recap and Day 29 Preview

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Day 28 Results

1. India v Zimbabwe

Brendon Taylor’s final game for Zimbabwe almost followed the script.  The final innings hundred was there – an incredible collection of reverse sweeps, powerful lofts, and cheeky ramps – and at 93/4 the victory looked a possibility too.  Unfortunately, India’s powerful middle order covered over the top order cracks and completed victory by 6 wickets and 8 balls remaining.  The crux of the chase was an unbeaten 196 run partnership between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni.  The pair rescuing a dire situation for the unbeaten Indian side, after the top order had collapsed to 93/4.

Earlier, Taylor had thrilled a large Auckland crowd with a final international innings of the highest quality. He scored 138, including 70 from his final 29 balls.  He was supported by Sean Williams in the most significant partnership of the innings, before Sikandar Raza added a quickfire 28 just as the momentum threatened to collapse.

Eden Park is always a difficult ground to defend totals on, and it proved too tricky for the Zimbabwe bowlers as Raina and Dhoni maturely saw India to their sixth World Cup win.

India 288 for 4 (Raina 110, Dhoni 85) beat Zimbabwe 287 (Taylor 138, Williams 50, Yadav 3-43, Mohit 3-48, Shami 3-48) by 6 wickets

 

2. Australia v Scotland

Australia comfortably beat Scotland and the rain to wrap up second spot in Pool A.

Opting to bowl first to beat the rain, Australia quickly gained the ascendancy with quick wickets to all of the bowlers.  In fairness, the Scottish batsman, who have struggled all tournament, contributed to their own demise with a host of rash shots and an unusually aggressive mindset.  In all, Scotland made just 130, with a brief break in the play for weather not able to save them from somewhat of a humiliation.

Mitchell Starc took 4 wickets to leap to the top of the wickettaker charts, Cummins had three, and Watson, Johnson and Maxwell all got in on the action.

Australia then used the chase to give Michael Clarke an extended bat.  He opened and made 47, and Finch, Watson, Faulkner and Warner all pitched in with handy efforts at better than a run a ball.  The win sets up a quarterfinal against the winner of todays Ireland v Pakistan match.

Australia 133 for 3 (Clarke 47) beat Scotland 130 (Machan 40, Starc 4-14, Cummins 3-42) by seven wickets

 

Day 29 Matches

1. West Indies v UAE, McLean Park (Napier – cloudy, windy, chance of rain), starts 11:00am local time

West Indies – $1.04

UAE – $11.00

West Indies must beat the UAE today and then await the result of the Pakistan / Ireland game from Adelaide.  Task number one will be tricky given the cyclone from Vanuatu threatening to bring adverse conditions to the East Coast of New Zealand.  It might also be tough if Chris Gayle is passed unfit to compete; his back still a big worry.

The final chance for UAE to register a win comes at the familiar location of Napier where they have based themselves for much of the tournament.  They’re coming off a relatively poor showing against South Africa, so they’ll need to improve if they are to crash the West Indies party.

2. Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide – partly cloudy), starts 2:00pm local time

Pakistan – $1.27

Ireland – $3.82

Ireland’s most important Cricket World Cup game in history will settle a tense Pool B.  Ireland need a win to make it through to the knockout stages for the first time (they have previously made the Super 8’s in 2007).  They could also hope for an abandoned game in Napier, but they would much prefer to be the masters of their own destiny.

Irelands’s poor net run rate is their major issue heading into the final match.  They’ve done commendably to beat UAE, West Indies and Zimbabwe but need to muster every ounce of skill and self-belief to do the unthinkable.

 

Day 29 Multi

The “Gayle Force Upset” Multi

Chris Gayle loves McLean Park, a test 197* springs to mind as evidence of his love of the small ground, but he’s also doubtful with a bad back.  If he plays we’re backing him to perform amongst the cyclone.

Gale To Top Score at $2.88 + Ireland winning Head-to-Head at $3.82 = $11.00

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 27 Recap and Day 28 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Day 27 Results

1. New Zealand v Bangladesh

Martin Guptill and the lower order helped New Zealand get past Bangladesh in their final Pool game of the Cricket World Cup, but only just.  Chasing 289 to win, the Black Caps looked to be cruising with Guptill and Ross Taylor controlling the chase, however, the brave Bangladeshi slow bowlers refused to give the game away and took it right down to the wire.  In the end, cameos from Corey Anderson (39), Daniel Vettori (16) and Tim Southee (12) were needed to see the locals home with seven balls to spare.

Bangladesh had earlier recovered from a poor first ten overs – they were 29/2 – to post an excellent 288.  That was largely thanks to Mohammad Mahmudullah’s second consecutive hundred.  His 128 was as good if not better than his previous knock against England.  If featured, nervy start, in which a couple f chances went down within his first few balls, but then controlled aggression and supreme patience.  He allowed others to build partnerships around him and later destroyed Mitchell McClenaghan in the final overs.

Bangladesh’s tactic of using slow bowlers to curb Brendon McCullum’s free scoring worked well.  Shakib bowled an opening over maiden and then removed McCullum and Williamson shortly after.  The plan was working and they should have been well on top had they reviewed an LBW decision against Guptill that went against them.  Guptill got to 100, Taylor to 50, and New Zealand seemed on course before allowing the late pressure to get a bit much for them.  Instead of cool heads, Guptill; Taylor; Elliot; Ronchi; and Anderson all went for wild swipes and perished.

And just when Bangladesh started to believe, Shakib, the hero of the innings with four important top order wickets, went for 12 to lose by 3 wickets.

New Zealand 289 for 7 (Guptill 105, Shakib 4-55) beat Bangladesh 288 for 7 (Mahmudullah 128*, Soumya 51) by three wickets

2. England v Afghanistan

The second match of the day was damp, dull and decidedly English in conditions and appearance.  Sydney’s persistent rain had reduced play to just 50 overs and reduced the crowd to a sparse smattering.  It was befitting of the England Cricket World Cup campaign that this was how it ended.  No bright lights, no powerful opposition and no fanfare.  Simply a final Pool game won comfortably against an associate nation.

All five bowlers took wickets for England, again there was no standout, and they chased their target of 100 easily.  Just one down, with runs to Ian Bell and Alex Hales.  Ian Bell scored another half century, his third of the tournament, but that just accentuates the problems with England.  Not enough hundreds, not enough wickets, no x-factor and carrying a captain averaging 19 in the tournament.

A comfortable win to finish for England, a disappointing final effort from Afghanistan despite bringing plenty of value to the occasion.

England 101 for 1 (Bell 52*, Hales 37) beat Afghanistan 111 for 7 (Shafiqullah 30) by nine wickets (D/L method)

Day 28 Matches

1. India v Zimbabwe

India – $1.10

Zimbabwe – $7.00

India will look to continue their unbeaten World Cup run that spans not only this edition but also 2011’s tournament.  Five from five this year and verging on ten in total, the Indians ave been mightily impressive, despite being given very little chance to do well at the onset.

So dominant have they been, they’ll relish a challenge and the chance to give more batsman game time if Zimbabwe can come to the party.  That could be too much to ask, but we hope not, especially for Brendon Taylor, who deserves a fitting farewell in his final match for Zimbabwe (he’s signed for Nottinghamshire on a Kolpack deal).

2. Australia v Scotland

Australia – $1.01

Scotland – $17.00

Australia will make short work of Scotland in the second of the day’s matches.  Scotland have been the biggest disappointment of the associate nations and you get the feeling they’ll just want to get home.  The only unanswered questions in this match are the size of the total if Australia bat first, the overs taken to chase down Scotland’s effort if they bat first, and whether Shane Watson will play (which might be a tip for who gets the quarterfinal spot).

Day 28 Multi

The Test Best Double

During the Australian Summer two batsman stood out amongst a number of fine efforts.  They were both captains of their sides at various times in the series and both made centuries for fun in the four test series.  That’s why we’re backing them to succeed today.

Virat Kohli to Top Score at $4.75 + Steven Smith to Top Score at $5.00 = $23.75

Odds from Unibet Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 25 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Kumar Sangakkara became the first player in the history of one-day international cricket to score four consecutive hundreds with another classy display against Scotland.  Sangakarra has now racked up 496 tournament runs in 6 digs, including tons against Bangladesh, Australia, England and Scotland.  His and Tilakaratne Dilshan’s hundreds were enough to see them past Scotland by 148 runs on Day 25 of the World Cup.  Here’s a rundown of the action:

Day 25 Results

Sri Lanka v Scotland

As soon as Angelo Matthews won the toss, the cricketing world began to believe that Sangakkara could do the unthinkable.  And when Thirimanne was dismissed with 44 overs remaining, the chance of Sangakkara scoring four hundreds back to back was almost inevitable.  To his credit Sangakkara still batted for his team, still scored his runs at a rate of 130 per 100 balls faced, and sure enough got to three figures.

Tilakaratne also scored a hundred, largely forgotten though, next to Sanga’s effort.  The pair put on a masterful stand of 195, that was capped off with a rapid 51 from Matthews, and saw Sri Lanka through to an unbeatable 363/9.

Sangakkara as he so deserves, will get most of the credit.  He becomes the first player to score four hundreds at a World Cup, and has surely announced his retirement some 30 years too soon.  This guy could bat on for years and still chalk up the personal milestones as frequently as he does.

Scotland were probably in awe too.  That might explain their struggle to get close to the 363.  That or 363 is a huge total and they never really had a chance.  Kyle Coetzer, one player who might’ve given the total a run was out second ball of the innings and from there Sri Lanka just eased through the motions.  Freddie Coleman and Preston Mommsen scored half centuries to add respectability to the total, but no more.

We thought Mommsen was in for a big performance, and although he didn’t pay out, his innings was one of the few standouts in another disappointing batting effort from the Scots.  Kulasekara and Chameera were the most successful bowlers with three wickets apiece.

Kumar’s quest for 5 begins on 18 March against a yet to be determined opponent.

Sri Lanka 363 for 9 (Sangakkara 124, Dilshan 104, Mathews 51, Davey 3-63) beat Scotland 215 (Coleman 70, Mommsen 60, Kulasekara 3-20, Chameera 3-51) by 148 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 25 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

A slightly different approach today.  Rather than answer the three pressing questions of world cricket, we’re updating the odds on our favourite Cricket World Cup markets:

The Odds Update

The Cricket World Cup Winner

Australia are firming as overwhelming favourites despite their Pool game loss against New Zealand at Eden Park.  Two huge totals against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan has reaffirmed the punters belief.  New Zealand has shortened to second favourites as the pre-tournament and current odds indicate:

Australia – $2.90 $2.30

New Zealand – $6.00 $4.20

South Africa – $4.00 $4.50

India – $10.00 $5.50

Sri Lanka – $11.00 $20

The Top Run-Scorer

Kumar Sangakkara has such an appetite for runs that it’s hard to see him lose this lead unless his side can’t make the semi-finals (giving one player two more innings than him).  He’ll look to feast out again today against Scotland and could make it four hundreds in a row.  Amla and de Villiers also looking good on that list.

Kumar Sangakkara (372) – $15.00 $4.50

AB de Villiers (318) – $14.00 $5.50

Shikhar Dhawan (333) – $41.00 $6.00

Hashim Amla (295) – $11.00 $6.50

Virat Kohli (263) – $15.00 $12.00

David Warner (243) – $9.00 $12.00

Brendon McCullum (249) – $15.00 $13.00

The Top Wicket-Taker

The swing bowlers dominate the top few places on the wicket-taking charts with left armers Starc and Boult the favourites.  Both New Zealand and Australia have final matches left against lesser nations (apologies Bangladesh) to up the tally ahead of the knockout stages.  The two New Zealanders also play their knockout games in Wellington and Auckland (if they win) and both venues have taken swing in the tournament so far.

Mitchell Starc (12) – $10.00 $5.00

Trent Boult (13) – $26.00 $5.50

Tim Southee (13) – $23.00 $5.50

Mohammed Shami (12) – $51.00 $10.00

Daniel Vettori (12) – $34.00 $10.00

Ravi Ashwin (11) – $67.00 $13.00

Today’s Matchup

Scotland v Sri Lanka, Bellerive Oval (Hobart – fine weather forecast), starts 2:30pm local time.

Scotland – $13.00

Sri Lanka – $1.03

Sri Lanka can reaffirm their third place position in Pool A and get some practice ahead of their quarterfinal showdown with South Africa or Pakistan.  In seeking their fourth win of the tournament they’ll hope to bury some Glenn Maxwell shaped demons, and find a better solution to death bowling.  They’ll also hope Herath is available to reduce the pressure on young spinners Prassana or Senanayake.  Dinesh Chandimal has left the tournament injured, and in his absence the batsman can feast out on runs against Scotland’s inexperienced attack.

Scotland have two games left to find a World Cup win.  Their most recent effort was one of their best.  A total of 318 thanks largely to Kyle Coetzer against Bangladesh might have been enough on another day, and they’ll need something similarly impressive today to compete with Sri Lanka.

Today’s Bet

The “Preston is in England not in Scotland” Bet.

A bet celebrating England’s early World Cup exit with a slap in the face top score by a bloke with the same name as a city in Lancashire.

Preston Mommsen to Top Score – $6.50

Odds taken from Sportsbet.