NRL Round 1

The 2010 NRL Season kicks off this Friday night for another big season. The fixture gods have smiled with some HUGE games to open the round. They don’t come much bigger than Parramatta v St George, two teams who had premiership hopes shattered last year. But hang on, it does get bigger! South Sydney and Sydney clash on Sunday, this is always a huge clash.

The Broncos host the Cowboys in the Queensland Derby. Expect some brawls here cause these two are bitter rivals. Rick Stone will coach his first game at the helm of Newcastle when they take on the highly fancied Bulldogs on Saturday night, meanwhile two clubs who’ve had off-field issues in Penrith and Canberra will meet on Saturday night also.

Melbourne Storm will be looking to go back to back this year and their premiership defence kicks off with a trip up to Cronulla to take on the Sharks, while Gold Coast will host the Warriors up at Skileld Park. Monday footy comes from the Sydney Football Stadium as Wests Tigers and Manly do battle.

Fixture					Venue	Date
$1.83	Brisbane			North Queensland	$2.00	SUN	Friday at 7:35pm	Discuss
$1.80	Parramatta			St George Illawarra	$2.03	ANZ	Friday at 7:35pm	Discuss
$1.25	Bulldogs			Newcastle	$4.00	ANZ	Saturday at 5:30pm	Discuss
$1.38	Penrith			Canberra	$3.05	CUA	Saturday at 7:30pm	Discuss
$2.62	Cronulla			Melbourne	$1.50	OLY	Saturday at 7:30pm	Discuss
$1.33	Gold Coast			Warriors	$3.35	SP	Sunday at 1:00pm	Discuss
$1.53	South Sydney			Sydney	$2.55	ANZ	Sunday at 3:00pm	Discuss
$1.75	Wests Tigers			Manly	$2.10	SFS	Monday at 7:00pm	Discuss

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NAB Cup: Saints v Dogs

Well we’re finally here – the Grand Final of the NAB Cup! The match will be played at 7:10pm on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium and what it means is that we’ll be one step close to the actual season proper and an end of this glorified practice match competition. It is likely this will be the last NAB Cup ever, with the entry of Gold Coast next year.

The Saints start favourite in this match at $1.82 and rightfully so. They had a super season last year, losing the real Grand Final by a narrow margin, and they don’t look to have weakened so far from what we’ve seen. Their defence is still as sound as ever, while their attack is still very potent. They will receive Nick Riewoldt and Brendon Goddard back for this game and will field a full strength squad.

The Dogs are $2.00 to win. We only need to cast our eyes back to last year’s Preliminary Final between these two sides. The Bulldogs lost by a kick and if they had of had a key forward capable of kicking multiple goals, they may well of won. Enter Barry Hall. Hall has had a sensational pre season to date winning games off his boot. He’ll be the wildcard in this match. The Dogs have ball winners everywhere and a good defence, all the ingredients to win a football game.

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Denman

Form analysts at IASbet.com believe that the Peter Snowden trained superstar Denman is vulnerable in Saturday’s Group One Australian Guineas and are prepared to take him on.

While other bookmakers and the TAB have him between $1.55 and $1.65, IASbet.com is willing and able to lay him at $1.80.

“It’s not a foregone conclusion, there is rain forecast and the race may well be set up for horses to run over him. I expect Denman to lead from his outside barrier and it may not be an advantage to be on the rail” said IASBet’s John Dow.

The son of Lonhro has won nine of his last ten with his only defeat being at the same distance in the Caulfield Guineas. “I think history is about to repeat itself.” said Dow.

Get better odds at Betfair

We’ve got an update from Betfair’s Matthew Thompson, on what promises to be one of the great races of the Autumn Carnival, The Newmarket Handicap.

Winners Market from Betfair

Best backed runners:

• Starspangledbanner - Has been $9.20 into $8.20 since the barrier draw.
• El Segundo – Was $60 into $26 in the ante post market, and has been $26 into $22 in final field betting.
• Eagle Falls –  $11 into $10 since the barrier draw.
• Tickets - $22.50 into $19.50 since the barrier draw.

Tips and comment by Betfair’s Mathew Thompson:

The Newmarket is certainly the most spectacular, but usually the best guess race of the autumn. It’s been made even worse by the barrier draw, where the favourite All Silent drew gate 17, and prime contender Nicconi 16, prompting suggestions that the field will split into two.

All Silent is the best sprinter in the race, but he get’s back and will need a tonne of luck here. I am also worried about his last jump out up the straight, where he was bloused by his rivals and struggled to stretch out.

I am leaning towards horses that will be on, or near the speed, and to that end I have to go with the second-elect, Starspangledbanner. He’s not been one of mine, but he gets the perfect run from barrier nine and will be at peak fitness for this.

This is such a great betting race that I plan on specking some other runners at odds. El Segundo is getting on but went like a train first-up under 63.5 kilos up the straight last prep. King Pulse, who’s been trained right up for this, ran a blinder in the Coolmore in the spring and another three-year-old, Trusting, could run well off a hot speed. He’s a freakish talent, and at $21 why not.

1. Starspangledbanner
2. El Segundo
3. Eagle Falls
4. Trusting

Remember you can get 20% better odds than the TAB at Betfair! Join Now!

NAB Cup Semi's

This weekend sees the Semi Finals of the AFL Footy NAB Cup. The two winners will go on to meet each other in the Grand Final to be held next Saturday. Bulldogs and the Power meet on Friday with the Saints and Dockers meeting on Saturday. We like both the Saints and Doggies to win this weekend.

Also be sure to remember you can get a $300 Free Bet on this weekend’s matches at Sportsbet. Visit Sportsbet at this link for all the details on this exclusive promotion!

Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide

Friday 7:40pm, Etihad Stadium

An exciting match between two young teams will meet on Friday night in what should be an exciting match. Both sides were sublime last weekend recording huge victories, Port Adelaide by 78 and the Bulldogs by 57 points. The Bulldogs will start favourite and if last weeks performance by new spearhead Barry Hall (6 goals in a half) is anything to go by, they will be extremely tough to beat. The Dogs have ball winners all over the park and have very little weaknesses now Hall is in the side.

Port Adelaide rookie Cameron Hitchcock was the star last week booting three goals as well as a super goal and he will be important again this week. Port Adelaide have the squad to stick with the Dogs, but its going to be a very tough ask, particularly at Etihad Stadium where the Dogs always play well. We suggest backing the Bulldogs to win this clash. Read more…

Denman will be all the rage

Betting markets for this Saturday’s Futurity Stakes and next week’s Australian Guineas have been shaken up with Lloyd Williams bypassing the Futurity with exciting colt Linton in favour of taking on Denman in the Guineas.

“With Linton out of the Futurity, Typhoon Tracy is now the hot favourite at $1.60 to beat the boys yet again at Group 1 level,” said Sportsbet.com.au’s Haydn Lane.

“Linton has been installed a $5 second favourite for the Guineas. Sportsbet have eased Denman out from $1.45 to $1.55 and former Guineas second favourite Set For Fame from $4.20 to $5.50.”

Prices are subject to fluctuation.

Bet on the Australian Guineas and the Futurity Stakes at Sportsbet!

NBA Tips 23/2

There looks to be some value out there in the NBA today and we’ll be making a couple of plays. There are three games which take our fancy, so check out our tips below. If you want to place a bet, then be sure to register an account with Sportsbet, where you can claim a $300 Free Bet.

Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards

We’ll start with Chicago against the spread on their road trip to the new look Wizards. Both these sides were active in trade week and we believe the Bulls have strengthened their squad thanks to the addition of Hakim Warrick and Flip Murray. Casting an eye over the stats we see Chicago are 8-2 against the spread in their last ten road matches, while they have won 4 of their last 5 against the Wizards. Couple that with the fact Chicago have won 6 of their past 7 overall, beating the spread in 6 of those 7. They have been averaging 108 pts a game in their last five compared to that of 100 for the Wizards. Take Chicago -2.5 at $1.91 with Sportsbet.

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The Blue Diamond Stakes promises another exciting finish. Beneteau ($3.60) is the top selection with other in the market including Psychologist ($8.00), Star Witness ($8.50) and Crystal Lily ($9.00). On a great card at Caulfield, the Oakleigh Plate looks an open affair with Lucky Secret (5.00) and Wanted $5.0) equal favourites. All eyes will be on the return of Weekend Hussler ($13.00). FullMarkets at IASbet.com.

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• Money Back Special – Place a win only bet (CITY SuperPrice) on the Blue Diamond Stakes and if your bet selection comes 2nd to BENETEAU, we’ll refund your bet up to $200*.
• Peter Moody to win Oakleigh Plate
• Colts & Geldings v Fillies
• Head to Head match ups

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Blue Diamond Stakes Betting

The 2010 Blue Diamond Stakes will be run this Saturday at Caulfield and the fields have been announced. It is a very open field this year with no real standouts. Beneteau (3) has opened at $3.60 after two impressive wins to start his career. He won in style last Saturday at this track by two and a half lengths and the step up in distance will suit.

Star Witness (2) at $7.00 is another with 2 wins from 2 starts and will be looking to add to his one and a half length win a fortnight ago at Moonee Valley. Psychologist (13) at $8.00 is one of only three horses in the field to of won at Caulfield after a stunning four and a half lengths win here in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude on debut a fortnight ago. She looks the real value here.

Others that catch our eye are General Truce (1) at $26.00 who run second to favourite Beneteau in the Blue Diamond Prelude for C&G last start, and he won his two with ease before that, including a win in the Maribyrnong Plate at a whopping $61.00!! Can he repeat the dose? Succession (4) at $10.00 and Crystal Lily (11) at $9.00 also look like good place chances.

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A-League Finals: Week 1

Well, after 27 Round of action, here were are at the business end of the A-League season with the A-League Finals Series kicking off this weekend. After playing off for the minor premiership last weekend, Melbourne and Sydney go head to head again this weekend for a spot in the Preliminary Final.

In the two Semi Finals, Gold Coast and Newcastle go head to head at Skilled Park, while Wellington Phoenix play their first ever finals match when they host the Perth Glory, also in their first finals match.

We’ll be previewing the round ahead later this week so be sure to check back for our betting preview including tips, odds and more. Remember, get a $300 Free Bet for the A-League Finals when registering a new account at Sportsbet!!

• Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
  Major Semi Final – Feb 18th at 7:30pm, Etihad Stadium
  
• Gold Coast United v Newcastle Jets
  Semi Final 1 – Feb 20th at 7:00pm, Skilled Park
  
• Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
  Semi Final 2 – Feb 21st at 5:00pm, Westpac Stadium

Read more…