THERE'S usually fireworks whenever Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan takes to the table and today and maverick potter aims to take a step closer to World Championship glory.
O'Sullivan – the 13-8 title favourite (Skybet) – takes on Barry Hawkins in round two and is just 2-11 at marthonbet to progress against Paddy Power's 11-2 outsider in the best-of-25-frame showdown.
Four-times champ John Higgins faces a tough test against Ricky Walden while another title contender, Mark Selby, resumes his clash with Sam Baird with the score 4-4.
There's tennis semi-final action from the Barcelona Open while the NBA play-offs continue with another four matches.
Other highlights on a packed Saturday of sport include rugby and cricket so as usual let's hear your tips and chat and good luck with your bets.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Last week my boxing fourfold came up one short so anyone who followed on Skybet would have pocketed half of the potential winnings.
That leaves the record as 2bets – profit 3.5 points. Not as good as it could be, but not bad.
This week I had studied six fights, but limited markets made three of them (including one last night – which would have kicked the sixfold off successfully) not worth it.
So I’m down to a 1.73 treble, again with Skybet.
Eric Skoglund to win
Gennady Govolkin Rounds 1-6
Roman Gonzales by stoppage
Good luck one and all ?
For interest, and if markets come up later, other two bets would have been
Donaire to win by stoppage
Magsayo to win
Posted last night.
Cavs +3.5
Hawks+10
Spurs-4
*winner* just over evens at 365.
Boston Celtics -3 @ 1.90 (Bet365) – 1.5 Points. – *WON*
Celtics win and cover at home, decent win ?
Playoff Totals: 4-3
3/1 enhanced odds from Skybet
O Sullivan
Higgins
Trump
Allen
All to win – got to be worth a tenner ?
Padres o7.5 hits @ 1.76 *won*
Red Sox o8.5 hits @ 1.95
Lean for this evening… I quite like Charlotte Hornets.
Heat win the series, I have no doubts about that.. But I think Hornets will win a game, and they’ll be hungry for it tonight.
I’ve taken a look at the Hornets playoff history, and they haven’t won a playoff game since 2002, 14 years is a long time to wait, and I know the regular season is different, but they were pure FIRE at home hitting almost 80% as home favourite, 23-6 (79.3%).
As I said, just a lean at the moment. No money down as of yet.
NBA Playoffs: Bet 8
Charlotte Hornets -3 @ 1.90 (Bet 365) – 1.5 Points.
I’m taking the Hornets tonight.
May have another later too.
Good luck.
UFC back tonight with the return of the best P4P fighter on the planet. Not much value to be had unless you want to take a chance on how Jones will finish St Preux (i’ll guess submission, guillotine choke) but ill be staying clear. I have however potentially found a bit of value in the undercards.
Demetrious Johnson to win on points 10/11 NAP
Johnson is an absolute machine and simply has the best cardio and work rate i’ve seen in any fighter…no scratch that, any ATHLETE full stop. Cejudo comes in as a very good wrestler and boxer and poses a threat to DJ but he has the mentality to look at an opponent and make adjustments. All signs pointing to a points victory for me.
Robert Whittaker to win by KO 10/11 NB
Whittaker is the faster more agile fighter here and at only 25 is certainly on the up. Comes off a 4 fight win streak and will be full of confidence here. Natal also comes off a 4 fight streak but two of them were split decision (one against Uriah Hall who Whittaker beat by UD). Natal has 4 of his 6 losses coming by KO so i predict Whittaker will wear the slower Natal down and finish him off in round 2 or 3.
Long shot accumulator:
Yair Rodriguez 4/6
Anthony Pettis 4/7
Robert Whittaker 3/10
Jones to win in rounds 1,2 or 3 4/9
NFL Draft is a week away, and by the look of things, there aren’t a lot of markets we can bet on.
Ladbrokes currently 3/1 for over 0.5 TEs to go in the first round which I think could be worth a shout.
Hunter Henry is the obvious TE to go first, I certainly think he can go late in the first to the likes of Pitt, GreenBay, ‘Zona and at a stretch, Denver too if Lynch was gone and they didn’t trade up.
Counting from 2005, there has been a TE drafted in the 1st round in 8 of the 11 drafts.