THE Rugby World Cup semis get under way today with South Africa trying to halt the best team on the planet, New Zealand.
The All Blacks have looked awesome this tournament and their record of just three defeats in 52 matches since the last World Cup sums up their strength.
They have the brains while the Springboks have the brawn and the bookies reckon the defending champs are on their way to the final, with the Kiwis hot favourites at 2-7 with Skybet.
South Africa are 15-4 at StanJames and if you fancy a high-scoring thriller of a clash then Marathonbet are offering 13-12 for over 3.5 tries.
There's more semi-final action on the tennis tour from Vienna, Moscow and Stockholm today where the matches feature Jack Sock against Richard Gasquet and David Ferrer taking on Gael Monfils.
Other sporting highlights on a packed Saturday of sport Formula One and Test cricket so let's hear all your tips and thoughts and good luck with your bets.
NHL
Canadiens (60mins) @ 2.05 (1pt) *won*
Anytime scorer
Plekanec @ 3.25 (0.5pt) *lost*
Main bet
25 bets
Staked 25.5
Return +30.51
ATS
27 bets
Staked 12.3
Return +14.34
Total
Staked 37.8
Return 44.85
The standout bet for the first semi final is Total New Zealand points over 16.5 @ 9/10 with Boylesports. They’ve got this completely wrong as NZ have covered this against SA in 13/14 latest meetings dating back to 2010.
In comparison Sky bet set the NZ total points at over 24.5 @ 10/11.
There is a lot more at stake here then their usual meetings and things could be a bit tighter but I strongly expect NZ to reach 17 points in 80 mins.
TOTAL NZ POINTS OVER 16.5
9/10 with Boylesports.
There was me thinking my best prop bet for the weekend will be Todd Gurleys rushing yards. Turns out so do PP setting the total at 112.5 haha, will wait to see what that comes out as at other places.
You watch the game last night Daz? Had a bit on KC in the end but nothing big. Some gutsy clutch steals towards the end of the game for the Jays. Quite enjoyed watching it.
Nothing I like in the KHL today. Instead I am turning my attention to the VHL where Bars Kazan should have enough to beat Zvezda-VDV. Bars have won their last 5 whereas Zvezda have lost 15 of their 16 games this season. Bars are 8/13 on Skybet but as I said they’re the only team I like the look of in Russia today. Frolunda in Sweden should also win but are heavy favourites. They should have more than enough to cover a -1 handicap though to make the price a little more favourable. Not great odds on either as I said but I’m not gonna put up teams just because they have more favourable odds. I also like the look of Minnesota Wild in tobights NHL. Good luck if you follow.
As well as straight wins already posted I’m taking donskoy and voegele to win a set and doubling that too. 6/4 and 4/5
Jordan I didn’t watch it as I was watching the hockey, I’ll watch the highlights a bit later though. Think the Royals will probably win it now.
Scrap the above post. It’s out to over 24.5 now I’m afraid.
Merv I like Lundqvist to score for Frolunda HC in the SHL. It’s top vs bottom and he’s scored in 4 of Frolunda’s last 5 matches.
Lundqvist @ 2.55 (1pt)
I’ve already decided I’m going to put 1pt on the Ducks tonight @ 3.1. Although Ducks have been poor, the recent h2h is very much in favour of the Ducks. I’ll be watching the game and will look to cover if the Ducks get in front.
It’s anybody here that knows more about this volleyball game Omsk F-Leningradka F from Rusia Super League ? 8-0 for Omsk at h2h and the odds are opposite to last game
Betway have got NZ o1.5 tries @ 2.2 (but there points total set at 25.5). I know nothing about rugby but I’m guessing that’s a mistake?
Hey Jordan LB have set the total @ 100.5 for Gurley. You think its worth a punt against the worst rush defense in the league?
Dazzler it’s a good price in my opinion but not a a mistake. The semi finals and finals often see a lot of tight defensive games with the majority of points coming from kicks as teams would rather take the points than risk losing possession high up the pitch by going for tries. It’s a good price though as I can’t see them scoring less than a few tries and think the price on Savea anytime is cracking
In the last world cup for example, Wales v France in the semi finals ended 8-9 and new Zealand v France in the final ended 8-7. Two exceptionally low scores for rugby union as the focus was a lot more on defense and less risk taking rather than attacking as the nerves are high. I don’t see that trend continuing with these 2 semi finals though as new Zealand have gone from strength to strength since then and are capable of destroying anyone on their day. In the other semi tomorrow I’m gonna go for over 42.5 points but won’t post or place my bets until I see how today’s game goes.
Cheers for that Harry. The reason I thought it was a mistake is coral have it o2.5 @ 2.2 and Paddy Power have o2.5 @ evens. I’ve just stuck a £5 on it, fingers crossed.
1st Goalscorer & 1st Tryscorer
All 3 are on fire at the moment and can’t stop scoring
Fulham v Reading
NICK BLACKMAN
1st goal 5/1 BetVictor Betway
Anytime scorer 13/8 Skybet BetVictor Ladbrokes Coral
Gillingham v Southend
RORY DONNELLY
1st goal 6/1 Boylesports
Anytime scorer 15/8 Skybet
New Zealand v South Africa
JULIAN SAVEA
1st try 7/1 Ladbrokes Boylesports
Anytime Try 6/4 Skybet
NICK BLACKMAN (Reading)
Scored 11 goals in 15 games this season & he has scored in 9 out of his last 10 games, he has also scored in his last 6 games & scored the first goal 5 times in the 10 games he has scored in
RORY DONNELLY (Gillingham)
Scored 6 goals in his last 5 games & in the 4 games he has scored in he has scored the first goal 2 times
JULIAN SAVEA (New Zealand)
Scored 8 Tries in this World Cup including 3 tries in his last game against France
Dazzler for some reason the bookies have been varying massively in this world cup. Look at the post from ADC further up the thread for a perfect example. It’s definitely worth shopping around. Another example I posted earlier in the week, Savea to score a try is 6/4 in 3 places and 11/10 in 3 other places
And I see what you mean now, it probably is a mistake then. Very similar to what ADC posted on new Zealand total points, which I must admit looks the best value bet possibly of the world cup so far. 16.5 points?!?! If they fancy it they could reach that by half time
ADC I’ve gone to place that bet for over 16.5 new Zealand points and it doesn’t exist. It shows up as new Zealand over 16.5 on oddschecker but when you go to place the bet it changes to south Africa. The new Zealand line is at 24.5 which is about right and fits in with all the other bookies. I’m guessing you posted it before you actually placed the bet. It’s a shame as that would have been an incredible find
Harry I’ve had a bet with Betway on NZ total tries. Do you think they will pay out or argue the mistake?
Over 3.5 tries for me.
Last 3 games h2h have seen 5, 5 and 6. This is a semi but i’m sure NZ will want to play their brand of open rugby which leaves them susceptible to tries as well.
Aj worst they can do is void it, alternatively they may revise the odds. Hopefully they won’t notice
Word of caution for the semi today. It looks as if rain may hit Twickenham hard. That will play right into the Boks favour! You’d still fancy the All Blacks to sneak it cause they have a decent forward pack but if this is the case then tries may be at a premium.
I’m definitely going to wait until the game kicks off and see how bad it is and we should get a sense of the pattern the game may take. Looking forward to it either way. Biggest rivalry in World Rugby!
Word of caution for the semi today. It looks as if rain may hit Twickenham hard. That will play right into the Boks favour! You’d still fancy the All Blacks to sneak it cause they have a decent forward pack but if this is the case then tries may be at a premium.
I’m definitely going to wait until the game kicks off and see how bad it is and we should get a sense of the pattern the game may take. Looking forward to it either way. Biggest rivalry in World Rugby!
Bums! Didn’t check the weather.
Should’ve quit while I was ahead for the week….both tips going down the drain without much resistance
Thanks Dazzler and Harry for the response. I’ll let it run and hope for the best, I don’t want to bring it to their attention so I hope it wins and they pay out.
S.Africa – N. Zeeland – S.Africa(+10)AH @ 3/4
Conditions not far from perfect according to 5 live. Light drizzle.
boxing tonight
i post these as singles as i put them in acca’s in various combinations.
eubank knr KO 1-3 Rounds. jeter is a journeyman who wont last more than a few rounds against eubank jnr, expect him to get rid in the first few rnds and looking very impressive in doing so in his first fight with new trainer adam booth.
Terence Crawford Decision 11/8 over 9.5 rounds 8/11
Crawford is fastly becoming boxing’s new superstar, he starts slow but starts to dismantle his opponents after the half way stage, Jean is durable but how so im not sure, i expect a late stoppage but the value is in a points win which has just as much chance.
Gavin Mcdonnell Decision 8/13 over 9.5 rounds 2/9
This is a no brainer, gavin is hoping to join jamie in the elite level of boxing, his opponent tonight has only been stopped against ferocious puncher carl frampton, gavin is rather feather fisted expect him fight on the backfoot agaisnt the shorter frenchman tonight.
sorry *eubank knr is 10/11 round 1-3.
Brutal game of rugby! Boks are certainly rattling the kiwis but expect a response from the All Blacks in the 2nd half. Hopefully the Boks can keep it up. Come on Bokke!
The ABs are currently 4/6 to win the game. Considering lumping it on the ABs. Boks are defending well but I cannot see them keeping that up for a whole of 80 minutes. Anyone who played the game knows how much defending takes out of you. And the ABs have the players most capable of unlocking a tiring defense.
Carter and Conrad Smith is 2 of the most intelligent players in world rugby, Nonu and Savea can run through a brick wall though the Boks defense is looking very impressive at the minute.
On a side note, the Boks line outs are not functioning well at all, and if that carries on, ABs will surely take advantage of that, the team has too much talent to not make these turnovers count.
The price is currently affected by the Kaino yellow card, so it will probably go back up after 10 minutes if the score stays the same.
Today’s Russian hockey:
Bars Kazan **WON**
UFC picks:
Norman parke 4/9 younger and better all rounder against a guy who was recently in jail and is in last chance saloon.
Rob whiteford 6/5. elkins is better tested but has looked very bad recently, he cannot rely on just wrestling alone, whiteford will outwork him for the Decision win or late stoppage.
Darren Till 1/1 real 50/50 fight here between the 2 undefeated prospects, Till has looked the better fighto with dangerous power and good combinations.
Betway have paid out on the rugby, happy days.
Lundqvist @ 2.55 (1pt) *won*
20th minute in the first period. That’s covered the point I’m probably going to lose on the ducks tonight lol
Yeah Harry, that’s exactly the case. I near choked on my corn flakes when I saw the original line on Oddschecker. I wasn’t tempted by the 24.5 though. Will have a better look tomorrow at lineups etc but I feel Argentina are the value bet. Australia are bolstered by a few crucial returns from injury though.
When betting on tomorrow’s game, it might be a good idea to remember that whilst Argentina had a relatively easy game against Ireland, Australia was playing to the death against the Scots. How much would that take out of them? South Africa had a tight game against Wales, combined with the defensive effort today, by the end, a lot of the Boks were blowing heavily.
Argentina is very physical up front. Would that tire the Aussies out during the game? Having Pocock back will be massive and should help with turnovers and penalties.
Any of you betting on the South American & American tennis challengers? Can make some good money on these and pick out nice underdogs.
NHL
Ducks (60mins) @ 3.1 (1pt)
(posted earlier but is now 2.7)
Anytime scorer
Gallagher (Canadiens) @ 3.25 (0.5pt)
The Ducks bet was made with the cover in mind. I’ve had a ‘few beers’ and probably won’t be awake for it though.
Gallagher was awesome for the Canadiens last night. If he can get in and around the goal like last night, there’s every chance he’ll score.
Radwanskas form v Sharapovas 3 months of almost no tennis since Wimbledon and recent injury retirement in the only match she’s played leads me to think I should put a few quid on the Agnieska train 1/1
I suppose I also have to go with pennetta given her h2h over halep, and her recent thumping win over her at the U.S. Open.
Halep may be well rested now and pennetta may freeze on her first and last appearance at the tour finals, and halep will be really up for some revenge, but it’s a good looookg price all things considered
9/4
Merv was on your Eubank jrn tip. Nice one.
I believe that was Mlac, Dazzler. I was only on the Ice Hockey today alongside NCAA football which I didn’t mention on here. Pretty good day with the hockey so far, a win for Bars and Frolunda. Wild are also winning but that could all go wrong so watch this space. I’ll post my hockey tips on the latest thread now.
Merv it was supposed to be be Mlac but for predictive text.
Think Wild are going to do the Ducks as they’re 3-0 up, so I’m off to bed.
Fingers crossed Gallagher scores and it’ll still be a decent night for me still.