ANDY MURRAY is slight favourite to reach his third Wimbledon final at the expense of seven-times champ Roger Federer today.
The Scot is 5-6 at BetVictor and Paddy Power while the Swiss is 11-10 at Boylesports in a semi-final clash that's tough to call.
Neither player has met a top-class opponent yet on their route to the last four and their head-to-head record is tight, 12-11 in favour of Federer who has won the last three meetings.
Their last showdowns on grass came in summer 2012 when Fed pipped Murray to the Wimbledon title and the Scot got his revenge with Olympic gold.
My heart hopes Murray but my head says Fed.
In the other semi-final defending champ Novak Djokovic is expected to sweep aside Richard Gasquet. The world No.1 is just 1-12 at Sportingbet against the Frenchman (19-2, 888sport) while a straight-sets win pays 4-6 at Sportingbet and Djokovic to win in four is 3-1 at bet365.
Garbine Muguruza helped bring up my over 2.5 sets bet yesterday with a 2-1 win over Agniezsa Radwanska to reach her first Grand Slam final, where she faces Serena Williams on Sunday.
In the Ashes first Test England have the slight upper hand after posting a first-innings total of 430 and restricting the Aussies to 264-5.
There's more Super League action and stage seven of the Tour de France also on the go today so post your tips here and good luck with your bets.
Fed v muzza is a toughie but for me Fed been playing the better tennis, Muzza dropped a set against Karlovic and Seppi although a straight sets win against that prepsil chap it was one break of serve in it. Muzza wont have the home field advantage as the SW19 crowd love fed and I think he win this. he as never lost a semi in 9 previous Wimbledon’s. Fed as decent serve but muzza is great at returning so under 23.5 aces at evens at paddys looks on and if it doesn’t go 5 sets then cracking.
top tennis tips
fed beats muzza 11/10 NAP
over 42.5 games 11/13 unibet NB
under 23.5 aces 1/1 paddy power
fed to win both guys win a set 7/4 WH
correct score fed 3-1 muzza 9/2 SJ
Cycling: Tour de France 2015 stage 7
Sprint stage today. Not a lot that I like, will have some on below.
Degenkolb each-way @ 9.00 with BF (paying 4 places)
Sagan for a place 1-3 @ 1.70 with 888
Andy and Rog should serve up the best match of the tourney so far but its hard to call this one.You can get 11/2 either man to win 3-2 and that looks like my bet.Dont agree with Max above about the crowd they will be right behind the Brit which was proved with Watson v Williams last week .
Decided not to bother betting on the big tennis match today and to just enjoy it…..Don’t want to be siding with Federer because of a bet !
Mon Murray !!
—————————–
Signs that the Aussie cricket team may not be the force most were expecting. I’d say The Ashes are very much in the balance.
First Test
England to win (Draw No Bet) 4/5
Djoko 3-0
Fed
@ 3.00
Cmon !
Djokovic to win, most aces and least double faults @ 8/11….anyone any thoughts on that bet?
Get in there England! 122 lead! Hopefully they can set the Aussies over 400 and I should have a winner.
guys any thoughts on england score at least 100 runs in the 2nd session 5/2
Still certain of australia domination harry? Hahaha
T20 blast tonight
Sussex
Nottinghamshire
Double 1.26/1 – 5 points
Birmingham bears 8/11 – 3 points
Also hoping federer does murray. GL all
Me too gunner win 400
ENgland are certs to win this test
ONly rain will stop the momentum
It not cross your mind Australia might take a bit more time to get used to the ball and conditions than England? Root has been the one and only difference so far. Once Clarke smith and warner figure out how they need to play then they’ll start scoring but this test looks England’s best chance of a win. It’s the same England that lost to west indies and new Zealand don’t forget
Fock! AussIes fighting.
You never know Harry but I only rate Smith and Warner in that line-up and this isn’t Warner’s type of pitch mate.
Anything over 300 will be defendable and over 400 you’d win 95% of the time no matter the pitch conditions. Still confident the Poms will pull through but I’ve seen stranger things happen.
One Gear’s Main Bet –
Speedway Elite League – Coventry v Wolverhampton
Peter Karlsson over 7 @10/11 (365)
** The visitors have riders who are often effective at Brandon, notably Swedish veteran Peter Karlsson who piled up a remarkable 20-point haul on his last visit in March. Loves this track so over 7 looks a nice bet. **
I’m not saying they won’t win this test as they’re in a commanding position but we were talking about the series and i still fancy Australia to get through it. Haddin can always be a pain in the arse when he gets in and I still think Clarke has something left in him, he gets found out against the short ball but that shouldn’t be as much of a problem in England as there’s a lot less bounce. We’ll see what happens but everyone was getting over the top excited when England won the first tests against west indies and new Zealand too
Harry
I get the feeling that England have some momentum building and that the Aussies haven’t timed their run into this Ashes. Including Smith, who could never keep up the run he was on, forever.
I wouldn’t hang my hat on this England team over the summer but I think the Aussies are looking ordinary and sometimes it’s difficult to switch back on at a click of your fingers.
I just think that this series is going to be a lot more competitive than the bookies were suggesting.
Smith can blame me as I jinxed him by having him down for Top Aussie runmaker in the first innings !!
Mlb
Daz
What do u like today
yep Harry I’ve backed the aussies as well .fair play to England they are playing well and they look as if they could be up the road on this one …but like yourself I’m gonna judge this over the series ..In my ultra distance world we have not reached the first check point yet…
Blue Jays o8.5 hits @ 2.05 Bet365 *lost*
Dodgers & o5.5 runs @ 1.8 (double stake) *won*
Tigers @ o5.5 runs @ 2.1 *won*
Samardzija is off the menu until further notice, as that’s 3 good outings in a row for him. Double stakes win was nice though.
Tonight’s mlb
Royals & over 6.5 runs @ 3.0
Padres ml @ 2.2
Both @ skybet
It’s another tough night to pick. Nearly every game teams or pitchers are evenly matched, so follow with caution tonight!
Let’s get them tonight
Cycling: Tour de France 2015 stage 7 result
Degenkolb each-way @ 9.00 with BF (paying 4 places) WIN :) 4th
Sagan for a place 1-3 @ 1.70 with 888 WIN :) 3rd
Profit is profit
England look like their taking their positive attacking game from the ODI’s into the ashes and good to see Bell get some runs
Good stuff Mr Orange mate
Yeh still early days but momentum is everything as we all saw in the last Ashes. Poms got mad depth in their batting department now so it all depends on how their attack fares.
Aus won’t win the Ashes in my books but they could just nip a draw and retain it. As long as the weather holds up I reckon it’ll be 3-1 to England or a crazy 2-2 draw when all is said and done.
As things stand just now .For the aussies to nick this one you would need the likes of Smith or Warner to bat a 175 or double century .They have the ability but can they catch it on the day ..things could be interesting the next couple of days
Super league rugby
Saints will be looking to close the gap on leeds tonight and will have their new aussie full back available which will make a huge difference as percival been a weak link there for them. Fancy saints to win but Huddersfield are always a tough team and there some history between these teams stretching back to Huddersfield being robbed in challenge cup match couple years ago. Am thinking tight match saints getting the nod
Tip saints to win and both team score 20 pts 11/4
Anytime scorers Jordan turner 11/8
Anytime scorers jermaine mcgillvary 11/8
Afternoon Guys ST Helens v Huddersfield Giants
It is 2nd v 4th tonight at Langtree park as the reigning champions host the Giants, it has to go some to match last nights Thursday thriller, but this should be a good one. Saints are the 8/15 favourites at Skybet.
Saints are expected to give full back Adam Quinlan is debut, but will still be without Tommy Makinson, Johnny Lomax and Jon Wilkin. Giants have Brett Ferres suspended.
Saints have won 29 out of the 38 Super league meetings with the Giants and have only suffered only two defeats at home. Giants boast a good away record only losing 3 on the road. Saints were blown away last week inside the opening 20 mins as Leeds went 18-0 up, the champions will look to bounce back in front of their own supporters. The Giants have a massive pack and have won their last 3 games to get to fourth and surely Danny Brough kicking game will test new boy Quinlan. I think Huddersfield may get a rare win against Saints, they are getting a 6pt start at evens, but with that being a converted try, I will give up a 1pt and take Huddersfield +6.5pts DNB at 10/11 Bet365. The last two meetings the winning margins have been 1pt and 3pt, I expect another close encounter.
I think we could see some tries tonight the weather is perfect and Saints love to play attacking football and while Giants are often perceived a safety first side they have scored 79 tries this season only 6 behind the Saints. Joe Wardle is a player I like he often pops up in the centres to create miss matches. He scored 17 tries last season only 7 this, but he playing second row, but he is a try scoring forward like we saw Liam Farrell last night and Elliot Whitehead at the Dragons. I think he is good value at 2/1 Betfred.
Having watched Leeds rip Saints apart out wide last week it would be foolish not to have a winger on side, they conceded 5 tries to wingers last week and Ash Handley scored a length of the field try. The player I want to be on here is Jodie Broughton. This guy is a flyer he can score all types of tries and if the Giants huge pack can dominate upfront look for Brough kicking to the wings and Broughton who season as been disrupted still has 4 tries in 8 can be backed at 6/4 Ladbrokes.
For Saints the player I like is centre Jordan Turner. He is a big guy and is a danger close to opponents line, he is in fine form he as matched last season tally of 14 tries and has scored in 3 of his last 4 games. He also scored against the Giants earlier in the season and needs two tries to get to the magical 100 of his career. He is 11/8 Ladbrokes.
HUDDERSFIELD +6.5pts 10/11
WARDLE TO SCORE 2/1
BROUGHTON TO SCORE 6/4
TURNER TO SCORE 11/8
Good luck if your having a bet
Thanks again for the great write up Chief.
Great write up chief I am going fir saints on handicap not sure Huddersfield will stay with them tonight after last week cunningham raging.
Murray not getting a sniff here from fed second set settled this
Have a go on saints and over 20 points also lee
Good write up chief good luck guys with your bets
Ad,
Is Federer new favourite?…… Or will Novak produce the goods on the day
Went for minus 5.5 at 4 to 5 eliminate the draw…
Federer 3-0 @ 13/2….thank you come again! Didn’t dee any of Novak Gasquet but if Rog keeps serving like he has been if make him slight fave. Bookies will go with Novak though
Wasn’t overly impressed by Novak, was a pretty average performance I thought.
That the impression I got. Gasquet seemed in it for the most part. So fed, if he plays like he has been, should be well In with a shot
The aussies only need 2.3 runs per over. On another wicket I’d fancy them to do it but this one has deteriorated so quickly already I can’t see it being easy to score slowly. I’ll be happy if fed is favourite in the tennis because I fancy Novak, he didn’t play well today and still won 3-0 very easily. Didn’t get out of second gear at all and his returning has been much better than Murray’s was today. Fed was superb but Murray was nowhere near his best after he got broken in the 1st set. Would love Roger to win though he’s much better to watch!
Cheers guys, should be a good game. For those on Saints lets hope it is NOT by more than 7pts :)
We should knew be Adam quinlan what price !@@
Chief 6 points will do me….
Lucky to be ahead to be honest
What price on a hatrick wow
Worried Huddersfield are going to regret missing those early chances … Impressed with Quinlan – looks a great signing..
Taken Federer @11/10 … don’t think Novak is at his best at the moment … Federer has been in great form all Wimbledon … his serving today (all tournament) was immaculate.
Very small bet on > 2.5 sets @ 12/5 in the ladies final … I think Muguruza has the game to win grand slams in the future (if Serena gets bored and retires) … hoping for a slow start from Serena .. cant see her losing though ….
T20 blast tonight
Sussex
Nottinghamshire
Double 1.26/1 – 5 points **WIN**
Birmingham bears 8/11 – 3 points **WIN**
Also hoping federer does murray. — and he did, good day for me. Hope some were on.
Ad , Harry etc……
Hope Novak wins for ££££££
However, from what I’ve seen and I’m not just saying it Federer should win this, however , Novak surely has more to give
Thanks Chief – another great RL tip – good game as well!!
Raging got lees 11 to 4
But raging I feel the referee gave Huddersfield everything 5 try of penalties St helens were 6 up 5 tines raging….
Lee what u think the ref was bad not cause I lost but he was
Referee a joke
If ever an official had a say…
St helens won but he gave them at least 18 points muppet
Fed was a great pick pre tournament (if I do say so myself!) I’m not sure id take him now at 11/10. I mean, I might, but he’s going to have to produce another near flawless performance to win. One early break and things might get tricky for him. He’s playing with so much confidence ATM it’s all coming so easily to him. If Novak can put him under pressure, sew some seeds of doubt, and make Fed overthink things, the errors may start coming.
I pray he can get it done, and for far more than just my bank balance! Cash out is obviously an option, but not for me!
Ad – my bet was on Federer was way under £10 as I think its impossible to call … so won’t go hungry lol – can only go on the matches of both players that I have watched and still think he has a great chance of winning though … or would not have placed the bet!
Based on this fortnights evidence it’s certainly not a bad bet at all. I think I’m just a bit nervous the old man will fold at the final test. But his performances so far don’t suggest that one bit. I really do hope he can get the job done.
I’m having a small bet on Murray/Peers @ 7/4 to beat Rojer Tecau. There should be a good crowd and they will get massively behind Andys older brother and his Aussie partner, which can make all the difference in what is likely to be a tense and nervy affair for everyone involved. None of the 4 have won a men’s doubles slam. Tecau has been in three finals at Wimbledon and lost them all. With the crowd against him it might be hard for him to cast those demons aside. We shall see, but patriotism makes it a good bet whatever happens!
LeeC – bollox (missed it) just scrolled up and saw your 11/4 on both over 20 points and St Helens win – amazing tip mate well done!!!
Jazza I think Huddersfield were hard done too mate, think reason lot of reason home teams win so much in rugby is refs get too influenced by crowds, amazing how many times crowds scream offside then couple plays later ref calls it. think we got lucky last night and if that was at Leeds they may have got away with it
Was clueless cheers mate thought they had blown it at end to be honest. Great call chief your bet was more comfortable watching than mine. Thought saints new full back would help them didn’t think it would be to extent of hat trick though. Sam tomkins over to you some competition on your hands
Doesn’t help when the refs are local either, couple years ago wigan lost world club challenge at home through a dubious last min penalty, the ref in charge was from leigh, 5 miles away and there is a hatred between leigh and wigan think of a Liverpool ref in charge of an Everton game
Generally, federer plays better on faster surfaces. He got the better of novak on one of the faster hard court surfaces earlier this year (hard courts don’t all play the same). Think novak definitely prefers the slower hard court.
MLB Bets For Tonight
Single (£10)
Toronto & Over 8.5 Runs @ 2/1
5 Fold @ 22.1/1 (£5)
Minnesota Twins ML
Atlanta Braves ML
San Francisco Giants ML
Seattle/LA Angels Under 7.5 Runs
LA Dodgers/Milwaukee Over 7.5 Runs
Lets all face reality…murray was no real test for Roger…yes, fed plays well, but I just cant see him beating Djoker. I say 3-0 or 3-1 Novak Djokovic…
P.s. if Fedex was 5 years younger…if…then i wouldnt be so positive.