AFC Champions League play-offs
Al-Hilal v Lekhwiya 7pm
HAVING led Al Hilal to their best performance in the AFC Champions League three years ago, Eric Gerets will be looking to get the better of his former club when he takes charge of Qatari side Lekhwiya for their round of 16 clash with the Saudi giants.
During his time with the Riyadh club from 2009 to 2010, the Belgian won the Saudi League and Crown Prince Cup and led them to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in the 2010 season before he left to take charge of the Morocco national team.
The first leg of the last 16 clash at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Wednesday will be his first match back at his old club since his departure after their 2-0 aggregate loss to Iranian side Zobahan in the 2010 semi-finals.
Gerets will welcome back defenders Abdulrahman Bakhit and Madjid Bougherra who missed Lekhwiya’s previous AFC Champions League match against Ettifaq through suspension.
Al Hilal will also have midfielder Salem Al Dawsari back from suspension while veteran striker Yasser Al Qahtani should return after recovering from a recent injury.
Like Al Gharafa, Al Hilal also saw their quest to win a domestic cup cut short when they drew 1-1 with Al Ittihad last Thursday to lose 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup.
Recommended Bets
Lekhwiya win @ 15/4
Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5
Milesey (Betfair)
In December 2020 we sadly 
i want to back Lekhwiya 15/4 so tempting plus draw no bet chelsea 5/4 wee 7/1 double or draw no bet Lekwiya ? one last thing this Kolchrieber tennis chap cant find him on bet365 anywhere livescores has it starting 1:45 but cant see the betting on it in the the tennis section.
http://www.bet365.com/home/FlashGen4/WebConsoleApp.asp?&cb=10880531192
Milesey
just spotted it as soon as a pressed a different button 8/13 isny very appealing
EUROVISION 2013
—————————
If it’s May, it must be Eurovision Song Contest time again. This year, the competition is taking play in Malmo in Sweden and yesterday evening saw the first of two semi-finals to determine the 26 finalists for Saturday’s big show.
Great Britain have gone back to the 1980s for this year’s entry, calling up the Welshwoman with the powerful lungs and enormous hair, Bonnie Tyler. ‘Believe in Me’ was written for her by acclaimed songwriter Desmond Child, who has composed Top 40 hits for artists as diverse as Kiss, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith and Kermit the Frog. The British camp have been careful to keep expectations low following last year’s overhyped and underwhelming Engelbert Humperdinck number, but picking a vintage performer has become something of a gamble in recent Eurovisions, as the voters tend to go for either the younger acts or the quirkier ones (for example, Lordi in 2006).
At odds of 90.0 Tyler’s not only a big outsider, she should probably be grateful that Britain is one of five countries guaranteed a bye into every Final.
Britain’s record in recent Eurovisions isn’t that great, with no win in the last 14 contests. Ireland, on the other hand, has a far greater pedigree. With seven victories, the Emerald Isle has won more often than any nation.
However, it is even longer since they topped the table, last winning in 1996. There’s been a perception in subsequent years that the Irish were not fielding their strongest acts in order to avoid winning, largely because the cost of staging the event (as each winner must do the following year) is so high. These rumours have, of course, always been denied by the Irish, but they are among those who have to take part in the semi-finals, which means that last night we were treated to the first sight of Ryan Dolan and his backing troupe of semi-naked, leather-trousered drummers.
One thing that the British haven’t really learned is that sometimes winning Eurovision can be as much about the spectacle as the song (surprising, given the skirt-ripping antics of Bucks Fizz) and Dolan’s act is classic Eurovision. He’s currently 70.0 to win, but expect that price to shorten in coming days. Perhaps more realistically, he’s 3.7 to finish in the top 10, a price which looks a steal at the moment.
The winner of the first semi-final – and the hot favourite to win overall – is the Danish entry. Emmelie de Forest’s ‘Only Teardrops’ ticks all of the right boxes for a winning Eurovision entry in the current era. It is theatrical, with a huge finish which will almost certainly involve bigger pyrotechnics and more glitter than we saw last night. It is sung by a young woman who combines the stage presence of a Florence Welch with looking a little like a young Cosette from Les Miserables. At 1.97 to win she is a very short price in this market and although the song is a definite candidate for the win, don’t back her until that price is over 4.0.
Also going through from the semi-final was the Dutch entry, ‘Birds’ by Anouk. It is the first time in nine years that the Netherlands have made it to the final, and it is clear that they have put a real effort into this number, calling upon one of their leading singers and a top songwriting/production team to turn out a song which has a real chance of winning this contest, certainly better than the 36.0 it is currently priced at.
The second semi-final is on Thursday evening, when ten more acts will be chosen to take part in the final. Norway, Georgia and Azerbaijan are strong favourites to qualify, but have a look at San Marino, who are handily priced at 5.6. Valentina Moletta is their representative for the second year running. She just missed out on last year’s final but ‘Chrisalide (Vola)’ is a better song than then and was written by the man who wrote the winning entry in 1982, Nicole’s ‘A Little Peace’.
Recommended Bet
Back Ireland at 3.9 to finish in the top 10
Patriotic pop pride has been well and truly dented over recent Eurovisions. Recent United Kingdom entrants have been nothing short of disastrous and while Engelbert Humperdinck’s entrance last year wasn’t quite a Jemini shaped disaster; his disappointing 12 point haul hardly set Europe on fire either.
Once again this year the United Kingdom has turned to a veteran performer in order to perk up our hopes. But is husky-voiced Welsh popster Bonnie Tyler the hero we’ve been holding out for, or is her entrance little more than another Fools Lullaby?
The first thing to point out is that Tyler is not another Humperdinck. You can obviously tell that just be looking at her, but unlike Engelbert the Welsh singer’s best days aren’t quite so far behind her. In fact from what we’ve seen so far, the 61-year-old still has the pipes and the stage presence to mix it with Europe’s best. She’s also, unlike the country she’s representing, still popular on the continent where not so long ago she was topping European charts.
Then there’s the song. ‘Believe In Me’ is classic Euro-bait, an uplifting rock ballad with a hearty chorus. Ballads of course tend to do well with both jurors and televoters alike. In fact, both Iceland in 2009 and Estonia last year have placed well with similar-ish efforts; so can Tyler achieve similar success?
The answer sadly is probably not. There are already plenty of better ballads that have been entered into this year’s finals, many of which performed by female vocalists who are altogether more memorable than our Bonnie.
Then there’s the problem of Britain’s lack of voting allies. The old mantra that it’s who you know not what you know rings particular true for Eurovision, which is littered with partisan voting from geographical and political allies who are all but guaranteed to award douze-points to their voting partners.
It’s an idea that explains why Balkan and other Eastern European countries tend do so well, providing seven of the last 12 competition winners. And an idea that all but insures that aside from the intervention of Malta and Ireland we’d be lucky to walk home with double figures by the end of the night.
At 32.0 in Betfair’s Eurovision 2013 Winner market it’s hard to believe that Tyler’s ‘Believe In Me’ could walk away as an eventual winner come May 18th. However patriotic punters determined to put their money where their mouths are might find more value in the Top 10 market, an altogether more plausible achievement where 3.7 looks like a much better bet considering the sway the 80’s icon still commands on the continent.
Denmark – 3.65
The favourite in the early running is Denmark’s ‘Only Teardrops’ a folksy number which the locals no doubt hope will bring the top pop prize back across the Øresund Strait come mid-may. It’s undoubtedly one of the most polished songs in the competition. It’s not the most memorable of tracks though, but it does have pedigree having been co-written by Lisa Cabble, whose previous contributions to the contest “Fra Mols til Skagen” (1995) and “New Tomorrow” (2011) both finished in fifth place. Perhaps its biggest strength however lies in 19-year-old songstress Emmelie de Forest, a captivating and intense performer whose floaty dresses and bare feet clearly recall last year’s eventual winner Loreen. It’s arguably not as good, but at 3.65 punters clearly fancy it to go all the way.
Norway – 7.0
It looks like 2013 will be another strong year for Scandinavian entrants with Norway joining Denmark and Sweden amongst this year’s early favourites. The Norwegians have been on many betters’ radars ever since Alexander Rybak’s landslide victory in 2009, but this year’s entry looks like it might finally deliver on some of that promise. ‘I feed You My Love’ is an unashamed piece of electro-pop, a broody synth-heavy song performed with ice queen like coolness by Margaret Berger. Like last year’s winner Euphoria, it’s a well-produced piece of pop; the type of song you can imagine finding life beyond the fish bowl of continental competition. It’s got plenty of quality and a heap of early hype, but whether that translates to success in Sweden remains to be seen, particularly as voters have tended to favour more uplifting numbers in previous years.
Netherlands – 13.0
Hard as it may be to believe, the Netherlands tend to fair even worse than England when it comes to the Eurovision song contest. The Dutch haven’t qualified for the live televised finals since 2004 and last won the whole shebang all the way back in 1975. As a result it’s somewhat surprising to see them mixing it up with some of this year’s musical favourites. But in ‘Birds’, a haunting ballad performed by Anouk (a sort of diet Alanis Morissette), they’ve undoubtedly found their best entry in recent memory. The song itself is likely to be a hit with jurors, whilst the televoting public will I suspect warm to its singer. However at 13.0 the market definitely reflects uncertainty over the Netherlands’ Eurovision pedigree.
Sweden – 17.0
The question on many punters’ lips will be whether Sweden can follow up the euphoria of Loreen’s win last time out by scooping the Eurovision gong for the second year in succession. Robin Stjernberg’s ‘You’ is undoubtedly one of the better songs that will invade your earholes in this year’s competition, but it faces an uphill struggle if Sweden is going to retain its title. After all, out of the 57 previous contests only Luxemburg, Ireland and Israel have won twice in a row, which explains why confidence isn’t exactly skyhigh in the markets.
Ukraine – 17.5
Ukraine were amongst the first entrants to show their hands for this year’s contest, announcing back in December that Zlata Ognevich will represent the nation’s hopes with ‘Gravity’. The song itself is one of the more saccharine entries from this year’s contest; a mediocre musical number that you’ve forgotten before the singer’s even stepped off stage. However it’s amongst this year’s favourites for two reasons. First is Zlata herself, a singer who’ll probably prove to be amongst the best vocalists in this year’s contest and one who’s as easy on the eyes as she is on the ears. The second is Ukraine’s ever burgeoning block of voting allies, whose partisan support should put it there or there abouts when the finals get underway in Malmo.
Milesey
Milesey, does anyone bet on this really? If you think they do I’ll go against what I said and post something on Saturday – but make it brief or I’ll give up halfway through. If I was having a bet I’d stick a tenner on Wet Wet Wet – the only major pop group to sponsor a Scottish football side.
Of cause, some people have EUROVISION parties ;) ;) GUIDO being one of them hahaha
EUROVISION 2013
—————————
If it’s May, it must be Eurovision Song Contest time again. This year, the competition is taking play in Malmo in Sweden and yesterday evening saw the first of two semi-finals to determine the 26 finalists for Saturday’s big show.
Great Britain have gone back to the 1980s for this year’s entry, calling up the Welshwoman with the powerful lungs and enormous hair, Bonnie Tyler. ‘Believe in Me’ was written for her by acclaimed songwriter Desmond Child, who has composed Top 40 hits for artists as diverse as Kiss, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith and Kermit the Frog. The British camp have been careful to keep expectations low following last year’s overhyped and underwhelming Engelbert Humperdinck number, but picking a vintage performer has become something of a gamble in recent Eurovisions, as the voters tend to go for either the younger acts or the quirkier ones (for example, Lordi in 2006).
At odds of 90.0 Tyler’s not only a big outsider, she should probably be grateful that Britain is one of five countries guaranteed a bye into every Final.
Britain’s record in recent Eurovisions isn’t that great, with no win in the last 14 contests. Ireland, on the other hand, has a far greater pedigree. With seven victories, the Emerald Isle has won more often than any nation.
However, it is even longer since they topped the table, last winning in 1996. There’s been a perception in subsequent years that the Irish were not fielding their strongest acts in order to avoid winning, largely because the cost of staging the event (as each winner must do the following year) is so high. These rumours have, of course, always been denied by the Irish, but they are among those who have to take part in the semi-finals, which means that last night we were treated to the first sight of Ryan Dolan and his backing troupe of semi-naked, leather-trousered drummers.
One thing that the British haven’t really learned is that sometimes winning Eurovision can be as much about the spectacle as the song (surprising, given the skirt-ripping antics of Bucks Fizz) and Dolan’s act is classic Eurovision. He’s currently 70.0 to win, but expect that price to shorten in coming days. Perhaps more realistically, he’s 3.7 to finish in the top 10, a price which looks a steal at the moment.
The winner of the first semi-final – and the hot favourite to win overall – is the Danish entry. Emmelie de Forest’s ‘Only Teardrops’ ticks all of the right boxes for a winning Eurovision entry in the current era. It is theatrical, with a huge finish which will almost certainly involve bigger pyrotechnics and more glitter than we saw last night. It is sung by a young woman who combines the stage presence of a Florence Welch with looking a little like a young Cosette from Les Miserables. At 1.97 to win she is a very short price in this market and although the song is a definite candidate for the win, don’t back her until that price is over 4.0.
Also going through from the semi-final was the Dutch entry, ‘Birds’ by Anouk. It is the first time in nine years that the Netherlands have made it to the final, and it is clear that they have put a real effort into this number, calling upon one of their leading singers and a top songwriting/production team to turn out a song which has a real chance of winning this contest, certainly better than the 36.0 it is currently priced at.
The second semi-final is on Thursday evening, when ten more acts will be chosen to take part in the final. Norway, Georgia and Azerbaijan are strong favourites to qualify, but have a look at San Marino, who are handily priced at 5.6. Valentina Moletta is their representative for the second year running. She just missed out on last year’s final but ‘Chrisalide (Vola)’ is a better song than then and was written by the man who wrote the winning entry in 1982, Nicole’s ‘A Little Peace’.
Recommended Bet
Back Ireland at 3.9 to finish in the top 10
Milesey
Milesey, here’s the deal. If five people request Eurovision Song posts, including Guido, they’ll go up at the weekend.
I would like Eurovision betting tips please, me and the wife always get down on eurovision night.
Yes me too please Mr Fixit, Eurovision is my fAV
Come on Paul, you know how you always love to sit down and watch eurovision, you have been watching it for the past 20 years ;)
I’m in, love EUROVISION !
Looks like we are just waiting on Guido then to join the party ?
Milesey
oh no give away, i’ve come up as john ha ha ha ha ha
Milesey
Milesey, think I’ve proved my point but hey you win for effort. I’ll something on Saturday and I’ll give you the viewing figure later. Right, off to the office where at least I’ll get to see the Chelsea game in peace.
haha get the eurovision thread up Paul :) some decent value to be had haha
hahaha, Craig loves the Eurovision, and i’m sure there are quite a few on here who will be watching it, including yourself, but hush hush, closet EUROVISION fans, ;) ;)
Milesey
Milesey, there’s no way I’ll be watching, bet or no bet.
Nearly there Milesey, a few mins to go! :)
ASIA: AFC Champions League – Play Offs
Al-Hilal 0-1 Lekhwiya
Hit as high as 10/1 inplay !
Milesey
Nice one mate! :)
I just stick a decent amount on over 0.5 goals with 20 to play!
Nice one Milesy!
Have them in a treble with Peterhead and Chelsea. Not too confident bout Chelsea at mo!
I had a little bet on the Over 1.5 goals, ha ha oh so close :-)
Get in there Torres!
Chelsea up, now need them to hold on.
Not too confident bout Peterhead now! Not a single shot on target.
Ah, just seen the Eurovision stuff….just back in, been golfing this afternoon..bitta of a slog/cold/few showers..81 gross net 72 for those interested (none I’m asuming!!) ;-) had 12 4’s tho n 2 3’s..few F ups tho/early seson yet!! Er, canna say I’m a expert nor a great fan nor have any intention of watching it/aside from tuning into the corrupt barefaced hardneck of the voting after the scalded/strangled cat sounds (aka singing apparantly??) has concluded..but in the interests of keeping the masses happy in good old Josef Stalin style I’d DEFO LIKE POSTS ON IT, also cos it appears Mr F enjoys it and because keeps Milesey busy!! :-)