IT'S World Cup quarter-final weekend and William Hill are offering 13-8 that all four favourites – South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland and Australia – make it through.
There is a risk injuries could catch up with Ireland and Wales and it's 11-4 that no northern hemisphere sides reach the semis.
In the first match today Wales look big at 3-1 with Stan James against a South Africa side priced up at 6-17 by Marathonbet.
And defending champs New Zealand are 1-5 at Betfred and Totesport to progress at the expense of France, 6-1 outsiders at StanJames.
At the Shanghai Masters tennis it's semi-final action this morning. Stan Wawrinka barely tried a leg in his meek quarter-final surrender to Rafa Nadal who should be too strong at 9-20 with Sportingbet to get past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Andy Murray was dazzling in his demolition of Tomas Berdych and now finds himself 7-2 underdog at Marathonbet in his clash with Novak Djokovic.
Murray won their last meeting in August – ending an eight-match losing streak to the world No.1. The Scot is in fine form this week and although Djokovic hasn't dropped a set since the US Open Final I like the evens at Paddy Power and Ladbrokes for Murray to win a set.
There's also plenty of boxing among the Saturday sporting highlights so post all your tips and chat here and good luck with your bets.
Any fancies for the Cleverley fight tonight Picksix or anyone?
Just over 16 hours till this game, anyone who watches the Nfl tune in to espn for this game,
College football is better to watch than most Nfl games and they dont get much bigger than this one
Johnb
1 day, 16 hrs ago
Saturday College Football
Michigan State at Michigan 8:30pm
Michigan State are unbeaten 6-0 while Michigan are 5-1 after losing the first game
Michigan State have also beaten Michigan 6 out of the last 7 times & 5 of those wins were by 14+ points,
So it’s simple this one, Michigan State have the stats to win so they must right?
No, because although Michigan State are 6-0 they are not playing well, whereas Michigan after losing the first game have only conceded 14 points in their next 5 games
Their last 3 games they have not conceded a single point.
Also Michigan have only conceded an average 150 yards per game over the last 5 games
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook is terrible under pressure and needs time on the ball and Michigan should take advantage of this.
Michigan State (MSU) have some serious injury problems but are confident of having Kodi Kieler, Jack Conklin and Jack Allen back which will be a massive boost but maybe not enough.
Michigan like to start fast and rack up some points then ease off late on but they can step it up again.
Probably the best matchup on the field & one I want to see is MSU Wide Receiver Aaron Burbridge against Michigan Cornerback Jourdan Lewis who has been excellent this season
I have already tipped Michigan -6.5 points 10/11 Ladbrokes
but that has gone now & Michigan are now 8 point favourite
A second tip I like is
Michigan to score over 24 points 10/11 Ladbrokes
John I’ll be watching for sure. Good luck mate. Can’t force myself to put anything big on college games but I’m rooting for you and Jim :)
NFL Week 6
Sunday Double
Cincinnati Bengals – 6:30PM
Green Bay Packers – 9:25PM
23/25 @ 888 – 6.85 points
Sunday Fourfold
Cincinnati Bengals +3.5
Minnesota Vikings ML
New England Patriots -2.5
Green Bay Packers -2.5
2.17/1 @ 365 – 2.15 points
Sunday Fourfold
Bengals
Vikings
Patriots -6
Packers -6
9/2 @ 365 – 1 point
Injury update. Still no decisions made on a host of skill players for Buffalo. QB Tyrod Taylor is till questionable. He wants to play but Rex Ryan has said ‘we’ll see’. RB LeSean McCoy is probable but has had a while out with a hamstring injury. Receivers Percy Harvin and Sammy Watkins both questionable with Watkins coming out saying he’s unhappy with his targets so far (it would help if you were on the field, Sammy). Backup RB Karlos Williams is out with a concussion who had been fairly productive in place of McCoy.
The Bengals only had two players questionable for Sunday and have both been upgraded to probable in DB Adam Jones and WR Marvin Jones.
Green Bay as usual had question marks on their receivers but I still think it was down to them being thin in that area, Randall Cobb and James Jones both probable now, with Davante Adams questionable, which has been his best status in the last 3 or so weeks. Morgan Burnett still questionable at the Strong Safety position but hasn’t played since the home game vs Seattle and Hyde has done fairly well in his place. The biggest loss could be our nose tackle with BJ Raji doubtful with a groin injury. That could hurt our run defence a fair bit which Raji has contributed very well all season. TJ Lang was pulled from the Rams game on Sunday but is good to go, so that’s our strongest offensive line playing for only the second time this season.
The Patriots have a few injuries which might be big losses in RB Dion Lewis who has given problems to almost every team he’s come up against. DB Tarell Brown is out which will be big with the Colts offensive players at hand. LB Dont’a Hightower also questionable with a rib injury after coming out of Sundays game but practiced yesterday.
Utah State Over 52.5 Team Points @ EVS @ WollHill – 2 points
45-10 @ HT.
WillHill*
NHL
Wings (lost)
Ducks (lost)
Sharks (won)
Wilds+1.5 (won)
add Jets (won)
add Leafs v Jackets o5.5 (Won)
4pts on 0pts back :(
Think after last night and the Falcons the day before I’ll avoid Bird related teams for a few days lol.
Utah State Over 52.5 Team Points @ EVS @ WollHill – 2 points **LOSE**
45-10 @ HT.
52-26 FT. Half a point.
Rugby World Cup
Taking New Zealand, Ireland and Australia to win their quarter finals.
1.1/1
NHL
Red Wings (60mins) @ 1.9 (1.5pt)
Sharks (60mins) @ 2.1 (1pt)
Anytime scorer
Parise (Wild) @ 2.75 (0.5pt)
Hertl (Sharks) @ 5.0 (0.25pt)
Thornton (Sharks) @ 5.5 (0.25pt)
*all lost*
Sorry lads bad night last night.
Sharks win on penalties.
Thought the Red Wings would have won easily but lost 5-3.
Main bet
16 bets
Staked 16
Return +21.79
ATS
15 bets
Staked 6.75
Return +10.74
Total
Staked 22.75
Return 32.53
Going to go with my gut here and say this total is wrong.
Sunday NFL – Eddie Lacy Over 80.5 Rushing Yards @ 10/11 @ Ladbrokes – 2.2 points
Nadal Vs Tsonga
Nadal lost first set and second set he won 6-0
is he back to form?
That’s for the Green Bay Packers.
Can see this last set going to a tie break. Not sure why Nadal can’t finish him off…
Tsonga breaks.. its over for nadal tsonga serving for game 5-6 final set
Christ – Nadal lost me a ton. Put him as final leg of a multi… Tsonga has been pedestrian all week, can’t believe he beat Nadal. Typical! Why do I keep putting tennis legs in Accas?!
Nadal was atrocious there I know people will say he played well but really that forehand wasn’t that impressive and he did what amateurs do when they find themselves in difficult situations which is flap.
My main bet for the day. Team with highest scoring half NZ at 8/11. Put up reasoning yesterday and I still fancy this. Enjoy the games!
Great day for me
Very bad night
Lost 5 units on each of your 5 picks Dazz
Had blue jackets 5 units lost
Plus 20 units on my Toronto blue Jays
I won 40 units with Jordan and mr f picks day time
Gave that back plus 1 k from mine
We will bounce back
I know it
I am waiting for Toronto fc to loose tonight
For a nice three teamer
I had blues over 5.5
Detroit over 5.5 and Columbus team total over 1.5
1 unit pays almost 20 units
Boxing
Gennady Golovkin V David Lemiux
* Total Rounds Under 6.5 @ 4/5
This fight shouldn’t last long, Lemiux isn’t going to approach this fight any different to his others and will constantly come forward wich means he is going to be in big trouble against GGG. Golovkin is possibly the hardest puncher in boxing and with a granite chin too you just can’t go toe to toe with him. Although Lemiux is KO specialist himself he is not on Golovkins level and should be stopped early. For how long this fight will last which I don’t think will be long this is a must watch
Today/tonight’s NAP:
cleverly v fonfara over 9.5 rounds
Kohei Kono V koki kameda over 9.5 rounds
just under Evens *won*
Cleverly v fonfara to go to the scorecards 8/15 *won*
Cleverly to win on points 3/1 (small stakes) *lost*
felt sorry for clev, he was completely dominating fonfara at midway through the fight and was winning by 4-5 rounds and that broken nose completely changed it.
will post my boxing picks for tonight later but heads up for peeps who want something in their acca:
Golovkin v Lemule under 9.5 rounds 1/3
GGG v lemule Under 7.5 rounds 4/5
beat me to it picksix :D
sorry it’s under 7 rounds * now @8/11
cannot wait for this fight.
tonights boxing:
Mathew macklin v Jason welborn under 9.5 rounds 3/10
Macklin needs to look impressive here against a journeyman who has been stopped by lesser opposition.
GGG v Lemule Under 9.5 rounds 1/3 under 7 rounds 8/11:
for obvious reasons this is NOT going the distance, i will be amazed if it goes beyond 7.
Kid Yafai v Jason cunningham over 9.5 rounds 11/10:
i expect yafai to get a TKO but cunningham being the bigger man will hopefully hold out until the later rounds, yafai isnt a huge puncher and struggled recently against a journeyman.
Sam eggington v Dale evans Eggington KO 3/10 under 9.5 rounds 1/2:
Eggington has been beaten by evans but dont let his fool you, it was a 3 rounder at the very beginning of his career, Eggington will show he has a class above tonight and stop Evans in the mid rounds.
Roman Gonzalez V brian viloria over 9.5 rounds 5/4:
Gonzalez is arguably the best boxer on the planet now floyd has retired, The bookies are expecting him to blow viloria out early but viloria is a very live opponent who is very durable and underrated, this is my least confident pick, but i expect to be able to cover around the midway point.
Boxing
Jason welborn to win 8/1
Can see a big upset here
@topbuzzer might be worth a quid or two and macklin is definately past it BUT looking at their records with welborn being KO’d 3 times all to journeyman by hooks to the body + with macklin being the bigger man and a body punching specialist doesnt bode well for welborn.
@malc yes i agree, but at that price it has to be taken macklin definitely not the fighter he once was its just a matter of time, shame eggington isn’t fighting gavin really fancied eggington for that one can’t find any value in the evans fight.
Looking forward to the New Zealand v France game later. Wouldn’t like to touch new Zealand on a -13 handicap as these knockout games are often very tense and close. France also very very unpredictable and capable of an upset depending on what mood they turn up in. Just going to back 2 scorers as the prices are good with it being a QF
Julian Savea – anytime tryscorer
6/4 skybet
Aaron Smith – anytime tryscorer
7/2 paddypower
^ if you wait a few rounds you will get eggington KO for just under evens.
also under 9.5 rounds @1/2 and under 7 rounds is 11/10 m8.
WR Corey Coleman breaks Baylor single season TD record. In six games…
Battle for State Supremacy
• The annual battle on the gridiron between Michigan and Michigan State started in 1898 and has featured some of the most exciting contests in both schools’ histories.
• The two programs have met every year since 1945, a streak of 70 consecutive seasons.
• With the exception of 1943 and 1944, when the series was suspended due to World War II, the Wolverines and Spartans have met on the football field every year since 1910.
Michigan State Series History
• This will be the 108th meeting in the all-time series with Michigan State.
• The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 68-34-5, and have won 23 of the last 35 games played between the two schools dating back to 1979 • Michigan has won four of the last 10 games in the series; their last win came in 2012, a 12-10 affair at Michigan Stadium.
• The last two games in the series were played in East Lansing, a pair of victories secured by the Spartans.
63rd Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
• Saturday’s game between the in-state rivals will be the 63rd played for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
• The Wolverines hold a 35-25-2 advantage in the trophy game.
• Michigan has won 31 of the past 45 games played between the two schools since 1970.
• Michigan State has won six of the past seven, but the series is tied, 6-6, in the last 12 games played in the series.
• MSU has held possession of the Bunyan Trophy for the past two seasons, winning a 29-6 game in 2013 and a 35-11 affair in 2014; both games were played at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Paul Bunyan Trophy History
• The Paul Bunyan Trophy dates back to 1953, when Michigan State entered the Big Ten Conference, and has become the cornerstone of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry since its inception.
• It was a donation by then-Michigan governor G. Mennen Williams; the Paul Bunyan Trophy stands nearly four feet tall.
• The wooden trophy depicts the figure of legendary folk hero Paul Bunyan astride an axe, with his feet planted over the state of Michigan. On each corner of the state lies a flag emblazoned with the Michigan ‘M’ or the Spartan ‘S.’ Each year the winner of the Michigan-Michigan State game is awarded ownership of the prize.
Greater Rushing Effort Key to Victory
• One of the major components to securing victory in the annual Michigan-Michigan State football game has been the ground game.
• The school that has won the running game battle has claimed wins in 43 of the last 47 contests.
• From 1969 through 1994 — 26 consecutive games — the winning team gained more yards on the ground.
• MSU put an end to the string by winning in 1995 despite being out-gained in the rushing department by the Wolverines 218 to 73.
• Michigan lost the rushing battle in 2007, 191-100, but came out on top in a 28-24 affair at Spartan Stadium.
U-M vs. MSU at the Big House
• This will be the 55th game between the two rivals at Michigan Stadium.
• The Wolverines have compiled a 34-18-3 record at Michigan Stadium, including a 12-10 victory in the 2012 meeting at the Big House.
• U-M has claimed victories in 11 of the last 14 games played at Michigan Stadium.
• The Wolverines boast an impressive 18-5 home record against the Spartans since 1968.
• Michigan sports a 49-20-3 all-time record against Michigan State in Ann Arbor.
When Both Teams are Ranked Nationally
• This will be the 17th time in history of series that both teams enter the game ranked in the national polls.
• The all-time series is 6-9-1 when both teams are listed in the polls.
• Michigan lost the last meeting when both squads were ranked, a 29-6 decision in East Lansing during the 2013 season (U-M #23, MSU #24).
• U-M won games in 1964, 1975, 1979, 1989, 1997, 2003 while Michigan State claimed victories in 1950, 1951, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1999, 2010, 2011, and 2013 seasons; the lone tie came in 1958.
Michigan When Ranked vs. MSU
• This will be the 50th time that Michigan enters a matchup with Michigan State ranked in the top 25 of the Associated Press national poll.
• The Wolverines have compiled a 30-18-1 record in those contests, but is 6-9-1 when both teams are ranked in the AP poll.
• U-M has won 28 of the past 41 games when it enters the game listed in the top 25.
Offense
• The offense has been balanced through five games, with the ground game gaining 201.3 yards per contest and the air attack averaging 189.2 yards per game.
• Michigan has gained 1,208 rushing yards on the season; rushed 253 times for 1,208 yards and 15 touchdowns.
• Seven different Wolverines have scored rushing touchdowns this season, led by tailback De’Veon Smith (4) and quarterback Jake Rudock (3); three others have two rushing scores.
• In the passing game, Michigan has completed 106-of-175 (60.6 pct.) attempts for 1,135 yards and five touchdowns.
• U-M has won the time-of-possession battle in each of the six contests this season and has nine-minute-plus advantage on the opposition (34:48 to 25:12).
• Michigan’s offensive line has allowed eight sacks in six games. The front did not yield a sack at Utah or against UNLV and allowed one sack vs. Oregon State, two against BYU and Maryland and three vs. Northwestern.
• The offense has converted 19-of-20 red-zone chances this season. U-M has scored 15 touchdowns and four field goals.
• The Wolverines are converting 43 percent of their third-down chances (39-of-90) and have moved the chains on 4-of-10 fourth-down opportunities.
Defense
• Michigan is ranked in the top five nationally in six defensive categories.
• The defense has pitched a shutout in three consecutive games for the first time since the 1980 season; Michigan became the first FBS school to accomplish the feat since Kansas State shut out three straight opponents in 1995.
• U-M is just the fifth team ever to have multiple 28-point shutouts over AP ranked teams in a single season: 1945 Army, 1948 Michigan, 1956 Georgia Tech, 1966 Notre Dame and this year’s teams are the only to accomplish the feat.
• Michigan is the first team since 2011 to hold two major conference/independent opponents to less than 110 total yards in a game.
• Michigan has held the opposition scoreless in 18 of the last 19 quarters.
• The defense has yielded just seven points over the last 19 quarters (TD by Oregon State).
• The U-M defense is allowing just 65 yards per contest rushing and 115.5 yards passing.
• The Wolverines have yielded 38 points on the season (6.3 avg.).
• Michigan has been stout on third down, allowing just 16 conversions in 85 attempts through three games (19%).
• The defense has 15 sacks and 48 TFLs through six games of action.
• Michigan has 18 different players with 10 or more stops this season.
• The Wolverines have forced eight turnovers on the season (seven interceptions and one fumble) and picked up a season-high three picks at Maryland.
• Michigan has allowed the opposition only six red-zone chances, with three coming in the Utah game, one against Oregon State and two by UNLV; two of the six red-zone opportunities came on the opening possession of the Utah and OSU games.
• The defense held the opposition to less than 100 rushing yards the past five games.
• The opposition has been limited to less than 50 yards rushing the past three games (50 yards by BYU, 29 by Maryland and 38 by Northwestern).
• The defense has held the opposition to less than 100 yards passing three times this season: 79 yards vs. Oregon State, 55 yards vs. BYU and 76 yards at Maryland.
Said I thought that total was wrong for Lacy. Ladbrokes have bumped them up to 87.5.
Cheers mlac will keep an eye on it
Less than 1 hour to go Michigan State at Michigan
Bodies will be left on this pitch, its the game that means everything.
Big Brother v Little Brother and Michigan Wolverines are the big brother,
Michigan at home which should see 115,000 fans in the stadium which isn’t bad for a college game and for a stadium that is meant to have an official attendance of just over 107,000
Mark Dantonio v Jim Harbaugh
Michigan State Spartans v Michigan Wolverines
This will worth watching
Safe to say you’ve had this one on the calendar for a while John :)
Will be watching.
Jordan I certainly have, its massive this game,
The Big Ten east division has
Ohio State 6-0
Michigan State 6-0
Michigan 5-1
Penn State 5-1
But we can rule out Penn State
Michigan win tonight then they should qualify
Is it the top two teams from each conference or does it depend on how big the conference is?
That is some crowd in The Big House
Biggest stadium in America is it not John?
I think it is
First blood Michigan 7-0
New Zealand have turned up now .Game Over .
Got to say that’s a shocking decision to eject a player for that, he was thrown down onto the top of the quarterback
Jordan it sure was
That targeting call was pathetic.
Michigan 7-7
NHL
Canadiens (money line) @ 1.53
Capitals (money line) @ 1.45
Double @ 2.22 (1pt)
Sharks (money line) @ 2.35 (1pt)
Anytime scorer
Stamkos (Lightening) @ 3.5 (0.5pt)
Plekanec (Canadiens) @ 2.2 (0.5pt)
Ado mate this is my first NHL season.
I’ve said it a few times, I’m going small stakes on all these bets. It sounds like you’re putting down big money and I’m gonna advise not too. These bets aren’t like my MLB ones.
Good luck everyone.
Australia -15.5 and Ireland -3.5,
Double pays about 3/1
Sorry Scotland hope I’m wrong about Australia .
Duncan Poundcake, I have to agree although that’s a boost to Scotland getting Gray and Ford back.
Didn’t think that appeal had a chance of being overturned completely although the two who would have replaced them will be gutted.
@Harry, thanks for the tryscorers, little profit with Savea even if Smith didn’t get one… what a game. 62-13 … frenchmen didn’t get any chance.
@Jordan, ment to say awesome tipping on the football thread. Been a bad day all around for most but you managed to pick out the right games it seems!
Halftime Michigan 10 Michigan State 7
Cheers Oriaz, on another day I would have ventured further out of my comfort zone but the Premier League is what I tend to know best and luckily it paid off.
Jabrill Peppers is having a good game
Having seen the way Scotland played several times in person and also the way Australia play.
Scotland’s real chances of points won’t come from tries
Australia’s defence is a solid yellow wall and they proved that with 13 men against Wales and didn’t concede a single point. They rarely give away penalties and I can’t see anything but a yellow steamroller!
The southern vs northern hemisphere is a battle but my word what a game tonight by the all blacks!
My tip is
Australia -15
Ireland -4
As a double…. Depending on your Brooke it’s around 4/1 …
Overall win of World Cup has to be all blacks!
MR F ,sadly not to be for the Portuguese golfer I still think but he was worth a punt at the price ,he has a good swing imo ,One to consider when he has more experience GL.
Duncan, looks like Andy Sullivan has it sewn up but Ace has a chance of places with Chris Wood and Bernd Wiesberger.
Wow! Predict that ending!
Can’t believe Michigan blew that game
that was shocking!!!! OMG. the look on harbaughs face…..
First turnover in the last 10 seconds and it’s an absolute shocker. Unlucky John.
Dazz
I only pound big when I have a big day
If I loose so be it