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Betting Review
So, despite none of our long shots profiting last weekend it was a reasonable start to this column. Canadian golfer Graham Delaet briefly reached the top twenty leaderboard in the Alfred Dunhill Links during his second round but a third round 74 saw the 27 year old eventually finish six under par, fourteen shots behind runaway winner Simon Dyson.
Liverpool were disappointing against Chelsea and to say that Manchester United looked a shadow of their normal selves against Sunderland would be an understatement. Let’s see if we can do better this time.
Portugal v Hungary to be a draw: 1.5 poinst at 6/1
With Argentina struggling in the South American qualifiers and Portugal in third place in Group One there is a very real chance that next summer’s World Cup will take place without the world’s two outstanding individual talents, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Portugal have been extremely disappointing in qualifying under the stewardship of ex Manchester United assistant Carlos Quieiroz. So bad have their performances been that the Portuguese FA desperately fast-tracked the naturalisation process for Brazilian striker Liedson in August causing controversy and protests from the Portuguese Football Player’s Union.
Betting against a home win for the talented Portuguese against Hungary looks like a risky strategy. However, when you consider that the home team haven’t won any of their home qualifying matches to date (including draws against the likes of Albania and Sweden and a defeat to Denmark) it isn’t such a strange idea. Hungary are level on points with Portugal and have a chance to reach the play-offs themselves and so aren’t likely to roll over and hand the home team a win.
Portugal have really struggled for goals so far and with Ronaldo being a doubt for this match it could well be another frustrating night for Carlos Queiroz’s side. A Hungary win at 14/1 might be a tall order but the draw at 6/1 looks entirely conceivable.
Football Betting
Miss Frank to be first act eliminated on X-Factor: 1 point at 7/1
The groups have historically been the weakest performers over the five series of ITV’s exceptionally popular Saturday evening talent show. With the exception of some brief success for the likes of Journey South, G4 and Same Difference the groups have struggled to grab the public attention and for every JLS there’s been an Eton Road or 4Tune. Who? Exactly.
Louis Walsh mentors the groups again this time round in one of the widest contests there has been. With some terrific solo vocalists in each category the Irish impresario is odds on to be the first judge eliminated and it’s not hard to see why. He chose ex-strippers Kandy Rain, the cobbled together threesome Miss Frank and the hateful twins John and Edward to be his representatives in this year’s competition and I have no doubt that one of these three will be the first to be eliminated this weekend.
How John and Edward have reached the live shows, I am not sure but I have a sneaking suspicion that the public might keep them in the contest - not because their talent deserves it but for sheer entertainment value. That leaves Louis’ two other groups as the most likely to go and with not much to choose between them it might be worth a punt on Miss Frank at 7/1 to be the first to leave this Sunday.
X Factor Betting
London Irish to beat Leinster by 21-30 points: 0.5 points at 40/1
The Heineken Cup kicks off with a mouthwatering match this Friday night as reigning champions Leinster take on the Guinness Premiership side London Irish at the RDS Arena. Leinster are ranked third in European rugby and sit on top of the Magners League after five games. Their strong defence that carried them to the Heineken Cup last May has been in effect again this season as the Irish side have conceded fewer points than anyone else so far.
Despite being odds-on favourites, I think there could be a huge upset on Friday to really kick-start the fifteenth Heineken Cup. London Irish have been in irrepressible form over recent weeks and at 16/1 they were my tip last week to take the Cup at the Stade de France in May. Toby Booth’s side are scoring for fun and they could send a real message to their rivals on Friday.
London Irish are 40/1 to win by between 21 and 30 points and whilst this might need a combination of top form and a Leinster off day, it’s worth a small investment.
Rugby Betting
Pablo Martin to win the Madrid Masters:0.5pts Each Eay on at 100/1
Pablo Martin made history when he became the first amateur to win a European Tour event with his victory at the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal at Quinta da Marinha, Oitavos Golf. Despite a disappointing Alfred Dunhill championship last weekend the 23 year old Spaniard has been on good form recently with top forty finishes at both the Austrian Open and Omega European Masters in September.
The Madrid Masters sees a strong Spanish contingent of golfers with Sergio Garcia leading the home challenge alongside compatriots Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Carlos Del Moral and Jose Manuel Lara.
Martin made the cup at this tournament last year before two disappointing final rounds and at 100/1 he is a good each-way chance for win on his home soil.
Golf Betting
Performance to date: -3 pts
