Canadian Masters Tennis Picks 2026 (Saturday 8th August)

It continues to be a frustrating week filled with selections that have been on the edge of stringing the wins together, but ultimately finding a way to come up short.

That was the case for both Tallon Griekspoor and Alexandra Eala on Friday- the former had the double break needed to cover in his eventual win over Matteo Arnaldi, but lost focus for a moment to hand one back and missed the cover by a single game.

Later Alexandra Eala had the chance to serve out the match, and to cover, but blew the opportunity and eventually needed to come through a final set decider in which more chances were wasted to put a strong win on the board.

These things happen in a long season on the Tour and the only positive is that there has been little wrong with the identification of the selections being made.

Saturday will be the beginning of the Fourth Round at the Canadian Masters and eight matches have been scheduled to be played.

However, there are plenty of competitive looking matches out there and the large majority deserve a watching brief with the two selections made both coming from the WTA Toronto tournament.

Jessica Pegula - 3.5 games v Diana Shnaider: These two met in Washington last week and both Jessica Pegula and Diana Shnaider are playing with the kind of confidence that will make them dangerous when the US Open begins later this month.

The back to back WTA 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati is an opportunity for players to really lay down a marker for the US Open and the top names have made it through to the Fourth Round on this side of the draw.

Both Jessica Pegula and Diana Shnaider are top 15 Seeds here in Toronto- the former has always been very comfortable on the hard courts, while the latter has shown she can perform very well on the surface and has used the run at Roland Garros to bolster the confidence.

It was Jessica Pegula who won the Semi Final played in Washington last weekend and that makes it four wins from four matches played against this younger opponent. The three hard court wins have all been in straight sets with the sole set won by Diana Shnaider coming in a clay court tournament held in Charleston, which is very different to the European clay on which she had considerable success at the second Grand Slam of the season.

Diana Shnaider played well enough in the match last week, but this has proven to be a tough match up for her in previous meetings and that was the case again in Washington.

The Pegula first serve has proven to be a key shot, but it is the impressive numbers defending the second serve that can make the difference on the scoreboard at pressurised moments. It is the World Number 3 who has had a clear edge on the second serve and that is likely going to be something we see in this Fourth Round match on Saturday.

For all of the improvements we have seen from Diana Shnaider, it should be noted the loss to Jessica Pegula last week has dropped her to 1-6 in matches against top 20 Ranked opponents on the hard courts this season. The second serve and the return have simply not been good enough against the elite players of the WTA Tour and that is where Shnaider may end up coming up short again in this match.

Iga Swiatek - 1.5 games v Marta Kostyuk: Revenge has to be on the mind for Iga Swiatek who was upset in the Fourth Round at the French Open by Marta Kostyuk, one of the most improved players on the Tour this season.

That improvement is underlined by the fact that Marta Kostyuk has arrived at this WTA 1000 event at her career best World Number 11 Ranking, although cracking the top 10 is going to be the ambition through the remainder of the season.

Marta Kostyuk does have some important World Ranking Points to protect here in Toronto and at the US Open, but the Ukrainian is playing with a real confidence having reached the Semi Final at both the French Open and Wimbledon. The Asian swing after the US Open will give Kostyuk the opportunity to really push for the top 10 finish, while she is actually on the edge of the top eight and a place in the WTA Finals.

All of that will give her confidence and beating Iga Swiatek on her favourite surface can only be another boost.

However, the World Number 8 has been operating at a very high level on the hard courts and her two wins here in Montreal is a reminder of the kind of tennis that Iga Swiatek can produce.

One of the problems has been consistency within a tournament- Iga Swiatek could be cruising through the Rounds, but any time she has felt some pushback, the response has not come quickly enough and that has seen her fall away within matches.

There has been little wrong with the numbers, but it is also important to state that Iga Swiatek has yet to reach the Semi Final at any hard court tournament in 2026!

Half of the six hard court losses have been against top 10 Ranked opponents and Iga Swiatek will take heart from the fact that Marta Kostyuk is 3-3 against top 10 Ranked opponents herself this season. All of the wins came in the same event in Brisbane where she lost in the Final and Kostyuk has lost the last three hard court matches under that parameter, albeit to Elena Rybakina (twice) and Aryna Sabalenka.

The improvement in the Marta Kostyuk game that has been mentioned is highlighted by a 7-4 record against t0p 10 players overall in 2026, but Iga Swiatek may just produce a reminder of her own capabilities ahead of the US Open.

MY PICKS: Jessica Pegula - 3.5 Games @ 1.72 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Iga Swiatek - 2.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Canadian Masters: 12-13, - 3.37 Units (25 Units Staked, - 13.48% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2020- Terri Harper vs Natasha Jonas (August 7th)

You would just have to have something against Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing if you described Fight Camp Week One as anything but a success.

There were some quality fights put on and the setting was pretty special in unprecedented times- with three more weeks of Fight Camp to come it does feel like a time when we can enjoy Boxing even through the troubles all around us.

Boxers deserve the chance to make some money at a time when so many have had careers put on hold and I don't begrudge those who wish to be on the current cards even with no fans in attendance.

There were teething issues with some criticising the artificial sound, but I was not too bothered and enjoyed the card where all of the fights were decent to watch. The main event between Sam Eggington and Ted Cheeseman lived up to most expectations to the point that I would not be disappointed if we saw a rematch, while James Tennyson continues to impress and be involved in great scraps.

Hopefully Week Two of Fight Camp lives up to the standards set with the cameras back at Matchroom HQ on Friday evening instead of Saturday for the next two weeks.

Anthony Fowler vs Adam Harper

There was a lot of hype around Anthony Fowler when he turned professional, but the defeat to Scott Fitzgerald sixteen months ago has just derailed the expected progression up the World Rankings.

The Liverpudlian has won three fights in a row since the close defeat to Fitzgerald, but Anthony Fowler has not really impressed in the manner you would have expected. A couple of comfortable Points wins over Brian Rose and Harry Scarff was followed by a First Round blitz of Theophilus Tetteh, but Fowler will know there are going to be eyes on him this Friday and he does want to show a lot more.

He has Ten Rounds to do that in against Adam Harper who is in the ring for the first time in a little under two years. Adam Harper has had some real ups and downs already as a professional, but he was almost medically retired in the months after becoming English Super Welterweight Champion before being given a chance to resume his career.

There has to be some nagging doubts about Harper in terms of whether it is the right move to get back in the ring despite being given the all clear, but the Boxer himself is keen on making up for lost time. A positive outlook on life means Adam Harper is willing to take risks to achieve his goals, but there is no doubt this would be a big step up even if he had been a very active fighter.

Instead Adam Harper comes in off a long lay off and facing an opponent who has been operating at a much higher level. There are a couple of decent wins on the Harper CV, but his sole loss was an easy Points defeat to Michael Zerafa in Australia and even the last win came via a Majority Decision against someone at English Title level.

Adam Harper understands there is an opportunity in front of him with a win over Anthony Fowler likely to set up a British Title shot, but it is very difficult to see him achieving that here. The latter has the better resume in getting to 12-1 as a professional and 'The Machine' is confident he can make a statement by putting a big performance on the board.

I do think Anthony Fowler can use his size and superior Boxing ability to comfortably get ahead on the cards and he should be able to start punishing Adam Harper once we get through the first couple of Rounds. There is no doubting that Harper has some toughness, but you do have to wonder if his corner will be looking out for a Boxer who was almost forced to medically retire from the sport.

My feeling is that this is either going to be a very wide Unanimous Decision for Fowler or a stoppage in the second half of the fight- my lean is that the Anthony Fowler will start finding real success from the middle of the bout and it may mean Adam Harper's corner decide to pull out their valiant man rather than allowing him to take unnecessary punishment and go out on his shield.

I would have little doubt that Adam Harper can show enough to be given another opportunity by Eddie Hearn, but on this night I expect Anthony Fowler to display the levels to the sport and come away with a second half stoppage. More than half of Anthony Fowler's previous nine stoppage wins have come in the second half of the scheduled Rounds and I think he will begin to tee off and find his range around the middle of this one before breaking down Adam Harper for a second half stoppage.

Chris Billam-Smith vs Nathan Thorley

Two Cruiserweight Boxers meet for the Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title on Friday and this is a big stepping stone to some top domestic fights as well as a chance to push on to European and World Title bids.

Chris Billam-Smith won the vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title with an impressive stoppage of Craig Glover as he bounced back from a Split Decision defeat to Richard Riakporhe. That defeat was a contentious one and I do think Billam-Smith will be desperate to avenge it, but he can't overlook an unbeaten Nathan Thorley who will know he can move into a strong Ranking spot with a victory on Friday.

This is a big step up for the 27 year old who had tried to boil down to Light Heavyweight before deciding that Cruiserweight may be the best option for him. This is the first time Thorley will have been scheduled in a Twelve Round bout, while he has only been past the Sixth Round once before.

Nathan Thorley does not have a strong resume and only two of his fourteen wins have come against an opponent with a winning record. One of those opponents now holds a losing record, while the other had been stopped in the First Round twice before.

Taking on Chris Billam-Smith will be a real challenge for Nathan Thorley considering the obvious punching power that the former possesses. Nine of this ten wins have come by stoppage and he comfortably holds the best win of the two Boxers when crushing Craig Glover last November.

Both Boxers have not been in the ring for a competitive fight in 2020 and so it may be a slow start as they just shed some of the ring rust which can build up. Even then I do think Chris Billam-Smith will get into his stride fairly quickly against someone who has a lot more to prove in terms of being able to handle an opponent with this quality.

Nathan Thorley has been put down before despite not really facing anyone of note and I do think the Chris Billam-Smith punching power will be the difference maker. The 30 year old will be looking to make some noise to put his name forward for bigger fights in the coming months and Billam-Smith can do that with an early nights work in the Matchroom HQ garden.

Terri Harper vs Natasha Jonas

The truth of the matter is that Natasha Jonas was expected to move through the pro ranks and pick up a World Title while Terri Harper would have been working full time in a Fish 'n' Chips shop, but the last two years have moved vastly differently than those expectations.

In that time Terri Harper has not only become a World Champion, but also Unified part of the Division and there is a confidence behind her that will make it hard to shake her from the current path she is on.

In the other corner, Natasha Jonas is hoping for a fourth win in a row after the stunning upset defeat to Viviane Obenauf when being stopped in the Fourth Round. The amateur career was a good one, but Jonas has quickly found out it is a whole different ball game in the pros and that defeat came in the one fight where she has really stepped up the level of opponent.

Obenauf is one of two Boxers that Natasha Jonas has fought when they have held a winning record and both are common opponents with Terri Harper. The World Champion beat Obenauf comfortably on points and also stopped Feriche Mashauri, an opponent that Jonas had to beat on points.

The 'one fighter beat an opponent that the other fighter lost to' argument is one that rarely works in Boxing, but I do think Terri Harper has shown a considerably higher upside than Natasha Jonas. I am not going to get into the mind games of the suggestion that Harper was Knocked Out in sparring which has been released by the Jonas camp and I do think that the latter is going to be stepping up to a level in which she struggled the only other time she has done that.

Terri Harper might only have stopped half of the opponents she has faced, but she has Knocked Down others and I do think she hits plenty hard enough to hurt Natasha Jonas. The underdog's best chance may be to make this a firefight and see whether she can land something special, but I think Harper will control her behind the jab early on and will force Jonas onto a counter which will hurt her.

The World Champion has had more Rounds in the bank at a higher level than Natasha Jonas and I do think she is going to be too strong for her here. There is a chance that Jonas bites down on the gum-shield and finds her way to the cards, but I think Harper will take over the fight in the mid-Rounds and has shown she can punch with enough authority to take out the former Olympian.

The two minute Rounds in Women's Boxing does their side of the sport no favours in all honesty, but Terri Harper can still make a big statement by stopping an opponent who had a 'bigger future' in the sport when both began as pros.

Kerman Lejarraga vs Tyrone Nurse

It really felt like Spain had a huge monster fighter at the Welterweight level when Kerman Lejarraga ripped his way through to 27-0, but stoppage losses to David Avanesyan (twice) have meant a change in plan.

The second defeat came inside the First Round and Lejarraga decided he would move up to Light Middleweight and try and rebuild his career there.

He has won two fights at that weight class and now takes on British fighter Tyrone Nurse who is also looking to move up a Division and try his luck there.

Tyrone Nurse had been on a run of four straight defeats and his career looked to have stalled permanently, but he has won two in a row since then. Both have come in Six Round fights against opponents with losing records, but Nurse has never been stopped and that looks like being the biggest challenge in front of the home favourite.

The underdog has been down in a number of fights before though and I do think the Kerman Lejarraga power is for real and can break down Tyrone Nurse in this one. There are some mental demons in the mind of Lejarraga which comes with the kind of stoppage losses he had to David Avanesyan, but he is also a deadly finisher when he has someone hurt.

Kerman Lejarraga should have the power to hurt Tyrone Nurse and I do think he has enough time to become the first fighter to stop him. When the Spaniard tends to hurt an opponent he does find a way to get the job done and even in a Ten Rounder there may be enough moments where he can start putting it on Tyrone Nurse and force the stoppage.

MY PICKS: Anthony Fowler to Win Between 6-10 @ 2.62 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Chris Billam-Smith to Win Between 1-6 @ 2.25 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Terri Harper to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 1.72 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Kerman Lejarraga to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Canadian Masters Tennis Picks 2018 (August 8th)

The key to this week is going to be maintaining the strong days and not succumbing to a poor one to drag back the positive numbers.

Once again a strong day has given me a chance to do that, but I had a poor end to last week and so there is some pressure to keep the momentum going after a 6-1 day which has boosted the numbers for the week.

On Wednesday we move into the remainder of the Second Round matches at the ATP Toronto event and begin that in WTA Montreal in what is a busy week. With back to back Masters events scheduled it means the tournaments this week have to make sure they stay on schedule through the poor weather and that means the Rounds are not split up as they would be usual weeks on the Tour and instead all of the Second Round/Third Round etc are played on the same day.


Pablo Carreno Busta v Karen Khachanov: This looks a fascinating Second Round match between two players who both are pretty comfortable on the hard courts. Most would assume Karen Khachanov is the better hard court player compared with Pablo Carreno Busta who likely does prefer the clay courts, but the Spaniard has been very good on the surface over the last twelve months.

A run to the Semi Final at the US Open may have been seen as an exceptional tournament for Carreno Busta, but he has also reached the Semi Final in Miami earlier this season. His numbers on the hard courts have been markedly better than in 2017 with a much stronger hold percentage and that is important for someone who has always been a better returning player than a server.

There has been a slight slip in the break percentage compared with 2017, but Carreno Busta has actually been winning more points against the serve than he was and that has to be encouraging for him.

The challenge is facing a big hitting player like Karen Khachanov who can hit through Carreno Busta and who has a serve that may restrict what the latter can do on the return of serve which has been key for him. Overall the Russian has some very strong numbers on the serve, but a deeper look shows he has had his issues since moving from the indoor hard courts to playing outdoors in 2018.

Khachanov had some tremendous runs indoors in 2018 and has won a title in Marseille, but the numbers have slipped on the hard courts as the tournaments have moved back outdoors. The Russian is just 3-4 on the hard courts since winning the title in Marseille and his numbers have taken a big step back both on the serve and the return.

Twelve months ago Carreno Busta beat Khachanov in the Canadian Masters, albeit in Montreal rather than Toronto, and he has enough to get the better of this match too. Carreno Busta is the slight underdog in this one, but he has really enjoyed playing on the North American hard courts over the last twelve months and I will back the Spaniard to find a way to move through to the Third Round.


Daniil Medvedev - 1.5 games v Felix Auger Aliassime: Two talented young players meet one another in the Second Round of the Canadian Masters and Felix Auger Aliassime is expected to receive plenty of support from his home crowd.

That could give him the boost he needs to back up the very good win over Lucas Pouille although this is going to be a very difficult match too.

It was a very good win for Auger Aliassime but it was one against the grain with what he has produced so far in 2018. He may have won 40% of points against the Pouille serve, which is an impressive number, but Auger Aliassime has had a much tougher time on the return of serve in 2018 on the hard courts compared to that match.

Now he is going to have to face Daniil Medvedev who has a strong hold percentage on the hard courts in 2018 as he has made improvements in all aspects of his game. That is a really strong reason why Medvedev has a strong win-loss record on the hard courts and his three wins in Toronto to come through the Qualifiers and win a main draw match here will have given the Russian confidence.

Auger Aliassime has served well but he will be challenged by Medvedev who has an impressive enough break percentage on the hard courts in 2018. The wins will have aided Medvedev and he has had a day of rest between his win over Jack Sock and this match which should help in fighting off any fatigue he may be feeling after the three matches in the Masters.

We may need three sets to settle this match, but I give Medvedev the edge against the young Canadian who actually celebrates his 18th birthday today. Maybe that gives Auger Aliassime another boost to win a second match in a row on the ATP Tour for the first time in his career on the hard courts, but Medvedev has been the stronger performer so far in 2018 on this surface and can underline that with a victory.


Karolina Pliskova - 2.5 games v Kiki Bertens: Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens met at Wimbledon on what is arguably the worst surface for both players and it was Bertens who worked her way past the higher Ranked player.

Playing on the hard courts may produce a different outcome with Pliskova showing significantly better form on this surface than Bertens.

The key difference between the two players may be the way they can protect the second serve with Pliskova holding enough of an edge to think it makes the difference. The similar return numbers and winning percentage on first serve points means the second serve could be where Pliskova edges out this opponent.

Only once this season Bertens has won two matches in a row on the hard courts and hammering an overmatched opponent in the First Round may not be enough preparation for this match. Karolina Pliskova wasn't at her absolute best in her own First Round win, but she has had strong runs in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami this season and I think the Czech player will be able to beat Bertens and also cover this number.


Venus Williams - 4.5 games v Sorana Cirstea: These two players met in Indian Wells earlier this season and it was Venus Williams who got the better of Sorana Cirstea again having beaten her a number of years earlier.

The American is not the player she once was and there are more ups and downs in her performances these days. The serve still produces some decent numbers, but Venus Williams is no longer able to rely on that to get her out of jams and players now face her with much more belief than they once would have.

The hard courts are still a surface on which Venus Williams will be tough to beat and it has to be said that Sorana Cirstea is very inconsistent and may not have the tennis required to win this match.

Cirstea will have her moments because she is talented, but mentally she can find it tough to maintain her standards through the course of a match and that is where Venus Williams can take control.

This is a big spread, but Williams can win a number of games in a row which will give her a chance to cover the number. The serve may be just about good enough to see her edge the win in two straight sets and holding onto an early break of serve, with a couple more thrown in during the course of the set, will likely see Venus Williams through to the Third Round.

MY PICKS: Pablo Carreno Busta @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Daniil Medvedev - 1.5 Games @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Karolina Pliskova - 2.5 Games @ 1.85 William Hill (2 Units)
Venus Williams - 4.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 8-3, + 8.84 Units (22 Units Staked, + 40.18% Yield)

Canada Masters Tennis Picks 2017 (August 8th)

Producing a winning record on the first Monday of a new tournament is always a good thing, but I was kicking myself for backing Lucas Pouille again despite my criticisms of his game. It was a bad mistake and not one I am planning to repeat any time soon as he was beaten by Jared Donaldson with yet another really poor returning performance.

In my opinion he has to be one of the weakest players inside the top 20 of the World Rankings, if not the weakest, but I guarantee Pouille will produce his best tennis on the days when I back against him(!)

At least both Daria Gavrilova and Roberto Bautista Agut won their matches relatively comfortably to move through to the Second Round of their respective events in Toronto and Montreal. Tuesday is going to be another really busy day in both events as the remainder of the First Round matches are concluded and the start of the Second Round is also scheduled.

Rain was an issue at both events, as it tends to be at this time of the year, but Tuesday also looks a clearer day which should keep the tournaments on track despite some poor weather to come later in the week.


Ashleigh Barty - 3.5 games v Oceane Dodin: After deciding tennis was not for her, Ashleigh Barty has returned to the Tour in 2017 and looked very comfortable back on the courts. A three year break might just have got the love for the game back into her life and Barty has shown she is more than competitive by working her way back inside the top 100 of the World Rankings.

Winning two Qualifiers to get into the main draw in Toronto will give her World Ranking another boost, especially if she can get the better of Oceane Dodin in the First Round as she is expected to do.

The Australian has a decent all around game which works well on the hard courts, although her serve is always going to be one that is vulnerable. Barty has a really strong 15-1 record on the hard courts when facing opponents Ranked outside the top 50 and the numbers have been very strong in that time which will give her a lot of confidence going into this match.

I do respect the Dodin game as she is a young player who is capable of producing tennis far above her experience would suggest. Dodin has played well enough when facing those players outside the top 50 herself, but 2017 has proved a little more difficult as she has perhaps not had the consistency she would have liked.

I expect Dodin will have her moments in this one, but I feel Barty proves a little too good in both serve and return games which helps her come through 6-4, 6-4 in this one.


Elina Svitolina - 3.5 games v Daria Kasatkina: As much as you have to accept that Elina Svitolina continues to be an improving player on the Tour, asking her to cover any handicap can be a chore with the way her form can fluctuate within the same match. However she has perhaps been at her most consistent on the hard courts and I think Svitolina can get the better of another talented youngster Daria Kasatkina.

It certainly won't be an easy match for Svitolina because I do feel Kasatkina can be the more consistent player over the course of a match. That means she should be able to take advantage when there are dips in the Svitolina form, although the power edge goes to the Ukrainian.

The numbers back up Svitolina in 2017 where she has shown an improvement in both her service and return percentages compared with 2016. Compare that to Kasatkina who has perhaps been a little easier to read on her serves and that has seen players being able to put pressure on her, although the return game continues to be a real strength.

Svitolina's numbers become that little bit stronger when you see how she has performed against players outside the very elite of the WTA Tour. In those matches (versus players outside the top 10 of the World Rankings) Svitolina is winning over 50% of the return points from a sample of twenty matches on the hard courts in 2017 and that is tough to compete with.

I expect Kasatkina to give it a real go, but Svitolina should be able to show her dominance even after the expected dip in form at some point. I will be looking for Svitolina to work her way to a 7-5, 6-3 win in this one.


Feliciano Lopez - 1.5 games v Hyeon Chung: There has been a clear decline in the Feliciano Lopez numbers in 2017, but I am looking for him to get the better of Hyeon Chung in this opening match in Montreal. One concern I do have is that Lopez has not played well in Montreal in the past with his best run at the Canadian Masters coming in Toronto, but his opponent has also had his issues in 2017.

Chung only returned to the Tour in Atlanta after last being out there at the French Open and he has lost both hard court matches he has played against Tommy Paul and Kyle Edmund. While the return game continues to be a strength, Chung's serving has not been up to scratch and that could be a problem against someone like Lopez.

While no one will confuse Lopez with one of the top returners on the Tour, he didn't play badly in Los Cabos last week and the Spaniard's serve is one that can build pressure on opponents. That is going to be the key to the match and it will come down to whether Lopez can impose his serve on Chung, or whether the youngster can continue putting a lot of pressure with that side of his game.

The lack of wins and competitive tennis of late has to be a factor going against Chung though and the losses to Paul and Edmund came in relatively straight-forward fashion. It has been a tough year for Lopez, who is 3-7 in hard court matches, but he will feel he will be given a chance by Chung and I think that is going to be the difference on the day.

It will be anything but an easy match for Lopez, but I do like the chances of the Spaniard coming through with a 7-6, 7-5 win.


David Goffin - 3.5 games v Yuichi Sugita: David Goffin made his return to the Tour over the last month after what looked like a really serious injury at the French Open. It forced him out of the grass court season, and Goffin has yet to really perform to the level we have come to expect from him as he suffered early losses in Umag and Gstaad to players he was a favourite to beat.

Moving back onto the hard courts could be a challenge if Goffin is still not feeling his movement is back to the level it was prior to the ridiculous injury he had at Roland Garros. If that is the case this could be yet another tough match for him as he faces Yuichi Sugita.

However this is the first appearance back on the Tour for Sugita since Wimbledon and he is another player who may need some time to get back into the groove. This is the first match Sugita will be playing on the hard courts on the main Tour in 2017 and he has had his struggles to really get into the return games while also protecting his own vulnerable serve in previous years.

One of the strengths of the Goffin game is his ability on the return and that has been a steady number for him on the hard courts over the last three seasons. What has sparked the improving win percentage is the fact that Goffin has been able to serve a little better and those small details can lead to big things.

The poor results since the return from injury is a clear concern, but Goffin has strong numbers when facing opponents outside the top 20 in the World Rankings on the hard courts. I will be looking for him to find a way to a 6-4, 6-4 win in this one with a number of breaks potentially shared out.


Benoit Paire - 1.5 games v Jared Donaldson: Maybe I am a sucker for punishment, but I am going to be backing Benoit Paire the day after picking Lucas Pouille to win a match. Neither of those Frenchmen are really reliable players, but I think Paire could be underrated to beat Jared Donaldson in this Second Round match.

All credit has to be given to Donaldson for the way he stuck with his task in his win over Pouille on Monday. He served well and didn't go away even when going down a break in the second set, but Donaldson was aided by Pouille's poor return game. That is not likely to be the case on Tuesday with Paire producing some solid numbers on the return, especially when facing players Ranked outside the top 50 on the hard courts.

That is going to be important for Paire who has a decent serve, but can play some really loose shots behind it which give players the chance to break him. His service numbers could be better on the hard courts, but he breaks at a good enough clip to think he can get the better of Donaldson.

As much as I respect the win over Pouille, Donaldson still needs to improve his return game against the better players on the Tour. His break percentage could improve and that almost cost him the second set against Pouille on Monday- doing the same against Paire may not be good enough to escape trouble in this one.

It is the breaks that Paire is putting together which makes me believe he is capable of winning this match and also covering the number. It may go three sets, but Paire should be able to find his way to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win.


Jack Sock - 3.5 games v Pierre-Hugues Herbert: Any time a player has to win two Qualifying matches to get into a main draw means they should be respected as someone who understands the conditions in play. Pierre-Hugues Herbert might still be better known for his Doubles success, but this is a player that can produce some big time serving when he is feeling at his best and that has to be a worry for Sock.

Sock is coming off an impressive run in Washington, although he may be disappointed he could not get past Kevin Anderson in the Semi Final. He was also a Quarter Finalist in Atlanta and this has to be considered his most productive part of the year as we head towards the US Open.

While the results have been coming for Sock, there is still some real room for improvement, particularly on the return game which is not really up to the standard he would want. Sock is 15-1 when facing a player Ranked outside the top 50 on the hard courts in 2017, but this handicap is all about whether you have the faith in the American to break serve at least twice to have a chance to cover it.

He has gone 4-1 in his last five matches against players outside the top 50 on the hard courts when it comes to covering this number. However I do respect the numbers that Herbert is capable of producing on his serve which can make it difficult to find the right plays to break him down.

Herbert will look to get to the net, but his return game is perhaps not up to the level needed to stay with Sock if the latter is serving as well as he can. That pressure could help lead to a couple of loose games from Herbert and I am looking for Sock to find a way to a 7-6, 6-3 win in this match.

MY PICKS: Ashleigh Barty - 3.5 Games @ 1.83 Boyle Sports (2 Units)
Elina Svitolina - 3.5 Games @ 1.83 Coral (2 Units)
Feliciano Lopez - 1.5 Games @ 1.83 Coral (2 Units)
David Goffin - 3.5 Games @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Benoit Paire - 1.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Jack Sock - 3.5 Games @ 1.83 Coral (2 Units)

Canadian Masters Update: 2-1, + 1.48 Units (6 Units Staked, + 24.67% Yield)

Olympic Tennis Picks 2016 (August 8th)

On normal weeks I would be suggesting that Monday is the worst day of the week for tennis picks with plenty of tournaments deciding to play one or two First Round matches on the day.

That is not the case on this Monday as the Olympic Games tennis tournament has been played over the weekend and the Second Round matches have been scheduled for Monday as the tournament moves on.

It has been a solid couple of days which have backed up another strong week on the Tour as I continue making a dent in the losing record for 2016 and I am looking for another strong week on the Tour. This week I will be putting in records for the Olympic Games picks as well as any I make from Los Cabos, the sole ATP event being played this week, and I am very much hoping the momentum of the last few weeks can keep the picks moving in the positive direction.

Picks from all of those tournaments will be added here on Monday once the full schedule for the day has been released by the organisers in Rio and Los Cabos.


Eugenie Bouchard + 4.5 games v Angelique Kerber: There are some really big Second Round matches taking place at the Olympic Games and this might be the biggest of all in the women's draw. It does have to be said that Eugenie Bouchard is not playing at the level of 2014 when she had considerable success at the Grand Slam level, but this has been a much better year than 2015 already.

The hard courts have been her best courts this season and Bouchard might feel she has every chance of earning the upset over Angelique Kerber who has not been at her best over the last few weeks.

It is Bouchard who has won their last three matches including in Rome earlier this season, while Kerber has been battling through an injury which forced her out of Bastad. The German did reach the Semi Final of the Canadian Premier Event in Montreal a couple of weeks ago, and she has had considerable success on the hard courts including winning the Australian Open back in January.

However I am not sure Kerber is totally at full tilt for the Olympic Games and she did have a tougher than expected win in the First Round. Bouchard was solid enough in the First Round to think she can make plenty of use out of this number of games and I will back her to stay within the number at the end of the match.


Daria Kasatkina - 3.5 games v Saisai Zheng: I am convinced that Daria Kasatkina is destined for the very top of the women's game in the coming years and the 19 year old has been playing well enough to keep her run going at the Olympic Games. She did come close to an exit in the First Round in a huge upset, but battling through that one should give Kasatkina a little momentum to take further into the tournament.

She looks to be the more consistent player in this one when she takes on Saisai Zheng who is coming off a big upset win over Agnieszka Radwanska in the First Round. The latter blamed a lack of preparation time for her defeat, but Kastakina should not be caught cold as Radwanska was.

Both players have put in a solid result over the last few weeks on the hard courts with Zheng reaching the Quarter Final in Stanford and Kasatkina doing the same at the Premier Event in Montreal. That should mean both are confident for this match, but Zheng has not shown the same consistency on this surface as Kasatkina has through the year.

It was a one sided win for Kasatkina when these players met in Charleston earlier in the season, but I expect this one will be closer. However I do like the youngster to come through with a 64, 64 win and move through to the Third Round.


Samantha Stosur - 2.5 games v Misaki Doi: It took a battling display from Samantha Stosur to come from behind and Jelena Ostapenko in the First Round. She dropped the first set 61, but Stosur bounced back to dominate the final two sets and the Australian moves through to face Misaki Doi in the Second Round.

This has been a strong match up for Stosur in the past with three wins in a row against Doi, although she did need three sets to beat her at the French Open in May.

A key for Stosur has been the first serve and that is a weapon against Doi who has struggled to deal with that shot in the past. That only increases the pressure on Doi to try and stay with Stosur on the scoreboard but her own serve is not as effective and it means the Australian is able to take control of the match.

It might need three sets to separate them again, but I can see Stosur winning at least one set with a couple of breaks of serve and that can see her cover this number. Stosur missed the cover by a single game yesterday which was disappointing for me, but I will back her again and look for her to come through 64, 46, 62.


Elina Svitolina - 3.5 games v Heather Watson: It has to be said that Heather Watson made life difficult for herself in the First Round win over Shuai Peng but getting through was the most important thing. Watson had been 2-8 in her last ten matches on the Tour prior to the win over Peng and this is a significant increase in terms of quality she is facing in the Second Round.

Elina Svitolina came from a set behind to beat Andrea Petkovic in the First Round and she did reach the Third Round at the Canadian Premier Event in Montreal a couple of weeks ago. The Ukrainian should have beaten Angelique Kerber in that Third Round having served for the match, and she has won a title on the hard courts in 2016.

The serve is still not as consistent as Svitolina would like, but her return game is going to put some pressure on Watson in this one. Recent matches would have knocked some of the confidence out of Watson even though she did also win a title on the hard courts earlier this year, but she will be under pressure to play the big points effectively having lost so many recent matches.

I do think Watson will have her moments in this one, but I think Svitolina is in the better form and that can be the difference maker. Both players will have their break point chances and it will be a fun match to watch, one that I believe Svitolina will eventually win and cover this number of games.


Alize Cornet + 6.5 games v Serena Williams: There won't be too many active players on the WTA Tour that can say they have won three matches in a row against Serena Williams. It has been a couple of years since Alize Cornet has played Serena Williams, and the last of those matches might have ended in a retirement, but the Frenchwoman has won the last two completed matches against the World Number 1 with both of those coming in 2014.

Cornet was a huge underdog in both of those wins and she is a big underdog in this Second Round match at the Olympic Games, but I can't help think she is being given too many games. The form has not been that impressive over the last few weeks on the hard courts, but Cornet is a player that can make Serena Williams work for a win and I do think she can win enough games to stay within this number.

Opposing Serena Williams is never easy because she can make life very easy for herself when at her very best. You have to think she will be really focused on this match having lost the last three matches to Cornet in upset defeats and knowing the kind of challenge that Cornet will bring to the court.

If Williams is serving well she is capable of blowing away anyone on the court, but the World Number 1 has not covered this number in any of her last six hard court matches. Serena Williams will likely be a fairly comfortable winner, but I will look for Cornet to win at least six games over the course of two sets to stick within the number.


Philipp Kohlschreiber - 4.5 games v Andrej Martin: Being Ranked outside of the top 100 and not playing any hard court matches of note over the last couple of seasons had Andrej Martin as an underdog in his First Round match at the Olympic Games. However he comfortably dismissed Denis Kudla, who has not been in great form, and now faces a bigger challenge when running into Philipp Kohlschreiber in the Second Round.

It took a big effort from Kohlschreiber to turn around his First Round match against Guido Pella who took the first set before the German took control. I have said a few times this season that I think Kohlschreiber might have lost a little speed around the court and so makes more mistakes than before, but I still believe he should have the winning of this match.

Kohlschreiber does look set to earn more Tour wins than in 2015, and he is back inside the top 3o of the World Rankings which might go against my feeling about him losing a little bit of his game. However he has struggled on the hard courts and is now coming back into that part of the season, while Kohlschreiber is only 5-4 on the hard courts in 2016 after his First Round win.

This is the kind of match that Kohlschreiber should still be winning as long as he is looking after his serve. He should have chances against the Martin serve through the match and I think he will eventually find the breaks of serve to record a 63, 64 win.


Gael Monfils - 5.5 games v Rogerio Dutra Silva: The home crowd will be behind Rogerio Dutra Silva in this Second Round match, but it is going to be difficult for the Brazilian to get the better of an in-form Gael Monfils. The exit of Novak Djokovic from the draw will have many players believing they can win the Gold Medal in Rio de Janeiro and Washington Champion Monfils has to believe he is one of those.

The Frenchman backed up the Washington win by reaching the Semi Final at the Canadian Masters and Monfils crushed Vasek Pospisil in the First Round.

Rogerio Dutra Silva took advantage of a kind draw in the First Round, but he is going to be given a real test by Gael Monfils. This is a player that spends almost all of his time exclusively on the clay courts and Dutra Silva has been beaten in three of his four hard court matches played in 2016.

Those three defeats have all come by the same margin of seven games and his sole win was as a very big favourite. With the way Monfils has been playing over the last three weeks, Dutra Silva will do very well to stay with him and I think the Frenchman will have enough break point chances to eventually come to a 63, 62 win which would match the scores in all of Dutra Silva's defeats on the hard courts in 2016.


Kei Nishikori - 5.5 games v John Millman: It isn't often on the men's Tour that you see a double bagel handed out, but John Millman did that to Ricardas Berankis in the First Round. As impressive as that scoreline looks, Millman is going to be given a whole different test by Kei Nishikori who will feel his recent form gives him every chance of winning a Medal at the Olympic Games.

Reaching the Final of the Canadian Masters in Toronto would have given Nishikori the confidence to take into the Rio Games and this is also a former US Open Finalist. I still wonder if Nishikori will be able to take the next step in his career by winning major tournaments with the poor serve he has, but the return game will always make the Japanese player a danger.

This match up should not be one that taxes Nishikori as he should be able to get involved in a number of rallies against Millman. From the back of the court, Nishikori will feel he has the edge in the match and I think there will be a number of break points fashioned against the average Millman serve.

Millman has lost eight times on the hard courts in 2016 and he would have failed to get within this number on five occasions. As long as Nishikori can protect the serve effectively, he should be too strong for Millman and come through with a 63, 63 win.

MY PICKS: Eugenie Bouchard + 4.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Daria Kasatkina - 3.5 Games @ 1.73 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Sam Stosur - 2.5 Games @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Elina Svitolina - 3.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Alize Cornet + 6.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Philipp Kohlschreiber - 4.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Gael Monfils - 5.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Kei Nishikori - 5.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Olympic Games Update: 8-5, + 4.02 Units (26 Units Staked, + 15.46% Yield)

Season 2016: - 16.16 Units (1315 Units Staked, - 1.23% Yield)
Season 2015: - 21.81 Units (1812 Units Staked, - 1% Yield)
Season 2014: + 45.05 Units (1586.5 Units Staked, + 2.84% Yield)

Season 2013: + 21.74 Units (1251.5 Units Staked, + 1.73% Yield)

Season 2012: + 49.21 Units (855 Units Staked, + 5.76% Yield)

Season 2011: + 82.02 Units

Weekend Football Picks 2015 (August 8-10)

It has been a long time, or so it has felt at least, but the football season is officially back this weekend as the Premier League gets ready for the big kick off. Last season might not have been the most drama-filled for everyone's liking, but I am expecting a much tighter battle through the League this season.

And anyway, don't even begin to tell me that it hasn't been a long summer as we have patiently waited for the League to begin. I know I have been struggling to contain my excitement for the new campaign, especially as Manchester United are back in the Champions League.

It is Manchester United who will open the season for the second year in a row and the big matches will come thick and fast in the opening month of the season with Manchester City hosting Chelsea and Arsenal hosting Liverpool over the next three rounds of games.

Manchester United also need to negotiate a path through the Champions League Play Offs in that time and Southampton are another team involved in the early Rounds of the European competition. The transfer window is also open through the first four games of the season which presents problems of its own as teams continue to mould the squads to their liking.


Last season was massively disappointing in terms of the picks as I couldn't really get out of my own way as the last two months and August were particularly damaging. The first two seasons were positive, but the last was a huge negative and I am hoping some changes to my workings will help get back into the winning columns more regularly.

August has been particularly poor for two seasons in a row so that is an area I am looking to turn around beginning with this weekend.


Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: The new Premier League season is filled with anticipation from supporters up and down the country and the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to put down an early marker against each other. Both teams will be expecting to challenge for top four places at the least this season, although another summer of big investment at Old Trafford will have some fans expecting more from Manchester United.

Louis Van Gaal is trying to find the right balance in the squad that will be dealing with Champions League football in the coming season, assuming they win their Play Off, but there still look to be areas where the team is short. Behind Wayne Rooney, James Wilson and Javier Hernandez look the most likely replacements and it would be no surprise to see another player or two enter the Old Trafford dressing room before the end of the month.

Angel Di Maria looks to be one using the exit door, but altogether Manchester United will be expecting a much stronger season. The opener against Tottenham Hotspur is one of these games that could be a potential banana skin in the manner the home game with Swansea was last season as Mauricio Pochettino will ask his team to try and impose their game on Manchester United.

New faces take time to gel, but Tottenham Hotspur don't really have that issue with only Toby Alderweireld likely to make his debut. They do need Harry Kane to prove last season wasn't a one-off for him and I do expect Spurs to cause some problems for the home team.

The fixture list hasn't been too harsh on Louis Van Gaal to start the season, but he has to find the right balance immediately and installing new faces can be difficult. I expect he will perhaps use a strong spine of players that were at Old Trafford last season in a bid to get off to a positive start and the fans could be in for a treat as Premier League football returns.

I do expect Manchester United to win, but they are plenty short in the market and it may be better off picking the more appealing price on there being goals. This fixture has produced at least three goals in 6 of the last 7 Premier League games at Old Trafford and both managers will be looking to get forward and score goals.

For all their signings, Manchester United still have some question marks at the back, but I also expect them to create chances and goals should follow.


Bournemouth v Aston Villa Pick: Eddie Howe has performed wonderfully as manager of Bournemouth, but even he has to be a little surprised that they will be opening up a Premier League campaign. Just to put it into perspective... Bournemouth have NEVER played in the top flight of English football before this season.

The task of keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League looks a tough one for Howe, but I expect this team to make plenty of friends with the way they will likely approach much of the season. Bournemouth play attractive football, but are also vulnerable at the back, which will make them much fun to watch when they are given the chance to perform for television.

Bournemouth have looked to take the Burnley approach to transfer activity and haven't splashed the cash but will instead rely on the players they know to help ensure the transition to the top flight is smooth. If the likes of Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson can adapt, Bournemouth will have every chance of finishing above the bottom three.

We will get to know a lot about Bournemouth this weekend as they take on an Aston Villa team that is going through a transition of their own. Tim Sherwood is beginning to put his stamp on a club that has been fighting relegation for the last few years, but he will have to do without both Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke who decided to move to 'bigger' clubs.

I am expecting more transfer activity at Villa Park over the last month of this transfer window, but they might be a little vulnerable in this opening game. Bournemouth will look to take the game to Aston Villa who will also have a new look defence, and Sherwood's teams are always susceptible to conceding goals.

Bournemouth only won 13 of their 23 home League games last season so they might be a little short, but I fancy them to win and will have a small interest in them doing so. It has to be remembered that Aston Villa were beaten 12 times away from home last season and losses of Delph and Benteke might take a little time for the players remaining to get used to.


Everton v Watford Pick: Opening games of the season can be a little difficult to predict simply because teams return to the League campaign in similar stages of their fitness and the difference in quality is not always clear to see.

You have to think Everton will have a better season than the last one, but manager Roberto Martinez is under some pressure to produce results and a slow start might see him head for the exit door. That pressure might have been transferred onto a squad that hasn't been upgraded too much in the summer although holding onto the likes of John Stones and Seamus Coleman was important for Everton, at least for now anyway.

The home form was a let down for Everton last season with only 7 League wins at Goodison Park and they won 4 of 9 games here against the teams that finished below them. Even past history against Watford isn't important as Everton haven't played this club since 2007 and the Hornets are much changed since then.

Investment in the club means there is almost a brand new team taking to the field on opening day of the 2016 season compared with the one that ended the 2015 season. Quique Sanchez Flores has been tasked to put the pieces together, but gelling a lot of new players is tough, especially for a team moving up from the Championship.

There is some Premier League experience that has been brought in by Watford, but this looks a difficult opening game for them. As poor as Everton were at times last season, Martinez knows they can't afford another slow start which has become a feature of his managerial reigns at Wigan Athletic and Everton.

With the more consistency in the starting eleven, I expect Everton to find a way to the three points in this one.


Chelsea v Swansea Pick: The defeat in the Community Shield to Arsenal might have some of the Chelsea challengers to their Premier League title feeling better about themselves, but I believe Jose Mourinho is not going to let his side slip that easily.

I still worry about the Chelsea depth having made little investment in the squad as they were already playing with a small squad last season that did seem to tire down the stretch. The first eleven still looks the most balanced and strongest in the Premier League, but a couple of key injuries, particularly to someone like Eden Hazard, and I think Chelsea might find themselves in a spot of bother.

A home game on opening day will always be welcome as the Champions get ready to defend their title, but Chelsea might have hoped for something a little easier than Swansea. Garry Monk had his side playing some attractive football last season and even the sale of Wilfried Bony didn't slow them down.

Swansea have made some interesting moves in the transfer market and they won't be intimidated by this fixture having beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford on opening day twelve months ago. However, they did take two beatings at the hands of Chelsea last season when conceding nine goals in the Premier League games including a 4-2 defeat here.

That means Chelsea have won all four League games against Swansea since the latter returned to the top flight and three of those have come by at least two goals.

If you take out the last day of the season when Chelsea beat Sunderland 3-1, they did fail to win any of their previous 8 home games in the Premier League by more than a single goal. That highlights the small squad issue I mentioned earlier in this pick and the fact they seemed to tire a little, especially in the forward areas.

However, Chelsea did win their first 10 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge last season and while they were fresh and Diego Costa was fit, they did win 9 of those by at least two goals. With Swansea likely turning up at Stamford Bridge and not being a team to 'shut up shop', I think Chelsea will have chances and the Champions can put together a statement win by at least two goals.


Arsenal v West Ham United Pick: This looks a really big ask for Slaven Bilic to find the right team to keep a confident Arsenal at bay, particularly as West Ham United will be returning from a European trip to Romania just a couple of days earlier. It is going to be reality check for Bilic who will get to see what his West Ham United team are about and anything other than a home win would be a big surprise.

Bilic may hope his side playing competitive fixtures will give them an edge, but West Ham United are a team that plays a brand of football that will be music to Arsenal's ears. Unlike some teams, Arsenal know that West Ham United are going to let them play their football and the 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield will give them confidence to win the game even without Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez will be likely given a rest from his Copa America exploits, but Arsenal have plenty of other players who can score goals and create chances and this could be a long day for the Hammers fans heading to North London.

Having Petr Cech in goal will just inspire confidence in the backline and I expect that to filter through the starting eleven as Arsenal look for a more positive start than they had last season. Even though they beat Crystal Palace on opening weekend, I expect Arsenal to want to be more impressive in victory and then to push on with a couple of tough matches to come later this month.

This just feels the perfect opener for the home team and I expect Arsenal to take advantage and win this one with something to spare. 4 of the last 5 Arsenal home wins over West Ham United have come by at least two goals and I do think they are capable of putting the Hammers to the sword in this one.

Bilic did rest some key players in the defeat at Astra on Thursday and Arsenal can sometimes be guilty of a slow start in the Premier League, but I still think the Gunners can change that here.


Stoke City v Liverpool Pick: It is remarkable how much of a difference a season makes as Brendan Rodgers stock has fallen dramatically from almost taking Liverpool to their first top flight title since 1990 to finishing outside of the top four and favourite to be next manager out of his job.

Rodgers would have been watching the fixture list come out in June and praying for a reasonable start to the campaign to get his team some confidence back, but they have received anything but that. Visits to Stoke City, Arsenal and Manchester United in the first five games is tough and a slow start to the season could easily cost Rodgers the Liverpool job.

However, I think Rodgers has made some decent signings for his team and they look like they might be able to cope with some of the injuries they had last season in a much more positive manner. In saying that, Liverpool are going to be in for an incredibly difficult afternoon at the Brittania Stadium where they have been beaten in 4 of their last 5 visits including that humiliating capitulation in May.

Mark Hughes has Stoke City playing with confidence and belief and they are rarely intimidated by any visitor to their loud stadium. That was proven with their 5 wins in 8 home games against teams that finished above them and Stoke City's regular positive results against Liverpool will only increase the expectation they can pull the upset.

While a Stoke City victory has been a feature of games between these teams at the Brittania Stadium, it also has to be pointed out that the last four in all competitions have also produced at least three goals. There are the attacking players on display that will feel they can produce the goods to increase that record and it might be more appealing than backing the home team to secure another upset.

You have to think there is some pride in the Liverpool camp to want to prove the 6-1 loss was nothing more than an aberration and they are better than that so I expect they will play with that attitude. Other factors played a part with Steven Gerrard finishing his career and all the rumours that surrounded then Liverpool player Raheem Sterling and I have a feeling this squad will be more settled in this visit.

I can see both teams scoring at least once and neither manager will want his team to take a backward step so backing at least three goals to be shared is the call.


West Brom v Manchester City Pick: This looks a fascinating first Monday Night Football game of the season as West Brom take on Manchester City.

Tony Pulis worked his magic to keep West Brom in the Premier League last season and he looks to have added effectively to his squad to make sure they are not in another relegation battle this time around. I think someone like Rickie Lambert will do a job for Pulis and West Brom should be a lot more solid than they were in the first half of last season.

Pulis has never been afraid to pressure the big teams at home during his time with Stoke City, Crystal Palace and West Brom and I think he will look at the Manchester City backline and see some vulnerabilities. Expect West Brom to load up on any set pieces they get and ask Manchester City to show they are better suited to deal with them this time around and I do think the home team scores at least once in this game.

The absence of Sergio Aguero, or likely absence, makes Manchester City look a very short price in my opinion. Aguero makes a huge difference to this team and his place would need to be filled by Wilfried Bony who has to start showing why Manchester City paid so much to bring him in from Swansea.

Raheem Sterling will have a positive impact in the forward areas with his pace a real threat for Manchester City, especially with the likes of Aguero and David Silva to play off. I am expecting Manchester City to be challenging but this is a difficult opening two weeks for them and while I expect them to be good going forward, I am not convinced they have solved the defensive problems.

The last four games overall between these teams has seen at least three goals shared out, while the last three at The Hawthornes have been very high-scoring. With West Brom likely to expose some problems at the back, I am also expecting Manchester City to score at least once and this could be a very good beginning to Monday Night Football on television as a high-scoring game is produced.

MY PICKS: Manchester United-Tottenham Hotspur Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.83 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Bournemouth @ 2.05 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Everton @ 1.73 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Chelsea - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.95 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Arsenal - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.85 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Stoke City-Liverpool Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.15 Betfair Sportsbook (2 Units)
West Brom-Manchester City Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)

Season 2014/15: 159-208-5, - 20.22 Units (647 Units Staked, - 3.13% Yield)
Season 2013/14: 164-185-3, + 15.84 Units (577 Units Staked, + 2.75% Yield)
Season 2012/13: + 4.42 Units (415 Units Staked, + 1.07% Yield)