These are my picks from the Tuesday coupon:
Arsenal v Udinese (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11343-Arsenal-v-Udinese.htm)
Doncaster Rovers v Nottingham Forest (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11342-Doncaster-Rovers-v-Nottingham-Forest.htm)
Crystal Palace v Coventry City (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11340-Crystal-Palace-v-Coventry-City.htm)
FC Copenhagen v FC Viktoria Plzen: I really think Copenhagen will at least take a lead back to the Czech Republic, using their vast experience at this level to grab an advantage.
They reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season and held Barcelona to a draw here.
Viktoria Plzen have not made the brightest start to their new season and they will likely be happy if they can grab an away goal or two, even in a close loss.
I think Copenhagen will end up with the win here.
MY PICKS: Arsenal-Udinese Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 Stan James (1 Unit)
Doncaster-Nottingham Forest Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.72 William Hill (1 Unit)
Crystal Palace @ 2.10 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
FC Copenhagen @ 1.75 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
AUGUST FOOTBALL PROFIT/LOSS: 8-7, + 1.67 Units
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NBA Playoffs 2026- Conference Finals Game 1-4 (Monday 18th May-Monday 25th May)
We are going to be down to the final four teams in the NBA once Game 7 of the Second Round Series between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland ...
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Things Learned from the Weekend Football (August 13-15)
It was so good to have something fun to watch on Saturday afternoons as the Premier League returned to action- it has been a long couple of months without football and I am just glad it is all back up and running.
So what have I learned from this weekend's football:
1) Manchester United still need to improve away from home: This might sound funny considering United won at the weekend, but they looked like they were a little short of ideas in the 2nd half after dominating the opening 35 minutes of the game.
After only winning 5 of 19 away from home last season, it was good to see United start with a win, but I still think we will learn a lot more about them in their next two trips to Bolton and Stoke.
2) Sergio Aguero could be a real difference maker for Manchester City: The Argentinian could not have asked for a better debut for his new club after scoring 2 goals and setting up yet another in the 4-0 win over Swansea.
For a long period it looked like City were really missing Carlos Tevez as they struggled to create real openings, but the arrival of Sergio Aguero midway through the second half changed the whole attacking philosophy of the side and he looks like a player that can make a real difference.
If City sign Samir Nasri too, they could be a real danger this season.
3) Liverpool are going to find things tougher with the new expectations of them: A lot of Liverpool fans came into the new season with huge expectations of their side, but I think the team may still struggle when they are expected to win games without the freedom of being so far behind in terms of points as they were since Kenny Dalglish came back to the club.
They did play well in the first half against Sunderland but couldn't put their opponents away yet this was a game they would most likely have won in the second half of last season when the pressure was off the side.
There are still some big issues in defensive positions for the team and I still think a top 4 finish would represent a good season for this side.
4) Wigan are in for another relegation scrap: I can't help but think this side is going to struggle again this season as they have lost some creative talents like Tom Cleverley and Charles N'Zogbia and they don't strike me as a team that will score enough goals to make survival a straightforward task.
Roberto Martinez has kept doing a very good job in tough circumstances at the DW Stadium, but the next two weeks already look big for the Latics as they visit Swansea and then entertain Norwich.
5) Referee's inconsistencies need to be rectified: I am sympathetic as to how tough the job referees have, but the inconsistencies that blight their performances need to be resolved quickly as it infuriates managers and fans alike.
We have had the early bookings for 'diving', a policy that disappears as the weeks go by and more and more players get away with it, while it seemed unbelievable that Kieron Richardson was not sent off for tripping Luis Suarez when he was through on goal.
Mike Jones was the ref during the West Brom-United game and he had a poor performance in terms of consistency. He booked Ashley Young for an accidental trip that had Sir Alex Ferguson confused, but then allowed James Morrison to get away with an identical challenge just minutes later that had Fergie shaking his head- that kind of inconsistency is so frustrating.
Jones also allowed West Brom to resort to tactics I haven't seen since the early 90's when Leeds and Wimbledon decided to pummel Peter Schemeichel, but surely David De Gea should have got more protection from some of the second half challenges he received. Would Stoke have been allowed to get away with the robust challenges? I think not- inconsistency!!
So what have I learned from this weekend's football:
1) Manchester United still need to improve away from home: This might sound funny considering United won at the weekend, but they looked like they were a little short of ideas in the 2nd half after dominating the opening 35 minutes of the game.
After only winning 5 of 19 away from home last season, it was good to see United start with a win, but I still think we will learn a lot more about them in their next two trips to Bolton and Stoke.
2) Sergio Aguero could be a real difference maker for Manchester City: The Argentinian could not have asked for a better debut for his new club after scoring 2 goals and setting up yet another in the 4-0 win over Swansea.
For a long period it looked like City were really missing Carlos Tevez as they struggled to create real openings, but the arrival of Sergio Aguero midway through the second half changed the whole attacking philosophy of the side and he looks like a player that can make a real difference.
If City sign Samir Nasri too, they could be a real danger this season.
3) Liverpool are going to find things tougher with the new expectations of them: A lot of Liverpool fans came into the new season with huge expectations of their side, but I think the team may still struggle when they are expected to win games without the freedom of being so far behind in terms of points as they were since Kenny Dalglish came back to the club.
They did play well in the first half against Sunderland but couldn't put their opponents away yet this was a game they would most likely have won in the second half of last season when the pressure was off the side.
There are still some big issues in defensive positions for the team and I still think a top 4 finish would represent a good season for this side.
4) Wigan are in for another relegation scrap: I can't help but think this side is going to struggle again this season as they have lost some creative talents like Tom Cleverley and Charles N'Zogbia and they don't strike me as a team that will score enough goals to make survival a straightforward task.
Roberto Martinez has kept doing a very good job in tough circumstances at the DW Stadium, but the next two weeks already look big for the Latics as they visit Swansea and then entertain Norwich.
5) Referee's inconsistencies need to be rectified: I am sympathetic as to how tough the job referees have, but the inconsistencies that blight their performances need to be resolved quickly as it infuriates managers and fans alike.
We have had the early bookings for 'diving', a policy that disappears as the weeks go by and more and more players get away with it, while it seemed unbelievable that Kieron Richardson was not sent off for tripping Luis Suarez when he was through on goal.
Mike Jones was the ref during the West Brom-United game and he had a poor performance in terms of consistency. He booked Ashley Young for an accidental trip that had Sir Alex Ferguson confused, but then allowed James Morrison to get away with an identical challenge just minutes later that had Fergie shaking his head- that kind of inconsistency is so frustrating.
Jones also allowed West Brom to resort to tactics I haven't seen since the early 90's when Leeds and Wimbledon decided to pummel Peter Schemeichel, but surely David De Gea should have got more protection from some of the second half challenges he received. Would Stoke have been allowed to get away with the robust challenges? I think not- inconsistency!!
Monday, 15 August 2011
Tennis Picks August 15th
It is a brand new week following wins for Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams in Montreal and Toronto respectively, and we have yet another Masters tournament beginning with this week representing the last really important week before the final Grand Slam of the season begins at Flushing Meadows on August 29th.
My outright picks are already up on the blog and a couple of the 1st Round matches were played yesterday with Juan Martin Del Potro and James Blake moving through to the 2nd Round.
The early Rounds can be a bit of a minefield, even in these Masters events, but I will be hoping I can continue the form that produced a profit last week.
On to the Picks:
Klara Zakopalova vs Lucie Safarova: I am beginning the week by taking this big priced underdog to surprise Lucie Safarova.
I think the higher ranked Czech player has been set as the short priced favourite after a decent week in Toronto where she was eventually defeated in 3 sets by Serena Williams. On the other hand, Zakopalova was comfortably beaten by Greta Arn.
However, it seems like Safarova stuggles when she meets her compatriot with Zakopalova holding a 4-1 head to head record.
Safarova beat Zakopalova in 3 sets at the Australian Open in January, but has since lost in Dubai on the hard courts and at Wimbledon in a surprise defeat in 3 sets.
Safarova struggled on the hard courts last season, including a 1st Round exit at this tournament, and she does look ripe for the surprise defeat here.
Feliciano Lopez vs Juan Carlos Ferrero: Neither one of these players has played much hard court tennis this Summer, instead opting to play in clay court events and it was no surprise to see both exiting early in Montreal last week.
Feliciano Lopez should have the edge on these faster courts over Ferrero mainly thanks to a stronger serve and I think that will lead to a win for him here.
Lopez has won the last 2 meetings between the players, although the last was back in 2007, and I think he has been in good enough form of late to come through even if it takes 3 sets.
Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 games vs Thomaz Bellucci: I hate taking Fernando Verdasco these days as he has returned to the inconsistent form that blighted his game pre-Australia in 2009.
However, he is playing an opponent that is clearly struggling to adjust his game to these faster surfaces this season and I believe Verdasco will be able to come through in straight sets, although don't expect it to be easy.
Bellucci won their last meeting on the clay courts of Mexico earlier this year, but I am going to back Verdasco to reverse that form here.
David Nalbandian vs Kei Nishikori: Another player that I hate backing these days is David Nalbandian, and it does look like he won't be on the Tour for too much longer.
I have a soft spot for Nalbandian as I have considered him one of my favourite players over the last decade, but he is clearly not the force of old.
However, I am not convinced he should be considered an outsider against the talented, but inconsistent, Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player is under the tutelage of Brad Gilbert these days, but has not incorporated the 'win ugly' mentality that Gilbert instills in his pupils.
Nishikori has won a couple of qualifying rounds here in Cincinnati so should be familiar with the conditions- I just don't think he deserves to be favourite against a Nalbandian just yet.
MY PICKS: Klara Zakopalova @ 3.5 BlueSquare (1 Unit)
Feliciano Lopez @ 1.75 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 games @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)
David Nalbandian @ 2.20 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
My outright picks are already up on the blog and a couple of the 1st Round matches were played yesterday with Juan Martin Del Potro and James Blake moving through to the 2nd Round.
The early Rounds can be a bit of a minefield, even in these Masters events, but I will be hoping I can continue the form that produced a profit last week.
On to the Picks:
Klara Zakopalova vs Lucie Safarova: I am beginning the week by taking this big priced underdog to surprise Lucie Safarova.
I think the higher ranked Czech player has been set as the short priced favourite after a decent week in Toronto where she was eventually defeated in 3 sets by Serena Williams. On the other hand, Zakopalova was comfortably beaten by Greta Arn.
However, it seems like Safarova stuggles when she meets her compatriot with Zakopalova holding a 4-1 head to head record.
Safarova beat Zakopalova in 3 sets at the Australian Open in January, but has since lost in Dubai on the hard courts and at Wimbledon in a surprise defeat in 3 sets.
Safarova struggled on the hard courts last season, including a 1st Round exit at this tournament, and she does look ripe for the surprise defeat here.
Feliciano Lopez vs Juan Carlos Ferrero: Neither one of these players has played much hard court tennis this Summer, instead opting to play in clay court events and it was no surprise to see both exiting early in Montreal last week.
Feliciano Lopez should have the edge on these faster courts over Ferrero mainly thanks to a stronger serve and I think that will lead to a win for him here.
Lopez has won the last 2 meetings between the players, although the last was back in 2007, and I think he has been in good enough form of late to come through even if it takes 3 sets.
Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 games vs Thomaz Bellucci: I hate taking Fernando Verdasco these days as he has returned to the inconsistent form that blighted his game pre-Australia in 2009.
However, he is playing an opponent that is clearly struggling to adjust his game to these faster surfaces this season and I believe Verdasco will be able to come through in straight sets, although don't expect it to be easy.
Bellucci won their last meeting on the clay courts of Mexico earlier this year, but I am going to back Verdasco to reverse that form here.
David Nalbandian vs Kei Nishikori: Another player that I hate backing these days is David Nalbandian, and it does look like he won't be on the Tour for too much longer.
I have a soft spot for Nalbandian as I have considered him one of my favourite players over the last decade, but he is clearly not the force of old.
However, I am not convinced he should be considered an outsider against the talented, but inconsistent, Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player is under the tutelage of Brad Gilbert these days, but has not incorporated the 'win ugly' mentality that Gilbert instills in his pupils.
Nishikori has won a couple of qualifying rounds here in Cincinnati so should be familiar with the conditions- I just don't think he deserves to be favourite against a Nalbandian just yet.
MY PICKS: Klara Zakopalova @ 3.5 BlueSquare (1 Unit)
Feliciano Lopez @ 1.75 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Fernando Verdasco - 3.5 games @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)
David Nalbandian @ 2.20 Victor Chandler (1 Unit)
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Monday 15th August English Football Picks (Manchester City v Swansea)
Only the 1 pick from the coupon after another successful Sunday brings in more profit and gets me moving back into a decent position, although still at a small loss.
This is the first 'Monday Night Football' of the season and I think it could be quite a good game to watch.
Manchester City v Swansea (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11330-Manchester-City-v-Swansea.htm)
The link will take you through to my pull preview of the game.
MY PICK: Manchester City - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.92 Victor Chandler (2 Units)
AUGUST FOOTBALL PROFIT/LOSS: - 0.17 Units
This is the first 'Monday Night Football' of the season and I think it could be quite a good game to watch.
Manchester City v Swansea (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-11330-Manchester-City-v-Swansea.htm)
The link will take you through to my pull preview of the game.
MY PICK: Manchester City - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.92 Victor Chandler (2 Units)
AUGUST FOOTBALL PROFIT/LOSS: - 0.17 Units
Tennis Outright Picks August 14th-21st
The ATP and WTA Tour make a joint stop in Cincinnati this week in the final big tournament before the final Grand Slam of the season begins at Flushing Meadows on August 29th.
With the big guns not playing in the week before a Grand Slam event, this represents the final chance to get some decent hard court match sharpness under their belts and there will be some players hoping to do so following early exits in Montreal and Toronto, most notably Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova.
ATP Masters Cincinnati
Last week I picked Andy Murray and Roger Federer as my outright picks from the Men's event in Montreal and I have reason to think it may be a good idea going back to the well and hoping for better fortunes for both players this week.
I mentioned Federer did not have the best record in the Canadian Masters event, but that is vastly different in Cincinnati at an event he has won 4 times, including in 2009 and 2010.
The draw has not been that kind to the former World Number 1 with an opening match against Juan Martin Del Potro, but I feel Federer will get the best of a player that is still trying to return to the form that made him so dangerous in 2009. Since then, Del Potro lost much of 2010 with a wrist injury, and he is yet to really get back to the form that can trouble the very best.
IF Federer can get through this initial test, he does look like having a straight forward path to the Semi Finals where he could meet the man of the season, Novak Djokovic. The Serb won yet another Masters tournament in Montreal on Sunday and he has been given a kind draw through to the Semi Finals in Cincinnati this week.
However, Djokovic had looked a little tired towards the end of his match with Mardy Fish and I think Federer has the aggressive attitude and belief to beat Djokovic for the 2nd time this season.
On the other side of the draw, Andy Murray has a potentially tough match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the 3rd Round, but the Frenchman is no gimme to make that match following his retirement with a bicep injury against Djokovic in the Semi Final last week where he could be heard explaining he 'can't serve' and that he wanted to try and play here in Cincinnati. With the US Open fast approaching, it would not be that surprising if Tsonga exits this tournament fairly early.
Another awkward looking test could await in the Quarter Finals where the British Number 1 is seeded to meet David Ferrer, a player that can cause anyone problems when he is on his game. Ferrer has not played a hard court match during this hard court swing, so I would expect Murray to have too much for him just now and move through to a Semi Final.
At that stage it is likely that Rafael Nadal will be waiting for Murray, but the British Number 1 has a decent record against Nadal on the hard courts and I think he could have enough to move through to the Final here.
It didn't work for me last week, but I am going to back Roger Federer and Andy Murray this week to make up for it.
WTA Cincinnati
Much like last week, there are plenty of question marks over the top players in the draw so I am again going to take a watching brief with the US Open in mind.
Serena Williams looked untouchable again last when winning in Toronto and she is rightly the favourite to win this tournament as well as at Flushing Meadows.
However, Williams has played a lot of tennis recently while winning tournaments in Stanford and last week and I am not sure if she will be fully focused now she re-enters the top 35.
MY PICKS: Roger Federer @ 7.00 Stan James (1 Unit E/W)
Andy Murray @ 9.00 Stan James (1 Unit E/W)
With the big guns not playing in the week before a Grand Slam event, this represents the final chance to get some decent hard court match sharpness under their belts and there will be some players hoping to do so following early exits in Montreal and Toronto, most notably Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova.
ATP Masters Cincinnati
Last week I picked Andy Murray and Roger Federer as my outright picks from the Men's event in Montreal and I have reason to think it may be a good idea going back to the well and hoping for better fortunes for both players this week.
I mentioned Federer did not have the best record in the Canadian Masters event, but that is vastly different in Cincinnati at an event he has won 4 times, including in 2009 and 2010.
The draw has not been that kind to the former World Number 1 with an opening match against Juan Martin Del Potro, but I feel Federer will get the best of a player that is still trying to return to the form that made him so dangerous in 2009. Since then, Del Potro lost much of 2010 with a wrist injury, and he is yet to really get back to the form that can trouble the very best.
IF Federer can get through this initial test, he does look like having a straight forward path to the Semi Finals where he could meet the man of the season, Novak Djokovic. The Serb won yet another Masters tournament in Montreal on Sunday and he has been given a kind draw through to the Semi Finals in Cincinnati this week.
However, Djokovic had looked a little tired towards the end of his match with Mardy Fish and I think Federer has the aggressive attitude and belief to beat Djokovic for the 2nd time this season.
On the other side of the draw, Andy Murray has a potentially tough match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the 3rd Round, but the Frenchman is no gimme to make that match following his retirement with a bicep injury against Djokovic in the Semi Final last week where he could be heard explaining he 'can't serve' and that he wanted to try and play here in Cincinnati. With the US Open fast approaching, it would not be that surprising if Tsonga exits this tournament fairly early.
Another awkward looking test could await in the Quarter Finals where the British Number 1 is seeded to meet David Ferrer, a player that can cause anyone problems when he is on his game. Ferrer has not played a hard court match during this hard court swing, so I would expect Murray to have too much for him just now and move through to a Semi Final.
At that stage it is likely that Rafael Nadal will be waiting for Murray, but the British Number 1 has a decent record against Nadal on the hard courts and I think he could have enough to move through to the Final here.
It didn't work for me last week, but I am going to back Roger Federer and Andy Murray this week to make up for it.
WTA Cincinnati
Much like last week, there are plenty of question marks over the top players in the draw so I am again going to take a watching brief with the US Open in mind.
Serena Williams looked untouchable again last when winning in Toronto and she is rightly the favourite to win this tournament as well as at Flushing Meadows.
However, Williams has played a lot of tennis recently while winning tournaments in Stanford and last week and I am not sure if she will be fully focused now she re-enters the top 35.
MY PICKS: Roger Federer @ 7.00 Stan James (1 Unit E/W)
Andy Murray @ 9.00 Stan James (1 Unit E/W)
Tennis Profit/Loss Update August 8th-14th
It looked like being a horrible week for the picks, but the daily picks have turned around in the last couple of days and we will actually be leaving Canada with a little more profit to add to the pot.
The tournament has also been an eye opener for those looking for outright picks at the US Open later this month- Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will both have hardened as favourites after winning the tournaments this week and at this moment it is hard to look beyond those two players as prospective winners.
We also saw a lot of the seeds go out very early in both events- the Men's tournament lost Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal before the Quarter Finals, while Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki did the same in the Women's event.
I expect a lot of players have used this week as a chance to get rid of some of the rustiness from a lack of matches and making their first hard court appearances since the end of March. Therefore, I expect some of the big hitters to get further in Cincinnati this week.
DAILY PICKS PROFIT: + 7.05 Units
OUTRIGHT PICKS LOSS: - 4 Units
OVERALL WEEKLY PROFIT/LOSS: + 3.05 Units
SEASON PROFIT/LOSS: + 58.86 Units
The tournament has also been an eye opener for those looking for outright picks at the US Open later this month- Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will both have hardened as favourites after winning the tournaments this week and at this moment it is hard to look beyond those two players as prospective winners.
We also saw a lot of the seeds go out very early in both events- the Men's tournament lost Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal before the Quarter Finals, while Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki did the same in the Women's event.
I expect a lot of players have used this week as a chance to get rid of some of the rustiness from a lack of matches and making their first hard court appearances since the end of March. Therefore, I expect some of the big hitters to get further in Cincinnati this week.
DAILY PICKS PROFIT: + 7.05 Units
OUTRIGHT PICKS LOSS: - 4 Units
OVERALL WEEKLY PROFIT/LOSS: + 3.05 Units
SEASON PROFIT/LOSS: + 58.86 Units
Tennis Picks August 14th
Today we have a slight overlap as the we have a couple of games beginning in Cincinnati for the next Masters event that immediately follows the tournaments in Toronto and Montreal.
The week has turned around in the latter part as close losses became close wins and that has led to a little bit more profit as we get ever closer to the US Open.
On to the Picks:
Serena Williams - 4.5 games vs Sam Stosur: I am picking Serena Williams to put down another statement win here against Stosur and underline the fact she is back and very much the favourite to win at Flushing Meadows.
Unbelievably, this is only Williams' 4th tournament in the last 12 months since recovering from injury and a life-threatening illness, but she is beginning to show how far and away she is from the nearest challengers on the WTA Tour.
The American won at Stanford recently and seems to up her game against the very best players on the WTA Tour as if to really show who is the boss. She has recorded straight set wins over the likes of Maria Sharapova, Sabine Lisicki, Marion Bartoli and Victoria Azarenka and it is the ease of those victories that really stand out to me.
Sam Stosur has had a good week, but I can't help feel she has taken advantage of a weak looking draw. Stosur beat a rusty Na Li and a tired Agnieska Radwanska this week but wins over Roberta Vinci and Alexsandra Wozniak will not be that great preparation for someone like Williams.
The serve will help Stosur to try and keep up with Williams, and she has beaten the American in 2 of their last 3 meetings, but I just feel Williams is making waves at the moment and could win with a bit to spare.
MY PICKS: Serena Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.20 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 5.85 Units
The week has turned around in the latter part as close losses became close wins and that has led to a little bit more profit as we get ever closer to the US Open.
On to the Picks:
Serena Williams - 4.5 games vs Sam Stosur: I am picking Serena Williams to put down another statement win here against Stosur and underline the fact she is back and very much the favourite to win at Flushing Meadows.
Unbelievably, this is only Williams' 4th tournament in the last 12 months since recovering from injury and a life-threatening illness, but she is beginning to show how far and away she is from the nearest challengers on the WTA Tour.
The American won at Stanford recently and seems to up her game against the very best players on the WTA Tour as if to really show who is the boss. She has recorded straight set wins over the likes of Maria Sharapova, Sabine Lisicki, Marion Bartoli and Victoria Azarenka and it is the ease of those victories that really stand out to me.
Sam Stosur has had a good week, but I can't help feel she has taken advantage of a weak looking draw. Stosur beat a rusty Na Li and a tired Agnieska Radwanska this week but wins over Roberta Vinci and Alexsandra Wozniak will not be that great preparation for someone like Williams.
The serve will help Stosur to try and keep up with Williams, and she has beaten the American in 2 of their last 3 meetings, but I just feel Williams is making waves at the moment and could win with a bit to spare.
MY PICKS: Serena Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.20 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 5.85 Units
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