The Rugby World Cup is the tournament that all rugby union players want to win. Lifting the Webb Ellis Cup is every youngster’s dream and that dream will become a reality for one team on November 2^nd 2019.

With this year’s showpiece edging closer, the battle to win the competition is starting to heat up. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the previous eight Rugby World Cup finals – no points for guessing which match is in top spot…

 

New Zealand 8-7 France (2011)

The slimmest margin of victory in Rugby World Cup final history, New Zealand edged past France at Eden Park. The All Blacks had already beaten France in the pool stages and most neutrals expected New Zealand to claim their second World Cup crown.

It turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, with poor conditions and some suspect refereeing calls impacting the flow of the game. New Zealand held on to clinch victory in what remains the lowest scoring Rugby World Cup final of all-time.

 

Australia 12-6 England (1991)

Another low scoring final, England fans were left devastated after watching Australia run out 12-6 winners at Twickenham. The Wallabies took a 9-0 lead into half time and it was always going to be difficult for England to come from behind in the second period.

England decided to stick with their tried and tested tactics but Australia proved too strong in the closing stages. There was a big fallout following that Rugby World Cup final defeat and it would be over a decade until England would feature in the union showpiece again.

New Zealand 29-9 France (1987)

The first World Cup final and a result that felt inevitable from kick-off. France, incredible in their semi-final win over Australia, struggled to get going in the early exchanges and Les Bleus soon found themselves 9-0 down heading into half-time.

Though France showed plenty of vigour after the break, New Zealand were just too strong. Grant Fox kicked 17 of their points and his accuracy off the tee was key to the outcome of this one. As expected, the All Blacks were crowned inaugural World Cup winners.

 

Australia 35-12 France (1999)

Australia hold the record for the widest margin of victory in a Rugby World Cup final and it would be foolish to suggest that the Wallabies didn’t deserve to win in 1999. With six wins from six games at the tournament, Australia were a class above their rivals.

The lead was just six points with 60 minutes on the clock but Australia pulled away in the closing stages to secure their second World Cup crown. France just couldn’t break down the strong Australia defensive line and the Wallabies held on for a dominant success.

 

South Africa 15-6 England (2007)

England’s second World Cup final defeat came just four years after their first triumph. The Springboks were labelled as tournament favourites and lived up to the hype, with the likes of Percy Montgomery, Bryan Habana and Francois Steyn pulling the strings.

Thousands of England fans made the short trip to the Stade de France for the final but it just wasn’t to be. Brian Ashton’s side were second best in every department against an organised and powerful South Africa unit. Who knows, they could get revenge in 2019…

New Zealand 34-17 Australia (2015)

This was New Zealand at their brilliant best. Australia had no answer for the All Blacks in front of an adoring Twickenham crowd. It was vintage New Zealand and it is probably the most complete performance from any team in a World Cup final.

As the highest scoring Rugby World Cup final, it deserves to be relatively high on this list. It might not have been the most competitive showpiece but we got to see New Zealand hit top form on the biggest stage of all and there aren’t many finer sights in sport.

 

South Africa 15-12 New Zealand (1995)

The only World Cup final that comes close to rivalling England’s victory over Australia. This match will live long in the memory for union fans across the globe as South Africa, hosting the tournament for the first time, defied the odds against the mighty New Zealand.

The win was huge for South Africa as a country as much as a sports team. Nelson Mandela, sporting a Springboks jersey and a cricket cap, presented the Webb Ellis Cup to South Africa captain Francois Pienaar in one of rugby’s greatest moments.

 

Australia 17-20 England (2003)

At the third time of asking, England finally got their hands on the Webb Ellis Cup. Led by the charismatic Martin Johnson, Clive Woodward’s side needed extra time to secure the victory and they did it in the most dramatic way imaginable.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in extra time, Jonny Wilkinson kicked the decisive drop goal to clinch the win. The Sydney crowd were left stunned as England celebrated long into the night – this was sweet revenge for that 1991 Rugby World Cup final defeat.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Mark Baker / AP Photo*

Attacking football and the Premier League go hand-in-hand. Ask any football fan and most will state that England’s top-flight is the best division around – it is a league unlike any other in world football.

Every now and then, the Premier League throws up a crazy result or two. In total, there have been six top-flight games since 1992 with at least 10 goals; an incredible statistic to say the least.

Without further ado, it is time to take a look at the highest scoring games in Premier League history. You’d get good odds in Premier League betting markets for a repeat of any of these scorelines this season…

 

Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading (2007)

Both clubs feature twice on this list but Tottenham’s 6-4 victory over Reading will live long in the memory with fans of both teams. At the time, it was only the second match in Premier League history with 10 or more goals.

Fans were treated to eight goals in the second half in one of the craziest matches in Premier League history. Reading took the lead three times during the contest but Spurs dug deep to secure a memorable come from behind victory.

Dimitar Berbatov scored four goals on that day – with three of those coming in the second half. In their post-match interviews, Gus Poyet and Steve Coppell both admitted that the game was great for Match of the Day but not for the managers.

 

Tottenham Hotspur 9-1 Wigan Athletic (2009)

Less than two years later, Tottenham were at it again. Again, Spurs really came alive in the second half with eight goals in the space of 43 minutes. Leading 1-0 at half-time, even the most optimistic Tottenham fan wouldn’t have expected this.

Jermain Defoe became only the third player in Premier League history to score five goals in a match, while also notching the second fastest hat-trick since 1991/92. Wigan’s defending left a lot to be desired on that day and Spurs took full advantage.

It was Tottenham’s highest win in the top flight and it will go down as one of the biggest victories in Premier League history. Spurs fans will be hoping that the current side can take inspiration from that 9-1 triumph in the coming months.

 

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (2011)

These two teams always put on a show but nobody expected 10 goals, a penalty miss and a red card. Well, that is exactly what happened at Old Trafford as we saw Manchester United completely dismantle Arsenal in one of the league’s most memorable fixtures.

United were ruthless from start to finish, with the Red Devils racing into a three-goal lead before Theo Walcott pulled a goal back before half-time. But in the second half, the hosts pulled away again and inflicted utter humiliation on the Gunners.

It was a long journey back to north London for the travelling Arsenal fans – Carl Jenkinson’s 77^th minute red card only compiling the misery. For United, there were jubilant celebrations on the Old Trafford terraces and this is still one of their greatest ever wins.

 

Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle United (2012)

Arsenal were in seventh heaven after facing Newcastle United in December 2012 – although it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Gunners. The Magpies showed plenty of resilience to go toe-to-toe with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal’s class shone through.

Theo Walcott was a thorn in Newcastle’s side all night, scoring a hat-trick while assisting two goals for his teammates. The visitors pegged Arsenal back three times after falling behind in the first half but Newcastle crumbled in the final 20 minutes.

Demba Ba made it 3-3 in the 69^th minute but Arsenal found a new lease of life in the closing stages. Walcott and super substitute Olivier Giroud both notched braces in that final period to put Newcastle to the sword and cap an emphatic evening for the Gunners.

West Bromwich Albion 5-5 Manchester United (2013)

West Brom aren’t a club you would normally associate with high scoring Premier League matches yet here we are. The Baggies welcomed Manchester United to the Hawthorns for Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1,500^th and final match in charge of the Red Devils.

Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick ensured that Ferguson had to settle for a draw in his final match in charge – the Red Devils conceded three goals in five minutes to go from 5-2 up to 5-5. Maybe that was a sign of things to come for the 20-time English champions.

Ferguson’s swansong didn’t go entirely to plan but he couldn’t help but muster a smile after this incredible game. Since Ferguson retired, Man United have scored five goals in just one of their 236 Premier League matches.

 

Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (2007)

Portsmouth and Reading both slipped out of England’s top flight some time ago but that 2007 classic remains the highest scoring Premier League game to this day. Pompey took a 2-1 lead into half time but things were about to get crazy at Fratton Park.

Eight (yes, eight) goals were scored in the second half – five for Portsmouth and three for Reading. It was a remarkable contest that highlighted Reading’s defensive woes; they went on to concede six at Tottenham a few months later.

Go back and watch the highlights of this match again – some of the defending is comical. It will live long in the memory of Portsmouth and Reading fans, as well as general Premier League supporters. This is one of those ‘I was there’ fixtures.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jon Super / AP Photo*

Write the New England Patriots off at your peril. Time and time again, people have been too quick to dismiss the Patriots but the six-time Super Bowl champions always seem to defy the odds.

Tom Brady celebrated his 42^nd birthday back in August but the Patriots quarterback remains one of the best in the business. With Brady at the helm, an undefeated season is certainly plausible.

So without further ado, it is time to look at New England’s schedule. Will the Patriots finish the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record or will Bill Belichick’s side fall short? Only time will tell.

 

Week 7: at New York Jets

With the Jets sitting at 1-4, Bill Belichick’s side can pile more misery on New York. The Jets did get back to winning ways against the Dallas Cowboys but this is a harder test.

New England have had the beating of the AFC East under Brady/Belichick and I’m expecting the Patriots to claim another win. 7-0 beckons barring a major mishap.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 8: vs Cleveland Browns

Will Cleveland stop New England’s winning run? For me, not a chance. Baker Mayfield has failed to inspire confidence this year and the Patriots will focus on stopping the run.

The Browns have been very hit and miss this year and you won’t find many punters backing Cleveland to prevail. New England should be too strong at Gillette Stadium.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 9: at Baltimore Ravens

Without a doubt, this is the toughest test. Baltimore have the second-best offense in the NFL and Lamar Jackson is a unique talent at the quarterback position.

The Ravens have an 8-3 record at M&T Bank Stadium since the start of 2018 and the Patriots will need to be at their brilliant best. Baltimore might just about edge this one.

Verdict: Ravens win

 

Week 10: Bye

 

Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia are no slouches and we could see the Eagles push New England all the way. The Lincoln Financial Field faithful will be expecting their beloved Eagles to emerge victorious.

The Patriots are one of the best teams in the NFL at adjusting following the bye week. With added preparation time, New England should get the job done in Philadelphia.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 12: vs Dallas Cowboys

Stopping Ezekiel Elliott will be the key for New England here. Forcing Dak Prescott to go out and win the game through the air is the right way to go about beating Dallas.

The Patriots have an unbelievable regular season record at Gillette Stadium and Belichick’s side will be fired up and ready to try and beat Dem Cowboys.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 13: at Houston Texans

The Texans may have lost Jadeveon Clowney but it hasn’t affected their defensive speed too much. And on the other side of the ball, Houston have been thriving.

Six weeks into the season and Deshaun Watson is an MVP contender. The Houston crowd will be well up for this, especially with the AFC seeded spots up for grabs.

Verdict: Texans win

 

Week 14: vs Kansas City Chiefs

Who else is excited to see ‘new kid on the block’ Patrick Mahomes face Tom Brady? Without a doubt, this could turn out to be one of the games of the 2019 NFL season.

This has all the makings of a shootout at Gillette Stadium but New England have had Kansas City’s number in recent years. Expect another win for the Patriots in this one.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals

With trade rumours suggesting that AJ Green may leave Cincinnati in the coming weeks, we could see the Bengals slip down the NFL standings. This may be a bit of a mismatch.

The Bengals may struggle to keep up with New England – Cincinnati have failed to inspire confidence in recent weeks. Another heavy defeat beckons here.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 16: vs Buffalo Bills

Buffalo have been strong this year but it is early days and their roster isn’t quite as deep as some of their AFC rivals. An injury to Josh Allen could signal the end of their playoff push.

Home advantage is huge for New England and the Patriots could make light work of the Bills if the number one seed is still up for grabs.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

Week 17: vs Miami Dolphins

Miami are 0-5 and most NFL fans are expecting the Dolphins to finish as the worst team in the league this year. Former Patriots coach Brian Flores has a difficult job on his hands…

The Dolphins are tanking and this game may decide whether Miami receive the first pick or not. Expect New England to run riot at Gillette Stadium ahead of the playoffs.

Verdict: Patriots win

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Charles Krupa / AP Photo*

The United Kingdom hosts some of the best horseracing in the world and we have a calendar that is literally bulging with the best festivals and meetings going.

Let’s take a look at some of the events you can expect to see in a typical horse racing year on these shores:

 

Cheltenham Festival (March)

The home of The Gold Cup with four days of atmosphere, anticipation and action, all played out in the beautiful Prestbury Park amphitheatre.

Features each day include the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Stayers’ Hurdle, culminating on the Friday with the big one- The Gold Cup.

 

Grand National (April)

The greatest steeplechase in the world, attracting over nine million TV viewers and the one race a year many people may only ever have a bet on the horse racing betting.

Over 150,000 visitors descend on the course over the three-day fixture to see horses tackling the famous Grand National fences.

 

Scottish Grand National (April)

The two-day Scottish Grand National meeting is Scotland's richest jumps meeting, with the Saturday highlight being the Scottish National.

Ayr welcomes crowds of around 20,000 for some of the most hotly contested jumps action north of the border.

 

All Weather Championships (Good Friday)

900 Flat races, in six different categories, running from October to Good Friday take place at Kempton, Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton racecourses and culminate in a £1million series finale at Kempton.

 

Sandown Jumps Finale (April)

The Gold Cup meeting over two days at Sandown Park brings the curtain down on the NH season with the last big race of it taking place on the Saturday. The leading NH jockey and trainer are crowned that day too.

 

Guineas Festival (May)

Both trainers and jockeys compete for the first two Classics of the British Flat racing season on this particular weekend at Newmarket.

The 2,000 Guineas takes place on Saturday, with the top colts doing battle on the Rowley Mile course.

Sunday is the turn of the fillies in the 1,000 Guineas, run over the same straight mile.

Chester May Festival (May)

This meeting stages some of the most important Classic trials – the Dee Stakes, the Chester Vase for colts and the Cheshire Oaks for fillies. Derby winners galore have come from this festival.

The famous staying handicap, the Chester Cup takes place over two and a quarter miles around the Roodee.

 

York Dante Meeting (May)

The main attraction of the three-day Knavesmire meeting is the Dante Stakes.

Winners of this and the Musidora Stakes tend to be among the favourites for their respective Classics.

 

Lockinge Stakes Day (May)

The main feature of Newbury's Flat season is the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, run over 1 mile and forming part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The Lockinge is the first Group 1 contest of the season run over a mile for four -year -olds and older.

 

Temple Stakes Day (May)

Haydock’s Temple Stakes is the opening sprint event of the British Champions series and sees some of the fastest sprinters around arrive on Merseyside.

The podium finishers in this commonly go on to take part in the King’s Stand Stakes in June.

 

Investec Derby Festival (June)

The Derby at Epsom is one of racing’s greatest spectacles and probably the most coveted flat race in the world.

The occasion attracts a large crowd of more than 100,000 people with much revelry taking place including fairground attractions, live music and open-top bus parties.

Before the Derby there is the Oaks – the fillies’ equivalent on the Friday of the meeting.

 

Royal Ascot (June)

This fixture needs no introduction; it is the jewel in the crown of the English Flat summer season and another UK meeting that reaches a global audience.

15 Group races and around £3.5 million in prize-money make it the most unrivalled five-day horse racing meeting on the planet.

The meeting is attended daily by members of the British Royal family, a tradition stretching back to the early 1700’s.

 

Coral-Eclipse Day (July)

The 1m2f Eclipse is the first top-level contest over a middle distance for three-year-olds to take on their elders.

Specialist ten-furlong runners, one milers and confirmed stayers all take each other on in this contest.

 

King George Weekend (July)

The feature race of the weekend is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It stands alongside the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as one of Europe’s all-aged middle-distance championship races.

The 1975 renewal was dubbed “The Race of The Century”.

Glorious Goodwood (July/August)

This is Goodwood’s showpiece five-day meeting and one of the highlights of the racing year.

The races are spread across the full range of distances and include two Group 1 races - the Sussex Stakes and Nassau Stakes.

 

York Ebor Festival (August)

York always attracts all the top horses for this packed three-day programme.

The feature races are the Juddmonte Stakes, the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks.

 

St Leger Festival (September)

The Doncaster St Leger is the fifth and final British Classic of the year and it brings together the best of each sex.

Run over a distance of 1m 6f and 132 yards, it requires plenty of stamina and resolve to take first place.

 

British Champions Day (October)

Champions Day is the climax of the European Flat racing season and the British Champions Series.

Over £3m in prize money is spread across the end-of-season championship races for Ten-furlong horses: The Champion Stakes; Milers: The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes; Sprinters: six furlongs; Long-distance horses: two miles; and Fillies and mares: one mile and four furlongs.

 

King George Christmas Festival (December)

The King George VI Chase is one of the most iconic races in the Jumps calendar and Boxing Day actually feels like Christmas Day to most die-hard Jumps fans.

Run over a flat three miles at Kempton Park, the King George and has an illustrious roll of honour including the likes of Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.

 

Welsh Grand National (December)

Run over the Christmas holiday period, this 3m5f handicap chase is often one of the most exciting Jumps races of the season.

The Welsh National fixture is Chepstow’s most valuable race day and some of the most popular staying chasers in training return year after year.

The meeting has been known to inspire youngsters on how to become a professional jockey after James Bowen won the race aged just 16-years old aboard Raz De Maree in 2017.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*

There are more Euro 2020 qualifiers coming up this week as we head into the second half of the international break.

Without a packed weekend schedule, football betting is forced into unusual times when there’s minimal club football. Matches are spread across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday featuring some of Europe’s best sides and most recognisable players.

Groups A, B, E and F feature in our fourfold. It’s not quite make or break time for these teams, but groups are very tight and a slip up here could leave them a mountain to climb in the remaining few qualifiers.

Below are a few thoughts and tips from the four matches…

 

Wales vs Croatia

Group E is congested. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Slovakia on Thursday, Wales are in fourth place.

Starter in one of the biggest Premier League wins, Ryan Giggs’ side have a game in hand on the three teams above them, however, and they could go second if they pull off an improbable victory over World Cup finalists Croatia on Sunday night.

Croatia’s form has been patchy since the World Cup, with losses to Tunisia and Hungary and a shock draw with Azerbaijan last month. They have 12 points on the board but could yet miss out if they fail to win here.

They host Slovakia in their final group match. Despite thrashing the Slovakians a few months ago, Luka Modric and co will be hoping to get their Euro 2020 place sewn up this weekend. The reverse fixture finished in a 2-1 win for Zlatko Dalic’s side.

Wales will fancy their chances of getting a goal through Daniel James and Gareth Bale, but the gulf in class elsewhere on the pitch should prove too much. Joe Allen against Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic isn’t a good matchup.

TIP: Croatia to win and both teams to score (21/5)

 

Bulgaria vs England

After a poor performance in Prague on Friday, England travel to Sofia to face a Bulgaria side that are bottom of Group A. Bulgaria are yet to win a match in qualification and were thrashed 4-0 by England earlier in the group.

A 0-0 draw with Montenegro was frustrating for the Bulgarians – they had 16 shots but managed to get just one on target.

England’s defeat to the Czech Republic was their worst performance and result of the Gareth Southgate era. Harry Kane was frank in his post-match interview – England will be keen to bounce back with an emphatic victory on Monday evening.

Southgate could opt to tweak his side after subpar displays from Michael Keane and Declan Rice on Friday.

England dominated the match at Wembley, with just shy of 70% possession and 17 shots. The front three of Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho should blow Bulgaria away, even if other areas of the team remain flawed.

TIP: England to win by 2 or more goals (7/10)

 

Ukraine vs Portugal

These two played out a drab 0-0 in March of this year in Lisbon. They meet on Monday night off the back of comfortable victories on Friday – Portugal beat Luxembourg 3-0 while the Ukraine cruised to a 2-0 win over Lithuania.

Ukraine have compiled 16 points thus far, putting them within touching distance of Euro 2020. Portugal are five points behind with a game in hand and are under pressure from Serbia.

Ukraine have been on a great run since Andriy Shevchenko took over as manager, but this will be a tough task against a Portugal side desperate for victory.

The reigning European champions have talent aplenty as Fernando Santos meshes veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe with the next generation, Ruben Neves, Joao Felix and Ruben Dias.

Portugal have found some form since a slow start in the group. Ukraine’s defence has been rock solid throughout (only conceded one goal), but you’ve got to fancy Portugal to snatch a win here. Expect a low-scoring affair, with one Ronaldo goal likely the difference.

TIP: Portugal to win (23/20)

 

Sweden vs Spain

Spain have an immaculate record in Group F so far. No team has been able to live with the Euro 2012 winners and they are set to cruise into Euro 2020.

Robert Moreno is off to a flying start as manager of La Roja and has a deep squad at his disposal, including the fairytale return of Santi Cazorla.

The post-Ibrahimovic world puts Sweden as a mid-tier European team. Their place in the competition proper is far from confirmed – they need a result here.

Romania, who are only one point behind the Swedes, face Norway and the Faroe Islands in their next two matches. The two sides meet in Bucharest on 15^th November, in what will likely be a showdown for the second qualifying berth.

Spain are the team to back here, but 3/5 doesn’t represent great value. The visitors to score in both halves is the best available bet.

TIP: Spain to score in both halves (8/5)

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Petr David Josek / AP Photo*