Birmingham City will be quietly confident of claiming three points when they take on visiting Derby County on Good Friday.
The Blues, priced at 33/20 with 888sport, are on a three-game unbeaten run and the St Andrew’s faithful will be hoping for a positive result.
Garry Monk’s side were left to rue a handful of missed chances last weekend – the Blues were pegged back by Ipswich Town after taking a slender lead into half-time.
A win for Birmingham should be enough to cement their Championship status for the 2019/20 campaign.
The first goal of the game could be decisive in this fixture. Derby have won four of the last five meetings between the teams but an early Blues goal could set the tone.
23/20 for Birmingham to score in the first half represents decent value. Monk will have his team fired up and ready to send out a statement of intent.
Lukas Jutkiewicz scored only his second goal since the start of December in that draw at Portman Road – the Blues striker will be hoping to end the season on a high.
Punters can back Jutkiewicz at 23/10 to get his name on the scoresheet on Friday afternoon. With Derby perhaps focusing more on Che Adams, Jutkiewicz could prosper in attack.
Frank Lampard will be demanding another strong showing from his side after their 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers last weekend. Like BCFC, Derby are 33/20 to claim three points.
The Rams are eighth in the table and 888sport punters may fancy Derby in Championship betting odds to make the playoffs. It is going to go right down to the wire…
However, Birmingham may prove too strong for Lampard’s side. 9/1 for the hosts to edge past their opponents with a 2-1 score line is well worth considering.
Our bet of the day is for both teams to score at 5/6 though. Expect another topsy-turvy encounter in what has been a roller-coaster campaign for Birmingham City.
Prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Derby County (9/1)
Bet of the day: Both teams to score (5/6)
Outside punt: Draw/Birmingham HT/FT result (27/5)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Chelsea’s best player has little over a year left on his contract and is attracting Real Madrid’s interest. Chelsea’s teenage England international is in a similar situation. Maurizio Sarri is under pressure with persistent speculation about his future.
Even for a club accustomed to turmoil, the next four months could be messy. A transfer ban looms. Roman Abramovich’s interest in the club is perhaps waning.
Callum Hudson-Odoi will be subject to more bids from Bayern Munich. Eden Hazard is more likely to be a Real Madrid player than a Chelsea player in 2019/20. There could be another different face in the dugout.
Amid all the uncertainty, Chelsea are battling on two fronts with a month left in the season. Okay, it’s not for two trophies, but it’s enough to make all of their remaining matches relevant.
Chelsea have a favourable path to the Europa League final in Baku and are still in with a fighting chance of a top four spot. The Blues are 6/4 favourites to win the Europa League.
If Chelsea are to have any chance of retaining Hazard, qualifying for the Champions League is a must. Only the Belgian knows if doing it through finishing top four or winning the Europa League matters.
Hazard’s future alters what Chelsea can realistically hope for next season and beyond. He splits opinion, but there’s no doubting his ability. Hazard turns it on and Chelsea win.
West Ham suffered one of those Hazard performances earlier this month, Liverpool were knocked out of the League Cup by a moment of Hazard magic. He’s been instrumental in two league titles.
Only a handful of players in Europe’s top five leagues have registered double figures in goals and assists. Hazard is one of them. The Belgian’s productivity has been his greatest criticism, his numbers often insignificant in comparison to players of a similar calibre.
Few footballing mortals can transform a match quite like Hazard. Regardless of goals or assists, Chelsea with Hazard are a threat to any side in world football because of what he is capable of.
Without him, as we have seen on multiple occasions, Chelsea are so-so offensively. However, Chelsea’s dependence on Hazard is natural for a player of his quality.
His inconsistency is what separates him from the very best on the planet, leaving him as a top 10 or 20 player rather than top five. It has hurt Chelsea at times, but transfer ban or not, it’s not as simple as replacing him with one signing.
Chasing names to replace Hazard would be foolish, and it doesn’t fit with Chelsea’s recent transfer policy.
That brings us to Hudson-Odoi, the now England international whose playing time drove a perhaps irremovable wedge between the Blues faithful and Sarri.
Hudson-Odoi, along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, looks to have played his way into the first team, enhancing Chelsea’s chances of convincing him to sign a new deal in the summer.
He is raw, but with undoubted talent, and is unquestionably ready to play important minutes, as he did from the start at Anfield on Sunday. Hudson-Odoi is 3/1 to join Bayern Munich this summer in 888sport’s football betting.
The prospect of losing Hazard and Hudson-Odoi will send shivers down spines around Stamford Bridge. Hudson-Odoi and Hazard in tandem is the dream, keeping Hudson-Odoi if Hazard departs is a necessity.
A post-Hazard Chelsea with Hudson-Odoi and the soon-to-arrive Christian Pulisic could be exciting, though a long way from competing for major silverware. It gives something to build on.
The transfer ban could yet be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea if they can keep Hazard and/or Hudson-Odoi. Reece James and Mason Mount headline a group of players who could flourish given the opportunity.
Chelsea’s recruitment has been hit and miss in recent years – the ban would force them to consider players like James and Mount instead of investing in squad players who vanish into the reserves.
The range of outcomes just from Hazard and Hudson-Odoi’s futures is vast. That’s before we even consider Sarri, N’Golo Kante or Abramovich.
Next season could start with Chelsea building on the Sarriball groundwork of this campaign with Hazard and Hudson-Odoi ready to take the Premier League by storm.
Or Chelsea could be changing approach once again under a new manager without their homegrown starlet or Belgian sensation and with no new signings.
Chelsea flip from glory to crisis on a frequent basis. The coming months, though, are perhaps the most crucial of the Abramovich era.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The second legs of the Europa League quarter-finals last eight take place this Thursday. Arsenal and Chelsea are in the box seat in their respective ties, having secured good results in London and Prague last week.
Meanwhile, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt need huge turnarounds if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
CHELSEA vs Slavia Prague
Maurizio Sarri tweaked the Chelsea line-up at the weekend, starting Eden Hazard down the middle against Liverpool. The Blues were not at their best at Anfield and fell to a limp 2-0 defeat.
Sarri’s job is at threat, and it could turn out that winning the Europa League is his only way of remaining Chelsea manager for next season.
Slavia Prague put in an industrious performance in the Czech capital last week. Key man Tomas Soucek returns for the trip to west London, but few will be backing them to go through, even at 11/1.
Chelsea’s defence has been solid enough at home of late and it’s hard to see the visitors stopping them scoring.
Chelsea’s 33/100 price to win in 888sport’s football betting will be on the short side for a lot of people. The -1 handicap at 10/11 is better value.
TIP: Chelsea to win (-1) @ 10/11
PREDICTED SCORE: Chelsea 2-0 Slavia Prague (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs Benfica
Eintracht Frankfurt have become everyone’s second favourite team this season. Their football has been free flowing, and their results have been excellent.
A 4-2 first leg defeat, having been down to 10 men for most of the match, was not the worst case scenario, but Luka Jovic and co are left needing a historic display.
Benfica cruised past Vitoria de Setubal at the weekend with youngster Joao Felix shining again after his hat-trick in the first leg.
The Portuguese side are embroiled in a thrilling title race with Porto but will name a strong team here as they look to win their first Europa League, having lost in the final in 2013 and 2014.
Frankfurt have lost their last two, but their home form in the Europa League is very good. The Bundesliga side are worth backing to win on the night, even though they are likely to fall short of progression.
TIP: Eintracht Frankfurt to win @ 17/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Benfica (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
NAPOLI vs Arsenal
Napoli lost 2-0 in the first leg and are up against it as a result. Carlo Ancelotti’s side comfortably beat Chievo at the weekend, though, and that will at least give them confidence coming into this match.
Arsenal beat Watford on Monday night, but Unai Emery’s side were far from convincing against the 10-man Hornets.
It was their first away clean sheet in the Premier League this season, however, and will give the Gunners a needed boost as they try to hold onto their first leg lead.
Napoli were poor in the first leg. Ancelotti’s men face a tough task without an away goal – they are a good price at 4/6 to win on the night, but the 3/1 to go through doesn’t represent great value with Arsenal likely to score.
TIP: Napoli to win @ 4/6
PREDICTED SCORE: Napoli 2-1 Arsenal (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
VALENCIA vs VILLARREAL
Daniel Wass and Goncalo Guedes scored in second half added time to turn this tie on its head. Valencia lead 3-1 after the first leg on the road and are 1/50 to progress as a result.
Los Murciélagos are favourites at 10/13 to win at home on Thursday night and will be full of confidence, having won 3-1 at the weekend.
The Europa League has been a welcome distraction from a troubled La Liga campaign for Villarreal.
A weekend win against Girona was huge in their fight against the drop. Overturning the first leg deficit is probably too great an ask, however.
Valencia have been draw specialists at home this season. The hosts will look to sit tight, and that could make this a very cagey match. The 19/20 on under 2.5 goals is a good bet.
TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 19/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Valencia 1-1 Villarreal (Priced at 23/4 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The Champions League quarter-final second legs take place this week. Teams have little time to recover and plan, having played the first leg matches last week.
Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus and Ajax faced one another on Wednesday in Manchester and Amsterdam. The ties head to Barcelona and Turin on Tuesday to decide who will make the last four of Europe’s premier competition.
BARCELONA vs Manchester United
The first leg of this tie was hard to watch. Barcelona were far from their best, Manchester United worked hard and defended well, but they still fell to defeat after a moment of Lionel Messi magic put it on a plate for Luis Suarez at the back post.
United are out at 13/2 to go through. Solskjaer’s side are in a rut, losing four of their last six, and have not kept a clean sheet since a 0-0 draw with Liverpool on 24th February.
Victory over West Ham at the weekend was a necessity in the Premier League top four race, but the Red Devils needed two Paul Pogba penalties to secure all three points after a less than impressive performance.
The sensational second leg comeback against PSG in the last round will give United hope. This is a much more challenging task, however. United went into the PSG second leg in fine form, feeling on top of the world in the early Solskjaer days.
Barcelona have Messi and his accomplice Suarez, and it’s hard to see United shutting them out. For the United optimists, Barcelona to fail to score is 8/1.
Ernesto Valverde rotated his team at the weekend, keeping his first XI fresh for the second leg.
Barcelona dropped points against Huesca but remain strong favourites for La Liga and have a well-rested team unlike United. The hosts are Evens to win on the -1 handicap.
Sergio Busquets will return to the team after sitting out at the weekend. The Spanish international had a difficult game at Old Trafford and was lucky not to be sent off before being substituted. He’s a good price to be a shown a yellow card on Tuesday night.
With United having to chase the game from the first whistle, Barcelona will have space. Valverde’s side have scored four or more on seven separate occasions at the Camp Nou this term. It could be another emphatic win here.
TIP: Barcelona to win (-2) @ 13/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Barcelona 4-1 Manchester United (Priced at 15/1 with 888sport)
JUVENTUS vs Ajax
Ajax put in another superb Champions League performance in the first leg. The match finished 1-1, however, putting Juventus in the box seat ahead of Tuesday’s clash in northern Italy.
A 6-2 thrashing of Excelsior on Saturday will have built yet more confidence in an exceptional season for the Eredivisie side.
Dusan Tadic and Hakim Ziyech were dangerous throughout last week’s match, though it was a stunning David Neres goal that brought Ajax level after Cristiano Ronaldo gave Juve the lead.
Tadic has excelled this season, contributing 27 goals and 14 assists. The former Southampton man is one of the value sports betting options this week.
Juventus were happy without the ball in Amsterdam. Max Allegri’s side were a textbook example of a deep defence.
The Italian giants gave up plenty of shots, but Ajax never manufactured a clear cut opportunity. The back line was solid and it felt, for much of the match at least, that they were in control.
Having named a heavily rotated side with Serie A all but sewn up, Juventus suffered defeat to SPAL at the weekend. With this veteran group and playing at home in the second leg, the loss is unlikely to impact their midweek performance.
Ronaldo continues to deliver in the knockout rounds of the Champions League – he’s scored 64 knockout round goals in this competition and is a good bet to score in a Juventus win.
Juventus have only failed to win three home matches this season, drawing two and losing one.
The game plan will be similar to the first leg; absorb pressure, counter and create enough for Ronaldo to do his thing. The 7/5 price on Ajax to fail to score is well worth considering.
Ajax defied the odds against Real Madrid in the last 16. They have repeatedly shown they can compete with Europe’s elite. This, against a wily Juventus, might just be a step too far.
TIP: Juventus to win @ 7/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Juventus 2-0 Ajax (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
It is do or die time for the four teams in Champions League action on Wednesday evening. Two teams will have already advanced to the semi-finals by the time these matches take place and we could be set for a thrilling night of European football.
Liverpool are in a commanding position ahead of their second leg with FC Porto. The Reds, still in contention for a Premier League and Champions League double, will take a two-goal lead into Wednesday’s fixture and an away goal will settle that particular tie.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have work to do against Tottenham Hotspur. The Premier League champions are involved in a hard-fought title race but Pep Guardiola’s side will be focused on reaching the semi-finals. Overturning the 1-0 deficit from the first leg will NOT be easy.
Neutrals will be hoping for a dramatic night of Champions League football and we’re hear to cast our eye over Wednesday’s double header. Without further ado, here are our best bets ahead of both games…
FC Porto vs LIVERPOOL
Porto won’t give up without a fight but it may prove prudent for Sergio Conceicao to focus on their upcoming Primeira Liga clash with Santa Clara.
With the Portuguese outfit now 15/1 to advance to the next round, the odds are very much against the hosts. You won’t find too many punters siding with Porto here…
Like Liverpool, Porto are involved in a nip-and-tuck title race. Currently level on points with Benfica, Porto will be hoping that avoiding defeat (10/13) against Liverpool can boost confidence.
Liverpool, now as short as 7/2 in the latest Champions League winner odds, will be quietly confident of getting the job done on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have won their last seven games in a row in all competitions and plenty of punters will fancy the Reds to extend that streak here.
11/10 could turn out to be a huge price for a Liverpool win. The Reds are lethal on the counter attack and the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane can expose this Porto defence.
This is quite difficult to predict but Liverpool are in the driving seat and they should create chances against Porto. The odds for Klopp’s side are too good to turn down.
TIP: Liverpool to win @ 11/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Porto 0-2 Liverpool (Priced at 17/2 with 888sport)
MANCHESTER CITY vs Tottenham Hotspur
Write Manchester City off at your peril. The Blues were underwhelming in the first leg but the defending Premier League champions bounced back with victory at Crystal Palace.
With City hunting an unprecedented quadruple, there are signs that the sheer number of matches is taking its toll. However, 4/6 for Guardiola’s men to reach the semi-finals is a very good price.
An early goal should settle any nerves and Tottenham will be wary of a City onslaught. The Blues are 13/20 to take a lead into half-time and that has been a regular winner in 2018/19.
Can Tottenham get the job done in the absence of Harry Kane? Spurs emerged victorious in the first leg and kept a clean sheet – it was almost the perfect night from their perspective.
However, Kane’s injury may prove crucial. Son Heung-Min has stepped up to the plate this season but he isn’t an out-and-out striker; Pochettino has a big decision to make.
Son scored the only goal of the game last week and the South Korean is a 29/10 shot to get his name on the scoresheet on Wednesday night. This one is still firmly in the balance.
There is little value in backing City to win but 4/5 for the hosts to score in both halves is a decent option. Guardiola’s side should have too much firepower on home soil…
TIP: Man City to score in both halves @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Man City 3-1 Spurs (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Got over Watford’s dramatic victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers yet? Of course you haven’t.
In what was one of the best FA Cup semi-finals in recent memory, Watford came from two goals down to defeat Wolves – with Troy Deeney’s injury-time penalty taking the contest to extra-time.
It was one of those ‘I was there’ moments and it will live long in the memory of Watford supporters.
Watford, currently clinging onto 10th position in the Premier League table, have bounced back after a difficult period. Javi Gracia has the Hornets playing an exciting brand of football and players like Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra are starting to come of age.
Deulofeu has six goals and two assists in his last eight matches and his form has been key to Watford’s recent success – especially in that Wembley win over Wolves.
Deulofeu in particular has been outstanding in 2018/19. Capable of making an impact in the starting line-up or off the substitutes bench, the former Barcelona winger has stepped up to the plate this season.
Once compared to Lionel Messi in his youth days, Deulofeu hasn’t quite lived up to the hype but he is now shining on the big stage and Watford are reaping the rewards. Could he be the one to make the difference against Manchester City?
The Hornets’ record against the ‘Big 6’ has been poor this season. With just three points in 10 Premier League matches against England’s elite, Watford have failed to compete at the highest level.
That may go some way to explaining why 888sport are going 4/1 for Watford to lift the FA Cup in May’s final at Wembley. Gracia will have to come up with a game plan to combat City’s attacking threat.
The FA Cup has took a fair bit of stick over the years but the competition fought back at the ideal moment. Manchester City were expected to put Brighton & Hove Albion to the sword but were underwhelming under the Wembley arch.
Watford’s memorable success stole the limelight and the Hornets will be quietly confident of upsetting Pep Guardiola’s side in next month’s FA Cup final at the same venue.
Currently priced at 12/1 to get the job done inside 90 minutes, Watford will need everything to go their way to stand any chance of winning at Wembley.
The Hornets will be hoping that City’s excursions of competing on four fronts takes its toll and Watford may benefit directly from their success in other competitions.
It isn’t quite the David vs Goliath story of 2013 but Watford can ‘do a Wigan’ and beat City at Wembley. Neutrals will be cheering Watford on in the domestic showpiece and all of the pressure and expectation will be on Manchester City.
Watford will relish the underdog role under the famous Wembley arch and we could be set for another thrilling encounter. Ignore the critics, the FA Cup isn’t finished yet.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
There are less than two months until the 240th running of the Derby, the premier Classic and the Greatest Flat Race in the World, at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Saturday, June 1.
The 2019 renewal of the historic race over a mile and a half, Britain’s richest at £1.5 million, has 96 contenders remaining at this stage.
The reigning British champion Flat trainer John Gosden has won the Derby twice, most recently with Golden Horn in 2015, and the Newmarket-based handler has 16 contenders going forward, headed by last season’s champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot.
The son of Dubawi, owned by Lord Lloyd Webber and undefeated in four starts during 2018, finished last year with an authoritative success in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and was named European champion two-year-old with a rating of 126.
Not surprisingly, Too Darn Hot is the clear favourite for the Derby at 5/1 in the horse racing odds available with 888sport.
Also among the 16-strong Gosden-trained contingent are maiden winners Baltic Song (80/1), Dubai Warrior(12/1),Humanitarian (28/1) and Questionare (66/1).
Godolphin saw its famous royal blue silks carried to success for the first time in the 2018 Investec Derby by Masar and there are two entries currently engaged for the Maktoum family’s racing operations.
The unraced pair Wirraway (66/1, John Gosden) and Mawsoof (50/1 Saaed bin Suroor), though the Godolphin-owned Quorto, trained by Charlie Appleby, is quoted as the third favourite at 16/1.
Ireland’s champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien is chasing a record-equalling seventh Derby success following the victories of Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), and Wings of Eagles (2017).
The Ballydoyle-trainer has 25 entries going forward in 2019, including the Futurity Stakes winner Anthony Van Dyck (14/1 second favourite), third behind Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst Stakes, and Beresford Stakes winner Japan (16/1).
O’Brien recently sent out Broome (11/1) to win the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown and he will return there to contest the Derrinstown, which is usually an insightful Classic trial.
His Highness The Aga Khan has won the Investec Derby five times, most recently with Harzand in 2016.
There are eight Aga Khan-owned entries currently engaged, including the unraced Zarkallani (66/1), who is out of the unbeaten five-time Group One winner Zarkava and therefore a half-brother to the G1 winner Zarak.
Upper Lambourn trainer Ed Walker has yet to saddle an Investec Derby runner, but has a contender this year in Ginistrelli (66/1). The son of Frankel is owned by Bjorn Nielsen and Eastwind Racing Ltd and is a half-brother to Gravitation.
After finishing fourth on debut at Salisbury in October, Ginistrelli ended 2018 by winning a mile novice race at Newmarket later the same month.
Epsom News: The Oaks
Group One winner Iridessa stars among 60 entries for the 2019 Oaks, details of which were revealed last week.
The 12-furlong fillies’ Classic is the highlight on day one of the Derby Festival, Ladies’ Day, Friday, May 31, and carries a total prize fund of at least £500,000.
One of two Investec Oaks entries for Joseph O’Brien and owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, Iridessa provided O’Brien with his first Group One success in Britain as a trainer when powering to victory in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October.
The three-year-old daughter of 2013 Investec Derby winner Ruler Of The World, who is the 16/1 co-favourite with us here at 888sport, finished third on her 2019 return in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on April 6.
Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez is no stranger to success in the Oaks, having seen her colours carried to victory by 50/1 outsider Qualify in 2015.
The owner’s other entry, Altair (50/1), by 2014 Investec Derby victor Australia, came late and fast to make a winning debut in a seven-furlong Dundalk Polytrack maiden in January.
Joseph O’Brien, who has been a trainer since June, 2016, missed out on partnering an Oaks winner, but was twice successful as a rider in the Derby on Camelot and Australia.
Joseph’s father Aidan O’Brien, Ireland’s champion Flat trainer for the past 20 years, who trained Camelot, Ruler Of The World and Australia, accounts for 19 Investec Oaks entries this year, the most of any handler, as he goes after a remarkable Oaks victory.
Aidan O’Brien’s contenders include Hermosa (16/1), who chased home Iridessa in the Fillies’ Mile, and impressive Rockfel Stakes scorer Just Wonderful (16/1). Promising maiden winners Chablis (16/1) and Pink Dogwood (25/1) are also entered.
Dual Investec Oaks-winning handler Ralph Beckett has three talented entries for owner Waverley Racing, all sired by Lope De Vega. The unbeaten Manuela De Vega (16/1) defeated her male counterparts in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract in October.
Meanwhile, Antonia De Vega (33/1) captured the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. Impressive Doncaster maiden scorer Dancing Vega (20/1) completes the trio.
The pick of the three French-trained entries is Camelot filly Wonderment (25/1),who has not been seen out since defeating Sydney Opera House by a neck in the 10-furlong Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October, when she was the only filly in the nine-strong field.
Trainer Nicolas Clement revealed: “Wonderment has grown over the winter and looks a picture at the moment. I could not be happier with her.
“She was a Group One winner as a two-year-old, we have no doubts about her staying a mile and a half, and we think she will handle Epsom, which is why we decided to make the entry.
“She will start off in the Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud on May 1 and then depending on how she gets on there, we have the option of the Investec Oaks or the Prix de Diane.”
Andre Fabre is the most recent French trainer to have landed the Investec Oaks, courtesy of Intrepidity in 1993, and the handler has two entries this year in Villa d’Amore (20/1) and Tamniah (20/1), who are both twice-raced maiden winners.
Other notable Investec oaks entries include G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Star Terms (Richard Hannon, 33/1), who hails from the family of outstanding 1982 Oaks heroine Time Charter, and highly-regarded Yarmouth scorer Frankellina (33/1), the pick of three entries for Newmarket-based trainer William Haggas.
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
Finally, a Super Sunday that could live up to its name. With Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all in action, Premier League fans will be looking forward to sitting down in front of the television for what looks to be another exciting day in England’s top flight.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Selhurst Park for a clash with Crystal Palace in Sunday’s early fixture. The Eagles snatched a shock win at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the campaign and the visitors will be looking to settle the score.
Meanwhile, Chelsea head to Anfield knowing that a win will take the Blues back above rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the top four race. For Liverpool, it is all about claiming another win as they look to keep piling the pressure on Manchester City.
That’s enough chitchat for now – it is time to look at Sunday’s double header. 888sport have the latest Premier League betting odds available onsite ahead of both fixtures and punters needing some betting help can check out my thoughts below…
Crystal Palace vs MANCHESTER CITY
Palace have won just two of their previous eight home games – one against Fulham and the other against Huddersfield Town.
Roy Hodgson’s side have struggled to inspire confidence on home soil in recent months but Palace (9/1) could spring a major shock if everything goes to plan on Sunday afternoon.
City have been in fantastic form, winning their last eight Premier League games in a row. On current form, they are deservedly favourites to go on and retain the title...
A 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League is the only loss on their record since the start of February and 8/25 for the visitors to win isn’t the worst price to stick in an accumulator.
Finding extra value when City are playing is difficult but 11/10 for the Blues to win to nil on Sunday afternoon is reasonable. The selection has landed in six of their last seven top flight fixtures and another comfortable score line beckons.
City should win but the Eagles are tricky customers and Guardiola will recall December's 3-2 defeat. An intriguing affair awaits at Selhurst Park.
TIP: Man City to win to nil @ 11/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Crystal Palace 0-2 Man City (Priced at 11/2 with 888sport)
LIVERPOOL vs Chelsea
Liverpool are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of the title and Jurgen Klopp will be demanding another positive performance here.
You could argue that the Reds have rode their luck at times but you need to do that in the title race and 6/4 for Liverpool to lift the trophy represents excellent value.
Chelsea have battled hard to climb into the Premier League top four and Maurizio Sarri has weathered the storm after heavy criticism a couple of months ago.
The Blues, 21/5 to win at Anfield on Sunday, have previous in this fixture – can they put a dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge yet again?
In my opinion, no. Liverpool should prove too strong for Chelsea, especially at Anfield. The Reds have been outstanding on home soil in 2018/19 and it would take a brave man to back against Klopp’s side here.
5/2 for a Liverpool win with both teams scoring looks like a great price. Victory here should give the Reds a boost with easier fixtures on the horizon.
TIP: Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 5/2
PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea (Priced at 12/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Birmingham will look to continue their good run of form when they visit Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
At the time of writing, Ipswich are rooted to the bottom of the table having won just four of their 41 Championship games so far this season.
Meanwhile, Garry Monk’s side secured a 1-0 victory over high-flying Leeds United before following up that result with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United.
Che Adams was the hero in that win against Leeds and plenty of punters will fancy the BCFC star to get his name on the scoresheet this weekend.
8/5 for a player of Adams’ calibre to score in 90 minutes represents good value for Birmingham supporters.
Ipswich have conceded 67 goals so far this campaign – only two teams have conceded more goals this campaign.
With that in mind, taking the 11/8 for over 1.5 Birmingham goals this weekend is the way to go. It could be a happy journey home for the travelling fans.
As always, 888sport have a special for BCFC supporters this weekend. Adams to score in a Birmingham win is currently priced at 13/4 and punters should snap that price up ahead of Saturday’s trip to Portman Road.
If he scores, Birmingham will be confident of winning.
Ipswich’s defence is leaky and their offensive unit have struggled for large parts of 2018/19.
Only Bolton Wanderers (29) have scored fewer goals than Ipswich this season – bringing the 8/5 for Birmingham to keep a clean sheet into play.
Monk will have his side fired up for this clash and three points is all that matters. 23/20 for the Blues to emerge victorious is an excellent price and BCFC should take those odds all day long.
Watch this space, it could be an enjoyable weekend for Birmingham fans.
Prediction: Ipswich 0-2 Birmingham (8/1)
Bet of the day: Che Adams to score and Birmingham to win (13/4)
Outside punt: Birmingham to lead at half-time (37/20)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Just a week on from the conclusion of the Aintree Grand National our attentions are now focused on one of the highlights of the Scottish sporting calendar, the Scottish Grand National.
As always it has attracted some of the finest staying chasers in the UK & Ireland. A field of 28 runners line up on Saturday afternoon at 4.05pm.
Not quite as far as the Aintree version, the race is run over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards (6,538 metres) and 27 fences and is open to horses aged five years old or over.
There are plenty of pointers available over the past ten years which are all worth bearing in mind. You are looking for horses that fit the following criteria:
Won over 3 miles or further
Posted their career high RPR of 140+ in a long distance chase
Won a Class 2 or 3 chase in last 18 months
Won a chase worth £15,000 (or placed in a chase worth £45,000+)
Run in 10 to 22 chases (or placed in the 4 mile novice chase at Cheltenham Festival)
Course winner
Bypassed the Aintree Grand National
Horses that finished in first seven in this season’s Hennessy Gold Cup do well
Ran in the Grimthorpe, 4m NH Novice Chase or Somerset National last time
Trained in Great Britain (ideally by N Twiston-Davies, P Hobbs or A King)
Irish trained runners do not fare well. Last winner in 1869!
Aged 7 to 9 (won 6 of the last 10 renewals)
Carrying 10st 6lb or less
Officially rated 146 or lower (ideal range 134 to 139)
Horses carrying a penalty often do well
Run 3 to 6 times this season, 2 had not won a race during the campaign.
Finished in the first 6 last time
Posted an RPR of 140+ in one or all of last 3 chase starts
Eight winners had their preceding start in either March or April, of the exceptions one ran in the last week of February and the other in late December.
Scottish Grand National: Key Statistics
Official Rating no greater than 146 (10/10)
Won over at least 3 miles (10/10)
Ran in a Class 2 or 3 race last time out (10/10)
Aged between 8 and 11 years old (8/10)
Carried no more than 10st 9lbs (8/10)
Top 2 finish during last 2 starts (9/10)
At least 10 previous races over fences (8/10)
Last raced within the previous 43 days (8/10)
Not won a chase above Class 2 level (8/10)
Between 4 and 6 starts that season (8/10)
Scottish Grand National: 2019 Contenders
Vintage Clouds, a first-fence faller at Aintree last week, returns quickly to a racecourse to try and make amends for that unfortunate early departure.
Trained by Sue Smith, the grey was a popular choice in the betting for the Grand National, but his supporters knew their fate rather early as he met the first obstacle all wrong.
Vintage Clouds previously chased home the Nicky Henderson-trained Beware The Bear in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and the pair renew rivalry in this with Henderson’s charge being lumbered with the top weight.
The Alan King-trained Dingo Dollar and has been one of the leaders in the ante-post market horse racing odds for this race after finishing second in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last month and his jockey Wayne Hutchinson believes he has a great chance.
King and Hutchinson combined to land the 2013 Scottish Grand National with Godsmejudge, and Dingo Dollar has every chance of following in his footsteps.
The seven-year-old finished runner-up to Crosshue Boy at this meeting last year and has since run a creditable third to Sizing Tennessee and Elegant Escape in the former Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.
The Lucinda Russell-trained Big River was certainly a major eyecatcher from The Festival last month and is one of the few in the line-up who has won at Ayr before.
His Prestbury Park running-on late exertions left the impression that an even stiffer test would suit. He would probably like the ground a little bit more testing at the weekend but can still put up a bold show.
Eider Chase winner Crosspark comes here in good heart and there is no reason why the Caroline Bailey-trained nine-year-old cannot run yet another competitive race under Harry Skelton.
At a bit of a longer price Chic Name is a horse that is worth a second look as he seems to come good in the spring, winning the Highland National at Perth last April.
Trained by Richard Hobson and owned by The Boom Syndicate, the seven-year-old accounted for last year’s winner Joe Farrell last time out and has every chance of following up.
Borders trainer Sandy Thomson has been targeting Geronimo at Scotland’s richest race ever since the chestnut gelding won the Watch Racing TV Now Handicap Chase on January 20th.
Owner Ken McGarrity was quite keen on running Geronimo in the National Hunt Chase at one stage but Thomson believes this is the race the eight-year-old will excel in.
Scottish Grand National 2019: Conclusion
It’s time to play up your Tiger Roll winnings from last Saturday and have yet another “National” dabble right? These Nationals certainly come along with some regularity.
Given the patient waiting game Sandy Thomson has played with Geronimo he shall be my main each-way selection along with Chic Name who looks primed to follow up on his last run.
888sport suggests: Geronimo and Chic Name (e/w).
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
