Labrador

Looks a strong enough side for Villa to dispose of League 2 Stevenage, although Chambers and Bednarek at centre backs may give the visitors a bit of hope from any set pieces. Carl Piergianni has scored 3 powerful headers in his last two games for Stevenage so his goal minutes worth a small buy for me at 3 (Sporting Index). For Villa Ludwig Augustinsson gets a start and was unlucky not to score against Wolves last game. At 12/1 to score Augustinsson perhaps worth a modest dabble.

I can endorse Darran's comments about Hereford - poor and toothless in both games v an equally moderate Kidderminster over the festive period. Scarborough available at 12/5 looks a value bet, although in this poor league this season any result would not surprise me.

Have to endorse Darran's comments about Kidderminster, although Chester were reportedly very poor in squeaking a 1-0 against Blyth Spartans at the weekend. Nothing certain - but there are local rumours that Kiddie have been hit with a bug this week, so there could be one or two extra players missing this evening as well as striker Ethan Freemantle. Chester's Kurt Willoughby has scored in 6 of his last 7 league games. Have bought his player goal rush at 8 with Sporting Index. [Wouldn't surprise me if Harriers old boy Declan Weekes scores - he's very decent from free kicks and shots outside the box].

Tom George has a satellite yard at Chantilly run by his son Noel. Frequently James Reveley is booked for the French runners.

Southgate's immediate post-match interview was all about stating how he had drilled into the players how effective and dangerous USA would be and how his team must stick to a very careful plan. Having instilled so much negativity into the England side and obviously told Harry Mcguire and John Stones to keep passing the ball to each other for the opening 15 minutes, it's no wonder we were so poor. Unless there is more adventure and belief I cannot see us having any chance against the likes of Brazil or Spain.

With England Women v Brazil Women on BBC2 at 2.30 this afternoon I couldn't resist a look at the limited markets to see if anything looked "value". The weather forecast for Headingley suggests light rain throughout the game, so it's a bit tempting to go with Brazil +65.5 at 10/11 Hills. However, it's impossible to get any handle on the ability of the Brazil ladies. England's Georgia Roche plays scrum half or loose forward so should regularly be pretty active near the Brazil line. Roche has scored 5 tries in 6 games for England and 8 tries in 11 for Leeds Rhinos. That makes 4/6 (skybet) a bit of value for Georgia Roche to score a try.

Forecast to be heavy rain right throughout the game at Wigan this evening. Consequently I can envisage PNG going route 1 up the middle with their powerful forwards and having many play-the-balls close to the Welsh line. I was all set to back their hooker/dummy half Edwin Ipape to score but he is not in the Sporting Index tryscorer list. I wonder whether he is being saved for the quarter final next week. If that's the case then the role should be covered by Wesser Tenza. I have bought his super mega try minutes at 13 (Spreadex). Also backed under 49.5 match points at evens (skybet). [Was very tempted to sell match multis at 571 - but given how poor the French underdogs were yesterday I'm not trusting tonight's underdogs enough to keep it tight, although I've a hunch it will be a close, possibly low-scoring game in poor conditions].

Well done with Graham and (first) Taulagi bets. I'm a bit surprised that the handicaps are so high for Samoa v France. At evens (Coral) I've taken France (+28).

Difficult to find any value in today's seemingly one-sided matches. Mike McIlorum is not in the England squad against Greece which suggests that Andy Ackers will have a long stint at hooker/dummy half. Have split stakes between a buy of his try minutes at 27 and his super minutes at 43 (Spreadex). Very striking for Fiji both for his dyed blonde hair and his try-scoring has been Viliame Kikau. Have backed him to score 2 or more v Scotland at 13/5 (Spreadex). [He may conceivably be rested and kept for the quarter final against the Kiwis].

The Moldovans have received a red card in 3 of their last 6 European matches and tonight''s Greek referee could certainly oblige again. The recent managerial turmoil with Sheriff Tiraspol could see the team go either way in terms of commitment and effort. I'll take a chance they will be fired up and have bought Sheriff bookings at 24 with Spreadex. Have also bought total match red cards at 0.18 (Sporting Index). On the off chance that Ten Haag puts Harry Maguire in the team tonight I think his goal minutes are worth a buy at 6 (Sporting Index).

Well played with sell of Samoan hotshots - I think it's very brave to sell this market against a team like Greece. Having said that, Joseph Suaalii barely registered in an attacking sense - very strange! Good luck with Tonga bets. Wales were better than expected against Cook Islands and Tonga were fortunate in my view to come out on top against PNG. However, like Samoa last night, I feel they may keep the foot on the jugular this evening and rack up a big score. I've just kept things simple with a bet on Tongan (and St Helens) juggernaut Konrad Hurrell to score a try at 5/6 (Bet 365). Also had a modest dabble on Hurrell to score 3+ tries at 12/1. New ground broken in this game with the first time a woman has reffed a men's test match. She is Kasey Badger who has NRL experience. [No doubt she will enjoy the SETTS🦡 of six].

Thanks Darran. Even after yesterday's results 25/1 still available about Gloucester. Both Fylde and Kings Lynn are very patchy, and I agree that Gloucester have every chance, It's crazy that Kidderminster are still 10/1 - 12/1. They are on the slide big time and have more chance of being in the Southern League than getting promoted.

Unfortunately cannot bet with Ladbrokes but have found a modest bet at 5/2 (skybet) for Joseph Suaalii to score a try in each half. Good luck with Ken Sio,

What must Steven Gerrard be thinking? Same team as in midweek when abysmal at Fulham is 3-0 up after 14 mins!

Good shout with W-Z and unlucky with Kris. The Samoan who impressed me most against England was full-back, Joseph Suaalii who is something of a prodigy with Sydney Rooster in the NRL. He is still only 19 and has scored 16 tries in 24 appearances in the NRL. He consistently broke through English tackles but frequently ended up dropping the ball or losing control. He should have far less difficulty against the Greeks this evening. The Met Office suggest conditions should be decent by 5pm KO time, and I reckon the Samoans will be all out to make up for their drubbing by England. Suaalii's fixed odds prices to score even a hat-trick are prohibitive in my view, so I've bought his try minutes at 53 with Spreadex.