[October 12 - October 18]

Marin Cilic (-5.5 games) to beat Di Wu @ 1.757 Pinnacle (4 pts)

I'm climbing on board the Cilic bandwagon, as I agree with the rationale for why the prices are the way they are. Normally, losing narrowly to Nadal and breaking him a few times into the bargain would be a noteworthy achievement for a player like Wu, but such has been the decline of the Spaniard this season that it doesn't mean as much. If the Nadal match had never happened then I think this line could have been one game higher which would have been that much more difficult for Cilic to cover, but as it is he could cover it with a single break in each set of a straight sets win. Given the gulf in class between these two a straight sets win for the Croatian is the least we should see, and as long as that happens then I think this line will come in.

 

Elina Svitolina (-5.5 games) to beat Elena Vesnina @ 2.040 Pinnacle (3 pts)

Initially I was going to give this match a miss as I wasn't sure that Svitolina deserved to be such a strong favourite, but then I looked at Vesnina's form and the reason for the prices became apparent. The Russian is on a horrible run right now which has seen her lose her last four matches, and on top of that she hasn't been able to string two wins together since the French Open so her confidence can't be all that high. At some point her results will likely pick up as she's a good player, but right now she could probably do without facing a top player like Svitolina. I'm not convinced the Ukrainian will win in straight sets as Vesnina could easily play to her potential for a spell, but as long as she's dominant for the majority of the match then I give this line a chance.

Either I'm being really stupid or you are.

How do you cover a 5.5 game line with a single break in each set of a straight sets win? 

[Rugby World Cup 2015]

Oh man, I'm having a nightmare today. Nonsense play by Argentina, nonsense refereeing in the Italy - Romania game. 

 

I guess that's what happens when I bet on a nonsense sport. 

 

[Euro 2016 Qualifying ~ October 8th - 10th]

England v Estonia

With Wayne Rooney really struggling for form at present, I personally think he should be dropped for both club and country. There is no doubting what a brilliant player he was and still is, he is just finding things tough at the moment. No player is indispensable and it could be a great chance to give Harry Kane the chance he deserves.

With England already guaranteed to top their group, I don't think they will be bursting a gut here, especially as most of the players know they have a long season ahead in the Premier League and will want to be careful. The main thing for England is to keep possession, plenty of running off the ball, basically treat the match like a good training session.

Estonia on the other hand know that they need to get a result. The fact they really struggle for goals means they know their best chance of a result is a 0-0 draw. So I think the first half may be very tight, England with lots of the ball, Estonia with everyone behind the ball making life tough. If it is a 0-0 draw at half time, which is a big possibility, then I think Estonia +2.5 Asian Handicap is the way to go.

 

Back Estonia +2.5 Asian Handicap ~ 4 Points @ 1.69 Ladbrokes

 

Read Full Preview @ https://www.punterslounge.com/england-v-estonia-preview--tips-roy-s-boys-can-relax-in-final-home-qualifier

I think there is LOTS of doubting what a brilliant player Rooney was and is.

 

It would be interesting to hear what the opinions of him are in countries other than England but it has to be said it's cringeworthy how overrated he is by fans and the media in England.

[October 5 - October 11]

Absolute donkey of a performance by Denis Istomin. Can't seriously be losing to someone ranked 150 places below him, that's embarrassing.

 

I've lost a whole load of money on that and I'm fairly frustrated because I don't feel the bet was unreasonable at all. 

[Rugby World Cup 2015]

Who we classing as the third big team? Australia, England and Fiji? haha. England messed up when they made the shocking decision not to go for the 3 points at the death V Wales. Then went on to bottle it against the Aussies. No surprise there. Expect Australia to top the group from here and fancy them to make the final.

I'm not sure if you're joking but I meant Australia, Wales and England as the three big teams.

[Rugby World Cup 2015]

My avatar might give it away mate. Maybe they won't but personally I feel for them and their fans. Imagine if your home nation had been preparing to host the comp then to play the worst rugby you've played for a number of years. 

Sorry, I'm not a rugby fan so I don't know who your avatar is! 

 

They were in a group with three big teams and only two could go through. I wish the media etc could be more philosophical in their analysis, one big team had to miss out, that doesn't mean it was a disaster or heads have to roll for that team. If they had gone out in a group with only one or two big teams fair enough that WOULD be a disaster but in this instance it was just bad luck with the draw they got, nothing more. 

[Rugby World Cup 2015]

Stellar performance from Aus last night. Feel gutted for England but there was always going to be one top team knocked out of that pool, shame it's the hosts, expect a lot of ticket resales! Liking Ireland to step up their game against Italy today. This will be a dry run for next weeks pool decider so you can expect them to aim for a clinical performance

What country are you from out of interest?

I think most of the rugby world are certainly not gutted for England.

[Barclays Premier League ~ October 3rd & 4th]

Where did I mention Cech?

You DIDN'T mention him, that's the point. You listed Man Utd 'leaders' and left Arsenal leaders blank with a funny face next to it.

[Barclays Premier League ~ October 3rd & 4th]

Leaders get teams out of sticky situations.

Man U leaders: Rooney, Schweinsteiger, Mata, De Gea

Arsenal Leaders: 

I don't know what you mean by that or what point you're trying to make? 

 

I can't think of the Arsenal team off the top of my head but for starters I don't see what you mean by saying David De Gea is a 'leader' but Petr Cech isn't? 

[NFL 2015 Picks]

Nice predictions 8 of 11 correct assume they were the even money lines ? , any chance of some reasoning with Week 4 picks ?

I think with results like that we don't need to worry about the reasoning for now. 

[Rugby World Cup 2015]

Very poor by Tonga, fairly poor by the referee and loads of bets on Tonga winning by loads go down the pan. Impressive again from Namibia though.