Western Force and Rebels have both been handicapped by the fact that they haven’t had home games this season and the sides meet in Sydney this week.
The Force were well beaten by the Brumbies 24-0 last week in Sydney and they are without a win in their opening 3 matches. They did at least compete more effectively in their opening games beating the handicap against the Reds in Brisbane and the Waratahs in Sydney.
The Rebels impressed me last week when they beat a well backed Waratahs side 29-10 in Sydney. They had opened slight favourites in the betting, but the money came for the Waratahs, however the Rebels never looked like being beaten. If the Rebels win this game they will most likely assure themselves of a spot in the Top 3 and a crack at the Finals.
These sides haven’t met since 2017 when the Force won 31-22 in Perth and all, but one of their 9 meetings, had been decided by a single point margin.
BETTING
Western Force 33/10
Draw 35/1
Rebels 1/4
Handicap: Western Force (+10.5) at 9/10, Rebels (-10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet:Winning Margin, Rebels Under 12.5 points at 17/10
As mentioned above this clash is historically tight and while the Rebels should win this, the Force are capable of keeping the score line respectable.
With the Test Series against the West Indies barely completed, England go into a 3 match ODI series against Ireland. All 3 ODI’s will take place in Southampton.
This match also signals the start of the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League which will ultimately determine the qualifiers for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
The England side will be missing a number of familiar names with those involved in the 3rd Test against the West Indies such as Stokes and Root sitting out, England still have the bulk of their World Cup winning squad available though. This will be England’s first home ODI Series since winning the World Cup last year, but they did travel to South Africa where they drew a 3 game series 1-1 after rain washed out the second match.
Ireland are battling to prove themselves on the International stage and aside from the odd massive upset are generally whipping boys against the big dogs. Punters will recognise Kevin O’Brien as a familiar name dating back as far as the World Cup 2011 and he looked good in the warm-up match. Ireland went to the West Indies at the start of the year and lost the series 3-0.
These sides have played against each other 10 times with England winning 8, Ireland 1 and 1 no result.
England are understandably short priced favourites and we will look elsewhere for our selections in this series.
Bet: Batsman to score a 50, Johnny Bairstow, YES, at 11/10
There is a big difference between ODI and Test cricket, but Bairstow will be eager to prove his worth to the English selectors with a strong performance here. I am backing Bairstow to come out firing and to score a 50.
Bet: Top away batsman, Harry Tector at 9/2
Tector looks likely to make his 50 over debut and he has looked sharp in the warm-ups. Likely to bat in the middle order he may be able to avoid some of the fiery bowling bowling up front and give us a run for our money.
South Africans can keep an eye on Curtis Campher who toured England with The South African Under-19’s, but has opted to play for Ireland.
If you are not sure of what to bet on before the game starts keep an eye out for in play betting.
The WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational is the first WGC event since the COVID-19 break ended and takes place at the TPC Southwind Course in Memphis, Tennessee.
The course plays to a Par 70 and is testing with small greens which should challenge the players. History suggests that finding the greens in regulation will be key to a top finish and as you would expect from a WGC event we have a quality field taking to the 1st tee.
Jon Rahm and Rory Mcilroy are disputing favouritism at 11/1 ahead of Justin Thomas 12/1, Bryson Dechambeau 14/1 and you can get 20/1 and better the balance. Louis Oosthuizen is the first South African I came to as I scanned down the betting and he is 125/1 and in the Top South African market he, Van Rooyen and Bezuidenhout are all trading at 37/20.
22/1 and better the balance, prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change
Selections
Jon Rahm each way at 11/1
The way Rahm won 2 weeks ago it really is hard to picture him not being in the shake up come Sunday. He was 7th here in 2019 and I have a feeling that victory of his is going to unlock many more. I am also going to back Rahm at 17/20 to beat Rory Mcilroy who has looked a bit out of sorts although did have a Top 5 finish here last season. Rahm is 17/20 to beat Mcilroy and you can Click here for 72 Hole Match Betting.
Billy Horschel each way at 60/1
I may have included the favourite in my picks, but I am going to be going for some outsiders from here on. Horschel is a man with excellent course form and he is no fewer than 5 Top 10’s in his last 6 starts here. He has also been in good recent nick with a Top 15 and a Top 10 to his credit in recent weeks.
Ryan Palmer each way at 200/1
Palmer’s price looks tempting this week and he is coming off a runner-up finish in his last start, behind Rahm at the Memorial. His recent course form hasn’t been great, but if we go back a few years he has two Top 5 finishes at this venue.
Jordan Spieth each way at 66/1
Spieth is showing hints of coming back to form and he was Top 15 in his last start. He also finished just outside the Top 10 here last year and if he can continue his progression that 66/1 might look very juicy on Sunday night.
Click here to bet on the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
To lift your mood and spirits this Monday, we’ve found 10 inspirational quotes from celebrity sports stars. From determination to winning, to coming up from the dust, we’re certainly pumped after reading them. We hope you will be too:
Knute Rockne:
“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.”
Billie Jean King:
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”
Andre Agassi:
“What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.”
Pele:
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”
Arnold Palmer:
“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
Mario Andretti:
“If you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough.”
Muhammad Ali:
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
Evander Holyfield:
“It is not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters.”
Watne Gretzky:
“You miss 100% of the shots you dont take.”
Jim Valvano:
“Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first step to succeeding.”
The Blues slim title hopes all but evaporated last week when they lost to the Hurricanes in Wellington, but they have won both their home games beating the Hurricanes by 10 and the Highlanders by 3.
The Chiefs were 6 point favourites at home to the Highlanders last week, but despite leading by 19 points at one stage, they somehow lost the match 33-31. That means they are still without a victory in this Tournament and their two away matches have seen them lose by 5 to the Crusaders and by a single point to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The Blues beat the Chiefs 24-12 in Hamilton earlier in the Tournament, but in the last 4 matches played in Auckland, the Chiefs have won 2, the Blues 1 and there has been a single draw. Only 1 of the last 7 Blues home matches against the Chiefs has had more than 50 points, but that was the last game back in January of this year.
BETTING
Blues 7/20
Draw 25/1
Chiefs 5/2
Handicap: Blues (-7.5) at 9/10, Chiefs (+7.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-time result, Blues (-3.5) at 9/10
I like the look of this Blues side and I am backing them to get off to a fast start for the lead of 4 points or more by half-time
