Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Sned's Good Things
Lets get the horse racing over with, lets face it, my last 2 selections have finished last so it wouldn’t be the worst idea to get on betfair and lay this horse.
The big race tomorrow is the Irish 2000 Guineas and I for one am relieved that horse racing has kept the old currency. With all the changes going on in modern society, horse racing can be seen to be one of the last pillars of tradition this great country has. The race just wouldn’t sound right if they converted it to modern currency, a quick bit of maths (and the internet) gives me that 2000 guineas is now equal to £2100. The 2100 pounds just doesn’t appeal to me as a good name for a horse race.
Anyway, my tip is Henrythenavigator at 7/4. The horse is 2nd favourite, the 3rd favourite may not run if the going is too quick and the owner of Henrythenavigator has 2 other horses in the race.
Now for the play-offs, one game that can make or break a club's future. You only have to look at Leeds as an example; 2 years ago they were playing for a place in the Premiership against Watford. They lost that game and went on to get relegated the next season. The Leeds roller coaster continues this Sunday and it's a game bound to pack a few punches.
After coming from behind to beat Carlisle in the semi-final, with an injury time goal in each match, Leeds don’t do boring. Expect more excitement, this time in the form of extra time, and who knows, even penalties. The double result of draw-draw takes the match to extra time and pays at 4-1.
The Championship play-off final is commonly known as the richest game of football in the world with the winner set to gain over £60 million from the financial bonanza that is the English top flight. Tensions will be high, the game will be tight and I would be surprised to see goals.
6 of the last 7 Championship finals have been won to nil so I am sticking my neck on the line and backing Hull to succeed (also having the 0-0 as a fall back option) by keeping a clean sheet.
With there being no massive gambling spectacles this Summer in the form of England at a major tournament, bookies are looking to draw punters in with specials and enhanced odds while there is still English football being played. One special which looks far too large is the 9-2 on the treble of Hull, Leeds and Rochdale to gain promotion.
At the request of my esteemed work colleague (or boss) Craig Hampshire, this column will cover the Eurovision song contest. The only bit of this I have watched in the last few years has been the results process and to be honest I’m not even really watching that. I just tune into to listen to the utter dismay in Terry Wogan’s voice as he once again realises that the UK has no friends in Europe and that Eurovision is more reminiscent of playground football at school whereby you make your picks based on your friends rather than how good they are.
The contest is being held in Eastern Europe this year, and would you believe it the 3 favourites are Russia, Ukraine and Serbia. I am tempted by the offer of 6-1 for the UK to score nil points but I will advise backing the Ukraine entrant at 7-2.
Seano's snaps
Written by Sean Martin
Expresso Star is a three year old maiden trained by Newmarket specialist Jay Gosden and showed great promise on his first run fifteen days ago at Lingfield. Out of a mare Seattle Dancer he is bred to get this 1 mile trip and should have no difficulty opening his account. Value at 5/4 or better.
All the play off finals to come this weekend seem as tight as Alan Shearer’s trousers on Match of the Day, as these high pressure games tend not to bring out teams’ best football. However, I think the Championship final should bring something a little different.
There have been 15 goals on Bristol’s last five games and 13 in Hull’s displaying that these teams bring goals. Therefore as the teams are evenly matched I think the 2.32 offered for over 2.5 goals is the best value this close affair will offer.
At the start of the season it seemed like Ken Bates had been more like Norman Bates in murdering Leeds’ chances of promotion with a 15 point deficit, however it seems that this has united the club leading them to easily reaching the play offs. Their opponents Doncaster trashed Southend in professional fashion in the second leg of their semi final but I think Leeds will triumph on the day. They have won 4 out of their last 5 and played Carlisle off the park away from home. Moreover Leeds are used to playing in front of huge crowds at Elland Road and I think they won’t be daunted by the big stage: value at 2.34 outright.
Both Stockport and Rochdale have been in sketchy form in the run up to the play off final and the pressure should only worsen their lack of fluidity. I forsee this one to be a nervous game with neither side dominating play. Therefore 3.45 the draw seems like good value.
This Saturday also sees the Cup final in Italy with Internazionale and Roma facing each other. The former dominated Serie A and beat Roma 4-1 away the first time they met this season. I can’t see Roma holding firm so get Inter the league winners at 2.14 the win or for a more outsider’s shout 1-0 at 11.5 as their defensive record is so strong.
Thinks are looking good for a change Sned! Henry navigated his way to 1st place, Hull kept a clean sheet and Leeds-Donny was 0-0 at half-time. Not bad.
Seano... head up mate! Practice must make perfect!
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