YAHYA ZAYD ACHEZA SAA NZIMA LAKINI ISMAILIA YAPIGWA 1-0 NA HARAS EL HODOOD

Na Mwandishi Wetu, CAIRO
MSHAMBULIAJI chipukizi wa kimataifa wa Tanzania, Yahya Zayd usiku wa jana amecheza kwa karibu saa nzima timu yake, Ismailia ikichapwa 1-0 na Haras El Hodood katika mchezo wa Ligi Kuu ya Misri Uwanja wa Gehaz El Reyada mjini Cairo.
Pamoja na kuwa wenyeji, Ismailia hawakufurukuta wakiadhibiwa na Haras El Hodood na wapinzani wenzao wa zamani wa Simba SC ya Dar es Salaam kwa bao pekee la mshambuliaji kinda wa miaka 21 kutoka Nigeria, Edu Moses dakika ya 28.
Zayd aliyejiunga na Ismailia msimu huu kutoka Azam FC ya nyumbani, Tanzania alitolewa dakika ya 58, nafasi yake ikichukuliwa na Karim Bambo.

Yahya Zayd usiku wa jana amecheza kwa karibu saa nzima Ismailia ikichapwa 1-0 na Haras El Hodood katika Ligi Kuu ya Misri

Hata hivyo, mabadiliko hayo hayakuweza kuinusuru Ismailia kupoteza 10 katika msimu huu, hivyo kubaki na pointi zake 37 baada ya kucheza mechi 29 na sasa ipo nafasi ya saba.
Baada ya ushindi wa jana, Haras El Hodood sasa wanasogea nafasi ya 15 katika Ligi Kuu inayoshirikisha timu 18 wakifikisha pointi 32 katika mchezo wa 30.
Wachezaji wengine wa Kitanzania wanaocheza Misri, viungo Himid Mao timu yake Petrojet FC ni ya 14 ikiwa na pointi 34 za mechi 30 na Shiza Kichuya wa ENPPI anayoichezea kwa mkopo kutoka Phraco FC ipo nafasi ya 16 ikiwa na pointi 30 za mechi 29.

from BIN ZUBEIRY SPORTS - ONLINE http://bit.ly/2WfjClz

AJAX YAITANDIKA TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 PALE PALE LONDON

Kipa Hugo Lloris wa Tottenham Hotspur akijaribu bila mafanikio kuokoa mpira uliopigwa na Donny van de Beek kuipatia bao pekee la ushindi Ajax dakika ya 15 ikiwalaza wenyeji 1-0 katika mchezo wa kwanza wa Nusu Fainali ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya usiku wa kuamkia leo Uwanja wa Tottenham Hotspur mjini London. Timu hizo zitarudiana Mei 8 na mshindi wa jumla atakuwa atakutana na mshindi wa jumla baina ya Barcelona na Liverpool kwenye fainali Juni 1 PICHA ZAIDI GONGA HAPA 

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SIMBA SC KUCHEZA MECHI YA KIRAFIKI NA SEVILLA YA HISPANIA MEI 23 UWANJA WA TAIFA

Na Mwandishi Wetu, DAR ES SALAAM
SHIRIKISHO la Soka Tanzania (TFF) limetangaza timu ya Simba ya Tanzania kucheza mchezo wa kirafiki wa Kimataifa na Sevilla ya Hispania Mei 23,2019 Uwanja wa Taifa.
Afisa Habari na Mawasiliano wa TFF, Clifford Mario Ndimbo amesema kwamba Simba imetajwa kucheza mchezo huo dhidi ya Sevilla kwa kigezo cha Klabu ya Tanzania iliyofanya vizuri katika mashindano ya SportPesa Cup kwa timu zinazodhaminiwa na SportPesa.
Sevilla waliopo kwenye Ligi Kuu ya Hispania La Liga wataingia Tanzania Mei 21,2019 tayari kwa mchezo huo.

Katibu Mkuu wa TFF Kidao Wilfred amesema kigezo kikubwa kilichotumika kuchagua timu ya kucheza mchezo huo ni timu ya Tanzania iliyofanya vizuri katika mashindano ya SportPesa ambapo Simba ilifikia hatua ya nusu fainali.
Amesema ratiba ya Ligi Kuu imebana kimetumika kigezo cha mashindano ya SportPesa kumpata muwakilshi wa kucheza na Sevilla.
Mkurugenzi wa Utawala na Udhibiti wa SportPesa Tarimba Abas awali kulikuwa na wazo la kuzikutanisha Simba na Young Africans ili kupatikana timu moja lakini ratiba imekuwa ngumu kuzikutanisha timu hizo au kuchezwa michezo mawili.
Ameongeza kuwa kigezo cha kutumia mashindano ya SportPesa kinaondoa ugumu wa kupatikana timu ya kucheza na Sevilla. Tayari maandalizi kwaajili ya mchezo huo yanaendelea.

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SIMBA SC 1-0 JKT TANZANIA (LIGI KUU TANZANIA BARA)

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Neil Morrice: UK and Irish Racing Tips - Wednesday 1 May 2019

Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips for Wednesday's racing at Nottingham, Ascot, Bath and Punchestown.

Nottingham Best Bets 

Race 4: ILLETYOUGONOW (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: William Buick

Bated Breath filly ILLETYOUGONOW steps up from sprinting to a mile for her seasonal return and could be attractively weighted. She's done everything right in her preparation for this and Buick is an eye-catching jockey booking.

Race 6: PATCHOULI (2)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Scott McCullough

A stablemate of Illetyougonow, PATCHOULI failed to get home over a mile and a half on her all-weather return and will appreciate both coming back to a mile and a quarter and returning to turf.

Ascot Best Bets

Race 4 No6 DEE EX BEE
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: William Buick

Hard to imagine a colt with the talent of DEE EX BEE went through the 2018 campaign winless but he has plenty of time to make up for that lost time and can make his mark in Cup races this summer. The gigantic colt finished fourth in the St Leger as well as running well in the Dante Stakes and the Derby. But he was a very successful 2yo and can show he hasn't forgotten how to win.

Race 5: BARNEY ROY (4)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick

Returning to the track as a gelding after proving infertile at stud, BARNEY ROY would readily sweep these aside if anywhere near as good as when winning the St James's Palace Stakes here two weeks ago. He has a more than 550-day absence to defy but his in-form trainer reckons he's more than ready to show his prowess in this Listed affair.

Bath Best Bets

Race 2: BARTAT (5)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: George Downing

With specialist 2yo trainers such as Archie Watson and David Evans represented this isn't the easiest of tasks for BARTAT but her greater experience gained from two frame finishes can stand her in good stead for the Channon yard. She was beaten by a long way on the latest of those at Newmarket but now encounters a class drop.

Race 5: BAYSHORE FREEWAY (3)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Franny Norton

Johnston runners here always command the greatest respect and the ultra-consistent BAYSHORE FREEWAY will be hard to peg back from the easy lead he looks destined to obtain. There was much to like about the way the selection shaped on his seasonal reappearance and the way he finished indicates the step up to two and three-quarter miles will be beneficial.

Punchestown Best Bets

Race 5: KEMBOY (4)
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh

With his disastrous first fence exit from the Magners Gold Cup a fading memory, KEMBOY can demonstrate how dangerous he would have been to Al Boum Photo had he stood up. The Nap absolutely bolted up in the Aintree Bowl, beating Clan Des Obeaux by nine lengths with Bristol De Mai well beaten off, and comes here fresher than most in this field. If in the same vein of form as at Aintree he will be hard to beat.

Race 7: CLASS CONTI (2)
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend

CLASS CONTI might encounter different ground conditions than the bog in which he successfully returned at Tramore but there was so much to like about the way he got the job done that he must be backed to follow up. The 11-4 favourite could be named the winner some way out to give the impression he still finds himself on an attractive mark.

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2IRhLAE

BAO LA DAKIKA YA MWISHO LAIPA USHINDI SIMBA SC IKIILAZA JKT TANZANIA PUNGUFU 1-0

Na Mwandishi Wetu, DAR ES SALAAM
SIMBA SC imeendeleza wimbi la ushindi katika Ligi Kuu ya Tanzania Bara baada ya kuichapa 1-0 JKT Tanzania Uwanja wa Uhuru mjini Dar es Salaam jioni ya leo.
Kwa ushindi huo, Simba SC inafikisha pointi 72 baada ya kucheza mechi 28 na kuendelea kushika nafasi ya pili, nyuma ya watani wao wa jadi, Yanga SC wenye pointi 77 za mechi 33.
Sifa zimuendee mfungaji wa bao hilo pekee dakika ya sita kati ya saba za nyongeza baada ya kutimia dakika 90 za kawaida, kiungo Hassan Dilunga aliyetokea benchi kipindi cha kwanza kuchukua nafasi ya Nahodha, John Raphael Bocco.

Lakini pongezi haswa zimuendee mpishi wa bao hilo, mshambuliaji wa kimataifa wa Uganda, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi aliyewavuruga mabeki wa JKT kwa chenga kabla ya kumpenyezea mpira mfungaji. 
Na Okwi alipiga bao hilo akitoka kukosa mabao zaidi ya matatu ya wazi kwenye mchezo uliochezeshwa na Heri Sasii aliyesaidiwa na washika vibendera Hellen Mduma na Shaffi Mohammed wote wa Dar es Salaam.
Nahocha John Bocco aliyefunga mabao yote Simba ikiilaza 2-0 Biashara United mjini Musoma katika mchezo uliopita, leo hakuwa vizuri kiasi cha kupumzishwa baada ya dakika ya 30 tu.
Na JKT Tanzania inayofundishwa na Kocha Bora wa Ligi Kuu msimu uliopita, Mohamed Abdalah 'Bares' ilimaliza pungufu baada ya mchezaji wake, Anuary kilemile kutolewa kwa kadi nyekundu dakika ya 74 kufuatia kuonyeshwa njano ya pili kwa kucheza rafu. 
Kikosi cha Simba SC kilikuwa; Deo Munishi ‘Dida’, Zana Coulibaly/Nicholas Gyan dk70, Mohammed Hussein, Yussuf Mlipili, Erasto Nyoni, James Kotei/Rashid Juma dk59, Clatous Chama, Muzamil Yassin, John Bocco/Hassan Dilunga dk30, Meddie Kagere na Emmanuel Okwi.
JKT Tanzania; Abdulrahman Mohammed, Anuary Kilemile, Salim Aziz Gilla/Saad Abubakar dk80, Rahim Juma, Frank Nchimbi, Nurdin Mohamed, Najim Magulu, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Samuel Kamuntu, Edward Songo na Richard Maranya/Kelvin Nashon dk87.

from BIN ZUBEIRY SPORTS - ONLINE http://bit.ly/2IR8bgY

Greyville Best Bets Wednesday 1 May 2019

Winning Form brings you their best tips for Greyville's racing on Wednesday the 1st of May 2019. Comments, betting, and silks are provided! Tips provided come from Winning Form, as well as their back page tipster - Magic Tips by  JayEmEe.

Winning Form Best Bets

Race 1: EMERALD BAND(1)
Race 3: CERSEI(5)
Race 10: THOMAS SHELBY(5)
Race 11: ESCAPE CLUB(2)

Magic Tips Best Bets

Race 2: DALLAS(1)
Jockey: L Hewitson    - Trainer: LM Roberts

DALLAS hasn't done too much wrong of late, having run 4 seconds in a row before finishing 4th last ti- me out. He is much better suited to the polytrack, going on his C&D record and with that in mind he looks the one to beat on recent form.

DALLAS(1)

Race 3: CENTRE STAGE(4)
Jockey: C Orffer  - Trainer: MD Miller 

CENTRE STAGE showed solid improvement last time out when being fitted with the blinkers. She clearly enjoyed the step up to the 1400m and with Orffer retaining the ride, she looks the one to beat in a fairly open race.

CENTRE STAGE(4)

Race 4: ISIKHWAMI SAMI(9)
Jockey: A Marcus  - Trainer: F Robinson

ISIKHWAMI SAMI put up a solid debut effort and she had excuses in her follow up effort on the turf. She reverts back to the poly today & from pole position with Marcus up, she looks the right one here.

ISIKHWAMI SAMI(9)

TOP BET FOR TODAY
Race 6: ADORABLE ANALIA(7)

Jockey:  S Moodley   - Trainer: F Robinson

ADORABLE ANALIA has been dropping in the ratings and seems to be going in the right direction since returning from that rest 4 starts back. She does step up in class today, but if overcoming that tricky draw she looks a huge runner here.

ADORABLE ANALIA(7)

VALUE BET FOR TODAY

Race 5: HIDDEN INFLUENCE(8)
Jockey:  K De Melo   - Trainer: D Kannemeyer 

HIDDEN INFLUENCE comes into this event on the back of some improving form. That can probably be attri- buted to his gelding back in October last year. He has been dropping in the ratings and with his reco- rd over this trip in mind, he looks a big runner from draw 1.

HIDDEN INFLUENCE(8)

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PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship Preview

The tour moves from the extremely entertaining team event in New Orleans to North Carolina this week. This event started life as the Wachovia Championship and was briefly known as the Quail Hollow Championship between 2009 and 2010. Check out our full betting preview below.  

Eagle Point Golf Club played host to the 2017 edition as Quail Hollow hosted the 2017 PGA Championship. The 2021 President’s Cup is scheduled to be played here. This is widely considered one of the most challenging stop-offs on tour outside of the Major Championships every year. 

2019 US PGA Tour | Wells Fargo Championship
Quail Hollow Club, North Carolina
Thursday 2 May - Friday 5 May 2019

This 7,400-yard course was designed by George Cobb in 1961, though it underwent extensive renovations under Tom Fazio in 1997. The greens were switched from bentgrass to Bermuda after the 2013 edition. It is famed for one of the toughest finishing stretches in the game, lovingly known as the Green Mile. This is a difficult test, with challenging fairways and even more painstaking approaches. The course perennially ranks inside the top 10 for most difficult in proximity to the hole. The undulating, speedy greens are also regular fixtures in most difficult three-putt avoidance stats. Scrambling and putting are key to playing well at Quail Hollow. 

Tiger Woods has decided to eschew the event at the last moment, taking away some of the lustre of proceedings. Rory McIlroy will be looking to offset yet another disappointing tilt at that Grand Slam triumph. Defending champion Jason Day has hinted at his best form thus far this year without quite hitting his peak. Ricky Fowler and Justin Rose will be looking to bounce back this week while Paul Casey looks to pick up the pieces after a missed cut at Augusta. 

Past Winners
2018: Jason Day (-12)
2017: Brian Harman (-10)
2016: James Hahn (-9)*playoff
2015: Rory McIlroy (-21)
2014: J.B Holmes (-14)

Outright Betting (To Win)
Rory McIlroy (6/1)
Jason Day (10/1)
Ricky Fowler (11/1)
Justin Rose (12/1)
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1)

Value Bets

Phil Mickelson - To Win (28/1 ), To Place (6/1 )
Phil Mickelson began the year in sparkling style, recording a runner-up finish at the Desert Classic prior to capturing the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He did follow that up with back-to-back missed cuts, though a top 20 at Augusta went some way to reinstalling some confidence for ‘lefty’. He has been on an exceptionally consistent streak on this golf course. His last six starts have seen him finish T5, T18, T4, T4, T11 and 3. He will clearly be a factor this week if that otherworldly short-game of his in anywhere near its best. 

Kevin Streelman - To Win (100/1), To Place (22/1)
Long shots have had a habit of making a splash at Quail Hollow in the past. James Hahn won at 500/1 three years ago, while Nick Watney came from nowhere to finish runner-up last season. With that in mind, I have gone for Kevin Streelman. He has had some extremely encouraging results of late, with a 6th at the Valero Texas Open and a 6th at Harbour Town. Course form isn’t as hot, with two missed cuts in his last two appearances. However, he does boast top 10 finishes here in 2013 and 2015. Streelman is the type of metronomic player who is bound to surprise from time to time. 

The Man to Beat

Paul Casey - To Win (20/1), To Place (44/10)
Paul Casey had my vote going into Augusta and once again collapsed on his way to a missed cut. But Casey has already shown his capacity to bounce back from a missed cut this year: he managed that en route to the Valspar Championship. He was T13 in this event in 2017 and also managed a tie for 13th at the PGA Championship that year. He currently ranks 8th in driving accuracy and 11th in shots gained tee to green. Casey is a solid tee-to-green player who tends to play his best golf in strong fields outside of the Major Championships. 

Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets. 

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2LftISx

English Premier League: Gameweek 37 Preview

From day one, its been a rollercoaster ride. Now with just two matches remaining, there’s still plenty to fight for. Manchester City and Liverpool have been pushing all the way for success, with both teams now reaching the 90-point mark in the league.

For the second weekend running, none of the teams chasing a top four spot won a match, with Spurs and Arsenal both losing, while Manchester United and Chelsea cancelled each other out at Old Trafford. Cardiff still have a slim chance of survival, and with Brighton’s next two games against Arsenal and Man City, perhaps Neil Warnock’s men have the slightest ounce of hope remaining.

Friday 3 May

Everton 6/10 
Draw 3/1
Burnley 9/2 
(21:00)

Everton will be looking to continue their superb run of form when they host Burnley on Friday night at Goodison Park. Marco Silva is finally getting the team to gel as a unit and are now one labelled as one of the ‘best of the rest’ sides in the league. The Toffees are on a four-game unbeaten run at home, keeping clean sheets in all those encounters. The opposition: Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Burnley’s four-match unbeaten run came to an end when they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City. The Clarets’ last two away games saw them pick up a point at Chelsea and maximum points at Bournemouth. Still, Everton should come out on top here at 6/10.

Saturday 4 May

Bournemouth 33/10 
Draw 29/10
Tottenham 15/20
(13:30)

Bournemouth seem to have taken a massive dip in form, which has seen the Cherries plummet to the bottom half of the table. They’ve won just one of their last six matches, languishing in 14th place on the table. There’s been plenty of 1-0 scorelines with matches involving Tottenham recently, losing to Manchester City and West Ham, while they managed to grind out a win over Brighton in between those encounters. Spurs certainly had one eye on their UEFA Champions League tie with Ajax and perhaps that could be a factor in this game as well. Take Both Teams to Score here at 6/10.

Wolves 11/20 
Draw 32/10
Fulham 5/1
(16:00)

Wolves got their revenge over Watford last time out, winning 2-1 at Vicarage Road, with star duo Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota both finding the back of the net. Wolves have now won back-to-back matches in the league and will fancy their chances of cementing that seventh spot, which will see them qualify for next season’s UEFA Europa League. Fulham’s relegation has been confirmed for a while now, but Scott Parker’s men certainly haven’t thrown in the white towel, winning three consecutive matches in the league. The Cottagers’ superb run will surely come to an end here. Back Wolves to come away with maximum points.

West Ham 27/20 
Draw 26/10
Southampton 19/10
(16:00)

West Ham’s four-game winless run in the league ended when they put Tottenham to the sword, becoming the first club to win and score a goal as well at Spurs’ new stadium. Consistency has been their biggest downfall, and with the players they have, you’d expect much better. Southampton have been impressive since appointing Ralph Hasenhuttl, officially safe from relegation, while they have also been free-scoring of late. The Saints have scored in nine league games in a row, with Shane Long going through a bit of a purple patch in recent weeks. Over 2.5 Goals is surely one for all multiple bets here at 6/10.

Cardiff 7/4 
Draw 9/4
Crystal Palace 33/20
(18:30)

Cardiff remain in the relegation zone after back-to-back losses to Liverpool and Fulham. The Welsh side now know that anything but maximum points in their next two games will see them drop down to the Championship after just one season of top flight football. Crystal Palace will be looking to continue their superb away form, hoping to make it three wins on the bounce after claiming victories at Arsenal and Newcastle. For the hosts, this will be their last game at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Premier League, and who knows when their next top flight game will be at their prestigious ground. Put your money on the Bluebirds here at a valuable 7/4!

Newcastle 8/1
Draw 17/4
Liverpool 3/10
(20:45)

Every game becomes more and more difficult for Liverpool now with their remaining fixtures being away at Newcastle, then at home against Wolves on the final day. The Reds will be hoping for a small favour from their former boss, Rafael Benitez, with the Spaniard’s side now safe from danger. The hosts are unbeaten in three matches, while Liverpool have won their last seven games in the league. Big teams tend to struggle at St. James’ Park, Liverpool included, with Jurgen Klopp’s charges failing to win away to Newcastle since 2013. This will be, by no means, a straightforward fixture, and it may seem gutsy, but my money is on Newcastle to Win or Draw here at 39/20.

Sunday 5 May

Huddersfield 8/1
Draw 17/4
Manchester United 7/20
(15:00)

It doesn’t get any better for Huddersfield, who host Manchester United this Sunday afternoon. The Terriers suffered their eighth consecutive defeat at Liverpool last weekend, losing 5-0. Manchester United failed to return to winning ways last weekend when they drew 1-1 at home to Chelsea. The Red Devils now have a near-impossible task of finishing in the top four, expecting many favours from other teams in the league. Away from home, United have lost their last three league games, and have suffered five defeats in a row across all competitions. Against a Huddersfield team, United should claim maximum points.

Chelsea 4/10 
Draw 39/10
Watford 6/1
(15:00)

Chelsea square off with Watford this Sunday, with top four well in their favour. What could be the Blues’ downfall is their Europa League tie on Thursday, and if that doesn’t go their way, they will have to prioritize the second leg fixture next Thursday. Another blow for Chelsea is the injury suffered to Antonio Rudiger, with Andreas Christensen and David Luiz now set to partner each other away in Germany on Thursday, then against the Hornets, who will have Troy Deeney fresh and ready after serving his suspension ban. Watford usually tend to struggle against the big six, but could find the back of the net here against what could be a fatigue-struck Chelsea side. Back Both Teams to Score at 8/10.

Arsenal 4/10 
Draw 39/10
Brighton 7/1
(17:30)

Arsenal crumbled to their third defeat in a row in the league last weekend, the first time that feat has happened under Unai Emery, with the Gunners now looking to push on and finish off strongly in order to cement a place in next season’s Champions League. Brighton seem safe at the moment, despite going through a winless run of seven matches. To make matters worse, they host Manchester City on the final day. Despite playing on Thursday and clearly shifting their focus to the Europa League, my money is on Arsenal to edge closer to the top four with a win here.

Monday 6 May

Manchester City 1/7 
Draw 15/2
Leicester City 16/1
(21:00)

High-flying Manchester City play their final game in front of their home crowd as they host Leicester City on Monday night. If results go in their favour, City could wrap up the league in this tie. Pep Guardiola’s side won their 12th successive league game at Burnley last weekend, and if that feat was to go on to 14 matches, City will become the first club to successfully defend their title since Manchester United back in 2009. Leicester City come off the back of an emphatic result over Arsenal, winning 3-0, albeit against 10 men for more than half of the game. Before that, the Foxes had failed to win in their last two encounters, drawing at West Ham and losing at home to Newcastle. Take Man City to Win & Both Teams to Score at a valuable 12/10 here.


QUAD @ 13/2
Everton Win 6/10
Wolves Win 11/20
Arsenal Win 4/10
Man City Win & BTTS 12/10


Written by Jesse Nagel

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2Wf4eWv

European Tour: Volvo China Open Preview

The Volvo China Open has been held annually ever since 1995. It is organised by the China Golf Association and has been co-sanctioned by the European Tour since 2003. Check out our full betting preview below. 

This will represent the final Asian event before the tour returns to the European mainland. It will be a change of venue for the players this week as they switch from Topwin to Genzon Golf Course. While they may seem slightly disconcerting for some pundits, the Shenzhen International was played at this course between 2015 and 2017. Genzon also played host to this event back in 2014. So there are four years of course form to draw from there. 

2019 European Tour | Volvo China Open
Genzon Golf Club, Shehzhen, China
Thursday 2 May - Sunday 5 May 2019

Genzon is a mostly tree-lined, parkland-style course that only measures a modest 7,145 yards. The greens and generous fairways are Paspalum and the course is protected by huge amounts of water. This course is quite gettable and one should expect scores in the high teens this week. The par 5’s are extremely reachable and that could be a crucial statistic this week. Additionally, there have been thunderstorms raining down in the area which should have softened the golf course considerably. The only hindrance to players may come in the form of wind towards the back end of the weekend.

Hao Tong Li will be a huge draw this week as both the crowd favourite and one of the hottest young players to emerge over the last few years. Elsewhere the likes of Jorge Campillo and Erik Van Rooyen arrive in fantastic form. Alexander Levy is a two-time champion here and actually won the event the last time it was played at Genzon. Alexander Bjork is the defending champion and will be hoping that a change in course won’t derail his attempts at going back-to-back in China. Bernd Wiesberger has struggled since a return from injury while the evergreen Thongchai Jaidee is always a factor in Asia.

Past Winners
2018: Alexander Bjork (-18)
2017: Alexander Levy (-17)*playoff
2016: Li Haotong (-22)
2015: Wu Ashun (-9)
2014: Alexander Levy (-19)

Outrights (To Win)
Haotong Li (10/1)
Julian Suri (14/1)
Jorge Campillo (16/1)
Jordan Smith (16/1)
Erik Van Rooyen (20/1)

Value Bets

Alexander Levy - To Win (20/1), To Place (44/10)
Alex Levy fluffed his lines last week when attempting to retain his Morocco Open title. Levy is an explosive talent who has already won twice in this country. He tends to rip apart the par 5’s and could pull away from the field if he manages to find some traction with his short game. He finished 5th at the Saudi International but hasn’t played a huge amount of golf since then. Perhaps last week’s exertions would have been the perfect tune-up for this week’s action. He is the type of player who consistently defies expectations and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does so again this week.

Thongchai Jaidee - To Win (80/1 ), To Place (17/1)
Thongchai Jaidee may just be the closest approximation to Jim Furyk on the European Tour. The Thai superstar recorded his first top 10 in nearly a year in Morocco last week and could build on that once again as the tour heads to Asia. He enjoyed a top 20 in Oman and a top 30 at the Maybank, highlighting his capacity to perform well when the tour moves from the European mainland. He also finished in a tie for 8th, his only start at the 2017 Shenzhen International.

The Man to Beat

Jorge Campillo - To Win (16/1), To Place (7/2)
I generally hate to play the same player in consecutive weeks: it tends to reflect a general lack of imagination. But Campillo is perhaps the in-form player on tour at present yet he still sits at 16/1. He had three top 10’s prior to his maiden victory in Morocco last week. That included two runner-up finishes! It may seem bizarre to back a man to go back-to-back after claiming his maiden victory after ten years, but he has form in this event - though not on this course. He finished in a tie for 3rd last year after another top 10 in 2017. He seems to play well in this country and looks likely to contend every week.

Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2ZMTlgA

Settled Dolphins Excited by Lions Semi-Final Match-Up

Following two consecutive CSA T20 Challenge wins and a favour from the bizhub Highveld Lions, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins have booked a spot in the competition semi-finals against the Lions at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

The topsy-turvy nature of the Dolphins campaign meant that the final day of the round robin phase of the competition was going to be crucial, and a clinical win against the WSB Cape Cobras was all the Dolphins could do before relying on the Lions to get one over the Multiply Titans.

Grant Morgan's chargers have found a winning formula at the back end of the campaign and the coach is not going to change the tactics now that they are in a play-off game.

"We will got the Wanderers with an open mind but we won't allow our tactics to be influenced too much," Morgan said.

"We have struck a good balance so far in the competition and we don't want that to be changed when we get up there.

"It has been a long season and we know that the Wanderers has had a lot of cricket played on it but we are going to go and expect a traditional Wanderers wicket.

"If it is slow then that plays into our hands but we won't expect that."

This semi-final will be the fourth white ball play-off in two seasons for Morgan's men and despite the route they took the coach believes his side continues to grow.

"Although it's not ideal to come from where we did, it is encouraging that we made the play-off's because it takes a certain type of steel from the players to get through from the position we were in.

"Maybe the side is maturing a bit showing that they can come back from tough positions," he added.

The Lions have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition with a handful of Proteas and a few players who are in good form. They have only lost two fixtures during the competition and beat the Dolphins by 18 runs in the only meeting of the competition.

Morgan knows they have some big game players and hopes that his team can put a peg in the sand early against the table-toppers.

"Their top order is strong with (Ryan) Rickelton coming into form and then they have Proteas like Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen doing well.

"They have fire-power down the order with Dwaine Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder who add that all-rounder element.

"Bowling-wise, Bjorn Fortuin up front has kept the runs down and taken wickets so he has been able to dictate the pace of play.

"They don't have Beuren Hendricks anymore so you can press the button against their seam attack, but you have to pick the right moment against them," Morgan explained.

The Dolphins will go into the clash with the same squad that did the business in Port Elizabeth and Durban last week for the clash on Wednesday.


Hollywoodbets Dolphins Squad:
Sarel Erwee, Morné van Wyk, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo (c), Marques Ackerman, Andile Phehlukwayo, Rob Frylinck, Sibz Makhanya, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryn Dupavillon, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mthokozisi Shezi, Senuran Muthusamy.

For more information visit DolphinsCricket

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2DEINH4

Super Rugby Week 12 Saturday Preview

Super Rugby Saturday  serves up five match ups on the 3rd of May. The Hurricanes will look to put away the Rebels, the Chiefs face a tough fixture against the Highlanders, and the Stormers will travel to Argentina to tackle the Jaguares. Check out our full preview here.

Hurricanes v Rebels
07h15
Wellington Regional Stadium

To Win
Hurricanes 1/4
Draw 35/1
Rebels 5/1

Handicap
Hurricanes (-13) 9/10
Rebels (+13) 9/10 

The Hurricanes will be confident of claiming a comprehensive win over the Rebels in Wellington on Saturday.

Despite the men from Melbourne leading the Australian Super Rugby challenge this season following a number of outstanding performances, it remains to be seen whether they have the ability to best the Canes at home.

John Plumtree’s charges have played consistently solid rugby throughout year and, despite two comprehensive losses to the Crusaders, remain arguably the tournament’s second-best side.

Coming off the back of their 47-19 thrashing of the Chiefs, expect the Hurricanes to gain another important bonus-point win this weekend.
Verdict: Hurricanes by 10 or more

______________________________________

Highlanders v Chiefs
09h35
Forsyth Barr Stadium

To Win
Highlanders 2/7
Draw 25/1
Chiefs 11/4

*Forecast odds

Handicap
Highlanders (-10) 9/10
Chiefs (+10) 9/10

*Forecast handicaps

The Highlanders can advance their cause for a playoff berth when they host the struggling Chiefs in Dunedin on. Saturday.

Aaron Mauger’s side occupy eighth-place – the last remaining wild card spot – and can maintain the pressure for a qualifying berth with another win this weekend.

Last week saw the 'Landers demolish the Sunwolves 52-0 in Tokyo. In fact, so good were the Kiwi outfit that Sunwolves coach and former Highlander himself Tony Brown commented that his men “were lucky to get zero.”

The Chiefs were outclassed 47-19 by the Hurricanes in Wellington the day after; a result which sees them remain at the bottom of the New Zealand conference. They will come out the blocks firing but don’t be surprised if they fall short by a score or less.
Verdict: Highlanders by seven or less

______________________________________

Brumbies v Blues
11h45
GIO Stadium

To Win
Brumbies 23/10
Draw 25/1
Blues 5/7 

*Forecast odds

Handicap
Brumbies 23./10
Blues 5/7

*Forecast handicaps

The Brumbies can keep up the pressure at the summit of the Australia conference with a win over the Blues in Canberra on the weekend.

The hosts are third in Australia but could potentially go as high as first at the conclusion of play on Saturday, albeit having played a game more than their local counterparts. The Rebels and Waratahs both face tricky opposition this weekend, so a big performance by Dan McKellar’s men can give their playoff ambitions a massive boost.

The Blues, meanwhile, come off their bye week with plenty of catching up to do. Victory could propel them into a qualifying spot but, considering their record on the road this season (zero from four), one would think the Brumbies will deliver the goods.
Verdict: Brumbies by seven or more

______________________________________

Bulls v Waratahs
15h05
Loftus Versfeld

To Win
Bulls 5/11
Draw 25/1
Waratahs 7/4

*Forecast odds

Handicap
Bulls (-7) 9/10
Waratahs (+7) 9/10

*Forecast handicaps

The Bulls should be wary of a Waratahs ambush this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.

With both sides blowing hot and cold throughout the season, this one is pretty tough to predict. The Bulls come off the back of a narrow one-point loss to the Stormers in Cape Town while the Australians were beaten 23-15 by the Sharks in Sydney.

While the Bulls will have home ground advantage, Daryl Gibson’s men will be hurting from a severely ill-disciplined showing last time out and will want to hit back with a quality performance.

It will be a close contest, but back the Tahs to pull off an upset win.
Verdict: Waratahs by five or more

______________________________________

Jaguares v Stormers
21h40
Estadio José Amalfitani 

To Win
Jaguares 8/13
Draw 22/1
Stormers  11/8

*Forecast odds

Handicap
Jaguares (-3) 9/10
Stormers  (+3) 9/10

*Forecast handicaps

The Stormers may come unstuck in Buenos Aires against the Jaguares on Saturday.

The Argentine team has proven time and again in the past that they are a special prospect when playing in front of their home crowd and this weekend will be no different.

The Stormers triumphed 35-8 in the reverse fixture in March, and this will give them some confidence heading into this one. However, the losses of Pieter-Steph du Toit (injury) and Siya Kolisi (rested) may come back to bite them.

The match, as always in South America, will be won or lost at the contact point. The Stormers heavy-men need to stand up against Pablo Matera and company but may fall short this time around.
Verdict: Jaguares by 10 or more

Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2V5tySj

PSL: Week 29 Preview

Our football pundit previews the PSL Week 29 action which kicks off on Saturday 4 May 2019.

This is a time for slip-ups, career-defining errors and moments of brilliance! Form goes out the window and concentration levels have to be very high. The period which separates the men from the boys is upon us. Who will head into the final week of the season needing to survive relegation? Who will be fighting to get into the top eight and who will be fighting for the title? Let’s have a look at the action.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

Saturday 4 May

AmaZulu 19/20 
Draw 43/20
Black Leopards 29/10
AmaZulu cannot finish in the top eight and they need one point to mathematically guarantee PSL safety. Usuthu have only one win in their last five games which shows how shambolic they have been in recent weeks.

Black Leopards are just one spot above the relegation zone ahead of their game against Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek. They really need a win here to steer clear of relegation trouble heading into the last game of the season. Lidoda Duvha might be winless in their last five games but I foresee them turning their fortunes around here and collecting maximum points.

Bidvest Wits 5/10 
Draw 26/10 
Baroka 11/2
Bidvest Wits’ title hopes were dealt a massive blow last week when they drew 1-1 with SuperSport United in a match where they scored a goal that wasn’t given despite the ball coming off the under side of the cross bar, hitting the ground beyond the goal line and bouncing back into play.

The Clever Boys are now five points off the pace with two games remaining. Baroka are mathematically not safe from relegation yet and last week they displayed a great deal of fighting spirit beating AmaZulu 1-0. Wedson Nyirenda’s men need one win to ensure safety. I think Wits will be too strong and I saw their crosses troubling SuperSport, so Baroka should be no match for them.

Cape Town City 49/20 
Draw 18/10
Orlando Pirates 13/10
Fourth-placed Cape Town City have a near-impossible chance of winning the league and spoiling the party should be their objective. They were so superb in their 2-1 victory over Chippa United last week with Gift Links and the 20-year old Shane Roberts coming of the bench to score for Benni McCarthy’s team.

If Sundowns win in midweek against Black Leopards, they will be tied on 53 points with Pirates having played the same number of games. Milutin Sredojevic’s men are on a four-match winning streak and they seem to have hit top form at the right time. They should be happy that they won’t have to deal with Kermit Erasmus who is serving a red card suspension. The momentum is with Pirates and I foresee them winning here.

Highlands Park 13/10 
Draw 18/10
Bloemfontein Celtic 49/20 
Highlands Park come up against a Bloemfontein Celtic side that’s oozing confidence after downing Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on the weekend with Ndumiso Mabena soring a superb free kick. Lehlohonolo Seema’s men will be looking to make it three wins in a row while Highlands Park who currently lie 10th will be hoping to put themselves in the right place to challenge for a top eight finish in the last game of the season. Back a share of the spoils here.

Kaizer Chiefs 6/10
Draw 24/10
Free State Stars 5/1
Seventh-placed Kaizer Chiefs are winless in their last five league games with three draws and two defeats. Winning the Nedbank Cup would be the saving grace to what would have been a disastrous season and I think that’s what they’re focusing on now.

Free State Stars are currently two places above the relegation zone and a defeat could see them slide in to the drop zone by the end of the gameweek, depending on other results. They are winless in their last four games and missing chances really let them down in their 2-1 defeat to Golden Arrows last week. This match should end in a draw.

Maritzburg United 33/20 
Draw 18/10
SuperSport United 19/10 
This is a must-win game for Maritzburg United as a defeat could see them getting relegated by the end of the gameweek. Eric Tinkler’s men managed to beat Black Leopards 2-1 last week to bring themselves to within three points from safety and one from promotional play-offs.

SuperSport United drew 1-1 with Bidvest Wits in a highly-emotive game which saw Dean Furman getting sent off in a controversial incident where he was elbowed by Haashim Domingo and he lost his cool and said something unsavoury to the referee. Matsatsantsa can now not win the league and they’re highly unlikely to finish below sixth on the log. Back Maritzburg to triumph in front of their fans.

Polokwane City 19/20 
Draw 43/20
Chippa United 29/10
Polokwane City are almost guaranteed to not finish below sixth and they also can’t win the league. They returned to winning ways when beating Highlands Park last week and they face a Chippa United side that’s in desperate need of points after enduring a three-match losing streak and sliding down into the relegation zone. The hosts should be too strong for Clinton Larsen’s men.

TREBLE @ 11/2
Orlando Pirates Win 13/10
Bidvest Wits Win 5/10
Polokwane City Win 19/20

Written by @EggsBenedictZA

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2GMae2n

CAF Champions League: Semifinals 2nd Legs Preview

Our football analyst previews the CAF Champions League semifinals return legs which kick off on Saturday 4 May 2019.

As I predicted, the home teams won their respective semi-finals first leg clashes. Esperance recorded a 1-0 victory over TP Mazembe in Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca triumphed 2-1 against Mamelodi Sundowns in Morocco. The return legs take centre stage this weekend with all teams knowing exactly what is required of them to progress to the decider with the home teams facing deficits!

*Forecast Betting

Saturday 4 May

TP Mazembe 6/10 
Draw 3/1
Esperance 9/2
TP Mazembe tried to hold their own on foreign soil but their resistance crumbled in the 51st minute when they conceded the decisive goal that saw them lose 1-0. The statistics clearly indicate that their backs were against the wall as they only had 31% of the ball with the Tunisian outfit enjoying 69% possession.

Centre half, Kabaso Chongo, will sit out this clash as he got sent off for a second bookable offence in the first leg. Goalkeeper, Sylvain Gbohouo, who had a blinder of a game in the first leg to ensure that his side doesn’t win by a huge margin, will have to be on top of his game once again as keeping a clean sheet at home is vital. Mazembe are unbeaten at home in their last 44 CAF Champions League games since 2009.

Esperance who will be looking to become the fourth team ever to defend the continent’s most prestigious club competition after TP Mazembe, Al Ahly and Enyimba and will be looking for an away goal that would require their opponents to find the back of the net three time to advance to the final.

Esperance are more of a dangerous side than Mazembe but wayward finishing often lets them down and it won’t be easy to dominate at Lubumbashi. I think both teams will score and the match will end in a draw with Esperance going through to the final.

Mamelodi Sundowns 15/20 
Draw 3/1
Wydad Casablanca 32/10
Once again, Mamelodi Sundowns have to play a league game in midweek before preparing to host a CAF Champions League clash. The Brazilians play relegation-threatened Black Leopards on Tuesday night with the domestic title race heating up as they have to catch up with fellow title contenders, Orlando Pirates.

The Brazilians need just a 1-0 win to knock the Moroccan giants out of the competition and book a spot in the final. Anele Ngcongca’s header in the 2-1 defeat way from home could prove vital in this gruelling contest. Sundowns have lost all their four visits to Wydad but they’ve never lost against them at home.

I’m expecting coach Pitso Mosimane to opt for his favoured offensive approach with two number tens in Gaston Sirino and Themba Zwane operating in the half spaces and interchanging positions with Lebogang Maboe in the false nine position. Whenever these sides meet, tempers flare and if coach Pitso manages to keep his emotions in check, the Chloorkop-based outfit can hold their own.


Wydad have lost two and drawn one of their visits to Sundowns and they will be hoping they don’t lose this encounter to advance to the final. I expect them to try and protect their slender 2-1 lead which would see them applying a low defensive block and relying on counter and set-pieces as their methods of attack.

This should be a thrill-packed encounter and it shall be very interesting to see how Wydad would restructure their approach if Sundowns score first. The only time the match could be decided on penalties is if Sundowns win 2-1. Masandawana are used to dealing with reinforced defences and if Wydad opt for that approach, they could be playing into their hands.

Sundowns will be looking for that all-important goal that could see them advance to the final and they have an experienced team that knows how to stay calm and patient under these circumstances. Put your money on the Brazilians to win this clash! 

DOUBLE @ 6/1
TP Mazembe vs Esperance Draw 3/1
Mamelodi Sundowns Win 15/20

Witten by @BenedictNgwenya

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2Whfxxw

ATP Tour: Estoril Open Preview | Selected Round of 16 & Round of 32 Matches

The Estoril Open is serving up some cracking contests! Check out Damien Kayat's selected round of 16 and round of 32 matches taking place between 30 April - 1 May 2019. 

2019 ATP Tour | ATP 250 Series
Estoril Open | Club de Tenis du Estoril (Clay)
Selected Round of 16 & Round of 32 Matches
30 April - 1 May 2019

Round of 32

Frances Tiafoe (13/20)
vs Mikhail Kukushkin (23/20)
American Frances Tiafoe really burst onto the scene last year following a promising junior career. He won his first title at the Delray Beach Classic prior to a real surprise in Estoril. He reached the final here last year on a surface that wouldn’t seem to ideally suit the big-serving American. He never really fulfilled his potential throughout the rest of the year. This season has been quite strange for Tiafoe. There have been two excellent results dispersed in a sea of mediocrity. He reached the quarter-finals at the Aussie Open and the Miami Open. But he also has five opening round defeats already this season. So there certainly does seem to be a mercurial dimension to Tiafoe. But he will no doubt feel quite confident returning to an event that helped launch his 2018.

The quintessential journeyman pro, Kazakhstan tennis pro, Mikhail Kukushkin is of Russian descent and is a tricky customer in the early stages of events. He won his one and only ATP Title when he claimed the St Petersburg Open crown in 2010. But a massive hip injury in 2012 really curtailed his smooth progress up the ranks. But he does have the inalienable knack of picking up results. He reached semi-finals in Eastbourne and Vienna last year and already has a final to his name this year. He went all the way to the championship match of the Open 13. He also lost a Challenger final in Phoenix earlier this year. He has traditionally been better on the harder surfaces and will need to weather Tiafoe’s prodigious serve.

This will only be their second ever meeting, with Tiafoe claiming a four-set victory at the 2017 Australian Open. I think that Tiafoe just needs to harness some of the energy that he clearly utilizes during the bigger events. He was immense here last year and should be good value to win in straight sets at 13/20.  

Round of 16

Reily Opelka (27/20)
vs Gael Monfils (11/20)
Eight time ATP Tour winner Gael Monfils has always been one of the great entertainers on tour. Many have derided him for perhaps not fully realizing his potential. I personally think that he has navigated this immense period in men’s tennis with a fair amount of grace. And he has enjoyed a superb 2019 thus far. He reached the semi-finals of the Sofia Open and in Dubai either side of winning in Rotterdam. He has withdrawn from his previous two events and some may question his physical readiness this week. Monfils is a player made for the particular rigours of clay-court tennis. He has a 73.33% win-loss rate at Roland Garros compared to his overall Grand Slam win-loss rate of 67%. The 2008 French Open semi-finalist endured a poor 2018 on clay and will be looking to convert that early hard-court success into clay-court gold. 

From one physically impressive specimen to another; Reily Opelka is the tallest player to ever play on the ATP Tour and nearly seven feet tall. The young American clearly utilizes that height to his advantage, with a serve that can render the returner essentially helpless. He beat Sousa in straight sets in the opening round and now has the 3rd seed to face. But he will be feeling confident after claiming his maiden title in New York earlier this season. He also lost to current wunderkind Danil Medvedev in a super tight three-setter in Miami. If he manages to get his serve rolling, even the hyper-athletic Monfils will have his hands full. But his consistency has certainly been a major concern. 

The two have never met in singles play though they have played this year in doubles. Opelka and MacDonald defeated Monfils and compatriot Adrian Mannarino at Indian Wells. That means that Monfils will have gotten a decent look at what Opelka is all about. Back Monfils for the win.  

Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets. 

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2ZU4pc6

WTA Tour: Rabat Grand Prix (Morocco Open) Preview | Selected Round of 32 Matches

The 2019 WTA Tour continues in Morocco with the Rabat Grand Prix taking place on Tuesday 30 April 2019. Check out our full betting preview below for our selected round of 32 fixtures.

2019 WTA Tour | WTA International
Rabat Grand Prix (Morocco Open)
Selected Round of 32 Matches - 30 April 2019

Kirsten Flipkens (33/10) 
vs Elise Mertens (2/11)
An all Belgium affair should make for an entertaining opening round tie in the only WTA event held in Africa. Elise Mertens is the very definition of an enigmatic talent. She took the tennis world by surprise with that semi-final run at last year’s Aussie Open. She then went on to win this event, highlighting her all-court abilities. But the remainder of the season was largely uninspiring for the Belgian youngster. And her 2019 campaign has been similarly schizophrenic. It is literally awash with opening round defeats. But then slap-bang in the middle of that mediocrity, you have a wonderful win in Qatar. This type of unpredictability makes the art of prediction more speculative than one would wish. But perhaps a return to the sight of last year’s triumph will help reinstall some consistency in Mertens’ game. 

Kirsten Flipkens is a player who has never quite fulfilled the promise of her junior career. She claimed both the Wimbledon and US Open junior crowns in 2003. But the 33-year-old Flipkens has found consistent success on the tour tough to come by. She is more comfortable on the faster surfaces, with grass being her favourite. In fact, she managed to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon back in 2013. She also reached the Rosmalen final last season. Though short of stature, Flipkens is an exponent of the antiquated art of serve and volley. This can prove disruptive to players generally exposed to militant baseliners. But her form this year has been largely underwhelming - a quarter-final as recently as Monterrey will offer some encouragement to her. 

I was slightly surprised to discover that this will be the first meeting between these two fellow Belgians. I’m certain that they would have trained together at some point or another. They both share similar immediate form. Flipkens has won four of her last ten while Mertens has won five. So 33/10 looks rather enticing for Flipkens when you consider the similarity of their recent performances.  

Natalie Vikhlyantseva (9/10)
 vs Kristyna Pliskova (9/10)
It can’t be the easiest thing to be the twin of a far superior player in your own profession. Kristyna Pliskova has always been some way behind her sister Karoline Pliskova, though their games are based on similar tropes. Kristyna Pliskova actually currently holds the world record for the most aces in a match on tour: she served 31 against Monica Puig at the 2017 Australian Open. While her form over the past year or so has been fairly abject - she has turned into something of a double’s specialist - her one WTA title actually came on clay. She won the 2017 Prague Open.  She is also coming off of a semi-final showing on the clay courts of Lugano and the Samsung Open. 

The 22-year-old Russian Natalie Vikhlyantseva is actually physically similar to Pliskova. She is tall and gangly with a penchant for the grass courts: she reached the final of the Rosmalen event in 2017. She has thee ITF clay-court finals on her resume, which indicates that there is some aptitude for this surface here. Her form has been nothing short of dreadful since she reached the final of an ITF event in France towards the end of last year. She did well to reach the main draw and final 32 of Indian Wells, but it’s really hard to recommend Vikhlyantseva with any confidence. 

These two have met once before, with Pliskova winning in Madrid last year.  Kristyna Pliskova is a far more accomplished player and is entering this event with that Samsung Open form in mind. I just can’t see any reason to back the Russian at the same price.

Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets. 

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2Wa08yO

Super Rugby: Round 12 Friday Preview

UCL: Tottenham Hotspur v Ajax Preview

What We Learned: Super Rugby Round 10

Bosch selection vindicated, Lions’ race well and truly run, and Willemse decision-making not up to scratch are our talking points from our Super Rugby Round 10 review. 

Bosch selection vindicated

After receiving overwhelming criticism for continuing to start his son, the somewhat off-form Robert du Preez Jnr at flyhalf, Sharks head coach Rob du Preez Snr finally gave the mercurial Curwin Bosch the nod to start at 10 in their clash with the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday. Not only did the 21-year-old add 13-points via the boot in his side’s 23-15 win, but his presence at first-receiver seemed to really galvanise his men on their way to what was a hard-fought victory.

Considering the pressure on du Preez Snr to produce consistent results, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Bosch reclaim the 10 jersey for the remainder of the Sharks’ overseas tour and possibly even the rest of the season.


Lions’ race well and truly run

Considering the number of personnel changes which the franchise has had to deal with over the past few months, it was always going to take a titanic campaign for Swys de Bruin’s men to replicate their displays of the previous three seasons.

That said, their most recent 36-10 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch has perhaps underlined just how far off the pace the Lions have been in this year’s competition so far. Sitting last in the South Africa conference, and with a number of tricky fixtures still to play, it would be a safe bet to suggest the men from Jozi are out of the running.


Willemse decision-making not up to scratch

With time running out to impress the Springbok coaching staff ahead of the looming Rugby World Cup in Japan, it may not necessarily come as a surprise to see many of those vying for a spot in the squad attempting audacious on-field acts in bids to impress Rassie Erasmus and co. However, Damian Willemse’s decision to spark a late counter-attack on his own tryline, this after Handre Pollard had missed an 80th-minute conversion to reduce the Bulls’ deficit against the Stormers to within seven, was abysmal.

As it happened, the Bulls managed to score a converted try from the ensuing turnover to go down by just a single point in an eventual 23-24 loss at Newlands. While Willemse’s tactic may not have cost them the game, the Bulls were able to salvage a losing bonus-point which could come back to bite the men from the Cape. The little escapade certainly wouldn’t have helped the young fullback’s World Cup chances.

Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2XUqPYQ

Percy Tau Nominated for Major Award in Belgium

Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau has been nominated as Player of the Season after his performances in Belgium this season.

In 2018/19, Tau managed a creditable six goals and seven assists for the second tier side.

The 24-year-old is on loan from Brighton in the English Premier League after signing from Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the current campaign.

The Proximus League Player of the Year candidate is up against teammate and Comoran international Faiz Selemani, who recorded nine goals and seven assists.

KV Mechelen's Nikola Storm is another player up for the award with five goals and eight assists to his name.

Should Tau collect the prestigious gong - it will be his second Player of the Season title after having won it last season in South Africa.

The ceremony to name the winner will take place on 6 May at 21:00 (SA time).

from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2GSk8AG