Wayne Mardle: Back Dutch pair of Barney and Van Gerwen to do the business

"Michael van Gerwen is unrelenting, I think he'll out score The Thorn and go into the playoffs having topped the table."

Week 14 of the Premier League is here, and Wayne Mardle thinks Raymond van Barneveld will have too much for Simon Whitlock while Michael van Gerwen is in unrelenting form...

Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld 

Simon has played superbly well to even be in with a shout of a playoff place but I think this match up with Raymond van Barneveld will be a step too far. 

Barney has been the most consistent performer in this year's Premier League, he's showed that he's up for a fight as well, a trait that's not often said about the big Dutchman, and so Simon will have to really be on top form to have a chance. I've got this down as a Barney win.

Recommended Bet

Back Raymond van Barneveld to win 7-5 at 10.09/1

Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton 

Robert won a tour event on Saturday, his second win in three weeks, so he's playing well, and his opponent MVG won the next tour event on the Sunday so in theory this should be a belter. Extra spice is thrown into the mix in the form of Robert needing to win to have any chance of a playoff spot. 

Michael is unrelenting though, and I think he'll out score The Thorn and go into the playoffs having topped the table. 

Recommended Bet

Michael van Gerwen to win 7-2 and 7-3 at 6.05/1 and 6.5n/a respectively
Michael van Gerwen to hit the most 180s at around 1.910/11

Andy Hamilton v Adrian Lewis 

What a match up this will be! Two highly unpredictable players and all the thrill of the Premier League!
The Hammer used to be the most consistent player on tour, but in this Premier League he's shown a few frailties. Lewis on his day (and he's not having his day that often at the moment) beats anyone, and I'm going for Adrian because he can produce a tide turner should he need it. 

Recommended Bet

Back Adrian Lewis to win at 2.111/10

Phil Taylor v James Wade

James Wade has let it slip. Losing to Hamilton last week was a massive blow for him, especially after losing to Simon Whitlock and all that after he'd lost to Raymond van Barneveld the week before.
Taylor is still tinkering with his darts and set up, which is a distraction for him, yet he persists. He had no trouble overcoming Robert Thornton and is still the main man in this Premier League. He can stop Wade progressing and I think he will, in probably quite easy fashion. 

Recommended Bet

Back Phil Taylor to win 7-3 and 7-4 at 6.75n/a and 6.25n/a respectively
Back The Draw in most 180s at around 5.04/1

Robert Thornton v Raymond van Barneveld 

Robert's hopes could be dashed by the time this match comes around and that might affect him, so we'll need to wait and see how the other games go I think. 

As I said before Barney is playing very well indeed and I can't see The Thorn posing too many problems to him when he's in this sort of form. I think he'll win again and post a few more maximums in the process. 

Recommended Bets

Back Raymond van Barneveld to win at 1.728/11
Back Raymond van Barneveld to hit the most 180s at around 2.111/10

Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock

Like Robert Thornton, Simon Whitlock's Premier League could well be over by the time his game comes around so it's difficult to know what frame of mind he'll be in. 

That said, Adrian Lewis hasn't played that well when he's had to play twice in a night though, so for that reason alone I'm going for Simon to run riot. 

Recommended Bet

Back Simon Whitlock to win 7-3 at 6.75n/a

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London Marathon: Any other business?

Athletics / Jack Houghton / 13 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will you join Jack in cheering on Any Other?

"When asked at the post-race press conference whether he could have broken Gebrselassie’s world-record in more favourable conditions, Makau simply replied, “Of course.”

The London Marathon takes place this Sunday and Jack Houghton is here to explain that, while top runners come into the race in top form, he's willing to have a bet on the field.

Men's Race - Sunday, 09:45 (BST) - BBC1 & BBC2

As headlines go, "Any Other Athlete Wins London Marathon" doesn't really inspire. But when either Patrick Makau or James Kwambai wins this Sunday's renewal, it will be anonymity-supporting Betfair punters who collect.

At the time of writing, Any Other Athlete is available at [4.0] to small money. It's unlikely that price will last long though: the true odds should be long odds-on. My book for the race has Patrick Makau as a [2.5] shot, with James Kwambai at around [6.0], the pair around [1.78] coupled. The risk is a late withdrawal - certainly not unheard of at a Marathon Major - but there looks to be enough juice in the likely prices available to take the chance.

Makau and Kwambai won't be familiar names to once-a-year marathon watchers; but in an event that has felt in a period of transition over the last two seasons - with established runners like Haile Gebrselassie making way for the rise of Wanjiru, Gebremariam and other African young guns - it is Makau and Kwambai who are likely to lead the onslaught towards breaking the 2:03 barrier.

The inexperienced Makau is already the third-fastest half-marathoner, and fourth-fastest marathoner, in history. It was his last win though - 30 seconds off his personal best in Berlin - that marks him out as the most likely winner in London. Berlin was cold, windy and beset by heavy rain that day. Makau suffered cramps in the latter stages and yet still managed a time that would have won any previous London Marathon. When asked at the post-race press conference whether he could have broken Gebrselassie's world-record in more favourable conditions, he simply replied, "Of course."

Kwambai, on the other hand, is looking to repair his reputation after a lacklustre 2010. However, his 2:04:27 at Rotterdam from 2009 marks him out as a potential winner; and his warm-up over the half-distance in The Haag in March shows he comes into the race in top form.

Women's Race - Sunday, 09:00 (BST) - BBC1 & BBC2

Having tipped her up on betting.betfair at [17.0] in 2008, and at [3.25] in 2009, Irina Mikitenko has proved incredibly profitable for me over the years. This kind of punting history can cause problems: there's always a tendency to follow a previously profitable athlete for too long, letting emotional attachment cloud your judgement as to their real chances of success in the future.

With this in mind, I will cautiously put forward Mikitenko to record her third London Marathon win in four years. Any price over [3.5] would be fair. She suffered injuries last year, but looked to be back to her best with a recent 10K win in Brunssum. On the balance of form, she is the best female marathoner of the last three years, and it's too soon to right her off.

After two Major wins in 2010, Shobukhova will start the rightful favourite. However, it's likely her price will be prohibitive; and despite dominating the women's scene last year, she's yet to record a stunningly fast time over either the full- or half-marathon distance. I suspect she was able to profit from some weaker than normal Major fields last year and will find London much tougher this time around - it's certainly the strongest women's race I can remember; and was recently made stronger with the announcement that seven Japanese runners will join the field late, their national trials cancelled due to March's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

With the depth of talent on display, it is worth being cautious, and I will be splitting my stake between Mikitenko and Any Other Athlete. This selection brings in a host of talented runners, foremost among them being the Kenyan Mary Keitany. Third in her marathon debut in New York last year, she is the fastest female half-marathoner of all time and has more than enough ability to dominate the longer event over the next few years.

Feel free to join me at Mile 15 on Sunday. I'll be the one shouting, "Come on, Any Other Athlete". It's bound to catch on.

It's Kenya v Uganda in the men's 5000 metres but, before the East Africans can face off, the race is on to get the track re-laid. Bob Adams selects the best bets....

Bob Adams caps off a successful week of tipping with a look at a packed final day in Barcelona...

Bob Adams selects the best bets on day five of the European Championships. Today he's predicting another British victory......

Betfair website

Ten to Follow Leaderboard: Double points Donald does the business

Ten to Follow Tipping Comp / Paul Krishnamurty / 28 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Staying out of these helped Luke Donald win the WGC Matchplay

Following the first WGC event of the season, for which double points were on offer, we have big changes on the leaderboard, including a new leader. The 122 points earned by Luke Donald propelled Paul McGlinchey to pole position, and his side also contains the top scoring player so far, Bubba Watson. There's another chance for bumper scoring next week in the form of the next WGC event, but first we've got the Honda Classic.

Paul McGlinchey 417
Kendolph Express 382
EME15 371
wedge1 371
Duncan 364
Joe Dyer 363
Holly Stott 351
Sam Harrop 346
Adi Crow 343
Ontheteeee 328
TopDollar1 323
Sportsman 323
Mark Peters 309
Lochinvar 309
Steve 301
Martyns23 298
Louie Mendoza 293
Feizal Rahman 292
Richard Ball 289
Steven Rawlings 288
Gary Binosh 283
stonecolds 282
Lee Adamson 278
Chris Doppler 277
Alan Vye 273
Mike Rangecroft 269
Hoof Hearted 268
Silk Success 268
USNA1964 266
ReaseHeath 264
Stan Oentoe 263
golfvet 260
Justahunch 257
Team Bunkered 251
Martys Men 248
Ben 245
Mick Hoy 242
Rachel Labo 242
Barracuda59 242
Dave Harding 241
Deportivo la Combo 241
Buck Ashcraft 240
wowiezowiee 237
Ian KP 227
niknak 227
the loonatic 226
doubling 226
Playoff Sunday 221
InstaScud 221
Better lucky than good 217
Golfnut 217
DJSavedmylife 216
Barrowboy 216
Paul Krishnamurty 216
Linda Angell 212
Iain Hendy 211
ElBandido 211
EME19 211
Danny Knight 211
Mr Stupid 207
Julie Connor 206
EME14 206
willieb83 206
Aidan14 202
Spursboy 201
5 Penalty Stroke 201
Just Someone 201
Matthew Taylor 201
Gingermoff 197
Mahseer 197
Hestias Putter 196
EME20 196
EME8 196
EME6 195
Andrew Gyton 193
Ronsk 192
Aberdonia 192
Macca Maclean 191
Carsten Lymann 191
Steve Bovey 191
AJM2011 191
Dave Dunning 191
Perfect Potential 190
Peter Sonnenburg 187
Team Hulmes 186
Royal Smudge 186
Mighty Whites 2008 186
James Voortman 185
Matthew Gibbons 183
Cherio 182
No Hookers, please 182
Aussie Warriors 181
Rich 181
Andjay 181
Bramblyhedge 181
Humbert The Priest 181
Tony Buck 176
jaytay2 176
Milners 176
Daniel Lambert 175
Anonymous30 172
Mascherano 172
Stroke of Luck 171
Shot 2 from the Native Area 171
Paul Dean 171
Feeling Better 171
Eriskaybet 170
Stuart Glover 167
bowmak316 166
The Shepherds Crook 166
Niall Duggan 166
Ronan McCarthy 166
Slim Tim Herron 166
EME9 166
Neil Bartlett 165
Ken Melton 165
Kieran Aherne 161
Bunyip 161
FCTwisters 161
jamie glowacki 160
Dan Geraghty 158
webuyanypar.com 157
parorbetter 157
Anonymous24 156
MaldenGolfClub 156
EME4 156
Double D 156
Stewart Davidson 156
JAMPOT 156
Greelo 155
EME3 153
Dean Broughton 151
Convo 150
Keith Murphy 146
EME22 146
Tigers 19 Holes 146
GreenArmy 145
Andrew Livermore 145
LoudmouthPants 142
Tony Pickett 142
Simon Frederick 141
Steven Barrett 141
Figjam 140
Neil Spencer 140
Llamedos 136
Corey De Bruyn 136
BJG 136
Dazmac 135
James Pacheco 135
Matts Caddies 135
Lucky Sod 131
Michael 130
Hodges Hawks 130
Towser 130
Tight Lines 127
jjlaff 126
A whales vagina 126
demoncleaners 125
Mavericks Boys 125
Stephen Crowson 121
Dan Chipowski 121
KangaMick 120
Lee Wallis 120
Super Hans 117
Easy Tiger 116
Terry 116
Agro 115
Drew the Tipster 115
Donny Osmond 111
Timcaznat 110
Drew J 110
Clonmullin 105
EME1 105
Simon 96
Nathan Whitbread 95
EME13 80
Nigel Robson 80
LEEDSLEEEDSLEEDSLEEEDS 80
Greig Steele 80
EME5 75
Kevin 70
Fredhed Barnrat 70
Tom A 65
Mike Norman 55

Following the first WGC event of the season, for which double points were on offer, we have big changes on the leaderboard, including a new leader. The 122 points earned by Luke Donald propelled Paul McGlinchey to pole position, and...

There's very little change on the leaderboard to report after a very difficult weekend for golf punters. No team included either winner, SSP Chowrasia or Aaron Baddeley, and only six players earned any points for their team....

We have a new leader, with Kendolph Express becoming the first team to top 300 points. In keeping with the rest of the golf season to date, most of the points were earned on the European Tour. Dubai Desert Classic...

Betfair website

German Masters Snooker Betting: Higgins means business

Snooker / David Hendon / 01 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Higgins doing what he does best - clearing up the table

"Higgins has been guilty in the past of coasting a little and not treating every tournament with the respect it deserves but since returning from suspension has very clearly tried to win every frame of every match of every event, big or small. He reached the final of his first three tournaments back, winning two of them, most notably the UK Championship."

John Higgins has had his fair share of problems over the last year but since his return he's been as focussed, committed and ruthless as ever. David Hendon pays tribute to the great man and selects the other best bets from the German Masters.

John Higgins won the first ranking event staged in Germany 16 years ago. His hair is now a little greyer, he has a wife and three children and has had a potentially career-ending scandal to deal with but is still every bit as good a player as when he won the German Open in 1995.

Higgins has been guilty in the past of coasting a little and not treating every tournament with the respect it deserves but since returning from suspension has very clearly tried to win every frame of every match of every event, big or small. He reached the final of his first three tournaments back, winning two of them, most notably the UK Championship. Don't be fooled by his first round exit at the Masters - he hates Wembley Arena. That slip up aside, the Scot is fully focussed on landing every piece of silverware around and Berlin marks another opportunity to continue his rehabilitation.

The German Masters sees him at the bottom of the draw in a quarter that includes Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Marco Fu and Mark King - good players all but none as good as Higgins at his best. Heavily motivated, he remains a fearsome prospect when at the top of his game. The experienced snooker writer and commentator Clive Everton, who has witnessed more snooker than most, wrote recently that Higgins is: "the nearest thing to a perfect textbook player in technique and shot selection there has ever been."

What he means is that Higgins always knows the right shot and almost always plays it. When he first broke through it was clear he was mature beyond his years, combining Steve Davis's considerable tactical know-how with Stephen Hendry's heavy scoring. Higgins may lack Ronnie O'Sullivan's flair but has a better temperament and sits at the top of the ranking list while O'Sullivan languishes in ninth place.

His practise partner Graeme Dott is in the opposite half of the Berlin draw and has a reasonable chance of making progress through to the latter stages despite a possible meeting with Neil Robertson (who beat him in last season's World Championship final) in the second round. Dott invariably plays well against the very top players, as he proved in beating Higgins in the first round of the Masters last month. Words like 'tenacious' and 'dogged' are normally applied to him but Dott doesn't just win through being tough, he's a heavy scorer too and brilliant under pressure.

The truth is, there isn't much between the top players right now, hence the major titles tend to be shared around, but there is money to be made on individual match betting. Wednesday's wildcard round provides such a chance. In the China ranking tournaments, the invited players are often capable of beating the qualifiers but the European wildcards in Berlin are not yet of that standard, with one exception. Amateur Daniel Wells, a Welshman, spent two years on the pro circuit and in 2009 came within a frame of qualifying for the Crucible, losing 10-9 to Barry Hawkins. He stands the best chance of the eight wildcards of progressing when he tackles Chinese qualifier Liu Song.

In the first round, Judd Trump, who looks like he belongs on X-Factor as a member of One Direction, must fancy his chances of beating an out of sorts Hendry. Trump, 21, can clear the table quicker than it takes him to do his hair. He's ultra attacking, which is not always the best strategy, but Hendry hasn't played well for a whole match since he beat Dave Harold in the first round of the Welsh Open a year ago.

Andrew Higginson beat Peter Ebdon in the corresponding stage of the UK Championship a few weeks ago over 17 frames. Ebdon is not a huge fan of best of nines so logic suggests Higginson, a player with a good, positive attitude, can beat him again. From eight previous meetings Dominic Dale has never beaten O'Sullivan but the Rocket has given the impression in recent times that his interest in proper tournaments has seriously waned so a Dale victory can't be discounted. Stephen Lee has returned to something approaching his old fluency this season and is due another decent run in a big tournament. His first round opponent, Ali Carter, has struggled for form since winning the Shanghai Masters last September and could be vulnerable against the four time ranking event winner.

Recommended Bets:

Back John Higgins to win the German Masters at 7.6
Back Daniel wells to beat Liu Song at [2.06]
Back Judd Trump to beat Stephen Hendry at [1.7]

Betfair website