Get In The Game - with Nigel Ridgway of bet365
Written by: Nigel Ridgway (2005-07-28 22:07:38)
GOLF
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JOLLY JIM TO STEAL PRIZE FROM TIGER
Th Jul 28 4:00 pm (USA)/20:00 GMT
Fr Jul 29 4:00 pm (USA)/20:00 GMT
Sa Jul 30 3:00 pm (CBS)/19:00 GMT
Su Jul 31 3:00 pm (CBS)/19:00 GMT
It's hard to make a case against Tiger Woods in this week's Buick Open. Sure he's only 2/1 (11/5 in our Enhanced Win Only market), and is playing here to please his Buick sponsors, but there's never been a hint of him not giving his best in this event. As a previous winner, and a massive 93 under for his six appearances, he's sure to be in contention on Sunday, and looks an absolute must for any staking plans this week. Further down the betting list, there is a distinct lack of top names to topple Tiger, but one that jumps out is Jim Furyk at 12/1. Jolly Jim's record is even better than Tiger's (96 under for his last 24 rounds!) and, with finishes of 2nd and 1st in his last two PGA Tour events, he looks an each-way steal at that price. Another player with excellent course form is Geoff Ogilvy - 70 or better in 11 of 12 rounds at Warwick Hills, including a 2nd place finish in 2003. Plus, he comes here on the back of a top-5 finish at St Andrews so, at 33/1, has to be worth a few quid each way (1/4 odds 1.2.3.4.5). Live In-Play betting available throughout.
Buick Open Selections: Jim Furyk @ 12/1; Geoff Ogilvy @ 33/1; Tiger Woods @ 2/1
FOOTBALL
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FIRST DOWN (PART 2)
San Diego @ Green Bay
Th Aug 11 8:00 pm (ESPN)/Aug 12 - 00:00 GMT
Detroit @ NY Jets
Fr Aug 12 - 7:00 pm/23:00 GMT
New England @ Cincinnati
Fr Aug 12 7:30 pm/23:30 GMT
Chicago @ St. Louis
Fr Aug 12 8:00 pm/Aug 13 00:00 GMT
Kansas City @ Minnesota
Fr Aug 12 8:00 pm/Aug 13 00:00 GMT
Seattle @ New Orleans
Fr Aug 12 8:00 pm/Aug 13 00:00 GMT
Tampa Bay @ Tennessee
Fr Aug 12 8:00 pm/Aug 13 00:00 GMT
Baltimore @ Atlanta
Sa Aug 14 7:30 pm/23:30 GMT
Miami @ Jacksonville
Sa Aug 14 7:30 pm/23:30 GMT
Buffalo @ Indianapolis
Sa Aug 14 8:00 pm/Aug 15 00:00 GMT
Denver @ Houston
Sa Aug 14 8:00 pm/Aug 15 00:00 GMT
NY Giants @ Cleveland
Sa Aug 14 8:00 pm/Aug 15 00:00 GMT
Washington @ Carolina
Sa Aug 14 - 8:00 pm/Aug 15 00:00 GMT
Dallas @ Arizona
Sa Aug 14 10:00 pm/Aug 15 - 02:00 GMT
Oakland @ San Francisco
Sa Aug 14 10:00 pm/Aug 15 - 02:00 GMT
Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh
Mo Au 15 8:00 pm (ESPN)/Aug 16 00:00 GMT
We're counting down the days to the start of the new NFL season, and it's never too early to consider a wager on the opening games. Last week, we looked at the importance of a good start, and how some teams fared better than others in this department. Jacksonville and Denver are the only two teams to record a perfect 5-0 ATS start in the last five years, while the Cowboys (0-5) and the Rams (1-4) have the worst records. Another interesting trend to emerge is on the Totals. Total players saw the 'under' prevail to an 11-4 mark in 2001, while in the previous two seasons the 'under' has been 17-14, so it may be best to take an 'under' look when considering a bet in Week 1. In particular, the Saints, Ravens, Panthers, Rams, Seahawks and Bills have all seen the 'under' go 4-1 in Week 1 for the past five seasons. This year, New Orleans play Carolina in Charlotte and the 'over / under' for his game is currently 45.5. 'Over' players rightly go for offensive-minded teams, and only Minnesota and New England have seen the 'over' go 4-1 in the last five seasons.
Week 1 Pick: New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers Under 45.5 @ 10/11
NASCAR
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KURT TO BUSCH-WHACK HIS RIVALS
NASCAR's off-week provides us with an opportunity to check the latest Championship odds. And favorite going into the final six races before the Chase is Tony Stewart at 7/4. That's understandable, considering he's coming off one of his best streaks of his career, with three wins, a second and a fifth in his last six races. He certainly has the right momentum going into Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis on August 7th. Next in the betting is Jimmie Johnson (11/4) who, despite a 12th place finish last week, kept his spot atop of the points standings. However, he saw his lead dwindle from 77 points to 66, with Tony Stewart taking over from Greg Biffle (7/2) in second spot. At 9/2 we have last year's champion Kurt Busch, who is finally showing signs that he can repeat last year's win (Jeff Gordon was the last driver to win back-to-back in 97/98). Last week's win in Pocono was his first in 10 races at the track, and means he'll carry three straight top-10 finishes, and four in his last five races into next week's race. Busch ended last season with six top-10 finishes in the Chase and, if he can keep his No.97 Ford wreck-free in the next six races, he is a sure bet to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship, and make a spirited run at a second straight title. The odds are already posted for next week's Brickyard 400 and Greg Biffle is 9/2 favorite, ahead of Tony Stewart (7/1) and Jimmie Johnson (8/1), with Kurt Busch at 10/1.
Kurt Busch for the Nextel Cup Championship @ 9/2
bet365 latest Nextel Cup Championship prices
Tony Stewart 7/4, Jimmie Johnson 11/4, Greg Biffle 7/2, Kurt Busch 9/2, Ryan Newman 10/1, Jeff Gordon 12/1, others on bet365 website.
INDY
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PATRICK ON FIRE
Su Jul 21 3:00 pm (ABC)/19:00 GMT
Defending series champ Tony Kanaan is 4/1 favorite for this weekend's Firestone Indy 400, which also features rookie phenomena Danica Patrick (12/1). Patrick has taken the racing scene by storm since her fourth-placed finish at the Indianapolis 500 in May, the highest finish for a female at the Brickyard in the event's 89-year history. Winner of that race, Dan Wheldon (9/2), will be looking for his fifth victory of the 2005 season, having won four of the season's first five races.
bet365 latest Firestone Indy 400 prices
Tony Kanaan 4/1, Dan Wheldon 9/2, Sam Hornish 5/1, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti 13/2, others on bet365 website.
BASEBALL
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ASTROS ROCKET TOWARDS WILD CARD
The Houston Astros were 15 games below the .500 mark back in May (15-30) but now find themselves in the thick of the wild-card action. Wednesday night's 3-2 win over Philadelphia at Minute Maid Park completed a three-game sweep of the Philiies, and moved the Astros to within a game of the lead in the National League Wild Card race. They have now won four games in a row and 10 of their last 11. At home, they are 18-2 in their last 20 games, and are a Major League-leading 39-17, a .696 winning percentage. Leading the way for the Astros has been seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. The 'legend' has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last nine starts, and 19 of his 21 starts overall. The Astros are definitely a team to keep on the right side of in the second half of the season.
bet365 latest National League prices
Cardinals 13/10, Braves, Padres 5/1, Nationals, Marlins, Phillies, Astros 14/1, others on bet365 website.
Get in the game and be lucky!
Nigel
Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times EST (unless otherwise noted) and are subject to change. Check local listings.
NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that The key to successful gambling is getting value for money. Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com
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