France suffer Six Nations title setback as third member of coaching staff tests positive for Covid-19 February 17, 2021 Six Nations favourites France’s Covid-19 crisis has deepened after a third member of the coaching staff tested positive. Assistant coach William Servat’s diagnosis followed that of head coach Fabien Galthie and another unnamed non-playing staff member on Tuesday. All three have been ordered to self-isolate for seven days, while Les Bleus’ playing squad have been [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Frankie Lor’s belated birthday celebrations ready to Peak February 16, 2021 ANTICIPATE trainer Frankie Lor celebrating a belated birthday present when he saddles improving PEAK TO PEAK in the Mut Wah Handicap (12.15pm) over six surlongs. Lor’s birthday coincided with the Chinese New Year racing at Sha Tin on Sunday, but the former assistant to John Size had to make do with his performer Right Choice finishing runner-up [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Ho Ready to Conquer all February 16, 2021 BETTORS must have been on good terms with themselves following the results of the Chinese New Year meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday. On what is the biggest turnover day of the Hong Kong racing calendar, with a record £180 million bet, the majority of winners were well supported, leaving punters in good spirits for [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Purton has Two Size-able chances at the Valley February 16, 2021 PUNTERS must be rubbing their hands with anticipation as the unusual combination of trainer John Size and jockey Zac Purton team up on a highly-competitive nine-race programme at Happy Valley on Wednesday. This is a rare occurrence which has only happened twice this season, with Size and leading jockey Joao Moreira normally glued together throughout [...]
Too much of a good thing: Are round-the-clock matches giving you football fatigue? February 16, 2021 As I’m sure most readers of this publication will be aware, one of the characteristics of money is that there is a limited supply of it. Scarcity equals value, and that’s something which the football world might soon need to take into account. The pandemic’s impact has condensed the football season and, for many of [...]
Uefa snubs Israeli offer to stage Euro 2020 matches and reaffirms commitment to 12 host nations February 16, 2021 Uefa says it is not pursuing an offer from Israel to help with hosting Euro 2020 and European club competitions. Israel’s world-leading Covid-19 vaccination programme means it would be well placed to welcome fans to matches. The Israel Football Association confirmed it had offered Uefa the use of three stadiums for staging matches at this [...]
Why are English clubs playing Champions League and Europa League matches at neutral venues? February 16, 2021 Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are all playing Champions League fixtures at neutral venues this month. The same is true for Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the Europa League. So why is it happening? Why have both legs of Arsenal’s tie been moved? Why is Leicester’s trip to Prague unaffected? And what does [...]
Henley Regatta at risk of cancellation for second year in a row after plans for June start are scrapped February 15, 2021 The Henley Regatta is in danger of being cancelled for the second year running after organisers said it would not start in June as planned. Organisers hope to stage the regatta in August instead, if not in Henley itself then at Dorney Lake. The five-day rowing spectacular on the Thames last year suffered the first [...]
Why Manchester City’s 16-game winning streak is even better than you think February 15, 2021 Let’s start with what is indisputable: Pep Guardiola has turned Manchester City back into the best team in England. Through the flames of the dumpster fire that is Liverpool’s title defence, City have marched to the summit like a team of indestructible terminators. Seven points clear and with a game in hand, only a monumental [...]
Is Liverpool’s defeat by Manchester City a sign that history is repeating itself for Jurgen Klopp February 13, 2021 To paraphrase Liverpool owner John Henry, what do you think they’re smoking at Anfield? Because something is up with the champions. Losing to your main domestic rivals is one thing. Losing to them 4-1 at home is another. And losing to them when you are 27 points down on your tally at the same stage [...]