Chelsea v Manchester United: Blues’ poor home form under threat from big-match specialists in top-four showdown February 16, 2020 While this season’s Premier League title race is now non-existent, the battle to finish in the top four is still very much on. Everyone from Chelsea in fourth to Arsenal in 10th will have aspirations of finishing in the final Champions League spot, while Manchester City’s prospective European ban has given even more teams hope. [...]
Arsenal 4-0 Newcastle: Mikel Arteta’s side finally turn the tide of draws in crucial, confidence-boosting home win February 16, 2020 Suddenly it all clicked into place. After a run of four successive Premier League draws and 45 minutes of predictable, frustrating and ineffective side-to-side football, Arsenal found their mojo. In the grand scheme of things it wasn’t much – a 15-minute spell of domination and creativity, and a strong finish against a unadventurous Newcastle side [...]
Manchester City could win legal row with Uefa but club’s Champions League ban is already having an impact February 16, 2020 If Friday’s announcement that Manchester City face exclusion from the Champions League for the next two years was a bombshell, then the accompanying shrapnel is the endless list of questions posed by Uefa’s verdict. What now for the most expensively assembled project in the history of football? Can Pep Guardiola be persuaded to stay at [...]
Adding South Africa into the Six Nations is a controversial move but it makes commercial sense in the long run February 13, 2020 The Six Nations is in a rest week at the moment but there has been no shortage of things for fans to talk about after it emerged that South Africa could join the tournament. The potential introduction of the Springboks in 2024 is an emotive subject and I can certainly see both sides of the [...]
David Pipe looks ahead to his weekend runners February 13, 2020 RAIN, rain go away! We got another 18mms of the stuff on Wednesday night and we are ready for some nice weather to kick in. That said, one horse who won’t mind it like this is RAMSES DE TEILLEE and we have made the decision to stay over hurdles with him for the time being. He will [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Copperhead set to strike in soft ground Reynoldstown February 13, 2020 WHAT better way to prepare for Cheltenham than with a slog over three miles on soft ground at Ascot? While most Festival hopefuls have had their final run before March, tomorrow’s Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (1.50pm) is a valuable race that’s attracted a handful of high class horses. Pym’s latest run, a decisive eight-length win [...]
Ben Foakes deserves an extended run as wicket-keeper in England’s Test side after being picked for Sri Lanka tour February 12, 2020 England may still be in South Africa, but the squad for their tour of Sri Lanka was named on Tuesday and the series isn’t far away. The team will fly out next month ahead of the first Test on 19 March and the 16-man squad features some interesting calls. I am happy to see Ben [...]
Leah Williamson interview: England and Arsenal defender on the fortunate timing of her career, studying accountancy and her Olympic dream February 12, 2020 Like many football-mad children, Leah Williamson dreamed of becoming a professional player. The talent was there and she took the first step on the ladder aged nine when she joined the Arsenal Ladies Centre of Excellence in 2006. However, there was one major problem in her way: 14 years ago there was no such a [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Moore’s contender looks Stronger than his handicap rivals February 11, 2020 JOCKEY Vincent Ho may have celebrated his 300th career winner at Happy Valley last week, but that is nothing compared to legendry trainer John Moore who reached an extraordinary milestone at Sha Tin on Sunday by saddling his 1700th winner in Hong Kong. Moore, who faces compulsory age retirement at the end of the season, [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Man’s Elite set to Star at the Valley February 11, 2020 TRAINER Manfred Man will be hoping for a change of fortune when he arrives at Happy Valley today. The likeable local handler has made a quiet start to the season with just 13 winners, but there is every reason to believe he won’t be leaving the track empty-handed again. Man has managed to retain the [...]