Player ratings: Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley shine for England in Bulgaria October 14, 2019 England thrashed Bulgaria 6-0 in Sofia tonight in a Euro 2020 qualifying match overshadowed by persistent racist abuse from the stands. Here is how the visitors rated on a dark night for European football. Jordan Pickford: 6 Saved what came his way, which was very little in an embarrassingly one-sided match. Some wayward kicking. Kieran [...]
Fit-again Bernd Wiesberger is riding a wave of euphoria to the top of golf October 14, 2019 Injuries need a lot of respect, especially in a physical game such as golf and in particular when it affects your wrist, like the one that sidelined Bernd Wiesberger for most of last year. But they can also allow you to reset your targets, to take stock of elements of your game that you want [...]
Japan 28-21 Scotland: Hosts produce scintillating rugby to reach World Cup quarter-finals October 13, 2019 The fact that Japan made history, beating Scotland 28-21 to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, was remarkable enough. But to do so on their own turf, in such style and in front of an adoring fan base just hours after the pain and destruction wreaked by Typhoon [...]
England have a midfield quandary but the system needs fine-tuning, not dismantling October 13, 2019 Overreaction clings to international football, where the relative infrequency of fixtures lends absurd weight to every result. So it was inevitable that England’s flat performance and surprise defeat in Friday’s European Championship qualifying match against the Czech Republic prompted not only justifiable soul searching about the team’s level but also some wild calls to abandon [...]
European Championship revamp keeps football open to all October 13, 2019 Every time Indiana Jones takes a plane, his journey is illustrated by a red line moving gradually towards its destination, the aircraft pivoting now and again to refuel as it traverses continents. For those still recovering from trying to understand the Uefa Nations League, the Raiders of the Lost Ark motif helps explain what will [...]
Ollie Phillips: World Cup fixture cancellation disadvantages Wales but France mutiny can go either way October 10, 2019 Typhoon Hagibis may not have directly affected Wales’s Rugby World Cup fixtures but the tropical cyclone has still managed to leave them at a considerable disadvantage. If, as expected, Wales win their final group match against Uruguay on Sunday they will finish top of Pool D and set up a quarter-final clash with the runner-up [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: O’Brien’s Wichita can give Pinatubo a true test in the Dewhurst Stakes October 10, 2019 NEWMARKET takes centre stage again tomorrow with all eyes on Godolphin’s Pinatubo as he bids to make it a perfect six out of six in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.30pm). The son of Shamardal landed the first Group One of his career in last month’s National Stakes at the Curragh by a breathtaking nine lengths [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: No Drama for Johnny and Lampang on the Knavesmire October 10, 2019 KING Power Racing have had an excellent season, with Morando’s win in last Saturday’s Cumberland Lodge Stakes the latest Group level prize the operation has snared this campaign. After such a difficult 12 months, they have been rewarded with plenty of success and I can see them celebrating again at York tomorrow. The coral.co.uk Rockingham [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Cayenne Pepper will be too hot to handle in Fillies’ Mile October 10, 2019 JESSICA Harrington has enjoyed plenty of success over the past couple of years. Firstly, she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017 with Sizing John and then followed up with Our Duke in the Irish Grand National. Last year, Alpha Centauri gave her a maiden Classic success in the Irish 1000 Guineas, before landing three [...]
Rugby Betting Tips: Japan braced for Scottish battering October 10, 2019 JAPAN VS SCOTLAND BEATING the bookies on the handicap betting can be tricky. Unsure whether we’re going to see a demolition job from the top tier nations or a spirited performance from the underdog, calling the winning margin hasn’t been easy at the Rugby World Cup. We’ve seen the likes of Georgia keep Wales within [...]