More at stake for Arsenal and Unai Emery than Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri in Europa League final between managers with points to prove May 28, 2019 When Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri pitched up in London a year ago they did so with something to prove. For the Spaniard, it was that his failure to deliver the clean sweep of honours that Paris Saint-Germain’s hierarchy craved owed more to the unique ecosystem of France’s richest club than his own shortcomings as [...]
Aston Villa hit £170m jackpot after promotion gambles pay off against Derby County May 27, 2019 It tends to take a gamble to escape the bear pit of the Championship. Aston Villa have bet bigger than most and now, with victory in the play-off final over Derby County on Monday, they have scooped the £170m jackpot that promotion to the Premier League guarantees. Villa were rewarded for rolling the dice on [...]
England build confidence for the World Cup despite comfortable nature of Afghanistan win May 27, 2019 In the end it wasn’t so much a warm-up as a cool down – an opportunity to get loose before Thursday’s World Cup grand opening. England craved a win after Saturday’s 12-run defeat by Australia, but when it came at The Oval against Afghanistan its nature diminished its significance, the home side chasing 160 in [...]
Johanna Konta’s long-awaited first French Open win is British No1’s latest cause for optimism May 27, 2019 It took seven visits to Roland Garros but, finally, Johanna Konta is into the second round of the French Open and entitled to feel cautiously optimistic that her campaign in Paris will not end there. The British No1 – beaten in the first round for the last four years and defeated in qualifying in both [...]
Arsene Wenger on his future, being a tech investor, science taking over football and his dream of an Arsenal university May 24, 2019 When Arsene Wenger said his goodbyes to Arsenal, bringing down the curtain on a 22-year tenure which transformed the club and left an indelible mark on English football, he was adamant about one thing: he was not hanging up that manager’s coat with the pesky zip for good. But weeks turned into months and now, [...]
Ollie Phillips: Don’t expect a shock – Saracens and Exeter are streets ahead of their Premiership play-off rivals May 23, 2019 The Premiership semi-finals are upon us this weekend and it is very much a case of challengers taking on heavy favourites. Saracens and Exeter have been dominant over the past few seasons and it will take a mammoth effort from Gloucester or Northampton to reach the final. Saracens have won three of the last four [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Kachy him if you can May 23, 2019 WHEN the ground gets quick at Haydock it can get very quick and it will be a case of blink and you’ll miss it in tomorrow’s Group Three Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes (4.00pm). This race has been won by some top class sprinters over the years and is the last main trial before next month’s [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Back Willie John to lead home the pack at Goodwood May 23, 2019 PUNTERS are spoilt for choice tomorrow. Away from Haydock and the Curragh, there’s more high quality racing at Chester, Goodwood and York. I’m going to focus on those final two tracks, starting off on the South Downs and the opening Listed Festival Stakes (1.55pm). It looks an intriguing contest and my eyes are immediately drawn [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Gosden ace may be Too Darn Hot for Magna Grecia May 23, 2019 WHEN final declarations were made yesterday morning for tomorrow’s Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (3.35pm) at the Curragh, it still came as a slight surprise to see the name TOO DARN HOT in the final field. John Gosden’s colt only made his eagerly awaited seasonal reappearance just over a week ago when a gallant second to [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Stoute set for yet Moore Brigadier Gerard success with Regal Reality May 23, 2019 THERE are very few high quality evening meetings in British horseracing, but today’s Matchbook London’s Night At The Races at Sandown Park is the obvious exception. With two Group Three contests, a couple of Listed heats and a pair of competitive handicaps, as well as loads of entertainment, there is no excuse to miss out [...]