Stevens: Autumn results not essential for England October 19, 2014 FORMER British Lions prop Matt Stevens insists England’s World Cup destiny does not hinge on landing knockout blows and toppling the world’s best during the upcoming autumn internationals. Stuart Lancaster’s side begin their southern hemisphere examination with a clash against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday 8 November before showdowns with South Africa, Samoa and [...]
Stevens: Rethink rule for Armitage October 16, 2014 FORMER England prop Matt Stevens believes head coach Stuart Lancaster should consider waiving the rules on selecting only domestic-based players for international duty in the notable case of back-row forward Steffon Armitage. Bath this week held talks with Toulon over signing reigning European player of the year Armitage, although the deal is now dead and [...]
Troubleshooter Hughton on Fulham’s radar October 16, 2014 Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton is on a three-man shortlist to succeed the sacked Felix Magath in the Fulham dugout. A five-man advisory panel devised by owner Shahid Khan, which includes ex-players Danny Murphy and Brian McBride, have also put forward Steve Clarke and caretaker manager Kit Symons.
City can continue strong recent record over Spurs October 16, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION AFTER an international round of fixtures where results mean the likes of Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Slovakia now top their respective groups in Euro 2016 qualifying, punters might want to approach this weekend’s Premier League action with an open mind. Champions Manchester City [...]
Rangers to make Reds work hard for three points October 16, 2014 LAST year’s second-place finish in the Premier League seems a distant memory for Liverpool, who have comprehensively failed to replace the goals and all-round impact of Luis Suarez. It’s a sign of how far the Reds’ stock has fallen that they are available to back at what appear decent odds of 8/13 to triumph away [...]
Spread betting on total goal minutes October 16, 2014 TOTAL goal minutes are one of the most popular and exciting markets that Sporting Index offer on football. It’s a prediction on the aggregate total minutes of each goal scored in a match. Last season when Tottenham travelled to the Etihad to play Manchester City, total goal minutes were trading at 141-151. The resulting 6-0 [...]
Noble Mission to emulate his brother Frankel October 16, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TOMORROW’S QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY AT ASCOT QIPCO British Champions Day has been a tremendous success and although the ground is set to be testing tomorrow, the action still promises to be enthralling. The first place to start has to be the meeting’s highlight, the £1.3m QIPCO Champions Stakes (4.05pm), where Cirrus [...]
Michael Owen’s Champions Day picks October 16, 2014 QIPCO British Champions Day will be fantastic, but what about winners? Michael Owen, Qipco British Champions Day brand ambassador, has helped to mark your card. “I’m really looking forward to some fantastic racing. It will be a great start if Her Majesty The Queen’s wonderful mare ESTIMATE can get the card off to a flyer. [...]
Nadal appendix concerns raise hopes of Murray O2 appearance October 15, 2014 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray’s hopes of playing in next month’s ATP World Tour Finals in London could be set for a major boost amid increasing uncertainty over the participation of injured Rafael Nadal. Nadal’s camp was yesterday forced to deny reports in his native Spain that the world No3 had already made up his mind [...]
Lampard joins the growing list of players to back tired Sterling October 15, 2014 FORMER England vice-captain Frank Lampard became the latest player to speak out in defence Raheem Sterling yesterday after the Liverpool winger complained of fatigue ahead of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday. Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has since questioned the Anfield club’s training policy which sees players only taking part in a [...]