Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sports World |
- King George card still touch ‘n go
- 49ers still can’t decide which Smith to use
- Rees has one eye on Welsh captaincy
- Priestland looking to fill Jones' boots
- You can't look beyond Barca and Messi for Champions league glory
| Posted: 23 Dec 2010 06:49 AM PST Mark Selby has admitted that he would like to face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the Masters tournament at Wembley Arena next month. The duo have met in the last two finals, with the record currently standing at one win each, and Selby has confessed that he enjoys the atmosphere that the titanic tussle brings. Selby will be aiming to win his third Masters title in four years in 2011 after tasting success on his debut in 2008 and again in 2010. He also reached the 2009 final but succumbed 10-8 to The Rocket. However, he gained revenge for this defeat by beating him 10-9 earlier this year and he admits he would like to face O'Sullivan – who is 7/2 favourite in Ladbrokes Snooker Odds - for a third successive time in the Masters final. Speaking ahead of the tournament, which runs from January 9 to January 16, Selby said: "I've got a very good record in the event, I love playing at Wembley and it tends to bring the best out of me. The atmosphere in the last two finals against Ronnie O'Sullivan is the best I've ever played in. "Ronnie beat me in 2009 then I beat him last year so it would be great to meet him in the final for a third time. The public might start to get bored of seeing us in the final every year, but I wouldn't mind!" Those who are looking to place snooker bets should note that Selby is an 8/1 shot to taste success in Ladbrokes Snooker Odds and admits that the competition is getting tougher due to the greater number of tournaments now involved in professional snooker. This means he will be taking the Masters tournament one game at a time, starting against Mark King in his opening match on January 9 (Ladbrokes Snooker Odds – Selby 1/3, King 9/4 to win match). However, he clearly has one eye on claiming the coveted crown again.  |
| King George card still touch ‘n go Posted: 23 Dec 2010 05:24 AM PST The showcase two-day William Hill Festival meeting at Kempton on Boxing Day and on the following Monday remains in doubt due to the freezing weather conditions as betting on whether or not the fixture will go ahead has proven highly unpredictable, writes Elliot Slater. Although temperatures once again fell below zero on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Sunbury track, the forecast snow on Tuesday failed to arrive and Wednesday also remained clear. Frost covers are in place on the track and clerk of the course Barney Clifford welcomed the let-up in the snow, but remained non-committal as to his belief of whether or not the fixture will actually be able to go ahead as planned. Having been 11/10 against the meeting taking place as recently as Tuesday afternoon, the betfair paul nicholls tips column (doubtless full of Christmas cheer) seeing the respite in the weather, have plunged on the fixture beating the big freeze and have forced the odds down to 4/7 that racing will indeed go-ahead, with those more pessimistic race fans being able to currently avail themselves of 6/4 against. The weather forecast for Xmas Eve and Christmas Day suggests little if any snow, but does suggest that temperatures will remain around, or just below zero during the course of the day, and a freezing north-easterly wind could make it feel considerably colder. A light layer of snow still continues to cover Kempton Park racecourse but Clifford pointed out that on Wednesday, for the first time in many days, he can now see the black frost covers under the snow, suggesting that a thaw of sorts has already set in. Fingers of betfair horse racing pundits are very firmly crossed that the thaw will continue and racing fans across Britain and beyond will be able to sit down at 3 o'clock on Boxing Day to see the mighty Kauto Star bid to make history in winning the race for the fifth successive year.  |
| 49ers still can’t decide which Smith to use Posted: 23 Dec 2010 04:53 AM PST The 49ers are about to play their most important game to date this season, but coach Mike Singletary has been forced to admit that he still does not know the identity of his starting quarterback for the win or bust tie against the St. Louis Rams. With Singletary previously having preached the importance of experiencing continuity in a team's offence, he is now going back on his word in dramatic style by jumping between Troy and Alex Smith in almost every game, something that goes a long way towards explaining precisely why the 49ers have had such a poor season. Although it has to be acknowledged by those who bet on super bowl that Singletary is being forced to choose between poor and poorer for the starting QB place, the fact is that he should surely have chosen his main man by this stage, if only to give one QB the opportunity of becoming used to getting the best out of the 49ers' best offensive weapons such as Michael Crabtree. It seems to be becoming ever more clear to the super bowl odds that the 49ers are going to be looking to pick up a QB in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft (with any failure to beat St Louis sure to leave his coaches thinking about this decision far sooner than they would have hoped), so Singletary is going to need to start taking notice of his own words. Should Singletary fail to secure a rookie QB who can get the 49ers back to winning ways and successful seasons, he will need to learn from his mistakes this season and ensure that continuity is the name of the game from this point onwards.  |
| Rees has one eye on Welsh captaincy Posted: 23 Dec 2010 04:52 AM PST Welsh hooker Matthew Rees admits that he is keen on taking on the role of captain on a more regular basis following the taster he enjoyed in the aftermath of Ryan Jones' injury for the autumn internationals against Australia and South Africa. Whilst he admits that being crowned captain in that fashion is far from ideal, he also made it clear that with a total of 39 caps, he is experienced enough to adequately perform the role, and happy to fill in for as long as he is required. Now that he knows Wales' opening fixture will be against Wales' most bitter of enemies, England, the desire to lead his team out at the Millennium Stadium is all-encompassing, even if the rugby union betting suggests it will be a tough battle. "I would like to be captain and hopefully, Gats (Warren Gatland) is more than happy with me. As a captain you have got to look to lead from the front – whoever it is has to give 100 per cent and it would be great, playing at home and running out in front of a fantastic crowd against England at the Millennium Stadium. It's a great opening match for us to have in the Six Nations - we couldn't ask for a better fixture to start it." The front-row forward has long impressed fans and pundits alike – and was rightly rewarded for his performances with three caps for the British Lions back in 2009 – but now he wants to cement his place in Welsh folklore by joining the greats before him who have captained a side which have slain the English and gone on to win a Grand Slam and those who bet on rugby may fancy them to do it. But Rees knows that first and foremost he must concentrate on maintaining his form for regional side, Scarlets, as he knows the Welsh selectors will be letting no one in on merit or reputation. However, he was a key part of the scrum which obliterated Australia's in November, and if he can maintain that sort of form, there is no doubt that he will be taking to the field against England on 4th February – but will it be with the captain's armband on? Only time will tell.  |
| Priestland looking to fill Jones' boots Posted: 23 Dec 2010 04:41 AM PST It would appear that Wales' Six Nations campaign could well be rescued by the strength in depth of regional side, Scarlets. With Stephen Jones - capped 95 times by his country - looking doubtful for the start of the 2011 campaign following an incident in which he strained his knee ligaments during a recent 35-17 win over Treviso for his club, his understudy, Rhys Priestland, is odds-on to keep his shirt warm for him. The 23-year-old has filled in for Jones at club level whenever the star fly-half is on national duty, and has received glowing reviews in a season where his side are currently sitting third in the Welsh Premiership, with the rugby union odds suggesting they can push on. His performances have not gone un-noticed by his coach Nigel Davies either, with him describing him as a top player, only lacking in experience - but this is something which is fast being remedied following Jones' unfortunate injury. Priestland himself has admitted to feeling a degree of sympathy for his stricken team-mate, but has vowed to make the most of his opportunity. "I don't want Steve to be injured but if it is an opportunity for me, I have to take it," he said. "Christmas is always a busy period in Welsh rugby and if you are playing well for your region you are going to be there or thereabouts for Wales… but ideally I would just like to concentrate on what is happening down at the Scarlets." Wales also have the option of moving prodigious talent James Hook into the No. 10 berth which would mean Priestland could also play at full-back for his national side - a position he's played in for Scarlets a number of times over the last couple of seasons. Alternatively, a space opening up in the back-line could mean an opportunity for prodigal son, Gavin Henson, who has recently affirmed his desire to become a star once more for his national side after putting a long list of off-field incidents behind him. Henson has said that he believes that despite what the Six Nations betting odds say, Wales can do the Grand Slam next year. Whatever happens, the emergence of Priestland as a serious candidate to take part in Wales' Six Nations campaign will certainly be a boost to the chances of recapturing the title.  |
| You can't look beyond Barca and Messi for Champions league glory Posted: 23 Dec 2010 03:18 AM PST Ask any Arsenal fan I am sure they will say they did not want to draw Barcelona in the first knock-out round of the Champions League. But the quirky hand of fate was always going to deal the Gunners a date with the 2009 European Champions after they failed to win their group. Arsenal will no doubt give them a good game, but such is the form of the Catalan club I simply can't look beyond them, not only for this tie, but for the competition itself and the Champions League promotions reflect this. They were simply glorious to watch in winning the 2009 tournament and their demolition of Arsene Wenger's men in last year's quarter-final put them on course for another. But Jose Mourinho's tactical masterclass saw Guardiola's men bow out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Inter. Mourinho, of course, is now at bitter rivals Real Madrid - the score when the two sides met? 5-0 to Barca in one of the most complete club displays I have ever seen. I don't think the special one has the players to replicate those semi-final tactics should they meet in the Champions League and looking around at the rest of the teams involved I feel Barca are too good for all of them. They are rightful favourites in the Champions League betting. They also have the little genius Lionel Messi. The Argentine wizard became the youngest player to finish top scorer in the competition back in 2009 and has hit six goals already this year. With Arsenal set to play fire-with-fire and try and pass their way through Barca there are going to be goals. So it may well be worth backing not only Barca to be European Champions but little Leo Messi to collect the golden boot as well.  |
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