EPL 2018/19 - Week 21

Everton v Leicester - Draw
Arsenal v Fulham - Home
Cardiff v Tottenham - Away
Bournemouth v Watford - Draw
Chelsea v Southampton - Home
Huddersfield v Burnley - Home
West Ham v Brighton - Home
Wolves v Crystal Palace - Home
Newcastle v Man Utd - Away
Man City v Liverpool - Home

Very quickly, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea look easy winners. Man City are playing their league defence against Liverpool. I believe they will win this to keep any hope of keeping their title. Man Utd are on a roll and should be able to ride their wave and land a win at Newcastle. I like Huddersfield's chances at home to struggling Burnley. Any pretense of the Terriers staying in the division will require them to win many points at home and they don't come any easier than Burnley these days.

Happy New Year 2019 to all readers of this blog! Wishing you a lot of winners in the coming year!

Accumulator: Man Utd/Arsenal/Spurs/Huddersfield/Chelsea/ Man City

EPL 2018/19 - Week 20

Brighton v/s Everton - Away
Fulham v/s Huddersfield - Home
Leicester v/s Cardiff - Home
Tottenham v/s Wolves - Home
Watford v/s Newcastle - Home
Liverpool v/s Arsenal - Home
Crystal Palace v/s Chelsea - Home
Burnley v/s West Ham - Away
Southampton v/s Man City - Away
Man Utd v/s Bournemouth - Home

Can Man City be rocked for the 3rd time in a row? Their late capitulation at Leicester was certainly shocking and the Citizens are no longer in that confident mode anymore. At current prices, it might be value to stick with them to overcome the Saints; they haven't become a bad team all of a sudden. But the past 2 losses have certainly dented their chances of keeping the title particularly that league leaders Liverpool are showing no sign of slowing down.

Liverpool look set to continue on their roll as they welcome Arsenal. The Gunners are puffing at the moment and as they are still a work in progress under new coach Emery, I don't expect them to be firing on all cylinders against the league favourites. With a win, Klopp's men will have taken care of a big obstacle.

Keeping the faith with the Red Devils as they entertain Bournemouth. They are also a team under revolution under manager Ole and while I don't expect them to be mesmerizing against strong teams, they should be able to overcome the poor form of the Cherries.

Leicester have struck against 2 leading teams in Chelsea and Man City and should have no trouble against visiting Cardiff.

Accumulator: Man City/Liverpool/Man Utd/Leicester

EPL 2018/19 - week 19

Fulham v Wolves - Home
Burnley v Everton - Draw
Crystal Palace v Cardiff - Home
Leicester v Man City - Away
Liverpool v Newcastle - Home
Man Utd v Huddersfield- Home
Tottenham v Bournemouth - Away
Brighton v Arsenal - Away
Watford v Chelsea - Away
Southampton v West Ham - Draw

Time to pile on Man Utd in the coming weeks as caretaker manager Ole has been handed favourable fixtures to open his Red Devils managerial stint. Huddersfield should be in for a thrashing at the hands of a liberated Utd side.

Man City should recover from a shocking home defeat to Crystal Palace and get thevwway win at Leicester. Foxes' manager is in dire needs of results to stave off sacking but it will be a tough act against the league favourites. City should get the much-needed full points here to keep pace with Liverpool.

The kops should handle visting Newcastle easily. I am not do sure of the prospects of Spurs at home to Bournemouth. I think there might be a shock in the offing here for those looking for a mighty value punt this gameweek. Although they thrashed Everton in their last match, Spurs owe a great deal to the calamitous error of England keeper Pickford to get back in the match after being outplayed at the start. I think Spurs will teeter sooner than later and Bournemouth might have a card to play tomorrow.

Accumulator: Liverpool/Man Utd/Man City
Value: Bournemouth 

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

and thanks for tuning in.

EPL 2018/19 - Week 18

Arsenal v Burnley - Home
Bournemoth v Brighton -Home
Chelsea v Leicester - Home
Huddersfield v Southampton - Away
Man City v Crystal Palace - Home
Newcastle v Fulham - Home
West Ham v Watford - Draw
Cardiff v Man Utd - Away
Everton v Tottenham - Home

Accumulator: Southampton/Man Utd

EPL 2018/19 - Week 17

Man City v/s Everton - Home
Crystal Palace v/s Leicester - Draw
Huddersfield v/s Newcastle - Home
Tottenham v/s Burnley - Home
Watford v/s Cardiff - Home
Wolves v/s Bournemouth - Away
Fulham v/s West Ham - Draw
Brighton v/s Chelsea - Away
Southampton v/s Arsenal - Away
Liverpool v/s Man Utd - Home

Liverpool against Man Utd used to be the biggest match of the season. With the rise of Man City, this is no longer the case. Since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, the fortunes of the 2 rivals have gone in opposite ways. Klopp has the Kops on the ascendancy and the future looks bright although they have yet to win any silverware yet. Mourinho has won trophies with the Red Devils although not the cherished Premier League or Champions League titles. Worse, his impact at the club has plateau-ed and the wave of discontent around the club seems to grow by the day. At Anfield, Mourinho will park the bus, such will be the fear of the Portuguese of losing the match. It is certain that the visitors will rely on the odd counter-attack to squeeze something out of the match. With Salah in grand form, it will be hard to keep him out of the score sheet and if last year's match is anything to go by, the Liverpool forwards will have live chances to make a difference. Hard to go against the Kops here.

Man City and Tottenham are banker winners to keep apace at the top.

Accumulator: Liverpool/Man City/Tottenham

EPL 2018/19 - Week 16

Bournemouth v/s Liverpool - Away
Arsenal v/s Huddersfield - Home
Burnley v/s Brighton - Home
Cardiff v/s Southampton - Home
Man Utd v/s Fulham - Home
West Ham v/s Crystal Palace - Draw
Chelsea v/s Man City - Away
Leicester v/s Tottenham - Home
Newcastle v/s Wolves - Draw
Everton v/s Watford - Home

League leading Man City, Liverpool and Spurs have tough trips this week-end and there is a strong chance of them leaving points on the table. Fifth-place Arsenal will certainly get closer to them as they should have the easiest of matches against visiting Huddersfield.

Southampton are a team in disarray and will find it hard to put their act together with the departure of Mark Hughes. They need a big-name manager to rescue them and at this point, there is value to go against them. Cardiff could very well make the most of the Saints' predicament this week-end.

Finally, Man Utd should get the better of Fulham. The Red Devils are in a totally unfamiliar and unacceptable position and the pressure is on Mourinho to mount a winning sequence or the axe should soon fall. The Red Devils should overpower visiting Fulham.

Accumulator: Cardiff/Man Utd/Arsenal

EPL 2018/19 - Week 15

Bournemouth v/s Huddersfield - Home
Brighton v/s Crystal Palace - Away
West Ham v/s Cardiff - Home
Watford v/s Man City - Away
Burnley v/s Liverpool - Away
Everton v/s Newcastle - Home
Fulham v/s Leicester - Away
Wolves v/s Chelsea - Away
Man Utd v/s Arsenal - Home
Tottenham v/s Southampton - Home

Accumulator: Crystal Palace/Chelsea/West Ham/Bournemouth/Tottenham

EPL 2018/19 - Week 14

Crystal Palace v/s Burnley - Home
Huddersfield v/s Brighton - Home
Leicester v/s Watford - Home
Man City v/s Bournemouth - Home
Newcastle v/s West Ham - Draw
Southampton v/s Man Utd - Draw
Chelsea v/s Fulham - Home
Arsenal v/s Tottenham - Away
Liverpool v/s Everton - Home

Jurgen Klopp might think that tomorrow's Everton side is the best he's faced so far, but the Kops should still have too much quality for the Toffees. There is a slight worry that Liverpool might be worse off fit-ness wise after their mid-week loss to PSG but this is a Merseyside derby at Anfield which should pump up the home team. Everton are overachieving at the moment and scraping out the good results without being overly dominant. The Reds should be able to over-power them.

Crystal Palace got a great point at Old Trafford last week-end and could have stole a win with more luck. They have Zaha back and will be a much better team than in the previous weeks without their taslisman. Burnley are in a rotten form with the spectre of relegation looming. The Eagles should win this one.

Chelsea lost their unbeaten record to Spurs last week but should get back to winning ways against Fulham. Granted, this will not be an easy match for Sarri's men as Fulham have found new vigour under new coach Ranieri. Still, the Blues are dominant at home and with Hazard pulling the strings, they should have too much in store for the visitors.

Accumulator: Liverpool/ Man City/ Crystal Palace/ Chelsea

EPL 2018/19 - Week 13

Brighton v/s Leicester - Away
Everton v/s Cardiff - Home
Fulham v/s Southampton - Away
Man Utd v/s Crystal Palace - Home
Watford v/s Liverpool - Away
West Ham v/s Man City - Away
Tottenham v/s Chelsea - Home
Bournemouth v/s Arsenal - Home
Wolves v/s Huddersfield - Home
Burnley v/s Newcastle - Home

Everton and Wolves are banker home wins. I just cannot see them being threatened by 2 of the worst sides in the league.

Man Utd should win their match against Crystal Palace although it would be no shock if they were to lay an egg in front of the Old Trafford faithful. The more Mourinho can focus on managing the team without making the back page news, the more the Red Devils will inspire confidence. The international break might have come at an opportune time for them as they try to bear down on a good winning run.

My value pick of the week is Spurs as I think they have enough in them to see off visiting Chelsea and hereby inflict the first defeat of the Blues this season. Tottenham will always give trouble to any team and the fact that Chelsea have been scraping results lately leads me to believe that Sarri's team are in for a hot Saturday evening. Harry Kane should be a handful as ever and the return of Vertoghen at the back will bring more stability to the Spurs defence. Contrary to many other pundits, I see Chelsea's unbeaten record in serious danger here.

Accumulator: Everton/Wolves/Man Utd/Tottenham

EPL 2018/19 - Week 12

Cardiff v/s Brighton - Draw
Huddersfield v/s West Ham - Away
Leicester v/s Burnley - Home
Newcastle v/s Bournemouth - Away
Southampton v/s Watford - Home
Crystal Palace v/s Tottenham - Draw
Liverpool v/s Fulham - Home
Chelsea v/s Everton - Home
Arsenal v/s Wolves - Home
Man City v/s Man Utd - Home

Although Man Utd got the perfect result during their travel at Juventus in mid-week, their performance on the pitch will have left a lot desired for many. Any such repeat while visiting neighbours Man City looks doomed to failure and possibly catastrophe. The Red Devils were shackled for long periods in Italy only to find their footing in the last minutes of the match and reverse what looked like a detrimental result. On the other hand, the Citizens are flying at the moment and scarily scoring at free will. I cannot see them getting beaten at home based on the form of the Red Devils and I think Guardiola's men will easily win this contest.

Leicester will be back from a long trip to Thailand and fitness-wise might not be at their peak but they should have too much class for a desperate Burnley team.

Liverpool is a banker to thrash Fulham and I suspect Salah will have another field day.

Last but not least, I like Southampton to get something out of their match against Watford. The Saints will have to rack up the points at home if they are to stay up and while visiting Watford are proving to be a decent bunch this year, I can still see the home team prevailing by the tightest of margins in this one.

Accumulator: Liverpool/Man City/Leicester/Southampton

EPL 2018/19 - Week 11

Bournemouth v/s Man Utd - Home
Cardiff v/s Leicester - Home
Everton v/s Brighton - Home
Newcastle v/s Watford - Away
West Ham v/s Burnley - Home
Arsenal v/s Liverpool - Away
Wolves v/s Tottenham - Away
Man City v/s Southampton - Home
Chelsea v/s Crystal Palace - Home
Huddersfield v/s Fulham - Draw

Man City and Chelsea have easy outings and should bag whole points at home. I think Spurs have the form and squad to go grasp full points on their visit at Wolves. For accumulator purposes, I  see value in including the Hammers who look to have an easier task than most in overwhelming a Burnley team with a very poor away record.

Accumulator: Man City/Chelsea/Tottenham/West Ham

EPL 2018/19 - Week 10

Brighton v/s Wolves - Home
Fulham v/s Bournemouth - Away
Liverpool v/s Cardiff - Home
Southampton v/s Newcastle - Home
Watford v/s Huddersfield - Home
Leicester v/s West Ham - Home
Burnley v/s Chelsea - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Arsenal - Away
Man Utd v/s Everton - Home
Tottenham v/s Man City - Away

Accumulator Win: Liverpool/Man City/Watford/Man Utd

EPL 2018/19 - Week 9

Chelsea v/s Man Utd - Home
Bournemouth v/s Southampton - Draw
Cardiff v/s Fulham - Away
Man City v/s Burnley - Home
Newcastle v/s Brighton - Home
West Ham v/s Tottenham - Draw
Wolves v/s Watford - Home
Huddersfield v/s Liverpool - Away
Everton v/s Crystal Palace - Draw
Arsenal v/s Leicester - Away

Just a quick note here. I will go for a Man City/Liverpool/Leicester accumulator as value punt of the week. Man City is a banker to win, Liverpool should be too strong for Huddersfield and Leicester has the capacity to stun the Gunners who although are on a good run, have shown defensive weaknesses that can be exploited by the Foxes.

Accumulator: Man City/Liverpool/Leicester

Arc de Triomphe 2018 - Enable on the steps of Treve

All questions revolve around Enable in this year's Arc. If the reigning champion is anywhere near the maximum of her powers, she should crush the field at Longchamp. How she overcomes the dreaded "bounce factor", the theory that a horse that runs well after a long lay-off will run badly on their second run, will be the main determinant of the result of the race. She came back from injury in the most comforting of fashions by easily overcoming top-class Crystal Ocean on the synthetic track of Kempton a few weeks ago. My belief is that her class will tell and that she will emulate Treve and win her second Arc. 

Of the rest, I will pick possibly the next filly superstar in Sea of Class and the trio of Fabre runners in Waldgeist, Cloth of Stars and Talismanic. Sea of Class has been supplemented for the race and looks set to be a major force in the middle distance division, male and distaff, next year. She will benefit of the all-important 3-pound allowance but her outside draw and the soft conditions will play against her. She can definitely place in the first 3 though.

Fabre has a strong-hand in his 3 horses and were it not to the 2 above-mentioned fillies, he would have been in a great nick to win the Arc for the 8th time. Waldgeist looks his best chance as this son of Galileo has won his last 4 races and beaten his 2 other stablemates in the Prix Foy. The German star should be at the finish. Cloth of Stars came second to Enable last year and seems to have gotten in better form over the course of the year. He definitely has the class to place again. Finally, Talismanic is certainly able to pick up the pieces should Enable fail to fire. The soft ground might play against him as his best form is on quick ground.

Win: Enable
Place: Sea of Class, Waldgeist
Top 5: Talismanic, Cloth of Stars

EPL 2018/19 - Week 8

Brighton v/s West Ham - Away
Burnley v/s Huddersfield - Home
Crystal Palace v/s Wolves - Home
Leicester v/s Everton - Home
Tottenham v/s Cardiff - Home
Watford v/s Bournemouth - Home
Man Utd v/s Newcastle - Home
Fulham v/s Arsenal - Away
Southampton v/s Chelsea - Away
Liverpool v/s Man City - Away

West Ham seem to have turned a corner and I see them getting the full points on their away trip to Brighton. Much has been said after Man Utd's woes but the Hammers were convincing in their win against the Red Devils last week. Pellegrini has righted the ship and I expect them to steadily climb up the standings.

I see value in pouncing on the accumulator on the following home teams: Burnley, Leicester, Tottenham and Man Utd. The gap with the visiting teams are enough for those teams to warrant comprehensive wins.

I also see Crystal Palace as a value draw-no-bet option against visiting Wolves. The Eagles usually keep matches close and they will be hard to beat at home. Wolves have been overachieving since the start and will be expected to give a good account of themselves and I expect Palace's odds to be higher as a result. The home team should either win or draw this match.


Win: West Ham
Win accumulator: Burnley/Leicester/Tottenham/Man Utd
Draw-no-bet: Crystal Palace

EPL 2018/19 - Week 7

West Ham v/s Man Utd - Away
Arsenal v/s Watford - Home
Everton v/s Fulham - Home
Huddersfield v/s Tottenham - Away
Man City v/s Brighton - Home
Newcastle v/s Leicester - Away
Wolves v/s Southampton - Draw
Chelsea v/s Liverpool - Draw
Cardiff v/s Burnley - Home
Bournemouth v/s Crystal Palace - Home

All the headlines from Old Trafford have been the months-old Mourinho-Pogba clash that have culminated into the French star kicked out of his vice-captaincy role. It seems plausible to say that one or both of them will have to look for greener pastures soon. Although it is too early at this point of the season to conclude that Man Utd's chances of winning the title are over, even the most ardent Red Devils supporters will agree that Man City and Liverpool will be all-too hard to catch. They are still a top 4 team and should be able to wrestle the 3 points out of their visit to West Ham provided their latest distraction is far off their minds. The players' performance in this match will go a long way to giving the best indication of the atmosphere reigning in the Mancunian changing room. Mourinho has to win matches like this to save his job and I believe this is a very possible result on Saturday morning.

Tottenham should stop its rotten series of results by getting a win at Huddersfield. This match comes at a perfect time for Spurs to regain some momentum in the league. The hosts are hapless upfront, having scored the fewest goals in the league so far. They are equally inept at the back, having conceded the most. So, even without star playmaker Ericksen, Pochettino's men should have no trouble getting the much-need win.

Win Accumulator: Man Utd/Tottenham

EPL 2018/19 - Week 5

Tottenham v/s Liverpool - Away
Bournemouth v/s Leicester - Draw
Chelsea v/s Cardiff - Home
Huddersfield v/s Crystal Palace - Away
Man City v/s Fulham - Home
Newcastle v/s Arsenal - Draw
Watford v/s Man Utd - Home
Wolves v/s Burnley - Home
Everton v/s West Ham - Home
Southampton v/s Brighton - Home

The 4 teams that stand out this weekend are Chelsea, Man City, Crystal Palace and Southampton. The first 2 can be considered bankers. Chelsea have proven me wrong so far and while I still expect them to fade at some point, getting 3 points from weak Cardiff should prove no hassle. Man City should be their dominating self against visiting Fulham.

Zaha might be a doubt for this match but Crystal Palace should have more than enough to get more than a share of points at Huddersfield. The Eagles have been somewhat disappointing in their last 2 matches but should be able to bounce back on this travel.

Finally, I really like the way Mark Hughes has settled in Southampton and the Saints have been competitive in the opening matches. A win is well within their grasp in the encounter against visiting Brighton.

Win Accumulator: Man City/Chelsea/Crystal Palace/Southampton

EPL 2018/19 - Week 4

Leicester v/s Liverpool - Away
Brighton v/s Fulham - Away
Chelsea v/s Bournemouth - Home
Crystal Palace v/s Southampton - Home
Everton v/s Huddersfield - Home
West Ham v/s Wolves - Home
Man City v/s Newcastle - Home
Cardiff v/s Arsenal - Away
Burnley v/s Man Utd - Away
Watford v/s Tottenham - Draw


Man City should continue on their unbeaten run this week-end as they host the toothless Magpies. This is a banker win for the Citizens who will also look to enhance their goal difference.

I really like the chances of West Ham against Wolves. The Hammers have been arguably unlucky in their last couple of starts and are much better than what their position suggests. Having Wolves as visitors is a perfect tonic for them to get their season back on track. They are definitely the best value pick of the week-end.

Mourinho is reeling at the moment and unless the wheels are falling off completely for the Red Devils, I can see them bouncing back with a win at Burnley. No doubt that another loss will significantly weaken the Special One's position at Old Trafford. While it is true they got thrashed against Spurs last week-end, there is no doubt that the result could have been reversed if Lukaku had not missed the open goal in the first half. Missing those sitters against the likes of Tottenham can just be lethal. If the Mancunians play with the same energy and are not profligate in front of goal, they have every chance to win this.

Win: Man City, West Ham, Man Utd

EPL 2018/19 - Week 3

Wolves v/s Man City - Away
Bournemouth v/s Everton - Away
Arsenal v/s West Ham - Home
Huddersfield v/s Cardiff - Home
Southampton v/s Leicester - Away
Liverpool v/s Brighton - Home
Watford v/s Crystal Palace - Away
Fulham v/s Burnley - Home
Newcastle v/s Chelsea - Home
Man Utd v/s Tottenham - Draw

The bankers are obvious; Liverpool and Man City should be having field days playing the likes of Brighton and Wolves. The 2 league favourites will be looking to not only bag the 3 points but also give a healthy dosage to their goal difference as this might play a crucial part towards the end of the season.

I have three value plays and I'm hoping that at least 2 of them hit the target. They are Leicester, Crystal Palace and Newcastle. I think the Foxes have a great chance to steal the full points at Southampton. The Saints look a vulnerable team at the moment as Mark Hughes tries to put his system into place. Leicester are a well-oiled team that are difficult to break down and have the means to inflict damage at the other end.

I also like Crystal Palace as a draw-no-bet as they visit Watford. I expect Palace to finish in the top 10 this season as ex-England manager Hodgson has put together an organized squad. They will be hard to beat and they can definitely land the spoils with the likes of Zaha up front.

Finally, I think Benitez will have Newcastle put up a valiant fight against visiting Chelsea. I am not convinced by the Blues at the moment despite their unbeaten start with new manager Sarri and they will definitely start losing points as the manager gets to grips with the facets of the league. Newcastle looks a great value draw-no-bet.

Value Win: Leicester
Accumulator: Liverpool/Man City/Leicester
Draw-no-bet: Newcastle, Crystal Palace

EPL 2018/19 - Week 2

Cardiff v/s Newcastle - Away win
Everton v/s Southampton - Home win
Leicester v/s Wolves - Home win
Tottenham v/s Fulham - Home win
West Ham v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Chelsea v/s Arsenal - Away win
Burnley v/s Watford - Home win
Man City v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Brighton v/s Man Utd - Away win
Crystal Palace v/s Liverpool - Away win

This week-end is an opportunity for most leading teams to gather full points and enhance goal difference. Man City is a banker win against Huddersfield. Man Utd should have too much firepower for Brighton. Spurs should overcome Fulham although I think they won't win it in a canter. Liverpool should continue on their hot goal spree at Selhurst Park.

Leicester should continue to do well with Claude Puel at the helm and they are fancied to beat Wolves.

Chelsea hosting Arsenal is the main match of the week-end. The encounter is between 2 teams with new managers, so there is definitely an element of surprise that can creep in. It is not impossible to fathom Arsenal coming up trumps in this London derby. They have the firepower to inflict damage to any team and Chelsea will be more vulnerable at the back now that Courtois is gone. For a value win, Arsenal could be a nice play.

Win: Leicester
Win accumulator: Man City/Liverpool/Man Utd
Value win: Arsenal

EPL 2018/19 - Week 1

Man Utd v/s Leicester - Home win
Newcastle v/s Spurs - Draw
Bournemouth v/s Cardiff - Home win
Fulham v/s Crystal Palace - Away win
Huddersfield v/s Chelsea - Home win
Watford v/s Brighton - Away win
Wolves v/s Everton - Draw
Liverpool v/s West Ham - Home win
Southampton v/s Burnley - Away win
Arsenal v/s Man City - Draw

A quick run-down of the first week. Despite their woes, I expect Man Utd to beat Leicester this Friday. Liverpool should start with a bang against West Ham. Emery will have a baptism of fire against Man City and this can potentially end in a high-scoring draw. I like Crystal Palace's away chances at newcomers Fulham.

Value Win: Crystal Palace
Win Couple: Man Utd/Liverpool
Draw: Arsenal/Man City

EPL 2018/19 - Predictions

Welcome back reading my ramblings on yet another EPL season that looks promising and exciting! I majorly took the summer off, enjoying the World Cup and racing, recharging batteries and getting ready for EPL. Things will be very much in the mix for many clubs in the opening weeks as many players get back in condition after the toll of a gruelling summer. This is bound to affect results in the short term. Here are some of my predictions for the coming season regarding the leading clubs.

Champions Man City will be hard to beat again. They have the best squad in the league which will be further reinforced by the arrival of star winger Mahrez. Mendy, their record-breaking defender which was mostly unavailable last year will be fit from day 1 and will certainly bolster their back four. There should be no ill-effects of the World Cup for much of the squad as most of them did not go through the latter stages. The Citizens gave a great account of their excellent disposition by comprehensively beating Chelsea in the Community Shield and should be in the Top 2 again.

The main danger for Man City will be Liverpool. It seems the Kops are getting very close to ending their championship drought and this season puts them in the best position in years to do. There is no reason to think that star striker Salah won't keep scoring week in week out. The Egyptian fits perfectly under the attacking system devised by manager Klopp and forms the best attacking trio in the league with the likes of Firmino and Sane. Add to this Sturridge who can definitely be an able substitute for scoring if he stays healthy. The Reds have also been bolstered by the arrivals of Keita and Fabinho as well as keeper Alisson who should add solidity to their defence, their main weak point in the past years. Liverpool are in for a great shout till the end and it's a toss-up between them and City for the title in my opinion.

Man Utd look in trouble at the moment. Mourinho is not happy and that does not bode well as this usually signals his departure or sacking is near. There can be no encouragement from their pre-season  form and the fact that the moody manager is the one making the headlines is enough to tell you that the Red Devils won't win the title this year. Sanchez will need to hit top form from the start after a quite disappointing opening spell last year. The main question is whether he needed time or if he simply does not fit into Mourinho's defensive system. There might be tectonic changes at Old Trafford starting at the top and I think the most the Red Devils can secure is a UCL spot.

Tottenham will be the club feeling the most from the World Cup as their numerous Belgian, English and French players are still on the recovery route. I expect the opening weeks to be very hard on them and that could mean the end of their title dreams right there. It is almost certain that Harry Kane won't be banging goals from opening day. The other bad news is the lack of major signings during the summer. Spurs are bound to yet another European spot but I cannot seem them lifting the trophy in the end.

Arsenal's new manager Emery will have to adapt to the rigors of the EPL and he will be considered a success if he can land a UCL spot. The Gunners have been banging in goals in pre-season and I expect strker Aubameyang to seriously put a challenge on the most goals marker. The Gunners won't win the championship but if Emery can find his footing, the squad is talented enough to achieve consistently good results.

Chelsea will also be with a new manager after the departure of fellow Italian Conte. They have lost keeper Courtois to Real Madrid which should be a big blow at the back. I don't think they will be good enough to end in the top 4. Blues fans should not be expecting much this year.


Win Title: Man City 
UCL: Liverpool, Tottenham, Man Utd

Royal Ascot 2018 - Day 3

To me, this year's Gold Cup is the highlight race of Royal Ascot. No offence to Big Orange, but I've waiting for a match between Order of St George and Vazirabad for a long time. With the new stayer prince Stradivarius set to challenge these 2 perennial kings of the staying division, we are going to be treated to a truly royal race.

Order of St George needs no introduction. He has been the best stayer running in Ireland and Britain for the past years. He was a rather unlucky loser to Big Orange in last year's race but his reputation is as big as Yeats, his Ballydoyle predecessor and winner of 4 Gold Cups. The son of Galileo is always formidable in any top race beyond a mile and a half. One thing that concerns me is his last race where the post-race comments had him winning cosily, yet it was only less than a length comfy. Connections seemed elated with the win but his win over Twilight Payment was not visually impressive although the rest of the field were 8 lengths adrift of the pair. There is ground to believe that Order of St George might have lost a step as he is now aged 6.

Vazirabad is the king of the staying division in France. As well as Dubai, since he's won their Gold Cup 3 times. It seems weird but it will be his first appearance in the Ascot Gold Cup. How he acts on the track will play a big part in his chances. This son of Manduro is blessed with stamina as well as a good turn of foot. I believe he has a massive chance if he adapts to this new environment and since he has been a good traveller to Dubai, there is every chance that he will be fine with the conditions on the day.

Stradivarius is the new staying champion in waiting. The only concern regarding this son of Sea The Stars is the distance but the way he has been progressing suggests that is within his compass. This is a winner of the Queen's Vase, Goodwood Cup and Yorkshire Cup. His last win in the latter was overly impressive and he will enter this race in peak form. The Gold Cup should be his within the next few years, and the big question is whether he is good enough to take the crown this year.

This is going to be a spectacular race and the winner should come from one of the three. Order of St George is a warm favourite but I believe he is vulnerable and at current prices, he should be taken on or laid. There should not be much between the other two and with push comes to shove, I give preference to Stradivarius because he has won at Ascot before and trainer John Gosden should have him primed for this.


Win: Stradivarius

Royal Ascot 2018 - Day 1

Royal Ascot is the meeting of the year for many and if the entries on the 4 days are anything to go by, it should be filled with memories to come.

The Queen Anne Stakes starts proceedings with the older generation fighting over a mile. The distance should be on the sharp side for Benbatl who makes his return after this Dubai exploits. The Godolphin representative is best over a further furlong and I suspect he will lack the speed require to land this. Rhododendron from Ballydoyle won the Lockinge and should be in the whereabouts again, particularly that she will enjoy her filly allowance against the boys. But it is Recoletos from France that seems to hold the aces for this race. The son of Whipper is two-for-two this year and seems to be thriving on the shorter than middle-distances in which he had been running in prior years. The French don't usually cross the channel unless they have a fighting chance and the quick ground and master rider Peslier could very well steer Recoletos to good effect.

The King's Stand Stakes will be the race of the whole meeting for many as it will pit super sprinters Battaash against Lady Aurelia; they met once before last year in a race where it was Martha who prevailed by nailing the US star on the wire. Battaash was a no-show on that day, possibly due to pre-race antics. The son of Dark Angel will have to be at this best behaviour to have any chance against Lady Aurelia who's won at Royal Ascot in spectacular style for the past 2 seasons. It is really a penalty kick between the two.

The St James' Palace Stakes looks to be a competitive affair regrouping quite a few top milers from the Classic generation. The favourite is Without Parole, an unbeaten son of Frankel in 3 starts. His win on fast ground on his seasonal debut was visually impressive and he should be able to give a good account in similar conditions. Wootton is held in high regard from the Godolphin base in France but his reputation was somewhat dented when he finished a close-up forth in the French Guineas although he had every chance to pounce in that race. He has a big race in him, I believe. But the one with the best from going into this race is Tip Two Win who came out a gallant second to Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas. This son of Dark Angel has never been out of the first 3 in 8 races and should be at the finish if he replicates his Newmarket form.

Win: Tip Two Win, Recoletos

Justify-cation for a Triple Crown?

All eyes in the racing world will converge to Belmont Park on Saturday to witness Justify's attempt at landing the Triple Crown. The unbeaten son of Scat Daddy will try to emulate American Pharoah and affirm his name among the other legends of American racing. Can he do it?

The connections are certainly bullish. Thriving is the common word coming from Baffert, the trainer, to describe the status of Justify. Baffert, the same trainer of American Pharaoh at that. But there should be a few causes for concern.

The main one is how the son of Scat Daddy will handle the mile and a half. This distance has been the graveyard for many Triple Crown aspirants. The field has a few gallopers for which the distance will suit better. Think Hofburg, Blended Citizen, Free Drop Billy. The most likely scenario is that those closers will try to wear Justify down in the last quarter mile of the race. How he will respond will determine the race.

The other question is how much the Preakness took out of Justify. That was his hardest race to date as Good Magic gave him a good run for his money for all but the last 100 yards of the race. Once Good Magic was taken care of, Justify had to withhold the assaults of Bravazo and Tenfold and certainly the finishing post came much as a relief. It would not be stretching to think that 3 weeks rest might not be enough to overcome the exertions at Pimlico.

But Justify might just be a superior horse that can overcome all these concerns. The field is deep but not overly talented. Somehow, if there is an all-out closer that will relish the gruelling distance, then the favourite might be vulnerable towards the end. The comparison line I can come closest to is Smarty Jones, who ultimately failed to land the Triple Crown after going to Belmont undefeated. He had an easy Kentucky Derby and won the Preakness in a canter. He looked to win the Belmont from far way out but was gunned down in the closing stages by a true middle-distance runner named Birdstone, losing his only race in the process. Justify had a relatively easy Derby, albeit in the slop. He had a hard Preakness, in the slop as well. He will be facing a deeper field including a few with staying pedigrees. So his work is cut out for him to win the Belmont.

If he is a superior or super horse, as Baffert seems to believe, then he should have enough in hand. At current odds, it might be worth taking him as it will only take a horse of the greatest caliber to overcome all the questions above.

Saxon Warrior - An Epsom Derby for Deep Impact

Much has been said about what could bring down Saxon Warrior, worthy favourite of this year's Epsom Derby. He will come out of the jinxed stall 1. He might have too much speed to last the stiff mile and a half of Epsom. And finally some say the ground might be too soft for him.

Bollocks.

The son of Deep Impact has enough speed to extricate himself from an unfavourable position coming off the blocks. Ryan Moore should be able to steer him into a good position. Too much speed because he won the Guineas? For good measure, Camelot and Sea The Stars were fast enough to win at the Classic mile distance and held enough stamina to win at Epsom. Saxon Warrior is yet another fantastic son Deep Impact, one of the best stayers ever to grace the turf. There should be no stamina concerns. Soft ground? He won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes hands and heels on only his second start. Sure he is more formidable on good ground but the Epsom soft ground will hold more fears for rest of the field than Saxon Warrior.

Nothing is assured in a horse race but Saxon Warrior should win the Derby on Saturday because he ticks all the right boxes going into the Epsom test. He has beaten everything thrown at him and there is every indication that he will do so again. It's hard to oppose him.

Roaring Lion is best out of the rest. The way he won the Dante was oh-so impressive. He has been beaten twice by Saxon so far. He is the best horse bar the son of Deep Impact. The distance should suit but the soft ground, although drying out, will not be ideal. Still, I expect the son of Kitten Joy to run his race into a podium finish.

I expect Delano Roosevelt and Knight To Behold to run respectable races and can probably follow the above 2 home.

Win: Saxon Warrior
Place: Roaring Lion

Elarqam - a Classic winner for Frankel?

Elarqam pleasantly surprised me in running 4th in the 2000 Guineas. That was the Frankel colt's only third run of his life and he responded admiringly against seasoned milers from the Classic crop. He is the deserving favourite of the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday and if he runs to form, he should tower over the rest of the field. The 2 dangers should be Gustav Klimt and Zihba. The former carries the main flag for the Ballydoyle team and thus cannot be under-estimated. The son of Galileo came within a length of Elarqam at Newmarket and is entitled to give a better performance, although Elarqam is the one with more scope for improvement.  Zihba is unbeaten in 3 starts and looks like a smart colt in the making but might be stretched out against some Group 1 level colts at a mile after only 13 days rest.

The Champions League final takes center stage in the football world on Saturday as Real Madrid and Liverpool battle it out in Kiev. I have gone against Madrid the past couple of years and obviously the results have gone the other way. Real Madrid are deserved favourites here as they have the better team on paper. But the Kops will pose them problems with their terrific forwards and Klopp is a master at these kinds of matches. Liverpool will have to keep it tight in defence if they are to have a chance beat the Spaniards. Sitting on the fence on this one but enjoy the match.

Win: Elarqam

Justify - On the way to the Triple Crown

A loaded Saturday looms up as league football comes to an end and racing starts its full flight.

The FA Cup brings the curtain down in English football. Man Utd against Chelsea is an intriguing match as the teams are close and have proven very tricky to back. It's Mourinho against Conte with what promises to be a defensive match with not many goals. I believe this match will go the extra distance and possibly decided on penalties. Chelsea have lost their way in the last weeks of the season possibly because of all the exit talk regarding manager Conte. The Italian will definitely not be at the helm next season and there is a serious question mark regarding his or his team motivation. Winning the FA Cup won't save him. On the other hand, as everyone knows, Mourinho has a near-impeccable record in finals and will have done his home work so as not to lose to his old team. I just cannot see Man Utd losing this match in 90 minutes. If it goes to penalties, then it will be the luck of the lottery to get the winner. For punters itching for a bet, I suggest a draw-no-bet on the Red Devils.

The German Cup sees champions Bayern taking on Frankfurt. This is the last match of manager Heynckes behind the Bayern bench as they go against a team managed by his successor next season. Although the Munich team will be missing a few regulars, it's hard to see them lose this match. Heynckes should go back to retirement on a winning note.

I don't think I've seen such a poor quality field lining up for the Lockinge on Saturday. Sure, 16 horses will provide the quantity but it's hard to be excited about a star running the show. There is no Group 1 miler in the field. Limato and Rhododendron are legitimate Group 1 horses but that would be at sprint level for the former and middle distances for the latter. If push comes to shove, Rhododendron is my pick.

The racing event to follow will be at Pimlico Stateside where Justify runs the Preakness, the second step of the Triple Crown. His form towers against anything else in the field. Provided he takes to the sloppy track, he should win this handily. Having heard all angles and from the bullish connections, I think he will.

EPL 2017/18 - Week 38

Burnley v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s WBA - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Arsenal - Away win
Liverpool v/s Brighton - Home win
Man Utd v/s Watford - Home win
Newcastle v/s Chelsea - Draw
Southampton v/s Man City - Away win
Swansea v/s Stoke - Home win
Tottenham v/s Leicester - Home win
West Ham v/s Everton - Home win

Only a few matches are of significance for the last game week of the season. Here are my picks.

Crystal Palace should beat West Brom at home. Despite a strong level of form under caretaker manager Moore in the last weeks of the season, in which they beat Man Utd and Tottenham while also drawing with Liverpool, the Baggies will be playing Championship football next season. Moore has achieved miraculous results in his short tenure but the club is eventually paying the price of rotten results before his arrival. The Baggies will arrive at Selhurst Park with a blown up confidence to play a host team that has gradually been getting significant results under the care of ex-England manager Hodgson. Zaha is their main man but Hodgson has steadied and righted a ship that seemed destined to sink midway in the season. Palace should finish the season with a decisive win.

Liverpool are vying to secure the fourth and last UCL spot and they should have no problem doing so against Brighton. Watch for Salah to eye for yet more goals as he goes for the Golden Boot glory.

Arsenal have lost 7 consecutive matches on the road and I think that streak will end on Sunday. It will be Wenger's last match and no doubt that the Gunners will try to make it a winning one. It will be a winnable one as well as Huddersfield will still be in partying mode, having secured their stay in the EPL after a gained point at Stamford Bridge in mid-week. Arsenal look good value to win that one.


Thanks for tuning in for this EPL season. There's more to come over the Summer; horse racing, World Cup, definitely more ramblings coming!


Win: Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Liverpool

EPL 2017/18 - Week 37

Brighton v/s Man Utd - Draw
Stoke v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Swansea - Home win
Leicester v/s West Ham - Away win
Watford v/s Newcastle - Away win
West Brom v/s Tottenham - Away win
Everton v/s Southampton - Home win
Man City v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Arsenal v/s Burnley - Home win
Chelsea v/s Liverpool - Home win

The best value odds seem to be at Stamford Bridge where the Blues host Liverpool. The Kops booked their UCL final ticket in mid-week after a hard-fought qualification in Rome. There will obviously be questions on their mental state and more particularly their fitness. I think they will be ripe for the taking in a stadium where Chelsea hold very few prisoners. One intangible to take note is the loss of Klopp's number 2 Buvac. The headlines have it that the ex-Reds coaching brain is on his way to replace Wenger at Arsenal but the general effect on Liverpool remains to pan out. His loss is certainly badly timed given the Kops are still in the race to land the UCL final and a top 4 league spot. Chelsea will have a lot in its favour on Sunday.

Win: Chelsea

EPL 2017/18 - Week 36

Liverpool v/s Stoke - Home win
Burnley v/s Brighton - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s Leicester - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Everton - Away win
Newcastle v/s WBA - Home win
Southampton v/s Bournemouth -Draw
Swansea v/s Chelsea - Away win
West Ham v/s Man City - Away win
Man Utd v/s Arsenal - Home win
Tottenham v/s Watford - Home win

It's Mourinho against Wenger again, probably the last chapter of the saga, as the Frenchman will leave his managerial post at Arsenal at the end of the season. It is not difficult to see why the Portuguese has an enviable record against the Frenchman; he relishes foiling plays of attacking sides and break their spirits before delivering the lethal counter punch. This plays particularly well against the one-dimensional attack-minded teams of Wenger. I don't see why that pattern would change in Sunday's match at Old Trafford. As long as the Red Devils don't deliver a big doughnut like they did against West Brom in their last home defeat last week, they should come on top of that one.

Spurs are still fighting for a UCL spot and they won't come much easier than Watford on Monday. Look for Kane to eagerly go for goals in the remaining 3 matches as he tries to catch Salah for the goal scoring title. This should be a high-scoring match with most goals going to the home side.

Accumulator: Man Utd/Tottenham

EPL 2017/18 - Week 35

WBA v/s Liverpool - Away win
Watford v/s Crystal Palace - Away win
Arsenal v/s West Ham - Draw
Stoke v/s Burnley - Home win
Man City v/s Swansea - Home win
Everton v/s Newcastle - Draw

The news broke in this morning that Wenger is to step down as Arsenal manager after 22 years! Many Arsenal fans will have seen their dear wish granted as they grew disgruntled with the downward spiral the club has been sucked into for the past decade. Can Wenger go on a high by winning the Europa League? That is going be really tough, particularly with Atletico Madrid as adversaries in their upcoming semi-final.

I liked Crystal Palace last week and they confirmed the confidence by winning and I am hoping for a bis repetita this week-end. Watford are still not secure from relegation and are only 3 points up on the Eagles but the hosts' form has been so poor of late that I think they will be vulnerable when faced to the likes of Zaha and Milojevic. It might be worth chancing on a Palace win or draw-no-bet.

Stoke are due a win and I think they will finally get it against Burnley. The Clarets lost a rare match at home to Chelsea yesterday and will have a short time of recuperation. I cannot see Stoke losing this match and their odds for winning look really juicy in the markets.

Win: Crystal Palace, Stoke

EPL 2017/18 - Week 34

Southampton v/s Chelsea - Away win
Burnley v/s Leicester - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s Brighton - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Watford - Draw
Swansea v/s Everton - Home win
Liverpool v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Tottenham v/s Man City - Home win
Newcastle v/s Arsenal - Home win
Man Utd v/s West Brom - Home win
West Ham v/ Stoke - Home win

Even though their situation is still precarious, I do not see Crystal Palace dropping out of the EPL this year. They are definitely better than their current standing and I believe on Saturday they will sail further from the relegation zone as they host Brighton. The visitors are in fair form but Palace have the weapons to overcome them and bag the full points. Milivojevic and Zaha are in fine goal-scoring form and should lead the Eagles to a much-needed win.

Man Utd should finish the season strongly as they try to secure second place. Truth be told, they were lucky to win at the Etihad last week-end but credit to them for being lethal in the second half. In the first half, City should have been at least 4 up and put the match to bed. But as the saying goes, never count the Red Devils out. They should crush WBA on Sunday.

Finally, for a value punt, I think Arsenal is going to fall at Newcastle. The Gunners escaped a tricky second leg at Moscow in the Europa league and should be vulnerable. Recent history says that they find it hard to follow up after a major European exertion. Newcastle as a home win or draw-no-bet looks enticing.

Dupla: Man Utd/Crystal Palace
Win or draw-no-bet: Newcastle

EPL 2017/18 - Week 33

Everton v/s Liverpool - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Crystal Palace - Draw
Brighton v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Leicester v/s Newcastle - Home win
Stoke v/s Tottenham - Away win
Watford v/s Burnley - Draw
WBA v/s Swansea - Away win
Man City v/s Man Utd - Home win
Arsenal v/s Southampton - Home win
Chelsea v/s West Ham - Home win

Huddersfield and West Brom are 2 teams that look to be in a downward spiral and it looks enticing to go against them again this week-end. Brighton are a tough team to beat when they are at home and I cannot see anything other than them winning their match against the Terriers. West Brom have lost Pardew along the way and are now under the care of unproven Darren Moore. I think it spells more trouble for them and it might be worth chancing visiting Swansea who are on the up.

Spurs will be buoyed by their last away win at Stamford Bridge where they deserved the full points after so many years of win-less visits. They should overcome Stoke who have yet to get out of first gear under manager Lambert.

Finally, Arsenal look to have regained some form back and the visit of hapless Southampton should bring them more home comforts.

It seems value to put all the above in an accumulator.

Accumulator win: Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton, Swansea

Road to Kentucky

Thunder Snow might have won the showpiece Dubai World Cup on Saturday but it was really Mendelssohn that got jaws dropping in the UAE Derby. Out-of-the-ordinary performances do happen in Flat racing but they are an infrequent occurrence; Winx has done a few in the past years, so did Frankel, Black Caviar and Deep Impact. The manner of their wins left the gallery in awe.

On Saturday, many people were expecting Godolphin's Gold Town dominate the Derby in the desert. Others had tipped Mendelssohn but certainly none would have predicted the manner of his victory by 18.5 lengths! For a Group 2 Flat race with some smart types, this was a staggering performance by the budding superstar from Coolmore. In the immediate aftermath, he was installed co-favourite for the Kentucky Derby and will definitely give trainer O'Brien a first live chance at landing his first American classic. It's hard not be excited by the potential of a European-based horse landing the most prestigious prize in American racing. Fingers crossed.

A few hours after the Mendelssohn demonstration, Audible won the Florida Derby in convincing style that makes me believe he will be a serious candidate for the prize on the first Saturday of May. It's amazing to think that the horse's owners, the China Horse Club, just ventured in racing only a few years back and are now on the cusp of winning the KD. The irony of it all is that Teo Ah King, the founder of the China Horse Club, and Coolmore have been successful partners a while back as co-owners of Australia, the Galileo colt that won the Derby for them in 2014. Now both sides are at the forefront of landing the American version of the Derby.

But let's not get too far ahead as a lot will happen in the trials to Kentucky. There are a couple of legitimate contenders yet to showcase their credentials during this month namely Bolt d'Oro and Justify. It is clear that Mendelssohn will not have it as easy at Churchill Downs as in Dubai. But for now and until then, that Wow performance on Saturday is still lively in the minds. Watching the road to Kentucky looks really interesting this year!

EPL 2017/18 - Week 32

Crystal Palace v/s Liverpool - Home win
Brighton v/s Leicester - Draw
Man Utd v/s Swansea - Home win
Newcastle v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Watford v/s Bournemouth - Away win
WBA v/s Burnley - Away win
West Ham v/s Southampton - Home win
Everton v/s Man City - Away win
Arsenal v/s Stoke - Home win
Chelsea v/s Tottenham - Home win

Crystal Palace have been close to getting positive results against top teams lately and it would be no surprise if they got one against visiting Liverpool early Saturday. The Kops are irresistible when they are at their best. We've talked so much about Salah, Firmino and Sane obliterating defences at will. The other side of the coin for Liverpool is that at times, they can fail to fire or take their chances, and their defence is prone to lay one or two eggs in matches as well. Were it not for some stoppage-time misfortunes, Crystal Palace should have beaten Man City and drawn with Man Utd recently. Roy Hodgson clearly has a game plan to play the strong teams and can always rely on Zaha to cause havoc near the opponent's goal. I see them getting a good result and are a value draw-no-bet.

I also see wins for Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal and see worth in bundling those in an accumulator.

Accumulator Win: Man City/ Man Utd/ Man City
Draw-no-bet: Crystal Palace

Meydan Dubai World Cup Day - 31st March

1. Heavy Metal - Economic Model - Rosa Imperial
2. Barnamaj - Tallaab Al Khalediah - Paddy's Day
3. Vazirabad - Rare Rhythm - Torcedor
4. Gold Town - Reride - Mendelssohn
5. Blue Point - Jungle Cat - Faatinah
6. Roy H - X Y Jet - Mind Your Biscuits
7. Neo Realism - Benbatl - Real Steel
6. Cloth of Stars - Hawk Bill - Rey de Oro
7. West Coast - Talismanic - North America

There are 3 things to note in this year's Dubai World Cup day.

First, I expect Godolphin to have one last strong outing after having had their most dominant Carnival ever. They have taken no prisoners in the past months because Charlie Appleby has and bin Suroor have acted like a formidable one-two punch on their way to the top of the trainer leaderboard. Mike de Kock, the usual challenger to boys in blue over the years, has been virtually non-existent this year. On DWC day, trainer Andre Fabre will add to the Godolphin armada with some real live chances. Gold Town, Blue Point, Benbatl, Cloth of Stars and Hawkbill have strong chances for the outright win, so at the end of the day, I expect Sheikh Mohammed's colors to prevail in at least 2 or 3 races.

Second, American runners are the best on dirt and thus have to be respected accordingly. They should win at least 2 of the dirt races. Roy H, in the Golden Shaheen, is the closest to a banker for the night. This is the best sprinter of the U.S coming to Meydan. All vibes are positive from connections and bar accident, he should win. West Coast is the best middle-distance horse in America and he will be hard to beat in the World Cup. The dark horse of that race is Talismanic and if he takes to the dirt, he might pose problems for the favourite. It's a big 'If' though.  I think the son of Medaglia D'oro will run well and is best punted for a place.

Third, Japanese runners always do well coming to Dubai in the middle-distance turf races. They regularly snatch the Dubai Turf or Scheema Classic. So, one or two of Neo Realism, Real Steel, Rey  de Oro or Satono Crown could very well be poised to strike. Their odds should be enticing as well.


Win: Roy H, Blue Point, Gold Town, West Coast
Value Win: Cloth of Stars, Neo Realism, Vazirabad
Value Place: Rosa Imperial, Talismanic, Hawk Bill

EPL 2017/18 - Week 31

Bournemouth v/s West Brom - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Crystal Palace - Away win
Stoke v/s Everton - Home win
Liverpool v/s Watford - Home win

A skeleton fixtures of matches to contend with this week-end. Liverpool obviously go with massive claims as they host Watford. West Brom look in free-fall and with Bournemouth enjoying a good spell at the moment, it is logical to side with the Cherries. I like the chances of Crystal Palace as they travel to Huddersfield. I think the Eagles will beat the drop as they continue their resurgence with Roy Hodgson and Huddersfield are well within their grasp. Finally, Stoke can get an oh-so-important win under Paul Lambert. They have had encouraging displays of late and Everton are very exposed on the road.

EPL 2017/18 - Week 30

Man Utd v/s Liverpool - Home win
Everton v/s Brighton - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Swansea - Draw
Newcastle v/s Southampton - Draw
WBA v/s Leicester - Draw
West Ham v/s Burnley - Home win
Chelsea v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Arsenal v/s Watford - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Tottenham - Away win
Stoke v/s Man City - Away win

It's true that in terms of rivalry, nothing in England can surpass Man Utd against Liverpool; it is indeed the fiercest one in English football. With the title going to Man City, the main stake for these 2 clubs is second place at best, and the bragging rights, if any, that go with it. Klopp has transformed the Kops into a swashbuckling goal scoring machine. Great for the eyes and supporters. The Citizens might differ but I believe they are the most entertaining side in the league. Their upfront trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane can blow apart any defence. Liverpool go into any game with a chance to win.

This is exactly the type of side that Mourinho likes to play. And excel at. Earlier at Anfield, he doubly parked the bus to get a draw goal-less draw. The Portuguese hates to get his team thrashed and will build any needed walls to not lose face. He will certainly be less defensive at Old Trafford but his tactics against such type of adversary will be tilted to not conceding goals rather than putting them in. Hopeful for the typical Kop defensive blunder or other lightning-quick counter-attacks with the likes of Sanchez and Lukaku. Expect the above trio to starve for space and be tightly-checked for most parts of the match.

On form, Liverpool have the edge. But this is more an off-game than anything; throw away the form and the team with the most desire more often prevails in these types of encounters. It's hard to see the hosts losing this; I see Mourinho prepping up the players' minds to win by all means irrespective of the football product on the pitch. Liverpool's dynamic play will be stifled and the Red Devils will be ready to pounce on the common liberties given by the visitors. I see a draw-no-bet with the hosts as a great value play. For those looking for better risk/rewards, an outright home win is definitely in the cards.

Win or draw-no-bet: Man Utd

Meydan 10th March Selections - Super Saturday

1. Last Voyage - Masar - Yulong Warrior
2. Comicas - Yalta - My Catch
3. Ertijaal - Jungle Cat - High on Life
4. Heavy Metal - Kimbear - Drafted
5. Benbatl - Blair House - Folkswood
6. Thunder Snow - Boynton - North America
7. Hawkbill - Best Solution - Frontiersman

EPL 2017/18 - Week 29

Burnley v/s Everton - Home win
Leicester v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Southampton v/s Stoke - Draw
Tottenham v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Swansea v/s West Ham - Draw
Watford v/s West Brom - Home win
Liverpool v/s Newcastle - Home win
Brighton v/s Arsenal - Away win
Man City v/s Chelsea - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s Man Utd - Draw

It seems there is no manager under more pressure than Arsene Wenger these days. Pundits, commentators and even ex-Arsenal players are calling for his head, tired of long barren years of failing to secure the Premiership. The Gunners are playing without much confidence but true to previous Wenger teams, they are bound to rise and go on a decent winning run sooner than later. I like their odds of getting the win at Brighton. The hosts are on a good run of undefeated matches and that makes Arsenal's favourable odds all the more enticing. An away win looks great value.

After Man City, it is getting crowded among the leading pursuers and I see comfortable wins for Liverpool and Tottenham. Spurs should have no trouble handling struggling Huddersfield while the Kops are currently on a rampage and should overcome visiting Newcastle and ensure a losing return for ex-Liverpool manager Benitez. Make it a double with Liverpool and Spurs.

Win: Arsenal
Double: Liverpool/Tottenham

Meydan 1st March Selections

1. Barnamaj - Paddy's Day - Naziq
2. Zaman - Wasim - El Chapo
3. Winter Lightning - Expressiy - Rayya
4. Top Score - Silver Line - Van Der Decken
5. Vazirabad - Rare Rhythm - Prince of Arran
6. Don't Give Up - Saltarin Dubai - Alabaster
7. Mountain Hunter - Kidmenever - Banksea

EPL 2017/18 - Week 28

Leicester v/s Stoke - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Newcastle - Away win
Brighton v/s Swansea - Away win
Burnley v/s Southampton - Home win
Liverpool v/s West Ham - Home win
WBA v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Watford v/s Everton - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Tottenham - Away win
Man Utd v/s Chelsea - Home win


There is no doubt that the Mahrez saga during the end of the transfer window negatively impacted Leicester. It was a case of Guardiola signaling an interest in the Algerian star for him to go AWOL and severely dampening the prevailing team spirit. Before that episode, Puel's men were holding their own weight with Vardy in fine goal scoring form and Mahrez imperious on the flanks and causing havoc among defences. It might take a few more matches but I believe that the highly-rated winger is very close to regaining top form as well as his mojo back. Stoke are just a terrible team beset by injuries. The arrival of Paul Lambert seems to have freshened the team a bit but they are clearly a worse team that in previous years. I cannot see them causing an upset at the King Power Stadium. Worth going all the way with the home team.

Man Utd against Chelsea promises fireworks at Old Trafford. Obviously, there is the match on the sidelines between Mourinho and Conte who would find no reluctance settling their disputes in an octagonal MMA ring. Both team come off tough matches in the UCL. Man Utd have looked somewhat out-of-sorts in their recent matches; I believe this to be only a short-term issue as they strive to integrate Sanchez into the team. Once the cobwebs are removed and the Chilean joins in the team chemistry, I can see the Red Devils putting in some strong results. The thing is there is every reason to believe that Man Utd are on the upside while Chelsea look a weighed down champion struggling to scrape results amidst uncertainty regarding the future of its manager. This distraction has clearly affected the team and its recent see-saw results do not inspire much confidence; they can blow away the opposition to the same degree they can themselves be blown apart. Man Utd have the home favours here and I have a feeling that Chelsea left a bit chunk against Barcelona in mid-week.


Win: Leicester, Man Utd

Meydan 22nd February selections

1. Blue Point - Ertijaal - Hit The Bid
2. Pirate's Cove - Galvanize - Secret Ambition
3. Kimbear - Raven's Corner - Portamento
4. Light The Lights - Leshlaa - Folkswood
5. Noah from Goa - Whisky Baron - Bay of Poets
6. Drafted - Classic Emperor - Claim The Roses
7. Eynhallow - Gold Star - Walton Street

EPL 2017/18 - Week 27

Tottenham v/s Arsenal - Home win
Everton v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Stoke v/s Brighton - Home win
Swansea v/s Burnley - Home win
West Ham v/s Watford - Draw
Man City v/s Leicester - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Bournemouth - Away win
Newcastle v/s Man Utd - Away win
Southampton v/s Liverpool - Away win
Chelsea v/s WBA - Draw

In securing Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang during the transfer window, Arsenal have bagged one of the most potent duo from the Bundesliga just a few years ago. Gunners fans got a glimpse of the team's attacking prowess last week as their new-look team dismantled Everton at the Emirates. The departure of Sanchez also seems to have given renewed life to Aaron Ramsey who recorded a hat-trick on the occasion. The Gunners will gel better with matches but it seems their Derby date at Tottenham comes a little too soon for them. Although Spurs don't have the most sparkling of records at Wembley, they will still logically enter as strong favourites. Their current form suggests that any team in Europe can take a beating when they are on song. I don't think Arsenal's result last week was a flash in the pan; their goalscoring will drastically improve from now on in my opinion. However, their defence is still the same poor old and Spurs will have too much quality up front to miss the chances that will be on offer. I cannot see the home team losing this one and it might be best value at current prices to go for the outright home win.

Win: Tottenham

Meydan 8th February selections

1. Winter Lightning - Rayya - Expressiy
2. Sea Skimmer - Dehbashi - Storm Belt
3. Comicas - Muarrab - Reynaldothewizard
4. Hit The Bid - Dutch Masterpiece - Kananee
5. Heavy Metal - Thunder Snow - North America
6. Zaman - Racing Country - Arroway
7. Blair House - Banksea - Leshlaa

EPL 2017/18 - Week 26

Burnley v/s Man City - Away win
Bournemouth v/s Stoke - Home win
Brighton v/s West Ham - Draw
Leicester v/s Swansea - Draw
Man Utd v/s Huddersfield - Home win
WBA v/s Southampton - Home win
Arsenal v/s Everton - Home win
Crystal Palace v/s Newcastle - Home win
Liverpool v/s Tottenham - Home win
Watford v/s Chelsea - Away win

After the severe debacle at Wembley a few days ago, Man Utd should pick up the pieces as they host Huddersfield. Conceding a goal after 11 seconds doomed their bid very early indeed. Sanchez will take a few matches to get in the zone with his new teammates and he will be for the better with matches under his belt. They should handily beat Huddersfield on Saturday.

I like West Brom's chances against visiting Southampton. Pardew has his players playing with confidence at the moment. Even in their 0-3 loss at Man City in mid-week, the Potters contained the Citizens for large parts of the match and only the magic of De Bruyne and silky touches of Sterling opened them up. Southampton are hardly in top gear and the hosts should benefit from home advantage. Home win.

Accumulator Win: Man Utd/WBA

EPL 2017/18 - Week 25

Swansea v/s Arsenal - Away win
West Ham v/s Crystal Palace - Draw
Huddersfield v/s Liverpool - Away win
Chelsea v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Everton v/s Leicester - Draw
Newcastle v/s Burnley - Away win
Southampton v/s Brighton - Home win
Man City v/s West Brom - Home win
Stoke v/s Watford - Away win
Tottenham v/s Man Utd - Away win


Alexis Sanchez is one of the 3 best players in the EPL and his transfer to Man Utd is a game-changer for the Red Devils. Sure, the league is lost to their city rivals Man City but the Champions League and FA Cup do not look that far out of reach. The arrival of the Chilean superstar will have given the club an unexpected but spectacular lift in all areas; from team spirit, self-belief to goals. It is with renewed self-confidence that Mourinho's men will tackle Spurs in mid-week. Harry Kane has been in devastating form lately and is always a goal scoring threat for Tottenham. However, take away Kane's goals and it would seem not all is too well for Pochettino's men. On Saturday. they really struggled to get a draw at Newport County in the FA Cup while fielding some big names. Their temporary home Wembley has been a scourge where they have alarmingly dropped points this season. I think they are ripe for the taking for a team on the ascendancy like the Red Devils. It might pay to go for a straight win or draw-no-bet with Man Utd.

If there is a team reeling on and off the field at the moment, it is Newcastle. All the recent vibes sound wrong from Tyneside and I see them being vulnerable as Burnley come to town. Sean Dyche's men are having a season to remember and their form is backed up by some serious defensive results; they really do not let in many goals. There is every chance that they can squeak one or three points on this visit and a draw-no-bet on them looks enticing.


Win or draw-no-bet: Man Utd
Draw-no-bet: Burnley

Meydan 25th Jan selections

1. Alabaster - Don't Give Up - Grand Argentier
2. Red Galileo - Natural Scenery - Los Barbados
3. Galvanize - Claim the Roses - Sea Skimmer
4. Gold Town - Blue Laureate - Rua Augusta
5. Rehana - Promising Run - Opal Tiara
6. Moqarrab - Hucklebuck - Racing Country
7. Dutch Masterpiece - Shaf - Jordan Sport
8. Banksea - Mountain Hunter - In the Lope

EPL 2017/18 - Week 24

Brighton v/s Chelsea - Home win
Arsenal v/s Crystal Palace - Draw
Burnley v/s Man Utd - Draw
Everton v/s West Brom - Home win
Leicester v/s Watford - Home win
Stoke v/s Huddersfield - Away win
West Ham v/s Bournemouth - Home win
Man City v/s Newcastle - Home win
Southampton v/s Tottenham - Away win
Swansea v/s Liverpool - Away win

Watford were oh-so-lucky to salvage a point last week-end with the helping hand of midfielder Doucoure. I think there are signs that the Hornets are losing the kind of form that made them competitive since the start of the season. I expect them to have a torrid time in Leicester as Claude Puel's team are seriously in good form and rock solid at home. Mahrez is playing out of his skin and Vardy is always lurking for goalscoring opportunities. Home win for me.

I also see home wins for West Ham and Man City. The Hammers should prove too much for the visiting Cherries, particularly with Arnatauvic playing with great confidence since the arrival of Moyes. In my opinion, Bournemouth will be hard at work to keep their Premier League spot until the end of the season and West Ham will gun for the full points here. Man City should easily dispatch Newcastle where off-field distractions are taking precedence over football matters.

Finally, I see away wins for Spurs and Liverpool as they fight for a top 4 spot. It is no secret that Tottenham are more comfortable on the road and they have seen worse than travelling to Southampton. Liverpool should also be in a position to maintain their good momentum by dispatching sorry Swansea.

Win: Leicester, West Ham, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool

Meydan 18th Jan selections

1. Rayya - Winter Lightning - Expressiy
2. Tried and True - Janszoon - Montsarrat
3. Mountain Hunter - Thegreatcollection - Rodaini
4. Leshlaa - Born to be Alive - Light the Lights
5. Muarrab - Comicas - My Catch
6. Kananee - Van der Decken - Faatinah
7. Dream Castle - Salsabeel - Hornsby

Win: Dream Castle, Rayya
Dupla: Muarrab/Comicas

EPL 2017/18 - Week 23

Chelsea v/s Leicester - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Burnley - Draw
Huddersfield v/s West Ham - Home win
Newcastle v/s Swansea - Home win
Watford v/s Southampton - Home win
WBA v/s Brighton - Draw
Tottenham v/s Everton - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Arsenal - Away win
Liverpool v/s Man City - Home win
Man Utd v/s Stoke - Home win

A Happy New Year to all the readers!

Apologies I missed week 22 New Year's Day matches, the festive mood caught up on me!

Man Utd to win against Stoke looks a banker. Although things seem a little agitated at the moment in the red side of Manchester with Mourinho going ballistic everyone, I expect the Red Devils to return to form after a below-par December. Stoke are a team in shambles and it remains to be seen whether getting rid of Hughes will solve their problems. More importantly, they are injury-riddled at the moment and I see them struggling in the short term at least. This should be a big win for Utd.

I also see a win for Watford as they entertain Southampton. The Saints are going nowhere under manager Pellegrino and the Argentinian is clearly running out of time to make his mark. Watford are capable of the best and worst but the visitors are really for the taking at the moment and the Hornets have a great opportunity to advance their chance for European football. Couple Watford and Man Utd wins.

Finally, Liverpool look juicy as they welcome Man City. Sure, they lost Coutinho to Barcelona but newcomer Van Dijk will bring much-needed stability to the defence in time. I like Liverpool here as their attack is potent even without Coutinho; more importantly, I see the time has come for the Citizens to stubble in the near future and Anfield is one of the most formidable places to go to. I cannot see a City win, so the recommendation is to go with either a straight Kop win or a draw-no-bet.

Accumulator: Man Utd/Watford
Win or draw-no-bet: Liverpool