Final Week - EPL 2019/20

The EPL comes to an end this Sunday with the dice still rolling for a few teams. They don't come more important than the clash between Leicester and Man Utd for a spot in next year's UCL.

The Red Devils have been in sublime form since the restart and although they seem to have sputtered slightly lately, they will go with the favours of the market in this crucial match-up. They certainly did not produce the dominant display that was expected of them in their last match against West Ham; they looked tired and devoid of any creative ideas. Against Leicester, this kind of performance will be lethal. The Foxes are not in great form themselves and will need a last hurrah at home to guarantee that final UCL spot. They are badly missing the injured Maddison in the middle of the park and seem to have an over-reliance on Vardy to score. How they will contain Bruno Fernandes and the dynamic trio of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood will be key to their chances. A win is required for the hosts and they will need to ensure they are not trailing in the match. If Utd produce their form of a couple of weeks back, they will be hard to beat. It will be a testament of the mental toughness of this team if they can pass this hurdle convincingly. I think they will.

Chelsea need at least a draw to ensure UCL qualification but Wolves is not going to be easy to overcome. I am not at all convinced with the quality of the Blues at the moment. Take Pulisic and goalscorer Giroud out of the equation and I think they will have struggled mightily in the last few games. If Kante comes back to boss the midfield on Sunday, that gives them a leg up but the French will certainly not be at 100% fitness. It might be worth going for a visitor win here or maybe Chelsea will work tooth and nail to cling to a draw if they are at pains against tenacious Wolves.

I think Watford and Bournemouth will accompany Norwich and go down. Obviously, no one knows the inside details but the Hornets sacking manager Pearson last week looks as dumb a decision as any. Putting an interim manager days before facing Man City proved the dumbness of the decision as they shipped in 5 goals that put them in relegation zone because of inferior goal difference! I don't see them getting a decision at Arsenal. Maybe a draw can save them but it will be a hard-earned draw.

I don't see Bournemouth getting the miracle they need to stay up. They will have to go beat Everton and hope for Aston Villa and Watford to falter. The Cherries have been a great to watch  in the EPL for the past years but it looks a tall order for them to stay up.

King George 2020 - Enable for the 3-peat

What a disappointing field in this year's King George! Three-horses are surely tactical affairs but I just cannot see Ballydoyle's Sovereign playing the party pooper here. This will be a match-race between Enable and Japan.

Back in the Coral Eclipse, I penned that Japan could have the upper hand on Enable as he had the benefit of a run. It turns out that both played second fiddle to Ghaiyyath with the mare prevailing a head over the Ballydoyle representative. Enable's run was eye-catching as it showed she still had it in her to play at the highest level at an age where many think horses are past their peak. Japan's outing was honourable confirming he's indeed one of the best from the older brigade this year.

Listening to their trainers, it seems both will have improved from their Coral Eclipse showdown. The King George seems to have been Japan's target for a while so he's bound to be close to his utmost peak on Saturday. Enable's main aim is the Arc, so this will be a springboard for her to peak come Arc time. Who the extra 2 furlongs will benefit the most is anyone's guess; many think that it will favor Japan but Enable has a sterling record at the mile and a half. She is the reference from a mile and a quarter to a half.

This looks to be a close one. I see Enable three-peating here. Japan is a worthy opponent but there is no-one at the level of Enable. At least, until she runs into something called Love maybe in the Arc...

Win: Enable

FA Cup 2019/20- Towards a Manchester Final

It would take a brave one to favor Arsenal over Man City in Saturday's FA semi-final. The hopeful can cling to the fact that manager Arteta had an inside view of the powerful Mancunian team but other than that all the boxes tick in favour of the latter. There is a gulf of class between the 2 teams; the Gunners are trying to re-build while the conquering Citizens are a well-oiled machine trying to win the remaining honors of the season that are the FA Cup and Champions League. It might go to the distance but Guardiola's men should prove too good in this one.

The other semi-final between Chelsea and Man Utd is a more competitive affair. While the Mancunians have the market favours because of their explosive form, this match can swing both ways. It is true that the Red Devils can now rival any team; the arrival of playmaker Bruno Fernandes has unleashed the best offensive attack in the EPL with Rashford, Maritial and Greenwood at the forefront. The Portuguese maestro has formidable support from Pogba and Matic and add to that a solid rear-guard and Solksjaer has a team that fears no-one.  Chelsea are in so-so form of late and they will have to play an intelligent match if they are to go through; they will stand no chance if they play toe-to-toe with their explosive rivals. If the match is close by the end, they will fancy their chances. This is bound to be a close one.

Derby, Jockey Club, Coral Eclipse, F1, EPL, Sports at its best

Glorious, simply glorious week-end of sports coming up. Premier League, Derby, Oaks, Coral Eclipse, Prix du Jockey Club. Formula 1. Just fantastic!

Let's start with the EPL. Late rumours of Fernandes and Pogba being injured in training today have surfaced but even without the pair, the Red Devils should be too good for Bournemouth. Looking at the remaining matches, Man Utd look to have an excellent chance to sneak into that 4th UCL spot but Fernandes must stay injury-free. Leicester can finally start some much-needed momentum by beating visiting Crystal Palace.

Let's go racing; I cannot recall a more exciting week-end of racing than this. First, the Derby where I really like how English King is going into it. He hit the line really well in the Lingfield Trial and he is certain to stay. If he takes to the cambers of Epsom, he must have a leading chance. People talk of Kameko, the Guineas winner. I am not certain this fellow will stay and the predicted rain will not help his chances. I like each-way chances of Mohican Heights and Russian Emperor as well.

Now the Oaks. Sure, Love looks a worthy favourite after a tremendous 1000 Guineas romp. She won't like the wet conditions though. If there is a filly I have been impressed with, it's Frankly Darling from the Gosden stable. Her Ribblesdale victory at Ascot put her a class of her own. I think she can upset Love.

The Coral Eclipse Stakes on Sunday looks as good a race as any in the past years. I mean, we have Enable, the best horse of the past couple of years, Japan, Deidre and Ghaiyyath, all fantastic Group 1 winners in their own right. I think Enable will need the race and is thus beatable on her return. Her main aim is the Arc, so getting beat here will be no issue for connections. Deidre will be vulnerable too on her return and the Arc is also her main aim this year. This leaves Japan and Ghaiyyath. I laid Japan at Ascot as he was always going to need the run in a hot contest. He did well to finish not too far off the winner. He should be very fit for this one. Ghaiyyath must show he can put in 2 great races in a row. Apparently he should now be able to, according to trainer Appleby. If he can now consistently put in his relentless front pace without fading, he can be the monster Godolphin fans want him to be. I will side with Japan here. Enable really looks vulnerable on her seasonal bow.

The French will be having their Derby as well in the Prix du Jockey Club. Victor Ludorum should be at the finish although he might be vulnerable to an outsider. I will opt for Ludorum for the safe place. The Fillies equivalent, the Prix Diane looks too competitive to call.

Finally, Formula 1 is back and Lewis Hamilton should be the dominant again; unless Red Bull or Ferrari have tremendously improved their cars. Unless contrarily proven, looks best to side with Hamilton again this year.

Happy punting!


Win Derby: English King
Each-way Derby: Mohican Heights, Russian Emperor
Win Oaks; Frankly Darling
Win Coral Eclipse: Japan
Sell Coral Eclipse: Enable
Place Jockey Club: Victor Ludorum
Win: Man Utd, Leicester