Snooker and Rugby

A near miss on the double yesterday, but its still a losing bet, but that still doesn't mean I'm changing too much in my analysis today. While I'm talking analysis, I'd just like to mention a friend's site. While I do post the odd horse racing bet here, a friend of mine is focussing exclusively on equine affairs and has some interesting analysis. Take a look for yourself and let him know what you think theanalystbets.blogspot.com

6pm Ding Junhui to beat Marco Fu 6-4 11/2 (LOST 6-3 +27.63 - After his century in frame 3 I expected Ding to kick on, but he didn't really get going again and Fu cruised through)
You should all know by now how highly I rate Ding's ability with a cue, but he also showed character to come from behind and beat John Higgins, and with O'Sullivan and Maguire already out, he should be feeling he has a great chance of taking his first title of the season. Marco Fu had a comfortable win over Steve Davis as we know, and is in decent form this season, but he does leave his opponents chances, and you can't do that and expect to escape against Ding. Therefore I expect Fu to get into the match, but Ding to win with a frame to spare.

8pm Glasgow+4 to beat Saracens 10/11 (LOST +26.63 - Well the handicap was spot on, 4pts! Close but no cigar)
This is a strange match when you look at what is at stake and the unusually available head-to-head form between these two teams. For starters, Saracens can afford to lose the game as long as they get the bonus point for not losing by more than 7 points if Glasgow get the bonus point for scoring 4 or more tries. That doesn't mean I expect Sarries to come out and not give it 100%, but they may be able to ease down towards the end of the game if it is low scoring or they are nicely on top. However, I don't see the latter occurring. In the game at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, Saracens snook home 33-31, and in the group game and quarter-final match between the two sides at the same venue last season, the English side won 23-19 and 28-23. Suggesting that home advantage was abut the only difference between the teams. And the game in Glasgow last season was a 6-6 nail biter, so further backing up the theory that there will be little between these sides. The weather forecast for Glasgow today is heavy rain, windy and temperatures dropping to 2 degrees - all pointers to a low-scoring game, again keeping the final result close, if it needed any more help. So with all that, I was surprised to see Saracens giving Glasgow 4 points on the handicap in several places, while some bookies are only offering 2 points. I would actually have had it as 0 or 1, so I will be taking full advantage of the generosity around.

And this isn't a tip, but make of it what you will. Taxi drivers in Dublin are pretty sure El Tel is lined up for the Republic of Ireland manager's job.