Only half of our bets came good last weekend, so we’ve gone a little more conservative this time around. Still, a tenner on these babies could return the tidy sum of €758.
By Conor Heneghan and William Nestor
Bolton v Manchester United – Wayne Rooney to score anytime @ 5/6
His ridiculous new haircut has raised a few eyebrows, but nobody can doubt the quality of Wayne Rooney’s performances so far this season. Including internationals, Rooney has played five games and scored six goals and has failed to score in only one of those encounters.
He tends to score in spurts and also tends to do well against Bolton, who provide the opposition for the rampaging Red Devils at the Reebok this weekend. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can get him at 7/2 to score the first goal, but there’s a good chance he’ll rattle the onion bag at some stage.
Ireland v USA – USA +33 points handicap @10/11
Given their form going into the World Cup, we expect a relatively tentative display from Declan Kidney’s men in New Plymouth on Sunday morning, a chance to blow off the cobwebs before the big one against Australia next weekend.
After what happened against Georgia and Namibia four years ago, complacency is unlikely to creep into Ireland’s mindset, but given the historical significance – ten years to the day since 9/11 – and the Eddie O’Sullivan connection, we expect the Eagles to put up a bit of a fight. Ireland to win comfortably, but maybe not by 34 points or more.
Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes – Blue Bunting to win @ 4/1
The final Classic of the season will see Godolphin launch a three-pronged attack to claim the top prize at Doncaster on Saturday.
Blue Bunting is first choice and comes into this on the back of impressive Oaks wins at the Curragh and York. The filly will have her work cut out to come home in front of Sea Moon who also looks top class after running away with the Great Voltigeur but we want a little better value than the short-priced favourite. Frankie Dettori to steer home his sixth St Leger winner.
All-Ireland under-21 hurling final – Galway to win by 1-3 points @ 10/3
12 months ago, Galway were beaten out the gate by a Tipperary team containing a number of All-Ireland winners in last year’s under-21 decider in Thurles, but they have the chance for redemption at the same venue this weekend.
Buoyed by their victory over the same opposition in the minor decider last weekend, the Tribesmen will fancy their chances, even if they are coming into the back of only one game – the semi-final win over Limerick – as opposed to Dublin, who have four games under their belt.
Dublin are the coming side in hurling, no doubt about it, but we fancy the Westerners to prolong their wait for silverware for another year at least, although there won’t be much in it come the final whistle.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
