Rugby, rugby, Formula One racing and eh, more rugby form the basis of our betting tips for this weekend. A €10 bet pays back a tidy €450.
By Conor Heneghan
New Zealand v Argentina (Argentina + 27 points @ evens)
The ridiculously early scheduling of Ireland’s quarter-final with Wales means that any betting tips for that game would quickly go out of date, so instead we’re focussing our attention on the other semi-finals. It’s probably a good thing avoiding the Ireland game anyway, lest we be tempting fate and all that.
Looking ahead to New Zealand v Argentina, some radically out of touch All-Black supporters have been comparing the loss of Dan Carter to being hit by another earthquake and although that’s simply taking it too far, his absence could well be disastrous.
It shouldn’t have too much of an impact this Sunday, however, as we expect the hosts to breeze past the Pumas with little fuss, but not by the 27 point handicap set forth by the bookies.
South Africa v Australia (South Africa half-time/Australia full-time @ 13/2)
Three out of the four quarter-finals appear very difficult to call, but this is probably the tightest of the lot. Without setting the world alight, the Springboks World Cup defence is tipping along nicely, while the defeat to Ireland probably did the Wallabies a favour in that it has caused many observers to play down the expectations of the Tri-Nations champions.
Can’t see there being much in this one and with that in mind, 13/2 seems a decent price for Robbie Deans’ men to nick it at the death after a half-time deficit.
Leinster v Connacht (Connacht +13 points @ 10/11)
Closer to home, there’s an appealing inter-provincial clash in the RaboDirect PRO 12 on Saturday as Connacht look to take advantage of the opportunity for an upset against Leinster at the RDS. Without a host of regulars on duty in New Zealand, the Heineken Cup champions have looked a little vulnerable so far this campaign, while Connacht’s impressive start sees them in fourth place in the table.
In five matches so far, Connacht have not won or lost a game by more than five points, indicating that if they are going to go down, it’s not going to be without a fight. We think they have it in them to cover the 13-point handicap.
Japanese Grand Prix (Sebastian Vettel to win @ 4/7)
Sebastian Vettel needs only a point to secure the driver’s title, but we think he’s going to secure his second successive championship in style at Suzuka. Prohibitive odds they may be, but just look at the stats. Vettel has won nine out of a possible 14 races this season, including the last three on the bounce.
The 24-year old German is this generation’s Michael Schumacher and Formula One is fast becoming as predictable as it was when Schumi was nigh on unbeatable at the beginning of the last decade.
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