In this week’s four-timer, we’re looking at two Heineken Cup handicaps, the big race in England and a Super Sunday in the Premier League. It could turn a tenner into €310.
By Conor Heneghan & Shane Breslin
Forpadydeplasterer to place (Victory Chandler Chase, Ascot, 3.10) @ 9/4
We’ve made the case for this one already today over in our Saturday Six feature, but to sum up here: he may not be the best two-mile chaser we have in Ireland, but as the best two-mile chasers we have in Ireland are better than those in England, he should be competitive at least here. Forpadytheplasterer is very reliable when it comes to putting in a performance, and the 9/4 about a place looks tasty.
Leicester (-28) to beat Aironi @ 10/11
It might look a bit foolhardy to back a team who were whacked last week to whack someone else this week. But this is different. This is against Aironi, the whipping-boys of all whipping boys.
Leicester were awful against Ulster last week but they’re a proud club, and they’ll be out to prove their manhood in their final Heineken Cup match of the season this weekend.
As for Aironi … well, where to start? Even leaving out last week’s 82-0 drubbing at home to Clermont-Auvergne, their average margin of defeat in the Heineken Cup this season is 28.5 points. Frankly, if Leicester don’t pile on the points to cover the handicap it would a performance just as bad as they put in at Ravenhill last week.
Munster (+5) to beat Northampton @ 10/11
This time last year, Munster were reeling having been dumped out of the Heineken Cup at the group stages for the first time in more than a decade; now they’re looking for their sixth win in six and the possibility of a home quarter-final. So much for that end of an era talk.
Despite a 100 per cent record so far, Munster haven’t picked up much in the way of bonus points so to give themselves the best possible chance of that much sought-after home quarter-final, they’ll need a win or at least a losing bonus point against the Saints.
With the detestable Chris Ashton stealing the headlines for the wrong reasons yet again, last year’s Heineken Cup finalists are in disarray, while Munster have a reputation for getting the job done when required.
Manchester United to beat Arsenal @ 13/8
We’re not going to see a repeat of the 8-2 annihilation at Old Trafford in August, but shorn of any functioning full-backs, Arsenal are looking vulnerable ahead of the visit of United on Sunday afternoon.
United are in a pretty mixed run of form themselves at the moment, but the Emirates has proved a happy hunting ground in the past and they can’t afford too many slip-ups, especially if City beat Spurs in the first half of Super Sunday. We weren’t going to touch this game at all, but 13/8 for a United win is too appetising to ignore.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
