Week one was so tight you couldn’t fit a betting slip between us. How will week two go in this meeting of sports gambling geniuses?
Before we get into this week’s selections, let’s have a quick look back at how week one went. If we were still in school, the report would read ‘could do better’. For ourselves, Sligo Rovers hammered an undisciplined Shamrock Rovers, ending all hopes of a draw and while Leinster had a commanding lead against Glasgow, our money slipped away thanks to a late Scottish rally. However, the madness at the Etihad on Sunday yielded five goals, landing our four or more goals punt.
As for Paddy, Glasgow’s late charge hit him hard too, and ‘that’ Sergio Aguero goal robbed him of a lot of money as he had backed the draw. The only person more unhappy than him on Sunday was Alex Ferguson. Had City and QPR drawn, Paddy would have netted €152.50 this week. Close one, eh?
Still, that clean sheet by United at Sunderland scored for Paddy meaning both sides had a small return for week one from our €5 patent bet. That said, we could both do with getting out of the red and back into the black this week.
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And just a quick note on this week’s picks, they are completed independently so there is no cogging each others work. But it is either a case of great minds think alike or fools seldom differ. We will know which on Sunday night.
JOE’s selections:
Leinster to win by 1-12 points against Ulster, 11/8
It will be tough stuff on Saturday at Twickenham, and while we expect the Blue side to go home singing, we don’t expect it to be by much. We reckon this one is as close to a banker as you can get in rugby.
Mario Gomez to score in the Champions League final at anytime, 13/10
The German is the best striker in the history of the competition based on minutes per goals. He nabs one every 96.8 minutes, with Lionel Messi second on ‘only’ a goal every 107.4 minutes. Useless. Gomez has 12 in this year’s competition so far and we reckon he will get at least one more on Saturday against a shaky Chelsea defence.
Longford to beat Laois, 5/4
Glen Ryan’s team stormed to Division 3 success while Laois dropped out of Division 1. The two will meet next year in Division 2 but this clash, in Longford, has to be one that the home side can carry off with their momentum.
Paddy’s Selections
Leinster to win by 1-12 points 11/8
Upsets in the final of the Heineken Cup don’t tend to happen and we expect this weekend to be no different. Ulster have made great strides in recent years but Leinster with their experience and greater depth hold all the aces. Teams tend to look to close out a game while leading in a final and we therefore feel that Leinster by 1-12 points is a much safer bet than the handicap which favours Joe Schmidt’s men by 8 points.
Mario Gomez to score first v Chelsea 4/1
Much has been made of John Terry’s suspension but Chelsea may benefit from him being able to concentrate on his management duties. With money back on goalscorer markets should Chelsea win, it makes sense to back a Munich man to score first. Step forward Mario Gomez, whose 12 goals in this year’s competition would be widely celebrated had he not had the misfortune of playing in the same era as a certain Argentine.
Galway to win by 1-3 points v Roscommon 13/5
Galway face a difficult task this weekend when they make an early championship jaunt to Dr. Hyde Park – the GAAs equivalent of the dreaded ‘wet windy night in Stoke’. Connacht championship matches between these two are usually tight affairs often resulting in replays. Despite Roscommon’s home advantage we think Galway, with the experience of Michael Meehan and Padraig Joyce to spring from the bench, should nick it, but only just.
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