Tips for Tikay

[AlunB]

Looking at starting certainties for the Lions XV I would guess the following if fit will probably be in that category:

Adam Jones
Alun Wyn Jones
Mike Phillips
Jonny Sexton
George North
Brian O'Driscoll
Leigh Halfpenny

The competition for places will be massive and there's any number of back row combinations that would look extremely competitive. I don't think that Warburton will start personally. I can't help but think back to 2005 and Woodward picking Neil Back ahead of Martyn Williams, a choice that even had Richie McCaw shaking his head in disbelief. Fast forward eight years and I can't see Gatland picking personal favourites. Heaslip, Brown and Robshaw will definitely not all start and if Lydiate is fit I would expect him to be a shoo in for the blind side position.

The more I look at the second rows that could be going the more I think Alun Wyn might not be an automatic starter. Ian Evans was probably the best second row in the Six Nations and all of the four home country's are very strong in this position.

Gethin Jenkins is a possibility but I'm not sure he's a good enough scrummager to be guaranteed a start..

That leaves BOD as the only recognised Captain left. I've had a few quid on him leading the Lions in what could be his last International tour.

Its all good discussion

I don't have BOD as a certain starter myself, quite fragile these days. Just cited for his Italy stamp too, which is interesting.

Gatland will want his captain. Warburton is that man, with Tipuric or O'Brien on the other side

I totally accept that it is a huge position of strength with Robshaw, Wood, Lydiate etc all certainties for the back row in other years

As to Warburton turning down the captaincy on Saturday per Alun. Didn't know that, but it reflects well on him. He was injured for most of the 6N and thought those that had played more deserved the captaincy more. Completely fresh decision for the Lions

I have been pondering savers on AWJ and Gethin and checking out Lions teams from various journalists all day

Brian Moore's XV had ten Welshmen in it! Not bad for the cantakerous but brilliant biased so and so

current market

http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/lions-tour/british-and-irish-lions-tour/to-be-named-captain

has seen Warburton ease back to 2 and Wyn Jones contract in markedly, for the factors Rubbish and Alun describe and http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21825746

People aren't sure Warburton is a locked in first XV selection

this still worries me re AWJ and Gatland

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/06/wales-england-warren-gatland

"It is a harsh coach who is willing to pin the blame for a defeat on to one player, but that was exactly what Warren Gatland did last night. The unfortunate in question was Alun Wyn Jones, who was sent to the sin bin for a blatant trip on Dylan Hartley. While he was off the field, England scored 17 points.

"I just hope he'd never ever do that again in his career," said a furious ­Gatland in the immediate aftermath of the match. "It was absolutely stupid what he has done and to be honest he has probably cost Wales the game today."

Great discussion. I think Alun Wyn has probably come in solely based on Shane's comments. He made that after saying Warburton turned down the captain's role.

I can't see Gethin as captain. AWJ has captained Wales and the Ospreys. I think he was the obvious choice for Saturday, but perhaps Howley thought it was too political giving it to him as then it would be hard to give back to Warburton as both are the natural challengers for the role. Gethin was clearly a caretaker choice imo.

For me I agree with Tighty. I don't see Warburton turning down a Lion's captaincy role if offered to him. And I think it will be. He proved on Saturday he can play either 6 or 7 and is equally brilliant at both. I don't see BOD as a 100% starter in a test side. He's not exactly Gatland's style of centre either, even though he is to my mind the best centre I've ever seen play the game. He would be a logical, safe choice though and nobody would argue with him. Gatland has taken the political option in taking Farrell as defensive coach so he may also take the safe captain choice.

[Tal]

I must run good, Wm Hill sent me this......

Dear Tony,

Cheltenham turned out to be a bit of a rollercoaster this year and we have to admit that despite some results in our favour, we took a bit of a battering from some punters… You included Tony!

We just want to say thanks for visiting us during Cheltenham, we appreciate your loyalty.

We have some great racing coming up with the William Hill Lincoln on Saturday, so we hope to see you then!

You should do what the bookies do and misunderstand for your own end. Turn up at Doncaster dressed like Ed Gascoigne and expect to be shown the full VIP treatment.

[Bazzaboy]

Premier League Darts

There are a couple of prices I like this week

Thornton @13/8 - He has been very consistent and averaged >97 in 5 out of his 6 games so far.  He also won a floor tournament at the weekend as well.  He is in great nick and taken to the PL like a duck to water.   Lewis played well against MVG two weeks ago but then was back to his inconsistent self against Anderson last week.  5 weeks out of 6 he has averaged sub 92.  Thornton shouldn't be the dog here imo.

Hamilton @15/8 - I back Hamilton more than any other player and I've backed him again this week.  I have this very close to a pick 'em.

I expect both prices to be gone by Thursday.

[tikay]

Premier League Darts

There are a couple of prices I like this week

Thornton @13/8 - He has been very consistent and averaged >97 in 5 out of his 6 games so far.  He also won a floor tournament at the weekend as well.  He is in great nick and taken to the PL like a duck to water.   Lewis played well against MVG two weeks ago but then was back to his inconsistent self against Anderson last week.  5 weeks out of 6 he has averaged sub 92.  Thornton shouldn't be the dog here imo.

Hamilton @15/8 - I back Hamilton more than any other player and I've backed him again this week.  I have this very close to a pick 'em.

I expect both prices to be gone by Thursday.

Thanks Bazza.

We are safely on, details later.

Paddy Power restricted me on Thornton.

[Graham C]

brilliant superb

the twitter rep thought swanson was a horse and told me i should not have been able to back a horse to score at anytime

beggars belief

Ha ha ha ha

[redarmi]

LOL - and to thinkn when I had my first interview for Ladbrokes (as an assistant manager nothing fancy) I spent all the night before going through the form in depth so I could answer questions if it came to it at the interview.  The next day I rocked up for my interview and got offered the job on the spot when I was basically able to identify a horse from a group of animals!!!!

[Doobs]

This must be a positive for the Lions captain bet.  I know the tour isn't until June, but O'Driscoll possibly missing matches has got to be good.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21834845


Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll has been cited for his stamp on Simone Favaro during the first half of Ireland's Six Nations defeat by Italy.

O'Driscoll was sent to the sin-bin on the half-hour after lifting his right leg and bringing it down on the chest of the Italian flanker.

Favaro yelled out in pain and writhed around the pitch in Rome.

Any suspension could limit O'Driscoll's appearances for Leinster in their Pro12 campaign.

etc

and for those of us on Watford.

Watford escape points penalty

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21829894

Watford placed under transfer embargo and former owner banned

Watford have been placed under transfer embargo and former owner Laurence Bassini banned from football for three years for financial misconduct.

However, the promotion-chasing club, currently third in the Championship, escaped a points deduction and fine.

[tikay]

Premier League Darts

There are a couple of prices I like this week

Thornton @13/8 - He has been very consistent and averaged >97 in 5 out of his 6 games so far.  He also won a floor tournament at the weekend as well.  He is in great nick and taken to the PL like a duck to water.   Lewis played well against MVG two weeks ago but then was back to his inconsistent self against Anderson last week.  5 weeks out of 6 he has averaged sub 92.  Thornton shouldn't be the dog here imo.

Hamilton @15/8 - I back Hamilton more than any other player and I've backed him again this week.  I have this very close to a pick 'em.

I expect both prices to be gone by Thursday.

Thanks Bazza.

We got restricted to £20 with Paddy Power on the Thornton one, so I had £20 on Hamilton, too, to keep the stakes level.

We have £20 @ 13/8, Paddy Power, Thornton over Lewis.

£20 @ 15/8, BetVictor, Hamilton over Whitlock.

ON




 Premier League Darts Robert Thornton v Adrian Lewis
21-03-2013 20:40
Match betting
Robert Thornton @ 13/8
Your Bets

Win
Single: Robert Thornton @ 13/8
1 line at £20.00 per line
Total stake for this bet: £20.00
Potential returns: £52.50
No: O/23146337/0000276

______

 Andy Hamilton v Simon Whitlock
Andy Hamilton
(Match Betting - 3 Way)
Odds:  15/8
Stake:  20.00
Possible Return:  57.50

[TL900]

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/basketball/us-basketball/nba-matches?ev_oc_grp_ids=594066

Miami @ Boston tonight.

Miami are on a 22 game unbeaten run (joint 2nd longest in NBA history) so they will be massively up for this game tonight at a packed TD garden. The game has been pretty built up and I expect the stars to shine.

Lebrons rebound line is 8 tonight and I think theres a little value.

He is averaging 8.2 rebounds this season and 8.4 in the last 10 games, however these 2 teams are the worst rebounding teams in the NBA and 8 rebounds a game for a person from the worst rebounders in the NBA is pretty darn good so I expect him to dominate tonight. He has averaged 13 rebounds in the 2 previous games vs Boston this season

Another thing is Kevin Garnett (Celtics best rebounder) is only 50/50 to play tonight.

Suggest £36 over 8 rebounds Lebron James

(although u will prob get restricted on PP)

[TL900]

Breaking news: Kevin Garnett will not play tonight against the Miami Heat. #CelticsTalk

makes above bet even better ^

[aaron1867]

Antonio out injured all season for Wednesday.

So you can rest easy about me tipping him to score first again.

Although first time I have worried about our chances of relegation for a few weeks, looked at the odds too & definitely not worth backing. It would have been such a good result if Bristol had held on last week for us, argh.

[Karabiner]

The Kia Classic LPGA tournament has been held at Carlsbad California for it's three year existence.

One lady has finished T3rd, solo 2nd, and T3rd in those three years so I think it's safe to assume that she likes the course and will probably do well there again especially since she's also in pretty decent form this year having won once already.

How come she's been priced up in a few books @ 18/1?  

I'm advising Fred to have £10EW Jiyai Shin in the Kia Classic.

[Marky147]

Breaking news: Kevin Garnett will not play tonight against the Miami Heat. #CelticsTalk

makes above bet even better ^

I flashed it up and Heat were 16 down, but they've clawed it back before halftime and hopefully >5 rebounds for our boy 2nd half!

[rfgqqabc]

Breaking news: Kevin Garnett will not play tonight against the Miami Heat. #CelticsTalk

makes above bet even better ^

I flashed it up and Heat were 16 down, but they've clawed it back before halftime and hopefully >5 rebounds for our boy 2nd half!

Anywhere to get stats? 4 so far

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278718

[TL900]

yeah hes got 4, coulda had 10 already if celtics missed some shots in the first half when lebron was open under the basket, pretty annoying. still by no means dead yet, heat playing so good now.

could go to overtime too which would be good for us