AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN
THREE times in the past 16 years, and just once in the past 10, has a man with a surname other than Federer or Djokovic lifted the Men’s singles trophy at Melbourne Park.
For that reason, when assessing which way to bet on the tournament, one must consider whether a wager on anyone aside from those men is worth the gamble.
The “Roger Renaissance” we were blessed with in 2017 and 2018 appears as if it has come to an end but are you really ready to write Roger off?
At Ladbrokes, he is fourth favourite to win this year’s Australian Open at $12, Djokovic is a red hot $2.25 top pick. As good as the Serbian is, that is too short for a long tournament with even more variables this year given the smoke situation.
Rafael Nadal is second in the market at $5.50, but his record at Melbourne Park is somewhat quirky. Five times he has reached the final but just once, in 2009, was he able to win it.
Daniil Medvedev is the question mark. He was beaten by Nadal in last year’s US Open final so, as a $9 third elect, punters must ask if that was his breakthrough tournament or an anomaly.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN
HOW much does our love of Ash Barty blind us when betting on the Australian Open women’s title?
She’s the world number one, a grand slam winner and arguably the most likeable sportsperson in the country, but do we genuinely believe she can break the Aussie curse at the home slam enough to part with some hard earned?
This is an especially relevant question giver her start to the new year has been uncharacteristically wobbly, most notably losing in her opening match in Brisbane.
The looming threat, as almost always, is Serena Williams. The greatest female tennis player of all time returned to form withvictory at the ASB Classic in Auckland a week ago. Her first title since returning from maternity leave.
At $5 with Ladbrokes, she looks the most solid wager in the field of many chances.
NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
SAN Francisco and Green Bay finished the regular season with identical 13-3 records; the 49ers grabbed the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the Packers the No.2.
What split them was a week 12 encounter at Levi’s Stadium. A game in which the 49ers, on their home field where this Monday’s NFL Championship game will also be played, won with ease, 37-8.
How much of that result is relevant when determine a betting strategy for this match is the big question.
San Francisco coach, Kyle Shanahan, told his players to not be so stupid as to believe this will be another romp.
The fact is the Packers have not lost since that match, but they have also not played a team as talented across the board as the Niners.
The 7.5-point line is identical in the AFC Championship between Kansas City and Tennessee, but this game has the potential to be a lot closer.
Expect a close but high-scoring game, thus making a bet on the Titans +7.5/Over 52.5 total match points at $3.30, the best bet for the game.
EPL
ONLY one team has taken points off Liverpool this season and Manchester United will be looking to hand the Champions-elect their first loss of the season when they face off at Anfield early Monday morning.
It will be a tough task with the Red Devils backing up from a midweek FA Cup Third Round replay against Wolves and under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be desperate to take something from this match. Six of the last eight matches between these sides have ended in a draw, however the Premier League match at Anfield last season saw Liverpool finish strongly to come away with a 3-1 win and end Jose Mourinho’s tenure at United.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, teams are beginning to count the cost of the festive period as sides such as Tottenham limp through January trying to just avoid dropping too many points.
They take on the suddenly resurgent Watford who have managed to pick up 13 out of a possible 15 points to climb out of the relegation zone.
With midweek matches on the slate next week, don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of squad rotation to consider when looking for your anytime goal scorer bets.
A-LEAGUE
ALL eyes will be on Melbourne Victory after the club moved to sack coach Marco Kurz after their collapse in Gosford on Sunday.
There will be no time for a pity party though, with a quick turnaround to face Adelaide
United at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.
With the league leader Sydney FC on a bye, the next big game will come tomorrow afternoon as the flying Wellington Phoenix take on the Brisbane Roar, who are looking for their fourth straight match without defeat. The round closes out with another manager under plenty of pressure facing a tough clash.
Markus Babbel and the Western Sydney Wanderers host Perth Glory with the German boss desperate for a turn in fortunes having picked up just one win and a draw since Round 5.