Transfer news takes fizz out of weekend

Fans of the beautiful game were caught up in the usual transfer window frenzy this week as their clubs either splashed the cash for new recruits or cleared out old stock.

Now that the new month has started, players and fans can turn their attention back to the fact that there’s another glut of fixtures awaiting them this weekend albeit in a slew of World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

As far as South African hopes go, Bafana Bafana are playing to save face against Mauritania. With both sides failing to keep alive their hopes of featuring in the showpiece of African football, all that’s left to play for is pride.

The oddsmakers have Shakes Mashaba’s side as 11/20 favourites for the clash, while their opposition are 11/2 and the draw at 11/4.

Other games in a packed fixture list that catch the attention include the meeting between Slovenia and England, Germany against Norway and Argentina versus Uruguay.

England are even money to get the job done, while Slovenia are 4/1 and the draw at 22/10. Germany are 5/10 favourites against 11/2 Norway, while Argentina are offered at 6/10 with their opponents at 17/4 and the stalemate at 38/10.

Looking slightly more longterm and it’s not long to go until the opening round of games in the Uefa Champions League and a quick look at the outright markets sees Barcelona marginal favourites at 3/1 ahead of the 4/1 offered on Bayern Munich and 5/1 on Real Madrid.

It’s Juventus who are next best at 10/1, while the quote of 12/1 on Manchester City’s hopes is the shortest price offered on any of the English clubs involved.

There’s another Grand Prix to look forward to this weekend and the rivalry between team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is set to continue.

Rosberg claimed last weekend’s race in Belgium and is offered at 22/10 for Sunday’s race at Monza, while his British rival is favoured at 15/20. Hamilton is 7/10 to qualify fastest, while the German is 12/10 to start on pole position.

The teams for this year’s renewal of the Ryder Cup were finalised this week and the bookmaker’s wasted little time in installing

the United States as 6/10 favourites while defending champions Europe are at 16/10.

In rugby matters this weekend, the Golden Lions are 4/10 against the 18/10 Blue Bulls, while Western Province are at 13/10 against the 6/10 offered on the Sharks in their Currie Cup encounter.