SON OF A GUN
Magic weekend in the English Super League is headlined by a spellbinding clash between the top two teams. The Catalans Dragons have been the story of the season so far and sit on top of the table with just two losses from 20 games. James Maloney has been magnificent in his final season and kicked 10 goals in their 64-0 win last week. St Helens has won the past two titles and knows how to win the big games. They’ve got attacking weapons across the park and the experience of James Roby to guide the team from dummy-half.
Northwestern $1.60, Michigan State $2.30
Michigan State stunned Northwestern last season, but the Wildcats had the last laugh by taking out the Big 10 West standings. Michigan State had a tough year, finishing last in the Big 10 East standings, and it could be another long year for the Spartans. Last season’s loss derailed Northwestern’s plans for success, so they’ll be out to make a statement in this local rivalry. They’ll have a much younger team this time around, but that won’t matter for a school that wants to start the new year on the right foot against a team they hate.
Doohan junior is making his own mark on motor sport, writes REBECCA WILLIAMS
Broncos $2.25, Knights $1.65
It’s been another lean year for the Broncos, but they’ll be desperate to finish 2021 on a high as they look to send Alex Glenn out a winner after 13 years at the club. The retiring veteran has played nearly 300 games for the club and has given everything his body has to offer. There would be nothing more fitting than a win at Suncorp Stadium, but it’ll be a tough ask against a Knights side that will finish seventh thanks to five-straight wins. They’ve been scrappy, but they can always rely on Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga to save them.
Fleetwood $16, Molinari $26
Most of the focus will be on the FedEx Cup, but there’s plenty of other golf on this weekend. The Italian Open has a strong field headlined by English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood. The event features a number of veterans who have excelled on the European Tour, such as Martin Kaymer, while local hope Francesco Molinari is the value pick of the weekend. Molinari has won the Italian Open twice and also finished second in 2018. He hasn’t had a great run in recent events, but he should bounce back to form in front of his home fans.