DURBAN – Dilly ding, dilly dong, Jose wins and Claudio gone! Professionalism (with exorbitant salaries) has given power to players, and they think they have the right to determine who coaches them.
Perhaps Claudio Ranieri was too nice. While winning, that’s all gravy, but when losing, players can switch and see you as a convenient skaap– or scapegoat! Victory over slip-sliding Liverpool on Monday suggests as much.
Elsewhere, United should cruise past Bournemouth, with goals galore. Check tabs on the Golden Boot tipped a while ago on Zlatan...
Leicester could do back-to-back wins as they host Hull, which will help in the relegation scrap. Liverpool host Arsenal in the banger of the weekend. Goals may be stingy. Whatever one does, you should go +draw or take a double bet.
A better spectacle is Spurs hosting in-form Everton.
Struggling Sunderland are home to City, who have one eye on the Champions League, so the Black Cats could sneak an upset. I’m staying away from this one – just for control!
There is a small matter of Haye vs Bellew. I’ve never heard heavyweights moan up such weak threats, but the actual fight should be good. If you can find a corner, or have the data to stream (data in SA is a joke) then get involved tomorrow night.
Haye is odds on at 1/6, but it’s not worth it being so short. He is heavier naturally, and a champ, so if you got loose change, look into round-by-round betting. Or take a dip of 4/1 for Bellew to win. Pity we won’t see it on SuperSport.
The big dogs are barking early in Super Rugby. Sadly, Sharks have no game-breakers, and it looks like we’re in for another year in the wilderness. I’m going to find it hard to back them. I also think the Brumbies may pip the Sharks.
Cheetahs vs Bulls will be a humdinger, with hopefully a bigger crowd than last week’s silent hall. Saru need to step in quick, otherwise stadiums will look like race-tracks… or football stadiums! Oops.
Chiefs are expected to ‘dala’ their fellow countrymen Blues, but if you fancy a bit of Blue, take the healthy spread of 7 points at 9/10. I still fancy the firepower of the Chiefs to come up trumps in Waikato.
Another Kiwi derby is the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders. If they close the roof, we should see some running rugby and a high-scoring match. So look at ‘over points’ here, with plenty of tries. Expect Highlanders to bounce back from last week’s loss.
Big boys the Canes will continue the madness and school the Rebels on the spread – as long as it’s not ridiculous! They have the Side Stepping Saveas and the Brilliant Barretts. Back them for playoffs and a repeat championship, especially if you can get 3/1 or better.
Lions will do the business at home to the Waratahs, though it may be tight. Siya’s chaps should stick it to the Jaguares – with a bonus, good for the spread of -10 points.
And back the Blitzbokke to three-peat in Sin City. If the bright lights distract them, bank on Fiji, or Scotland as outsiders.
Finally, there is apparently a big game in Soweto tomorrow. Pitso and his African champions may disagree, but back the boys in yellow to break the run of dull draws. Sharp.