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Below is the latest English language Betting Editorial.

UK

Tennis

Murray to face Nadal in last four

Andy Murray will face Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the French Open after beating Juan Ignacio Chela on Wednesday in straight sets.
Murray can be backed at 14/1 with bet365 to go all the way in the tournament while Nadal is at 11/8.

The British number one, who has never previously reached this stage at Roland Garros, beat Chela 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 6-2 and will take on Nadal on Friday after the Spaniard came through in straight sets against Robin Soderling in a repeat of last year’s final.

The Scot has been suffering with an ankle injury and admitted he has not played to his full potential so far – something he will need to do if he is to beat the world number one.

"I feel I can do it," said the 24-year-old. "It's just making sure that, come Friday, I play my best tennis. I have to play a very consistent match and I have to be mentally strong. Tactically, I'm going to have to be very good."

Soccer

Villa begin new manager search

Aston Villa have begun the search for a new manager after Gerard Houllier left the club on Wednesday due to concerns over his health.

Mark Hughes can be backed at 8/13 with bet365 to be the next Villa manager while Steve McClaren is at 7/2 and Carlo Ancelotti is at 6/1.

Houllier, who joined the Midlands club in September 2010, was unable to carry out his duties for the last month of the season after a heart scare. He underwent open heart surgery in 2001 while at the helm at Liverpool and has been advised he is not yet ready to return to work.

The 63-year-old admitted he is disappointed to have to walk away from Villa Park but wished the club well for the future.

He said: "It has been an honour to manage this great club and I wish everyone connected with Aston Villa every success for the future."

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner thanked Houllier for his efforts over the short period he was in charge and has revealed the club have begun to look for a replacement.

"As a board we are very conscious of the need to ensure that the club is prepared fully to meet the demands of the new season," said Faulkner.

"To that end, we have already embarked upon the process which will lead to the appointment of a new manager."

Cricket

Tremlett draws on experience

Chris Tremlett, who is at 13/5 with bet365 to be England’s first innings top bowler in the second Test against Sri Lanka, believes he has "grown as a cricketer" since his test debut in 2007.

Tremlett took four wickets as England demolished Sri Lanka for 82 in their second innings at Cardiff and will again be a key man in the second Test at Lord's.

England can be backed at 8/13 to win the match and wrap up the series while Sri Lanka are at 9/1.

Tremlett says he has honed an aggressive streak in order to become an integral part of the England set-up. Doubts were raised over whether he had what it takes to make it on the international scene after he was dropped following his debut four years ago but he feels he has answered his critics.

"Now fast bowling and being aggressive is something that comes more natural to me and I have grown as a person and a cricketer," said the 29-year-old.

“I went through a spell where I was in and out of the squad. Now I'm in the team and I am a lot more experienced, a lot more hungry, I know my game and body a lot better."

Canada

Baseball

Yankees sweep A's in Oakland

The New York Yankees, 13/2 with bet365 to win the World Series, will move down the California coast to take on the Los Angeles Angels, 25/2 to win the American League, in a three-game series after sweeping the Athletics in Oakland. AJ Burnett followed up strong efforts from Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia as the Yankees won for the fourth straight game.

Baseball

Lewis shuts out Rays

The Texas Rangers, 13/1 with bet365 to win the World Series, will send Dave Bush to the mound in search of his first win of the year as they open up a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians after taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays. Colby Lewis was dominating for the Rangers, 10/17 to finish at the top of the American League West Division, who have won three consecutive series.

Baseball

Nationals take two of three from Phillies

The Washington Nationals, 125/1 with bet365 to finish at the top of the National League East standings, open an 11-game west coast swing with the first of four against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Jordan Zimmermann will look to build on the back-to-back wins by Jason Marquis and John Lannan as the Nationals surprised the Phillies, 9/4 to win the World Series, to take two of three.

Baseball

Putz gets win as Diamondbacks edge Marlins

The Arizona Diamondbacks, available at 23/1 with bet365 to win the World Series, will continue their seven-game home stand as they welcome the Washington Nationals for a four-game weekend set. Winners of 16 of their last 19, the Diamondbacks have not lost a series since being swept by the Giants, 9/1 to finish top of the National League, in the second week of May.

NHL

Canucks take game one

The Vancouver Canucks, 1/5 with bet365 to win the Stanley Cup, can count themselves a little fortunate to have a one-game advantage over the Boston Bruins after Raffi Torres scored with under a minute to go in the first game of the series. Generally outplayed by the Bruins, 15/4 to take the trophy, Robert Luongo stopped everything that Boston threw at him for the 1-0 win.

Australia

Rugby Union

Force to be reckoned with

The Western Force, who are 5/2 with bet365 to win, will take a settled side into the Otago clash against the Highlanders, which pleases coach Richard Graham.

The Force make just one change to their starting line-up, with speedy winger Alfie Mafi stepping up from the bench to replace Nick Cummins.

Graham is delighted to have escaped from the game against the Hurricanes with no fresh injuries.

He told AAP: “We've had another week together on tour and unlike last week where there was a number of late changes we've had time to prepare and settle on the squad.

“Bringing in Alfie is a chance to see what he can offer and see how he goes about playing under pressure from the start.

“Throughout this season we've seen a number of boys, like Paddy Dellit, take their opportunities and this is a chance for Alfie to do the same.”

Graham has stuck with his improvised halves set-up of James Stannard and Mark Swanepoel following excellent performances from the pair against the ‘Canes a week ago.

The Western Force has won their past three outings against the Highlanders, two of those wins coming on New Zealand soil.

AFL

Duo give Hawks a boost

Hawthorn, who are 5/1 with bet365 to win the Grand Final, have been boosted by news that David Hale and Brent Renouf could face Fremantle.

Though Chance Bateman will miss up to six weeks with a sprained ankle, Hale and Brent Renouf have recovered well from injuries.

Hale injured his knee against the Saints in round eight, and was expected to miss up to six games.

But the club’s football operations general manager Mark Evans says that projection has now been revised.

He told afl.com.au: “He's progressed quicker than expected, and if he gets through everything this week then I think he would be cleared to play.”

Renouf is also expected to play having recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the round seven win over Port Adelaide.

Those expected returns increase the options for the Hawks, as Max Bailey and Jarryd Roughead have done well while covering.

Isaac Smith, who impressed in his first two games at AFL level, is also expected to be available for selection, having missed the past fortnight with soreness.

Rugby Union

Hickey shuffles Waratahs team

The Waratahs, who are 5/2 with bet365 to win against the Bulls in Pretoria, go into the game with a much-changed side.

Chris Hickey has wielded the axe and made five changes, following the defeat to the Sharks in the last round.

Two of them are enforced, with Sekope Kepu and Ryan Cross both having returned to Sydney for treatment.

Al Baxter returns to the starting XV in place of Kepu, while Cross's absence has resulted in a reshuffle of the backs.

Daniel Halangahu has kept the No.10 and Berrick Barnes returns at inside centre.

Tom Carter shifts to No.13 in order to replace Cross. The absence of Drew Mitchell and inclusion of Kurtley Beale are the only personnel changes to the 2010 backline which took on the Bulls.

In the pack there are more changes, with captain Dean Mumm moving to flanker and Kane Douglas back to partner fellow Southern Districts lock Sitaleki Timani in the second row.

Coach Chris Hickey told AAP: “We've had to make a few changes but everyone combined well on Monday when we had our first hit out for the week and I'm confident in the side we've named.”

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me other any other member of the bet365 team.

Thanks,

Adam