Betting Editorial for UK, Australia and Canada - 22/06/2011

[Adam W]

Hi Guys,

Below is today's English language versions of the Betting Editorial:

UK

Soccer

Chelsea snare Villas-Boas

Chelsea have set their sights on 'greater successes' after appointing Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager. They are 8/11 with bet365 to win a major trophy next season.

The 33-year-old, who led FC Porto to a domestic double and Europa League glory last term, has signed a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge, having previously worked under fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho with the Blues.

A statement from the Blues read: "Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today.

"We are confident Andre's leadership will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions."

Chelsea are 15/2 to finally land the Champions League, with Villas-Boas 2/1 to win the top European prize during his Blues reign.

Formula 1

Vettel streets ahead for Valencia

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is confident of further success on the streets of Valencia at the European Grand Prix this weekend.

Red Bull ace Vettel won the race in Spain 12 months ago and is 1/1 with bet365 to repeat the trick this time around and make it six wins in eight races so far in 2011.

Vettel said ahead of Sunday's race: "There are no run-off zones, so you can't make any mistakes - a small slide and you end up in the wall.

"Overtaking is difficult, but we had a good race last year and the car should be good. I'm looking forward to it."

Vettel leads the drivers' standings by a massive 60 points from McLaren's Jenson Button, with the Englishman 16/1 to be crowned world champion for a second time and 15/2 to win in Valencia.

Tennis

Djokovic counts on more belief

Novak Djokovic hopes that greater belief will help win a first Wimbledon title, with the Serb 7/2 with bet365 to capture his third Grand Slam crown.

Djokovic, twice the Australian Open champion, has lost only one match in 2011 and looked in ominous form as he swept aside France's Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-1 6-1 in round one at SW19.

"It's true that there's a different approach to this year's Wimbledon from my side because I'm playing the best time of my life," Djokovic said afterwards.

"I believe in myself much more on court and I know I can perform well, but it's a bit too early to talk about the later stages of the tournament."

Djokovic is seeded to meet Robin Soderling in the last eight and six-time winner Roger Federer in the semi-finals, with Federer 2/1 to make it a magnificent seven.

Australia

AFL

Eagles can end their Blues, says LeCras

The West Coast Eagles, who are 25/1 with bet365 to win the Grand Final, face something of a psychological hurdle in the next month by taking on two top-four teams.

West Coast must play Carlton on Sunday before tackling Geelong. And so far this season they have been unable to beat any of the top four, so a win this round would be a good way to get that monkey off their backs.

The Eagles are on their own in fifth on the ladder and going well, their latest success coming against Port Adelaide.

Star Mark LeCras has no fears that West Coast are good enough to down the Blues.

“I definitely think we can beat Carlton this weekend if we come out and play the best footy we can,” LeCras told afl.com.au.

“I don't think we've beaten a top four side yet this year so if that's something we're aiming for then it's definitely the next step. Hopefully we can get over them … it's going to be a big challenge.”

LeCras is in good form at the moment, the 2010 club champion having kicked four goals in the win over the Power.

Rugby Union

Waugh to end career

Phil Waugh of the Waratahs, who are 25/1 with bet365 to win the Grand Final, has announced he is to retire from rugby union at the end of the year, and launch a business career.

The Wallabies flanker says that, at 31, the time has come for him to bow out.

But he wants to achieve two things before finally hanging up his boots. His first target is to help the Waratahs win the Super Rugby title, then he wants to earn a place in the Australia squad for the World Cup in September and October.

Waugh has played 79 times for his country, but was left out of the side last year by coach Robbie Deans.

He said: “I've been very humbled and very proud to have represented Australia over a decade, which has encompassed 79 Test matches, and I hope to increase on that number.

“It's obviously a big year for rugby and I want to be a part of that World Cup squad.”

Waugh was Australia’s vice-captain during the 2003 World Cup, when the Wallabies were beaten in the final by England in Sydney.

AFL

Demons need consistency, says Bailey

Melbourne, who are 100/1 with bet365 to win the Grand Final, need to shake off their inconsistent tag, says coach Dean Bailey.

Too often this season, wins have been followed by disappointment, Bailey points out.

The coach avoided celebrating too much after the Demons’ 89-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday, as he wants his team to follow up by beating Richmond at the same venue this round.

Bailey told afl.com.au: “We get a chance to break the (up and down) cycle next week.

“Our inconsistency in effort hasn't been good enough and that's the reason our highs and lows are there, but we've got to do something about it. Next week is always the challenge.”

The Demons coach urged his team to “keep it in perspective” and avoid getting carried away by beating the Dockers.

But he was pleased at the way Melbourne were able to respond, a week after being thrashed by Collingwood.

Canada

Baseball American League East

Boston stumble against Padres

John Lackey will look for his sixth win of the season in the finale of a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park a night after Alfredo Aceves was unable to win his fourth against Mat Latos. Clayton Richard will oppose for San Diego, who are 41/20 to win. The Red Sox are 10/23.

Baseball American League Central

Rampaging twins keep on winning

Manager Ron Gardenhire will hand the ball to Nick Blackburn as the Twins (131/100) look for their ninth win in a row in game two of the three-game set with the San Francisco Giants (100/141) after an easy win in the first game of the inter-league match up.

Baseball American League West

Moreland the hero as Rangers beat Astros

The Texas Rangers (1/2) will send Colby Lewis to the mound as they look to sweep the woeful Houston Astros (9/5) in the third and final game of their in-state series one night after four solo shots helped power the Rangers to an extra inning victory.

Baseball National League East

Phillies explode to rout Cardinals

Cliff Lee and Kyle Lohse both go for their eighth win of the year as the Phillies (20/31) and Cardinals (7/5) battle in the only non inter-league contest on the slate. The Phillies will hope to increase their lead over the Atlanta Braves in the division after winning game one.

Baseball National League Central

Greinke dominates at Miller Park

The Milwaukee Brewers (25/29) are expected to make a game time decision as to whether Shaun Marcum will go for his eighth win of the year against David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays (53/50). Marcum, who is battling a hip injury, only pitched one inning against the Red Sox in his last outing.

Baseball National League West

Diamondbacks thump Royals

The Arizona Diamondbacks (5/6) will send seven-game winner Ian Kennedy to the hill against Jeff Francis as the division leaders look to build on their victory in the first game of the series against the struggling Kansas City Royals (11/10).

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

Thanks,

Adam

[charlesjay]

I wonder if Formula One needs a little tweaking. It's nice to see Button win one, but the fact remains that there is a small group of drivers who really have a chance to win from one race to another; I wonder if that's a formula (pardon the pun) for long-term success. I like F1 racing because it is worldwide, and a great testing ground for components in vehicles that eventually find their way to the consumer. At the same time, when there is little suspense about who is going to win the drivers' title, or the constructors' title, or who is going to get the pole from race to race, there might be something to look at.

One of the things that is so appealing about NASCAR is that even though Jimmie Johnson has won five titles in a row, on a race-by-race basis there are always 20-25 drivers who could wind up in victory lane. I understand that in F1 there is much less in the way of "standardization" in terms of the equipment, and there is some appeal there, but at the same time it may be part of a greater problem. A couple of years there was a big controversy about putting a cap on expenditures, and is drew a great analogy to baseball in that the richer teams (Ferrari, Red Bull) who are, for all intents and purposes, the Yankees and Red Sox of F1, were not going to fall in line with that. Still, that takes something away from a competitive balance that might enhance the overall product. But who am I to say? Bernie Ecclestone's daughter just bought a $22 million house in Beverly Hills, so something must be working!

Naturally, because you folks put up so many interesting propositions and angles on F1 racing, this does not have to be something that is uninteresting to the bettor. Kudos for that.

CJ

[Adam W]

Hi CJ,

I see what you are saying about the competitiveness of NASCAR and that anyone can win on the final lap, it is certainly a key part of the sport's success and wide appeal.

I think F1 is a different kind of Motor racing to NASCAR and if they were to change it so the drivers competed in identical cars you would loose some of the magic of the sport. I believe A1 GP was a sport created where all the cars were identical and worked within the existing F1 format.

Personally I thought the ending to the Canadian Grand Prix was one of the most exciting finishes we had seen in a while given that at one point Button was 21st in the race going into a safety car restart and had pitted 5 times! I spent all afternoon until 10 at night watching the action (and rain).

The last big change in the sport brought Redbull and Brawn (now Mercedes) to the very front of the sport.

Now Redbull seem to be running away with it and we are back to the days of Schumacher and Ferrari dominance, is it just a case of Redbull adapting quick than the other teams to the new regulations within the sport or will we continue to see them out perform the rest of the field for the next 5 years or so?

I am not so sure myself but only time will tell.

Thanks,

Adam