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issue 58 posted at 11.00am on 15 February 2008...

Down with love! The only romance The Mole is interested in this weekend is the romance of the FA Cup. The Fifth Round brings us some intriguing ties including Saturday’s mouth-watering clash between Manchester United and Arsenal live on BBC one at 5.15pm. Turn on, tune in and close out (for a profit)!

Also, have you upgraded to the new version of our Bet on the Move service yet? It's essential that you do in order to take advantage of Live Now, our exciting new feature that gives you instant access to all our in-play markets. Upgrade now by clicking here or I'll create some big mounds in your garden!

Yours in sport
 

A loud "YES" from the trading floor awoke me from my Sunday afternoon slumber just as referee Howard Webb blew for full time, "Ronaldo didn't score!" said Neville, our head football trader. Regular Mole readers will be well aware that the Portuguese has been a real pain in the Nicky for our football boys all season, so a blank for the winger / striker in the Manchester derby brought great joy to the floor. "Oi Moley, I've got a decent story for you to put in this week's edition if you want?" Intrigued, I grabbed my pad and shuffled over to his desk. "That upset means that we've done pretty well all things considered, usually a live United match at home could mean pieces for us if they get going. I think that this sums up the current expectation that the punters have of Ronaldo". I looked at his spreadsheet that showed 95% of clients who had a bet on Ronaldo Goal Minutes chose to go buy! "Wow, that's a lot, any ballsy sellers?" I asked. "Just one. Someone sold a pony (£25) at 35, a nice £875 profit but it takes some big stones".

 

A very black day was inflicted by the Black Caps on the England one-day side in the early hours of Tuesday morning. One insomniac will not be happy with Paul Collingwood's team after his decision to buy England over New Zealand in our Supremacy market at 18 for £30. Hard to believe that England were favourites to win the series against what was supposed to be a 'poor' New Zealand side. But it's harder to believe that they could give an even poorer performance than they did in the first ODI. The Kiwi's won the toss and sent England into bat, and for a time it was all looking good for our man as they reached 85-2. This was until some unfortunate luck with the skies forced them off the field for two and a half hours. Upon resumption, the collapse started, as England horrendously lost eight wickets for just 73 runs, all out for 158. The client needed something big, a huge duck first ball, more rain – anything! Instead he got he got the blistering bladework of Jesse Ryder and Brenden McCullum as the openers needed just 18.1 overs to chase down England's insufficient total without giving a wicket away. This meant for the maximum reverse of -100 and a debit of £3,540 for the punter.

 

FA Cup Is sacking your manager days before a vital cup clash ideal preparation? Coventry (who face West Brom on Saturday) are down a point to 26-28 on our FA Cup Outright Index following Iain Dowie’s departure.

Super League Two of Leeds' title rivals, St. Helens and Bradford, both suffered disappointing defeats in their Super League openers. Will the Rhinos, who are up two to 36-39 on our Super League – Outright Index (regular season only), dominate proceedings over the coming months?

Six Nations The manner of victory did not impress the intrepid red rose wearers in Rome. England's tournament team points are down four points to 111-115.

Premier League It's been a fantastic couple of weeks for Arsenal with Man Utd and Chelsea both dropping points in successive matches. The Gunners beat Blackburn 2-0 on Monday and are up five points to 48-51 on our Premier League Championship Index.

 

Brucie Bonus! If you place 10 or more bets this weekend on Play Yer Cards Right, our spread version of the classic higher or lower card game, before midnight on Sunday, we'll double any net profit that you make up to £100 (minimum stake on qualifying bets is 20p). Click here for details.

Maybe watching it in a different place will change England's luck? There's still an opportunity to join us in London to watch England's Six Nations games against France and Scotland. So whichever England team turns up on those days we can guarantee some great hospitality in a great atmosphere - just not the result. Click here to find out more.
 
 
 


...no. of goals scored in last season's Kerry v Tyrone game
 
 


...1st half pts conceded by Bulls in 1st 3 07 home games
 
 


...time of 1st Leics try v
London Irish in December
 
 


...avg pts conceded in Bath's last 4 GP home games
 
 


...games since Soton kept a clean sheet away from home
 
 


...avg time of last Arsenal
goal in last 3 games v MU
 
 


...% of Aus ODI wins
v India in Adelaide
 
 


...TGMs in Preston's last
FA Cup tie