..
issue 55 posted at 11.00am on 25 January 2008...

This week's Mole is being written from the Kennington Surgery as a bout of 'boar-flu' has got the better of your visually impaired insider. Although, after looking at the sporting calendar it did get me thinking that the idea of being laid up in bed all weekend might not be such a bad thing. It could be time to call in those brownie points that I've earned from Mrs. Mole and look forward to being waited on foot and foot in front of all the action from Cheltenham, the FA Cup, Guinness Premiership and the climax of the Australian Open. It could well be the perfect remedy!

Yours in antibodies
 

An electric White Hart Lane was the venue for a pulsating cup semi-final on Tuesday night. There was a flash of the Tottenham good old days as they took on their arch-rivals in the penultimate round of the Carling Cup. One punter's divine intervention forced him to sell Arsenal on the match goalscorers' Shirt Supremacy at 7 for £50. Arsenal supposedly fielded a team of fringe players but still had real quality in the eleven, with all players good enough to grace a Premiership side. But a fired up Spurs got our man's bet off to a flyer with number 8 Jenas' angled shot followed by #26 Bentdner's o.g, #10 Keane's edge of area strike and #25 Lennon's sidefoot. #25 Adebayor's consolation reined in our man's profit until #15 Steed Malbranque's misery compounder secured a -59 make-up and a whopping £3,300 profit for the lucky Lillywhite.
 

The action has been hot down under and it's not only because of Maria Sharapova's catwalk looks. The 20-year old Russian beauty caused one client to get hot under the collar for very different reasons on Tuesday morning in her match with Justine Henin. Our man bought total Henin points won in the match at 89 for £80. The Belgian came into the quarter-finals having last tasted defeat in a time when Padraig Harrington was a major virgin and Jose Mourinho still had a job. But she was nowhere near her best as a fine display of attacking tennis by the world's highest paid sportswoman ensured an early flight home for the world's number one tennis player. Sharapova was just ruthless, taking the first 6-4 and then whipping her opponent 6-0 in the next to end her 33-match unbeaten run. Sorry Henin left the court after picking up only 45 points in the match to leave our poor punter £3,520 in arrears.
 

FA Cup 'Ahoy me hearties!' The Pirates were riding the crest of a wave on Tuesday after knocking out Premier League Fulham on penalties. Bristol Rovers, who travel to Barnet this weekend, are up 15 points to 18-21 on our FA Cup Outright Index.

Premier League Rafa will be relieved that he's got the distraction of facing the Hawks from Havant in the Cup this weekend, as Liverpool's current league run has been shocking. The Reds are down three points to 17-20 following their fourth successive league draw.

Two consecutive draws wouldn't mean much to some, but recent 1-1 scorelines against Liverpool and Blackburn has kept the spring in Gareth Southgate's step. Boro are down two points to 9-12 on our Premier League Relegation Index.

Heineken Cup Gloucester were left shaking their heads after the Heineken Cup Quarter-Final draw was announced (they have a tough assignment against Munster). The Cherry and Whites are down five points to 21-24 on our Heineken Cup Outright Index.

 

Watch the Superbowl with us! There are still a couple of places left at our Superbowl party where you and a friend can watch the Stateside action in a private room at Sirocco Sports Bar, London on Sunday 3rd February. We'll treat you to free drinks, food and give you the chance to win £1,000 on the night. For details on how to receive an invite click here.

Let Chief into your life Every week Karl 'Chief' Suntay brings you closer to your favourite bookie than ever before. Find out where your fellow punters are putting their money this weekend. Click here to join him for the ultimate betting rundown.
 
 
 
 


...avg 1st set games in last 4 Womens Aus Open Finals
 
 


...avg Bath pts in last 3 Guinness Premiership games
 
 


...yrs since a 5-set
Mens Aus Open Final
 
 


...avg time of 1st Boro goal
in last 3 away games
 
 


...Ronaldo's avg GMs in
MU's last 3 matches
 
 


...avg Chelsea team GMs
in last 3 matches v Wigan
 
 


...mins since Spurs scored a goal v Man Utd