issue 157 posted at 11am on 26 Feb 2010

Mr. V.H. from Berkshire advised me that his son is overjoyed to be going to Wembley for the first time after his Dad correctly predicted that there would be 30 goals scored in the Prem last weekend. Well done, enjoy the game.

Now on to the subject of cold hard free bets and as there's a major Cup Final on Sunday, featuring the long overdue return to Wembley for the mighty Villa, I want you to predict what Total Goal Minutes will make up in the 90 minutes when the Villa lock horns with United in the League Cup Final once again (TGMs made up 272 the last time they met here). Correct answer out of the hat wins a £200 Total Goals bet. Email me at themole@sportingindex.com before 3.00pm on Sunday.


Villa!

Follow me on Twitter @the_spin_mole


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Shortly after the start of the Six Nations comes another great tournament that satisfies any rugby purist's craving. The sub-continent sensation that is the Super 14 is just two rounds old but we've already had one of the most incredible games in its history. On Friday, as the Lions from South Africa took on the Chiefs from New Zealand this fortunate soul bought £5 of the Chiefs' Multi-Points at 225 (1st half game points x 2nd half). They've implemented some more new rules this season (to do with defenders releasing in the tackle) and it may well have had an instant effect. The fans at Coca-Cola Park were treated to a festival of tries! I'm not going to beat about the bush (as they say in the Australian adult film industry), one hundred and thirty seven points were scored in 80 minutes of play. There were incredible scenes at half-time as the Chiefs led 27-25 in what already seemed like a full-time score. A shedload more points followed in the second half with both sides going at it. Who won the game now didn't matter to the punter, it only mattered that the Chiefs continued to score, notching up another 45 points in the second half. Final score 72-65 to the Chiefs. I'm no Hawking but the maths read: (27x45 - 225) x £5 = £4,950. Wow!

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try your luck just isn't in. On Wednesday night I got a touch of the Chevys and after unsuccessfully getting with Chelsea, Sevilla and West Brom, I chose to stay up, get with and watch the Scottish Great Britain curling team bottle it against some spotty Swedish teenagers. Anyway, I digress. Wayne Rooney, he's been playing quite well lately. So what's wrong with a little buy of his Player Performance on Saturday against that team he used to play for? One client bought at 75 for £100 and considering he'd scored 10 goals in eight games and is now being talked about as the world's current best player, would his luck be in? It wasn't, as the game not only passed the man from Croxteth by, it also passed his team mates by as the Toffees showed what they can do. Despite taking an early lead through the man who never seems to celebrate, Everton proved too good for Rooney and co. Restricting the dynamic striker to a one-on-one and a free-kick which was deflected wide. A paltry 44 was all the striker could muster meaning a £3,100 loss for the punter. Rooney then went and scored a brace in the next game. As frustrating as doing your pieces in the curling!

Six Nations Stupid, careless, idiotic. Whatever the coach wants to call it, indiscipline has been a real theme in the first two rounds of this year's Championship. And with a total of six yellow cards dished out in as many games, our opening Total Yellow Cards quote has now been made to jump two and a half points to 12.5-14.

Football Chelsea took advantage of United's slip-up against Everton when they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against struggling Wolves. Ancelotti's side had moved four points clear, although United clawed this back with a 3-0 midweek win over West Ham, making their visit to OT on April 3rd a likely title decider. Chelsea have been bought up two points on our Premier League Championship Index this week to 49-52

At the other end of the table Bolton remain in the bottom three following their 3-0 thumping at Ewood Park. That result means the Trotters have only taken five points from a possible 24 under Owen Colye's leadership, and with games against Wolves, West Ham, Sunderland and Wigan to come, it's make or break time for the Premiership strugglers. Bolton Season Points are down two to 35.5-37.


Sporting video fun

Brett Lee retired from Test cricket this week and here Andrew Flintoff reveals exactly what he said to Lee at Edgbaston in 2005. Oh and here's a pretty good goal.

Cheltenham Markets It's time to pick up the research, the Festival is just two and half weeks away. Yes two and a half weeks! We've gone live with some of our best bets including Distances, Favourites and some Match Bets including the small matter of Kauto v Denman part three. Click here for our full offering.

NEW! Refer and Earn Offer
Our offer has changed. Now when you refer a friend you'll get an instant reward of £25 once they open their account. Then, after they've placed five bets, you'll get a free £100 football bet. Be one of the first to take up this offer. Click here for more.

...Man City goals in last 7 trips to Stamford Bridge
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...CC Finals to require pens from last 12
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...France wins in last 6 trips to Cardiff
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...avg time of 1st match try in last 3 Scot games
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...avg Eng pts conceded in last 5 6N home games
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...avg 4s in last 2 Bang Eng ODI games in Dhaka
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...avg time of 1st Wales try in last 3 outings
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...avg bookings points in last 5 Old Firm meetings
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...England win % against Ireland at Twickenham
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...Australia's top T20 score against NZ

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