Highlights of England’s midweek 2-1 away victory over Germany

England manager Fabio Capello speaks ahead of the friendly with Germany

FOOTBALL

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Wednesday 19^th November

Holland v Sweden

HOLLAND win @ 1.80

There are a number of international friendlies being played in midweek and the most interesting one sees Holland entertain Sweden. Over the last 50 years both of these countries have produced many a great player from Johann Cruyff to Henrik Larsson while the current crop includes superstars like Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Holland played some of the most attractive and pleasing football at this years European Championships before succumbing to Guus Hiddink’s impressive Russian side. Sweden on the other hand struggled as their talismanic striker Zlatan suffered with a series of niggling injuries. Recently the Swedes have produced hard-working competitive teams rather than teams with genuine talent. The Dutch on the other hand have loads of talented “pure” footballers in their squad with the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneider all in the line-up.

With a vociferous home crowd and a carnival atmosphere behind them the classy Dutch will have too much firepower for the Swedes so back the home team at odds of 1.80.

HOLLAND PLAYED SOME GREAT FOOTBALL AT EURO 2008- HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR BEST MOMENTS FROM THE TOURNAMENT

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Amazing Football Skills and Tricks

BASKETBALL

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

San Antonio Spurs @ Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO win @ 2.00

Our latest tip comes from the NBA and a clash between the Spurs and Kings. San Antonio have been a dominant force in the NBA for the last decade during which time they have won 4 Championships. This season they have had a poor start and currently occupy a lowly 10^th place in the Western division.

The reason for this poor start is simple, 2 of their 3 star players, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are sidelined with ankle injuries. The Spurs will try to continue their recent dominance at Arco Arena over the Sacramento Kings as the teams meet for the first time this season. San Antonio may have won 8 of its last 11 in Sacramento however, with 2 of their big 3 still missing we’re backing the men from Sacramento to inflict a 6th defeat in 9 games for San Antonio.

We’re backing the home team at great odds of 2.00 (EVENS).

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

NBA’s Top 10 Plays from November 15th, 2008.

We’ve decided to show you a collection of showboats from the English Championship seeing as both our Saturday tips are from England’s second tier

FOOTBALL

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 15^th 2008

Southampton v Wolves

WOLVES win @ 2.00

Derby v Sheffield Wednesday

DERBY win @ 2.00

This weekend sees us concentrate on the Championship where due to the unpredictability of the league there are great odds to be found on a number of intriguing games. Mick McCarthy’s Wolves are riding high at the top of the league and if they manage to secure promotion they’ll be the second team big Mick has taken to the promised land.

Wolves have won 4 on the trot including 2 tough away games at Cardiff and Watford respectively and lowly Saints should hold no fears for them. Despite saying that Wolves have not beaten Saints in 17 attempts since 1980 and McCarthy suffered his heaviest defeat as Wolves boss when George Burley’s side won 6-0 at Molineux in March 2007.

McCarthy is aware of this fact and is determined to win this weekend “”It’s overdue. It won’t be easy. They have some good young players. Jan Poortvliet has got them playing some great football and they’ll make it difficult for us.”

As far as team news is concerned Morgan Schneiderlin returns to the Saints squad after a thigh strain but Romain Gasmi (foot) needs another reserve game before being considered.

Wolves have no new injury worries ahead of their trip to St Mary’s. Defender Jason Shackell and midfielder Mark Davies should shake off illness in time to stake their claim for a place, but are unlikely to feature. Wolves have too much firepower for struggling Southampton and have to be backed at odds of 2.00 (EVENS).

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Derby v Sheffield Wednesday

DERBY win @ 2.00

The second team that we’re backing this weekend is Paul Jewell’s Derby County side. Derby invested heavily over the summer and after a poor start they’ve started to grind out a number of impressive results. They might not be the greatest side to watch however, they know how to get points on the board. Wednesday on the other hand are still as unpredictable as ever. They have lost 5 out of 8 away games this season and their away form is their biggest achilles heal, so we’re backing the home team to pick up all 3 points.

Paul Jewell has a number of injuries to his backline as Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock are still out although Miles Addison is available after suspension. Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws has a full squad to pick from for the trip to Pride Park.

Richard Hinds (broken leg) is the only long-term absentee.

Jewell is confident his team is on the right path “It’s the first season for most of these lads together and whatever people can say about us - we’re not easy to beat.” We’re in agreement with him and are backing Derby to win at Pride Park at odds of 2.00 (EVENS).

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NBA’s Top 10 Plays from November 12th, 2008.

FOOTBALL

FA CUP 1^st ROUND

Thursday 13th November

Tranmere v Accrington Stanley

TRANMERE win @ 1.70

Tranmere head into this 1^st round replay on the back of a decent run of form which has seen them lose only 1 of their last 7. They have already defeated Accrington in the League this season and have yet to concede a goal in 2 games against them.

Tranmere’s Ian Goodison needs a fitness test before with Antony Kay moving from defence to midfield if Goodison is fit. Striker Craig Curran (stomach) is still out so Chris Greenacre could start alongside Bas Savage.

Accrington’s Peter Cavanagh (Achilles) and Peter Murphy (knee) are out and Robert Green (knee) is not match-fit. Stanley have failed to reach round two for the last four years; the winners of this game will travel to Peterborough.

Back the home team at decent odds of 1.70.

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