The second Super Rugby clash on Saturday sees the Waratahs take on the Reds. Last season’s champions take on a side that always promised much but ultimately fail to deliver when it really counts. This derby match never fails to produce a top quality spectacle & I can’t see it being any different in 2012. We always hear how the South African teams love to climb into each other, in my opinion, the Aussies are even worse. I’m expecting a brawl of some sort; it’s just a pity that Quade Cooper isn’t playing. I would love someone to knock that smug look off his face. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Waratahs vs Reds Super 15 Preview
Waratahs vs Reds, Saturday 25th February, 10:40
The second Super Rugby clash on Saturday sees the Waratahs take on the Reds. Last season’s champions take on a side that always promised much but ultimately fail to deliver when it really counts. This derby match never fails to produce a top quality spectacle & I can’t see it being any different in 2012. We always hear how the South African teams love to climb into each other, in my opinion, the Aussies are even worse. I’m expecting a brawl of some sort; it’s just a pity that Quade Cooper isn’t playing. I would love someone to knock that smug look off his face. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
The second Super Rugby clash on Saturday sees the Waratahs take on the Reds. Last season’s champions take on a side that always promised much but ultimately fail to deliver when it really counts. This derby match never fails to produce a top quality spectacle & I can’t see it being any different in 2012. We always hear how the South African teams love to climb into each other, in my opinion, the Aussies are even worse. I’m expecting a brawl of some sort; it’s just a pity that Quade Cooper isn’t playing. I would love someone to knock that smug look off his face. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
Pakistan vs England 2nd T20 Preview
Pakistan vs England, 2nd T20, Saturday 25th February, 18:00
The England tour of the UAE just keeps getting stranger, and all the more difficult to call. Sheer dominance by both teams in the two longer formats has marked the T20 series as the tour decider. Pakistan now have the jump, going 1-0 up after a good showing in Dubai on Thursday. The question remains, can they keep it up?
The England tour of the UAE just keeps getting stranger, and all the more difficult to call. Sheer dominance by both teams in the two longer formats has marked the T20 series as the tour decider. Pakistan now have the jump, going 1-0 up after a good showing in Dubai on Thursday. The question remains, can they keep it up?Australia vs India ODI Preview
Australia vs India, Commonwealth Bank Series, Sunday 26th February, 05:20
A gutsy win by the Sri Lankans has now blown this series wide open. With all three teams still in contention for a place in the finals, one could not ask for a more exciting Tri-Series. Australia are definitely not the unbeatable team they looked at the beginning of the series, and the Indians are looking pretty worse for wear themselves. This game is of utmost importance for the Indians and the pressure is on.
A gutsy win by the Sri Lankans has now blown this series wide open. With all three teams still in contention for a place in the finals, one could not ask for a more exciting Tri-Series. Australia are definitely not the unbeatable team they looked at the beginning of the series, and the Indians are looking pretty worse for wear themselves. This game is of utmost importance for the Indians and the pressure is on.Friday, 24 February 2012
New Zealand vs South Africa 1st ODI Preview
New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st ODI, Saturday 25th February, 02:30
After an intriguing T20 series, which South Africa snapped from the grasp of New Zealand in the last over to win 2-1, we now cast our eyes to another three-match series, this time in the 50 over format of the game. The momentum will be with the Proteas following the T20 series win, and they will be looking to inflict more suffering upon the home team. Don’t miss out on what is bound to be another perplexing series of events.
After an intriguing T20 series, which South Africa snapped from the grasp of New Zealand in the last over to win 2-1, we now cast our eyes to another three-match series, this time in the 50 over format of the game. The momentum will be with the Proteas following the T20 series win, and they will be looking to inflict more suffering upon the home team. Don’t miss out on what is bound to be another perplexing series of events. Chiefs vs Highlanders Super 15 Preview
Chiefs vs Highlanders, Saturday 25th February, 08:35
The second clash in the New Zealand conference sees the Chiefs take on the Highlanders at the Waikato Stadium. Both teams had a disappointing 2011 and have looked to bolster their respective squads with some clever recruiting. The Chiefs picked up the signing of the season with Sonny Bill Williams making the trip across from the Crusaders. They have also picked up Aaron Cruden from the Hurricanes. His partnership with Sonny Bill could be exactly what the Chiefs have been crying out for. The Highlanders haven’t recruited as much as their opponents, but the signing of Hosea Gear stands out. Their main concern will be the injuries they have picked up in pre-season and I think this could be the biggest obstacle they face.
The second clash in the New Zealand conference sees the Chiefs take on the Highlanders at the Waikato Stadium. Both teams had a disappointing 2011 and have looked to bolster their respective squads with some clever recruiting. The Chiefs picked up the signing of the season with Sonny Bill Williams making the trip across from the Crusaders. They have also picked up Aaron Cruden from the Hurricanes. His partnership with Sonny Bill could be exactly what the Chiefs have been crying out for. The Highlanders haven’t recruited as much as their opponents, but the signing of Hosea Gear stands out. Their main concern will be the injuries they have picked up in pre-season and I think this could be the biggest obstacle they face.Thursday, 23 February 2012
Super 15 Rugby - 1st Round Preview
It's the one we've all been waiting for. No longer will we have to endure the pain of watching European rugby, and pretend to enjoy it. It's Super Rugby people and it's back with a bang! Three countries, five teams each, one trophy to play for. The format remains the same as last year, with the focus remaining on building support for the derby games. Blues vs Crusaders, Bulls vs Sharks, Waratahs vs Reds - what more could you ask for? We cover all the first round matches here, so start reading and take your picks with Hollywoodbets.net!Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Australia vs Sri Lanka ODI Preview
Australia vs Sri Lanka, Commonwealth Bank Series, Friday 24th February, 05:20
The completion of Friday’s match between Australia and Sri Lanka will see us three-quarters of the way through the group stages of the Tri-Series, and this is where things start to become tight. This is where bonus point factors come into play, and every team should now be taking added risks to try and ensure victory. As we have witnessed, you are never quite out of the Tri-Series, the case in point being Sri Lanka’s sudden resurgence. Australia will be doing everything in their power to resist the feisty Sri Lankans on Friday, and stretch their lead at the top of table.
The completion of Friday’s match between Australia and Sri Lanka will see us three-quarters of the way through the group stages of the Tri-Series, and this is where things start to become tight. This is where bonus point factors come into play, and every team should now be taking added risks to try and ensure victory. As we have witnessed, you are never quite out of the Tri-Series, the case in point being Sri Lanka’s sudden resurgence. Australia will be doing everything in their power to resist the feisty Sri Lankans on Friday, and stretch their lead at the top of table. Pakistan vs England 1st T20 Preview
Pakistan vs England, 1st T20, Thurs 23rd Feb, 18:00
As is the nature of the heavily laden cricket schedule in February, we must immediately turn our eyes to the T20 series, before the dust has even settled on the one-day series. It has indeed been an uncompromising and hard-fought tour for both teams, excelling in one format and failing in the next. Perhaps the T20 series can put a final answer as to which team, in all methods and formats, is ultimately better. At the end of this 3-match series, who will have final bragging rights?
As is the nature of the heavily laden cricket schedule in February, we must immediately turn our eyes to the T20 series, before the dust has even settled on the one-day series. It has indeed been an uncompromising and hard-fought tour for both teams, excelling in one format and failing in the next. Perhaps the T20 series can put a final answer as to which team, in all methods and formats, is ultimately better. At the end of this 3-match series, who will have final bragging rights?Blues vs Crusaders Super 15 Preview
Blues vs Crusaders, Vodacom Super Rugby, Friday 24th February, 08:35
The first game of the Super Rugby season takes place at Eden Park, with
the much talked about Blues playing host to perennial title contenders,
the Crusaders. Opening fixtures don’t get much better than this. The
Blues have gone walk-about in recent times and come into the competition
as many shrewd punters choice to be crowned champions, whilst the
Crusaders will be expected to be in the shake-up at the end of the
season. When the early lines were
released, I jumped all over the -2.5 handicap. With the Crusaders
historically being slow starters, I’m expecting the Pat Lam’s men to get
my weekend off to a great start and to win well.
The first game of the Super Rugby season takes place at Eden Park, with
the much talked about Blues playing host to perennial title contenders,
the Crusaders. Opening fixtures don’t get much better than this. The
Blues have gone walk-about in recent times and come into the competition
as many shrewd punters choice to be crowned champions, whilst the
Crusaders will be expected to be in the shake-up at the end of the
season. When the early lines were
released, I jumped all over the -2.5 handicap. With the Crusaders
historically being slow starters, I’m expecting the Pat Lam’s men to get
my weekend off to a great start and to win well.Bulls vs Sharks Super 15 Preview
Bulls vs Sharks, Vodacom Super 15, Friday 24th February, 19:10
“Bet with your head, not your heart”, that
misguided but seemingly irreproachable sports betting mantra has been repeated
so often, it has become one of the major league sporting clichés. When it comes
to the Springboks, Proteas and my beloved Sharks, I really battle to split the
two. This weekend is no different, with the Bulls hosting the boys in Black.
“Bet with your head, not your heart”, that
misguided but seemingly irreproachable sports betting mantra has been repeated
so often, it has become one of the major league sporting clichés. When it comes
to the Springboks, Proteas and my beloved Sharks, I really battle to split the
two. This weekend is no different, with the Bulls hosting the boys in Black.Brumbies vs Western Force Super 15 Preview
Brumbies vs Western Force, Vodacom Super 15, Friday 24th February, 10:40
The first match of the Australian Conference kicks off with the Brumbies taking on the Western Force at Canberra Stadium. It goes without saying that both teams will be looking to put last years poor performance behind them and hit the ground running. The Brumbies have been completely overhauled after their dismal showing in 2011. In comes a new coach in Jake White, new players and possibly a new playing pattern.
The Force have a new skipper in David Pocock, taking over from the best name in rugby, Sterling Mortlock.
The first match of the Australian Conference kicks off with the Brumbies taking on the Western Force at Canberra Stadium. It goes without saying that both teams will be looking to put last years poor performance behind them and hit the ground running. The Brumbies have been completely overhauled after their dismal showing in 2011. In comes a new coach in Jake White, new players and possibly a new playing pattern. The Force have a new skipper in David Pocock, taking over from the best name in rugby, Sterling Mortlock.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Mayakoba Classic Preview
Mayakoba Classic, 23 - 26 February 2012, 15:00, El Camaleon
This weekend those who failed to qualify for the WGC Matchplay make their way to sunny Mexico and the tricky Greg Norman designed El Camaleon course. The tournament has a history of big price winners and we’ll be hoping for more of the same this year. Measuring less than 7000 yards in length, those not in the know may be mistaken for assuming the course plays easy. On the contrary, the par 71 is hit by every element available. The wind could be a huge factor here so let’s hope for at least a handful of calm days so we can see some solid golf.
This weekend those who failed to qualify for the WGC Matchplay make their way to sunny Mexico and the tricky Greg Norman designed El Camaleon course. The tournament has a history of big price winners and we’ll be hoping for more of the same this year. Measuring less than 7000 yards in length, those not in the know may be mistaken for assuming the course plays easy. On the contrary, the par 71 is hit by every element available. The wind could be a huge factor here so let’s hope for at least a handful of calm days so we can see some solid golf. Champions League Round of 16 Preview
UEFA Champions League Preview, Round of 16, Tuesday 21st Feb - Wednesday 22nd Feb
It's a battle for the quarter-final positions in the Champions League this midweek, as the next eight teams do battle in European action. Real Madrid travel to ice cold Moscow, where no Spanish side has ever won in European competition, while Judgment Day arrives for Andre Villas-Boas's Chelsea, as they take on Napoli. Giant killers Basel will look to add Bayern Munich to their list, while Marseille and Inter Milan clash in what is bound to be a tight affair. All these previews are here in our Champions League Wrap Up!
It's a battle for the quarter-final positions in the Champions League this midweek, as the next eight teams do battle in European action. Real Madrid travel to ice cold Moscow, where no Spanish side has ever won in European competition, while Judgment Day arrives for Andre Villas-Boas's Chelsea, as they take on Napoli. Giant killers Basel will look to add Bayern Munich to their list, while Marseille and Inter Milan clash in what is bound to be a tight affair. All these previews are here in our Champions League Wrap Up!Europa League - Round of 16 Preview
Europa League Preview - Wednesday 22nd February - Thursday 23rd February 2012
Some mouth watering clashes await us in the Europa League this midweek, the most notable being the defending champions Porto taking on Man City at the Etihad Stadium. Another big match sees Ajax travel to Old Trafford as they look to fight back from a 2 goal deficit against Man United. Also covered in this week's preview is Stoke's journey to Spain as they take on Valencia, while Atletico Madrid host Lazio. Give us your midweek multiple now!
Some mouth watering clashes await us in the Europa League this midweek, the most notable being the defending champions Porto taking on Man City at the Etihad Stadium. Another big match sees Ajax travel to Old Trafford as they look to fight back from a 2 goal deficit against Man United. Also covered in this week's preview is Stoke's journey to Spain as they take on Valencia, while Atletico Madrid host Lazio. Give us your midweek multiple now!New Zealand vs South Africa 3rd T20 Preview
New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd T20, Wednesday 22nd February, 07:30
The third and deciding encounter between these two nations will take place in Auckland on Wednesday and what an important game this will prove to be. With the series precariously poised at 1-1 with one to play, both teams will be hard-pressed to find any T20 matches resembling more of a knockout game than this one before the T20 World Cup scheduled for later in the year. As always, the tension is high and the level of cricket is superb, so this is one showdown that you will not want to miss.
The third and deciding encounter between these two nations will take place in Auckland on Wednesday and what an important game this will prove to be. With the series precariously poised at 1-1 with one to play, both teams will be hard-pressed to find any T20 matches resembling more of a knockout game than this one before the T20 World Cup scheduled for later in the year. As always, the tension is high and the level of cricket is superb, so this is one showdown that you will not want to miss.Monday, 20 February 2012
Midweek Cricket Wrap Up
Mid-Week Cricket Preview - Tuesday 21st February - Wednesday 22nd February
There's a load of cricket action this midweek to keep all lovers of the game on the edge of their seats. Action starts early Tuesday morning as Sri Lanka and India clash in match 8 of the Commonwealth Bank Series, while Pakistan will be going all out to avoid a series whitewash in the 4th ODI against England in the afternoon. All South Africans will be watching to see if Richard Levi can reproduce his record breaking performance for SA on Wednesday, while Mi-Way T20 action sees the Knights take on the Dolphins, and the winless Warriors host the Lions. Get all these previews here in our mid-week wrap up!
There's a load of cricket action this midweek to keep all lovers of the game on the edge of their seats. Action starts early Tuesday morning as Sri Lanka and India clash in match 8 of the Commonwealth Bank Series, while Pakistan will be going all out to avoid a series whitewash in the 4th ODI against England in the afternoon. All South Africans will be watching to see if Richard Levi can reproduce his record breaking performance for SA on Wednesday, while Mi-Way T20 action sees the Knights take on the Dolphins, and the winless Warriors host the Lions. Get all these previews here in our mid-week wrap up!Pakistan vs England 4th ODI Preview
Pakistan vs England, 4th ODI, Tuesday 21st February, 13:00
The ODI series between these two teams, in fact the whole tour to date, should’ve been nicknamed ‘the series of the unexpected’. No-one was expecting Pakistan to whitewash the world’s best test team in the test series, yet lo and behold, we witnessed it. On the note of a test series whitewash, no-one expected England to bounce back quite so emphatically, yet they have, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four match ODI series. There was more of the unexpected; Cook’s back-to-back ODI centuries, Finn’s dominance with the new ball, not to mention Ajmal’s sudden ineffectiveness over the last two matches.
The ODI series between these two teams, in fact the whole tour to date, should’ve been nicknamed ‘the series of the unexpected’. No-one was expecting Pakistan to whitewash the world’s best test team in the test series, yet lo and behold, we witnessed it. On the note of a test series whitewash, no-one expected England to bounce back quite so emphatically, yet they have, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four match ODI series. There was more of the unexpected; Cook’s back-to-back ODI centuries, Finn’s dominance with the new ball, not to mention Ajmal’s sudden ineffectiveness over the last two matches.
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