THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
WORLD CUP SOCCER FEVER?-MORE OF A WHIMPER BUT ALLY PALLY ON HORIZON FOR THE GIANT
It’s off to the Ally Pally this month for the PDC World Darts and what a mouth watering fortnight awaits. Like an express train running against freight, who can stop The Nuke from retaining his crown, but frankly at a shade of odds-on he can only be of interest to big hitters. And certainly he now appears to have the eagle eye over the other Luke and his recent form is peerless, but Evens? Really? Not for me when he is beatable by some of his other opponents.
But who?
..My headline pick and housed in the other side of the draw is GIAN van VEEN at a whopping 12/1 and with ½ the odds the first two, you are effectively getting 6/1 to make the final. The GIANT (you know how they like a nickname) is the next big thing from Holland and will challenge for the big finals over the next decade.
Speaking of Holland, I think Mike de Decker at 100/1, Danny Noppert at 66/1 and Wessel Nijman at similar odds will definitely outrun their prices. Lastly have a small, each way, interest on the Iceman (Gerwyn Price) at 20/1 to compete for a second world crown.
FORM STAT:
Bernie the Book tipped up Michael Smith, Jackpot Lewis, Luke Humphries and the Nuke (Luke Littler) to win in their respective years pre-event!!
..you have been told!
WORLD CUP 2026
Finally we have reached the final stages of qualifying for next year’s World Cup, with the final playoffs next March. Even then it’s a semi and final and it really has been quite tortuous to watch (I have chosen not to so far, (no jeopardy )but at least we can now have a bet!
The Accumulator from the following teams to qualify pays 20/1 so fill your boots:
Czech Republic , Denmark, Italy (sorry N. Ireland) Ukraine, Bosnia (scores 40 points at Scrabble!) (sorry Wales) and Albania.
PHTM DECEMBER 2025 NEXT LABOUR LEADER
It is not far-sighted of me to suggest Starmer will be ousted by his own MPs by June, after the local elections and pre-Conference 2026 and I hope you have taken my advice so far and backed Angela Rainer at 20/1, currently 6/1 and Andy Burnham at 7/1 (give him the next six months to contest a Northern by-election...but if you haven’t so far then PRESS YOUR BETS and include the man behind the stalking horses - WES STREETING at 9/2 in your portfolio.
THE SUPERBOWL
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are approaching the last third of the regular season. So which team is is coming into form? Plus with a realistic chance of securing not only a play-off berth but also an advantageous post season passage?
Clearly the NFC WEST is going to be critical with the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks vying for the Division and a high seeding. In recent weeks I have
liked quarterback Sam Darnold of the
SEAHAWKS and at a juicy 16/1 they are well worth an investment.
Over in the AFC, my fancy of the Broncos is stat-wise doing well, currently 9-2, but while their defence is outstanding, their offence just isn’t gelling and despite their recent gut-wrenching loss to the Chiefs last week, I think the Colts might reach their first Superbowl since the heady days of Payton Manning. Still relatively unfancied at 12/1, I think it will be a shoot out between them and the Ravens. Watch this space!
Until next time Good punting
Bernie the Book 75
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