THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
NEW ZEALAND SET TO LIFT TWO WORLD CUPS IN SHOW OF MAORI DOMINANCE
It is one month on from my headline assertion that New Zealand would lift the Rugby World Cup this October. What’s happened since? Well in the tournament’s first match, they got beat by France and therefore will finish second in their group. The path to the final is largely unchanged however (in fact, sorry Ireland but I am confident that the All Blacks will win their match on 14 October) but what else has changed. Actually the price!! And what was 5/2 (3/1) at the start is now a juicier 9/2!! Add to your portfolio now!! With the quarter-finals now largely set up (the next two weeks are being taken up with the group stage completion) I predict the following…
FRANCE v SOUTH AFRICA NEW ZEALAND v IRELAND WALES v ARGENTINA FIJI v ENGLAND
The quad is likely to pay around 12/1. My tips highlighted in red.
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP Auckland and Wellington could be rocking by mid November as the ICC World Cup (cricket) begins next week, and the format this time around has eliminated any bias as all 10 teams play all in a mini group with the top four qualifying for two semi-finals and a
final. All the usual suspects are there save for the Windies (how must Viv and Joel and Michael be crying), as they are replaced by minnows Holland but nothing stays the same forever. INDIA can’t be opposed in their own backyard and clearly any team used to the sweltering sub-continent is going to be advantaged. But while I feel 9/4 is entirely generous about their chances with the likes of Sharma, Rahul, Gill, Kohli eta al in their line up, that still doesn’t take away the fact that one 50-over match will ultimately decide the event in much the same way that Man City would finish on top of the pile, if they competed, in a European Super League (whatever happened to that idea??..oh the Luddites objected), where come a one-game final any refereeing decision could be exaggerated. And who is ready to take advantage? England surely, the wily Australians, the
PHTM OCTOBER 2023
untapped potential of Baber’s Pakistan (visas not withstanding) and the ultimate pitch above their weight, NEW ZEALAND, who at 10/1 surely are worth a bet. Back the finalists at 14/1 for a saver (Betfair) but keep stakes to a minimum as the tournament make up is 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 and they could easily meet in the semis. The following weeks will see markets such as top run scorer where it will be 16/1 the field and I would have an interest on, for minimal stakes, BABER AZAM (Pakistan), K L RAHUL (India) and MOHAMMED RIZWAN (again Pakistan).
SUPER LEAGUE Rugby league’s Super League concludes mid month (the play offs have just begun) and with three equally matched teams in WIGAN, Catalan and St Helens, it clearly was of benefit to have lifted the League Leaders Shield. That advantage falls to the Warriors who can now avoid the gruelling clash between the Dragons and the Saints and that, in addition to their Grand Final appearances at Old Trafford over the years, tips the balance in their favour. 7/4 may appear to be skinny but I would argue it is decidedly generous come October 14th.
STRICTLY COME DANCING Strictly has returned and 15 celebs are going head to head to boost their image and when the dust settles by Blackpool we should have a fairly good idea of the winner. I follow the maxim that a bet is a bet and at 5/1 NIGEL HARMAN makes a lot of sense. Firstly, he can dance, secondly he has a good Pro dancer in Katya Jones (easy on the eye for the dads!), thirdly he falls into the BBC fan base axis of Eastenders and Casualty and fourthly he’s a Doctor!! What’s not to like!! Seriously, anyone who has to endure this Saturday night diatribe rather than the sport has got to have some financial interest on the outcome. Pass the chocolates please? Until next month when I will be highlighting the UK snooker championship as we move into winter. Good punting…
Bernie the Book 81
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