Norwich v Birmingham
Championship – 7.45 pm
Sky Sports
I start off my best bets of the day preview for Friday with a cracker. The Canaries appear to have lost their way a little bit in the Championship title race. They have failed to get a win on the board in any of their last four played, drawing their last two. They did get a good point though last weekend in a draw away at fourth-placed West Brom, but the Canaries will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
Already this winless streak has seen them lose a grip on second place to Sheffield United. Three points at home against Birmingham on Friday night would see the Canaries move back to within one point of leaders Leeds. It would restore a good bit of confidence as well, no doubt. But it may not be the easiest of games as Birmingham are knocking on the door of the playoff spots.
The Blues have the fifth-best defensive record in the Championship this season so aren’t going to get knocked over easily. They are also unbeaten in their last four away games and leading bookmakers have them at 19/20 to avoid defeat at Carrow Road in a Double Chance bet option. When the two met earlier in the season there was a 2-2 draw at St Andrews. But the Canaries were on a three-match winning streak (all to nil as well) against the Blues before that. This should be a fascinating tussle.
Barry Hawkins v Neil Robertson
Masters Snooker – 7.00 pm
BBC
The action at the Masters winds its way towards the semi-finals with Barry Hawkins and Neil Robertson in the final quarterfinal match up on Friday. Australia’s Neil Robertson clawed his way back from an early deficit against second-seed Mark Williams to book his palace in the quarterfinals, taking a 6-3 win over the Welshman. Robertson, the 2012 Masters champion, has exited at the quarter-final stage in the last two seasons but he is the 8/11 favourite with the leading bookmakers to reach the final four from this match.
Barry Hawkins eased his way past former Champion Shaun Murphy his opening match, only giving up the two frames. Hawkins trails Robertson 9-11 in the head to head from previous matches. But it was the Englishman who came out on top in their last meeting, taking a 10-6 win at the China Open. This first-ever meeting between them at the Masters looks as if it may close to going the distance. Definitely one to tune in to.
Newcastle v Toulon
Champions Cup Rugby – 7.45 pm
BT Sport
It is the last round of action in the pool stage of the European Champions Cup and sadly for both of these, this now becomes a dead rubber. Newcastle had to produce something special last weekend against Montpellier in order to keep themselves in contention for a place in the next round. It didn’t quite happen for the Falcons though who ended up getting smashed 45-8 by the French outfit.
It’s more French opposition for them this weekend as they face Toulon at Kingston Park. I’m hoping that without pressure on the game, it could be a good relaxed and open affair. Newcastle start two points above bottom side Toulon so this is a fight to avoid the wooden spoon in the pool. The Falcons edged a tight scrap against Toulon right back on matchday one, taking a 26-25 win away from home. Joel Hodgson played a huge part for the Falcons, making five kicks from five. The top bookies have Toulon turning up at defending a +7 handicap at 11/8 odds.
Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich
Bundesliga – 7.30pm
I couldn’t pass up a look at this clash from the Bundesliga. The top flight action in Germany returns after their winter break. That could boost the hopes of Hoffenheim avoiding defeat in this one, as they could be catching Bayern Munich in a cold start. It’s not that so much though, it’s the fact that Hoffenheim have won their last two league home games against Bayern Munich which adds that extra spice to this one. Hoffenheim are also running on huge ten match undefeated streak of league form.
Granted they have drawn each of their last six league fixtures, so while the winning touch may not be there, they are certainly resilient. Also, they have taken home draws this season against two of the other current top three sides of Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach (Bayern are second). But then you have Bayern who boast the best away record in the Bundesliga and they are starting at the 4/7 favourites with bookmakers. Bayern have won their last three away games and have averaged over two goals per road game this season. Will they be able to unlock their hosts at the Rhein-Neckar Arena?
