Cricket – IPL – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hydrabad
The new IPL season is upon us, and I can’t wait to sit down and enjoy all of the action each weekend morning. Sunday throws up an intriguing contest, as the Knight Riders take on Sunrisers Hydrabad, and it’s the first of my big betting events this weekend.
2016 champions Sunrisers Hydrabad begin as the narrow favourites in this season’s IPL, and they will be expecting to get off to a winning start here. They’ve won three of their last five meetings with the Knight Riders, and as the betting suggests, this game could go either way.
After the disappointment of losing in the 2018 final, they will be more determined than ever before to bounce back. Tom Moody can call upon Jonny Bairstow, David Warner and Martin Guptill, and they have a suitably strong squad for the season ahead.
This opener is a star-studded encounter with the Sunrisers able to name their strongest possible squad this weekend, with the exception of Kane Williamson. That’s great news for neutrals like me!
KKR have been dealt a blow with the news that Shivam Mavi will be out for the entire campaign, alongside fellow youngster Kamlesh Nagarkoti. This will take some pace out of the side, and it also diminishes their unpredictably. It’s a shame for KKR fans, who will have been looking forward to seeing the duo in action.
They do have a very consistent opening pair of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine, who are very effective, and are expected to be maintained for this opening IPL game. The latter showed good form in the BPL, and is likely carry that through. He could be a real threat here, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Sunrisers are able to combat his firepower. He’s bound to get some runs under his belt here.
After being banned in 2018, David Warner will be welcomed back into the fold this season, and IPL fans cannot wait to see him in action. With his place in the Australian squad under threat, Warner is likely to be keen on making an impression, and we can expect to see plenty more of his explosive play on Sunday morning.
The Aussie thanked the fans for their continued support, and said he cannot wait to get back to the IPL. This is understandably one of the best weekend fixtures, and although it’s starting slightly earlier this year, I cannot wait for the season to get underway!
Sky Sports will have coverage of every match throughout the IPL season and UK viewers can tune in for KKR vs the Sunrisers on Sunday morning.
Aussie Rules – AFL – Brisbane Lions vs West Coast
As well as the IPL season getting underway, I’m also pleased to report that the new AFL campaign also begins this weekend. It feels like an age since West Coast defeated Collingwood in front of 100,000 spectators at MCG at the back end of September, but the wait is finally over…
Champs West Coast get back underway against the Brisbane Lions, and it’s the first of my big betting events.
It’s going to be a tough task for the Lions, but there is growing expectation around this side, and they won’t go down without a fight. Chris Fagan’s men were bitterly disappointing last year with just five wins to their name, as they struggled to find consistency throughout the season. Only three sides finished below them in the 2018 AFL Ladder, but many expect to see significant improvements after a reasonably positive off-season at the Gabba.
They did improve as the season progressed, but a much quicker start is absolutely imperative in 2019. They began with eight straight defeats last year, and starting against the 2018 AFL winners is far from ideal, but they should keep the scoreline close.
The first weekend is always hugely unpredictable, but with West Coast priced up at such a short price, there should be plenty of value and scope to get involved in the handicap markets. The additions of Lachie Neal, Lincoln McCarthy, Jarryd Lyons and Marcus Adams should help bolster the ranks, and they aren’t going to roll over here.
Josh Kennedy is a major doubt for the holders, and he is unlikely to be risked in this fixture. With the games coming thick and fast throughout April, they won’t to suffer any further setbacks as they bid to defend their crown this campaign. Nic Naitanui will definitely miss this game however. West Coast did suffer from a number of inconsistencies throughout the season, they weren’t fluent at all times, and it was their finals form which helped them progress.
Tom Hickey has been drafted into the squad, and he will add yet more experience and depth. They often play with two rucks during the regular season, so he will add some much needed competition for places.
It’s an intriguing clash, and I can’t wait to see how it pans out. It’s always difficult to defend your title, and it’s even tougher when you come up against an rejuvinated outfit such as the Lions.
BT Sport will be showing live matches and highlights in the UK throughout the AFL season
Soccer – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Netherlands vs Germany
There are a number of intriguing matches this weekend as the Euro 2020 Qualifiers begin. The International Breaks can be hit or miss, but there are some really tasty looking ties on Sunday, and this is one of them. Netherlands vs Germany is the third of my big betting events this weekend.
Joachim Low has been in the news this month for revamping his Germany squad, with a number of senior pros having been excluded from his future plans. Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummel won’t feature here, with a number of new faces included for this game.
I can’t wait to see the likes of Marco Reus and Leroy Sane in the squad, the latter has deserved his call-up, and has been in good form this campaign. After their disappointment this summer in Russia, it’s good to see a reaction from Low, and he’s described his squad as having a ‘new face’. Although there was plenty of dissatisfaction with the decision, the new-look squad will still be strong. However, one potential sticking point is the fact that Joshua Kimmich, team-mate of the exiled trio, has slammed the decision, and it remains to be seen whether that sits well with the boss.
Anyone who has watched the Bundesliga this season will have seen a number of talented young players come through, and establish themselves as top players. The likes of Maximilan Eggstein, Niklas Stark and Lukas Klosterman all hoping to get their first cap, whilst the likes of Kai Havertz and Leon Goretzka will continue to be younger members of the squad. With a number of Bayern players still in the squad, it’ll be interesting to see if Joachim Low can keep this squad together.
We will get to see the ultra-impressive Virgil Van Dijk in action on Sunday night, and he will be marshalling the Oranje’s back-line. He will be alongside Ryan Babel, the man who forced him into an uncharacteristic mistake during Fulham’s match against Liverpool at the weekend. Van Dijk was one of the scorers as the Netherlands mounted an unlikely comeback against Germany when the sides met in the Nations League at the end of 2018, and I’m expecting another close encounter.
With questions about the unity of the German squad, and a new feel-good factor surrounding this Netherlands side, it is going to be a hugely intriguing and entertaining 90 minutes.
Sky Sports Mix are showing this Euro 2020 Qualifier live on Sunday night
Soccer – League One – Walsall vs Barnsley
We’re dipping down into League One for my fourth big betting event of the weekend. Barnsley are in promotion contention, and after failing to beat local-rivals Doncaster last weekend, they will be determined to bounce back in the Midlands.
Walsall are exactly the kind of side who cause problems for the promotion contenders, and they asked questions of Sunderland last weekend. Dean Keates side are still not safe in League One, and although there are 13 sides who could potentially face the drop, they are scrapping for every point. The Saddlers have been forced to play a slightly different style with Andy Cook absent through suspension, and it’ll be interesting to see how they approach this clash.
Walsall’s last three games have all come from corners, with Jon Guthrie and Josh Gordon all scoring in recent weeks, and Barnsley will have to be at their best in order to keep them off the scoresheet.
Having said that, Barnsley’s XG rating has been superb this campaign, and they’ve given up the fewest chances in League One this year. Daniel Stendel’s men still have ground to make up on Luton, but they will be confident of returning to the Championship at the first time of asking.
The Tykes will start as the favourites for this tie, but Walsall will not make it easy, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Barnsley leave the Bescott with a very narrow victory. They’ve been excellent at home this year, and despite not being at their best last weekend, seven days off will certainly help them freshen up for this tie.
Sky Sports will be showing this League One game live on Saturday
