Tipsters Guide to the ZP -Week 3

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By WellSaint
September 13 2002

Once again Wellsaint returns to bring us his popular Zurich premiership predictions and betting tips for week three. If you followed his advice last week then you're minted this week, however as it says in the adverts 'past performance isn't always an indicator of future profits!'

ZURICH PREMIERSHIP BETTING PREVIEW - WEEK THREE


Well, that's better.. A near 43 point profit last week, let's look at this
weekend's offerings. Prices are from Ladbrokes (5/6 all teams) - no other
prices available as yet.


Friday: Sale Sharks vs PCP


a very hard game to call. Sale opened with a win against Saints and then were
smacked 44-8 at Glos. The PCP, meanwhile picked up their first points against
Quins at Wellbad Rd last week, after an opening day's loss at Leeds.
Possibly the pointer is that Sale seem to be scoring very few tries - or, will
the PCP have another 'mare game? Sale with the eight point start is my call,
although I think this will be left out of this weekend's bets.


Saturday: Bath vs High Wycombe Wasps (live on Lardy'n'Florist TV)

Bath, winless and with an injury list that could keep a series of Casualty
going, face a Wasps side that beat Bristol in the dying seconds last week.
Reports that Olly Barkley could miss the game, leading to a selection problem
for Bath at full-back, mean that Wasps are the likely winners. Wasps give up
a lot of penalties, but who's going to pot them for Bath? Wasps have a two
point start with Ladbrokes, and I think they will win, by around nine points.
A sound bet.


Saturday: Harlequins vs Leeds

Quins are still winless, whilst Leeds have scalped the PCP and the Thames
Valley Irish. And yet. I fancy Quins. This really is the kind of game they
have to win if they have any ambitions this season. Leeds haven't been on the
road yet, and, whilst they've had an excellent start to the season, may find
it harder on the road. Knowing Quins, they'll not win by far, though.. The
handicap line of 4 points start to Leeds is the same as my prediction. Quins
to win by five or more. risky, but the marginal better call I feel. A
sporting bet would be the draw (i.e. Quins to win by exactly four points) - at
16/1, there will be worse bets to strike this weekend.




Sunday: Brizzle Shoguns vs Saints

Back to the sandpit this weekend for Saints after a 31-13 victory over
Newcastle, which could have been more convincing. Bristol will be smarting
after losing at Wasps in injury time. Provided Saints can make their attacks
count, and keep the defence strong, they can be the winners. A cautionary
note: although Bristol have not won this season, they have scored 30+ points
per game. Saints a four point favourites on the handicap, and should beat
this, if not by very far.


Sunday: Thames Valley Irish vs Saracens

Irish still winless, Sarries two out of two coming into this game: Sarries I
think should win again, although I don't think it will be as easy as it was
last week. The only problem is that Irish will have to bounce back at some
point. Sarries are three point favourites, and that should be achievable.


Sunday: Newcastle Falcons vs Gloucester

Newcastle looked rudderless against Saints, and should have been more
comprehensively put away. Gloucester, not entirely convincing against Quins,
gave Sale a thorough going-over last weekend. How Gloucester are only 7 point
favourites I'm not sure; perhaps it's their legendary problems on the road.
This has got to be the bet of the weekend; Gloucester to beat Newcastle by
more than 7 points.


RECOMMENDATIONS

Five point treble Wasps +2, Sarries -3, Gloucester -7 (all 5/6)

Three point treble Sarries -3, Saints -4, Gloucester -7 (all 5/6)

One point win Quins - Leeds handicap draw (Quins to win by exactly 4 points) @
16/1

Eight point win Wasps +2 over Bath @ 5/6

Twelve point win Gloucester -7 over Newcastle @ 5/6

Twenty-nine points staked (rugby)


HORSE RACING

On the horse racing front, it is the St Leger this weekend. Bandari is my
selection, around 5/2 - have a five point win.

Good luck with your bets this weekend, and COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!


Wellsaint