Premier League Golden Boot 2011/12

Looters need not apply. In the current financial crisis, it appears gold is just about the only commodity still retaining its value. Even your average Premier League footballer would be keen to have a boot made of the stuff. And here is our lowdown on who will snaffle this year’s version. Amazingly, no English striker has top-scored in the top league for over a decade (Kevin Phillips did it in 1999/00). That is surely bad news for current favourite Wayne Rooney. Lay him at 9.6. In addition, no striker from a club finishing outside the top four at the end of the season has been top scorer for a decade either, so unless you’re mentally deficient, or a close relative... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

England vs India 3rd Test

Panic on the Streets of London, Panic on the Streets of Birmingham. So sang the Smiths all those years ago. And whilst there is undoubtedly panic on the streets of London right now, if the Edgbaston wicket proves as lively as we have come to expect, there could be some serious panic on the grass of Birmingham too. A complete inability to deal with the short ball or Jimmy Anderson’s swing, has resulted in the Indians finding themselves two down with two matches to play. It’s now or never for them – another England win will see them displaced as world number one. The weather forecast suggests overcast conditions, and if England finally win a toss, early wickets could tumble.... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

5 things to watch for – Premier League 2011/12 Preview

Strap yourselves in for the ride ahead. The Emirates Cup last weekend saw Arsenal fail to land a trophy. And although not everything can be quite as predictable as that these days, don’t be surprised to get a sense of déjà vu when the following happens in the Premier League this season. 1) One of the promoted teams will ‘catch everyone by surprise’ by winning a few games before the end of October. A reporter on Match of The Day will chuckle heartily when asking the manager if he is dreaming of Europe. They will then go 18 games without a win from January and get relegated. Swansea are the most likely candidates. Back them to go down at 1.62... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Two to Watch – Republican Presidential Nominee

Who next to make a big mess even worse. Jon M.Huntsman Amidst the various maniacs the Republican party seem keen to inflict on the electorate, one man stands above the fray. Jon Huntsman has been the US Ambassador to China for the past couple of years, and is a fairly conservative type of conservative. However, having been originally nominated for the China gig by Obama, his association with the current President won’t go down too well with a fiercely anti-Obama Republican base. If he does sneak the nomination, expect election debates to be of a far chummier nature than usual. Jon Huntsman is 18 to be the Republican nominee at Betfair. If the current stand-off over debt ends messily for... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Glorious Goodwood

So glorious they named it so. Good news for the posh. The Cartier Polo event last weekend may have claimed to be the highlight of the summer social calendar, but if you missed it, another event with the same claim is here. So upper-class is it, that it is estimated 500 lobsters will be served throughout the week. Romford Greyhounds it is not – welcome to Goodwood, five days of horseracing, and barely a dropped vowel in sight. Let us mark your card: The Sussex Stakes – Wednesday 27th July This could prove the most exciting race of the week, as Frankel goes head to head with Canford Cliffs over a mile. Both horses arrive with impressive victories at Ascot... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Horse Racing, Oggsblog)

Two Guays, One Cup

Copa America Final. Not since Homer Simpson pronounced it U r gay, have Uruguay caused such confusion on the global stage. The 2011 Copa America final was meant to be Argentina-Brazil of course – the entire tournament structure was virtually rigged to that effect. Yet Sunday night will see the battle of the Guays, as Para attempt to topple Uru, and possibly become the first side ever to win a tournament without winning a single match in it. For the first time since 1987 (when both have entered), the Copa America final is lacking a Brazilian or an Argie. Judging from Paraguay’s semi-final however, there should be no shortage of argie-bargie at least. But even a hearty dose of mindless... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 24th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

We don’t like Cricket – we love it

Time for the big sporting event of the summer. Andy Murray’s annual Wimbledon surrender. David Haye opting to box Valdimir Klitschko from below the waist. Even the England Women’s football team long-balling their way to penalty defeat. It’s been a highly unsatisfactory sporting summer for GB’s leading athletes. The good news however, is that the biggest sporting event of the silly season is still to come and begins this week. The two best test teams in the world will eye each other up over four matches, and if England win by two clear tests, they will leapfrog the visitors India to become the kings of the world. (As a side note, we firmly believe India will have the better of... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Trannys

Premier League big boys kick off their own debt crisis. Given the tabloid press don’t have much actual football to discuss over the summer, it has always struck us as somewhat of a stroke of fortune that the back pages can be filled with the potential comings and goings at all the top Premier League clubs. These days, football transfers are all about making money, so it is little surprise the big betting companies are keen to take their slice of the pie. Here are four markets to watch for: Cesc Fabregas: Rivalling only the T20 in annual tedium, the ‘Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona’ transfer, is back once more this year. And this time it appears to be happening. However,... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, July 18th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Open Golf 2011

Time for a Sandwich. For the true sporting connoisseur, the Open Championship is unquestionably the greatest annual sporting event on the calendar. The final Sunday never fails to produce wonderful drama, all played out against a backdrop of beautiful terrain, huge crowds, and of course, Peter Alliss (see below for a fine example of his craft). This year, in addition to all the above, there is a strong chance of a home winner. Indeed, in the Betfair winners market, the top three favourites are British, with the following three all European. Nick Watney is the shortest-priced American, and he doesn’t roll in until 38. The days of two-horse Major USA showdowns between Tiger and old Leftie seem a long way... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Oggsblog)

British Grand Prix

Racing is coming home… The F1 season reaches Silverstone this weekend, where Sebastien Vettel will be looking to extend his 77 point lead at the top of the World Championship. Yet however exciting this Sunday’s race is, it’s unlikely to top the drama of 1995. Michael Schumacher arrived as favourite, leading the Drivers’ Championship, 11 clear of Damon Hill. The German had won three of the previous four races but Hill had won on home soil in 1994 and was eager to do so again. Rain fell just 30 minutes before the race, causing teams to throw their well-honed tactical plans out of the window. Schmuacher led early on but by lap 46, Hill’s new tyres were giving him the... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, July 8th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Oggsblog)