This time of the year is always a good one for sports lovers with a wide variety of action to choose from. Along with all of the regular action we also have the luxury of the Paralympics to enjoy as well. We look at what the punters can take from Saturday and Sunday’s smorgasbord of sport.
1.Liverpool have big problems
If this wasn’t clear already then Sunday’s game with Arsenal certainly highlighted how much work Brendan Rodgers has to do before Liverpool can even think about challenging for the top four again. Up against one of their supposed rivals for Champions League qualification, the Reds looked toothless up front and open at the back as the Gunners controlled proceedings. Rodgers admitted afterwards that it was a mistake to let Andy Carroll leave but he will no doubt be feeling let down by the club’s failure to bring in a replacement.
At this point in time only a lunatic would back Liverpool to finish in the top four at 10/3 and, if they carry on as they are doing, then they won’t even make the top 10. On the other hand, Arsenal look a fairly sure bet to finish in the top four at 8/13 having finally ended their so-called crisis with victory at Anfield.
2. Robson has a bright future
What a summer it has been for 18-year-old Laura Robson. The British star followed up her Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles with a fantastic run at the US Open. Robson eliminated former Grand Slam champions Li Na and Kim Clijsters to reach the fourth round of the US Open. While the power of Sam Stosur proved too much in the end there are certainly a lot of positives for the former junior Wimbledon champion to take away with her.
Robson still has a lot to work on, in particular her serve, but it could be that Great Britain finally has a female who can compete at the Grand Slam events.
3. Wigan are the comeback kings of Super League
If Manchester United fans were impressed with their comeback at Southampton on Sunday, then they should have been at Craven Park to witness a remarkable turnaround by the Wigan Warriors. Trailing 26-0 at one point, Shaun Wane’s men managed to record a 42-36 win, in the process securing top spot in Super League.
The Warriors are 6/5 to come through the play-offs and win the Grand Final this year, a task which looks easily achievable after Sunday’s turnaround. Warrington and Leeds, who are 5/4 and 10/1 respectively, might have something to say about that but, after this weekend, you can’t look past Wigan.
4. London Welsh set for struggle
The new boys in the Aviva Premiership often don’t survive their first year in the top flight of rugby union, just look at Leeds Carnegie and their regular yo-yoing between divisions. London Welsh were given a baptism of fire on their Premiership debut at the weekend after being paired with Leicester Tigers.
While the Exiles team was largely unknown, especially after Gavin Henson broke a cheekbone in a friendly, the Tigers team had plenty of internationals, with the likes of Manu Tuilagi, Toby Flood and Ben Youngs in their starting XV.
The 13-38 victory for Tigers probably tells you what you already knew in that Leicester could be worth backing to be regular season winners at 2/1, while the Welsh have their work cut out to avoid relegation.
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