Oh it is on. The combined genius of JOE’s sporting heads takes on Paddy Power every week in a battle of betting acumen. Who’s your money on? Thought so.
JOE’s picks for this week:
Sligo Rovers to draw with Shamrock Rovers, 11/5
The two best teams in the country (sorry, St Pat’s) play at The Showgrounds and we think that both sides would be happy with a share of the spoils and should cancel each other out in this Saturday afternoon showdown.
Leinster to beat Glasgow (-13), 10/11
Okay, so Glasgow beat Leinster in the RDS earlier this season, and drew with them in Firhill, but we are taking our line from the Heineken Cup pool match in November, when Leinster won 38-13. We can’t see the Scots troubling the well-oiled Leinster machine and a comfortable win should set Joe Schmidt’s side up nicely for Heineken Cup duties next week.
Four or more goals between Manchester City and QPR on Sunday, 4/5
This bet has been our go to bet all year and we fully expect it to pay off for us one last time this season. QPR are fighting for their lives but their away record is dreadful. They have conceded more goals on their travels (38) than anyone else bar Blackburn (43). On the other hand City are unbeaten at home and have scored 52 goals in their 18 at the Etihad so far. Even if City don’t romp away like we expect, Djibril Cisse might nip in for one at the other end to help us hit the four-goal target.
Paddy’s picks for this week:
Leinster to beat Glasgow by 11-15, 4/1
In the Rabo it’s squeaky scrum time (anybody?) when Leinster take on the Glasgow Warriors in the semi-final. Glasgow’s Goldilocks Richie Gray has been key to the Warriors’ lineout performing well all season but we reckon that Brad Thorn will take him down. Add to that the fact that the notoriously strong Leinster squad will be fighting for places ahead of next week’s Heineken Cup final and it’s difficult to look past a Leinster win, hopefully by a margin of 11 to 15.
Manchester United to win to nil against Sunderland, 6/4
This Sunday Manchester United travel to the Stadium of Light, which also doubles as their retirement home, to face Sunderland. United’s form has been more up and down than a newlyweds panties but we can’t see them slipping up and with Sunderland’s players focused on a summer of frolics we think it’s a safe bet for Man Utd to win to nil.
Manchester City and QPR to draw, 7/1
Man City have been in smashing form of late winning their last five and in starting Tevez they’ve shown us that they are more than happy to win ugly. However, they looked edgy against Newcastle even after taking the lead. We reckon a QPR side with lots of fight in them (especially Joey Barton) and everything to play for could snatch a draw if they avoid conceding early on.
Each week these bets will be entered in a patent, a seven way bet with three singles, three doubles and a treble. A running total will be kept to see who’s the sharpest. May the best JOE, or Paddy, win.
