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Tag: Hosts

  • Hosts can win this bitter rivalry

    Hosts can win this bitter rivalry

    The biggest match of the Cricket World Cup takes place on Saturday morning (09:30), as hosts India and their bitter rivals Pakistan face off at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. We’ve previewed this contest and given you our betting predictions. 

    Well… where to begin with this one?

    I’ll spare you most of the politics but safe to say these two countries really don’t get along and have fought three wars since the partitioning of India, back in 1947. That bad blood has meant that India (4/9) and Pakistan (7/4) have played each other sparingly over the years and especially in recent times.

    There was even talk of Pakistan boycotting this competition entirely, after India refused to play in Pakistan during the recent Asia Cup, however, a compromise was reached and India played their games in Sri Lanka instead, meaning Pakistan would line up at CWC2023.

    All 132,000 tickets at the Narendra Modi stadium are of course sold out but this will be a weird, almost ethereal partisan atmosphere, as it will be virtually completely Indian, with Pakistan supporters unable to travel, due to Visa issues. Tickets are apparently reaching around 25,000 rupees (£250) on the resale market

    On top of that, the Pakistani squad are under armed guard in their hotel and are forbidden from venturing into the city of Ahmedabad. So much for cricketing diplomacy…

    Onto the actual game and both sides are in the top four in the table after a perfect start of two wins from two. Rohit Sharma’s men made short work of both Australia and Afghanistan and are living up to their tags as pre-tournament favourites.

    Meanwhile, Babar Azam & Co. have chugged along nicely too, making hard work of it against the Netherlands, before completing a majestic chase to defeat Sri Lanka. This game is a step up for both nations though and it’s clear to see there are more than just bragging rights on the line here.

    Team news

    Shubman Gill will ‘definitely’ play according to India’s former chief selector MSK Prasad and should hopefully be back to his brilliant best after recovering from a troubling dengue fever, that kept him out of the first two games.  Mohammed Shami could come in to replace Mohammed Siraj after his expensive spell against Afghanistan.

    India (from) : Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

    Imam-ul-Haq is under severe pressure to keep his place at the top of the order, following two failures with the bat and could be replaced by Fakhar Zaman.

    Pakistan (from) : Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim

    India to win, highest 15 overs and hit most sixes – 9/5

    The odds on India to win are way too short for my liking in a match of this magnitude but I do expect them to win nonetheless.

    The two sides have faced-off in seven previous World Cup fixtures with the Indians having a perfect 7-0 record to date.

    India haven’t been properly tested yet so their scores haven’t been really high but they have scored quickly and have thrashed 11 sixes to Pakistan’s 8.

    Mohammad Rizwan to hit a 4 and a 6 – 13/5

    One man who has been responsible for three of those eight Pakistan maximums is their brilliant keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

    The 31-year-old was magnificent in leading the Green Shirts’ run chase against Sri Lanka and made 131* despite battling severe cramps.

    Rizwan looks in tremendous nick right now, scoring 199 runs in his opening two fixtures and his explosive style means this should hit if he can spend time at the crease.

  • Hosts’ experience to come through

    Hosts’ experience to come through

    We may only be a few weeks into the season but there is already an exciting top-of-the-table clash taking place in the Bundesliga on Friday night as Bayern Munich entertain Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena. There are some enticing markets in this contest which could offer great value to punters.

    Match Odds:

    The Friday night game from the Bundesliga on Sky Sports Mix sees Bayern Munich a pretty hefty betting favourite, available to back at 4/7 for the win. Bayer Leverkusen are a 4/1 shot with the draw available to back at 18/5. BTTS fans will see that we expect both goalkeepers to have to pick the ball out of the back of the net, with 2/5 for Yes and 7/4 for No. This also passes over to the over/under 2.5 market, where 1/3 are the odds for over with 9/4 for the unders. It should also be no surprise that Harry Kane is the favourite to score anytime at 3/5.

    Team news:

    Bayern Munich’s biggest absentee remains to be goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as he recovers from his fractured leg. It remains to be seen if full-back Raphael Guerreiro will be match fit in time for the visit of Leverkusen.

    As for Bayer Leverkusen, manager Xabi Alonso is still without forward Patrik Schick and is likely to be without defender Arthur.

    Harry Kane to score first at 16/5

    England striker Harry Kane has been enjoying a positive start in his new life in Germany. The 30-year-old has three goals in three Bundesliga appearances and he already looks settled in Bayern Munich’s front line.

    Thomas Tuchel fought hard to get the striker on board knowing that his impact would be immeasurable. Kane is already repaying the faith to his manager with goals and strong performances as he looks to help Bayern claim another league title and help them win the Champions League again.

    Kane’s incredible goalscoring record in the Premier League and on the international stage proves that he is one of the greatest finishers of his generation and those attributes will likely see him have another profitable campaign in Germany.

    One thing that is yet to happen for him in the Bundesliga is to open the scoring. In a crunch clash of this magnitude, it is designed for big players to step up and deliver big moments, and this feels like a game that is built for Kane to open proceedings.

    Bayern Munich and both teams to score (Yes) at 11/8

    Bayern Munich have monopolised the Bundesliga for 11 years now and while Borussia Dortmund have pushed them on a couple of occasions, they’ve still been able to keep on winning. Bayer Leverkusen are a club that is growing on the field under an exciting young coach in Alonso, but still no one is able to match Bayern’s firepower just yet.

    Both teams head into this one with three wins from three. Leverkusen’s rise under Alonso is one of the stories to keep an eye on this year, both in the Bundesliga and the Europa League. They will certainly add to the excitement of the top-four race this year even if it might be too soon for them to rival Bayern for the crown.

    As the home side, Bayern will be favoured in this battle. The atmosphere from the fans inside the Allianz Arena will hand Alonso and his players their toughest test of the campaign so far, and it will be difficult.

    This fixture looks set to be difficult for the hosts, too. Leverkusen have looked sharp in their fixtures so far and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the club at the moment as to the direction they are heading in under Alonso. And of course there is always the expectancy from supporters on Bayern to deliver the league title, especially when you’ve won the past 11 in a row.

    Bayern will experience a tough test in this one but the home advantage should get them through. We might end up having a bit of a goal-fest on our hands in this one. It is also worth noting that both these teams have been involved in two matches so far in which both teams have scored.

     

  • Monterrey, Mexico Hosts ‘High-Quality’ Challenger

    Monterrey, Mexico Hosts ‘High-Quality’ Challenger

    The ATP Challenger event in Monterrey, Mexico is not only a fan favourite, but consistently ranks towards the top of players’ lists as well.

    Club Sonoma, where the Challenger 125 event is hosted, sits under breathtaking views of the Nuevo León mountains. The tournament has a plethora of off-court activities for fans to enjoy alongside world-class tennis. Next week, there will also be a WTA 250 event at the venue. Autograph sessions and interactive kids clinics are organised throughout the week. A hospitality area is filled with food trucks, vendors and games for fans to enjoy.

    Among players’ favourite aspects of the tournament are the views, first-class organisation, and everything that Monterrey has to offer as one of Mexico’s largest cities.

     

    “The Challenger 125s tend to be higher quality and I think this one is special even among those. We have everything here,” World No. 103 Nuno Borges told ATPTour.com. “I really like the views. The hotel and the club have nice views, that was my first impression. The courts are pretty quick too because it’s at altitude.

    “I’d like to go for a hike in Monterrey, but it’s not very energy efficient! Hopefully when I’m done with the tournament, I can explore a little bit.”

    Past champions at the Abierto GNP Seguros include David Ferrer (2018), Alexander Bublik (2019) and Fernando Verdasco (2022). Now in its eighth edition, the Monterrey Challenger always finds ways to improve.

    “It’s one of the best Challengers I’ve played, it might be number one, honestly,” World No. 124 Aleksandar Kovacevic said. “The fans here are unbelievable. I don’t know where they come from. I guess they do a good job of marketing the tournament. It’s amazing, I love it here. The other night against Adrian Mannarino was one of the coolest experiences in tennis and I’ve played in some decent stadiums, so I would say that’s saying something.

    Aleksandar Kovacevic greets fans at the 2023 Monterrey Challenger.
    Aleksandar Kovacevic greets fans at the 2023 Monterrey Challenger. Credit: Abierto GNP Seguros

    “I wouldn’t consider myself in any sense a big shot. Having that many people ask for my autograph is flattering but also a bit confusing. I hope in the future to have more of those moments.”

    Mexican doubles players Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela and Hans Hach Verdugo, who saved three match points Thursday to advance to the semi-finals, are aiming to collect the trophy on home soil this weekend. The duo shared that the minute details of the tournament go a long way to leave a strong impression on players.

    “It’s special for us to be at home, we look forward to it,” Reyes-Varela said. “I think tournaments in Mexico are very well organised, that’s a common thing you hear from players. Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey have both won Challenger Of The Year before. They try to take care of players.”

    “I don’t think many Challengers have the stadium we have here,” Hach Verdugo said. “The amount of courts we have for practice is a lot, like seven practice courts. There’s always people taking care of the players’ lounge and transportation. It’s a great atmosphere. Mexico likes to host and have foreigners. That’s why they’ve won many awards on the Challenger Tour.

    “They’ve had a bunch of activities, I heard the players’ party was out of this world but I wasn’t able to attend, I was still in Delray Beach. They want to do things right. Every year is better.”

    [NEWSLETTER FORM]

  • Haaland and other big stars return for the hosts

    Haaland and other big stars return for the hosts

    Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad in the Premier League’s early Saturday kick-off as the reigning champions look to go top of the league before the World Cup. 

    Pep Guardiola’s side currently sits in second place behind Arsenal and if the Gunners fail to beat Wolves on Saturday night and Man City win, then the Manchester club will go into the break on top of the standings.

    City have won their last three games in a row in the Premier League but it has been hard work for the defending champions of late.

    Last time out Guardiola’s side needed a last-minute winner from Erling Haaland to save the day against Fulham and the Spaniard has made several changes for today’s clash from the game midweek in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea.

    City have brought in Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Akanji De Bruyne, Silva, Foden and the main man, Erling Haaland, for today’s clash at the Etihad – which is the Norwegian striker’s first start in the Premier League since October 22.

    More Stories / Latest News

    As for Brentford, the Bees haven’t won any of their last four matches but remain nicely placed in the league table, sitting in eleventh.

    Last weekend the London club had their own last-minute drama as they were denied a win over Nottingham Forest due to an own goal. That will be seen as a blow by manager Thomas Frank but could make a big statement by getting a result today at the Etihad.

    The Danish coach has made three changes from the Forest draw with Zanka, Onyeka and the Bees’ top scorer, Ivan Toney, returning for the away side.

     

    The post Man City vs Brentford team news: Haaland and other big stars return for the hosts appeared first on CaughtOffside.

  • Rafa Nadal Academy Hosts ATP Challenger Tour Event

    Rafa Nadal Academy Hosts ATP Challenger Tour Event

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    The ATP Challenger Tour takes over the world-class facilities at Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain for one week to host the Rafa Nadal Open by Sotheby’s.

    The tournament site is on an island of tennis paradise. The academy is home to 26 tennis courts (hard and clay), multiple pools, an on-site hotel, a full service restaurant, squash courts, padel courts, a state-of-the-art gym, physio rooms, and the Rafa Nadal Museum.

    The tournament’s facilities stand out to Challenger Tour players, including Belgian Zizou Bergs, who is seeded fourth at this week’s tournament.

    “It’s my second time here, at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Honestly, I would pay money to be here,” Bergs said. “I see tourists coming in and I’m thinking how special it is to stay here and compete. They are here to see the museum in the day and come to watch you play tennis in the evening. Seeing all the facilities they have, it’s a privilege to be here. I think a lot of players think this way too.”

    Since the event began in 2018, Joan Suasi has been the tournament director. Though the work is hard, Suasi knows how vital hosting a Challenger at the Academy is.

    “It’s the most important event of the academy,” Suasi said. “We put a lot of energy into it and are super happy to see that people are having such a good time.”

    The week following the tournament, the annual and semester educational programs begin for players from 11 to 18-years-old. During the summer months, the academy holds a variety of summer camps. Despite the challenge of hosting the tournament during the first week of the US Open, Suasi claims it’s the perfect week for the academy.

    “We have our annual school starting next week and we ended summer camps last week. Basically, we have this gap in between those weeks, which we use for our Challenger event. We need all the facilities to organise this event, including the hotel and the residences that we use to house staff. There’s a lot of people involved in the tournament so we need to be at full capacity.”

    Some of the games’ best players have made their way to the Mallorca Challenger. In 2019, three-time major champion Andy Murray opted to play in his return from hip surgery. A large smile came across Suasi’s face as he recalled the day the former World No. 1 played in his backyard.

    “I remember friends of mine were calling me the afternoon Andy was supposed to play, saying, ‘Is he really here? Is he really going to play the Challenger here?’”

    Former World No. 7 Fernando Verdasco made his tournament debut last year, when he reached the quarter-finals. Carlos Alcaraz, Bernard Tomic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Pablo Andujar are among others that have paid a visit to the event.

    [ATP APP]

    Suasi takes pride in providing an enjoyable experience not just for the players, but also for the fans, including a focus on being family-friendly.

    “It’s a free ticket so many people who come here can also go to the museum, which has reduced admission this week. The museum is where Rafa has all his trophies and there are also a lot of activities to do at the museum, including different simulators like Formula One, mountain biking, and skiing. It’s very nice because it’s very family oriented.”

    The Rafa Nadal Academy opened in 2016 and when the tournament began two years later, the goal has always been to give back to the sport.

    “The highlight for me is when I look around and see lots of people coming and having a good time. We are trying to give something back with this tournament, this is not our business. We are a tennis academy, our business is in something else. When somebody comes to me and says, ‘Thank you, you’re doing a good job, this is a great place to be.’ When I go to sleep, I’m proud of that.”

    The academy invests in hosting a Challenger tournament because they recognise how vital the ATP Challenger Tour is to professional tennis. This year, academy graduates Abdullah Shelbayh and Daniel Rincon are among the field, providing them an opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.

    “For us as an academy, it’s super big to have a Challenger… It’s the path you need to go through if you want to become one of the top players in this sport. The Challenger Tour puts a lot of effort in making the path easier and is always looking for the benefit of the player,” Suasi said.

      

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