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Opinion
We have an action packed weekend of sport coming up and there is plenty of value to be found. Here are my top picks from across the board. This is my first post of its kind, make sure you do your own research before following and best of luck punting!
The Masters
Bet: Top Rest of World – Cam Smith $4
The biggest event on the golfing world’s calendar just got that much bigger with the announcement that five time winner Tiger Woods will make his highly anticipated return at Augusta National after spending almost two years out dealing with injuries sustained in a high speed car accident.
As much as everyone would love to see Tiger add a sixth green jacket to his collection, my pick for the week is the Aussie golden boy, Cam Smith.
Nothing would make the fans down under happier than to see the iconic mullet paired with an illustrious green jacket. Cam is currently paying $15 to win outright, but my pick of the tournament is for Smith to be the top player from the rest of the world paying $4.
Other contenders in this category include fellow Aussies, Mark Leishman at $13 and Adam Scott (2013 Masters Champion) at $11, defending champion Hideki Matsuyama at $9, South African veteran Louis Oosthuizen at $11 and in form Canadian Corey Conners at $10.
Despite being the favourite, $4 is great value for Cam who has two wins and four top ten finishes in seven events this season. He is ranked eighth in shots gained on approach and 3rd in shots gained putting arguably the two most important categories at Augusta.
Cam dazzled the field with a sublime putting display at the Player’s Championship, sinking an incredible 42 one-putts on his way to the US$3.5m prize. His record at the Master is just as impressive with three top 10 finishes in five appearances, including a runner-up to Dustin Johnson in 2020.
Arguably the biggest threat to this bet is the defending champion Matsuyama, however he recently had to withdraw for the Valero Texas Open last weekend with an apparent neck injury. With only a week to recover and prepare for his title defense, a repeat performance of 2021 for Hideki seems unlikely.
NRL
Bet: Rooster 13+, Storm 13+, Rabbitohs 13+, Panthers 13+ – $9.87
This week we saw NRL commissioner Peter Vlandys publicly criticise the slow pace of play through the first four rounds.
The rule changes around ruck infringements and offsides have been a divisive topic amongst fans, but it’s clear that the Vlandys wants to see high scoring and fast paced footy in hopes to attract the younger audiences.
This is music to the ears of the top sides in the league and I expect to see them take full advantage of the increase speed of play.
First up, Roosters face off against a Broncos side which started strong but have suffered back to back defeats to the Cowboys and Warriors, both of which are significantly worse than the Roosters. Suncorp will be the driest pitch of the round and Roosters should have no trouble scoring plenty on a lacklustre Broncos defence.
Next up, Storm are travelling to Wagga to face off with the Raiders fresh off a 44-0 rout of the Bulldogs. Despite some belief that Raiders are a solid side, Storm are just several steps ahead and this won’t be a close game.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs have just one win through the first four rounds after facing some of the toughest sides in the league. Look for them to get their season back on track with a matchup against a Dragons side that shipped 42 points to the Eels last round. Latrell has scored in almost every game he has played against the Dragons so expect him to featured heavily in a convincing victory.
Lastly, not much needs to be said about the Panthers, they are still the best team in the league and with Cleary fit and firing once more, they will have no problems beating a poor Bulldogs side by 13+.
AFL
Bet: St Kilda to win, Carlton to win 25+ – $5.04
One of St Kilda and Hawthorn will be 3-1 after this round and it is just a lot easier to believe that team will be the Saints. They have won the last three matchups against the Hawks most recently a 69 point thrashing in May last year.
Last week, the Saints had an impressive come from behind win against Richmond producing possibly the most dominant final period of the season so far outscoring the Tigers 43-6 in the fourth quarter to run away with a 33-point victory.
Meanwhile Hawthorn came achingly close to pulling off their own miraculous comeback against Carlton in round three.
After being down 30 at half time the Hawks surged their way back into the match before falling 1 point short as losing 74-73 to the Blues.
I expect that heartbreak will carry over to round four and also expect Jack Steele and Max King to continue their run of hot form and move to 3-1.
On the other side of town, Carlton are quietly putting together an impressive start to the 2022 season, undefeated with win over the Tigers, Bulldogs and Hawks, they will look to go 4-0 and cement their spot amongst the title favourites.
This week they play Gold Coast who, despite a round one win against a very short handed West Coast side, have been rather unimpressive. I expect Carlton to continue to ride their prolific forwards and dispose of the Suns in convincing fashion.
Formula One
Bet: Carlos Sainz Fastest Lap – $5
The Formula One finally makes its return to Australian shores for the first time in since 2019 for the Australian GP. The drivers face a new and improved Albert Park, including longer DRS zones with the hope for a more exciting race.
Through two races it has become clear that the Ferrari car is the fastest on track and Charles Leclerc looks to have stepped up a level behind the wheel, he currently leads the Driver’s Championship over his teammate Carlos Sainz and defending champion Max Verstappen in third.
I expect the Ferrari’s to continue to set a blistering pace and likely one of the two drivers to take pole on Saturday. Sainz is still yet to win a race and while this may not be his breakthrough race, he is definitely capable of setting the fastest lap whether in qualifying or during the race.
Leclerc took out the fastest lap in the first two races of the season but if Sainz finds himself in some clear air and the race strategy allows for it don’t be surprised if he makes a run for the bonus point that comes with the fastest lap of the day.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.