Get in the Game - with Nigel Ridgway of bet365 *US Edition*
Nigel Ridgway
NFL Week 8
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IND Colts @ KC Chiefs
Live betting - Su Oct 31 - 1:00 pm EST/17:00 GMT
The first live game this Halloween weekend looks to be a real 'thriller' between two AFC teams out to improve their wildcard prospects. The Colts (4-2) are scaring off their divisional rivals, but could be in for a real fright against a Kansas (2-4) team who have been showing definate signs of improvement recently. The Chiefs will still be haunted by their 38-31 defeat at the hands of the Colts in last season's divisional playoffs and, in particular, the nightmarish vision of Peyton Manning who made their defence look very ordinary indeed. Manning was the star of the show then - completing 9-of-13 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and 13-of-17 for 161 yards and a score in the second half - and was impressive again last week, throwing for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Scary stuff indeed! The Colts will no doubt be racking up their fair share of points, but assuming the Chiefs can stop Manning occasionally during the 60 minutes, winning will come down to whether their running back Priest Holmes can continue to gobble up the yards. Holmes, who rushed for all four of his scores in the first half and gained 139 yards on 22 carries against Atlanta last week, is reported to have recovered sufficiently from a sprained ankle to start on Sunday. Last week's 56-10 rout, against the league's top-ranked rushing defence, was a devastating performance from the Chief's offensive line who cleared the way for an NFL-record eight rushing touchdowns and 271 yards on the ground. The Colts, last in AFC defence, cannot expect any treats on Sunday. Pick: Kansas (+1.0) @ 10/11.
bet365 Game Lines:
Point Spread: Colts (-1.0) @ 10/11, Chiefs (+1.0) @ 10/11
Totals: 57.0 @ 10/11.
Money: Colts @ 50/59, Chiefs @ 50/51.
NCAAF
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Live betting - Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State
Sa Oct 30 - 12:00 pm EST (ABC)/16:00 GMT
After pulling off stunning upsets in 2001 and 2002, Oklahoma State will be hopeful of pulling off another shocker this weekend against their instate rivals. Last year's 52-9 win for Oklahoma was far more predictable, however, and with the Sooners playing with brutal efficiency on both sides of the ball this season (unbeaten in seven) that looks unlikely. The Sooners are coming off a 41-10 pasting of the visiting Kansas last weekend, the fifth time that they have scored at least 30 points in a game, and the third time they has put up at least 40.With a move up to the number two spot in the BCS and a ticket to the national title there for the taking, they will be pumped up for a big show before their clash with Big 12 South rivals Texas A&M the first weekend of November. Oklahoma State are themselves coming off a solid start, and bounced back well from their first setback of the year by rallying past Missouri on the road last weekend (down 17-0 at halftime). The Cowboys have talent on both sides of the ball, and trail their rivals by a single game in the standings, but aren't quite on the same level. Expect Oklahoma to post a sold win, although it may be close for a while. Pick: Oklahoma (-12.5) @ 10/11.
Join us for live betting on both the above games here at bet365, when our markets will include: Point Spread; Game Total; Team To Make Next Score; and Next Score Of The Game.
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Breeders Cup Meeting, Lone Star Park, TEX
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Sa Oct 30 - 4:35 EST (NBC)/20:35 GMT
As usual there is much to look forward to at this year's Breeders Cup meeting, although from a Europeans prospective it is disappointing not to see more of our runners make the journey. At least we look to have an outstanding chance in the Filly & Mare Turf race with Ouija Board, whose participation was guaranteed once the threat of racing taking place on soft ground receded. Ouija Board has one key statistic in her favour in that horses beaten in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe have won six Breeders Cup races - and though the Arc was under four weeks ago, her trainer Ed Dunlop is confident she is over that race. With the going described as 'perfect English good ground', and a good draw, she must have a great chance of ending her season in the best possible way.
bet365 Filly & Mares Turf prices … Ouija Board 7/4, Light Jig 7/2, Yesterday 7/1, Wonder Again 8/1, Megahertz, Riskaverse 10/1, others on bet365 website.
There is no European challenger in the Classic, but that does not detract from what looks to be a quality field. Pleasantly Perfect returns to defend his title but could face a stiff challenge from the likes of Ghostzapper, who earned a Beyer speed figure of 128 when winning at Monmouth in August - the best since the figures were first published in 1992. Ghostzapper can get a nice lead from Azeri for a mile before kicking clear and holding the late thrust of the favourite. Sweet Catomine will be all the rage for the Juvenile Fillies after her impressive win in the Del Mar - one of the most impressive middle-moves you'll ever witness! The Europeans are well represented in the Mile, where Whipper looks to be our best chance, but connections of the fast improving three-year-old Artie Schiller could be rewarded for their decision to take on older horses. This one looked awesome in the last furlong of the Jamaica Handicap at Belmont last time out, and has tasted defeat only once in his last six starts - to Kitten's Joy! If the latter brings the form of his last race at Belmont to Lone Star Park, then the Turf race is all over! Here at bet365 we can help you avoid the betting window queues with ante post odds on all eight races, and live betting on the day, so just sit back and enjoy!
MLB 2005 World Series
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The Boston Red Sox are our 4/1 joint favourites to repeat their curse breaking World Series victory next year, after beating the St Louis Cardinals 3-0 on Wednesday for their first championship since 1918. The Red Sox finished the postseason on a record eight-game winning streak that started in the ALCS, to become only the fourth team in history never to trail during the Fall Classic. Anything less than eight wins would have continued the so-called 'Curse of the Bambino', which started in 1920 when the team owner sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Derek Lowe pitched several shutout innings to put the finishing touches on a four game sweep of the best-of-seven series, and, now he is a free agent, could be hot property in the offseason, especially after the way he pitched in the playoffs.
bet365 2005 World Series prices … Red Sox, NY Yankees 4/1, Cubs, Cardinals 15/2, Angels 9/1, Astros 10/1, Athletics 12/1, others on request. Win only.
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series - MBNA 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway
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Su Oct 31 - 12:30 pm EST (NBC)/16:30 GMT
Last week's selection Jimmie Johnson duly obliged at 8/1, his second race in a row, and there is no reason why he can't go in again this week. The track at Atlanta is nearly identical to Charlotte, where he swept the season last year, while he has finished 3rd and 4th in his last two races here. Now he is on a roll, Johnson is the sort of driver who could easily go on win the remaining four races of the season, although he would still need help from the others to win the championship outright. Last week's win may have moved him up four places in the standings, but he only gained 20 points on leader Kurt Busch, who continued his remarkable run of consistency with another great run at Martinsville. Busch's position was strengthened further when several of his rivals for the championship fell away last week, and he could close the door on them with a win in Atlanta. He won this race two years ago while enjoying a similarly impressive run then like he is now. A driver not in the chase is Bobby Labonte, but considering he is one of the best ever on the track must come into calculations this week. Labonte has six wins over his career, the last coming in the spring last season, and he has only four shots before going winless on a season for the first time since 1994.
Nigel's Checkered Flag … Jimmie Johnson @ 8/1, Bobby Labonte @ 14/1.
bet365 MBNA 500 prices … Dale Earnhardt Jr. 11/2, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne 7/1, Jimmie Johnson 8/1, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart 9/1, others on bet365 website. Each-way 1/5 1.2.3.
Get in the game and be lucky!
Nigel.
Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times are subject to change. Check local listings for TV coverage on these events
NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that "The key to successful gambling is getting value for money." Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com
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