Football
Premier League managers will welcome back their players with open arms this morning after a relatively injury-free night of international football. Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Spurs’ Steven Caulker were on the scoresheet for England’s 4-2 reverse in Sweden thanks to four-goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It was a double blow for the Three Lions who also saw Montenegro leap-frog them to the top of Group H after beating San Marino 3-0.
The Guardian reports this morning that Manchester City are ready to break the bank and sign Liverpool’s Luis Suarez for £40m. And as if Brendan Rodgers didn’t have enough on his plate – City striker Mario Balotelli could head to Anfield as part of the deal.
- Betting: Premier League
Darts
Raymond ‘Barney’ van Barneveld qualified for the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts after a 5-2 win over Wayne Jones. Canadian John Part beat Tony O’Shea 5-4 in a straight shootout for a place in the knockout stages to top Group E.
Brendan Dolan qualified from Group F, while Wes Newton won Group G - tipped as a likely winner of the tournament on the Paddy Power blog – with Wesley Harms beating Martin Phillips 5-2 to qualify aswell.
If the final check-out of any match is 100+ Paddy Power will refund your losing betting-in-running match bets on that game.
- Betting: Grand Slam outright
- Betting: Grand Slam coupon
- Betting preview: Why we’re backing Wes Newton to make the final
Racing
Paul Nicholls’ former Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Al Ferof is ‘flying’ ahead of a tile at the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday according to owner John Hales. The grey is 7/1 third favourite in the sponsor’s online betting and don’t forget that Paddy Power’s Money-back special if your selection finishes second to a Ruby Walsh-ridden winner at this weekend’s Open Meeting.
Frankel’s fee at stud has been set at £152,000 for his first season as a stallion. Henry Cecil’s unbeaten wonderhorse – rated the best in the world – when signing off on Champions Day at Ascot last month will be based at Manor Farm in Newmarket.
Thursday’s racing comes from Southwell, Clonmel, Ludlow, Taunton and Kempton.
