It’s Masters week, which naturally means that it’s a frenzy of sport this weekend! From Indian IPL to Super rugby, Hong Kong Sevens the Chinese Grand Prix and, of course, the golf, it is all happening!
Winds are up at Augusta, so that opens up the odds. The Bones say look out for the Europeans and possibly a sneaky ‘Saffer’ or Aussie. Those that follow golf, be it a punter or, better still those who play as much as they watch this game, know that to choose a winner in this fickle battle of fairways and greens – especially in the first Major of 2017 – is as easy as predicting the next reshuffle!
World number one Dustin ‘Bad Back’ Johnson was forced to withdraw from the Masters because of a lower back injury, while McIlroy is Rory-ing back to his old form. I have a sneaky suspicion he may come alive, but not quite the whole hog. Heidiki Matsuyama (18/1) must surely challenge, as will (Justin Thomas 35/1, Justin Rose 22/1, Phil Mickelson 25/1, Zach Johnson (who I fancy), and old heads in Adam Scott (28/1), Branden Grace, Good old Ernie, Charl the Schwartz and of course The Ice Man (Henrik Stenson) at 30/1, which we always like.
There is also the small matter of the pinnacle of the Rugby 7s, the Hong Kong Sevens, baby! You can’t get more epic than this belter of a festival of rugga rapture. It surely must be on most of our bucket list?! Look at Fiji, Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, England and Mzansi featuring in the top cup playoffs and, of course, we or one of the islanders taking it home.
Super Rugby continues, with some crackers now that we as Saffers get to test ourselves against the best from the Kiwis. Stormers look sharp, but are bound to feel the heat against a buoyed Chiefs span. This should be an absolute cracker, with The Bones leaning to the black of Chiefs to do it on the spread of -3.5 points surely a gift?
Footy follows a busy midweek schedule, both locally and internationally. Is it just I, or art thou madness in Leicester, where Shakespeare be in the midst of pulling a feline out his saucy satchel?
Tottenham (3/ 10) should cruise past Watford, and show Chelsea that they are still genuine contenders. Go for goals, with Ali on form.
As a Gooner my damn self (in case you didn’t notice, or last week’s Bones had you puzzling) I must say it is strange having Spurs above us -
and being in a young conundrum as to how you’d like this EPL season to end?
To be fair, even though we are enemies of the White Hart Lane mense, I wouldn’t mind a cheeky last minute title race, as we had in 2014/15,
and it literally came down to the last few kicks of the season. Spurs fans, best of luck bangani bami (if you read this drivel, you should have learnt a lot of non-English words, surely).
Man City (2/10) take on Hull (12/1) and will want to get back to winning ways after losing a hard scrap to Chelsea midweek. They must win convincingly. Hammers (11/10) are at home to the Swans (22/10), and should take this game with goals over 2.5. Middlesbrough (14/10) host Burnley (22/10), and Boro desperately need this win – which I feel they may achieve – just!
Chelsea (9/2) travel to Bournemouth (6/10), and this should be a banger. If you’re hoping for what all neutrals and I are, why not bet on an upset?
Then, after all that, there is a tasty Madrid Derby, which Barca fans will be watching closely and supporting the Atletico striped soldiers
(33/10). Go on, take a dip.
Lest we forget F1, which had McLaren on the podium, but the prancing hhashi (horse) on top. This kinda makes F1 a prospect for excellent viewing this year, with more than one garage in it, innit?
The Bones are out, happy viewing – and good luck punting!