DURBAN – Boy, there is a lot going on this weekend. First things first: after the Boks “kissed their Oz sister” in Perth last week, expect a tough game against the All Blacks in Albany.
Realistically, the Boks haven’t beaten these chaps in eight years, but are tasty at 11/2. All Blacks are under 1/10, with the draw (imagine that) at 33/1. The handicap is 19 points.
Expect an almighty scrap, but our bench is not nearly as strong as theirs. Australia against Argentina could be a belter, especially if the Pumas put in a shift similar to last week. Argies at 4/1 and Australia at 2/10, and a handicap of 13 points.
Bones says go with the away team on the spread.
PRO14 brings Euro flavour to African shores. Kings will see flames against Leinster – even with help from Home Affairs – and Cheetahs should squeak in against Zebre.
Look at the spread for both Leinster and Cheetahs.
The EPL returns after midweek madness for those fortunate five in the Champions League. Strange hearing that tune with Arsenal not in it, I must say.
Anyhoo, Huddersfield will look to keep living the dream against Leicester.
Have a look at home team win +draw at 6/10. Liverpool host Burnley, who are at a ludicrous 8/1 – I may take a dip at that price! Goals written all over this.
Then we have Watford hosting a red-hot Man City, who will keep banging them in.
On Sunday, we wake up to boxing: Gennady Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) v Saul Alvarez (41-1, 31 KOs) in what should be a real boxing match, rather than that fixed farce a couple of weeks ago.
We have a real bust-up between heavy punchers, with GGG as 6/10 favourite, while the Mexican spice is at 13/10. GGG holds the IBO, WBC, WBO – keep up – and then there is a new WBC, Mexican-themed belt to commemorate their national vakansie. Strange, ne? But it’s Vegas.
Lunchtime brings Chelsea v Gunners at The Bridge. Man United host Everton and a Rooney reunion, and that alone will be worth the watch. I’d take a sneaky look at Rooney as an anytime goal-scorer.
Both Sunday’s visiting teams are playing a second game in four days, so that fatigue factor makes home teams a sensible punt. However, write off the hurting Gunners at your peril. The draw is at 5/2.
Bones, over and out.
* The Golovkin v Alvarez fight will be broadcast on SuperSport from 2am on Sunday on channel 202.