What was the standout result in Thursday’s World Cup qualifiers?

Germany are enjoying a renaissance since Hansi Flick took over as manager, and while beating Liechtenstein is not that impressive in itself, the 9-0 scoreline despite a much-changed team, will make other teams sit up and take note. This was the sixth straight win since Flick took over from Joachim Low, the first Germany manager to make such a start. Niklas Sule’s Covid infection meant five players missed out, but Germany, who have already qualified for the World Cup, were still far too good, going 4-0 up at half-time, including scoring three in three minutes. Liechtenstein had to play 80 minutes with 10 men as Germany peppered their goal with 42 shots, 23 on target. Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller both scored twice.

Total Goal Minutes x Corners (settled at 5928)

Even though this game was expected to be one-sided, the early dismissal coupled with the free flowing brand of football Hansi Flick has installed in this Germany side meant this was an absolute thrashing. The Total Goal Minutes x Corners spread was set at 3250-3425 and as expected, it was Germany doing all the work here. Their total goal minutes returned at 456 and they had 13 corners, giving a make-up of 5928 and a profit for buyers of 2503 times their bet.

Who won the other T20 World Cup semi-final for the right to play New Zealand in the final?

It will be Australia v New Zealand in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final after the Aussies just edged out Pakistan in a semi-final every bit as thrilling as New Zealand’s win over England on Wednesday. Unbeaten Pakistan posted 176-4 in their 20 overs, built around opener Mohammad Rizwan’s 67 off 52 balls. Just like England had the day before, favourites Pakistan looked to be just ahead all the way until the final few overs of the second innings. Australia needed 62 off the final five overs, and 37 off the final three but Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis guided them home. They still needed 20 off 10 balls when Wade, who finished unbeaten on 41 off 17 balls, hit three successive sixes to see his side home with an over to spare.

Multi-Sixes (settled at 80)

The big hitters were out in force in this thrilling game, and anyone buying Multi-Sixes would have been loving the number of times the ball sailed over the ropes. Pakistan hit eight maximums in their innings, and thanks to Wade’s late salvo, the Aussies added another 10 to settle Multi-Sixes at 80. The spread was set at 28-33 before the game, so buyers pocketed 47 times their bet.

Is Andy Murray’s comeback still on track?

Unfortunately Murray is out of the Stockholm Open after a quarter-final defeat to Tommy Paul. Just a day after his best result of the year, beating top seed and world number 10 Jannik Sinner, Murray couldn’t reach the same heights, going down 6-2 3-6 6-3 to the American and missing out on a first semi-final appearance in two years. We were tentatively looking forward to an all British semi, but Dan Evans was also knocked out by an American, losing 1-6 6-1 6-1 to Frances Tiafoe.

Paul Points (settled at 89)

A three-set match is usually good for punters buying spreads, and so it proved in the total points categories.  Tommy Paul’s pre-match spread for total points was set at 70-74, so buyers made a profit of 15 times their stake.