Top 5 bets in Wales WC qualifier, Racing, IPL & more

Are there any World Cup qualifiers tonight?

Wales travel to Estonia tonight determined to avoid a repeat of the goalless draw these two played out in September’s reverse fixture. Manager Robert Page has vowed to ‘go for it’ and promised to pick an attacking team as his side don’t have anything to lose. It’s all but impossible to catch Belgium at the top of Group E, so a runners-up spot and a play-off is the best possible scenario. Wales are currently joint second with the Czech Republic, but with a game in hand, and they already have a play-off spot locked up through the Nations League, so really are only playing for a more favourable draw.

Total Goal Minutes 103-113

Despite the lack of goals in the meeting between these two sides last month, the positive statements from Wales manager Robert Page have prompted some buyers in various goals markets, including Total Goal Minutes. Page has the same squad – with no Gareth Bale – to pick from that played out a 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic, and says he will get plenty of attackers on the pitch as the go for the win. Will Estonia prove as stubborn as they were in Cardiff, or will the Welsh forwards have it their way?

Netherlands v Gibraltar

One World Cup qualifier that stands out as a bit of a mismatch is the game between the Netherlands and little Gibraltar. Punters looking at the reverse fixture for clues to this one will see it finished 7-0 and would quite rightly conclude it was all one-way traffic. But Gibraltar battled gamely and were only really found out late in the game, where the fitness of the Dutch stars really told. The game was 0-0 for 41 minutes and the Netherlands didn’t go two up until the 55^th minute. Will tonight’s game go the same way?

1^st Netherlands Goal 16-19

With their spirited display in the reverse fixture in mind, we’ve seen some interest in buying at 19 minutes, therefore backing Gibraltar to hold out. Interestingly, the 1^st Match Goal spread is also 16-19, so if you’re buying – ie not wanting an early goal – you’re better off sticking to the Netherlands market, but if you’re selling, and want a goal, you may as well use the 1^st Match Goal spread, as it includes any unlikely, but possible, Gibraltar goal too. Out of interest, the spread for the 1^st Gibraltar goal is 80-81.5.

Is there any horse racing this evening?

Tonight’s evening meeting comes from Kempton. There are 7 races on the card, starting with the 5.30 and finishing with the 8.30. Oisin Murphy’s lead in the race to be retain his champion jockey status was trimmed from nine to six over the weekend, and with just six days to go, Murphy will be determined to get in the winners’ enclosure at Kempton.

Jockey Performance – Oisin Murphy 51-54

The Jockey Performance index awards 25 points for a winner, 10 for a 2^nd and 5 for a 3^rd, and champion jockey Murphy has six runners to rack up the points at Kempton. Cu Chulainn in the 7.30 looks his best chance for a winner, and is likely to go off a shade of odds-on, while Beloved in the next is also a favourite, though a bigger price. Puerto De Vega in the 6.30 also has a good chance, and is currently 2^nd favourite, while Bellstreet Bridle in the 6.00 and Restitution in the last are both around 4/1 to win. Murphy’s only real outsider is Under Oath in the 5.30, which is currently around 12/1. We’ve seen some buyers for Murphy’s performance tonight, though just because it’s the last week of the jockey’s championship, it’s not obvious why he’d be more likely or trying any harder than his usual 100% to win.

Is British interest in Indian Wells over now Emma Raducanu is out?

In the women’s event it is, but the British men are still flying the flag. Andy Murray plays Alex Zverev tomorrow, and Cameron Norrie is up against Roberto Bautista Agut over night, but first British number one Dan Evans attempts to make it to the last 16 against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, first up on Court 1 at 7pm.

Schwartzman v Evans Total Points 148-153

Evans is the slight underdog in this match, but with a close encounter expected, we’ve seen some interest in the overs for Total Points. Buyers at 153 will be hoping for a long, gruelling encounter, but be wary that Evans went out in straight sets in last month’s US Open and afterwards admitted that he just wasn’t good enough to compete with Daniil Medvedev. Schwartzman isn’t in Medvedev’s class, but buyers will be hoping Evans doesn’t give up if he falls behind and accept defeat.

Who will make the final of the IPL?

Today’s game sees the 3^rd and 4^th place teams face off for a place in Wednesday’s 2^nd qualifier against Delhi Capitals and ultimately a place in Friday’s IPL final against Chennai Super Kings. Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by Virat Kohli, meet Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders knowing that for the losers the season is over, but for the winners there is a real chance of winning the IPL. RCB finished the season with a thrilling last ball six victory against table toppers Dehli, and would love to go through to play them again. But KKR have been one of the top teams since the competition switched to the UAE, winning five of their seven games, including a thumping victory over RCB.

Player Performance - Glenn Maxwell 36-40

Glenn Maxwell has been very consistent in this season’s IPL, one of only two players to score six half centuries. His most recent scores are 51*, 40, 57, 50* and 56 and a repeat of that will see buyers in profit. Throw in the fact that he can get the odd wicket (worth 20 points in this market) and like all Aussies is decent in the field (catches are worth 10 points) and it’s easy to see what attracts the buyers. This is a winner takes all game against one of the best teams in the IPL, will Maxwell be able to keep up his impressive recent form?