Gurgler’s Sporting Review – Circling the Drain + Best Bets

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January 15, 2015

Welcome to our weekly review/preview of sport in general. The football nerds get their turn later in the week, but now it’s time to cover the rest of the sporting landscape. A bit harder in summer with just Cricket and A League for company, but if anyone can turn nothing into even less it’s us.

That and the best sporting multi money can buy or spend.

180 BROKEN CHAIRS

The Gurgler loves professional darts. There’s just something about a sport that the only welcome 6 pack of the athlete comes in a can form. Then there’s the fans. Nowhere else can you get as dressed up as Darts fans. Many a Wally is to be found, along with Oomplaloompas, various Disney movie characters, and superhero after superhero.

Surprising that in a country that perfected the art of rioting and fighting at sporting events that the darts in the UK have gone off relatively safely. Australia stepped up to the plate and had a chair and table throwing competition in Melbourne over the weekend. The word riot was used, but it was well shy of the best sporting riots of history. The real loser was Coates Hire who have a few hundred less chairs to rent out.

Now, there’s many things you shouldn’t laugh at…like Old People falling over, People who drop 4 beers at the cricket one seat away from their own, and the Us version of The Office. But how can you not laugh at the sight of Oompaloompas, Robins, Minnions, and various other dress ups being reported on news worldwide as the culprits of chair and table throwing, and punch ups and wrestling on the ground. You get a taste from the video below. Kudos to the dedication of the man in front, who continued the official Darts dance through the mayhem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPywdyP5HDs

AUSTRALIA’S ODI SQUAD

Just a quick bitch that Brad Hogg was left out of the World Cup squad in place of Xavier Doherty. As demanded by Dr Sportz in his weekly article here, Hogg showed enough in his only two games of T20 thus far to warrant and demand selection.

Surely if we can pick a Clarke who is barely fit, and Maxwell who is barely in form, there was room for GBH, especially given that Doherty is the spinning option.

SOCCEROOS FIND ANOTHER GOAL SCORER

Fancy that, two games in and 8 goals for the Asian Cup hosts. Playing as good as in the World Cup, but the weaker opposition allows us to shine a little more.

Also good is that we have scored multiple goals and not just Tim Cahill multiple goals. The squad has looked impressive thus far, but we will see if there is a choke or two in the side when they face South Korea on Saturday.

A win and topping the group should us up nicely to battle new old foe Japan for the Cup again.

ASIAN CUP

The Gurgler was lucky to attend the Uzbekistan v China game on Wednesday night. For a game hosting such football powerhouses, the atmosphere was befitting the clash of such titans.

Uzbekistan held off some early China attacking to score a lucky deflected goal and lead 1-0 much to the delights of the 50 odd drum banging Uzbeks. One such gent attempted in vain to start a wave or two.

However as the Stans looked to be playing for the draw it looked inevitable that it would be a draw at best, as China looked far the better side. The White Wolves of Uzbekistan forgot one of the major parts of winning a game is scoring goals and that having the occasional shot will create a better chance of winning the game.

China had no such problem and two second half goals gave the team a deserved 2-1 win, and a reasonable percentage of the 13 and a half thousand of the fans a spring in their on the way home.

For The Gurgler, their two month love story with Uzbekistan football is now over. Back to the Socceroos.This post is sponsored by our partners Wigs

IN BRIEF
Are this year’s Brisbane Heat T20 side the most disappointing side since the North Qld Fury A League side?

How good was Fast 4 Tennis? We’ll let Dr Sportz speak on that.

This week – $1 gets you $120

Now for the biggest and best Sports Multi that money can buy. Couldn’t you go one?

CRICKET ODI – ENGLAND to beat Australia
ASIAN CUP – Japan to beat Iraq
ASIAN CUP – DRAW – Australia v South Korea
ASIAN CUP – CHINA to beat North Korea
T20 – MELBOURNE STARS to beat Sydney Thunder
T20 – ADLEAIDE to beat Melb Renegade
NFL – SEATTLE to beat Green Day and Green Bay
NFL – NEW ENGLAND to beat Indianapolis

Tipstradamus 150 – Final Call – Ultimate Sports Tipping 2015

By

Max Layne

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January 13, 2015

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After much hype the world’s longest, and probably pointless sports tipping contest in here.

Confirm below are the final events and The Gurgler’s tips for the forthcoming festival of sport, With tips that mostly have odds assigned, mostly.

We’ll update the odds when they become available, and where possible change the tips after the vent to make us look extra S-M-R-T. We’ll also keep you informed of our progress.

If you think you can do better, jump in anytime by sending your selections to gurgler.chat@gmail.com. Entries will be accepted until the Australian Football starts, however once an event is complete, you’re down an event. Not that it will be a problem.

Anyways, here it is.

Queensland Election Analysis – For Whom The Bell Polls

By

Gerry Mander

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January 12, 2015

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Any astute pundit worth his salt will tell you: All eyes are on Indooroopilly this election as Queensland’s bellwether seat.

For the Coalition and Labor Party the equation is simple. Win Indooroopilly, seize orifice, swoop to power. The swinger’s seat of Indooroopilly has always been a litmus test for aspiring political candidature. In 1986, The Honourable Denver Beanland took the seat that was then known as Toowong. Denver was affectionately known as ‘Beanbag’ by his constituents; a sitting member with a comfortable margin.

Since then, Labor won narrowly in three elections between 2001 and 2006 under the supreme stewardship of Irish immigrant Ronan Lee.

It was only apt then that Lee donned a ‘green turncoat’ in 2008, sealing his own demise at the 2009 election to Coalition journalist-cum-powerbroker Scott Emerson. In his maiden’s speech, she identified community, the environment and impotency as her husband’s key issues.

Fulfilling none of those commitments, Emerson faces an unlikely battle of survival with lightweight Labor candidate Christopher Horacek. This would be a horror reality check for the incumbent Newman Government; a prospect no person could have seriously entertained amidst the discarded Labor flotsam of 2012.

Although Horacek might be seriously undercooked on policy platform, he offers something Emerson can not provide a hide that hasn’t been seared with public mistrust and absurd abuse of power to the brink of carcinogenesis.

Many Queenslanders have found Newman’s first course in steak politics unpalatable and will not intend to feast on seconds. Instead, they can protest vote with unelectable Horacek and the sheer ineptitude he represents, content to lick the blood off the plate until they wash their hands of him in 2018.

For the well seasoned reader, several other seats loom as key battlegrounds on election night.Thanks to our partners, you can find ties online to suit every preference and budget, from budget to top-of-the-range super stylish models.

The LNP sent Labor heartland into cardiac arrest last election and the following seats are our quadruple bypass picks for a Labor victory:

BurleighMonaro LNP 11.0%

ClevelandMonaro LNP 18.1%

EdenOmmaney LNP 16.5%

HinchinbrookMonaro LNP 18.9%

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Gurgler Six Pack – I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out….Gurgler Selections.

By

Kaaps Loche

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January 11, 2015

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Welcome to the latest addition to The Gurgler’s line up of stories and opinion – The Gurgler Six Pack.

Each week, or whenever we can be bothered, we’ll take a topic or event out of the esky that we wish to open the lid on and serve up six of our finest servings on the matter.

They won’t be Crown Lager or Crown Larger quality, nor will they be OP Rum above the top shelf quality either. They will be as you expect from The Gurgler – barely amusing, reasonably lame, yet surprisingly obscure or forgotten and hardly relevant to the main topic.

This week it is our Top 6 selections for the upcoming Channel 10 flagship TV show I’m a Celebrity Get Me out of Here. Must be some kind of year for Channel 10 if their big one for the year is a bunch of B – Z Grade celebrities playing around in Africa with a vet and Julia Morris hosting. Thankfully for us, they’ve brought themselves down to The Gurgler’s level. We live in B – Z grade.

1 – WARWICK CAPPER
Surely his previous work on Celebrity Big Brother where he booted off for showing his leading goalkicker is reason enough for an instant inclusion. Other work including a never released movie with Jacko and Bill Hunter, a sex tape, and various other appearances on TV will surely confirm his entry as the top of the class.

Funny thing is that this one appears the most likely of ours to be selected.

2 – BRAND POWER LADY
If anyone can polish a turd and provide the positive it is the Brand Power lady. After many years of pushing inferior and minutely interesting products on the TV masses to complete indifference of that audience, she surely has earned the right to expand her exposure, and provide her fellow contestants with sage advice of the jungle berries and leave they will endure.

3 – MICHAEL SLATER
With word of a cricket superstar we can only hope it is Slats. For many reasons, first is that because this will run over the cricket we won’t have to put up with him for the World Cup. Secondly, as it is a Channel 10 show that means he can never return to Ch9. Another bonus. Lastly Africa is closer to Lions, Rhinos and Hippos than Sydney.

4 – DOUG MULRAY
If we’re talking > B Grade celebrities then how about Doug Mulray. Former radio and TV personality who disappeared well over a decade ticks every box in the potential line up for Africa. Also his love of animals fornicating, as seen in the all too brief Naughtiest Home Videos show, will provide the laughs needed.

5 – REX HUNT
OK, may be getting too Get This with our selections, but given some of his antics (his laneway work and AFL commentary) he is the perfect choice to liven up the camp. Another bonus is his nous with fishing which may prove vital if the proposed diet of beans and rice is underwhelming.

6 – RICHARD WILKINS
Another Ch9 crossover, but wouldn’t you love to see Dick battling the elements rather than talking Kardashians.

OTHER MENTIONS
– FRANK WALKER FROM NATIONAL TILES
– JEFF FENECH
– COLES O MASTERCARD SINGERS
– ROB PARELLA
– PAULINE HANSON
– FIDO DIDO

Introducing – Ask Dr Sportz – Your sporting questions answered

By

Kaaps Loche

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January 11, 2015

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Welcome to our new sporting feature – Ask Dr Sportz. Each week or whenever he is available in between high profile sporting contests, we’ll get our resident sporting expert to answer your sporting questions.

Dr Sportz – or his full name Dr Steeden Sherrin Pirelli Brosnan Sportz III – is our new regular contributor and he’s here to answer your questions relating to sport.

With degrees in Sports Psychology, Sports Administration and Business, and Diploma in coaching of Rugby League, Cricket and Broomstick Putting we couldn’t have assembled a better person to answer your queries with authority.

When Adam Scott nailed his Masters winning putts, Dr Sportz was the man he consulted no less than 2 weeks before. Before his involvement with Dr Sportz Mark Webber had never won a GP and looked likely that the only thing he’d win was the most creative DNF title. More recently it was he who had coaxed career best form out of Mitchell Johnson with his advice on fast bowling. Finally he was the man who introduced Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis over a discussion of cricket on a rain interrupted break at a local pub.

Tip of the iceberg but still impressive those achievements. And we have him exclusive here for The Gurgler Sport.

If you have a question or two, fire away to our email gurgler.chat@gmail.com.

With the Australian World Cup Squad named soon, what’s your squad?

Daley Bread, Bald Hills, QLD

A. Thanks Daley for the question, the squad is pretty much sorted with the usual suspects that pick themselves. The only left field inclusions I would demand if I were in the selection room would be as follows.

Given that he has been unplayable in the two T20 games thus far this summer, surely Brad Hogg would be a welcome inclusion for cricketing and crowd reasons. The claim that 10 overs may kill him are ridiculous, as if more overs wouldn’t be the best thing for GBH. And, surely he is a better option than Xavier Doherty, Nathan Lyon or whichever NSW fringe player is flavour of the month.

Batsmen look pretty settled, and there was a lot to like about the way we went about the second innings in Sydney to include most of those in the squad. Especially Joe Burns who looks a quality inclusion. The unfashionable Rogers is out for Finch.

All rounders are based on potential rather than current form, but if you select three of them, you may get a decent performance out of them throughout the tournament. For the record Shane Watson is included as an all rounder because neither is good enough to be a specialist and he owes us a game winning performance.

Finally the bowlers. Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris are must includes. From there they should include Behrendorf based on quality T20 form over the past few seasons. But they won’t. It will be whichever NSW quick is flavour of the month. So we’re contractually obligated to select one NSW quick.

On the subject of Clarke, you have to pick him, especially if we can dump him through injury. He’s earned the right to lead a home World Cup.

In general, it’s better to select proven match winners who may get injured, as they can be replaced, you can’t replace quality.

DR SPORTZ’ SQUAD
M.Clarke (c)
A.Finch
D.Warner
S.Smith
S.Marsh
J.Burns
M.Marsh
S.Watson
J.Faulkener
B.Haddin
M.Johnson
R.Harris
B.Hogg
J.Behrendorf
M.Starc

What would you do with Shane Watson in tests?

Tom Artosores, Norfolk Island, Aust

A. Good to hear from you Tom. Shane Watson is the most divisive figure in Australian cricket. Not that his numbers aren’t too bad, but just disappointing enough to be always on his case. Maybe it’s his state hopping, or awful Brut ads, either way everyone’s on his back.

What would I do? Select him to go to West indies, bat him at Six, and if he can’t score a century against that bowling attack, advise him that his June will be spent in the Southern Hemisphere this year. Either that or set him adrift Eskimo elder style which would be much more fun.

Should I care about the Asian Football Cup, and have you got a roughie?

Alf Abett, Ringwood, VIC

A. I’ll try and give you the ABC of the Asian Cup.

Yes, you should do what most others are going to do and care about the Australian team and the Asian Cup until they are knocked out. Allow some room for bandwagoners if the Socceroos make it as high as the semi finals. Which looks a chance after a great 4-1 first up win.

Also, there are dirt cheap tickets to games not involving Australia. $15 is the going rate for other round games, $5 if you can pretend to be a pensioner.

As for the roughie, it is clear that Japan and Australia are the front runner and deserved favourites. But big tournament don’t always play to the script, so we look for another team to follow in case Australia choke.

We choose the underrated Uzbekistan who are a tremendous $19 to win the Asian Cup right now, and have won their opening game. Also, with a great name, and nickname (White Wolves) there’s more than one reason to join the train. Don’t forget Qatar, not for their on field performance, but who would know if FIFA haven’t already rigged the tournament so that Qatar can win, just like something else that FIFA and Qatar were involved in recently.

Lyne Ball – The Official Queensland Election Tipping Game

By

Matt Finish Juan Lynagh

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January 11, 2015

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Yes we have an election to put up with, but as we explained in our Qld Election Drinking Game, you don’t always have to see the negative.

We provide for your consideration on election night, a tipping game that you can use to amuse yourself, impress others with your knowledge of Algester, Mundingburra and Thuringowa, or create a competition for you and all your like minded election loving freaks.

Fill out your form below, we’ll explain below it.

HOW TO PLAY

Make your selections in the two yellow columns choosing your tips as the winning party of whatever seat you think will win.

Ensure you pick them in the order that you are most confident in. The higher up the order, the higher the multiplier and the more points you will score.

The column in the blue is all about how to score. The Gurgler’s preference is using odds of a reputable online betting company. The odds for the win is then multiplied by the third column for your score. If odds aren’t available you can use the swing of the winning party. Or simply nominate a score yourself.

HOW YOU SCORE
For our example we’ll use the Treasurer choice.
ODDS: 5.75 x $1.80 = 10.35 points.
SWING: 5.75 x 5.4% swing to win = 31.05 points.
POINTS: 5.75 x 1 point = 5.75 points.

Add up all your correct parliamentary selections and the biggest total is crowned king of the LyneBall.

So create your own comp and even send your copy to The Gurgler at gurgler.chat@gmail.com where we’ll announce the best scores we receive.

[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

European Football Weekly – Gurgler’s Eurotrash

By

Theydon Bois

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January 10, 2015

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Welcome to the our Euro Football Weekly – Eurotrash. Here we delve into the reaches of the many European Football Leagues on offer, all with claims to be as good if not better than the EPL.

Each week we’ll go through the Spanish, Italian, and French Leagues in detail, with some updates and tidbits on other leagues time and interest permitted.

For your German news and views, help yourself to our separate Bundesliga column and look out for it each week.

So enjoy our thoughts, stats and best bets which are the best that money can’t buy.

– The European Leagues are back in full swing after a Christmas-New Year siesta. Whilst the English team were playing game after game, the European teams were taking it easy over the festive period. As as such so is our weekly blab on it.

– Biggest talking point in European football is the trouble at Barcelona. CLub elections have been moved forward to quell some of the tension, but that may not save the manager Luis Enrique who is losing some of the players faith. one of the reported players who is unhappy is Lionel Messi, who has been talked up about leaving Barcelona. Only problem is, who could afford him? Valued at 174 Million GBP (325 AUD) only the richest sugar daddy clubs can even consider it. That’s just his transfer fee. Wages included the package could come close to 1 Billion AUD. As much as we love football, that is a disgraceful amount of money for 1 sporting person, no matter how good.

– Other news in Spain last week were surprise away losses for Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Madrid side were beaten by Valencia who are fourth in La Liga. Barcelona meanwhile were beaten by David Moyes and David Moyes alone, if you believe the press after the result. The two big boy losees leave the top 5 within 6 points, with 1st and 5th having a game in hand.

– The transfer window is open, and there will likely be some purchases, usually reasonably well performed players from European leagues going to England before failing and disappearing back to their homeland. The big teams don’t usually do too much in this mid year window, but Real Madrid have signed a 16 year old just in case they didn’t have enough players. All the lack of action could change if one player makes a move important enough to set a whole chain reaction of panic buying. Like a Gareth Bale or Messi. Either way it gives the football tragic something to get excited about until February.

– In Italy there is the Rome derby which will be the usual tense affair and likely with few goals. Hopefully the fans play nice and don’t injure each other too much. This is one of the two games where the Top 4 all play each other this weekend although the title race still seems like a race in two between Roma and Juventus.

– New Cagliari manager Gianfranco Zola will be hoping to improve on his 5-0 first up loss. If his previous owner was still in charge instead of playing with Leeds United he’d probably get the arse after 1 game. Given his record previously and at Leeds this year.

– France will be a sombre place this week with football probably meaning less than usual. Transfer window applies more in France than most as Arsenal and Newcastle (almost exclusively) seem to visit the French shops regularly for players to varying degrees of success.

SPAIN
BARCELONA V ATLETICO MADRID
– Battle for the title of closest to Real Madrid
GRANADA V REAL SOCIEDAD
– Moyes, Moyes, Moyes.
ITALY
ROMA V LAZIO
– Rome derby and Top 4 clash
NAPOLI V JUVENTUS
– Other Top 4 battle
CAGLIARI v CESENA
– Worst Home Record v Worst Away
FRANCE
MONACO V BORDEAUX
PORTUGAL
BRAGA V SPORTING

Here’s the rest of the upcoming fixtures.

[soccer-info id=’1′ type=’fixtures’ style=’red_light’ title=’La Liga Fixtures’ limit=’10’ /]

[soccer-info id=’5′ type=’fixtures’ style=’green_light’ title=’Serie A Fixtures’ limit=’10’ /]

[soccer-info id=’6′ type=’fixtures’ style=’blue_light’ title=’Ligue 1 Fixtures’ limit=’10’ /]

So it’s all come to this, our best selections and tips for you to turn into many dollar, pound, euro or rupee. Please accept our best bets.

[ultimatetables 5 /]

UK Football Weekly – The Gurgler’s Own Goal

By

Theydon Bois

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January 9, 2015

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Welcome to the Gurgler’s UK Football Weekly. We discuss things UK Football, and it doesn’t begin in Manchester and finish in London. We care about all four leagues and below if we have time. All your favourite stars are here too with the exception of Ariaga II. Enjoy the finest

– The EPL is back after a hiatus due to the FA Cup third round which produced very few surprise results in the top flight – QPR losing to Sheffield Utd the cup kings isn’t much of a surprise. A few Championship sides were left red faced at their exit at the hands of lower league battlers costing Norwich manager his job. The highlight was Liverpool v Wimbledon who ran the big boys close and were saved by the usual Gerrard quality. The highlight within the highlight was the big boy himself Adebayo “Beast” Akinfenwa terrorising the Liverpool defence.

– On the new manager front Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis get their EPL debuts this weekend, whilst Newcastle continue their search for one. Norwich have found their replacement, taking the recently unsuccessful path of an in-form Scottish SPL manager which always seems to end in tears lately. But as an Ipswich fan it is not the biggest concern.

– More Newcastle news – the rumour mill is going into overdrive with news that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley may sell the Magpies. Only a shower that rained 10 pound notes could make the Newcastle fans and public happier. He can always increae his stake in the success story that is the new Rangers.

– January transfer window is also open which will provide much filler. It’s always a good sign of desperation doing a lot of business in this window. Expect everyone other than the top three to dive in, and even then Man City look thin up front and Manchester Utd seem hellbent on spending as much as they can in one season. Arsenal will surely buy some more players in positions they don’t need whilst not strengthening any area of need.

– The transfer window is also a dangerous time for lower division team whose sides are usually plundered for big EPL teams to boost their squad numbers after they get bored with them. Just hanging onto their players is a success.

EPL SUN – MAN UTD v SOUTHAMPTON
EPL SUN – ARSENAL v STOKE
CHAMPIONSHIP – IPSWICH v DERBY
CHAMPIONSHIP – BOURNEMOUTH v NORWICH
L1 – SHEFFIELD UTD v PRESTON
L2 – SOUTHEND v PLYMOUTH

Here’s the rest of the upcoming fixtures.

[soccer-info id=’2′ type=’fixtures’ style=’blue_light’ title=’EPL Fixtures’ limit=’10’ /]

[soccer-info id=’20’ type=’fixtures’ style=’green_light’ title=’Championship Fixtures’ limit=’12’ /]

[soccer-info id=’21’ type=’fixtures’ style=’red_light’ title=’L1 Fixtures’ limit=’12’ /]

[soccer-info id=’22’ type=’fixtures’ style=’red_light’ title=’L2 Fixtures’ limit=’12’ /]

So it’s all come to this, our best selections and tips for you to turn into many dollar, pound, euro or rupee. Please accept our best bets.

[ultimatetables 1 /]

[ultimatetables 2 /]

[ultimatetables 3 /]

[ultimatetables 4 /]

Gurgler’s Sporting O Weekly – Circling the Drain

By

Max Layne

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January 8, 2015

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Welcome to our weekly review/preview of sport in general. The football nerds get their turn later in the week, but now it’s time to cover the rest of the sporting landscape. A bit harder in summer with just Cricket and A League for company, but if anyone can turn nothing into even less it’s us.

That and the best sporting multi money can buy or spend.

WEEKLY THOUGHTS

BIG BASH = PERFECT SUMMER FILLER

Thank the lord for the Big Bash this summer.

Previously our summer revolved around Channel 9’s test cricket with the audio turned down and radio on ABC until the sync went awry, and pretending to get into or care about Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Pheonixes. Not any more.

Despite a lack of close finishes in most games, except for one super over game and a Brisbane Heat who tried their hardest to lose the unlosable game, the Big Bash is a welcome distraction from summer boredom waiting for the footy to start again.

Sure we could go into detail for each game and have wide ranging analysis and detail for you to marvel at. But you didn’t come here for detail. You came here for the bare minimum, the bare minimum is exciting.

And how can you not get excited with all the big name imports that have been wheeled out for this year’s shindig.

We have previously run the rule over our favourites here.

It also provides an excellent nightly betting vehicle for those in the game.

Add to that the quality Channel 10 coverage and is pure gold filler for those summer days.

HOGG

Back from injury break and better than ever. Of course he is. Has only played two games in the tournament thus far, but is as enthusiastic and unplayable as ever.

Bagging multiple victims with an economy rate approved by the Heart Foundation for leanness he has proven quickly that his call up to the Australian T20 side from last year’s form wasn’t in sympathy but for reward of chinaman bowling of the highest quality.

Now there’s talk of a bolt from the west for the World Cup. What a wonderful idea that would be. Hogg would light up the World Cup and was a forgotten hero of our 2007 win in the West Indies where he was equally unplayable as he is now.

A shame that squad has already been announced, and that it will rely mostly on NSW players, but an injury or a selector with real vision would be a welcome addition and may make the World Cup almost interesting.

We can only hope that there’ll be plenty more GBH goodness this tournament and for many more years.

FA CUP 3rd ROUND

Nothing like the EPL Big Boys getting out of their comfort zone when the minnows, try hards and who-the-hells all meet in the third round of the best sporting comp in the world.

Despite the lack of big shocks like a non league minnow knocking out a Top 4 side, there was still plenty of FA Cup moments to savour.

The best of which was 7th tier Blyth Spartans leading 2-0 to ex-EPL Birmingham City. Unfortunately 3 goals in 10 minutes allowed the bigger side to retrieve their pants, and denied us the biggest opportunity for shocks in the third round.

The big boys all took their time to get past lower league opposition with Man City and Chelsea winning narrowly at home to Championship sides, and Liverpool and Man Utd eventually getting past minnows at grounds smaller than their training grounds. AFC Wimbledon were especially impressive with only the usual Steve Gerrard heroics saving them from being beasted by the Dons. The real Dons. Not you Milton Keynes. What do we mean by “beasted”? Check out Adebayo Akinfenwa if you get a chance.

Third tier Sheffield United proved that they are the cup kings and that QPR are reasonably hopeless. Third tier Rochdale and Preston embarrassed Nottingham Forest and Norwich in some of the other surprises. One manager is gone and the other on thinner ice than a Jeff the Dinosaur-Clive Palmer freeform duo performance in Greenland in summer.

And ties? You bet. Plenty of them, leaving teams with the unpopular task of another midweek game to play. Although as an Ipswich fan whose team played away to an EPL side, a replay will do nicely.

Oh, and Arsenal won a replay of last year’s final.

IN BRIEF

Channel 9 found something just as unnecessary and equally as annoying as Michael Slater with the Spider Cam joining in the play today, happily getting in the way of a catch to Steve Smith. And, like Slater, they are justifying it’s overuse and effectiveness despite it being rated by Mr and Mrs Joe and Joanne Public as reasonably annoying and something that adds little to zero to the TV coverage.

The Darts Championship is a must include on every person’s sporting wishlist. Combining alcohol, dressing up, and a sport that requires the least amount of athleticism is a winning formula. 180 times over.

The Asian Cup starts this weekend, with Australia needing someone other than Cahill to score a goal to trouble any of the latter stages. More in our Asian Cup Guide. We’ll quickly shout out to our second team – Uzbekistan. Go White Wolves.

An interesting article on the Fox Sports website during the week. That “Why 2015 Super Rugby will be the best ever”. It got me interested into how, unfortunately the tournament isn’t cancelled which rules out my theory.

GURGLER MEGA MULTI

And now to the money maker. Not that we make money very often, but our $580-1 multi from earlier in the year that no one paid attention to is a lesson that even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Bet Early. Bet often.

THIS WEEK’S PAY $560

T20 – SYD THUNDER to beat Hobart
T20 – MELB STARS to beat Renegades
AFC – UNDER 2.5 GOALS – Socceroos/Kuwait
AFC – STH KOREA to beat Oman
AFC – UZBEKISTAN to beat Nth Korea
AFC – SAUDI ARABIA to beat China
NFL – SEATLLE to beat Carolina
NFL – BALTIMORE to beat Patriots
NFL – COWBOYS to beat Green Bay
NFL – BRONCOS to beat Colts

Gurgler’s FA Cup 3rd Round Extravaganza

By

Theydon Bois

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January 2, 2015

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It’s the favourite weekend of the Gurgler Sport section – the best week of the best sporting team comp in the world – FA Cup Round 3.

– Whilst the top European leagues continues their festive siesta, the English know what punters want and are attempting to cram as many games as possible over the Xmas-New Years period. EPL teams are lining up for their 4^th game in 8 or 9 days.

– The Big Boys of the EPL and Championship join the scrappers from the lower leagues and non Leagues in a delicious mix of footballing histories and statuses.

– Speaking of the Non Leagues – there are 4 teams left at the third round stage: Blyth Spartans from the far flung Northern Unibond League, and Dover Athletic, Gateshead, Southport, all from the 5^th tier Vanarama Conference Premier. The smart money says none will progress to the fourth round, which is why we’ve predicted at least one to go through and cause the big upset for the round.

– For the rest there are a few EPL v Third/Fourth tier games from which another of the feted Cup upsets and thankfully very few of the EPL only fixtures.

– After the most recent round of EPL games which threw up some surprises, we hope it continues to 3am early Sunday morning. and beyond

ARSENAL v HULL – Last year’s Final replayed

AFC WIMBLEDON v LIVERPOOL – 1988’s Final replayed

DOVER ATHLETIC v CRYSTAL PALACE – David v Goliath 1

BLYTH SPARTANS v BIRMINGHAM – D v G II

YEOVIL v MAN UTD – D v G III

DERBY v SOUTHPORT – D v G IV

TRANMERE v SWANSEA – D v G V

WBA v GATESHEAD – D v G VI

CAMBRIDGE v LUTON – Free Pass to 4^th round for one fourth tier team.

FULL FIXTURE LIST HERE

So it’s all come to this, our best selections and tips for you to turn into many dollar, pound, euro or rupee. Please accept our best bets.

[table caption=”Random FA Cup Multi 1 – $62,” width=”300″ colwidth=”150|150″ colalign=”left|left”]

Selection,Game Details

BLYTH SPARTANS to win,v Birmingham

DRAW,Southampton v Ipswich

OVER 2.5 Goals,Chelsea v Watford

[/table]

[table caption=”FA Cupset Multi – $1010,” width=”300″ colwidth=”150|150″ colalign=”left|left”]

Selection,Game Details

SHEFFIELD UTD to win,v QPR

DOVER ATHLETIC to win,v Crystal Palace

PRESTON to win,v Norwich

BRADFORD to win,v Millwall

WIMBLEDON/DRAW,v Liverpool

[/table]

[table caption=”FA Cup Away Daze Multi – $468,” width=”300″ colwidth=”150|150″ colalign=”left|left”]

Selection,Game Details

SPURS to win,v Burnley

MIDDLESBROUGH to win,v Barnsley

LUTON to win,v Cambridge

BRIGHTON to win,v Brentford

SWANSEA to win,v Tranmere

BOURNEMOUTH to win,v Rotherham

MAN UTD to win,v Yeovil Town

BRISTOL CITY to win,v Doncaster

NOTTS FOREST to win,v Rochdale

[/table]

[table caption=”Home Banker Multi – $12,” width=”300″ colwidth=”150|150″ colalign=”left|left”]

Selection,Game Details

DERBY to win,v Southport

BOLTON to win,v Wigan

WBA to win,v Gateshead

STOKE to win,v Wrexham

SUNDERLAND to win,v Leeds

ASTON VILLA to win,Blackpool

MAN CITY to win,v Sheffield Wed

ARSENAL to win,v Hull

[/table]

[table caption=”Leftover Multi – $335,” width=”300″ colwidth=”150|150″ colalign=”left|left”]

Selection,Game Details

NEWCASTLE to win,v Leicester

WOLVES to win,v Fulham

WEST HAM to win,v Everton

DRAW,Huddersfield v Reading

DRAW,Charlton v Blackburn

[/table]

[table caption=”FA CUP 2013-14,” width=”350″ colwidth=”125|125|100″ colalign=”left|left|left”]

Stat,Teams,Score/Round

Final,Arsenal v Hull,3-2

Semi,Hull v Sheffield Utd,5-3

Semi,Arsenal v Wigan,1-1 pens

Highest Champ Team,Wigan,Semi

Highest L1 Team,Sheff Utd,Semi

Highest L2 Team,Rochdale/Southend,4^th

Highest Non League,Kidderminster,4^th

Biggest Upsets,(EPL) Fulham 0-1 Sheffield Utd (L1),4^th round

Biggest Upsets,(L2) Rochdale 2-0 Leeds (CH),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets,(EPL) Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield Utd (L1),3rd round

[/table]

[table caption=”FA CUP 2012-13,” width=”350″ colwidth=”125|125|100″ colalign=”left|left|left”]

Stat,Teams,Score/Round

Final,Wigan v Man City,1-0

Semi,Man City v Chelsea,2-1

Semi,Wigan v Millwall,2-0

Highest Champ Team,Millwall,Semi

Highest L1 Team,MKeynes/Oldham,5th

Highest L2 Team,Aldershot,4^th

Highest Non League,Luton,5^th

Biggest Upsets,(L1) Oldham 3-2 Liverpool (EPL),4^th round

Biggest Upsets,(EPL) Norwich 0-1 Luton (NL),4^th round

Biggest Upsets, (NL) Macclesfield 2-1 Cardiff (CH),3^rd round

[/table]

[table caption=”FA CUP 2011-12,” width=”350″ colwidth=”125|125|100″ colalign=”left|left|left”]

Stat,Teams,Score/Round

Final,Chelsea v Liverpool,2-1

Semi,Chelsea v Spurs,5-1

Semi,Liverpool v Everton,2-1

Highest Champ Team,Leicester,6th

Highest L1 Team,Stevenage,5th

Highest L2 Team,Crawley,5th

Highest Non League,4 Teams,3^rd

Biggest Upsets, (CH) Hull 0-1 Crawley (L2),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets,(L2) Swindon 2-1 Wigan (EPL),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets,(L2) Macclesfield 2-2 Bolton (EPL),3^rd round

[/table]

[table caption=”FA CUP 2010-11,” width=”350″ colwidth=”125|125|100″ colalign=”left|left|left”]

Stat,Teams,Score/Round

Final,Man City v Stoke,1-0

Semi,Man City v Man Utd,1-0

Semi,Stoke v Bolton,5-0

Highest Champ Team,Reading,6th

Highest L1 Team,L-Orient/Brighton/Shef Wed,5th

Highest L2 Team,4 Teams,4th

Highest Non League,Crawley,5^th

Biggest Upsets,(L1) Leyton Orient 1-1 Arsenal (EPL),5^th round

Biggest Upsets,(EPL) Sunderland 1-2 Notts Co (L1),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets, (L2) Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle (EPL),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets,(NL) Crawley 2-1 Derby (CH),3^rd round

[/table]

[table caption=”FA CUP 2009-10,” width=”350″ colwidth=”125|125|100″ colalign=”left|left|left”]

Stat,Teams,Score/Round

Final,Chelsea v Portsmouth,1-0

Semi,Chelsea v Aston Villa,3-0

Semi,Portsmouth v Spurs,2-0

Highest Champ Team,Reading,6th

Highest L1 Team,L-Orient/Brighton/Shef Wed,5th

Highest L2 Team,Notts County,5th

Highest Non League,Crawley,5^th

Biggest Upsets, (EPL) Wigan 0-2 Notts Co (L2),4^th round

Biggest Upsets, (EPL) Man Utd 0-1 Leeds Utd (L1),3^rd round

Biggest Upsets,(NL) Staines Town 1-1Millwall 1 (L1),2^nd round

[/table]