The Lions Last Roar by Anthony Lucas of Betfinder.co.uk

Posted: Wednesday, 1st July 2009

Forgive me if this week's article is a little disjointed and full of errors but I am shattered after a sleepless night caused by a pesky cat who thought it would be fun to repeatedly walk over my head.

I'm no abuser of animals but it got to the stage where I was forced to fling her halfway across the room to try and daze the furry feline, which merely inspired her to be more annoying as the night went on.

Finally, when she did settle I was kept awake by the noise of her desire to clean herself on the bed. It's not pleasant when an animal bathes in the same place where I rest my head but, at that point, I couldn't be bothered anymore so instead planned a way to put a stop to her once and for all.

Tonight should be a much more peaceful sleep as my stomach will be full of a delicious meal of cat stew.

However, on to the sport and the money making tips of this week.

RUGBY UNION: BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - LIONS PLAN TO SALVAGE SOME PRIDE
I went all out on the British Lions to beat South Africa in the best of three Test Series, but unfortunately the luck was with the Springboks over the first two Tests as they just managed to squeeze over the finishing line to put paid to the Lions dreams for another four years.

However, always the optimist I believe the hunger for a victory and the pain of going so close to legendary status will inspire the Lions to stop a South African clean sweep and win in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Ellis Park is a daunting place to go to, but no more so than Loftus Versfeld and with Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger banned for the final test, a weakened and uninspired Springbok side will take the field at the weekend.

Granted, the Lions have a few injury concerns of their own with O'Driscoll, Jenkins and Jones out but they have ample replacements and guys willing to shed blood for the cause. I believe the players when they say they are a tight knit and solid squad who have enjoyed their experience together and to go out with a bang would be a just reward for their effort and commitment.

Considering the first two tests were so close, I'm surprised to see Paddy Power have the away team at 10/3 for the victory. I'll happily snap that up and also look at the handicap result, which has the Lions at Evens with a 9 point head start.

With the Lions supporters guaranteed to travel to Johannesburg in force, the atmosphere in the stadium is sure to be electric, even if the series is effectively over.

CRICKET: ODI SERIES - 2ND CHANCE WITH WELL ROUNDED WINDIES
It would seem that I picked the wrong International to back West Indies against India last week, as they blitzed the away team in the second ODI by 8 wickets and with 95 balls to spare, after losing the first match by 20 runs.

The 3rd ODI will see the series move from Kingston, Jamaica to the beautiful setting of the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia which has witnessed a mere seventeen 50 over matches during it's short history.

Part of me wonders whether I should get involved with the match because of what happened in the first two games, but my fears of Indian tiredness were proved right at the weekend, where they wilted to 82-8 at one stage before a 95 from Captain MS Dhoni made their score somewhat respectable.

The bookies still have India as slight favourites but the Evens on offer for the home side appeals to me in a match they will be eager to win. Their top order batsmen are in good form but it was the bowlers who proved the difference in the last game, where Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Bravo took 3 wickets a piece and Man of the Match Ravi Rampaul snapped up the rest with figures of 4-37.

India have relied a little on individuals to steer the ship in the last two games, a blistering century by Yuvraj Singh virtually winning the first match, but the West Indies have half a dozen or more players contributing to an effective team performance.

There's a chance I'll be proven wrong for a second time in a week but I'm willing to take that chance because I think the West Indies provide value.

CYCLING: 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE - CAVENDISH TO SPRINT HOME AT EVENS
If you're ever in doubt as to how tough the Tour De France is let me tell you that I have a friend who has been training 5 days a week, for the past four months, reaching up to 100 miles each session, just to complete one stage of the tour.

Yes, that's one stage! Fair enough, it's a difficult mountain stage but it still conveys the level of intense training that cyclists will have to endure to stand any chance of completing the tour, let alone winning it.

It's far and away one of the toughest sporting events covering 2141 miles over a three week period, which starts Saturday 4th July and will be watched by millions of people worldwide. The winner will achieve something very few men will ever accomplish.

However, it's almost as difficult picking a winner as being one what with a star field including Carlos Sastre, Alberto Contador, Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans, the Schleck brothers and legend of the sport Lance Armstrong.

This could be the closest fought battle in history which is why I'm hesitant to look at the outright market and instead will place my money on Mark Cavendish to win the Green Jersey for the first time.

The Sprint Classification is the award given to the most consistent finisher, which is in effect the most complete sprinter. At 13/10 with Betfair, Cavendish is favourite for the jersey but it's easy to see why when looking at his credentials. He triumphed in an unprecedented four stages last year and is regarded as the fastest man on the planet.

The only concern is whether or not he can finish the Tour but he's worked harder than most with this in mind and even performed brilliantly in mountain climbs in competitions leading up to the Tour de France.

His confident and somewhat arrogant nature has landed him in trouble in the past but helps when on the bike, as he has the belief to beat anyone and everyone, indicated by this recent quote, "The fact is, you look at the replays of my wins at the Tour, and I'm the fastest sprinter. I'm stating a fact. It's not just me saying 'I'm the fastest sprinter' without backing it up - I'm stating a fact, you know? I don't see how that can be seen as arrogance when it's just telling the truth. But people can take me as they want? I don't give a shit really."

With that kind of attitude, how can you not back the British sprint king, especially as he's nearest rival Tom Boonen has been refused entry due to testing positive for Cocaine.

HORSE RACING: THE SPY FROM DUBAI (THE CORAL ECLIPSE, 4TH JULY)
After Sea The Stars was a no show for the Spy last week she's decided to try again at the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Sandown on Saturday.

It makes sense to keep the faith with this fellow after he was pulled out of the Irish Derby due to unsuitable going. Instead, he returns to England for a first run against the older horses at Sandown, where the ground should be more to his liking. Often one of the weaker all-aged Group Ones, Sea The Stars is the best horse in the race by some way.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK SUMMARY

RUGBY UNION: BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - 3RD TEST LIONS v SOUTH AFRICA
5pts LIONS TO BEAT SOUTH AFRICA @ 10/3 (PADDY POWER)
5pts LIONS TO WIN WITH +9 POINT HANDICAP @ EVENS (BET365)

CRICKET: ODI SERIES
10pts WEST INDIES TO BEAT INDIA @ EVENS (GENERALLY)

CYCLING: 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE
10pts MARK CAVENDISH TO WIN GREEN JERSEY @ 13/10 (BETFAIR)

HORSE RACING: THE SPY FROM DUBAI
THE CORAL ECLIPSE (Saturday 4th July) - SEA THE STARS

ALREADY ADVISED

TEST CRICKET: THE ASHES - TOP AUSTRALIA SERIES BATSMAN
10pts - PHIL HUGHES @ 4/1

TENNIS: WOMENS WIMBLEDON WINNER
10pts SERENA WILLIAMS @ 11/4
10pts VENUS WILLIAMS @ 9/2

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