tadley

Crusaders ended the regular season in good form, playing the other sides of the top four and defeating them all. That included a 26-10 win over today's opponents, the Blues. Blues are on a three-game losing streak and I don't see them revenging that loss.

Crusaders ended the season in fine form, playing the rest of the top four and beating them all, including a 16-point win over today's opponents. Probably the most impressive win was a 47??"14 thumping of leaders Hurricanes. Blues ended the season losing three straight, conceding 142 points. Crusaders look capable of winning by double figures.

Chiefs have won the last three meetings with the Reds, including a 31??"21 away win last month. Chiefs ended the regular season well, winning 8 of their last 9. Even the one loss was by 4 points to the Crusaders, who are in tremendous form. I don't see them slipping up.

Dolphins have got their act together, winning four straight. They've been solid at the back, conceding 22, 10, 12, and 10 in those four games. The Cowboys are a capable side, but they've had too many poor performances to trust. Case in point: last time against the Raiders, when they were outplayed 26??"12. The Dolphins are on a roll and look like the stronger, more reliable side right now.

Neither side can be said to be strong defensively, but even so 50/50 looks a tough ask. That's because both sides are rather toothless in attack. The Broncos are averaging 21 points per game and the Titans are averaging 17.5. One or both of them would have to step it up a bit for this to go over.

PSG have already won the league, but avoiding defeat would mean they go through the season unbeaten. I therefore don't see them going through the motions. Tremblay love to attack and are the fifth-highest scoring side. They boast the league's third-highest scorer in Matteo Fadhuile. They do leak goals, though, with 960 conceded being the highest tally in the league. I see this being a goal fest.

Bottom-side Dijon are relegated, and the average of 32 points conceded per game was a large part of that. They may play with more freedom tonight, so I can see them posting a decent enough total. Since they have had nothing to play for, Pays d'Aix have had some high-scoring games with totals of 66, 69, and 61 in their last three. I see both going for it, so I like the over.

Chartres are just one point above the relegation zone and had a much-needed 33-31 win last time over Nîmes. A defeat today could mean relegation, but they haven't been lucky with their last fixture playing Saint-Raphaël. Saint-Raphaël have nothing to play for but, despite that, have won six on the trot. They are banging in the goals, scoring 38 and 44 in their last two. I don't see them letting up and envisage a sizeable total for them. Chartres simply have to keep with them, so I see plenty of points tonight.

Yarav Premlall obliterated the field in Spain, winning by an astonishing 14 strokes. He hasn't lived up to that performance in his last two starts, but I can't believe it's a one-off. When you play with such authority, surely another win won't be so far away. At 100-1 he looks an interesting bet.

Grant Forrest was in wretched form prior to last year's event but shook that off with the best tee-to-green stats in the field. His putting wasn't great, though, and he finished 13th. He thrives in tough, windy conditions, and his best performances have come at such events. He comes in in better form this season after a solid 12th last time. If his putting is better this year, he should figure.

With unforgiving rough and wind forecast, being able to drive accurately will be essential this weekend. Gouveia has been striking the ball well, ranking 18th for driving accuracy. He comes into this with a fine second in Austria last time, and if he carries that form forward he should figure this weekend.

Adam Scott has 15 PGA Tour wins to his name, and although the last was in 2020, it's not that his form has been poor lately. He has a couple of top-4 finishes. His approach play is one of the best, being second on tour in strokes gained: approach and top for approaches from over 100 yds. I think he figures this weekend.

Chris Gotterup hasn't played since the PGA Championship, so should be nicely rested for this. He was a solid 10th there, but his chances were ruined with a poor opening round of 72. He is certainly capable of winning, as he already has the Phoenix and Sony Open titles in the bag this year. At 50-1, he looks an interesting bet.

England clearly have the best players, with the two Lukes occupying the top two places in the rankings. It didn't do them any good last year when they were dumped out by Germany 9-4. Netherlands have the world number three and four in the form of Van Veen and Van Gerwen. They make a formidable team and look far better value at 8.00

Clare won in 2024, but last year it didn't go well. Severe injury problems probably took their toll. They look in better shape this time and can certainly mix it with the best.

Lancashire underperformed, finishing 5th despite having a strong squad. They've really impressed with signings over the winter, enrolling quality players at this level, so I see them doing a lot better than 5th.

Warwickshire finished down in 5th last season but were hampered by drawing nine games, the most in the league. They've strengthened their squad and look capable of a better performance this season.

Verstappen kept himself in the title race last season despite clearly not having the best car. That speaks volumes about his skill, which should see him once again go well this season. Despite him slamming the new regulation, it should be to his benefit as he has the skills to master the new designs. The Red Bull has looked very promising in practice, so I rate him as the most likely winner.