man o bong

Bradford offered nothing in a goalless draw last week. Whilst gaining home advantage now, they have to face the best squad in the division. Luton's last couple of seasons have been nothing to write home about, obviously, but they are better than virtually any other side at this level and won't often be odds against, home or away. Purely a value pick on a tricky day in League One.

Dorking kick off the home games this season in what should be a straightforward game against Hampton and Richmond. Dorking were put to the test last week, and some lazy legs were on show in the first half before a spirited and impressive comeback to share the points. Marc White will have them ready, that's for sure, and I can see 2 or 3 goals setting up a comfortable first three points of the season.

Norwich opened their campaign by hosting Millwall and going down pointless to a late Lions winner. One has the feeling Liam Manning may not be the answer to Championship survival for Norwich, and a trip to Portsmouth, I would imagine, is not the ideal follow-up to day one defeat. Counterpart manager Mousinho has constructed a fairly fresh team at Fratton Park, with Segicic looking a lively addition up front who could cause teams issues this season. Outside of the starting squad last week, however, there look to be frailties, so any absence would temper enthusiasm. But with virtually the entire first team squad rested for mid-week EFL Cup defeat, it looks like Pompey are playing to their home advantage much as they did last season with some success. Home win for me on this basis.

I'm going in on Wrexham again this week, after chancing my luck on them at St Mary's on opening day when two late goals scuppered what might have been a nice return. On the whole, they look a good outfit, and back at home, hosting a West Brom side who, whilst decent, have a pitted away record last season, might still provide a value price. West Brom picked up three points at home in game one, against a Blackburn side that offered nothing with just one shot on target. They'll face much more than today and may not stave off the steam train that has been constructed and continues to roll on, strengthened and enthused. Wrexham can take advantage of a poor travelling record of the Baggies.

It's the lucky last at Thirsk where we go with a trainer in form and a horse not so much, but who has slipped to a winning mark. Arundel will be a warm favourite, and whilst it should stay the 12 furlongs, there are no guarantees. Small field, lots of chances, Jedd O'Keefe in form. Let's go with Prince.

Carries top weight today but they only ever do that for a reason. Will take an effort to land the odds, but a trip to Yarmouth whilst in consistent form is an indicator in itself. Doesn't mind the hooves rattling and this is a course where that can be guaranteed when dry.

Kisskodi didn't get the best of it last time out, and in doing so, was never at the races. Returning to Epsom and dropping back to what might be a preferred 6f sticks him at the head of the market. A lot of hype about Winged Messenger's chance of landing back-to-back wins, but CD form on this straight can be a significant advantage.

Wilson leads the head-to-head v Ronnie, having won 8 of their 15 meetings. Whilst in those games, Ronnie has the better frame-wise with 84-70. What this suggests is the tide has turned significantly recently. In fact, Wilson has won each of the last 5 matches by at least 2 clear frames. Quite simply, his measured approach seems to have the better of O'Sullivan, including a 5-3 quarter-final win in Shanghai last month. Wilson will pick balls off the table and prevent any fluidity, as is his want, and this may be more comfortable than odds of 1.75 suggest it might be.

A tentative pick in a small field at Ffos Las this evening, in a race that has the potential to throw up a little surprise. Although the ten pounds Jagetme is getting from the pick from their last meeting shouldn't be enough to reverse form. The key here is form with Hello Luna arriving with plenty of it when all around seem to have little. Last won at Windsor but looks to have been found a race to follow up after two subsequent defeats.

Getting tricky to find any value as the field narrows in Saudi Arabia, but we can eke out a little bit in this game between Wilson and Jiahui. The former world champion has been pretty dominant in the 8 matches the pair have played, winning 6. But in terms of total frames, Jiahui has always given a good account with the exception of a whitewash in the 2023 German Masters. Arguably, Si is a more experienced and better player now, and the last two meetings have seen a decider, including a 6-5 for Wilson in Shanghai. A close call again, not sure which way it will go but betting Si goes close enough even in defeat.

Zhang is arguably the second-best Chinese player in the game right now, and our advantage is that he still seems to remain a little under the radar, to the bookies at least. To that end, he is officially a better player than Stuart Bingham but is available at a price in this very close match-up that looks like a value pick on price alone. A recent 147 should have his confidence remaining high.

A frequent recent visitor to this course, winning a conditions event and following up with a good 2nd in a handicap a couple of weeks ago, when not getting a clear run. Has to be considered on that basis, although let's not forget most of this lineup will also be very familiar with the course. The 5lb claim will play its part, and better than 5/2 looks a good entry point.

Make no mistake, Iulian Boiko is a good player, but Zak Surety has had a very solid start to the season and continues that here in Saudi Arabia with a comprehensive victory in this race to four. Boiko will surprise at some point, but this match will surely not be it.

Southampton and Wrexham face off on day one of the EFL Championship, having each arrived from a different route. The momentum Wrexham bring with a bolstered squad against a depleted Southampton side offers us some value, with the bookies effectively writing Wrexham off at 4.80. This one has to go in all my accas today.

Ishpreet is a rising star in the sport and faces Lan Yuhao, who has most recently been somewhat swiped aside by Leanne Evans in the British Open qualifying. This should be a comfortable progression for Singh Chadha flying the flag for India. Taking some notable scalps last season, including Gary Wilson, he has also run some top ten players very close in single frame deciders. More on the cards from Ishpreet this season.