Ashes: Aussies to prove too hot

SPORTS BETTING: 

ENGLAND’S heavy second-Test defeat against an impressive New Zealand side should not have come as a shock, given the nature of the first game at Lord’s and the home side’s inexperience in key positions.

Gary Ballance, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali promise to be big performers for England in years to come, but are nowhere near the finished article, while the demise of Ian Bell is a huge concern and he must be considered a selection doubt for the Ashes which start next month.

Australia will come at England just as hard as the Black Caps and I can’t envisage anything other than an Aussie triumph at 4-9. England are 7-2 to win the five-match series.



BARCELONA are hot favourites to win Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus. With Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez forming a deadly three-man attack, the Catalan giants cannot be opposed, even at cramped odds of 4-7 to win in 90 minutes.

Juve are 21-4 to triumph in normal time, while the draw is rated a 3-1 shot. Barcelona are 4-11 to win the trophy whenever the final is settled.