With early bragging rights falling the way of India, Australia will attempt to level the four-test series when the two proud cricketing nations meet in Perth from today. The first test in Adelaide produced many memorable moments and will be remembered as one of the better fought and even opening tests in Australia since the turn of the century. On a deck that should suit our fast bowling ranks down to the ground, Australia opened as outsiders but have firmed noticeably into $2 after spinner Ravi Ashwin and batsman Rohit Sharma were both ruled out.
This game could prove pivotal to which franchise tops the AFC West and we’re set for a thrilling showdown. Thursday Night Football games are typically lower scoring and I’m expecting that trend to continue here. Five of the last seven Chargers games have comfortably sailed below this total and while both of these offences have been good this year, there are a few injuries to both that suggest they will not be at their absolute best. The injury to Tyreek Hill in particular very much hurts a Chiefs offence that has already lost Kareem Hunt.
This looks like being one of the bigger class differences in Week 8 of the A-League and Melbourne Victory are over the odds to win at their current price. The Roar have fast fallen back out of favour and were comfortably beaten by the Jets on the road last week, while the Victory secured their fifth-consecutive win at the expense of Adelaide. The Victory are impossible to tip against in current form.
The Wildcats suffered only their second defeat of the season to the Kings last week, but I am confident that they will turn the tables in the nation’s west tonight. It was a rare flat night for Perth in Sydney, and they have since returned to winning form with an easy hit-out against the Cairns Taipans. This is undoubtedly the toughest road trip in the league and the home side can cover a line currently set at only 3.5 points.