Wow, what a week around the world, from managers being fired to plane crashes, from mass shootings to assassinations... oh, and the usual politics.
Luckily we only deal with sports and betting in these couple of words a week, so let’s crack on.
The November rugby Tests start this weekend, and first up it’s Japan at home to New Zealand. As much as one would like to see the Japanese pull off an upset, this is highly doubtful.
Japan are an ever improving side, but as the numbers have it, New Zealand are expected to win this match by 38 points.
I tend to agree with the spread given by the bookies, even with a third-string All Black side.
Next up it is Wales taking on Scotland, which should be a humdinger. Wales are expected to do the business at home, but it will be a close game.
I would probably stay away from this game in terms of a punt. Wales are -6.5 points, and I am unsure they can achieve that?
Then it’s the big one for us, with Rassie Erasmus versus Eddie Jones.
The Boks are at the famous Twickenham ground, which usually serves up a saucy game. Eddie has brought back some old faces, which makes this game an interesting prospect.
The likes of Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton will be featuring over the next month.
The Boks on the other hand have some sort of consistency of late.
The bookies have England as three-point favourites, but my view is that let’s back our boys to win at the given price of 11/10.
On to local football, it’s the Telkom Knockout, and we have two KZN teams featuring in the quarters. It’s AmaZulu playing Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United hosting Bidvest Wits.
As we know, anything can happen in these cup games, and my bones indicate extra time, and only one of the two KZN teams to make the semi-finals.
🎫 @TicketProSA- Spar outlets nationwide #DurbanHasMore #Usuthu_Unite #UkhoziFM #IlangaNewspaper pic.twitter.com/6YTxwwRuyA
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) November 2, 2018
I would say take a dip on the other two cup games, and stay away from Maritzburg and AmaZulu. The other matches feature Baroka playing Sundowns, and Chiefs hosting SuperSport.
Sangoma calls both visiting teams to crack on and win here.
Then first thing on Sunday morning, it’s the Proteas in action Down Under in the first of three ODIs. I feel we have the squad to go there and win the series. I’m backing our boys to win the ODI series 2-1.
The English Premier League is taking a back seat this week due to all the Mzansi teams in action, but the highlights in the Queen’s country this weekend are as follows; Bournemouth host Manchester United, Cardiff play Leicester and the big one is Arsenal hosting Liverpool.
I would look at both teams to score in all three of these fixtures, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester winning.
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2013... @aaronramsey with the rocket against Liverpool 🚀 pic.twitter.com/YfkCzEBci2
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 2, 2018
Enjoy the entertainment on your couch, in what could be a wet weekend in Durban.
Sangoma out!
@shabsgunner