July 2017

Referee to use TMO 6 times in final Lions Test (6th July 2017)

After the television match official (TMO) was used for a red card offence in the British and Irish Lions Test against New Zealand last weekend, leading spread betting firm Sporting Index predicts that the square- box-signal will be given six times in the third and final Test match this weekend.

French referee Jerome Garces used TMO to spot a shoulder charge to the head of Lion Anthony Watson by All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams, leading to the sending off of the New Zealand man during Warren Gatland's side's win to level the series.

The third and final test match will be refereed by Frenchman Romain Poite, and Sporting Index's traders predict the man in the centre will signal for video assistance a total of six times in Auckland on Saturday.

Ed Fulton, trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said: "Jerome Garces was spot on with his decision to dismiss Sonny Bill Williams at the weekend using TMO, and our traders think we're yet to see more of the video evidence in this weekend's third and final Test - six times to be exact."

"It could be a bad omen for the Lions that the man with the whistle for Saturday's match is Romain Poite, and the All Blacks have won all eight matches they've had refereed by the Frenchman."

"Poite was embroiled in a TMO scandal when he used video evidence to give a yellow card to Dan Carter the All Blacks' 2013 Championship match against South Africa in Auckland, with the yellow subsequently rescinded by the International Rugby Board. So it'll certainly be interesting to see Poite's use of TMO this weekend as both teams go into the big event level at one match each."
 

Joe Root to get 60 in his first knock as England skipper (Friday 7th July, 2017)

Leading spread betting company Sporting Index expect Joe Root to score 60 runs in his first innings as England’s Test captain.

Root, who is leading England for the first time against South Africa at Lord’s, is tipped to make a 27th Test fifty, but fall short of the centuries made by Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook in their maiden innings as skippers.

Sporting Index’s Ed Fulton, said: “Joe Root has had to wait since February for his first Test match in charge, and he seems more than ready to step up. He’s been captain-in-waiting for much longer, however, and we think Root can start his captaincy with a fluent 60 runs"

“One of the criticisms of Root has been his inability to convert fifties to centuries, and we think he’ll fail again here – but 60 at Lord’s against a strong South African attack certainly shouldn’t be sniffed at.”
 

New Gunner Lacazette tipped to net 18 goals (7th July 2017)

Leading spread betting company Sporting Index expect new Arsenal signing Alexandre Lacazette to notch 18 Premier League goals this season.

The Frenchman has today put pen to paper on a five-year deal to make him the Gunners’ record-signing, and Sporting Index’s traders believe the striker will be a hit in his first season at the Emirates.

Sporting Index’s Ed Fulton, said: “Arsenal fans have been calling for Wenger to splash the cash for the last few seasons, and Alexandre Lacazette is certainly the type of player to excite supporters and get them off their seats."

"Last season Alexis Sanchez was the first Arsenal player to score over 20 league goals since Robin van Persie in 2012, and they could look to cash in on the Chilean frontman if he refuses to sign a new contract. That leaves big boots to fill, and Lacazette could be the man to step up with the lion's share of goals for Arsene Wenger's side."

"He has scored over 20 times in each of the last three seasons for Lyon in Ligue 1, however asking him to score 20 in his first season in the Premier League is a big ask. If he notches eighteen times in the league, then he'll surely be deemed a big success in his debut year."

Lukaku tipped to notch 20 goals for United (7th July 2017)

Leading spread betting company Sporting Index expect Romelu Lukaku to strike 20 times if his expected move to Man United goes through.

Jose Mourinho's side have agreed a reported £75m fee with Everton for the Belgium striker, and while he notched 25 times for the Toffees in the Premier League last season, Sporting Index expect him to fall just shy of that total when he turns out for the Red Devils this year.

Sporting Index's Ed Fulton, said: "Jose Mourinho has been desperate to land a striker to fill the goals scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season, and it looks like he's landed his man with Lukaku expected to complete a medical and sign personal terms shortly."

"Lukaku scored an impressive 25 goals in the league for Ronald Koeman's side last season, and while some might say he'll have more chances created for him in a stronger side, he'll be in competition with the likes of Marcus Rashford for a place in the first XI. We expect it'll be hard for Lukaku to replicate last season's total with the Toffees in his debut season with United."

"The Belgian is big and powerful enough to scores all types of goals, and if he manages 20 this season then I'm sure he'll win the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful."

McIlroy to hit 107 putts in US Open (Tuesday 13th June, 2017)

Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will hit 107 total putts in this weekend's US Open, according to traders at Sporting Index.

The winner of the 2011 US Open announced this week he is set to compete in this years tournament at Erin Hills with his new red TaylorMade Spider Tour putter - the first time the club will be used in competitive play.

Rory currently averages 112.8 putts per 72 holes but traders at the lead spread-betting firm estimate that McIlroy will be better off with his new stick and take just 107 strokes on the green at Erin Hills. This would see McIlroy putt an average 1.49 times, compared to his current average of 1.73, over four rounds, teeing him up nicely for a crack at winning the trophy.

Ed Fulton, trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said: "Rory McIlroy will be hoping that the Spider Tour putter will bring him a bit more luck at this year's US Open compared to his last outing, which saw him crash out after just two rounds."

"Major tournaments arguably tend to be won and lost on the greens, so all eyes will be on Rory's putting technique as he seeks to claim the second US Open title of his career. We predict he'll hit a total of 107 putts, which on average would be a decent score if he is to mount a serious challenge for this year's title."
 
Morata set to net 16 goals for Premier League champions (27th July 2017)

Chelsea's new £58m import Alvaro Morata is set to reward his buyers with just 16 goals next season, short of the Blues' 2016/17 top-scorer Diego Costa.

Costa, expected to exit Stamford Bridge before the campaign kicks off, bagged 20 Premier League goals last season and the world's largest sports spread betting firm, Sporting Index, thinks that Morata will fall short of that figure.

In Sporting Index's list of Premier League individual player goals spreads, Harry Kane leads the line with a predicted 23 goals, followed by Manchester United's £75m signing Romelu Lukaku on 20 goals.

Morata also has Arsenal's French import Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him on 18 goals, whilst the Spaniard is predicted to score more than Wayne Rooney, 10 goals, and West Ham's Javier Hernandez, also 10.

Ed Fulton, trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said: "Alvaro Morata has some big boots to fill at Chelsea and we think he'll fall short of Diego Costa's 20 goal haul of 2016/17 on 16. He has competition from Michy Batshuayi to start up top while Chelsea also face a stiffer task in general this season."

"As long as he's fit, Harry Kane is certain to turn out for Tottenham every week and he's an out and out goal-scorer. Kane heads our spread of the Prem's top marksmen with a predicted 23 goals, while we think Romelu Lukaku will be breathing down his neck in the race for the Golden Boot on 20 goals."

Ronaldo to be sold for £170m in summer (20th June 2017)

Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo will go for £170m and become the most expensive player in the world for a second time, according to spread betting firm Sporting Index.

The Galactico goal machine has been the subject of rife transfer speculation in the last week after rumours suggested he is looking to move following outstanding tax bill allegations made against him.

This has led many to believe that the world's richest clubs are hot on the trail of Ronaldo, including Manchester United and PSG, who are reported to be willing to break the bank to land the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

If Ronaldo does move on to pastures new after eight years with the La Liga champions, it's unlikely that any deal will come cheap to his suitors, according to Sporting Index's traders.

Ed Fulton, trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said: "Following speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at Real Madrid and on the lookout for one final challenge in his career, different amounts of money have been mentioned, including his rumoured £1b buyout clause."

"However, what's clear at this time is Real Madrid will be reluctant to let their star player go without a hefty fee. Paul Pogba is the current most expensive player in the world, but given Cristiano Ronaldo¿s stature and reputation in world-football, we predict that if he goes this summer, it will be for a world-record £170m."

"Although Ronaldo is nearing the end of his career, his goals and trophy record in the last few seasons show he isn't letting up any time soon and it's likely his next club will splash the cash to secure his services."