January 2020
ALL TIME LOW FOR RED DEVILS
Red Devils to record lowest points total in nearly 30 years
Wednesday 8th January, 2020 – Sporting Index predict Manchester United will record their lowest points total in nearly 30 years, when they finished the season on 59 points in 1991 in the old First Division.
The betting firm expect Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to finish on the same points total this season - level with Tottenham and outside the Champions League spots for another year.
Last night's 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City compounded United's misery after losses to Watford and Arsenal in recent weeks, which has led the spread betting experts to revise their expected points to a lowly 59.
Solskjaer will likely demand funds this month in a bid to push the Red Devils up the table and secure a Champions League position, but the traders at Sporting Index believe they will end the campaign level with Spurs outside the top four.
BARRY GERAGHTY PREVIEW
Barry Geraghty: Notre Pari going right way ahead of the Lanzarote
Friday 10th January, 2020 – There are plenty of Festival clues on offer this weekend with a good card at Sandown and eight Group 1s over in Ireland.
It was good Mick Pastor got his head in front at Ludlow on Wednesday. He obviously didn't run up to expectations at Cheltenham, so it was definitely a step in the right direction.
The form of the race doesn't look the strongest though and he'll need to step up plenty to be considered for the juvenile races at Cheltenham, He's improved from his first run of the season which is encouraging, but it's quite a big leap of faith to say we're at the level need to be competitive at the Festival.
My first ride of the day is Notre Pari for Olly Murphy in the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle (2:40pm). He won really nicely the last day at Aintree, where the step up to 2m4f looked to really suit. This race is more competitive and with the eight pound rise, he'll need to improve again but he's definitely going the right way.
REDS TO EQUAL CITY RECORD
Reds predicted to equal Manchester City's Premier League points record
Monday 13th January, 2020 – Having won 20 of their 21 games in the Premier League this season, Sporting Index predict Liverpool will match Manchester City's record league points haul on their way to winning their first Premier League title.
The spread betting experts expect the runaway leaders to accrue 100 points, the joint-highest in Premier League history, and in doing so surpassing the club's record of 97 points, which they achieved last term.
Sporting Index expect a landslide title victory, with the Reds predicted to be crowned league champions for the first time in 30 years by a staggering 15-point marguin, just shy of the record-winning gap of 19 which was set by City in 2017-18.
Neville Burdock, head of trading at Sporting Index, said: There is a sense of invincibility around Liverpool in the Premier League now and their 14-point gap at the top shows how dominant they've been domestically so far this season.
BARRY GERAGHTY REVIEW
Barry Geraghty: Defi Du Seuil showing top-class potential
Friday 17th January, 2020 – It was obivously disappointing that Notre Pari fell at the last hurdle in the Lanzarote at Kempton. He was in contention when he fell, but it's hard to say if he would have won as he was starting to feel the pinch.
Later on the card. Never Adapt put in a good performance to win the handicap hurdle.
She's still very keen and needs to settle better, but she picked up nicely which was pleasing.
Although I'm not sure where she'll end up next. She'd have a good chance wherever she runs, She's got an engine, she just doesn't make her life easy and the quicker she settles the better a horse we'll see.
On Wednesday, you had to be pleased with Flinteur Sacre's debut in the Newbury bumper. He was very green but ran a lovely race and he'll come on heaps for it.
REDS BREAK CITY RECORD
Reds to break Manchester City's Premier League points record
Friday 24th January, 2020 – Liverpool fans could end a 30-year wait for a league title in style by breaking Manchester City's Premier League points record, according to betting firm Sporting Index.
The Reds have been tipped to better City's record of 100 points by finishing on 102 for the season, which would write Jurgen Klopp's side into the history books on their way to winning their first ever Premier League title.
The league leaders have proved unstoppable and last night's win at Molineux against Wolves made it 40 Premier League games unbeaten, which saw them edge closer towards Arsenal's record of 49 wins without a defeat.
Neville Burdock, head of trading at Sporting Index, said: We're running out of superlatives to describe Liverpool's Premier League campaign this season, but actions speak louder than words and we now predict Jurgen Klopp's side will beat Manchester City's points record by securing 102 by the end of the season.
RED BACKED AT 5/4
Liverpool 5/4 to win Premier League by record margin
Wednesday 29th January, 2020 – Sporting Index price Liverpool at 5/4 to win the Premier League by a record margin - 20 points or more - which would eclipse Manchester City's feat of 19 points in 2017/2018.
The Reds face West Ham this evening and a win at the London Stadium would be another huge step towards the title and put them 19 points clear of second-placed City with 14 games to go.
Sporting Index's traders have also slapped a 5/1 price on the league leaders to remain unbeaten in the top flight this season, while Liverpool are evens to break the Premier League points record by securing 101 or more.
Jurgen Klopp has faced accusations of not taking the FA Cup seriously after pledging to field a second-string side and pass managerial duties over to Neil Critchley for the fourth-round replay against Shrewbury, and the Reds are now 33/1 to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
BARRY GERAGHTY PREVIEW
Barry Geraghty: Fitzhenry my best ride at the Dublin Festival
Friday 31st January, 2020 – There are plenty of Festival clues on offer this weekend with a good card at Sandown and eight Group 1s over in Ireland
I'm at Sandown on Saturday to ride Champagne Platinum in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (2:25pm).
He jumped a little better last time at Newbury than on his debut at Cheltenham where he was very careful over his fences.
He hasn't lived up to expectations yet but he schooled well at home recently and can hopefully build on that previous effort and run a good race here.
Laurina is the classiest in the field but was disappointing when pulled up last time out, and there are a number of horses who could win.
Over in Ireland, I will be paying close attention to the Dublin Chase, where Chacun Pour Soi, who beat Defi Du Seuil at Punchestown last season, runs.