Christmas Crackers - The Best Bets

1. Watford to beat Crystal Palace @2.50 

Palace are in disarray and have just sacked their manager. They concede lots of goals and Watford are just outside the top half of the league. They have won three of their last four home games and at this price are a must back. 


2. Thistlecrack to win the King George @2.10

Cue Card v Thistlecrack. A heavyweight contest between the Colin Tizzard horses. Cue Card has experience but Thistlecrack barely seems to have got out of second gear even when running away with the world hurdle. A racing superstar could be born


3. Chelsea to beat Bournemouth 1-0 @8.00 

Chelsea are missing some of their stars for this game. Even without Kante you would expect the defence to remain solid at home. Expect them to steal a win with a moment of magic


4. Golden State Warriors -2 v Cleveland Cavaliers @1.91

Golden State Warriors are the team with something to prove! JR Smith is out and I think the Warriors have had this circled all year. I wanted to back this on the alternative handicap but the market is not up yet 


5. Oklahoma City Thunder -4 v Minnesota Timberwolves @1.91

Oklahoma may not be at the same level of last year. They still are a playoff team and showed when beating Boston that they can turn it on. Timberwolves have struggled all year 


6. San Diego Chargers v Cleveland Browns over 49.5 points @2.37

Which defence is holding the other under 20 points? I do not see it happening. Maybe the Chargers turn up and maul the Browns but they are the type of team who would take a defensive touchdown. Gordon is a miss but Rivers can still fire it around


7. Kansas City Chiefs to beat Denver Broncos by 1-6 points @4.20

Denver are still strong defensively but they can be run on and struggle to put points up. Kansas seen to always be able to do just enough to get the win and I feel they can here as well. 


8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat New Orleans Saints @2.65

Tampa Bay are one of the form teams in the NFL. The Saints are poor, especially defensively. The Bucs recently dominated them and can do the same away from home 


9. Aston Villa, Reading and Luton to win @9.13

Villa and Luton are much better than their foes. Reading take on a struggling Norwich. All three should win and this treble takes advantage


10. The New One to win the Christmas Hurdle @2.87

It surely comes down to Yanworth or The New One at Kempton. Yanworth needs either longer or a strong pace and he does not look like getting either 


P/L: +273.30

W-L: 31-26-1