Daily tips for May 3

NRL (rd 8) for May 3

Bulldogs v Tigers, ANZ Stadium, Friday, May 3, 7.35pm

It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for Des Hasler’s men. Decimated by injury in the early rounds, they were also hampered by a horror draw that saw them face North Queensland, Melbourne, Souths, Manly and the Roosters in the first six weeks. Canterbury won none of those but, other than a 38-8 shut-out against the Roosters, have been far from disgraced.

Already on the Tigers’ injured list have been Benji Marshall, Keith Galloway, Braith Anasta, Lote Tuqiri and Liam Fulton so the last thing coach Mick Potter needed was to lose three more key players in their 20-10 loss to Brisbane last Saturday.

We’ve pegged this game at about 36 points, with the Bulldogs forward pack still to find the form of 2012 and Potter’s strong emphasis on defence at training during the week. A small play on the line is also in order.

Suggested bet: Game total -40.5 (three units @ $1.80) LOSE, Bulldogs -14.5 (one unit @ $2.00) WIN (40-4)

Other tips

Broncos v Rabbitohs -36.5 LOSE (12-26)

Racing for May 3

Horse racing: Bendigo (Vic), Muswellbrook (NSW), Sunshine Coast (Qld), Wagga Wagga (NSW)

Harness racing: Menangle (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Melton (Vic), Bathurst (NSW), Port Pirie (SA), Gloucester Park (WA)

Greyhound racing: Casino (NSW), Mt Gambier (SA), Bendigo (Vic), The Gardens (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Geelong (Vic), Wentworth Park (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Winnellie Park (NT)

Two big collects yesterday have us back in the black after Faithful Jester ($12.60) and Banna Strand ($7.80) both saluted on the final day of the Warrnambool Racing Carnival. We stay with the Victorian provincials for our best of the day. Conditions look ideal at Bendigo today with a dead (4) and sunny skies, although it promises to be very windy.

Race 6 is the National Heating and Cooling Class 1 Handicap over 1000m, which looks an ideal spot for #8 Klishina to pick up her second win in just four starts. Trained at Seymour by David Bourne, this 3yo filly won on debut at Kilmore in January before being pipped at the post by Ferlax at Ballarat three weeks later. Experienced hoop Steven Arnold takes the ride here with barrier 11 unlikely to be a serious impediment.

Suggested bet: Bendigo R6 #8 Klishina E/W (two units @ $3.40) LOSE (U/P)

Others tips

Bendigo R4 #3 Lyndhurst (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Muswellbrook R7 #3 Jest Crewsin (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Wagga Wagga R4 #3 Talbanga (win) LOSE (3rd)

Wagga Wagga R7 #13 Devised (E/W) 2nd ($3.90)

Greyhound racing tips
The Gardens R4 #1 Belfast Kaiser (win) 1st ($2.40)
Wentworth Park R9 #3 Osteria Mozza (win) 1st ($1.90)
Geelong R8 #8 Classy Maldini (win) 1st ($1.70)

AFL (rd 6) for May 3

Collingwood (3-2) v St Kilda (1-4), Etihad Stadium, Friday, May 3, 7.50pm

It’s hard to see the Magpies being beaten here, not that either side has reached any great heights so far this season. However, the play of the round looks to be on the game total line, which looks overblown even for a game at Etihad.

St Kilda has struggled for goals in all games except their big win over the Gold Coast, with limited output from both their small and tall forwards. Stephen Milne (back after a week’s suspension) and Justin Koschitzke, in particular, have been anaemic in front of goal.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has Darren Jolly back in the ruck and Andy Krakouer making his first of the season – he’ll be keen for a better showing from his leaky defence while his Saints counterpart Scott Watters won’t want a shootout his side can’t win.

Suggested bet: Game total -200.5 (three units @ $1.80) WIN (103-77)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication

MLB for May 3

Chicago White Sox (11-15) @ Texas Rangers (17-10), Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX, Friday, May 3, 10.10am

We’re riding the MLB roller coaster at the moment with day-to-day inconsistency in several bullpens proving costly. We still have our noses in front and hope things settle down this month after a torrid April! For our play of the day, we head to Arlington where the White Sox will be out to claim the series after splitting the first two games against the Rangers.

Jake Peavy was scheduled to get the start for the visitors but the White Sox scratched the right-hander due to back spasms and will instead send Hector Santiago to the hill for his season debut. Santiago (0-1, 2.51 ERA) has made seven appearances out of the bullpen this season, and he didn't allow a run in the first six.

The Rangers counter with rookie Justin Grimm (2-0, 1.59), who has won his last two starts while yielding two runs (one earned) and yielding 11 hits with 13 strikeouts in 13 innings. We like the look of Grimm here to get the win.

Suggested bet: Rangers -1.5 (two units @ $2.35) LOSE, game total -8.5 (two units @ $1.80) WIN (3-1)

Other tips

Red Sox @ Blue Jays -8.5 WIN (3-1)

Marlins @ Phillies -7.5 LOSE (2-7)

Nationals WIN @ Braves WIN (3-1)

Tigers WIN WIN @ Astros +9.5 WIN (7-3)

Cardinals @ Brewers WIN LOSE (6-5)

Orioles @ Angels WIN LOSE (5-1)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication

NHL playoffs for May 3

Western Conference quarter-finals, game 2: Los Angeles Kings @ St Louis Blues, Scottrade Center, St Louis, MS, Friday, May 3, 11.40am (Blues lead 1-0)

Alexander Steen’s overtime goal could be a lot more than a game-changer for the St Louis Blues. However fluky the finish, they know they can beat the Los Angeles Kings. Now, they’ll try to keep the upper hand against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Most of Game 1, the Blues looked like the team that won 12 of its last 15 to earn the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage against the Kings, who finished just one point behind.

The Blues were thrown off their game by the Kings' physical play last spring, and made it a point to initiate the contact in Game 1. They were out-hit 41-38, but got the Kings’ attention. We expect the Kings to respond here and win a low-scoring affair.

Suggested bet: Game total -5 (three units @ $1.62*) WIN, Kings WIN (one unit @ $2.10*) LOSE (1-2)

Other tips

ECQF1: Senators @ Canadiens -5 LOSE (4-2)

ECQF1: Rangers @ Capitals -5 WIN (1-3)

WCQF2: Red Wings @ Ducks (Ducks lead series 1-0) -1.5 LOSE (5-4)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication

NBA playoffs for May 3

Western Conference playoffs, round 1, game 6: Denver Nuggets @ Golden State Warriors, Oracle Arena Center, Oakland, CA, Friday, May 3, 12.40pm (Warriors lead 3-2)

After a game 5 that often resembled a pro wrestling battle royale, the battered and bruised Warriors return home needing just one win to wrap up this series against the Nuggets.

We fully expect that they’ll do so here, and we’re returning to a play that worked out nicely two days ago thanks to our sports betting partner Centrebet. Under the Money Back Special that Centrebet is offering on the NBA playoffs, they will refund your bet up to $100 if your team scores 100 points and loses.

The Warriors average more than 102 points at home this year, while Denver averages less than 105 points against on the road. Golden State went 28-13 at home, while Denver went 19-22 on the road. Denver did win the regular season series 3-1 but in two of the losses, Golden State scored more 100 points.

Suggested bet: Warriors WIN (three units @ $1.74*) WIN (88-92)

Other tips

E6: Nets +1 WIN @ Bulls, +184.5 (Bulls led series 3-2) WIN (95-92)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication