Daily tips for August 2

NRL (R21) for August 2

Penrith Panthers (8-10) v Sydney Roosters (14-4), Centrebet Stadium, Friday, August 2, 7.35pm

It doesn't get much harder than playing the miserly Roosters at the moment. Second on the competition table, they have the best points for-and-against differential of any side (plus-237) and have conceded the least amount of points (209). That is an average of just 11.6 points conceded per game, the sort of average that premiership-winning teams often boast. During their current, five-game winning streak, the Roosters' defensive average is even better than their stunning overall average. While beating the Bulldogs 20-18, the Sea Eagles 18-12, the Dragons 36-0, the Sharks 40-0 and the Knights 28-12, they have conceded at an average of 10.4 per game. For the Roosters, Mitch Aubusson rises from the bench to replace Williams in the starting side, and Aidan Guerra comes in on the bench.

It is going to be even harder for the Panthers when you consider their injury problems, which mainly hit them in the forwards. Sure, the Roosters are without suspended superstar Sonny Bill Williams, but the Panthers are without Sam McKendry, who has been missing long term, Matt Robinson and Nigel Plum. Lachlan Coote and Brad Tighe remain unavailable in the backs as well. The Panthers made a strong run of six wins from eight games to break into the top eight, but their injury problems then mounted and they struggled in their past two games, losing 32-14 to the Knights and 38-10 to the Sharks. They have dropped to 10th, and need to start winning again now if they hope to make the finals. But it's going to be a huge challenge for them here. Mose Masoe returns on the bench for the Panthers, replacing Sam Anderson. Josh Mansour is added to what is a five-man bench.

Suggested bet: Game total -40.5 (two units @ $1.85) LOSE (6-42)

Other tip

Newcastle Knights -5.5 (one units @ $1.91) LOSE v Brisbane Broncos -37.5 (two units @ $1.90) WIN (18-18)

AFL (R19) for August 2

North Melbourne (7-10) v Geelong (14-3), Etihad Stadium, Friday, August 2, 7.50pm

It’s not often two sides meet the week after both scoring 100-plus-point victories, but that’s the case here as the Scott brothers and their Kangaroos and Cats kick-off round 19 under the roof at Etihad. It took North a half to hit top gear against the Demons before they rattled on 16 goals to one after quarter-time to win by 122 points here last week. Likewise, St Kilda was tied with Geelong at quarter-time before the Cats put on a clinic, booting 17 goals to one over the next three quarters. Geelong may have won eight of the past nine against the Roos, but the record is evenly split 4-4 at Etihad with just four points separating the sides when they met in round 2. The Roos will be without skipper Andrew Swallow until well into season 2014, while Chris Scott had quickly recalled Jimmy Bartel, Josh Hunt and the rested Mark Blicavs. With respect to the Roos record at Etihad, I suggest just a small play on the ‘under’ based on the Cats’ ability to deny opposition sides access to their forward 50.

Suggested bet: Game total -206.5 (one unit @ $2.00) WIN (96-86)

Racing for August 2

Horse racing: Geelong (Vic), Scone (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Canberra (ACT). Harness racing: Mildura (Vic), Young (NSW), Melton (Vic), Newcastle (NSW), Redcliffe (Qld), Globe Derby (SA), Gloucester Park (WA). Greyhound racing: Casino (NSW), Mt Gambier (SA), Bendigo (Vic), The Gardens (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Wagga (NSW), Geelong (Vic), Wentworth Park (NSW), Winnellie Park (NT), Mandurah (WA).

They’re racing on an unseasonable dead (4) and under clear skies at Scone today with the eight-race card featuring plenty of horses chasing their first win. One of those is our best of the day #1 Couch Potato, jumping from barrier 4 in the National Jockeys Trust Maiden Plate over 1100m. The Kris Lees-trained 4yo gelding resumes after almost a year away from the races. He was one of the better performers at the Newcastle trials on July 16, winning his trial in 55.36 seconds – the fastest of three 900m trials – and defeated horses that have won races in the process. The four-year-old son of Snitzel is yet to win in three race starts but has form around horses that have won metropolitan races.

Suggested bet: Scone R2 #1 Couch Potato WIN (two units) 1st ($1.60)

Other tips

Geelong R4 #7 Bondi Tram (E/W 1x4) 1st ($3.80/$1.70)

Geelong R6 #2 Godfrey (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Geelong R8 #8 Beau Jez (win) LOSE (4th)

Geelong R9 #6 Dr Brock (win) 1st ($2.80)

Scone R1 #4 Always Tomorrow (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Scone R3 #2 Cardiff Arms (E/W 1x4) 2nd ($1.40)

Scone R5 #4 Strada Lodge (E/W 1x4) LOSE (U/P)

Canberra R2 #5 Zartiki (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($2.00)

Canberra R4 #2 Flaming Star (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Canberra R8 #3 Aupose (E/W) 3rd ($1.60)

Ipswich R4 #1 Bon Temps (win) 1st ($2.20)

Ipswich R6 #4 Bronco (E/W 1x4) 2nd ($1.50)

Harness racing tip: Melton R4 #1 Echeveria (win) LOSE (4th)

Greyhound racing tip: Wentworth Park R4 #1 Little Grey (win) 1st ($1.60)

Note: no MLB tips will be posted for August 1 games in the US today

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