Daily tips for November 26

Note: Bets are listed in three categories – 1) Suggested (likely bet but yet to be finalised); 2) Confirmed (locked in at the price listed); and 3) Leans (tips, but not recommended bets); all times quoted are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).


Racing for November 26

Horse racing: Bairnsdale (Vic – abandoned), Port Macquarie (NSW), Townsville (Qld). Harness racing: Albion Park (Qld), Kilmore (Vic), Menangle (NSW), Northam (WA). Greyhound racing: Launceston (Tas), Gawler (SA), Gosford (NSW), Goulburn (NSW), Horsham (Vic), Ipswich (Qld), Lismore (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Townsville (Qld), Warragul (Vic).

The Racing Queensland Board will decide on Friday if Hayden Haitana, the man at the centre of the infamous Fine Cotton ring-in scandal, will be allowed to return to racetracks after a 29-year hiatus. Racenet reports that Haitana trained the infamous Fine Cotton when it was substituted for the far superior Bold Personality in a restricted race at Eagle Farm on August 18, 1984. Bold Personality went on to win the race, albeit by the barest of margins (pictured, with thanks to heraldsun.com.au), landing a series of bets that unsurprisingly drew the attention of stewards. Following the investigation, it was revealed that the scam had extended to Sydney, which led to the scandal becoming one of the most recognised in Australian racing history. Haitana served a jail term for his involvement and now believes that he has paid his dues in his quest to return to racing. “I’ve done my time – more than done my time. I actually went to jail over it. Some of the other guys didn’t even go to jail. They had their charges dropped,” Haitana said.

Confirmed bets

Port Macquarie R4 #2 Upearly (E/W) 1st ($3.20/$1.50)

Townsville R5 #7 Cosmic Ruler (win) 1st ($1.80)

Leans

Port Macquarie R3 #11 Stradance (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($1.60)

Port Macquarie R7 #4 Battle Street (win) 1st ($3.50) 
Townsville R2 #1 Greedy (win) 1st ($2.40)

Townsville R3 #4 Pressum (win) LOSE (U/P)

Townsville R6 #7 Burt (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Harness racing tip: Kilmore R1 #6 Sotiris (E/W 1x2) 3rd ($1.70)

Greyhound racing tip: Gosford R8 #1 Pantene Green (win) LOSE (2nd)

NFL (week 12) for November 26

San Francisco 49ers (6-4, 3-2 away) @ Washington Redskins (3-7, 2-2 home), FedEx Field, Landover, MD, Tuesday, November 26, 12.40pm

Two NFL quarterbacks suffering sophomore blues take centre stage at FedEx Field in the nations’s capital for Monday Night Football as the Redskins host the 49ers. Washington's Robert Griffin III and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick burst onto the NFL scene a year ago but haven't enjoyed the same success this season. The 49ers are on the fringes of the NFC playoff picture while the Redskins are in last place in the NFC East. San Francisco isn't in panic mode yet, as its successive losses to the Panthers and Saints have come by a combined four points. The defence is still one of the best units in the league and has forced two or more turnovers in seven of 10 games. Kaepernick’s weaknesses were evident in a 23-20 loss at New Orleans. He was limited to 127 yards passing on a day when San Francisco was held to a season-low 81 rushing yards. San Francisco has an 8-0 record when Kaepernick starts and has a rating of 100 or better, a mark he has achieved only three times this season.

Griffin's slump has been somewhat overstated considering Washington leads the league in rushing (155.2 yards per game) and ranks sixth in total offense (412.1). The Redskins' Alfred Morris is 82 yards shy of a second consecutive 1000-yard season. But Griffin does not have a rushing touchdown and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry after rushing for seven scores and 6.8 yards per attempt last season, while Washington TE Jordan Reed, who leads NFL rookies with 45 catches, is listed as questionable with a concussion. The bigger issue is on defence, as the Redskins rank 28th in total defence (389.9) and 30th in scoring (31.1). Washington has allowed 400 or more yards in six of 10 games including three of the last four. Coaching has certainly taken its share of criticism with Washington headed for its third last-place finish in four seasons under Mike Shanahan The Redskins QB came under fire for comments following last week's 24-16 loss at Philadelphia that seemed to deflect blame toward offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the team's receivers.

Confirmed bets

San Francisco 49ers -5 @ Washington Redskins (two units @ $1.91) WIN (27-6)

Frank Gore rushing yards +84.5 (one unit @ $1.87) LOSE (31)

Lean

San Francisco 49ers @ Washington Redskins +46 $1.91 LOSE (27-6)

NHL for November 26

Chicago Blackhawks (16-4-4, 36pts) @ Edmonton Oilers (7-15-2, 16pts), Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Tuesday, November 26, 1.40pm

All of a sudden, the young Edmonton Oilers are hot and scoring goals for the fun of it. The Oilers hung seven on the dismal Columbus Blue Jackets and four apiece against the Flames and Panthers last week. They've won three-straight games and represent excellent value as they host the reigning Stanley Cup champions Chicago. The Blackhawks go for their own three-game run as they continue a seven-game road trip here. They lead the Central Division with 36 points, one behind NHL-leading Anaheim. The Blackhawks are also among the league's best road teams with a 7-3-1 record. Chicago put on its own impressive display Saturday, when Andrew Shaw and Marcus Kruger scored nine seconds apart in the third period in a 2-1 win at Vancouver. The teams have split six meetings since, but Chicago has won the last two, including a 5-4 victory at home November 10, with Shaw and Kruger getting a goal each. Patrick Kane had an assist in that meeting while captain Jonathan Toews has seven goals and four assists in his past seven games at Rexall Place.

Things appear to be turning around for the Oilers (7-15-2), who have outscored opponents 15-3 during a three-game winning streak, matching their win total over the previous 18 games. Edmonton’s surge continued with Thursday’s 4-1 win over Florida, two days after pounding Columbus 7-0 for its highest output of the season. The Oilers are 5 for 9 on the power play the past two games, while killing all nine they’ve faced during the win streak. The penalty-killing unit has only given up goals on 2 of 33 chances in nine games. Jordan Eberle has three goals and one assist in three games after scoring twice Thursday. He has six goals and 12 assists in 12 career meetings with Chicago. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has also thrived against the Blackhawks, collecting nine points in six games. The Blackhawks will also have to contend with Devan Dubnyk (pictured), who has stopped 71 of 74 shots with one shutout while starting every game of the Oilers’ streak. Dubnyk is 2-4-0 with a 3.83 GAA in eight games (seven starts) versus the Blackhawks.

Confirmed bets

Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers WIN (one unit @ $2.20) LOSE (5-1)

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins WIN $1.87 WIN (3-4)
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning -5 (one unit @ $1.95) PUSH (0-5)

Columbus Blue Jackets TT -2.5 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (one unit @ $1.70) LOSE (6-0)

Grand Salami -48.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (46)

Leans

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs WIN NT $1.85 LOSE (6-0)

Winnipeg Jets @ New Jersey Devils -5 $1.87 WIN (3-1)

Philadelphia Flyers WIN $1.83 @ Florida Panthers LOSE (1-3)

Minnesota Wild @ St Louis Blues WIN $1.67 WIN (0-3)

Phoenix Coyotes TT +2.5 $1.80 @ Nashville Predators LOSE (2-4)

Los Angeles Kings @ Vancouver Canucks WIN $1.80 LOSE (3-2)

NBA for November 26

New York Knicks (3-9, 2-3 away) @ Portland Trail Blazers (12-2, 5-1 home), Moda Center, Portland, OR, Tuesday, November 26, 2.10pm

The Portland Trail Blazers are the hottest shot in the NBA. They’re on a 10-game winning streak (the longest since a 13-game run from December 3-30, 2007), which included 4-0 on a four-game East coast road trip. The Blazers were the best team against the spread this week and have improved to have the second-best record ATS in the NBA at 10-4. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard (pictured) have been unstoppable for the Blazers during this run – Aldridge is scoring 22.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while Lillard is scoring 19.9 PPG to go with 6.1 assists. They’re shooting nearly as well from three-point range (43.0 per cent) during streak as they are from the field (45.6 per cent). While the offense has played efficiently, Portland has also been outscored in the first half of three of the last four contests. The Trail Blazers erased a deficit as large as 21 points in Friday's win over Chicago, then came back for a 113-101 win at Golden State on Saturday.

The Knicks (3-9) come in as losers of five straight after not losing more than four consecutive games in 2012-13. They’re shooting just 40.9 per cent and are averaging 90.3 points in the last three games without point guard Raymond Felton due to a sore back. Felton is still considered day-to-day and his absence was felt in a 98-89 loss at Washington on Saturday as opposing point guard John Wall scored 31 points. Now they’ll face Lillard, one of the NBA’s best scoring point men. New York’s offence has been lethargic at times all season, averaging a league-low 8.7 fast-break points per game. That average has fallen to 3.7 points during Felton’s absence. Carmelo Anthony recorded his sixth double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds and is averaging a career-best 9.8 rebounds. But his field goal percentage of 42.0 is a career-low. J.R. Smith is averaging 28.0 points over his past three match-ups with Portland. The Trail Blazers have won nine of 12 in the series overall.

Confirmed bets

New York Knicks @ Portland Trail Blazers -7 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (91-102)

Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat -11.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (92-107)

Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks -5.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (110-96)

Leans

Boston Celtics @ Charlotte Bobcats -187 $1.91 WIN (96-86)

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Indiana Pacers -6.5 $1.91 WIN (84-98)

Milwaukee Bucks @ Detroit Pistons +190.5 $1.91 WIN (94-113)

Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat -201 $1.91 WIN (92-107)

Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies WIN $1.95 LOSE (93-86)

Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks +212 $1.91 LOSE (110-96)

New Orleans Pelicans @ San Antonio Spurs -10 $1.91 WIN (93-112)

Chicago Bulls @ Utah Jazz +4.5 $1.91 WIN (83-89)

EPL for November 26

West Bromwich Albion (3-5-3) v Aston Villa (4-2-5), The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England, Tuesday, November 26, 7am

Not much separates West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa – the clubs are situated just six kilometres apart, lie 11th and 12th on the EPL table respectively and are a single goal apart on goal difference. This meeting might not match the intensity of a Second City derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham or a Black Country affair like West Brom versus Wolves, but these two are great rivals. Albion are unbeaten in the last five meetings but prior to that run Villa were undefeated in 17 league and cup matches that covered a 26-year period. Last January, Villa were well set to register three important points in their fight against relegation as they led 2-0 at half-time. But West Brom improved in the second half and after Chris Brunt had pulled a goal back, Peter Odemwingie hit a late dramatic equaliser. After going 26 league games without a clean sheet, Villa have recorded shut-outs in four of their last seven league games and have conceded only three league goals away from home this season.

Albion remain a stronger side in the second half this season, with nine of their 12 goals coming after the break. Of course, Albion have already experienced late drama this term with the controversial penalty that enabled Chelsea to snatch a draw before the international break.  Not since the last days of winter and the early blossom of spring have Steve Clarke’s side won successive home matches and they face a Villa team who have developed a miserly streak on the road this season. The Baggies have lost only one of their past eight league games (W3, D4, L1). Forward Nicolas Anelka (pictured) is fit after recovering from the groin problem that ruled him out against Chelsea, Scott Sinclair's hamstring injury will be assessed before kick-off while Billy Jones is ruled out with a similar problem. The 14 Premier League fixtures between the sides have ended either as draws or 2-1 victories (five wins for Villa, two for West Brom), and I’ll be betting accordingly.

Confirmed bets

West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa DRAW (one unit @ $3.30) WIN (2-2)

West Brom v Aston Villa – correct score 1-2 (0.5 units @ $12.00) LOSE (2-2)

West Brom v Aston Villa – correct score 2-1 (0.5 units @ $9.00) LOSE (2-2)

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