Daily tips for December 22

What’s on today

In this 250th edition of the Last At Cannington blog, you’ll find tips for a massive Sunday of action featuring the opening four College Football bowl games; big cards in both the NBA and NHL plus today’s racing and tonight’s games in the A-League, Big Bash and EPL tips later today; GL punters and, once again, thanks for your support!

Cricket (Big Bash League) for December 22

Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers, Gabba, Sunday, December 22, 7.15pm

Brisbane is the defending BBL champion while Perth has finished runner-up in the past editions of the tournament. The defending champions look to have it all to do in BBL03; despite winning the title in Perth, the Heat have lost coach Darren Lehmann and put in a horror show in the T20 Champions League in India. Veteran James Hopes again skippers the side and other than the loss of Kemar Roach and Thisasra Perera (both uncontracted) the Heat haven’t had too much upheaval. Daniel Vettori has always been a master spin bowler in any format and if Nick Buchanan (the son of former Aussie coach John) can stay fit, the Heat may have a serious player on their hands. However, he’ll miss here. Ryan Harris, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson are all on the Heat’s roster, but international cricket will determine how much (if any) cricket the get in the teal of the Heat.

Runners-up in BBL01 and BBL02, the Scorchers will be looking to go one better in 2013, but look a little short against a couple of the other sides on paper. Their spin bowling department can’t be questioned with Michael Beer and Brad Hogg both wily veterans in the short format while Ashton Agar will be hoping his performances will improve in the care of the experienced duo. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh (pictured) was in devastating form in BBL01 but was shackled by injury last year and will be looking to make up for lost time. Brother Shaun will be hoping to replicate BBL02 where he finished as leading run-scorer. Mike Hussey has been lost to the Thunder, Marcus North to the Sixers and Herschelle Gibbs has not been picked up again and the loss of three high quality batsmen does pose questions about the strength of the Scorchers batting line-up.

Confirmed bets

Perth Scorchers WIN (one unit @ $2.15)

Total sixes -10.5 (one unit @ $1.85)

Leans

Heat most runs – Luke Pomersbach $3.50 

Scorchers most runs – Shaun Marsh $3.00

Record: 0-2, -2 units

Racing for December 22

Horse racing: Bendigo (Vic), Moruya (NSW), Cairns (Qld), Port Lincoln (SA), Bunbury (WA), Horsham (Vic), Taree (NSW). Harness racing: Hobart (Tas), Terang (Vic), Albany (WA), Junee (NSW). Greyhound racing: Healesville (Vic), Mount Gambier (SA), Sandown Park (Vic), Sale (Vic), Gawler (SA), Albion Park (Qld).

Confirmed bets

Bendigo R1 #10 Eloping (win) 1st ($1.70)

Bendigo R5 #2 Galway Warrior (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.50)

Taree R1 #8 Slots (win) 1st ($1.70)

Taree R4 #3 Egyptian Ruler (win) 1st ($2.10)

Moruya R7 #5 Alert Status (E/W) 1st ($5.80/$2.10)

Leans

Bendigo R2 #6 Berrichon (win) 1st ($3.20)

Bendigo R7 #9 Bawcatme (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($1.60)

Bendigo R8 #3 Packing Empire (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Taree R6 #1 Double Power (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.70)

Taree R8 #4 Biscay Sport (E/W) 3rd ($2.40)

Horsham R4 #1 Fresnel (win) LOSE (U/P)

Horsham R5 #3 Norton Belle (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($1.50)

Moruya R2 #1 Bella Kuria (win) LOSE (4th)

Moruya R3 #5 Cape Henry (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($1.60)

Cairns R2 #1 Bar Attack (win) LOSE (4th)

Port Lincoln R4 #2 Destony Hawk (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.70)

NBA for December 22

Oklahoma City Thunder (21-4, 8-4 away) @ San Antonio Spurs (21-5, 9-2 home), AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX, Sunday, December 22, 12.40pm

To reach the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City could have to figure out how to win in San Antonio, where they’ll seek their ninth straight win here. The Thunder have won 16 of 17 while the Spurs have won six of seven heading into the Western Conference showdown. The Spurs were without Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (pictured) for Thursday's 104-102 win at Golden State, but the veterans should be back on the court against Oklahoma City. Parker was resting a bruised shin and Duncan and Ginobili received routine nights off during an intensive stretch of the schedule. San Antonio’s aging core is still producing, as Parker (17.5 points, six assists), Duncan (14 points, nine rebounds) and Ginobili (11.5 points, 4.7 assists) continue to anchor one of the league's best teams. The Spurs' greatest asset, though, is their depth, as the bench averages 46.3 points (second in the league) and has topped 50 points nine times. Marco Belinelli (10.2 points) has been a major contributor off the bench and led the team with 28 points against Golden State.

Oklahoma City has won three of the past four meetings, including a 94-88 home win on November 27 that snapped San Antonio's 11-game winning streak, but the Spurs have won the last six regular-season match-ups at home. The Thunder are averaging 109.9 points and shooting 50.2 per cent during their winning streak, winning the eight games by an average of 14.4 points. The Thunder have built around Kevin Durant (28.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists) and Russell Westbrook (21 points, 6.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds) but they’re getting great production from the bench, which averages 33.8 points and contributed 40 in Thursday's 107-95 win over Chicago. Reggie Jackson (12.2 points) has been the biggest contributor among the reserves. Westbrook has shown his versatility lately, recording four straight double-doubles (two each of the points) rebounds and points-assists varieties. The Thunder have won 51 of 52 games since the start of last season when holding opponents to 42 per cent or lower from the field. Oklahoma City is also 16-1 when outrebounding its opponent.

Confirmed bets

New Orleans Pelicans @ Portland Trail Blazers -8 (one unit @ $2.00) LOSE (107-110)

Washington Wizards WIN @ Boston Celtics (one unit @ $2.00) WIN (106-99)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs -3 (one unit @ $1.98) LOSE (113-100)

Memphis Grizzlies @ New York Knicks -185 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (95-87)
Los Angeles Lakers +13 @ Golden State Warriors (one unit @ $1.93) LOSE (83-102)

Leans

Sacramento Kings @ Orlando Magic -3 $2.00 LOSE (105-100)

Utah Jazz @ Charlotte Bobcats -189 $1.97 WIN (88-85)

Houston Rockets @ Detroit Pistons +2.5 $1.96 LOSE (114-87)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls -187 $1.95 WIN (84-100)

Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks -203 $1.94 LOSE (106-116)

Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns +208.5 $1.99 WIN (108-123)

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers +204.5 $1.91 LOSE (91-102)

NHL for December 22

St Louis Blues (23-7-4, 50 pts) @ Edmonton Oilers (11-23-3, 25 pts), Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Sunday, December 21, 2.10pm

Three times already this season the Edmonton Oilers have won to avoid a sixth straight loss. Those victories, however, didn’t come against teams at the level of the St Louis Blues. Western Conference-worst Edmonton tries to avoid a season-high sixth consecutive defeat Saturday night against a Blues team that’s dominated the series. Hoping to take another step forward after showing some improvement last season, the Oilers (11-23-3) instead have been plagued by the league’s worst defence and are in danger of missing the playoffs for an eighth straight season. While there’s still more than a half a season remaining, Edmonton already finds itself 20 points behind the final playoff spot in the very competitive West. Although the Oilers have allowed a League-worst 127 goals, it’s the offence lately that's been the bigger problem. They’ve scored six goals during a five-game skid (the last four on the road) and one-third of that production came in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado.

The Oilers snapped their first five-game skid October 19 with a 3-1 win in Ottawa and did so again November 5 with a 4-3 victory at Florida. They followed that win with another five-game slide, which ended November 16 against Calgary. Each of those opponents would be left out of the playoffs if the season ended today, but not St. Louis (23-7-4), which is challenging for the Central Division lead. A big reason for the Blues' success is the career season Alex Steen is putting together. He scored two more goals in a 5-1 win over Montreal on Thursday, the same day he signed a three-year, $17.4 million contract that will keep him with the team through 2016-17. Steen is second in the league with a career high-tying 24 goals. St. Louis avoided its first three-game skid and improved to 4-1-1 in its last six. Jaroslav Halak was sharp with 25 saves after posting a 4.78 goals-against average in his previous three starts. He’s 7-1-1 with a 1.76 GAA in 10 appearances against the Oilers.

Confirmed bets

Calgary Flames @ Pittsburgh Penguins +5.5 (one unit @ $2.05) WIN (3-4)

Phoenix Coyotes @ Ottawa Senators -5.5 (one unit @ $1.97) LOSE (4-3)

Montreal Canadiens WIN @ Nashville Predators (one unit @ $1.96) WIN (4-3)

Colorado Avalanche @ Los Angeles Kings -5 (one unit @ $1.94) PUSH (2-3)

Dallas Stars @ San Jose Sharks WIN NT (one unit @ $1.77) LOSE (2-3 OT)

St Louis Blues WIN @ Edmonton Oilers (one unit @ $1.62) WIN (6-0)

Leans

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins -5 $1.85 PUSH (1-4)

Detroit Red Wings @ Toronto Maple Leafs -5.5 $1.75 LOSE (5-4)

Carolina Hurricanes @ Tampa Bay Lightning +5 $1.80 PUSH (2-3)

Anaheim Ducks WIN $1.70 @ New York Islanders WIN (5-3)

New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals +5 $1.80 WIN (5-4)

Philadelphia Flyers @ Columbus Blue Jackets NO LEAN (3-6)

Montreal Canadiens @ Nashville Predators -5 $1.98 LOSE (4-3)

College Football (late games) for December 22

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl: 20 Fresno State Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1 MW) v USC Trojans (9-4, 6-3 Pac-12), Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV, Sunday, December 22, 7.30am

Fresno State had its BCS hopes dashed with a loss in its final regular-season game, but motivation shouldn’t be an issue when the Bulldogs face USC in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Derek Carr (pictured), who has passed for a nation-leading 4866 yards with 48 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bulldogs boast the top-ranked passing and fifth-ranked scoring offense in the country, but allowed 736 total yards in a 62-52 loss at San Jose State and have struggled mightily against the pass. USC looks to finish on a high note while playing for its third coach this season. Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will lead the Trojans in Las Vegas before new coach Steve Sarkisian takes over next season. The Trojans went 6-2 with impressive wins against Arizona and Stanford under interim coach Ed Orgeron, who was replaced after a 35-14 loss to rival UCLA in the regular-season finale. The Pac-12’s second-ranked scoring defence will be tested by the explosive Bulldogs. Fresno State defeated the Trojans 24-7 in the 1992 Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif., and USC escaped with a thrilling 50-42 victory on November19, 2005 in Los Angeles.

Confirmed bet

Game total +64 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (20-45)

Lean

Fresno State +4.5 v USC LOSE (20-45)

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Buffalo Bulls (8-4, 6-2 MAC) v San Diego State Aztecs (7-5, 6-2 MW), Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID, Sunday, December 22, 9.30am

Buffalo makes its second bowl appearance when it meets San Diego State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise. The Aztecs are playing in their school-record fourth consecutive bowl, and have fond memories of playing in Bronco Stadium after dashing Boise State’s BCS hopes last year with a 21-19 upset. Both teams overcame slow starts as Buffalo has won eight of its last 10 games and San Diego State seven of its last nine. Buffalo senior running back Branden Oliver had a phenomenal season, rushing for 1421 yards and 15 touchdowns, but struggled against elite opponents. He averaged 2.8 yards per carry or worse against Ohio State, Baylor and Mid-American Conference champion Bowling Green. San Diego State ranks 35th nationally in passing as junior Quinn Kaehler averaged a healthy 7.8 yards per attempt, with 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Top target Ezell Ruffin caught 63 balls for 1061 yards and three scores and is considering leaving early for the NFL. This is a tough game to call as both of these teams put up solid defensive numbers despite playing in offensive-minded conferences but I’m expecting a tight, low scoring affair. I have a slight lean to the Aztecs here but no bet.

Confirmed bet

None

Leans

Buffalo v San Diego State WIN $2.00 WIN (24-49)

Game total -50 $1.91 LOSE (24-49)

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Tulane Green Wave (7-5, 5-3 C-USA v LA-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (8-4, 5-2 Sun Belt), Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA, Sunday, December 22, 1pm

The Green Wave won’t have to travel far to make their first bowl appearance in 11 years as Tulane plays Louisiana-Lafayette in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on its home field, the Superdome. The Green Wave, under second-year coach Curtis Johnson and junior college transfer quarterback Nick Montana (son of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana), the Green Wave improved from 2-10 to 7-5 and contended for the Conference USA title. The Ragin' Cajuns are making their third straight appearance in the New Orleans Bowl after defeating East Carolina last year and San Diego State in 2011. Tulane, which is scheduled to move to a new on-campus stadium next year, has dropped three of four but is playing solid defence. The Green Wave allowed 30 points over its last three games and tied for 19th nationally in scoring defence (21.2) this season. Tulane boasts an outstanding kicker in Cairo Santos, who’s drilled his last 10 field goals inside 50 yards. Louisiana hopes to get back dual-threat quarterback Terrance Broadway, who fractured a small bone in his forearm in the November 30 loss to Louisiana-Monroe. Without the dynamic junior, the Ragin Cajuns produced a season-low 212 yards in the finale behind three freshman quarterbacks.

Confirmed bet

Game total +48 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (21-24)

Lean

Tulane Green Wave -2.5 $1.91 v LA-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns LOSE (21-24)

College Football (early game) for December 22

Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Washington State Cougars (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) v Colorado State Rams (7-6, 5-3 MW), University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM, Sunday, December 22, 6am

Washington State starts its first bowl game since 2003 when it meets Colorado State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque – the first of 35 post-season contests culminating in the BCS Championship Game on January 6. While the Cougars will go bowling for the first time in 10 years, it has been five since the Rams defeated Fresno State 40-35 in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl. Washington State and Colorado State will meet for the first time in what could be a high-scoring contest. The Cougars' one-dimensional offence, led by junior quarterback Connor Halliday (pictured), is fourth in the nation in passing at 364.5 yards per game, but last in rushing at 58.7. The Rams yield an average of 265.4 passing yards (109th among the 123 FBS schools) but apply decent pressure with 27 sacks this season. The Cougars were 4-5 with three games left on their schedule, but consecutive victories over Arizona and Utah made them bowl eligible before they finished the regular season with a 27-17 loss to Washington.

Colorado State sophomore Kapri Bibbs rushed for 1572 yards and 28 touchdowns this season, including back-to-back games of 312 and 291 yards. Bibbs gained only 54 and 79 yards, respectively, in the last two contests, but scored three touchdowns in a 58-13 victory over Air Force on November 30 to make the Rams bowl eligible. The first-year player could add another big-yardage game to his resume, though, as Washington State yields 184 rushing yards per game (84th in the nation). Junior quarterback Garrett Grayson (62.2 completion rate, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) has managed the offence well with freshman Rashard Higgins (64 catches, 795 yards, six touchdowns) the leading receiver. The Rams, who lost four of their first six games, finished third in the six-team Mountain Division of the MWC. Washington State is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall while the ‘over’ is 4-0 in Washington State’s last four games against the Mountain West. I’m not overly keen on the line here but the ‘over’ looks a safe play.

Confirmed bet

Game total +66 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (45-48)

Lean

Washington State -5.5 $1.91 v Colorado State LOSE (45-48)

EPL for December 21-22

Liverpool (10-3-3, 33 points) v Cardiff City (4-5-7, 17 points), Anfield, Liverpool, Saturday, December 21, 11.45pm

Meetings between Cardiff and Liverpool are infrequent. This will be the first since the Welsh club was beaten in the League Cup final of 2012 in a penalty shoot-out where only half of the 10 kicks were converted. Cardiff’s last visit to Anfield also finished in a 2-1 defeat in the League Cup in 2007. Prior to that, the most recent meeting was on December 19, 1959, where a Liverpool team containing Ronnie Moran, Bobby Campbell and World Cup winner Roger Hunt were beaten 4-0 in a Division Two fixture. It was the first match in which Bill Shankly managed Liverpool. The 4-0 scoreline is a potential outcome here, but it’s unlikely to be in favour of the Bluebirds. Manager Malky Mackay is under immense pressure to retain his job despite the Welsh side sitting four points above the relegation zone. He says he won’t quit, and why should he, but it seems that his relationship with majority shareholder Vincent Tan is one very small step from being untenable.

Tan, through chief executive Simon Lim, has repeated his assertion that Mackay overspent his summer transfer budget, and that as a result he’ll get “not a single penny” to spend in January. Cardiff await news on whether ex-Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy will be fit to face his former club here but, otherwise, Mackay has a fully fit squad. The Bluebirds have won four matches this season in the Premier League, and they have all been by a one-goal margin. Liverpool are still without captain Steven Gerrard, striker Daniel Sturridge and defender Jose Enrique but shouldn’t be overly stretched here. The Reds have scored 14 goals in their last three league games and have scored 79 goals in 2013 (four more than Manchester City). They have scored three or more goals in three consecutive top-flight league matches for the first time in 26 years. Luis Suarez (pictured) has scored 17 goals in 11 league games this season – more than 10 of the 20 teams in the Premier League (including Cardiff City).

Confirmed bets

Liverpool -1.5 v Cardiff City (one unit @ $2.25) WIN (3-1)

West Bromwich Albion v Hull City – double chance (one unit @ $1.85) WIN (1-1)

Manchester United v West Ham United +2 hcp (one unit @ $1.70) PUSH (3-1)

Stoke City v Aston Villa -2.5 (one unit @ $1.67) LOSE (2-1)
Sunderland v Norwich City – double chance (one unit @ $1.67) WIN (0-0)

Leans

Liverpool v Cardiff City +3.5 $2.10 WIN (3-1)

Stoke City v Aston Villa DRAW $3.10 LOSE (2-1)

Crystal Palace v Newcastle United WIN $2.35 WIN (0-3)

Fulham v Manchester City BTS $1.67 WIN (2-4)

Manchester United v West Ham United -2.5 $2.20 LOSE (3-1)

West Bromwich Albion v Hull City -2.5 $1.62 WIN (1-1)

• Selections 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); prices with thanks to Centrebet (except where markets are not available), correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.