Daily tips for December 8

What’s on today

It’s Championship weekend in College Football with marquee match-ups across the board although the battle of the Tigers – Missouri and Auburn – takes some topping; nine NBA games are scheduled highlighted by the visit of Indiana to San Antonio; Pittsburgh heads to Boston in the pick of the 11 NHL games to be played; EPL tips for tonight are posted here + watch for a full rundown of tomorrow’s (Sunday’s) international meeting in Hong Kong along with the rest of the day’s racing action.

Racing for December 8

Longines Hong Kong International Races; Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong, Sunday, December 8

More than AUD $9 million will be up for grabs at Sha Tin today across the four G1 events that comprise the Longines Hong Kong International Races – one of the most important fixtures for the world’s leading horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. Several of our top hoops will be in action including Damien Oliver, Craig Williams, Zac Purton, Tommy Berry and Brett Prebble. The highlights of the day are the Hong Kong Cup (2000m, AUD $3.1 million); the Hong Kong Mile (1600m, AUD $2.8 million); the Hong Kong Vase (2400m, AUD $2.1 million) and Hong Kong Sprint (1200m, AUD $2.1 million).

• The Hong Kong Vase, run over a distance of 2400 metres (one and a half miles), has been a happy hunting ground for European-trained runners in recent times; in fact, you have to go back to 2001, when Stay Gold won for Yasuo Ikee, to find the last time that a European runner hasn't triumphed. An extremely strong raiding party has once again been assembled (11 of the 14 runners are trained in Europe) and The Fugue stands as the class act in the field. 2013 Melbourne Cup runners Red Cadeaux, Simonen. Mount Athos and Dunaden will also contest this race.

• The Hong Kong Cup is probably the toughest of the four features to find a winner. Leading hopes include Cirrus des Aigles (a veteran performer has been won a number of top prizes, including the British Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2011) and Military Attack (a revelation since moving to Hong Kong who won’t have any problems finding his way around Sha Tin). Former Breeders Cup Turf champion Little Mike and the winner of the 2013 MacKinnon Stakes at Flemington, Side Glance, are other good chances.

• The Hong Kong Sprint looks a one-horse race. I can’t see anything getting near 2012 winner Lord Kanaloa. The 5yo Japanese sprinting sensation is the winner of eight of his 12 starts and five Group 1s. He has smashed track records left, right and centre in his two seasons and will be primed for what connections suggest will be his final start. European horses have a lousy record in this race but Eddie Lynam duo Slade Power and Sole Power (winner of the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot in June) will be ready to pounce if the favourite is off his game.

• The Hong Kong Mile’s star turn is Moonlight Cloud. The 5yo has been in better shape than ever this season, winning on all four outings, and producing a memorable performance in the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on her latest outing. Sky Lantern (winner of the winning a trio of Group 1 races in the shape of the 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes as a 3yo this season) and the four-year-old gelding Gold-Fun represent fresh challenges for Freddie Head’s star mare, but she is taken to extend her winning run. Aussie runner Linton is a place chance at best.

Suggested bets

Sha Tin R2 #5 Flagship Shine (win) 1st ($1.70)

Sha Tin R3 #12 Let Me Go (E/W 1x3) 1st ($1.80/$1.40)

Sha Tin R4 #1 Red Cadeaux (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Sha Tin R5 #1 Lord Kanaloa (win) 1st ($1.80)

Sha Tin R7 #5 Gold-fun (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($1.90)

Sha Tin R8 #2 Cirrus des Aigles (E/W 1x2) 3rd ($2.30)

NHL for December 8

Buffalo Sabres (6-21-5, 14 pts) @ Montreal Canadiens (18-9-3, 39 pts), Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Sunday, December 8, 11.10am

The red-hot Montreal Canadiens have jumped into first place in the Atlantic Division. Ensuring they remain there for more than 48 hours won’t require anything extraordinary – just a win over the Buffalo Sabres here. The surge that propelled the Canadiens (18-9-3) to the top of the division has been impressive. They’re 8-0-1 since November 19 and haven’t allowed more than three goals in 13 straight games. It doesn't seem league-worst Buffalo (6-21-2) should throw them off track. While Montreal can win six straight at home for the first time since a nine-game run to close 2006-07, the Sabres try to avoid a sixth consecutive road loss after dropping the last five by a 17-5 margin. Thursday’s 2-1 home win over Boston extended Montreal’s overall winning streak to four while pushing the team one point ahead of the Bruins for the Atlantic lead. Carey Price (pictured) made 32 saves to win a sixth consecutive start during the team's streak without a regulation loss, and he hasn’t allowed more than two goals in nine straight. His .954 save percentage since November 12 is the league's best.

Price has a 1.74 GAA in 13 career home games against Buffalo. One of the league’s best penalty kills also has keyed the recent defensive consistency. The Canadiens’ 86.3 per cent mark has been bolstered after killing 17 straight over the last six. The Sabres have won only one of their last eight overall in Montreal. They’re the only team in hockey without 20 points, and given the pace at which they’ve reached 14, they're still a long way off. Offensive struggles have doomed them all season, but the problem has been magnified recently. They’ve scored 10 goals in eight games after Thursday's 3-1 home loss to the Rangers. They typically look to Ryan Miller to earn them the occasional win when in such jams, but he’s 2-3-0 with a 3.67 GAA against the Canadiens since the start of last season. Montreal has won two straight meetings, including 3-1 in Buffalo on November 27, as Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk scored in both. Sabres winger Matt Moulson also had a goal in last month’s match-up and has six points in his last four against the Canadiens.

Confirmed bets

Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens -1.5 (one unit @ $2.20) LOSE (2-3)

Dallas Stars @ Philadelphia Flyers +5.5 (one unit @ $2.15) WIN (1-5)

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins WIN (one unit @ $1.77) WIN (2-3)

Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers +5.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (2-1)

New York Islanders @ Los Angeles Kings WIN NT (one unit @ $1.70) WIN (0-3)

Leans

Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens -5 $1.91 PUSH (2-3)

Toronto Maple Leafs WIN $2.15 @ Ottawa Senators WIN (4-3)

Nashville Predators @ Washington Capitals -5.5 $1.77 LOSE (2-5)

Winnipeg Jets @ Tampa Bay Lightning -5.5 $1.83 WIN (2-1)

Florida Panthers @ Detroit Red Wings WIN $1.74 LOSE (2-1)

New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers WIN NT $1.85 LOSE (4-3)

Anaheim Ducks @ St Louis Blues WIN NT $1.77 LOSE (5-2)

Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers WIN $1.60 LOSE (2-1)

NBA for December 8

Dallas Mavericks (12-8, 3-6 away) @ Portland Trail Blazers (17-3, 9-1 home), Moda Center, Portland, OR, Sunday, December 8, 2.10pm

When you’re on a good thing … the Blazers have been my most profitable NBA team so far this season and there’s no need to jump off the bandwagon here. After beating two of the best teams in the NBA, the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers easily dispatched of the league's worst club their last time out. Unfortunately for the Dallas Mavericks, they’re up next. Coming off its highest scoring display of the season, Portland goes for a ninth consecutive home win. While some may have been sceptical of the Blazers' incredible start, beating Indiana and Oklahoma City early this week silenced any critics. Portland (17-3) kept things ticking along with a 130-98 rout of Utah, their 15th win in 16 games. Wesley Matthews (pictured) and Damian Lillard combined for 45 points on 15-of-20 shooting, including 9 of 12 from three-point range. The Blazers went a franchise-best 17 of 23 from beyond the arc (73.9 per cent), setting an NBA record for any team with at least 20 attempts.

While the Mavericks appear to have a tough task ahead of them, they’re seeking a third straight win after beating New Orleans 100-97 on Wednesday. Dallas was outrebounded 58-38 but found a way to close one out in the opener of a four-game road trip. Five other players scored in double figures for Dallas, including Vince Carter with 15 off the bench and Monta Ellis with 14. Ellis also matched a season high with 10 assists as the Mavericks improved to 11-1 when he dishes out at least five. He is averaging 4.4 on the road compared to 6.8 at home. Dirk Nowitzki’s career average of 20.5 points versus Portland is his second-lowest against any opponent. He was limited to 11.0 on 34.6 per cent shooting in the last two meetings, both Dallas wins. The Mavericks have taken four of five from the Blazers, including two of three in Portland. Aldridge has averaged 24.9 points in his last 15 against Dallas. Lillard, though, was held to 14.3 per game and 28.3 per cent shooting in the four match-ups last season.

Confirmed bets

Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers -5 (two units @ $1.91) LOSE (108-106)

Miami Heat @ Minnesota Timberwolves +6.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (103-82)

Indiana Pacers +3.5 @ San Antonio Spurs (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (111-100)

Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks -189 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (90-82)

Leans

Denver Nuggets @ Philadelphia 76ers +6.5 $1.91 LOSE (103-92)

Los Angeles Clippers -6 $1.91 @ Cleveland Cavaliers LOSE (82-88)

Detroit Pistons +3 @ Chicago Bulls $1.91 WIN (92-75)

Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies WIN $2.00 LOSE (108-82)

Indiana Pacers @ San Antonio Spurs +190.5 $1.91 WIN (111-100)

Sacramento Kings -3.5 @ Utah Jazz WIN (112-102)

College Football (week 15) for December 8

SEC: 5 Missouri Tigers (11-1, 7-1 SEC) v 3 Auburn Tigers (11-1, 7-1), Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA, Sunday, December 8, 8am

It’s Tiger time at the Georgia Dome today as the two most surprising teams in the Southeastern Conference – Missouri and Auburn – square off for the league title. The teams combined for just two conference victories a year ago but now find themselves a win away from playing in a BCS bowl game – and potentially the national championship game. The winner will find itself paying close attention to the ACC and Big Ten title games later in the day in hope that Florida State or Ohio State will lose and clear the path for the SEC champion to leap into the top two in the BCS standings. Auburn's unlikely path to the championship game has included eight consecutive victories, culminating with last week's stunning 34-28 win over bitter rival Alabama. Tre Mason, the SEC’s leading rusher with 1317 yards and 18 TDs, and dual threat quarterback Nick Marshall (1627 passing yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs; 922 rushing yards, 10 TDs, pictured) lead an offense that ranks fifth in rushing (318.3) and 15th in total yards (491).

Missouri also had to finish on a high note to play its way to Atlanta, beating Texas A&M 28-21 at home a week after a 24-10 victory at Mississippi to earn a spot in the title game in just its second year in the league. The Tigers surged to the top of the SEC East on the strength of a balanced offence led by senior quarterback James Franklin, who has passed for 1952 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions and rushed for 412 yards and 3 TDs, and an opportunistic defence. They average 489.5 total yards and rank 18th in the nation in rushing (236.9) with Henry Josey leading the way (951 yards, 13 TDs). The defense is tied for fourth in the nation with 37 sacks, has forced 27 turnovers and has at least one takeaway in 42 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the FBS. Missouri is 13-3-1 ATS in its last 17 games overall while the ‘under’ is 4-1 in Missouri's last five games overall.

Confirmed bets

Missouri v Auburn +1 (one unit @ $1.94) WIN (42-59)

Oklahoma +10.5 @ Oklahoma State (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (33-24)

Marshall @ Rice +7 (one unit @ $1.83) WIN (24-41)

Texas @ Baylor -71 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (10-30)
UL Lafayette @ South Alabama +58.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (8-30)

Utah State @ Fresno State +58.5 (one unit @ $1.94) LOSE (17-24)

Leans

UCF @ Southern Methodist +13.5 $2.00 WIN (17-13)

Memphis @ Connecticut +1.5 $1.95 WIN (10-45)

Missouri v Auburn -59.5 $1.94 LOSE (42-59)
South Florida @ Rutgers -44 $1.91 WIN (6-31)

Stanford @ Arizona State -3.5 $2.03 LOSE (38-14)

Duke +30 $1.94 v Florida State* LOSE (7-45)

Ohio State -5 $1.91 v Michigan State* LOSE (24-34)

* Game to be played at a neutral venue

EPL for December 7-8

Manchester United (6-4-4, 22 pts) v Newcastle United (7-2-5, 23 pts), Old Trafford (pictured, with thanks to Neil Redfern), Manchester, England, Saturday, December 7, 11.45pm

EPL best of the day: Until Wednesday, Everton hadn’t won away to Manchester United since 1992. The Red Devils will be without Wayne Rooney (suspended) for this clash against Newcastle while Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie are doubtful due to illness and injury respectively. Somehow, the books have served up a price of $1.52 for the home side to win! Manchester United have already dropped 10 points at home this season (one more than for the entire 2012-13 season) and they can ill-afford to drop many more if they’re to challenge for a top four place, let alone the title. The last time they had as few points after 14 games was in 2001-02 when they went on to finish third. The Red Devils have now failed to score in two Premier League home games in the same season for the first time since 2006-07. They have only won five of their last 11 league games at Old Trafford. Perhaps Sir Alex saw the writing on the wall!

Newcastle haven’t beaten United at Old Trafford since 1972, when goals from John Tudor and Stewart Barrowclough gave the Magpies their one and only success since 1950. That’s one win in 48 games spanning 63 years. In their most recent visit, Newcastle led on three occasions only to be beaten 4-3. Newcastle suffered their own setback at Swansea on Wednesday, but that won’t stop Alan Pardew from thinking that this is the season to head to Old Trafford with a sniff of confidence. “Two big decisions went against us and that was crucial in the result,” Pardew said after Newcastle fell to a 3-0 defeat at Swansea, a result that ended a four-match winning run. They have conceded 14 goals away from home in the league this season – a total only surpassed by three other teams. Forward Papiss Cisse faces a fitness test on the heel injury that ruled him out of the defeat by Swansea but Hatem Ben Arfa should be fit.

Confirmed bets

Manchester United v Newcastle United – double chance (one unit @ $2.50) WIN (0-1)

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur BTS (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (1-2)

Liverpool -1 v West Ham United (one unit @ $1.83) WIN (4-1)

Leans

Southampton v Manchester City WIN $1.75 LOSE (1-1)

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City DRAW $3.10 LOSE (2-0)

Stoke City v Chelsea -1 $2.60 LOSE (3-2)

West Brom v Norwich City (double chance) $2.05 WIN (0-2)

• 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.