Daily tips for January 18

What’s on today

The NHL takes the spotlight today with the clash of Western Conference powerhouse clubs Anaheim and Chicago; there’s plenty of NBA action also scheduled with most interest on the visit of Golden State to Oklahoma City; the Australian Open continues at Melbourne Park where the temperature will be 20°C cooler than yesterday! I’ll also have racing, Big Bash cricket, EPL, A-League and more as the day progresses; GL punters!

A-League (round 15) for January 18

Sydney FC (6-1-7, 19 points) v Central Coast Mariners (5-6-3, 21 points), Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday, January 18, 7.40pm

Sydney's poor run of form increased to one win from their last six games after their agonising loss to the Western Sydney Wanderers in last weekend's local derby. The Sky Blues have now fallen out of the top six for the first time since round 5 and with two away games in Melbourne to follow this, Frank Farina's side are in desperate need of three points. They will be boosted by the return of Nicky Carle from suspension while Sebastian Ryall and Richard Garcia could both be fit to start and playing no part against the Wanderers. Young attacker Corey Gamiero may also win a spot in the starting XI after impressing off the bench the last three weeks. The Sky Blues looked certain to emerge with a draw in the derby until a momentary loss of concentration at the back allowed an unmarked Brendan Santalab to score. It's a trait that's plagued Sydney all season, with Farina's side possessing the second worst defensive record in the competition, ahead of only the Melbourne Heart.

The Mariners have had a tough start to life without Michael McGlinchey (pictured) and Marcos Flores, held to two draws over the last fortnight. Despite their inconsistent form they are still well placed in fourth spot heading into this clash. Phil Moss will be without his skipper John Hutchinson through suspension after he picked up a fifth yellow card in the 1-1 draw with Wellington last Sunday. Young gun Anthony Caceres is the most likely option to start alongside Nick Montgomery in midfield. While Sydney have a strong home record, they have won just two of their last 10 matches against the Central Coast. The Mariners hopes of defending their title took a hit with the departure of McGlinchey and the season-ending injury of Marcos Flores. The pair were the creative lynchpins of the Central Coast attack and without them goals could prove hard to score. While Daniel McBreen has covered the role admirably in the past, he is a genuine goal-scorer and will be better used further forward. Unless the Mariners can use the transfer window to strengthen that position, it's hard to see them challenging the likes of Brisbane, Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory.

Confirmed bets

Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners -2.5 (one unit @ $1.88) WIN (0-1)

Wellington Phoenix WIN v Melbourne Phoenix (one unit @ $2.40) WIN (5-0)

Leans

Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners DRAW $3.40 LOSE (0-1)

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Phoenix +2.5 $1.80 WIN (5-0)

Racing for January 18

Today’s highlights

Randwick R4 $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m, set weights, 2yo)

Horse racing: Flemington (Vic – dead 4), Randwick (NSW – dead 4), Doomben (Qld – good 3), Morphettville Pks (SA – dead 4), Ascot (WA – good 3), Albury (NSW – good 3), Gold Coast (Qld – good 3), Kembla Grange (NSW – good 3), Bairnsdale (Vic – good 3), Toowoomba (Qld). Harness racing: Albion Park (Qld), Albany (WA), Globe Derby (SA), Junee (NSW), Menangle (NSW), Northam (WA), Shepparton (Vic). Greyhound racing: Richmond (NSW), The Gardens (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Warragul (Vic), The Meadows (Vic), Cannington (WA), Wentworth Park (NSW).

The highlight on today’s racing program is the $250,000 Inglis Classic for 2yos purchased at Inglis sales. The 1200-metre scamper at Randwick looks ready-made for Robbie Laing’s gelding #1 Boomwaa (pictured). He won the Maribyrnong Plate down the Flemington straight very impressively and tuned-up for this with a runner-up finish to Fighting Sun on January 4 – a horse that looks a decent hope in this year’s Golden Slipper. High Bowman will steer Boomwaa in the purple and gold of the Oakleigh Cricket Club (part-owners) from barrier 2 with his main danger #2 Vinnie Eagle out in barrier 13. There are no certainties in racing, but I just can’t see this bloke being beaten here.

Confirmed bets

Flemington R2 #3 Gig (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Flemington R4 #3 He’s Your Man (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($1.30)

Flemington R7 #3 Index Linked (win) 1st ($2.90)
Randwick R2 #8 Woodbine (E/W 1x3) 1st ($2.30/$1.60)
Randwick R1 #6 Pillow Talk (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($2.20)
Randwick R4 #1 Boomwaa (win) LOSE (2nd)Randwick R7 #9 Longeron (win) LOSE (3rd)

Doomben R2 #2 Renewed Vitality (win) 1st ($2.10)

Morphettville R9 #1 Vain Attraction (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.40)
Ascot R7 #12 Rusty Peaches (E/W) 1st ($11.00/$3.20)

Leans

Flemington R1 #5 Nostradamus (win) 1st ($1.55)

Flemington R3 #4 Diamond Glow (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Flemington R5 #3 Bon Rocket (win) LOSE (U/P)

Flemington R6 #4 Pocket Rockets (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.70)

Flemington R8 #12 Mandla (win) LOSE (2nd)
Randwick R3 #6 Mecir (E/W) LOSE (4th)
Randwick R5 #4 Laidback Larry (win) 1st ($1.70)

Randwick R6 #7 You’ll Never (E/W) 3rd ($2.40)

Randwick R8 #10 Charge Account (win) LOSE (U/P)

Doomben R4 #4 Secret Garden (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($1.90)Doomben R6 #1 Secret Harmony (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Morphettville R3 #1 Pistolier (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Morphettville R6 #10 Tudor Armov (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.50)
Morphettville R8 #3 Alcohol (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($2.00)

Ascot R2 #3 Crystal Gardens (win) 1st ($1.70)

Ascot R5 #7 Veeten (win) LOSE (2nd)

Gold Coast R7 #2 She’s Amazing (win) LOSE (2nd)

Bairnsdale R3 #6 Southern Road (win) LOSE (2nd)

Tennis (Australian Open) for January 18

2014 Australian Open day 6, the Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, January 18

The employers of a British man arrested at the Australian Open for 'courtsiding' are adamant that he or they had not broken the law in Melbourne. In a bizarre case, Sporting Data Limited, a Surrey-based private sports betting company, accused Victoria Police of misusing new legislation brought in to help the fight against corruption in sport, when they arrested 22-year-old Daniel Dobson on Tuesday at the first Grand Slam of the year. Dobson appeared in court on Thursday to face a charge that he engaged in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt the betting outcome of an event. It is alleged he used an electronic device stitched into his shorts to transmit scores secretly from courtside to help gambling associates beat delays in television coverage.  Dobson's lawyer said he was just sending data to an international betting company to help it set odds as matches progressed. The case was adjourned and Dobson was warned to stay away from the Australian Open. There is no evidence linking Dobson, who could face 10 years in jail, or his employers to the more serious charge of match fixing.

Confirmed bets

Roberto Bautista-Agut WIN v Benoit Paire (two units @ $1.45) WIN

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-0 v Gilles Simon (one unit @ $1.95) WIN

Agnieszka Radwanska v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova +20 (one unit @ $1.83) WIN (28)

Leans

Andy Murray v Feliciano Lopez +35.5 $2.00 LOSE (31)

Rafael Nadal v Gael Monfils +36.5 $1.87

Elina Svitolina WIN $4.00 v Sloane Stephens LOSE

NHL for January 18

Anaheim Ducks (36-8-5, 77 points) @ Chicago Blackhawks (30-8-11, 71 points), United Center, Chicago, IL, Saturday, January 18, 12.10pm

It’s a case of quality over quantity in the NHL today with only two games scheduled but all eyes will be on the United Center for the battle between Western Conference divisional leaders Chicago and Anaheim. The Ducks reign atop the league at 36-8-5 after winning 18 of their last 19 games, including eight straight, during one of the most dominant runs in league history. They’re coming off a stunning 9-1 win over Vancouver that ended with four Canucks in the dressing room after they tried to start fights out of pure frustration. It’s even tougher to visit Honda Center, where Anaheim has gone 20-0-2 with 10 straight wins to match the NHL's longest season-opening home point streak in 34 years. The Ducks now head out on the road for a quick weekend trip, starting with this match-up with fellow powerhouse Chicago. They’ve soared to the best start in their 20-year history; even better than their Stanley Cup campaign in 2006-07. They’ve built a big lead in the tough Pacific Division, and they even lead the defending champion Blackhawks (30-8-11) by six points.

Anaheim has won five straight in this series and handed the Blackhawks three of their 12 total regular-season losses in last year’s run to the Stanley Cup. Chicago enters this match-up with at least one point earned in 17 of its last 19 games, but it’s 1-1-3 in the past five after losing 3-2 in overtime to Colorado at home Tuesday. The Blackhawks have dropped their last seven games that have gone past regulation, dating to a 2-1 shootout win in Dallas on November 29. They are 4-11 in games that last longer than 60 minutes, going 0-5 in overtime and 4-6 in shootouts. One of those defeats was a 3-2 shootout loss to the visiting Ducks on December 6. So what’s with the price? The Ducks are rated $2.15 road dogs with the Blackhawks $1.72 favourites, which immediately sets alarm bells ringing. Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said the Ducks are the team to beat, and that the Hawks would have to play a very strong defensive game to have a chance here. The ‘under’ looks a safer proposition.

Confirmed bet

Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks -5.5 (one unit @ $2.00) LOSE (2-4)

Leans

Washington Capitals @ Columbus Blue Jackets WIN $1.80 WIN (1-5)

Anaheim Ducks WIN $2.15 @ Chicago Blackhawks LOSE (2-4)

NBA for January 18

Los Angeles Lakers (14-25, 6-14 away) @ Boston Celtics (14-26, 9-11 home), TD Garden, Boston, MA, Saturday, January 18, 11.40am

A lacklustre renewal of the greatest rivalry in NBA history will now get plenty of attention as Rajon Rondo (pictured) returns to the Boston Celtics line-up for the first time in nearly a year. The Lakers being in Boston is generally a hot ticket, but that didn’t seem to be the case this year with Kobe Bryant (knee) still out, the Celtics having disbanded the Big Three and these teams separated by a half-game for the league’s fifth-worst record. Rondo’s return adds some extra spice but he’ll be limited to about five minutes per quarter, which won’t help the Celtics’ rhythm. Rondo was sent to the Maine Red Claws (Boston’s NBA Development League affiliate) for a workout on Wednesday but was recalled to the Celtics less than two hours later. Another indication Rondo’s return was imminent came with Jordan Crawford, who was serving as the starting point guard, being shipped to Golden State along with MarShon Brooks in a three-team deal. Even without Crawford or Rondo running the point Wednesday, the Celtics halted a nine-game losing streak with an 88-83 victory over the Raptors.

With Boston having avoided its worst slide since 2007, Los Angeles now tries to do the same. The Lakers have lost 12 of 13 with a pair of six-game losing streaks, and they haven’t had a longer one since dropping seven in a row from March 2-15, 2007. They’ve also lost seven straight away from home, having kicked off a seven-game trip with a 121-114 defeat in Phoenix on Wednesday. Los Angeles (14-25) has given up an average of 120.7 points during its six-game skid. Driving to the rim is how Rondo likes to score, something that could benefit a Boston team shooting 40.8 per cent over the last 10 games. This is the first game between these teams, who met in the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals, in which both entered with losing records since 2005-06. Rondo missed both matchups last season (each team won on the other’s home floor), as did Pau Gasol who is averaging 20.4 points and 10.9 rebounds over his last eight games. Lakers leading scorer Nick Young is out suspended but that should help rather than hinder the visitors.

Confirmed bets

Los Angeles Lakers +7 @ Boston Celtics (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (107-104)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Denver Nuggets -6.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (117-109)

Utah Jazz @ Detroit Pistons -6.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (110-89)

Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies -5.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (90-91)
Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns +210 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (110-107)

Los Angeles Clippers -4 $1.91 @ New York Knicks WIN (109-95)

Chicago Bulls +4.5 $1.91 @ Washington Wizards WIN (93-96)

Leans

Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers +10.5 $1.91 LOSE (101-86)

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors -1 $1.91 WIN (89-94)

Charlotte Bobcats @ Orlando Magic WIN $2.00 LOSE (111-101)

Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics -205 $1.91 LOSE (107-104)

Portland Trail Blazers +5 $1.91 @ San Antonio Spurs WIN (109-100)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Denver Nuggets +213 $1.91 WIN (117-109)

Golden State Warriors WIN $1.95 @ Oklahoma City Thunder LOSE (121-127)

• 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.