Daily tips for January 3

What’s on today

Not too many folks in my part of the world are hockey fans, but hopefully a few were converted after watching a world record crowd at yesterday’s Winter Classic (pictured above); there’s a big 10-game NHL slate on offer today for those seeking another dose of the greatest show on ice; there’s just one College Football bowl game scheduled but it features two of the most storied programs in the game – Oklahoma and Alabama – battling for the Allstate Sugar Bowl title; the NBA slate shows seven games with one for the masochists: Milwaukee @ Utah! I’ll also have racing and A-League previews during the day; GL punters!


A-League (round 13) for January 3

Adelaide United (3-4-5, 13 points) v Sydney FC (6-0-6, 18 points), Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, Friday, January 3, 7.30pm

Adelaide have breathed new life into their season (and released some of the pressure on coach Josep Gombau) with seven points from their past three matches including last weekend’s spiteful 1-0 win over Newcastle. What's more impressive though is they have managed to keep a clean sheet in all of those matches and they have looked a far more resolute outfit. They do have some injury worries heading into this one though, with Osama Malik (ankle) and Marcelo Carrusca (groin) both in serious doubt, while Jeronimo Neumann is suspended. But winger Fabio Ferreira is a chance to return. With a host of key players out of the side (or at least not 100 per cent fit) Adelaide's depth is going to be severely tested at a time where they need to continually picking up points. But the return of Bruce Djite (pictured) provides a real focal point to the Adelaide attack and his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into the game is vitally important. Djite is starting to find his range in front of goal too – his strike against the Jets was his second for the campaign.

After a four-game winning streak a few weeks back, Sydney are suddenly in freefall after three defeats from their past four matches. The Sky Blues were blown away by league leaders Brisbane last time out, crushed 5-2 on their home turf at Allianz Stadium. Skipper Alessandro Del Piero lasted only 45 minutes of that match but is expected to be right to face the Reds. Joel Chianese is a chance to return from injury while youngster Corey Gamiero is pushing for a starting berth after two strong performances off the bench in the last fortnight. Once again under pressure as a coach, Frank Farina needs to find a way to re-energise his side after they looked horribly tired and slow in the defeat to the Roar. It might have had something to do with the fact the average age of the side was more than 30, the oldest team in Sydney FC's history. While the experience of the likes Del Piero, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia and Matt Thompson is important, it might be an idea to get a few more youngsters in the team to add the pace and spark needed.

Confirmed bet

Adelaide United v Sydney FC +2.5 (one unit @ $1.72) WIN (2-2)

Lean

Adelaide United WIN $1.95 v Sydney FC LOSE (2-2)

Racing for January 3

Horse racing: Wangaratta (Vic), Tamworth (NSW), Rockhampton (Qld), Taree (NSW), Esperance (WA), Cranbourne (Vic – night). Harness racing: Albion Park (Qld), Bankstown (NSW), Gloucester Park (WA), Melton (Vic), Parkes (NSW), Port Pirie (SA). Greyhound racing: Geelong (Vic), Grafton (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Mount Gambier (SA), The Gardens (NSW), Traralgon (Vic), Wagga (NSW), Wentworth Park (NSW), Mandurah (WA).

Normally it’s rain that threatens the running of race meetings but Racing Queensland stewards have an emergency plan in place should predicted temperatures eventuate at the Gold Coast and Ipswich race meetings on Saturday. Temperatures as high as 45C are forecast for Ipswich, where the second south-east Queensland meeting will be held on Saturday. The prediction is for temperatures in the mid- to high-30s on the Gold Coast for the Goldmarket meeting. Chief steward Wade Birch said stewards would use a water bulb to check the humidity remained at an acceptable level. A review would be undertaken on Saturday morning and if necessary, horses would be allowed to arrive on course later and also have a delayed entry into the mounting enclosure.

Confirmed bets

Taree R9 #2 Cracker Night (win) 1st ($2.50)

Tamworth R6 #3 Watt Luck (win) 1st ($1.80)

Tamworth R8 #1 Sharp Note (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Wangaratta R1 #5 Basic Model (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($1.40)

Leans

Taree R6 #3 Leo’s Spirit (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($2.60)

Taree R7 #5 Overshadows (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($1.85)

Tamworth R1 #7 Subtlety (win) LOSE (2nd)

Tamworth R7 #1 Snip Of Magic (win) 1st ($1.85)

Wangaratta R5 #8 Speedastro (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Wangaratta R6 #10 Steel Brom (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($1.70)

Rockhampton R3 #3 King Ray (win) LOSE (4th)

Rockhampton R5 # #1 That’s Pops (E/W 1x4) 2nd ($1.50)

Harness racing tip: Melton R8 #3 Ifu Seek Flight (win) 
Greyhound racing tip: Mandurah R3 #6 Uno Reltub (win)

• Tip’s for tonight’s Cranbourne meeting will follow later in the day

NHL for January 3

Montreal Canadiens (23-14-4, 50 points) @ Dallas Stars (20-12-7, 47 points), American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, Friday, January 3, 12.40pm

Erik Cole’s recent performances are a big reason why the Dallas Stars have kept their lengthy point streak going. Their next opponent knows all too well how potent a scoring threat he can be. The winger (pictured) had one of his best seasons while with the Montreal Canadiens and will try to help send his former club to a third consecutive defeat here. Cole scored two goals with the game-winner for the second time in three games in a 3-2 victory over Los Angeles on Tuesday. Tyler Seguin contributed his team-high 20th goal and an assist as Dallas (20-12-7) improved to 5-0-2 in its last seven and 2-0-1 on a five-game homestand. The Stars’ overall point streak is its longest since an 11-gamer from February 21-March 13, 2012. Seguin and Cole had power-play goals, marking the first time the Stars have scored twice with the man advantage since October 11. Dallas, which was 3 for 63 on the power play in its first 17 home games, is 4 for 17 in its last four overall after previously converting at an 11.2 per cent clip.

Cole took advantage of his chances in his relatively brief time with Montreal (23-14-4). After signing a four-year deal in July 2011, he set a career high with 35 goals and matched another with 61 points. The Canadiens shipped him to Dallas on February 26. The Canadiens haven’t visited Dallas since a 5-2 loss on December 21, 2010, and they return to close their longest road trip of the season. They’ve gone 2-2-1 thus far as their usually stingy defence has faltered, allowing 18 goals. Montreal is among the best defensive teams in the league with 2.22 goals allowed per game but have given up a combined nine in back-to-back losses. The Canadiens led 3-0 at Carolina on Tuesday after soon-to-be U.S. Olympian Max Pacioretty’s second goal, but they fell 5-4 in overtime. Montreal scored twice on the power play after going 3 for 35 in the previous 12 games. The Canadiens, though, let the Hurricanes have 10 power plays, and two resulted in goals in the third period. Carey Price made 26 saves to outduel Kari Lehtonen in the last meeting with Dallas.

Confirmed bets

Edmonton Oilers @ San Jose Sharks -1.5 (one unit @ $2.15) WIN (1-5)

Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators WIN $1.80 WIN (3-4)

Chicago Blackhawks WIN NT @ New York Islanders (one unit @ $1.82) LOSE (2-3)

Montreal Canadiens @ Dallas Stars +5 $1.74 WIN (6-4)

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Phoenix Coyotes TT +2.5 (one unit @ $1.64) LOSE (2-0)

Leans

Nashville Predators @ Boston Bruins -1.5 $2.70 LOSE (2-3)

Winnipeg Jets @ Ottawa Senators -5.5 (one unit @ $1.83) LOSE (3-4)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals +5.5 $2.00 WIN (4-3)

Los Angeles Kings WIN $2.13 @ St Louis Blues LOSE (0-5)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Colorado Avalanche WIN $1.80 WIN (1-2)
Montreal Canadiens @ Dallas Stars WIN (one unit @ $1.74) LOSE (6-4)
Edmonton Oilers @ San Jose Sharks +5.5 $1.91 WIN (1-5)

Cricket (Ashes Series) for January 3-7

Fifth Test: Australia v England, SCG, Sydney, Friday, January 3, 10.30am

Firstly, a shout-out to my good mate Bruce Eva and the team at Fairfax Radio for their coverage of this series. For (too) long the domain of the ABC, the addition of a new player in this space was long overdue. Many of us spend a disproportionate amount of time in the car at this time of year so we rely on the radio for coverage of the summer’s cricket. The Fairfax team has been a breath of fresh air, and kudos for liberating Henry Calthorpe Blofeld from the clutches of that bore-a-torium Jim Maxwell. So on to Sydney where England arrive a broken and battered team looking to avoid their second 5-0 whitewash in three Ashes tours of Australia. It could so easily have been quite a different result. Dropped catches at crucial moments, soft dismissals, mid-tour departures … take Melbourne where England was well ahead of the game, at one stage leading by 116 runs with all 10 second-innings wickets in hand. Barely a day later they had lost by eight wickets. In many ways it was the most damaging, dispiriting defeat of the tour.

What that game did show, though, was a definite lessening of the intensity that saw Australia romp home in the first three Tests. They should still win this fifth game to complete the whitewash - if they can’t get the job done themselves, it looks fair to assume England will help them out along the way. The home side was hopeful of naming the same XI for a fifth consecutive Test, which in a large part explains their success in the series. There are doubts over the fitness of Shane Watson and Ryan Harris. Watson picked up a groin injury in the win in Melbourne while Harris suffers from a chronic knee problem. Harris has never made it through a five-Test series before so if he does turn up it is a superb achievement. Alex Doolan, the uncapped Tasmania batsman, has been called up as a potential replacement for Watson. Nathan Coulter-Nile and the bookies’ favourite James Faulkner stand by in case Harris does not make it.

Confirmed bets

Australia WIN v England (one unit @ $1.70)

Leans

Australia most runs (1st innings) David Warner $4.25
England most runs (1st innings) Kevin Pietersen $4.50

NBA for January 3

Golden State Warriors (20-13, 9-9 away) @ Miami Heat (24-7, 14-2 home), AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, Friday, January 4, 11.40am

The Golden State Warriors have put together a nice six-game winning streak during a lengthy road trip that lands in Miami here. The Warriors took the first two of a seven-game trip and are enjoying their longest winning streak in six years while thriving at the defensive end. But Golden State will need to be at its best at that end against the Heat, who have won eight of nine and are returning home after a four-game trip. The Warriors do not get a lot of credit for their defense but are one of the best in the league at limiting opponents. Golden State has gotten some strong performances from Stephen Curry during its winning streak and leaned on the interior and the bench in a 94-81 victory in Orlando on Tuesday. Andrew Bogut and David Lee provide a match-up issue for the Heat, and the Warriors figure to use their advantage on the inside.

Miami will test that defence with a healthy LeBron James, who returned from a one-game absence due to a groin injury and put up 26 points and 10 assists in 40 minutes at Denver on Monday. James returned but Dwyane Wade went down with back spasms against the Nuggets and is considered day-to-day. Miami has been cautious with Wade all season and the team is used to playing without the All-Star, especially if Chris Bosh can maintain his current level of play. The veteran forward was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after putting up 22.3 points and eight rebounds in four games, and followed it up with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Monday’s 97-94 triumph that closed out a 3-1 trip. The road team is 12-3-2 ATS in the last 17 meetings between these sides while the ‘over’ is 7-3 in the past 10 games in Miami. The Heat should cover the five-point line but I like the ‘under’ with Miami undermanned the Warriors defence performing well.

Confirmed bets

Golden State Warriors @ Miami Heat -205.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (123-114)

New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs +202 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (105-101)
Brooklyn Nets @ Oklahoma City Thunder -12 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (95-93)

Leans

Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers +196 $1.91 LOSE (81-87)
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls -183 $1.91 WIN (82-94)
Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns -5.5 $1.91 LOSE (99-91)
Milwaukee Bucks @ Utah Jazz -5.5 $1.91 WIN (87-96)
Charlotte Bobcats +11.5 @ Portland Trail Blazers LOSE (104-134)

Philadelphia 76ers @ Sacramento Kings +216.5 $1.91 WIN (113-104)

College Football for January 3

Allstate Sugar Bowl: 11 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) v 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1 SEC), Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA, Friday, January 3, 12.30pm

There might be just one College Football bowl game scheduled today, but it’s one of the more intriguing match-ups across the schedule. Alabama’s chances to play for a third consecutive national championship were dashed on the final play of the regular season, so an obvious question is whether the third-ranked Crimson Tide will suffer a major letdown when they face No. 11 Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. A stunning 109-yard kickoff return by bitter rival Auburn as time expired in the regular-season finale derailed Alabama's three-peat hopes and now the team must regroup for the match-up with the twice-beaten Sooners. It will be the five-year anniversary of The Crimson Tide's last visit to the Sugar Bowl, when they were waxed by Utah after their perfect season ended against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Despite the string of success under Stoops that includes a dozen 10-win seasons since 2000, Alabama's Nick Saban has four national championships under his belt. One of them came at the expense of Oklahoma, when Saban guided LSU to a 21-14 victory over the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl in 2003.

Oklahoma is a decided underdog after losing to Texas and getting mauled by Baylor, but it finished the season on a high note, registering a last-minute victory at arch-rival Oklahoma State. The Sooners will be making their 15th consecutive bowl appearance under coach Bob Stoops. He must still decide on a starting quarterback versus Alabama – the options being senior Blake Bell and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight. The Tebow-esque Bell, nicknamed the Belldozer, started eight games and was superb in rallying the Sooners past Oklahoma State when Knight went down with a shoulder injury. Knight, however, is a dual threat and Alabama’s defense surrendered its two highest point totals against similar-style QBs for Texas A&M and Auburn. The Crimson Tide have no such question marks under center with senior A.J. McCarron, the Maxwell Award winner and runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting. McCarron threw for 26 TDs against only five interceptions this season. Alabama features a stellar defence that ranked No. 2 nationally, allowing 11.7 points per game and holding nine of 12 opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Confirmed bet

Oklahoma Sooners v Alabama Crimson Tide -51.5 (one unit @ $1.91)

Lean

Oklahoma Sooners v Alabama Crimson Tide 1H -9.5 $1.91

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