Daily tips for October 5

Racing for October 7

Today’s highlights

Flemington R7 G2 $220,000 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m, set weights, 3yo fillies)

Flemington R8 G1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m, SWP, 4yos+) 

Flemington R9 G2 $220,000 Gilgai Stakes (1200m, SWP, 3yo+)

Flemington R10 G2 $220,000 Blazer Stakes (1410m, SWP, 4yo+ mares)

Randwick R3 G3 $125,000 APN Outdoor Craven Plate (200m, WFA, 3yo+

Randwick R4 G1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m, set weights, 3yo fillies)

Randwick R5 G2 $175,000 Sydney City Toyota Roman Consul Stakes (1200m, set weights, 3yos)

Randwick R7 G1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m, 3yo+)

Randwick R8 G2 $200,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m, WFA, 3yo+)

Randwick R9 G1 $400,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m, 3yo+)

Horse racing: Flemington (Vic), Randwick (NSW), Doomben (Qld), Morphettville (SA), Belmont (WA), Newcastle (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Murtoa (Vic), Gunbower (Vic), Wagga (NSW), Darwin (NT), Sunshine Coast (Qld). Harness racing: Menangle (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic), Globe Derby (SA), Leeton (NSW), Bunbury (WA). Greyhound racing: The Gardens (NSW), Traralgon (Vic), Richmond (NSW), The Meadows (Vic), Wentworth Park (NSW), Cannington (WA), Ipswich (Qld).

The Spring Carnival kicks into high gear today with arguably the biggest day on the national racing calendar with meetings full of black-type action at Flemington (pictured) and Randwick. The new ‘international’ look of Australian racing will also be on show in Sydney and Melbourne on today. Horses formerly trained in the northern hemisphere are now dominating elite fields here, particularly in staying races. Take for example Saturday’s Group 1 $400,000 The Metropolitan over 2400 metres at Randwick. Of the confirmed 14 runners three come from Ireland, two from Germany, one from Italy, one from France and one from Great Britain, not to mention several Kiwi-bred stayers as well. In the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, there are four horses formerly from Ireland, one from France, one from Great Britain and one from Germany, and again, another five either from, or bred in New Zealand. The structure of Australian racing, certainly in our staying ranks, has changed forever, and Saturday’s feature Group 1 staying races are proof of that.

This year’s edition of the Turnbull Stakes is the epitome of perfect programming, whether gauged by course (Flemington, Melbourne’s best) distance (2000m), calendar (one month before Melbourne Cup) or allotted weights. It is the Set Weights and Penalties aspect that can be confusing for punters, as the race is neither a handicap nor WFA. By combining the runners’ weights with the WFA scale and the Official Handicap Ratings, four horses jump out of the pack – #6 Fiorente, #7 Puissance De Lune, #11 Fawkner and #18E Waldpark (looks unlikely to get a start). Of that trio, I like the look of the Melbourne Cup favourite #7 Puissance De Lune. Glen Boss will take him forward for the first time this prep and that's when we will see just how well he is going. He’s won two of three here including the G3 Queen Elizabeth (2600m) last spring and the G3 Blamey (1600m) in the autumn. The 6yo grey is at his best when free-rolling on a good gallop he has the strength to surge off that tempo. His run in the Underwood was impressive off a ridiculously slow tempo, and I think we'll see the best of him this weekend. #11 Fawkner is definitely worth an each-way saver.

Suggested bets: Flemington R8 #7 Puissance De Lune E/W 1x2 (two units) 2nd ($1.80), #11 Fawkner (E/W) 3rd ($3.60)

Centrebet is offering money back specials for two of the biggest races tomorrow! Place a Centrebest or fixed win bet on either the Epsom Handicap or Turnbull Stakes and if your horse runs second, Centrebet will give you your money back up to $100!

 

Other tips (check back for updates throughout the afternoon)

Flemington R3 #3 Paximadia (win) 1st ($2.80)

Flemington R5 #3 British General (E/W) 2nd ($2.20)

Flemington R6 #3 Moudre (E/W)  LOSE (U/P)

Flemington R7 #4 Wordplay (E/W 1x2) LOSE (U/P)

Flemington R9 #1 Spirit of Boom (E/W) 2nd ($2.50)
Flemington R10 #9 Peron (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.60)

Randwick R3 #1 Masked Marvel (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($1.90) 

Randwick R4 #1 Guelph (win) 1st ($1.35)

Randwick R5 Exacta 1/3,4,5 1/3 ($5.10)

Randwick R6 #4 Rock Hero (E/W 1x3) 1st ($3.40/$1.60)

Randwick R7 #10 Boban (E/W) 1st ($6.30/$2.50)

Randwick R8 #13 Arinosa (E/W 1x2) 1st ($3.30/$1.70)

Randwick R9 #4 Julienas (E/W) 2nd ($2.50)

Doomben R1 #9 Totally Sure (win) LOSE (2nd)

Doomben R3 #5 Anna Lizzie (win) LOSE (4th)

Doomben R6 #2 Londehero (E/W 1x3) 1st ($3.50/$1.50)

Morphettville R3 #12 The Messina Nymph (win) 1st ($3.10)

Morphettville R4 #3 Star Of Zena (E/W 1x2) 2nd ($1.70)

Morphettville R5 #3 Lampedusa (win) 1st ($1.90)

Morphettville R6 #5 Sysmo (E/W 1x2) 3rd (NTD)

Morphettville R8 #3 Eureka Pulse (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Newcastle R6 #8 Sinjoren (win) LOSE (U/P)

NCAAF (week 6) for October 5

MWC: BYU Cougars (2-2) @ Utah State Aggies (3-2, 2-0 MWC), Romney Stadium, Logan, UT, Saturday, October 5, 10am

The Brigham Young Cougars boast one of the most robust rushing games in the NCAA but they'll face a significant test as they visit the Utah State Aggies at Romney Stadium (pictured). Utah State is allowing an average of 17 points per game – good for 23rd in the nation – and has surrendered fewer than 127 rushing yards per game through its first five contests. The Aggies will have to deal with a dual threat in the BYU backfield, with quarterback Taysom Hill fifth in the country at 141.3 rushing yards per game and running back Jamaal Williams 13th at 126 ypg. There’s always plenty of feeling in this game as the big money BYU had dominated the series for 17 years until 2010 when the Aggies snapped the drought. The next two years, the Cougars hosted the Aggies in Provo.  Both games came down to the wire, with one or two plays meaning the difference between victory and defeat.  Both times, the BYU salvaged a victory, winning by three points.

The last three years have seen a rebirth of Aggie football, with too many accomplishments and records set to list them all. They could, however, use a boost with the return to form of Joe Hill. The junior running back has been battling injuries all season and had just nine carries for 30 yards in last week's one-sided win over San Jose State. Hill is considered day-to-day for this game. Back-up Joey DeMartino has fared well in Hill's absence - carrying 34 times for 297 yards but lacks breakaway speed and could find things difficult against a formidable Cougars defense. BYU holds a 45-34-3 edge in the all-time series, including a 6-3 victory on October 5 last year. I’m leaning towards the Aggies to end the two-game winning streak by BYU as Utah State takes home the Old Wagon Wheel trophy. Just remember the name Chuckie Keeton, the Utah State QB has been a cash cow for bettors over the past two years and his duel threat abilities will be too much for BYU defence.

Suggested bets: Utah State -6 (two units @ $1.91) LOSE, game total -55.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (31-14)

Other tips

Nevada +6 WIN @ San Diego State +59 WIN (44-44)

CFL (week 15) for October 5

Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) @ BC Lions (9-4), BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Saturday, October 5, 12.05pm

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are in a tailspin after their franchise-record start to the season, dropping four straight games and sitting third in the West Division. The Roughriders will have a chance to make up some ground on a team that passed them when they visit the BC Lions. Saskatchewan’s offence has looked lost without league-leading running back Kory Sheets, who was on pace to break the CFL record for rushing yardage in a season before suffering a knee injury three weeks ago. Saskatchewan has been held to 34 points in two full games without Sheets. Quarterback Darian Durant completed 59-of-98 passes for 665 yards over that span, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions, but the Roughriders running game was non-existent, totaling 54 yards. The defense is hurting as well without linebacker Renauld Williams, who led the team in tackles and sacks before being placed on the nine-game injured list. Slotback Chris Getzlaf is on pace for a career year with 861 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

The Lions defeated the Roughriders 24-22 in Week 13 as part of a perfect two-game road swing to bring a three-game winning streak back to BC Place, where they are 6-0 in 2013 and have not lost in 12 regular season games. BC scored three defensive touchdowns in last week’s victory against the Blue Bombers, which took the pressure off back-up QB Thomas DeMarco (pictured). He completed 15-of-21 passes with one touchdown starting in place of Travis Lulay, who will miss at least two more weeks with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Adam Bighill was named defensive player of the week after recording 10 tackles, one sack and forcing two fumbles against the Blue Bombers. Bighill returned one of those fumbles for a touchdown. Cornerbacks Dante Marsh and Cord Parks also scored touchdowns off turnovers. Lulay has expressed confidence in DeMarco’s abilities and said he hopes to resume throwing soon. The Lions are also 4-0 ATS in their last four against fellow Western Conference sides while the under is 17-5 in the last 22 meetings in BC.

Suggested bets: BC Lions -3 (three units @ $1.91) LOSE, game total -52.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN (31-17)

Other tips

Hamilton Tiger-Cats +3 WIN @ Toronto Argonauts +56.5 LOSE (33-19)

NHL for October 5

Ottawa Senators (0-0-0) @ Buffalo Sabres (0-1-0), First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, October 5, 9.05am

Although their long-time leader is now playing elsewhere, the Ottawa Senators are poised to sustain the success they’ve achieved the past two seasons. For the first time since the 1995 season, the Senators will take the ice without Daniel Alfredsson (pictured) when they visit the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres. After 17 seasons with the team, Alfredsson put off retirement and signed a one-year, $USD 5.5 million deal with Detroit. The 40-year-old is the franchise’s all-time leader in games, goals, assists and points, but he scored 10 in 47 contests for a team that ranked 27th with 112 goals during 2013. Ottawa recorded 92 points to reach the playoffs in 2011-12 and went 25-17-6 in the lockout-shortened 2013 season, overcoming injuries to Jason Spezza, 2012 Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and goalie Craig Anderson to again make the playoffs (upsetting second-seeded Montreal in the first round).

The Senators moved to upgrade their offence in the off-season by acquiring Bobby Ryan from Anaheim in a deal that sent talented young forward Jakob Silfverberg west. Ryan scored at least 31 goals in each of the four seasons prior to 2013, when he had 11 in 46 games. A healthy Spezza should also help. The recently named captain matched a career high with 34 goals in 2011-12, but back problems limited him to two and four assists in eight regular season and playoff games in 2013. Ottawa’s offensive deficiencies in 2013 were largely offset by its conference-best 2.08 goals-against average. Anderson went 12-9-2 with a 1.69 GAA despite missing 18 games due to an ankle injury, while back-up Robin Lehner had a 2.20 GAA in 12 starts. Ottawa won the first three meetings with the Sabres last season before losing 4-2 at Buffalo on April 5.

The Sabres look to bounce back from their 2-1 loss at Detroit on Wednesday. Zemgus Girgensons scored in his NHL debut, but Buffalo went 0 for 7 on the power play and failed to convert on a pair of two-man advantages. The Sabres ranked 29th on the power play last season at 14.1 per cent. The 19-year-old Girgensons was one of three teenagers in the Sabres’ line-up. Buffalo's Thomas Vanek had a team-high 20 goals and 21 assists in 38 games last season, but he's been held to two assists in his last eight games against the Senators. Karlsson has six goals and four assists in his last nine versus Buffalo. Sabres forward Ville Leino is out indefinitely due to a broken rib suffered against the Red Wings. Leino played in eight games last season because of a hip injury.

Suggested bets: Senators WIN (2.5 units @ $1.80) WIN, game total -5.5 (one unit @ $1.83) WIN (1-0)

Daily tips

Red Wings @ Hurricanes -5.5 $1.83 WIN (3-2)

Kings @ Jets WIN $1.83 WIN (3-5)

Islanders WIN $1.91 WIN @ Devils -5.5 $1.77 LOSE (4-3)

Flames @ Blue Jackets -1.5 $2.65 WIN (1-3)

Predators @ Avalanche WIN $1.72 WIN (1-3)

MLB playoffs for October 5

ALDS game 1: Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Boston, MT, Saturday, October 5, 5.05am

The Tampa Bay Rays have been in playoff mode for the last few weeks while battling for the wild card, winning a one-game tiebreaker in Texas on Tuesday and taking the one-game wild card playoff in Cleveland on Thursday. Their reward is a trip to face the well-rested and top-seeded Boston Red Sox on Friday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The Red Sox will be playing for the first time since ending the regular season on Sunday. Boston played an intersquad game on Thursday to keep everybody fresh but will need to get into playoff mode quickly after spending the bulk of September comfortably ahead of the rest of the AL East. The Red Sox took 12 of the 19 meetings against Tampa Bay during the regular season, including two of three on the road from September 10-12 to help put the division out of reach. The Rays won 10 of their last 12 going back to the regular season, with the pitching holding opponents to 2.83 runs in that span. They are also a staggering 14-2 when tonight’s starter is on the mound.

That man is Rays LH Matt Moore (17-4, 3.29 ERA), who finished out the regular season with wins in each of his last two starts but struggled with his command in September, issuing 20 walks in 29 total innings over six starts. The 24-year-old had one of his best starts at Boston on July 22, allowing just two hits and walking one in a shutout. Moore is making his third career post-season appearance (second start) and yielded a total of one run on three hits in 10 innings during the 2011 ALDS. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (pictured, 15-8, 3.75) had a string of nine straight quality starts come to an end at Baltimore last Saturday, when he was reached for four runs on nine hits in five innings. The 29-year-old faced Tampa Bay four times in the regular season and went 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA, including a win in the most recent meeting on July 23. Lester is 2-3 with a 2.57 ERA in eight career post-season games (six starts) but went 0-2 against the Rays in the 2008 ALCS.

Suggested bets: Boston WIN (two units @ $1.74) WIN, game total +7.5 (one unit @ $1.95) WIN (2-12)

Other tips

NLDS game 2 (Cardinals lead 1-0): Pittsburgh Pirates @ St Louis Cardinals WIN $1.74 LOSE +7 $1.91 WIN (7-1)

ALDS game 1: Detroit Tigers @ Oakland Athletics WIN $2.05 -6.5 $2.10

NLDS game 2 (Dodgers lead 1-0): Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves WIN $1.93 WIN -6.5 $1.91 LOSE (3-4)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, 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.

Daily tips for October 4

NHL for October 4

Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals, Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia, Friday, October 4, 9.05am

For my first official play of the new NHL season, I’ll be making a small play on the Washington Capitals to make it 11-1 in season openers as they host the Calgary Flames. With several familiar faces no longer around, the Calgary Flames could be in for a bumpy ride this season as they try to avoid a fourth consecutive season-opening loss. After trading away long-time captain Jarome Iginla before last season’s deadline, Calgary officially lost former Vezina Trophy winner Miikka Kiprusoff to retirement last month. Forward Alex Tanguay and defenceman Cory Sarich are also gone. Calgary will be counting on contributions from newcomers David Jones, Shane O’Brien, and T.J Galiardi, along with Karri Ramo, who was signed to help fill Kiprusoff’s void. Ramo, though, hasn’t appeared in the NHL since going 4-10-7 for Tampa Bay in 2008-09. Veteran defenceman Mark Giordano was named team captain.

The Capitals (0-1-0), meanwhile, had the unenviable task of opening their season on Wednesday at Chicago after the Blackhawks raised their Stanley Cup championship banner. Mikhail Grabovski's third goal of the game early in the third period gave Washington a 4-3 lead, but Chicago scored three unanswered en route to a 6-4 victory. Grabovski (pictured) will be an excellent addition to the Capitals’ power-play unit. Washington led the NHL during the 2012-13 season with a power-play percentage of 26.8. The Caps’ power play was spearheaded by Mike Ribeiro (now with Phoenix) and his 27 power-play points, which tied for the league lead in that category. Braden Holtby, who went 9-1-0 in his final 10 regular-season games last year, stopped 29 of 34 shots. The Capitals are 7-2-0 with one tie against the Flames since 2002. Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist Tuesday and has six goals with six assists in six career match-ups versus Calgary. The Capitals had won 10 straight home openers before falling 4-2 to Winnipeg last season.

Suggested bets: Capitals WIN (2.5 units @ $1.44) WIN, game total +5.5 (one unit @ $1.85) WIN (4-5)

Daily tips (no other bets, leans listed below)

Lightning @ Bruins +5.5 $1.90 LOSE (1-3)

Devils @ Penguins +5.5 $2.01 LOSE (0-3)

Kings @ Wild WIN $2.06 LOSE (3-2)
Rangers @ Coyotes WIN $1.80 WIN (1-4)
Panthers WIN $2.40 @ Stars WIN (4-2)

Canucks @ Sharks WIN $1.75 WIN -5 $2.23 PUSH (1-4)

MLB playoffs for October 4

NLDS game 1: Pittsburgh Pirates @ St Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium, St Louis, MS, Friday, October 4, 7.05am

The St Louis Cardinals endured a season-long battle with division rivals Pittsburgh and Cincinnati before winning the National League Central, but they will line up against a familiar foe when they host the Pirates in Game 1 of the NL Division Series here. St Louis surged into the playoffs with a six-game winning streak while allowing only six runs. Pittsburgh will have to slow the highest-scoring team in the NL in its first post-season appearance since 1992. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94) led the majors in complete games (5) and tied for the NL lead in victories after winning his last four decisions, including seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball against Pittsburgh on September 7. He absorbed consecutive beatings by Cincinnati before rebounding to permit only seven runs in his last five starts. Wainwright (pictured) is 9-6 with a 2.53 ERA and four complete games in 17 home starts. The Cardinals earned some time off after winning six in a row to end the season. They won their first NL Central crown since 2009 and secured home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are riding high after their first post-season victory in 21 years. They're confident they can beat anybody, anywhere. Pittsburgh won the season series 10-9 and beat up on the Cardinals at home, but St Louis took the last four match-ups, including a three-game sweep in September that served as a springboard for a 17-5 finish. The Pirates rely on a strong home-field edge (see the raucous crowd in Tuesday's 6-2 wild card win over Cincinnati) but they were among the best teams in the majors with a 44-37 record on the road. The return of Jason Grilli as closer could give the Pirates an edge at the back of the bullpen. Pirates starter RH A.J. Burnett (10-11, 3.30 ERA) enters the playoffs off back-to-back wins against Cincinnati to give him nine consecutive seasons with double-digit victories. He'll be facing St Louis for the seventh time this season and the results have been different between home and away. Burnett gave up two runs in 21 innings at PNC Park but was tagged for 10 runs over 7 1/3 innings in two late-season starts in St Louis.

Suggested bets: Cardinals WIN (3.5 units @ $1.65) WIN, game total +6.5 (1.5 units @ $1.83) WIN (1-9)

Other tips

NLDS game 1: Los Angeles Dodgers WIN ($1.72) WIN @ Atlanta Braves, game total +6 ($2.05) WIN (6-1)

Football (Europa League matchday 2) for October 4

Group K: FC Anzhi Makhachkala v Tottenham Hotspur, Saturn Stadium, Ramenskoye, Moscow, Russia, Friday, October 4, 5.10am

The dream of Suleyman Kerimov (pictured) to turn a small club in Dagestan into one of Europe's strongest through sheer weight of cash is over. Tottenham Hotspur have arrived in Moscow (to where the game has been moved) but the circus has already left town. The big names – Guus Hiddink, Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o – have all gone, no longer performing for the billionaire showman who just wanted to bring some entertainment to his home region. The supporting cast too – Christopher Samba, Lassana Diarra, Willian, Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Denisov and the rest – have all followed, finding other clubs to employ them now that Kerimov has dramatically turned the tap off. Anji received a crash course in English football last season, exchanging 1-0 home wins with Liverpool FC in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League before being eliminated 1-0 on aggregate by Newcastle in the last 16. Their record against EPL sides is W1 D1 L2 (W1 D1 L0 at home – W0 D0 L2 in England).

Tottenham are the exact opposite. They have been spending big in the summer and with good effect. It remains to be seen just how many of their signings feature here with a big Premier League match coming up on Sunday but the consensus is that Erik Lamela will play, as will Jermain Defoe who is looking for a regular starting berth for Andre Villas-Boas’ side. Aaron Lennon and Etienne Capoue remain long-term injury victims. This will be Tottenham's fourth meeting with Russian opponents with their three previous encounters, all in the UEFA Cup or UEFA Europa League group stage, ending W1 D1 L1 (W1 D1 L0 in London; W0 D0 L1 in Russia). Spurs maintained their impressive start to the season with a 3-0 win against Tromsø IL on matchday one; they have won all three of their games in this season’s competition, scoring 11 goals and conceding none. This is Tottenham's sixth UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League group stage campaign. They have only once missed out on the knockout phase in those campaigns, in 2011-12.

Suggested bet: Tottenham WIN (four units @ $1.44) WIN, correct score 0-2 (one unit @ $5.00) WIN (0-2)

Other tips

Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor DNB $4.35 LOSE (3-1)

Swansea City v FC St. Gallen 1TS $1.99 WIN (1-0)

Esbjerg FB v RB Salzburg BTS $1.55 WIN (1-2)

Dnipro Dnipropetrovk WIN $1.97 v AC Fiorentina LOSE (1-2)

Chernomorets Odessa DNB $2.30 v PSV Eindhoven LOSE (0-2)

Ludogorets Razgrad v NK Dinamo Zagreb +2.5 $2.15 WIN (3-0)

KP Legia Warszawa v Apollon Limassol FC 1TS $2.15 WIN (0-1)

Sevilla FC 2+ $2.10 v SC Freiburg WIN (2-0)

Apoel Nicosia FC v Eintracht Frankfurt WIN $1.88 WIN (0-3)

Tromsø IL v FC Sheriff Tiraspol WIN $2.30 LOSE (1-1)

Trabzonspor v Lazio Roma DNB $1.95 WIN (3-3)

NCAAF (week 6) for October 4

Pac 12: (12) UCLA Bruins (3-0, 1-0 away) @ Utah Utes (3-1, 0-1 Pac 12), Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT, Friday, October 4, noon

After winning its first three games in convincing fashion, UCLA begins Pac-12 play on Saturday at Utah, where the 13th-ranked Bruins have been outscored 75-12 in their last two visits. The Utes have the personnel to keep pace with a UCLA offense averaging 52.7 points, but Utah's defense remains a question mark. Both teams are coming off a bye week, and UCLA should be particularly well rested after routing New Mexico State 59-13 on September 21. UCLA started this season ranked at #21 and has been steadily climbing week after week, they are now at #12 on the AP poll. The Bruins’ key will be QB Brett Hundley – his continued improvement has given UCLA passing game huge boost to go along with the already proven Bruins running game that will serve them well in the expected cold and wet conditions here, with snow possible.

Utah opened the last two seasons with four straight conference losses before dropping this year's opener 51-48 in overtime to Oregon State on September 14. The Utes followed the close loss with an impressive 20-13 win at BYU on September 21, when sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson continued his solid play with 273 passing yards and two touchdowns. Wilson needs a repeat performance against UCLA, which is seeking its first 4-0 start since 2005 after winning its first three games by a total of 93 points. As divisional rivals in the South division of the Pac 12, they should be well accustomed to what the other will attempt on the field. The defence of Utah will be tested against balanced attack of PAC 12's second best offence. Just looks as if the Bruins have an edge in too many areas here.

Suggested bet: UCLA -5.5 (three units @ $1.91) WIN, game total +61.5 (one units @ $1.91 LOSE (34-27)

Other tips

Texas -7 LOSE @ Iowa State +55 WIN (31-30)

Western Kentucky -7 @ UL Monroe WIN (31-10)

NFL (week 5) for October 4

Buffalo Bills (2-2, 0-1 away) @ Cleveland Browns (2-2, 1-1 home), FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH, Friday, October 4, 10.25am

What had the makings of a lost season has evolved into a remarkable turnaround for the Cleveland Browns, who will seek their third consecutive victory when they host the Buffalo Bills. The Browns appeared to have raised the surrender flag after losing their first two games and trading away star running back Trent Richardson. Instead, third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer has guided Cleveland to two straight wins and into a tie atop the AFC North. First-year coach Rob Chudzinski is not about to tamper with a winning formula, saying he will stick with Hoyer at quarterback – even though 2012 first-round pick Brandon Weeden is ready to return after missing two games with a thumb injury. Hoyer, the first Cleveland QB to win his first two starts since Mark Rypien in 1994, has developed a great chemistry with tight end Jordan Cameron (pictured), who had 10 catches in Sunday’s 17-6 win over Cincinnati and has 16 receptions and four touchdowns in the past two games. Cleveland’s defence limited the Bengals to 266 total yards, including 63 on the ground in 20 attempts. A Cleveland passing attack that ranks 14th in the NFL with 247.8 yards per game has made up for a rushing attack that’s 27th at 76.0 yards per game. 

The Bills expected some growing pains with rookie E.J. Manuel as their starting QB, but they are coming off an impressive 23-20 home victory over Baltimore to get back to .500. Manuel struggled against the defending Super Bowl champions, but Buffalo rode an impressive ground game and stout defensive performance to stifle the Ravens. The Bills and Browns have split six all-time meetings, with Buffalo prevailing 24-14 in Cleveland last season. Buffalo has major injury concerns entering this match-up as running backs C.J. Spiller (ankle) and Fred Jackson (knee) were both hurt after combining for 164 yards on the ground against Baltimore. Jackson said he has a torn MCL in his left knee but expects to play while X-rays revealed no structural damage for Spiller, who will test the ankle before this game. Manuel threw for only 167 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and a lost fumble, but Buffalo's defense collected four sacks and intercepted quarterback Joe Flacco five times, including two by rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso. He is only the fourth linebacker in league history to intercept four passes in September.

Suggested bets: Game total -40.5 (two units @ $1.91) LOSE, Cleveland -4 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (24-37), Brian Hoyer -267.5 yards passing (one unit @ $1.87) WIN

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, 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.

Daily tips for October 3

Racing for October 3

Horse racing: Bendigo (Vic), Wyong (NSW), Dalby (Qld). Harness racing: Redcliffe (Qld), Penrith (NSW), Ballarat (Vic). Greyhound racing: Warragul (Vic), Grafton (NSW), Shepparton (Vic), Maitland (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Warrnambool (Vic), Sandown Park (Vic), Angle Park (SA), Dapto (NSW), Hobart (Tas), Mandurah (WA).

The Anthony Cummings-trained Vergara can build upon a solid first-up effort when contesting the bizarrely named Cabac-Sunny-LTG-Bambach Maiden Plate (1100m), the second on the seven-race card at Wyong today. #12 Vergara resumed in good order at the course last start four weeks ago when placing behind Checonsul over 1200m. The daughter of Snippetson hit the lead soon upon straightening and looked the winner before she was collared 100m from home. Blake Shinn partnered Vergara on that occasion and suggested her tendency to over-race might have been what cost the filly a maiden success. Form out of the race has proven useful, with runner-up High Grace and fourth place-getter Command More each shedding their maiden tags at provincial level since. Cummings has elected to remove the blinkers, which ideally will result in Vergara settling and not using up valuable energy reserves early on. From barrier 5, jockey Peter Robl and Vergara should enjoy a cosy run in transit, settling in the second pair or perhaps just outside the lead.

Suggested bet: Wyong R2 #12 Vergara (E/W 1x4) LOSE (4th)

Other tips

Wyong R3 #1-2 Boxed exacta WIN ($4.10)

Wyong R7 #4 Easter Island ABANDONED

Bendigo R2 #8 Sense Of Hite (win) 1st ($1.90)

Bendigo R6 #4 Beauty Cash (E/W) 3rd ($3.60)

Bendigo R8 #9 Hogan’s Warrior (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Dalby R3 #7 Writtenintherain (E/W 1x4) 2nd ($1.50)

Dalby R4 #2 Puff’s Girl (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Dalby R6 #8 Amaizing Dragon (win) LOSE (4th)

NHL for October 3

I’m still keeping the powder dry on the NHL front so thought I’d highlight some of the advantages of betting on the world’s premier ice hockey league.

Take an average day on the North American sports schedule in October. College football, NFL, Major League Baseball playoffs but there’s no doubt that the best value comes from a card of six or seven NHL games. Sure, hockey may not be palatable to many sports fans but sports betting is all about maximising profit. With several games on the card, we can pick our spots and don’t have to settle for just one game. The books also focus on those higher-profile football and baseball games. The NHL card will garner less attention from the odds maker and the sports bettors (for all the games combined) when compared to a single NFL or MLB playoff game. If you wager on sports because you view it as an investment and find the value in sports handicapping, then do not miss the NHL season this year.

Daily tips (no best of the day, leans listed below)

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Philadelphia Flyers -5.5 $2.04 WIN (3-1)

Buffalo Sabres @ Detroit Red Wings -1.5 $2.65 LOSE (1-2)

Anaheim Ducks WIN $2.00 @ Colorado Avalanche LOSE (1-6)

MLB playoffs for October 3

AL Wild-card Game: Tampa Bay Rays (92-71) @ Cleveland Indians (92-70), Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH, Thursday, October 3, 10.05am

The Cleveland Indians raced through September with the best record in the major leagues, including a 10-game winning streak to close out the regular season. Their reward for that finishing kick is hosting the Tampa Bay Rays in a one-game AL wild card playoff for the right to play the top-seeded Boston Red Sox in the Division Series. The Rays earned their entry on Tuesday by winning 5-2 at Texas in a one-game tiebreaker. That game at Texas forced Tampa Bay to use ace David Price for all nine innings, leaving him unavailable to face Cleveland. They’ve also travelled from Tampa to New York to Toronto to Texas to Cleveland, a journey covering 3627 miles, in the past week. The Indians would have preferred to save Ubaldo Jimenez, but an uncertain status forced him to go in his regular rotation spot on Sunday. Cleveland feasted on sub-.500 opponents in September but was 36-52 in the regular season against teams with winning records, including 2-4 against the Rays.

Rays RH Alex Cobb (pictured, 11-3, 2.76 ERA) finished up the regular season strong with wins in each of his last three starts. The Boston native surrendered a total of three runs on 23 1/3 innings while striking out 26 in those three turns and yielded more than two earned runs just twice in his last nine starts. Cobb made his first start of the season against Cleveland on April 6 and scattered four hits in 7 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. The Indians monitored RH Danny Salazar (2-3, 3.12) carefully over the final month of the season, pulling him from games before 90 pitches. The 23-year-old Dominican struck out eight and allowed two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings on September 25 before being lifted after 89 pitches – his highest total since August 7. Salazar will be backed up by a bullpen that now includes former ace Justin Masterson. Despite an impressive showing in Arlington, the Rays are 8-22 in the last 30 meetings in Cleveland but I lean to the experience of the Rays here.

Suggested bets: Game total +7 (two units @ $1.95) LOSE, Tampa Bay WIN (one unit @ $1.83) WIN (4-0)

Football (UCL matchday 2) for October 3

Group A: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Manchester Utd, Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, October 3, 4.45am

After two successive Premier League defeats the pressure is already on manager David Moyes at Manchester United. Without mincing words, they were simply terrible in the weekend’s 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion in the EPL. He takes his side to the Ukraine on Wednesday night to take on Shakhtar Donetsk knowing a defeat here will fuel the critics further. Both sides won their opening match in the group so whoever wins here will be in a good position on the Group A table. Moyes will hope to have Robin van Persie (pictured) back after the star striker  missed the last three matches with injury. One man who won’t feature here is Rio Ferdinand. Jonny Evans looks set to partner Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defence. Anderson and Wilfried Zaha have not travelled to the match. Marouane Fellaini and Patrice Evra didn’t featured against West Brom but are likely to return here.

This meeting in the Donbass Arena will be the first time United have faced Shakhtar, but the EPL champions have never lost to Ukrainian opposition. United have won three times and drawn once in their four Champions League encounters with Dynamo Kiev.  Shakhtar, the reigning Ukrainian champions, have never lost to English opposition on home soil in the Champions League. Shakhtar Donetsk has lost some key personnel in recent seasons. The likes of Willian and Fernandinho are now plying their trade in the Premier League but the Ukrainians still have quality in former Arsenal forward Eduardo and Croatian star Darjo Srna not to mention Luiz Adriano and the man who scored twice in their first game Alex Teixeira so Donetsk still have enough to cause any side problems all over the pitch. Both sides are prone to conceding so this looks a good match to attack the both teams to score market.

Suggested bet: Both Teams Score (2.5 units @ $1.69) WIN (1-1)

Other tips

CSKA Moscow WIN $1.68 v FC Viktoria Plzen WIN (3-2)

Bayer Leverkusen WIN $1.64 v Real Sociedad WIN (2-1)

Juventus Only to Score $2.25 v Galatasaray LOSE (2-2)

Real Madrid 3+ v FC Copenhagen WIN (4-0)

Paris St Germain WIN $1.75 v Benfica WIN (3-0)

RSC Anderlecht DNB $1.86 v Olympiakos FC LOSE (0-3)

Manchester City v Bayern Munich +2.5 $1.72 WIN (1-3)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, 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.

Daily tips for October 2

Racing for October 2

Horse racing: Ballarat (Vic), Canterbury (NSW), Eagle Farm (Qld), Bordertown (SA), Belmont (WA). Harness racing: Redcliffe (Qld), Bendigo (Vic). Greyhound racing: The Meadows (Vic), Angle Park (SA), The Gardens (NSW), Bendigo (Vic), Richmond (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic), Rockhampton (Qld), Ballarat (Vic), Bulli (NSW), Cannington (WA).

The Chris Waller mare #6 Wind Bender looks ideally placed for successive wins at Canterbury Park (good 3) this afternoon when she lines up in the Casino Prince @ Vinery Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1900 metres (race 3). The four-year-old is backing up quickly after a soft win at this track and trip seven days ago, and will be very hard to beat, shedding 2.5kg in weight. Jockey Tommy Berry, who takes the ride again today, was untroubled in orchestrating the win last week. He settled back in sixth spot, peeled four-wide rounding the turn and motored right over the top of them. The beauty of that run was that Wind Bender looked to have much more in the tank. It was her second run over the 1900m, and her second win at the trip. It was also her fourth run at this track where she's now returned two wins and two minor placings.

Suggested bet: Canterbury R3 #6 Wind Bender WIN (two units) 1st ($2.10)

Other tips

Canterbury R4 #5 Forget (E/W 1x3) 3rd ($1.50)

Canterbury R5 #1 Living On A Prayer (win) LOSE (2nd)

Canterbury R6 #3 Guarana (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Ballarat R4 #5 Up The Ladder (E/W) 2nd ($3.60)
Ballarat R5 #10 Senor Juez (E/W 1x2) LOSE (U/P)

Ballarat R6 #7 Nicastro (E/W) 2nd ($2.80)

Eagle Farm R6 #1 Platinum Mint (E/W 1x4) 3rd ($1.50)

Eagle Farm R7 #9 Hopfgarten (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($1.50)

Bordertown R4 #2 Zirconi Aspen (E/W 1x2) ABANDONED

Bordertown R5 #8 Dashing Pedrille ABANDONED

Harness racing tip: Bendigo: R5 #6 Tombstone Eden (win) 1st ($2.10)
Greyhound racing tip: Bulli R7 #8 Cawbourne Power win) 1st ($1.80)

MLB for October 2

NL Wild-card Game: Cincinnati Reds (90-72) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68), PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA, Wednesday, October 2, 10.05am

Clint Hurdle isn't satisfied after leading Pittsburgh to a 94-68 record and its first playoff berth in 21 years. It's why he doesn't view Tuesday night's wild-card game against Cincinnati as the culmination of three years of progress. He wants the Pirates to win a sixth World Series. Hurdle’s Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds in the National League wild-card game here. Pittsburgh secured home-field advantage by sweeping a three-game series in Cincinnati and the winner of this one-game round meets the St. Louis Cardinals in the divisional round. The Reds are in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons but staggered down the stretch with five consecutive losses to match a season-worst skid.

Cincinnati planned to start Mat Latos but scratched him due to elbow soreness and will instead go with Johnny Cueto (5-2, 2.82 ERA), who has a stellar 8-2 mark with a 1.91 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 13 career starts at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. Cueto has excelled in two starts since returning from an injury and has allowed one earned run and eight hits in 12 innings. He blanked the Pirates on one hit over eight innings on May 31 and then went on the disabled list for the second of three times this season. Cueto is 13-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 21 career starts against Pittsburgh. Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips (shin) expects to play after being hurt while fouling a ball off his leg on Saturday.

The Pirates opted for left-hander Francisco Liriano (pictured, 16-8, 3.02), who struggled against the Reds this season with a 0-3 record and 3.70 ERA in four starts. Pittsburgh standout Andrew McCutchen (.317 average, 21 homers, 84 RBIs and 27 steals) had an MVP-calibre campaign while Cincinnati star Joey Votto (.306 average, 24 homers, 73 RBIs) set a franchise record by reaching base 316 times. Liriano has been fantastic at home, sporting an 8-1 mark and 1.47 ERA in 11 outings. Though he set a career best for victories, he struggled in September with a 1-2 record and 5.14 ERA in five starts. Liriano had a sharp outing against Cincinnati on September 20 when he gave up two runs and three hits in eight innings while receiving a ND. His home form is enough for me to go with the Pirates here.

Suggested bets: Pirates WIN (two units @ $1.74) WIN, game total -6.5 (one unit @ $1.87) LOSE (2-6)

NHL for October 2

It’s opening night for the 2013-14 National Hockey League (NHL) season, and a full season at that after last year’s player strike.

The release of the regular-season schedule included the debut of the four new division names for the realigned NHL. The League went to a realigned format for geographic purposes and has decided to stick with geographic names for the four new divisions. Three of the four names are carryovers from the old six-division alignment, but the League added a new name to the mix. The four division names are Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific. The Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions make up the Eastern Conference and each division has eight teams. The Central and Pacific divisions make up the Western Conference and have seven teams in each division.

The Atlantic Division teams are Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings have moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern. The Metropolitan Division includes the three New York-area teams (New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils) along with the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets, who are joining the Red Wings in the move east.

The new Central Division in the Western Conference includes the reigning cup holder Chicago Blackhawks (pictured), St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, who are moving from the Eastern Conference to the Western. The new Pacific Division includes the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. The 2013-14 schedule ensures that all 30 teams play in all 30 arenas at least once during the season. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will still consist of 16 teams, eight from each conference, but it will be division-based and a wild-card system has been added.

Daily tips (no best of the day, leans listed below)

Toronto Maple Leafs WIN $2.00 @ Montreal Canadiens WIN (4-3)

Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks -5.5 $1.80 LOSE (4-6)

Winnipeg Jets @ Edmonton Oilers WIN $1.77 LOSE (5-4)

Football (UCL matchday 2) for October 2

Check out how Mario Balotelli helped AC Milan pinch a point in Amsterdam from a desperately unlucky Ajax this morning!

Group G: Zenit St Petersburg v Austria Wien, Petrovsky Stadium, St Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, October 2, 2am

After losing their opening match of the Champions League group stage Zenit St Petersburg will be eager to pick up their first win when they host Austria Vienna. Zenit go into this match as warm favourites. They have some excellent players for this level of football. Andrei Arshavin (pictured) is back in Zenit colours and he’ll be looking to have more of an impact on the game than he had towards the end of his spell at Arsenal. Zenit had a tough match against Spartak Moscow last weekend but they should still have more than enough in their star-studded squad to take care of business in this match. Besides having lost just one of their last 23 home games in European competition, the Russian side approach the fixture with six wins from their past seven matches and on a run of free-scoring form. 

Vienna also lost their opening game, against Porto, so they too will be looking for their opening points in the group phase. They lost on Sunday so they don’t go into this match with much confidence and will be without Marko Stankovic, Daniel Royer, Alexander Grunwald and Alexander Gorgon who are all injured. Vienna have only have 18 fit players to take into this game with them so this could be a bit of a struggle for the visitors. Having been dumped out of the Austrian Cup on Tuesday by third-tier SC Karlsdorf, Austria's poor form continued as they created little against the Bundesliga's bottom side before conceding from a goalmouth scramble. Vienna reached the Champions League main draw through the qualification rounds. In he third stage, Vienna beat a poor Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and were lucky to escape with the tie on home territory.

Suggested bet: Zenit St Petersburg Only to Score (two units @ $1.99) LOSE (0-0)

Other tips

FC Basel v Schalke 04 WIN $3.00 WIN (0-1)

Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea +2.5 $1.95 WIN (0-4)

Arsenal v Napoli DNB $2.80 LOSE (2-0)

Borussia Dortmund (by 2+) $1.72 v Olympique Marseille WIN (3-0)

Porto v Atlético Madrid WIN $2.55 WIN (1-2)

Ajax v AC Milan DRAW $3.30 WIN (1-1)

Celtic v Barcelona +2.5 $1.74 LOSE (0-1)

• Prices with thanks to Centrebet, 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.