Around the Betting Planet: QLD snatch Game 1 in State of Origin

US sports betting news

Giants hope to recreate success against Washington in NFL Sunday

The New York Giants will look at their upcoming fixture against Washington as a possible lifeline after a poor start to the NFL season. The side have only managed to win one of their eight matches so far, beating Washington 20-19 the last time both teams met. 

The Giants are in last place in the National Football Conference (NFC) East division and have to win every game if they are to have any chance of reaching the playoffs. Washington outperformed New York in their previous match in almost all areas but lost by one point. 

NFL betting sites view Washington as the favorites for this Sunday night fixture, given their recent superior form.  

UK sports betting news

Southampton lose Ings for up to six weeks

Southampton’s star striker, Danny Ings, could miss the next six weeks after requiring minor knee surgery. Ings had to come off the pitch in the 85th minute after a challenge from Aston Villa’s Trezeguet. Southampton went on to win the fixture 4-3, with Ings scoring the winning goal. 

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl announced that the forward would have to miss the next four to six weeks after his operation on Thursday. Although only a minor injury, it could be a major loss for the side as Ings has scored five of their 14 goals in the league this season.

Southampton sit in fifth in the English Premier League, with upcoming fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sheffield United, and Manchester United. EPL betting with regard to Southampton will likely be impacted in a big way, as Ings has led from the front for his side and leaves a big pair of shoes to fill.

Africa sports betting news

Springboks commit to Rugby Championship until 2030

Amid a turbulent year due to the global pandemic, the South African Rugby Union announced its commitment to the Rugby Championship until 2030. The news comes after speculation that the three-time Rugby World Cup winners would jump ship and join the European Six Nations tournament. 

Adding to the speculation was the removal of the Springboks from the Rugby Championship this year because of concerns surrounding player welfare. The recent long-term commitment from South Africa and the other three unions – New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – marks a vital step in ensuring the competition’s survival. 

The Rugby Championship was also restructured and will feature a 12-game format alternating between home and away fixtures. The chief executive of SA Rugby, Jurie Roux, told reporters that he welcomed the new competition structure. After their Rugby World Cup triumph in 2019, could South Africa be the side to back in the 2020 Rugby Championship betting?   

Europe sports betting news

Lewandowski becomes fourth-highest goalscorer in Champions League history

Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League Group A fixture saw Bayern Munich decimate FC Red Bull Salzburg 6-2. The win allowed the German club to continue their unbeaten record in Europe this season.

Bayern forward Robert Lewandowsk excelled in the game, smashing a brace, with one goal coming from the spot, while the other came in the 88th minute as the game was nearing its climax. That effort has seen him move onto 70 Champions League goals, where he sits fourth in the all-time scoring list behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Raul.  

Bayern are now five points ahead of Atletico Madrid at the top of Group A after the Spanish side’s draw with Lokomotiv Moscow. The German club should now make the last 16 of the Champions League, reaching the final round for the 13th consecutive season, and will be favorites among many Champions League betting sites to defend their crown.   

South America sports betting news

Onze Motorsports confirm entry into 2021 TCR South America Series

Brazilian former driver Flavio Figueiredo will lead Onze Motorsports next year when they participate in the 2021 TCR South American Series. Figueiredo, now 49-years-old, brings a vast amount of experience in the touring car scene. He participated in the South American Touring Car Championship back in the late 1990s and raced for Vauxhall in the British Championship. 

The Brazilian motorsport team have reportedly purchased an undisclosed number of Audi RS 3 LMS race cars. One of the vehicles had already seen some track time while in the hands of Tobias Brink when he took part in the STCC TCR Scandinavia series. 

Figueiredo said that they chose this specific vehicle model because it shows the most potential in the competition. The TCR South American season will start in April 2021, holding three races in Argentina and Brazil. Additionally, the series will have two events in Chile and Uruguay.

Australia sports betting news

Queensland defeat NSW in State of Origin Game 1

After an incredible display of resilience in the second half, Queensland managed to beat New South Wales in their opening State of Origin fixture. After tries from Josh Addo-Carr and Damien Cook, NSW went into the half-time break 10-0 ahead. 

Queensland returned in the second half and turned the tide, scoring three tries in Adelaide. Daly Cherry-Evans put on a brilliant performance after the break, converting all his attempts at goal. 

New South Wales halfback Nathan Cleary missed two of his three conversion attempts, losing crucial points for his team. It is not yet known whether he will get a chance to redeem himself when the two teams meet for their second match November 11, as the Blues are expected to make several changes to their starting 13.

Despite the results in Adelaide, rugby league betting sites have NSW pegged as the favorites for the next clash.

New Zealand sports betting news

New Zealand Cricket confirms Ronchi as national batting coach

Luke Ronchi has become the full-time batting coach for the New Zealand national cricket team, replacing Peter Fulton. He was part of the Black Caps’ coaching staff when they traveled to England for the ICC World Cup in 2019.

Although Ronchi was born in New Zealand, he began his international cricket career with Australia in 2008. He then returned to New Zealand, playing for the national squad from 2013 until he retired in 2017. 

Ronchi will now work with New Zealand’s batsmen ahead of the West Indies’ home series. He told reporters that he feels honored with his appointment and hopes to find a way to improve the level of batting, preparing players to compete at the highest level.