Monte's Multiple: Never bet on friendlies?

Monte's Multiple / Jaymes Monte / 27 April 2010 / Leave a Comment

It is wrong to criticise Roy Hodgson for doing what is in the best interest of Fulham

Back Fulham to beat Hamburg @ 2.2
Lay Barney to beat Jenkins @ 2.2
Back West Indies to beat New Zealand @ 1.9
Treble pays @ 7.5

Jaymes Monte mixes up his usual concoction of football, darts and cricket to bring you his midweek multiple...

Bet 1: Football - Europa League

Fulham's fairytale season continues to amaze. A 0-0 draw in Hamburg last week set up the possibility of the greatest conclusion of all - a Europa League final back at the Nordbank Arena in Hamburg on May 12.

The guarantee of mid-table obscurity for The Cottagers allowed Roy Hodgson the luxury of resting players at the weekend. Although he has had to bat off criticism and controversy in doing so, that will not faze the 62-year-old.

Controversy has also surrounded Fulham's Europa league semi-final opponents in recent days as they took the contentious decision to sack manager Bruno Labbadia following a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Hoffenheim on Saturday.

We're all well aware of the new manager effect, but for me it is all about the old manager master class at Craven Cottage.

Selection: Back Fulham to beat Hamburg @ [2.2]

Bet 2: Darts - Premier League

Terry Jenkins kept alive his improbable hopes of a Premier League semi-final berth with victory over Ronnie Baxter last week to move onto eight points and just three behind his latest victim. Realistically, Jenkins must now win all three of his remaining matches to finish in the top four, starting with taking both points from Raymond van Barneveld this week.

Van Barneveld currently props up the Premier League table with a paltry five points and I saw nothing in his performance last week against James Wade to suggest that he will turn things around against a resurgent Jenkins.

It is a sad sight to see one of the true greats of the game playing with such little confidence and self-belief, but we shouldn't wallow in his pity for too long as there is money to be made by taking him on.

Selection: Lay Barney to beat Jenkins @ [2.2]

Bet 3: Cricket - World Twenty20 Warm-Up matches

With the added asset of home support, the West Indies are a strong fancy of mine to go all the way in this year's Twenty20 World Cup. Kieron Pollard's coming of age with both the ball and bat in the recent IPL combined with the firepower of Chris Gayle, stability of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and death bowling of Jerome Taylor make them a force to be reckoned with.

There are arguments, and most of them good ones, that say you shouldn't bet on international friendlies in any sport. But in this Twenty20 format, momentum is a huge benefit to the side that has it and these warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup could prove hugely important.

West Indies take on New Zealand on Wednesday evening (BST) and at odds of [1.9] look a decent price to oblige.

Selection: Back West Indies to beat New Zealand @ [1.9]