Monte's Multiple / Jaymes Monte / 21 April 2009 /

Hope is a dangerous concept. With it, brings anticipation and expectation but even more inevitably comes disappointment and despair. Yet without it, where would I be?

After Ronaldo's winner against Porto last week I allowed myself to believe that this would be the week for Monte's Multiple. Then, no sooner had I envisioned the Champagne corks popping, the dream was dashed as an out of sorts Barneveld could only manage a draw against Mervyn King.

It's a short priced treble this week, but as a crazy old man with a bowler hat once told me -'From little acorns, grow great oaks.'

Bet One: Snooker - World Championships
We've reached the pinnacle of the snooker year and for the next two weeks we can enjoy the delights of the crucible and all it brings. Get ready for a flurry of 'How's your luck?' and 'Where's the white ball going?' as the world's best take to the world's greatest snooker stage.
With the first round matches starting at the best of 19, the World Championships almost completely eradicates the element of luck and the best players do come out on top. It is the time of the year where all players aim to peak, and what the whole snooker calendar is geared towards.
Stephen Lee qualified for this tournament with an impressive win over up and coming youngster Judd Trump, who would have been fancied to cause an upset or two in Sheffield. However he has been handed a tough opening round draw against Welshman Ryan Day, who appears to have hit form just at the right time. Day's results had been stuttering of late, but an impressive run to the semi-final in China shows he is cueing well and back on top of his game.
Selection: Back Ryan Day to beat Stephen Lee @ [1.5]


Bet Two: Football - Spanish La Liga
Seven games to go in the 2008/09 La Liga season and although the title is edging closer and closer to the hands of Lionel Messi and co., the race for the final Champions League spot is really heating up. Valencia'a 3-1 win over Sevilla at the weekend has now given them a three point cushion over both Atletico Madrid and Villarreal who are closely followed by this season's surprise package Malaga.
Having worked so hard to establish that gap, Villarreal won't be surrendering it lightly and Wednesday night provides them with the perfect opportunity to capitalise on recent form and bolster their credentials. They make the trip to the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera with high self-confidence to take on a Betis side that have won just three home games all season, and who will be without their influential defender Arturo Arzu following his red card at the weekend.
Betis' season is beginning to fizz out, as they now look to be safe from relegation but have too much to do to make it into a European spot. Valencia won't want to come away from this game empty handed and a Betis side with little to play for look too short at [3.0].
Selection: Lay Betis to beat Valencia @ [3.0]

Bet Three: Cricket - Australia v Pakistan - 1st ODI
Away from the ticker tape and fireworks of the IPL, the international cricket scene continues in Dubai as Australia take on Pakistan. The Australian squad includes a number of players who will later be joining the cricketing carnival in South Africa, but is without the majority of the squad who were recently defeated by the Proteas.
It shows the strength and depth of Australian cricket when they can make so many changes yet still call upon players of the quality of Shaun Marsh, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and Stuart Clark amongst others.
Pakistan have had their much publicised troubles of late meaning that the national side have been involved in very little competitive international cricket. They will be a little ring rusty going in to this series and it will take them a little time to get up to pace with a strong and experienced Australian side.
Selection: Back Australia to beat Pakistan @ [1.7]

:

:

:

?

: