It’s all about the US Masters this week as the first major of 2014 gets underway at Augusta. The absence of Tiger Woods through injury makes for an interesting dynamic with much of the focus on defending champion Adam Scott. Fellow Aussie Jason Day has also come very close here on a number of occasions – having already notched a second and a third – but we like the look of world number seven Matt Kuchar who has enjoyed a top 5 finish here the past three years and has been in good form of late with a second place at Houston last week.
Could this be the weekend that decides who will be crowned English Premier League champions? Sunday night sees arguably the biggest game of the season take place at Anfield as current league leaders Liverpool host Manchester City. The Reds sit four points ahead of City although the sky blues have two games in hand. Should Liverpool claim all three points here they will be in the box seat to win their first ever EPL title while if City win they will sit just a point behind still with two games in hand. The other title contender, Chelsea, face a trip to Swansea.
The second round of the MotoGP season is on in Texas and it will be interesting to see if defending champion Marc Marquez can continue to dominate after winning the opening round in Qatar three weeks ago. The great Valentino Rossi showed he isn’t a spent force with a second place finish in the opening round while Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will also be looking for their first win of the year. We’re loathe to tip against Marquez though. He won his first career MotoGP race here 12 months ago and his win three weeks ago in Qatar came despite still suffering a broken leg!
And a huge game looms in the NBA this weekend as Indiana head to Miami in the battle for top spot in the East. The Heat currently sit half a game ahead of the Pacers as the business end of the season approaches but ironically neither side is in great form with the Heat 6-4 in their last 10 outings and the Pacers just 3-7! We like the Heat in this one.
Good luck and good punting.