WGM’s Best Bets: Fri 1 May to Sun 3 May

We’ll start the weekend action with tonight’s Rugby League Test match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane. A sell-out crowd will be on hand to witness this age-old grudge match after the Kiwis beat Australia twice on their way to lifting the 4 Nations trophy last November, but this mid-season Test has traditionally been dominated by the Kangaroos.

Australia has won 14 of the 15 mid-season Tests played between these two and also welcome back a number of players who missed the 4 Nations with injury. If it wasn’t for the prediction of heavy rain we’d be tipping an easy win but we’ll settle for a slightly closer result.

The EPL ladder looks just about settled with Chelsea running away with the title and fifth-placed Liverpool fading from Champions league contention, but a couple of sides have at least caught our eye as they look for a strong finish to the season.

One of those is Everton, who have been seriously underwhelming for the most part but have suddenly burst to life with five wins and a draw from their past six games including a 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United last start. Their rivals this week, Aston Villa, have plenty to fight for sitting just two points outside the relegation zone but there is a reason they find themselves at the wrong end of the ladder.

Finally, it’s the one we’ve all been waiting for – Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather! If you’d asked us the question two years ago, we’d have bet the house on Mayweather and even now we lean towards victory for the American, but the contest has tightened much more than the bookies would have you believe, which is why we’re willing to put some hard-earned on the Pacman.

The undefeated Mayweather is now 38 years of age – two years older than the Filipino legend – and has started to show a few signs that his peak has passed in recent fights. Conversely, Pacquaio has turned it around after hitting the wall a few years back with consecutive dominating wins over previously undefeated fighters. This is still a great match-up between the incredibly speed and skill of Mayweather and the clever power of Pacquiao. Mayweather will try to outbox him, but if anyone can land that killer blow it’s Manny and at long odds we’re willing to take that chance.