Sure thing – The top wicket-taker in the current test series to be English
With England 1-0 up in the first of the summer test series against the West Indies, the nature of the games so far has meant that top run-scorer could be from either side, with the exploits of Chanderpaul, Samuels or Strauss. However, one would expect the top wicket-taker to be English, judging if nothing else by Stuart Broad’s fantastic 11-wicket haul in the first test at Lords. The spin of Graeme Swann, the ever-consistent Jimmy Anderson and the fiery Tim Bresnan have all also picked up wickets so far, and only Kemar Roach from the touring party has threatened the statistics. Top wicket-taker is normally a fair indicator of the way the test series is shaping – The Windies have impressed with the bat yet have not penetrated enough with the ball, while England’s bowlers, on their home surfaces, have found the edges on numerous occasions.
Tipster’s odds: 9/4
Long shot – Roger Federer to win the French Open
The man who many feel to be the greatest tennis player of all time has had a lean couple of years. His last major win was the Australian Open in 2010 yet that victory was his 16th in the space of eight short years, a truly remarkable feat for a man just the wrong side of 30. He is third seed behind Rafa Nadal, going for his record 7th French Open, and Novak Djokovic, who cannot stop winning and will be vying to become the first man in 43 years to win four grand-slams in a row. However, Federer is setting his sights on re-claiming world number one (last held in May 2010). He has won four titles this year so far, despite taking some time out from the game, including winning impressively at the Madrid Open earlier this month. It will be a hard ask to oust his two adversaries, but if anyone is defy all the odds, it’s Fed.
Tipster’s odds: 10/1
Absolute madness – Jack Butland to keep a clean sheet in the Euro 2012 final
Picture the scene: Joe Hart gets injured after the opening game. Rob Green fills in, but ignominiously repeats his feat that he managed against the USA at the 2010 World Cup, making him public enemy number one. This gives Roy Hodgson no choice but to call upon a 19-year old kid, called up to replace the injured John Ruddy, who has played all of his career league games in League 2, for Cheltenham Town. He is incredibly highly rated by those who have watched him, having kept 11 clean sheets in 24 games… against the likes of Macclesfield, Burton Albion and Dagenham and Redbridge. You get my drift here. Yet he’s thrown in for the final group game against Ukraine, saving 2 penalties and keeping a clean sheet as we advance through the quarters and the semis with Butland producing match-winning saves. Then, in the final against Spain, he summons all his courage mustered from playing in front of 3,000 people every week to help bring the trophy home. It’s fun to dream.
Tipster’s odds: 300/1