SportsBet Magazine NFL Kickoff

NFL KICKOFF

COMPLETE SEPTEMBER 2016

CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

VON MILLER CELEBRITY

TOUR +

MLB PLAYOFF HUNTING

MANLINESS: FALL FASHION & TRAVEL

CO NT EN TS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN

IN

Let

ter

EV

18 F O C 4 4 NFL K U S 1 6 Olymp ickoff 6 5 Von M ic Rec F a i all

E RY

I mt he S S U Spo E E M di rts Bet asthe tor 8 Fan a t tas ing 10 d 1 0 yS por 1 7 0 ts 2 fro

ller p shi Celeb on rit

Fa

yT

our

6

FITNESS

69 Health is Your Wealth

S

S RT O P B L

M r 3 0 Socce ing 3 4 NBA e Rac 4 0 Hors ng 4 8 Surfi 5 1 UFC 5 2 Golf 5 4 AFL is 5 6 Tenn 58

S INE

S

ly nth 4 o M en’s M ves 1 : a M er st H Corn 8 u ’ M ers lers 6 : l l i ril 01 Gr y G ing 1 6 a p D 6 me ansca asics a G M ng B i oom r G

L AN

TRAVEL

60 Mancation Destination: New York City

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR’S LETTER

It is with a true passion I bring to you the September issue of SportsBet Magazine.

Authentic in our expert analysis, accurate in the reporting of stats while providing up to the moment sporting news, SportsBet Magazine provides betting trends and events coupled with irony and just the right amount of jest. I’m confident that SportsBet Magazine will be your ultimate sporting resource with its simplistic betting platform, and pure entertainment value for Sporting Enthusiasts.

As the chapter closes on the Rio Olympics, we hit the refresh button with our complete Rio recap for the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. All in all, I have to say that although Brazil had its moments

throughout the games, the highs outweighed the lows.

The magic moments from Phelps, Bolt... the list goes on. Who will forget the roar of the crowd when Brazil’s men’s soccer team finally had their international breakthrough to capture gold and the spotlight of the world. Sport at its finest.

Inside the issue we take you through the in depth analysis of each NFL conference and our predictions and preview for the quest for Super Bowl LI. We continue our MLB coverage and preview the playoff battle, as well as continuing our Manliness theme on how to not only dress your best but be your best for fall.

Additionally, our Daily Fantasy Sports coverage continues with some fast lessons on how to monitor and monetize your daily fantasy NFL teams for season 2016/17 with our monthly tips and tricks.

We hope you enjoy the issue and SportsBet Magazine will continue to be your ultimate resource for always coming out on top.

Welcome to the issue and to SportsBet Magazine.

MICK MCCABE | editor-in-chief

MASTHEAD

PUBLISHER Michael McCabe

EXECUTIVE M AN AGING EDITOR Ian Wilson

FOLLOW US THE SOCIAL MEDIA YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS For all the latest sporting news, injury updates and betting trends, follow SportsBet Magazine.

M AN AGING EDITOR Mark Nicholas

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS James Howard Adam Charles

ART DIRECTOR Alexandrea Achacoso

MULTI- MEDI A DIGITAL DIRECTOR Shannon Dannetelle

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MONTHLY MEN'S MUST-HAVE:

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO TREASURE HUNTING.

There's something exciting about the thrill of the online shopping hunt.

Finding that perfect piece, adding it to your cart, checking next day shipping—and there you have it, viola online shopping accomplished.

For some though, winning the game of Internet spending is to be able to update the basics without the effort, yet with the instant gratification of having a box arrive on your doorstep.

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V I S I T S P R E Z Z A B O X . C O M F O R A L L Y O U R M O N T H LY S T Y L E N E E D S

→

VON MILLER: THE CELEBRITY TOUR

The day after being named MVP of Super Bowl 50, all-pro outside linebacker Von Miller embarked on a media tour that took him across the country and every pocket in between. TV appearances, parties, sports events, award shows and trips to the white house, all of which were sandwiched around his training regimen. Miller held out of the Broncos’ offseason program to negotiate a long-term contract but had one of the busiest offseasons imaginable. The deal was finally inked after months of speculation, Von was to be paid $114 million over six years to come back and lead his Bronco’s in a title defence.

The Broncos couldn't win without Miller and Miller got paid, so much so he's now the wealthiest defensive player in NFL history.

"GOING FORWARD, WE EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM VON NOT ONLY ON

THE FIELD BUT WITH THE RESPONSIBILIT Y HE H AS AS A LEADER ON THE TEAM," ELWAY SAID. So what does this mean? For the Broncos, they have their 27-yearold pass rusher locked up for the foreseeable future. The team realistically gives themselves a chance to defend their Super Bowl title despite an uncertain platoon of quarterbacks vying for the starting role. The defense was always going to be the strength of this team, and under coordinator Wade Phillips, they made a historic march to the Super Bowl, rendering the explosive Panthers powerless in San Francisco on the game's biggest stage. Nonetheless the Broncos have committed long term to their franchise man, the new born celebrity MVP has big shoes to fill especially after chewing up a great big percentage of Denver's cap space.

So how did Mr Miller sum up his pre season in a word? The MVP Super Bowl Champ described his record breaking off season as

“DOPE”

Heres a list of just a few things the “Von” considers to be “dope” in his off season: raising chickens, signing $114 million contracts, flying private, Dancing with the stars, Michael Jackson, the grotto at Drake’s home, meeting Kobe Bryant, glasses, lots of glasses, French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, the National Geographic Channel, The White House, Montblanc pens, hunting, outrageous hats and tattoos of roosters.

Congratulations Von Miller on keeping us entertained just as much in the off season as you did during the season. Now it's time to earn that money!

FOOTBALL

→ NFL KICKOFF The start of the 2016 NFL season is just over a week away when Thursday night football kicks off on September 8. Thankfully Deflategate has been decided and Tom Brady will serve his four game suspension to start the season and we can all move on. With that said, this is a QB league and this season will show it. The Cowboys and Colts welcome their starting QB’s back from injury whilst Denver farewell the retired Peyton Manning and the bitter Brock Osweiler to Houston. There’s going to be a big void to fill at QB this year for the reigning champs. With so much off season hype and personnel changes, we've scaled back the relevance to bring to you our complete conference predictions below.

AFC WEST

The AFC West has the reigning champs, the Denver Broncos, who face a major question heading to 2016. Who will start at QB? Kansas City was the AFC West runner-up last year but won a playoff game.

The Raiders and Chargers should

be improved as well. This will be a competitive division in 2016.

DENVER BRONCOS

You won’t often find the defending Super Bowl Champs replacing their top two quarterbacks. Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left for Houston. They brought in Mark Sanchez and drafted Paxton Lynch. The defense resigned Von Miller and should again be one of the league’s best units. They’ll be asked to keep the team in a lot of games as the offense could have trouble scoring this year.

It’s hard to see the Broncos making the playoffs with an improved division and difficult schedule.

KANSAS CIT Y CHIEFS

The Chiefs ended their playoff win drought last season with a dominating 30-0 win in Houston.

They lost offensive coordinator Doug Pederson who return to Philadelphia to become the head coach.

The Chiefs won ten straight last

season. There are questions heading to 2016. Will Justin Houston return from a knee injury? Will Eric Berry be signed before the start of the season?

The offensive line came together during the win streak and was upgraded with Mitchell Swartz.

With Jamal Charles returning from injury, the offense should be better than 2015. The Chiefs are again a playoff team.

OAKL AND RAIDERS

The Raiders have had a great offseason adding several players expected to make an immediate impact. Can Jack Del Rio get all these guys on the same page week 1?

Reggie Nelson, Sean Smith and Bruce Irvin are added to a defense that should be much better.

If Derek Carr continues to improve the Raiders will be very good. There game week 1 in New Orleans will tell us a lot about this team. The Raiders will be better but the record may not show it.

SAN DIEGO CH ARGERS

A 4-12 2015 has the Chargers ready to show they’re better than that in 2016. For Mike McCoy, they have to get better or he’s out as head coach.

They might prove to be the forgotten force, after last years devastating run of injuries and if they can improve their running game they can be sharp improvers and a genuine contender. Joey Bosa was their top draft pick and is expected to improve the pass rush right away.

Eric Weddle left in free agency so the secondary has a major hole to fill in 2016. The Chargers will be better this season than last but they’re not ready to contend.

AFC WEST PREDICTIONS WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Kansas City Chiefs

9

7

5

Denver Broncos

8

8

10

Oakland Raiders

6

10

26

San Diego Chargers

8

8

11

TEAM

AFC EAST

It’s another season starting with can anyone beat the Patriots for the AFC East title? With Brady sitting out the first four games due to his 2014 Deflategate scandal, this is the chance for the rest of the AFC East to make their move. Brady will miss two division games against Buffalo and Miami.

The good news for the AFC East is they’ll get two playoff teams this season.

BUFFALO BILLS

Rex Ryan brought in his brother Rob to help the defense. Mario Williams is gone and Shaq Lawson is in on that side of the ball. Will that be an improvement in the pass rush?

Tyrod Taylor tries to pick up where he left off last season. He’s 8-6 as a starter and has provided a steady hand which the Bills have lacked for years at QB. The 16 year playoff drought ends this year for the Bills.

MI AMI DOLPHINS

Adam Gase is the new head man in Miami. He’ll look to jump start Ryan Tannehill and the offense.

Averaging less than 20 a game last year, Gase really only has room to improve. Lamar Miller is gone but Arian Foster has arrived in Miami hoping to revive his career.

Mario Williams comes over from AFC East rival Buffalo. He joins Ndamukong Suh on the D-line in trying to wreck havoc in opposing backfields. Kiko Alonso and Byron

Maxwell also join what should be an improved defense.

NEW ENGL AND PATRIOTS

It’s Jimmy Garoppolo’s time to shine.

He’ll be in charge of the offense for the first four games as Tom Brady sits out for Deflategate. Bill Belichick is a great coach and will have this team ready for it’s Bradyless stretch to open the season.

Chris Long joins the defense which lost Chandler Jones. The defense will be counted on to keep the team early and keep the pressure off the offense at the start of the year.

The Patriots are still gonna win double digits game and should have a super motivated Tom Brady when he returns.

NEW YORK JE TS

The Jets were able to resign Ryan Fitzpatrick on a 1 year deal on the eve of training camp. Hardly the scenario and confidence the team was looking for in moving forward. They were a 10 win team last season but have failed to add any real significance whilst there draw seems tough, there first 6 games especially. They could be 0-6 and calling crisis meetings.

AFC EAST PREDICTIONS WINS

LOSSES

POWER

New England Patriots

12

4

9

Buffalo Bills

9

7

12

New York Jets

6

10

14

Miami Dolphins

8

8

29

TEAM

AFC NORTH

The AFC North should once again grab two playoff spots. Will the Bengals stay atop the division?

Can Big Ben make another playoff run with the Steelers? Can the Ravens and Browns improve upon disappointing 2015 seasons?

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Can the Ravens bounce back from a 5-11 season? Getting Terrell Suggs back and signing Eric Weddle will help the defense but the Ravens still needs playmakers on offense.

Steve Smith Sr. returns for another season with Mike Wallace and Benjamin Watson joining him as top targets for Joe Flacco. Can they count on winning games with two aging receivers as their downfield threats?

CINCINN ATI BENGALS

The Bengals had a great regular season again in 2015 but melted down in the playoffs. Terrible penalties cost them a 18-16 home loss to Pittsburgh last season. Are they ready to finally take the step

forward and win playoff games?

Karlos Dansby joins the defense that returns 9 starters. He should have an immediate impact and hopefully can be a leader to fill the void by the loss of Reggie Nelson.

CLEVEL AND BROWNS

Plenty of changes in Cleveland. Hue Jackson takes over the Browns and RGIII was brought in to compete for the starting QB position. The Browns have a long way to go to become competitive weekly in the NFL. The roster lacks talent but Jackson could turn things around if given time.

PIT TSBURGH STEELERS

Le’Veon Bell is facing suspension and is set to miss the first three games of the season. The Steelers should be okay without him. They add Ladarius Green on offense to replace a retired Heath Miller.

Green should be an excellent compliment to Antonio Brown and could become a favorite target for Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers should put up a lot of points again and if the defense can improve against the pass, they could be Super Bowl contenders.

A F C N O RT H P R E D I C T I O N S WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Cincinnati Bengals

12

4

3

Pittsburgh Steelers

12

4

6

Baltimore Ravens

5

11

27

Cleveland Browns

3

13

32

TEAM

AFC SOUTH

The Texans took advantage of Andrew Luck’s injury and beat out the Colts for the AFC South title in 2015. The quarterback position will be a focus for all four teams in the division. Two young QB’s will look to make steps forward while two experienced signal callers will look to get their teams back to the top of the division.

HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans won the division but laid an egg in the playoffs as the Chiefs beat them 30-0 in Houston.

The Texans focused on upgrading the offense in the offseason. Brock Osweiler is the new starting QB in Houston, Lamar Miller is the new starting RB and Braxton Miller was drafted to create some big plays for the offense.

INDI AN APOLIS COLTS

Andrew Luck returns from an injury shortened 2015. The Colts still finished 8-8 and are confident they can be a playoff team once again with Luck back.

First round pick Ryan Kelly out of Alabama will start at Center and be in charge of making a seamless transition to hiking the ball to Andrew Luck.

pick Dante Fowler will make his NFL debut following an injury.

Malik Jackson was brought in to anchor the defensive line.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

DeMarco Murray was acquired to ease the pressure on Marcus Mariota. The Titans will look to run the ball and hopefully keep defenses guessing so Mariota can have more chances to make plays.

The Titans still need to add depth to be contenders. They’re going to have trouble coming from behind in games because of their lack of big play ability in the passing game.

The Jaguars are the team to watch out for in 2016. They look like they’re ready to challenge teams each week and should be much improved in 2016. Blake Bortles made strides in his second season and is poised for a breakout 2016 with his young wideouts. The defense adds rookies Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack who should make plays right away. Last year’s top

TENNESSEE TITANS

AFC SOUTH PREDICTIONS WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Indianapolis Colts

8

8

13

Houston Texans

7

9

11

Jacksonville Jaguars

7

9

26

Tennessee Titans

5

11

30

TEAM

NFC EAST

The Redskins won the division last year behind steady QB play. Can they repeat as NFC East Champs in 2016 playing a first play schedule?

We only predict one NFC East team to have a winning record so only one playoff team comes from this division.

DALL AS COWBOYS

Injuries decimated the Cowboys last year as their top two offensive weapons were lost for weeks at a time. Tony Romo and Dez Bryant are back and the Cowboys welcome in rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott to run behind one of the league’s best lines.

The Cowboys will be much improved from last year’s 4-12 record.

NEW YORK GI ANTS

Tom Coughlin is out and Ben McAdoo was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach. The Giants spent the offseason improving the defense. Steve Spagnuolo has new pass rushers and defensive

backs in hopes of recreating some of the great defenses he had in New York years ago.

PHIL ADELPHI A EAGLES

The Eagles pulled the plug on the Chip Kelly experiment after what seemed to be too many personnel mistakes. Doug Pederson, an Andy Reid assistant, returns to Philly as head coach. The big question for the Eagles is who will be the QB. Sam Bradford returns, but Pederson brought Chase Daniel with him from Kansas City and drafted Carson Wentz second overall.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The RGIII era is finally over in DC. This is Kirk Cousins’ team and he has high expectations this season after setting a franchise record for passing yards in 2015.

The ‘Skins brought in Josh Norman, the all-pro corner from Carolina.

He’ll be tested in this division with Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. occupying four games.

NFC EAST PREDICTIONS TEAM

WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Dallas Cowboys

10

6

15

New York Giants

7

9

18

Philadelphia Eagles

7

9

21

Washington Redskins

6

10

17

NFC NORTH

This should be a very competitive division in 2016. It sent two teams to the playoffs last year and we predict the same this season.

CHICAGO BEARS

John Fox enters his second season as head coach in Chicago. He lost his offensive coordinator Adam Gase to the Dolphins. Kevin White, the Bears former first round pick, missed all of 2015 due to injury. Will he become the go-to receiver for Jay Cutler?

DE TROIT LIONS

The Lions won three in a row to close out the 2015 season and 6 of their final 8. Calvin Johnson surprisingly retired in the offseason leaving questions on offense. Marvin Jones was signed in free agency away from Cincinnati and will be expected to fill Johnson’s shoes.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Jordy Nelson was lost in training camp last year and his loss had a

N F C N O RT H P R E D I C T I O N S WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Green Bay Packers

10

6

8

Minnesota Vikings

9

7

7

Detroit Lions

8

8

20

Chicago Bears

8

8

22

TEAM

they have a Super Bowl hangover?

ATL ANTA FALCONS

Alex Mack was brought in to anchor the offensive line and help protect Matt Ryan. Ryan should be much improved in year 2 under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Dan Quinn enters his second season as head coach in Atlanta and should see an improved team though their record may stay the same as 2015. The schedule is tough but the Falcons will be good enough to be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot as they close out the Georgia Dome.

CAROLIN A PANTHERS

big impact on the offense. They fell to 15th in scoring after finishing 2014 as the top scoring team in the league.

Even without Aaron Rodgers’ top target last year, they still made the playoffs and won a playoff game on the road. The Pack will be back in the playoffs in 2016.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings capped the regular season with a huge road win in Green Bay to win the NFC North.

They followed that up though with a disappointing home playoff loss the next week to Seattle on a missed FG in the final seconds. The Vikings are in their new stadium this year which should help energize them heading to 2016. They’ll be back in the playoffs.

NFC SOUTH

The reigning NFC Champions reside in the NFC South. Carolina dominated throughout the 2015 season only to put in a dismal performance at Super Bowl 50. Will

The Panthers were 15-1 last year but it was all forgotten after a Super Bowl loss. Cam Newton is back to lead the offense which will get Kelvin Benjamin added to it after he was lost to injury in 2015.

allowed last year. That’s just too much pressure to put on the offense every week. They addressed the defense in the offseason and hope James Laurinaitis and Nick Fairley can help it improve immediately.

The offense lost Benjamin Watson and Marques Colston but gained Coby Fleener and CJ Spiller. Will the new guys gel with Drew Brees right away? A lot of questions in New Orleans make it hard to see a winning year for the Saints.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Dirk Koetter was promoted to head coach from offensive coordinator.

He looks to help Jameis Winston improve on a good rookie season.

The offense should be good in Tampa but the defense has question marks.

This will be an improved team but they’re not quite playoff caliber yet.

The defense lost John Norman but gain Brandon Boykin. That’s a bit of a down grade but Ron Rivera will still assemble one of the league’s best defensive units. The Panthers are still the best team in this division.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Saints simply must get better on defense. They were last in points per game and second to last in yards

NFC SOUTH PREDICTIONS WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Carolina Panthers

13

3

1

Atlanta Falcons

8

8

16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8

8

25

New Orleans Saints

6

10

24

TEAM

NFC WEST

The NFC West has been sending two teams to the playoffs regularly and this year should be no different.

The Cardinals and Seahawks should again be the class of the division.

ARIZON A CARDIN ALS

The Cardinals seemed to get over the hump and became division champs in 2015. They won a playoff game in OT but followed that up with a blowout loss at Carolina in the NFC Championship. The schedule is tough for the Cardinals this year.

Bruce Arians is one of the league’s best coaches and should again have a great offensive attack in Arizona.

Can he reset Carson Palmer following his disastrous playoff performance at Carolina?

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams were a big story in the offseason as they moved from St. Louis back to LA. They then traded up in the draft to take Jared Goff #1 overall.

Will Goff be the starting QB this season? Case Keenum is scheduled to start the season at QB but you know Goff will take the reigns at some point. Either way, the Rams are going to lean heavily on Todd

Gurley to run the football.

The defense has several new faces but is still anchored by Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Chip Kelly begins his coaching tenure in San Francisco with several questions. Will Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick be the starting QB? Can we win with what looks to be one of the least talented rosters in the league? It’s going to be a big adjustment year for the Niners.

They’ll adapt to the Kelly system but that’s going to mean a lot of losses.

SEAT TLE SEAH AWKS

The Seahawks struggled at the start of the 2015 season but rallied, made the playoffs and won on the road in the Wild Card round.

Marshawn Lynch rode off into the sunset after last season. Injuries last season helped the Seahawks prepare for life without Lynch.

Thomas Rawls will be expected to fill the role of Lynch this season.

The defense still have the playmakers to make the Seahawks contenders. They know they’re as good as any team in the league and with the pressure of back-to-back Super Bowl trips off of them, they should be ready for 2016.

NFC WEST PREDICTIONS WINS

LOSSES

POWER

Seattle Seahawks

11

5

4

Arizona Cardinals

10

6

2

Los Angeles Rams

6

10

23

San Francisco 49ers

3

13

31

TEAM

* BETTING SUPER BOWL LI WINNER 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 11.00 12.00 17.00 21.00 21.00 26.00 26.00 26.00 34.00 34.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 51.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 67.00 101.00 101.00 151.00

SEAT TLE SEAH AWKS NEW ENGL AND PATRIOTS CAROLIN A PANTHERS GREEN BAY PACKERS PIT TSBURGH STEELERS ARIZON A CARDIN ALS CINCINN ATI BENGALS DENVER BRONCOS MINNESOTA VIKINGS DALL AS COWBOYS INDI AN APOLIS COLTS KANSAS CIT Y CHIEFS BALTIMORE RAVENS HOUSTON TEXANS BUFFALO BILLS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS NEW YORK GI ANTS NEW YORK JE TS OAKL AND RAIDERS WASHINGTON REDSKINS ATL ANTA FALCONS DE TROIT LIONS MI AMI DOLPHINS PHIL ADELPHI A EAGLES CHICAGO BEARS LOS ANGELES RAMS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SAN DIEGO CH ARGERS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS TENNESSEE TITANS CLEVEL AND BROWNS

FOOTBALL

→

FANTASY SPORTS

N F L FA N TA S Y 3 RUNNING BACKS PRE-SEASON IS OVER WITH TOUCHDOWN Whilst Franchises, players and U P S I D E staff have been busy preparing for kickoff for season 2016, Fantasy enthusiasts start the season off with much the same anticipation including a dedicated pre season of there own. After months of speculation, following daily headlines and social media reports you've finally settled on your team for week 1. Or have you...

Touchdowns are king of fantasy football. On a weekly basis, touchdowns are one of the most unpredictable stats around. After all, most teams only score a couple of them each week. Over the course of the season though, things become a bit clearer.

Taking a look at coaches' play-calling trends, player's' usage rates, and players' efficiency numbers, we can identify players who have the ability to put up double-digit touchdown numbers, making them incredibly

valuable assets in fantasy football.

First up is running backs, a position rife with frustration as goal line "vultures" cut into scoring of otherwise strong fantasy performers.

Finding strong fantasy options who will also be handling the ball near the end zone is key to getting yourself a running back who can score the kind of points you need to win your leagues.

CARLOS HYDE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Chip Kelly's impact on offenses for fantasy football is very real and very potent. Carlos Hyde finds himself in the envious position of "numberone running back in a Chip Kelly

offense" this season, and that should have you interested.

a 1.00 goal line pass-run ratio and a 1.06 in the red zone.

Carlos Hyde is potentially primed for a fantasy breakout, and along with all of that potential, he will be in a spot where he has a chance to rack up a huge touchdown total.

As you can see in the following table, Kelly's offenses have always been among the most run-heavy in the league when they get into scoring range.

LeGarrette Blount has shown a nose for the end zone during that time, with a strong 34.15% touchdown rate on his 41 goal line carries. Blount has been the Patriots’ primary goal line back for as long as he has been on the team, and with Dion Lewis, who had 12 red zone and 5 goal line carries in 2015, reportedly needing a second surgery and being likely to miss significant time, Blount has very little competition for those touches this season.

There’s not a huge sample size of goal line carries to draw from for Hyde, but he has scored on 6 of his 15 goal line runs over his career, good for an impressive 40% touchdown rate.

Our projections have Blount scoring 6.51 touchdowns this season, good for 14th among running backs, but with his efficiency combined with the Patriots’ play-calling tendencies (especially if we see them get a little bit more run-heavy while Tom Brady serves his suspension), Blount has a great chance to surpass that mark and great value potential in the first four rounds.

He won’t likely have much competition for those goal line carries, Shaun Draughn and Mike Davis have combined for 3 touchdowns on 24 career goal line touches and with the amount of opportunity available in Kelly’s offense, even average efficiency would allow him to tally a nice touchdown number.

LEGARRE T TE BLOUNT, NEW ENGL AND PATRIOTS

ADRI AN PE TERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Despite being known for their passing offense, the New England Patriots have actually been more run-heavy than the league average both on the goal line and in the red zone over the past three years, with

Adrian Peterson is no sleeper, he’s going to be drafted within the first couple rounds of your draft, and he’s a safe bet for solid production.

But he is also a guy who has scored double-digit touchdowns in every season of his career (with the obvious exception of his one-game 2014 season). Those touchdown

numbers are no coincidence he has a great shot to do it again, and it would be no surprise if he led the league in rushing touchdowns this season.

Through two years with Mike Zimmer as head coach, the Minnesota Vikings have been incredibly run-heavy in goal line situations. In 2015, they had the third-lowest pass-run ratio on goal line snaps (from the 10 yard-line and in), and in 2014 with Adrian Peterson sidelined they still had the sixth-lowest ratio. Over those two seasons combined, they have been the second most run-heavy goal line team in the NFL, with a 0.61 passrun ratio.

Peterson isn’t at risk of having touchdowns vultures away either, as he should get the lion’s share of the team’s goal line work. In 2015 he ranked second in the league with 26 goal line carries, while Matt Asiata, who handled goal line duties when Peterson was out in 2014, saw only 2. Peterson also saw 20 goal line carries in 2013.

Peterson’s touchdown rate on goal line carries isn’t exceptional, at 27.66% over the last three years (just above the league average), but the fact that he is likely to see one of the biggest goal line workloads in the league leaves him with tremendous upside.

YEAR

RED ZONE PASS-RUN RATIO (RANK)

GOAL LINE PASS-RUN RATIO (RANK)

2013

1.04 (8th)

0.75 (8th)

2014

1.00 (10th)

0.68 (8th)

2015

0.90 (5th)

0.70 (6th)

BASEBALL

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PLAYOFF BATTLE PREDICTIONS

Predicting some of the division races that are all but official, such as the National League Central would just be adding fluff to any set of MLB playoff projections. But several races will provide us with great theater during the latter portion of the MLB season. So, whether you agree or not, consider this your Playbill for baseball's hotly contested races.

NL WEST: SAN FRANCISCO GI ANTS

The NL West race has been among the most head-scratching battles since the All-Star break. Every day since May 11, the San Francisco Giants have held first place in the division until the Los Angeles Dodgers leapfrogged them last Tuesday.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who has been by far the best pitcher in MLB when healthy, hasn’t played since June 26. Kershaw has been dealing with a disc herniation. The team has also contended with the on-again, off-again drama involving

right fielder Yasiel Puig, whom it demoted to Triple-A on Aug. 2.

Neither situation suggests success is on the horizon. But Los Angeles' surprising play, given its issues with two key players, is as shocking as it is timely.

L.A.'s ascension to the top of the NL West is as much a result of its productivity in August as it is the Giants’ terrible performance. San Francisco is in the middle of its worst stretch of the season and is 9-21 in the second half.

But if this run had come earlier in the year and the Giants had played well in the second half, there wouldn’t be nearly as many questions about their postseason potential. San Francisco is a more talented team than the Dodgers and is better in the most important of areas: starting pitching.

In Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, the Giants have one of the best starting pitching duos in

baseball. As games begin to carry more weight in the final months, it’s important to have quality pitching.

Offensively, the two clubs are comparable.

Heading into this week the Giants had scored five fewer runs than the Dodgers, but that is largely a product of San Francisco’s poor second half.

The Giants have struggled offensively, but Hunter Pence returned to the lineup in late July after nearly two months on the disabled list. As Pence, a key hitter, works his way back into form, the Giants should see an uptick in their offensive productivity.

NL WILD CARDS: ST. LOUIS CARDIN ALS, LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Since the Joe Torre-led New York Yankees, there hasn’t been a more successful MLB franchise than the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis has made the playoffs in each of the

past five seasons and 12 of the last 16 campaigns. History suggests the Cardinals understand how to win high-leverage games amid a playoff race.

But if the team’s history isn’t enough to inspire confidence, consider that St. Louis has one of baseball’s best offenses. The Cardinals rank fifth in runs scored, eighth in on-base percentage and third in slugging percentage heading into Thursday.

Pair that with a pitching staff that has the 11th-best ERA in baseball, and the Cardinals' numbers suggest they should be contending for a wildcard spot.

As for the other berth, we look west.

Though they were not picked to win their division, the Dodgers still appear to be headed for the playoffs.

It’s unclear when or even if Clayton Kershaw will return this season. But even without Kershaw, the team is proving it has the firepower to stave off other wild-card contenders.

Shortstop Corey Seager (.309/.362/.530) is making a strong bid for NL Rookie of the Year, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (.298/.371/.438) is having a good campaign. Both bats are capable of

carrying the team through stretches.

Rich Hill, a deadline acquisition who has a 2.25 ERA, has not yet played for L.A. due to a blister. However, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reported Hill was expected to pitch a simulated game this week.

His potential debut will give the Los Angeles rotation a boost, especially in Kershaw’s absence.

As for the competition, the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates remain in the race. However, Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton suffered a groin strain that will likely keep him out for the remainder of the year.

Miami pitcher Adam Conley is also on the disabled list with middle finger tendinitis, and the team continues to monitor the innings load of ace Jose Fernandez. It is unclear how much Fernandez will be allowed to play in the final weeks of the season.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, their schedule does not favor any extended streak. They have a key three-game series with the Cardinals in early September, seven games remaining against the MLB-leading Chicago Cubs and a three-game set with

the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.

AL EAST: BALTIMORE ORIOLES

In a division that has been dominated by offense the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are all among baseball’s upper echelon at the plate.

However one thing stands out for the Orioles in this three-team race: a stellar bullpen.

Baltimore’s relievers rank third in MLB with a 3.22 ERA and are capable of handling a heavy innings load. Closer Zach Britton has 37 saves to go along with a 0.54 ERA. In essence, he shortens the game.

At this time of year, relief pitching is more heavily weighted. We saw a frenzy of clubs searching for relief help at the trade deadline, including the Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, a team that made trades for three relief pitchers, including closer Aroldis Chapman.

The reality is that over the course of a 162-game season, relievers aren’t nearly as important as position players or starting pitchers. But in

the latter months of the campaign, when each game becomes more important, an inning of shutdown baseball from a reliever looms much bigger.

It’s the reason teams pay a heavy price in prospects for the best relief pitchers at the trade deadline. So, Baltimore finds itself with a built-in advantage, as Boston and Toronto both rank in the bottom half of MLB in bullpen ERA. Though the Baltimore offense has not been as productive as Toronto's or Boston's, it leads MLB in home runs with 177.

The ability to hit for power is a key component to rallying when a team finds itself down.

(.317/.358/.572, 28 homers, 89 RBI) and designated hitter David Ortiz (.312/.406/.619, 27 homers, 93 RBI).

Stars shine brightest in the most important months of the season, and the Red Sox have proved they can win with offense. The team's relievers rank 16th in ERA, its starters rank 18th and the team's combined ERA ranks 16th, yet it has remained in playoff position all season.

Conversely, the Blue Jays rallied after a poor start to leap back into the postseason picture after winning the AL East last year. They’ve played well since the All-Star break, never losing more than two straight games.

AL WILD CARDS: BOSTON RED Slugger Jose Bautista is on the SOX, TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The aforementioned offensive prowess is the reason you’ll find the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays playing the AL Wild Card Game.

The Red Sox lead MLB in runs scored and boast two MVP candidates in outfielder Mookie Betts

15-day disabled list with a sprained knee. But the team has other capable players to carry the offensive load, including reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion.

Toronto placed Bautista on the disabled list on Aug. 10, and no indication has been given that he

won't be able to return when eligible.

Last season Bautista, Donaldson and Encarnacion formed one of the best power-hitting trios in baseball history, combining to hit 120 home runs. Add in second baseman Devon Travis, who's played well in 66 games since his return from a shoulder injury (.297/.331/.477), and it’s a lineup that is difficult to handle.

As far as the teams they'll have to beat, the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners are close behind in the wild- card race.

However, neither has been consistent this season. Seattle's remaining schedule looks tough with seven games left against the AL-leading Texas Rangers and six remaining against the Houston Astros, a playoff team from last year that sits 6.5 games out of the wild card.

Detroit's bullpen ranks near the bottom of the league in ERA and could become a liability down the stretch.

AL HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: TEXAS RANGERS

There wasn’t a team in baseball that was more aggressive in adding to its roster at the trade deadline than the Texas Rangers and that often pays big dividends in the last two months of the regular season.

Texas general manager Jon Daniels acquired designated hitter Carlos Beltran and catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who have both made an immediate impact on a lineup that was already dangerous.

Beltran is hitting .315/.351/.500 in 15 games with the Rangers while Lucroy has added seven homers and 14 RBI in 15 contests. With the trades, this lineup is as dangerous as any in the American League.

The club pairs its bats with ace Cole Hamels, who is among the best pitchers in the AL and has extensive

playoff experience. The top seed in each league looms bigger since the addition of the second wild card.

The club with the best record gets to the play the winner of that Wild Card Game. If either of those teams throws their ace in the one-game playoff, that means the top seed won't need to face that player in the ALDS. As such, the Rangers have incentive to fight it out for the top record in the league.

With the AL East so competitive and its clubs expected to beat up on each other in the division race, the Cleveland Indians are left as the most viable threat for home-field advantage in the AL. A four-game series between the clubs in Texas from August 25 to 28 looms large. With the Rangers four games ahead in the win column, it could provide them an opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the AL.

* BETTING WORLD SERIES WINNER 3.75 5.00 8.00 9.00 11.00 11.00 13.00 15.00 19.00 34.00 34.00 41.00 41.00 41.00 51.00 67.00 67.00

CHICAGO CUBS WASHINGTON N ATION ALS TEXAS RANGERS CLEVEL AND INDI ANS SAN FRANCISCO GI ANTS TORONTO BLUE JAYS LOS ANGELES DODGERS BOSTON RED SOX BALTIMORE ORIOLES DE TROIT TIGERS SEAT TLE M ARINERS HOUSTON ASTROS MI AMI M ARLINS ST. LOUIS CARDIN ALS NEW YORK ME TS KANSAS CIT Y ROYALS PIT TSBURGH PIRATES

SOCCER

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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 2016/17

Premier League Football is back and bigger than ever. After a summer of change in the top flight, with a whole host of new managers and top-quality players this EPL season promises to be the strongest ever.

Following a year of upsets and joy we dive in to take a look at our expected top 8 teams for season 2016/17.

With the deadline day for transfers still a week away at time of print, a reminder that the transfer window could yet have a significant impact.

TOP 8 PREDICTIONS

M ANCHESTER UNITED

THIS SEASON: 1st L AST SEASON: 5th Manchester United are a club with something to prove. They have appointed a brilliant, albeit highlydivisive manager who also has something to prove in Jose Mourinho after his sacking at Chelsea just seven months after his team won the title.

Dutchman Louis van Gaal may have won the FA Cup but his was a joyless reign and this superpower needed an X Factor on and off the pitch to renew their damaged status.

The Portuguese will provide it

as manager and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will do the job on the pitch - although there is an element of "Hollywood" about signing a 34-year-old at the end of his career who has never played in the Premier League. Will it be more style than substance?

The shining symbol of United's new future is the return of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record £89m - although this was the same player allowed to escape for about £1.5m four years ago.

The creative spark provided by former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pogba will arguably be of greater long-term significance than Ibrahimovic's short-term sparkle.

There are, though, still questions to be answered.

Where will Wayne Rooney fit into Mourinho's grand plan? And what about United's defence? How will £30m Eric Bailly from Villarreal adapt to the Premier League?

Despite this, expect United to be back in the title shake-up. Early indications are looking solid at Old Trafford.

M AN AGER IN: Jose Mourinho.

PL AYERS IN: Eric Bailly (Villarreal), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund), Paul Pogba (Juventus).

M AN AGER OUT: Louis van Gaal.

PL AYERS OUT: Tyler Reid (Swansea City), Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough), Jimmy Dunne (Burnley), Nick Powell (Wigan Athletic), Joe Rothwell (Oxford United), Ashley Fletcher (West Ham United), Guillermo Varela (Eintracht Frankfurt), Paddy McNair (Sunderland), Donald Love (Sunderland).

M ANCHESTER CIT Y THIS SEASON: 2nd L AST SEASON: 4th

The arrival of the world's most celebrated coach, Pep Guardiola, is the fulfilment of a long-held dream for Manchester City's owners.

He is the man they have always wanted at the head of their football organisation. The Etihad house has been built waiting for him to move in.

City's run to the Champions League semi-final and a Capital One Cup final win barely covered up a

campaign of Premier League underachievement with Manuel Pellegrini in charge last season. They were left hanging on until the last game of the campaign to secure a Champions League place.

Conte will need all of this at Chelsea as they recover from a desperate 10th-place finish last season following their implosion under Mourinho after winning the title the previous term.

Guardiola is the perfect choice to get more out of a quality squad that has too often seemed short of inspiration and motivation. He is a fiercely driven perfectionist who will not let standards slip.

The superb N'Golo Kante will provide the legs and energy needed in midfield after he played a huge part in Leicester City's title win while Conte will hope Belgium's Michy Batshuayi will provide goals with the possibility of more firepower arriving before the deadline.

Everton's Romelu Lukaku remains a target but the Merseysiders are in no mood to sell the striker they brought from Stamford Bridge for £28m two years ago.

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will add guile when he is fit while winger Nolito is a shrewd capture from Celta Vigo.

Now that City have signed defender John Stones from Everton, responsibility will lie with him for curing the defensive ills caused by the poor form of Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi, as well as captain Vincent Kompany's injuries.

I'm backing a Guardiola-inspired City to become a top 2 contender for a Premier League title.

M AN AGER IN: Pep Guardiola.

PL AYERS IN: Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Oleksandr Zinchenko (FC Ufa), Leroy Sane (Schalke 04), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Gabriel Jesus* (Palmeiras) *will join in January 2017, Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional), John Stones (Everton).

M AN AGER OUT: Manuel Pellegrini.

PL AYERS OUT: Martin Demichelis (released), Seko Fofana (Udinese), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town on loan), Marlos Moreno (Deportivo La Coruna on loan).

CHELSEA

THIS SEASON: 3rd L AST SEASON: 10th Stamford Bridge's revolving door spins again and in steps Antonio Conte as manager.

The charismatic, combustible Italian created a huge impression at Euro 2016 in France as he guided his nation to wins over Belgium and Spain based on superb tactics and fierce organisation before they lost to Germany on penalties in the last eight.

This squad and team was so much better than it showed last season.

Expect Conte, who will not suffer fools or any political manoeuvring in the dressing room, to flourish.

M AN AGER IN: Antonio Conte.

PL AYERS IN: Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), N'Golo Kante (Leicester City).

M AN AGER OUT: Jose Mourinho PL AYERS OUT: Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem), Nathan Ake (AFC Bournemouth), Jeremie Boga (Granada), Tomas Kalas (Fulham), Kasey Palmer (Huddersfield Town), Alex Kiwomya (Crewe Alexandra), Mohamed Salah (Roma), Tammy Abraham (Bristol City).

LIVERPOOL

THIS SEASON: 4th L AST SEASON: 8th This is Jurgen Klopp's first full season in charge and he has spent the summer putting his imprint ostensibly tactical awareness and intense fitness demands on a newlook squad.

Last season was mixed as Liverpool reached the Capital One Cup and Europa League finals but lost them both, now Klopp can attack on the domestic front without the extra pressure of European football.

Winger Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum have been the biggest buys from Southampton and Newcastle United respectively with a total expenditure of about £50m, so there is plenty to be optimistic about.

But will old frailties such as Simon Mignolet in goal and a vulnerable central defence let them down?

The biggest plus will be that Klopp now has the squad he wants. The first title since 1990? No, but a good bet for a cup and a top 4 finish.

PL AYERS IN: Joel Matip (Schalke), Loris Karius (FSV Mainz 05), Sadio Mane (Southampton), Ragnar Klavan (Augsburg), Alex Manninger (Augsburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle).

PL AYERS OUT: Joao Carlos Teixeira (Porto), Jerome Sinclair (Watford), Kolo Toure (released), Lawrence Vigouroux (Swindon Town), Jordan Rossiter (Rangers), Danny Ward (Huddersfield Town), Jose Enrique (released), Samed Yesil (released), Sergi Canos (Norwich City), Martin Skrtel (Fenerbahce), Jordon Ibe (AFC Bournemouth), Adam Bogdan (Wigan Athletic), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Brad Smith (AFC Bournemouth), Jon Flanagan (Burnley).

TOT TENH AM

THIS SEASON: 5th L AST SEASON: 3rd Tough call this one as Mauricio Pochettino's side were excellent last season and were right in the title shake-up for so long.

In reality, you could throw a blanket over the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal in the battle for top-four places. But when you think about Spurs, will a hangover from England's Euro 2016 fiasco in France effect the likes of Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli?

Midfielder Victor Wanyama will provide power and energy after his arrival from Southampton while striker Vincent Janssen, the powerful 22-year-old bought from AZ Alkmaar for £17m, will give Kane support.

At this stage fifth, but they will be a danger to everyone they play.

PL AYERS IN: Victor Wanyama (Southampton), Vincent Janssen (AZ Alkmaar).

PL AYERS OUT: Filip Lesniak (Slovan Liberec), Grant Ward (Ipswich Town), Federico Fazio (Roma), Alex Pritchard (Norwich City).

ARSEN AL

THIS SEASON: 6th L AST SEASON: 2nd How do you even start to work out Arsenal? The temptation is to simply put them in the top four because they always finish there.

No chance of the title, but they always seem to win enough games to keep qualifying for the Champions League. Granit Xhaka's arrival from Borussia Moenchengladbach for a reported £35m will add steel to midfield. Manager Arsene Wenger will need to reach for the chequebook to buy class in attack and in central defence. If he does, the outlook may be brighter. If he doesn't, expect more of the same or even less.

And will be that be enough in the final year of his contract? Sixth place prediction...but with doubts and with fingers crossed.

PL AYERS IN: Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach), Takuma Asano (Hiroshima Sanfrecce), Rob Holding (Bolton Wanderers) PL AYERS OUT: Mikel Arteta (released), Tomas Rosicky (released), Mathieu Flamini (released), Isaac Hayden (undisclosed), Dan Crowley (Oxford United), Jon Toral (Granada), Wellington Silva (Fluminense), Wojciech Szczesny (Roma).

WEST H AM

THIS SEASON: 7th L AST SEASON: 7th West Ham's biggest challenge may be settling into new surroundings at their new London Stadium. Yes, they will be watched by bigger crowds and the environment may be more luxurious, but Upton Park had an atmosphere that could win points.

Can it be replicated at a new home?

The Hammers have shown plenty of ambition with striker Andre Ayew signing for £20m from Swansea City, to go along with additions such as former Valencia striker Toni Martinez, exciting winger Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia and Gokhan Tore from Besiktas.

Slaven Bilic has proved an inspired choice as manager and he will elevate his reputation even more if he can finish higher than last

season's seventh. This a talented squad so watch out for a cup run.

PL AYERS IN: Toni Martinez (Valencia), Havard Nordtveit (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Domingos Quina, Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Gokhan Tore (Besiktas), Ashley Fletcher (Manchester United), Arthur Masuaku (Olympiacos), Andre Ayew (Swansea City).

PL AYERS OUT: Joey O'Brien (released), Elliot Lee (released), James Tomkins (Crystal Palace).

LEICESTER

THIS SEASON: 8th L AST SEASON: Champions It's hard to expect another run at the Premier League title but there is good reason to believe the momentum and confidence gained from one of the greatest sporting stories ever told will lead to another very good campaign. What a prospect Champions League nights will be at The King Power Stadium.

The loss of N'Golo Kante to Chelsea is a real blow but keeper Kasper Schmeichel and 24-goal top scorer Jamie Vardy have signed new longterm contracts, the latter rejecting Arsenal in the process.

P L AY E R S T O W AT C H

Sometimes the most effective players are the one’s that have yet to achieve their full potential. We take a look at some quality and exciting names that may have significant impacts on there club's season moving forward.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN, M ANCHESTER UNITED

It's a delight to watch players like him. He takes chances with his passing and has the best through ball we've seen in a long time. He’ll be the maestro who dictates play and the one who sets things up.

Mkhitaryan made 14 assists for Dortmund last season, the most in the Bundesliga, so United’s forwards will be licking their lips. My only worry is where he will fit in. He can be so devastating when deployed as a No 10 but he will have competition from Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney and may have to play out wide.

Nobody can accuse the champions of standing still, with Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa a potentially exciting addition from CSKA Moscow for a club-record £16m plus highly-rated former Nice midfielder Nampalys Mendy arriving as a £13m acquisition to strengthen midfield.

If the Foxes can fight off any late moves for Riyad Mahrez then the top 8 is very attainable.

PL AYERS IN: Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96), Luis Hernandez (Sporting Gijon), Raul Uche Rubio (Valencia), Nampalys Mendy (Nice), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Bartosz Kapustka (KS Cracovia).

PL AYERS OUT: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Mark Schwarzer (released), Paul Konchesky (released), Ryan Watson (released), Dean Hammond (released), Harry Panayiotou (released), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Joe Dodoo (Rangers), Michael Cain (Blackpool), Hamza Choudhury (Burton Albion).

SADIO M ANE, LIVERPOOL

Mane caused so many problems playing for Southampton against Liverpool that it's not at all a surprise they have signed him. The winger will have to justify his £30m fee but he gets fans out of their seats, just look at when he broke Robbie Fowler’s record for the fastest Premier League hat-trick.

Liverpool have been crying out for someone who can go past people and

put in good crosses. Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho want the ball to feet but Mane can give Liverpool a different dimension running in behind with his blistering pace.

Spurs lacked as their title bid petered out last season.

LEROY SANE, M ANCHESTER CIT Y

ANDRE GRAY, BURNLEY

These are the stories we all want to see. Three seasons ago he was in the Conference with Luton and now he’s a Premier League player. Like Jamie Vardy, every non-League player will be looking up to him and thinking anything is possible. Gray reminds a little of Troy Deeney and Callum Wilson, strikers who chase lost causes and have a real eye for goal.

He has shown his hunger by doing extra work with Superior Striker, a programme designed to maximise the performance of forwards. Now Burnley must create the chances for him to realise his potential in the top flight.

VINCENT JANSSEN, TOT TENH AM

Ruud Gullit was quoted last week talking very highly of this boy. The last Dutch league export he talked up this much was Luis Suarez, so if Janssen is half as good he’ll be all right!

A left-footed striker who can play out wide, Janssen is a real workhorse and his goals should take the heat off Harry Kane. While he may not start every game, he’s a very good option from the bench, something

This lad caught the eye a couple of seasons ago when he scored against Real Madrid for Schalke in the Champions League. It was his first appearance on the European stage but you just knew you were watching a very special talent. At just 20, the winger already looks the real deal.

He has excellent feet, moves the ball really well and looks as quick on the ball as he does off it.

It wasn’t that long ago we were talking about Manchester City having an ageing team. Now they have a good few younger stars with Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan all aged 25 or under.

Sane may well need a little time to get used to the Premier League and we should be patient with him, although by Christmas I expect the German ace to have hit top gear.

* BETTING 2.60 3.60 5.50 12.00 12.00 15.00 67.00 81.00 126.00 501.00 501.00 501.00 751.00 751.00 801.00 1,001.00 1,001.00 1,001.00 1,001.00 1,001.00

M ANCHESTER CIT Y M ANCHESTER UNITED CHELSEA ARSEN AL LIVERPOOL TOT TENH AM LEICESTER WEST H AM EVERTON HULL MIDDLESBROUGH SOUTH AMPTON STOKE SWANSEA WATFORD BOURNEMOUTH BURNLEY CRYSTAL PAL ACE SUNDERL AND WEST BROM

BASKETBALL

→ BALL TALK HOW THE WARRIOR’S PULLED THE IMPOSSIBLE & LANDED KEVIN DURANT

If for some unknown reason you’ve been stuck in a timewarp or on a remote island, yes it’s absolutely true! Kevin Durant chose to go the Golden State Warriors. The calculated decision was made possible by the NBA’s contract structure

of rising salary cap coupled with artificial caps on the player salaries of the top players. It was the only decision, if one was not to be swayed by emotional appeals, whether they be appeals to recent home and familiarity (Oklahoma City), wanting to compete against the best rather than join them, or tradition (Boston or the thought by some that he owed a meeting to the Lakers).

Golden State was the best team, and the goal is to win. Kevin Durant did

not invent the phrase “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” He is merely a prominent example.

The NBA has long featured powerhouse teams that feature several great players, brought together to win a title. Sometimes these are entirely home grown (like the Warriors’ core members of the last two title teams), and sometimes they are the result of trades or free agent signings. The 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors are only the

and above average players who see their salaries shoot up. Add in the exploding salary cap, thanks to the influx of television contract money, and the situation was ripe for what happened.

If the top stars can’t make much more than merely pretty good player, take into context if Harrison Barnes or Mike Conley can make the same or almost as much as Kevin Durant and LeBron James then the incentives change.

Money becomes a lesser factor. Other motivations control, whether they be emotional, or calculated things like using leverage to go to the best teams. It’s how Kevin Durant can hold court in the Hamptons. No one can blow him out of the water with a huge contract that exceeds the other suitors. They have to appeal to other things. Golden State held the biggest trump card.

They did so, it should be pointed out, by great drafting and development.

This isn’t a team that went the tanking model that some would claim is necessary to get stars. They drafted well, made excellent contract decisions, and made it an attractive choice for Durant. Yes, Stephen Curry was the 7th overall pick and Klay Thompson 10th, but those are not sure things. Twelve other teams had the chance to draft either Curry or Thompson (or both), and every team passed on Draymond Green (and he remembers). best, shiniest example with four stars brought together.

This move, though, was made possible by the environment in which it occurred. Namely, a salary structure that caps player salaries under a “max contract” system.

Stars cannot make more than a certain percentage (based on service time). Young players also have their salaries restricted artificially.

The result is what we saw this off season, a middle class of starters

They extended Steph Curry at a time when he was not a sure thing because of injuries. They signed Green and Thompson to good value contracts (especially in light of the exploding contracts this year) and for those reasons were able to still make this move. They will become a sports villain (but also, I should point out, will become the most popular team in the NBA if they weren’t already) but they have done things the right way, and got rewarded.

And once it was possible, it was only a matter of whether Durant would go with his best chance to win. He did. Why shouldn’t he.

NBA SCHEDULE IMPROVEMENTS

The NBA has been working to modify the regular season schedule with the goal of protecting its players’ bodies. One of the particular changes the league has made this year is using new software to adjust the variables to soften the grind of travel, back-to-back games, and strength of schedule.

Upon the release of the NBA 201617 season schedule , the league successfully reduced the number of back-to-backs games for each team, along with significantly reducing four game stretches in five nights for teams. Next season, not one NBA team will play more than 18 backto-back games, which is still on par with the league average of 17.

In addition, the league has managed to eliminate 10 teams from having to play four games in five nights, while the rest of the league is scheduled to do it just once.

In comparison, teams played four games in five nights 70 times just two years ago, so there has been significant progress in that area.

The NBA’s scheduling had some players asking for a shorter season with injuries seemingly coming more frequently, due to the rugged transition in the game and player management This is the first step in a complex process that will hopefully continue to help the NBA better distribute its 82 game schedule, and reduce the wear and tear during the long NBA season.

O LY M P I C S

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RIO RECAP: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The final curtain has fallen on the 2016 Rio Olympics. No Olympics Games in modern history were as plagued by negative advance publicity as these Games were, yet in spite of all the talk of Zika mosquitos, sewage-infested water, and security problems, the Rio Games were a success.

In Rio, we saw high highs, spectacular competition and a few admittedly inglorious lows.

American swimmer Michael Phelps cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the Games, as did aptly named Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Both also chipped in with a couple of the defining images

of the Rio Games, Phelps smoldering under his hood at a rival swimmer, and Bolt finding a moment to turn and flash a smile to the camera in the midst of leaving his rivals behind.

Katie Ledecky returned for her second appearance in the Games, winning four gold medals and staking her claim as the greatest female athlete in the pool. Hungary’s “Iron Lady” and Team USA’s Maya DiRado also made lasting impressions in the water, as did American Simone Manuel.

But it was a different Simone who would stake her claim to perhaps being the greatest gymnast of alltime.

On the soccer field, the U.S. women fell short of expectancy and their goalkeeper fell even shorter of good sportsmanship. But for Neymar and Brazil, well, let’s just say all that glitters is indeed gold and while the Games may have ended, the celebrations in Brazil over the country’s first Olympic gold medal in soccer may continue for some time.

While Simone Biles and the “Final Five” defied everyone’s expectations as to what could be done in a gymnastics competition, Team USA basketball simply lived up to expectations by taking gold in both the men’s and women’s competition.

The greatest dive of the Rio Olympics arguably occurred not in a

pool, but on a running track, where Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas dove across the line and won Olympic gold in the women’s 400-meters.

While it was far from perfect, the Rio Games showed us above all, that the Olympic spirit, and the graciousness and generosity of the people of Rio, persist in spite of it all the negativity and controversy.

THE GOOD

USAIN BOLT’S EPIC PHOTO

Ali standing over Liston. Jordan taking off from the free throw line. Pete Rose diving into third.

And now Usain Bolt caught in his natural state, grinning back at the competition he so easily bested during his 100-meter semifinal at the Olympics down in Rio. Legs ablur, perfect stride, confident smile ? it's just a perfect momentof greatness captured.

ABBEY D’GOSTINO REPRESENTS THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT

Abbey D'gostino and Nikki Hamblin's encouraging moment during the 5,000-meter gave everyone all the feels. After Hamblin took a tumble on the track, D'Agostino assisted her to her feet and then realized she too was injured. They both persevered through in a touching show of support that made the entire world remember what was actually more important than winning.

PHELPS WINS 23 GOLDS

Michael Phelps came into the Rio Games as a champion and also left the games as one, but he hasn't always been on this pedestal of greatness. Following his triumph in London four years ago, trouble found Phelps (think: DUI, bong photo on social media) in what many assumed was a fall from grace. He cleaned up, pushed harder and earned his 23rd and final gold medal in these games, proving to everyone that a setback could only be a setup for something greater.

SIMONE BILES AND THE FIN AL FIVE DOMIN ATE

Lets face it ? we love Olympic

gymnastics and Team USA gave us everything we've been missing these past four years. Simone Biles made history winning four golds (the most any gymnast has ever won at one Games) and the Final Five took the team gold for the second year in a row, sending out their legendary coach Marta Karolyi with a memorable last Olympics.

KATIE LEDECKY DOES KATIE LEDECKY THINGS

Did we expect anything else?

Swimmer Katie Ledecky is fast.

Real fast. She took home four gold medals and one silver, breaking world records in the 800-meter and 200-meter freestyle. The record that Ledecky broke in the 800 was also set by her. Just wow.

COUNTRIES EARNING FIRST GOLDS

There were many historical firsts at these games, but for the countries of Puerto Rico, Fiji, Singapore, Vietnam, Jordan and Kosovo, a special congratulations is in order as their firsts were golden. They earned their first-ever gold medals, with some being the first medals ever for the country.

THE BAD

RYAN LOCHTE

In what goes down in history as the top scandalous moment from Rio, famed swimmer and socialite Ryan

Lochte was held up at gunpoint following a night out in Rio, but then he wasn't. Confused? Yeah, we all are. Lochte apparently "over exaggerated" the story and he wasn't held up but actually wrecked havoc at a gas station. The IOC is now investigating and hes lost all his sponsors.

MONGOLI AN STRIP SHOW

Say what? Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran of Mongolia suffered a loss in wrestling, and his coaches were pretty upset about it ‌ so much so that they took to the mat and provided us all a strip show, shoes and all. We've seen our fair share of sore losers these Games but

collapsed from what appeared to be gastrointestinal issues. The issues appeared to be internal and external.

Embarrassing as this is, it's quite common in long distance racing (it even has a name: runner's trots).

Despite the setback, Diniz completed the race in eighth place.

T H E U G LY

GREEN “FART” POOLS

Pools in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center turned green within 24 hours of them reflecting a shiny blue. The cause? A worker dumped hydrogen peroxide into the pools, turning them green and apparently making them "smell like farts," quite embarrassing for Olympic officials. A lot can change in 24 hours. this might just take the cake.

HOPE SOLO AND THE COWARD REM ARK

Hope Solo is no stranger to controversy and these Games proved no different. Following Team USA's loss in a shootout against Sweden, Solo commented that her opponents "played like a bunch of cowards.” Oh. Sore loser much?

RACE WALKER POOPS HIS PANTS

Race walking got pretty intense this year. Yohann Diniz of France was the race favorite and was in the lead for much of the competition until he

EMPT Y STADIUMS

Fans might have been excited about the Games, but the attendance said otherwise. The marquee events had great crowds but large quantities of empty seats were noticeable at many events. Sheesh. Brazil, did you know that an Olympics has been taking place for the past two weeks?

ATHLE TES COMPE TE IN RAIN

Rain doesn't stop this show. Track athletes competed during rainstorms in Brazil and coincidently enough, several athletes were disqualified because of error. Blame it on the rain?

AUSTRALIA RACING

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is undoubtedly the highlight of the racing year in Australia and it brings together the very best of Australian and International thoroughbreds for 50 days of world-class horse racing action. The whole event has a carnival like atmosphere which brings the city of Melbourne to life during spring carnival time.

The major racing carnival during the spring is the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival held at Flemington in early November, home to Melbourne Cup Day, while the three-day Caulfield Cup carnival held at Caulfield in October is also an exciting affair for horse racing fans.

Other feature race days during spring include WS Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley in late October, and Sandown Classic day at Sandown in November, one week after the Flemington carnival ends on Emirates Stakes day.

Group racing kicks off in early August with the Aurie’s Star Handicap is the first group race of the new season, while the first Group One race takes place in late August with the running of the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield racecourse. A

number of high quality feature races are then held each week before we get to the important Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington racing carnivals in late October and early November.

the best race horses from around the globe. 2016 is no exception, with perhaps two homegrown heroes holding the world spotlight

The Caulfield Cup is the second of the big spring cups and it is a tough Group One handicap event over 2400m that takes place in mid October and forms part of big feature spring cups betting double with the Melbourne Cup.

Today ranked the world’s third-best racehorse, this five-year-old mare took the horse racing industry by storm at the 2015 World Cox Plate, where she competed in a largely international field and won by four and three-quarter lengths. She is best known for her come-frombehind racing style, which helped her achieve a remarkable 13 wins and three places from 19 starts.

Since her Cox Plate triumph, Winx has gone from strength to strength.

She claimed the top spot in the 2016 G1 George Ryder Stakes, sealing her eighth-straight victory.

Moonee Valley racecourse is host to the Group One WS Cox Plate over 2040m in October, one week after the Caulfield Cup, and it’s widely recognised as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia.

The jewel in the crown of the spring racing carnival is Australia’s most famous race, the time honoured Melbourne Cup, which is always run on the first Tuesday in November over a distance of 3200m (2 miles) at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.

SPRING CHAMPIONS N OT T O B E M I S S E D

Every Spring the city of Melbourne is fortunate enough to host some of

WIN X: THE WORLD’S BEST MILER & TURF HORSE

The Chris Waller-trained horse elevated her champion status in this year’s G1 Star Doncaster Mile.

There were some tense moments as her trademark turn of foot seemed to be leading her into trouble, but she fought off her rivals at the last straight to defeat Happy Clapper and Azkadellia at the finish line.

Unsurprisingly, Winx’s prospects

look promising this Spring. Her Doncaster victory qualified her for a starting position in the Breeders’ Cup, but trainer Waller says Winx will be focusing on Australian racing for what he calls “unfinished business”. Waller is getting her ready for three G2 features in Sydney in which she was dominant in victory in the Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm on August 20th, and will now target the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 3rd, and the George Main Stakes on September 17th, also at Randwick.

In October, it’s time for the big one.

Winx will travel to Melbourne, where she’ll be looking to defend her Cox Plate title on October 22nd. Beside Winx’s ability to accelerate quickly and shift positions in the blink of an eye, she has grown physically, which will give her an advantage in the G1 race, a weight-for-age race over 10 furlongs at Mooney Valley.

CH AUTAUQUA: THE WORLD’S BEST SPRINTER

This 6-year-old champion sprinter, currently ranked the 11th best racehorse internationally, preserved his G1 TJ Smith Stakes title at The Championships at Royal Randwick and went on to compete in Hong Kong, where he then claimed the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize for the 2015/16 season. His TJ Smith win gave him an automatic starting position in the Breeders’ Cup in November.

However, Chautauqua will compete exclusively in Australia this Spring, ahead of a possible stint in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December. So far, his line-up includes some of the most enthralling open class sprint races. His owner Rupert Legh is considering him for the G1 Moir Stakes on September 30th at Moonee Valley. After that, it’s off to the G1 Manikato Stakes on October 21st, when Chautauqua hopes to secure a back-to-back win.

To date, he has advanced his career with an impressive 12 wins and six placements in 22 starts. When he’s all set for the G1 Darley Classic on November 5th at Melbourne’s Flemington, he will likely have established himself as the horse to beat.

SEPTEMBER SPRING PLANNER SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2016 MOONEE VALLEY - CHIN N AM STAKES DAY STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 2

Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes

$250,000

1600m

Weight-for-age

Gr 2

McEwen Stakes

$200,000

1000m

Weight-for-age

SATURDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2016 FLEMINGTON - M AKYBE DIVA STAKES DAY STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 1

Makybe Diva Stakes

$400,000

1600m

Weight-for-age

Gr 2

Danehill Stakes

$200,000

1200m

3yo SW+Pen

Gr 2

Let’s Elope Stakes

$200,000

1400m

Mares SW+Pen

Gr 3

Bobbie Lewis Quality

$200,000

1200m

Quality Hcp

SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2016 CAULFIELD - N ATURALISM STAKES DAY STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 3

Naturalism Stakes

$150,000

2000m

Open Hcp

Gr 3

How Now Stakes

$150,000

1200m

Mares SW+Pen

FRIDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2016 MOONEE VALLEY - CH AMPAGNE STAKES NIGHT STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 3

Champagne Stakes

$150,000

1200m

3yoF SW

SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2016 CAULFIELD - UNDERWOOD STAKES DAY STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 1

Underwood Stakes

$400,000

1800m

Weight-for-age

Gr 1

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

$400,000

1400m

Open Hcp

Gr 3

Caulfield Guineas Prelude

$175,000

1400m

3yoC&G SW+Pen

Gr 2

Thousand Guineas Prelude

$200,000

1400m

3yoF SW+Pen

FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2016 MOONEE VALLEY - AJ MOIR STAKES NIGHT STATUS

RACE N AME

PRIZEMONEY

DISTANCE

RACE T YPE

Gr 1

AJ Moir Stakes

$450,000

1000m

Weight-for-age

Gr 2

Stutt Stakes

$200,000

1600m

3yo Open SW

Gr 2

WH Stocks Stakes

$200,000

1600m

4yo+ Mares WFA

Gr 3

JRA Cup

$200,000

2040m

Open Hcp

USA RACING

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USA RACING

PACIFIC CL ASS

California Chrome took the lead out of the gate and ran away with the Pacific Classic.

The winningest horse in North America history, California Chrome won the $1 million race by five lengths at Del Mar on Saturday for his 14th victory in 23 career starts.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.13 and paid $4.20, $2.60 and $2.20 as the 3-5 favorite in the field of nine. Espinoza finally won the stakes races in his 16th try.

Horse of the Year in 2014 after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the 5-yearold chestnut extended his winning streak to five races, including a hardfought win over Dortmund in the San Diego Handicap on July 23.

Espinoza, who won the 2015 Triple Crown riding American Pharoah, knew from the start the California Chrome was destined for the win.

"I was kind of surprised that I opened up two or three lengths right out of the gate," Espinoza said. "At that time, I was very confident. ... He's just an amazing horse," Espinoza said. "He won so easy today. I'm going to say this now - he

is the best horse I've ever ridden."

Defending champ Beholder returned $3.20 and $2.60, while Dortmund was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.40 to show.

"She ran a great race," Beholder jockey Gary Stevens said. "I was hoping that she'd have that huge kick again like she did last year, but not this time. But it was a gutty performance for her."

Trainer Art Sherman also won his first Pacific Classic, as did owners Perry Martin and Kentucky's Taylor Made Farm.

"How can you say anything more about him?" Sherman said. "He is just the best horse in the country."

California Chrome added to his North American record earnings with the $600,000 share, moving to $13,252,650. He also became the third horse to win the Pacific Classic from the No. 1 post.

"I saw the hold he had on the first turn and he was just cruising," Sherman said. "I said, 'It's all over.'"

Harmonize won the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.71. Trained by William Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Harmonize rallied in the final

furlong to overtake two other horses.

She paid $9.20, $5.40, and $3.40.

Ashleyluvssugar won the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap by a nose at 2:16.11 on the 1 3/8-mile turf track.

Trained by Peter Eurton and ridden

by Gary Stevens, Ashleyluvssugar took the lead in the stretch and a photo finish over Metaboss, paying $7, $4, and $2.80.

THE ROAD AHEAD FOR CALIFORNI A CHROME

The path ahead for California Chrome could include a special $1 million bonus offered by Del Mar and Santa Anita Park if he wins the upcoming Awesome Again Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Sherman said he could pass on the middle race in the series and train right up to the Breeders’ Cup the first week of November. “I’m not pressing him. I know it’s a milliondollar bonus, but really, are we worried about that?” Sherman said.

“A million dollars is nice, but it’s the horse. If I miss the Awesome Again and we go into the Breeders’ Cup, he’ll be ready. I’m not worried about it. I want a fresh horse going into that race. He’ll let me know how he’s feeling.”

SURFING

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RETURN OF THE KING

Perfect Teahupo’o was the ideal setting for the return of King Kelly Slater, for win number 55. The most anticipated event on the WSL calender, left surf fans in awe of Slater who posted a perfect heat and multiple tens on his way to beating John John Florence in the final.

feel the raw emotion as he accepted the award from WSL commiosoner Keren Pierrow, Slater’s final duel against Andy was in Tahiti before his sudden passing.

“This is for sure one of the best wins I’ve ever had, to have John John in the final is a dream for me. You know, where I am on the back end of my career and him and Gabe on their way up…those guys are monsters.” an emotional Kelly Slater said in his post heat interview.

1: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.67 2: John John Florence (HAW) 15.23

Slater’s legend grows. The 44-yearold just bagged his 55th elite tour win, his 5th at Teahupo’o. His average heat score for this event was a mind-bending 18.29; his average wave score a 9.14. The crazy thing is that Slater’s already-ridiculous Teahupo’o stats are getting better, but that’s what four 10-point rides in one event will do. Slater also earned the prestigious Andy Irons Most Committed Performer Award, something that has eluded him since its inception in 2011. “I’ve always wanted this one,” Kelly explained. “I know Andy would love this, and hate it,” he added with a laugh. You could

R E S U LT S

FIN AL RESULTS:

SEMIFIN AL RESULTS:

SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.40 def.

Adrian Buchan (AUS) 16.10 SF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 19.66 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.23

QUARTERFIN AL RESULTS:

QF 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 18.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.00 QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.27 def.

Bruno Santos (BRA) 17.43 QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.40 QF 4: John John Florence (HAW) 17.34 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.60

ORDER RESTORED

John John Florence will be donning the Jeep Leader yellow jersey for the first time ever next month at the Hurley Pro. Something he’s been working tirelessly for

throughout his career, especially evident this season. The casual free flowing Hawaiian has made it abundantly clear that anything less than a world title this year will be a disappointment. Taking over the ratings lead is a monumental first step, but now comes the bigger challenge, holding on to it. While Matt Wilkinson is still ranked No. 2 there’s little doubt now that Florence’s biggest threat is Gabriel Medina. These two young titans are at the cusp of dominating the sport for the next decade, and their rivalry is sure to heat up. They just may be the sport’s latest iteration of Andy vs. Kelly, Tommy vs. Occy, and MR vs. Cheyne. They’re every bit equals and opposites.

But while much will be made of their differences: regular vs. goofy; Hawaiian vs. Brazilian; Hurley vs.

Rip Curl, the truth is that they’re more alike than they seem. They’ve both grown up frothing to surf. They both excelled early and lived lives under the media microscope. Staring at them through our fish bowl we’ve seen all of their sides: the good, the great, the bad, and the clumsy.

They’re human. That’s what will make their battles so intriguing and the World Title Race for 2016 is set to match one of the best ever.

UFC

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GRUDGE MATCH

CONOR MCGREGOR V S N AT E D I A Z

For 31 months, the great Conor McGregor seemed all but invincible.

Five top-flight opponents entered the cage with him. Before the end of the second stanza, all five had fallen to his mighty hands.

Through adversity and injury, against wrestler and striker, one thing held true in the world’s most chaotic sport: If McGregor put his fists to another man, that man would fall.

Death. Taxes. “The Notorious” Conor McGregor’s left hand.

It’s no wonder then. McGregor saw Nate Diaz as just another opponent.

Diaz, in theory, was no different than any other man, which is to say he was born to be a victim of the great Conor McGregor. Just a “fat-skinny guy” who had failed to claim the throne McGregor sat so firmly upon.

Reality intruded, as it so often does in combat sports, in the form of a punch to the face. Diaz’s blows, it

seemed, knocked the hubris out of McGregor, dropping him, forcing him to shoot for a confused takedown, the gazelle walking right into the lion’s den to deliver swift justice.

It was there Diaz delivered the coup de grace, what Brazilians call the mata leao, the lion killer. McGregor had reached for the stars but landed with a thud on the unforgiving Octagon mat. The future, once so bright, was very much in doubt.

The Rematch. And so, just five months removed from his first UFC defeat, McGregor found himself making the long walk to the cage to face Diaz again. This time, he walked first Diaz may not have held a title belt, but he was champion of this feud, already among the most memorable in UFC history.

After 25 minutes, McGregor’s hand was raised in victory a majority decision that drove the internet into convulsions of both anger and joy.

Diaz was left to mutter a plaintive “What the f--k?

McGregor, gracious in victory, credited

his rival with bringing out his best.

“You’ve got to respect Nate and the style of fighting that he brings,” McGregor told the media during the post-fight press conference. “How can you not?”

When the chits were counted at FightMetric, Diaz had landed 166 significant strikes; McGregor scored 164. But fights aren’t scored on aggregate. They are judged roundby-round, with effective striking and grappling the defining criteria.

The fight was an epic battle of two warriors, but the grudge match has to end. With the original fight going ahead just for ratings and a Conor McGregor payday in which he ultimately lost forcing the hand of the UFC for a rematch, there should be no trilogy. Not unless someone wears a title into the octagon. McGregor earned $3 million for the fight with Diaz reportedly earning $2 million, making it the most profitable bout in UFC history.

Where does that leave the UFC? Are they about titles and belts, or WWE rankings and ratings...

GOLF

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RYDER CUP - MOVERS & SHAKERS - KEY DATES

When it comes to Ryder Cup USA implications, no one left the Wyndham Championship with a bigger smile than Brandt Snedeker. Snedeker tied for third in Greensboro, his second top-5 finish in three starts and his best finish this season since a win at the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

7). Another player who continues to climb is Jim Furyk. His tie for 10th at the Wyndham Championship is his second top-10 in as many starts, that bumped Furyk from No. 18 to No. 15.

Here’s one last look at the key qualifying dates:

With his stellar play, Snedeker climbed three spots from No. 9 to No. 6 in the latest Ryder Cup USA standings, a massive move with just one week left to collect points, which close Sunday evening at the conclusion of the Barclays.

The top eight will be finalized at the conclusion of The Barclays, which is scheduled to finish on this date, as opposed to the traditional closing of points at the conclusion of the PGA Championship, which was played in July instead of August in 2016 due to the Olympics. It also affords players an additional two weeks from past years to earn a spot on points.

J.B. Holmes didn’t do anything to help his cause with a missed cut in Greensboro and was also the victim of Snedeker’s performance. Holmes slipped from No. 7 to No. 9 (and Zach Johnson dropped from No. 6 to No.

SUNDAY, AUG. 28, 2016

SUNDAY, SEPT. 11, 2016

Love will select three of his four Captain’s Picks at the conclusion of

the BMW Championship, scheduled to end on this day.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25, 2016

Love will make his fourth and final Captain’s Pick at the conclusion of the Tour Championship, scheduled to end on this day.

* BETTING 1.57 USA 2.75 EUROPE 11.00 DRAW

310 640 8989

We fly to more countries than any other airline.

AFL

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TOP 8 SET

The first two weekends in September will have no games in Melbourne if the Western Bulldogs lose to Fremantle on Sunday and the favourites bank the four points in five other matches.

The clash at Subiaco is one of six games in Round 23 that will not only shape the finals, but frame flag markets. The following weekend, September 3-4, is the new pre-finals bye.

And all four first-week fi ­ nals are likely to be interstate if the Dockers upset the injury-hit Bulldogs, or if the Dogs win and West Coast surprises ­Adelaide.

Sydney is set to be crowned minor premier if it can defeat Richmond.

The other favourites are the Crows; Geelong against Melbourne; Greater Western Sydney against North Melbourne; and Hawthorn against Collingwood.

Swans coach John Longmire knows a home final is up for grabs.

“You want to get to this point of the year with that in front of you, which is to be able to control your own destiny ... in the last game of the year at the SCG and that’s what we’re going to try and do,” he said after taking care of the Kangaroos on Saturday in Tasmania.

The Crows can supplant the Swans and finish top, if Sydney loses, but a

top-two finish means just as much, with a first home final up for grabs.

Adelaide effectively holds an 8-10 goal percentage buffer over G ­ eelong for second spot, and would earn its top two-­finish by beating West Coast.

Crows coach Don Pyke said his players would be “battle-hardened” after Saturday’s win against Port Adelaide.

Hawthorn needs to get over an inconsistent Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday to lock in a top-four finish, but it could slip as low as seventh.

CURRENT LADDER

1ST: SYDNEY

(V RICHMOND, SCG, SATURDAY 4:35PM) Best: Sydney defeats Richmond clinches minor premiership.

Worst: Sydney loses to Richmond and tumbles to 5th if Crows, Geelong, Hawks and GWS all win.

2ND: ADEL AIDE

(V WEST COAST, ADEL AIDE OVAL, FRIDAY 8:10PM) Best: Sydney lose, or Adelaide defeats West Coast by 60+ points to finish on top of the ladder.

Worst: Adelaide loses to West Coast and finishes 5th.

“I don’t really know where we want to finish to be fair,” Clarkson said after Hawthorn’s loss to West Coast.

“I’m sure there’s other coaches in the competition that are thinking exactly the same, the huge curve ball in this year’s finals series is that bye after round 23. “It’s unique. It’s never been done in the game before.

3RD: GEELONG

“No one knows how it’s going to pan out. If there’s any year there’s a chance to come from outside of the top four, it’s this year, because of that very unique situation.”

4TH: H AW THORN

A depleted North Melbourne stands in the way of GWS from clinching fifth spot and a historic final at Spotless Stadium.

As for the Kangaroos, nothing changes: win, lose or draw after Melbourne’s shock 20-point loss to Carlton on Sunday.

St Kilda could draw level on wins (12), but would need to set a new VFL-AFL record winning margin of 300-plus points to make up mammoth percentage margin.

The Bulldogs-Dockers clash looms as the great unknown.The Dockers have been deplorable this season, but coach Ross Lyon’s men could fire up for one last heave-ho for club legend and former captain Matthew Pavlich in his 353rd and possibly last game.

* BETTING

(V MELBOURNE, SIMONDS STADIUM, SATURDAY 1:45PM) Best: Can finish on top if it beats Melbourne and Adelaide and Sydney both lose.

Worst: Can slip to 6th if it loses to Melbourne and West Coast, Hawthorn and GWS all win.

(V COLLINGWOOD, MCG, SUNDAY 3:20PM) Best: Adelaide, Geelong, and Sydney all lose. Hawthorn defeats Collingwood to finish on top.

Worst: Hawthorn loses to Collingwood by double figures, Giants Western Bulldogs defeat Fremantle. Hawks finish 7th.

5TH: GWS GI ANTS

3.25 3.75 5.00 5.50 10.00 34.00 34.00

SYDNEY ADEL AIDE GEELONG H AW THORN GWS WEST COAST WESTERN BULLDOGS 81.00 NORTH MELBOURNE

Crows and the Bulldogs beat the Dockers.

7TH: WESTERN BULLDOGS

(V FREM ANTLE, SUBI ACO, SUNDAY 4:40PM) Best: Gets 4th if it rolls Freo by anything other than a nailbiter and Hawks, GWS and West Coast lose.

Worst: Finishes 7th if it can’t beat the Dockers.

(V NORTH MELBOURNE, E TIH AD, SATURDAY 7:25PM) Best: Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney (-30pts) and Hawthorn lose. GWS defeats North Melbourne to finish on top.

Worst: If all the favourites win and GWS loses to North Melbourne the Giants fall to 6th.

8TH: NORTH MELBOURNE

6TH: WEST COAST

Qualifying Finals Sydney v Geelong (in Sydney) Adelaide v Hawthorn (in Adelaide) Elimination Finals GWS v North Melbourne (in Sydney) Western Bulldogs v West Coast (in Melbourne)

(V ADEL AIDE, ADEL AIDE OVAL, FRIDAY 8:10PM) Best: Can still get third if it humiliates Adelaide, and Geelong, GWS and Hawthorn lose.

Worst: Finishes 7th if it loses to the

(V GWS, E TIH AD, SATURDAY 7:25PM) Best: 8th Worst: 8th

IF THE FAVOURITES WIN IN ROUND 23 THE FIRST WEEK OF THE FIN ALS WOULD BE:

TENNIS

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US OPEN

The 2016 US Open will be the 136th edition of the major tennis tournament. One of the four Grand Slam events of the tennis calendar, the US Open is the fourth and final chance for ATP and WTA players to get their hands on a major title this season. The tournament will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre and starts on the 29th of August, with the final match being played on the 11th September.

The tournament is played on a hard court surface and this year, will see the first time the US Open is played with operational roofs on two of the

courts, the Arthur Ashe Stadium and the new Grandstand Stadium.

The men’s defending champion and the world’s No. 1 player, Novak Djokovic, is coming off a disheartening first-round loss in Olympic play to Juan Martin del Potro. Meanwhile, No. 2-ranked Andy Murray comes into play on a threatening tear.

Murray knocked off four top-15 players en route to his second Wimbledon title in July, and then he claimed the men’s singles gold medal in Rio de Janeiro for an encore.

A former U.S. Open champion,

Rafael Nadal arrives in New York on little rest after playing at the Olympics in Rio and the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Roger Federer, another 30-plus former U.S. Open champ, will miss the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery.

Lastly, I would be remiss to leave out Canadian Milos Raonic, who has been battling with the best of them as of late. All eyes will be on these guys as play gets underway August 29.

THE BIG THREE TO W AT C H

MILOS RAONIC

Raonic is just 25 years old and stands at a towering 6’5”. On Saturday, Murray handed Raonic a straightsets loss in Cincinnati, winning both sets 6-3. However, Raonic played well enough to prove he is knocking on the door of tennis’ elite group, and the loss shouldn’t take away from his recent body of work.

That loss came in the semifinals, and Raonic also failed to defeat Murray at Wimbledon this year. In the Wimbledon semifinals, though, Raonic took care of Federer, which is no easy task.

That was Raonic’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final, so on one side of the coin, we shouldn’t overreact and crown him as the sport’s next phenom. On the other side, however, perhaps his future is, in fact, brighter. Either way, this U.S. Open will not be remembered in history as his coming-out party.

ANDY MURRAY

Based on momentum, Murray should be the favorite to win his second U.S. Open. Additionally noted Murray is hot on Djokovic’s tail to become the world’s top-ranked player.

It might even be misguided to bet against Murray, considering his last singles loss came in the French Open final (to, guess who, Djokovic).

There is hardly any way to criticize Murray’s success at Wimbledon and in Rio. However, if one is trying to poke holes in his victories, he or she might note that Murray did not face Djokovic, Federer or Nadal in either of those events.

Having said that, the only person who can likely stop Murray is the man with whom he is developing a rivalry: Djokovic.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Djokovic’s 2016 singles record is an astounding 51-4, but he looked shaky at the Olympics. While Del Potro sent him packing in straight sets, it’s important to remember that both sets went to tiebreakers.

More noteworthy, though, is that Djokovic is the top-ranked player in the world, and as the old saying goes, “Winners win.” He proved that just a year ago, when he claimed the U.S. Open title. In last year’s tournament, Djokovic needed five sets only once, and he dispatched Federer in four in the final.

I’m not letting Djokovic’s woes in Rio cloud my judgment. Look for the Djoker to reclaim his perch at the top.

* BETTING

2.00 3.00 15.00 17.00 21.00 21.00 26.00 26.00 41.00 51.00 51.00 67.00 101.00

N DJOKOVIC A MURRAY J M DEL POTRO M RAONIC R N ADAL S WAWRINKA M CILIC K NISHIKORI N KYRGIOS D THIEM G DIMITROV J-W TSONGA G MONFILS

MANCATION

DESTINATION NEW YORK CITY

The City That Never Sleeps It’s that time of year where Tennis fans and enthusiasts alike are descending on the Big Apple to catch the 2016 US Open Grand Slam tournament, taking place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center August 29 to September 11. If you never miss a televised game and have posters of Roger Federer and Serena Williams taped above your bed, this likely includes you. Even if you don’t know much about tennis and want to catch an exciting and momentous sporting event, there is no better place than the spotlight of New York City.

Mixing some quality tennis viewing with scenic attractions, Broadway shows, hip eateries and the hottest Nightclubs, New York is a must-visit for all Sports Fans. Now get the boys together as we’re headed to the Bright Lights!

For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com. or www.stubhub.com for great deals.

Also note you can get in free or cheap. It’s true. Though this is tennis at its highest level, you can still pay as little as $30–$35 (before fees) for an opening-night or early evening session ticket, or $10 for Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 29. You can also attend for free the qualifying tournament (August 21–26), in which ambitious players battle for a berth in the main tournament, and practice day, August 28, when the stars hone their game in preparation for their moment in the spotlight.

WHERE TO STAY

WESTHOUSE HOTEL NYC WESTHOUSEHOTELNEWYORK.COM Set in the heart of vibrant midtown Manhattan, the West House is New York’s most exciting contemporary hotel. Its sophisticated design and sensibility creates a seamless blend of charisma and ease. Located in one of the most appealing and accessible neighborhoods in New York, the West House is easily accessible from all major city sites and sporting venues. Dedicated to the comfort and happiness to each guest, The West House is equipped with modern and innovative facilities and is a true home away from home.

WHERE TO PL AY

MINUS5 ICE BAR

Everything inside minus5° is made of ice; the walls, the bar, the seats and even the glasses that you enjoy your cocktails in. Upon making a selection from a wide variety of options to choose from, you’re fitted with gloves and a warm parka or Faux Fur Coat, then transported into a winter wonderland of interactive ice architecture while sipping the coolest cocktails from glasses made entirely of ice. An exciting LED light show and upbeat music plays while you take in the pretty surreal surroundings. The temperature is controlled and designed to provide a refreshing experience as you set out to explore the different ice sculptures and themed ice rooms. It’s a must-do experience you won’t forget.

NYC CIGAR BAR Best way to separate the men from the boys, NYC Cigar Bar is the ultimate way to relax, talk up your best bets and catch up with some guy talk. The Cigar bar is complete with a rich and stately decor, with plush furniture it provides hints of an English Gentlemen’s Club while Victorian influences give a sense of elegance and luxury of a bygone era. In other words, sit back, relax and feel like a boss!

1125 First Avenue, Lower Level, NY, NY 10065

WH AT TO DO AT THE US OPEN

Having a bet? Place all bets online at the hotel before you head to the court, and of course have your favorite Bookmaker App handy if you find yourself trying to make a game interesting. It’s always fun to have a parlay for the day’s games you schedule to watch live and have your event winner selected before the start of the tournament.

GOOD GRUB AND A BEER

ACES AND CH AMPIONS BAR & GRILL Both are located on the Club level in Arthur Ashe Stadium between Gates 3 and 4 and are available to Courtside Box seat holders and Luxury Suite guests.

You can access both restaurants by using the elevators on the east side of Arthur Ashe Stadium adjacent to the US Open Club Loge and Promenade Subscription Series ticket holders may purchase passes for the duration of the tournament by calling the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Ticket Office at 718 760 6363

ACES

Aces features vibrant colors and vaulted ceilings in a casual but elegant setting, Superlative seafood offerings are served along with sushi prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. You can also enjoy Aces’ flavorful and sumptuous cuisine in your suite with an Aces Suite Package.

CH AMPIONS BAR & GRILL

Champions Bar & Grill is a modern take on the traditional clubhouse atmosphere with classic leather and wood accents in a contemporary setting. The Grill features premium steaks, hearty salads and fresh seafood prepared by Celebrity Chef David Burke.

If you’re not looking to wine and dine with the boys then it’s just as easy to hit up the Food Village. They have a wide variety of food options to hit the spot and keep you on the move before heading to the Heineken House for a crisp beer.

HEINEKEN HOUSE

A trip to the 2016 US Open isn’t complete without a stop at the Heineken House, located above the Food Village.

You are able to grab a few Heinekens from one of the three bars on-site, relax in cabanas, play games with friends and even purchase limited edition Heinekenbranded clothing from the Pro Shop. TVs are set up throughout, so you won’t miss a moment of the action on the courts while relaxing with a cold beer. You can also compete in the “Heineken Perfect Pour” with local NYC bartenders judging the best and awarding winners with VIP tickets to that evening’s match.

GE T TING AROUND

Use public transit. Do as the locals would do and navigate your way through the city on New York’s vast network of trains, subways or even hailing a cab if you need one. .

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FALL

FASHION 5 STYLE MYTHS TO AVOID DESIGNER CLOTHING IS ALWAYS EXPENSIVE Yes, most, but not all, designer clothing is expensive and some items never get price reductions, but many do. If there is something you really want, but it’s not within your budget, just keep your eyes and mouth open. Check websites often, subscribe to mailing lists, and don’t be afraid to ask a sales associate when a particular item might be discounted. Another way to get a discount involves making a purchase on a website for the first time. Many companies offer you a discount outright or in exchange for your email address and other information. If there is a particular label you like, check out flash sale sites such as Gilt, or try outlets and their websites, such as Barney’s Warehouse, OFF 5TH, Last Call, or Nordstrom Rack.

YOU H AVE TO BUY EXPENSIVE CLOTHES TO LOOK ST YLISH This is so false. Stylish clothing comes in a range of prices. Even brands and stores that are known to sell higher priced items will generally offer some more affordable pieces each season.

Additionally, there are a variety of brands that offer high style at a fair price, such as J.Crew and Frank & Oak. Fast fashion shops are also a great option to find trendy items you only want to wear for one season. Check out Forever 21, H&M, and Uniqlo.

THE KEY TO GOOD ST YLE IS TO FOLLOW THE TRENDS This is just plain wrong. Having style is about finding what looks best on you and what your personal preferences are. In fact, classic menswear often looks more stylish than seasonal trends do.

The key is to create a signature look that you feel confident in. If you love bowties, wear one every day.

If you want to wear a blazer over everything from T-shirts to dress shirts, make that your thing. You don’t have to wear the latest and greatest in order to stand out.

YOU ARE THE SAME SIZE IN EVERY BRAND Most men wish this was true, but standard sizing just doesn’t exist anymore. Every brand has its own sizing, but even that can vary from item to item. You could be a medium and a large within the same label.

Certain brands are even vanity sized, so a size 36 might really have waistline of 38 inches. Buy everything based on fit, not on size.

ONLY CELEBRITIES H AVE PERSON AL ST YLISTS If you aren’t the kind of man who is good at choosing wardrobe options for himself, you should consider using a stylist either in person or online. Whether you need casual clothes, formal wear, or something in between, a professional stylist can help you discover what looks best on you and how to coordinate everything with your current wardrobe. Trunk Club and Bonobos have retail locations where you can schedule an appointment with a stylist. If meeting with an actual person just isn’t for you, Trunk Club has online stylists. You can also try services like Bomb Fell and The Mr. Collection.

MANSCAPING

101:

GROOMING BASICS

For most men, body grooming is stuck somewhere in between looking like a ultra-hipster caveman or one of the guys from One Direction. To help strike that balance, we have the low down on what you need even for those down low spaces you probably never thought of could use a little upkeep.

THE CHEST

Get yourself a good pair of clippers.

Trim your chest, going in the direction of the grain. Do it dry and use a toner or moisturizer after to prevent redness.

TRY: TENDSKIN $15 TENDSKIN.COM

THE BACK

I think we can all agree that back hair is never sexy. That’s right, it’s time to book an appointment. Tips for your first time: Take an Advil or a couple of Aspirin before your appointment. Get this done generally every four to six weeks to make it less painful . Don’t put any product on the area for up to 24 hours to prevent irritation. Use a product in between appointments to help keep hair growing back at a rapid pace.

TRY: INHIBITIF BODY SERUM $47 INHIBITIF.COM

ARMPITS

Simple deodorant guys. And a light buzz with your clippers if your pit hair is creeping out your shirt sleeves.

TRY: TASK ESSENTI AL KEEP FRESH DEODORANT STICK $25 TASKESSENTI AL.COM

DOWN UNDER

It’s good to be groomed in this area.

Think in terms of keeping hair, but having less volume. A quick pass with clippers can usually do the trick. If you’re tempted to go ‘balls deep’, then be sure to use lots of shaving cream and a very good sharp razor. Use tiny strokes, one stroke and then clean the razor.

Then, go back for the next one.

TRY: THE ART OF SH AVING LEXINGTON COLLECTION™ RAZOR & CARTRIDGE $125 THEARTOFSH AVING.COM

GRILLERS' Corner GAME DAY GRILLING TIPS FOR THE ULTIMATE TAILGATE Grab your team’s jersey and fire up the grill—it’s football season, and no game day is complete without a full spread of grilled meat and vegetables. Whether you’re rusty on your grill skills or looking to impress your buddies with some new tricks, our grill hacks will punch up your game day experience by saving you time and effort while punching up the flavor of your favorite game day foods.

HOT DOGS

Spiral cut your hot dogs using a skewer and a knife so that they grill evenly throughout. And rather than have a slew of condiments scattered across your tailgate table, use a muffin tin to separate and place condiments. Bonus – this also cuts down on the number of dishes you have to clean and the amount of waste from your tailgate. Got an empty six-pack? (Sure you do) Use this to hold and carry condiment bottles, napkins, and other essentials.

Don’t forget the bottle opener.

RIBS

Turn your grill into a smoker by placing a tin foil pouch filled with wood chips on top of one of your burners.

Spraying apple juice on your meat as it grills or smokes will enhance the flavor appearance, and tenderness of the finished product.

BURGERS

For those of you who don’t use pre-formed patties for burger, A) good for you, and B) hiding a single ice cube in the patty is a great way to ensure that the inside of the burger stays moist while cooking. This trick works best if you are forming the patties immediately before placing them on the grill—that way, the ice cube doesn’t melt and soak the whole burger. To retain that moisture as well as heat, allow the meat to rest for ten minutes under a loose tent of aluminum foil.

POST-GAME CLEANUP

While your grill is still hot, scrub it with the cut side of a freshly halved onion. Not only will the oils in the onion get rid of most of the residue left over on the grill, but they’ll also season the grill and add flavor for the next time it’s used.

Using these grill hacks, your tailgate or game-viewing party will crush the opposition and be a success— whether or not your team actually wins you’ll still be talk of the town.

Health IS YOUR

Wealth

SLEEP RIGHT, BE RIGHT So it’s 2:30AM and you’re wide awake. You’re well aware you have got to be up in four hours when that alarm bell is sounding. Why didn’t I finish that report? I wish I hadn’t stayed up so late last night. If I fall asleep now, I might sleep through my alarm. Only 3 more days till the weekend…”

Sound familiar? If so, you might be suffering from sleep maintenance insomnia: a condition that sees you waking up far too much during the night. The Journal of Epidemiology found that 56% of sufferers take over an hour to get back to sleep. In a different study, women tended to go to bed earlier and wake up later than men, found consistently in huge banks of data collected across 100 different countries.

Stress is one major factor keeping you awake, of course, but other modern-day behaviours contribute to your crap-naps when you should be deep in REM sleep. We’ve grilled a panel of experts and compiled both prevention and cure to save your sleep schedule. Head to slumberland and stay there.

THE REL AXATION MUSCLE

The reason many men find it tough to switch off is what Neil Shah, director of the Stress Management Society, calls the Roadrunner Effect.

“In the cartoons, the roadrunner’s feet come to a halt and his head still vibrates back-and-forth.”

Shah claims that men are similar,

although your body stops moving, you’re combing through inboxes and social media, answering texts and watching TV until the small hours.

Basically, your brain is still running back and forth.

Men need to re-learn to reduce our stimuli before bedtime, training what’s referred to as ‘the relaxation muscle’. “You can’t go to the gym once and expect to get fit,” says Shah. “The same is true of relaxing. Common stress-induced behaviours like drinking alcohol, coffee, watching TV and exercising are all counterintuitive to sleep.”

Don’t think your nightcap will help: the journal Current Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience shows small quantities of alcohol act as stimulants, not depressants. Best to stay off the drinks (which also prevents the need to pee and get up in the wee hours) and switch off all devices before bed. Instead, pick up MH’s recommended reading material.

SEXERCISE

“While you’re stressed, your body’s “flight-or-fight” response is anticipating exercise,” says Shah.

“The best way to get rid of stress is to give it what it wants.” Don’t start doing burpees at 2am though, with the exercise-induced endorphins also comes adrenaline, which will pump you up and keep you awake. Shab recommends leaving the gym no later than 3 hours before your bedtime to banish stress and boost sleep.

There is one exception to the rule, however Shah recommends sex as the best form of exercise to put you back to sleep. “There’s a reason men can just roll over and nod off after sex, a big dopamine hormone release occurs during ejaculation, a natural sedative.” Not an option? Lisa Artis, from night-time experts The Sleep Council, recommends slow stretching or extremely light yoga.

CHOW DOWN

Your diet has a major influence over sleeping soundly. A good night is dependant on tryptophan, an amino acid commonly found in protein or one more reason to pile your plate with muscle fuel. Tryptophan is instrumental in producing melatonin, the hormone that controls your body-clock.

But it’s not all good news for shake-happy gym bros. “Although protein is important, carbs act as a neurotransmitter and are responsible for carrying the right proteins to the brain,” says nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert. If you’re still struggling at 1am, she recommends a dish of porridge oats, high in both protein and complex carbs, to help you drift off. “If you feel sated, you’re more likely to drift off,” hence the infamous Food Coma.

GE T UP

Don’t feel trapped in your bed, unable to sleep but unwilling to get up in case the Sandman does turn up. “Rather than lying in bed, struggling to sleep, if you’re still awake after 30 minutes get up and do something,” says Altis. She recommends putting on a dim light (as flicking the ‘big light’ on tricks your body-clock into thinking it’s daylight) and reading, or getting up for glass of water or, even better, milk. Milk contains the tryptophan that’s essential for nodding off.

Getting up and distracting yourself (without devices) effectively resets you. Settling down fifteen minutes later means you’re more likely to crash than remaining in bed fretting over the time, which can act as a source of anxiety all over again. This is known as stimulus control, trying to trick your brain into falling asleep by ‘going to bed’ all over again.

SPORTS BETTING STRATEGY 101 To Bet Smart, a strategy is a must. Here is some foundation tips for starting out and developing a winning sports betting strategy of your own.

M AN AGING YOUR INVESTMENT – BANKROLL, STAKING & RECORDING

Without an edge in the market it can be very difficult to make money.

Time and effort needs to be put into defining your edge as well managing the money you invest. If you poorly manage your funds, you may find yourself unable to execute your betting strategies. Your bankroll is the entire amount of money you set aside for investment over a certain period. Determining this amount is dependent on how aggressive or conservative you choose your betting strategies to be.

Once you have this amount determined it’s crucial to then decide how you will best stake against your bankroll to optimise your strategy.

There are a range of staking plans that can be applied to wagering.

There is no right or wrong method so it’s important to have a detailed understanding of the varying methods that are available.

Percentage staking method applies a consistent percentage of your bankroll on each bet. The method attempts to protect the wagerer from losing their entire bankroll.

It assumes equal value of each bet, this could mean that you may be investing the same amount on a $1.50 (66.7% probability) as an investment which is $6.70 (14.92% probability). This method doesn’t consider value. Proportional staking involves betting a share of your bankroll in proportion to your advantage within the market or in

relation to the market price. There are a range of methods that can be implemented into your plan.

The Dutching method of staking involves dividing your stake over a number of selections in a market so that a consistent amount is won regardless of which selection wins.

This method utilises the market price and your proposed return amount to determine your stake.

RECOGNISING VALUE & H AVING AN EDGE

Value is when the odds available represent a probability that is less than the actual or perceived probability of an event. Another way of saying this is that the odds available are larger than your perception of what the odds should be.

Take, for example, the toss of a coin. There are only two possible outcomes and they both have an equal chance of occurring. Therefore, the true odds of the coin landing on a head or a tail is $2.00 regardless of how many times you toss it. If five heads have landed in a row, it makes no difference. The odds are always the same – 50-50, or in betting terms $2.00 or ‘even money’. As a punter, it’s your task to identify the event where the odds available represent value. Still using the above example, this could mean finding the odds of $2.20 for heads or tails.

To determine a value proposition in a market the investor first needs to be able to determine a perceived value. Punters differ in their methods to determine their

perceived value of an event. Some may utilise a mathematical approach based on historical data and others may use other information such as form, weather, opinion etc. Regardless of the approach to determine the probability of an event, punters need to be able to determine an edge between their perceived value and market value within their betting strategies.

The key to any strategy whereby a punter has used historical data and analysis, is to rigorously test and refine their strategy before investing with real money. Further to this, if you have thoroughly tested and believe that your model/strategy works, you must trust your work.

If the first week or two don’t yield your expected returns, be patient and remember that it is a long-term strategy, not a smash and grab job.

FORM AND M ATHEM ATICS

There are a plethora or racing’s analysts, tipsters and professionals in racing and sport that can provide their insight into the results of an event. When it comes to form analysis, punters can follow their preferred analyst or work the form themselves to determine the outcome. Sometimes a combination of the two can be the approach in sports betting strategies.

Determining the outcome of an event can also be determined by utilising mathematics to model and predict the outcome. This can range from basic to complex statistical testing on past performance to determine an edge. If you read other tipsters or analyst’s thoughts, they might just give you a factor that you hadn’t even thought of to include in your model or strategy. Even though your model might yield positive results, there is nothing saying it could be even more efficient and yield even better results.

And lastly, sport is forever changing.

Just because your betting strategies are working for you during a specific period, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for the next. Don’t get complacent. Be stringent and always make sure you track your results and revise if and when it’s needed.