KEMPTON PARK RACES 2020 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #3 29th JANUARY

Kempton Park Racecourse on a Wednesday night we return to life on the all weather flat track again. All being well 2020 can be a good year for us.
Not the best of starts with losses incurred in the opening two meetings so far, long season ahead of us though, away from the racing we've enjoyed the cricket in South Africa with England beginning to show signs of dominating the series, AFC Wimbledon have won a game too, which is helping us to stay out of the drop zone for now and off the field have launched the Plough Lane Bond hoping to raise essential funds for the new stadium and already passed the £1m mark within the opening week of launch. All results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) and after meeting #2 we are sadly behind by -13.25, results to SP we will need to improve.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 40/54 (74%). We reset the counters for 2020 and will be continuing this throughout the year again.

This Wednesday is meeting number three for the 2020 AW season. Tonight we are expecting an eight race card where all bar the opening maiden's are handicaps. The action will now commence at 16:45 with division one of the mile maiden contest for three year olds and tonight's card ends around about 20:15 with our final handicap contest over a mile and seven furlong trip. Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a lot of cloudy weather and it's going to be very cold all day so we expect the temperature to reach single figures around 9C by the time the meeting gets underway. January chill brrrr.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

17:45 32Red Handicap

(Class 4, 1m, 6 runners)

Opening handicap contest over a mile has only attracted a small field of six where Trevithick [4th 25/1] is selected despite being disappointing on recent runs at Newcastle, maybe the change of scenery and small field might help as trainer Brian Smart wouldn't come here for a day out. Lightly raced for a 5yo Merchant of Venice [3rd 9/4f] has won twice here and wasn't too far away last time out either in a bunch finish.

18:15 32Red Casino Fillies' Handicap

(Class 5, 6f, 7 runners)

The 4yo filly Hassaad [Won Evens] is given another chance in this grade to see if she can settle better and see out the trip, seemed to be getting closer when last seen here two runs ago. While Equipped [Non Runner] trained by Mick Channon is having her first handicap run (only her 4th outing in all) and getting weight from the others looks a good betting option at 8/1.

18:45 32Red.com Handicap

(Class 4, 7f, 11 runners)

Even though Unforgiving Minute [3rd 10/1] is a 9yo is still winning plenty of races and should be supported again after wins towards the end of 2019 and clearly still in good heart. While support for course and distance winner Eljaddaaf [2nd 25/1] another 9yo who has won off higher marks than this should be noted. Two very nice places here, sadly not enough for the win but good returns all the same.

19:15 100% Profit Boost At 32RedSport.com Handicap

(Class 5, 7f, 10 runners)

A pair of 6yo's both forecast around 20/1 are our selections in this open 7f contest, Baashiq [5th 20/1] (Mark Usher) and De Little Engine [8th 25/1] (Alexandra Dunn) both are winners at Brighton and while have some form around this track the openness of the contest they are back to their last winning handicap mark.

19:45 racingtv.com Handicap

(Class 6, 7f, 14 runners)

A winner at Chelmsford and runner up here off 3lb higher might suggest that Distant Applause [7th 13/2] is due and this 5yo hasn't had too much racing so could be very interesting tonight while Es Que Magic [4th 6/1] started off on a 12lb higher mark and has pieces of place form but still waiting that first win and their best effort to date was probably last time out when denied a clear run so has a chance again here with a bit of better fortune.

20:15 Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap

(Class 6, 1m 7f 218y, 14 runners)

Our finale tonight is for the stayers, has a max field of 14 declared and while Que Quieres [6th 7/2] last five runs have been over at Chelmsford he has won two of his last three starts so is clearly in decent form now upped to these staying distances. Capricorn Prince [4th 13/2] won a small non handicap contest earlier in the month and while staying on there is giving another opportunity to see if these trips can still be an option for them in the future.

Staked -- 12 points.      Returns -- 3 points.

Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. This season we started afresh and will try hard to stop going well behind but all results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. A disappointing start to 2020 with just one winner creating an increased loss in meeting #2 of -13.25, results to SP we will need to improve.

LAYS -- 3/4. We had a good season last year with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps. One winner, one beaten tonight, so sadly we are 4/6 now.

Tonight's Lays;

16:45 - King of Arms [1m Maiden (Div 1)].  WON 5/4f 😬

17:15 - Rusper's Lad [1m Maiden (Div 2)].  LOST 3/1

Our next meeting for this year will be held in a couple of weeks time on Wednesday 12th February hope you can join us.

AFC WIMBLEDON v BURTON ALBION LEAGUE ONE TUESDAY 28th JANUARY 2020

While the start of 2020 wasn't our best we've certainly improved of late, winning at home against Peterborough United when we'd just lost our in form striker was a big positive force, and off the field while we still wait for some new signings before the end of January the Dons Bond has been launched and is currently just shy of £1m raised in it's opening week !! You can click here to see details of the Dons Bond, and to steal their catch phrase "It's Time We Had a Home Game". No game for us on the weekend as it was FA Cup games (we would have had Oxford in League) so this Tuesday we have Burton Albion travelling to Kingsmeadow and after that last win against The Posh we are in 19th place on just 27 points and five points above the drop zone ahead of MK Franchise Scum FC and Tranmere Rovers. We've played against Burton 11 times in the Football League since 2011, Dons winning three times, Burton winning five and there have been three draws. Burton have won all three meetings in League One during which AFC Wimbledon have failed to score a single goal, so we must change this stat.

FORM GUIDE
(Last 6 matches in league one, the most recent result shown from left to right)
AFC Wimbledon -- WLDLWL
Burton Albion -- DWWWLW

LAST TIME OUT

AFC Wimbledon 1 Peterborough United 0

Burton Albion 1  Accrington Stanley 1

Updates will be published with team updates and more news as and when it comes through. Burton Albion are of course managed by Nigel Clough and currently sit in 9th place in the League One table on 40 points after their draw on the weekend against Accrington Stanley. They are massive over achievers when you look at the history, recently in the Championship and semi finalists in the league cup last season after wins over Shrewsbury, Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough before coming up against Premier League Champions Manchester City, Burton lost the first leg 9–0 at the Etihad Stadium, eventually losing 10–0 on aggregate. Their recent home game attendance was under 3000, and there are many comparisons with the Dons side that did so well in the football leagues back in the 80s and 90s. That they can also attract loan signings from Premier League sides such as goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara (on loan from Manchester United) and Welsh U21 forward Nathan Broadhead (on loan from Everton) shows the high regard that the side has and the respect that a top player like Nigel Clough can command even in League One. Will be a tough ask, but the Dons often play better against higher placed opposition so a midweek encounter could be good for us. NEWS - Dons signed a new goalkeeper today Joe Day from Cardiff, goes straight into the 1st team tonight and therefore we assume that Nathan Trott has returned to West Ham.

Starting Line Ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 5/2 (William Hill) 

Day (Gk),  O'Neill,  🟨Hartigan,  Thomas,  ⚽Pinnock,  Wagstaff,  🟨Rudoni,  ⚽Reilly,  Osew,  Sorensen,  Pigott (c)

Subs – McDonnell (Gk),  Roscrow,  Guinness-Walker,  McLoughlin,  Wood,  Biler,  Wordsworth

BURTON ALBION

Odds -- 21/20 (William Hill) 

O'Hara (Gk),  Brayford,  O'Toole,  Nartey,  Daniel,  Edwards,  Shaughnessy, 🟨Quinn, ⚽Powell,  ⚽Murphy,  Akins

Subs –  Garratt (Gk),  Buxton,  Wallace,  Fraser,  Templeton,  Sbarra,  Sarkic

Selected Bets on today's match;
Wimbledon to win and BOTH teams to score @5/1.
Over 1.5 Goals (1st half) @9/4.  WON⚽⚽
Penalty Awarded and Scored @9/2.

Red Card in the match @6/1.

⚽H/T Score – 1 - 2    [Pinnock 16'  /  Powell 7', Murphy 41']

First Half Comment;
The visitors kick off and we are underway on a very cold night here at Kingsmeadow. it's the Dons though who start the quicker and winning the opening corner but sadly nothing comes of that. The good opening spell doesn't last long and our new keeper is beaten on seven minutes by Joe Powell to give the visitors an early lead. The Dons do fight back are equalise on seventeen minutes when Mitch Pinnock slots home and we all square again. Not too many opportunities during the rest of the half, other than for Burton who also have Stephen Quinn booked for a late challenge then with under five minutes to go till the break Burton retake the lead with a Jamie Murphy header past Dons keeper Day.

⚽F/T Score – 2 - 2

Match Summary;
A hard fought and well earned point with the 2-2 draw, the Dons came back twice and against a top six side that's not a bad effort, every point is precious and at least two sides above us are in reach with a small gap beginning to grow beneath us too.

My Man of the Match – Mitchell Pinnock.

Referee -- Our match official for this game will be JOHN BUSBY who has taken charge of us earlier in the season (1-1 draw against Accrington) does like a card or three, and averages about 4 a game, will be assisted on the touchlines by Conor Farrell and Paul Lister. Once again our Fourth Official will be Mr Anthony Da Costa who will probably have less to do tonight.

Attendance – 3,674.

Next league match:
Saturday 1st February vs Accrington Stanley (Away)
League One Kick off 3:00pm

FA CUP 2019-20 FIFTH ROUND DRAW MONDAY 27th JANUARY [BBC 1 7:00pm]

This Monday night it will be time for the draw to be made for the 5th Round of this seasons FA Cup. While no personal interest this season we still following the progress of the remaining teams and see who will lift the famous trophy on 23rd May! This is a game being played on Monday night which will conclude the 4th round Bournemouth vs Arsenal and this is being broadcast live on BT Sport.

We will update here on Monday night with the details of the 5th round draw while it's being made, The draw takes place at 7.20pm on Monday 27 January 2020 before Bournemouth's match with Arsenal and will be broadcast LIVE on "The One Show" on BBC One The draw will be hosted by Mark Chapman and will have former England internationals and Cup winners Teddy Sheringham and Glen Johnson doing the honours of picking the balls out of the 'hat'.

FA Cup Fifth Round Draw

    Sheffield Wednesday   vs   Manchester City
    Reading   vs   Sheffield United

    Chelsea   vs   Liverpool
    West Bromwich Albion   vs   Newcastle
    Leicester City   vs   Birmingham City
    Derby County   vs   Manchester United
    Tottenham Hotspur   vs   Norwich City
    Portsmouth   vs   Arsenal 

Ties to be played midweek around the 5th March this year, in a change to the traditional weekend fixtures the FA have also scrapped replays at this stage so we'll see how that goes. Live games will be selected and announced later but will almost certainly feature Chelsea vs the winners of the Shrewsbury or Liverpool replay, and if Derby get through their replay then their home tie against Manchester United will feature for sure with a possible return of Wayne Rooney against his former United side.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2020 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #2 22nd JANUARY

Welcome back to the regular Wednesday nights here at Kempton Park Racecourse. All being well 2020 can be a good year for us and will give us an interest until the bigger NH meetings come around as well as the regular Flat turf season. Meeting #1 was disappointing and only found the one winner, creating a loss to begin with of -9.25 to SP returns so we'll have to work harder to get the results during this season. Let us quickly move onward with our second Wednesday night of 2020, where we will continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting though we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if there is one available. The feature event tonight is going to be the 18:30 7f Handicap a class 3 contest so it's already on our radar. Keeping records of our endeavours to a one point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only. 

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 40/54 (74%). We reset the counters for 2020 and will be continuing this throughout the year again but sadly one of the favourites won last week so we are only at 1 out of 2 going into this second meeting.

This Wednesday is meeting number two for the 2020 AW season. Tonight we are expecting an eight race card during which we will have four handicaps. The action will now commence at 16:30 with a one mile classified stakes and tonight's card ends around about 20:00 with our final handicap contest over a seven furlong trip. Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a lot of cloudy weather with some scattered showers anticipated the best we expect the temperature to reach is around 12C by the time the meeting gets underway. January chill brrrr.
Here are our handicap selections for tonight, will aim to update details later when time allows;

18:30 32Red Casino Handicap (3yo)
(Class 5, 7f, 8 runners)

Our opening handicap for 3yo's takes place midway through the card, and can go to one of PHUKET POWER (T Dascombe) [2nd 6/1] who is owned by the King Power Racing and was successful over the trip in December, their horses usually keep their form well and is expected to go close even with top weight. We also select SPEED MERCHANT (M Appleby) [4th 11/1] a multiple winner at different all weather tracks should appreciate this trip having failed to see out an extended mile contest at Lingfield last time out.

19:00 32Red Handicap

(Class 3, 7f, 5 runners)

Just the field of five for our featured handicap tonight and we are selected REVOLUTIONISE [WON 3/1] and BUSBY [3rd 5/2] against the other three in the contest. Both are forecast prices around 4/1 mark and have winning form at the track which the other three lack that alone might prove to be the difference tonight and should well have a say in the outcome. The both get a handy bit of weight from the expected market leader Kimifive and with a small field this might well prove tactical so experience should count. The other pair, That is the Spirit is a 9yo so I anticipate should be beaten by younger talent while the bottom one Brigham Young seems up against it at these weights tonight.

19:30 32Red.com Handicap
(Class 4, 1m, 14 runners)
Although this represents the highest handicap mark they've had I still am interested in top weight DIVINE MESSENGER [2nd 14/1] here, a course and distance winner while steadily improving through the handicap this isn't the hardest looking contest. While also a CD scorer BRIDGEWATER BAY [13th 12/1] has only had three runs so more improvement is certainly possible as well here and all those outings have been on the all weather surfaces.

20:00 100% Profit Boost At 32Redsport.com Handicap
(Class 5, 7f, 12 runners)
STRINGYBARK CREEK [10th 16/1] races off a mark of 74 having won off slightly higher and also has a 3lb claimer in the saddle, has had a lot of racing even for a 6yo but does seem to thrive and would not be a huge shock if going close again here. FULL INTENTION [4th 15/8] is another 6yo who has won off this mark in the past and has plenty of experience and seven furlongs seem his best trip.

Staked -- 8 points.      Returns -- 4 points.

Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. This season we started afresh but sadly lost out in meeting #1 so are behind by -9.25 points to SP going into this. One winner and a few places tonight, could have been a better meeting #2 but the facts are another 4 point loss which puts us on -13.25 points.

LAYS -- We had a good season last year with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. Alas only one right last time around but the plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicap stats. Got them both beat tonight, both short price favourites makes it feel even better, so we now 3/4 in week two.

Tonight's Lays;

17:30 - STORMY MOUNTAIN [7f Fillies Maiden div 1]. LOST 2nd 4/6f
18:00 - MORROOJ [7f Fillies Maiden div 2]. LOST 4th 11/10f

Our third meeting for this year will be held in a weeks time on Wednesday 29th January hope you can join us then.

2020 NFL DIVISIONAL (NFC / AFC) CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
SUNDAY 19th JAN 20:05

TENNESSEE TITANS 24 @ 35 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas

The AFC Championship game takes place first this Sunday and will NOT feature the New England Patriots for the first time in nine seasons. Instead we will see Tennessee Titans [9-7] head to play Kansas City Chiefs [12-4] for the right to represent the AFC in Superbowl LIV. Ryan Tannahill vs Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry vs Travis Kelce, Mike Vrabel vs Andy Reid should be a cracker to get us underway. Tennessee have been in great form beating both the reigning champions New England and then seeing off the bookies fancy Baltimore, they have another big test this time with the high scoring Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes in the way, even going 24 points behind couldn't stop them and the Chiefs possess plenty of weapons. That's not to say Tennessee are not without a shout themselves but the percentage call is a Chiefs win in a high scoring game.
Selected Bets - 
Kansas City Chiefs to win @5/6 WON [-7.5pt handicap]
Over 24 points half time @10/11  WON
Over 52 points total @10/11  WON


NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 
SUNDAY 19th JAN 23:40

GREEN BAY PACKERS 20 @ 37 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

The second Championship game will take place at the home of San Francisco 49ers (Levi's Stadium) who are headed to the NFC Championship game for the first time in seven years after a dominating 27-10 win over the Vikings. This has the best of the NFC paired up again and will mark the eighth time in the past 25 years that Green Bay [13-3] and San Francisco [13-3] have met in the playoffs, with the Packers currently holding a 4-3 edge. Green Bay have managed to get here with some tight games under Aaron Rodgers and could be a case of who's defence comes out on top tonight. The Packers advanced to the NFC title game thanks to a 28-23 win over the Seahawks. Green Bay will be playing in its fourth NFC Championship game with Aaron Rodgers (2010, 2014, 2016), who took over the Packers starting quarterback job in 2008. These two sides have met already this season when the 49ers were convincing winners 37-8. 
Selected Bets - 
San Francisco to win @5/6 WON [-7.5pt handicap]. 
Under 21 points half time @10/11 
Under 45 points total @10/11 

Wins for the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers sends them into Superbowl LIV on February 2nd.

We shall update the final scores later over the weekend and then look forward to the Superbowl itself in a couple of weeks time, that will be LIVE on BBC TV here in the UK which is great. 

AFC WIMBLEDON v PETERBOROUGH UNITED LEAGUE ONE SATURDAY 18th JANUARY 2020

Has not been the strongest of starts to the New Year for the Dons, a disappointing draw with Southend then followed by a week off due to no FA Cup games and then we had last weekends loss 2-1 at Portsmouth, leaving us in 20th place on just 24 points only a couple of points above the drop zone ahead of Tranmere Rovers. During the Portsmouth game we also saw Scott Wagstaff sent off and on loan forward Marcus Forss leave with an injury. While we await to see how serious that injury might be for us we have to look forwards to our next game at home against Peterborough United on Saturday. While our opponents sit in 9th place in the league their recent form is not all that strong having drawn last weekend they had three defeats beforehand so maybe we can get something from this. We've also been able to bring in a new signing on loan for the rest of the season welcome Mads Bech Sorensen a Danish central defender from Brentford and Max Sanders has extended his loan deal from Brighton too. Further news is that nineteen-year-old Dons left-back Paul Osew has also extended his contract which is well deserved and hopefully he will continue to develop with us. We will be keeping an eye on the Tranmere game against Ipswich Town and also Rochdale away at Wycombe and hopefully if these results can go our way we can make a small move up the table.

FORM GUIDE
(Last 6 matches in league one, the most recent result shown from left to right)
AFC Wimbledon -- LDLWLW
Peterborough United -- DLLLDW

LAST TIME OUT

Portsmouth 2 AFC Wimbledon 1 

Peterborough 0  Gillingham 0

Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. Peterborough are likely to be without their captain Mark Beevers who was sent off in the goalless draw at home to Gillingham last weekend, will have to see who replaces him and takes the arm band in due course. Up front they have the dangerous Ivan Toney and the Dons will have to find a way to keep him quiet, Peterborough have recently signed midfielder Jack Taylor from National League club Barnet for an initial fee of £500,000 which does show the gulf in class between us as these are figures we can only dream of sadly. The Dons are now hunting a new forward (probably another loan) as Marcus Forss has suffered a significant injury and has now returned to Brentford so they can supervise his treatment and recovery ... you may have only been here a short while but on behalf of all the fans Thank You Marcus.

Starting Line Ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 13/5 (William Hill) 

🟨Trott (Gk),  O'Neill,  Hartigan,  Thomas,  Pinnock,  Sanders,  McLoughlin,  Reilly,  Guinness-Walker,  Sorensen,  ⚽Pigott (c)

Subs – McDonnell (Gk),  McDonald,  Appiah,  Osew,  Wordsworth,  Wood,  Biler

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Odds -- 19/20 (William Hill) 

Pym (Gk),  Mason,  Kent,   Bennett,  Butler,  Reed,  Brown,  🟨Szmodics,  Taylor,  Eisa,  🟨Toney

Subs –  Tasdemir,  Boyd,  Ward,  Chapman,  Cartwright,  Barker,  Jade-Jones

Selected Bets on today's match;
Wimbledon to win and BOTH teams to score @5/1.
Joe Pigott to score 1st Goal @4/1.
Penalty Awarded and Scored @9/2.
Red Card in the match @11/2.

⚽H/T Score – 0 - 0

First Half Comment;
Peterborough kick us off here at Kingsmeadow on a bright sunny but very cold afternoon winning a corner inside 20 seconds which thankfully comes to nothing. Recent Dons loan signing Mads Bech Sørensen first telling contribution is to foul Ivan Toney, hopefully giving him an early warning sign but the first 10-15 minutes are fairly even now without anything spectacular happening. Nearly twenty five minutes before the Dons first shot on target, an Anthony Hartigan shot saved for our opening corner which also comes to nothing. Anthony Wordsworth replaces the injured Max Sanders before half time but there is still no change to the score and as it stands scores elsewhere don't help us if it remains a draw, we go in all square at half time.

⚽F/T Score – 1 - 0  [Pigott 58']

Match Summary;
A welcome win for Wimbledon puts us four points above the drop zone and we leapfrog the scummy franchise in the process so a good day. A single goal from Joe Pigott enough and was a well taken effort too would have been nice to score a few more but it's three points in the bag and a clean sheet to go with it. Thought it was a good debut from Mads too, kept Ivan Toney quiet but we are still going to need someone to support Pigott with Marcus Forss injured and no longer with us, lets enjoy the weekend.

My Man of the Match – Joe Pigott.

Referee -- Our match official for this game will be Mr Darren Drysdale from Lincolnshire and is an RAF Sergeant based at Waddington. Averages about 3.5 cards a game and not afraid to show the red and dismiss players so we need to beware of this as the squad cannot afford more absentees. His assistants this afternoon will be Stuart Butler and Daniel Cook while the Fourth Official is Anthony Da Costa (No it's not the guy from Blue!) who will have to put up with opposition manager Darren Ferguson giving him grief most of the game ... could be worse it could be Steve Evans.

Attendance – 4,453.

Next league match:
Tuesday 28th January vs Burton Albion (Home)
League One Kick off 7:45pm