General News

WEEKEND SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS: 9 - 11 August

THE MAGIC IS BACK AS CITY AND UNITED SQUARE UP For many TAB football customers, TAB soccer pools get a whole lot more exciting from this weekend with the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday heralding the start of the 2024-25 season in England and Europe. Big-gun football is back and R150,000-added Soccer 10 pools tonight and tomorrow add to the excitement of the start of what promises to be another astounding season packed with the chances for TAB soccer-pool players to win big cash. PEP’S CHAMPS WILL BE AIMING FOR WEMBLEY REVENGE At home the MTN8 is already underway. Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch are through to the semi-finals after winning their quarter-final clashes last weekend and the other two semi-finalists will be decided this weekend. Sekhukhune United were the surprise package in the PSL last season, edging Cape Town City into fifth place on goal difference, and host Eric Tinkler’s coastal team in the MTN8 this Saturday. Sekhukhune’s strong performance last term came despite friction between their coach and management, and they now they have a new German coach in German Peter Hyballa. So much is expected of them even if they have sold their best player Elias Mokwana to Tunisian champions Esperance. Cape Town City did not live up to their potential last season, but Tinkler says he is pleased with an impressive array of new signings. The last of the MTN8 first-round ties will be played in Atteridgeville on Sunday when champions Sundowns will be overwhelming favourites to beat Polokwane City. Manchester City are out for Wembley revenge against neighbours United in the Community Shield, the traditional clash between the league and FA Cup winners that kicks off each new season. Pep Guardiola’s side were denied the double in their last competitive fixture when Erik ten Hag’s men beat them in the FA Cup final. After a slow start pre-season and losses to Celtic and AC Milan, City looked strong when beating Chelsea 4-2 last time out and look favourites to win this, although neither team is likely to be at best after the disruptions of EURO 2024 and the Copa America. The English Championship starts tonight with home games for Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End, who threatened briefly in the promotion race last season but then faded. Blackburn host Derby County who return to the second tier after finishing second in League One last season. Preston are up against Sheffield United, relegated from the EPL in which they finished bottom and lost their last seven fixtures. A new league campaign kicks off in the Netherlands this weekend, when Ajax Amsterdam will be out to regain their lustre after a disappointing last campaign in which they finished fifth after being bottom of the table. They have a new Italian coach in 35-year-old Francesco Farioli, one of the bright lights on the coaching circuit, and will be under loads of pressure to get Ajax back among the title contenders like champions PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. They play Hereenveen at home in their opening game on Sunday and it’s no easy start. Portugal also get their season underway and champions Sporting Lisbon are hot favourites to win easily over Rio Ave in Friday’s first fixture. Title rivals Porto should beat Gil Vicente on Saturday.

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WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 9 - 11 August

SEVERAL GOOD STRIKE BETS ON A FUN RACING WEEKEND There are a number of potential strike bets around the country this racing ...

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Kelly Has Big Guns In Her Sights

Jack Milner Can Kelly Mitchley put an end to the dominance of Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith in the Eastern Cape trainers’ ranks? That is the ...

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WEEKEND SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS: 2 - 4 August

FASCINATING FRIENDLIES AND FIVE CASH-BOOSTED POOLS

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WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 2 - 4 August

INTERESTING LISTED EVENTS ON LOCAL BILL OF FARE With the start of the 2024/25 season on 1 August, South African racing takes a ...

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Commingled Quinella, Quartet on Aussie races

TAB and TABgold customers will have more opportunities to win on Australian flat and harness racing from Thursday 1 August, when Quinella and Quartet ...

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OFF THE RECORD #37

Freeman Calls for Breeding Innovation as New Stallions Enter Market

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WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 26 - 28 July

STAR-STUDDED RACING AND A HUGE PICK 6 CARRY-OVER! Sunday’s star-studded card for World Pool Gold Cup Day at Hollywoodbets ...

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WEEKEND SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS: 26 - 28 July

GRAND RANGE OF MATCHES AND SIX CASH-BOOSTED POOLS

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GLISTENING TO TAKE STARRING ROLE AT NEWBURY

By Molly Hunter Glistening can shine for John and Thady Gosden in the Jebel Ali Racecourse EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newbury.

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