15:00 Haydock

Bravemansgame to Win the Betfair Chase

Andy Holding thinks last year’s King George winner BRAVEMANSGAME will emerge victorious in a showdown with Protektorat at Haydock on Saturday.

Find out who Architect Tips and Steve Ryder are backing here.

Much to the annoyance of Protektorat connections, Bravemansgame has been parachuted into this contest despite the expectation he would go straight to the King George, but at least it now adds extra spice to an otherwise dreary affair without Shishkin - who heads to Ascot instead. 

Considering there are just four Grade 1's during the season, it's easy to see why Paul Nicholls' inmate has been asked to go again prior to Kempton as he didn’t have a massively hard race at Wetherby. 

Seemingly still going best on the run to the last several weeks ago, a last fence blunder was the only reason he came off the bridle and although it was a race that he definitely let slip through his fingers, he still came out of the contest with his reputation intact. 

He is at his best when allowed to dominate in small fields and being the only confirmed front runners in Saturday's line-up, he should get all the assistance he needs to put up a bold show. 

Protektorat will still have his supporters despite the likelihood of him now starting second favourite and it just all boils down to whether Dan Skelton's inmate is in the same form that saw him post a career high on the numbers in this race last year.

Even allowed for the fact A Plus Tard fluffed his lines, the eight-year-old couldn't have been any more impressive and there is no doubt that he will arrive back at the Merseyside venue with no stone unturned by his handler, who recognises this is very much his Gold Cup.

The only concern, which has been advertised in the press today, comes from the fact some of the stable's runners haven't been firing on all cylinders in the last few weeks - an occurrence which tips the balance of power in favour of Bravemansgame.

12:30 Saturday

Darwin Nunez to Score Anytime vs Manchester City

Jimmy the Punt fancies Liverpool’s DARWIN NUNEZ to find the net against Manchester City.

You can find Jimmy’s Saturday goalscorer treble here.

Jurgen Klopp lambasted the scheduling of Liverpool’s game with Manchester City. It has been pushed forward to 12:30 this Saturday and his gripe is understandable given the myriad of players returning from international duty on both sides of the Pennines.

Darwin Nunez is one of the above but unlike his fellow professionals, the Uruguayan is reaping the rewards of representing his nation.

Marcelo Bielsa is getting a tune out of the frontman in South America. He scored three times in two games against Argentina and Bolivia taking his tally to 12 for the season.

Following the last international break, Nunez found the net in each of his following three starts for the Reds. He has an expected goal return xG) of 2.26 across his last three league matches.