Women's 200m freestyle final: Another night, another superb swimming
final loaded with talent, old and new. The women’s 200m freestyle has a
cracking big three to battle for gold. Olympic and World Champion Federica
Pellegrini has been imperious for so long in this event, and she’d be very hard
not to make a case for if she hadn’t been disappointing in the 400m free style,
finishing only fifth behind Camile Muffat (pictured) and Schmitt amongst others. However, a look
back at history tells us that at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, she arrived
as the world-record holder and favourite for the gold medal in the 400 m
freestyle, but only finished 5th in the final but then set a world record in the
heats of the 200 m freestyle and broke own world record (1:54.82) and won her
first Olympic gold medal in the final that night. With this being her signature
event, and her having form at these games, it’s folly to write her off, even
with her time being only fourth best – she was taking it slow in her semi
despite winning – and if there’s more to come then she’s big price at 3/1,
while the 8/13 on her medalling is obviously a safer option if you're so inclined.
In the 400m final, Camille Muffat beat Allison Schmitt by a clear
half-length – the pair clear through in one of the most dominant swims seen
throughought these games barring Ye Shiwen - and little separated them once
again in the heats for this, with the places reversed but only 0.03 separating
the pair. I’d be willing to bet that Muffat could once again beat her American
rival in the final of this event and while little will separate the pair of
them, I’d be willing to bet the improvement by the Frenchwoman over the last
year can see her home infront – she’s 1/2 with Ladbokes to pick up a medal and
that might well be a safe punt for those who want to support her.
In the 400m final, Camille Muffat beat Allison Schmitt by a clear
half-length – the pair clear through in one of the most dominant swims seen
throughought these games barring Ye Shiwen - and little separated them once
again in the heats for this, with the places reversed but only 0.03 separating
the pair. I’d be willing to bet that Muffat could once again beat her American
rival in the final of this event and while little will separate the pair of
them, I’d be willing to bet the improvement by the Frenchwoman over the last
year can see her home infront – she’s 1/2 with Ladbokes to pick up a medal and
that might well be a safe punt for those who want to support her.
Schmitt is a major threat and I’m well prepared for her to ruin
the portfolio, but at favourite I’m inclined to take her on given how Muffat beat
her on Sunday and how Pellegrini could improve at this distance.
New US supersatar Missy Franklin is sure to be cheered on by
her many sets of adorning fans but her event looks to be the backstroke and
that might be where she has her second day in the sun, and an interesting
springer might be Bronte Baratt, who beat Schimitt and Muffat in the semis and
is 12/1 and 3’s for a medal.
Advice
1 pt Fedrica Pellegrini (7/2 Stan James)
Men’s 200m Butterfly final: Could this be the night history
is made in London’s glittering Aquatics Centre, the moment Michael Phelps
becomes the most medalled Olympic athlete since the modern Games began in 1896.
The American had 16 individual and relay medals to his name before London but disappointed
in the 400m IM, where he was a laboured fourth, but with this being his
favoured event with no Ryan Lochte, there should be nothing to stop him on
paper although with him struggling as he has done, it’s hard to fancy him
properly even at a tempting 4/6.
Women’s 200 IM final: Ye Shiwen is now as short as 1/66 to
win after she shocked the world in the 400m equivalent, and if she can perform
to that same level then she should be as nailed on as that price suggests she
is. Thankfully, those who read the page regularly will be sitting pretty on 3/1
for the current world champion, and that looks to be a great price with a heavy
punt on Hannah Miley already in the bank, and the knowledge that this gold
medal will bring us one closer to the magic target of 38 for China, and take
them one clear of the US in the race for top medal spot. Other Medal contenders
include Alicia Coutts, Stephanie Rice, and Catlin Leverenz if they improve on
their 400m showing, but there’s only one name we’re focused on.
Men’s 200m Medley Relay Final: Consider this. In an eight
horse race, one horse sets off clear, takes a lead going strong from the front,
increases that lead under pressure in the final furlong, and then slowly but
surely gets reeled in by the second placed horse at that time, who takes it by
a head in the last 50 yards. The same eight horses run a day later, and the
second is 2/7 and the winner 10/3?
That’s the situation with France and the USA and while the
changes made to the Americans looked to have a positive effect when the
storming the heats, but at 10/3 there’s simply no choice – they are the bet to
once again shock the USA for the second time this week.
Advice: 1 pt France (10/3 general)
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