Cross-Sport Multiple: Back Athlone to grab a draw

Dundalk's boss may not have much to smile about on Sunday

Andrew Hughes thinks Athlone Town can earn a surprise draw at Dundalk and help land a Sunday cross-sport multiple. 

Bet 1: Bet Athlone to draw with Dundalk at 5.59/2

Last season's Irish Premier Division runners-up Dundalk are right in contention once again, just three points behind leaders Cork City with a game in hand, but the effort of keeping up a European challenge may be taking its toll. 

After a run of six consecutive league wins, the Lilywhites dropped points against St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City, and on Thursday night suffered a blow to their Europa League hopes by losing their home leg against Hadjuk Split 2-0. 

With just three days to recover they may be vulnerable and a rapidly improving Athlone Town side can take advantage. Athlone lost their first ten matches but under new manager Keith Long they have lost just two of their last six, and thrashed Limerick 3-0 last weekend. Back the visitors to grab a point. 

Bet 2: Back Robert Thornton to beat Paul Nicholson at 1.364/11

The first round of the World Matchplay continues on Sunday with a number of intriguing matches, including this one between the PDC ranked number eight, Robert Thornton and Paul Nicholson, currently ranked outside the top twenty. 

Nicholson won their last encounter, but Thornton has had the better year, with three Players Championship wins under his belt and has also beaten Nicholson in five of their previous seven matches. Back Thornton to prevail.   

Bet 3: Back Hull KR to beat Salford at 1.728/11

Hull KR are a tricky side to get right. Two weeks ago, they thrashed St Helens 40-10 to move into the fringes of the play-offs, but were well beaten at Leeds last time out and their last eight Super League games have produced four wins and four losses. 

They're up against a Salford side that has generated some momentum with three wins in five, including victories over Huddersfield and fellow play-off chasers Hull FC. 

The last time these two teams met, the game ended in a 16-16 draw at Salford, indicating how closely matched they are, but with home advantage, I fancy Hull to edge this one and get their play-off challenge back on track. 

Total Odds for this multiple: 12.87n/a Remember, multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

2014 Cross Sport Multiple P/L

Staked: 57 pts
Returned: 65.03 pts
2014 P/L: + 8.03 pts