Tipster: Stanley

Algarve Open de Portugal

Matchup plays (1pt):

Jamie Donaldson to beat Nick Dougherty -111 @ Stan James

'Little Nick' has not been the same player since suffering from glandular fever and is opposed here. Donaldson is hardly in the best of form himself, but was 2nd in this event last year and leads Dougherty comfortably h2h over the past year.

(also available at Pinnacle and Sirbet)

Greg Owen to beat James Kingston -125 @ Sportingbet and Sporting Odds

Kingston has now become an established player on the European Tour, but he is still a long way behind Owen in terms of top-10 finishes - which Owen achieved in both of the Middle East events. Owen also has the advantage of course experience and so while this matchup should last the distance, Owen looks the far likelier winner.

(also available at NordicBet, Sirbet and Pinnacle)

Barry Lane to beat Graeme McDowell -111 @ Paddy Power and Ladbrokes

Course advantage is something that Lane has over McDowell, but there is also the issue of form. Whereas Lane has made five of six cuts this year, McDowell has only made three of six, with just two of 18 rounds under 70. No surprise that Lane holds a comfortable 14-5-3 h2h lead over McDowell over the past year.

Adding (1pt):

Soren Hansen to beat Brad Kennedy -110 @ Bet365

In events in Europe and the Middle East, Hansen leads Kennedy 3-0-0 h2h; it is only in the Southern Hemisphere that Kennedy has finished ahead of Hansen. While the Australian did finish 2nd last week, he will surely suffer from a 'what might have been' hangover this week. He missed out on a playoff by one shot, yet signed for an 8 on the last hole of his 3rd round, yet only took 7 shots.

(also available at Ladbrokes)

Final update: 1-1-0; -0.11pts

Donaldson/Dougherty VOID (Donaldson dns)

Owen/Kingston VOID (Kingston dns)

Lane/McDowell LOST by 5
Hansen/Kennedy WON by 5

Small loss on the matchups and thankful for that. Two matches were voided, but could have been much worse. Dougherty finished in the top-25 and Owen missed the cut by a large margin.

Tipster: Shaker

Algarve Open de Portugal

Matchup play (3 pts):

Raphael Jacquelin to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez +100 @ Paddy Power and SkyBet
Barring the fact that Jacquelin is still a maiden on tour, I do not in any way see him as an inferior player to Jimenez and with the consistency angle also speaking in his favour this year I have to fancy him in this matchup as outsider. Throw in the superior course form (when Jacquelin was nowhere near the player he is now) as well and we have more than enough reasons for a bet.
 

                 

Final update: 0-1; -3 pts

Jacquelin/Jimenez LOST by 11

On the first occasion I have ever supported him there was no sign of the good results Jacquelin has come up with this season.