Massa calm over form

Felipe Massa has refused to accept he is feeling the pressure after another run of poor results left the Brazilian’s future at Ferrari once again being brought in for question.

After a promising start to the season, Massa’s year has again descended into mediocrity following a string of poor results, casting major doubt over whether he will be offered another extension at the end of his current contract when this season finishes. Indeed, punters who bet on f1 are predicting Massa will leave the team at the end of the year.

Since finishing on the podium at the Spanish GP in early May, Massa has scored just 12 points and crashed at least once during the four subsequent race weekends - including race-ending accidents in Monaco and the Nurburgring in Germany.

Massa's was only handed a one-year contract extension last year after a pretty dismal season, but Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo made clear after the last race in Germany that the Brazilian retained their "total confidence" and they were in no rush to reach a decision over his future.

But that hasn’t stopped speculation linking a series of drivers with Massa’s seat in the Ferrari.

"I know what I have to do. I'm just concentrating on good results. I need to improve a little bit my consistency - just finish the race, that's the most important thing, but I’m not feeling any more pressure than usual,” insisted Massa.

"The pace is there so I'm not worried because I showed in most of the races to be honest [on] the pace. Things have happened not to finish the race and we just need to concentrate and try to keep the pace and just finish the race. I know if nothing strange happens I will finish in a good position.”

Despite Ferrari backing their man, the formula 1 betting suggests Massa’s time with the Italian team is coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Sturridge’s Sad End to a Good Season

If you’d asked Daniel Sturridge at the start of the season he’d be firing in goals for Liverpool and starting for England he’d probably have laughed in your face.

What a difference nine months make, as the Reds striker made his first international start on Wednesday night having finished off the season with six goals in five games. Sturridge really has impressed this season and his obvious talents that were going to waste at Chelsea have been depended upon for goals at Anfield.

Alongside Luis Suarez the pair have proven a formidable striking unit for Liverpool and next season, should both stay on Merseyside, football betting fans can expect them to challenge for a top-four place.

What a pity it was, therefore, that the young forward’s season ended in frustration as Sturridge was carried off with an ankle strain just half-an-hour into his full international debut.

It was an innocuous challenge that saw him go down but, after a quick check-up by medical staff on Wednesday night, it was clear he wouldn’t be on the plane to Brazil, a match that could prove taxing for England.

So Sturridge now has the summer off to rest his swollen foot and get ready for the new season ahead. Much will be expected from this sprightly 23-year-old and he has the backing of the Anfield kop to go forward with zealous next term.

Liverpool have already brought in defender Kolo Toure while they’ve agreed a £6m fee for Celta Vigo hitman Iago Aspas, so clearly Brendan Rodgers is looking to move this club up a level. Yet they remain reliant on Sturridge and Suarez to win games each week and this situation won’t change.

It’s a long way away from warming the bench at Chelsea and Sturridge should be proud of his successful transition to a new club this season. Next term will be even tougher, however, and the England forward must be ready to step up.

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Fowler Closing in on major success

Rickie Fowler returns to the scene of a nightmare this weekend as he plays in the Memorial Tournament, a year on from his final-round meltdown in which he carded a staggering 84.

The American was all set to vie for the title heading into that Sunday 12 months ago but crumpled under the pressure, finishing the round 12 over and tied 52nd overall. It was a bad day in the office and Fowler knows it, but he is unlikely to suffer the same fate this year.

In fact, golf betting fans have Fowler down as a strong outside favourite for the Memorial Tournament as well as the US Open and Open Championship later this summer. He’s slumped in form of late – missing the cut at the Players Championship and finishing tied 38th in the Masters – yet has the class to turn it around.

That was proven in his first three rounds at the Memorial Tournament last year where he’d bogeyed just seven holes, birdying 10 with an Eagle to sit comfortably on five under. He even made a birdie on the first the following Sunday, yet a shocking six on the par-three third ruined all momentum.

It was a freak occurrence and betting fans can be assured it won’t happen again, so this weekend should he be in contention he’ll stay in contention.

The same can be said for Fowler’s future exploits at the US Open. Many Open Golf Betting Odds markets have him down at a good price to claim either major this summer and Fowler shouldn’t disappoint.

He’s 24 now and ready to start challenging at the top, despite a single PGA Tour victory, and he is worth a small bet this summer as he comes out of a spring slump in form.

Rickie Fowler is currently an each-way selection for the Memorial Tournament with Betfair.