Alright, sports fanatics, it's time to get our minds off that fruitless diet plan for a moment and focus on the real juice: the State of Origin's second game in the best-of-3 series. We've got the New South Wales Blues squaring off against the Queensland Maroons. Get out your notepads.
New South Wales, after laying an egg in game 1, has scrambled to make some changes, which include welcoming back Dylan "Energizer Bunny" Edwards from his injury vacation and sliding in Latrell Mitchell to fill the gaping hole left by Joseph Suaalii's early exit. On the other end of the spectrum, we've got the Queensland Maroons, who, unfortunately, have to wave goodbye to the impressively impactful Selwyn Cobbo due to injury. They've replaced him with Kurt Capewell, let's just hope he’s not just a cape but Superman himself.
When we flash towards the history pages of these teams, the Maroons, no doubt, enjoy a healthy winning dose. It's equivalent to a mint chocolate chip ice cream on a hot summer afternoon, while New South Wales has been languishing, not unlike that forgotten fruitcake from last Christmas. Whether it's the heat of the regular season or the intense pressure of the playoffs, the Maroons have typically come out shining.
Now, icing this State of Origin cake is our venue - the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground. Interestingly, New South Wales Blues has managed to win a solid 67% of games on neutral grounds since 2012. That's like working out seven days a week and refusing any savings on calorie. A noble, but let's just say... suspicious effort.
So where do our bets lay? It's a bit like trying to pick the number of sprinkles on that sundae you're no doubt considering. New South Wales might have shuffled their deck, but can they pull out the Aces against a Maroons outfit that’s been dealing Royal Flushes game after game? The smart money would say not. But hey, it's your money, I ain't gonna tell you where to put it. I’m just here for my love of sports, waffles, and awkward analogies.
Bet smart, bet safe, and remember: don't do what I would do.
Albert’s Prediction: Queensland Maroons by 7