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Football
Two of the three sides that many predicted would be playing Championship football next season meet at Fratton Park on Saturday lunchtime. The main surprise here is that Burnley look by far the team most likely to retain their top flight status although with their away form being pretty dire this could be a vital win for Portsmouth at 17/20.
Man City can’t seem to buy a win at the moment and after an astonishing seven consecutive Premier League draws it gets no easier on Saturday as Chelsea are the visitors. Considering the ruthless way they dispatched Arsenal on Sunday Chelsea should, once again, be good enough here.
Three points above the relegation zone in 16th place was not where Everton fans were hoping to find themselves at this stage of the campaign and David Moyes’ side will have to improve significantly to get anything from a Spurs side who were unlucky not to take all three points from Villa Park last time out. Spurs are a good value 13/8.
Celtic and Rangers continue to limp through the Scottish Premier League season with neither showing anything approaching consistent form. Rangers went down 1-0 at Aberdeen last week although should be able to eke out a result against bottom side Falkirk on Saturday. Hamilton can go level on points with Hearts if they beat the Jam Tarts on Sunday.
In the European leagues, Barcelona travel to Deportivo on Saturday whilst rivals Real Madrid host Almeria. Third plays first in Serie A on Saturday when Juventus host Inter Milan.
Football Betting
Golf
There’s a strong local representation in this weekend’s Australian Open with Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Stuart Appleby amongst the favourites for the title. The New South Wales Golf Club hosts this year’s event and with Aussies having won ten of the last eleven events picking a local might well be profitable. Peter Lonard is 45/1 to win back the title he won in 2002 and 2003.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City claims to be ‘Africa’s Major’ and European number two Rory McIlroy is the star attraction this weekend. Swede Henrik Stenson looked in good form at the World Cup last week and he is 5/1 to retain the title he won by nine shots in 2008.
Tiger Woods has other things to worry about than hosting his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge this weekend which features twelve of the world’s top twenty players in an eighteen strong field. European number one Lee Westwood is the 13/2 favourite.
Golf Betting
Tennis
After the surprises at the ATP World Tour Finals last weekend, the tennis season draws to a close at the Palau St Jordi in Barcelona this weekend with the Davis Cup final between Spain and the Czech Republic.
A strong Spain team featuring David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez are 1/6 favourites to become the first nation to retain the title since Sweden in 1998.
The Czech Republic ousted a talented Croatia side in the semi-finals and can call on the experience of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych in Barcelona this weekend.
Tennis Betting
Rugby Union
After the thrills and spills of the autumn internationals, the domestic tournaments will once again be the focus this weekend. Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens should be able to consolidate their league position with a win over Sale whilst second place London Irish should enjoy a comfortable home win over Worcester.
Northampton host Bath and Leicester Tigers have a tricky looking away trip to Wasps on Sunday.
Only two points separate second to seventh in the Magners League after seven games and so there is everything to play for. The two leading Irish sides both travel to Wales this weekend with Munster looking to improve their recent league form with victory at the Ospreys whilst leaders Leinster travel to the Newport-Gwent Dragons on Sunday.
Rugby Union Betting
Cricket
England hold a 2-1 win going into the final one day international with South Africa in Durban on Friday looking to complete an unexpected series win. James Anderson was the hero in Port Elizabeth as England cruised to victory with eighteen overs to spare.
It would give the visitors a huge boost to get one over on the Proteas in advance of the upcoming Test series and on recent evidence there is no reason to believe that England cannot close out this series on Friday. Even defeat in Durban would tie the series at 2-2 which is an excellent result for Andrew Strauss’ side against a quality one-day outfit.
Cricket Betting
Horse Racing
The Tingle Creek is one of the traditional highlights of the jump season - a two mile race with a great pedigree. The 7/4 ante post favourite is Big Zeb with Twist Magic available at 7/2 and Well Chief at 4/1.
There’s a great supporting card at Sandown for the Tingle Creek including the London National Chase which often gives clues to both the Welsh National and Grand National. The Henry VIII Novices Chase precedes the Tingle Creek.
Horse Racing Betting
