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Football Betting
The FA Cup returns this weekend with three of the favourites facing lower league opposition in round Four.
Darren Ferguson has a baptism of fire in just his second match as Preston manager as Chelsea are the visitors to Deepdale on Saturday. Leeds United’s reward for their win over Manchester United in round Three is a trip to Spurs, although I expect Harry Redknapp’s side to be too strong for the League One outfit at 3/10.
On Sunday, Stoke host Arsenal in an intriguing tie before Manchester City look to continue their good recent cup form with a victory over Championship strugglers Scunthorpe United.
There is one match in the Premier League and Manchester United are 1/6 to see off Hull City at Old Trafford.
In Scotland, Motherwell host St Mirren and Dundee United travel to Falkirk. Celtic need to start winning matches to close the nine point gap on rivals Rangers and so will expect a good performance at St Johnstone on Sunday.
In Spain, Barcelona take their five point lead at the top of La Liga to Valladolid whilst Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Athletic Bilbao with a win over Malaga. Improving Atletico Madrid travel to Getafe and Sevilla host Almeria.
It is one of Europe’s biggest club matches on Sunday evening as Inter take on local rivals AC Milan at the San Siro. AC are in good form and can close the gap at the top to three points with a win here. Ronaldinho scored a hat-trick last time out and so is excellent value in the goalscorer markets.
Sunday sees the African Cup of Nations reach the quarter final stage. Hosts Angola play Ghana and the Ivory Coast face Algeria.
Golf Betting
After two South African tournaments, the Race to Dubai starts in earnest this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships. Leading European players including Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and last year’s winner Paul Casey will all start their 2010 campaign over €400,000 behind current Race leader Charl Schwartzl.
I also like the chances of Henrik Stenson at 16/1 to get his season off to a flyer.
Ryan Palmer’s win in Hawaii last weekend shot him to the top of the FedEx cup standings and the American is in action again this weekend at the Bob Hope Classic at the Silver Rock resort. Mike Weir, Justin Leonard and Justin Rose lead the ante-post betting.
Cricket Betting
Australia’s twelfth consecutive Test win over Pakistan equalled a world record of wins over the same opposition last weekend and Ricky Ponting’s side will be hoping for more success in the one day series.
The Aussies host Mohammed Yousuf’s side in Brisbane on Friday and in Sydney on Sunday.
For those looking for five-day action, the Second Test between India and Bangladesh gets under way in Dhaka on Sunday.
Rugby Betting
With one game to go in the Heineken Cup pool stages there are six quarter final places up for grabs with only Toulouse and Biarritz assured of their place in the knockout stage.
11/4 favourites Munster host Northampton in the pick of the weekend’s clashes with the Saints still hoping to top Pool 1. Even a defeat might see Jim Mallinder’s side progress as one of the best ’second place’ teams. Pool 3 is a tight affair with Leicester able to secure top spot with a win at the Ospreys. Our tip Clermont Auvergne will also be in contention with an easy looking game against hapless Viadana.
Stade Francais will win Pool 4 and continue their march towards a potential ‘home’ final with a win over Edinburgh. London Irish’s disappointing second half capitulation to the Scarlets may well have cost them their chance in Pool 6 and the Exiles have to beat reigning champions Leinster, score a bonus point and deny the visitors a bonus to top the group. It is a tall order.
Tennis Betting
The first Grand Slam event of the calendar continues at Melbourne Park this weekend as the Australian Open reaches the half way stage. As ever, there have been shocks already with the departure of seeds Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and Robin Soderling in the early stages.
Our tip Nikolay Davydenko looks in imperious form in the men’s event which he will be looking to maintain into the second week.
Horse Racing Betting
The feature race at Leopardstown this Sunday in the Irish Champion Hurdle and it promises to be a fine race with the likes of Solwhit, Celestial Halo and Sublimity in action.
There’s a strong card at Ascot this Saturday including the Clarence House Chase. This is a Grade One event and will feature a thoroughly competitive field of quick chasers, many of them being aimed at the Champion Chase in March. Twist Magic will contest favouritism with the likes of Petit Robin and Well Chief.
At Haydock the highlight is the Champion Hurdle Trial which is also a good pointer for Cheltenham. There is also a graded Novices Chase and Novices Hurdle.
