After one of the most unpredictable Superleague seasons in years finished with a Grand Final win for the Leeds Rhinos, it promises to be another intriguing campaign. A new sponsor, six new coaches and seven new captains hint at a potential change in the pecking order, but will it be the same sides dominating once again?

The big four

Leeds Rhinos were 9/2 third favourites to win the Grand Final at the start of last season, although half way through the season you’d have been able to pretty much pick your odds. The Rhinos struggled for much of the campaign finishing the regular season 13 points behind eventual Shield winners Warrington Wolves.

However, the Rhinos peaked at the right time beating three of the top four sides on their way to a fourth Grand Final success in five years.

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Darrell Griffin comes in from Huddersfield and Richard Moore from the Crusaders but, as with last year, I can’t see Brian McDermott’s side being good enough to win the regular season. Leeds have typically performed excellently in the play-offs and so I prefer the 5/1 against a Grand Final win than the 13/2 available on a regular season triumph.

I tipped Warrington Wolves at 3/1 last season to finish on top of the league and Tony Smith’s side certainly didn’t disappoint. It was the Wolves best Superleague campaign to date and only a narrow 26-24 semi-final defeat to eventual winners Leeds Rhinos stopped the Wire from reaching their first ever Grand Final.

Changes have been kept to a minimum. Although the Wolves have lost the talismanic Matt King to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Trent Waterhouse has joined from NRL side Penrith Panthers and Stefan Ratchford has sealed a move to the Halliwell Jones from Salford.

If the Wolves can hold their nerve in the play-offs this could be an historic season. They are 2/1 to win the regular season and 11/4 to win the Grand Final.

Many people expected Wigan Warriors to build on their dominant performance in Superleague XV last season but the reigning champions came unstuck in the play-offs with two defeats to old rivals St Helens.

The Warriors are 5/2 to win the regular season in 2012 and much will depend on new coach Shaun Wane. Wane steps up having been Mike Maguire’s assistant although the new boss has managed to tie Sam Tomkins into a long term deal, ending speculation he would follow his brother Joel into rugby union.

St Helens must wonder what they need to do to lift the Grand Final trophy. Despite winning the regular season four times between 2006 and 2008, the Saints have lost the last five Grand Finals including four to the Rhinos after last season’s 32-16 reverse.

Saints are set for their first season at their new home Langtree Park and will be keen to make their new home a fortress. Coach Royce Simmons has lost key players including Kyle Eastmond, Leon Pryce and James Graham although he has picked up three players from the NRL in the shape of Lance Hohaia, Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Flanagan.

Could a sixth consecutive Grand Final appearance be on the cards? It’s 10/3 that the Saints end six years of hurt by finally winning in 2012.

The challengers

It’s tough to look beyond the big four this season but the one surprise could come in the form of the Catalans Dragons. Under Trent Robinson, the Dragons finished 5th in 2011 and thrashed Hull in the play-offs before being comprehensively outplayed by Wigan.

Robinson has brought in Leon Pryce from St Helens and Louis Anderson from Warrington and the Dragons are a decent each way bet at 20/1.

Huddersfield Giants finished fourth last season but having lost eleven players, repeating that achievement could be a tall order. There have been lots of changes at Hull who should seal a play-off place, while Bradford Bulls will finally be looking to end a period in the doldrums by making the end of season matches.

Verdict

It promises to be a fascinating season and after their excellent performances in Superleague XVI, I would like to see Warrington finally break through and take the title. The Wolves are 2/1 to win the regular season title where I expect their main challengers to be St Helens - assuming they can quickly settle into their new home.

Rugby League Betting

What better way for England and Scotland to open their Six Nations campaigns than with the 119th Calcutta Cup match? The old rivals meet at Murrayfield on Saturday with the home side desperate to avenge their narrow defeat at last year’s World Cup.
So, can Scotland win the Cup for the first time since 2008 or can a new look England get their 2012 off to a flyer?

Scotland looking to beat ‘arrogant’ England

The two old rivals met as recently as last October when England ended Scotland’s proud record of qualifying for every World Cup quarter final. It was a tough match in Auckland with England eventually prevailing 16-12 thanks to a 78th minute Chris Ashton try.
A war of words has already begun between the sides with Scotland coach Andy Robinson commenting that England had shown ‘arrogance’ during their World Cup encounter. The Daily Telegraph reports that ‘Robinson and his players were upset by England’s behaviour during and after the game, with the Scotland head coach admitting he cited Delon Armitage for a dangerous tackle in the game as a result.’

Scotland have been gradually improving over recent years although it is worth remembering that they have only beaten England three times since 1992 - but all those wins have come at Murrayfield.

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A new look England looking to improve

Interim coach Stuart Lancaster wasted no time in stamping his mark on the squad by naming nine uncapped players in his elite 32 man Six Nations pool.

As well as the retirements of Jonny Wilkinson, Steve Thompson and captain Lewis Moody, Lancaster also discarded a host of experienced players including Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto, Riki Flutey and Nick Easter.

Lancaster has included the likes of Scarlets number eight Ben Morgan, Saracens back Owen Farrell and Wasps hooker Rob Webber in his squad and the coach clearly is hoping to develop some of the younger players into a team that can compete for the next World Cup in 2015.

In the short-term England also have to deal with injuries to influential players such as Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Wood and so it is likely to be a very new look side that starts Saturday’s match.

Verdict

This is a tough match to call. England have held the upper hand over their rivals for most of the last two decades and are slight favourites to kick off their Six Nations campaign with a win.

However, it will be a tough job for Stuart Lancaster to incorporate so many ‘new’ players in such a short time and to stamp his style of play on the side. It may well take some time for the team to gel and for the coach to establish a settled XV.

A settled side is exactly what Scotland have and their gradual improvement took them within a few minutes of a win over England in New Zealand last autumn. You can back Scotland with a 3 point start at 10/11 and considering that it is a transitional period for England, Andy Robinson’s side can run their rivals close.

Scotland v England Betting

Six Nations Matches

They were two of the most attractive teams in last autumn’s World Cup and both Wales and Ireland made plenty of friends in New Zealand for their style of play and their excellent results.
Wales edged the meeting in October but the pair meet again on Sunday in their first Six Nations match of 2012. It promises to be a great game.

Ireland trust experience in 2012

After a mediocre Six Nations showing in 2011, little was expected from Ireland in their World Cup campaign. However, the Irish were terrific throughout, epitomised by their excellent 15-6 win over Australia at Eden Park. Ireland were eventually beaten 22-10 by this weekend’s opponents but only after impressing many with their style.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has stayed loyal to the men that played at the World Cup including Gordon D’Arcy, Paddy Wallace and Eoin Reddan and named no uncapped players in his core 24 man squad. Brian O’Driscoll will miss the tournament with a shoulder injury and so Paul O’Connell will captain the Irish team.

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Wales looking to continue their great World Cup form

A questionable referring decision arguably cost Wales their chance of a first World Cup final appearance in New Zealand. A red card for inspirational captain Sam Warburton eventually cost Wales the match although they won plenty of plaudits for their approach to the game on their way to the last four.

Wales are justifiably the second favourites for the tournament although they have injury problems going into this game. Prop Gethin Jenkins will miss the tie with a knee injury while Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate are also likely to miss Sunday’s match in Dublin.
Coach Warren Gatland admitted that the absence of key players would be a big loss to the team. He told the BBC: “Gethin is a huge loss for us for potentially the first two games of the tournament. He’s a world class player. He’s got a very good rugby brain and is able to assess things on the field. He’s almost like a coach on the field.

“Rhys was probably the find, if not the best, fly-half at the World Cup. He really does fit the type of game we want to play. His kicking game and vision are excellent. He stretches opposition defences as well because he’s not afraid to run…he will be a big loss for us.”

Verdict

If this match is half as good as their recent World Cup encounter then we’re in for a treat this Sunday.
I actually fancy Ireland to get their tournament up and running with a win. Three of the last four Dublin meetings between the sides have resulted in an Irish win by 15 points or more and so the 10/11 on the home side overcoming the five point handicap looks like great value.

A fully fit Wales side would cause Ireland some problems but I think the loss of Jenkins, Priestland and Lydiate through injury could be critical. It should be an excellent match but in front of a passionate Aviva Stadium crowd, Ireland can start 2012 with a win.

Ireland v Wales Betting

Six Nations Matches

Football

It’s FA Cup fourth round weekend and the main match features two of football’s oldest rivals as Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime. The home side are unbeaten this season in the Premier League but have drawn seven of their eleven games. United seem capable of grinding out results and are 7/4 to make the fifth round. A draw at 11/5 might be the best call.

Liverpool v Man United

Spurs’ priority remains Champions League qualification and so there could be some value in Watford beating Harry Redknapp’s side on Friday evening at 6/1. Fulham are good value at 14/5 to win at struggling Everton while last season’s finalists Stoke should be too good for Derby at 6/5.

Newcastle came a cropper away from home in the FA Cup last season and there will be many tempted by the 3/1 available on Brighton in Saturday’s late kick-off. Sunderland are 4/6 to beat local rivals Middlesbrough on Sunday while Arsenal should beat Aston Villa at 4/7.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting

Golf

After a few weeks in Africa, the European Tour meets up with the cricketers this week as it arrives in Abu Dhabi for the HSBC Golf Championship.

Some of the world’s top golfers are back in action this weekend after their winter break and it promises to be a great event. Rory McIlroy is the 13/2 joint favourite having finished eleventh, fifth, third and second in the last four years. Martin Kaymer is also available at 13/2 having won this tournament in three of the last four years.

According to McIlroy, Tiger Woods is back to 100% fitness and is available at 8/1 while the English pair of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood can both be backed at 12/1.

Phil Mickelson is a three time winner of the Farmer’s Insurance Open and is the 14/1 joint favourite this weekend. Reigning champion Bubba Watson can be backed at 25/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After their heavy defeat in the opening Test, England will be looking to bounce back with a win over Pakistan in the Second Test. The match reaches its climax this weekend (assuming, of course, that England put up a better fight than they did ten days ago).
There’s also a Test match in Napier which finishes on Sunday. New Zealand are 1/4 to beat visitors Zimbabwe.

Cricket Betting

Tennis

The 100th Australian Open reaches its climax this weekend with some intriguing clashes in prospect.

The top four seeds have, as expected, reached the semi-finals in Melbourne although my each way tip for the title, Andy Murray, faces a difficult challenge in overcoming tournament favourite Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer has been in imperious form and the 30 year old could well win his 17th Grand Slam title if he can beat old rival Rafael Nadal in the last four.

Before the tournament I tipped Maria Sharapova at 14/1 and the Russian is now into 10/3 for the title. Reigning champion Kim Clijsters is also available at 10/3 in her last Australian Open while Wimbledon champion and potential world number one Petra Kvitova is the 13/8 favourite.

Tennis Betting

Rugby Union

After last week’s Heineken Cup action, there is more Cup rugby to look forward to this weekend with group stage matches in the LV Cup.

The pick of the weekend’s matches sees the leaders of Pools 1 and 4 go head to head at the Recreation Ground as Bath take on Northampton. Pool 3 leaders Scarlets can consolidate their position with a win over Pool 2 leaders London Irish while Leicester face a tough match at Harlequins.

Gloucester need a win to keep up their excellent recent record in the competition and play the Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The Argento Chase at Cheltenham is a trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is one of several good races at Saturday’s Festival Trials Day. Previous winners include Exotic Dancer and Neptune Collonges and Grand Crus is the 2/1 favourite from Captain Chris and Diamond Harry.

Sunday sees the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle from Leopardstown with Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly the 4/7 favourite.

Elsewhere, there is racing on Saturday from Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Uttoxeter.

Racing Betting

France proved almost everyone wrong by reaching the World Cup Final last autumn and came within a couple of points of winning the tournament for the first time.
The tournament favourites kick off their 2012 Six Nations campaign with a home tie against Italy.

France the favourites for Six Nations glory

France remain one of the enigmas of world sport. On their day they are good enough to beat any side in the world as they showed by defying the odds to see off England and Wales on the way to the World Cup final last autumn.

However, on some days they can be distinctly average as they showed with defeats to unfancied Italy and Tonga in 2011. New coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s job will be to try and bring more consistency to French performances, although the former international has largely kept faith with the squad that narrowly lost to New Zealand in last October’s World Cup final.
Lock Yoann Maestri and centre Wesly Fofana are the only uncapped players in Saint Andre’s thirty man squad and the likes of Imanol Harinordoquy and Thierry Dusautoir are likely to be key.

France won the Grand Slam the last time they faced this set of fixtures and if they can recapture their World Cup form it may be worth a small investment on them at 4/1 to repeat that feat.

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Italy looking to repeat their 2011 heroics

In 32 matches against the French, Italy have only won on two occasions. One was back in 1997 in Grenoble but it is the other that will give the underdogs hope for this match.

Last year’s tournament saw a terrific late fightback from Italy as they beat their rivals 22-21 at the Stadio Flaminio. Mirco Bergamasco kicked five penalties in Italy’s win which was arguably their best ever result in international rugby. This came after another encouraging performance in a narrow defeat to Ireland where only a late drop goal was the difference between the sides.

Jacques Brunel took over from Nick Mallett as coach in November 2011 and has named four uncapped players in his initial 30 man squad for the tournament. Italy have certainly been improving in recent years but whether they are yet good enough to challenge France on their home turf is another question.

Verdict

France remain arguably the best Northern Hemisphere side and should have no trouble winning this match. However, Italy showed last year that they are no pushovers and France are occasionally susceptible to shock defeats as they showed with their defeat to Tonga in October.

France are 10/11 to win the match with a 20 point handicap and, had you backed them at those odds in the last four ties between the sides in France, you’d have won on three occasions.
It all depends which France side turn up on the day, but with players keen to impress the new coach I expect the tournament favourites to win comfortably.

France v Italy Betting

Six Nations Betting

So, after the All Blacks finally won the World Cup for a second time, the attention of the rugby world moves to the Northern Hemisphere for the 118th annual championship featuring Europe’s top teams.

With Friday night matches having been shelved, the Six Nations matches return to their traditional Saturday and Sunday spots for what promises to be an open tournament.

World Cup heroes could be the ones to beat

France reached the World Cup final against most people’s predictions whilst Wales were a questionable refereeing decision away from their first final. So, it’s perhaps no surprise that these two teams are my tips for the 2012 Six Nations title.

France are the 13/8 favourites and have the benefit of welcoming England to the Stade de France in the penultimate week of the tournament. While Phillipe Saint-Andre’s side may not have many years left in them as a unit, they proved in New Zealand that they remain one of the best sides in world rugby and they are certainly the team to beat in 2012.

France open with a home match against Italy and they could well lead the Six Nations from start to finish.

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A series of fine displays by Wales down under means that hopes are high that Warren Gatland’s side can continue their good form into 2012 and win the Six Nations at 11/4. The proud Welsh crowd will be in buoyant mood come the spring and the World Cup semi finalists certainly shouldn’t feat a trip to Dublin in their opening fixture.

The decisive match for Wales could be at Twickenham where they will be fancied by many to get a famous win over a transitional England side still bouncing back from the on and off field incidents at the World Cup.

Both France and Wales have the team and form to win the Six Nations in 2012. This means that the final weekend tie when the Welsh welcome Les Bleus to the Millennium Stadium promises to be a cracker and a potential title decider.

The rest of Europe’s finest not likely to be strong enough

England are 9/4 second favourites for the Six Nations but that looks to be more on reputation than current form. Martin Johnson’s departure and the fallout from the World Cup continue to dog English preparations and with many of the old guard retiring or past their peak it promises to be a tough challenge for interim coach Stuart Lancaster.

The likes of Manu Tuilagi, Delon Armitage and Chris Ashton could still offer some hope for England, but the side looks in need of a total overhaul which means that the side are likely to be a work in progress for some time.

Ireland have also lost a number of famous names to retirement and so will also have to blood some young players. On their day, Declan Kidney’s side are a match for anyone as Australia found out at the World Cup, but they don’t look capable of sustaining a Six Nations challenge.

Ireland are 6/1 to win in 2012, but don’t be surprised to see those odds fall if they overcome Wales in their opening match.

Scotland failed to reach the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in 2011 and even the 25/1 against a Scottish Six Nations win won’t tempt many. A positive performance in their opening fixture – the Calcutta Cup tie against England – is a must and I fancy Andy Robinson’s side may even sneak a win in that one. Travelling to Wales and Ireland is a different prospect however, and I can see Scotland struggling.

Italy will once again be looking to avoid the wooden spoon and are 150/1 to win the tournament. Their best chance is to cause an upset in Rome – a change of luck may be brought about by using the Stadio Olimpico instead of the Stadio Flaminio – and their final week match against Scotland could be their chance to avoid a sixth place finish…again.

Rugby Betting

Weekly Betting Tips

Football

There are a couple of belting matches to look forward to this weekend as four of this season’s ‘big five’ meet on Sunday.

First up, Manchester City provide the biggest test of Spurs’ Premier League title credentials so far as the two sides meet at Eastlands. It’s arguably the perfect time to be playing City considering they are missing several key players through injury, suspension and international call-ups. Spurs can take a giant stride towards their first league title in decades with a win at 3/1, but I fancy the home side to prevail at 10/11.

Man City v Spurs

The second big match on Sunday sees Arsenal welcome Manchester United. There’s less rivalry between these two sides than there was in the infamous Battle of the Buffet days and United have held the upper hand in recent meetings. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are 13/8 to win at the Emirates.

Arsenal v Man United

Norwich are excellent value at 9/2 to beat struggling Chelsea at Carrow Road on Saturday while Stoke should be backed at 10/11 to see off West Brom. Wolves are 7/5 to record a vital win over Aston Villa.

Premier League Matches

The African Cup of Nations begins this weekend with the Ivory Coast the clear 6/4 favourites for the title. I fancy Senegal at 11/2 and the Lions are 4/7 to beat Zambia on Saturday.

Football Betting

Golf

There’s a strong local contingent at Fancourt this weekend for the Volvo Golf Champions tournament.

Recent Africa Open winner Louis Oosthuizen is the 5/1 favourite from compatriots Charl Schwartzl, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els. Padraig Harrington had a poor 2011 and can be backed at 20/1 while the young Italian Matteo Manassero could be worth backing at 33/1.

The renamed Humana Challenge is the PGA tour event this week with the tournament having been reduced from 90 holes to a traditional 72 hole competition this year. Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar are the joint 16/1 favourites with Bill Haas available at 20/1. Haas has a good record in this event having won in 2010 and narrowly failing to retain his title in a playoff in 2011.

Golf Betting

Cricket

It was an inauspicious opening day for England as they began their 2012 Test campaign against Pakistan in Dubai. Assuming that the Test runs its course it will run to this weekend with the ‘home’ team looking to take a 1-0 win in the series.

South Africa play Sri Lanka in two further one day internationals; in Kimberley on Friday and in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Cricket Betting

Tennis

Reaching the second week of the Australian Open is the aim of the major seeds in the baking heat of Melbourne this weekend.
Novak Djokovic remains the 6/5 favourite to retain his title, although I like the 5/1 available on Andy Murray who has been beaten in the final in each of the last two years.

The women’s tournament is wide open with a dozen potential winners. My tip before the tournament was Maria Sharapova who is currently available at 14/1 while reigning champion Kim Clijsters can be backed at 8/1.

Tennis Betting

Rugby Union

The last eight for this season’s Heineken Cup will be decided this weekend as the final round of pool matches take place across Europe.

There’s a titanic battle for qualification from pool 2 with both Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues on 17 points. The Blues should beat Racing Metro while Edinburgh face the trickier of the games at home to unpredictable London Irish.

Leinster and Munster have already qualified and so can take things easy against Montpellier and Northampton respectively, although the Saints could still qualify as the best second place team with a good win.

Ulster thumped Leicester last weekend to stay on top of pool 4 although they face a tough trip to my tip for the Cup, Clermont Auvergne, on Saturday. With 19 points already, the Irish side may still qualify even if they lose this tie.

Saracens can book their place in the quarter finals by beating Treviso while Harlequins can join them if they win in Connacht on Friday night. Premiership rivals Gloucester would do the Quins a huge favour by beating their pool 6 challengers Toulouse.

Rugby Betting

Horse Racing

The big race on Saturday is the Victor Chandler Chase over 2 miles at Ascot, won by Master Minded in two of the last three years.
Finian’s Rainbow is the 7/4 favourite this year although is prone to errors which could prove costly in this company. Somersby at 6/1 may be the better bet having finished second to Master Minded in this race last year. Al Ferof is the second favourite at 11/4.

Weather permitting, the other racing this Saturday comes from Haydock Park, Lingfield Park and Wincanton.

Racing Betting

Football

While the FA Cup may have lost some of its magic over recent years, the third round weekend remains one of the most romantic sets of fixtures in the football calendar.

The ties kick off on Friday night as Liverpool welcome Oldham and the Latics are 20/1 to register a shock win at Anfield. There’s a Fylde Coast derby on Saturday as Fleetwood Town welcome Blackpool with the non-league team available at 7/2. Crawley are just 6/4 to beat Championship Bristol City while Cheltenham are 22/1 to beat Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Sunday’s big match sees Manchester City play Manchester United and Roberto Mancini’s side are excellent value at 6/5 to win. Chelsea are 1/6 to beat Portsmouth while Sheffield Wednesday can beat West Ham at 15/8. Sunderland have been in good form since Martin O’Neill took over and can beat Peterborough on Sunday at evens.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting



Golf

Just 25 days after Luke Donald claimed the 2011 Race to Dubai title, the long slog to be crowned Europe’s top golfer starts again this weekend.

There’s a strong local contingent at the Africa Open with reigning champion Louis Oosthuizen the 5/1 favourite to retain the title he won in 2011. Retief Goosen is an 11/1 chance with Thomas Aiken and George Coetzee available at 14/1.

The PGA Tour also gets underway this week with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions – an event restricted to PGA Tour winners from last year.

Nick Watney, Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson are the 8/1 favourites with Bubba Watson available at 16/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After an excellent series, the third Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka climaxes this weekend in Cape Town. The tourists secured an excellent victory in the second Test to level the series although are already up against it with the home side having racked up almost 350 runs on the first day.

Cricket Betting

Tennis

It only seems like a few days since the 2011 season ended at the ATP finals in London but most of the big names are back in action this week.

Roger Federer is the reigning Qatar Open champion and is looking to retain his title in Doha. Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils are also in action in the Middle East.

Andy Murray’s preparations for the Australian Open begin in Queensland where the Scotsman is the favourite to win the Brisbane International tournament on his debut at the event. Gilles Simon, Alexandr Dolgopolov and Tommy Haas are Murray’s closest challengers in the Australian city.

The WTA tour is also in Brisbane this week and Serena Williams is the 2/1 favourite to win 2012’s opening event. Kim Clijsters is available at 11/4 with home hopeful Samantha Stosur a 11/2 chance.

Tennis Betting

Rugby Union

There’s a mouth watering tie to open this weekend’s Aviva Premiership fixtures. League leaders Harlequins travel to Franklin’s Gardens to face Northampton on Friday night and it promises to be a close game. It could go either way but backing the away side with a 6 point head start at 10/11 looks to be the call.

Leicester are improving week by week and are now up to fourth in the table. The Tigers host Wasps on Saturday and should win at a canter. Saracens should beat Bath on Sunday while London Irish can beat Sale by more than 6 points at 10/11.

Leinster remain top of the RaboDirect Pro12 after the festive matches although the leaders face a tricky trip to Cardiff Blues this Saturday. Ospreys are on a good run and can win at local rivals the Dragons while Glasgow are up to third in the table and travel to the Scarlets.

Munster can bounce back from their defeat to Ulster last time out with a comfortable home win over Treviso.

Rugby Betting

Horse Racing

Weather permitting, racing this Saturday comes from Newcastle, Sandown Park, Lingfield Park and Wincanton.

Racing Betting

Football

As ever, there’s a busy football programme over the Christmas weekend. A west London derby kicks off the Boxing Day action in the Premier League as Chelsea host Fulham with the visitors available at a whopping 9/1.

Manchester City are 1/2 to win at West Bromwich Albion while neighbours and title challengers Manchester United have a straightforward looking fixture at home to Wigan Athletic. Stoke City are good value at 10/11 to beat Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium while I also fancy Sunderland to bet Everton at 7/5.

Swansea are excellent value at 6/5 to get the better of QPR on Tuesday while there’s a tempting price of 7/2 on Norwich to beat Tottenham at Carrow Road.

Premier League Matches

There’s also an attractive looking match between two famous old clubs on Tuesday with Sheffield United 8/11 to beat Notts County.
Wednesday sees the Old Firm derby with Celtic 11/10 to beat Rangers. The SPL leaders are 5/2 to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Celtic v Rangers

Football Betting

Cricket

While we may be settling down after our Christmas dinner, there are a couple of festive Test matches this weekend.

Australia have warned former captain Ricky Ponting that he will need to improve his scoring if he is to retain his place and the 36 year old gets his chance as his side take on India in the first Test at the MCG. The match starts on Christmas Day.

The second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka kicks off in Durban on Boxing Day. South Africa won the first Test by a crushing innings and 81 runs and are 4/11 to go 2-0 up in the series.

Cricket Betting

Rugby Union

Domestic rugby returns over the Christmas weekend with some terrific matches in prospect.

The match of the weekend is on Tuesday as Harlequins take on Saracens. The Aviva Premiership leaders have won ten out of ten matches this season but may find it harder against the team in second place. Third play fourth on the same day as surprise package Exeter travel to London Irish.

Northampton should beat Bath on Christmas Eve while Sale will hope to beat rock bottom Newcastle on Boxing Day.

In the RaboDirect Pro12, leaders Leinster can consolidate their position at the top of the table with a win over Ulster on Boxing Day while Munster should beat struggling Connacht. There’s a Scottish derby as fourth place Glasgow travel to Edinburgh and a Welsh derby as Scarlets welcome second place Ospreys.

There are also a couple of fixtures on Christmas Eve as bottom club Aironi play Treviso while Cardiff Blues face the Newport-Gwent Dragons.

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The big race on Boxing Day is the King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton Park. The legendary Kauto Star is bidding to win this race for a record fifth time although the 3/1 chance will have to beat last year’s winner and 11/8 favourite Long Run.
Master Minded is 5/1 while Captain Chris can be backed at 8/1.

Big Zeb is the 8/11 favourite to win the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase at Leopardstown for the third time in four years on Tuesday with Golden Silver and Noble Prince the best of the challengers.

Elsewhere there is racing on Boxing Day from Wetherby, Huntingdon, Ffos Las, Market Rasen, Fontwell, Towcester, Wincanton and Wolverhampton.

Racing Betting

Darts

The second round of the PDC World Darts Championship continues through Christmas.

After some early shocks – the elimination of former champion Raymond van Barneveld, seeds Mark Dudbridge and Jamie Caven and the well fancied Mark Webster there is plenty to play for.

Phil Taylor remains the 4/5 favourite to win his 14th world title with last year’s winner Adrian Lewis available at 6/1. James Wade is an 8/1 chance.

Darts Betting

Football

Manchester City were finally beaten in the Premier League on Monday and Roberto Mancini’s side face another tricky game on Sunday afternoon. They host Arsenal who are on a good run of form although at home City should have enough. The 9/2 on Arsenal will tempt many, though.

Man City v Arsenal

Manchester United are a skinny 1/2 to beat QPR at Loftus Road although I wouldn’t back United at those odds considering they might struggle to get a team out. Darren Fletcher has joined an increasingly long absentee list this week and the 6/1 available on the home side looks way too long.

QPR v Man United

Liverpool are good value at 21/20 to see off Aston Villa on Sunday while I also fancy Stoke to beat struggling Wolves on Saturday at 9/5. Chelsea should beat Wigan at the DW Stadium although the 2/5 doesn’t represent much value.

Premier League Matches

There’s a South coast derby in the Championship on Sunday with Southampton 11/10 to win at Portsmouth. I fancy Ipswich to beat Derby at 11/10 while the league’s form team, Barnsley, are a huge price at 5/1 to win at West Ham.

Football Betting

Golf

While the Race to Dubai may be over, Luke Donald is in action again this weekend. Having become the first golfer to top the money lists in both the USA and Europe in the same season, Donald is the 4/1 favourite to win the JBWere Australian Masters.
Geoff Ogilvy leads the home challenge and can be backed at 9/1 while Ian Poulter is 14/1 and Italian wonderkid Matteo Manassero can be backed at 25/1.

There’s also a strong field at the Thailand Gold Championships this weekend. Lee Westwood is the 9/2 favourite from the in-form Sergio Garcia and Masters champion Charl Schwartzl.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After New Zealand’s thrilling seven run win over Australia in the second Test last weekend there are a couple of Tests to look forward to this weekend.

South Africa are 4/9 to beat Sri Lanka at Centurion while Pakistan are 1/6 to see off Bangladesh in Dhaka. If you fancy the home side to cause an upset you can back them at a tempting 16/1.

Cricket Betting

Rugby Union

The Heineken Cup continues this weekend with several clubs in dire need of a good result.

The Ospreys have reached the knockout stages in the last three years but currently stand second in Pool 5. However, the Welsh team can take control of their pool if they can beat Saracens on Friday night. I fancy the Ospreys to overcome the 3 point handicap and win at 20/11.

Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins’ unbeaten run came to an end last week and it promises to be another tough match as they travel to 2010 champions Toulouse. Leicester Tigers also desperately need a win over my tournament tip Clermont Auvergne at Welford Road.

The top two meet in Pool B and Gavin Henson could make his Cardiff Blues debut as they travel to Edinburgh. Munster can all but seal their quarter final berth with a won over the Scarlets while I expect Leinster to comfortably see off Bath.

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The highlight of Saturday’s racing comes from Ascot with the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle. There’s only one winner according to the bookies who have the magnificent Big Buck’s as the 2/7 favourite to make it a hat-trick of wins in this race. Dynaste is available at 6/1 with Celestial Halo a 10/1 chance.

Prospect Wells is the 7/1 ante-post for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle from Brampour and Gibb River.

Elsewhere there is racing on Saturday from Haydock Park, Lingfield Park and Newcastle.

Racing Betting