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

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

Football

The big game in the Premier League is on Monday night as Manchester City take their unbeaten league record to Chelsea. Andre Villas-Boas’ side have continued to struggle in the league although they will be buoyed by their win at Newcastle last time out. City look a cut above the London side, though, and should be backed at 7/4.

Chelsea v Man City

Manchester United can keep up the pressure with a win over struggling Wolves at 1/5 while I fancy Martin O’Neill to inspire Sunderland to a win over Blackburn at 5/6. Arsenal should beat Everton at 4/7 while Stoke are excellent value to beat high flying Spurs at 5/2 in Sunday afternoon’s match.

Premier League Matches

The Glasgow clubs play the Edinburgh clubs in the Scottish Premier League this weekend. Rangers are 1/2 to win at Hibernian while Celtic are 1/3 to beat Hearts.

It’s also arguably the biggest match in club football on Saturday as Real Madrid play Barcelona in El Clasico. Real are 7/5 to win and open up a potentially unassailable six point lead in the La Liga title race. If you fancy the away team to prove their class you can back Barca at 15/8.

Real Madrid v Barcelona

Football Betting

Golf

The race to be crowned Europe’s top golfer comes to a climax this weekend at the season ending Dubai World Championship.

Luke Donald is bidding to be the first player in history to top the money lists of the European Tour and the PGA Tour and leads the Race to Dubai with €3,856,394. Donald is 11/1 to win but looked strangely out of sorts in South Africa last week.

The only man who can overhaul Donald is Rory McIlroy who kept his chances alive after his win in Hong Kong last weekend. McIlroy is 5/1 to end his excellent season with a win. Martin Kaymer can separate the two in the Race to Dubai and is available at 14/1 while Lee Westwood hit the best round of his career last weekend (a ten under par 62) as he retained his Nedbank Golf Challenge. Westwood is the 11/2 second favourite in Dubai.

Golf Betting

Cricket

Australia won their opening Test match against New Zealand by 9 wickets last weekend and take on their local rivals in the second Test in Hobart this weekend. Michael Clarke’s side are 8/13 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

The first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Chittagong begins on Friday and India play West Indies in their fifth one day international in Chennai on Sunday.

Cricket Betting

Rugby Union

Domestic rugby once again takes a break this weekend as the third round of Heineken Cup matches take place across Europe.

The pick of the matches is in Pool 1 where leaders Scarlets welcome Munster. It promises to be an excellent match in Llanelli and I’d just favour the visitors at 10/11. The top two in Pool 2 also meet this weekend and Cardiff Blues should beat Edinburgh on Friday night.

Leinster are good value to beat Bath by more than four points at 10/11 while I like Leicester’s chances of beating Clermont Auvergne with a seven point start at 10/11. Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins face a tricky match against the tournament second favourites Toulouse.

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The highlight of Saturday’s racing comes from Cheltenham. The December Gold Cup is a Class 1, Grade 3 steeple-chase over a distance of 2m 5f with the horses taking on seventeen fences. Open to horses aged four and above, Ghizao is the 6/1 ante-post favourite although there is bound to be plenty of money on the topically named Quantitativeeasing at 7/1.

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

Racing Betting

The 17th Heineken Cup kicked off last weekend with all the thrills, spills and drama we’ve come to expect from Europe’s leading club competition. The favourites got off to a winning start whilst the reigning champions managed a last gasp equaliser with the last kick of their game.

What can we expect in the second round of matches this weekend?

Irish sides looking to record wins

Only a last minute penalty from Jonathan Sexton secured reigning champions Leinster a draw in Montpellier last weekend and the Irish side will have to perform better to retain the trophy they won in May. They have a chance to record their first win of this campaign this weekend as they take on Glasgow who had an impressive win against Bath on Sunday.

Leinster should win, but the 17 point start underestimates the visitors. I’d back Glasgow (+17.0) at 10/11.

Leinster v Glasgow

[image]

Munster also had their number 10 to thank last time out. Ronan O’Gara’s last minute drop kick gave the 2008 champions a narrow and arguably undeserved win over last season’s beaten finalists Northampton although I fancy they will have it easier this weekend.
They travel to Castres and I like the 10/11 about them winning by more than 1 point.

Castres v Munster

English sides looking to consolidate after opening wins

I tipped Leicester to overcome the handicap last weekend although the Tigers made hard work of their 28-12 win over Aironi. A sterner challenge faces them this weekend at Welford Road as they welcome Ulster.

The 1999 champions secured an excellent win over one of my tips for the trophy – Clermont Auvergne – last Saturday but I think the Tigers will be too strong this time out.

Leicester v Ulster

Harlequins kept up their excellent start to the season with a hard fought 25-17 win over debutants Connacht but it gets much more difficult for the Aviva Premiership leaders this Saturday. They travel to rivals Gloucester in Pool 6 and with Toulouse also in the group, only a win for either side is likely to be good enough.

Gloucester v Harlequins

Saracens kicked off their campaign with a convincing 42-17 win over Benetton Treviso and, in doing so, equalled their win record for the whole of 2010/11’s pool stage. Biarritz are their opponents this weekend and the 2010 runners-up should have more than enough to win this one. Back the French side (-3.0) at 10/11.

Biarritz v Saracens

Welsh teams off to a flying start

As I said last week, the Ospreys have been the model of consistency over recent seasons reaching the quarter final in each of the last three Heineken Cups. After their excellent 28-21 win over Biarritz last weekend, the Welsh side can consolidate their position at the top of the pool 5 table with a win in Treviso and should be backed at 10/11 to overcome the nine point handicap.

Benetton Treviso v Ospreys

The Scarlets also got their campaign off to a winning start by beating Castres but face a tricky challenge on Friday. They travel to Franklin’s Gardens to face 2011 runners-up Northampton and the Saints should win this.

Northampton v Scarlets

Cardiff Blues also top their pool after an excellent 26-20 win at Racing Metro and I fancy the Welsh side to see off London Irish, also on Friday night.

Cardiff Blues v London Irish

Heineken Cup Betting

Football

The Premier League returns this weekend with a couple of interesting matches that pit promoted sides against the title hopefuls.
Norwich City have acquitted themselves well since their return to the top flight and Paul Lambert’s side welcome Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off. Arsene Wenger’s team are on a good run of form although many will be tempted by the Canaries at 4/1.

Norwich v Arsenal

Swansea also look comfortable amongst the Premier League big boys and they welcome Manchester United to the Liberty Stadium. Again, the 13/2 available on the home side looks tempting against a United side who have looked ragged of late.

Swansea v Man United

Manchester City are 1/3 to end Newcastle United’s unbeaten start to the season while Chelsea are excellent value at 4/5 to see off Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Man City v Newcastle

Chelsea v Liverpool

Premier League Matches

There’s a great looking match in La Liga on Saturday evening and Valencia should be backed at 11/2 to beat Real Madrid at the Mestalla. If Mourinho’s men do lose this game, we’ll refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles!

Valencia v Real Madrid

Football Betting

Tennis

The season ending ATP World Tour Finals heads to London again this weekend as the top eight players in man’s tennis go head to head for the final prize of the year.

The in-form Roger Federer is the man to beat this year with the former world number one having won five of the last eight World Tour finals. The Swiss player opens his campaign against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday and is available at 7/4 to win the tournament. Last year’s runner-up Rafael Nadal plays Mardy Fish in Sunday’s second match.

Novak Djokovic’s season isn’t ending as strongly as it began, but the 2008 winner looks good value at 4/1 considering his group includes Andy Murray, Thomas Berdych and David Ferrer.

Tennis Betting

Golf

The European Tour is in South Africa this week for the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Pablo Martin is looking to join an elite group of players who have won a European Tour event in three consecutive years and the Spaniard is 28/1 to retain the trophy he won in 2009 and 2010. Thomas Aiken is the 12/1 favourite at Leopard’s Creek.

The Presidents Cup sees the best golfers from the USA and the Rest of the World (minus Europe) go head to head in a Ryder Cup format. Two strong teams will be in Melbourne this weekend and the two sides can’t be separated in the betting.

The US team boasts nine of the world’s top 20 golfers including Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, the in-form Webb Simpson and Phil Mickelson and so I’d be tempted to back the ‘away’ team at 10/11.

Golf Betting

Cricket

It’s not very often we get to snigger at the exploits of Australia in Test cricket, but their second innings total of 47 against South Africa in their eight wicket defeat would have raised a smile amongst many international cricket fans.

The fact that John Daly scored more on one hole of the Australian Open golf than any Australian batsman managed in the second innings tells its own story, and Michael Clarke’s side have the chance to make amends in the second Test which concludes this weekend.

South Africa v Australia

Elsewhere, it’s 1-1 in the one day series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka heading into two further internationals on Friday and Sunday.

Cricket Betting

Rugby League

England’s excellent 28-6 win over world champions New Zealand last weekend means that they will face the mighty Australia in this Saturday’s Four Nations final.

Australia won the fixture between the two sides by 16 points a fortnight ago, but England should be closer this time after some encouraging performances. It promises to be a great match at Elland Road and I’d back the home side with a 12 point start at 10/11.

England v Australia

Rugby League Betting

Rugby Union

After an intriguing first set of fixtures, the 17th Heineken Cup continues this weekend.

Jonathan Sexton’s last minute penalty rescued a draw for Leinster at Montpellier last weekend and the reigning champions should kick-start their campaign with a win over Glasgow. However, I fancy the Scottish side on the handicaps with a 17 point start at 10/11.

Leinster v Glasgow

Munster travel to Castres while Ulster have a tricky away tie at Welford Road as they face Leicester Tigers.
I fancy Biarritz to overcome their three point handicap to beat Saracens while the Ospreys can win by more than nine points in Treviso at 10/11. Northampton should prove too strong for the Scarlets while the Cardiff Blues can make it two wins out of two with victory over London Irish on Friday night.

Heineken Cup Matches

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The highlight of Saturday’s racing comes from Haydock Park where there are some well-known runners in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over three miles. Long Run is the clear 5/6 favourite while 2006, 2007 and 2009 winner Kauto Star is available at 7/1.

Ascot hosts the Coral Hurdle on Saturday and the Nicky Henderson trained six year old Oscar Whisky is the 6/4 favourite. Paul Nicholls’ 2008 Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo is available at 5/1.

Elsewhere there is racing on Saturday from Huntingdon, Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton.

Racing Betting

The 17th Heineken Cup gets under way this weekend as 24 teams from across the continent begin their challenge for the biggest price in European club rugby.

The action starts on Friday night with some intriguing fixtures involving some of the tournament underdogs and a couple of the Cup favourites.

[image]

Leicester Tigers should get off to a comfortable start

It hasn’t been the best season so far for the Leicester Tigers although the 2011 and 2002 champions should get off to an easy start as they travel to Italy to face Aironi Rugby on Saturday.

Losing most of their first choice team to the World Cup didn’t help the Tigers and they squandered a 24-7 lead last weekend against London Irish at Welford Road. However, Richard Cockerill’s side have a good record in the Heineken Cup reaching the quarter finals last year, the semi final the year before and the final the season before that.

Aironi struggled amongst Europe’s big boys on their Heineken Cup debut in 2010, losing five of their six pool games. They are the lowest ranked team in the tournament and so I expect Leicester to win this one comfortably. Back the Tigers to overcome the 14 point handicap at 10/11.

Aironi Rugby v Leicester

Cardiff Blues and Clermont Auvergne can secure vital away wins

Cardiff Blues kick off their Heineken Cup campaign on Friday night and can get off to a winning start in a tricky away fixture at Racing Metro.

Metro returned to the top flight of French rugby two seasons ago although they struggled on their Heineken Cup debut last season. The Top 14 side won just two matches and they are the second lowest ranked of all the teams in this season’s tournament.
The Blues are one of the top seeded teams and have an excellent record in European competitions over the last four years. The Welsh side reached the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2009 before winning the European Challenge Cup in 2010 and should have the pedigree to see off their French challengers.

Racing Metro v Cardiff Blues

Clermont Auvergne have been one of the most consistent sides in French rugby over the last few seasons and my tip for the 2011 Heineken Cup can open their campaign with a win in Ulster on Saturday afternoon. The 2010 Top 14 winners haven’t finished outside the top four in the last five seasons and were unlucky to be eliminated at the pool stage last season.
Last season’s quarter finalists (and, of course, previous Heineken Cup winners) Ulster will provide a tough challenge but I fancy the French side to prevail in this one.

Ulster v Clermont Auvergne

The other match on Friday sees tournament debutants Connacht travel to unbeaten Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins in Pool 6. Quins have won eight out of eight matches so far this season and the reigning European Challenge Cup holders should see off the Irish challenge.

Harlequins v Connacht

Heineken Cup Matches

Rugby Union Betting

Football

The Premier League takes a break this weekend as eight nations fight for four berths at next season’s Euro 2012 Championships.
Ireland are 13/10 to win in Estonia on Friday evening, although the value there lies with a talented home side at 11/5.

Estonia v Ireland

Turkey can beat Croatia at 13/10 while Bosnia can nick a first leg win against Portugal at 21/10. Czech Republic host Montenegro in the final play-off tie.

Euro 2012 Playoffs

England welcome the world and European champions Spain to Wembley on Saturday for a friendly and, having named a strong squad, there will be plenty of money on the visitors at 5/6.

England v Spain

Wales can continue their recent run of good results with a win over Norway.

International Matches

The FA Cup reaches the first round stage this weekend with plenty of non-league sides looking to advance. Nantwich Town are 11/1 to win at the MK Dons while Maidenhead United are 10/3 to see off Aldershot.

AFC Wimbledon can cause a shock by beating Scunthorpe at 9/5 while Oxford United are good value at 9/2 to beat Sheffield United.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting

Tennis

It’s the last regular season event of the ATP tour this week ahead of the Tour Finals later this month. There’s a very strong field in France for the BNP Paribas Masters and with three spots still up for grabs at the lucrative end of season event it promises to be a great week of tennis.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and last week’s Swiss Indoors champion Roger Federer head the betting but much of the focus will be on the seven players with a chance to make the Tour finals in London.

Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will take the three places if they all qualify for the quarter finals while complicated permutations could also see Janko Tipsarevic, Nicolas Almagro, Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon also qualify.

Tennis Betting

Golf

The European Tour is in Singapore this week for a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and Asian Tour. The Singapore Open takes place over two courses - the Serapong and Tanjong - at the Sentosa Golf Club and after his excellent third place showing in Shanghai last week, Graeme McDowell is the 16/1 favourite.

Phil Mickelson is good value at 18/1 as is Simon Dyson at 28/1 while Ernie Els has twice been a runner-up at Sentosa and is available at 33/1.
Tiger Woods continues to try and get his career back on track down under this weekend and is 10/1 second favourite for the Australian Open. In-form Adam Scott is the man to beat at 8/1 while Dustin Johnson is available at 16/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After Pakistan sealed their Test series win over Sri Lanka last weekend, the two teams meet on Friday in Dubai in the first of their one day international series.

The weekend also sees the conclusion of the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.

Cricket Betting

Rugby League

England’s four tries were still not enough to beat the mighty Australians last weekend but the home side can end their Four Nations campaign with a win over the reigning World Champions this weekend. They play New Zealand and I like England’s chances at 5/6 with a four point start.

England v New Zealand

The other match sees Australia take on Wales. Wales failed to score a point as they lost to New Zealand last weekend and this could be a heavy defeat. Back Australia to win by over 50 points sat 10/11.

Wales v Australia

Rugby League Betting

Rugby Union

The 17th Heineken Cup kicks off this weekend with some intriguing fixtures to look forward to.

Reigning champions Leinster start their defence in Montpellier while last season’s beaten finalists Northampton face a tricky start as they travel to Munster – a team that have only lost two home matches in European competition.

I fancy Leicester Tigers to overcome the 14 point handicap to win at Aironi at 10/11 while 9/2 tournament favourites Toulouse should have no problem winning their home tie against Gloucester.

Arguably the match of the weekend is on Saturday as two of the most consistent teams over recent years meet. The Ospreys have reached the quarter final stage in three consecutive seasons and play host to Biarritz, the 2010 runners-up. Biarritz can be backed at 10/11 with a six point start.

Heineken Cup Matches and Previews

Rugby Betting

Horse Racing

It’s Paddy Power Gold Cup day at Cheltenham on Saturday – the day when the jumps racing season gets into top gear. Mon Parrain has been backed in to the 4/1 favourite with Wishfull Thinking and Noble Prince the next two in the betting.

The Greatwood Hurdle sees the up and coming stars of the hurdling world take centre stage on Sunday and there’s been plenty of money for Moon Dice in the run-up to the race.

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

Racing Betting

After Friday night’s action kicks off this season’s Heineken Cup, it’s the turn of some of the big guns to get their European challenge up and running this Saturday. Both Irish giants are involved as are some of Wales and England’s leading challengers.

[image]

Leinster and Munster to get off to winning starts

Irish sides have won three of the last four Heineken Cups and there will be plenty of people backing reigning champions Leinster and 2008 winners Munster at 5/1 and 10/1 respectively.

Leinster are the second favourites to lift the trophy at Twickenham in May and kick off their campaign with a straightforward looking away tie at Montpellier. However, the champions will be careful not to underestimate the Top 14 side who surprisingly finished runner-up in the competition after only finishing 6th in the regular season.

The 2011 champions should have enough and should be backed at 10/11 to overcome the 5 point handicap.

Montpellier v Leinster

Munster face last season’s beaten finalists Northampton at Thomond Park who are, perhaps surprisingly, the underdogs in this fixture. Considering that Munster have only been beaten at home twice in this history of European competitions (although admittedly one of those was to Harlequins last season) it’s a formidable place to travel to for a club rugby fixture. I’d be all over Munster to win this one at 10/11 with a five point handicap.

Munster v Northampton

Ospreys face tricky clash while Scarlets desperately need a win

Ospreys have been one of the most consistent teams in European rugby over the last four seasons, finishing second in their pool in each of the previous four campaigns and reaching the quarter final on three occasions. The Welsh side face a repeat of their 2010 quarter final this Saturday as they face Biarritz, the team that beat them 29-28 in last year’s knockout stages.
While the Ospreys have done well over recent years, Biarritz were finalists in 2010 and could be too strong. I’d take the 10/11 on the Top 14 side with a six point start.

Ospreys v Biarritz

Scarlets have just one quarter final appearance to shout about in the last five seasons of the Heineken Cup and with Munster, Northampton and Castres in their group it could be another early elimination for the Welsh side. They face their easiest fixture of the pool stage on Saturday when they host Castres and will need to get off to a winning start to have any chance in Pool 1.

In Saturday’s final match, London Irish host Edinburgh. Scottish clubs have generally struggled in the Heineken Cup and Edinburgh have won just 12 of their 42 matches in the last seven seasons. The Scottish side lost five out of six matches in 2010/11 and I can’t see them doing much better here. The Exiles should be backed to overcome the 11 point handicap at 10/11.

Heineken Cup Matches

Rugby Union Betting

After the Irish and English big guns get their campaigns under way to win the 17th Heineken Cup, it’s the turn of the tournament favourites to get their competition up and running this Sunday. There are also two intriguing ties featuring leading English challengers.

[image]

Tournament favourites to start with a win

With three finals appearances in the last four years, Toulouse are the second ranked team in European rugby and the 9/2 favourites to lift their fifth Heineken Cup title. The Top 14 side won the competition in 2010 although were eliminated at the semi-final stage in 2011 by the eventual winners, Leinster.

Toulouse start their campaign this year with a home match against Gloucester who ensured their qualification for this season’s tournament when they beat Newcastle 34-7 in the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup last March. Gloucester have won four and lost four of their eight matches this season but I expect the home side to be far too strong on their own patch.

Back Toulouse at 10/11 to overcome the 12 point handicap.

Toulouse v Gloucester

English sides looking to get off the mark with a win

Sunday’s other matches see Glasgow welcome Bath and Saracens host Benetton Treviso.

Like fellow Scots Edinburgh, Glasgow have struggled in the Heineken Cup over recent years and their tournament odds of 375/1 reflect their chances this time around. They start their 2011/12 campaign at home, though and will want to get up and running with a win over Bath.

The 1998 Heineken Cup winners have made a solid start to their Aviva Premiership season and currently sit in seventh place, although they were beaten 26-13 by Harlequins at home last time out. Glasgow, however, have enjoyed an excellent star to their RaboDirect Pro 12 season and sit fourth with five wins under their belt.

The Warriors have already beaten Leinster, Ospreys and the Newport Gwent Dragons this season and so this could be a tricky one for Bath. I’d be tempted to back the home side with a two point start at 10/11.

Glasgow v Bath

The final match sees the reigning Premiership champions Saracens host Benetton Treviso. The Italian side finished bottom of their Heineken Cup group last season with just one point and have won just two matches in five Heineken Cup seasons. This should be a comfortable home win for Saracens.

Saracens v Benetton Treviso

Heineken Cup Matches

Rugby Union Betting

After a slow start, the Heineken Cup has now become the competition to win in world club rugby. It’s the seventeenth season of the tournament and twenty four sides from across Europe begin their campaign in November on the long road to Twickenham in May 2012.

The Irish challenge

Teams from Ireland have dominated the tournament over recent years with Leinster and Munster winning three of the last four Cups. Of course, Leinster are the reigning champions having pulled off the greatest comeback in Heineken Cup final history when they defeated Northampton 33-22 having been 22-6 down at half time last May.

[image]

It’s no surprise to see the holders installed as 4/1 favourites to retain their trophy considering the strength of their side and some outstanding individuals such as their mercurial number 10, Jonathan Sexton.

However, it’s tough to win the Heineken Cup back to back (only Leicester have achieved that) although Leinster find themselves in one of the more manageable groups. Bath and Glasgow are both beatable while Montpellier are yet to win a match in the Top 14. The knockout stages certainly beckon for the champions.

It is always foolish to back against the might of Munster in European competition and the 2006 and 2008 winners are a tasty 8/1 to win the Cup for a third time. However, they are in a tricky group this time and face last season’s beaten finalists Northampton, the Scarlets and a talented Castres side currently sitting second in the Top 14.

Ulster are 55/1 outsiders and look to have a tricky draw with both Leicester and Clermont in their group. They will do well to make the quarter finals.

A British winner?

It’s been five years since an English team last won the Heineken Cup while a team from Scotland or Wales has never triumphed.
Leicester are the 15/2 third favourites this time but after a terrible start to the season the Tigers will have to improve quickly to make an impact. Harlequins have started the Premiership season in terrific form and with Gloucester and Connacht in their group they could offer some excellent value at 25/1.

Northampton are in a difficult pool and last season’s beaten finalists will do well to progress while the Ospreys are Wales’ best chance at 25/1.

A strong French challenge

The Top 14 is arguably the strongest club league in Europe at the moment and the French representatives in this year’s Heineken Cup – Castres, Montpellier, Toulouse, Clermont, Biarritz and Racing Metro – are all strong sides. The influx of high quality British players has resulted in much more strength in depth for the French sides and having reached two of the last four finals I fancy Toulouse to lead the French challenge at 5/1.

Verdict

As ever, the Heineken Cup is an unpredictable competition and there are genuinely a dozen or so teams with genuine aspirations of lifting the trophy in May.

The last time the final was at Twickenham it was an all English affair but I can’t see a repeat of that this time. I think the French and Irish sides will be too strong and so I expect to see Leinster and Toulouse in May’s final.

Heineken Cup Betting

Rugy Betting