Reds can stroll it

MANCHESTER United may have won their last two games at home, but boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be seething about their slipshod defending against West Ham and Hull.

The Reds got away with it against the wasteful Hammers, but Hull put three goals past them on Saturday and you can be sure Fergie will have read the riot act to Rio and Co.

So expect a much tighter United rearguard which takes on Celtic tonight in the latest “Battle Of Britain” showdown.

Victory in this Champions’ League group game would secure United’s place in the knock-out phase of the competition, and so woeful were Celtic when the sides met at Old Trafford last month that I can see no other result than a comfortable United win.

Home advantage has to count for something, I suppose, but the Hoops looked toothless in attack at OT and even the return of attacking personnel is unlikely to have much effect.

United are 8-11 to win this match, which is fair enough, but I expect them to carry a potent goal threat while keeping it tight at the back, so let’s take a chance on a 3-0 scoreline at odds of 12-1.

Arsenal battered Fenerbahce in Turkey a fortnight ago and should justify odds of 30-100 by winning the return match at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

The draw is 9-2, while anyone hoping for some Turkish delight will get 12-1 for their cash.


ENGLAND’S shambolic performance against Australia in the RL World Cup has seen their odds of winning the competition (don’t make me laugh!) extended to 11-1.

The Aussies are certainties and the bookies know it, so it is no surprise that the Green and Golds are red-hot favourites at 1-7.

New Zealand, who England play on Saturday, are 10-1, and the odds-layers make them 1-2 to win this group match.

England are 6-4, which makes zero appeal following last weekend’s pathetic defensive display.


LEWIS Hamilton gave his backers the collywobbles before clinching the F1 world title and the bookies are quite happy to take on the Englishman in his bid for a repeat triumph in 2009.

Hamilton is 2-1 favourite to take the crown, but the likes of Kimi Raikonnen (7-2), Felipe Massa (4-1), Fernando Alonso (6-1) and Robert Kubica (12-1) will undoubtedly have their supporters.

Ferrari are 11-8 favourites to retain the constructors’ championship, ahead of McLaren (2-1) and BMW Sauber (4-1).


INDIA are likely to adopt a cautious approach as they bid to close out their four-match series against Australia in the final Test at Nagpur, starting in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Boasting a 1-0 lead, the Indians know a draw will clinch a series victory and, on the evidence of what we have seen so far, it is difficult to see the Aussies bowling them out twice.

The toss will be vital, but the draw at evens looks much the most likely outcome. India are 12-5 and the Aussies 3-1.

England fly out to India today facing an itinerary dominated by one-day internationals.

No less than seven ODIs will precede the two-Test series for which India are 13-10 to come out on top, with the draw at 7-4 and England 7-2.

The first Test gets under way in Ahmedabad on December 11.


RECOMMENDATION: Manchester United to beat Celtic 3-0, 12-1 (bet 365, Boylesports, Blue Square).