15-8 Reds look strong for title

SIR Alex Ferguson must have a spring in his stride following the latest batch of Premier League fixtures.

A 1-0 win for his Manchester United side against derby rivals City was followed by Arsenal’s victory at Chelsea and Liverpool’s draw at home to West Ham, all of which prompted a major shake-up in the title betting market.

Available at 100-30 last week, United are now a best-priced 15-8, with Chelsea - who looked poor and devoid of ideas on Sunday - the 5-4 favourites, and a one-dimensional Liverpool outfit 4-1.

Arsenal are back down to 18-1, but with United boasting home advantage against all three of their main rivals in the second half of the season, there can be only one bet.

The Reds simply have to be backed at their current price despite the distraction of an imminent trip to Japan for the Fifa Club World Cup.


CITY were taught a footballing lesson by United on Sunday, but the bookies reckon the Sky Blues are credible contenders for the UEFA Cup.

Mark Hughes’ men take on Paris St Germain in the group stages at Eastlands tonight, knowing they are already through to the last 32 of the competition.

City are 12-1 joint second favourites to lift the trophy, a price influenced by their intention to sign several high-profile players in the January transfer window.

AC Milan, rather predictably given their array of world stars, are the 4-1 favourites, while other British teams harbouring hopes of European glory are Tottenham and Aston Villa (14-1), and Portsmouth (50-1).


POMPEY, struggling to reach the knock-out phase of the UEFA Cup, are 33-1 to retain the FA Cup they won at Wembley in May.

Despite having staunch defender Tony Adams at the helm, they concede too many goals for my liking, so I have been looking elsewhere for a value bet. United (9-2), Liverpool (8-1) and Arsenal (7-1) are already through to the last 16 of the Champions’ League and are likely to have bigger fish to fry than the FA Cup, a remark which applies to Chelsea (4-1), who have still to qualify for the CL knock-out stages but will probably do so.

City, Tottenham and Aston Villa also have European commitments, so I suggest a little wager at 28-1 on Everton, who won 1-0 at Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday, will surely beat Macclesfield in round three, and are a side who are prepared to grind out results when the going gets tough.

Should the Toffees go all the way, that would be quite a feather in the cap of our own Oldham Athletic, the last team to beat them in an FA Cup tie.


RECOMMENDATIONS: Manchester United to win Premier League, 15-8 ( ); Everton to win FA Cup, 28-1 ( ).


WE may be in the middle of a recession, but the ruling Labour government are only 9-4 to win the next General Election despite having to implement an unpleasant rescue package.

The Conservatives, led by the unconvincing David Cameron, are 2-5 favourites to regain power, with the Liberal Democrats virtual no-hopers (according to the bookies that is) on 200-1.

ALEXANDRA Burke is the new favourite to win the X Factor following a series of spectacular performances which have wowed the judges and viewers.

The singer is 11-8 to come out on top, with former favourite Diana Vickers out to 11-4, Eoghan Quigg 3-1 and boy band JLS 10-1.

Meanwhile, a stunning display by Lisa Snowdon last weekend has seen her Strictly Come Dancing odds cut from 20-1 to 9-1.

Austin Healey remains the favourite at 13-8, followed by Tom Chambers at 2-1 and Rachel Stevens on 5s.

As those quotes suggest, Lisa is the favourite to be eliminated this weekend at a best-priced 5-4.


And another thing...

White Christmas is 11-2

HAVING been greeted by snowfall yesterday, we can expect more of the same during the winter so it’s no surprise that the bookies have priced up the prospects of a white Christmas.

Several firms go 11-2 about there being snow on the ground in Manchester on December 25 and while that’s not a price which makes much appeal, there will be lots of families - well, children anyway - hoping those odds are landed.