Back Barne to dethrone King

SPORTS BETTING: HOW fortunes can change in the world of sport.

A year ago, Tiger Woods had golf’s major prizes at his mercy and Ernie Els could not buy a victory.

Now, only Woods knows when he will return to competition following his off-the-course indiscretions and Els is enjoying a new lease of life with victory in last weekend’s WGC-CA Championship in Miami.

The two golfing gladiators, who have crossed swords on the fairway many times, have next month’s US Masters in their sights.

Rumours continue to come out of America that a Woods return to the golf course is imminent. If he is to be a force at Augusta, he needs to be back sooner rather than later.

Under normal circumstances, Woods would be a 2-1 shot to win a tournament he has made his own. He is currently trading at 4-1 and you won’t get your money back if he is not on the first tee.

Els, a proven major winner boasting solid form at Augusta, looks a serious player in the Masters.

There is nothing quite like confidence in sport and the fact that he could post 66 on the final day of the Miami event suggests all the old steel remains in place.

At 22-1, there are far worse Masters bets.

Els is the same price as England’s finest, Lee Westwood, while Paul Casey is 25-1 and recent World Matchplay champion and fellow Englishman Ian Poulter is 33s.

But amazing Irishman Rory McIlroy is on the drift.

Talented young sportsmen can suffer occasional blips and he beat only two players in America last weekend. Having been as low as 20s for the Masters, Mighty Mac can now be backed at 33-1.




ENGLAND’S rather laboured victory over Bangladesh meant little in the great scheme of things, but it did prove that in Graeme Swann we have one of the best - if not the best - spinner in world cricket.



Swann will be crucial to England’s chances of retaining the Ashes in Australia next winter, as will the fitness of fast bowlers Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graham Onions.

I expect a tight series Down Under and while the Aussies must be favourites on home turf, they are plenty short enough at 4-7 to win the series.

England can be backed at 100–30, while the draw - no forlorn hope - is a 5-1 shot.




PREMIER League darts continues tomorrow night when the highlight should be the clash of Mervyn King and Raymond Van Barneveld.



Barney bounced back to form with an 8-6 victory over Terry Jenkins last week and I reckon 13-8 for him to beat The King is a decent price.

Phil Taylor is 1-6 to beat Terry Jenkins (12-1, 8-1 the draw), Adrian Lewis is 10-11 against Ronnie Baxter (9-4, 4-1) and James Wade is 13-10 to see off Aussie Kevin Whitlock (7-4, 7-2).

Recommendation: Raymond van Barneveld to beat Mervyn King in Premier League darts 13-8 (Skybet).




FOLLOWERS of this column were rewarded when Alastair Cook was England’s top batsman against Bangladesh at 4-1 and Graeme Swann was leading wicket-taker at 5-2.