Bookies shrug off Cole move

SPORTS BETTING: JOE Cole’s move to Liverpool may have come as a shock to some - not least Manchester United and Spurs supporters - but his signing and the decision to stay at Anfield of Steven Gerrard has failed to impress the bookmakers.

Liverpool remain 16-1 shots to win the Premier League title and are not even expected to qualify for the Champions League.

New boss Roy Hodgson faces a big job to get Liverpool back to where the club demands it should be, and there are four other clubs expected to fare better this season.

Champions Chelsea are 13-8 to retain their title, with United 11-4, big-spending Manchester City at

5-1 and Arsenal - whose followers must be fed up with the Cesc Fabregas saga - on 7-1.


ATHLETIC impressed in their 1-1 draw with Wigan last night and, although these are early days, the appointment of Paul Dickov as manager promises to bear fruit.

I suspect Athletic could surprise a few teams in League One this season, but 80-1 about them winning the title is just about right as there are likely to be some powerful teams in this division, particularly Southampton (5-2).

If you are a diehard Latics fan and fancy a small wager on your side, then get down to Corals and have a couple of quid on them gaining promotion at 20-1. You just never know in football.


SEVEN under par after 12 holes in the Open, John Daly looked hot favourite to lead after the first round and justify our 100-1 selection. Sadly, he could not sustain his effort and Rory McIlroy overtook him with a stunning 63.

Nevertheless, we landed the lucrative place side of our bet and we can play up our winnings in the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, next month.

Tiger Woods disappointed at St Andrews and looks a shadow of his former self. He makes no appeal at 6-1.

There will be plenty of punters happy to back the likes of Phil Mickelson (11-1), Lee Westwood (16-1) and McIlroy (18-1), but the odds layers reckon Louis Oosthuizen’s Open triumph will not be repeated and make the South African a 100-1 shot.


ALBERTO Contador is the 1-5 favourite to win the Tour De France, with big rival Andy Schleck 5-1 and 50-1