United 9-1 for Euro glory

betting: MANCHESTER United are out to 9-1 for Champions League glory following an indifferent start to their campaign against Rangers last night.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s quiet summer in the transfer market has prompted punters to look elsewhere in the betting market, with Barcelona hot favourites at 13-5.

Not surprisingly, Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho are well fancied at 6-1, alongside Chelsea, who surely must be considered England’s most powerful representatives at this stage.

Chelsea begin their challenge tonight at Slovakian side Zilina and, quoted at 1-4, they should bag three points without too much difficulty.

Arsenal are at home to Portuguese side Braga, who are no mugs and certainly overpriced at 12-1. Arsenal are 100-30 on, with the draw rated a 5-1 shot.


STRICTLY Come Dancing’s new series is about to get underway, with an odd assortment of celebrities.

Politician Anne Widdecombe and magician Paul Daniels, rated 80-1 and 100-1 to win the competition, will almost certainly be hopeless yet attract the sympathy vote.

No-one really knows who the frontrunners will be at this stage, but Matt Baker (9-2), the gorgeous Kara Tointon (9-2), Michelle Williams (13-2) and Jimi Mistry (7-1) are the early favourites.

Meanwhile, Cher Lloyd has been made favourite at 7-2 to win the X Factor.

New Direction (11-2) and Liam Payne (6-1) come next in the market.


ENGLAND are 2-5 to beat Pakistan (5-2) in the third one-day international at The Oval on Friday.