Sublime Silva 6-4 for PFA honour

SPORTS BETTING:
IT HAD been coming for some time. Manchester City had slowly, but inexorably been closing the gap on neighbours United so it was inevitable that the blue half of Manchester would, at some stage, be celebrating a derby victory.

But did anyone see THAT result coming? Surely not, and while 6-1 was grossly flattering to City, there is no doubt they were the far superior team after the opening 20 minutes.

The big question to be answered now is the effect this result will have on both clubs. It seems inconceivable that it will be anything but beneficial to a City side which clearly believes in its ability to win this season’s Premier League.

But it would also be foolhardy to write off United on the back of one disastrous result.

That wily old fox Sir Alex Ferguson will use this latest setback to galvanise his troops and while the United boss was clearly shaken by Sunday’s events, he is far too experienced to let one disastrous defeat undermine his team’s long-term prospects.

That said, the bookies have it right in pricing up City at 6-5 to win the title. United are second-best at 2-1, while Chelsea – who look inferior to the top two – are 9-2.

City’s star-studded line-up and strength in depth makes them a formidable force, but there is no doubt who is their shining light. Spaniard David Silva was simply brilliant on Sunday and is already hot favourite to be PFA Player of the Year at 6-4.

Possessing those rare gifts of being able to find space at will and unlock a defence with a precision pass, Silva is a joy to watch and, if staying fit, will surely be awarded the accolade by his fellow professionals. Wayne Rooney is second favourite at 3-1, with Silva’s City team-mate Sergio Aguero 8-1 and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez 12s.



FOUR Nations Rugby League action gets under way on Friday when favourites Australia take on New Zealand.

The Green and Golds are 4-9 to win the competition, with the Kiwis on 7-2 and England – who open against Wales on Saturday – rated 7-1 shots. The Welsh are not in the same class as their RU counterparts and are rank outsiders at 250-1.



LATEST viewing figures suggest Strictly Come Dancing has overtaken the X Factor in the popularity stakes.

And I have no doubt that betting turnover on SCD is much greater, given the twists and turns of the competition and the many considerations to take in account.

It is not always the most natural dancers who win. Viewers latch on to those who have made a journey throughout the competitions – remember Darren Gough and Chris Hollins? – so the fact that Harry Judd and his partner Aliona and Jason Donovan and Kristina are 9-4 joint favourites makes them little in the way of value betting propositions.

Chelsee Healey (too much of a Barbie doll for my liking) and Pasha are 7-1, while next in the betting comes Holly Valance and Artem (8-1) and Robbie Savage and the delectable Ola (10-1).

If the competition was purely about entertainment, Russell Grant would win hands down. I could not stop laughing throughout Saturday’s routine with Flavia and I have no doubt the 20-1 shot is the viewers’ favourite.

Ballroom blunderer Nancy DellOllio somehow survived elimination on Sunday, but is unlikely to be spared this weekend. Sven’s Ex is 5-4 to get the chop.