In-form Westwood can collect at 11-2

SPORTS and SHOWBIZ BETTING:

IT’S the Champions League moment of truth for Manchesters United and City tonight.

Both have made a mess of their qualifying groups, although City at least have the excuse of being in a tough section.

The Reds have looked a pale shadow of United teams of old and, not surprisingly, are trading at 12-1 to win this year’s competition even though a draw at Basle tonight would see them through to the last 16.

United are 8-13 to win tonight even though they could not beat the Swiss side at home, while the draw is a 3-1 shot and a home win 6-1.

The problem for United – apart from tonight’s test – is the likelihood they will finish second to Benfica in their group.

And that could mean a two-legged last-16 tie against the might of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

As for City, qualification is out of their hands after losing 2-1 at Napoli a fortnight ago. Even if they beat Bayern Munich at home tonight - and that’s a big ‘if’ given the quality of the German side - they must rely on Villarreal holding Napoli to a draw or better at home.

City are 4-6 to beat Bayern - a stupid price in my book - while the draw is a 7-2 shot and the visitors an insulting 5-1. Bayern pummelled City at home and although at first glance they have nothing to play for tonight other than pride, they might see their hosts as threats in this competition and want them out.

Villarreal are 4-1 to beat Napoli with the visitors short enough at 3-4 and the draw at 11-4.



RORY McIlroy still has the chance to win golf’s race To Dubai following his victory in the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland star must win this weekend’s Dubai World Championship and hope Luke Donald finishes out of the first nine.

That’s an unlikely scenario, but it has not stopped the bookies from making McIlroy the 6-1 second favourite for the tournament, which starts tomorrow.

Lee Westwood, fresh from his easy win in Sun City, is favourite at 11-2, with Donald 11-1, Martin Kaymer 12-1, the rejuvenated Sergio Garcia 18-1 and Paul Casey 20s.

Westwood’s ball striking was so good in South Africa that I would not want to back anyone else.



STRICTLY Come Dancing has an odds-on favourite. Harry Judd and partner Aliona are 1-2 shots to lift the glitter ball and that’s just about the worse value you will ever get.

I have no doubt the McFly drummer is the best dancer, but should he be odds-on and the almost-equally impressive Chelsee Healey 7-2?

I think not, despite my earlier reservations about Ms Heeley’s personality. This girl can dance.

The bookies reckon either Alex Jones or Holly Valance will be the next to be eliminated. They are 11-8 shots, with Jason Donovan – surprisingly in the bottom two at the weekend – a 6-1 shot to get his marching orders.

As for the X Factor, perhaps we might soon be calling it the Ex Factor because it seems to be losing its popularity at a rate of knots.

The quality of performers has been average this series, but hot favourites Little Mix (6-5 to win the competition) won’t mind that, and neither will Amelia Lily (12-5) and Marcus Collins (11-4).



RECOMMENDATIONS: Bayern Munich to beat Manchester City in Champions League, 5-1 (Victor Chandler); Lee Westwood to win Dubai World Championship, 11-2 (general).