20-1 Sergio looks a matchplay ace

SPORTS AND SHOWBIZ BETTING:

THERE is something about awards ceremonies which I find disconcerting. Take the Oscars, for example.

Yes, I admit my knowledge of the big screen is limited, but I know what I like and suspect that many others out there find the choice of award-winners rather baffling.

There have been many great films which have not been acknowledged by the Academy.

Yet others, which are to this onlooker’s eyes extremely ordinary, run away with a clutch of Oscars but are readily forgotten as the latest offerings take centre stage.

I admit to being a cynic when it comes to the Oscars and firmly believe many of the winners are chosen because they sit well with the Academy’s need to look intelligent and culturally inclined.

Every year a film rises to the top for one reason or another and this year is no exception.

I confess I have not seen this year’s buzz film, “The Artist.” But how many of you – and let’s be honest here – would go out and pay good money to watch a silent film made in black and white?

Yet here we are, four days before the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood, and The Artist is 9-1 ON to be named best film and its leading man, Jean Dujardin, 4-6 to be named best actor.

I’m sorry, but as far I as can see such choices have nothing to do whatsoever with the public’s enjoyment of the films on offer. More a case of the Academy – and the British Academy before it – enjoying a large slice of self-indulgence.

One film I have seen is “The Iron Lady,” which features an amazing performance by Meryl Streep, who already has Oscars on her CV, but surely deserves another.

The smart money, however, appears to be for Viola Davis in The Help. She is rated an 8-11 shot to be named best actress, with Streep 11-8. Meryl has had her day in the sun and the Academy knows that, so expect our Viola to prevail. Oops, there goes my cynical nature once again.



AND so to matters sporting and the Carling Cup final on Sunday. What a bore this looks likely to be, with functional Liverpool looking likely to wear down a Cardiff outfit who have already exceeded their wildest expectations in reaching Wembley.

It’s difficult to see anything other than a Liverpool win and the genial Kenny getting his hands on a major trophy once again.

Liverpool are 2-5 to win in 90 minutes and 1-6 at any time. Just watch the game and hope for a shock.



GOLF’S WGC Accenture Matchplay gets under way today with most of the world’s top players taking part.

This form of the game tends to throw up its share of shocks simply because it does not matter how good you are if your opponent is shooting the lights out in a tear-up over 18 holes – or in most matches less.

It is for this reason that the bookies go 12-1 the field and the jolly this year is that mercurial young talent which is Rory McIlroy.

The nature of 18-hole matchplay means you should take a chance on talented players at bigger prices and my two against the field – in different halves of the draw – are the rejuvenated Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell.

The former’s putting is better suited to this type of golf (he does not have to worry about the one back if it’s for a half), while G-Mac looks ready to hit form and isoverpriced.




RECOMMENDATIONS: WGC Matchplay, Sergio Garcia, 20-1 (general), Graeme McDowell, 50-1 (general).