Dickov heroes 5-2 to follow up at Walsall

BOOKIES’ PA: Matt Smith sank thousands of bets on a Liverpool victory with his two-goal display.

BETTING:

WOW! I did suggest last week that Athletic might give Liverpool a scare. But did anyone really see a win coming?

The bookies certainly didn’t and it is doubtful there were many takers for Athletic, even at 12-1.

Lots of doubles and trebles will have been sunk by the Athletic result, though on a weekend of FA Cup shocks it is doubtful whether too many punters ended up ahead - well except the guy in Chadderton who almost picked up half a million.

But what now for Paul Dickov and the boys?

Obviously the manager isn’t out of the woods so far as his future is concerned, but a win at Walsall this weekend would be a huge tonic.

Relegation-threatened Athletic are as low as 6-4 and as big as 9-4 to go down, but if they show the spirit displayed against Liverpool, surely they will survive.

Athletic are 5-2 to win at Walsall, and looking further ahead are 13-2 to beat Everton in the cup’s fifth round. The Toffees are 100-30 on; a draw 22-5.

As regards winning the cup, Athletic have been cut a whole 1,000 points! Admittedly, they remain 500-1, but that’s quite a drop.

City and United are 5-2 joint favourites, with Chelsea 5-1, Arsenal 6-1 and our original 16-1 selections Everton down to 7-1.



IT’S a huge weekend for rugby fans with the start of Super League and the 6 Nations.

Leeds entertain Hull on Sky Sports on Friday night, but while the former won the grand final last season (thanks to the heroics of Oldham’s Kevin Sinfield), the West Yorkshire outfit can be backed at 11-2 for a repeat.

Warrington are 5-2 favourites, then Wigan and St Helens on 4-1.

Rugby Union enthusiasts have to wait until Saturday for the launch of the Six Nations, and though Wales did this column a favour by winning last year, they are 5-1 to do it again.

I fancy the improving England, despite a rather miserly 2-1. But France will be a threat at 9-4 and Ireland (9-2) are always tough to beat. Scotland, whom England entertain on Saturday, are 33-1, with no-hopers Italy at 250-1.