Bookmakers running scared of the Special One

SPORTS BETTING: SO, it seems the Special One is heading back to Chelsea after all.

Rafa Benitez’s impending departure and Jose Mourinho’s exit from Real Madrid on Monday night seem to spell only one outcome. Already the bookies are taking evasive action.

On the assumption that Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge, they have cut Chelsea to 11-4 to win next season’s Premier League title.

Manchester United under new boss David Moyes are 2-1 to retain the title, with Manchester City 9-4, Arsenal 16-1 and Liverpool 25-1.


IT’S been billed as the biggest fight in Britain for two years. Carl Froch, the IBF super middleweight champion and all-round good guy, will take on WBA king Mikkel Kessler at a packed O2 Arena on Saturday night to get revenge for defeat three years ago.
Froch is a much more focused individual these days and I expect him to gain his revenge.

That said, 8-15 is a skinny price so the value seekers might be out to back Kessler at 2-1.


THERE’S something disconcerting about two German sides fighting out a major European final at the home of English football.
We beat West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, but there have been more losses than wins against them since then. So I can’t bring myself to watch, even though the Champions League final will be televised live on ITV1 on Saturday night.

For those of you who feel otherwise, Bayern Munich are the 5-6 favourites over 90 minutes, with a draw at 3-1 and Borussia Dortmund (tipped here at 20-1 in October but not backed by yours truly), a generous looking 19-5.


ENGLAND were matched by New Zealand in the first Test for three days, but then blew away their rivals in the final innings thanks to Stuart Broad.
The second and final Test of this mini series is at Headingley from Friday, and I expect there to be lots more runs scored.

This has been a batsman-friendly track this year, so the draw could be the value bet at 9-4.

England are 8-13, with New Zealand an insulting 9-1.


RECOMMENDATION: England v New Zealand draw, 9-4 (bet365).