Jose to work his magic

Sport Betting:
ENGLAND’S footballers could be forgiven for having one eye on the start of the league season when they take on Scotland at Wembley tonight.

The real action will be only three days away — but I suppose if you are going to have a meaningful friendly, then this is it.

Scotland will be desperate to win. Playing England is their World Cup final and there will be no end of gloating should they defy odds of 8-1 to do so.

England’s players, who could probably do without the game, will have to match the Scots for passion and workrate, then vastly superior skills should do the rest.

I’m not prepared to take a chance on that happening at 4-9, while the draw at 7-2 has only limited appeal, given we have little idea who coach Roy Hodgson will select.

In other words, is the result more important than the outing for the players? It’s a no-bet match for me.

The Premier League should be fascinating this season, with managers Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Rafa Benitez having left last season’s top three teams.

In their place come David Moyes, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho, and the last of those has the best CV.

For that reason Chelsea is the club most likely to win the title this time: go for them at 9-4, the same price as City. United are 5-2 shots, but the Wayne Rooney saga and loss of Fergie are big negatives to overcome.

Arsenal (10-1) haven’t made any signings of note, while Liverpool (33-1), like United, have a major headache with want-away Luis Suarez.



NOT a ball has been kicked in anger, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies opening a book on the first manager to leave his post in the Premier League.

Alan Pardew, who has Joe Kinnear looking over his shoulder at Newcastle is 3-1 favourite, presumably because he might quit.

I’m rather tempted by the 12-1 for Paolo Di Canio, whose passion means he could self-combust at any time.

That could lead to a confrontation with his employers or a walk-out on his part. I shall be watching Sunderland FC with interest.



ENGLAND’S cricketers hold a 3-0 lead going into next week’s final Ashes Test against Australia and, providing they don’t take their foot off the gas, look likely to justify win odds of even money.

Australia have forgotten how to win and make zero appeal at 3-1, while a check on the weather forecast is needed before taking the 5-2 for a draw.

As for the winter series between the two, England are 10-11 to prevail, with the hosts 2-1 and the draw 6-1.



RECOMMENDATION: Chelsea to win Premier League title, 9-4 (general).