Misfiring Reds out to 9-2 for Premier title

SPORTS BETTING:

IS it me, or has the spark disappeared from Manchester United?

The spirit and self-belief instilled into the squad by Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have vanished, even though it is only a matter of months since the legendary boss said farewell.

This observation is not meant as a criticism of David Moyes: anyone would have found it almost impossible to follow in Ferguson’s footsteps.

But, with Sir Alex no longer in the dugout, some key United players look shadows of their former selves - none more so than Rio Ferdinand.

Of course, it should not be forgotten that the current United squad won last year’s Premier League title in runaway fashion. But can you honestly see the team thrashed by City retaining their crown? Me neither. It just goes to show what a genius Ferguson was.

United are out to 9-2 to prevail, while City have predictably been cut to 15-8. But the feature of the current betting market is the involvement of so many teams.

For the last two seasons, the odds have focused on the two Manchester sides and Chelsea. Now, it is City, United, Chelsea (100-30), Arsenal (7-1), Tottenham (12-1) and Liverpool (14-1).



SUPER League’s play-offs have reached the semi-finals with ties involving Warrington and Huddersfield (tomorrow) and Wigan and Leeds (Friday).

The first-named are 13-8 favourites to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday week, while Wigan are 5-2, defending champions Leeds 7-2 and Huddersfield 11-2.



ENGLAND have announced their squad to face Australia in this winter’s Ashes series Down Under.

They did so in the wake of Aussie coach Darren Lehmann taking the moral high ground by labelling them dour and insisting no side of his would stoop to such depths.

You mean an Australian would rather be an entertaining loser than a dull winner? Pull the other one.

Boring England are worthy 11-10 favourites to win the series, with the draw 5-1 and the all-singing, all-dancing Baggy Greens 7-4.



WE don’t always get it right in this column, I am prepared to admit. Our approach is aimed at

seeking out value and that means punting at lucrative odds on admittedly-risky propositions.

But I was right in suggesting Paolo Di Canio at 12-1 to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job. Gus Poyet is the 4-9 favourite to replace him, followed by Steve McClaren at 8-1.