Latics’ watching brief

SPORTS BETTING:

ATHLETIC kept their place in Sky Bet League One with a degree of comfort and will now sit back to see which of four teams will join them next season.

Rochdale, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe are already promoted automatically, which is great news for Athletic fans with one eye on petrol expenditure. Providing Southend don’t win the League Two play-off, a fourth trip within easy reach also beckons: Fleetwood host York in one semi-final, while Southend take on Burton.

Fleetwood are 2-1 favourites to go up, followed by Southend on 3-1, and York and Burton on 100-30.

Preston head the League One betting market on 5-2, but face a tricky semi-final against a strong Rotherham outfit (13-5). Leyton Orient (13-4) take on Peterborough (100-30).

A precious place in the Premier League is the prize for the Championship

contenders. Derby, who face Brighton, are the 23-10 favourites, with their opponents 7-2. Wigan (11-4) take on QPR (13-4).



LIVERPOOL’S dramatic capitulation against Crystal Palace on Monday looks to have handed the Premier League title to Manchester City.

City are 1-12 to come out on top with the Merseysiders 9-1 and Chelsea 200-1.

City can take a big step towards their goal at home to Aston Villa tonight. Victory is priced at 1-6, with the draw 9-1 and Villa rank outsiders at 20-1.

With the pressure on them, City’s price is short enough, but they really ought to win this with a degree of ease.