» February 1st, 2006

This week's article brought to you by Mark Henderson

No Euro Skeptics – England are 4/1 Favourites!

Following a favourable draw in Montreux last week, England are the 4/1 favourites to win Euro 2008. The Three Lions are 2/5 to win Group G, which also contains Croatia (4/1) and Russia (5/1). Poor Scotland have an horrific group which includes Italy (11/10 to win Group B), France (5/4) and Ukraine, who at 9/2 look the best value. The Ukrainian’s are notoriously difficult to beat, and no-one will relish a trip to Kiev. Ukraine qualified for this summer’s World Cup in a group which included Turkey, Denmark and Euro 2004 Champions Greece.

Euro 2008 – To Qualify for the Finals: 1/20 England, 6/4 Rep.Ireland, 8/1 Wales, 10/1 Scotland, 50/1 N.Ireland.

4/5 Chelsea at Home? You’re havin’ A Laugh!

Chelsea and Liverpool have met each other an incredible eight times in the last two seasons, and the Reds have come out on top only once. Some may argue that the Champions League semi-final at Anfield last May was the most important of these eight games, but nevertheless, it does remain their only victory over Jose Mourinho’s men. Whilst Liverpool (10/3 to win on Sunday) are as good a side as they’ve been for many years, Chelsea continue to raise the bar above and beyond any other team, making the 4/5 at home look massive. Chelsea last suffered a home league defeat way back in February 2004 and Liverpool’s last away venture ended in defeat, albeit unluckily, to Manchester Utd.

Live Game Pick:
Chelsea to beat Liverpool @ 4/5 (Sunday 16.00, Sky Sports 1)

DJ’s Blues can be Louder than the Gunners @ 10/3

It’s been a shocking season for Arsenal so far, and could get a lot worse come Saturday evening. Arsenal can’t be backed with any confidence at 8/11 and, although Birmingham are third from bottom, it’s worth remembering that Arsenal have already lost at places like West Brom and Middlesbrough. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last 5 home matches and the Gunners away record is worse than Aston Villa’s and Newcastle’s. The Blues are finally showing signs of recovery, and with the useful addition of Chris Sutton and the sensational swoop for DJ Campbell, the 10/3 looks very tempting.

Premiership Pick:
Birmingham to beat Arsenal @ 10/3 (Saturday 15.00)

Hammers & Rovers Make A Cracker of an Acca!

After watching their 3-0 humiliation at home to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, it’s clear that Sunderland have only two hopes of retaining their Premiership status next year. No hope and Bob hope. Throw in the fact that Sunderland’s last Premiership win in London was in March 2001 (against Chelsea no less!), the 8/15 for West Ham is definitely worth throwing in our accumulator. The reasons for opposing Sunderland are too numerous to mention, so I’ll crack on with my final selection for this weeks accumulator, which is Blackburn at 11/8. Mark Hughes’ outfit have been quietly climbing up the Premiership. After 6 matches, they were third from bottom, but now look like possible UEFA Cup candidates. The Baggies have suffered back-to-back home defeats to Aston Villa and Sunderland and won’t be looking forward to Blackburn’s physical style of play

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Premiership Accumulator Pick:
Birmingham (10/3), Blackburn (11/8), West Ham (8/15) and Chelsea (4/5) - Pays £149.13 (Only £5 stake)

Trust 9/2 Dempsey, and Make Pieces of Silver this Weekend

The Victor Chandler Chase will finally take place this weekend. The race, originally run at Ascot, was switched to Cheltenham before that card was abandoned and has finally ended up at Sandown. Paul Nicholls has put a cat amongst the pigeons by entering Hoo La Baloo, which was immediately well supported (currently 8/1 from 12/1). Hoo La Baloo only runs on right-handed tracks, so the original Cheltenham venue would never have been considered. Paul Nicholls’ 4 year-old did win a Grade 2 chase over course and distance on Boxing Day, but this race may cut up slightly with Sandown planning to water the back straight before Saturday.

Watering will suit Albuhera (5/1), Bambi De L’orme (10/1) and Town Crier (15/2), the latter was Tom Segal’s Pricewise selection for the original abandoned race. This is a fiercely competitive Chase, but Dempsey could have too much for his rivals at 9/2. Mark Pitman’s 8 year-old has a 100% record over 2 miles at Sandown, and Pitman believes the extra week’s break will work in Dempsey’s favour. Dempsey renews rivalries with Tikram (7/1) and Tysou (12/1), both of whom were beaten by Pitman’s runner last time out.

Nicholls’ Gelding can Be Be King of the Hurdlers

Paul Nicholls may have surprised a few people by throwing Hoo La Baloo in the Victor Chandler Chase, but there’ll be no surprises if his much-improved Be Be King wins the Totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle on Saturday.

The 7 year-old gelding looked uneasy during his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter, but has won all three subsequent races, improving every time. A 3 1/2 length victory in a decent Grade 2 contest last time out showed us enough to suggest he can win on Saturday. Be Be King is likely to start around the 3/1 mark, with Nicholls’ other two runners Gungadu and Fountain Hill both likely to be around 12/1 or 14/1.

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Horse Racing Pick:
Dempsey (1.30 Sandown, Saturday) @ 9/2
Be Be King (3.10 Sandown, Saturday)

Killer Wales 10/11 to Make a Mockery of 16 Point Handicap

The Six Nations Championship kicks-off this weekend, with last year’s Grand Slam winners Wales taking on England at Twickenham. Wales haven’t won at Twickers since Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister (they’re 5/1 to win the match) and, given their horrendous injury list, they’ll certainly find it tough this weekend, but this match should be closer than the 16-point handicap on offer.

11/8 For a French Collection

Although they’re the current reigning champions, Wales simply don’t have the same strength in-depth as France or England, and the French are worthy favourites for the title at 4/5. With so many players missing, the 9/1 about a Welsh repeat success of last year is about right, but the 28/1 about a Grand Slam has little appeal. Given the poor performance of the Lions down under, this year could all be about the French, who will use this as a springboard for next year’s World Cup, which they host. The fact that they play England and Ireland in Paris just gives them the edge, and the 11/8 for the Grand Slam could look value come mid-March.

Rugby Union Pick:
Wales (+16 points) to best England @ 10/11
France to Win The Grand Slam @ 11/8

Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times are subject to change. Check local listings for TV coverage on these event.