» February 22nd, 2006

UNITED A SAFE BET AT 8/13

Carling Cup Final, Man United v Wigan

Su Feb 26 – 3.00 ko (SS1)

Surprise results are memorable in Cup finals because they're so infrequent, and we shouldn't be betting on one here. Wigan (9/2) have done tremendously well to get this far by beating Bolton, Newcastle and Arsenal, but their most recent form has been more like what we expected from them at the start of the season – just one win in nine and one clean sheet in 13.

They've also struggled to beat the top clubs this season. Sunday's point against Spurs was their first from eight games against teams in the current top five, including a run of five successive defeats, culminating in a 4-0 thrashing at Old Trafford in December. That was only a week after United's exit from the Champions League, and they could also catch United (8/13) on the rebound again here after their defeat by Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend. The draw is priced at 13/5.

You might want to consider backing United to have the lead at half time at 6/4, while in our First Goalscorer market, Wayne Rooney looks a good shout at 4/1, especially as we'll give you your money back if he scores the last goal in the game instead. He scored twice in December's 4-0 thrashing, although it was Rio Ferdinand who scored the opener, and he's 20/1 to repeat that feat, and 5/1 to score anytime here at bet365. Once the game goes live, don't forget to check out our 14 exciting live In-play markets.

Carling Cup Picks:
United to beat Wigan at 8/13
United / United @ 6/4
Wayne Rooney to score first @ 4/1

TOFFEES CAN RAID MAGPIES NEST AT 11/4

Newcastle v Everton

Sa Feb 25 – 5.15 ko (Prem Plus)

Everton are the form team in the Premiership at the moment thanks to a series of 1-0 wins, and look up to nicking the points at Newcastle at a tasty 11/4 (but be quick, this might not last too long!). Surprisingly, the Toffees have collected an impressive 16 points (with just eight goals) from their last six games, while Newcastle rode their luck in their recent victory against Villa. They can hardly brag about their home wins against Portsmouth and Southampton either, so we'll be backing the away win at 11/4, and chase even fatter odds by having a few quid on the 1-0 correct score at 8/1.

Everton go into our Premiership acca this weekend, along with Chelsea (1/7), Birmingham (4/6) and Bolton (4/5), who host one of the worst away teams in the Premiership, Fulham. A £50 acca pays out £854.97 to a £50 stake, which includes a bet365 bonus of 5% (up to 60% more every weekend).

Weekend Premiership Picks:
Everton to beat Newcastle @ 11/4
Everton to win 1-0 @ 8/1
Birmingham to beat Sunderland @ 4/6
Bolton to beat Fulham @ 4/5
4-fold on Everton, Birmingham, Bolton and Chelsea pays £854.97 (£50 stake) – which includes a bet365 bonus of 5%

RACING POST CHASE - LIGHTNING TO STRIKE AT 8/1

bet365 Racing Post Chase latest prices...
Lacdoudal 6/1, Ladalko 7/1, Fork Lightning 8/1, Graphic Approach 9/1, L'Ami 10/1, Iznogoud 16/1, others on bet365 website

This year's Racing Post Chase has been transferred to Sandown (due off 3.20), a course that bears little resemblance to its usual home Kempton, but that hasn't detracted from the quality of the field. Lacdoudal is bet365's 6/1 favourite for the race at 6/1, and it's not hard to see why. He's already proved his stamina for the 3m trip when winning over the course back in December, and produced another fine effort when last seen over fences, finishing third under a big weight in the Robin Cook Gold Cup. Unlike some of the others, he still has scope for improvement, as does Fork Lightning, who should be supported at the bet365 price of 8/1.

The selection missed a recent visit to the track due to the ground being too fast (unlikely to be the case on Saturday), his first start since finishing third to the useful Joacci over three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. That run was even more creditable since he was entitled to ‘bounce’ on his second run back after injury, and he could do even better now that he’s racing right handed (won three times going right-handed in the past).

Of the others, L'Ami (10/1) could struggle to give the weight away, while Ladalko (7/1) needs to get his jumping sorted out, so the one for the forecast could be Iznogoud. This one looks the pick of Martin Pipe's three entries after finishing third in this race in 2004 and second last year, and he looks to have a great each-way chance at bet365's 16/1. Remember that if you back the winner of the race (or any of the six live Channel 4 races on Saturday), you're eligible for a free bet to the same stake on the next live Channel 4 race. bet365 customers can also watch the race live by betting £5 and clicking on the live stream next to the race, while forecast backers should be taking the bet365 'Showcast' price on the day, as we'll pay you the starting price (CSF) is it's bigger! Why bet anywhere else?

MONEY BACK ON CHELTENHAM NON-RUNNERS

Nick Gifford could be giving his big Cheltenham hope Straw Bear a run out at the weekend (entered 1.35 Sandown), and he's confidently expected to add to his two career wins to date. He's prominent in the bet365 betting for both the Supreme Novice (12/1) and Royal & SunAlliance Hurdles (20/1) at Cheltenham, and his trainer is confident that we haven't seen the best of him yet, ominous words indeed. Another potential Festival candidate is expected to line up on Saturday, when Monet's Garden bids for his first graded win over fences in the Pendil Novice Chase (2.10). Nicky Richard's charge is unbeaten over fences, and two and a half miles around Sandown should be right up his street. At this stage he's more likely to run in the Arkle Trophy over two miles rather than step up to three in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, and he gets a bet365 14/1 quote for the former. Whichever race he runs in, bet365 customers can back him (or any of their Festival fancies) in the confidence of getting a run for their money, or their stake returned to their bet365 balance! As from Saturday, February 26th, bet365 are going non runner no bet on all Cheltenham ante post races!

CHRYSLER CLASSIC - ROLLINS A WORTHY TUCSON FAVOURITE AT 18/1

No big names playing in this week's back-up tournament to the World Matchplay (see below), which is open to players not ranked in the top-64 in the world. There's no obvious favourite either, but that burden falls on the shoulders of John Rollins, an 18/1 shot here at bet365. He's probably the form horse in this non-televised event after a couple of top-five finishes in recent weeks in much stronger events than this. He's also a Tour winner, which is more than can be said for many of the other players this week, and has previous course experience (26th last year).

However, he's not the only one doing it right now, and the improving Norwegian, Henrik Bjornstad should also be considered at a standout 50/1 with bet365. He has made a tremendous start to his American career with two top ten finishes, and this weaker event should see him challenging again come Sunday. We'll also be sticking a few quid on Justin Rose at 25/1. It was not that long ago since Rose was ranked highly enough to play in the Matchplay, and he's since come close to breaking his duck on the US Tour when finishing 3rd in the Buick Championship at the end of last year. He looks to have carried that form through to this year (top-10 in the Bob Hope), and, with his talent, he really should be up to winning an event like this.

Chysler Classic of Tucson Three Off The Tee... John Rollins 18/1, Justin Rose 25/1, Henrik Bjornstad 50/1. Each-way 1/4 odds 1.2.3.4.5

OPPOSE WORLD MATCHPLAY FAVOURITES

We Feb 22 – 19.00 BST (SS3)

Th Feb 23 – 19.00 BST (SS3)

Fr Feb 24 – 19.00 BST (SS3)

Sa Feb 25 – 15.30 BST (SS2)

Su Feb 26 – 16.00 BST (SS2)

This week's World Matchplay tees off on Wednesday, but don't worry if you don't manage to get a bet on before the start as we'll have live In-Play betting throughout. Matchplay can be hard to predict. At this level, anyone can get hot over 18 holes, and you could find the player that you've backed on his way home after shooting 66 if their opponent shoots 65. So, don't be afraid to take on the jollies over the course of the five days. Despite winning twice this year, Tiger has not been playing his best golf, while neither Ernie Els nor Vijay Singh have great records here. My player against the field is Chris DiMarco (25/1 pre tournament). Last year's beaten finalist looks to be on his game entering the event, having won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January and finishing in the top-15 twice in three starts on the Tour.

World Matchplay Pick: Chris DiMarco @ 25/1 (oppose Woods, Els and Singh)

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