Weekend Tips

Last week saw a return to fortunes as the bet of the day (Brighton/Middlesborough- draw) was a winner and both horses won (My Boy Bill @7/1 and Arctic cosmos @5/4). We were also unlucky with the Sunderland one. Still it was worth a punt and it was so close to coming off what would have been a great 14/1 winner. Being the Easter weekend there is a bumper list of fixtures in only a few days. There is also racing on C4 from Kempton, Musselburgh and Haydock, Masters Golf and the boat race so plenty of chances to back a winner.

Football:

O'Neill's Sunderland to go marching on

 This weekend one football fixture sticks out for me. Sunderland at home to Tottenham. As a Newcastle fan I do hate that I am constantly tipping Sunderland however under Martin O'Neill they are a real force. They have proven that with homes wins over Liverpool and Manchester City. Their performance last weekend was astonishing and were unlucky not to get the three points. Harry Redknapp's Tottenham will be in for a real battle as they travel to the North-East. The bookies know this as Sunderland price has been slowly getting lower and lower each week. This week they are 12/5 with SkyBet and still well worth that. Tottenham have stuttered as of late but last weekends win over Swansea will do the confidence good. Their run-in is very nice and would say that third place should be theirs. When you compare run-ins they have to be favourites as they face many mid-table teams with nothing really to play for unlike the other top four challengers.

Elsewhere is the Premier League I see wins for Bolton, Chelsea and Liverpool. As a treble this is 7/2 with SkyBet and looks a good one. Bolton battling for Premier League survival against Fulham safe in mid-table and very poor away from home. Chelsea should beat Wigan despite Wigan's form of late as they continue to chase top four. Liverpool have been poor however Aston Villa are looking awful and a outsider to go down, @10/1 (SkyBet) I will having a punt on that. I thought about it weeks ago however with their price still at 10/1 it is a good punt. I see nothing when I look at the team.   

In the Championship win treble for Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Southampton @3/1. All at home and all in form against sides who are not in Crystal Palace, Bristol City and Portsmouth the latter two who are both heading into League 1. Good old boring Middlesborough have a game against fellow play-off chasing Cardiff both sides will not want to lose and as with the Brighton game last week a draw here is looking most likely and @23/10 (SkyBet) it is another nice price.

Mancini looks a worried figure

On Sunday two big Premier League games. The first, Manchester United vs QPR seems to me straightforward. Anything other then a United win will be a real surprise and they deserve their 1/6 (SkyBet) odds. The second game is the big one between Arsenal and Manchester City. Both sides really need the win. Also by the time this one is played City will know how United did and Arsenal will know how top-four challengers Chelsea and Tottenham did as well as knowing the Newcastle won and would leapfrog them with a win on monday against Bolton should Arsenal lose. This one will be tough to call however I predict an Arsenal win as believe City are struggling. Bookies are also not sure making Arsenal 7/5 City 9/5 and the draw 12/5. In truth I will leave this one alone as expect a tight, nervous match for both sets of fans.

Bet of the day : Sunderland to beat Tottenham @12/5 with SkyBet

Longshot of the day: 6 home wins: Bolton, Liverpool, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Southampton @18/1 with SkyBet. 

If you are really really lucky add the Middlesborough draw for odds of 60/1.  

Racing: 

Three meetings this week and a number of stand outs. Although the fields are large so picking the winners is going to be tough as well as it being the start of the season.  

At Kempton, Soraah in the 2.40  is a great horse however 9/4 is very short however do think he will win this one. Ryan Moore on board. Although the value for money bet is that of Emma's Gift at 16/1. An each-way punt here seems the way to go. Later on at Kempton, Eastern Sun in the 4.20 looks the one to beat. It will be short priced but John Gosden trained and ridden by his number one and for me future Champion Jockey William Buick. At 5/2 I would not oppose.   

At Haydock Zitenka @12/1 in the 2.25 is a good bet. Third last time out, up in class here although with Dougie Costello riding looks a good each-way bet. 

Finally at Musselburgh, Bronze Angel in the 3.50 @5/1 impressive winner last time out and expect good ride again here. In the 2.45 three punters favourites run as Captain Dunne (7/2), Borderlescott (9/2) and Hamish McGonagall (15-8) clash. Expect McGonagall to lead through out and just hold on for the win although is very tough to call. 

Best bets:

Win: 4.20 Kempton- Eastern Sun @5/2

Each-way: 2.25 Haydock - Zitenka @12/1

Golf:

Is it Mcllory's year

Rory Mcllory seems to be the one. After losing last year on that agonising final day, I think this year he will come good. 3/1 seems the bet for me however Lee Westwood does present a real challenge. I expect a late challenge from someone however who I do not know. 

Boat Race:

Oxford are the 1/3 favourites however having always supported Cambridge I will do again. Cambridge 2/1.  

Either boat to sink 33/1.

It seems a terrific few days of sport coming up. Good luck with all your bets.