Football punters have plenty of time to study ahead of the Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day, when there are plenty of cracking matches to choose from, including Manchester City (2/5) at home to Stoke (25/4) – Roberto Mancini's first match in charge of the Blues.
No doubt City's all-star frontline will be keen to impress, but that will again leave holes at the back, so anyone fancying another City of Manchester goal-fest can get odds of 33/20 about four goals or more in the match.
There are also exciting clashes between in-form pair, Fulham (17/10) and Spurs (27/20) at Craven Cottage, while Burnley (5/4) host Bolton (19/10). The Clarets almost did us a favour last week when nearly beating Arsenal at their home fortress and should find Bolton a touch easier to get past.
Those that like to punt on the live action, though, will be looking forward to Birmingham (23/4) at home to Chelsea (9/20) in one of Boxing Day's lunchtime kick-offs.
Alex McLeish's men are unbeaten in their last nine matches, but have failed to beat any team in the top six this season – losing against Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal – and I don't see that changing here.
In the five corresponding Premier League fixtures since 2002/03, City have drawn two and lost three to the Londoners, with the last four finishing 0-1, 0-0, 0-1 and 0-0. This makes Sportingbet's offer of 5/2 about there being 1.5 goals or under very tempting – punters collect whether it is 1-0 to either side or 0-0.
The teatime kick-off sees Liverpool (1/5) take on Wolves (10/1) at Anfield in a 'must win' match for Rafael Benitez. The visitors are crazy odds to win this at 10/1 as Liverpool are all over the place and have only won two of their last six at home, while Wolves have triumphed in three of their last four – including a victory at high-flying Spurs. Even the draw is massive at 19/4 (almost 5/1) and I'm inclined to swing towards a deadlock with maybe a few pounds on Wolves winning – just in case!
24 hours later throws up – possibly the wrong expression following Boxing Day – two more Premier matches with Arsenal (3/5) versus Aston Villa (17/4) at lunchtime, and Hull (13/2) at home to Manchester United (7/20) in the evening.
Unlike most teams, Villa won't fear a trip to Arsenal having already beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this term and are unbeaten at the Emirates in three matches – winning 2-0 a year ago. This will be tight but I fancy split stakes on either Arsenal or Aston Villa leading at half-time and a draw at full-time which is 16/1 with Sportingbet.
Another action-packed day follows on Bank Holiday Monday with Tottenham hosting West Ham in a London derby at White Hart Lane, while Wolves take on Manchester City.
Much will depend on the outcome of Boxing Day before contemplating a wager here, but Tottenham should get the better of a West Ham side that have performed miserably away from home. Check Sportingbet's website for all the latest odds.
One thing that is clear ahead of time, however, is that Kauto Star (8/13) will be ready to knock the 'stuffing' out of his rivals in his bid to win a fourth consecutive King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Second favourite, Imperial Commander, will be the popular each-way bet for many at 11/2 after running Kauto Star to a nose at Haydock last time, while the up-and-coming, Deep Purple, lurks at 14/1.
Not many punters like to get involved at odds-on, though, which is why Sportingbet have priced up a Kauto Star performance market, and odds of 2/1 about him winning by more than five lengths stand out. Kauto's previous three victories in this race were achieved by distances of eight lengths twice, and 11 lengths. Kempton is Kauto's favoured track and he will again win easily – get on!
The Beeb has a rare day at the races on Bank Holiday Monday when they send their cameras to Chepstow for the Welsh National. Only the brave need apply for this gruelling marathon in which 11 of the last 12 winners all won over three miles or further. Other trends to help narrow down the field on the day include: each winner since 1997 made the top five last time, each winner was aged six to nine, and all bar one carried 11 stone or lighter. Oh, and seven of the last eight victors had already scored around Cheptsow's unique undulating track.
The Second Test between South Africa (7/4) and England (3/1) gets underway in Durban around 8.30am on Boxing Day for anyone unfortunate enough to be up at that time. England only just got out of jail when holding on for a draw in the First Test where Jonathan Trott made a solid contribution and the last week's advised odds of 4/1 about him being top series run scorer for England have been slashed into 5/2.
Last week's tip on Terry 'The Bull' Jenkins to win his quarter of the draw in the PDC World Darts Champioship at 6/1 has also been cut to 7/2. Let's hope he makes it to the venue in time as some of the players walked miles through the snow on Monday night owing to traffic delays – and they say darts players aren't fit sportsmen!
Best Festive Sportingbet: Kauto Star to win the King George VI Chase by five lengths or more (2/1).
