Last week's Premier League recommendations were all turned over during a weekend of shocks, with Liverpool, Stoke and Birmingham all kicking above their weight. However, I'll be looking to claw some Premier pride back on Saturday when Arsenal (11/20) should take care of a wounded Tottenham side (9/2).
True, Tottenham will have the opportunity to restore confidence in Tuesday's home clash against Everton in the Carling Cup, but a trip to the Emirates will be a different ball game.
Although the Gunners threw away a two-goal lead at West Ham on Sunday – owing to a late penalty – they showed enough to suggest they will have too much for Spurs. All of the evidence points to juicy odds of 7/2 for the double result (half-time/full-time) for Arsenal.
Manchester United (1/6) feature in Saturday's second live game where they host Blackburn (12/1), who have only won at Old Trafford once in the Premier League. Despite losing at Anfield on Sunday, it would take a brave punter to bet against Fergie's side at home, so a better opportunity can be found with rivals Manchester City and their away trip to Birmingham on Sunday.
With Birmingham knocking in three at home on Saturday, and City rarely going a game without scoring, we could be in for a St Andrews goal fest. Three of the last four corresponding fixtures have resulted in a minimum of three goals and I fancy Sportingbet's show of evens about 2.5 goals or more.
The glamour tie in Tuesday and Wednesday's Carling Cup matches is Arsenal (21/20) at home to Liverpool (9/4) where the starting line-ups will be the biggest factor. If Liverpool put out a strong side against Wenger's youngsters on Wednesday then the value will lie in an away victory at 9/4.
The best punt in the Carling Cup, however, can be found at Fratton Park on Tuesday night when Portsmouth (evens) host Stoke City (12/5). Pompey stopped the rot of late but still aren't convincing. Stoke, on the other hand, will ooze confidence following their win at Spurs and have only lost three of their 12 competitive matches this term – against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. The Potters making the quarter-finals after 90 minutes is at 12/5.
I can't get through most Saturday afternoon's without a punt on the horses and while the Flat season comes to an end in the next few weeks, the jumps moves up a gear with the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby this weekend.
Two strong trends have emerged in this prestige event during the last 12 years with each victor having already won over three miles, while all bar one were aged seven to 10 years old.
These filters bring the 11 runners down to just three, with Charlie Egerton's Darkness looking to put the frighteners on his rivals in the build-up to Halloween night. This gelding loves racing in small fields without getting hassled and has a very good record following a break, so make sure to check his odds when Sportingbet release prices.
The world of golf provides two cracking tournaments on Thursday with the World Matchplay in Spain where Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy will head the betting, while over in Singapore, Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els will lock horns.
The latter tournament has a record of producing shock winners since being relaunched in 2005, with Adam Scott (twice), Angel Cabrera and Jeev Milkha Singh triumphing at big prices, which could tempt punters looking for big odds.
The Matchplay, however, has been more predictable with the likes of Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Lee Westwood emerging best, and the latter will have his supporters following his recent victory in the Portugal Masters.
In motorsport, the 2009 Formula 1 season comes to a climax in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and, although Jenson Button has already won the Drivers' Championship, he will be out to justify his No.1 status at the Yas Marina Circuit which makes its debut, while Lewis Hamilton will be looking to send out a few reminders to his compatriot for 2010.
