Tuesday sees week two of the Champions League where Arsenal, Liverpool and Rangers play. The English clubs should come through OK but Rangers face a tough nut in Seville at Ibrox. The Gers have had difficulty scoring with just three goals in five games, while the Spaniards have netted for fun with 14 goals in the same period. This points to an away victory – with prices of 13/2 and 17/2 for 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines appealing.
It's more of the same on Wednesday with Manchester United (3/10) and Chelsea (1/4) facing simple tasks against Nicosia and Wolfsburg. Chelsea will be looking to put a shocking defeat against Wigan at the weekend behind them and have a good opportunity against a poor side that are only seventh in the Cypriot league. I fancy Chelsea to come out and score three goals or more, which is available at 7/5.
Australia need to beat Pakistan in the cricket earlier on Wednesday to guarantee a semi-final slot – something their opponents have already done – and can rely on captain Ricky Ponting to top score in the match; he has already had two knocks of 79 and 65.
The UEFA Europa League takes over on Thursday when Celtic (3/5), Everton (1/2) and Fulham (3/4) play, while golf's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship gets underway.
Padraig Harrington is a name familiar on here as he has twice finished in the money in America but will find this competition back in Europe – which he has won twice – a touch easier. At 9/1, he is cracking value, as is Rory McIlroy at 11/1.
The weekend is packed full of action with the BBC taking their cameras to Glasgow for snooker's Grand Prix on Saturday and its no surprise to see Ronnie O'Sulliavan head Sportingbet's market at 11/4. The 'Rocket' won the opening tournament of the season in Shanghai a few weeks ago and will be hard to beat, but he has only won this event once in 2004 and lost three finals. John Higgins, Mark Selby and Stephen Maguire all come next at 8/1, but Shaun Murphy looks best at 10/1.
The 2005 World Champion and 2009 finalist looks to have recovered from personal problems and was in good form over in Shanghai before losing 6-5 in the semis. Don't forget that 'in-play' betting will be available.
There are also two major horse races over the weekend with the Cambridgeshire taking place at Newmarket on Saturday and I like the chances of Applause (16/1). Jeremy Noseda's three-year-old easily won two races before leaving it too late at Ascot on Saturday. Compensation awaits here.
Europe's biggest race, the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe is staged over in France 24 hours later and the Irish send over one of the best horses we've seen in years – Sea The Stars (4/5) – who will be looking for his sixth Group One triumph of the season.
The football also comes thick and fast at the weekend with Manchester United (2/11) hosting an improved Sunderland (11/1) side that knocked five past Wolves last week, while on Sunday, Liverpool (11/5) will be looking to repeat last season's victory at Chelsea (11/10).
Fernando Torres is hitting top gear with five goals in three games and is candidate for the first goalscorer.
There is also the small matter of the 'Old Firm' derby at Ibrox between Rangers (7/5) and Celtic (7/4) on Sunday. As stated earlier, Rangers have struggled for goals and may line up with even less confidence if Seville beat them. With that in mind, Celtic look the value.
