With the first signs of the snow relenting, there should be a full programme of Premier League matches this weekend, including the Saturday teatime kick-off where Manchester City (7/5) will look to increase their chances of cementing a Champions League spot when they play Everton (17/10) at Goodison Park.
Roberto Mancini's men moved up to fourth on Monday following a 4-1 home win against Blackburn. Among the goals was Carlos Tevez who netted a hat-trick. The red-hot striker is on a roll, scoring in seven of his last nine matches and rates a good punt at 13/2 with Sportingbet to score the first goal.
Earlier on Saturday lunchtime sees Stoke (19/4) host Liverpool (8/15) at the Britannia Stadium where City have a solid record this term, losing just three of 10 matches – Chelsea, Manchester United and an in-form Birmingham. The question for most punters this season, though, is which Liverpool will turn up? The one that during the past month beat Aston Villa at Villa Park, or the one that lost 2-0 at Portsmouth and struggled at Reading?
The Reds can't be backed at odds-on with their patchy record but I can see them snatching a draw – available at 13/5.
Sunday serves another two matches with Aston Villa (1/2) at home to West Ham (11/2) first up, where Villa should get three points against the homesick Hammers, while the four o'clock kick-off features Bolton (19/4) against Arsenal (8/15) in a fixture that has produced some shocks.
The Trotters have beaten the Gunners three times at home in the last five years, although things were more predictable in the last two seasons with 3-1 and 3-2 victories to Arsenal. And with Bolton netting 12 goals in their last four home matches, and Arsenal hitting 14 in their last five, there should be action. I fancy the 11/5 about 3.5 goals or more in the match.
There will be form clues available prior to the weekend with a number of FA Cup third round replays taking place in midweek, including Birmingham (17/20) against Nottingham Forest (3/1), Liverpool (2/11) versus Reading (12/1) and Newcastle (2/5) against Plymouth (25/4).
I'm surprised Birmingham aren't shorter odds as they remain in crisp form and can help bump up the winnings in a treble on all three of the mentioned home sides, which pays just over 3/1.
We switch cups on Thursday for the rescheduled semi-final first leg of the Carling Cup between Blackburn (17/10) and Aston Villa (7/5), who met at Villa Park a fortnight ago in the FA Cup where Villa were convincing 3-1 winners.
Martin O'Neill's men hold the call between the pair over the last six years, winning eight of their 12 meetings, although Rovers did win 2-1 at Ewood Park back in September. However, with Blackburn remaining winless since mid-November, Villa can make the final and have the opportunity to set things up nicely for the return tie with a first-leg victory here at 7/5.
England's cricketers will be pleased they've missed the snow in South Africa and will be looking to wrap up a series victory in the final test match which starts in Johannesburg on Thursday morning. England (11/5) currently lead 1-0 and would settle for the draw (15/8), but South Africa (6/4) will be all out to win this and could roar back with leading bowler, Dale Steyn, beginning to peak following injury.
My pre-series tip for Jonathan Trott to be leading series batsman for England could still collect if he delivers in the finale. He is certainly due a big score so take the 5/1 on offer in a market where the out-of-form, Kevin Pietersen, is a false favourite.
Johannesburg is the place to be on Thursday as golf's Joburg Open gets underway and last year's winner, Anders Hansen, will be attempting to follow up at 12/1. A bigger price, however, is Edoardo Molinari, who delivered for this column in 2009 and is 20/1 to get off the mark in 2010.
The option of in:play betting will also be available with Sportingbet this week as the tennis and snooker continue. The Medibank Open in Sydney is currently underway where Richard Gasquet and Lleyton Hewitt will be action, while last week's snooker tip – excuse the pun – Ronnie O'Sullivan, will be carrying my hopes on the green baize. He'll be easy to spot this year as he uses a purple cue.
Week's best sportingbet: Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle all to win their FA Cup replays in a treble (pays just over 3/1).
