Bookies Blog

At the time of writing, the betting for the Best Actress in a Leading Role looks fairly open, despite the presence of Kate Winslet at the top. There isn’t an obvious winner at the moment, but the other contenders are just as worthy, and could even shade favouritism before the big night.

9/4 Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road)

Really should become a 7 time Oscar nominee, but whether she will finally win is another question. The Academy probably want to give her an award, and Kate will be hoping that they don’t classify her role in The Reader as a lead. Of the 10 actors that have been nominated in both the lead and supporting categories in the same year, 6 won an award. I think that The Reader, a film about the Holocaust, will go down better than Revolutionary Road. At 9/4, I’m happy to look elsewhere for a bet.

5/2 Meryl Streep (Doubt)

Hasn’t won since Sophie’s Choice, which was released in 1982! The film Doubt looks like a long shot in the Best Film betting, but Meryl Streep has the chance to win Best Actress. Her character is very likable, and the story focuses on sexism and coverups in the Catholic Church. I’m not sure how it will go down on the night, but her drift in the Golden Globes market is alarming, out to 3/1 from 5/2. The Golden Globes don’t always work out as a form guide before the Oscars, but I’d rather bet on an actress that was gathering momentum in the market.

7/2 Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)

The problem about the 7/2 on offer is that everyone loves Anne Hathaway in this movie, but opinion is divided on the film itself. The Academy loves the younger contenders in this category, meaning that Anne has a terrific chance. If Revolutionary Road flops, Hathaway could mops up at tasty odds of 7/2. She has made the transition from the ‘popcorn’ movies and is a good campaigner. She is best priced at 11/4 for a Golden Globe, so her true price for an Oscar may in fact be shorter than the 7/2. Taking it now is a bit risky before other bookmakers open markets, but I’m happy enough with the price.

5/1 Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky)

If she gets nominated, Sally Hawkins has a good chance of winning. Paddy Power are of the same opinion, and go 5/1 from 8/1. She has picked up a few critics’ award, but the same was true for Naomi Watts, who didn’t get an Oscar nomination. My advice would be to tread carefully, but I would by no means rule her out.

6/1 Kristin Scott Thomas (Il y a longtemps que je t’aime)

8/1 Angelina Jolie could pick up a nomination this year, but she hasn’t had one since 1999. If she is back in favour, I fancy that Kristin Scott Thomas will be the casualty. The latter is also a 6/1 long shot for a Golden Globe, but she was brilliant in Il y a longtemps que je t’aime. It’s the only film that I’ve seen on this shortlist - Scott Thomas plays Juliette, who goes to live with her younger sister after a long spell in jail. French films punch above their weight at the Oscars, such as Amélie Poulain, Les Choristes and Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon, which got 4 nominations last year.

Recommendation:

4pts @ 7/2 Anne Hathaway Best Actress in a Leading Role

bookies.com is an odds comparison site, where you can check out both Oscars Betting and Golden Globes Betting:

Oscars 2009 Best Film Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actor Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actress Betting

New Year, along comes another edition of Celebrity Big Brother to our screens. At bookies.com we featured odds from Paddy Power ages ago, who had Ian Wright as their favourite. Now that the show has started (no Ian Wright) the betting has taken a rather different complexion.

The money revolves around Verne Troyer, who played Mini Mein the Austin Powers films. He was a serious contender at 3/1 before the first show, but is now the overwhelming favourite at 7/4. That’s a better price than Betfair, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him shorten further. Troyer was cheered when he entered the house - significant given that this show is essentially a popularity contest.

80% of the money is on him, so the bookies won’t be taking any chances. The 2ft movie star is sure to prove popular, but he may get overtaken in the betting later on. We want to spot the gamble before it happens, and I’m rarely happy with lumping on short-priced favourites. We opposed hot favourite Diana Vickers with 7/1 JLS in the X Factor, only for them to finish 2nd. The I’m A Celebrity! selection, Martina Navratilova, also finished 2nd at 8/1. Hopefully we can go one better this time around.

Ulrika Jonsson could be of interest at 25/1, because she is used to performing for the TV cameras. I’m not referring to her dubious love life, but her presenting skills. She has been very funny to watch, but could be the first to be evicted. Directors were hoping to also have Sven’s girl, Nancy Dell’Olio, in the house, which would’ve caused sparks.

Terry Christian is 7/1 from a big 20/1 before the show. He is the head of house, which entitles him to unlimited hot water. He comes across well and is the most intelligent of all the housemates. With Ben Adams weak in the betting at 6/1, the men have a very strong hand this year. That said, I won’t be backing the boys in the winning gender market at cramped odds of 2/5.

Jonsson was the first to be nominated for eviction, and has drifted from the 11/4 favourite in the top female market to the 7/1 outsider. Lucy Pinder and Michelle Heaton (5/1) can be discounted at this stage, leaving Tina Malone at 10/3. Her co-favourite is La Toya Jackson, who has just come in from a sensational 10/1. She comes across as honest and down to earth, and recently spoke about her abusive husband, which may gain sympathy.

The markets should be followed closely, as they have been very volatile in the opening stages. Coolio took a walk out to 12/1 from 6/1, but is back at 13/2 with Betfred. He is a fun guy, but there is always a chance that he’ll scupper his chances by being too aggressive. I’d be keen to take on Verne Troyer at 10/11 in the Top Male market, and Coolio is available to back at 9/2 with Boylesports. 
The specials featured 1/2 that a celeb would walk out and also 16/1 for the show to be taken off air during the current series. If there was a market on which celebrities will walk out, I’d be interested in Verne Troyer who may not be that happy in the house.

bookies.com compares odds on a range of specials markets, including Dancing on Ice and Oscars Betting:

Celebrity Big Brother Outright Winner Betting

Celebrity Big Brother Top Male Betting

Celebrity Big Brother Top Female Betting

Celebrity Big Brother Gender of Winner Betting

2008 Gold Cup winner Denman could run in this year’s Grand National, according to Champion trainer Paul Nicholls. The Racing Post report that he is ‘coming round to the idea’, and will give his stable star an entry into the big race.

Never mind that Denman would probably carry a lot of weight, we all know about his incredible stamina and jumping ability. He hasn’t run at Aintree before, but a horse of his talent shouldn’t have any problems with the fences.

Bookmakers have reacted drastically to the comments overnight, meaning that Denman is now the 10/1 favourite with several firms. He was an incredible 70/1 just a few days ago and has traded at a high of 149/1 on Betfair.

10/1 is still a great price if Denman is to run, but as with all antepost markets you have to accept the risk that he may not. On the day of the race punters could back him into a silly price, maybe as short as 3/1.

Denman hasn’t run this season, but should go in the Aon Chase at Newbury next month. As well as the targeted Cheltenham Gold Cup (7/4), I’ve also heard rumours that he may travel to France for May’s Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris.

If you’ve got Denmania this year, head over to bookies.com to have a look at the antepost markets:

Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting

Grand National Betting

The Best Actor in a Leading Role award should go to either Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke or Frank Langella, if the betting is to be believed. Any other result would have to go down as an upset, but if one of the other 2 nominees wins the Golden Globe, the market will look drastically different on January 12.

13/8 Sean Penn (Milk)

Sean Penn was the even money favourite to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Drama), but is still pretty well fancied as 5/4 with Ladbrokes. The winner of that award is fairly significant, as 4 of the last 5 winners have gone on to win an Oscar. Daniel Day-Lewis won both last year, and was an incredible 1/9 after the Golden Globe.

If we have identified a solid trend, can we capitalize on odds-against for Sean Penn? My view is that he will go odds-on should he win the Golden Globe, I’d estimate his new price to win the Oscar to be about 4/6. Penn’s performance in Milk is likely to go down well, and he has already picked up the award before in 2003. Daniel Day-Lewis also won before in 1989, so history suggests that shouldn’t be a problem.

9/4 Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Mickey Rourke is the only reason why Sean Penn isn’t odds-on to win the award. For some reason he is only starting to attract praise for his performance as Randy Robinson in The Wrestler. The film won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and has apparently received 98% positive reviews. I haven’t seen it, but one critic has said that “Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances.” He has now been installed at the head of the betting.

Does Hollywood want Mickey Rourke back? He may even be favourite on the night, but I’m can’t back him at 9/4 at this stage.

4/1 Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)

I thought that this film was pretty fun to watch and it kept me engaged throughout. Frank Langella would be a banker to get nominated for an Oscar if there was a market, because his President Nixon is spot on. What impressed me was how he even copies Nixon’s walking style, amongst other habits.

I’d be surprised if he actually won the award though, and 4/1 is perhaps a bit short if you are looking for an alternative to take on the favourite.

8/1 Leonardo DiCaprio (Revolutionary Road)

DiCaprio has been nominated twice for this award already, but may not necessarily get nominated for Revoltuionary Road this year. He teams up with Kate Winslet again in a love story set in 1950s America. I won’t be investing in him this year, as he is the only recent winner of a Golden Globe in recent years not to go on and win an Oscar. Like with The Titanic, it may just be Kate Winslet who gets nominated.

8/1 Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)

Paddy Power have priced up Richard Jenkins for his role in The Reader, even though he didn’t take part. I assume that they will pay out if Jenkins picks up the award for his performance in The Visitor. It is great to see him finally play the lead, who is a retired college professor. He carries it out with aplomb, creating a complex character who is confronted by 2 immigrants staying in his New York flat. He deserves a nomination at least, but it will be a tall order to go on and win the award.
Betting Advice:

Sean Penn is pretty short at 13/8, but at this stage he is the most likely winner of the award. Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) could also get nominated, and is 10/1 for the award. I thought that Brad Pitt would be in the running on what could be a great ceremony for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but Paddy Power haven’t priced him up. I’ll have a very small stake on Richard Jenkins, who could shorten if nominated.

1pt @ 8/1 Richard Jenkins to win Best Leading Actor

bookies.com is an odds comparison site, where you can check out both Oscars Betting and Golden Globes Betting:

Oscars 2009 Best Film Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actor Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actress Betting

Paul Jewell has resigned as manager of Derby County, and at the moment both Skybet and Victor Chandler are taking bets on who will be the next Derby manager.

On this blog we pointed out cracking odds on 20/1 Ricky Sbragia for Sunderland and 10/1 Joe Kinnear, but it’s likely that the bookies won’t be as generous this time around for a care-taker manager. Jewell’s assistant, Chris Hutchings, will take control for the FA Cup trip to Forest Green Rovers and the Carling Cup fixture against Manchester United.

Hutchings is best priced at 6/1 with VCBet, but the current favourite is Nigel Clough. Clough had been 12/1 with Victor Chandler, but is now clear at the top at even money (1/1). The Burton Albion manager is the son of Brian Clough, and could follow in his father’s footsteps. He was famous when playing at Nottingham Forest, and is 8/1 for that job. Clough insists that neither club have made contact with him yet, and is 8/11 with Skybet to still be in charge of Albion at the end of January.

Chairman Adam Pearson has ruled Billy Davies out of the running, who succeeded in getting Derby promoted to the Premier League in 2007. He will be looking for a fresh manager, meaning that Davies is out to 100/1. Davies is the hot favourite for the Forest job, where he is 4/7 in the betting.

Reports on Tuesday (30 Dec) suggested that Derby were looking towards Paul Ince, so he was immediately cut to 3/1 from 8/1, but is now back at the original price. Ince should be recognised as a promising managerial talent and should find a job soon if that’s what he’s looking for.

Boothroyd, also unemployed, is another possibility, although is out to 12/1 from 6/1. Apparently he is below Paul Ince in the pecking order. I am happy to rule out the likes of 20/1 Roy Keane, 25/1 Glen Hoddle and 33/1 Lawrie Sanchez who don’t really fit the profile.

Gus Poyet is at 20/1 from 33/1, but Peter Taylor’s price is more significant, 10/1 from 18/1. Taylor was only recently introduced into the market, but needs consideration after he led a Hull side to 2 promotions with chairman Adam Pearson.

Victor Chandler have the most generous prices in the Derby Manager market, and they offer 16/1 on both Iain Dowie and David O’Leary. Darren Ferguson is an 18/1 shot, but he was also linked to the Leeds job. My advice again is to follow the markets closely, and follow the money if you’re interested in investing. Odds that are surrounded in a little blue box are shortening, which is fairly significant in such a speculative market.

bookies.com compares odds between UK bookmakers on the following next manager markets:

Next Derby Manager Betting

Next Nottingham Forest Manager Betting

Next Barnet Manager Betting

At the moment, there are 281 films in the running for the most prestigious Academy Award, Film of the Year. Nevertheless, you can bet that that the eventual winner will come from Paddy Power’s shortlist of 12 films. Bet365 are also taking bets on this market, and give you slightly more options. That said, do you really think that 66/1 Quantum of Solace was that good?

6/4 Slumdog Millionaire

I would’ve been happy to take the original price of 2/1, but now the best price you can find is 6/4 with bet365. This film should be at the top of anyone’s list, simply because it has had to build an audience, as it doesn’t have the big studio behind it. This prize likes to recognize films that are financially successful, and Slumdog Millionaire ticks that box. For that reason, 6/4 looks like a fair price.

4/1 Milk

Milk wasn’t nominated in the Best Picture category in the Globes, but it is pretty solid in the betting at 4/1. That price looks pretty short, as I give it a similar chance to both Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Sean Penn’s portrayal of California’s first openly gay elected official will be popular, not least because it’s a politcally apt topic. To be honest, I’d rather put my money on Sean Penn in the Best Actor category.

7/1 Doubt

May eventually get out-grossed by Slumdog Millionaire, but Doubt has to be recognised as another financial success. Paddy Power have lengthened the odds from 5/1 out to 6/1, maybe because Meryl Streep’s performance has been criticized for one reason or another. Doubt picked up the most Screen Actors Guild nominations, but the same ‘curse’ befell Into The Wild last year.

11/2 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I haven’t seen this one, but apparently it is very ordinary and simply helped by its star appeal. Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt add great weight to this film’s popularity and I’m interested that the Paddy Power now go 5/1 from last week’s 8/1. The film is about an 80 year old man who ages backwards (i.e. gets younger with time) and is described by its director as ‘dark’ and ‘romantic’. Its 3 day total came to $27.2 million - these financially successful films always tend to do well.

8/1 Frost/Nixon

Kevin Bacon deserves an Oscar sometime soon, and could be decent value to pick one up this year in the Best Supporting Actor Category for his performance as an aide in Frost/Nixon. This film should make the final 5, but Ron Howard’s films always come across to me as both slow and a bit static. I’ll confess to not having seen this film yet, but it isn’t worthy of best picture. The interview part has been criticized for being repeatedly interrupted.

Aside from the market leaders, 16/1 The Wrestler could have an outside chance. The Dark Knight is also a 16/1 underdog, but has the potential to cause a stunning upset.

bookies.com currently has odds on the 3 main Academy Awards:

Best Film Betting

Best Actress Betting

Best Actor Betting

We wish you a very happy and prosperous new year, and hope that we can continue our betting form into 2009. To celebrate, we’re featuring SkyBet’s incredible list of 2009 specials. I must say the odds are fairly shocking, but it’s pretty amusing to see what the lads at Skybet have conjured up to tempt us.

Odds of 14/1 on the Queen to abdicate are shocking, it should be greater than 100/1! That said, Paddy Power are also running several specials, and have reminded us of what you could’ve got last year if you had lumped on:

8/11      Spice Girls were the first band to split

8/11      Mucca walked away with less than £50million of Paul McCartney’s fortune

15/8      Lewis Hamilton was crowned 2008 F1 champion

5/1        Team GB won more than 12 gold medals at the Olympics

11/2      Barack Obama was elected the 44^th US President

6/1        Madonna and Guy Ritchie were the first celebrity couple to file for divorce

12/1      Peaches Geldof was the first singleton to get married

18/1      Ibiza was Wayne Rooney’s chosen stag weekend destination

If you were pressing me to take one of Skybet’s specials, I’d probably take 10/1 about Chris Moyles being sacked from Radio 1. He has been on thin ice for a while now, and who knows what 2009 holds? Will we finally capture Osama bin Laden at 5/1?!

Perhaps one of the bets of 2009 is a General Election to be held in June 2009 at 4/1 with Ladbrokes. Gordon Brown may want to capitalise on the Obama visit or simply cash in before we find out how bad the economy really is.

I am looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival next year, as well as the Six Nations. Also of interest are The Tour de France, The Ashes, Wimbledon and the Champions League.

2009 SPECIALS:

X Factor Final 3 all have UK no. 1 singles 20/1

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson marry in civil ceremony 6/4

UK win Eurovision 16/1

X Factor Winner sing on American Idol as guest 3/1

Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Sherzinger marry 10/1

UK come last in Eurovision 3/1

Louis Walsh not to be X Factor judge for 2009 series 3/1

Kate Moss marry Jamie Hince 3/1

UK get ‘nul point’ in Eurovision   10/1

Robbie Williams replace Dannii Minogue as judge on X Factor 2009 5/1

Pete Doherty and Kate Moss get back together officially   4/1

Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder Civil to divorce 1/3

Simon Cowell not be X Factor panellist in 2009 3/1

Paul McCartney remarry 4/1

Kerry Katona and Mark Croft divorce 2/1

S Cowell announce he’ll stand as candidate in next election 20/1

Britney Spears marries again    4/1

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split    5/1

Simon Cowell come out as gay 50/1

Queen not record Xmas message 5/1

David Cameron have his bike stolen 6/1

X Factor Winner have 3 consecutive no. 1 singles by end 08    7/1

Chelsey and Harry get engaged 4/1

David Cameron grow a moustache   33/1

X Factor Winner not go straight to no. 1 official UK album chart with debut by end 08  5/6

Prince William or Prince Harry to marry 6/1

Madonna & G Ritchie get back together 50/1

X Factor 09 winner get Xmas no. 1 2009 1/4

Prince William and Kate Middleton get engaged 2/1

Osama Bin Laden be captured   5/1

X Factor winner 09 NOT get Xmas no. 1 2009 11/4

Queen to abdicate 14/1

Ant and Dec their get own individual TV shows 33/1

X Factor Final 3 all have UK no. 1 albums in 2008 8/1

Prince William and Kate Middleton split 5/2

Chris Moyles sacked from Radio 1 breakfast show 10/1

Diana Vickers and Eoghann Quigg release duet 3/1

Prince William become King 50/1

Russell Brand reinstated as Radio Two DJ 50/1

Cheryl Cole win FHM Sexiest Woman in the World 5/1

Terry Wogan Retire from his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show 6/4

Great white shark be caught off British shores 20/1

Girls Aloud split 5/6

Sports personality win Strictly Come Dancing 09 6/4

Gordon Brown be PM on 31/12/09 2/7

Leona’s fastest selling debut album record broken (375,872 in first week) 5/1

John Sergeant replace Bruce Forsyth as SCD host 10/1

David Cameron be PM on 31/12/09 11/4

Leona Lewis win best UK female at Brits 2/1

Anton Du Beke replace Bruce Forsyth as SCD host 6/1

Nick Clegg be PM on 31/12/09 100/1

Victoria Beckham have baby girl 6/1

Geri Halliwell do Strictly Come Dancing 09 8/1

Will Young announce his intention to stand as candidate in next GE 20/1

Cheryl and Ashley Cole have a baby 3/1

Bruce Forsyth NOT host Strictly Come Dancing 2009 5/4

PM to announce referendum on joining Euro 8/1

Charlotte Church has another baby 4/1

Jonny Vegas win SCD 09 16/1

UK adopt Euro as official currency 16/1

Posh & Becks adopt a child 10/1

Peter Mandelson win SCD 09 33/1

David Cameron arrested under anti-terrorism legislation 33/1

Angelina Jolie adopt again 2/1

Robbie Williams sing on a new Take That release (not old song)   3/1

The FTSE to be above 6000 on 31/12/09 6/1

Celeb Big Brother taken off air permanently mid series 10/1

Totally dry Wimbledon fortnight 10/1

The FTSE to be above 5000 on 31/12/09 5/4

Kate Winslet win Best Lead Actress Oscar 2/1

Rain every day Wimbledon 33/1

Congestion charge be introduced in a UK city by public vote 4/1

Heath Ledger win Best Supporting Actor at Oscars 1/4

David Beckham play in Premier League 3/1

It’s the time of year when the showbiz world turns their attention towards the Oscars, which take place on 22 February 2009. As we start a new year’s betting on Bookies Blog, we’ll be looking for some long term value bets to keep us afloat.

Over the next few days we’ll be looking at the front-runners in the main 3 categories, to scrutinise the favourites and see if there could be any upsets to the betting. Click the links to be taken to each individual preview or just go to our Oscars Betting section of the blog to find out the latest developments.

• Best Film Betting Preview
• Best Leading Actor Betting Preview
• Best Leading Actress Betting Preview 

The other categories don’t have markets just yet, but I’d expect the UK bookies to price up the candidates after the Golden Globes.

In the Directing category, Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire will be around the even money favourite, followed by David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The Dark Knight is a 14/1 outsider in the Best Film category, but director Christopher Nolan has a great chance in this one.

The best Supporting Actor category will be very prohibitive thanks to Heath Ledger, who must surely pick up the award for his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Skybet have priced him at 1/4.

Penelope Cruz will be the favourite in the best Supporting Actress category, although expect to see Viola Davis and Kate Winslet close behind. Kate Winslet is a potential nominee for 2 films this year: The Reader and Revolutionary Road. With 5 Golden Globe nominations to her name this year, she has to be considered from a betting angle.

The Adapted Writing category could also go the way of Slumdog Millionaire, which has 4 Golden Globe nominations.  The story is about a child from Mumbai who makes it onto the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Others that will be in contention are Doubt and also The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

In the Original Writing category, Vicky Cristina Barcelona could take it for Woody Allen. The romantic comedy has had great reviews and has had 4 Golden Globe Nominations. It got an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is Allen’s best film since Match Point in 2005. Rachel Getting Married and Milk will be at the front of the betting, but Changeling could be an outside bet. If I was to have a bet at this stage, I’d probably take WALL-E for some serious value. It has been gathering momentum and could make headlines this year. Expect it to take the Animated Feature Film category.

bookies.com is an odds comparison site, where you can check out both Oscars Betting and Golden Globes Betting:

Oscars 2009 Best Film Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actor Betting

Oscars 2009 Best Actress Betting

Golden Globe Awards:

Best Actor (Com/Mus)

Best Actor (Drama)

Best Actress (Com/Mu)

Best Actress (Drama)

Best Director

Best Picture (Com/Mu)

Best Picture (Drama)

Best Screenplay

Best Support Actress

Best Supporting Actor

It pays to follow our advice! We told you how easy winners Liverpool were popular with punters and that the draw between Blackurn and Man City was the ‘best bet’ of the day.

Even though Man U are 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, they are now the 6/4 favourites to win the league after Chelsea slipped up at Fulham, where they were 8/13 in the match betting. The title race looks incredibly tight at the moment, with the bookies able to see past Liverpool, still offering 11/4.

Chelsea have been pushed out to 2/1 by several firms, and Arsenal shouldn’t be dismissed at 33/1. The relegation battle looks even closer, with bigger prices available. Betfred go 4/1 about Portsmouth, which is a bigger price than Betfair. Pompey are set to lose several players in the January transfer window, and Tony Adams is Skybet’s 9/4 favourite in the next manager to go market.

Other prices that interest me are 4/1 for Bolton and 7/1 for Newcastle United, although I should’ve taken Ladbrokes’ 8/1 quote yesterday. West Brom have been eased out to 7/20 after a solid win against 10 man Spurs yesterday, who are 14/1 to go down themselves.

Tonight’s match is Manchester United against Middlesbrough, which is televised on Setanta. The home side are hot is the betting at 2/9, with Middlesbrough available at a huge 19/1. Gareth Southgate has recently been cut from 16/1 into 14s to be the next manager to go, as his side are winless in 8.

Since beating Aston Villa, Middlesbrough have lost to the likes of Bolton, Hull, Fulham and Everton. Unfortunately for them, Man U have won their last 6 at Old Trafford and are unbeaten in their last 12 home games. The away win looks highly unlikely tonight, but there may be some value in other markets.

Boro have scored in their last 3 visits to Old Trafford, and you can lay the Man U clean sheet at 1.71 on Betfair. They lost 4-1 in this fixture last year, with Aliadière scoring for the away side, who is 6/1 to net anytime tonight, or 20/1 to score first with Blue Square.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing football odds between the top UK bookmakers:

2009 Premier League Winner Betting

Relegation Betting

Next Manager to Go Betting

Man U v Middlesbrough Match Betting

Man U v Middlesbrough Clean Sheet Betting

Man U v Middlesbrough Anytime Goalscorer Betting

Our 33/1 selection in the Welsh National, Cornish Sett, stayed on well to take 2nd. He’ll be trained for next years Grand National, where he is currently a 80/1 chance on Betfair.

Today’s Premier League action looks difficult from a punting point of view, as I think several matches could end up as draws. Punters are happy to smash into 4/5 Liverpool at Newcastle, because the home team have a number of injury problems. Beye, Viduka and Bassong will all be missing but the 9/2 home side have been on a good run of form recently. Newcastle are now out to 8/1 to be relegated, but won’t appreciate the returns of Mascherano and Torres.

Manchester City are looking to bid for Michael Owen, who is rated as £4-6 million even though his contract is running out at the end of the season. The 29 year old recently said that he wouldn’t leave this January, meaning that punters who took Hill’s generous 13/8 about him still being at Newcastle in February should be chuffed. Owen is best priced at 15/2 to open the scoring against his former club today with Sportingbet.

Other ‘bankers’ today are 2/5 Arsenal against Pompey and 8/13 Chelsea to continue their good away form at Fulham. Elsewhere, 11/10 Villa have been supported for their trip to Hull, and they are 66/1 to win the Premiership.

From a betting point of view, I’d be looking to avoid the clash between 13/8 Blackburn and 15/8 Manchester City. With question marks over both sides, the draw at 12/5 is probably the best bet. Everton v Sunderland also looks difficult, but 4/1 for Ricky Sbragia’s side looks generous.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing football odds between the top UK bookmakers:

Newcastle v Liverpool Match Betting

Newcastle v Liverpool First Goalscorer Betting

Arsenal v Portsmouth Match Betting

Fulham v Chelsea Match Betting

Blackburn v Man City Match Betting

Everton v Sunderland Match Betting

Next Manager to go Betting

Premier League Winner Betting