Our 14/1 BCR Print Easter Cup tip finished second last night, despite being sent off the 11/4 favourite. Advantage Johnny was beaten by three quarters of a length by 6/1 shot Droopys Noel, who was drawn better in trap three.

There are two weeks to go until the final of the World Snooker Championships takes place at The Crucible Theatre, but the action got underway last weekend.

Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan (pictured) is now a stand-out 2/1 with totesport, having eased his way into the second round.

The Rocket has to be opposed by punters and bookies alike, and could be a decent lay if he’s still in contention next week. His price will almost certainly trade shorter, meaning that Betfair customers can effectively bet at odds of 1/2 the field.

O’Sullivan has also won the China Open three times, but he was turned over at short odds against John Higgins (4-5) in the quarters earlier this month.

The three time world champion beat Ali Carter in last year’s final 18-8, who is also through to the second round. Carter can be backed at 10/1 with tournament sponsors Betfred.

Mark Selby was runner-up in this year’s Masters, and makes some appeal at 8/1.

The each way terms aren’t very tempting (1/2 odds, 2 places), but it is always worth keeping an eye out for the in-form outsiders.

Mark King is a huge 150/1 with Sporting Bet, but the odds reflect the fact that he has never won a ranking tournament. He currently holds a winning head-to-head with Ronnie, 6-5.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing snooker odds:

World Snooker Championship 2009 Winner Betting Odds

World Snooker Championship 2009 Match Betting

The firm have enormous liabilities between £5,000 and £10,000, due mainly to a sensational gamble on the 9-3 correct scoreline. The firm cut the price from 5/1 into 4/1 3 days before the match, pretty much unheard of in snooker betting.

What makes the betting pattern even more suspicious is that VC took almost no money for 9-2 or 9-4; the same is reported from Stan James and Boylesports.

Burnett and Maguire used to practice together, which is likely to fuel fears of match-fixing. The video below shows Burnett missing the black at 6:44 which would’ve taken the score to 8-4 – you can’t help but think that something must be amiss.

I think it could just be that the pressure got to Burnett on the black, as he knew about the betting patterns before the match. Claims of match-fixing also beg the question: Why didn’t he simply miss the blue at 6:01?

UK Championships Winner Betting

UK Championships Match Betting

O’Sullivan v Perry Match Betting

There are plenty of betting events this weekend, a particular highlight must be the £1,300,000 Scoop6. A mug’s game you might say, but someone has to win it. The Channel 4 races are from Wincanton and Doncaster, featuring the totesport November Handicap. In that race I like 6/1 Electrolyser who will act on the soft ground and doesn’t carry much weight.

Elsewhere Roy Jones has been well supported in the boxing betting against Joe Calzaghe, forcing bookmakers to clip him into 9/4 from 5/2. In the Snooker, Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Bahrain Championship. Stephen Maguire is the 6/1 favourite, although each way value seekers may prefer the likes of Stephen Hendry or Judd Trump, both 25/1 with totesport.

There’s also a feast of rugby this weekend, with England v New Zealand and Scotland v Tonga in the Rugby league World Cup. Rugby Union internationals include England v Pacific Islands, Wales v South Africa and a fascinating renewal of France v Argentina.

The highlight must be the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Emirates. Boylesports were briefly opposing the away team at 6/4, but now the best you can get is 7/5 with William Hill. Rather like the Chelsea – Man United fixture earlier in the season, I fancy a tight encounter. The draw is 23/10 with totesport, and under 2.5 goals is 4/5 – too short in my opinion to back.

My fancied correct score is 1-1, and I am slightly tempted by the 6/1 on offer. If you reckon the Arsenal attack will draw a blank, try 0-0 at 19/2. The form striker in the match is Berbatov – 9/4 to score anytime or 7/1 to score first.

Recommendation:

1pt each way 6/1 Electrolyser in Saturday’s November Handicap

Next General Election Betting

Doncaster 3.10 Totesport November Handicap Betting

Bahrain Chapionship Betting

Boxing – Calzaghe v Jones Betting

Rugby League World Cup – England v New Zealand Betting

Rugby League World Cup – Scotland v Tonga Betting

Arsenal v Man U Match Betting