It is not exactly breaking news when the richest football club in the world gets linked with a hot prospect, but the Yoann Gourcuff rumour may have some substance to it. The 23 year old French international is one of Lyon’s top priorities this summer, but Manchester City’s offer may prove too attractive to resist for the talented midfielder.

Last year’s French Player of the Year has had a disappointing season with Bordeaux, who only managed to finish 6th in the league. The departure of coach Laurent Blanc and a lack of European football next season means that Gourcuff will be desperate to find a new club this summer to showcase his talents.

City will not be playing Champions League football next season, but at the moment it looks like they are the only club willing to put the required €26m on the table. Roberto Mancini’s side are yet to make a concrete bid for the playmaker, but I bet they will before the 2010 World Cup. France are 20/1 with Sky Bet to win the competition, but even if Gourcuff plays a couple of decent matches in the competition against the top sides, he could attract further attention in the transfer market.

The President of Bordeaux, Jean-Louis Triaud, would like Gourcuff to stay with his club, but he admits that he is used to ‘letting talented players go’.

Man City are 7/1 with Corals to win the EPL title in 2011, but expect to see those odds tumble after they sign some big names this summer. For example in 2008 when City signed Robinho, punters could not get enough of City and started backing The Citizens in all sorts of markets.

Another big-money move this summer could be Lille’s Eden Hazard. The 19 year old has just been voted as the best young player in Ligue 1 for the second season running, and he could be set for a move. Unsurprisingly, Lyon are interested, but Barcelona have already made a €30m offer for the Belgian international. Zinedine Zidane has also pleaded with Real Madrid to make an offer for Hazard.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing football betting odds this summer.

2010 Fifa World Cup Betting Odds

Premier League 2010/2011 Winner Betting Odds

Like all big betting events, it makes sense to start with the favourites. Should we be backing 2/1 Wales, or be looking to take them on?

Last year’s winners Wales have been backed from 5/2 into 2/1, and are 6/1 for the Grand Slam. They may not have the best team on paper, but confidence will be brimming with the solid club performances of both the Ospreys and the Blues.

Ladbrokes are ducking the favourites by only offering 7/4, but I’d be looking to take them on, maybe as early as this Sunday. They are 1/2 for their away trip to Scotland, but I’d would opt for the home side on the handicap (+6) for value’s sake.

England aren’t of interest, even at 9/2. Then got trounced in the autumn internationals, but that was hardly surprising. Martin Johnson’s side haven’t had the best press, and brave selections such as Andy Goode are already being questioned before the tournament. They also have a difficult schedule, but expect them to make light work of Italy at 1/7.

In the outright winner market, I am caught up between France and Ireland – both 7/2. We’ll know more about the 2 sides after he clash in Saturday’s Croke Park fixture, but by then one of the 2 sides could be the new favourite.

French clubs have given a terrible showing in the Heineken Cup, but the international side are more than capable of pulling this off. Having been 4th in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, they have slipped down the world rankings to 7th. If they are well organised and if Lionel Beauxis is kicking well, 11/8 to beat Ireland will look lke a massive price.

French coach Marc Lièvremont is focused on the 2011 World Cup, meaning that I shall side with 7/2 IRELAND. If they win the match against France, they wil grow in confidence and give Wales a run for their money. Declan Kidney is a great tactician, who will be relying on his Munster pack and Brian O’Driscoll.

They beat Argentina 17-3 last November and are a fit team; so could be worth an in-running investment should they find themselves trailing in a match. Their recent away record is concerning, especially as they travel to both Scotland and Wales.

Italy are the 4/7 favourites for the wooden spoon.

Recommendation:

2pts @ 7/2 Ireland to Win 2009 Six Nations

Compare odds on bookies.com before having a bet on the rugby:

Six Nations Winner Betting

Six Nations Grand Slam Winner Betting

Six Nations Triple Crown Winner Betting

Magners League Winner Betting

Guinness Premiership Winner Betting

Heineken Cup Winner Betting

Les Bleus are as short as 5/4 with Ladbrokes but are on offer at 7/4 with Corals, who clearly want to ‘get’ the Gallic team.

England are second favourites at a top price of 5/2 with betinternet, which is also a hugely generous price compared with most bookies.

Next up in the betting are Ireland at a general 11/2, followed by Wales at 9/1 and Scotland at 14/1. Italy are, as usual, the massive outsiders and are offered at 100/1.

The difference of opinions means bookies are betting to 98% on the Six Nations winner; that means you can currently bet on every side and be guaranteed to make a profit on the event.

The bookies clearly believe that there is no dominant side among the six as you can bet on there being no Grand Slam winner at a best price of 4/5 with Skybet. No Triple Crown winner is a 2/1 shot.

At Bookies.com we are still waiting for a proper set of spread betting prices to come out so we can have a bet on a low scoring Six Nations season. Evidence from recent rugby union fixtures in the Heineken Cup and Premiership games suggest the top sides are doing a lot more time wasting and diversionary tactics once they are in the lead and I think this all adds up to low scoring (and slightly dull) games.

Check out the Six Nations 2008 winner betting or the Six Nations Betting Index at bookies.com