DCSIMG

Martin King's Sports Betting: Pompey an easy start for Chelsea

Luis Felipe Scolari's Chelsea are 3/10 with William Hill to beat Portsmouth on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season.

The Brazilian coach will begin his tenure at Stamford Bridge with a home match against Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, who are 13/2 to register an away win.

Other notable opening day fixtures include Manchester United (2/7) v Newcastle (7/1) and Arsenal (1/6) v Championship winners West Brom (10/1).

Manchester United are 11/10 favourites to win the title again, with Chelsea 9/4, Arsenal 7/2 and Liverpool 13/2.

Promoted clubs from the Championship occupy the three positions in the relegation market with Hull 1/3 to go straight back down, Stoke 4/9 and West Brom 6/5.

Stoke are 7/2 to win at Bolton on the opening day, with the home side 4/6 chances, while Hull (6/4) host Fulham (also 6/4).

Liverpool are 8/15 to win at Sunderland (9/2), while neighbours Everton are worth taking at evens to beat Blackburn (11/5) at Goodison Park.

Turkey have fighting qualities

FOOTBALL: Turkey are a dangerous side to write off and the 4/1 on offer to beat Croatia tonight should attract plenty of interest.

Fatih Terim's men had a sticky start against Portugal, but they've shown their fighting qualities since with comeback wins against Switzerland and Czech Republic.

Croatia are as short at 5/6 with some firms to take the tie in 90 minutes.

Germany the favourites

FOOTBALL: Germany have regained favouritism for Euro 2008 after booking their place in the semi-finals.

The Germans became the first team through to the last four after beating Portugal 3-2 in an enthralling contest in Basel.

It means, having lost favouritism to Holland and Spain, Germany head the market again with William Hill making Joachim Low's men 5/2 jollies.

Holland are the second favourites at 3/1 while Hills also offer 4/1 Spain, 9/2 Italy, 13/2 Croatia, 14 Russia, 25 Turkey.

Germany had drifted out to 8/1 at Betfair to win the tournament.

Meanwhile, Spain are 6/4 to beat Italy in the last eight while the world champions are 2/1 with the draw available at 11/5.

At anything around 6/4, Luis Aragones' side should be checked out.

Missing Tiger makes it

GOLF: Tiger Woods' knee injury has thrown the market for the Open at Royal Birkdale next month wide open.

You can take your pick of Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia at the top end (generally 14/1 each), while the patriot pound might be worth being placed on Lee Westwood (20/1), Luke Donald (40/1), or Paul Casey (50/1), who have all looked strong of late.

Steelbacks on drift

CRICKET: Northants Steelbacks have drifted out to 6/1 (Skybet) to win the Twenty20 Cup following last night's nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Warwickshire Bears.

Before the game, Northants were joint 9/2 tournament favourites with Durham. Warwickshire have been slashed to 7/1.

Bet of the week

TAKE the 6/4 on Spain to beat Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008


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Friday 10 February 2012

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