Martin King's Sports Betting: It all points to a Leeds victory
Injury-ravaged Northampton Town couldn't be travelling to Leeds at a worse time.
Town go to Elland Road in the FA Cup first round tonight and I'm expecting Stuart Gray's men to be the first side to exit the competition.
It's hard to see where the goals will come from without the likes of Adebayo Akinfenwa and the ineligible Karl Hawley.
Luke Guttridge is another key man definitely out, while Abdul Osman will be sorely missed in midfield.
It all points to a Leeds victory, who are a best-price of 4/7 with bet365.
Town are as big as 13/2 to win it, while the draw is 13/5.
Brackley Town are also in the first round, and it's amazing to
think they are more likely to be in the hat for round two than the Cobblers!
It's the biggest game in the club's history at Eastwood tomorrow and if they play well, there's no reason they can't win it. Brackley play at the same level as Eastwood and look good value at 7/2 (Sky Bet).
Kettering Town are 15/8 to beat Coca-Cola League Two side Lincoln City (7/5).
Back the Dons
FOOTBALL: Milton Keynes Dons are the stand-out bet in this weekend's FA Cup first round fixtures.
Roberto Di Matteo is proving to be a very shrewd manager and they are a steal at 4/6 (bet365, Betfred) to beat a poor Bradford City side at home.
The Bantams play one level below the Dons in league two and have a massive injury list to boot. Use MK as the cornerstone to your accy this weekend.
Bookies still back Brits
FOOTBALL: Despite all four Premier League sides failing to win in the Champions League this week, William Hill go just 9/1 that the semi-final places will be filled by British clubs.
After Chelsea lost 3-1 in Rome and Liverpool were held 1-1 by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, punters were looking to get their money back on Manchester United and Arsenal.
But both odds-on shots failed to prevail.
United (8/11) drew 1-1 at Celtic while Arsene Wenger's Gunners (3/10) were held to a 0-0 draw by Fenerbahce at The Emirates. However, all four sides remain in excellent position to secure a last 16 place and Hills are also offering just 10/3 that the competition will have an all-British final for the second year running.
With two of the six group games to play, Chelsea are general 9/2 favourites to lift the trophy, with Manchester United and Barcelona both at 6/1.
Saints the rank outsiders
RUGBY UNION: Saints made it through to the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Trophy and knocked out one of the favourites last weekend, but the bookies still don't fancy them to win it.
They are rank outsiders with all firms (mainly 6/1) to lift the trophy. Ospreys are the 2/1 favourites, semi-final opponents Cardiff Blues are 5/2, while Gloucester are 5/2.
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Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
