England are 13/8 favourites for the Six Nations Championship, which begins this weekend, but injuries to key players could hinder their challenge. France are second best at 7/4, but they played poorly in the Autumn Internationals, so it could be that Irish eyes are smiling come March.

The Emerald Islanders were second in the competition last year, after an impressive campaign which included a 19-13 victory over England at Twickenham. Since then, they have continued to build on that triumph with morale-boosting victories over South Africa and Argentina, and have the advantage of playing both of their main rivals inside the sanctuary of Lansdowne Road, which must give them a massive chance. It is not inconceivable that they could travel to Cardiff on March 19th with a Grand Slam on the line (their first since 1948) – an 11/2 shot here at bet365.

In bet365s ‘Team Points Match-Ups’ market you can back Ireland to score more points than Wales in the competition at 5/6 (giving up a 14.5 point start!). Ireland to score over 13.5 tries in total at 5/6 is another interesting proposition (other teams available). Our early 2-way handicaps for this weekend’s games have the French as 24 point favourites against the Scots, whilst England must overcome a six-point handicap at the Millennium Stadium. With the draw out of the equation, you will get your money back if the games are a handicap tie. Live betting will include a 3-way handicap and total points market.

Tip: Ireland for the Six Nations Championship @ 11/4 and Grand Slam @ 11/2

GOLF
Th Feb 3 – 07.30 BST – delayed coverage (SS1)
Fr Feb 4 – 07.30 BST – delayed coverage (SS1)
Sa Feb 5 – 07.00 BST – delayed coverage (SS3)
Su Feb 6 – 07.00 BST – delayed coverage (SS3)

Ernie Els will be gunning for an incredible four-timer in this week’s Heineken Classic in Australia, and will go off as one of the shortest priced favourites of the season at 11/4. Even at that price he’s probably worth a bet, when you consider the fact that he has not finished outside the top-5 in seven years! If you miss the start of this event, you can still get on in-running as prices will be updated between rounds. On the US Tour, my main fancy this week is Charles Howell, who will not be far way after a 3-2 start to the year, showing the benefit of his winter practice on the putting green. He can be backed at 16/1 in our outright market, and could also be worth a few quid at 13/2 to win the ‘West Coast Swing’(first nine tournaments of the campaign), an exclusive market to bet365. A couple of long-shots to look out for this week are Arron Oberholser (80/1) and Tim Petrovic (125/1). Oberholser is sure-fire future Tour winner, and it could be that he does it the week he celebrates his 30th birthday (Feb. 2nd), while Petrovic was third here a couple of years ago, and played well enough in the Hope last week.

Tips:

Heineken Classic – Ernie Els @ 11/4
FBR (Phoenix) Open – Charles Howell @ 16/1, Arron Oberholser @ 80/1, Tim Petrovic @ 125/1.
‘West Coast Swing’ – Charles Howell @ 11/2

FOOTBALL

Chelsea are now a best priced 1/9 for the Premiership, after Arsenal effectively kissed goodbye to their championship hopes midweek, leaving them 10-points adrift of the leaders, third behind United. The Reds can be backed at 4/7 to see off their fierce rivals in our seasonal match bet, which is effectively a bet on which team will finish second. Chelsea could go further clear when they play Blackburn on Wednesday night, and can expect another 3-pointer when they play Man City at home on Sunday (live on SS1, ko 16.05). The 90-mins price (1/4) is unattractive, however, so the best way to make money on the game is to have a bet on the home-home double result at 8/13, or on them keeping their eighth consecutive clean sheet in the Premiership at 8/11. A more speculative wager is Lampard to score first, Chelsea 3-0, scorecast at 35/1. Once the game kicks off, take your pick from our 12 In-Play markets. Incidentally, Chelsea are now 16/1 to win all four trophies this season (from 14/1), after being drawn away to Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Tip: Chelsea (v Man City) Home/Home @ 8/13, Clean Sheet @ 8/11.

HORSE RACING
This weekend…

Weekend horse racing action centres around the meeting at Sandown, where Graham Lee has double prospects on Boys Hurrah (4.00), successful in both his starts at Sandown, and Oneway (1.40), who bids to complete a five-timer in the two-mile chase. Mark Rimell’s rapidly improving eight-year-old showed his best effort when scoring over course and distance last month, and could still be one step ahead of the handicapper. Liberman will be all the rage should he take his chance in the Sandown Hurdle (3.25) after the form of his Market Rasen win over Patriarch Express was boosted by the latter’s victory at Cheltenham last Saturday. The former Cheltenham Festival bumper winner did not take to hurdling initially, but should be followed now the penny has dropped, although he will not be much of a price. At longer odds, Touch Closer makes each-way appeal after splitting a useful pair at Warwick last time out. Up at Wetherby, Mister McGoldrick must have an excellent chance in the Handicap Chase (3.05) back on his favourite track. If you’re clever enough to back a winner at 4/1 or over in any of the 6 Channel 4 televised races this Saturday, you can look forward to a free bet (up to £50) on the next live race.

Well Chief put up an excellent weight-carrying performance in last Saturday’s Victor Chandler chase, and this rising star is now a 5/2 shot for the Champion Chase. He won decisively and on merit, and it would be no surprise to see him topple Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop at Cheltenham next month. On a day of Cheltenham clues, another prospective Festival winner emerged in the shape of Akilak, who ran out an easy winner of the Juvenile Hurdle, and is now an 8/1 favourite for the Triumph. For the same race, keep an eye out for Martin Pipe’s Windyx, a springer in the market at 40/1, ahead of his expected hurdling debut in the next couple of weeks. Grey Abbey was an impressive winner of the Pillar Chase, and has been chopped in to 10/1 for the Gold Cup. He could be hard to beat there if allowed his own way up front. Finally, make a note of Palarshan, who was spotted staying on up the hill behind Saturday’s winner Buckby Lane, on ground that would have been softer than ideal. Best on good fast ground in the spring, he could be an ideal candidate for the Mildmay of Flete Handicap.

Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times are subject to change. Check local listings for TV coverage on these events.

NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune.

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