FOOTBALL
Carling Cup Final – Chelsea v Liverpool
Su Feb 27 – 15.00 BST ko (SS1)
It would be easy to overreact to the Blues' defeat at St James' Park, but they have not being playing well in recent weeks and, on top of their current injury worries, this game could be coming at the wrong time right now. Liverpool will be in great heart after their midweek win over Leverkusen, and have the added benefit of going into the game as underdogs. Liverpool have an outstanding record at the Millennium Stadium, having only lost to Arsenal in the Charity Shield. They were also underdogs two years ago when they beat United, and look worth an interest at 11/4 to lift the first piece of silverware of the season. In a game where goals may be at a premium, a safer bet could be on our Asian Handicap at 1.80 getting a half goal start - you will still collect if the game is draw.

Selection: Liverpool @ 11/4 (90 mins) or 1.80 (Asian Handicap)

GOALSCORER CASHBACK OFFER
Steven Gerrard has made it plain that he intends to leave the club unless they can show the ambition and ability to win trophies. Returning from suspension for this game, it would be ironic if he can score against the club who look most likely to lure him away from Anfield. Back him to score first in the game at 8/1, and be safe in the knowledge that should he fail to do so, we'll refund your losing stake if the player scores the last goal instead! Our great new offer applies to any match where we have goalscorer betting!

GOLF
Accenture World Matchplay
Th Feb 24 – 19.00 BST (SS2)
Fr Feb 25 – 19.00 BST (SS2)
Sa Feb 26 – 15.30 BST (SS2)
Su Feb 27 – 15.00 BST (SS2)


Darren Clarke is the value bet at 22/1 for this week's World Matchplay, an event with which he's always had a special affinity. In 2000, he became the first European to win a WGC event when beating Tiger Woods 4&3 in the final, while last year he beat Stephen Leaney in the third place play-off, and in 2003 came joint 5th. This year he has two high finishes to his name already, finishing just one shot off the play-off for last weeks' Nissan Open (after 36 holes), after coming 6th a week earlier. A word of warning, however, the nature of 18-hole matchplay is that any player can outscore any other, so this is not a tournament to get heavily involved in – the last four runnings have produced winners at 125/1, 100/1 and 80/1 twice! In our match betting, it could pay to back blindly any player who goes off odds against.

Selection: Darren Clarke @ 22/1.

HORSE RACING
Racing Post Chase – 3 miles, Kempton
Sa Feb 26
This weekend's racing is under threat from the weather but, should the big meeting at Kempton be on, Farmer Jack looks 'thrown-in' at the weights for the Racing Post Chase (3.35). Raised 11lb for his gutsy win over Gold Cup hopefuls Strong Flow and Celestial Gold last time out, he is able to run off his old mark here as he's already been allocated top weight. Last year's winner Marlborough showed that that top weight is no barrier to success, and Farmer Jack is strongly fancied to emulate him, and give his trainer Philip Hobbs a third win in seven years. In the Pendil Novice Chase (3.00), do not miss the selection of trainer Nicky Henderson who's made a habit of winning this race (successful in three of the past six renewals), with Mambo his most likely runner at this stage.

Tote Eider Chase – 4m 1f, Newcastle
Sa Feb 26
Up at Newcastle, conditions should be ideal for the improving Jazz d'Estruval in the Novice Chase (3.20). This lightly-raced sort has looked a useful prospect with wins at Ayr and Haydock, and with the soft ground he needs likely, he is fancied to make it three out of three. The sticky ground will sort out the men from the boys in the televised Tote Eider Chase (3.55), in which Malek can fall into the former category. This marathon over four miles has long been his target, and this dour stayer would merit a good bet, should the meeting get the go ahead. If he's successful at 4/1 or over, don't forget to have your free bet on the next live Channel 4 race, the 4.10 race at Kempton.

RUGBY UNION
Six Nations
Ireland go into this Sunday's clash against England as 4-point favourites to stay unbeaten in the competition, and they look more than capable of covering that line. Misfiring England have lost eight of their last 11 Tests, and the last time they won away was at Murrayfield a year ago when Scotland were brushed aside 35-13, so the Lansdowne Road form guide suggests an Irish triumph. Wales get a massive 8-point start when they tackle title rivals France on Saturday, a match that could go along way towards deciding the eventual champions. Wales should have no fears about playing at Stade de France, a ground where they won twice under former coach Graham Henry in 1999 and 2001, and are expected to only make two changes to the side that crushed Italy 38-8 last time out. The latter are 12-point underdogs in Scotland on Saturday, one of three live matches over the weekend, during which we'll be offering live handicap and points betting in-play.

Super 12's
This weekend sees the start of the new Super 12 season, but fans of this Southern Hemisphere rugby will have to be up early on Saturdays to catch the two scheduled live games on Sky Sports. Here at bet365, we make the ACT Brumbies regular season favourites at 9/4, but they will initially be without star back Matt Giteau, who is expected to be out of action for the first three weeks of the season with a broken hand. Second favourites are Canterbury at 3/1, with Auckland at 10/3. The latter were most disappointing last season when failing to finish in the top four, and their early season form is not encouraging, going down 27-22 to New South Wales (15/2). The best of the South African teams could be the Stormers, who have an exciting Springbok line-up, and look capable of picking up a top four spot barring injuries. Join us here at bet365 for live in-play handicap and points betting on Brumbies v Crusaders (ko 8.00) followed by Reds v Hurricanes (ko 10.05).

Get in the game and be lucky!

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. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com