Debbie 1-25 to hold seat for Labour

BETTING:

THE eyes of the nation will be on Oldham East and Saddleworth tomorrow night when the first by-election will be held since last May’s General Election.

The reason for the by-election has been well documented and, with a Conservative-Lib/Dem coalition governing Britain and major spending cuts imposed, it is no surprise to see Labour’s Debbie Abrahams a hot favourite at 1-25 to win the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat.

Elwyn Watkins, who took legal action following his narrow defeat to Phil Woolas in the last constituency ballot, is unlikely to better his second place of last time, according to the bookies.

He can be backed at 10-1 to top the poll, with the Conservative party’s Kashif Ali 50-1 and any other party 200s.


ENGLAND were taking on Australia in the first of two T20 internationals today, while Sunday sees the start of the Commonwealth Bank ODI series which features seven matches.

England can be backed at 4-5 to win the series, with Australia at 11-10.

Such was the gulf in class between the teams in the Tests that I envisage similar domination for England in the ODIs.

Take a chance on a six-one England victory at 12-1.


AUSTRALIA also hosts the first grand slam tennis tournament of the year, starting next Monday.

The Australian Open at the Rod Laver Arena will see Roger Federer bid to repeat last year’s triumph when he beat Britain’s Andy Murray in straight sets.

Federer is 2-1 for a repeat triumph, with Murray at 7-1, Rafael Nadal 9-4 and Novak Djokovic 8-1. It’s 20-1 bar these four.

Serena Williams, winner of the women’s title for the previous two years, misses this year’s tournament through injury which could leave the way for last year’s beaten finalist, Justine Henin (6-1) to go one better.

Kim Clijsters is the 9-4 favourite, while Caroline Wozniacki (7-1) and Vera Zvonereva (11-1) are also well fancied.



MANCHESTER United are 4-1 favourites to win the FA Cup after being drawn to play Southampton in round four.

Manchester City will need a replay to get past Leicester, but are still rated 6-1 shots, alongside Chelsea (13-2). Arsenal (13-2) and Tottenham (8-1) are next in the betting.



SIX Nations rugby union returns at the beginning of February and a resurgent England side are the early favourites to win the title.

Martin Johnson’s boys are 9-4, followed by France (13-5), Ireland (100-30), Wales (11-2), Scotland (16-1) and Italy (250-1).



RECOMMENDATION: England cricket team to win ODI series six matches to one, 12-1 (Blue Square).