City odds-on for title

MANCHESTER City’s early-season excellence has seen them cut to odds-on favourites to land the Barclays Premier League title.


Manuel Pellegrini’s side has been impressive in away wins at West Brom and Everton and perhaps most significantly during a 3-0 home demolition of champions Chelsea.

City are 5-6 to win the title, with Chelsea 7-2, Arsenal 6-1 and, somewhat surprisingly, Manchester United 10-1 – despite picking up seven points from a possible nine.



ATHLETIC continue to be written off by the bookies despite their four-match unbeaten start to the Sky Bet League One season.

Darren Kelly’s men are 20-1 for promotion, but only 4-1 to be relegated. Short term, Athletic can look forward to Saturday’s visit to neighbours Bury.

The Shakers are even money to win; Athletic 100-30 and the draw 5-2. Sheffield United are the favourites to win the league title at 11-4.



FOLLOWING the euphoria of winning the Ashes, England’s cricketers are set to take on one-day mode against the old enemy.

The five-match series gets under way in Cardiff next Monday and England can be backed at 15-8 to come out on top. Given their series victory over New Zealand earlier this summer and the fact they are playing a more attacking brand of cricket, that’s a decent price, even without the rested Joe Root.

Australia are 8-15, which is poor value despite their status as world champions.



THE US Open is nearly upon us and our own Andy Murray and Swiss legend Roger Federer are in good shape following recent tournament victories.

Murray is 7-2 second favourite behind Novak Djokovic (5-4), while Federer is 9-2. Stan Wawrinka can be backed at 15-1 which is an attractive price for a reigning French Open champion.



RECOMMENDATION: England to win one-day series against Australia, 15-8 (Paddy Power).