Cross-Sport Multiple: Saints to steal a point

"With both teams anxious not to lose to a relegation rival, a draw is the likeliest outcome here."

Andrew Hughes thinks Southampton can hold Norwich to a draw and help land a Saturday cross-sport multiple in the process.

Betfair now gives you the facility to mix and match your multiples across a huge range of sports and markets with the easy-to-use betslip and so each weekend I've been putting together a cross-sport treble with the aim of showing the way to maximise your profits.

Bet 1: Back Norwich to draw with Southampton at 3.259/4

Five points separate these teams in the Premier League table, and neither are safe from relegation. Norwich have games against three of the bottom four to come, so have plenty of opportunities, but Southampton are in a precarious position. Defeat to QPR last time was a setback, and with their next two fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, they could easily slip into the bottom three by Easter. 

On the plus side, their recent away form isn't too bad, including a victory at Aston Villa, a draw at Chelsea and a creditable 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. They've also drawn four of their last seven games away from St Mary's. 

Norwich's home record is pretty good too, with their only defeats in the Premier League coming against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, although they have drawn three of the last four at home. With both teams anxious not to lose to a relegation rival, a draw is the likeliest outcome here. 

Bet 2: Back Wales to beat Scotland at 1.444/9

Scotland have surprised a few people in this year's Six Nations campaign. They outplayed traditional wooden spoon rivals Italy at Murrayfield in their second game, then came up with a titanic defensive performance to deny Ireland last time. 

But they won't be making it three out of three on Saturday. The Welsh got off to a slow start in their opener against the Irish, but they fought back well in the second half, then carried that determination over to their next fixtures, in Paris and Rome. Their victories over France and Italy were not pretty, but they have restored confidence, and have even given Wales an outside chance of retaining their title. 

Scotland will defend as though their lives depended on it, but Wales have enough creativity to find a way through, and their back row can cause havoc amongst a Scottish side that has sometimes looked disorganised at the breakdown. 

Bet 3: Back Rigadin De Beauchene in the Sandown 2:40 at 3.02/1

This three mile handicap chase is a modest affair and offers a good opportunity for Rigadin De Beauchene to pick up his second race of 2013. 

Venetia Williams' eight-year-old has improved significantly in his second season over fences, winning a Grade Three at Warwick in January, and finishing second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month. He obviously stays further than this three miles, but the soft going will be in his favour. 

On paper, his main rival appears to be the Paul Nicholls entry There's No Panic, but he hasn't been that impressive this season and may be better going left-handed. Soll is dropping back in class and could be a threat, but he had a hard race in the Welsh National and was beaten a long way. Back Rigadin De Beauchene to prevail. 

Total Odds for this multiple: 14.04n/a Remember, multiple prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

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US Masters Tips: DJ or CH3 to steal top US honours?

US Masters / Romilly Evans / 03 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Charles Howell III would be a huge priced winner in the top US betting

"Johnson’s unique blend of club-head speed and bullseye putting may not come together every week, but when it does he’s near enough unbeatable."

There's some serious quality in the Top US Player market with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson dominating matters. But with the punters focused on those two, could there be value backing another American at a massive price?

Because this category houses so many fancied players, finding the Top American is often as hard as finding the tournament winner. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the two pre-eminent figures in recent annals with seven Green Jackets between them, accordingly dominate the market. But if they are to take a false step, who is most likely to step into their Footjoys and take advantage?

In the talent stakes, it's Nick Watney, Dustin Johnson or Rickie Fowler. In the form department, it's Bubba Watson or Hunter Mahan, who recorded his second win of the year at last week's Houston Open. As for proven-performer criteria, it's Steve Stricker or Jim Furyk who certainly sports the better course form of the two veterans. It's a veritable buffet of possibility and while it's hard to know where to start, if you do make the right choice, you'll be well rewarded (it's [15.0] to back bar the top two in the betting and real liquidity and prices are still to arrive).

For my money, Dustin Johnson is worth taking a flyer on at [24.0] to back. DJ has now had ample time to recover from the knee and back injuries which halted his progress last autumn and is ready to make an impact at Augusta. Johnson's unique blend of club-head speed and bullseye putting may not come together every week, but when it does he's near enough unbeatable. Both those facets are prized commodities at the Masters and, at 28, the time is right for his bloom to stardom after some desperate miscalculations at the 2010 USPGA and last year's Open Championship.

Further down the lists at [75.0] to back and bigger is Charles Howell III. Possessed of a dynamic and repeating swing and an effortless ball-striker, the only missing link from CH3's game is recent years has been putting performance. Those worries have thankfully subsided with the application of the belly putter, and Howell is also ready to contend after some strong showings this year (including a second at the Sony Open).

Howell is Augusta born-and-bred, will draw on enormous home support and even contended here in 2004 (13th) partnering Phil Mickelson on the Saturday. A win may be stretching it for this raw, long-putter-wielding player. Then again, they said the same about Keegan Bradley before last year's USPGA.

Recommended Bets
Back Dustin Johnson @ [24.0]
Back Charles Howell III @ [75.0]

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Sky Dogs Tips: Newcastle can steal Sunderland's big prizes

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 13 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

"In Nyla Fantasy Michael Walsh has a rapidly improving greyhound. Coming into the event as a first-timer over six bends, she has quickly made a big impression, clocking the fastest time in what was undoubtedly the toughest of the semi-finals, and from her handy trap one draw is taken to claim the big prize"

Sunderland's Greyhound Festival concludes live on Sky Sports this Thursday evening with both feature Classic and Grand Prix finals wide open - but Darrell Williams believes both prizes could be heading to Newcastle!

Sunderland's big night of the year looks a belter with four finals up for decision, but solving the two major puzzles, the Classic and Grand Prix, is far from easy with both races overloaded with in-form greyhounds.

Undoubtedly a victory for Blonde Snapper in the feature Classic final (21:45) would be the 'fairytale' result with Mark Wallis' charge having fought back from a lengthy injury to reach this stage unbeaten. His credentials look spot on, having clocked the fastest semi-final time, and having reached the Puppy Plate final over the CD last season, the track certainly plays to his strengths. But with early speed, in the shape of sprinter Lampard on his immediate inside, and the unthinkable threat of a further setback - as his trainer has stated 'we have to manage him' I am reluctantly forced to pass him by.

Newcastle based Jimmy Wright is chasing a third consecutive Grand Prix victory and with two representatives will fancy his chances, but it's his Magna Buddy that makes most appeal in the Classic. Having enjoyed an excellent early season sprinting campaign, which included victory in the Northern Sprint at Sheffield, he has taken the step back up to four bends in his stride, and can utilise his excellent early speed to claim the big prize.

A winner of 11 of his 16 races this season, Magna Buddy looks well drawn inside the speed in trap three and can dominate over the 450m trip where he boasts a four from five record. Strong running Derby runner-up Westmead Guru looks well housed in trap one, but may find reeling in the speedy Magna Buddy beyond him.

Both Wright and Wallis also hold strong chances in the Grand Prix (21:25), with the former dually represented with Droopys Hester and the more obvious claims of Droopys Luisao. Runner-up in the Northern Puppy Derby, Luisao is one of three unbeaten finalists, further illustrating the strength of the race, and having only stepped up to six bends for this event looks open to ample further improvement.

Wallis' Blonde Fletch has been setting the standard over six bends this summer, most notably when winning the Regency back in May, and his versatile style has helped him to win 13 of his 18 starts over six bends. In a red-hot final, Regency and Leger runner-up Bower Hawk's strong running style also makes him a threat in a race packed full of early paced types.

However, in Nyla Fantasy, Newcastle handler Michael Walsh has a rapidly improving greyhound taken to beat them all. Also coming into the event as a first-timer over six bends, she has quickly made a big impression, clocking the fastest time in what was undoubtedly the toughest of the semi-finals, and from her handy trap one draw is taken to claim the big prize.

There would be no more popular winner on the support card than reigning Greyhound of the Year Jimmy Lollie, who rates the nap in the Festival Flyer final (20:45). Returning from a three month injury with victory in the heats, Seamus Cahill's charge can successfully defend his crown, as well as his unblemished 5/5 record over the 261m trip.

The Puppy Plate final (21:05) looks wide-open, and a race I'd be quite happy to swerve, but for those looking for a play I'd recommend Skywalker Teddy, who despite having been a beaten favourite in each of his last three outings, looks well-berthed as the only railer in trap one.

Cloncunny Magic, just outside the sprint clock the other week, is fancied to spring a surprise in the supporting sprint (20:15) for local handler Ann Lagan, where big names Rotar Wing and Fifis Rocket are amongst the opposition. Both however can be opposed, with 'Wing' having won just one of his last five outings, while 'Rocket's previous Sunderland form has been woeful.

Yahoo Jamie looks solid in the opener (19:40), but I'm struggling to split Head Iton Jason and Anfi Gem in the 20:00.

Selections (in preference order)

Jimmy Lollie 20:45
Cloncunny Magic 20:15
Nyla Fantasy 21:25
Yahoo Jamie 19:40
Magna Buddy 21:45

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