The Italian resigns on claims that his authority as the man in charge has been undermined, but it leaves the national side without a head coach just four months before they take part in the European Championships this summer in Poland and Ukraine.

No sooner had the announcement been made, or well before if we’re honest, thoughts had moved to who will be the next boss of the England team.

On the day when Harry Redknapp was found not guilty on claims of tax evasion, the shouts for the Spurs boss to take over have got louder. He has great management experience and is doing a fantastic job at Tottenham.

The only thing which may detract him from the equation is if he is keen to stay with the day-to-day affairs of club management. With him doing so well at White Hart Lane, and looking to push for another season in the Champions League, does Harry really want to leave that and possibly leave a job unfinished?

Could he possibly do both? Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur, I’m sure, won’t want to lose their manager so could be possibly be a compromise to suit both parties? He is the overwhelming favourite to be the next permanent England manager with best odds of 1/2 (Paddy Power).

If the FA go down the route of employing an Englishman, then there are a few potential candidates. Stuart Pearce has been working with the England set-up for a number of years as well as the under-21s and could well please those who would like continuity. Pyscho is available at a best price of 9/1 (William Hill).

Other possibles are West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson, who has international experience with Switzerland, at 16/1 (888 Sport), Alan Pardew of Newcastle United, who has done remarkable things at St James’ Park, at 20/1 (Sportingbet) or Gareth Southgate, who is already involved in a role at the FA, and can be backed at 40/1 (Betfred).

Having already had two foreign managers in Capello, and previously Sven Goran-Eriksson, then the overseas candidates cannot be overlooked either.

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho doesn’t seem too happy in Spain with Real Madrid. Would he be interested in international management? He’s available at 14/1 (SkyBet). Guus Hiddink has a vast experience of international management with a number of different countries, and he’s available having left his last role in November, and the Dutchman is the third favourite at 12/1 (Sportingbet).

And finally, after having a bit of a torrid time this season at Arsenal, Monsieur Wenger is priced at 33/1 (Sportingbet).

There will be no shortage of applicants, that is for sure. It will be interesting to see how the FA approach this situation now. Will they look for a permanent boss before the championships in the summer, or appoint an interim manager before looking for somebody on a permanent basis for the World Cup qualification campaign ahead of Brazil 2014.

Assalamu alikum! Here we are back in the UAE for The Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

This tournament was born in 1989 when the European Tour visited Asia for the first time. Look at it now – we can’t actually get away from the place and it’s not even in Europe!

Date: 9th – 12th February 2012
Venue: Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE

The flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, The Majilis is a challenging championship par 72, 7,301-yard layout designed by architect Karl Litten, the original 18 holes were built in and around the dunes of a beautiful site on the edge of the city of Dubai – it was the first all grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 88!

Yards: 7,301 yards
Par: Par 72

Field:

This week there’s a welcome return to some of the games’ best players who have been using the perfect UAE weather to perfect their game in time for this tournament. It also includes some significant experience from stateside including Fred Couples (94/1), Mark O’Meara (189/1) and US Walker Cup star in the making – Peter Uihlein (189/1 – all Betfair).

However, no one is currently on form like perma-odd shortening Paul Lawrie (28/1 with Betfair) – he has amassed 1 Million Euros since mid December in winnings and currently lies third in the Race to Dubai after a sensational 1st place in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters – a tournament he won 13 years ago in the same year he triumphed in the little known Open Championship!

Consider…:

Unlike in Qatar – the weather will be on the side of all of the players and the locals will be keen to see an exciting finish similar to Middle Eastern delights the Majilis course has delivered on many occasions previously.

However, here’s hoping the interested locals will bring more billionaires and belly dancers than bombers and leave explosions of any sort strictly to the professionals coming from the sand traps!

Ones to watch:

Alvaro Quiros (19/1 with Betfair) again! In 2011, Spain’s Quiros was tied 65th after an opening round of 73, staged one of the biggest comebacks in the history of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, to win the tournament at 11 under.

He was eight shots behind the leader after 36 holes. He’s getting back into the swing of things now and his enormous length will prove of some sizeable advantage this time around as his average drive is blowing in a desert storm at 324 yards!

World number 75, George Coetzee (31/1 with Betfair), is enjoying a hectic but satisfying schedule across both African and Middle Eastern regions since an off season focus on specific practice has delivered rewards meaning a career high 17th position in the R2D.

In particular, an improvement in driving accuracy and putting have been the key factors to his ever developing game that he hopes will blow sand in the faces of his golfing colleagues giving them all the hump.

Ones to win:

Hoping to win the coveted decorated but grotesquely smelly camel ride is Peter Hanson (21/1 with Betfair) of Sweden who with three top fives in his last four outings is playing some fantastic competitive golf. Benefitting in 2012 from a little more length from the tee and a white hot putter – providing both of these key elements are on fire, he will surely be leaving the Desert Classic Competitors eating dust.

World Number three Rory McIlroy (24/5 with Betfair) looks tasty yet again as each of the last six outings on the European Tour have netted him six figure winnings and include – at their very worst, an 11th place.

On a course he loves, Rors will be looking to retake the 2nd world ranking spot, enjoying further success in the desert after a recent second place in Abu Dhabi. Hopefully the return to the scene of one of his three victories will motivate the youngster as all eyes look to him to fulfill his Middle Eastern promise.

Trick shot:

A winning margin of 4 strokes here at the Emirates will return 34/5 with Betfair.

Jenks out!

(In case it wasn’t hugely obvious, all odds this week have been brought to you by our friends at Betfair)

Tips from the newspapers including Mr Fixit, Sam Spread, Jim Delahunt, Tony Cacarino, Dale Tempest, Andy Townsend, Mike Triffitt, Ian Wilkerson, Dan Childs, Kevin Pullein, Derek McGovern and the 3pm Betting Boys are all here.

Don’t forget to post your tips in the comments below.

In the meantime, If you’re looking for some more chat and inspiration pop on over to the Selectabet Forum and see what our members are saying about the weekend’s games and loads of other betting events.

Mr Fixit (Daily Record)

HOMES

• QPR
• Man City
• Burnley
• West Ham
• Swindon
• Motherwell
• Any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)

AWAYS

• Everton
• Ipswich
• Man United
• Alloa
• Any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)

TOP TREBLE

• QPR
• Burnley
• Stranraer

SUPER SINGLE

• Sunderland

DRAWS

• Norwich v Bolton
• Wycombe v Tranmere
• Hibs v Kilmarnock
• St Mirren v Ross Co
• Any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)

BOTH TEAMS SCORE

• Cardiff v Blackpool
• Birmingham v Soton
• Huddersfield v MK Dons
• Norwich v Bolton
• Hibs v Kilmarnock
• Queen’s Park v Alloa
• Any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)
• Pays a biggest £198.80 to a £10 stake at William Hill

BONKERS BET

• Coventry 1, Ipswich 3 (21-1, unibet)

Sam Spread (Daily Record)

• Sell Norwich’s supremacy at 0.3
• Buy Derby’s supremacy at 0.45

Jim Delahunt (The Scottish Sun)

• Celtic
• Sunderland
• Coventry
• Huddersfield
• Birmingham

Andy Townsend

STAR BETS

• Man Utd
• Man Utd to win 2-1
• Valencia to score first goal
• Rooney to score
• Torres to score
• Man City
• Man City to win 2-0
• Aguero to score first
• Johnson to score

Richard Evison (Daily Star)

RICH RETURNS

• Plymouth and Hull both to win 11/1

Dale Tempest (Daily Star)

DALE’S DOUBLE

• Stoke v Sunderland Under 2.5 goals
• Wigan v Everton Under 2.5 goals

Alan Alger (Daily Star)

Blue Sq TREBLE

• Fleetwood
• Kidderminster
• Forest Green

BET OF THE WEEKEND

• Over 2.5 goals in Chelsea v Man Utd

Geroge Primarola (Daily Star)

PRIMAROLA’S PICK

• Tottenham

Tony Cascarino (Racing Post)

TONY’S TIPS

• Man Utd
• QPR
• Aston Villa – Draw no bet

Dan Childs (Racing Post)

BANKER

• Swindon

BLOWOUT

• Middlesbrough

DOUBLE

• Sheff Weds
• Swindon

HOTSHOT

• G Sigurdsson (14/1, Swansea)

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Chesterfield
• Scunthorpe
• Portsmouth

NON-LEAGUE

• Wealdstone
• Lincoln

Ian Wilkerson

SCOTTISH TIPS

• Peterhead
• Falkirk
• Forfar

EUROPE

• Real Madrid -1.5 on Asian Handicap
• Schalke
• Montpellier

3pm Betting Boys (Daily Mirror)

THE ACCA

• Birmingham
• Burnley
• Bristol City
• Sheff Weds

6 HOMES

• Birmingham
• Burnley
• Bristol City
• Bournemouth
• Sheff Weds
• Bristol Rovers

3 DRAWS

• Stoke v Sunderland
• Norwich v Bolton
• Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace

4 AWAYS

• Man Utd
• Reading
• Hull
• Wallsall

Derek McGovern (Daily Mirror)

MACCA’S ACCA

• Chelsea
• QPR
• Bolton
• Liverpool

BET OF THE DAY

• Bolton

Buckle up ladies, this is your superior officer speaking and this might just get exciting…welcome to my new office here at the PGA Tour!

Fed Ex Cup: Waste Management Phoenix Open

After the thrilling ending to last week’s Farmers Insurance Open, the PGA tour heads to the Arizona desert for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, built in 1986, hosted its first Waste Management Phoenix Open in 1987 which has now become the largest attended golf event in the world and brings immeasurable attention to the quality field that entertain. Most of whom can be found as part of the largest and loudest gallery situated in the stands that circle the perimeter of the par-3 16th green…oh boy!

Date: 2nd – 5th February 2012
Venue: TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona

Set in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by the majestic McDowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale embodies the standards of excellence in golf operations worldwide.

The Stadium Course, designed by the team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is a masterful blend of challenge and playability for the enjoyment of all levels of golfers, professional and amateur alike.

It is not the toughest course on the PGA Tour (ranking 42nd of the 51 used) but offers a low scoring option that clearly excites and delights its sizable number of patrons each year.

Yards: 7,216 yards
Par: Par 71

The Field

A quality field has returned “home” to Scottsdale for the biggest prize of the season to date as so many of the players have residences with an abundance of suntan lotion around Phoenix. Expect many of these ‘locals’ to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon including Simpson (26/1), Snedeker (29/1), Laird (37/1), Fowler (31/1), Watney (25/1), Mickelson (39/1), Bradley (45/1) and Dustin Johnson (51/1).

The season also starts here for Ian Poulter (61/1 – all at Betfair) who joins the headlines of a field with a depth to it.

Consider…:

This week will boil down to those who minimise mistakes and take their chances on these greens and so we will be looking for players who hit plenty of greens.

Over the last few years, there would seem to be a premium on good, solid drivers of the ball with previous winners Kenny Perry (189/1 with Betfair) and Hunter Mahan both ranking highly in the Total Driving stat at the time of their victories.

Two holes stick out in my mind; the par-3 195-yard 12th with water guarding the entire right side and sand bunkers to the left and behind. The green is long and narrow with a two-club difference between the front and back pin placement.

Then there is the par-5 595-yard 13th with a split fairway. Downwind, the shot is probably the right fairway, driving between the water and island desert. Play this right and make it 50 yards shorter and reachable in two. Softies go left to the wider driving area, eliminating the chance to reach. Its good old fashioned exciting stuff!

Ones to watch:

World number 22 (did you know that?) and current FedEx Cup holder Bill Haas (51/1 with Betfair) has such long odds for someone of his caliber that he just has to be a consideration for a place. Had a great 2011 season earning $4M+ through 7 top tens including a PGA Tour win and two top two positions.

Currently lies 5th in Greens in regulation and so given my considerations above, is a worthy contender this week.

A promising gymnast who quit to focus on the small ball game, it is bald headed funny guy Ben Crane (61/1 with Betfair) who is my tip for a place this week.

With two top tens from three starts the form shows and with such strong stats for putting (with strokes gained) and one of the highest Eagle hitters on tour, just you watch the daft Beaver at the business end come Sunday!

Ones to win:

All round Mr. Nice guy Matt Kuchar (33/1 with Betfair) smiles his way into my vision as a hot prospect this week. He is just warming up after one start this season but his stats for 2011 are impressive: 24 events played, 19 top 25’s including 9 top tens – the only thing missing was a win but he has proven he has it in him previously.

The second most accurate driver on Tour, Kuch is Mr. Consistent and high in birdie averages too. Surely this makes this Georgian a peach of a bet?

Breaker One, Breaker One, I might be crazy, but I ain’t dumb! It’s Bubba Watson at 45/1 (with Betfair). Generally (General Lee – get it!?) he’s gonna cuff ya and stuff ya!

Having bought the real star car from the Dukes of Hazard, lefty Watson is the one to outrun the rest of the field this weekend – probably in it. A solid start to the season with two top 25’s, Bubba is just warming up (probably as all Arizona residents do – in ‘Daisy Dukes’ and a tank top!).

With top ten stats for both driving (obviously) and greens in regulation he may just be the Boss (Hogg) come Sunday.

Trick shots:

Webb Simpson to be 1st round leader at 25/1 with Betfair and Aaron Baddeley and Ben Crane in a Double Chance win with SkyBet @ 22/1.

Thank me later!

Off we trot around the globe only this week slightly further up the Arabian gulf for the second of the three event swing in the desert at yet another predictably lush oasis with artificial lakes and an over opulent clubhouse.

So, let’s start with slating the title; it’s the European Tours longest titled event – bigger that the Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize Odier Bungener Courvoisier (shortened to OBC); it then has one of the longest holes in European Tour golf at 639 yards it’s unsurprisingly a par 5; and even without golf’s CFZ – Mr. Woods, is a pretty well attended outing.

Date: 2nd – 5th February 2012
Venue: Doha GC, Doha, Qatar

This course is described as having teeth – especially when the wind picks up! It measures some 7,388 yards, has eight artificial lakes weaving their way along most of the holes and, with the addition of a punishing rough made up of desert sand, rocks, trees, shrubs and long grass and cleverly bunkered fairways that twist and turn, the utmost accuracy will be of crucial importance.

Although uniquely different, this classic links course was designed by Peter Harradine, the same man responsible for the one at Abu Dhabi where last week Robert Rock tamed the Tiger.

Yards: 7,388 yards
Par: Par 72

The Field

Headlining the event this week is World Number Two Lee Westwood (10/1 at Blue Sq) who is joined by Number Four Kaymer (147/10 at Betfair) and TPC Champion KJ Choi (39/1 at Betdaq). Add a sprinkling of our friendly competitors from across the pond in World Number 10, Jason Day (35/1 at Betfair), Ryder Cup cry baby Hunter Mahon (25/1 at SkyBet) and former US PGA Champion and very low shooting (58 in the 1998 Omega PGA Championship Pro-Am) Shaun Micheel (512/1 at Betfair) and you are squinting into the sun at an interesting golfing shoot out in the desert.

Consider…:

However, there will only be a European winner – if you will permit me to stereotype for a moment. Americans don’t appear to have what it takes to get past the potential security threat of the exceptionally functional keffiyeh’s and the physical (stereotyped) similarity to the amazing self detonating bombers of the surrounding regions.

That said, picking one winner from 120 without the American participants is still the challenge we face…

Ones to watch:

This swashbuckling Spaniard showed resurgence to his very best form in the fall of 2011 not least his demolition of fellow tour pros winning by a staggering 11 shots over his home course. It is Sergio Garcia (141/10 at Betdaq) this week who continues to deliver in the sun and fight to regain his rightful Ryder Cup place – and not just drive the Captains golf cart when September comes.

A regular top ten finisher in the gulf, including here last year, watch out for continued form from El Nino while he has the wind in his sails…

Three times a winner in 2011 including those unexpected back to back wins in Scotland and Switzerland my glass eye gazes firmly at reigning champion Thomas Bjorn (25/1 at Bodog and BetVictor) as one who will be worth watching this week.

Following a career best season, Bjorn delivered an equally inspired performance to tie in third place in Abu Dhabi and looks set to continue a highly productive swing in the Middle East.

Ones to win:

Still struggling to lose the dreadful mid-Atlantic twang but playing exciting competitive golf is Florida’s favourite club wrecker – Ulsterman Graeme MacDowell (18/1 at Coral). With three top three finishes in his last 6 outings he was aided enormously by a hole in one, a holed chip and a ricochet off the grandstand to six feet on 18 in the last 6 holes in Abu Dhabi – MacDowell is a fiery competitor and well used to appearing near the top from seemingly nowhere.

Reigning Dubai World Champion and former Commercialbank Qatar Masters winner Alvaro Quiros (18/1 at Bet365) is again one to win this week – the Middle East is a happy hunting ground for the 28 year-old Spaniard with three of his six European Tour titles having been won in the Gulf, including a triumph here three years ago. Having also finished runner-up on each of his last two visits to the $2.5 million tournament, King Quiros starts as one of the favourites.

Trick shots:

Retief Goosen at 20/1 (Ladbrokes) to be first round leader come Thursday night – he’s been one stroke off this in three of his last four outings. And look at Scott Jamieson at 20/1 (also Ladbrokes) for a just getting a top ten finish – he had five from 31 starts in 2011!

Jenks out!

Cop del Rey, Quarter Final, 2nd Leg (Agg: 2-1)

Live on Sky Sports 2. Kick off 9pm

A 2-1 lead from the first leg has put Barca in pole position to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals at the expense of their greatest rivals but it should still be a cracking El Clasico when both sides square up again on Sky Sports tonight.

The burning question is whether Jose Mourinho will stick or twist. In the first leg he tinkered with his formation, bringing in Carvalho at the heart of defence, allowing Pepe to cause havoc, sorry, give more defensive protection in midfield. It worked. For 45 minutes. But Barca proved that they couldn’t be shackled for ever and overcame the half-time one-goal deficit to record their third consecutive win over Real.

If he has ambitions of leaving the Nou Camp still in the competition Mourinho simply has to be more offensive. That could lead to an open game, one that would suit Barcelona if truth be told. They’re best priced at 4/6 (Ladbrokes) to win the match but I’m never a fan of backing a team at odds on in game they dont’ need to win. Remember a draw suits Barca given their one-goal advantage so tread carefully if you’re backing them.

Arguably the draw may a result that both would settle for; Barcelona would go through, Real would avoid a fourth defeat in a row at the hands of Guardiola’s men. Blue Sq and William Hill go 10/3 on it being all square and if you’re looking for value that could be your best bet.

There’s usually goals when these two meet and both teams have scored in the last 5 encounters. A repeat is priced at 8/13 with Paddy Power.

The way things are set-up I think it’ll be another goal-fest and although I like the look of 4/7 (Betfred) on over 2.5 goals I prefer the 11/8 at Paddy Power for just one more goal in the over 3.5 goals market.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Over 3.5 goals 11/8 (Paddy Power)
• Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2 16/1 (Blue Sq, 888 Sport)

Carling Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg ( Agg. 1-0)

Live on Sky Sports. Kick off 7.45pm

Kenny Dalglish didn’t miss his players when he took a swipe at their performance in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Bolton but will he get the desired response tonight that will see them through to a Carling Cup final place against Cardiff?

The Reds lead 1-0 from the first leg but their home form this season must be a concern going into a game with a top-of-the-table City side who will be in high spirits after a last-minute win over title contenders Spurs at the weekend.

Liverpool have won just 4 home league games this season from 11. Having said that, they remain unbeaten at home with the other 7 being drawn; a result that would suit them this evening.

The return of Steven Gerrard to the Liverpool side hasn’t exactly sparked them into life and scoring goals still seems to be a big problem, especially with the misfiring Andy Carroll still looking as sharp as a deflated balloon.

You’d have to expect City to give it a go and being just one game away from Wembley I can see Mancini going for it. If the first goal goes to City we’ll have a real game on our hands. Bet365 go 11/10 on City striking first and that has to be worth a look as they seek to get back into the tie.

The way things are going for City at the moment they look most likely to progress. They’re simply a better team than Liverpool at the moment and William Hill’s 7/4 on them winning in the 90 minutes looks too good to ignore. Remember the away goals rule only applies AFTER extra time so any kind of 1-goal win for City takes the tie to extra-time. Should City be a goal up towards the end of the game then it might be a case that both sides will settle for the additional 30 minutes – I certainly wouldn’t want to be any kind of bet that relied on Liverpool chasing it at that stage when extra-time is looming.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Man City to score first 11/10 (Bet365)
• Man City to win 7/4 (William Hill)

Congratulations Luke Donald! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Chinese New Year and the briefest of mentions of all the other good things worth celebrating since the last Race to Dubai post back in mid December last year.

It seems so long ago but we can confirm we are well rested, well watered and counting with more fingers than Paul Daniels can, know that the quantity of Quality Street tins consumed confirms we have also been well fed.

And, so back to work…

Race to Dubai: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Date: 26th – 29th January 2012

We have arrived at the fourth event in the 2012 Race to Dubai calendar and after a few warming-up weeks in the glorious Southern Hemisphere and specifically three fabulous golfing locations in South Africa. This week, all eyes head to the desert and the real start of the Greatest Show on Earth – it’s the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Raising the curtain on the seventh star studded visit to the Middle East demonstrating the true international allure of the DP World Tour Championship.

Venue: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE

An oasis of tranquility carved out of the desert, Abu Dhabi Golf Club offers one of the most luxurious golf resort experiences in the Middle East. Its par-72, 7,334-yard Championship course provides a tough-but-fair challenge with 18 holes of lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens.

Overlooking the golf course is the impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a nazi-esque falcon with its wings outstretched. As you look across the lakes from the far end of the course, the Clubhouse somewhat dominates the scene not least providing a frightening backdrop at the business end of your round at the testing 567 yard par 5 18th.

Yards: 7,334 yards
Par: Par 72

The Field

Three current reigning Major Champions head the 2012 line-up, with Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel (30/1 – Bet365), US Open Champion Rory McIlroy (7/1 at Ladbrokes) and Open Champion Darren Clarke (237/1 with Betfair) all competing for the lion’s share of the US$2.7 million prize fund at Abu Dhabi Golf Club where a cheque for 450,000 Euros awaits the winner.

The trio will be joined by World Number One Luke Donald (14/1 at Ladbrokes) and three other players that have reached the summit of the sport’s rankings: golfer of the month for November/December Martin Kaymer (another 7/1 at Ladbrokes), the defending champion and three-time Falcon trophy winner, Englishman Lee Westwood (64/5 at Betfair), and Abu Dhabi’s biggest debutant, sucked in by the mere mention of a “swing in the desert”; one Tiger Woods of America (9/1 at Ladbrokes), a 14-time Major Champion.

The field also comprises those at (long) odds with themselves including SSP Chowrasia (at 1,250/1 with Bet365), Stuart Fee (at 2,500/1 with Ladbrokes) and Ahmed Al Musharrekh (5,000/1 with SkyBet). And oh – how the mighty fall! While you are at it observe former Open Champion Todd Hamilton (at 1,000/1 with Bet365)

Consider

After three “home events” it is the South Africans who cannot be overlooked as they have all been on form and have all been in contention – especially the new boy on the scene – Brandon Grace (61/1 at Betfair). Only the second player ever to follow their first Tour win with another culminating in two wins and a 14th place from three events since January. That’s the tour card secured; daylight already in the Race to Dubai and you would be hard pushed not to see him at the DP World Tour Championships in December!! How’s that for a start to the year for you?

Then we have the young brigade who are made up of Matteo Mannesaro (208/1 at Betfair) and Tom Lewis (151/1 also Betfair) who have proven their credentials with three tour wins last year between them with Lewis’ coming on only his third outing as a pro!

Don’t overlook Lawrie (275/1 with Betfair) – who finished the season so strongly at the Dubai World Championship in December securing a career best top 20 Race to Dubai finish – and Westwood – who’s deadly pre-Christmas form meant two wins in three outings and the retaking of the vital World Number 2 spot from Rors.

Ones to watch

Rusty by his own admission, but with a stunning victory in December in these very climes, and with plenty of time to take a good hard look at himself after a largely disappointing 2011 season (until the last outing!) its Alvaro Quiros (33/1 at William Hill) who provides offers of hope, huge distance and excitement on the course – if he stays within its boundaries.

If he has come half way around the world with offers of romantic liaisons and late evening trysts in the desert, then I am afraid he will be sourly disappointed. But on matters golf, and even without a proper win (only winning his own invitational event met the mark in 2011) since 2009, it’s a certain Eldrick Tiger Woods (9/1 at Ladbrokes) that generates interest in the event, excites the players and confirming via Twitter (as he did) that he is fit and ready to play, makes watching this event an absolute requirement.

Ones to win

The son of a green keeper – which in my book, means they can really play golf (and I mean really play!) – Robert Karllson (59/1 at Betdaq) likes golf, Gulf style having won the Dubai World Championship and the Qatar Masters in recent seasons. The Swedish beanpole is a consistent performer with a new found length in 2012. His new Adams Golf driver has apparently added 18 yards to his already decent distance with the long stick from the tee.

While denting his confidence from a bogey finish last weekend leaving him out of the play off – young gun Nicolas Colsaerts (75/1 at Betfair) looks set to quickly shake the badness off with more consistent golf that saw a very steady season and his maiden Tour victory in 2011. A better and more steady golfer in every way – distance, putting, putts per round and greater accuracy – it seems everyone is taking a leaf from Luke Donald’s book!

Trick shot

Robert Rock as first round leader punt at 100/1 (Stan James) looks great after his low scoring Sunday at Fancourt as does the likelihood of a play off at 5/2 (SkyBet).

Jenks out!

On Tuesday night, Cardiff City host Crystal Palace in the first semi-final. Palace have a slight advantage going into the game at the Cardiff City Stadium, having won 1-0 in the first leg at Selhurst Park. That game was somewhat controversial, with a seemingly good goal by Cardiff’s Kenny Miller being chalked off for ‘a foul’ on the goalkeeper which didn’t appear to be there.

That will no doubt increase the passions from within the Cardiff camp. There will be a huge crowd packed into the Cardiff City Stadium as the Welsh capital will be backing the Bluebirds to make the trip to the English capital for the cup final. It could be an intimidating atmosphere for what is a relatively young Palace side.

Both sides have done terrifically well to get this far and ensure that the Football League will be represented in the final. Palace, of course, knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in one of the earlier rounds, and possess one of the hottest talents in English football in Wilfried Zaha.

It’s going to be a close game to call. I think that with home advantage in the 2nd leg, Cardiff have enough to win the game. But will that be enough to qualify? If Palace score, then City need to score three in order to make the final, and that will be a tough ask.

Cardiff are 5/6 (Blue Sq) to win the game, with Crystal Palace 17/20 (Sportingbet) to qualify. I fancy a 2-1 Cardiff win on the night which is available at 15/2 (Bet365, betVictor, Ladbrokes).

On Wednesday evening, Manchester City travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, with the Reds in the driving seat having nicked a 1-0 victory at the City of Manchester Stadium a fortnight ago.

A Steven Gerrard penalty was enough on that occasion and they will be looking to defend that lead. However, if the defend it in the way they defeated at the Reebok Stadium at the weekend when they lost 3-1 to Bolton, they will miss out on the trip to Wembley.

Their form has not been great. The loss of Luis Suarez to a ban has been a big blow to them. Andy Carroll has been moved into the firing line and he is incredibly out of form, although in his defence, Liverpool fail to play to his strengths.

So if they are going to score and make their chances of getting through better, they will be relying on goal from other sources such as former City favourite Craig Bellamy, Argentinian Maxi Rodriguez and of course captain Gerrard again.

City have a blow of their own through a ban, with captain Vincent Kompany suspended for the infamous tackle in the Manchester derby in the FA Cup. He sits out the final game of that suspension, so that means that Montenegran Stefan Savic is likely to continue to deputise. That is certainly one area which the Reds may be able to take advantage of, as Savic has struggled to fill the Belgian’s boots and gave the penalty away in the first leg.

I expect it to be a tight and tetchy encounter with few goals. I find Manchester City trememdous value at 7/4 (Boylesports, Stan James, 888 Sport). And they are 21/10 to qualify for the final with bwin. My scoreline prediction is Manchester City to win 2-0 which can be backed at 14/1 (William Hill).

Tips from the newspapers including Mr Fixit, Sam Spread, Jim Delahunt, Tony Cacarino, Dale Tempest, Andy Townsend, Mike Triffitt, Ian Wilkerson, Dan Childs, Kevin Pullein, Derek McGovern and the 3pm Betting Boys are all here.

Don’t forget to post your tips in the comments below.

In the meantime, If you’re looking for some more chat and inspiration pop on over to the Selectabet Forum and see what our members are saying about the weekend’s games and loads of other betting events.

Mr Fixit (Daily Record)

HOMES

• Burnley
• Bournemouth
• Sheffield Wed
• Cheltenham
• Swindon
• Ross County
• Perm any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)

Sixfold pays £230.80 to a £10 stake at William Hill

AWAYS

• Middlesbrough
• Dundee
• Peterhead
• Montrose
• Perm any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)

Fourfold pays £276.30 to a £10 stake at Coral

DRAWS

• Sunderland v Swansea
• Shrewsbury v Southend
• Stirling v East Fife
• Elgin v Berwick
• Perm any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)

Sixfold pays £190 to a £10 stake at William Hill

BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

• Norwich v Chelsea
• Leeds v Ipswich
• Alfreton v Kidderminster
• Inverness v Hearts
• Annan v Queen’s Park
• Stranraer v Alloa
• Perm any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)

TOP TREBLE

• West Ham
• Sheff Wed
• Arbroath

Pays £26.20 to a £10 stake at William Hill

SUPER SINGLE

• Cowdenbeath (23-20, Boylesports)

BONKERS BET

• Everton 1, Blackburn 2 (20-1, Betfred)

Sam Spread (Daily Record)

• Buy Fulham’s supremacy at 0.9
• Buy West Ham’s supremacy at 1.2

Jim Delahunt (The Scottish Sun)

• Preston
• Cheltenham
• Southend
• Ross County
• Stranraer

Andy Townsend

STAR BETS

• Man Utd to beat Arsenal
• Man Utd to win 2-1
• Rooney to score first goal
• Nani to score
• Ramsay to score
• Chelsea to beat Norwich
• Torres to score first
• Mata to score
• Lampard to score
• Holt to score

Richard Evison (Daily Star)

RICH RETURNS

• Tottenham and Hull both to win 16/1

Dale Tempest (Daily Star)

DALE’S DOUBLE

• Sunderland and Liverpool booth to win 2/1

Alan Alger (Daily Star)

Blue Sq TREBLE

• Grimsby
• Kidderminster
• Gateshead

BET OF THE WEEKEND

• Under 2.5 goals in Bolton v Liverpool

Tony Cascarino (Racing Post)

TONY’S TIPS

• Man Utd
• Tottenham-Draw on Double chance
• Norwich-Draw on Double chance

Dan Childs (Racing Post)

BANKER

• Bournemouth

BLOWOUT

• Middlesbrough

ACCUMULATOR

• West Ham
• Bournemouth
• Carlisle
• Huddersfield

HOTSHOT

• R Huth (8/1, Sheff Utd)

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Southend
• Derby
• Torquay
• Northampton to score first

NON-LEAGUE

• Stockport
• Lincoln

Ian Wilkerson

SCOTTISH TIPS

• Hearts
• Falkirk
• Cowdenbeath

EUROPE

• Racing
• Ausburg

3pm Betting Boys (Daily Mirror)

THE ACCA

• Stoke
• Gillingham
• Accrington Stanley
• Blackpool

6 HOMES

• Blackpool
• Carlisle
• Oldham
• Bradford
• Swindon
• Gillingham

3 DRAWS

• Reading v Hull
• Charlton v Sheff Utd
• Rotherham v Port Vale

4 AWAYS

• Man Utd
• Accrington Stanley
• Middlesbrough
• Aston Villa