Bet365 Weekend Betting Wrap (8th-12th Sep)

CRICKETON YOUR MARCUS AT 7/2Th Sep 8 to Mon Sep 12: 10.30-18.00 BST (C4) England are on the verge of winning their first Ashes series in 18 years, and a continuation of their early heavy scoring will no doubt help their cause when play begins on Thursday. As in the last two tests, they'll be hoping to win the toss on Thursday and put a big score on the board.Australia have conceded in excess of 400 in the first innings of each of the last three Tests, a statistic last recorded when they lost the Ashes in 1986-87. In the outright betting for the match, we've got the Aussies at favourites at 13/8, with England at 5/2 (29/20 the draw) - live ball by ball betting is available via our new 'In-Play Console'.However, with so much at stake, the best bet could be found in the performance markets, where Marcus Trescothick looks worth an investment at7/2 to be top bat for England. The Somerset opener has been consistent all summer, and tops the averages for the series at over 44 runs an innings. It must be frustrating for him that he's yet to knock a century, but will fancy his chances on a pitch where he has excelled in the past. This will be his sixth match at the Oval, and his outstanding average of over 85 from the previous five includes a career best of 219. So, the stage is set for him to go into treble figures again and, if that's the case, he could also be worth backing at 11/1 to be Man of the Match. Marcus Trescothick to be England top bat (1st innings only) @ 7/2 & Man of the Match @ 11/1Get a free bet at Bet365!HORSE RACINGGEEZER 6/1 TO DRAW STING OUT OF ST LEGER FAVOURITE Antepost backers of Scorpion at 3/1 will be feeling on good terms with themselves now that the Irish runner is trading at Evens. He was that price shortly after finishing second in the Irish Derby, and has since gone on to win in Group 1 company in France, which means he's by far the most likely winner of this Saturday's final English Classic (3.25). However, at those prohibitive odds, and with his stamina taken on trust, the value bet now has to be The Geezer at 6/1. The David Elsworth-trained runner looked an ideal St Leger candidate in July when a ready winner at Haydock and Glorious Goodwood, and ran a blinder when just beaten last time out by Hard Top in York's Great St Voltigeur, traditionally one of the leading Leger trials. A repeat of that run will see him close, especially if the anticipated rain arrives. Hard Top was having only his third run in that race, and might find Classic opposition beyond him at this stage of his career.St Leger Pick: The Geezer @ 6/1Get a free bet at Bet365!FOUR TIMER ON CARDS FOR CALCUTTAOn the same Doncaster card, Calcutta can follow up his 2004 win in the 1m Handicap (2.15), especially as he's set to run off a 5lb lower mark than when successful a year ago. The Barry Hill's trained runner always seems to reserve his best for this race (three-times successful), and comes here on the back of a cracking effort last time out at the York Dante meeting. In the Flying Childers (2.50), Titus Alone can return to winning ways now that he drops back to the minimum trip. Saturday's Doncaster Picks: Calcutta (2.15) & Titus Alone (2.50) Get a free bet at Bet365!GREYHOUNDSHAWK 5/2 TO SWOOP TO GLORYEnglish Derby winner Westmead Hawk continued his improvement throughout the competition of the Irish equivalent with an impressive win in the quarter-finals. The wide sweeping bends of Shelbourne Park were always going to suit the Wimbledon hero but, understandably, he has taken time to acclimatise. However, Saturday's performance was by far his best performance to date, and he's clearly coming into top form at precisely the right time. As the sole wide seed in Saturday's first semi, he could see his neighbour in trap five, Ballymac Niloc, turn sharply left at the first bend, a move that could snowball and affect his main rival in the race (and the competition), Droopys Maldini. That should allow the Hawk to come round his field and fire down the home stretch in the manner that we're accustomed to. Back him at 5/4 to win on Saturday, and at 5/2 in the outright market. The second semi can go to the unbeaten Droopy's Marco, available at 5/4 here at bet365.Irish Greyhound Derby Pick: Westmead Hawk @ 5/4 (semi final) & 5/2Get a free bet at Bet365! GOLFSINGH 4/1 FOR REPEAT CANADIAN WINTh Sep 8: 20.00 (SSX)Fr Sep 9: 23.00 BST (SS1)Sa Sep 10: 23.00 BST (SS2)Su Sep 11: 21.00 BST (SS2)The market for this week's Canadian Open is dominated by the presence of defending champion Vijay Singh at 4/1 but, after he pulling out of last week's event with back spasms, he looks a jolly to swerve. Of course, if he's fully recovered, that price will look big (back him in-play) but, in a relatively weak field, we'll look for some each-way value further down the betting. Unfortunately, there's no course form to go on this week, but reports suggest that the track will favour brains over brute strength, which means we should be concentrating on the straight hitters. That's a good reason for supporting Fred Funk, whose victory in this season's prestigious TPC at Sawgrass saw him finally throw off the tag of perennial loser, and who can always be counted on to do his best when accuracy is key. He's a solid each-way bet at 40/1, along with Jesper Parnevik, whose three top-tens in this event make him a stand-out 80/1 to squeeze into our five places.Canadian Open Picks: Fred Funk @ 40/1 & Jesper Parnevik @ 80/1Get a free bet at Bet365! CREAMER OF THE TOP AT 9/2Fr Sep 9: 13.30 BST (SS1)Sa Sep 10: 13.30 BST (SS2)Sun Sep 11: 13.30 BST (SS2)We've also got betting on the weekend's Solheim Cup, which tees off at Crooked Stick, Indiana, on Friday. Despite having World No.1 Annika Sorenstam in the side, Europe are big underdogs at 2/1, with the home side at 1/2 (Tie 9/1). That price is a little surprising when you consider that the Europeans won the last encounter by a seven-point margin (albeit in Sweden), and the fact that the US side are mainly composed of older players whose best days appear behind them. For example, their skipper, Nancy Lopez, has given a wild-card to 48-year-old Beth Daniel for the best-of-28 three day match. The exception is 19-year-old sensation Paula Creamer, twice a winner since turning pro only ten months ago, and a shade overpriced at 9/2 here at bet365 to be top US points scorer. However, as one player does not make a team, the outright bet is going on Europe at 2/1.Solheim Cup Pick: Europe @ 2/1Get a free bet at Bet365! FOOTBALLTOFFEES A TASTY BET AT 8/11Premiership action returns this weekend, and some of the players from the top clubs may be feeling a bit jaded after making their contributions to international efforts around the world last weekend. This might be worth factoring in when compiling your Premiership accas, but there are no such worries for Charlton, who look a great bet at 15/8 to beat Birmingham at St Andrews. The Addicks are off to flyer again this season, including a spectacular 3-0 result at Boro last time out, and are unbeaten in four against Birmingham too. Combine them up with Everton at 8/11 to beat Porstmouth, who are already looking relegation candidates, having taken just a point from their opening four matches. With 15 international players in the side, the globetrotting Trotters will not have had an ideal preparation for their live home game against Blackburn on Sunday, so a narrow away win looks the best bet here (14 live in-play markets available). With both United and Chelsea looking home bankers, against City and Sunderland respectively, a £25 acca on all five selections this weekend pays out £322.63 for a £10stake - that includes a bet365 bonus of 10% (up to 60% on offer every weekend in the Premiership).Weekend Premiership Picks:Charlton to beat Birmingham @ 15/8Everton to beat Portsmouth @ 8/11Blackburn to beat Bolton @ 11/4 / 1-0 win @ 8/1 5-fold on Charlton, Everton, Blackburn, United & Chelsea Get a free bet at Bet365!