Bet365 Weekend Sports Wrap (25.8.2005)

FOOTBALL********NO RESPITE FOR SOUNESSThe visit of United to St James' Park couldn't have come at a worst time for the under siege Graham Souness, whose team were booed off the field last week after struggling to break down a limited West Ham side (reduced to 10 men for the last 36 minutes!). At the same time, United were winning their second game on the bounce against Villa, and are likely to be boosted by the return of Ryan Giggs, so there can only be one winner here. With United have yet to concede this season, and Newcastle yet to score (a run likely to continue at the Reebok in midweek), a bet on a 3-0 scoreline at12/1 could also reap dividends. Once the game kicks-off, we'll have live In-Play betting on 14 markets!United to beat Newcastle @ 8/11 / United to win 3-0 @ 12/1SPECULATE TO ACCUMULATEIn other Premiership action this weekend, Bolton should have no trouble against West Ham, whilst the first Midlands derby of the season can go the way of West Brom. The Baggies opponents, Birmingham, have only picked up a point so far, and were walloped 3-0 by Middlesbrough in the week. Man City have made a great start to their Premiership campaign, extending their unbeaten run under Stuart Pearce to 11 games with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday night. They are fully expected to beat a woeful Pompey side who are already looking destined for the Championship next season. There should be plenty of goalscoring opportunities for Andy Cole and he looks a fair bet at 9/2 to score the first goal, especially as we'll give you your money back if he scores the last goal in the game instead!All this weekend's Premiership picks can be included in an accumulator bet, where a 5% bonus will apply (up to 60% available on Premiershipaccumulators)More Weekend Premiership Picks:Bolton to beat West Ham @ 7/4West Brom to beat Birmingham @ 13/10Man City to beat Portsmouth @ 8/13Andy Cole (Man City) to score first @ 9/2Man Utd, Bolton, West Brom, Man City all to win - £25 accumulator pays £*** (inc. 5% bonus)CRICKET*******KEEP THE FAITH IN ENGLANDWith the rain clouds gathering above Trent Bridge, all the money has been for the draw in the fourth Test of this gripping series. The stalemate is now 13/8 from 2/1 due to predictions of rain over the next five days.However, with England scoring at over 4 runs an over so far (their best ever against Australia), rain delays may not prevent a positive outcome.The bowlers have played their part too, taking a wicket every 50 balls or so (best since 1912). So, with England desperate to get a result, the suggestion is a bet on England at 13/5 (live In-Play betting available).4th Test Pick: England @ 13/5VAUGHAN TO THE FOURThere is still much to play for in the Series Top England Bat market, where current leader Marcus Trescothick looks vulnerable at 7/4. Trescothick has done well to score 206 runs so far, but his technique may be vulnerable against a fit Glen McGrath, who was missing from the 2nd Test and unfit for the 3rd. Kevin Pietersen (10/3) has also been a sensation but he may have peaked after only hitting 41 runs in his last three knocks, so the one to concentrate on is Michael Vaughan at 3/1. After a difficult start, Vaughan has come out fighting, and his 166 is unlikely to be his only century of the series.Top England Bat (Series) Pick: Michael Vaughan @ 3/1HORSE RACING************SONG TO TAX HIS RIVALSDavid Nicholls' Tax Free has been installed the 4/1 favourite for the William Hill Trophy at York (3.25), which is no surprise considering his trainer's record with sprinters. He will be bidding for a hat-trick in this Saturday's race, after scoring for the third time in four outings at Newmarket this month, but punters would be wise to check ground conditions before backing him. His trainer has stated that he's best on fast ground so, with plenty of rain around, the ante post selection is Richard Hannon's Marching Song at 12/1. At this stage of the season, he remains relatively lightly raced and fresh for a sprint handicapper, and is fancied to gain revenge on Gimasha, who beat him a short head in a decent 6f contest at Windsor earlier this month. As the winner had previously run away with a Beverley maiden and a Warwick handicap that form has a sold look to it and, with added fitness, Marching Song can turn the tables. William Hill Trophy Pick: Marching Song @ 12/1Latest bet365 William Hill Trophy prices?Tax Free 4/1, Banjo Patterson 6/1, Gimasha 8/1, Intrepid Jack Danzili Bay, Salamanca 10/1, Marching Song12/1 (Each-way ¼ odds 1.2.3.4)As the race is covered live on Channel 4, make sure you take advantage of our 4/1 Offer (should the selection win at 4/1 or bigger), which entitles you to a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race. Also, if you're having a bet this Saturday, don't forget to claim your Free £2 Scoop6 bet. Just stake £10 on any UK horse racing to qualify.CAST A MAJOR BETThe big race at Goodwood on Sunday is the Celebration Mile (3.15) where Godolphin's Layman is going to be all the rage after an impressive win at Salisbury last time out. He will go close, but that win is likely to be reflected in his odds, while there must be a danger that he will 'bounce'on his second run back. Instead, go for the proven course form of Majors Cast, who looked more than just a good handicapper last season following wins here in a maiden and a decent event at Lingfield in September. This season he's gone from strength to strength, rattling up a hat-trick of wins in Dubai, and really caught the eye last time out at Newbury when an unlucky runner-up in a Group 3 race.Celebration Mile Pick: Majors Cast GOLF****GO BO Th Aug 25 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Fr Aug 26 - 21.00 BST (SS3) Sa Aug 27 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Su Aug 28 - 20.00 BST (SS2)With no Woods, Singh or Mickelson to worry about, bettors are at least assured of a double-figure priced winner to this week's Buick Championship.Let's just hope there's no repeat of the previous two years when the winners were returned at odds of 150/1 and 250/1! Kenny Perry, a two-time winner this year, is clear favourite based on some useful course form, but he should be swerved judging on the way he fell to pieces in the last round of the World Series last week. Instead we'll take another chance on Bo Van Pelt finally breaking his Tour duck after a run of solid performances this summer, including a tie for 17th in the PGA Championship. He sat out last week, which is a positive pointer to his chances this week, as he typically comes back strong in his first tournament following a break. At 33/1 he has to be worth an each way bet in a field which is thin on big names.This is the time of year when players hovering around the top-125 mark start to worry about their exemption for next year, and that can result in some improved performances. Craig Barlow is a good example, with ties for 8th and 15th twice in his last three starts, and another big week would just about wrap up his card for next season. As this is a course where he has played well in the past (21st and 4th last two years), that looks a distinct possibility.The final pick this week goes to Jason Bohn, a player whose purple patch shows no sign of abating following his maiden victory at last month's BC Open. In fact, he's a cumulative 31 under for his last four starts (and that includes a closing 78 at the PGA Championship!). Throw in a tie for sixth last year in this event (closing with a sizzling 65), and he looks sure to contend again this week.Buick Championship Picks: Bo Van Pelt @ 33/1; Craig Barlow @ 40/1; Jason Bohn @ 40/1 (Each-way ¼ odds 1.2.3.4.5) - Live In-Play betting available throughout.