Betting Predictions for the 2008 Ryder Cup

This year's Ryder Cup at Valhalla promises to be a closer affair than the previous two, and I can't realistically see a repeat of the previous two resounding 18.5-9.5 wins that the Europeans have enjoyed. Having said that, the formbook doesn't lie and I think that Europe have to be clear favourites this time around. Irish bookmaker, Paddy Power, seem to disagree though, laying the Europeans at 21/20- the exact same price as their opponents. The idea that this is a 50-50 match up does seem a little far-fetched to me, even if the Americans are back on home soil. The fact remains that Europe have won five of the last six Ryder Cups, and I am convinced that the European team is the stronger of the two. Tiger Woods is the only American to have won a major this year, and he's not here, whilst the European side boasts the talents of dual 2008 major winner Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup specialists Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. Regardless of your opinion on Woods as a match play golfer, his absence means that Paul Azinger is without the greatest player of his generation, and probably all time. His new policy of having four wildcard picks doesn't really seem to have drastically improved his team, with only Steve Stricker looking truly worthy of his place on the team. Hunter Mahan doesn't seem even to want to be there judging by his comments that players are treated as 'slaves' during the event. The Europeans on the other hand are boasting two of the most consistent players of 2008 in Harrington and Westwood, whilst Garcia has been joint top scorer at the past two Ryder Cups.Eyebrows were raised when Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke were left out of the side, especially when it became apparent that the latter was overlooked in favour of Ian Poulter. Poulter has a certain arrogance and self assuredness about his game that reminds me in many respects of his captain, Nick Faldo. There are those who feel that Poulter's inclusion could come back to haunt Faldo, but I feel that it could prove to be an inspired selection and brilliant piece of man management and I like the look of Canbet's 16/1 about him being the Top European scorer. If he is serious about breaking into the upper echelons of the game, then he needs to start making inroads soon, and what better stage than the Ryder Cup? Recommendations:Europe to win Ryder Cup - 21/20 (Paddy Power)Sergio Garcia- Top Combined Points Scorer - 8.6 (Betfair)Ian Poulter- Top European Points Scorer - 16/1 (Canbet)