Nigel's weekend betting preview

GOLFBuick InvitationalTh Jan 21 - 20.00 BST (SS2)Fr Jan 22 - 20.00 BST (SSX)Sa Jan 23 - 20.00 BST (SS2)Su Jan 24 - 20.30 BST (SS2)Tiger Woods has looked to be on the way back to his imperious best in recent outings but, with no PGA Tour stroke play victory since August 2003, it's hard to get excited by his price this week (currently 10/3). Instead, at three times the price of Woods, go for Phil Mickelson to get his season off to a flyer in the city of his birth, San Diego. Lefty has won his first start of the year an astonishing five times in his career, to earn himself the title of 'January King'. What's more, he's won this event three times in the past, finishing fourth the last two years, so it is obviously one of his favourite tournaments. With ten of the last 13 Buick winners having been born in the state, another native worthy of close consideration this week is Aaron Oberholser. Aaron finished fourth here two years ago, and was in contention last year until a closing 81 put him well down the field. A recent spin in Hawaii will have blown the cobwebs away, and he looks worthy of each way support at a tasty 100/1. The final pick goes to Shigeki Maruyama, another course specialist (tied 2nd in 2000, and 4th last year), whose game looked in great nick when finishing tied for 3rd in last week's Sony Open.Nigel's Three Off The Tee: Mickelson @ 10/1, Shigeki Maruyama @ 40/1, Aaron Oberholser @ 100/1. Don't forget we'll be betting in-play throughout this event.HORSE RACINGNicholls has double prospectsPaul Nicholls is normally the trainer to follow at Wincanton, and he has double prospects at least on Saturday's Channel 4 televised card. The extended three miles of the Connaught Cup (3.05) offers a good opportunity for Almost Broke to follow up his recent Chepstow win over a shorter trip, while Morson Boy looks well treated on his handicap debut in the 2.35 race, after a promising run behind Gold Medallist last time out at Exeter. The form of that race has worked out really well, with several subsequent winners coming out of it, while the winner is now our 4/1 favourite for the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. With another 4 live races on Channel 4 this weekend, that's good news for anyone who backs a winner at 4/1 or over with us in any of these races, as we'll give you a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race.Channel 4 Tips: Almost Broke (3.05), Morson Boy (2.05).Stand to deliver the goodsUp at Haydock, Peter Bowen's Take The Stand could be the value bet to take the featured Peter Marsh Chase, after being unlucky on his last two starts. He was still in contention when slipping on landing five out over course and distance last month, then last time out in the Welsh National, he was absolutely cantering before being caused to fall after being blinded by another horse. Effective over a range of distances, he could be an interesting bet for the Grand National in March, for which he is priced at 33/1. On the same card, Inglis Drever is set for another attempt at two miles in the Champion Hurdle Trial. With the ground likely to be on the heavy side, conditions should be in his favour, and he can enhance his Cheltenham claims with a win here (currently 20/1). Haydock Tips: Take The Stand (2.10), Inglis Drever (1.10)Antepost: Take The Stand (Grand National) @ 33/1.FOOTBALLThe Reds to send the Saints marching homeLiverpool can underline the gulf between the top Premiership teams and the rest, by trouncing Southampton in Saturday's televised tie (live on Sky Prem Plus, ko 12.45). A goalkeeping error led to their defeat against United last weekend, their seventh league defeat this season, but they have followed up six of those defeats with a win. What's more, they have won all seven games to date against the bottom five, averaging three goals per game. Saints' winless league run now stretches to double figures, while no Premiership team has conceded more over their last ten games.Suggested bets:Half Time/Full Time - Liverpool/Liverpool @ 19/10.Correct Score - Liverpool 3-1 @ 12/1.First Goalscorer - Morientes @ 4/1.Scorecast - Liverpool 3-1/Morientes @ 40/1.Toon army worthy of support (with a 1 goal start) Su Jan 23 - 16.05 BST ko (SS1)Newcastle will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset when they travel to Highbury for Sunday's televised clash with Arsenal (live on Sky Sports 1, ko 16.05). Arsenal's home form has been far from impressive - only two teams in the top ten have won fewer games than the Gunners - while their well-documented problems in defence remain unsolved (have conceded more goals than Chelsea and United put together). West Brom, Panathinaikos and Southampton have all come away from Highbury with something and Graeme Souness' men could be worth a small interest at 6/1. They can also be backed at 2.075 (decimal odds) on our Asian Handicap, with a goal head start. If the game is a draw, you'll still win, and if the Toon lose by only 1 goal you will get half your stake back!Watch both games live, and join us for In-Play betting to a reduced margin of 107% on up to twelve In-Play markets, including: Match Betting; Next Goalscorer; Over/Under Goals; Team Not To Win; Correct Score; Next Goal; Total Corners; Total Bookings; Next Card; Team To Score Next Penalty; Asian Handicap; and Goal Line.CRICKETSouth Africa v England 5th TestFr Jan 21 - 8.00 BST (SS2)Sa Jan 22 - 8.00 BST (SS2)Su Jan 23 - 8.00 BST (SS2)Mo Jan 24 - 8.00 BST (SS2)Tu Jan 25 - 8.00 BST (SS2)The Test Series between South Africa and England enters its fifth and final match on Friday, and anyone who took the advice here to back England to win 3-1 (10/1) will be hoping that Michael Vaughan's men can lift themselves to one final win. There are grounds for thinking that the draw is the safest bet this week - Vaughan could be excused for moving away from his attacking instincts now that England are in no danger of a series defeat, while storms are forecast over the five days. However, considering that three of the four games have seen results (as have seven of the eight test matches played at the stadium), and the fact that England have been consistently the better side, a patriotic vote goes to the tourists at 6/4. The last Test marked a return to form for Vaughan with the bat (82 not out, and 54 declared), and the 9/2 to top score for England looks worth taking, now that he is unlikely to declare as he did in Johannesburg.Once the match gets under way, you can bet on up to six in-play markets including: Match Winner; Innings Runs; Batsman Runs; Next Man Out; Wicket Method; plus our new Live 'Over' betting, when you try to predict the number of runs scored in each over.Get in the game and be lucky!Nigel.