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If you believe the tabloids then the best X Factor bet of all-time is available on Betfair right now.

According to people high up in the show (who the paper referred to as 'sources'), Wagner is in the top three every week. Every week! So the 4.3 about him to finish in the top three is surely the bet of the century, right? Kudos to the lucky punter who got £7 matched at 500 - Dudley's finest is into just 10.5 now.

Furthermore, the Facebook campaign to get Wagner votes is now over the 30,000 mark - though given Sunday's X Factor audience was 17.7million, it's not that impressive. And weren't Jedward meant to be topping the voting charts this time last year?

One act who has felt the wrath of the Wag-man this week is Matt Cardle - he has drifted to 3.0 after news of his foul-mouthed outbursts hit the public. The lad from Essex said Wagner 'annoys a lot of people' and is 'rude to everyone he meets'. Bad move.

Haven't you learnt anything from X Factor history, boy? Look at the past winners: Joe McElderry, Alexandra Burke, Leon Jackson, Leona Lewis, Shayne Ward and Steve Brookstein. The connection? They all won by just standing on stage, singing the song and not causing any controversy. Just be nice dammit.

And the same goes for Cheryl Cole, too - she took the bait live on Saturday by responding to his council estate jibes and is now 3.5 to be the winning mentor.

But it's not just X Factor's most loved 54 year-old Brazilian that's been in the headlines - Katie Waissel/Weasel/Vogel always gets her fair share of column inches nowadays.
Latest off the production line is the revelation that her 81 year-old Gran is, err, how shall we put it - a Lady Of The Night. Not only this but she is also still appearing in, er, how shall we put it - porn films. Katie said she 'didn't think it could get any worse' - well, you're 2.36 to go this week, love, so your granny's activities could be the least of your worries come Sunday night.

By Andrew Gordon

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David Moyes is widely respected and has contributed significantly to the success of the Premier League since his appointment as Everton manager in 2002. His personal attributes include intelligence, loyalty and dignity whilst his proven football skills include expertise in team building. To show the esteem in which he is held, his fellow professional managers voted him as League Managers Association Manager of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2009. He also serves on the Committee for the League Managers Association in an executive capacity.

Howard Kendall - in his first spell - is generally regarded to have been the best manager of Everton ever when producing a golden era in the early to mid 1980s (54% win ratio). Despite a lack of silverware, Moyes has been the next best (42% win) and certainly better than the Joe Royle (39%) team of 1994-97.

Generally his transfer signings have been impressive though there have been some mistakes. Per Koldrup (£5m) played just one game in top flight and was voted by The Times as the worst transfer in the history of the Premier League. James Beattie (£6m) scored just 13 goals in 76 appearances and Simon Davies (£4m) rarely played well at Goodison. But most managers have dropped a clanger or two.

His refreshing honesty means he readily admits to his mistakes but he has managed to get his side to play close to its full potential during his eight years in charge.

Moyes has never managed with major financial investment so comparison with the best managers is unfair. His team has work to do this season but could still deny Bolton and Liverpool a place in the top six despite an awful start to the season. Everton are 3.0 for a top six finish.

Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have endorsed Moyes as his natural successor once he retires. The thorny dilemma is that in waiting to receive this accolade the Toffees might hit a downslope and tarnish his reputation in the process. He is second favourite, behind Jose Mourinho, at 6.8 in the Next Manchester United Manager Market.

So is this his last season with Everton? One senses that he is overdue a new club and a new challenge. Loyalty is noble but not always a virtue, in career terms staying when there is no more to be done could be a mistake. Whether he gets the call from Old Trafford remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure; Moyes deserves the chance to test himself at the very top level with an elite club.

By Paul Moon

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A week is a long time in politics, said Harold Wilson. A week in football is an eternity. Even 45 minutes is long enough to get through most of War and Peace.

At half-time in the North London derby on Saturday, Spurs looked like they were going to crash to defeat against an Arsenal side that held a 2-0 lead. Had Tottenham lost, then they would have had won just once in the last six games. Instead, Arsenal went to pieces and Spurs picked up their second consecutive victory.

After the match, Harry Redknapp said that his team could win the title. The current odds of 60.0 for Spurs to win the Premier League, suggests that the Betfair punters have less faith in his side.

Another team to be hailed as title contenders after winning this weekend was Manchester City. The former City boss Mark Hughes claimed that his old club were in with a chance if they continued to perform as they did in Sunday's 4-1 demolition of Fulham. Roberto Mancini's side can be backed at 9.6 to win the league.

Like Spurs, this was only City's second win in six league games. That isn't the form of title winners and just because everyone else is collapsing more readily than Gillian McKeith, doesn't necessarily mean that any old team could win the league.

To be fair, both comments have been sensationalised somewhat. I believe that Redknapp was just trying to instil some belief in his side, who have proved that they can beat anyone on their day. Hughes was specific in stating that Manchester City could win the league if they continued to play attacking football, which is something of a doubt with Mancini as manager.

No matter how serious these claims were, I can't see them coming to fruition. Both Spurs and Manchester City need to find a better balance in the way they play, although they have contrasting problems.

Manchester City might have scored with ease against an out of sorts Fulham, but they have been struggling with goals of late and will continue to do so while they play such a defensive midfield formation. That means that they will continue to drop points, especially to smaller teams who play in an equally frugal manner.

Spurs have also struggled to score goals at times this season, but that's been down to Redknapp's struggle to effectively blend the talents in his side into a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1, rather than a lack of attacking intent. In fact, Spurs are so committed to attacking football, that they play without a proper holding midfielder, as was particularly evident for Arsenal's second goal on Saturday.

A statistic that sums up both team's problems is the fact that Spurs have kept only one clean sheet this season and that was against Manchester City. Until City start scoring and Tottenham stop conceding, then neither will be able to put the sort of run together that could get them to the top of the league.

To win a title you need belief in yourself. Mancini doesn't have enough belief to let his side off the reins, while Tottenham's team don't believe they can beat the best. Spurs may might have defeated Arsenal and Inter Milan this season, but don't forget that they with 2-0 down at the Emirates and 4-0 down at the San Siro. Better sides would have killed them off.

I may not think that the title is going to either Spurs or Manchester City this season, but it is a testament to their progress that this is even open to debate. If both sides continue to improve, there is no reason why the can't mount a title challenge next season.

By Dan Fitch

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When England coach Andy Flower and his selectors sit down to pick the starting XI for the first Test they better have a rubber handy! If a cricket team was made up of 12 players then Flower wouldn't have a problem. He has seven batsmen, a wicket keeper and four bowlers chomping at the bit and raring to go against an Australian side that appears to be wobbling.

No matter how hard Flower tries, he isn't going to be able to shoehorn the seventh batsman into the side which means that one player will miss out. Sadly, none of the seven are dual talented and able to keep wicket which means that Matt Prior is safe, as are the four bowlers who were rested for the game against Australia A.

Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steve Finn and Graeme Swann are in the starting 11 along with Prior, meaning that only six places are up for grabs. Make that five because there's no way that England will go into this game without their skipper, Andrew Strauss, who will definitely be tossing the coin, opening the batting and leading from the front.

Only five places left with six batsmen desperate to play, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell. KP is no longer the first name on the team sheet and he's again the subject of controversy after Flower had to refute Shane Warne's suggestion that his former Hampshire team-mate has become an 'outcast' in the close knit English dressing room. It would be a major shock if Pietersen was to miss out and the same can be said about Paul Collingwood and Jonathan Trott who look to have cemented their places in the batting order.

Alastair Cook seems to pull out a big innings just as the axe is hovering and his hundred against South Australia will probably see him opening the batting with his skipper. That leaves two - Bell and Morgan and the buzz is it may well be Ian Bell who misses out and given his majestic 192 last week against Australia A, if he is the unlucky one then he has every right to feel aggrieved.

Man management seems to be Flower's forte as he certainly knows how to get the best out of his players. His skills will be tested to the full if he has to pull Ian Bell to one side and explain to him that last week's knock isn't going to be enough to secure participation in the first Test. "Sorry Belly, 192 just doesn't cut it. You've got to be able to kick on and convert 192 into a big double hundred." Nope, it doesn't work and Ian Bell will be left feeling that even his very best is not good enough to satisfy his bosses.

Whoever Flower picks will have to be right on their game because, despite all the hype surrounding England, we mustn't forget that Australia are still firm favourites despite drifting to 2.04 to win the series from a low of 1.46. There's been strong support for England, they've been backed in from a high of 5.0 and are currently available at 2.92 but they remain the underdog.

Australia, who are formidable at the Gabba, will be looking to make a fast start and Ricky Ponting will be desperate not to become the first Australian captain to lose three Ashes series since Billy Murdoch in 1890. There's no doubt that England are still up against it and must pick their strongest starting XI.

So come on then, who is it going to be, Bell or Morgan? Surely it has to be Ian Bell, he looked in spectacular nick last week and is vastly experienced. Big scores win Test matches and Bell has the temperament, technique and concentration needed to occupy the crease and keep the scoreboard ticking. Sadly, he never seems to be able to do it against Australia - oh dear, tell you what, "pass me that rubber!"

By Frank Gregan

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Two weeks on from the headline performances of David Haye and Manny Pacquiao, a fighter who resembles that star duo more than most returns to the ring. Carl Froch may not earn the big bucks or indeed the mainstream plaudits but if fighters were paid according to entertainment value, the Nottingham man would be a billionaire. As ever, Froch's bout this weekend against Arthur Abraham has the potential to be another barn-burner.

Since stepping up to World Championship level Froch has delivered four outstanding efforts on the bounce and has shown his ability to deliver and come out on top at the highest level. 'The Cobra' won the WBC super middleweight title against Jean Pascal in our domestic fight of the year in late 2008 and followed that up by getting off the canvas to halt Jermain Taylor then outworking talented speedster Andre Dirrell. As form lines go, the first and last named wins have a very solid look.

Pascal has gone on to prove himself a top World Champion at light heavyweight and in beating Chad Dawson recently, one of boxing's pound-for-pound best, while Dirrell was spanking Abraham on points until that stray, disqualifying punch. Pascal has gone on record as saying Froch is an underestimated, clever fighter and the toughest as well as the best he has faced.

Still, Froch's winning run came to an end in April when he ran into the classy Dane Mikkel Kessler who (as tipped in this column) was just a little too good for the Englishman. The truth is that there wasn't much in that decision loss; it was a scrap that Froch perhaps should have won and certainly one which he emerged from looking the stronger fighter. But in the opposite corner this weekend, Froch faces a man who can at least match him for toughness.

Arthur Abraham went down in boxing folklore with his frighteningly brave win against Edison Miranda in 2006 when he fought most of the fight with a grotesquely swollen and broken jaw. That was the third of 11 defences of the IBF middleweight title which 'King Arthur' vacated to enter the Super Six series. His debut at super middleweight saw him effectively end the career of Jermain Taylor who was stopped late on, just as he had in his previous fight against Froch. And so to the perplexing conclusion to Abraham's last fight against Dirrell which he was losing comprehensively. I wouldn't say the jury is out on Abraham but he is not altogether easy to define now.

I have to concede changing my mind twice in approaching this preview and ultimately the betting has a large bearing on the outcome because I think it is simply wrong. As I see it, Froch should be at least a marginal favourite yet he is available at 2.44 while Abraham is the 1.72 favourite. There is no doubt that Abraham is a hard, dangerous fighter and he has that deceptive, sneaky speed which suddenly appears as a sharp counter from behind that high guard. I can definitely see him catching Froch and we know that Abraham hits hard with one punch knockout power. If he wins it might just be by KO/TKO/DQ 3.05.

Froch though has just about the best chin in the business as he showed against Pascal and when getting up off the canvass for the first time in his career to beat Taylor. He is a very hard man. Yes, he still fights with that worrying hands low style at times and he doesn't use his jab to best advantage nearly often enough but he generally finds a way to win and given his strengths, this is his fight to lose.

We know that Abraham will fight from behind a tight guard and that always gives his opponents the opportunity to dictate the fight's pattern. Froch isn't a dancer like Dirrell but he has a three inch height and a 2.5 inch reach advantage, so he can make this easy for himself if he chooses to and he has one of the sport's best emerging trainers on his side in the shape of Robert McCracken.

I don't think Abraham could give Kessler the problems that Froch did and I sense the Nottingham man has emerged from that battle with a new confidence. Certainly he'll need it for a semi-final eliminator that promises to be another Froch fight of the year. Get the record button pressed and enjoy the ride.

By Alex Steedman

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I'm not quite sure what to make of the X Factor weekend we've all just had to endure; it was bizarre to say the least!

Most of the craziness centred around eccentric Brazilian Wagner, who without a shadow of a doubt put in the worst performance I've ever seen by any X Factor contestant this year or any other year. But it was Cheryl Cole's post-song verbals towards Vaarg-ner that made for uncomfortable viewing. Wagner had simply stated some facts in an interview done earlier in the week, that Cole was someone to look up to because of the way she's come from a council estate to where she is today.

Unfortunately Princess Cole took offence to Wagner's subsequently twisted words and decided to have a pop at him live on air. It was all very unprofessional - on Cole's part - if you ask me, and not for the first time this series her majesty didn't cover herself in glory.

Strangely enough, Cole somehow avoided the wrath of Louis Walsh's rule book after her act Cher Lloyd performed the John Lennon classic Imagine... on Beatles night. True, Lennon was once a member of the Beatles but can you imagine (no pun intended) the uproar if Matt Cardle were to sing Angels on a night when the theme is Take That?

I have to say that I thought Beatles night was a massive disappointment. Cardle - who remains the 3.0 favourite to win the competition - performed ok but wasn't anything special. One Direction (3.2) appeared to do well but after watching a few re-runs their performance contained quite a few errors, and Rebecca Ferguson (4.8) looked a nervous wreck before getting through her rendition of Yesterday. Only Mary Byrne (44.0), Katie Waissel (40.0) and Paije Richardson performed with credit, yet the latter of those three became the ninth act to be eliminated after losing out in a sing-off to Lloyd (16.0).

From a form perspective then, it's best just to ignore what went on last Saturday and instead concentrate on how popular each act is. It's quite clear that someone like Cardle or One Direction could do a karaoke version of The Birdie Song and still get through, whereas Lloyd or Waissel could perform brilliantly yet find themselves in the bottom two.

This week's 10th Elimination market is still hard to call however. And nothing is made easier by not knowing whether it will be a single or double elimination this weekend (there has to be a double elimination sooner or later otherwise Simon Cowell will be hoping to have a Christmas number one by getting the winner to release a single in January!) Waissel is the 2.58 favourite in this particular market, just ahead of Wagner (3.1), Byrne (6.8) and Lloyd (8.6).

Before I make a selection allow me for one moment to get all smug. From the 11 settled bets below, 10 of them are losers. My outlay on those 11 bets is £430, my return on those 11 bets - thanks to my one and only winner - is £448. That, Jack Houghton, is how you get back in the ball game. It's all fine and dandy swanning off to some Swiss army camp supping cheap mulled win mate, but never let complacency affect your judgement. The way you're going, your next holiday could be in Hartlepool with just a few cans of cider to keep you warm. Still, you could always ask me for a few quid.

This week I'm backing Wagner to finally bite the bullet. Once he'd survived the first few weeks I said that he'll get to the last six or seven before the serious voters outweigh the joke ones. I could end up following him over a cliff if he's more popular than I think he is, but at 3.1 to be the next to go, he's worth £48 of my money.

By Mike Norman

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The papers may have called it a Saturday of shocks, but were Arsenal and Chelsea's losses actually that surprising? We all knew that the Gunners are clueless at home, that the injury-depleted Blues are on a bad run and that there's only one place that Wayne Rooney can score, didn't we?

Though the Gunners were 2-0 up at half-time and apparently cruising towards another north London derby win, that they came unstuck did not surprise this observer. Obviously, hindsight makes sages of us all, but the runes were there for us all to read.

On the one hand, Tottenham are slow starters; before Saturday's result they had scored three second-half goals three times already this season (against Wolves, Twente and Inter Milan) and two second-half goals on four more occasions. On the other hand, Emirates regulars will tell you that the Gunners are only as good as their opponents' next attack. For all their glorious football and dominant possession, they concede needless set-pieces in dangerous areas and have a defensive centre softer than a Belgian truffle.

We have known this for years, but it is Arsenal's home form that is of particular concern.

They have consistently underperformed at Ashburton Grove, As well as losing to West Brom and Newcastle they only narrowly beat West Ham (1-0) and Birmingham (2-1). Thomas Vermaelen has been sorely missed and Wenger's summer signings Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci have yet to convince, albeit Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski offer about as much protection as a seal pup.

The only real surprise of the north London derby was that at 2-2 with seven minutes to go Spurs were 9.0 to win the match in-running. At least there was money to be made.

Remarkably, despite their tendency to choke, Arsenal are still only two points off the top and very much in the title race, which will doubtelss hearten those visitors to the Emirates.

Though they were defeated at Birmingham on Saturday, in terms of title credentials Chelsea represent far better value for their 2.18 than Arsenal at 6.2 and not just because they are two points clear of their London rivals.

The Blues have lost three of their four marquee matches to date (Manchester United in the Charity Shield, Manchester City and Liverpool; they beat Arsenal), but have been without Frank Lampard and a fit John Terry for most of the season. Even without Lampard, Terry and the suspended Michael Essien, Chelsea's failure to beat Birmingham was down to a freakishly good display by Ben Foster, who thwarted the ominously resurgent Didier Drogba several times.

So once Terry and Lampard are back, the Blues can be expected step up through the gears again, can't they? Well, that depends on two major factors. Firstly, whether unbeaten Manchester United (3.45) actually start playing well (traditionally, the Red Devils kick on in the spring and Rooney's dry spell can't last much longer) and secondly, whether Carlo Ancelotti will still be at the helm at Stamford Bridge.

There have been strange goings-on within the sealed confines of the Cobham training complex in recent weeks and Ray Wilkins' sudden departure suggests there is something rotten in the state of Denmark - or Surrey anyway. Butch's departure remains a complete mystery but the repercussions thereof may extend far beyond the two league defeats the Blues have suffered since Ray was told to Tango.

Chelsea's former assistant coach is seeking legal action over what he has described, via a statement from the LMA, as his "undoubtedly unfair dismissal" and although Ancelotti has so far refused to say anything on the matter other than, "it is not the right moment" the Italian is clearly unhappy.

Despite winning the double last season the former AC Milan tactician has yet to be offered an extension to his current deal which has another 18 months to run. The "Sundays" are even suggesting he is also unhappy at January transfer budget cutbacks. With his authority beginning to look undermined, Ancelotti is beginning to cut an isolated figure. Considering his achievements, and the fact that his side is top of both the league and its Champions League group, it is outrageous that Ancelotti should find himself in such a predicament.

All of which leaves the most open and curious title race in years ever more open and curious. What is going at Chelsea? How can they be so hell-bent on derailing their own title race? The truth will come out eventually.

No wonder Harry Redknapp claims this is the best chance Spurs, lying six points off the pace and 65.0 to win the title, have of winning the Premier League. "I think Tottenham are now getting closer and the championship is wide open," he said. "I said that to the players on Friday morning: 'Why can't you win the championship? Who says you can't?"

Meanwhile, Chelsea's technical director and former Spurs director of football Frank Arnesen, sitting in his office just along the corridor from Ancelotti at Cobham, continues to plot and scheme. Could he be the inside man? Is he the one bringing the house of cards down from within? You never know. He is Danish after all. Perhaps there is something rotten in the state of Denmark after all.

By Ricahrd Aikman

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What is age in football. How old is too old? Jacek Gmoch, the Polish coach who last week was placed in temporary charge of Panathinaikos this week is 71, but somehow the bare number doesn't quite give the full impression of how long he's been involved in football. A clearer picture is given by the fact that, when Poland eliminated England in qualifying for the 1974 World Cup, and then went on to finish third in West Germany, he was assistant to the manager Kazimierz Gorski.

"It was a good combination," the goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski recalls. "Gorski was a very good old man. He got on very well with the players with his humour and his calmness. Gmoch had a very modern view of football and tactics. Gmoch gathered information about opponents. For example, before the game against England in Chorzow, he told the forwards that sometimes Bobby Moore did not control the ball well, to press him in possession and that's how Wlodimierz Lubanski scored the
second goal."

Gmoch has been in the game so long that it was his observations that signalled the beginning of the end of Moore as a top international defender, the beginning of the end of Alf Ramsey's reign as England coach and, arguably, the end of England as an international power of the first rank. After a spell in the USA, he returned to take charge of the Poland national team for the 1978 World Cup, after which he had a brief spell in Norway before moving to Greece, since when it seems he has coached pretty much everybody in the country at least once.

His first spell at Panathinaikos began in 1983. That tactical expertise, the ability to size up opponents, helped Panathinaikos to the double in his first season, and the following year led his side to the semi-finals of the European Cup, where they were beaten by Liverpool. He left in the summer of 1985 for AEK, since when he has also coached Olympiakos to complete the hat-trick of Greece's biggest clubs.

He has not, though, been involved in coaching for seven years. Since leaving Ionikos in 2003, he has worked with Poland's Olympic committee and has co-commented on Greek teams in the Champions League for Polish television. His appointment has been greeted with something approaching derision in Poland, and it's certainly true that Gmoch was
not an obvious choice.

He was, though, only a caretaker, stepping in to replace Nikos Nioplias who led the club to the double last year and so ended six seasons of Olympiakos domination. When he left, Panathinaikos were joint top of the table with Olympiakos, but had
played a game more; more relevant to his departure, though, was Panathinaikos's poor European form, which sees them bottom of their group with two points from four games (leaving them 11.0, to make it through to the knockout stage).


"I am a soldier at Panathinaikos's service as long as they want me," Gmoch said." It is not a time to talk, but a time to work hard." That time seems likely to be brief, with Jesualdo Ferreira, the former Porto coach who was sacked by Malaga a fortnight ago seemingly set to take charge. He, though, at 64, is hardly in the first flush of youth, even if his recent achievements in the Champions League somehow make him seem a much more realistic candidate than Gmoch.

Panathinaikos are 2.94 to be champions, Olympiakos 1.6, and much of course will depend on how quickly Ferreira adapts to his new squad. For now, though, two issues remain. Firstly, what was the point of even naming Gmoch as caretaker if a permanent appointment was going to be made only a handful of days later?

And secondly, will Gmoch even have the opportunity to take charge of one game before being shuffled into the background again? Panathinaikos are 1.31 to beat sixth-placed Iraklis (14.0 to win) at home, while Olympiakos are at home to PAOK (1.53 to win), who lie third.

Whether it is Gmoch or Ferreira in the dug-out, though, Panathinaikos appears very much a country for old men.

By Jonathan Wilson

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The Los Angeles Lakers have started with a record of 8-2 and are playing with a great deal of intensity.
　
The two-time defending champions did not make any changes to the starting five during the summer, but they did upgrade their bench. Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff were signed in an effort to solidify the second unit. I think these additions will pay huge dividends later on in the season.

The great Kobe Bryant is 31-years-old but he retains the enthusiasm of someone half his age. He has worked very hard during the off-season and looks razor sharp.

The media has virtually awarded the title to Miami this year but I suspect Kobe and friends have other ideas. The Lakers host the Heat on Christmas Day and it should be a cracker. This nationally televised game could be a preview of the NBA finals.

It is not easy to make money backing the Lakers as they are traditionally overbet, especially when playing at home. They have two interesting road games coming up against Minnesota and Utah which should provide much better value.

On the 19th they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves who are one of the poorest teams in basketball. They should run up the score and cover the advertised handicap easily. They will probably trade at around 1.8.

On the 26th the Lakers travel to Utah. The Jazz are in decent form but the Lakers match up very well against Deron Williams and company. The LA should be priced around 1.9 in the outright market.
　
The San Antonio Spurs are another Western Conference team that has started well. The Spurs currently have the best record in basketball at 8-1. This veteran team last won the championship in 2007 but they look very sharp this year.

The big three comprising of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have been together since 2001. Over the years these gifted players have developed an amazing understanding and are a delight to watch.

The Spurs have been unusually aggressive in the early part of the season which is very interesting. In the past San Antonio has not placed a great deal of importance on securing home court advantage in the playoffs. San Antonio coach Greg Popovich has decided those days are over.

There are a lot of really good teams in the Western Conference at the present time. As a result it has become much more difficult to win a playoff series on the road than it was a couple of years ago.
　
This is probably the last chance for the current Spurs team to win another championship. Tim Duncan has two years left on his contract but there are rumours he may retire at the end of the season.

San Antonio are still one of the elite teams in basketball. They have the talent and depth to be considered serious challengers for the NBA championship. They are currently priced at 28.0 which is worth taking.

By Nick Shiambouros

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The Super-Featherweights get their first chance to shine in the Prizefighter series at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday evening. Promoter Barry Hearn has unearthed a gem with this competition and another explosive night looks a formality.

This will be the 15th edition of Prizefighter and anybody tuning in for the first time will more than likely become an addict. If you like boxing and betting then look no further, with seven fights in one night, plenty of different markets on offer and no end of excitement, it really is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night in.

Some big names have contested this event in the past and it can often prove a springboard to huge pay-days in the future, as Audley Harrison would testify. His career was heading nowhere when he entered the Heavyweight version in 2009, but after knocking out Coleman Barrett in a one-sided final, just over a year later he was fighting for a World Title. If you could call it fighting that is!

So on to this Saturday's contest where Gary Sykes from Yorkshire and Mongolian warrior Choi Tseveenpurev share favouritism at 3.1 on Betfair, with Gary Buckland priced at 7.0 to take both the trophy and £32,000 cheque back to Wales.

British Champion Gary Sykes, unbeaten in 16 fights to date, should have too much talent for first opponent Scott Lawton and looks likely to meet my outright fancy Buckland in the semi-final.

Buckland will take on a familiar face to Soap Opera fans in his first contest when Steve Bell trades a night at the Rovers Return for a slugfest in East London. The Manchester fighter has recently been playing the part of Quinny in Coronation Street and may wish he'd stayed there after this bruising battle.

In the other half of the draw Choi Tseveenpurev is expected to be pushed much closer in the opening bout of the night against hard-working Ben Murphy from Sussex. Even though the Mongolian will probably edge a close contest, quite what he'll have left in the tank afterwards at the age of 39, is questionable.

Arguably the closest fight of the evening is between Gary McArthur and Derry Mathews, with slight preference for the latter as he packs the bigger punch and has fought in far better company. Mathews who hails from Merseyside can be backed at 2.0 on Betfair to defeat McArthur and that appeals as exceptional value.

The draw often proves decisive in Prizefighter, with little time for breathers between contests, the man who reserves the most energy for later in the evening often emerges victorious. I'm taking Buckland to ease past Bell and leave enough petrol in the tank to see him through the tougher challenges that will come his way as the night progresses.

By Dean Goddard

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