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Posted: 16th April 2008 08:05
Ian Ashbee: Leading Hull City's promotion push
West Brom and Hull have moved into the top two spots in the Coca-Cola Championship and they also occupy that position in the latest betting on the title.
Zoltan Gera's clinical finish gave West Brom the bragging rights in a 1-0 derby win over Wolves while Dean Marney made one and scored one to help haul Hull into the second automatic promotion place as they won 3-1 at Barnsley.
The Baggies are now the odds-on favourites to stay top of the pile, at no better than 8/11 with SkyBet. And Hull are 7-2 second best.
It could hardly be tighter though, with just five points separating the top five with three games remaining.
And the best prices now on offer about the other three sides are 5/1 Stoke (Boylesports and bet365), 12/1 Bristol City (general) and 14/1 Watford (Sky Bet).
With two games in hand, Rangers have a four point cushion at the top of the Scottish Premier League and Sky Bet have produced a handicap market on the number of points by which they will win the league.
Celtic are given a 5.5 point start and are 5/6. They are 5/4 to pick up three vital points when their title rivals visit Celtic Park tonight.
Rangers are now just 6/1 with Sky Bet to do the quadruple this season by winning the Premier League, Scottish FA Cup, CIS Cup & UEFA Cup.
Wasps have been cut to 11/4 to top the regular season Guinness Premiership standings after their crucial 29-19 victory over Sale.
Wasps sealed victory with a try in each half from Tom Voyce and Paul Sackey plus 19 points from Danny Cipriani's boot.
They now sit in fourth place in the standings, six points off leaders Gloucester but with a game in hand against lowly Newcastle.
Boylesports offer 11/4 Wasps and 11/10 Gloucester while Sky Bet are the same price about the Cherry and Whites but go 3/1 about the London side.
Bath enhanced their own claims with a 26-12 victory over Leicester and they are now 3/1 with Sky Bet.
They sit in second place in the table, two points behind leaders Gloucester who they play on the last day of the season.
Kris Commons' stunning strike gave Derby County a 1-0 victory over Man United in a thrilling Carling Cup semi-final first leg.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have named Andrew Strauss as their new skipper following a day of turmoil for the national team.
Hampshire batsman Kevin Pietersen has confirmed his resignation as England captain.
Sir Alex Ferguson was gracious in defeat after conceding his side were below par at Pride Park.
Kris Commons has spoken of his delight after his goal gave Derby a win over Manchester United at Pride Park.
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