Hatton: backed to beat Malignaggi

Ed Chamberlin gives his top tips ahead of another big weekend on Sky Sports.

Premier League

Arsenal came to Sky Bet's rescue again last weekend as their demise against Aston Villa will have scuppered many an accumulator.

The Big Four should have the odds compilers sweating again though this weekend. Incredibly, Manchester United have won on their last nine meetings with Aston Villa at Villa Park. United are unbeaten in the last 22 meetings in all competitions, 25 in the Premier League and look good things to win again.

On this big weekend of boxing, it's appropriate that Newcastle's last win at Stamford Bridge (22 years ago to the day on Saturday) was the same month that Mike Tyson won his first world title by knocking out Trevor Berbick. Newcastle have never won a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge and the way Chelsea are playing, they are staring down the barrel once again.

Liverpool should complete the treble by beating Fulham. The Cottagers did this blog a big favour last weekend by beating Tottenham and are playing well but face a tough task on Saturday. They have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield, losing 20 of the 27 meetings and always seem to be haunted by the 10-0 demolition back in 1986.

So, does one risk putting Arsenal in the accumulator? The stats say 'yes'. Arsenal have won 18 of the 22 Premier League meetings with Man City and have won more League games against them than any other side (16 of the last 18). However, my head says 'no' as Arsenal looked rattled at the moment. I'd prefer to back more than three goals in the game as City look full of goals at home and Arsenal have scored 42 in the last 18 PL meetings.

Boxing

There's a busy and fantastic night of boxing in store on Saturday night on Sky Box Office and Sky Bet's odds compilers have been busy coming up with a range of markets for Ricky Hatton v Paulie Malignaggi and the Prizefighter Middleweights.

Hatton is chalked up at 4/11 to beat Malignaggi (15-8) but the big question is whether the Hitman is on the downgrade or has he been rejuvenated by Floyd Mayweather Senior?

I believe the truth is somewhere in between and still think he'll be too good for the American. Malinaggi has been carefully selected as he might be slick and quick but he's unlikely to hurt Hatton with his fragile hands. He's tough though as we saw when he went the distance against Miguel Cotto despite being badly beaten up and having a broken jaw.

I therefore think this fight will go the distance with Hatton's superior and more powerful work just edging it. I fancy the Hitman to win on points at 4-5.

Horse Racing

Another poser for Saturday: is Kauto Star a good thing at Haydock? At 4-11 with Skybet you'd think he was a steering job but I'd be in no hurry to take that price.

Last season's defeats left a number of questions to answer and I don't think we learnt a lot at Down Royal as he sauntered home 11 lengths clear of a horse rated 44lbs inferior. Does Kauto Star still have the hunger when he's put under pressure? We'll find out on Saturday if AP McCoy and Exotic Dancer can get him into a battle and I won't be taking 4-11 to find out.

McCoy should have an armchair ride on Binocular in the 1.40. I think we'll see the 'Champ' looking through his legs for non-existent dangers in the straight and Skybet's odds compilers shortening Binocular's odds for the Champion Hurdle.

The best spectacle of the weekend will be the Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday, with Mr Pointment the favourite to repeat last year's win. I prefer the chances of his stablemate Gungadu, who should run a big race despite his big weight, and my long-term Grand National fancy Hear The Echo.

Mouse Morris' charge remains unexposed over a trip and if he takes to the fences looks sure to run a big race. Hear The Echo, the Irish Grand National winner, had a blow out over hurdles at Clonmel, looks fairly treated off a mark of 149 and decent value at 14-1 with Sky Bet.

Rugby League

Another rugby feast on Sky Sports 2 kicks off with the World Cup final on Saturday morning. What a pity that England folded so tamely last weekend, especially against such an ordinary New Zealand side. Australia have looked in a different league, progressed serenely to the final and I'm not sure Sky Bet's 18pt handicap will be enough.

Rugby Union

England were equally disappointing in this code against Australia. It's depressing that the Northern Hemisphere sides get thrashed down under and beaten again at home against opponents that are jaded and not at their best after a long season. It's particularly worrying for the Lions' chances in the summer - no wonder Sky Bet are 2-5 on South Africa winning the series.

South Africa have looked a shadow of the side that played in the Tri-Nations but have still done enough to beat Wales and Scotland. England will improve but the gulf is so big that if South Africa can motivate themselves for one last effort in their final game of the season, they will win.

There's no guarantee of that though as the Boks have so many injuries and the players sound as though they've had enough. I'd prefer to wait and back England to beat the All Blacks. More on that next week!

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