Cristiano Ronaldo has been cut for the Premier League's golden boot by Sky Bet after Sir Alex Ferguson said the winger would be staying at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has been the subject of a long-running transfer chase by Real Madrid this summer, but Ferguson said today: "The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season believe me."

Ronaldo: Can he match last season's heroics?

As a result, Sky Bet have trimmed Ronaldo's odds of being top scorer in the league for the second straight season from 7/1 to 6/1. It's also 6/5 for Ronaldo to score over 27.5 league goals this season (8/13 under 27.5 goals).

The reigning two-time PFA player of the year is 5/2 to complete a hat-trick of awards in 2008/09.

Following Ferguson's comments, the same firm now make the Portugal international 1/3 to see out the season at Manchester United. It's 9/4 for him not to be a United player at the season's end.

Who's Azinger wild about?

Sky Bet opened betting on who will be US captain Paul Azinger's wild card picks for the forthcoming Ryder Cup.

Following his recent public criticism of the tournament, it remains to be seen whether Hunter Mahan will be selected by Azinger should he fail to make the side on merit. Mahan is a 2/1 shot to get a pick.

With this week's USPGA Championship the final counting tournament for Ryder Cup points, players inside the bubble of the top eight spots will want to cement their place on the team, while those lying just outside like Woody Austin (6/4), DJ Trahan (11/8) and US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate (11/10), will either be hoping for a strong performance in the PGA or to gain a wild card pick.

Sky Bet's senior golf compiler John Rhodes said: "This market is proving hugely popular with customers. It will be interesting to see whom Azinger goes for, whether it is experience in the likes of Verplank, DiMarco, Love or Couples, or rookies like Trahan, Sean O'Hair or Brandt Snedeker.

"Rumours circulating in the locker room that he will look toward big-hitting duo of JB Holmes and Bubba Watson have caused some debate amongst the golfing fraternity in recent days."

Take it as Red!

Sky Bet are convinced that Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool will soon come to fruition and have already produced prices on how the England midfielder will perform this coming season.

Barry has been installed at 16/1 to be the Reds' top league marksman and it's 5/6 that he scores over 7.5 goals.

14/1 is quoted for Barry to find the net against Aston Villa both at home and away and in a scoring match bet Sky Bet price him at 9/4 to outscore Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

It's 5/6 for Barry to make over 31.5 league appearances for Liverpool in 2008/09. The same price is offered for less than that number.

Bopara 10/11 for 50

In the absence of Michael Vaughan there should be a real opportunity for Ravi Bopara to make his mark in the fourth Test between England and South Africa at The Oval this week.

Bopara's Test breakthrough in Sri Lanka last December was a chastening experience and he made only 42 runs in five innings from his three appearances - including three ducks.

But he's thrived in county cricket since then for Essex and Sky Bet make it a 10/11 chance that he scores a fifty in either innings at The Oval.

Action replay?

Paula Radcliffe looks set to run in the marathon at the Olympics after a couple of injury scares and Sky Bet make her 13/8 to win a medal - and 9/2 for it to be gold.

The marathon world record holder, who has confirmed her intention to compete in Beijing, had been in France undergoing rehabilitation from a stress fracture in her thigh when she was bitten by a spider.

Radcliffe's reaction to the bite on her left leg was so bad that the 34-year-old was rushed to hospital - and cast serious doubts over her inclusion at the Olympics.

However she's now fully recovered but given her interrupted preparations Sky Bet make it a 7/2 chance that she fails to complete the race in Beijing, just as she did in Athens four years ago.

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