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Thursday's market moves

Sky Bet Betting Blog Posted 14th August 2008 view comments

Manchester City have been pushed out to 40/1 to win the UEFA Cup with Sky Bet after leaving themselves facing a tough task just to reach the first round proper.

City went down 1-0 at home to FC Midtylland tonight in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash, meaning they have plenty to do in Denmark in two weeks' time if they are to progress.

Sky Bet are out to 40s (from 25s) about Mark Hughes' men.

Olsen celebrates his Eastlands winner

Olsen celebrates his Eastlands winner

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have been cut into 25/1. They are all but through to the first round following a 4-1 win away to FH Hafnarfjordur in their qualifier.

AC Milan, more used to playing Champions League football, are hot favourites at this stage - the only club rated at a single-figure price at 5/1. Tottenham, managed by two-time UEFA Cup winner Juande Ramos, are rated the most likely British side to succeed. They are 10/1 shots.

However, Sky Bet also offer a price about one of the Champions League 'drop-out' teams winning the UEFA Cup. The losers from the third qualifying round will drop into the lesser competition, as will those clubs finishing third in the six groups come December.

At present, the Harrogate-based firm go 5/2 about one of those sides lifting the trophy in Istanbul on May 20.

Swede dream for Dougherty

Nick Dougherty is Sky Bet's new favourite for the SAS Masters golf in Stockholm after making a flying start to the tournament.

The Englishman, who has struggled this season following the death of his mother, is joint leader on four under par after opening with a round of 66.

That's since his odds shrink in from 40/1 to 15/2 with the Harrogate-based firm.

Peter Hanson and Pedro Linhart are both alongside Dougherty on four under. Hanson is now second favourite at 8/1 - from an ante-post 28/1 - but the little-known Spaniard Linhart is still available at 50/1.

Germany's Martin Kaymer is next in Sky Bet's market at 12/1 (from 20s) after one-under round.

The ante-post favourite, home hope Robert Karlsson, made a poor start and stands two over. His odds have ballooned from 8/1 to 20s.

'Big Four' specials

Sky Bet have produced a variety of 'Big Four' special markets ahead of the big Premier League kick-off this weekend.

It's 2/5 for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to remain the top four at season-end and 7/4 for any other team to break their three-year reign at the top.

33/1 is quoted for all the 'Big Four' clubs to remain unbeaten at home in the league this season and it's 10/1 for them all to accrue over 80 points.

Sky Bet offer 6/5 for the winner to finish with over 90.5 points (8/13 under 90.5) and the runner-up is 5/6 to accumulate over 84.5 points (5/6 under 84.5 points).

Sky Bet are offering odds on who will be the first team to beat defending champions Manchester United and quote 11/1 for Newcastle to cause an upset on the opening weekend and 4/1 for Portsmouth to beat the title-holders at home on August 25.

It's 7/4 for the Red Devils to go unbeaten in their first six matches while Sir Alex Ferguson's side are 11/2 to better last season's goal difference of 58 - the greatest ever attained in a Premier League season.

Manchester United are Sky Bet's 10/11 favourites to be the highest scoring 'Big Four' team, with Arsenal second favourites at 2/1, followed by Chelsea at 9/2 and Liverpool at 7/1.

The domestic and European champions are also 13/8 favourites to take most points off their 'Big Four' rivals and are joint favourites at 6/4 together with Chelsea to concede fewest goals.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres is Sky Bet's 9/4 favourite to be the top 'Big Four' goalscorer, with golden boot winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, second favourite at 4/1 and Emmanuel Adebayor third favourite at 5/1.

Sky Bet quote 2/1 for any player to score 30 or more league goals in 2008/9 and 2/1 for an individual player to outscore a team, which happened for the third time last season when Ronaldo, Adebayor and Torres all scored more than Derby's 20 team goals.

With the title going to the last day of the season in 2007/08, Sky Bet quote 5/2 for it to go down to the wire once more and 7/1 for it to be won on goal difference.

Reds 1/12 to qualify

Arsenal cruised through their Champions League qualifier in Holland last night, beating FC Twente 2-0, but Liverpool still have work to do to qualify for the group stages after only drawing 0-0 away to Belgian side Standard Liege.

Liverpool, who had goalkeeper Pepe Reina to thank for saving a first-half penalty, remain 12/1 to win the tournament, the same price as the Gunners.

The Reds are rated at just 1/12 with Sky Bet to go through while Standard Liege are 11/2 to qualify and leave the Anfield crowd stunned.

Sky Bet make last year's finalists Manchester United and Chelsea joint 6/1 favourites to lift the trophy.

Stuart on his way out

Sky Bet has installed Big Brother housemate Stuart as the red-hot favourite at 1/12 to be voted off the show this Friday.

Shock nominee Rachel is just 11/2 to get the boot, with Sky Bet pricing her as second favourite to win the show at 11/4.

Helen Jacob, Sky Bet spokesperson, said: "Nice but dull Rachel has come from nowhere and is now almost favourite to win the show!"

Meanwhile, there's trouble in paradise for couple Rex and Nicole as the chef slips down the popularity ranks and is just 22/1 to walk away with the BB9 title with his unpopular girlfriend at a massive 125/1 to win.

Mikey has taken the lead once again as series favourite at 2/1.

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