Sky Bet's tipsters pick out the best odds on this weekend's Super League, Six Nations and Formula One action.
Sky Bet's tipsters pick out the best odds on this weekend's Super League, Six Nations and Formula One
The latest edition of
Your Best Bet takes a look at where the value is to be had on this weekend's Super League fixtures, the big finale in the Six Nations plus the opening Grand Prix of the Formula One season.
Rugby league tipster
Jordan Fiddes is back with another Super League tip, having picked four winners from his previous five contributions.
Rugby union expert
Steve Bramley is bidding to maintain his 100 per cent record as he looks to add to his hat-trick of winning tips, this week focusing on Wales against England in the Six Nations decider in Cardiff.
Finally,
Jamie Casey offers his best bets for Sunday morning's Australian Grand Prix as the Formula One season kicks into gear in Melbourne.
Super League
By: @SkyJordanFiddes
Wigan travel to Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Friday night bidding to make it four wins in five at the home of the champions.
The Warriors enjoyed a 50-8 demolition of the Rhinos in this fixture last year and the form of the two sides suggests another win could be on the cards for the Cherry and Whites.
Leeds were brought crashing back down to earth after their win over St.Helens, as they were humiliated by a Danny Brough inspired Huddersfield side at home last Friday.
Wigan, on the other hand, managed to keep a strong Catalan Dragons side scoreless last week and post 38 points and seven tries themselves.
Minus a draw in Super League XVI in 2011, Wigan have beaten Leeds at Headingley by more than 14 points in their last four trips across the Pennines, which is why I'm looking at the "alternative handicap" market this weekend.
Wigan are
11/8 to win by five points or more on Friday night - one converted try - which they have done four times already this season.
Alternatively, Leeds have only managed to beat the handicap on two occasions this season and have conceded over 15 points in every fixture.
Wigan currently lie second in the table, with both the second best attack and defence in the competition, so a six-point winning margin is good value on Friday.
Jordan's best bet: Wigan to cover -4.5 handicap - 11/8
Six Nations
By: @SkyBet_Steve
Not long after England's stunning victory over New Zealand in the autumn internationals I took a punt on Stuart Lancaster's men to win the Grand Slam at
6/1. Now three months on and they are 80 minutes away from not only bolstering my ever dwindling bank balance but, more importantly, completing the clean sweep for the first time in a decade.
However, first they must see off a Wales side who have grown in confidence since an opening day defeat to Ireland, while also boasting a terrific recent record against England in Cardiff.
Wales have put one over on England in four of the last five battles in the Welsh capital and an eight-point victory (6-10pts is
6/1) will see them retain the crown.
I wouldn't read too much into Wales' recent dismal record of five straight defeats at the Millennium Stadium. The Dragon will be breathing fire on Saturday and England will need to really need to be on top of their game if they are to etch their names into Six Nations folklore.
Three of the last four matches between the sides have been settled by margins of seven points or fewer and I expect another desperately close affair this time around.
England showed in Dublin last month that they are made of sterner stuff under Lancaster so I'm hoping they can handle the pressure in the hot-bed that is sure to await them and end the 10 year wait for Grand Slam glory.
Steve's best bet: England to win by 6-10 points.
Australian Grand Prix
By: @SkyJamieCasey
The opening race of the Formula One season is more often than not a learning curve for most teams, drivers and indeed fans. Although four of the last six winners of the first race have gone on to win the championship, it's never short of a few surprises, and I think there could be one or two this time around.
If Lotus can make big strides in their qualifying they can be big players this year, especially with Kimi Raikkonen as their number one driver. The 2007 World Champion underachieved last year but showed glimpses of his brilliance, and if the car handles as well as it appeared to in testing he can pick up a win or two on the 2013 calendar.
He's
8/1 to win in Australia and, though I don't think that will happen, it may be worth an each way punt as there's a fair amount of value in that price. Lewis Hamilton has generated a lot of interest in the race winner market at 8/1 and it's a decent price too, but perhaps too much is being read into his lap times in testing in Barcelona - Melbourne's Albert Park is of a completely different proportion.
There's plenty of value out there in what is effectively anyone's race inside the top five teams, as each of them will be out to find their feet. Felipe Massa is a massive
40/1 to win for Ferrari, but only 13/2 to make the podium, so I'd be tempted to place a small stake on the Brazilian to win given his improved form towards the end of last season.
Those odds are long for a reason, though, with the real value bet lying with McLaren's Jenson Button. The 2009 champion is now a massive
18/1 to win the race, which he has done in three of the last four years, on the back of poor lap times in testing. It's a big year for Button, who is McLaren's main hope now Lewis Hamilton has departed, and I think his experience and maturity will really show come Sunday morning (GMT). However, avoid backing the Englishman if it's raining ahead of lights out, in which case go with Fernando Alonso (9/2) or Hamilton.
Jamie's best bet: Jenson Button to win the Australian Grand Prix (18/1)
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