United and Chelsea favourites to progress from group stage

Last year's Champions League finalists Manchester United and Chelsea are expected to add to their opening day group wins tomorrow, when they take on Germany's Wolfsburg and Cypriots Apoel Nicosia, respectively.

While the two English Premier League giants have had contrasting fortunes in the past week, with United securing victory at Stoke and Chelsea suffering a shock loss to lowly Wigan, both sides are favourites to come away with the three points. Manchester United at home , are paying $1.37 for the win to Wolfsburg's $10.50, while in the group D match-up, Chelsea away to Apoel Nicosia are $1.36 favourites to the Cypriot side's $13.50.

In the matchday two's other matches:

Home win/Draw/Away win
CSK Moscow vs. Beskitas $1.75/$3.85/$5.90
AC Milan vs. FC Zurich $1.24/$6.80/$17.00
Bayern Munich vs. Juventus $2.18/$3.45/$3.80
Bordeaux vs. Maccabi Haifa $1.29/$5.90/$15.50
Porto vs. Athletico Madrid $1.99/$3.70/$4.40
Real Madrid vs. Marseille $1.25/$7.00/$15.50

Betting jargon explained #11

Back straight - Another term from the world of horse racing, the back straight is the stretch of race track furtherest away from the spectators and the winning post.

How the West was won

A predicted crowd of 80,000 will pack into ANZ Stadium tomorrow night as the Bulldogs lock horns with fellow west Sydney side the Parramatta Eels in the first preliminary final of the 2009 NRL season. The winner will face either Brisbane or Melbourne in the Grand Final at this same venue 9 days later.

On the back of tremendous form which has seen them win 9 out of their last 10 games, including victories over minor-premiers St.George Illawarra and the Gold Coast Titans in the past fortnight, Betfair Australia has installed the Eels as slim favourites paying $1.96 to the $2.02 Bulldogs.

While both sides are expected to be back to full-strength; with the return of five-eighth Daniel Mortimer (hip) and centre Krisnan Inu (hamstring) for the Eels and Brett Kimmorley (cheekbone) for the Bulldogs; all eyes will be on the game's new star Jarryd Hayne.

In the other preliminary final Melbourne a strong $1.39 favourites to the $3.55 Broncos.

Betting jargon explained #10

Back marker - In a standing start harness race, which is handicapped, the horse that is given the biggest handicap is known as the back marker.

TAB punter lays down $150,000 on Wellington win

In New Zealand, a TAB punter has placed a $150,000 bet on Wellington to beat Southland in tomorrow night's round 9 match of the Air New Zealand Cup.

Presumably, this decision was based on the return to the Wellington side of All Blacks Cory Jane, Hosea Gear and Rodney So'oialo

At $1.36 the bet has a possible return of $204,000 and a profit of $54,000.

Wellington currently lie in 7th place in the Air New Zealand Cup standings while Southland are well placed in 2nd.

Betting jargon explained #9

Apprentice Jockey - As the name suggests, a young jockey who is apprenticed to a trainer.

Betting jargon explained #8

Apprentice Allowance - With respect to horseracing, all throroughbred horses are required to carry an allotted weight when they race. In most cases this weight can be reduced if an apprentice jockey is used. The amount of the weight reduction is called the apprentice allowance. This allowance starts at 4kg and decreases as the apprentice jockey rides more winners.

Apprentice Henjak out to usurp the Master

While tomorrow night's knockout semifinal between the Brisbane Broncos and St.George Illawarra Dragons promises to be an epic encounter between two in-form sides, it will also be a clash of two coaches - Ivan Henjak and Wayne Bennett.

Once apprentice to Bennett, Brisbane rookie Henjak has now well and truly stepped out of the shadows and in doing so has guided his Broncos side to yet another finals appearance.

Although Brisbane go into Saturday night's match on the back of a dominant performance away to the Titans, their finals record at Suncorp Stadium leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, in six finals played in Brisbane since 1995, the Broncos are yet to win.

However, it is worth-noting that on each of those occasions it was Bennett steering the Brisbane ship!

Despite this it is the Dragons who go into the match as $1.83 favourites, to the $2.16 Broncos.

In tonights match, the Eels are strong $1.47 favourites at home to the Gold Coast Titans ($3.10).

All Blacks vs. Wallabies and the battle for 2nd place

With the Springboks having already sewn-up the Tri-Nations for 2009, and the Bledisloe Cup retained for another year, one could be forgiven for thinking that there was little left to play for on Saturday. But for the All Blacks and Wallabies this couldn't be further from the truth.

Firstly, for the All Blacks who are in their worst form slump since 1998, there is not only the weight of public expectation but the possibility that if they don't front-up they could become the only All Blacks side in history to lose three home tests in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, the chance to make history will also be a motivating factor for the Wallabies as they desperately seek to end what has been an eight-year losing to streak to the All Blacks in New Zealand. Of the current 23 man squad, only George Smith has ever played in a Wallabies side to have beaten the All Blacks at home.

Betfair Australia has installed the All Blacks as favourites ($1.62), as has the New Zealand TAB ($1.50). While the Wallabies are paying $2.74 and $2.50 respectively.

Eto'o's Champions League Challenge

In what is set to to be one of the more tastier match-ups of the first round, Inter Milan will tomorrow morning take on Spanish giants and defending champions Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

Both sides possess a wealth of talent across the park, but for one player in particular the match will have extra significance. This time last season Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o was plying his trade for the Catalan side, but, having been forced out of the side in the off-season, will tomorrow line-up against them. While at Barcelona, Eto'o enjoyed great success including two Champions League titles in 2006 and 2009, and it was with a heavy heart that he left the club.

Although the home side, Inter will go into tomorrow's encounter as the underdog ($3.15), with Barcelona paying $2.56. While $3.35 for a draw doesn't look a bad punt. Unsurprisingly, Samuel Eto'o is the favourite to score ($2.86), with the man who replaced him at Barca, Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($3.15) the next most likely.

Betting jargon explained #7

Angles - Using key factors from previous events, such as past form, to predict the results for future outcomes.

Mum's the word, as Clijsters clinches title

Belgian Kim Clijsters marked a remarkable return to top-flight tennis today with her straight sets win (7-5, 6-3) over 19 year old Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, reclaiming the U.S. Open title she last won in 2005.

On this form, Clijsters, who clearly displays not only the strength to match it with the likes of the Williams' sisters but also the mental aptitude, will go on to enjoy further success as her comeback gathers momentum.

On the men's side of the draw, Rafael Nadal was unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro (6-2, 6-2, 6-2). While in the other semi, World Number 1 Roger Federer produced some sublime tennis to move past Serb Novak Djokovic (7-6, 7-5, 7-5).

Unsupringly, Federer is the firm favourite ($1.31) to take out the title in what is his 6th consecutive U.S. Open final. That being said, the plucky del Potro ($4.10) is an all or nothing competitor who won't make things easy for the Swiss master.

Betting jargon explained #6

All-in - If placing an all-in bet you are doing so with the knowledge that there will be no refunds given for scratched or withdrawn competitors or teams in the event in which a bet is placed. That being said, should the event be cancelled a refund will be made available.

Winterbottom on pole for Phillip Island

Ford Perfomance Racing's Mark Winterbottom and co-driver Steve Richards ($2.04) will start from pole position for Sunday's Phillip Island 500 after winning the second of Saturday's sprint races.

Next on the grid will be race favourites Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup ($1.99) of Team Vodafone, with Toll Holden Racing Team's Garth Tander and Will Davison ($2.02) rounding out the front three.

In the V8 Drivers Championship Jamie Whincup on 2007 points holds a comfortable lead over Will Davison (1824 points), with Garth Tander languishing further back on 1479 points.

Betting jargon explained #5

Trifecta - A Trifecta involes selecting the first three place getters in the correct order.

Melbourne vs. Manly, too close to call?

Unable to separate them on paper, Betfair Australia is paying $1.98 for both the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles Head to Head, while Sportsbet is offering shorter odds again of $1.91.

Centrebet on the other hand, believe the Storm has shown enough form in recent weeks to knock-over the Sea Eagles and has accordingly installed them as $1.85 favourites.

With the bookies having a hard time picking a clear winner, don't be suprised if this first play-off encounter goes into golden point extra time.

Betting jargon explained #4

All the way win - To lead from start to finish in a race.

How far can Oudin go?

American teenage sensation Melanie Oudin has continued to defy the odds with another remarkable win over a much more fancied opponent. This time round it was the 13th seed Natalie Petrova to fall victim to the big-hearted 17 year old, going down in three sets 6-1, 6-7 (2), 3-6.

This latest result continues Oudin's remarkable run which has seen her upset world No.4 Elena Demetieva and No. 29 Maria Sharapova on her way to an unlikely quarterfinal. Next up for Oudin is the winner of the 3rd round clash between Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Riding high on a wave of a American public support, who's to say Oudin can't go one further. Although odds have not yet been released for her quarterfinal match-up, her odds of making the final have been slashed to $5, behind only Serena Williams ($1.55), Caroline Wozniacki ($3) and the newly returned Kim Clijsters ($3.10).

Dragons Favourites for NRL Premiership

With the final round of the regular NRL season drawing to a close over the weekend, league fans can now look forward to one of the most highly anticipated finals series in recent history.

While all of the top 8 have shown great form in recent weeks to cement their position in the finals, it is Wayne Bennett's St.George Illawarra who are looking like the team to beat. After their 37-0 obliteration of in-form Parramatta on Friday night, the Dragons have been installed as firm $3.60 favourites for the premiership.

Tip: As a speculator, punters could do worse than putting a wager on the $8.80 Brisbane Broncos.

Can Roddick put an end to Federer reign?

It may have been six long years since he last won at Flushing Meadows, but Andy Roddick is confident he can put a stop to Roger Federer winning a record-equalling sixth consecutive title.

However, before he can have a crack at the 'Fed Express', Roddick must first negotiate a 3rd round encounter with fellow American John Isner. With nothing to loose, the 55th ranked Isner is likely to come out firing and Roddick will have to be on top of his game.

Betfair has the 5th seed as the clear favourite paying odds of $1.10 to Isner's $11.

Betting jargon explained #3

Action - A sports betting wager of any kind, a bet.

Something to Crow about

The Adelaide Crows look sure favourites to beat Essendon in AFL tomorrow night, at least with the betting agencies. Sportingbet Australia has taken a bet of $10,000 at $1.14 as well as $30,000 between two punters at $1.13, while Darwin Sportsbet has taken bets of around $18,000 at $1.15 and $10,000 at $1.13. Big bets for short odds.

Betting jargon explained #2

Acceptor – A runner officially listed to start in a race.

Betting jargon explained #1

Abandoned – A race meeting will be abandoned for the following reasons:

• The host club fails to receive sufficient nominations to stage the race meeting and/or
• Inclement weather causes the track conditions to be deemed unsafe

Chelsea favourites for EPL crown

Following on from an indifferent 2008-2009, which saw them finish in 3rd place, Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are four from four in the new season and considered strong favourites for the EPL title.

British bookmakers William Hill have them paying 2.20, with Manchester United (3.60), Arsenal (6.50) and Liverpool (8.00) rounding out the top four.

If Chelsea are to regain the silverware they last won in 2005-2006, they will have to take points against these other title contenders.

Betfair launches "Aus Multis"

Betfair in conjunction with Sports Alive, has announced the introduction of its latest betting product "Aus Multis". The advent of this new product, will allow punters worldwide to place fixed odds multiple bets through Sports Alive, directly from their Betfair accounts.

The Aus Multis product, which adds to Betfair's already wide-product range, will be offered through Betfair's site and managed by Sports Alive under their ACT sports bookmaking licence.