Top two's role reversal for Champions League

THIS week we had the top three in the Premiership fighting battles in Europe for the Champions League.

Arsenal are now strong favourites for the Premiership at 1-4, with Man Utd at 11-4, but in the Champions League the roles are reversed with United second favourites to Real Madrid at 9-2 and Arsenal only fifth in the betting at 6-1. Everything points to the Reds with the Champions League final being held this year at Old Trafford, so what better incentive for Sir Alex's boys to give their boss a second success in Europe's major club competition.

However there is always another possibility with our other gallant 'Knight' Sir Bobby Robson hovering in the wings with his in-form Newcastle team. With 11 games still to play in the premiership anything can happen including the unlikely 'double' for the gallant Geordies. You can have 1000-1 with me on this happening - which must be worth a bet.

As for last week, we saw the ups and downs of this season's Premiership with Bolton showing Championship form against United and Man City being humbled by a vivacious Arsenal team still hungry for success. I cannot see the Gunners letting a five point advantage slip, but stranger things have happened in the past. Just ask Fergie.

Charlton make the journey across town to Highbury this weekend and are 13-2 to topple Arsene's Army. On Sunday it is probably the most important game of the year so far with the Worthington Cup final being staged at the Millennium Stadium. Sir Alex has thrown caution to the wind and has given full priority to this competition this season. Of course if it was against Sheffield Utd I probably wouldn't mention it but as it is the old enemy Liverpool, we desperately want to beat them.

Wanderers have the weekend off after having their pocket picked of another two points by 'Ole's' last gasp goal and City try to recover after last week's mauling by travelling to Ewood Park for a clash of two ex-Liverpool players. It is Souness v Keegan with ex-United players Yorke and Cole going head to head with ex-Liverpool players Anelka and Fowler. I think the more experienced partnership of Yorke and Cole will enable Blackburn to win by two clear goals. For both United ex pats to score you can have 11/2 and for the ex 'Scousers' both to score I will lay 13/2.

I don't often mention 'high flying' Bury but this week they play Bournemouth and a win will put them in a great position for automatic promotion. Can they do the double over Bournemouth. A Bury 2-1 win is 17-2.

With less than two weeks to the Cheltenham Festival all the big boys are starting to get the ammunition ready for the best three days racing of the year.

You can have a bet now and not worry if your horse doesn't run as I'm giving a money back guarantee from now for all races at the festival. We have a multitude of prices available so see our Teletext pages C4 P669 and Skytext

P490.

All prices correct at time of going to print and are available in my 350 shops and also for telephone punters - Freefone Fred on 0800 028 64 68.