Author: Anton Johan
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In this Weekend Sports Preview, football fans can look forward to "Super Sunday" when Manchester United will travel to face neighbours Manchester City in arguably the world's most important derby. Plus, the latest from the 2013 Italian Open from Turin, and how Sebastian Vettel is on the cusp on snatching his fourth consecutive F1 Drivers Championship, as he heads into the 2013 Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.
Football: Man United vs Man City Super Sunday Derby
There is no doubt that the Manchester derby - where Premier League clubs Manchester United and Manchester City face off - is the most famous and anticipated in football circles, as two of the best clubs not only in England, but the world, take each other on in front of capacity crowds and huge global TV audiences.
Set for Sunday (September 20) - known as Super Sunday - Manchester United will hop down the road to Etihad Stadium, where they'll take on Manchester City for the first time in decades without the guidance of former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, but under new manager, David Moyes. Similarly, City kicked off the new season with new manager Manuel Pellegrini at the helm, so both managers are eager to prove their worth.
After just four matches of the 2013-14 Premier League, the clubs are tied on seven points, two points behind Arsenal and Tottenham, and three points behind current leaders, Liverpool. In terms of each team's weaknesses, City have shown to be lacking at times defensively, while United has at times struggled offensively, despite solid performances from Robyn van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
In terms of Man United vs Man City betting odds, Paddy Power has posted The Citizens as the favourites over the Red Devils. Below are the latest Premier League match odds. For my Manchester Derby betting buck, however, I see City chalking up a 2-1 victory.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Odds
Man City - 6/5
Draw - 23/10
Man Utd - 23/10
Other Premier League Match Odds and Free Picks
Sat, Sep 21
|
Home |
Draw |
Away |
Free Pick |
| Norwich vs Aston Villa |
11/8 |
9/4 |
2/1 |
Norwich 2-1 |
| Liverpool v Southampton |
1/2 |
3/1 |
6/1 |
Liverpool 2-0 |
| Newcastle v Hull |
5/6 |
5/2 |
10/3 |
Draw 1-1 |
| West Brom v Sunderland |
evens |
12/5 |
14/5 |
West Brom 3-1 |
| West Ham v Everton |
2/1 |
9/4 |
7/5 |
West Ham 2-1 |
| Chelsea v Fulham |
2/7 |
9/2 |
9/1 |
Chelsea 3-0 |
Golf: Colsaerts Favoured in Italian Open
After yesterday's round one of the 2013 Italian Open being held at Golf Club Torino in Turin, Italy, three players share the lead on seven under 65 - Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina and Maximilian Kieffer of Germany.
Although lacking most of the world's top players, there are enough skilled pros in the Italian Open field to ensure a nail-biting tournament, with plenty of betting opportunities. For instance, Paddy Power has installed Colsaerts as the favourite to win this €1,500,000 European Tour stroke play event.
But for my Italian Open betting buck, however, I see Italy's Francesco Molinari - who is currently lying in joint seventh on four under 68 - emerging triumphant on Sunday, although, of course, a lot can happen between now and then. Here is the latest Italian Open betting market at Paddy Power:
2013 Italian Open Winner Odds (Top 10)
Colsaerts, Nicolas - 4/1
Molinari, Francesco - 8/1
Fraser, Marcus - 10/1
Gonzalez, Ricardo - 14/1
Wiesberger, Bernd - 16/1
Manassero, Matteo - 16/1
Dyson, Simon - 20/1
Kieffer, Maximilian - 20/1
Bourdy, Gregory - 28/1
Goosen, Retief - 33/1
Motor Racing: Vettel Favoured in Singapore Grand Prix
German's Sebastian Vettel has all but clinched his fourth consecutive F1 Championship with six victories out of this season's 19 races so far. He has won the last two races - the Belgian Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix - and is thus eager to pull off a hat track in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Vettel currently leads the Formula One Standings with 222 points, 53 points ahead of closest rival Fernando Alonso of Spain, and 81 points ahead of next closest rival, Lewis Hamilton of Britain.
Provided the 26-year-old can continue his winning form in his reliable and super fast Red Bull-Renault, he should be on track to join the elite and very small circle of F1 drivers with four (or more) championships under their belt, comprising Juan Manuel Fangio (5), Alain Prost (4) and Michael Schumacher (7).
Here are the latest Singapore Grand Prix odds as posted by Paddy Power (Top 10):
S Vettel - 5/4
L Hamilton - 7/2
F Alonso - 4/1
M Webber - 11/1
K Raikkonen - 11/1
N Rosberg - 14/1
R Grosjean - 33/1
F Massa - 40/1
J Button - 66/1
S Perez - 150/1
Posted by Anton Johan at 09:38 on 20 September 2013
