By Betdaq
April 14 2006

Sunderland resigned themselves to the eventuality of relegation some months back and Manchester United, growing in strength and confidence with each passing game, should put survival in the Premiership mathematically beyond them in this encounter.

BETDAQ WEEKEND SPORTS PREVIEW 14-4-06

Evening Racing & US Racing

It's the start of the evening racing calendar next Friday at Kempton, which including the highly popular US Racing, means BETDAQ are covering up to 100 races per evening for your enjoyment!

After the euphoria of last week's Grand National, racing takes a deep breath on Friday with a blank day ahead of a busy weekend. The Magnolia Stakes and the Rosebery Handicap dominate Kempton's Easter meeting in England, while Fairyhouse stages its Easter Festival across the water, featuring the Irish Grand National on Monday and the Powers Gold Cup on Sunday. Dun Doire, who is available to back at 4.10, has been favourite for the Irish National since the market opened. Tony Martin's gelding is going for his seventh straight win after his success in the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and he is an obvious favourite. The novice Our Ben (available to back at 17.5) got no further than the third fence in the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham, and he will be bidding to land the Irish National for the first time for Willie Mullins, while GVA Ireland (12.00) will be trying to add another National to the Midlands National that he won at Uttoxeter on the Saturday after Cheltenham. The Powers Gold Cup is shaping up to be one of the hottest novice chases to be run in Ireland this season, with Michael O'Brien's exciting youngster In Compliance the likely favourite.

(Fri) Manchester United v Sunderland (Sky)

A freak snowstorm caused Sunderland's match against Fulham to be abandoned last weekend where defeat would have consigned Kevin Ball's team to Championship football next season. It will take a similar miracle on Friday night to prevent this fate finally befalling the Cats, as they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Sunderland resigned themselves to the eventuality of relegation some months back and Manchester United, growing in strength and confidence with each passing game, should put survival in the Premiership mathematically beyond them in this encounter. You can back Manchester United at 1.13 to win this match or you can lay them at 1.14. An unlikely win for Sunderland is available at 42.00, while they are available to lay at 45.00. The draw in this game, which is live on Sky Sports at 19:45 on Friday, is available to back at 10.00. On the Asian Handicap market Manchester United (-2) are 1.74 while Sunderland (+2) are 2.29.



Two-time world champion Ronnie O' Sullivan is in the midst of his worst career spell ever which began when he threw away a 10-6 lead in last year's quarter final against Peter Ebdon. "The Rocket" has since slipped to fourth in the world rankings and will face stiff competition from Malta Cup winner Ken Doherty, John Higgins and world number one and seven-time world champion, Stephen Hendry. The Welsh duo of Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens are also optimistic about their chances in this tournament. Stevens finished runner-up here last year, while Williams was victorious last month in the China Open. Veteran John Parrott came through the qualifying rounds and so the 1991 world champion will make his 22nd Crucible appearance this year.

Selected tournament outright odds (available to back) ahead of Saturday's first round matches are as follows: Ronnie O' Sullivan 4.10, John Higgins 5.60, Shaun Murphy 8.30, Stephen Hendry 10.50, Mark Williams 15.50, Stephen Mc Guire 16.00, Matthew Stevens 17.00, Ken Doherty 25.00, Peter Ebdon 36.00.

The US PGA tour continues this weekend with the Verizon Heritage tournament from South Carolina. After last week's Masters, many of golf's top players are taking a break, and as such world number five Ernie Els is the highest ranking competitor playing here. Markets on this tournament are currently available.

For a chance to win £25 (€40) to bet on any of the weekend action, simply email the answer to the following question to helpdesk@betdaq.co.uk by 12 noon on Saturday.

The 2006 World Snooker Championship gets underway on Saturday. What is the maximum break a player can make? Is it a) 147 b) 127, or c) 155?