Whilst most of the focus has been on the Premier League so far this season there is a real contest underway in the Championship League. West Brom were easy beats last season. Not so this season.

In fact, the three to get relegated last season are all leading the way in the Championship League. This weekend will probably see another reshuffle at the top with the top two, West Brom and Middlesbrough facing each other. Third placed Newcastle have an easy task at home against relegation favourite Plymouth.

Middlesbrough get the favoured conditions today playing at home. They have 16 competition points to West Brom 17 – Newcastle also have 16 points. Middlesbrough wont get it all their own way today so a draw wouldn’t surprise at all. West Brom are priced at 23/10 with online bookmakers, Middlesbrough are at 13/10 with the draw well priced at 5/2 – West Brom would be happy to come away with at least a point in this match.

Newcastle are at home to Plymouth and are well into the red at 4/9. Plymouth are unwanted at 9/1 with a draw a 4/1. Newcastle will be out to win this and claim the three points – they should do it with ease.

In Championship outright winner betting, West Bromwich lead the way at 11/4 from Middlesbrough at 4/1 and Newcastle at 5/1. It think Newcastle are a bargain at odds of 5/1 and could be well worth a small wager in end of season betting. They were the better team of the three last season and look to be getting back track on this season.

I wouldn’t leave Sheffield United, Cardiff or Watford out of the equation for a top three placing either. They could all figure in the end of year playoffs for promotion. Right now, my money is on Newcastle.

Is English football rocketing towards a financial crisis as the economy fails? This is one question that is starting to rear its ugly head on a daily basis. The first victim of the economic crisis looks to be Southampton although there are many other clubs teetering on financial ruin.

There are two aspects to the Southampton problem that have me scratching my head. The parent company that owns Southampton FC has been placed into administration with the directors and managers resigning en-mass. Why? They are in debt to the tune of £27.5 million. Think about that amount for one minute – Manchester City pay that as a deposit on a top player. In modern football, £27.5 million is a drop in the ocean.

The second aspect that worries me is the potential for Southampton FC to be penalized 10 competition points for going into administration. These seems to be a draconian measure that doesn’t help anyone – except one of the other clubs facing relegation – one of them could breath again since Southampton would be assured of relegation. This of course would only increase the clubs financial difficulties.

The irony is that several online bookmakers are taking bets on whether or not Southampton will survive to field a team next season. At least betting hasn’t been hit by the financial crisis.

There has been plenty of money splashed around on who will be the leading English goal scorer at the end of the World Cup qualifiers. Wayne Rooney of course heads the betting at 1/4 with Theo Walcott a long way of second at 6/1.

With four games played and three to go, it will be hard for anyone to overtake Rooney particularly if he can repeat the weekends efforts. What is even more intriguing is whether or not England can clean sweep the qualifiers. They are four for four at present at look right on track to make it five from five tomorrow night.

This team is certainly a far cry from the one that bombed out of the Euro 2008 tournament last season. England have been quoted at 1/3 to clean sweep the qualifiers 7-0. Whilst short, it is looking like a safe bet to me.

Whilst England are coasting at the top of their group, Rep of Ireland look to be losing touch with that coveted number one spot. They have held number one for quite a while, albeit on goal averages, with the Italians. However their recent draw with Bulgaria cost them dearly with Italy winning and moving two points clear.

Ireland travel to Bari tomorrow to face their rivals. A loss will see the Irish side slip five points behind the leaders. A win will hand them a one point lead whilst a draw will maintain the status quo. The Irish will be keen to at least salvage a draw from this away fixture.

Online bookmakers don’t give them a chance with the Irish as much as 8/1, the Italians as short 2/5 and the draw as long as 7/2. If the Irish can shut up shop they have a good chance of bringing home a point. The Italians can find it difficult to break open shut out defenses. However, if the Italians do score then the Irish will need to find a way through themselves – that is even harder. This will be a op game to watch and my money will be cheering the draw all the way home.

The Euro 2009 football tournament is getting bigger every year with teams as far away as Israel and Turkey participating. This years favourites are the Italians again with Spain this year seen as their biggest rivals.

England are a surprising 4/1 third favourites to win the trophy. There are a lot of very promising youngsters out there but I don’t know if they are up to the level of the Italians and Spaniards. The two Mediterranean clubs play their youngsters in the top league far more often than we do.

Italy are at 5/2 from Spain at 7/2 with online bookmakers. They are pretty reasonable odds actually given their player strength. I thought they may open a lot shorter with England a bit longer – ok I hoped England would open a little longer.

Germany and Serbia are well in the contest at 6/1 and 7/1 respectively with the rest at much longer odds. I think this will be a three horse race in the finish with Spain and England being the two to fight out the finish. Of course that does depend on what happens during the group games.

Spain, England and Germany are all drawn in group A so Spain and England will need to finish at the top of their group and to then win every game to have any chance of meeting in the finals.

While this years finals are being played out, the qualifying games for the Euro 2011 tournament are being played out. Wales are off to a poor start playing a draw in the first game. Wales came very close to eliminating England from the this tournament during the qualification rounds so they can consider themselves unlucky not to be in England’s shoes for these finals. For the record – Spain to add another major trophy their bulging cabinet.

This Saturday Dubai host the world’s richest flat race for horses, the $6 million Dubai World Cup. A field of only 15 will greet the starter with horses from the US dominating the betting.

Whilst he may be trained in the US, the early favourite Albertus Maximus is owned by a member of Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family. The Godolphin stable are represented by My Indy whilst Ralph Beckett has Muhannak entered for the race.

Last years runner up Asiatic Boy goes around again as does third placed Well Armed. Albertus Maximus has some good form with a win back in January in good company. He has been posted at 2/1 in early betting by online bookmakers.

Asiatic Boy is looking to go one better this year and is well in contention at 3/1. Casino Drive is third pick at 6/1 from Well Armed at 8/1, My Indy at 9/1 and Muhannak unloved at 40/1.

The Americans do seem to have the race sewn up but I suggest you check out the lone Japanese entry, Casino Drive. The 6/1 represents good value for a horse that is in good form and the Japanese trainers have a knack for producing horses ready to fire on that day. They have made several good racing attacks in recent years including winning the Melbourne Cup in Australia – one of the richest flat staying races.

The Godolphin stable wont send horses overseas just for the experience so you can expect a good showing from their entry. The 9/1 for My Indy also represents some good value. Online bookmakers have Albertus Maximus a little short for my liking. I suggest Casino Drive to win at good odds with My Idy the second pick.

This weekend heralds the serious stage of the FA Cup and online bookmakers make a big weekend of it. I know for many clubs, the serious stage starts from game one, for many others, it’s a balance between many other commitments and the approach often is – this is the best side I can field on the day, if we make it through, good, if we don’t, oh-well.

Today, the top two teams in the Premier League take on lesser lights. However, being the FA Cup and being at the business end, anything can happen. We saw Spurs take Man United to a penalty kickoff in the Carling Cup despite having such a poor season in the Premier League.

Chelsea take to the road and visit Coventry for a first ever FA Cup tie. Coventry are at best a mediocre team in the Championship League but don’t let that fool you. When the a trip to Wembley is on the line, they are capable of anything. Chelsea are hot favourites and with new manager Guus Hiddink sporting a perfect record so far, they will be hard to beat. I suspect Chelsea may be the new competition favourites after today’s games.

Manchester United continue to win and you have to start wondering when the heavy season will catch up with them. They could only manage an extra time draw against Spurs in the Carling Cup and needed to a penalty shoot out to win. They travel to Fulham today and online bookmakers have been cautious with their pricing. United are around the even money to win with Fulham a generous 4/1. The draw seems to be a popular choice at 2/1. I fancy Fulham to cause a huge upset today and rob United of their chance to hold all major trophies. At best perhaps a draw and replay.

Tomorrow is a different story with both Arsenal and Everton at home in their respective games. I cannot see any upsets in those two games with Arsenal far to good at home against Burnley and Everton far to good for Middlesbrough.

The FA Cup brings the best out of most football players so this weekends games will be keenly fought. It will certainly make for a great weekend in front of the tele.

The Premier League is developing into several different contest with battles for 2-4, 5-6, 7-10, and of relegation all creating interest. It will be the away games that separate the men from the boys so this weeks mid week contest are looming as dangerous games – particularly for those near the top of the table. For online bookmakers, how do you price some of these games?

Chelsea have performed well under their new management team and tonight’s game away to Portsmouth should not be a difficult affair. Having said that – it will be. Chelsea are due for a bad one, the honeymoon period has to end at some time. Pompey on the other hand are due for a good one – could this be it? At 6/1 I would love to riding them home, however, whilst Chelsea are poor value at 4/7 I think another win is on the cards.

Bottom of the table West Brom host Arsenal. The Gunners are not performing consistently and many teams have come undone visiting West Bromwich. A draw at 11/4 looks to be a good bet in this game.

At least Liverpool have a home game and should account for Sunderland with ease. That’s tonight’s trio – tomorrow night promises to be full of action and it all starts with Manchester City hosting Aston Villa. Villa are six points clear of Arsenal and will be hoping they take no more than a point from tonight’s game. Villa may struggle against City who are slowly warming to the job. If City don’t win this game they may well be saying goodbye to a top eight finish. This is another game primed to end in a draw.

West Ham away to Wigan – seven v eight with the winner gaining a little breathing space over the rest of the field. The danger in this game is the draw with Fulham and Bolton both poised to move into the top eight if they gain full points in their games. I fancy Wigan may just do enough at home but it is hard to split this pair.

Everton are poised to overtake Arsenal should they slip up – however they travel to Blackburn. The Rovers are struggling to escape the relegation zone and are desperately in need of a win. Everton have made a habit of winning at the death this season – often with Cahill scoring that last crucial goal. Expect the same tomorrow with Everton claiming an away win.

In the other games, Manchester United should win away to Newcastle; Stoke and Bolton to share the points; Hull to finally gain a win away at Fulham; and Spurs to add to Boro’s relegation woes.

Chelsea have reclaimed third spot on the premiership table thanks to a plucky 1-0 win against Villa. The question now is whether Manchester City can put the heat on Liverpool, Wigan and West Ham.

A City win see Chelsea remaining just two points away from reclaiming second spot on the table. Whilst United will have a ten point break on them, Chelsea fans and players will still believe they can catch them. If they do of course, online bookmakers will be the first to cheer.

For City, a win will propel them into the top eight at the expense of West Ham and will put the pressure on Wigan who will be only a point away in 7th spot. Of course, this is all moot if Liverpool do the right thing and win at home – but will they. This weekend has seen the end of the Manchester United goal drought. They had already played 13 league games without letting a goal in, however unlucky game 14 saw a plucky Blackburn break that drought. You would hardly believe they were deep in relegation trouble the way they played.

This will be a tougher than expected game and whilst I expect Liverpool to win, I may just have a small one on a draw at nice odds.

The Fulham – West Brom game has a lot of interest as well. West Brom are almost shoe-ins for relegation whilst a Fulham win would draw them level in 8th place on 33 points. Fulham should win with considerable ease.

The late game takes on a new interest following Arsenal’s draw yesterday. The door is slightly open for Everton to edge within 2 points if they can take the full points away from Newcastle. The home side need the three points themselves to move well truly out of relegation. Newcastle won’t be that easy at home, however I think with 5th spot means a lot more to Everton and should result in a narrow 1-0 victory to the visitors.

According to online bookmakers, Manchester City are three or four points better than Aston Villa when it comes to the UEFA Cup. They certainly have the players and the experience. What they do lack is the form that suggests they can win.

Given a choice of 12/1 Manchester City to win, I much rather the 15-16/1 that is on offer for Villa. Many online bookmakers have Tottenham ahead at 12-14/1.

UEFA Cup action returns tonight and tomorrow night with three Premier League teams remaining in the mix. Villa tonight are at home to CSKA Moscow – at tough ask for any side. Villa are 1/1 with online bookmakers with CSKA at 3/1. I expect a Villa victor – they are in top form.

Manchester City on the other hand travel to FC Copenhagen tomorrow night. City are 7/5 with Copenhagen out at 3/1. City should win easily, however, on current and on the road I think a draw at 3/1 is good value.

Spurs also play tomorrow night when they travel to FC Shakhtar Donetsk. Unlike City, Spurs are hard to have at any level. They are 3/1 to win with Shakhtar quoted at around 1/1. Spurs are not playing well enough to win this game. The ‘first’ team will be left on ice ready to come out in the Premier League and escape any possible defaults.

It’s hardly worth mentioning, however there is one Premier League game on tonight. Manchester United and Fulham play their catch-up game with United at home and a short 1/4 favourite to win. Fulham are 16/1 with the draw 4/1. United should breeze through this game and take a five point lead into this weekends rounds. United 4-0

Winter has arrived with vengeance. In some areas there have been huge snow falls, however, without this snow, the annual ski season in the alps would be impossible. Where ever there is competition, you will find the bookies setting odds and the alps are no different.

From Zagreb comes the Men’s Alpine Slalom and from Bischofshofen comes the Men’s Ski Jumping. For anyone who has witnessed these events, they will know how exciting they are – and how quick.

The slalom series in in Zagreb today and the hot favourite to win is Jean-Baptiste Grange at 3/1. Second pick is Ivica Kostelic. Grange is an exciting skier, quick on the downhill and smooth around the obstacles. The biggest problem that faces him today is that he if first off the mark. He will need to blaze the trail for others to follow. At 3/1 he is pretty good value and unless he takes a tumble, should be worth following.

In the ski jumping, Gregor Schlierenzauer is the favourite at 9/4 ahead of Wolfgang Loitzl at 3/1. Loitzl has been knocking on the door for this competition so win here would not surprise. Odds of 3/1 certainly help to sweeten the bet.

Continuing the wintery theme, tomorrow the Russians and Germans will fight the rest of the world in the Oberhof – 4 x 6km Relay. These two dominate the betting with the Russians at 8/11 and the Germans 6/5. Next best are France and Norway at 14/1. Russia dominates these events so you can expect another Russian victory.

It may be cold, it may be snowing, that’s not going stop us sitting back in our warm homes enjoying the antics of others in the snow. UK Betting Central can point you in the direction of all the top bookmakers betting on the winter sports.