Manchester United to win the premier league
No matter how many times the pundits tell you that, “you just never know with football,” and how “we thought it was over last year,” this title race was won last weekend at St Mary’s Stadium. City’s 1-3 capitulation to Southampton represented the dying throes of a challenge that never really looked like materializing. The relentless goal scoring power of RVP, and City’s inability to get any sort of run going has meant the title race is over earlier than anyone really deems polite. Forget last day of the season madness, this year we’ll all have to settle for another tiresome scrap for the unbridled glory of 4th place, and wondering whether Harry Houdini can once again drag a seemingly doomed QPR from the ignominy of relegation.
Tipster odds – 1/20
Oklahoma City thunder to win the NBA champions
While many naysayers of the up-and-coming NBA powerhouse that is the Oklahoma City Thunder believed that the trading of Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to the Houston Rockets would rule them out of challenging the Miami Heat for the ultimate prize in basketball, they have been proved categorically wrong. In the form of Kevin ‘the Durantula’ Durant, they have a legitimate MVP candidate while All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook is providing him with more than adequate support. The biggest challenge facing the Thunder lies waiting in the Finals, when they will inevitably face off against LeBron James and his Miami Heat. Whether the Thunder can overcome The King and his formidable Heat team remains to be seen but at 7/1 odds they are definitely worth a shout.
Tipsters odds – 7/1
Italy to win the six nations
Pre tournament everyone was certain the battle for the Six Nations wooden spoon this year would be between Italy and Scotland. In the last round of matches Scotland thrashed the Italians by 24 points, putting four tries past them in the process. This is Scotland remember – they don’t score tries. Doesn’t really sound like the Italians are made of Championship winning stuff, but The Tipster would put his (smallest) house on them defying all the odds and taking home the crown for the first ever time this year. The way Sergio Parisse led his side to a well deserved 23-18 victory over the French was truly gladiatorial, and if they can do that to the French, a country known for their no surrender attitude, then just imagine what they’ll do to the likes of England and Ireland now they’ve got their little slip up out the way.
Tipsters odds – 200/1