Superbowl XLIII is finally here!

After 20 grueling weeks, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals who’ll be taking to the field at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Pittsburgh arrive in Tampa as massive favourites and with good reason, they have the best defense in the league and are ranked first on points allowed, total yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Their offense isn’t the best but they’ve averaged a respectable 21 points a game through 2008 – not bad considering their defense has allowed less than 14 points per game. As they are such big favourites there isn’t too much value in backing them outright, but backing them on the handicap (-6.5) at 4/5 with totesport is a lot more value for money.

Arizona went into the playoffs after winning a very poor NFC West division with a 9-7 record, only the Chargers & the Eagles went into the play-offs with a worse record. They’ve been underdogs in all of their post season games and the Card’s fans themselves surely couldn’t have thought they’d make it this far. They have one of the best offenses in the league with veteran quarter back Kurt Warner spreading the ball well on his way to a 4,500 yard season. But that doesn’t come as a surprise when you see who he has to throw to – Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin & Steve Breaston. The former is having the best season of his life, in the play-offs alone he has over 400 yards receiving and has caught 5TD passes, 3 of which came in the previous game against a very tough Philadelphia defense. With Larry Fitzgerald being in such great form it may be worth backing him to score the first touchdown (6/1) or to score the first Arizona touchdown (3/1), something that looks more likely as he’s scored the first touchdown in 2 of the 3 play-off games.

This one could go either way as Arizona’s defense seems to be playing as well as their offense and we think there could be an upset on the cards. Arizona normally get off to a great start and I don’t think Pittsburgh have the offense to keep up with them, one speculative punt that might be worth a couple of quid is on our scorecast market – Larry Fitzgerald to score the first TD and Arizona to win by 7-12 points at a huge 40/1!

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Liverpool need a reaction tonight after falling three points behind Manchester United in the race for the Premier League. After no upsets in last night fixtures we look ahead to tonight’s matches to see if there’s a good bet to be had.

Liverpool (8/11) have a trickier match than United as well as they make the short trip to the JJB to play in-form Wigan. After drawing the last two matches against Stoke and Everton the pressure is on Rafa, in fact Preston is the only win they’ve had in 2009! Wigan (7/2) are a tough nut to crack at home having won their last five, although they are without the departed Heskey and Palacios. The draw might be the best bet here and that’s available at 12/5.

Chelsea have got back on track in the league with a win at home versus Stoke and however late they got the winner, you get the feeling they’ll be a good thing at home again versus a Middlesbrough (14/1) team in free-fall. Boro have lost their last four on the road and they have no wins in the last six matches to speak of. Chelsea (2/9) need a win to keep hanging on the coat-tails of Liverpool and United so expect no surprises here. The draw is available at 9/2 with totesport.

Troubled Manchester City (4/6) face another team in disarray in the form of Newcastle at Eastlands tonight. After the Kaka fiasco City’s Robinho has found himself in trouble and it will be interesting to see if they can build on their two recent wins at home. Newcastle (4/1) on the other hand have lost their last two matches on the road and will need an upturn in fortunes here after seemingly conceding penalties every other week. As far as I know Rob Stiles has the night off tonight so Newcastle might be worth a punt for a draw tonight at 5/2.

There’s a Lancashire derby at 8pm as Blackburn host one of Sam Allardyce’s former clubs Bolton. He faired pretty well against another former club beating Newcastle last time out and they’re a good bet to continue their unbeaten run since Big Sam took the helm here at evens with totesport. Bolton (11/4) are never an easy team to play but with four straight defeats dragging them back into trouble they look vulnerable here. The draw is 23/10.

Everton (15/8) are one of the form teams in the league and unbeaten in six and they host Arsenal tonight at Goodison. The Gunners have been going about their business quietly without some of their more senior players and are a danger for anyone on their day. They’re also unbeaten in four on their travels and we think that trend will continue tonight. You can back Arsenal or the draw at 7/5 or 23/10 respectively with totesport.

Finally, tonight’s live game, so you can bet in-running with totesport, is West Ham versus Hull City. West Ham are unbeaten in four matches, including their last two wins at home, whilst Hull are another team in free-fall and winless in five. Both teams have made January transfers and tonight will be story about which ones make the biggest impact. On paper you’d back West Ham all day, with or without Craig Bellamy. The draw is 5/2 with totesport.

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The blog tipped up two each way steels last week in the shape of Tim Clark and Stephen Ames who both finished fifth at the Bob Hope Classic, at 25/1 and 40/1 respectively. We’ve picked out a few more big priced runners in this week’s FBR Open from Scottsdale Arizona.

Stephen Ames shot a final round 63 last weekend to shoot forty places in the leader-board and finish placed. He’s a 45/1 shot this week and probably worth another dabble at that price. The Canadians best form tends to come at the beginning of the season and as a succession of top ten finishes at the beginning of 2008 shows.

At slightly shorter odds, young Australian Aaron Baddeley is an interesting runner at 33/1 with totesport. Baddeley was a winner here two seasons ago and played well in Qatar last week, eventually tying twelfth in the desert. If he can handle the traveling he’s got an excellent chance to score low on a course we know he loves.

Another Aussie Stuart Appleby has claims in Arizona also. He’s without a win on tour for two seasons now but with a high ratio of cuts made and a good conversion to top 25 finishes he’s always worth a punt if he’s on a run or likes the course. In this instance, the tied fourth finish here last year suggests he likes the course and at 50/1 it looks a good value bet.

Finally, we have an 85/1 shot in the shape of Argentinian Angel Cabrera. Cabrera had a disappointing 2008 after a life changing 2007 season where he picked up five victories, including the US Open. He’s only played one tournament in 2009 where he finished a respectable 9th in the African Open so comes here fresh. Any kind of return to form and the 85/1 available will look very generous.

For all your golf betting this week visit totesport.

After the recent successes of Anders Hanson (33/1) and Paul Casey (25/1) we failed to make it a hat-trick in Qatar last week as Henrik Stenson (14/1) was just edged out into second by Alvaro Quiros. Hopefully you backed him each-way and you have some winnings to re-invest into this weeks Race to Dubai tournament, the Dubai Desert Classic.

If you like your horses for courses we’ve picked out four players all with course form. Top dog form-wise is second favourite Ernie Els, a 9/1 shot with totesport. The ‘Big Easy’ has finished in the top three in each of his last five visits, including one win and oneplay-off defeat to Tiger Woods during that period. Add to that two wins here before 2004 as well and it’s clear he really loves this track. A tied 31st position last week in Qatar showed glipses of his former self and deserves respect here.

We’ll keep picking Henrik Stenson during this mini-tour of the Middle East. As mentioned above, he narrowly missed out last week but he’s a previous winner in this week’s tournament back in 2007 with another two top ten finishes to his name also. The Swede’s also based in Dubai and this tends to be the best we see of him, he’s got every chance to go close again here. Stenson is a 7/1 favourite with totesport.

Another blog favourite is young German Martin Kaymer. After tipping him to place in Dubai a fortnight ago when finishing second, we reckon he’ll go close again this week after finishing second here also a year ago to Tiger Woods. Kaymer finished a respectable 31st last week in Qatar finishing six under par with four par or better rounds. He’s a 16/1 shot here with totesport so best backed each-way a quarter odds the first five.

Finally, we’ve picked another course specialist so to speak at longer odds in the shape of Niclas Fasth at 66/1 with totesport. Fasth had a barron run of things last year after finishing fifth in the order of merit in 2007. He’s pretty much re-constructed his swing this season and finished strongly last week taking a 16th spot in Qatar. His record at the Dubai Desert Classic is good, finishing inside the top 25 the last four year, including a third place spot in 2007. 66/1 is a good price and certainly warrants a small each-way bet with totesport.

For all your golf betting this week visit totesport.

There’s a full fixture list in the Premier League this week with four matches tonight and six matches on Wednesday, after the weekend’s lacklustre FA Cup ties (in general) there’s some competitive betting opportunities here.

Sunderland (5/4) host Fulham at 19:45 and despite an upturn in fortunes when Ricky Sbragia first took over as manager the Black Cats are now winless in three, including the last two matches at the Stadium of Light. Fulham (11/5) are in a similar position, after a terrific run of results catapulted them 10th in the league, they imploded in a 3-1 defeat away at West Ham last time out. This match has draw written all over it and you can back it at 23/10 with totesport.

Tonight’s other 19:45 kick-off could see Manchester United (4/11) go three points clear at the top of the league as they travel to the Hawthorns to play West Brom (8/1). It should be plain sailing for United despite a mounting injury list. Alex Ferguson’s men have won their last five on the trot in the league and if they keep another clean sheet tonight they’ll break the Premier League record. It won’t be straightforward though with West Brom on a three timer at home and having a mini-revival under Tony Mowbray. The draw is 7/2 with totesport.

Pompey host Villa in tonight’s live match, with betting in-running available throughout with totesport. Pompey (11/5) are in free-fall under Tony Adams and winless in six, including two defeats at home. Add to that another home defeat against Swansea in the FA Cup on Saturday and this makes for a crucial game for Adams as they flirt with the relegation zone. It doesn’t help that they face Aston Villa (5/4), on a six timer away from Villa Park and still well in the hunt for a Champions League qualifying place this season. The draw is 23/10.

Finally, my Spurs team face a home fixture against Stoke at White Hart Lane. After an excruciating week for Spurs fans watching their team implode against Burnley and put in a totally lacklustre display chasing defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday. This really is a must win game for Spurs but you couldn’t back them with any confidence at 4/7. Stoke (5/1) on the other hand will be relishing this, although their current form is worst than their hosts and they’ve lost their last three away games. The draw is 11/4 with totesport.

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It’s the last chance for trainers up and down the country to give their festival hopefuls a prep run at the Gloucestershire track on Saturday on Festival Trials day. Add to that the always competitive Skybet Chase at Doncaster and there are plenty of races to get excited about betting on this weekend.

Only eight runners were declared for the Letherby and Christopher Chase at 2.35pm and looking down the runners it’s difficult to see any getting amongst the places in the totesport Gold Cup come March. Halcon Genelardais finished fourth in the Gold Cup last year and looks well in at the weights here with 10 lbs in hand of top weights Ollie Magern (50/1) and Snoopy Loopy (20/1). At 5/2 favourite here with totesport he surely has claims on the heavy going. Tidal Bay is an interesting runner and at 5/1 is probably best watched here to see if he gets the trip and will indeed take his chance in the Gold Cup in March.

In the Cleeve Hurdle, ante post World Hurdle favourite Punchestowns is an odds on shot at 8/11 with totesport. With the retirement of Inglis Drever Nicky Henderson’s young charge has a great chance of a festival success, but could be vulnerable here on heavy going and some seasoned campaigners to come up against. Front runner Lough Derg at 16’s is sure to take them off at a clip and it’ll be interesting to see how this suits Fair Along (7/1), a winner at Cheltenham’s December meeting and Hennessy favourite Big Buck’s (7/2) who is reverting to hurdles after unseating Sam Thomas back in November.

The Skybet Chase sees According to Pete take favourtism with totesport to head a big field at 13/2 with totesport. The Malcolm Jefferson trained 8 year old is on a five timer here and the ground and trip will suit and has taken to fences superbly after two places in handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring. It’s 7/1 bar the field and it’s a really competitve betting heat. According to Pete will take all the beating but if the weight gets the better of him the Ferdy Murphy trained Noir Et Vert and Hot Weld will be waiting in the wings at 16/1 and 50/1 respectively. I’m especially interested to see how Hot Weld runs after a lay-off of 637 days since doing the Scottish national/Betfred Chase double in the Spring of 2007. It would be a hell of a training performance is he places on Saturday.

For all your horse racing betting this weekend, bet with totesport.

There are plenty of betting opportunities this weekend in the FA Cup fourth round so we’ve picked out the live on TV matches and a few others where we might expect an upset or two.

Starting Friday night, Derby County host bitter rivals Nottingham Forest at Pride Park. I don’t really know where to start with this one as all sorts of variables could effect the way this match goes. Nigel Clough for example, a Forest legend versus Billy Davies, former Derby Manager. Clough has yet to get a win to his name whilst Davies has a 100% record for Forest, including two away wins in recent weeks. In fact Forest currently sit top of the tree in the Championship when looking at points generated from their last five away matches, whilst struggling Derby sit 22nd of twenty-four in the last five home matches. All the form seems to be pointing at an away win at 17/10 here, with five of the last nine meetings between the two ending in draws and only a point separating them in the league the draw might be a good bet at 9/4. A home win pays 8/5 with totesport.

Saturday’s early kick off sees West Ham travel to League 1 opponents Hartlepool in what looks like a tricky fixture. The monkey hangers currently lie mid table in the third tier of professional football whilst a good little run has seen West Ham shoot up the Premier league table to eight. On paper, you’d probably back West Ham at 4/5 but the London club have not made it past round four in the last two attempts since losing in the final and Hartlepool have already disposed of Stoke in round three. The TV cameras are sniffing out a shock at Victoria Park and you can back Hartlepool at 10/3 with totesport. The draw is 13/5.

Saturday’s evening kick-off sees an injury ravaged Manchester United host a lack of confidence riddles Spurs at Old Trafford. Despite United’s injury worries, predominantly in defence, they can still field a team including, Tevez, Berbatov, Ronaldo and Carrick, so they should have too much for Spurs and repeat last years victory over Spurs in this competition. After a shambolic display in the north west versus Burnley on Wednesday, Harry Redknapp has suggested he’ll throw in a few peripheral players for this one and this is reflected in the 15/2 price you can get on Spurs. United are a 1/3 chance and the draw is 4/1 with totesport. Although a long shot, it’s also worth mentioning that Harry Redknapp has knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup for three different teams now. West Ham and Pompey at Old Trafford, plus Bournemouth back in 1984.

Sunday sees Arsenal travel to Cardiff and a quick repeat of Monday’s Merseyside derby. Arsenal (4/7) have now been trophy-less since they won this competition four seasons ago and with their league hopes all but dead and buried this season and injuries undermining their chance in the Champions League, the FA Cup probably underlines their best chance of silverware this term. They face a tricky tie away in the Welsh capital with Cardiff (5/1) not having lost since November and surging into contention for promotion in the Championship. Arsenal have been quietly going about their work but can be vulnerable away from home and an upset could well be on the cards here. The draw is 11/4 with totesport.

The Merseyside duo do battle again on Sunday, six days after their 1-1 draw in the Premier league. No doubt Rafa will change his team around for this fixture and with David Moyes not afforded this luxury, Everton might be a good bet at 9/2 for a rare Anfield win. Everton have not won at Anfield since September 1999 but with Rafa’s eyes firmly set on the Premier League prize this may be their best chance for years. Liverpool are available at 7/10 with totesport and the draw is 12/5.

Totesport will be betting live in-running on all the weekend’s live football

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There’s a massive double rollover this weekend in the totescoop6, with a single winner of both funds potentially scooping up to a three million pounds!

Here’s the list of Saturday’s totescoop6 races:

Leg 1, Doncaster - 1.40pm

Leg 2, Cheltenham - 2.05pm

Leg 3, Doncaster - 2.15pm

Leg 4, Cheltenham - 2.35pm

Leg 5, Doncaster - 2.50pm

Leg 6, Doncaster - 3.25pm

The win fund rollover is £538,043 which will be added to considerably on Saturday, with any winner then having the chance to play for the bonus a week later, which currently stands at a live changing £2,038,854!

Legs two through to six are all live on Channel 4 tomorrow afternoon so no better excuse to get yourself sat down in your favourite chair, put the fire on and crank on the TV for an afternoon of betting on the horses!

For all your horse racing betting this weekend, bet with totesport.

After Manchester United’s successful passage in tot he final of the Carling Cup, Spurs also look to secure their place in tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final, second leg against Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Championship side have a mountain to climb after going down 4-1 in the first leg at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago, but there are plenty of betting options in the 90 minutes market.

Spurs are a 6/5 shot to win here in 90 mins, but with injury to half a dozen first team regulars plus a fourth round tie versus Man Utd at the weekend on the horizon you could be better placed to put your money on the home team at 21/10.

With seven home wins to their name in the League this season plus wins against Arsenal and Fulham in this competition, add to that some professional pride this certainly won’t be a walkover for Spurs. The draw is 12/5 with totesport.

Totesport will be betting live in-running on tonight’s match.

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If you’ve been following our weekly golf betting previews for the European Tour you’ll have got off to a storming 2009 after giving you Anders Hanson at 33/1 and Paul Casey at 25/1 in the past fortnight (not to mention the 16/1 place money on Martin Kaymer last week). So what have we got for you at the Qatar Masters this week in the Race to Dubai?

Well, we have an even better field this week in Qatar, with both Ernie Els (10/1) and Adam Scott making the trip over from the PGA Tour. The latter, another totesport.org tip last week finishing second in Hawaii at 28/1 has been clipped right in to 9/1 favourite here and you’ll do worst than back the former winner (twice) who we expect big things from in 2009.

Retief Goosen (20/1) enters the fray after winning the African Open on the Sunshine Tour last week, plus 2009 debuts for last years Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson (16/1) and European Tour stalwart Lee Westwood. Westwood had a consistent 2008 but ended up winless. You can back Westwood to bounce straight back here with a win at 20/1 and at that price definitely represents a value each-way bet after finishing fifth place here last year.

We tipped Henrik Stenson to win last week but he had an absolute shocker, missing the cut. This is a course he loves however and as a previous winner he’s definitely backable at 14/1, probably a couple of points longer after last weeks failings.

At a bigger price, Charl Schwartzel catches the eye. Runner up here last year and with two top thirty places in Doha in the preceding two years he definitely knows his way around the course. Add to that a solid top ten finish in the African Open last week he’s definitely worth an each-way nibble at 35/1 with totesport.

For all your golf betting this week visit totesport.