Many believe that year 2009 is going to be a great year for Andy Murray. He is believed to be in good form and shape to beat everyone who will be getting in his way and will be meddling in his affairs. He even already started by having a brilliant beginning as the favourite to win the Australian Open. He is believed to be more fancied compared to the two world class men Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Thus, year 2009 is most likely the year for Andy Murray’s star to shine.

Recently, the favourite Andy Murray defended his Qatar Open crown and so is believed to be in good form for the Australian Open. With Stan James, Paddy Power and Coral, he is 5/2 favourite. This indeed marks significant improvement on his part for more than a year.

In 2007, Murray appeared in the Australian Open and played at his best reaching the fourth round. Way back then, Murray was at 4/1 with William Hill to finish as runner up and was at 5/1 Boylesports to actually be eliminated before the finals.

At this stage, closest rivals of Murray in the Australian Open are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, last year’s Australian Open winner. Roger Federer is the next favourite to win the Australian Open; after Murray. With Boylesports, he can be backed at 3/1. Rafael then at 9/2 with Blue Square and Totesport. Novak Djokovic is at 7/1 with VC Bet to keep title safe in his possession.

Possibly, Andy Murray can win Australian Open in route to Wimbledon 2009. With SkyBet and Sportingbet, he is the 4/1 third favourite.

For followers of both Nadal and Federer, Nadal v Federer final at Wimbledon is at 2/1 with William Hill.

At the Britannia Stadium, Liverpool are now favourites to succeed and can be backed at 2/5 with Coral, Paddy Power, and SkyBet. Stoke on the other hand are 9/1 with Paddy Power and Bet365 and the draw is 7/2 with Ladbrokes and Bet365.

Liverpool may get a narrow win considering that Stoke City tailed off a bit in the past weeks. At this stage, Stoke City may be in an unstable condition and may probably end up in lower position. However, many still believed on the prowess of Stoke City. In the Premiership, they have set one of the best home records.

With regards to the betting, well the 2/5 on a Liverpool win with Coral, Paddy Power, and SkyBet is not going to make anyone rich therefore going for a better bet under 2.5 goals at even money with VC Bet and Stan James is a good alternative move. Stoke managed to finish under 2.5 in five out of their six last home games.

With the match of the two, the Liverpool and Stoke, earning a profit is clear, back 1-0 and 2-0 to Liverpool that seem to be the only real scorelines. If the game is 0-0, you will get you bet back, thus it is reasonable backing them with Bet365. With Bet365, the 1-0 win is 11/2 the 2-0 win is 5/1. For 1-0, little preference is visible however it is worth backing both. When you also open a new account with Bet365, you can enjoy £100 worth of free bets.

With the goal scorers, it will be Steven Gerrard who is worth your bet. So far, he seems to be the best bet amongst the goal scorers. With Bet365, he is 5/1 and Stan James to get the first goal. With Blue Square, he is 11/8 with Blue Square and Stan James to get a goal anytime in the game. Next to Gerrard is Fernando Torres. He is considerable at 4/1 to get the first goal with Coral and 11/10 with Blue Square to get a goal anytime in the game. Next then can be Robbie Keane at 5/1 to get the first goal with SkyBet and 11/8 still with SkyBet to get a goal anytime in the game.

Despite Derby loss, Manchester United managed to dominate Carling Cup Odds by still being favourites to most likely lift the Carling Cup next month according to the bookies.

With Bet365, Manchester United can be backed at 4/5and Stan James to win the Carling Cup. In two weeks times, they are anticipated to knock over one goal deficit at the Old Trafford. Alex Ferguson, the Manager, said that he will go for those who have helped Manchester United in any way to go this far, therefore in the second leg people should not expect seeing big guns play.

To the final, Spurs seem as they are through after defeating Burnley 4-1 at White Hard Lane in their first leg. Somehow a good thing, odds of 11/8 with SkyBet are totally justified although it was not an outstanding performance, most especially in the first half. Spurs are anticipated to be in the final to give their best shot.

On the other hand, Derby County which beaten Manchester United were 28/1 to win the Carling Cup. Their 1-0 victory gives them a chance in the final. Most likely, they will be just in all disappointments for not turning more of their chances. At this stage, with Coral and Boylesports, they are 16/1 to win the competition. Price seems to be just fair.

Finally, Burnley may not make it to the final as with SkyBet they are 125/1. More or less, they need to win 3-0 or better against Spurs to be able to make it.

At this stage, the early Cheltenham Festival ante post betting is doing pretty fine and seems to improve and be more appealing with so many bookies putting prices over the races and chief competitors. Significantly, by punting without the present favorites Master Minded and Binocular, both short-priced, Stan James are anticipating to spice up the kinda inactive and blunt Queen Mother Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle markets.

Also, Stan James will try to work on things out by making Voy Por Ustedes (7/2) and Sublimity (6/1) to be their individual leaders in the market. Firm offers 14/1 with regards to Denman’s possible chances of winning in both the Grand National in 2009 Interesting and the Gold Cup. Although Denman is short in the Gold Cup firm won’t consider punting a market without him. This of course is in relation to everybody considering attack or fire till he runs at Newbury in the Aon Chase.

Charlie McCann, Head of PR said, “Master Minded is 1/2 for the Champion Chase after his brilliant comeback success in the Tingle Creek and with Binocular (5/4) unlikely to be seen ahead of the Champion Hurdle we have decided to give punters the alternative of backing without the short-priced favorites in two of the Festival’s Championship races. Voy Por Ustedes is the 7/2 favourite for the Champion Chase without Master Minded although he looks sure to go for the Ryanair Chase and we could be taking a chance with Big Zeb at 5s and Well Chief and 8s. Take Binocular out and the Champion Hurdle is a fascinating market with the 2007 Champion Hurdler Sublimity leading the market at 6/1 and last year’s Champion Katchit, who comes alive at Cheltenham, one of five horses priced at 7/1.”

Although there is no exact date yet for the fight that will engage two great and popular boxers of today, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, many are already discussing who is going to win between the two. Will it be Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton?

Most bookies favored Manny Pacquiao who recently defeated the popular “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya. They believe Manny Pacquiao will come out outstanding if ever his fight with Ricky Hatton will be pushed through.

With Ladbrokes, Pacquiao, who in eight months came up three weight classes to fight for his biggest battle, is 4/11 to beat Hatton, with the well known Mancunian available at 2/1.

Spokesman of Ladbrokes Robin Hutchison said, “Pacquiao ended De La Hoya’s career on Saturday night and we fully expect him to end Hatton’s too.”

However with Stan James, there is slight less clear-cut and unclear results, with Pacquiao at 4/9 and Hatton at 13/8. According to Charlie McCann of Stan James, “we think Hatton is the stronger even at light-welterweight and if the fight was to take place at the MEN, City of Manchester Stadium or Wembley then Pacquiao might think he is fighting half of Manchester. Also, for Stan James, Pacquiao is a brilliant boxer and has already proved his worth in the boxing industry but maybe he just met the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya at the right time. Thus, this may have possibly allowed Pacquiao to go all the way with his punches.

On the other hand, from the records of Sky Bet, Pacquiao is 2/5 while the other, Hatton, is 7/4.

Right now, it is believed that before this year 2009 ends, the fight must already take place at light-welterweight so bets with Stan James stand firm and in countenance.