Charlie McCann's Weekend Sports Preview

Aston Villa are 13/8 to lift the Carling Cup on Sunday whether it be after 90 minutes, in extra time or on penalties and after their first win over the Red Devils (4/9) in 28 matches, and first at Old Trafford in 27 years earlier in the season, that price looks too big.

At Stan James we are asking; how will the 2010 Carling Cup be won:

• Man Utd in 90 mins                 5/6 
• Man Utd in Extra Time            7/1
• Man Utd on Penalties              12/1
• Villa in 90 mins                     7/2
• Villa in Extra time        14/1
• Villa on Penalties         12/1

Thus the 90 minute prices are United 5/6, Villa 7/2 and the draw at 12/5. Wayne Rooney has scored four headed goals in his last three matches but we bet 8/13 he fails to score in 90 minutes at Wembley with 7/4 one, 7/1 two and 25/1 three or more.

Stan James are also asking how many goals do you think Villa will score at Wembley?

• Villa not to score  5/4
• Villa to score 1  6/4
• Villa to score 2  9/2
• Villa to score 3 or more 10/1 

Villa to keep a clean sheet is 7/2 which looks sure to have its supporters given the result at OT earlier in the season although I actually think the game will finish as a draw after 90 minutes with 1-1 at 11/2 given the nod.

Paul Scholes is the 13/2 favourite to be shown a card first in the match but I like the look of Rafael or Gary Neville whoever plays right-back for United at 12/1. Neville has been a great full back but his lack of pace could be exposed by Ashley Young. No card during 90 minutes is 14/1. We are extending our popular 1st goalscorer market to cards at Wembley thus if your selected player for the first card gets shown yellow or red during the 90 minutes but not first we will refund your losing stake.

The Brain Trust at Stan James were going to extend this offer to the Old Firm game at Ibrox on Sunday but then remembered we'd be skint as they are likely to kick lumps out of each other as ever. Given Rangers currently hold a seven point lead in the SPL, play St Mirren in the League Cup Final next month and have a home tie in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup against Dundee United our offer of 3/1 for Walter Smith's side to emulate the class of 92/93 and win the domestic treble looks fair. Rangers are 6/5 to open a ten point lead at Ibrox with the draw and the Hoops at 9/4. 

Villa are now 12/1 from 22/1 to do the FA & Carling Cup double and with Chelsea's frailties having been exposed in recent weeks who knows? What do they say about London buses?

Blues entertain Wigan (3/1) this afternoon and look decent value at 10/11 against a side without a win in eight and just two points above the drop. A win for Alex McLeish's side would give them the magical 40 and eighth place in the table this evening and after a couple of blips on the road they ought to get back to winning ways at St Andrews. Blues won the reverse fixture 3-2 earlier in the season and a similar scoreline is 25/1 today.

We have a mythical match bet between Blues and Villa this weekend and bet:

• Blues 10/11
• Draw 11/5
• Villa 11/4

Chelsea play the most overrated side in the solar system Manchester City this weekend and the Premier League directive is that all players shake hands before the game. We were offering 6/1 that John Terry and Wayne Bridge didn't shake hands ahead of today's clash at the Bridge earlier in the week but that is now down to 2/1. Terry has suggested he will offer his hand to his former "team mate" but will Bridge accept? We bet 2/1 they don't shake hands prior to the game.

Unless you are an alien you will be aware that Cheryl and Ashley Cole separated during the week. The Girls Aloud singer is due to appear on Jonathan Ross's BBC programme next month to talk about the split and we have a couple of special markets:  

Will Cheryl Cole cry during her interview with Jonathan Ross?

• 4-6 Yes

• 11-10 No

What phrase will Cheryl Cole say 1st during her interview with Jonathan Ross?

• 11-10 I am getting divorced
• 2 support from my family
• 9-2 permanent move to L.A
• 7 Simon has been my rock
• 9 He's a cheat
• 14 I'm on a journey
• 25 I'm ashamed
• 80 I blame my mother
• 80 Fight for this love
• 100 Sex therapy
• 125 Love machine
• 200 I love Derek Hough
• 250 I love Charlie McCann

All bets void if she doesn't mention any of these statements.

Wolves (10/3) travel to the Reebok to face a Bolton side (10/11) who will leapfrog Mick McCarthy's side and exit the relegation zone if they get the points. With four of their next five Premier League games away from Molineux (United is the sole home game!) Wolves can't afford to lose. The draw at 9/4 looks the shout.

It's not been the best of weeks for the Baggies or their fans but with Forest and Newcastle both facing difficult looking away trips they must get back to winning ways against Derby today. Albion are 8/15 with the Rams 11/2 and a draw at 11/4.

It's week three of the 2010 RBS Six Nations and we bet Evens England against Ireland (Evens) with the tie at 14/1 ahead of today's game at Twickenham. An England drop goal at 12/1 has been popular as the first scoring play.

Racing Post Chase day at Kempton where a number of Cheltenham aspirants put their Festival credentials on the line including Champion Hurdler Punjabi and Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief. Mr Syntax is the nap in the 3.55 at Newcastle although that meeting is subject to an inspection.

For all the latest sporting odds this weekend checkout Stan James