Mullins will face a stiff fight from his British counterparts with Paul Nicholls in particular looking like one who could challenge him for the Top Trainer Award this year. The Ditcheat Trainer has dominated the sport in the UK over recent years and he will go into war at Cheltenham with a top class string of horses once again in 2012. Nicholls will be looking to the likes of Kauto Star and Big Bucks among others to claim Cheltenham wins and with that in mind he is available at 2/1 with Bet365 to claim the prestigious top trainer award.

The third contender for the top trainer award this year is Nicky Henderson who also looks to have plenty of ammunition in the big races this year. Potential runners for Henderson include Arkle favourite Sprinter Sacre and of course Long Run who will be looking to win the Gold Cup for the second consecutive year. The Seven Barrows trainer will have major contenders in pretty much every race at the Festival and he can also be backed at 2/1 with Bet365 to train the most winners at this years Festival. Each of the top three trainers in the betting have major claims to be the Top Trainer this year and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting markets of the entire week.

Cheltenham Festival 2012 Top Trainer Odds with Bet365

• 5/4 – Willie Mullins
• 2/1 – Paul Nicholls
• 2/1 – Nicky Henderson
• 20/1 – Philip Hobbs
• Bar

All markets supplied by Bet365.com

All eyes are as always on Phil Taylor who remains the favourite for the Premier League despite the fact he is showing signs of slipping below his very best, the Power did not have a good World Championship but he is still as short as 7/4 with Bet365 to win the tournament. Taylor as we know is the greatest player ever to pick up a dart but he is not the invincible force he used to be and there has to be better value elsewhere this season.  Adrian Lewis has won the world championship for the last two years and the ‘Jackpot’ has to be given serious consideration here, Lewis is available at 4/1 with Bet365 to add the Premier League title to his CV.

Such is the format of the Premier League that any of the eight players can go on to win the title which makes it a fascinating betting prospect for punters. One that we like is Simon Whitlock of Australia who is a terrific match player on his day and should be able to make it through to the play-offs, the ‘Wizard can be backed at a good looking 7/1 with Bet365 to claim his first Premier League title in 2012. The new season will run for a number of weeks across the UK and Ireland and the Premier League really is the biggest event in the sport in terms of the number of people the game is reaching and from a betting point of view it looks set to be a cracking year.

Premier League Darts Betting 2012 with Bet365

• 7/4 – Phil Taylor
• 4/1 – Adrian Lewis
• 4/1 – Gary Anderson
• 7/1 – James Wade
• 7/1 – Simon Whitlock
• 18/1 – Kevin Painter
• 20/1 – Raymond Van Barnveld
• 25/1 – Andy Hamilton

All the markets are supplied by Bet365.com

Walsh has the pick of the best rides from the two champion trainers in the UK and Ireland and he can look forward to the leg up on the likes of Big Bucks, Hurricane Fly and Kauto Star among many others at the Festival this season. Bet365 have been quick to notice his powerful book of rides and they make him the 5/6 favourite to claim the Thomas Pink award for most winners at the Festival. At the moment both Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls are in great form ahead of the Festival which makes Walsh the clear favourite and it is hard to oppose him at this stage.

The jockey most likely to push Ruby Walsh the closest is Barry Geraghty who is sure to have plenty of ammunition from his boss, Nicky Henderson. The team at Seven Barrows will be sending the likes of Sprinter Sacre and Grandouet among others to Cheltenham in March which will ensure Barry Geraghty has a good chance to pick up a winner or two. With that in mind Geraghty is currently the second favourite in the Top jockey Betting with Bet365 making him a 3/1 shot to claim the Top jockey award. The Top Jockey Market is always a fun one for punters to get stuck into outside of the races themselves and in 2012 it will be no different with Walsh and Geraghty likely to going for it tooth and nail ahead of the likes of Richard Johnson and AP McCoy.

Cheltenham Festival 2012 Top Jockey Betting with Bet365

• 5/6 – Ruby Walsh
• 3/1 – Barry Geraghty
• 7/1 – AP McCoy
• 14/1 – Richard Johnson
• 20/1 – Robert Thornton
• 20/1 – Davy Russell
• 20/1 – Paul Townend
• 20/1 – Jason Maguire
• Bar

All the markets supplied by Bet365.com

Garcia is back playing golf with a smile on his face and that will make him a dangerous threat when the players turn up at Augusta for the first Major of the 2012 season, Bet365 now rate him as short as 5/1 to win any of the four Majors in 2012. That price would have been unthinkable just a couple of months ago but following his return to form he will now arrive at each of the four Majors full of confidence and with the game to win any tournament. It is also worth noting that with the Ryder Cup on the horizon Garcia will be desperate to return to the European team in 2012 which will surely given extra motivation fin all of the big tournaments during 2012.

Punters wanting to back Garcia to win a Major Championship in 2012 may want to take a close look at the US Masters which will as always be the first one on the calendar in April, Garcia can be backed at 25/1 with Bet365.com to claim his first Major win at Augusta and that could prove a nice piece of value. World Golf is as strong as it ever has been at the moment and the return to form of Sergio Garcia is a welcome one for punters he is one of the most popular players on tour and many will be hoping he finally breaks his Major duck in 2012.

Sergio Garcia Betting Specials with Bet365.com

• 1/9 – Sergio Garcia NOT to win a Major in 2012
• 5/1 – Sergio Garcia to win a Major in 2012
• 25/1 – Garcia to win the US Masters in 2012

All markets are supplied by Bet365.com

Four-time League Cup winners Manchester United travel to League Two Aldershot Town in Tuesday night’s televised game on Sky Sports 2. United are currently the 3/1 favourites to win the competition and have been handed odds of 2/9 to win tonight’s match in 90 minutes, while Aldershot are priced at 12/1, with a draw at 5/1. Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney are both available at 9/4 to open the scoring, while a 3-0 United win looks good value at 6/1.

Arsenal are also in action on Tuesday night at home to Bolton. After reaching the final last season The Gunners will be determined to go one step better and get their hands on the trophy this time round. Arsene Wenger’s men have been handed odds of 8/1 to win the cup and 8/5 to beat Bolton, with The Trotters priced at 9/2. Tuesday’s other two matches are all-Championship ties, with Cardiff City hosting Burnley and the league leaders Southampton travelling to Crytsal Palace.

On Wednesday Manchester City, fresh from their 6-1 thrashing of United, travel to Wolves for their Fourth Round match with Roberto Mancini expected to give many of his fringe players a chance to prove themselves. City are 7/2 to win the Carling Cup and are the odds-on 1/2 favourites to beat Wolves at Molineux in 90mins. Mick McCarthy’s men are available at 6/1 to win the match, with a draw priced at 3/1. Elsewhere Bet365 have Chelsea as the 13/10 favourites to win at Everton, Liverpool at 11/10 to beat Stoke at the Britannia Stadium and Newcactle the narrow favourites to win away at Blackburn.

Outright Carling Cup Winner Odds

• 3/1 – Man Utd
• 7/2 – Man City
• 6/1 – Chelsea
• 13/2 – Liverpool
• 8/1 – Arsenal
• 20/1 – Everton
• 20/1 – Stoke
• 28/1 – Newcastle
• 28/1 – Blackburn
• 28/1 – Wolves
• 33/1 – Bolton
• 33/1 – Cardiff
• 66/1 – Southampton
• 66/1 – Burnley
• 66/1 – Crystal Palace
• 1000/1 – Aldershot

All odds supplied by Bet365

The Champion Trainer title is awarded to the trainer whose horses garner the most prize money each season so any trainer who has success in the biggest races of the season will go close. Nicholls has relied heavily on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman who have won multiple Gold Cups, King George Chases and Hennessy Gold Cups between them over the past five years but their powers are clearly on the wain leaving the door open for Henderson. At the moment Paul Nicholls remains the favourite to claim the Championship and he can be backed at 8/13 with Bet365, he will be hoping some of his younger horses like Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Al Ferof and Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar will be able to continue their progression over the winter and fill theb gap left by his more established stars.

Nicky Henderson has been having more and more success over the past couple of years with the likes of Binocular and Long Run the stable stars at his Seven Barrows outfit, he will be targeting the title this year with a first class string and he looks a genuine contender in the latest show of betting. Henderson will be targeting the King George on Boxing Day and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival with Long Run after the horse did the prestigious double last season, if the horse can repeat that trick this season he will be on course for a big tilt at the trainers title. At the moment Henderson is an attractive looking 6/4 with Bet365 to claim his third Champion Trainers title in what could be a brilliant tussle between himself and Nicholls, Henderson will also be looking towards the likes Spirit Son and Sprinter Sacre who showed plenty of potential last season t support his stable stars if he is to run the current champion close.

National Hunt Champion Trainer Odds 2012 with Bet365

• 8/13 – Paul Nicholls
• 6/4 – Nicky Henderson
• 14/1 – Donald McCain
• 25/1 – Philip Hobbs
• 40/1 – David Pipe
• 40/1 – Nigel Twiston-Davies
• Bar

All markets supplied by Bet365.com

The tie of the round comes at Elland Road where Championship side Leeds face their old rivals Manchester United in what promises to be a cracking game. They may not be in the same league but the rivalry is still as hot as ever and Leeds fans would love nothing more than to inflict United’s first defeat of the season. Sir Alex Ferguson will be weary of leaving out too many of his most prized possessions as he will vividly recall United’s shock FA Cup Third Round defeat to Leeds in 2010. Man Utd are the 1/2 favourites to win the match, while Leeds are priced at 5/1, with a draw available at 10/3.

Elsewhere Championship high-flyers Brighton host Liverpool at the Falmer Stadium. Brighton may have suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday but the thought of beating Liverpool will motivate the players to bounce back in style, whereas Kenny Dalglish will consider the League Cup a priority as he aims to win his first trophy with the club since his return earlier this year. Liverpool are the odds on 4/6 favourites to come away with the win, while Brighton are 4/1 for an upset, with a draw at 11/4.

Man Utd and Man City remain the 5/1 favourites to win the 2011/12 Carling Cup, with Chelsea priced at 11/2. Liverpool can be found with odds of 13/2, while Arsenal are available at 9/1 and Tottenham at 12/1. Last year’s winners Birmingham are huge outsiders at 150/1.

Carling Cup Outright Odds

• 5/1 – Man City
• 5/1 – Man Utd
• 11/2 – Chelsea
• 13/2 – Liverpool
• 9/1 – Arsenal
• 12/1 – Tottenham
• 18/1 – Aston Villa
• 20/1 – Everton
• 33/1 – Newcastle United
• 33/1 – Bolton Wanderers
• 33/1 – Stoke City
• 33/1 – Wolves
• 150/1 – Birmingham City

All odds supplied by Bet365

With nearly all of the attention on the two Manchester clubs this season it’s been easy to forget that there is actually a third team in the running for the Premier League title and they are not to be taken lightly. Chelsea, will no doubt prefer it this way, as they quietly get on with their business while the Manchester rivals hog the spotlight. The heavyweight encounter on Sunday between the league leaders United and third place Chelsea could give one of the teams an early mental advantage, so a lot is at stake. United are the odds on 5/6 favourites to record what would be their fifth straight league win of the season, while Chelsea are priced at 7/2 to come away with the three points, with a draw available at 5/2.

Place a pre-match bet on the match and Bet365 will give you a Free Bet In-play to the same stake on the big game. Simply place a bet before kick-off, then once the game starts place another bet on any in-play market. If your first in-play bet loses then Bet365 will refund this stake up to the value of your largest pre-match bet.

The blockbuster match pits together two strikers in contrasting form. While the scintillating Wayne Rooney is searching for an unprecedented third consecutive league hat-trick, Fernando Torres is still trying to score that elusive first goal of the season. Rooney is the 15/4 favourite to score the games first goal and 22/1 to score three or more goals. His team mate and partner in crime Javie Hernandez is priced at 9/2 while the in-form Ashley Young is certainly worth a punt at 9/1. Torres is available at 7/1 to open the scoring but at 9/1 Daniel Sturridge looks a better bet. Frank Lampard has been handed odds of 11/1.

The matches between these two sides are traditionally quite tight but such is the magnificent goal scoring form United are in it could end up being packed with goals. However, unlike Arsenal who conceded eight goals at Old Trafford, Chelsea have a resolute defence. We think Man Utd will just about edge it, with a score of 2-1 priced at 15/2.

Match Odds

• 5/6 – Man Utd
• 7/2 – Chelsea
• 5/2 – Draw

Match Specials

• 2/1 – Man Utd to win to nil
• 4/1 – Man Utd to win both halves
• 12/1 – Chelsea to win from behind
• 22/1 – Wayne Rooney to score three or more goals

Correct Score Odds

• 6/1 – Man Utd 1-0
• 15/2 – Man Utd 2-0
• 15/2 – Man Utd 2-1
• 14/1 – Man Utd 3-0
• 14/1 – Man Utd 3-1
• 25/1 – Man Utd 3-2

• 10/1 – Draw 0-0
• 11/2 – Draw 1-1
• 14/1 – Draw 2-2

• 12/1 – Chelsea 1-0
• 22/1 – Chelsea 2-0
• 14/1 – Chelsea 2-1
• 50/1 – Chelsea 3-0
• 40/1 – Chelsea 3-1
• 40/1 – Chelsea 3-2

First Goalscorer Market

• 15/4 – Wayne Rooney
• 9/2 – Javier Hernandez
• 13/2 – Dimitar Berbatov
• 15/2 – Danny Welbeck
• 9/1 – Ashley Young

• 7/1 – Fernando Torres
• 17/2 – Didier Drogba
• 9/1 – Daniel Sturridge
• 10/1 – Nicolas Anelka
• 11/1 – Frank Lampard

All odds supplied by Bet365

As well as Judd there are one or two realistic contenders for the Strictly Come Dancing Title in 2011 with former Neighbours actress Holly Valance perhaps the pick of the bunch, she is a former pop star who is more than used to learning dance routines so should take to the tough regime of the show with plenty of style. Valance has been out of the limelight for sometime now but will be hoping to kick start her career with a good run on Strictly, Valance can be backed at a good looking 5/1 with Bet365 to claim the glitter ball and it would be no surprise to see her go deep into the 2011 series.

Other celebrities taking their place in the line-up include Olympic Boxing Champion Audley Harrison, former MP Edwina Currie, footballer Robbie Savage and One Show host Alex Jones who has long been rumoured to be taking part in the new series. Jones will be hoping to emulate co-host Matt Baker who performed so well on the show last year and as such she is a short price with the bookmakers, Jones can currently be backed at 9/2 with Bet365 which could prove some value with the Welsh sure to get behind her. Harry Judd has to be the one to beat at this stage though with the odds stacked in his favour, he can call upon the Mcfly fans to back him while his experience of the show is likely to prove crucial over the first few weeks of the show as the remaining contestants try to find their dancing feet.

Strictly Come Dancing Outright Winner Betting 2011 with Bet365

• 15/8 – Harry Judd
• 9/2 – Alex Jones
• 5/1 – Holly Valance
• 8/1 - Jason Donovan
• 10/1 – Dan Lobb
• 12/1 – Chelsee Healey
• 12/1 – Lulu
• 20/1 – Robbie Savage
• 25/1 – Anita Dobson
• 25/1 – Rory Bremner
• 40/1 – Nancy DellOlio
• 66/1 – Edwina Currie
• 66/1 – Russell Grant
• 80/1 – Audley Harrison

All markets supplied by Bet365.com

The Carling Cup returns this week as the competition enters the Second Round. The majority of the Premier League teams enter at this stage which spices up the betting market as there is always the chance of an upset or two. If you place a pre-match Correct Score, Half-time/Full-time or Scorecast Bet on any match and it finishes 0-0 then Bet365 will refund all losing Bets on those markets.

The pick of the games comes at St James Park where League One outfit Exeter City take on Premier League giants Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish has been a breath of fresh air since his return to Merseyside and that has been reflected in the club’s bright start to the season. Liverpool supporters crave trophies and Dalglish will no doubt take this competition seriously. The Carling Cup will come as a welcome break for Exeter after a miserable start to the season which has seen them pick up just a single point from their four league games. Despite this, they are not to be underestimated, as Manchester United found out in 2005 when they were held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. The Grecians fans will be up for it and there will is sure to be a cracking cup atmosphere. Liverpool are the overwhelming 2/5 favourites with Bet365, with Exeter priced at 7/1 for a shock win, while a draw is available at 7/2. At 9/1 to win the Carling Cup Liverpool are well worth a punt.

Bet365 have installed Chelsea as the 11/2 favourites, with Man City and Man Utd available at 6/1. With the big guns (Liverpool aside) not entering until the Third Round this gives other clubs an ideal opportunity to make their mark in the competition. With odds of 22/1 to win Aston Villa look like a good bet. Villa made the Final in 2010  and will be hoping to go one better this time round. Alex McLeish’s side have been handed a kind draw at home to Hereford who shouldn’t pose them too many problems. Everton have been handed odds of 16/1 but will have to negotiate their way past Sheffield United in a potentially tricky Second Round match.

Carling Cup Outright Odds

• 11/2 – Chelsea
• 6/1 – Man City
• 6/1 – Man Utd
• 9/1 – Liverpool
• 9/1 – Arsenal
• 12/1 – Tottenham
• 16/1 – Everton
• 22/1 – Aston Villa
• 33/1 – Fulham
• 33/1 – Bolton Wanderers
• 33/1 – Sunderland
• 40/1 – Stoke City
• 40/1 – Newcastle United
• 40/1 – Blackburn Rovers
• 50/1 – West Brom
• 66/1 – QPR
• 66/1 – Wolves
• 66/1 – Wigan
• 80/1 – West Ham
• 80/1 – Birmingham City

All odds supplied by Bet365