The Green Jersey is awarded to the sprinter who achieves the most points during the three week Tour de France and once again Cavendish will be the odds on favourite to pick up the jersey in 2012. They key for Cavendish will be to pick up his usual amount of stage wins on the flat whilst also managing to stay in the race when the peleton goes through the mountains of the Alp. and the Pyrenees. Ladbrokes are convinced Cavendish can pick up the Green Jersey in 2012 and they make him a 5/6 shot to repeat his feat from last season and confirm his status as the worlds best sprinter.

A week after the Tour De France finishes in July, Cavendish will head to London with the aim of winning the first gold Medal of the 2012 London Olympics. The Road Race will circle around London and with its reasonably flat nature it lends itself to a sprint finish on the Mall. The British Team will be working with the sole aim of getting Cavendish to the sprint in the best possible shape and with that in mind Ladbrokes make him the 9/4 favourite to claim the Olympic Road Race Gold Medal. The Tour and the Olympics are particularly close together so Cavendish will need to hope he avoids injury in France if he is to any chance of claiming an Olympic Gold Medal but if any sprinter can do the Green Jersey/Gold Medal double then it is the current Sports Personality Of The Year.

Mark Cavendish Tour De France and Olympic Betting 2012

• 5/6 – Cavendish to win the Green Jersey at the Tour de France
• 9/4 – Cavendish to win the 2012 Olympic Road Race Gold Medal

All markets supplied by Ladbrokes.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

Last year’s champions were of course the Leeds Rhinos who after an average season by their standards hit form at just the right time in the play-offs to win the Super League Grand Final for the fifth time. The Rhinos will of course be eager to retain their title and their current price of 5/1 with Ladbrokes looks like an excellent piece of value at this stage although they do of course face a number of teams looking to knock them off their perch.

The other team to keep a close eye on in the betting are the Warrington Wolves who really turned themselves into a top class team last season when they claimed the League Leaders Shield for the very first time. The Wolves were unable to replicate that form in the play-offs but with another year’s experience under their belts they could be a real threat, Warrington can be backed at 11/4 with Ladbrokes to claim their first ever Grand Final success in 2012. St Helens cannot be ignored either in what looks a four way race for the title over the next eight months with the Grand Final as always taking place at Old Trafford in October.

Super League 2012 Grand Final Winner Odds with Ladbrokes

• 5/2 – Wigan Warriors
• 11/4 – Warrington Wolves
• 7/2 – St Helens
• 5/1 – Leeds Rhinos
• 16/1 – Huddersfield Giants
• 20/1 – Catalan Dragons
• 20/1 – Hull FC
• Bar

All prices supplied courtesy of Ladbrokes.com

The French made it all the way to the final in the World Cup and they go into the the 2012 Six Nations as the favourites for victory, Paddy Power make Les Bleu the 13/8 favourites to lift the trophy for the fifth time since the tournament was expanded in 2000. The French look like a strong team on paper but they are always a dangerous team to back with any certainty and there has to be value elsewhere. The Welsh had a good World Cup as well and go into the Six Nations high on confidence and aiming to win the tournament, they do have to play France at home which is a plus and they are the close second favourites with Paddy Power.

England left the World Cup in disarray and go into the Six Nations with a new coach and several new players with a few of the more experienced names retired or dropped by interim coach, Stuart Lancaster. At this stage it is impossible to tell how the defending champions will play but they are always dangerous and can be backed at 7/2 with Paddy Power to lift the trophy in 2012. It is shaping up to be a fascinating tournament over the next couple of months and as the latest betting suggests we could be in for one of the closest in recent years with at least four teams capable of winning.

Six Nations Rugby 2012 Betting with Paddy Power

• 13/8 – France
• 11/4 – Wales
• 7/2 – England
• 4/1 – Ireland
• 25/1 – Scotland
• 150/1 – Italy

Grand Slam Betting with Paddy Power

• 4/6 – No Winner
• 4/1 – France
• 15/2 – Wales
• 9/1 – England
• 11/1 – Ireland
• 100/1 – Scotland
• 750/1 – Italy

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

The NFC Championship match looks particularly tight  with both teams producing shocks in the last round, the bookmakers are struggling to split the teams with Paddy Power making both the Giants and the 49ers an 11/4 shot to won the Superbowl. The Giants will be looking to Eli Manning to produce the goods as he did against the Packers while the 49ers will be looking to continue the momentum they picked up in during their thrilling win over the New Orleans Saints this past weekend.

The AFC Championship match looks a little more straight forward with the hot New England Patriots expected to have too much for the Baltimore Ravens who are continuing their fine season. Tom Brady will be leading the Patriots line as always and his experience could be key over the next couple of weeks as Paddy Power make them the 5/4 favourites to win the Superbowl. The Ravens have a massive task on their hands as they head to New England for their second AFC Championship match in four years, keeping the shackles on Brady will be key as always but as the betting suggests they face an uphill task.

NFL Superbowl Betting 2012 with Paddy Power

• 5/4 – New England Patriots
• 11/4 – San Francisco 49ers
• 11/4 – New York Giants
• 11/2 – Baltimore Ravens

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

British fans and and punters also have plenty to look forward to with plenty of rumours surrounding the likes of David Haye and Amir Khan in particular who both lost their World Championships in 2011. Haye famously retired in October having lost to Wladimir Klitschko but speculations continues to swirl around he will make a return to the ring in 2012 to face older brother Vitali. Patriotic British fight fans can get a price of 33/1 about the Hayemaker fighting and beating both Klitschko brothers at some point during 2012 which looks like a massive ask given the form of the Ukrainian Champions.

Amir Khan controversially lost his World titles in December to Lamont Petersen but he could still be set for a big year in 2012 with a potential bout with Floyd Mayweather not beyond the realms of possibility. Punters wanting to back Khan to fight Mayweather this year can get a price of 12/1 with Coral about that happening although it should be noted that the American is due to start a 90 day jail term any day now. There are some fascinating potential fights on the horizon both in the UK and abroad with the established stars looking to regain their World titles while the younger fighters will be looking to make a name for themselves in 2012.

2012 Boxing Special Betting Markets with Coral

• 6/4 – Floyd Maweather to fight Manny Pacquaio in 2012
• 2/1 – Carl Froch to fight Nathan Cleverly in 2012
• 3/1 – George Groves to win a World Title in 2012
• 7/2 – James Degale to win a World Title in 2012
• 4/1 – Tyson Fury to win a World Title in 2012
• 10/1 -  David Haye to fight Derek Chisora in 2012
• 12/1 – Amir Khan to fight floyd Mayweather in 2012
• 16/1 – Carl Froch to beat Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler in 2012
• 33/1 – David Haye to beat both Klitschko brothers in 2012

All markets supplied courtesy of Coral.com

The bookmakers rate the Heat as the hot favourites this season with Paddy Power making them as short as 9/4 to claim the Championship and with their strong looking roster it is hard to argue with that assessment. Last season they went all the way to the NBA Finals before coming unstuck against the Dallas Mavericks but with Lebron James still as strong as ever most punters are expecting them to go one better this campaign.

There is no doubt that the Heat have a strong roster but they represent little value in the Championship market, punters may want to have a closer look at the Celtics who will be looking to add to their record haul of 17 Championships in 2012. They are the most successful team in NBA history and also look to have a strong roster this season with the likes of Kevin Garnett and Captain Paul Pierce still going strong despite their advancing years. Punters could do a lot worse than back the Boston Celtics this season and they are available at a good looking 16/1 with Paddy Power to claim an 18th Championship and their first since their 2008 triumph.

2012 NBA Championship Betting with Paddy Power

• 9/4 – Miami Heat
• 4/1 – LA Lakers
• 7/1 – Chicago Bulls
• 7/1 – Oklahoma City Thunder
• 12/1 – Dallas Mavericks
• 14/1 – New York Knicks
• 16/1 – Boston Celtics
• 22/1 – Orlando Magic
• 25/1 – LA Clippers
• 25/1 – Memphis Grizzlies
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Ward is known as a flashy fighter whose main asset is his speed and most boxing observers believe his fast hands could well prove to be the deciding factor in what could be a classic fight in Atlantic City. That could well be the case but he is not known as a heavy puncher with only 13 of his 24 wins coming way of knock out so punters may want to back Andre Ward to win on points which is available at 1/2 with Bet365.

There is no doubting the class of Andre Ward but the former Olympic Champion has never faced anyone with the toughness of Csrl froch and there will be plenty of punters wanting to back the Cobra to cause an upset on Saturday night. The man from Nottingham has just one loss to his name and relies on his punch power and granite chin to get him through while he loves to draw his opponents into an up close brawl. Ward will be wary of getting too close to a warrior like Froch who will be looking to unleash his power on the America, with that in mind the 7/1 on offer from Bet365 about Froch winning by knock-out could prove to be value for his supporters.

Carl Froch v Andre Ward Super Six Final Betting with Bet365

• 1/3 – Andre Ward to win by any method
• 9/4 – Carl Froch to win by any method

Method Of Victory Betting

• 1/2 – Ward to win Decision
• 10/3 – Froch to win by Decision
• 7/1  – Froch to win by KO or DQ
• 8/1 – Ward to win by Ko or DQ
• 25/1 – Draw

All markets supplied by BET365.com

Khan has proven his class over the past few fights with wins over the likes of Marcos Maidana and Zab Judah among others and most observers expect him to come through against Petersen with some ease, the man from Bolton is as as short as 1/14 with Bet365.com to win the fight by any method. It’s thought that Khan’s speed and jab should prove too much for his tough opponent with most expecting a cagey fight in DC with two class boxers sharing the ring, the smart money will be on Khan taking a points decision and that outcome can be backed at a nice looking 11/8 with Bet365.

Amir Khan will however have to be very careful not to underestimate Lamont Petersen who will be fighting in his home town and boasts a very respectable record, Petersen has lost just one of his 31 fights to date and that along with a good amateur record make him a very dangerous fighter for Khan. Punters wanting to back the upset here can get a big price of 7/1 with Bet365 about Lamont Petersen claiming the win by any method. Khan should have too much for Petersen on Saturday night but with an upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather on the cards next year he will need to be careful not look past a class and durable opponent who has been waiting for a World title shot for some time.

Amir Khan v Lamont Petersen Betting with Bet365

• 1/14 – Khan to win the fight by any method
• 7/1 – Petersen to win the fight by any method

• 8/11 – Khan to win by TKO or DQ
• 11/8 – Khan to win by Decision
• 11/1 – Petersen to win by KO or DQ
• 20/1 – Petersen to win by Decision
• 40/1 – Draw or Techinal Draw

All markets supplied by Bet365

Taylor looks to be coming back to his very best form if his showing at the Grand Slam of Darts is anything to go by, he strolled through the tournament before demolishing Gary Anderson in the final and looked in ominous shape ahead of the world Championships. At the moment the bookmakers cant see past Taylor with Ladbrokes making him the 10/11 favourite at this stage to claim the victory in what is looking like a strong and competitive field. Adrian Lewis will go in as the defending champion after he beat Taylor in the process and Taylor will know that he will need to improve if he is to regain his title.

Another pretender to Taylor’s throne this year is the excellent James Wade who has been in and around the top five for a number of years now and will be looking to make the big breakthrough at Alexandra Palace this season. Wade has proven he can beat the best when he is in form but he has found it tough to string the performances together against the really top names at the World Championships. Wade could prove to be a bit of value in the betting at this stage and can be backed at 10/1 with Ladbrokes to claim his first world title. The PDC World Championships have gone from strength-to-strength over the past few years and Phil Taylor must take his fair share of credit for that, he is no longer the dominant force he used to be but he has shown that when he as it his best he is impossible to live with.

PDC World Darts Championships Betting 2012 with Ladbrokes

• 10/11 – Phil Taylor
• 6/1 – Gary Anderson
• 8/1 – Adrian Lewis
• 10/1 – James Wade
• 20/1 – Raymond Van Barneveld
• 20/1 – Simon Whitlock
• 25/1 – Mark Webster
• 33/1 – Paul Nicholson
• 33/1 – Wes Newton
• 50/1 – Mervyn King
• Bar

All markets supplied by Ladbrokes.com