Spurs

REDKNAPP AXED

Harry Redknapp can probably cancel that scouting mission to the European Championships after he was sacked by Tottenham after four years in charge.

It was not the end expected by many fans as the former West Ham and Portsmouth chief was widely tipped to be in Poland and Ukraine right now – but in charge of England rather than Roy Hodgson.

Redknapp claims he would have been axed even if Spurs had returned to the Champions League next season – Didier Drogba’s penalty against Bayern Munich ensured they didn’t – while he also says Spurs were not too far off winning the Premier League.

However, odds of 25/1 to win the title next term would appear to suggest otherwise.

DUTCH NIGHTMARE

If Redknapp is looking for a start in international management then he might do well to keep an eye on Bert van Marwijk’s situation as Holland manager.

The Dutch have managed just one goal in two games at Euro 2012 so far – both defeats – to leave the 2010 World Cup finalists on the brink of an early exit.

Holland were tipped to go all the way in Poland and Ukraine but the 1988 European champions might not even make the knockout stage.

The Dutch are 5/1 to get themselves out of the mire and make the quarter-finals this summer.

MURRAY MINCED

Andy Murray was not expected to do much at the French Open and he did not disappoint by crashing out in the quarter-finals to David Ferrer.

Clay is not his surface but grass is which makes his second-round exit at the Aegon Championships – having received a first-round bye- a real shock despite recent injury problems.

Nicolas Mahut was too strong for the Scot on Wednesday and now the British number one is scrambling around to arrange matches in order to hone his skills for Wimbledon as a Grand Slam breakthrough remains as elusive as ever.

Murray is 13/2 to go all the way at SW19 later in the summer.

WALLABIES NOT SHARPE

Wales may well have got off to a losing start against Australia in Brisbane at the weekend, but Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe expects a backlash.

Having gone down to Scotland in a penalty-fest in Newcastle on June 5, Robbie Deans’ men bounced back to beat the reigning Six Nations champions.

But that was only the Red Dragons’ second game together in months while the Australians have been in camp far longer yet were still less than 10 points better off.

Attention now moves to the second of three Tests in Melbourne and Sharpe claims Wales will match the Aussies in raising the level of intensity.

The real shock, of course, is finding an Australian who is not 100 per cent convinced his side is the best!

Wales are 7/4 favourites to retain their Six Nations crown in 2013.

PAC PROBE

After four shocks, one which is less so is the announcement the WBO is looking into Timothy Bradley’s controversial win over Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas last weekend.

In a statement on the WBO’s website, Valcarcel said: “The WBO, through its Championships Committee, will evaluate the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, which ended in a controversial result.

“The Championships Committee will meet soon and examine the video of the fight with five renowned international judges, and according to what is found, it will make its recommendation in accordance with the rules.”

Meanwhile, Amir Khan v Danny Garcia in July is among the upcoming fights currently featured by totesport.com.

Khan himself is no stranger to being involved in controversy following Lamont Peterson’s positive test for synthetic testosterone.

The Bolton fighter is a 2/9 chance to bounce back by beating Garcia in Las Vegas.

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Manchester City

These two sides had different fortunes last week in the Champions League, despite both teams picking up big wins against established European clubs. It was Andre Villas-Boas’ side who made it through to the last 16 of the competition, with Roberto Mancini having to settle for a place in the Europa League.

City are two points clear at the top of the Premier League but do have a game in hand over rivals Manchester United in second place. They would be delighted to come away from London with a point to extend the gap back to three points following a tricky round of fixtures on their part. The draw is priced up at 12/5 and looks the most likely outcome.

Chelsea have found a bit of form recently with wins over Valencia and Newcastle but, with respect to both of those sides, they don’t possess the quality and threat that City will bring on Monday evening.  They will though be buoyed by their recent success and it could finally ignite their season.

Monday’s game is another chance for Villas-Boas to prove that Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Premier League title and that they are capable of matching City on the field, despite not being able to compete with the Manchester club in the transfer market anymore.

Didier Drogba showed his importance to the Blues on Tuesday evening when he scored twice against the Spanish opposition to help his side into the last 16 of the Champions League. The 33-year old reminded Chelsea fans that he still has a big part to play in the future of the club despite the exit looming for his former strike partner Nicolas Anelka. Take the Ivorian to score the first goal in the game at 9/2.

Mancini’s men have already travelled to Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane in the league this season, so this is one of the few remaining difficult away visits that they will have to deal with. If they keep their unbeaten record intact it would be a big point as they look to win their first Premier League title.

The visitors have scored 24 goals on the road this season in just five Premier League fixtures. Mancini has neglected the more cautious approach he adopted last year and is quite happy for his stars to play attacking and expansive football home and away. If he continues to use these tactics at Stamford Bridge it should be make for an exciting and open game. The 14/1 on a 2-2 draw looks a really tasty proposition.

Although City can’t win the Premier League title with a win at Stamford Bridge, a defeat for Chelsea could end their slim hopes of winning the league this season. The Blues will be 13 points behind the leaders following defeat on Monday evening.

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