Scotland are a $26 chance and Italy are the rank outsiders at $151.

“There has been some interest on Wales to go all the way. In fact, we’ve had twice as many bets on them to win it compared to the rest,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

In Sunday’s first round of matches, France are at $1.02 and Italy are at $13 with the line set at -21.0 points where $1.91 is on offer while England are $1.62 favourites for their clash with Scotland – the Scots are $2.32 outsiders.

Despite the loss of Brian O’Driscoll, Ireland are tipped to comfortably beat Wales on Monday after being installed at $1.45 and the Welsh at $2.78.

“The punters have been very interested in the Ireland versus Wales game with allegiances split down the middle,” Hawes said.

2012 Six-Nations – Round 1 Betting

France v Italy
$1.02 France
$13 Italy

England v Scotland
$1.62 England
$2.32 Scotland

Ireland v Wales
$1.45 Ireland
$2.78 Wales

2012 Six-Nations winner Betting

$2.40 France
$4.00 Wales
$5.00 England
$5.00 Ireland
$26 Scotland
$151 Italy

“Punters have been split down the middle to this point,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said. “It’s been a while between drinks for both sides so the draw at $3.35 could be an appealing option.”

The Central Coast Mariners will start as the $2.10 favourites in their Grand Final replay clash against Brisbane with the Roar the $3.40 outsiders while Sydney FC are overwhelming favourites to beat Newcastle, priced at $1.91 and the Jets at $4.00.

“With news Vitezslav Lavicka is leaving at seasons end we expect the Sydney players to make a statement and we’re very confident they’ll account for Newcastle at home,” Hawes said.

In Monday night’s match, Perth Glory are $1.80 favourites and Gold Coast United the $4.25 outsiders.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Melbourne Heart v Melbourne Victory Betting – Saturday, 4 February

$2.50 Melbourne Heart
$3.35 Draw
$2.75 Melbourne Victory

Central Coast v Brisbane Roar Betting – Saturday, 4 February

$2.10 Central Coast
$3.35 Draw
$3.40 Brisbane Roar

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets Betting – Sunday, 5 February

$1.91 Sydney FC
$3.40 Draw
$4.00 Newcastle Jets

Perth Glory v Gold Coast United Betting – Monday, 6 February

$1.80 Perth Glory
$3.40 Draw
$4.25 Gold Coast United

A-League Grand Final Winner Betting

(prices from Thursday, 2 February 2012 in brackets)
$2.87 Central Coast Mariners (steady)
$3.10 Brisbane Roar (out from $2.87)
$9.50 Perth Glory (in from $12)
$9.50 Wellington Phoenix (in from $10)
$12 Sydney FC (steady)
$14 Melbourne Heart (out from $10)
$18 Melbourne Victory (out from $15)
$19 Adelaide United (out from $14)
$23 Newcastle Jets (in from $41)
$61 Gold Coast United (steady)

“The money has come for the Indigenous side all week,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said. “The punters are very keen on them.”

In margin betting, an Indigenous All-Stars win between 1 and 12 points is the $3.10 favourite followed by an NRL All-Stars victory between 1 and 12 points ($3.35).

Ben Barba is the $9.00 favourite to score the first try of the match with Nathan Merritt ($10), Greg Inglis, Jharal Yow Yeh, Manu Vatuvei and Jason Nightingale (all $11) making up the second and third lines of betting respectivley.

sportsbet.com.au is offering 36 markets on the annual All-Star match, the most of any betting provider.

“We continue to offer more markets and better odds on sports events than anyone else and the NRL All-Star event is no different.”

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

2012 NRL All-Star match – NRL All-Stars v Indigenous All-Stars Betting

$1.80 Indigenous All-Stars
$2.02 NRL All-Stars

Margin betting Betting

$3.10 Indigenous All-Stars 1-12
$3.35 NRL All-Stars 1-12
$4.15 Indigenous All-Stars 13+
$4.50 NRL All-Stars 13+
$21 Draw

First tryscorer Betting

$9.00 Ben Barba
$10 Nathan Merritt
$11 Greg Inglis, Jharal Yow Yeh, Manu Vatuvei, Jason Nightingale
$12 Josh Dugan

Starting as a rank outsider when the market opened on Tuesday 31 January, fans seem to think there is value in the 29 year old mature age recruit, proving so popular that his odds have been crunched into $13 within only one day of the market being open.

“It’s not bad for a guy who has never even played a game to be regarded as a better chance of being picked up compared to some of the greats of the game including Chris Judd and Joel Selwood,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“It looks to be a good bet. With Brad Ottens gone, the Cats are in desperate need for a mature ruckman, and the fans obviously think he will play most games and be that ‘must have’ rookie player this year.”

Despite not having his best year Super Coach wise in 2011, St Kilda utility Brendon Goddard is the favourite to be the most selected player this year, moving from $5.00 into $3.50.

“The fact that he is a utility gives him a big edge. He is that player who you can usually bank on getting you 100+ points each week.”

Gary Ablett started as the $3.25 favourite but has moved out to $7.50. While Scott Pendlebury’s $700k plus price tag might be a bit much for the Super Coach punters, moving from $9.00 out to $15.

On the other hand, it appears fans have faith that Western Bulldogs fullback Brian Lake will make a recovery from the knee injury which restricted him in 2011, with the two time All Australian starting at $15 to be the most selected player.

“At his best Lake is one of the best defenders in the league and at the right price we think the fans may be tempted to roll the dice and pick him up.”

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Most selected 2012 Super Coach Player Betting(until Round 1 lockout)

(prices in brackets from Tuesday 31 January)
$3.50 Brendon Goddard (in from $5.00)
$5.00 Dane Swan (in from $6.50)
$7.50 Aaron Sandilands (in from $8.00)
$7.50 Gary Ablett (out from $3.25)
$10 Dean Cox (steady)
$10 Brett Delidio (in from $14)
$13 Orren Stephenson (in from $126)
$13 Lance Franklin (out from $8.50)
$13 Jonathan Brown (steady)
$13 Matthew Pavlich (in from $34)
$13 Michael Barlow (steady)
$15 Adam Goodes (in from $21)
$15 Chris Judd (out from $12)
$15 Scott Pendlebury (out from $9.00)
$15 Brian Lake (steady)
$17 Joel Selwood (out from $12)
$21 Lenny Hayes (steady)
$26 Jack Grimes (steady)
$26 Nick Riewoldt (in from $41)
$26 Marc Murphy (out from $15)
$26 Bryce Gibbs (out from $10)
$34 Jobe Watson (out from $21)
$34 Sam Mitchell (out from $21)
$34 Matt Priddis (out from $26)
$41 Luke Hodge (out from $23)
$51 Trent Cotchin (steady)
$51 Scott Thompson (out from $31)
$51 Steve Coniglio (in from $67)
$51 Andrew Swallow (out from $41)
$51 Marty Clarke (steady)
$81 James McDonald (steady)
Others quoted

If Cronk was to leave the Storm, South Sydney look to be his most likely destination, with the Rabbitohs next in the market at $3.50.

The Penrith Panthers have also been given some chance at $8.00, while the Manly Sea Eagles look no hope to fit him into their salary cap, long shots at $67.
Odds of $21 have also been offered that he may drop League for Union.

“Any time a gun comes out of contract there is always speculation, but we are confident that Cronk will stay loyal to the Storm beyond this year,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“The talk has been strong that the Rabbitohs will chase him hard so if he was to leave they look the most likely. But he has been at the Storm for such a long time and they look to be in the premiership mix for the next few years, so we think he will stay put.”

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Where will Cooper Cronk play in 2013 Betting?

$1.65 Melbourne Storm
$3.50 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$8.00 Penrith Panthers
$13 Canterbury Bulldogs
$21 Wests Tigers, Any Rugby Franchise
$26 North Queensland Cowboys, Parramatta Eels, Canberra Raiders
$29 Cronulla Sharks
$34 Newcastle Knights, Brisbane Broncos
$41 Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors, St George. Illawarra Dragons, Gold Coast Titans
$67 Manly Sea Eagles

It seems inevitable that the former Prime Minister will try and get his old job back by the end of the year, with $1.20 available for him to do so.

A leadership challenge by the end of February is also not out of the question ($1.72).

“Where there’s smoke there’s fire. The writing seems on the wall that Rudd will try and get back at Gillard and challenge for the leadership of the Labor party – it is a matter of when not if,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

When will Kevin Rudd challenge Julia Gillard for leadership of the Labor party betting?

$1.20 Before the end of the year
$1.40 Before the end of March
$1.72 Before the end of February

The line for how many games the Lions will win in 2012 has been set at 7.5, with $1.90 available for over and above that figure.

Six games appears to be the pass mark for the Suns in their second AFL season, with their winning games line set at 5.5 with $1.90 also available for above and below that figure.

And while the Lions have been given some hope at $5.50 to make the final 8, finals football still appears to be some time away for the Suns, paying $11 to feature in the September action.

“We think the Lions will enjoy having the wood over the Suns for at least one more year, but given the talent the Suns have, we aren’t sure how much longer that will last,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“While they are no doubt aiming for the finals, we think six wins would be a good result for the Suns. But who knows, they surprised some teams in their first year and if they can do that again, the $11 available may be tempting to some punters.”

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Number of wins in 2012 Betting

Adelaide
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Brisbane
$1.90 Under 7.5
$1.90 Over 7.5

Carlton
$1.90 Under 15
$1.90 Over 15

Collingwood
$1.90 Under 17.5
$1.90 Over 17.5

Essendon
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Fremantle
$1.90 Under 13
$1.90 Over 13

Geelong
$1.90 Under 16.5
$1.90 Over 16.5

Gold Coast
$1.90 Under 5.5
$1.90 Over 5.5

Hawthorn
$1.77 Over 15.5
$2.00 Under 15.5

Melbourne
$1.90 Under 10.5
$1.90 Over 10.5

North Melbourne
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Port Adelaide
$1.90 Under 5
$1.90 Over 5

Richmond
$1.90 Under 9
$1.90 Over 9

St Kilda
$1.90 Under 13.5
$1.90 Over 13.5

Sydney
$1.90 Under 12
$1.90 Over 12

West Coast
$1.90 Under 14.5
$1.90 Over 14.5

Western Bulldogs
$1.90 Under 9.5
$1.90 Over 9.5

GWS
$1.90 Under 1
$1.90 Over 1

Make the Final 8 Betting

$1.06 Collingwood
$1.18 Geelong
$1.18 Hawthorn
$1.25 Carlton
$1.54 West Coast
$1.70 Fremantle
$1.70 St Kilda
$1.90 Essendon
$1.90 Sydney
$1.90 North Melbourne
$1.90 Adelaide
$2.75 Melbourne
$3.00 Western Bulldogs
$4.00 Richmond
$5.50 Brisbane
$11 Gold Coast
$11 Port Adelaide
$51 GWS

The line for the number of games they will win has been set at 11.5, with $1.90 available for over and above that figure.

They are also paying $1.90 to make the final 8, however still look a long way from winning that elusive third flag, as they’re paying $13 to make the grand final and $34 to win it.

“With a new coach, we think they can make some big improvements this year and 12 wins will have them right in the mix to make the top 8,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Shaun Anderson.

“However, we aren’t sure they will do much damage when they get there, and they still look a few years away from having a tilt at the flag.”

After a disastrous 2011 season, Port Adelaide’s line has been set at only five games, with $1.90 also available above and below that figure.

They look even less likely to figure in the action come September compared to the Crows, with Port paying $11 to make the finals, $101 to make the grand final and $126 to go all the way.

“It would take a miracle for them to even make the finals, so the chances of them playing in the grand final this year look long at best.”

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Number of wins in 2012 Betting

Adelaide
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Brisbane
$1.90 Under 7.5
$1.90 Over 7.5

Carlton
$1.90 Under 15
$1.90 Over 15

Collingwood
$1.90 Under 17.5
$1.90 Over 17.5

Essendon
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Fremantle
$1.90 Under 13
$1.90 Over 13

Geelong
$1.90 Under 16.5
$1.90 Over 16.5

Gold Coast
$1.90 Under 5.5
$1.90 Over 5.5

Hawthorn
$1.77 Over 15.5
$2.00 Under 15.5

Melbourne
$1.90 Under 10.5
$1.90 Over 10.5

North Melbourne
$1.90 Under 11.5
$1.90 Over 11.5

Port Adelaide
$1.90 Under 5
$1.90 Over 5

Richmond
$1.90 Under 9
$1.90 Over 9

St Kilda
$1.90 Under 13.5
$1.90 Over 13.5

Sydney
$1.90 Under 12
$1.90 Over 12

West Coast
$1.90 Under 14.5
$1.90 Over 14.5

Western Bulldogs
$1.90 Under 9.5
$1.90 Over 9.5

GWS
$1.90 Under 1
$1.90 Over 1

Make the Final 8 Betting

$1.06 Collingwood
$1.18 Geelong
$1.18 Hawthorn
$1.25 Carlton
$1.54 West Coast
$1.70 Fremantle
$1.70 St Kilda
$1.90 Essendon
$1.90 Sydney
$1.90 North Melbourne
$1.90 Adelaide
$2.75 Melbourne
$3.00 Western Bulldogs
$4.00 Richmond
$5.50 Brisbane
$11 Gold Coast
$11 Port Adelaide
$51 GWS

The Patriots opened at $1.62 after winning through to the Super Bowl a fortnight ago and despite drifting to $1.70, remain comfortable favourites.

“There has been some interest from punters in the Giants causing an upset but plenty of people are confident the Patriots will get the job done,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

In the total points market, $1.92 is on offer for both under or over 54.5 points. Interestingly, the Giants are $1.83 favourites to score first in the match with the Patriots outsiders at $1.90.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Superbowl XLVI Betting – Monday, 6 February

$1.70 New England Patriots (out from $1.62)
$2.20 New York Giants (in from $2.25)

Total points Betting

$1.92 Over 54.5
$1.92 Under 54.5

Team to score first Betting

$1.83 New York Giants
$1.90 New England Patriots

“Australia had it all over India in game one and we don’t see anything changing at the MCG. It’s that simple,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

Man of the moment David Warner is the $3.60 favourite to score the most runs for Australia while first game top scorer Matthew Wade shares the second line of betting with Travis Birt at $4.50 with hometown hero David Hussey a $5.00 chance.

Virender Sehwag is the leading chance for India at $3.65 followed by Sachin Tendulkar ($4.00) and Virat Kohli ($4.75).

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Twenty20 International Australia v India Betting – Friday 1 February

$1.52 Australia
$2.55 India

Australian leading run scorer v India Betting

$3.60 David Warner
$4.50 Matthew Wade, Travis Birt
$5.00 Shaun Marsh, David Hussey, Aaron Finch
$7.50 Mitchell Marsh

Indian leading run scorer v Australia Betting

$3.65 Virender Sehwag
$4.00 Sachin Tendulkar
$4.75 Virat Kohli
$5.00 Gautam Gambhir