Weekly betting column: Battle to beat the drop

Joe Whitaker of local independent bookmakers ValueBet takes a look at this weekend's sporting action.
Fancy a flutter this weekend?Fancy a flutter this weekend?
Fancy a flutter this weekend?

It’s not quite the end of the football yet, though the Premier League is quickly getting sewn up.

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have proven their metal and look like being convincing winners of the league.

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Who fills that last relegation spot is where all the action lays.

I have backed Swansea to win the last two weeks and they have obliged and I’m going to do the same again this weekend away at relegated Sunderland.

They aren’t much of a price at 8/11 but it all adds up in an accumulator.

Another side I am backing to leave the North East with a win is Southampton who travel to Teesside with the pressure off, and can make the Boro’s season a really bad one.

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They have quality in their side and more importantly goals. Yes they have been hit and miss recently, though I was watching Middlesbrough on Monday night and I think they would have got beaten by anyone, nevermind Chelsea.

They need to sort a new gaffer out soon and get some fresh faces in or I fear they could hit the slippery slide next season.

Southampton look decent enough value at Evens and to add a final leg to the treble I am tipping Arsene Wenger to go into the summer with a few wins on the board.

It’s been very tough for the Arsenal manager this season, though the side have backed their boss with two decent wins this week.

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At 4/7 they look worthy of a punt in the treble away at Stoke. Sanchez and Giroud look the likely first goalscorers and at 4/1 a pop using our back one get one free first goalscorers, they still look like a decent bet to make money.

The so-called fifth Major in the golf starts on Thursday at Sawgrass and its one of the tournaments on the calendar I’ve always enjoyed.

The favourite in big hitting Dustin Johnson looks a little short for me at 7/1.

He showed last week he is back from his Masters injury though in a field of this quality you have to go at least into double digit prices.

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Rickie Fowler at 20/1 and last year’s winner Jason Day at 25/1 look much more value for me. Both players showed some form at Augusta and both are more than capable on their day.

At a long price Marc LEISHMAN at 125/1 looks worthy of an each way punt. He is long off the tee and tends to hang around should he be there on the Sunday.

Best of luck with your weekend punting, Joe