Odds on - the pick of this week's sports betting

Martin Johnson's post-match performance after England beat Italy was too late for him to be included in the best actor category at the Baftas. He preferred to look at the positives after his side's scrappy victory in Rome but the boos which rang round Stadio Flaminio at the final whistle told a different story.

England may be two fifths towards a Grand Slam but they are overpriced at 10-11 to beat Ireland in their Six Nations showdown at Twickenham tomorrow and Declan Kidney's side, who will be desperate to bounce back after losing against France, can pile on the agony for Johnson.

Back the boys in green to win by a margin of one to five points (9-2) and for Tommy Bowe to score the game's opening try (11-1).

Villa can pull off a thriller

Martin O'Neill can underline why he's being touted as the next Manchester United manager by putting one over Sir Alex Ferguson in Sunday's Carling Cup Final.

Aston Villa, 7-2 to win in 90 minutes' play, have already beaten United this season and there's no reason why they can't do so again at Wembley.

Fergie may already have one eye on the Champions League last-16 second leg against AC Milan so this could be the first part of a cup double for O'Neill's side.

Just like last year, the final could go all the way to penalties and Villa are priced at 10-1 to prevail in a shoot-out, while the in-form Gabby Agbonlahor is 8-1 to grab the opening goal of the game in 90 minutes' play.

Bridge 40-1 to bash Terry

The Wayne Bridge-John Terry saga takes a twist tomorrow, when the pair clash at Stamford Bridge. Despite the Manchester City defender quitting England, he's still 5-2 to play for the Three Lions in a competitive fixture.

It's 25-1 that Bridge scores against Chelsea and 40-1 he is booked for a foul on Terry. Fulham are enduring a Jekyll and Hyde season — brilliant at home and poor on their travels.

Their Euro exploits are likely to catch up with them against Sunderland on Sunday. Steve Bruce's side are 10-3 to claim the points and there to be one or two total goals in the match. Add Sunderland (5-4) with Liverpool (4-11) and Celtic (21-10) for an 8-1 treble.

Back Colly to pile it on

Paul Collingwood showed he's in top form with a century for England in a warm-up match this week and is a stand-out 5-1 to be our top run scorer in the ODI series against Bangladesh, which starts on Sunday.

The England vice-captain reached three figures in just 74 balls in the victory over a Cricket Board XI.

There's no value to be had in backing England to win the first one-dayer at prohibitive odds but Alastair Cook's men are a tempting 10-11 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.