Early 2009 Betting: Australian Open, Six Nations, Carling Cup and more

First up is snooker and The Masters at Wembley Arena beginning on January 11th - I've barely got over the excitement of last December's UK Championship Finals but here we are again looking forward to some more great snooker. Everyone is wondering which "Rocket" Ronnie will show up and whether Shaun Murphy can claim the first major title of the year?

Perennial favourite, O'Sullivan can be backed at [4.0] to win, Murphy is priced at a tempting [12.0] while a host of Scottish talent wait in the wings to take the title north of the border. I'm still recovering from Stephen Maguire's semi-final defeat to Murphy - I'd hoped this grudge match would spur the Scot on to big things but it was the Englishman who kept his cool.

I remain a fan of Maguire but he's not ready to win this tournament so I wouldn't recommend backing him at [9.2]. Mark Selby represents a safer bet at [8.0] but I think O'Sullivan will stroll through to win after his ignominious exit at Telford. Perhaps the UK title was not alluring enough but the Masters is too big a carrot to pass up. I'd back him to win in some style and remind us all just how good he really is.

Switching from Wembley to Melbourne, the Australian Open begins on January 19th. The men's draw looks compelling - primarily because of Andy Murray's current form. Make no mistake he has taken an impressive leap forward in the last 12 months and recent performances, especially in Abu Dhabi, bode well for 2009.

Top players raise their game against their closest rivals so don't pay too much heed to the term "exhibition match". The Scot's recent wins against Nadal and Federer should give everyone confidence, including Murray. It also indicates that, at long last, his short Winners price of [4.6] is a reflection of his tennis talent and not simply the result of patriotic Brits backing him regardless of form.

Roger Federer is [3.65] to win but the real eye-opener is Nadal at [5.6]. I rate the Spaniard as the fiercest competitor on the tour and consider him seriously under priced. Last year's classic finals (especially at Wimbledon) should remind everyone of Nadal's unique ability to raise his game when the chips are down. I'd definitely back the Spaniard to upset the odds once more.

The men's final is on February 1st - as is Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay and England's first encounter with the West Indies in the Caribbean. The West Indies are fantastic value at [3.75] to win the first Test but, at [4.3] to win the series, I'd back the hosts to win the whole bag og marbles at that generous price.

Unlike the hosts, England are not quite a team in transition but their ability to shoot themselves in the collective foot has to make the West Indies a superb bet if they can do what seems beyond England and play like a team.

By mid-February Six Nations and Super League will both be under way making the month irresistible to punters seeking more betting opportunities.

March keeps up the tempo with the Carling Cup final on the 1st and while Manchester United look a safe bet to win at [1.81] it should be noted that you can still get on Derby to win at [20.0]. Taking a 1-0 lead into the semi-final second leg, a victory for Clough Junior and Co should not be completely ruled out while United compete on multiple fronts. Sure it's a long, long shot but at that generous price Santa might just double-back for a slice of the action.