Sports Betting: Marseilles' shock value

MARSEILLES, 2-1 winners at Rennes on Sunday, can shock Manchester United in their Champions' League encounter at Old Trafford tomorrow night. Fabrizio Ravanelli, Marseilles' Italian international striker, posed a goal threat whenever he set foot on the pitch in his season with Middlesbrough, and remains a terrifying prospect for any defence, especially one which leaked three goals to Southampton.

Barcelona are another side who look great going forward, but remain vulnerable at the back and Arsenal could surprise them at the Nou Camp, while Chelsea should beat Galatasaray tonight, but the Turkish outfit, top of their league, are no pushovers and the draw is the value. On Thursday, West Ham, 3-0 up from the first leg, should have little trouble in holding NK Osijeck, third in their league after beating Hrv Dragovoljac 2-1 at the weekend, to a draw in Croatia.

France are the value in the Rugby Union World Cup. They have a clear run through to the semi-finals. After that, anything can happen.

n Suggested bets: pounds 1 on Chelsea to draw with Galatasaray at 3-1 (Stanley); pounds 1 on Marseilles to beat Manchester United at 5-1 (Ladbrokes and the Tote); pounds 1 on Arsenal to beat Barcelona at 7-2 (Coral, William Hill and the Tote); and pounds 1 on NK Osijek to draw with West Ham at 12-5 (Stanley) France to win the Rugby Union World Cup at 25-1 (Coral and William Hill). (pounds 5 staked).