Sports Betting: Loss eases Arsenal into double figures

Manchester United's 1-0 defeat of Arsenal on Saturday was generally reckoned to be as unconvincing as victories get, but it was enough to consolidate their position as third-favourites for the Premiership and send Arsenal's odds out into double figures.

United are 3-1 with Coral to retain their title while Arsenal can be widely backed at 10-1. Thoughts at Old Trafford now turn to Wednesday's vital Champions League meeting with Juventus, for which they are top-priced at 6-4 with the Tote. The visitors can be backed at the same price with Hills and Coral while the draw, which would not be a disaster for either side, is a tempting 9-4.

Outright betting on the European Cup remains intriguing in that the first four sides in the list seem sure to meet each other at the quarter-final stage. Atletico Madrid, impressive in their recent victory at Dortmund, could be the side to benefit and are worth a small interest at 9-1.

Given that Newcastle will take on Metz tomorrow without either of their first-choice strikers, and with their first-leg defeat in Hungary last month still fresh in the memory, few backers will be interested in their price of 11-8 (Tote, Hills) for an away win. Metz are a reasonable price at 7-4 (Coral) but they are not exactly setting the French league alight.

The domestic honours this weekend belong to Leicester City, who not only moved into the top half of the Premiership after their win at Villa Park but also shifted to an even-money quote for relegation.

FA PREMIERSHIP: Best prices: 15-8 Liverpool (C,T), Newcastle (T); 3-1 Man Utd (C); 10-1 Arsenal (H); 12-1 Chelsea (L); 40-1 bar. EUROPEAN CUP: Hills: 5-2 Juventus; 3-1 AC Milan; 11-2 Man Utd; 6-1 Porto; 13-2 Ajax; 9-1 Atletico Madrid, B Dortmund; 25-1 bar. MIDWEEK FOOTBALL: Tuesday: 7-4 Metz (C), 11-8 Newcastle (H,T), 9-4 the draw (H,T). Wednesday: 6-4 Man Utd (T), 6-4 Juventus (C,H), 9-4 draw (C,H,T). AMERICAN FOOTBALL (Dallas, tonight): Coral: 5-6 Green Bay Packers (+31/2), 5-6 Dallas Cowboys. Key: C-Coral, H-Hills, L-Ladbrokes, T-Tote.