Weekly Wrap (11/1/2008)

Music Dept.
So the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson's version of 'When you believe' holds on to the UK topspot. It really does pale in comparison with the version that Whitney and Mariah did originally. Soulja Boy Tellem moves up to #2 whilst the best selling single of 2007 and ex X-Factor winner Leona Lewis is #3 with 'bleeding love'. The chart has a christmas hangover feel about it with a number of songs re-entrying the top 40. It's funny that a number of artists have more than one song in the top 40. Amy Winehouse has 2 (valerie, back to black). Kate Nash has 2 (pumpkin song, foundations). Mika has 2 (relax take it easy, grace kelly). Scouting for girls have 2 (elvis ain't dead, she's so lovely). Sugababes have 2 (about you now, change). Take That have 2 (rule the world, shine). Timbaland has 2 (apologize, the way i are). Whilst Rihanna is the greediest of them all with 3 (shut up and drive, umbrella, hate that i love you). Come on guys, give us struggling acts a chance to chart in the UK. ;)
New songs that could be in the charts real soon include: Ringo Starr's song, 'Liverpool 8' that commerates Liverpool as the european city of culture for 2008. Also Bodyrox and Luciana are back again with "What planet you on" and Queen's "Say its not true".

Football Dept.
Big Sam Allardyce has been axed from the toon and the favourite to take over is Harry Redknapp. Really desperate times up in Newcastle. Well, it kind of serves them right for going through managers like Elizabeth Taylor went through husbands. Big Sam should have never left Bolton in the first place. He was building a useful outfit there. Bolton haven't been the same neither and now Nicolas Anelka has joined Chelsea. The first thing I thought of was the next Arsenal/Chelsea is going to be even more spicy, remember the acrimonious way he left the Arse? Meanwhile at 'ex-charlton united', more injuries to worry about Scott Parker is out until February with a knee injury. Interestingly, I read that Alan Curbishley describes him as a trojan. What is Curbs trying to say? When used, he unloads a number of commands without the manager's consent? Or even worse, Parker is not getting enough action at home... yes m'lady!
Got to love the cup competitions. In the FA Cup, Havant & Waterlooville are the only non-league side still in it and could face Liverpool in the 4th round of the cup. It's probably unlikely though as Havant have to get pass Swansea, whilst the mighty Liverpool have to negogiate Luton. Mind you, both Liverpool and Havant are at home for their 3rd round replays. This weekend sees the Scottish version. Good luck to the non-league sides, Cove Rangers, Huntly and Linlithgow. Cove Rangers probably have the best chance. The big two, Celtic and Rangers play the two Stirling sides. Celtic take on bottom of Scottish first division, Stirling Albion whilst Rangers take on perennial Scottish third division strugglers, East Stirling. They always used to finish at the bottom of the lowest division in the Scottish leagues.
Not much worth betting on here. Liverpool really need to start winning badly and should get the win (8/11) at Middlesborough. Charlton have got to start winning at home soon if they want automatic promotion and against Blackpool that's not going to be easy. The last time they played each other it was in the cup and Charlton were lucky to win 2-1 that day. But odds of 5/6 for the home win does look generous. Arbroath (11/10) should get the better of bottom of Scottish third division side Forfar.

Racing Dept.
The weather has been bad in the UK. It's been raining and windy too. Saturday's main race is the Lanzarote handicap hurdle at Kempton. You probably want to be lower in the handicap (i.e. carrying little weight here) and Panjo Bere ought to win, considering the horses it beat in the last outing have gone on to win subsequently. One horse that could be interesting for a place (about 22/1) is La Dame Brune who won a couple of hurdle races last year but has really not had the opportunity to shine so far this year (fell early in one race). A plus is she is carrying little weight in this race.

NFL Dept.
Getting close to the superbowl. Down to 8 teams in what the Americans call the AFC/NFC divisional play-offs (why not call it quarter-finals like normal people;) Statistically, New England Patriots should win it easily, after all they did go the entire season undefeated. Mind you, you have to remember that each team do not play every other team in the NFL. So New England may play a team that have not played before in the play-offs and could be vulnerable. New England and Indianapolis should get through to the AFC final and the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers should get through to the NFC final.

Tennis Dept
With the Australian Open not far away, there's a warning of a russian mafia threat trying to bribe tennis players into dropping matches. But the ATP are taking steps to try stop corruption. This was highlighted when Nikolay Davydenko lost controversially to Martin Vassallo Arguello. There are clues as to when a match maybe fixed. Irregular betting patterns is usual way of noting something might be up. In that event, the market and all bets concerned are voided. Sometimes, this may not happen in it. I am waiting for the day, that a game is called off/delayed due to irregular betting patterns. Any sport can be affected. Horse racing and football to be a name couple.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray looks in good nick for the Austrlian Open after winning the Qatar Open last week. Will he win a grand slam this year?