The Australian Open: Battle Stations for the Walking Wounded in the Men’s Singles

The draw for the Australian Open will be made on Friday 13 January and the leading players will be hoping for an easy ride through the Melbourne tournament as many of them nurse niggling injuries.  Their fans will themselves become physical wrecks in the next couple of weeks as they follow their favourites’ progress on the telly through the night. 

Play starts on Monday, 16 January and although it is not possible at this early stage to be definitive about the players’ chances, there is no doubt that defending champion and World No.1 Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win the Men’s Singles.  Novak dominated Men’s tennis in 2011, winning 3 Grand Slams alone, and the Serbian’s start to this new year has been strong, with a thrilling performance at the recent Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament.  The bookmaker Ladbrokes places Novak at the top of the betting tree, with best odds of 11/8 for a win in the Final.  Novak himself is extremely confident of his chances in Melbourne, commenting “I must say I’m really happy with the way I’m playing.  Playing against the top players in the world in this way gives me a lot of confidence”.

Don’t discount the Swiss phenomenon that is Roger Federer, though.  The World No.3 retains a powerful will to win and his recent back problems – which may have contributed towards his lacklustre performance against Novak Djokovic in the Abu Dhabi Semi-Final - are now said to be largely resolved.  Bookmakers Bet 365 offer competitive odds of 3/1 that Roger will pull out another win. 

But there is a man who is Hungry to win, with a capital “H”.  Andy Murray is a Scot with a will to win that would put William Wallace to shame.  He has been beaten in 2 finals at the Australian Open – by Roger Federer in 2010 then Novak Djokovic last year; third time lucky this time round?  Andy has recently brought former tennis champion Ivan Lendl into his team and this must give him added confidence in his ability to win.  Coach and tennis guru Tony Roche commented that “Every player is looking for the edge, the advantage that could turn out to be the decisive one.  Ivan knows what it takes to turn things around and to start winning when it matters.  I don’t see it being anything other than a great appointment for Andy”.  Bookmakers agree and Andy Murray is offered at best betting odds of 4/1 with Stan James.

Rafael Nadal is the last of the fiercesome foursome to consider.  The World No. 2 plans to take the whole of February off, in recognition that his body needs some t.l.c. in light of recent injuries to his shoulder, and his punishingly physical style of play.  Rafa recently commented that “my shoulder is good, I’ll try to do my best” Bookmakers Paddy Power offer the Spaniard to win at 4/1 but most bookmakers place him below Andy in the betting in light of his injury worries.

Other players chasing at the heels of the four lead contenders are Argentinian Juan-Martin Del Potro (11/1 to win with bookmaker Paddy Power), Jo-Wilfred Tsonga from France (14/1 with bookmaker Coral) who recently won the title at Doha, and Czech Tomas Berdych (40/1 with Ladbrokes).

Aussie fans will be supporting their new kid on the block, 19 year-old Bernard Tomic, who is their highest ranked male tennis player and the youngest player in the top 100.  The youngster is gaining rapidly on his rivals but may not have a realistic chance of a title here and this is reflected in the betting odds of 50/1 from bookmaker William Hill.   Let’s hope that his performances give the Aussies something to cheer about!

The Oscars 2012: The Low Down on Nominees

For anyone who loves going to the cinema, the past year has been a real treat with more to come in the next few weeks.  For example, “War Horse”, directed by Steven Spielberg, premiered in London on Sunday 9 January with the Margaret Thatcher Biopic “The Iron Lady” following on Tuesday 10 January, also in London town.  Also in the same week, the Academy Awards Nominations Polls will close on, inauspicious for some, Friday 13 January.   

There are 4 categories that represent the Blue Riband of cinema.  They are Best Picture (of course), Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.  Beyond that there are a myriad of other categories which make viewing the ceremony itself, due to take place on Sunday 26 February, a bit of an epic even for ardent film lovers.

The Academy has changed its voting rules for this, the 84^th Academy Awards presentation, making it more difficult to predict the nominees.   With the polls due to close on Friday 13 January and the announcement of nominees to be made on Tuesday 24 January, speculation is rife about who will be attending the beauty parade of the nominees’ lunch in early February. 

In terms of Best Picture, no one would doubt that The Artist will feature in the list.   This French and largely silent movie featuring previously unknown actors, is a major contender and indeed is reckoned by the bookmakers to be the leading film in the race with odds offered of 8/15 by William Hill.  The film won 6 Golden Globe nominations, the most of 2011.  Its Director, Michel Hazanavicius, will undoubtedly also be on the list for Best Director.   Alexander Payne’s The Descendants is also highly likely to be on the list (at best odds of 9/2 from Paddy Power), as is Martin Scorsese’s imaginative film Hugo, at 9/1 with the same bookmaker.  War Horse is fancied by the bookmakers, with SkyBET offerering odds of 13/2, but industry insiders reckon that this film will not be a major winner this year.  Other possibilities include The Help, Midnight in Paris, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Moneyball. 

For Best Director, you would do well to look to the Directors Guild for guidance.  Since 1948, winners of the Directors Guild award have featured as Best Director at the Oscars in 58 out of 64 occasions.  Nominations for the Directors Guild award, winner not yet announced, include Martin Scorsese for Hugo, Woody Allan for Midnight in Paris, Alexander Payne for The Descendants, David Fincher for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Michel Hazanvicius for The Artist.  Interestingly, Stephen Spielberg does not get a look in, nor does Terence Malick for The Tree of Life.  Again, the money is on Michel Hazanavicius with bookies William Hill placing him at evens in the running, with Alexander Payne at 3/1, Martin Scorsese at 9/2 and Steven Spielberg at 4/1. 

The likely nominations for Best Actor include some of the most fancied men on the planet.  Step up George Clooney (for The Descendants), Brad Pitt (Moneyball), and Leonardo deCaprio (J Edgar).  Of these 3 stellar talents, only Geoge Clooney has previously won an Oscar and this was for Best Supporting Actor so these men are hungry for a win.  Jean Dujardin is also in the running for The Artist.  But could it be Michael Fassbender’s year?  This amazingly fearless and talented actor ‘s performance in Shame could upset the applecart for the three glamazons.  Likewise, the immensely talented Brit Gary Oldman performed out of his socks in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  The smart money is on George Clooney who is offered at odds of 10/11 by bookies William Hill with Jean Dujardin at odds of 15/8, Leonardo deCaprio at 3/1 and Brad Pitt at 8/1.  Michael Fassbender and Gary Oldman remain outside chances at odds of 12/1 and 10/1 respectively.  We can but hope!

And now for the ladies...Meryl Streep is certain to be nominated for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.  This would represent the 17^th nomination in her illustrious career.  She has previously won 2 Oscars and she is leading lady for this one too with odds of 8/11 offered by bookmakers Stan James.  Michelle Williams is one of the leading actresses of her generation and her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn was outstanding.   Bookmakers William Hill reckon that she is very close to Meryl Streep in the running, at odds of 2/1.  Viola Davis, star of The Help, is also a contender (at odds of 5/2 from Ladbrokes) as is Tilda Swinton for We Need To Talk About Kevin.  Tilda Swinton is gaining ground on the others, a  fact confirmed by her recent nominations for a Screen Actors Guild award, a Golden Globe award AND  a Critics Choice award and she is offered at odds of 7/1 by bet365.   Youngster Rooney Mara also took on a challenging role as star of the English-speaking re-make of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (odds of 10/1 with bookies William Hill).  Other nominations may include previous Oscar winner  Charlize Theron for Young Adult (14/1 with bookmaker Stan James)and Glenn Close for Albert Noble (7/1 with the same bookie).    

The razzmatazz of the Oscars is enormous and the lead-up will be full of incident, as always, but Academy Award members have to look beyond the hype as they share a massive responsibility to reward the best of the best with the most significant awards in the movie business.  The four Oscars – for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress – are the lynchpins of the 84^th Academy Awards ceremony.  Take your seat on Sunday 26 February and enjoy the show!

Celebrity Big Brother reveals the talent to heat up ratings

Celebrity Big Brother hit the air on Thursday 6th January as Channel 5 commenced its second broadcast of the show in six months. Last night, former Big Brother contestant Brian Dowling introduced the new cast he expects will spice up interest in the flagging reality TV show for its second series since Channel 4 dropped the show due to poor ratings.

It wasn't difficult to spot what the Channel 5 executive believe will turn viewers on, disgraced X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza has been thrown a lifeline and will get the chance to cause mayhem with Playboy twins Kristina and Karissa Shannon. The playful glamour girls don't mind sharing as they proved when famously moving into the Playboy Mansion in 2008 to become two of Hugh Hefners three girlfriends. The twins look likely to hot things up in the Celebrity Big Brother house and they bring an impressive fan base, witnessed when their appearance in The Girls Next Door attracted a record 2.4 million viewing audience. The twins presence in the house could bring some saucy gravy to Celebrity Big Brother ratings which averaged 3 million in its previous series.

Jodie tweets her bodybuilding form

When Jodie Marsh showed off her toned and naked body at her 33rd birthday bash, Ladbrokes odds compilers took the opportunity to  assess if the Essex lass has been keeping up her bodybuilding regime since her break up with personal trainer Brad Pearmain. They must have been suitably impressed with Jodie's muscular tone because they make her odds-on at 4/5 to win a recognised UK body building event in the New year.

In just twelve short months the former glamour girl has gone from self-confessed pariah to promising bodybuilding newcomer and pin-up.

Robin Van Persie Good Value For Golden Boot

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie looks good value to finish this season as the Premier League leading goalscorer. Van Persie converted a penalty at Villa Park on Wednesday to take his tally to 16 Premier League goals and maintain a three goal cushion over nearest challenger Sergio Aguero of Manchester City.
Unibet a leading Scandanavian bookmaker currently quote the Dutch international at odds of 13/8 which will prove good value if Van Persie can stay clear of injury.

Alongside Segio Aguero on 13 Premier League goals is Manchester United's Wayne Rooney who can be backed at odds of 4/1 with Victor Chandler. Rooney is clearly a threat to Van Persie but is often deployed in a deeper role nowadays and he may struggle to register +25 goals which will be required to win this season's Golden Boot.

Aguero should prove to be the main threat and free scoring Manchester City will provide plenty of ammunition for him in the second half of the season. At odds of 11/4 with Bet365, Van Persie backers may choose to have a small saver on Aguero as this is likely to develop into a two horse race as the season progresses.

The Queen’s Speech Is A-Changing

10 days to Christmas...time to do your checklist.  Turkey and all the trimmings, tick.  Presents for family and friends, tick. Christmas cards written and posted, tick.  TV schedule reviewed and programmes picked, not ticked.  There’s plenty of time for that, after all.  Downton Abbey is in the starting blocks, there are the usual soaps to watch, oh and there’s the Queen’s speech too.  

But how many of us watch the Queen’s speech now?  It used to be essential viewing for all the family and indeed the whole street, but for years now the tradition of settling down on the sofa together to listen to the Queen’s review of the year has been in decline.This year, though, the viewing figures may buck the trend for two reasons.  Firstly, Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News is producing the programme for the first time with all the media fire power that it brings with it and, we hope, some unseen footage of the second reason for more viewers...the wedding this year of Prince William to Kate Middleton.  National and international interest in the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is enormous and positive, so the producers can expect many new viewers to turn on their tellies to watch the Queen this year. 

The X Factor Final: Going Down a Storm

As the country is being severely  lashed by a harsh winter storm, it’s definitely time to plan your weekend viewing.  Strictly?  Tick.  X Factor? Tick, and double tick.  Because this Saturday at 8pm on ITV1, it’s the start of the X Factor final which promises to be a lavish and entertaining affair over two consecutive nights. The four X Factor judges will take their seats in front of a wildly excited audience some 10,000 strong to help the viewing public to choose the X Factor winner for 2011.

The show thrives on controversy but this season things have soured somewhat in the X Factor camp.  The ratings have dropped from previous series and the ill-judged comments - from judges Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh regarding the immensely talented contestant, Mischa B, who was booted out last week – have really not helped matters.  Whatever her behaviour off stage, Mischa B was recognised by all judges as a fully fledged star.  Let’s hope that star does not now fall.