Newcastle United lost their unbeaten record at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, but there were many positives to take from the game and with Manchester United still not firing on all cylinders the Magpies should look forward to their visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.

That said, the Red Devils are 1/3 to take three points at Victor Chandler, with Alan Pardew's side 10/1 and the draw at 7/2.

United entertain Benfica in a vital Champions League game tomorrow evening, but with City travelling to Anfield at the weekend they will be optimistic of making up ground with their neighbours at the top of the Premier League table.

City are currently 4/6 for the title with the current champions 2/1 and Chelsea 9s. The Magpies have drifted from 4/5 to 10/11 in the market without the Big Six, with Everton 7/2 from 4s and Villa 6s ahead of tonight's televised game at White Hart Lane.

The Black Cats remain 7s for the drop after their dull goalless draw with Fulham, and that price will contract dramatically if they don't beat bottom of the table Wigan at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are 8/11 to put clear water between them and the bottom three with the Latics 4s and the draw 5/2.

We bet 10/11 there will be two or fewer goals in the game and 5/6 that there will be three or more. Wigan's point in their 3-3 draw with Blackburn was their first from 30 and Steve Bruce will be desperate for a win against his former club.

Hartlepool got back to winning ways at Glanford Park, a ground where they have had such a poor record, and Mick Wadsworth will expect more of the same against relegation-threatened Yeovil on Saturday.

Pools are 10/11 to take the three points with the visitors 3/1 and the draw 12/5. Yeovil are evens to be relegated from the division at the end of the season with Pools out to 12s after the win over Scunthorpe.

It was great to see Kauto Star back to his brilliant best at Haydock and the evergreen horse racing legend bids to win his fifth King George on Boxing Day at Kempton. He was 16s before Saturday and is now 11/2 - it would be some story if on the eve of his 12th birthday he won another King George. We may not see his like again for some time.

Andy Murray begins his quest for the ATP Tour Championship in London this afternoon and he should have far too much for David Ferrer. There is an interesting game between Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych this evening with doubts about the form and fitness of the World No 1.

One of the big races of the jumps season arrives at Gosforth Park on Saturday and I expect Binocular to make a successful reappearance in the Fighting Fifth.

The exciting Grand Crus has his second start over the larger obstacles on Friday but watch out for Alfie Spinner who is also entered at Uttoxeter on Friday.