Sean Dyche’s Burnley are flying right now. Sitting seventh in the top flight table, the Clarets have won three of their last four Premier League games at Turf Moor – all three without conceding a goal.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks whilst Watford have now gone three games without a win. A tough one to call, but it could be a real entertaining affair for neutrals.

Last but not least, we have Huddersfield Town hosting Chelsea. Antonio Conte’s men will be quietly confident of getting the job done but Huddersfield have already shown that they can go toe to toe with the Premier League’s big boys on their own patch – just ask Manchester United.

Check out our thoughts on Tuesday’s three top flight fixtures…

Burnley vs Stoke City

Chris Wood could be Burnley’s difference maker on Tuesday evening. The former Leeds United man is a real talent in the penalty area and it would be foolish to back against the hosts with Wood in decent form.

Stoke were once one of the toughest teams in England’s top flight but the Potters may struggle to cope with Burnley’s relentless pressure.

Burnley have conceded just two Premier League goals on home soil since the beginning of September and plenty of punters will fancy the Clarets to notch another win to nil in this fixture.

Stoke are languishing just above the relegation zone right now and Mark Hughes is under pressure. The 13/10 for a home win represents excellent value…

TIP: Burnley to win @ 13/10

Crystal Palace vs Watford

Opting for a draw may be the safest option here. Christian Benteke squandered a golden opportunity to snatch a winner for Palace last time out but the Belgium international missed from the penalty spot on that day...

Roy Hodgson was clearly annoyed at the striker immediately after the contest and he could do with a big game against Watford on Tuesday night. Expect Benteke to bounce back...

The Hornets, possibly distracted by talk surrounding Marco Silva’s long-term future at the club, have slipped down the Premier League table in recent weeks.

Watford are decent on the whole and some bettors will be keen to check the odds on an away victory. For me, the draw looks fair and very well priced at 49/20.

TIP: Match to be drawn @ 49/20

Huddersfield Town vs Chelsea

The Terriers have been pretty hit and miss so far this season – just as you’d expect from a newly promoted side.

Huddersfield were excellent against Manchester United earlier in the campaign and were very unlucky to lose to Pep Guardiola’s City last month. Staying in the Premier League remains Huddersfield’s number one priority this season.

Conte conceded that the title race was over after losing to West Ham United last weekend but the Blues will still look to cement their status in the top four.

Chelsea are up there with the strongest clubs in English football and another win looks likely here. Huddersfield will be up for it but Chelsea’s quality should shine through.

TIP: Chelsea to win @ 4/11

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The draw for the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League last-16 knockout stage is complete and English football fans will be relatively happy with how things have turned out. Fans of the two Manchester clubs and five-time winners Liverpool were relieved to avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the first knockout round but Tottenham and Chelsea weren’t quite as fortunate.

Antonio Conte’s side, a 25/1 shot to win the competition in our Champions League betting odds, will have to get past Barcelona whilst Tottenham’s reward for finishing above Real and Borussia Dortmund in the group stages is a double header with Juventus. 

Read below for my thoughts on the draw and a few  tips ahead of what could be a memorable tournament.

Juventus vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Juventus have won the Italian title in each of the last six years but Massimiliano Allegri’s side are struggling to pull away at the top of Serie A. Italy’s premiere division is more competitive now than it has been for well over a decade and the added distraction of a genuine title race may have a negative effect on Allegri’s men.

Spurs have shown exactly what they are made of in recent months and Mauricio Pochettino will be demanding more of the same from his side here. Juventus are one of Europe’s elite clubs but Tottenham have the quality to prevail – especially over two legs. For me, the 6/5 is generous considering Spurs’ exploits in this season’s competition.

TIP: Tottenham to go through @ 6/5

FC Basel vs MANCHESTER CITY

Basel secured a much-needed win over Manchester United on home soil in the group stages but expecting a repeat here may be foolish. Basel simply cannot compete with United’s “noisy neighbours” on a player by player basis and the visitors are well priced at 2/5 to win the first leg.

via GIPHY

Can anyone compete with Pep Guardiola’s men on current form? You’d be hard pressed to find another club capable of going toe to toe with City and coming out on top. The Blues extended their winning run to 14 Premier League games on Sunday – a new record in the top flight. City will be confident of gaining a lead ahead of the second leg in Manchester.

TIP: Man City to win the first leg @ 2/5

FC Porto vs LIVERPOOL

Porto have been rampant so far this season, avoiding defeat in their last 14 league games. In the Champions League, they have been rock solid and fully deserved to reach the knockout stages. Sadly, this could be there their run comes to an end though – Liverpool should be too strong over the course of 180 minutes of football.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are frail defensively, but Liverpool are devastatingly good at the other end. In Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah, the Reds are blessed with one of the strongest units in world football. There are usually goals whenever Klopp's side are in action and 11/10 for over 1.5 Liverpool goals is a solid price.

TIP: Over 1.5 Liverpool goals in first leg @ 11/10

Sevilla vs MANCHESTER UNITED

Sevilla have been dominant in the Europa League in years gone by but a lack of experience in the Champions League could haunt the Spanish side. In La Liga, Sevilla have slipped down the ladder but their efforts against Liverpool in Europe should not go unnoticed. It would be foolish for United to dismiss their opponents in what could be an exciting double header - although most fans will be quietly confident.

Jose Mourinho’s men are 11 points behind in the title race and the Red Devils may turn their attention to European glory instead. A tie with Sevilla offers a genuine opportunity to reach the quarter finals and United have the quality to go deep into the competition. Take the 4/9 on offer for the Red Devils to advance – Mourinho won’t let United fall short here.

TIP: Man United to go through @ 4/9

Shakhtar Donetsk vs AS Roma

A fairly even affair. Shakhtar, the only team to defeat Manchester City this season, are not without potential but consistency still haunts the Ukrainian side. Capable of giving anybody a difficult evening, Shakhtar will be hoping that the football gods are looking down on them during this double header.

For Roma, it is all about building momentum. Most football fans expected Roma to struggle this year but Eusebio Di Francesco’s side are playing some exceptional stuff right now and it would take a brave man to back against the Italians in this one. 4/9 for Roma to advance is a decent price when all things are considered.

TIP: Roma to go through @ 4/9

Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain

Real Madrid have won this competition in three of the last four years and another triumph beckons if Zinedine Zidane’s men hit top form in the second half of the campaign. The La Liga outfit must improve though, Real haven’t been anywhere near their brilliant best and they cannot afford to carry any passengers in a fixture of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are also right up there in the race for European glory. The French giants have been getting closer and closer but you could claim that they are now better equipped to challenge than they’ve ever been. I fancy Real (5/4) to snatch a win on home soil but PSG could end up advancing to the next round.

TIP: Real Madrid to win the first leg @ 5/4

CHELSEA vs FC Barcelona

The defending Premier League champions slipped up against West Ham United in their most recent top-flight encounter and Antonio Conte’s men are in real need of a confidence boost ahead of the busy festive period. With two months until the first leg, Chelsea have plenty of time to turn their hit-and-miss form around.

No Neymar? No problem. Barcelona are still Barcelona and you know that the Spanish giants are going to be competitive at the business end of the campaign. Currently five points clear in the La Liga title race, Barcelona cannot afford to take their eye off the ball and focus will be key. Chelsea can pick up a positive result at home but may crash out over two legs.

TIP: Chelsea to win OR draw the first leg @ 16/25

Bayern Munich vs Besiktas

Last but not least, we have Bayern. The Bavarians are always there or thereabouts in most betting markets and it will come as no surprise to see Munich feature prominently ahead of the knockout stages. Besiktas may offer stern resistance at first but it is difficult to see past Bayern on home soil in the opening fixture.

Should Besiktas pick up a positive result at the Allianz Arena, the Turkish side may be quietly confident of knocking the Bavarians out. Of the eight fixtures, Bayern are probably the most assured of reaching the next round – Besiktas are no slouches though. Be wary of a major shock here, the visitors have the quality to cause problems for Bayern.

TIP: Bayern to win the first leg @ 2/11

Our eight-fold accumulator is priced at 60/1 at the time of writing – click here for more Champions League betting markets and the latest odds…

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

We’re now just six months away from the 2018 World Cup and football fans will be eagerly anticipating what could be a wide-open tournament. Brazil, five time winners of the famous Jules Rimet Trophy, are currently favourites at 9/2 in 888sport’s World Cup betting markets but Germany will take some stopping. We’ve previewed each group ahead of next summer’s competition – it may turn out to be a memorable tournament…

GROUP A: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia

Home advantage is huge at any major event but Russia could fall short here. On paper, you could argue that Russia should be favourites here – and with good reason. Uruguay reached the semi-finals in 2010 but a lot has changed since then. Meanwhile, Egypt are improving whilst Saudi Arabia could spring a shock or two.

I like Egypt in this group. Uruguay and Russia are there for the taking whilst Saudi Arabia are a class below their rivals here. With Mohamed Salah in fine form for Liverpool, Egypt could be one of the surprise nations next summer. 21/10 is a very fair price for Egypt to advance to the knockout stages despite their lack of experience at this level.

TIP: Egypt to finish in the top two @ 21/10

GROUP B: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Iran

Not quite a “group of death” but it is close. A mouth-watering battle between Portugal and Spain for top spot awaits and neutrals will be keeping a watchful eye on both nations ahead of the tournament. It would be foolish to look past the top two in the betting here, neither Iran nor Morocco are capable of advancing to the next round.

It is difficult to look past Spain here. Julen Lopetegui’s side were outstanding throughout the qualifying campaign and the 2010 winners could compete for glory. David Silva, Manchester City’s creative genius, is a 12/1 shot to record the most assists next summer. He could wreak havoc against the likes of Morocco and Iran in the group stages…

TIP: Spain to win the group @ 3/5

GROUP C: France, Denmark, Peru, Australia

Christian Eriksen and Denmark will be quietly confident of advancing to the knockout stages despite being drawn into France’s group. Australia scraped into the competition whilst Peru are relatively inexperienced at this level. On paper, this is not one of the stronger groups and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see France and Denmark advance comfortably.

France fell short against Portugal in the European Championship final on home soil and Les Bleus will be looking to redeem that defeat next summer. Didier Deschamps’ side have the quality to fight for World Cup glory and there are no excuses for France to fail. Denmark are a decent outfit but you’d still fancy France to avoid defeat in Group C.

TIP: France to win the group @ 7/20

GROUP D: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria, Iceland

I fancy Croatia to do the business next summer. After a solid showing at Euro 2016, Croatia can now push on and go far against the best teams on the planet. Finishing top of Group D would be huge for confidence and it will take a major collapse for Croatia to fall short at the first hurdle. 2/5 to reach the next round is a very tasty price indeed.

Argentina are the most unpredictable team in the competition. Capable of emulating their 2014 World Cup performance by going all the way to the final, Argentina will be confident ahead of the tournament but it may be wise to stay clear in the betting. Lionel Messi and co squeezed through and it may be wise to stick with Croatia.

TIP: Croatia to finish in the top two @ 2/5

GROUP E: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Costa Rica

Most football fans will be viewing this one as a straight up dogfight between Serbia and Switzerland for second spot. Brazil should romp to the knockout round as group winners whilst Costa Rica may struggle to cope with the Russian conditions. Take your pick, backing either side to emerge victorious is difficult.Anything less than three wins for Brazil will be seen as a failure. On paper, Brazil should be challenging for World Cup glory and it would take a brave man to back against the five-time winners next summer. With Neymar – 8/1 to win the Golden Boot award – in supreme form, anything is possible and he is good enough to lead Brazil out of Group E as clear winners.

TIP: Brazil to win the group @ 1/4

GROUP F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Sweden, Mexico and South Korea will fight for second spot here – Germany are destined to advance as group winners. Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimović could make a shock return to international football ahead of the competition and his inclusion may swing the race in their favour. As it stands though, Mexico probably just about have the edge.

Winning back to back World Cups is no easy feat but Germany have the quality, the strength in depth and the experience to do just that. Joachim Low’s men are on the verge of making history and Germany should cruise through the first stage next summer. None of their three group rivals should pose too many problems.

TIP: Germany to win the group @ 2/5

GROUP G: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama

With the greatest of respect to Tunisia and Panama, England couldn’t have hoped for a better draw. Gareth Southgate’s men should be winning two group stage games here and that will be enough to see the Three Lions advance to the next round. Neither Tunisia nor Panama should put up too much resistance.

Having said that, this is still Belgium’s group to lose. With matchwinners in key areas of the field, Roberto Martinez has a talented squad at his disposal and this star-studded Belgium outfit could go far next summer. At 9/10 to win the group, they are well priced considering their efforts at the 2014 edition and England’s woes on the big stage.

TIP: Belgium to win the group @ 9/10

GROUP H: Colombia, Poland, Senegal, Japan

Colombia are fighting it out near the top of the FIFA world rankings but this isn’t going to be a walk in the park for the South American outfit. In what might turn out to be a very tight group, Colombia and Poland probably rank slightly ahead of Senegal and Japan but picking an outright winner is difficult.

A tough group to call. All four nations have their own strengths and weaknesses but Poland may be the team to beat. Winning the group may be a little far but it is difficult to look past the European side. Senegal and Colombia are excellent going forward but Poland’s stability at the back should give them a slight edge.

TIP: Poland to finish in the top two @ 4/9

This eight-fold accumulator is currently priced at 45/1 – our latest World Cup markets are available via this link…

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The International returns to Cheltenham Racecourse this Friday and Saturday.

Giving racegoers one last chance to get their Prestbury Park fix before the year is out, The International showcases some great NH action and features one of the most significant hurdle races of the entire season.

Friday’s card includes another running of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase which last year saw Irish trainer, Edna Bolger record his seventh success in the race.

The Saturday is set to be equally enthralling with the feature race being the International Hurdle, while racegoers can look forward to yet another Gold Cup- this time the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

The first four home in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup – Splash Of Ginge, Starchitect, Le Prezien and Ballyalton – are among the entries for the £120,000 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. The Group 3 handicap chase carries an increased prize fund this year, up £20,000 from the 2016 total.

Bumper Entry

36 horses have been entered for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with some interesting contenders amongst them.

Paul Nicholls has won the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup four times in all and his four-strong team includes Le Prezien and the recent Haydock scorer Clan Des Obeaux.

Nicky Henderson has five entries to choose from, more than any other trainer, with his best chance probably being with Gold Present.

Evan Williams will saddle On Tour and King's Odyssey.

On Tour made a successful reappearance at Aintree, while King's Odyssey was third in a graduation chase at Carlisle.

Williams said: "It all depends on the ground with King's Odyssey and he could go for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, provided there is plenty of cut.

"It was a positive comeback at Carlisle. He has always promised to win a nice race, and we think perhaps he is one of those horses that we should have won a nice race with already.

"On Tour is a funny old horse because he is another who has promised to win a nice race and thankfully we were able to win a good pot at Aintree.

"It might be that we have won our pot now, but he deserves to be in the all big two-and-a-half-mile handicaps like the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup because there is such good prize money on offer and he has shown that he can run well in those types of races."

After being just touched off by Splash Of Ginge in the BetVictor Gold Cup connections of Starchitect decided almost straight away that they would return for a crack at the Caspian Gold Cup.

Jason Maguire, racing manager for owners Paul and Clare Rooney, said: "He has form on soft ground and he likes that trip.

"He's as good as gold after the race so we'll probably head back to Cheltenham next.

"It's probably a bit too early to be making plans for the spring, but we'll see what the handicapper does with him.

"Hopefully he'll be even better in the spring and we'll probably look at those good two-and-a-half-mile handicaps with him."

After three successive wins the novice Deauville Dancer is stepping up to the big league.

His trainer David Dennis said: “Deauville Dancer has come out of Doncaster very well. He is quite fresh and did not have too hard a time.

“He has gone up 7lb in the handicap on the back of that which will hopefully help us get in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, provided the ground is suitable as he doesn’t want it testing.

“Although he is still a novice, he is very confident with his jumping. I think that is his forte. It is probably a bit of a brave shot going for a race like the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup but he has jumped so well that it would not be a concern.

“He seems to settle well his races now, which is a big factor, and, although he has never run over two miles and five furlongs, I don’t the trip will be problem as he was stayer on the Flat.”

In form trainer Dan Skelton has two interesting runners in Oldgrangewood and Long House Hal.

Ascot scorer Go Conquer is a Jonjo O’Neill representative to keep an eye on whilst Doitforthevillage, who won at Cheltenham’s November Meeting, steps up in distance for this.

International Success

Man of the moment, Nigel Twiston-Davies, has high hopes of giving the owners of The New One another Saturday to savour right on the back of the one they have just enjoyed with Blaklion at Aintree in the Becher Chase.

Speaking at a media event at his yard this week, Twiston-Davies said: "The New One is looking really good after his run in the Greatwood, where he was beaten only about five lengths. I thought he ran a superb race and he proved yet again he was by far the best horse in the race.

"He'll have a penalty again, but he gave 8lb to My Tent Or Yours in last year's International and there's no reason he can't do so again, although rain would help."

The three-time Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours is firmly on track to reappear in the International Hurdle in which he was runner-up to The New One last year.

Nicky Henderson was thrilled with the ten-year-old’s preparation this week and believes the International is the ideal race for him.

Henderson has won the International Hurdle three times before with Geos (2000), Binocular (2008*) and Grandouet (2011).

*In 2008 the race was held at Ascot.

This weekend’s Manchester derby could not come at a better time. Manchester City are top of the table by eight points, and could set a record by winning 14 straight matches. Manchester United are in second, having plodded along within reasonable sniping distance of their local rivals.

Catching City has largely remained plausible because of this fixture. Win it, and the gap is a mere five points. Fail to win at Old Trafford, though, and get engravers at the ready for Manchester City’s third Premier League title.

City’s near flawless season to date makes any prospect of a genuine title race only a faint hope. Guardiola’s team have not been at their fluent of best of late, but they have still only dropped two points in the league this season. It’s worth noting that those two points were largely down to a foolish Kyle Walker red card.

History of fixtures can be misleading. Changes in management and different players make comparisons between now and years past barely relevant. The track record of this bitterly-contested derby at Old Trafford has a pattern of note, though.

Manchester City did not win a league match at Manchester United’s home from 1974 until 2008. Since 2011 – the season when City won their first Premier League title – Manchester United have won only one of six derbies on their turf.

In that period, too, City have won the league twice. Manchester United have won it just once – in Alex Ferguson’s final season – and finished outside the top four in all but one of the seasons since Ferguson’s retirement.

The title tussle in 2011/12 ended in one of the all-time great sporting moments. The voice of Martin Tyler echoes around the Etihad Stadium to this day, but it was the 6-1 humiliation at Old Trafford that set the tone for City’s campaign. Roberto Mancini’s side not only secured a rare derby win, they dismantled United in a way that had been unthinkable throughout Ferguson’s historic reign.

This weekend will have similar implications. City’s majestic football has deprived us of a toe-to-toe battle in Manchester, but this weekend is a neutral’s glimmer of hope. It is no more than a cooling ember of what could have been a roaring, fiery season, but it might just be the final chance to grasp City before they storm into the sunset.

Jose Mourinho and Guardiola are – too often, perhaps – the stories themselves. City’s manager was in the spotlight for an excitable chat with Nathan Redmond last week, and Jose Mourinho’s pre-match press conference this Friday will have the attention of the footballing world. Their rivalry began in Spain, and each new chapter gets thorough investigation for the slightest signal of bitterness.

Underachievement last year contributed to relative peace. For fans of ‘mind games’, we can be sure that will end in the coming days.

Guardiola, though, has the upper hand on Mourinho with eight wins to Mourinho’s four. Both will approach the match in the same way they have approached previous meetings, despite the circumstances.

Mourinho has to end City’s dominance at Old Trafford, and beat his nemesis for a fifth time to keep the door towards the Premier League trophy ajar. He was hired to bring major titles to Old Trafford, and push back against the growth of the noisiest neighbours in world football.

Another home loss would be a failure for Mourinho, and – perhaps more importantly – set City on the path of an invincible Premier League campaign.

Talk of ‘power shifts’ drew plenty of attention prior to the north London derby a few weeks ago. The contest for the upper-hand in Manchester is far clearer this decade, and there’s no doubt the onus is on this weekend’s hosts to wrestle against the sky-blue juggernaut.

If Mourinho can mastermind a second Premier League home derby win since 2011, it will not only begin to offset City’s years of superiority, but reignite the chance of a challenge to Guardiola’s side.

We can forget about European competition until 2018. Our focus for the remainder of this calendar year is solely on domestic action, and it is about to get particularly chaotic in the Premier League.

The fixtures that draw the most attention are on Sunday this weekend, but there’s fascinating fixtures up and down the league. A few such matches kick-off at the traditional, frustratingly blacked out, 3pm on a Saturday.

Burnley vs Watford

Few expected Burnley and Watford to occupy seventh and eighth respectively in December. I certainly didn’t, despite the undoubtable excellence of Marco Silva and Sean Dyche’s all-encompassing ability to get results.

Shrewd spending, but – more importantly – superb management, has Burnley level on points with Tottenham, with the Hornets a mere three points behind.

This weekend could see the pair switch places, or – if Watford fail to win –the Hornets could drop into ninth. It’s an important fixture in the race to finish seventh.

Burnley deft logic. They have scored just 14, by far the lowest in the top half, but they are the masters of the narrow win. Watford, meanwhile, treat everyone to goals at both ends of the pitch.

It’s a tough one to call as a result, so I’m opting for both teams to score thanks to Watford’s leaky defence.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 10/11

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth

Roy Hodgson is yet to receive his deserved praise at Crystal Palace. While even victory this weekend will not take them out of the bottom three, it would be yet another sign that the Eagles can fly to safety this season.

Their visitors pulled through their own poor start with a couple of wins, but have since gone winless in three. Taking just one point from two home fixtures is a concern for any side, and Eddie Howe’s team will be just two points above Palace if they lose at Selhurst on Saturday.

These are matches that Palace have to win. I think the ultra-pragmatism of Hodgson should hold off the Cherries’ inconsistent attack and notch a crucial three points for the London club.

TIP: Crystal Palace to win @ Evens

Huddersfield Town vs Brighton

Fixtures between newly-promoted sides are telling. Since a positive start, Huddersfield have lost four straight, scoring just one in the process. Their visitors on Saturday have not won in four, but have a couple more points to their name.

Goal scoring is a worry for both teams. Brighton have been able to score five more than Huddersfield so far this season, however. Only Swansea and Palace have scored fewer goals than the Terriers this campaign.

Both teams have provided some impressive defensive performances, but it is Brighton that hold the better record there too.

I worry for David Wagner’s side if they cannot win matches like this. Unfortunately, Brighton look the better side at the moment in all areas of the pitch.

TIP: Brighton to win or match to be drawn @ 1/2

Swansea vs West Bromwich Albion

Defeat to Stoke last weekend has put Paul Clement on the brink. Swansea fell to the bottom of the table, and are now four points from safety.

West Brom sit just above the bottom three at the moment, and have already made their managerial move to bring in firefighter Alan Pardew. A draw in his first match was a little underwhelming, but the performance was a definite improvement.

Clement is having to wrestle with a painfully imbalanced squad. Pardew has had a full week to work with his new players, and I fancy that to pay off here.

TIP: West Brom to win or match to be drawn @ 1/2

Tottenham vs Stoke City

Spurs collected the most points of any team in the Champions League group stage. While that is a remarkable feat, their joyous mood at the club is dampened with a quick glance at the table.

One win in five has Mauricio Pochettino’s men four points off the top four, and closer to the bottom of the table than the top of it.

via GIPHY

Stoke notched a vital victory over Swansea last weekend, that might just have saved Mark Hughes’ job. The Potters’ fans are growing frustrated with the club. Now sitting six points from the drop zone, though, Hughes should be safe for a few weeks yet.

Champions League hangover has harmed Spurs before, but I can’t see past the Lilywhites against this Stoke team.

TIP: Tottenham to win @ 7/25

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Vieux Lion Rouge, Highland Lodge and The Last Samuri are among the 16 declared runners for the £145,000 Becher Chase, staged over the Grand National fences at Aintree on Saturday. 

The trio filled the first three places home in last year’s renewal, with Vieux Lion Rouge coming out on top by a short-head from Highland Lodge with The Last Samuri, the 2016 Grand National runner-up, a length away in third. Highland Lodge will be running in his fourth Becher Chase having also won the race in 2015.

 If either Vieux Lion Rouge or Highland Lodge win on Saturday afternoon, they would become only the third dual winner of the Becher Chase after Into The Red (1994 & 1996) and Hello Bud (2010 & 2012).

Cumbrian trainer Jimmy Moffatt reports Highland Lodge to be in great shape as he bids to repeat his triumph of 2015.

"He's in great form. He's had exactly the same preparation as last year and he's going every bit as well. I've no doubts in my mind about that whatsoever,"

"He's really come alive in the last two or three weeks and his wind-up gallop on Saturday was probably one of the best pieces of work I've seen him do.

"I couldn't be happier with him.

"This has been his long-range target so he's been in since the end of July. He's had a good long steady build-up."

David Pipe expects Vieux Lion Rouge to be all the sharper for his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby when he was fourth to Bristol De Mai in the Charlie Hall Chase.

"Obviously it is a tough ask from a 10lb higher mark than last year, but he will be still be going when others have cried enough." said Pipe.

The nine-year-old The Last Samuri was a leading fancy at Aintree in April having finished second in the 2016 Grand National, but he finished a well- beaten 16th after becoming upset in the preliminaries.

"His record over the National fences is very good and Saturday’s race will suit him. There won’t be the crowd on Saturday, so it will be much easier for him. Blaklion is the obvious danger”, said his trainer Kim Bailey.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is the most successful trainer in the history of the Becher Chase, having sent out five winners: Indian Tonic (1993), Young Hustler (1995), Aintree hero Earth Summit (1998), and dual winner Hello Bud (2010 and 2012).

This year he saddles the classy Blaklion (Gavin Sheehan, 11st 6lb), who was fourth in the 2017 Grand National and second to stable companion and subsequent Betfair Chase victor Bristol De Mai on his  seasonal return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby at the start of November.

Twiston-Davies is excited at sending Blaklion over the National fences again on Saturday.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning at his Naunton stables he said: "He is an exceptionally good horse. I think he is off a handy weight for the Becher and I am looking forward to it.

"He is very neat and accurate over his fences. It is sacrilege to say it but he reminds me of Red Rum. He is not very big but he is very neat over his fences and very clever.

"He has Grand National potential. He possibly went too soon last year. He didn't quite get home. But we are hoping he will go well again.”

Viva Steve, trained by Fergal O'Brien, will be making his debut over the Grand National fences. The former Mick Channon inmate won a three-mile handicap chase at Ayr last November on his debut for the stable and was last seen out finishing fourth on heavy ground in the Kerry National at Listowel in September.

 Trainer Fergal O'Brien said of the none-year-old: "Viva Steve had a little break and seems in good old form.

 "He ran well in the Kerry National and seems to go well fresh, so it was always the plan to head straight for the Becher after Listowel.

"We will have to wait and see how he takes to the fences, but he is a nice, straightforward horse who will handle the ground.

 "Johnny Burke has done plenty of schooling on him and knows him well."

Paul Nicholls has sent out three Becher Chase winners over the years and has entered As De Mee this time. The seven-year-old scored on Becher Chase Day in 2016, when taking the Grand Sefton Chase over two miles and five furlongs of the Grand National course and was also fifth over the same trip in the Topham Chase at the Grand National meeting last April.

 As De Mee is owned by Andy Stewart's family and  Dame Judy Dench and is fit from three starts already this season and he has got round in all three attempts over the National fences to date.

Irish raiders have taken the Becher Chase on three previous occasions and there are four Irish-trained runners this year - the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere, 2016 Irish Grand National victor Rogue Angel, also Westerner Point and Portrait King. 

Colin Tizzard’s Sizing Codelco won big handicaps at both the Grand National meeting and the Punchestown Festival in the spring while other contenders include soft ground specialists Goodtoknow (Kerry Lee) and Vic De Touzaine (Venetia Williams), plus 2016 bet365 Gold Cup winner The Young Master (Neil Mulholland).

 Completing the field are the recent Kelso winner Federici (Donald McCain) and Straidnahanna (Sue Smith).

Conclusion

This year’s Becher does not appear on paper to be quite as open as in previous years with much of the emphasis being on the leading two or three in the betting.

Undoubtedly those horses have superior ratings to the rest of the field and the chances of a long priced outsider springing a surprise look particularly slim, however the marked deterioration in the weather in the next 48 hours could turn the race into a bit of a “leveller” and backing something with big odds does not look that forlorn.

Regular Aintree visitor and veteran grey, Portrait King, is no stranger to the Grand National fences and has performed well over them. The twelve-year-old also has form on heavy going. He is a viable each-way alternative to those horses at the head of the market.

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown believes that the Red Devils have a significant advantage ahead of this Sunday’s momentous derby by featuring two home-grown talents in Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.

“The local lads will understand what it’s about. They would have grew up into it and take more emotion into the game. The two lads who will be playing in the Manchester United side will understand and be trying their hardest. I always did. It really meant something and it went out to all your family and friends”.

Born and raised in Longsight, Manchester the five-time Premier League champion knows all-too-well what this local skirmish means to the city yet for many years the fixture took a back seat to United v Liverpool. With City now very much in the ascendency has that changed?

“For the league position then I would say it’s the bigger game now. Both teams have unbelievable players. For me when I looked at the fixtures I’d look for the Liverpool game first and then City but that’s how I was brought up. I reckon the younger lads coming up now will probably look for the Man City game. Maybe if I was playing now I’d do the same too.”

Having been firmly in their neighbour’s shadow for much of the Premier League era City now head to Old Trafford this weekend unbeaten, top of the league and as marginal favourites. To what extent does Brown believe that the power has shifted in recent times?

“Of course United are still the top dogs but I’m telling you now that City have started this season off unbelievably. The team is brilliant and I’ve got a lot of friends who are City fans and they’re so excited by Pep and how he wants his team to play. It’s a Barcelona style where everyone wants the ball and keeps the ball and keeps moving”.

“I think it’s fantastic for Manchester itself that both of its clubs are first and second. It makes it so interesting too that the sides are so different. City are proving themselves by going out and winning week in and week out in a positive way. United are winning every week too but it’s more defensive which is why the fans are getting frustrated. Jose though is just doing what he thinks is the right thing to get the points.”

Join now!

Jose Mourinho’s cautious approach to several games this term has led to many assuming he will ‘park the bus’ on Sunday against a City side full of goals. Will such negativity be embraced by the red faithful however at home to their nearest rivals?

“It’s hard and I talk to my friends all the time about it. They would love to see us going all out and being a lot more attacking but at the same time it is what it is: we won trophies last season from being defensive and we’ve started this season well too getting results. Jose is in his second season now and he’s building a team and while that is happening sometimes you have to play defensive to win. Last week he shown that he can switch it and speaking as a fan myself you want to see that more but that’s not always the way to win a football game.”

Winning this most crucial of games has been made all the more difficult with the enforced absence of their star man Paul Pogba. Brown is effusive about the Frenchman’s qualities going as far as to compare him to a stonewall Premier League legend

“He reminds me of a Vieira type. He’s strong and has good quality on the ball. He gets forward and scores goals but can also defend. He’s probably not as aggressive as Vieira but in every other way he reminds me of him. He calms the team down when he plays and he’s a big-game player.”

“I don’t think City will change much but Jose might through losing Pogba. He is massive for the team and takes control of the midfield and he is definitely a big loss for the team.”

If missing Pogba is a blow for the red half of Manchester at least they still have the formidable figure of Nemanja Matic at the heart of proceedings. Brown it seems has been a big admirer from the start.

“Matic is brilliant and I thought he was a good signing from the off. He is naturally defensive minded as a midfielder which helps but I’m surprised at how quick he is to the ball and the pressure he puts on people. He reads the game so well and if a team-mate is in trouble he’ll slot back to help. He’s someone you need in every team.”

The towering Serb alone though surely won’t be enough to keep City’s multifaceted attack at bay. Thankfully for United they also have David De Gea in typically splendid form as shown in last week’s one-man show at the Emirates. An incredulous Brown insists the 27 year old can go on to become the finest stopper in the club’s history.

“He’s got a chance to become United’s greatest. He’s been brilliant for three or four seasons now and under different managers he’s got United a lot of points from making unbelievable saves. He just continues to do that and that Arsenal game just reminded everybody just how brilliant he is. To get on that stage alongside Schmeichel and Van Der Saar you have to do it regularly and he is.”

Now playing in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters after a highly distinguished top class career Brown will be watching on from afar this weekend, undoubtedly cheering on the club he represented for fifteen years.

“If United lose I wouldn’t say the title race is over but it does give City a great chance to push on. As we’ve seen so many times in the past the Christmas period is interesting in itself and anything can happen there. If United win then it would make that Christmas period even more exciting. I want United to win anyway but I also hope they win because it would make the league interesting.”

Wes Brown quickfire questions

Who will win the Premier League?

City

Who will win the Golden Boot?

Probably Kane again

Score-line prediction for the derby 

2-1 to United

First goal-scorer 

Martial

Who will win the Champions League?

Bayern Munich

The £145,000 Randox Health Becher Chase is the feature race at Aintree next Saturday, the only fixture outside of the Grand National Festival to have horses running over the Grand National fences.

The 2016 Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri (Kim Bailey) tops the weights on 11st 12lb for the Becher Chase, run over three and a quarter miles. The nine-year-old finished third behind Vieux Lion Rouge (David Pipe, 11st 5lb) and Highland Lodge (Jimmy Moffatt, 10st 5lb) in this contest 12 months ago.

The nine-year-old found only Rule The World too good for him in the 2016 renewal and was strongly fancied to go one better back on Merseyside in April, but in the end he weakened from four out to finish just sixteenth behind One For Arthur.

Plans for another crack at the Aintree marathon are probably on the table but firstly Bailey will take in the Becher Chase, having seen his star stayer run a blinder on his seasonal reappearance over hurdles at Kempton, finishing second to Bags Groove in a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at Kempton Park on November 13^th.

Trainer Kim Bailey said after the race: "The Last Samuri is in good form and on course for the Randox Health Becher Chase.

"It was a good run at Kempton and, provided he is in the same sort of form as he is now he should have a very good chance.

"We will get the Becher Chase out the way first before deciding where we go for the rest of the season."

Last year’s Grand National fourth Blaklion, who has been the favourite for the Becher Chase since the entries were revealed, has been allotted 11st 6lb. His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, a five-time winner of the race, is also responsible for last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup third Double Ross (11st 1lb).

Other entries to have run well in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National include Gas Line Boy (fifth, Ian Williams, 10st 9lb), who fell when travelling well in a handicap chase over the Mildmay Course last month, and Regal Encore (eighth, Anthony Honeyball, 11st 3lb).

Paul Nicholls has four entries in total, including dual Scottish Grand National victor Vicente (11st 4lb) who was a close second on his comeback at Cheltenham’s November Meeting.

Neil Mulholland has entered the The Young Master (10st 12lb) and Doing Fine (10st 4lb).

Gordon Elliott’s pair Mala Beach and Ucello Conti have been given 11st 2lb and 10st 13lb respectively, while the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty), seventh in last season’s Grand National, will carry at least 10st 11lb.

Two winners have gone on to win the Grand National - Amberleigh House and Silver Birch. Earth Summit won the race in 1998 following his Grand National win the previous season.

Will this year’s race give us any clues for next April? We will have to wait and see.

Grand Sefton Chase

The second race of the day over the Grand National fences on Becher Chase Day is the £70,000 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Nicky Henderson's O O Seven heads the weights on 11st 12lb and is a 12-1 chance with us here at 888sport.

Paul Nicholls, successful in two of the last four renewals, has five of the 37 entries to choose from, headed by the 2016 winner As De Mee (11st 9lb) He is priced up as a 12-1 chance with us.

Three Irish-trained entries include the Grade One scorer Clarcam (Gordon Elliott,11st 11lb) and Polidam (Willie Mullins,10st 12lb). They are trading at 25/1 and 9/1 respectively.

Go Conquer, who is also entered in the Becher Chase, is an 8-1 chance for the Grand Sefton and will carry 11st 11lb should he run.

Other Becher Chase Day news

As previously announced, Aintree’s Listed Chase over three miles and a furlong on Becher Chase Day, won last year by Many Clouds, has been re-named in honour of the 2015 Grand National winner and upgraded from Listed to Grade 2 level. It will be run as the £50,000 G2 Many Clouds Chase.

John Baker, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, added: “We’re thrilled that Randox Health has decided to extend their sponsorship of the Grand National by adding the Becher Chase as well.

“Randox is a committed, valued and exciting partner for Aintree and Jockey Club Racecourses and we look forward to working closely with the team at Randox for many years to come.

“Becher Chase Day is going from strength to strength and with the quality of horses entered in both the Becher and Sefton Chase in recent years, we’re confident it’s going to be another fantastic day over the iconic Grand National fences at Aintree.”

Aintree are also offering a great incentive to get young people through the gates next Saturday. If you are aged 18-24, you can go FREE to the Aintree Becher Chase Meeting next Saturday by signing up and purchasing a RacePass ticket online.

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Real Madrid are the most successful side in both the European Cup and Champions League history and are the current holders following their 4-1 triumph over Juventus in June 2017.

Barcelona aren't far behind and there have been many dominant sides over the past 25 years, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Milan, but who would be top dog if they faced one another in a winner's winner tournament?

Porto (2003-04)

Jose Mourinho led his Porto side to an unlikely Champions League victory where they overcame Monaco in Gelsenkirchen. The Portuguese outfit were going through a purple patch after securing the UEFA Cup during the previous campaign.

Mourinho was considered a rising star in the world of management and his side featured talented players such as Deco, Pedro Mendes, Nuno Valente and Carlos Alberto, although few would have predicted their success in this competition. Monaco weren't helped when their captain Ludovic Guily limped off after 22 minutes but Mourinho's tactical mastery has to be applauded.

This Porto side would give any other Champions League winning side a run for its money and Mourinho has built a reputation for being able to stifle quality opposition. They are unlikely to be eliminated in the first round of the winners' winner tournament but even with Mourinho's magic, they could fall short.

Porto have played 170 Champions League matches and are still a regular fixture in the competition but they aren't quite as powerful these days and, as of October 20th, are priced at 400/1 with 888Sport for success in the competition.

Chelsea (2011-12)

Chelsea are another side who forged their way to an unexpected success in the Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo. The Blues had finished top of their group before sneaking past Napoli in extra time. Benfica and Barcelona were subsequently eliminated during an impressive run but they were priced up as huge underdogs to beat Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Home advantage was expected to be decisive and with John Terry absent from the Premier League side, they were tipped to struggle. However, that script was well and truly ripped up as they triumphed via a penalty shoot-out with Bastian Schweinsteiger missing the key spot-kick.

Many pundits feel that Chelsea were lucky to reach the final but their determination was admirable and they could be plucky underdogs once again in the winner's winner tournament. However, they might just lack the quality to make an impact although Didier Drogba will once again prove their star man.

Chelsea have made a decent start to the 2017-18 Champions League and look set to progress to the knock-out round. They are 17/1 with 888Sport to replicate their 2012 success as of October 20th.

Milan (1993-94)

Milan were one of the best sides to watch during the 1990s and their mesmeric performances earned them a worldwide fanbase. Those supporters were treated to a masterclass in the 1994 Champions League final as Barcelona were torn apart in Athens. They kept consecutive clean sheets in the semi-finals and final with Marcel Desailly leading by example.

It was one of their three Champions League titles but Fabio Capello's men put in arguably one of the best team performances seen in the competition. Daniele Massaro's superb goal set them on their way with the Italian netting two of his four tournament goals in the showpiece event.

This Milan side could blow away a fair few sides in the Champions League winner's winner tournament and could be a force to be reckoned with. They played without the suspended Franco Baresi and were still strong enough to put Johan Cruyff's side to the sword.

Milan have suffered a downturn in form over the past couple of years but they have qualified for the Europa League and have begun well. At the time of writing, they are joint-favourites for the Thursday night competition at 6/1 with 888Sport.

Bayern Munich (2012-13)

Despite playing 221 times in the competition, Bayern have only ever won two titles, with the 2013 final remembered for being an all-German battle held at Wembley. Borussia Dortmund were on a roll under Jurgen Klopp and were playing some eye-catching football.

Whilst many neutrals would have been cheering Dortmund to success, Bayern proved their credentials on the biggest stage. They needed extra time to secure the victory, however, but it was the instrumental Arjen Robben who made the difference and secured the man of the match award in the process.

The Dutchman was joined by Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic in a side who had previously ousted Barcelona and Juventus from the competition.

This Bayern squad was packed full of talent and had goals in abundance with a number of players at their peak. Unfortunately, they are likely to fall agonisingly short in the Champions League winners' winner tournament but they could pull off a few surprises along the way.

Despite being drawn in a group with big-spending PSG, Bayern look set to progress to the knock-out stage of the 2017-18 competition and are 15/2 to recreate their 2013 success.

Real Madrid (2016-17)

With six titles in 21 stagings of the competition, Real Madrid remain the most decorated side in the Champions League and there are a number of their squads who could feature in the winners' winner tournament. The latest success was particularly notable for the sheer ruthlessness of their performance as they battered a previously stubborn Juventus side.

The Serie A giants had already kept two clean sheets against Ligue 1 champions Monaco and Barclona but failed to stop the Real Madrid bandwagon which scored four times en-route to glory in Cardiff. Zidane, who was toasting success during his first season in charge had already guided his side to victories over Atletico, Bayern Munich and Napoli - a ridiculously difficult run of games.

Cristiano Ronaldo was once again at the epicentre of every Real attack and he was joined on the scoresheet by Asensio and Casemiro. This was an incredibly swashbuckling and eye-catching performance from a talented side and they would be worthy contenders for a place in the winner's winner final.

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid have been installed as 4/1 favourites to retain their Champions League crown this season.

Manchester United (1998-99)

The first of Manchester United's two triumphs in the Champions League is remembered for its dramatic conclusion as two stoppage-time goals secured the trophy for the Premier League side. Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked devoid of ideas as they desperately searched for a way back into the match against Bayern Munich.

Teddy Sheringham and resident super-sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer entered the field and completely tipped the match in their team's favour. United had arguably the tougher passage to the final having seen off Juventus and Napoli, whilst their opponents have walloped both Kaiserslautern and Dynamo Kiev.

This Manchester United team are a side who never knew when they were beaten but they can't pull off this trick continually and against some of Europe's great, the likes of Jesper Blomqvist and Dwight Yorke may be found out. Unfortunately, they may struggle in the winner's winner tournament although they won't go down without a fight.

The Red Devils have equipped themselves well during their first season back in the Champions League and are 14/1 to go all the way.

Barcelona (2010-2011)

No Champions League list is complete without the inclusion of Barcelona. Barca are synonymous with glory in this competition and one of their greatest displays came back in 2011 when they easily swept aside Manchester United. The Premier League side were a terrific team and deserved their place in the final but the Catalan club were just a cut above.

After beating La Liga rivals Real Madrid in the semi-final, Lionel Messi and co set to work on Sir Alex Ferguson's side. The Argentinean picked up the man of the match award and scored one of the three goals at Wembley. Xavi and Andres Iniesta were unplayable in the middle whilst Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano ran a tight ship at the back. 

This Barcelona team had 19 shots during the 90 minutes and left many Manchester United players looking hopelessly at one another. The Blaugrana were superb and it's hard to see who will stop them in the winner's winner competition.

Barcelona are still adapting to life under new coach Ernesto Valverde but they are still fancied to progress in the competition this season with 888Sport pricing them up as 15/2 shots for the tournament.

Ajax (1994-95)

Milan were entering their third consecutive Champions League final and were expected to triumph but Dutch outfit Ajax had other ideas. They hadn't previously triumphed in this competition but a superb performance against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals gave them the opportunity to add their name to the already-impressive roster of tournament winners.

Milan dominated proceedings but the experienced Frank Rijkaard grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and fed Patrick Kluivert who netted the winner five minutes from time. Despite their abundance of talent, Milan had no response and Ajax got their hands on the trophy.

Louis Van Gaal's side certainly had a fearless approach to games and they dispatched Milan, but the fact they weren't able to add further Champions League is likely to count against them in the winners' winner tournament.

Unfortunately, Ajax have not qualified for a European competition this season but are priced as second-favourites for the Eredivisie title in the Netherlands at the time of publication.

Conclusion

There is a huge amount of quality on show and every Champions League fan is likely to have a differing opinion on how each side would fare in the winners' winner competition.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Porto are all likely to just fall short whilst Milan and Ajax will reach the latter stages of the tournament, but it's hard to ignore the power and dominance of the two La Liga sides in the Champions League and a Barcelona versus Real Madrid final is a likely outcome, with the classy Catalan side narrowly edging out Zidane's men.

Final Standings:

1. Barcelona

2. Real Madrid

3. Bayern Munich

4. Milan

5. Ajax

6. Porto

7. Man United

8. Chelsea

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*