Weekend spread betting preview

Arsenal may be almost certainly out of the title race but they will be looking to secure a Champions League berth with another win on Sunday while Sporting Index have some interesting markets on both the Six Nations and Commonwealth Bank Series cricket.

With nearly 60 football markets available in-running, why not have a bet that's a bit different at Sporting Index? We've taken a look at some of the weekend prices (see previews below) - new clients can take advantage of our best offer yet:

Open a Sporting Index account*, place only five sports bets and claim a £200 per goal bet on any live Premiership, Championship or Champions League match. Each qualifying bet must be able to win or lose you £20.**

Australia v England: CB Series 1st Final (Friday: 03.15 Sky Sports 1)
Despite signs of rejuvenation Down Under, Sporting Index predicts more misery in the first Commonwealth Bank Series final for England. The supremacy market has the Aussies as favourites by 42-52 points. If the team batting first wins the game, they're awarded one point for each run they win by, with the team batting second given 10 points for each wicket they win by.

It's no surprise, given the big-hitters in the Australian team, that the Australia Big Shots market will attract a fair few buyers. It's a total number of boundary sixes Gilchrist, Ponting and White will hit and Sporting Index are quoting a spread of 42-50. 25 points are awarded for each six.

Collingwood will have to repeat the heroics shown against New Zealand where he scored 106 and took two wickets. He's quoted at 43-48 on the individual performance market (one point per run, 10 point per catch, 20 point per wicket and 25 point for a stumping).

Flintoff needs runs and is priced at 53-58. There were 15 wides from England against New Zealand and surprisingly Sporting Index predicts a total of only 16-17.5 at the MCG.

Wouldn't it be great to bet on how many balls will be bowled before the first wicket falls in the match? Sporting Index offer a Stop at a Wicket market and reckon between 34 to 40 balls will be bowled before the first dismissal is witnessed by the Melbourne crowd.

RBS Six Nations Preview
England, or more specifically Jonny Wilkinson defied Scotland and boosted their position on Sporting Index's Six Nations Outright Index. England were 30-33 prior to Saturday's victory but stand at 35-38 following their surprisingly good showing (and a flurry of bets from punters backing them!). The index offers 60 points to the winner, 40 to second place, 20 to third, 10 to fourth place, five for fifth and 0 for sixth.

They still haven't convinced everyone at Sporting Index who make them third favourites behind Ireland and France. This Saturday, Twickenham is expected to see wooden spoon favourites Italy take a thumping, with Brain Ashton's side predicted to win by a whopping 26 to 29 point margin by Sporting Index. That makes the England total tournament tries market an interesting one. With four tries under their belts already, how will the Italian backs cope? Sporting Index currently predicts 14.5-15.5 total tries for England's Six Nation campaign.

France breezed past the Italians as expected but were quoted to win by only 13 to 16 points prior to their match. Given that Sporting Index felt the pain from so many buyers on that spread, they'll be hoping to be closer to the mark this time around. Favourites Ireland are given the edge over the impressive French by Sporting Index. They reckon that despite injury doubts over O'Driscoll and D'Arcy, a victory by a margin of 4 to 7 points is in store for Eddie O'Sullivan's team.

Arsenal v Wigan (Sunday: 16.00 Sky Sports 1)
Arsenal have won all three Premiership meetings with Wigan, most recently in December thanks to Adebayor's 88th minute winner. The in-form Togo striker's goal minutes spread is 21-24 minutes.

Lee McCulloch may have ended the Latics' run of eight successive defeats but Sporting Index have the Gunners to win by a 1.4 to 1.6 goal margin given their electric form. They can't stop scoring at the moment and given that Wigan have conceded three or more goals in five of their last seven matches, buyers will be attracted to Sporting Index's goals spread for Arsenal. They're predicted to score 2.1 to 2.3 goals.

Thierry Henry missed December's fixture but is set to figure at the Emirates. Wigan fans will remember the hat-trick he hit last season at Highbury and his goal minutes spread is at an expected high of 36-39 minutes.

Paul Jewell will want his side to dig in to stay clear of the relegation zone but they'll need to keep their composure. Sporting Index predicts four bookings with a spread of 36-40 (10 points per yellow card, 25 points for a straight red). However punters should be aware that the last two Premiership meetings have only seen one booking in each game.

Hopefully that's given you something to think about. For all the latest prices and to open your Sporting Index account, click here.