Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

By Derek McGovern in Betting Blog

Published 22:30 22/07/10

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We should have guessed that Liverpool would be interested in signing Wayne Bridge.

First, they are desperate for a left-back; second it takes them a step nearer to fulfilling FIFA demands that clubs must have five home-grown players who hate John Terry.

As a left-back you need to show you're willing to drop everything for your team's needs; that you will bend over backwards for the cause; and that you have complete understanding with your centre-backs. Liverpool switched to Bridge when Vanessa Perroncel announced she was staying at Chelsea.

A player's value always increases after a good World Cup. Bridge had a better World Cup than any Englishman. At the start of summer he was linked with American socialite and bed-warmer Kim Kardashian but couldn't agree personal terms. Almost everybody else did, though.

Bridge is 9-4 with Hills to be a Liverpool player by the close of the transfer window. The Mersey men are 13-8 to finish in the top four. The first interests me almost as much as the second amuses me.

Spurs, who finished ahead of Liverpool last season, are 3-1 to make the top four but even that wouldn't satisfy boss Harry Redknapp, who reckons they are realistic title challengers this season.

"You have to have something to aim for," said Redknapp, who aims to get the taxmen off his back.

Tottenham are 40-1 to win the title, which will interest only those seeking to donate dough as a tax dodge.

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Lady Gaga is making tea-drinking cool - while doing the opposite for singing.

Tea is not the first thing you think of when you see Gaga. The more common reaction is why.

But the American oddball is famous for her love of a reviving cuppa and now tea companies are fighting to sign her up as brand ambassador.

There have been rumours about the 'Poker Face' singer's gender, with some whispers even suggesting Lady Gaga does not have a Lady ga-garden. This followed publication of a photograph that appeared to show travel-size male genitalia tucked in her briefs. I too have suffered such photographs.

But Gaga ga-guarantees publicity, meat and two veg for tea companies, and that's why they're falling over themselves to bag her.

Paddy Power have made tea giants Twinings, who are already thought to have made a multi-million-euro offer to Gaga to become the face of their specialist tea, their 11-10 favourite to seal the deal, with Lipton at 5-2, PG Tips 7-2 and Tetley 4-1.

It just so happens that I like my tea like I like my women - in a plastic cup.

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Bet of the Day
My uncle had the shortest will ever. It read: "Being of sound mind, I have spent all the money."

Get on Stuart Hall at 14-5 (Ladbrokes) to beat Martin Power on points in tonight's British bantamweight title fight.

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It was no surprise to learn so many French footballers bedded that teenage prostitute.

At the World Cup it was one out, all out; in the build-up one in, all in.

Zahia Dehar, now 18, said the players, Franck Ribery among them, had treated her with dignity and left her with fond memories - presumably on the bedside table.

Ribery has this week been charged with soliciting an underage prostitute for sex and faces three years in jail. I've seen pics of Zahia - believe me three years is well worth it. Lawyers say she wasn't over 18 when Ribery nailed her. Poppycock - she was born over 18.

She was once asked on a French TV game-show what is the first thing she says after sex. Her answer was "So, do you all play for the same team?"

A hooker once told me she'd do anything for 50 quid. I said "Fine - paint my house."

Ribery, the Bayern Munich troll, is 2-1 with Paddy Power to be sent to jail for his misdemeanour and 1-3 to get off.

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