Spurs close in on one in, one out in defence plus other transfer rumours

Podolski appears to have fallen out of favour at the Emirates and wasn't in the match-day squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

Bonus transfer rumours this morning and Spurs are set to let go of a stalwart to bring in an exciting new talent. This and more from the fingers of Alex Johnson.

Tottenham could complete the signing of Frederico Fazio by the end of this week, according to the Daily Mirror.

Despite seeing his side keep clean sheets in their opening two league games of the season, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to further bolster his defensive options.

With Michael Dawson poised to join Hull City, Tottenham are ready to spend £8million to bring Sevilla centre-back Fazio to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, SportinaStorm.com report that Sunderland are set to take Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates on a season-long loan deal.

The Uruguayan defender has not played for the Reds in over a year, after suffering a serious knee injury at the beginning of last season. Despite now returning to full fitness, the 23-year-old has dropped further down the pecking order at Anfield, following the arrival of Dejan Lovren.

Sunderland currently have just six senior defenders at their disposal and Coates would offer some healthy competition for places for boss Gus Poyet.

French daily L'Equipe are suggesting Marseille may add to their squad ahead of Monday's transfer deadline, with Alex Song believed to be a target for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Song looks like he may struggle for regular action at Camp Nou this term, after Barca's capture of Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic this summer.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been a target for several Premier League teams this summer, including Liverpool and Manchester United, but France could be his next destination.

Meanwhile, the agent of Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has denied claims that his player is currently speaking to both Juventus and Napoli about a potential move.

Podolski appears to have fallen out of favour at the Emirates and wasn't in the match-day squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

There had been suggestions on Monday that the Germany international had flown to Italy to discuss a possible summer switch to Serie A. But agent Ali Pektas insisted: "There has been no approach from either of those clubs. The only certainty is that Lukas has a contract with Arsenal."

Finally, Southampton are looking to make a raid on La Liga champions Atletico Madrid before Monday's transfer deadline.

The Times claim Ronald Koeman has enquired about signing Belgium international defender Toby Alderweireld, although Saints face competition for his signature from French outfit Monaco.

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London Marathon: Any other business?

Athletics / Jack Houghton / 13 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will you join Jack in cheering on Any Other?

"When asked at the post-race press conference whether he could have broken Gebrselassie’s world-record in more favourable conditions, Makau simply replied, “Of course.”

The London Marathon takes place this Sunday and Jack Houghton is here to explain that, while top runners come into the race in top form, he's willing to have a bet on the field.

Men's Race - Sunday, 09:45 (BST) - BBC1 & BBC2

As headlines go, "Any Other Athlete Wins London Marathon" doesn't really inspire. But when either Patrick Makau or James Kwambai wins this Sunday's renewal, it will be anonymity-supporting Betfair punters who collect.

At the time of writing, Any Other Athlete is available at [4.0] to small money. It's unlikely that price will last long though: the true odds should be long odds-on. My book for the race has Patrick Makau as a [2.5] shot, with James Kwambai at around [6.0], the pair around [1.78] coupled. The risk is a late withdrawal - certainly not unheard of at a Marathon Major - but there looks to be enough juice in the likely prices available to take the chance.

Makau and Kwambai won't be familiar names to once-a-year marathon watchers; but in an event that has felt in a period of transition over the last two seasons - with established runners like Haile Gebrselassie making way for the rise of Wanjiru, Gebremariam and other African young guns - it is Makau and Kwambai who are likely to lead the onslaught towards breaking the 2:03 barrier.

The inexperienced Makau is already the third-fastest half-marathoner, and fourth-fastest marathoner, in history. It was his last win though - 30 seconds off his personal best in Berlin - that marks him out as the most likely winner in London. Berlin was cold, windy and beset by heavy rain that day. Makau suffered cramps in the latter stages and yet still managed a time that would have won any previous London Marathon. When asked at the post-race press conference whether he could have broken Gebrselassie's world-record in more favourable conditions, he simply replied, "Of course."

Kwambai, on the other hand, is looking to repair his reputation after a lacklustre 2010. However, his 2:04:27 at Rotterdam from 2009 marks him out as a potential winner; and his warm-up over the half-distance in The Haag in March shows he comes into the race in top form.

Women's Race - Sunday, 09:00 (BST) - BBC1 & BBC2

Having tipped her up on betting.betfair at [17.0] in 2008, and at [3.25] in 2009, Irina Mikitenko has proved incredibly profitable for me over the years. This kind of punting history can cause problems: there's always a tendency to follow a previously profitable athlete for too long, letting emotional attachment cloud your judgement as to their real chances of success in the future.

With this in mind, I will cautiously put forward Mikitenko to record her third London Marathon win in four years. Any price over [3.5] would be fair. She suffered injuries last year, but looked to be back to her best with a recent 10K win in Brunssum. On the balance of form, she is the best female marathoner of the last three years, and it's too soon to right her off.

After two Major wins in 2010, Shobukhova will start the rightful favourite. However, it's likely her price will be prohibitive; and despite dominating the women's scene last year, she's yet to record a stunningly fast time over either the full- or half-marathon distance. I suspect she was able to profit from some weaker than normal Major fields last year and will find London much tougher this time around - it's certainly the strongest women's race I can remember; and was recently made stronger with the announcement that seven Japanese runners will join the field late, their national trials cancelled due to March's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

With the depth of talent on display, it is worth being cautious, and I will be splitting my stake between Mikitenko and Any Other Athlete. This selection brings in a host of talented runners, foremost among them being the Kenyan Mary Keitany. Third in her marathon debut in New York last year, she is the fastest female half-marathoner of all time and has more than enough ability to dominate the longer event over the next few years.

Feel free to join me at Mile 15 on Sunday. I'll be the one shouting, "Come on, Any Other Athlete". It's bound to catch on.

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