Cross-Sport Multiple: Back City to kick off with a win

City can kick off with a win on Sunday

Andrew Hughes thinks Manchester City can beat Newcastle and help to land another Sunday cross-sport multiple in the process. 

Bet 1: Back Manchester City to beat Newcastle at 1.618/13

Alan Pardew has made some astute purchases to strengthen the Newcastle squad this season and they ought to be capable of cracking the top ten in the Premier League once again, but they will have their work cut out in their opening game.

Manchester City have had a shaky pre-season and were comfortably beaten in the Community Shield last weekend, but I don't expect any of that to have much bearing on  the outcome of this game. 

Manuel Pelligrini has managed to strengthen the City squad whilst staying on the right side of the Fair Play regulations, and with Vincent Kompany back in the side to shore up the defence, they should be more secure at the back. City have won their last ten against Newcastle in all competitions and can make it eleven on Sunday.

Bet 2: Back Bradford to beat Hull FC at 2.915/8

Bradford were officially relegated from Super League last month, but their form has improved dramatically since then and they can cause another upset on Sunday.

Hull FC pulled off an unlikely victory over St Helens last time out to keep their slim play-off prospects alive, but they had failed to win any of their previous six and although they go into this game as favourites, they aren't a team to rely on. 

Relegation seems to have taken the pressure off the Bulls and they have pulled off two consecutive shocks, beating top three sides Wigan and Leeds in consecutive weeks. They will be boosted by the return of Matt Diskin, Jamie Foster and Brent Kearney and can pull off another victory. 

Bet 3: Back South Africa to beat Zimbabwe at 1.111/9

A couple of years ago a reserve South African team were beaten twice in Zimbabwe as they warmed up for the World Twenty20, but I can't see history repeating itself and expect the visitors to prevail in Sunday's opening One Day International. 

Zimbabwe gave a good account of themselves in the recently completed Test and will be confident about facing a South African bowling line-up that does not include Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel or Vernon Philander.

But the second string, led by Wayne Parnell, is not a bad one and the South African batting line-up is at full strength. Zimbabwe have lost 30 of their 32 encounters with their neighbours in this format. Back the visitors to win. 

Total Odds for this multiple: 5.18n/a Remember, multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

2014 Cross Sport Multiple P/L

Staked: 65 pts
Returned: 75.04 pts
2014 P/L: 10.04 pts