Faith in the Welsh can pay off

Cardiff City are one of the hardest teams to try and assess.

They have beaten Second Division promotion rivals Stoke City but also lost to mid-table Peterborough. Cardiff are only a couple of points off a play-off place and a price of 4-6 to win at home against Swindon on Saturday looks right.

Stoke were awful in the 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth last Saturday. But hit form in last night's 5-0 victory over Cambridge and should win at home again against Port Vale on Sunday at odds of 10-11.

Arsenal are at Everton on the same day and should put plenty of pressure on a slow defence. A price of 8-11 for the treble is fair enough, but a single at 4-5 with Super Soccer should not be missed.

I can't let this week's column go by without an ante-post wager for the Grand National, on 6 April. Good ground on the day would make the 25-1 for former Scottish National winner Paris Pike look big, so have half a point each-way now.

I can also pass on a spot of value for the Oscars ahead of the nominations. Inter-net bookmakers Bet Direct has priced Lord of the Rings at 10-1 for the best film award.

Selections: (Current profit 30.27pts)
Football: Treble - Cardiff 4-6, Stoke 10-11, Arsenal 8-11 (Ladbrokes). Single - Arsenal 4-5 (Super Soccer)
Grand National: Paris Pike at 25-1 (half a point each-way, generally available) Oscars: Best film - Lord of the Ringsat 10-1 (half a point, betdirect)