Super Bowl XLI kicks off tonight at a baf"ing 6.25pm local time (11.25pm this side) as the Chicago Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts are resounding favourites after their stunning comeback in the Conference Championships against the New England Patriots. The 18-point deficit they overhauled was the biggest ever at that stage of the competition, as quarterback Peyton Manning "nally led his team to somewhere they'd never been under his guidance. The Bears ended the fairytale story of the season in their 'semi', eventually waking up to hammer the New Orleans Saints. Their QB, Rex Grossman (right), was in remarkable form that day but has been shockingly inconsistent all season.

As far as a match-up with Manning goes, he's way behind. So the Colts are worthy favourites, with little value to be found in the handicaps in a notoriously tricky event to call. Best to look at the most points in a quarter market. Four of the last five Super Bowls have seen most points scored in the fourth, as did both of this year's Conference Championship games. And it should keep you awake if the Colts run riot.

BACK ANY FORWARD TO SCORE FIRST TRY IN IRELAND vWALES THIS AFTERNOON 7-4 Odds quoted are from Paddy Power Today's match in Cardiff is a minefield for the punter, with most firms offering a five-point handicap, with either side worthy of justification. Ireland will never be as hyped as they are going into this season's competition, and a slew of patriotic punts have now rendered them unbackable for the championship. We recommended Wales for the championship last week, and although they have had a few knocks in the short time since then, we still fancy them to rattle Ireland this afternoon. That skinny handicap doesn't represent short odds value though, so look to the 'first position to score' market. Backing any forward (Irish or Welsh) to score the first try is 7-4 and should be taken. Ireland are bound to utilise the boot of O'Gara and their superior line-out to make headway. Meanwhile, Leicester's win over Munster in the Heineken Cup may have provided a blueprint for the home side to utilise their superior pack to suffocate their opponents and prevent the ball going wide. With 16 on the pitch capable of touching down, 7-4 represents good value.

Where the money was. . .

ENGLAND TO BEAT AUSTRALIA IN THE COMMONWEALTH BANK SERIES 15-2 (Betfair) After a woeful winter, England had become the laughing stock of international cricket. With all but one game played against the Australians since they arrived full of hope for the Ashes series back in November, England had been beaten, and soundly beaten, in every single one. Hence a minnow-esque quote of 15-2 about them on Betfair during the week. One century from Irishman and Tribune columnist Ed Joyce (right) later, and England had salvaged pride with a 92-run win.