World Cup at Mission Hill

This week's World Cup hold in Mission Hills,let us pay attention to the two strong teams England and Ireland.

The former have the uber confident Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher flying the flag and with both bagging titles inside the last month, it is understandable why bookies go no bigger than 11/2 as they try and avoid a big patriotic punt.

Ireland's hopes fall to Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and the focus is going to be almost solely on the youngster.

He obviously has to deal with the disappointment of last week's outcome to the Dubai World Championship and the Race To Dubai but equally, the 20 year-old's boundless enthusiasm should stand him in good stead.

Fatigue must be a slight concern too considering he has been in the firing line in his last two events and there is not a great deal of margin for error at the 11/2 mark.

Defending champions Sweden field the same team in Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson and although Karlsson showed a tremendous return to form last week in Japan, Stenson put up a modest display in Dubai and looks a weakish link at the moment.

Spain are quite interesting at 9/1 with Sergio Garcia finally finding some form with the putter and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano a reliable partner.

They play on a course designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and Garcia has made a point of having a quiet word with the latter to get a few pointers on strategy.