The Americans have dominated this event since its inception, winning six of eight matches and forcing a tie in 2003, meaning they have lost only once. Interestingly, though, that loss came the last time the match was played in Australia and by some way as the Internationals annihilated the Yanks by 20.5pts to 11.5; a fact that has not been lost on Norman, who has five Australians in his side - Jason Day, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley and Robert Allenby. The other team members are Charl Schwartzel, KJ Choi, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, YE Yang, Kyung-Tae Kim and Ryo Ishikawa, and they are a best-price evens with bet365 and Ladbrokes to triumph.

Couples has had a few injury worries but both Steve Stricker, who has been off seven weeks with a neck problem, and Hunter Mahan, who withdrew from last week's Australian Open, have declared themselves fit and further good news would have been provided by the return to form of Tiger Woods, who is now back in the world's top-50 courtesy of a third-place finish in the Australian Open. Those three team up with Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk, Bill Haas, David Toms and Bubba Watson, and Victor Chandler make them 11/10 shots to come out on top.

Team USA has a significant advantage based on the Official World Golf Rankings, with their 12 players' combined rankings totalling 222 and averaging 18.5, whereas the Internationals weigh in at 416 at an average of 34.7. They are also an experienced side as, while it contains six Presidents Cup rookies, nine have played in the Ryder Cup and the three that haven't played in either, Webb Simpson, Bill Haas and Nick Watney, can arguably boast the strongest recent form and have just enjoyed career-best seasons on Tour.

Recent form is a concern for several of the Internationals with their former mainstays Retief Goosen and Ernie Els looking increasingly like shadows of their former selves, while YE Yang and Ryo Ishikawa have struggled of late. In Kyung Tae-Kim, they have a multiple winner on the Japanese Tour but he's still unproven at this level. Robert Allenby does bring some experience into the side but his best finish all season was a fourth place back in February and he missed the cut last week. That said, he will be glad to be back in his native Melbourne and, like the other four Aussies, he will know the course like the back of his hand, so perhaps home advantage will count this week after all?

At just even money, though, I'm not tempted to pay to find out and the Americans make far greater appeal at the 11/10 with Victor Chandler, which is standout as they are odds-on in places. They are worth a chunky bet at that price and I'm hoping the profit will cover my bets on the top points scorer markets, which offer value in the shape of Nick Watney at 9/1 (Skybet), who warmed up for this with a tied-fourth place finish in the Australian Open. The American, who finished third on the Money List, is consistency personified and his ace putting will be an asset on the lightning-fast, undulating greens, which gives him the nod over 6/1 favourite Tiger Woods.

For the Internationals, Charl Schwartzel looks a decent bet at 15/2, also with Skybet, meaning we can double him up with Watney. The South African also enjoyed a nice warm-up by finishing third in the Taiheiyo Masters and he might have won that event had it not been shortened to 54 holes. Granted, there's a danger that Norman will favour the home players this week but it will be difficult for him to leave out the Masters winner in his current form and I'm hoping he will get paired with either Goosen or Els, who can still be relied upon tee-to-green but struggle with the putter.

Recommended Bets:

USA 5pts @ 11/10 Victor Chandler
Nick Watney Top American 1pt @ Skybet @ 9/1
Charl Schwartzel Top International 1pt @ Skybet @ 15/2
Nick Watney & Charl Schwartzel 0.5pt each-way double