Now O’Neill may not be able to turn water into wine.

But he’s making a decent fist of the equally tricky task of turning Sunderland into a decent football team after their shambolic start to the season.

Everton visit the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day and David Moyes’ men could be there for the taking.

Now Sunderland are no world beaters but they have a bit of belief now thanks to O’Neill’s fabled man management and are a decent price at 7/5 to pay off a few Christmas bills.

Construction takes a break between Christmas and the New Year and Betting Spy will be joining the general exodus with a holiday for the first two weeks of 2012.

A few tips have gone by the wayside this year which means spending money might be a bit tight on our travels.

But this punting game is all about the long haul so let’s look to the future with a couple of long-term bets for 2012.

First up is construction’s favourite race – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

I can’t see beyond last year’s winner Long Run who is currently a 5/2 shot.

Long Run goes in the King George on Boxing Day where I expect him to win to set those odds tumbling to nearer evens come the festival.

Another major punt this year should be Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Our boys are currently 6/5 but hold your fire until later in the year when the odds could lengthen as Tiger Woods continues his recovery.

I expect Woods to put in a big performance at the US Masters and his resurgence could prompt the bookies to tighten-up the Americans.

But there in a nutshell is why we should win. The Ryder Cup is a team game and the Europeans are better at it.

Have a great Christmas and New Year and here’s to lifting a few quid from the bookies in 2012.

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