League one

Saturday 12^th February

English Premier League

Manchester United v Manchester City

The second Manchester derby of the season takes place on Saturday at Old Trafford with both sides occupying top four positions.

Manchester United suffered their first defeat in the league this season when they lost away to Wolves last weekend. It was a surprise to everyone, not least because their opponents were actually bottom of the table when they met, but also because it looked as though United were beginning to hit top form after impressive wins over Aston Villa and Blackpool which came as part of a 10 wins in 12 games in all competitions. Sir Alex Ferguson will have harboured hopes of going the full season unbeaten and emulating the great ‘Untouchables’ side of Arsenal, but he’s only too well aware that the main goal of this season was to regain the title from Chelsea and they are still well on course to do this with a four point lead over second placed Arsenal. Saturday’s match should hold little fear for United as although they may have lost their unbeaten record for the season, they still remain undefeated at Old Trafford with an imperious record of 12 wins and one draw from their 13 matches played. It really is a daunting prospect for any visiting side.

Man City have flattered to deceive at times this season and been awful to watch on others which has brought with it much deserved criticism. Just when you think they are going to put a run of results together and really challenge for the title, they stumble. Roberto Mancini has maintained all along that their am for this season was to finish in the Champions League places and compete in Europe’s Premier club competition the following year – and then progress to title challengers. Whether that’s what he’s really believed or it’s just what he lets on to the public is another matter altogether. Any manager who has a squad which cost the money his did, must have some sort of title aspiration. I tend to think that he has targeted the Championship but has simply come up a little short. Currently six points off United, having played a game more, they’re not out of it completely, but they are certainly up against it and have to avoid defeat on Saturday at their arch rivals stomping ground.

The cornerstone of United’s success this season has been the defence, especially the central partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. The duo have been formidable for the league leaders and they look set to take their places again at 12.45 on Saturday afternoon. They will have to be on their game however as they come up against an old foe in former United player Carlos Tevez. The City captain has enjoyed a tremendous season to date and is easily his club’s most important player. With 18 league goals to his name already, he will be at the centre of anything positive coming from the away side.

Derbies are notoriously difficult to predict as the form book really does go out the window with so much at stake. City have tended to take a more defensive approach when up against the bigger clubs this term. Having already drawn 0-0 with both United at home and Arsenal away, the smart money is probably on a similar approach this weekend. Whether they do or not is immaterial in my view. United may have had a slip up last Saturday on their travels but their home form has been excellent of late and Wayne Rooney is beginning to hit top form. Home win.

My Selection: Manchester United to beat Manchester City

Best odds available: 4/5 available with Coral

English Championship

Hull City v Preston North End

Phil Brown returns to the KC Stadium to take on Hull City, a club he got promoted to the Premier League, with his new side Preston North End – who could be playing in League One next season.

Hull City are finally beginning to put a run of results together after the upheaval of relegation last season. A whole load of players were moved on and slowly but surely, Nigel Pearson is beginning to reconstruct a squad of players which he believes can restore the good times to Humberside. Currently slap bang in mid-table, the Tigers are just seven points off of a play-off position despite a pretty ordinary start to the season. However a run of just one defeat from 14 league games had provided them with a decent opportunity to challenge for promotion, as competitive as it is. One man who has really brought a feel good factor to the club is Matty Fryatt. The striker followed Pearson from Leicester to Hull in the January transfer window and has brought with him some much needed goals. He has netted six goals in as many matches, including a hat-trick in Hull’s last match, a 5-1 win over Scunthorpe.

Preston are in deep trouble as they currently sit rooted to the foot of the table and 10 points off safety. Having sacked Darren Ferguson earlier in the season, they entrusted Phil Brown with the task of saving their Championship status. Five games on since taking charge of the club, Brown is still searching for his first win and Preston are still looking like a side very much destined for the drop. Brown has managed a couple of decent draws at home to Leicester and away to Middlesbrough but confidence is at a real low. Last weekend’s 4-0 home defeat to Bristol City was just another in a long line of losses, but it was also the first real hammering of Brown’s reign and very much removed any of the feel good factor which his arrival would have brought. Their last win was on the 11^th of December, two months ago now. The longer it goes without another, the harder it is to find one.

Hull have managed to strengthen during January with Aaron McLean also joining Fryatt at the club. It has really improved City’s attacking options. At the other end of the park the loan signing of Brad Guzan has meant they can rely on a quality keeper which makes a world of difference for everyone in the side, especially the defenders. Preston haven’t been so lucky. Whilst Hull have benefited from being taken over, North End have not had that luxury. They have, however, managed to prise Ian Ashbee from tomorrow’s opponents as he once again links up with Phil Brown.

Form may not always work out in the Championship but the stats on this game all point towards a home win. Preston have not won away from home since September, a run of eight games. I can’t see them getting anything tomorrow with Hull City’s strikers on such good form.

My Selection: Hull City to beat Preston North End

Best odds available: 4/6 available with Betfred

English League One

Huddersfield v Oldham

The two form sides in League One meet tomorrow as Huddersfield play host to Oldham as the two continue their quest for promotion.

Lee Clark’s side missed out in the play-off semi finals last season and were desperate to rectify their failure by going straight up this time around. Just four points off top, they stand an excellent chance of gaining automatic promotion. Like every successful team their home form is pretty sound and they are difficult to beat on their own ground. This has been the case for a while at Huddersfield; a bigger problem was their lack of points on the road. They won only nine games away from home last season, with six wins to their credit already, they should comfortably surpass that this season. Their recent form overall has been excellent as they are undefeated in eight League One games, winning six of them.

Oldham have not been involved in the promotion picture for a long time so it’s testament to the job currently being done by Paul Dickov. Even though it’s his first job in management, the former Scottish Internationalist striker has taken to it like a duck to water. His side are currently in the final play-off position, five points off tomorrow’s opponents. Like Huddersfield, the Latics are also on a very good run of form with just one defeat in seven matches. In such a competitive and tight division, that is certainly no mean feat. Oldham’s away form has been pretty balance with four wins, give draws and four defeats, but they are certainly no pushovers on the road as they have already taken points off of Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Rochdale.

Tomorrow’s match, as well as being a derby of sorts, is a real yardstick to how far Oldham have come in recent months. Huddersfield have been a strong side in League One for a few years now so Dickov will be aware of the test that awaits his side. I just feel that this game may just be edged by the home side who have been scoring goals for fun of late with nine goals in their last three games. I can see it being entertaining but with Huddersfield coming out on top.

My Selection: Huddersfield to beat Oldham

Best odds available: 5/6 available with Totesport

Saturday 20^th October

English Premier League

Arsenal v Tottenham

It’s derby day once again in North London on Saturday as Arsenal entertain fierce rivals Tottenham at the Emirates.

Despite dropping silly points throughout the season thus far, Arsene Wenger’s men currently sit in second position just two points off of top placed Chelsea. They have recently dealt very well with a couple of tough away fixtures against Wolves and Everton. Six points from those games have gotten their season back on track after losing at home to Newcastle in a match which look to have really dented their title hopes. Their defeat against the Toon army was their second home reverse of the season after being played off the park by West Brom. Their critics are never far away from voicing their opinions of them being too soft and inexperienced as well as lacking in mental strength. Their recent results, however, suggest that some of the younger players are beginning to learn from mistakes made in previous seasons. It would be ludicrous to suggest that Wenger is under pressure from anyone, be it supporters or the board, but fans have been growing increasingly impatient with the lack of trophies of late so this season is certainly a crucial chapter in the Frenchman’s reign.

Harry Redknapp has worked nothing short of a miracle since taking over the hot seat at White Hart Lane a couple of years ago. Mainly regarded as a wheeler dealer and a man for the more unglamorous clubs, Redknapp has dispelled those notions by putting together a side that have qualified for the Champions League and not looked out of place in it. Sitting just three points from fourth position after 13 games, there is certainly room for improvement and evidence that they have been inconsistent. Some may say that it’s down to their involvement in the Champions League but their massive injury list will be just as much to do with it. The likes of Jermaine Defoe, Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Vedran Corluka are all still currently sidelined and were key players in their season last term. They go into Saturday’s game with a record of two wins and three defeats from six away games this season. It epitomises their season as a whole and the belief that they are much stronger at home than they are on the road.

Arsenal are entering a crucial part of their season as they face Aston Villa and Manchester United away in the next month after the derby on Saturday. Injuries wise, they are in a position of strength with the only real absence being Tomas Vermaelen the only one missing who would definitely command a place in the starting XI. Cesc Fabregas is back fit whilst Robin Van Persie is slowly recovering from a serious knee injury. Spurs can add Tom Huddlestone to their crocked list but could welcome Defoe back as the striker looks to gain a place on the bench.

Tottenham have failed to win a North London derby away from home in the league since 1993. It’s a deplorable record which will be broken on day, of course it will. The question must be asked, however, if they are good enough at the moment and conditions are right for it to be this weekend. I believe they are still a way short of Arsenal’s quality and will be playing second best to them for a while yet.

My selection: Arsenal to beat Tottenham

Best odds available: 4/6 available with several bookmakers including Betfred

English Premier League

Bolton v Newcastle United

Two of the inform sides in the Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton entertain Newcastle.

Owen Coyle has worked wonder in the time he’s been at Bolton and is transforming how Wanderer’s are perceived across the country with his style of football. Marked down as a physical, and at times dirty, team, Bolton were often written off as being ugly to watch. However Coyle has brought with him a brand of expansive football that he has used at previous clubs. He has kept the majority of players that were at the club before he took control but has given them much more freedom. It’s not been without effect either as they currently sit in fifth position just three points off a Champions League place. One defeat in eight highlights how good a run they are on and prove they are in rude health for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.

Newcastle have exceeded all expectations since being promoted back to the Premier League last season. A point worse off than their next opponents, it’s not, unsurprisingly, been without incident as several of their layers have received negative press for incidents both on and off the park. Joey Barton is currently serving a three match ban for punching a Blackburn player last midweek whilst Andy Carroll, who made his English debut on Wednesday against France after starring for his club this season, has been involved in misdemeanours away from the football pitch. It’s nothing new for a club who have had to contend with issues like these over the years with the likes of Lee Bowyer, Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent times.

The home side will be looking to Kevin Davies to respond to being left out of the England squad in the best possible manner. Despite being called up for the last squad, and coming on as a sub, two uncapped strikers were preferred this time around. Davies has been in sensational form again this season and scored two in Bolton’s last home match against Spurs. One of the uncapped players who took his place in the squad was of course Carroll. With seven league goals to his name this season, the young striker is proving a real handful for defences and is not too dissimilar to Davies himself.

Bolton definitely have the advantage when it comes to the head to head of both sides at the Reebok. From the last six meetings in this fixture, Bolton have won five of them which further enhances me belief that they can continue their excellent recent form with another home win. As well as that, I think there will be goals on Saturday as both sides have found it difficult to keep a clean sheet in the league (Bolton have not kept a clean sheet this season whilst Newcastle have kept one in their last 10).

My selection: Bolton to beat Newcastle at a best priced 6/5 available with Totesport

                           Both teams to score at a best priced 4/5 available with BlueSquare

English League One

Southampton v Peterborough

Southampton and their opponents on Saturday, Peterborough, were both fancied to challenge for promotion before a ball was kicked in League Two so it’s no surprise to see the two sides in and around the promotion picture.

Nigel Adkins was the man Southampton sent for after parting company with Alan Pardew early in the season. He was the man charged with getting the club promoted back into the Championship and, in turn, the Premier League. Things started very slowly with just one win of four games. However things have picked up of late and Saturday’s defeat away to Carlisle was their first dropped points in five matches. Unsurprisingly they have picked up most of their points at home with four wins and two draws from eight games. Their strong form has been emphasised with five wins in a row at St Mary’s in all competitions. Those results have to continue as a slow start has meant they are playing catch-up and are still a couple of points adrift of the play-off places.

Peterborough have been something of an enigma this season when it comes to the betting front. They have lost games you would expect them to win whilst winning games that looked beyond their reach. Whatever their results have been, one thing that can be guaranteed is goals. With 33 goals scored and 33 goals conceded, they have a remarkable level goal difference. They have conceded more goals than any other team in the league. It’s staggering when you think that they are just one point off a play-off position. Gary Johnson dropped down form managing in the Championship to take the reins at London Road and he must be scratching his head at his side’s inability to keep a clean sheet; they have failed to do so in their last nine games in the league.

Saturday’s game at St Mary’s promises to be a cracker as the sides have been responsible for some entertaining games already this season. Southampton will be eager to keep their excellent home form going whilst Peterborough will be looking to get back on track after a 5-1 mauling at home to Charlton.

The home side have a very good mix of experienced pro’s and some excellent youngsters. The likes of Lee Barnard, Ricky Lambert, Adam Lallana and Alex Chamberlain mean that any side coming to St Mary’s are in for a hard time and I believe they will continue their good form at home and pick up another three points.

My selection: Southampton to beat Peterborough

Best odds available: 8/11 available with several bookmakers including 888Sport

Southampton were one of the best teams in League One last season, although a large points deduction for going into administration and a slow start prevented them from reaching the play-offs. This time around, the Saints have been installed as strong favourites to win the division and they may well oblige at odds of 5/2 that are available with Sporting Bet. The Hampshire club shouldn’t be short of goals thanks to the firepower of Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard.

However, as we saw with Leeds United last season, the short-priced favourites don’t always oblige and it’s perfectly possible that Alan Pardew’s team could have a run in one of the cup competitions. Not to mention the fact that they are the big fish in the division with the exception of a certain sleeping giant in south Yorkshire!

Sheffield Wednesday supporters must have thought they had seen the back of the English third tier, although this well-supported club are once again enduring a downward spiral and there’s not much cash available to improve the side. Although Allan Irvine seems like a decent manager and Clinton Morrison was an eye-catching signing for the Owls, the odds of 6/1 (Victor Chandler) about them winning League One look a little skinny.

Indeed, the bookmakers have done their usual trick of making the relegated trio from the Championship too short in the outright betting for League One. Peterborough (12/1 Victor Chandler) might bounce back under Gary Johnson, but we can practically draw a line through Plymouth (18/1 Blue Square) who have appointed the hapless Peter Reid and will be lucky to scramble a place in the top six.

Instead, it may be preferable to consider a progressive team such as Huddersfield Town or Brighton and Hove Albion. The Terriers reached the play-offs under Lee Clark last term and the former Newcastle player will be looking for his team to improve their away form and grab themselves an automatic promotion spot. With Jordan Rhodes, Theo Robinson and Lee Novak leading the line, Ladbrokes’ 8/1 about them winning this division looks well worth taking.

Brighton were situated near the foot of League One for much of last season, although the appointment of Gus Poyet as manager proved to be the turning point. The Uruguayan rallied the Seagulls to the extent that they were beating some of the best teams in the division and Paddy Power offers excellent each-way value at odds of 14/1.

Swindon Town were a whisker away from being promoted last season, losing out in the play-off final to Millwall by a single goal. The Robins are 20/1 (Coral) on the outright market this time around, although the sale of striker Billy Paynter to Leeds arguably makes them a weaker prospect this time around.

Notts County are the most interesting of the newly-promoted teams that came up from League Two last season. While their financial position continues to be murky, they have the benefit of momentum gathered from last season and Lee Hughes should score regularly at this level. Victor Chandler offer 25/1 that the Magpies are crowned champions in May.

Saturday 30^th January

English Premier League

West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers

Both West Ham and Blackburn will be looking to move themselves further away from the relegation zone when they meet at Upton park tomorrow afternoon.

It will be the club’s first match at Upton Park since new owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, took over earlier this month. Manager Gianfranco Zola has been able to keep his star players because of this and has also started to bring in players to bolster his options, especially upfront. Benni McCarthy has joined from, ironically enough, tomorrow’s opponents but a work permit issue means he’ll be unable to go straight into the side. There are numerous rumours going around about another couple of signings but it’s unlikely anyone else will be brought in on time to feature tomorrow afternoon. The Hammers still sit perilously close to the bottom on 3 as they remain level on points with 18^th placed Burnley. They know that games against sides in the lower half at home are exactly the kind of games they need to win in order to survive. As hard as it is to believe, they have only won 4 games all season so it’s no wonder they are in the position they’re in. They have picked up two valuable points in their last two away games against Aston Villa and most recently, at Portsmouth last midweek. 3 of their 4 wins this season have come at home and two of them have been against sides close to them in the table. They have lost 4 matches at Upton Park in the league but none of these defeats have been inflicted by sides in the lower half of the Premier League.  

Rovers have improved their form of late and after sticking a couple of wins together find themselves in 11^th position, 7 points clear of the relegation zone. Wins against Wigan Fulham at Ewood Park has alleviated a lot of the pressure from manager Sam Allardyce and his players. The manager is actively seeking to improve his squad before the close of the transfer window on Monday but he’ll go with what is currently available tomorrow. In order to continue their recent good form, Rovers will have do something they’ve only managed once this season – win away from home. They have lost 8 of their 11 matches on the road already this season, conceding 28 goals in the process. The positives for Allardyce seem to be outweighing the negatives at the moment though, as his big players are beginning to perform to their best. Morten Gamst Pedersen is beginning to find the form of a couple of seasons ago, David Dunn is back fit and proving to be pivotal whilst £6m Niko Kalanic scored his first Premier League goal in the win over Wigan.

West Ham have Carlton Cole back fit and that is a massive bonus. Cole is easily the most improved player in the league over the last 18 months and is certainly Zola’s most important player. He is fundamental to West Ham’s success as he’s their main goalscorer and is a real leader on the park. He leads the line fantastically well so after getting a 20 minute run-out on Tuesday, it’s likely he’ll start tomorrow for the first time since November. Blackburn will be looking to end a massive hoodoo when they travel south tomorrow. They have not won at Upton Park in the league since 1994. They’ve not even picked up as much as a point in this fixture since 1995 so they know how hard it will be to leave East London with anything.

Blackburn’s two wins have given them breathing space so it’s probably fair to say that tomorrow’s match is more important for the home side. I honestly think this is a must win for Zola’s side as they have a tough set of fixtures coming up in the nest 6 weeks so these type of home games are the kind of games they will be targeting. The home crowd will be on a high after the takeover so the atmosphere will be even better than it normally as at the old stadium. Their main man is back from injury and they also have history on their side. I expect it to be an entertaining game and there will be a couple of goals as well. West Ham have only lost 1 of their last 5 and I believe they are good enough to win tomorrow afternoon.

My selection: West Ham to beat Blackburn at a best priced 6/5 with Totesport

English League 1

Norwich City v Hartlepool United

League leaders Norwich City entertain a Hartlepool side who are on a poor run of form so a visit to Carrow Road is probably not a match they are looking forward to.

Paul Lambert has done a terrific job since taken charge back in August. He has guided Norwich from the relegation zone right to the top of the table and with an excellent chance of going straight back into the Championship. The former Colchester and Wycombe boss has not done a lot to the playing staff but he has instilled a system and discipline which has reaped it’s won rewards. He’s played under some of the best managers in World football, including Omar Hitzfeld and Martin O’Neill so he’ll have picked up plenty from those two individuals. Both were proper man managers and Lambo seems to be exactly that type of coach as well. His side are on a superb run of form having won their last 7 games and unbeaten in their last 15. Their home form under Lambert is very strong, he’s not lost a game at Carrow road since taking the hot seat.

Hartlepool have had a wee stutter of late having lost 3 of their last 4 in the league and with just two win’s in their last 12 matches. Their away form is also something of a concern and they look weak defensively on their travels. They’ve lost their last 6 away games and have conceded 15 goals in the process. Pool will be boosted by the absence of Norwich captain Grant Holt. The striker is not only their top scorer, he’s also their best and most important player. He will miss tomorrow’s match due to suspension after being sent off last weekend. They’ll also welcome the return of Ritchie Humphrey’s who has been an important player for them this season.

Norwich are flying at the moment and their strikers are bang in form. There good end has to end at some point but I think it will take a better side than the current Hartlepool team to disrupt their promotion charge. The 1/3 generally on offer for a Norwich win may appeal to some of the big hitters but I think that the home side are more than capable of covering the handicap the form they are in at the moment. They’re not only scoring a lot of goals at home they’re not conceding many either, when you consider the fact that the visitors tomorrow are conceding goals and not scoring too many on their travels, the 10/11 on Norwich minus a goal is value for me.

My selection: Norwich (-1) to beat Hartlepool at a best priced 10/11 available with Bet365

Time for FA Cup Betting coming up, with the festive Premier League schedule coming to an end. The first weekend of the new year sees the return of the FA Cup. It’s always an exciting time when the 3rd round arrives on the scene, and while there may not be as many mouth watering giant killing chances involving Premier League teams, there are still some good chances for teams from the lower leagues to progress to the fourth round, where there will be more chances to meet a team from the top flight. Here were lay out the FA Cup Betting by status of teams, to make life easier to spot potential windfalls for the punter.

NON-LEAGUE TEAMS (fixed odds match prices in brackets)
Stoke (1/4) v York (11/1) at Bet365
Sunderland (1/7) v Barrow (18/1) at SkyBet
Notts County (4/11) v Forest Green (13/2) at Totesport
Southampton (4/9) v Luton (13/2) at Boylesports

There are two Premier League v Non League FA Cup ties, with Stoke playing York, and Sunderland taking on Barrow. While these are potentially the stuff dreams are made of when it comes to the FA Cup, they Blue Square teams are both away, making an upset even more unlikely. Southampton who are mid-table from League 1 should be confident enough of progressing, while Notts County are the ones from League 2 who may be sweating a bit at the risk of an upset.

ALL PREMIER LEAGUE TIES
Aston Villa (8/15) v Blackburn (9/2) at BetFred
West Ham (15/4) v Arsenal (13/20) at SportingBet
Wigan (5/6) v Hull (10/3) at Victor Chandler

Just three top flight clashes in the Third Round this year, but none from the top half of the table playing each other. Arsenal, third in the Premier League face West Ham who are in a relegation battle, while other high flyers Aston Villa will have a somewhat tricky tie against 13th placed Blackburn. There is only one point separating Wigan and Hull, but that equates to four places, with Hull second from bottom in the league. On paper, this looks to be the tightest game of the all Premier League FA Cup Third Round clashes.

PREMIER LEAGUE v CHAMPIONSHIP
Portsmouth (4/7) v Coventry (5/1) at Blue Square
Chelsea (17/1) v Watford (16/1) at Paddy Power
Middlesbrough (4/1) v Man City (4/6) at Stan James
Nottm Forest (8/5) v Birmingham (6/4) at 888Sport
Reading (13/2) v Liverpool (5/11) at Expekt
Tottenham (1/7) v Peterborough (11) at Ladbrokes

This is where FA Cup betting can get a little interesting. The teams struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League will be approaching the FA Cup Third Round ties with a little apprehension. Premier League v Championship is a great place to look for some upsets. Portsmouth is a good target for being taken down, as they play Coventry from the Championship. The Sky Blues are just below mid table, but could pose a threat. Third placed Nottingham Forest will give Birmingham a good game, simply because Alex McLeish’s Blues are not heavy scorers, and Forest have been scoring plenty at home. Tottenham should not have too many troubles against bottom team Peterborough, but Reading, who are just above the drop zone, may fancy their chances at home against Liverpool.

PREMIER LEAGUE v LEAGUE ONE
Everton (1/4) v Carlisle (7/1) at Coral
Fulham (1/4) v Swindon (10/1) at Bet365
Tranmere (4/1) v Wolverhampton (8/11) at SkyBet
Man Utd (1/5) v Leeds United(9/1) at Totesport

The big name clash here is clearly between Manchester United and Leeds United, as the two old rivals come together. Leeds are flying at the top of League One, having suffered only one defeat all season. Depending on what side Alex Ferguson puts out, this could be a fierce contest, but the difference in class should probably win out in the end. Tranmere, languishing down near the bottom of League one, should be welcome opponents for Wolves who could do with a bit of cheer. Fulham have a tie against Swindon who chasing promotion from League One. Last year’s beaten finalists Everton, a team a lot of people lean towards when looking for an upset to happen against in the FA Cup, will be happy to be at home against Carlisle, who are in the bottom half of the league.

PREMIER LEAGUE v LEAGUE TWO
Bolton (2/9) v Lincoln City (11/1) at Boylesports

Just the one, and two teams are wide apart in the league system. Lincoln are third from bottom in League Two, just one place above the zone where they would drop out of the League system, down into the conference.

CHAMPIONSHIP v CHAMPIONSHIP
Blackpool (6/5) v Ipswich (15/8) at BetFred
Bristol City (7/5) v Cardiff (17/10) at SportingBet
Leicester (6/5) v Swansea (9/4) at Victor Chandler
Plymouth (7/2) v Newcastle (8/11) at Blue Square
Sheff Wed (6/4) v Crystal Palace (17/10) at Paddy Power
Scunthorpe (6/5) v Barnsley (8/5) at Stan James
Sheff Utd (11/10) v QPR (9/4) at 888Sport

One stand out tie here is the clash between Leicester and Swansea, who are 5th and 6th respectively in the league, and should produce a great game. League leaders Newcastle could be a great outside bet for the FA Cup, at least to get to the Quarter Finals. Sheffield United and QPR should be entertaining too, and these are the games where you really can pick up a deal. The FA Cup provides a welcome break from the stresses of the league, and where lower placed teams can turn over higher ones.

CHAMPIONSHIP v LOWER
Brentford (9/5) v Doncaster (7/5) at Expekt
Millwall (11/8) v Derby (8/5) at Ladbrokes
Preston (8/11) v Colchester (3/1) at Coral

These are interesting bets to have a look at, but not many of them. The Championship is hard to gauge sometimes in terms of quality. Often it is proved that there is big gulf in class between the teams who get promoted to the Premier League, but the teams who get relegated from the Championship, often find it hard to get back up. So, when a Championship team takes on a lower one, these are the FA Cup matches which may get overlooked, but check them out, as there could be a good  upset, especially Derby who are struggling in the bottom half.

REST OF THE REST
Accrington Stanley (7/5) v Gillingham (6/4) at William Hill
Huddersfield (21/10) v West Brom (Evens) at William Hill
MK Dons (5/2)  v Burnley (11/10) at Bet365
Torquay (7/4) v Brighton (6/4) at SkyBet

These may need a bit of studying, but do not discard lower teams playing against lower teams. You can always find decent prices floating around for these types of ties. While it is nice dreaming that a League 2 team is going to dump out a Premier League team, these are the realistic games where teams are playing others on equal levels, and becomes their best chance to progress.

Favourites to take the cup are the Big Four from the Premier League naturally…
Chelsea – 4/1 at Coral
Man Utd – 9/2 at Coral
Liverpool – 13/2 at Sporting Bet
Arsenal – 8/1 at Coral
Manchester City – 11/1 at BetFred
Tottenham – 12/1 at Bet365
Aston Villa – 22/1 at BetFred

Over/Under 2.5 Goals Predictions – 7th March

I’ve delved into the lower leagues this week as there was nothing suitable in the Championship;

Swindon v MK Dons – Over 2.5 goals (odds at Bet365: 1.80)
Swindon have firepower with top scorer Simon Cox(4assts,16gls) ably supported by McNamee(5assts) & Paynter(4assts,7gls), but they also concede a lot at home.
MK Dons are the league’s top scorers away from home (35) and they too have dangerous players in Leven(5assts,10gls),Wilbraham(5assts,12gls) & Jemal Johnson(9assts,5gls).
I reckon there’ll be some goals in this fixture!

Bournemouth v Port Vale – Under 2.5 goals (odds at Bet365: 1.72)
Bournemouth’s home record of 11 out of 14 games under 2.5gls is one of the reasons for my selection, along with top scorer Pitman rated doubtful.
Port Vale have 3 key players out also, and Bournemouth don’t concede too many at Dean Court.

Saturday 14^th February

English FA Cup

Swansea v Fulham

Championship side Swansea host Fulham of the Premier League in Saturday’s early kick off in one of the tie’s of the round.

The away side head into this game on the back of a run which has seen them lose only two matches out of their last fifteen. The impressive form has seen them record 6 wins with 2 of these coming in this competition, both away against lower league opposition.  Despite these victories away from home in the cup, they have yet to take maximum points on their travels in the league. From their last 3 matches in the league they have lost two and drew the other one, last week’s goalless draw with Wigan.

As I have no doubt mentioned before, Swansea have been a revelation this term. Roberto Martinez has put together a team full of craft, pace and ability and entwined it with graft and enthusiasm. Despite missing last season’s star man, Ferrie Bodde, for much of the season they have put together a run of even better form than Saturday’s visitors. Since their reverse at home to Birmingham in November, they have went on a run of 15 games unbeaten. Granted, 9 of those games were stalemates, but it should be noted that they have won 6 of their last 7 games, including their impressive 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in the last round. Incidentally, their last defeat was also their only home defeat of the season; winning 7 and drawing 8.

Swansea have done exceptionally well against the more cultured sides in the Championship this season, defeating the likes of Reading, Preston, Ipswich and Burnley in recent weeks, with relative ease as well it has to be said. The likes of Jason Scotland, Jordi Gomez and Nathan Dyer are far more effective when they are given space to play and Fulham will allow them a lot of the ball on Saturday as they will look to hit the hosts on the counter-attack.

Fulham have been given two tough games thus far in the FA Cup. They have left it late against both Sheffield Wednesday and Kettering Town, the winning goals coming in the last 5 minutes in both cases – they will find this match even tougher. Having only managed 6 points all season on the road, and scoring a paltry 3 goals in the process, I can see them coming unstuck at what is sure to be a rocking Liberty Stadium.

I think Saturday’s game will be an open game and can see both sides scoring, I just feel that the home side will have a little too much for their higher ranking opponents.

My selection: Swansea to beat Fulham

The best odds available for a Swansea win is  13/8 with Skybet

Also, if you are not as confident in the outright result, I would advise a couple of side bets for a little bit of added interest in what is sure to be an enthralling encounter.

Other selections: Jason Scotland to score anytime 2/1 with Paddypower

More than 2 goals in Swansea v Fulham 5/4 with Stanjames

Saturday 14^th February

English League One

Oldham v Northampton

High flying Oldham entertain perennial mid table finishers Northampton at Boundary Park on Saturday in a match they will be looking to gain all three points in a bid to keep their promotion challenge firmly on track.

Despite a couple of recent setbacks on their travels, Oldham have continued to be a force at home. They have picked up 8 wins and 6 draws from their 15 home games in league 1 already this season, including gaining maximum points from 2 of their last 3. A big part of their success is the quality of their strikers, especially Lee Hughes. The controversial hitman has bagged 15 already this term. Midfielders Liddell and Taylor also have 8 goals apiece, add that to the experience of Dean Windass, on loan from Hull City, then it’s not hard to understand why Oldham sit in 5^th place, 7 points off the 2^nd automatic promotion spot.

Northampton are something of an enigma. Despite proving incredibly difficult to beat on their own turf (only 3 defeats from 15), they have only managed to pick up 3 points on two occasions when playing away from Sixfields. Both these victories were against sides below them in the table and both are currently occupying positions within the relegation zone.

Despite having to contend with a suspension to their goalkeeper, the home side should have too much firepower at the other end of the pitch for Northampton to cope with and should take all 3 points. It’s a game they will have targeted as a must win beforehand and they should oblige.

My selection: Oldham to beat Northampton

The best odds available are 8/11 from Betfred Betfred

Saturday 14^th February

English FA Cup

West Ham v Middlesborough

An all Premier league clash between two sides enjoying contrasting fortunes. The home side are flying in the top half of the table under Gianfranco Zola whilst ‘Boro are on their worst run in 13 years. These are games I normally avoid due to their unpredictable nature but I just cannot see where the away side are going to pick up anything.

Survival is the name of the game for Saturday’s visitors to Upton Park on Saturday. Slap bang in the middle of the relegation zone and without a win in the EPL since the beginning of November, manager Gareth Southgate is faced with his biggest task yet since taking charge. In spite of their shocking league form, they have managed to make it through to this stage by defeating lower league opposition in the shape of Wolves and Barrow.

Zola has started to stamp his mark on this side after a relatively timid opening couple of months in charge. Their narrow defeat to Man United last Sunday was their first reverse since the middle of December, a run of games which has seen them win 6 and draw 2. The likes of Cole, Collison, Behrami and Mark Noble will be a handful for an away side who have failed to win at Upton park since 2000.

The cup may prove to be a welcome distraction for ‘Boro but their pitiful recent form leaves a lot to be desired. Zola will know that defeat would mean merely playing out the rest of the season and hoping for a top 10 finish whereas victory could be the catalyst for a prolonged run in a competition they came so close to winning in 2006.

Roared on by an now expectant home crowd, the pace and power of West Ham should be more than enough to brush aside Southgate’s charges.  

My selection: West Ham to beat Middlesborough

The best odds available for a West Ham win is 5/6 available with Boylesports