Northern Ireland

International weeks tend to limit the number of games which possess a bit of value and this weekend is absolutely no different. I’ve scoured the League 1 and 2 fixtures in England, as well as the World Cup 2010 qualifiers and I can’t see too many, if any, games which represent a good bet at decent odds.

Instead of my usual method of selecting two singles, I’ve gone for the slightly riskier option and put forward two selections which I will be backing in a double. As ever, these selections are put forward after a long drawn out process of analysis, discussion with fellow punters and gut instinct. The fact I am putting these selections in a double is only advice and how you bet is, of course, completely up to you.

Saturday 5^th September

English League 2

Notts County v Burton Albion

We head to Meadow Lane for the first selection where Burton Albion travel to Notts County looking to be the first League 2 side to score at the Lane this season.

Notts County are the most talked about club outside of the English Premier League so far this season after their high profile takeover which has resulted in the hiring of f former English Manager, Sven Goran Eriksson as director of football, as well as the signing of current English internationalist, Sol Campbell. The man responsible for this, and with the deep pockets, is Peter Trembling. The new County chairman headed a Middle Eastern consortium in the summer and has taken no time at all to restoring the feel good factor around the oldest club in English league football. As well as the high profile signing of Campbell, County have purchased Lee Hughes from Oldham, Kasper Schmeichel from Man City and Johnny Jackson from Coventry. All three are capable at playing at higher levels and will prove to be shrewd acquisitions by manager Tony McParland.

 Burton have gone about their business far quieter than tomorrow’s opposition but find themselves on the same number of points after 5 games. Albion find themselves in League football for the first ever time after earning promotion from the Conference last season. Their manager, Paul Peschisolido, will be well pleased with his sides start to the season but will not be getting carried away. Their 3 victories thus far have came against lesser sides than they’ll face tomorrow. They have, however, won 3 of their last 4 matches and will be high on confidence when they come face to face with their biggest challenge of the season so far.

Campbell is still a couple of weeks from fitness and won’t take any part for the home side tomorrow. They are expected to field on loan winger Matt Ritchie who joined from Premiership strugglers Portsmouth on Tuesday. Albion will again be without their influential captain Aaron Webster who has only just returned to training after injury.

County have been a Jekyll and Hide side with regards to their results. They have won both home games very comfortably whilst losing two of their three matches on the road. Their home form has been scintillating with 8 goals scored in two games and none conceded. Albion have won one and lost one on the road. Their defeat is more telling as it was against another of the better sides in the league, Shrewsbury who, incidentally, are also notoriously strong on their own patch.

I expect County to have too much firepower for their visitors tomorrow. Hughes, Jackson and Karl Hawley have all scored already this season and will be a test for the best sides in this league. I fancy County to take all three points.

My selection: Notts County to beat Burton Albion

Best odds available: 8/15 with several bookmakers including Ladbrokes

World Cup 2010

Qualifying Group 3

Kick off 19.30

Northern Ireland know that qualification is in their own hands as they head to Poland in what will be a crucial and vital match which will go some way to deciding which of these sides will be in South Africa next summer.

Poland will be out to avenge their 3-2 defeat at Windsor Park back in March when their goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, was at fault for a couple of the goals, including an embarrassing fresh air swipe at a back pass. The Polish FA have reacted to this defeat by moving the match away from the initial stadium choosing to play in Silesian Stadium in the city of Chorzow. The Poles currently sit 3 points behind tomorrow night’s opponents and a further 2 points behind group leaders Slovakia. They have, however, played a game less than Northern Ireland so should they win, will be level on points going into their final two qualifiers.

Nigel Worthington and his squad have impressed everyone with their resoluteness, fighting spirit as well as a touch of ability. 13 points from their first 7 matches is not a bad return and has provided them with a platform to go on from to reach what would be their first World Cup since 1986. Worthington has been telling the press this week that they still have a lot of work to do and will require a minimum of 7 points from their last 3 matches. Should they achieve this it will be no mean feat as the Irish will face arguably the three toughest sides in the group. After they play Poland they take on the group leaders at home before finishing up with a very tricky away tie in Prague against the Czech Republic.

Poland are likely to hand a recall to Boruc after he was dropped from the team following his high profile errors in Belfast. The controversial keeper has been in outstanding form for his club side Celtic this season and will be determined to put right his previous errors. The away side will have their leading all time scorer David Healey in attack with one of Kyle Lafferty or Martin Paterson partnering him in attack. The Irish will be without influential midfielder Chris Brunt because of injury and Martin Baird at the back who misses out due to suspension.

Poland are unbeaten at home in group 3 so far with two wins and a draw from their previous games. They are notoriously strong at home and if they want to be in competitive action in 9 months time they will have to continue their impressive home form by taking all 3 points tomorrow night. I expect a tight game full of tension and few goals. I think home advantage will end up being vital and think Poland will just edge it in the end.

My selection: Poland to beat Northern Ireland

Best odds available: 4/7 with several bookmakers including Coral

As I said at the start of my article, I will be playing these selections in a double tomorrow. The best accumulative price for such a bet is 2.41 which works out at between 11/8 and 6/4. You can get this price with several bookmakers including Ladbrokes.

Good Luck and Happy Punting