premiership

Reliable Homes.
 
Outstanding in this field is the Norway Div 1. Here the Home win percentage is over 57%. They also tend to have plenty of goals in their games. With three out of five going OVER 2.5 goals. The average goals per game is 2.7.
These figures would suggest teams with a good home record, especially those that tend to score for fun, should be part of  any HOMES strategy.
Aways are slightly better than draws @ 23.5%. The 19.3% of drawn games include just NINE goal-less draws. That’s little better than 7% of the games played. Ideal for those who like to LAY 0 – 0 scores. 
 
Next in line is the Croatia 1. HNL.
Here the Home advantage is 53.3%. goals are also plentiful here, too. An Average of 2.65 per game with 50.3 games going OVERS.
 
Followed by Romania Liga 1. Here 53.1 of games are home wins. However defences would appear to have the upper hand. Goals per games are only 2.31 and 61.6% of games go UNDER.       
 
Czech Gambrinus is the next in the list of Good Homes.
Their winning percentage is a tick short of 53%. Given that their draw returns is almost 27% those of you who have a liking for DOUBLE CHANCE bets are looking at an overall figure just a couple of ticks short of 80%. A good base to work from.
Here again defences appear to hold the upper hand. 57.5% of games ending UNDER 2.5 goals. Average goals per game being 2.42. 
 
 
ICELAND DIV 1. This seems to be a league were goals are there for the taking.  However just  52.2% percent of games go to the home side but the draw average is well below par. Form seems to work out pretty well. Where home teams are quoted at less than 2.00, they have a winning percentage of 67%. (19/28). Away figures are almost identical at 66.7% (6/9).
It’s the goals figures that are interesting. Four and five goals a game are plentiful. With the odd six or seven and even an eight.
It does appear that a home team that can score goals regularly are a good bet. The down side will be, of course, that the price on offer may well be a little cramped.     
Drawn games are few and far between and GOAL-LESS draws are much more of a rarity. Under 4.5% ending goal-less. Laying the draw would seem to be a choice here, if you can find some IN-PLAY games. 
 
 
Amongst the "Big Leagues" Italy’s Serie "A" comes out best on the HOMES front. At 50.5% they are almost 2% better than their Spanish counterparts.
As we have come to expect, goals can be scarce in many Italian games.
However there are quite a few games that go the other way, as the goals per game average of 2.6 shows us.
With a draw percentage of 25% away sides are just about able to claim one win in four games.      
As expected, UNDERS is king here, with 54.2% of games ending that way.
4.2 % of games ended GOAL-LESS. In fact, 101 games featured less than TWO goals. That’s a little over 26.5%.
 
SERIE "B" is even tighter. 44.2% homes and 31.6% draws. Aways don’t quite make 25%..Unders are more "popular" as can be expected, at 57.6%. Average goals-per-games is fairly low too, at 2.39.
 
THE PREMIERSHIP, is as we can all testify, a very tight affair.
Homes and Aways totalling almost 75%. That leaves Draws at the long-ago expeced figure of 25%.
Goals per-game are fairly low at 2.48 so as expected UNDERS is on the high side at 52.1%.
Goal scoring seems to be the main problem, especially for away sides. In a touch over 70% of games, they failed to score more than ONE goal.
Home sides weren’t very much better. They managed to score THREE or more goals on only sixty three occasions. there were forty-two goal-less draws out of ninety-seven draws.
What conclusions can be drawn from these stats is hard to say.
Caution must be the watchword.  
 
THE CHAMPIONSHIP is said to be the hardest English league to gain promotion from. The stats actually bear this out.
Homes 43.3% Aways 27.4% and Draws 29.3%. There’s nothing n these figures to give any kind of indication for building a strategy around.
Approximately 70% of HOME wins are 1 – 0, 2 – 0 or 2 – 1. May be something here for Correct Score enthusiasts. However be aware. From what I’ve seen, any set of scores may tend to "bunch". This bunching effect
could work against you just as easily as for you.
UNDERS are 54.7% and average goals per game, 2.45.  
 
LEAGUE 1. has a pretty dismal HOME WIN record. Just 42.8%. However the AWAY figure is quite high 32.4%. Average goals per game is high too, 2.75.
Overs is good as well at 51.6%.
For me, this is a league to leave alone.
 
LEAGUE 2. Has an even worse HOME record than it’s " big brother". Just 41.3% Home wins. However it does have a better DRAW return @ 29.5 It is in the Top Twelve in the Table. Two "ticks" about The Championship in thirteenth place.
Here again, I’d be more than happy to sit back and check the results, rather than try and forecast them.  
 
All stats are for last season, except where Summer Leagues (Scandinavian, South American etc, which are "as is") are concerned.

Saturday 11^th April

English Premiership

Stoke City v Newcastle United

The proverbial relegation 6-pointer takes place tomorrow evening in front of the television cameras. In what will be Alan Shearer’s 2^nd match in charge of Newcastle, they travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Tony Pulis’ Stoke side who have been excellent at home this season.

Shearer’s first match in charge ended in disappointment with Newcastle being easily disposed of by Chelsea. It was arguably a match where anything they got, would have been a bonus, however, games are fast running out and their lack of threat would have been a worry to the caretaker manager. What would have pleased him, however, would be star man and top goalscorer, Michael Owen, completing 90 minutes and more importantly, coming through the match unscathed. It is necessity that they keep Owen fit between now and the end of the season to have any chance of beating the drop.

The home side are coming into this match on the back of a much more positive result after a vital 2-0 away victory over bottom club, West Brom. It was their first away win in the league since gaining promotion and would have been a huge relief to finally get that monkey off their back. As with the majority of clubs in the league, it has been the side’s home form that has provided them with most of their points. Their direct style of play and physical presence has basically intimidated a lot of their opponents and has meant that two more wins, will probably be enough to see them remain in the top flight for a 2^nd season.

The visitors have only managed two wins on the road all season. One of those wins was against hapless West Brom whilst the other was a victory over Portsmouth during the festive period when frankly, everyone was beating Tony Adams’ side. In their defence, they have been very rarely disgraced or hammered in their 8 away defeats. Since September, United have only lost one game on the road by more than 1 goal, a 3-0 defeat at Blackburn. On the face of it, this suggests that they are not doing much wrong; however, a defeat is a defeat at the end of the day. They seem unable to pick up points against teams with a half decent home record.

Stoke City’s home record would be impressive for most teams, let alone a team who has been fighting relegation all season long. Pulis’ team has managed 8 victories and 4 draws from a total of 15 league matches. They have defeated Aston Villa, Arsenal and Everton this season whilst their last home reverse came against Champions and league leaders, Man United, on Boxing day of last year.

Newcastle will be without several long term absentees as well as recent injury victims, Peter Lovenkrands, Jose Enrique and Steven Taylor. This sort of match is perfect for the latter of that trio. His love for the physical aspect of the game has been well documented lately so his absence is sure to be a massive blow. City will have their key players available tomorrow and their strikers, Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie, will have to perform if they are to take 3 points.

Stoke’s style of play and physical presence may be too much for Newcastle’s porous defence. With Steven Taylor missing it makes things even more difficult and I expect another home win for the Potters.

My selection: Stoke City to beat Newcastle United

Best odds available: 6/4 with Bet365

English Championship

Burnley v QPR

QPR are in disarray this week after the club’s board sacked manager, Paulo Sousa, after only 5 months in charge. Sousa has publicly stated that the sale of striker Dextor Blackstock was done behind his back and it is this claim that has saw the departure of the former Juventus midfielder.

QPR’s season is effectively over as they lie in mid-table mediocrity and have no chance of gaining a play-off spot. Burnley on the other hand, have everything to play for. The Turf Moor club have had an excellent season thus far with two superb cup runs, they also lie in 6^th position and occupy the final play-off spot.

Owen Coyle has formed a side which comprises both youth and experience which plays lovely, effective football. His side have defied a lot of the doubters who felt that their cup runs would have an adverse effect on their league position. It is testament to Coyle’s management style and enthusiasm as well as his players’ resolve that they are still in the promotion picture. They are undefeated in their last 6, winning 4 of those and have only lost two home games in all competitions since the turn of the year.

QPR were tipped as promotion favourites at the start of the season due to their wealthy owners and extravagant wage bill. Things, however, have failed to materialize due to a variety of reasons. They got rid of Ian Dowie in November to replace him with Sousa before getting rid of him this week. Their instability and constant change will not have had a positive effect on the players to say the least, whilst this latest event highlights the split between the boardroom and the pitch and suggests all is no well at Loftus Road.

QPR’s recent form is not too bad with only one defeat in their last 6. However, their last 3 away matches have resulted in 2 defeats and 1 draw. These games were also against much inferior opposition than what they’ll face tomorrow. Rangers’ away form all season has been indifferent; the London club have only won 3 on the road this term.  Burnley have an excellent record over QPR with 8 wins from their last 10 meetings with only one win for tomorrow’s visitors.

Both sides could not be further apart in terms of off the park. Whilst QPR are getting rid of their 2^nd manager, Burnley have moved quickly to snap up Owen Coyle on an improved contract which will give both he and the players a massive boost going into the final few matches of the season.

I had picked this bet out at the start of the week and although I’m always wary of backing against a team who has changed their manager, I just can’t see past a home win tomorrow.

My Selection: Burnley to beat QPR

Best odds available: 5/6 with Betfred

Good luck and Happy punting

Saturday 7^th February

English Premiership

West Brom v Newcastle

Tomorrow’s clash at the Hawthorns is the proverbial 6-pointer and a match which neither side can afford to lose as we close in the final third of the season.

The visitors have had a lot of upheaval during the January transfer window losing Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia, whilst they brought in Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor, whilst also securing a short-term deal for former Rangers enigma, Peter Lovenkrands.  Given is obviously the big miss, as able a deputy as Steve Harper is, the little Irishman has been a huge player for the Magpies throughout the last decade and it will be interesting to see how they cope without his presence from now until the end of the season. Newcastle may welcome back a trio of strikers in the shape of Viduka, Martins and Smith. They have trained this week but it may be a risk to deploy any of them from a start considering the length of time they have been out for.

West Brom have also been busy in the transfer window. They acquired Arsenal kid, Jay Simpson, on loan till the end of the season. Simpson, however, picked up an injury during the week and is a doubt for tomorrow’s match. As well as that signing, manager Tony Mowbray has also moved to bring in another two strikers. Argentine striker, Juan Carlos Menseguez, and Frenchman Marc-Antoine Fortune have also been added as has PSG midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu. Slowly but surely the baggies injury list is beginning to shorten. Key players are regaining fitness, the likes of Koren, Brunt, Meite and Paul Robinson should all be fit to take their place on Saturday, as should Scottish internationalist, James Morrison.

The home side have begun to pick up more points, especially at home. They have managed to pick up maximum points from 3 of their last 4 home games, including victories over Spurs and Man City. Newcastle’s away form leaves a lot to be desired. Since a pick-up in results when Joe Kinnear first took over, the Geordies have resorted to form; they have lost their last 3 road games, looking incredibly poor in them as well.

The baggies know that their home form will be key to have any chance of survival and their recent form is encouraging. Newcastle may be about to welcome back a number of players, but until they get a few games under their belts, and the new signings adapt to their style of play, I can see them continuing to struggle. The fact that they will also be without Shay Given adds further weight to this reasoning.

My selection: West Brom to beat Newcastle

The best price available for a West Brom win is 13/10 with Ladbrokes

English Premiership

Sunderland v Stoke City

Another clash between two sides battling relegation takes place at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. It may not be a must win match, but it’s certainly a must not lose game.

Sunderland have been fairly quiet during January with regards to signings. Apart from the sale of El Hadji Diouf and the buys of Calum Davenport and Tal Ben Haim, they go with what they had before the window. The home side will have to contend with a trio of injury problems at the heart of their defence so it’s likely that one, if not both, of the new signings will play from the start.

Stoke have kept all their key players whilst adding two strikers in the shape of James Beattie and Henri Camara.  Beattie has already scored twice for his new club and is proving to be a shrewd bit of business on the part of Tony Pulis. Unfortunately for City, they will be without Rory Delap who has contributed to more than half of their 21 league goals this season, he is suspended for 3 matches after his sending off last Saturday. Stoke also brought in Stephen Kelly from Birmingham and he could take his place from the start because of Delap’s suspension.  

Sunderland fielded a much changed team during Wednesday’s FA cup reply away at Blackburn. Richardson, Cisse, Jones and Whithead are all expected to return amongst others. Manager Ricky Sbragia has definitely made Sunderland harder to beat, especially at home. Since his appointment he has only suffered on league defeat in the North East, winning 2 and drawing 2. Jones and Cisse are beginning to get a better understanding of each other and both are scoring goals regularly. They should also have defeated Newcastle at St James’ last week. Poor finishing and a dodgy penalty decision cost them another two points.

Stoke are only one of two sides yet to pick up three points on the road this season, they also have the lowest point tally from games away from home this year, a total of 3. As well as those statistics, they have conceded the highest amount of goals on their travels, a staggering 27. They have been unlucky on occasion, a perfect example being their last minute collapse at Stamford Bridge last month. They have lost 5 of their last 6 matches away from the Britannia in the league.   

With the backing of a raucous home crowd and a front pairing of proven quality in the way of Cisse and Jones, I expect Sunderland to have just a little bit too much for poor travelers, Stoke City.

My Selection: Sunderland to beat Stoke City

The best price available for a Sunderland victory is 5/6 available with several bookies including Skybet

Good luck and happy punting  

Saturday 31^st January

English Premiership

Fulham v Portsmouth

Fulham host Portsmouth this Saturday in a clash between two sides that are not in the best of form. The home side have not won a league game in 5 when they brushed aside Middlesborough the weekend before Christmas. Since that match they only played one other EPL match at home, a 2-2 draw against 3^rd place Chelsea. Outwith those games, they have only managed to pick up single point from three matches on the road, losing their last two away games against West Ham and Sunderland.

Unfortunately for Portsmouth, they have picked up even less points. From their last 8 league games they have amassed a pitiful 5 points. The run has seen them slip further and further down the table and the lie perilously close to the dreaded relegation places. Tony Adams has actually only managed to win two out of his 14 league matches since taking over at the end of October, it really is a startling stat. His cause has not been helped by the loss of key players such as Defoe and Diarra, as well as the ongoing financial troubles that have impeded his own transfer dealings. The likes of Mullins and Pennant are decent enough players, but they’re also journeymen who their own clubs were only too happy to let go of.

Fulham have also lost a key player in the shape of Jimmy Bullard. The transfer of the much admired English internationalist could prove detrimental to the Cottagers in the long run. His goals, set piece delivery and energy for central to most things that Fulham done well.

The hosts have a home record they can be very proud of. From 10 matches they’ve played at home, they’ve won 6 and drawn 3. Their solitary defeat came against a West Ham side who were extremely lucky to escape with anything, let alone all 3 points. They also have the 4^th best home defensive record in the league, only bettered by the top 3.

Portsmouth have been pretty poor on the road this season. Winning only two of their 11 games on the road thus far, they have lost 5, including two of their last 3. They managed to pick up a draw at Tottenham but even then they were very lucky not to suffer another defeat.

Interestingly enough, Pompey actually have a decent record away to Fulham, winning on their last two visits. Those wins however, came when they had pace to burn going forward. With Peter Crouch and Kanu their likely front pairing tomorrow, they are unlikely to be able to get in behind a resolute Fulham defence.

It’s been a tough old start to Adam’s managerial career and I can’t see it getting much better anytime soon. Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora could enjoy a fruitful today tomorrow.

My selection: Fulham to beat Portsmouth

The best price available for a Fulham victory is 21/20 which is available at Bluesquare

English Championship

Southampton v Swansea

The away side comes into this match absolutely flying. Not only are they unbeaten in any competition since the end of November, they also defeated Portsmouth 2-0 in last week’s FA Cup tie at Fratton Park. The home side are at the other end of the form table, they’ve only managed victory once in their last 11 league matches, which was a single goal victory away to fellow struggler, Barnsley.

The Swans have finally started turning draws into victories. After stalemating in 8 league matches in a row, they have won their last 5 matches, including league wins over Reading and Preston at home and a 2-0 victory over Burnley on the road. Manager Roberto Martinez has put together a very balanced squad which can battle but also play quality football when they get the opportunity. A mixture of home based players and oversee imports has set them up for a very interesting second half of the season.

The home side have suffered a nightmare season to date. They recently lost manager Jan Poortvliet who only came in during the last close season. His philosophy of playing good football and nurturing young players may not have been getting consistent results, but it was the best way forward for a club who have had to loan out or sell their best players because they are in financial difficulties. All is not well at St Mary’s and the fans have not been slow to vent their anger at Chairman Rupert Lowe.

The away side will have to do without a key player in the shape of Darren Pratley. His presence will be missed in the middle of the park will no doubt be missed, but it should be noted that he went off 10 minutes into Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Preston. Another player missing will be on-loan Nathan Dyer. Last week’s FA Cup hero is actually on loan from Southampton so is ineligible for tomorrows match.

Southampton have only managed to pick up one victory all season long at St Mary’s in the league. They have lost 7 games on home soil, only equaled by bottom club Charlton. Swansea have won only 4 matches on the road, but have only suffered defeat the same amount of times. I was tempted with backing the draw because of the players Swansea are missing but I just feel they will still have too much quality with the likes of Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez.

My selection: Swansea to beat Southampton

The best price available for a Swansea win is 13/10 available with Coral

Monday 19^th January

English Premiership

Liverpool v Everton

The first of two Merseyside derby’s in the space of a week, see’s Liverpool entertain their city rivals in the Premiership leg of the double header.

 There has been a lot of talk regarding the home side in the past 10 days, most of which concerns manager Rafael Benitez. Whether it is pressure or attempting to play mind games with both the board and rival managers, the Spaniard has certainly had a lot to say for himself. The Liverpool players should be professional enough and experienced enough to get on with their job and go about their business as usual tonight.

Everton are on an excellent run of form of late, winning 5 of their last 6, drawing the other game. They have crept up on the top 6 without any fuss and largely unnoticed, finding themselves 6 points of 5^th place Arsenal with their game in hand tonight. Their good form is down to sheer hard work with the obvious bit of skill and ability chucked in for good measure. Davie Moyes has had to contend with a plethora of injuries right throughout the season and has had to rely on big performances from the likes of Jagielka, Arteta, Lescott and Tim Cahill. All four will be key to getting anything from tonight’s game.

It is an intriguing match-up, not least from a betting perspective. Liverpool have been knocked off the top by Man United and will be looking to reclaim pole position as soon as possible. The away side will be looking to continue their recent good form to keep the momentum going into Sunday’s FA cup tie.

Star striker and talisman, Fernando Torres, is expected to lead the line from the start for the home side and he’ll be looking to continue his record over the blue half of Merseyside. Torres has scored all of Liverpool’s goals in the last 2 derbies including the solitary strike in the corresponding fixture last season. Fellow Spaniards, Alonso and Arberloa, are also in line to start after overcoming injury problems.

Everton will be without influential midfielder Marouane Fellaini who is suspended and will also miss the cup match. Aside from that and long term absentees Yakubu and Saha, they have a fully fit squad to choose from which means Joseph Yobo is set to make his return and partner Jagielka in the centre of defence.

Derby games are always difficult to call which is why I would advise everyone to keep their stakes to a minimum for a bit of added interest in the game. Everton have failed to win at Anfield since Kevin Campbell’s winner in 1999 but have picked up 5 draws since then. Add that to Liverpool’s record of 4 draws from 10 home games tonight then the most logical bet in my opinion is a stalemate. Both sides are well set up defensively and do not concede a lot of goals but at the same time, there will be enough quality on show for chances to be created however.

My selections:

Liverpool and Everton to draw Best price available is 12/5 available with Coral

Liverpool and Everton to draw 1-1 Best price available is 13/2 with several bookmakers including bluesquare

Less than 3 goals scored in Liverpool v Everton Best price available is 7/10 available with 888sport

Good luck and happy punting

Saturday 17^th January

English Premiership

Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United

Blackburn find themselves at the wrong end of the Premiership and need points desperately. Newcastle seemed to be getting their act together towards the end of last year with victories over Aston Villa and Spurs. Since their victory over Spurs however, they have failed to win any of their following 5 matches, losing 3 of these. One of the key factors of their recent poor run is the absence of key players such as Martins, Beye, Ameobi and Taylor who were all excellent in their decent run during November and December. It is expected that only Steven Taylor has a chance of returning tomorrow which means manager Joe Kinnear goes to Lancashire with another depleted squad.

Rovers are undefeated in the 4 matches that new manager, Sam Allardyce, has presided over. Two of these have resulted in comfortable wins over Stoke and Blyth Spartans in the FA cup. The other two games were games which they should have won. They had several good chances away to Sunderland and should have taken at least one of them, whilst they were cruising at 2-0 up at home to Man City before self-destructing and conceding two goals in the last couple of minutes.

Much talked about striker Roque Santa Cruz returns to the squad for the first time under Allardyce’s reign as does influential midfielder, David Dunn. As I have mentioned already, Newcastle will be without a whole host of players. Apart from those already listed, Geremi, Jose Enrique, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka.

As well as needing the points to get out of the relegation zone, ‘Fat Sam’ will be keen to get one over his former club. It is clear he is still bitter about his hasty departure last season and his relationship with Magpies owner, Mike Ashley, was never the best to begin with so we can safely assume that he does not think a great deal of his former boss.

The key to this game will be how well Newcastle’s defence plays against a talented array of Blackburn strikers. Cruz, Benny McCarthy, Jason Roberts and Matty Derbyshire all have claims of starting tomorrow afternoon. Whoever plays, they will certainly test a leaky Newcastle defence.

Sam Allardyce knows they have to pick up wins soon, especially against sides in and around them. With the two sides experiencing differing injury lists, I feel the home side will just edge a tense 90 minutes.

My selection: Blackburn to beat Newcastle.

The best price available for a Blackburn win is 11/10 available with several bookmakers including William Hill

English Championship

Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic

I went against Wednesday last week but I am going to side with them this weekend. A lot can change in football in seven days and that has certainly been the case for the home side. A new chairman, the return of a fans favourite, ticket prices slashed, a couple of new players and a couple of players back from injury and things are all rosy in the Owl’s garden again.

Charlton won their first match in an age in their FA cup replay midweek against an equally hapless Norwich side. They have, by all accounts, been playing some good stuff recently without being able to put the ball in the back of the net. It’s a strange on as Andy Gray is a good striker at this level and has a proven track record.

Recent recruit Tom Soares will bolster their midfield and give them a bit of steel in the middle of the park. Their problems, however, lie at the back. They have the 2^nd worst defensive record in the league having conceded 47, 20 of these coming on their travels. Charlton have only won once away from home all season losing 9, including their last 3.

Wednesday have a decent enough home record winning 7, drawing 4 and losing only two games. They will be cheered on by a bumper home crowd and manager Brian Laws has stated that there is a feel good factor about the club again.

My selection: Sheffield Wednesday to beat Charlton

The best price available for a Sheffield Wednesday is 5/6 with several bookmakers including betfred

Scottish Premier League

Hamilton v Inverness Caley Thistle

This is the proverbial relegation 6 pointer in tomorrow’s SPL match at New Douglas Park. The visitors have been on a treacherous run of late, losing their last 6 league matches. They gained their first win in 7, in all competitions, last weekend against 1^st division side, and poor travelers, Partick Thistle.

Hamilton have been relatively impressive in their debut season in the SPL. They managed to pick up a couple of early wins which set them on their way and after a sticky few months, seem to be returning to their early season form. They have picked up maximum points from their last 3 home fixtures with victories over Aberdeen, Motherwell and Kilmarnock. What is even more remarkable is the fact they did not concede in any of these matches, racking up 5 goals at the other end.

Star striker and top scorer, Richard Offiong, will miss tomorrows match due to suspension. They will miss his work-rate, running and goal threat, but manager Billy Reid has recently acquired Paul McGowan from league leaders Celtic, on loan. The young lad has been champing at the bit for first team football and will be looking to prove himself if he gets the nod tomorrow.

ICT fans have been unhappy to the say the least with manager Craig Brewster and his tactics this season. They have vented their frustration at several matches and the highland club is not a happy place to be at the moment. They themselves have brought in a couple of reinforcements with one of them, Felipe Morais, scoring twice on his debut. Having seen a fair bit of him during his time at Hibs, he is a fair weather player. When things are going his way he’s a decent player, when defenders get in his face and things start to go wrong, he is worse than a man down.

Hamilton have several exciting youngsters who have been thriving on their return to Scotland’s top flight. McCarthy and MacArthur have been nothing short of excellent this season and will be looking to help continue their sides recent good form at NDP to increase the gap between themselves and the bottom club.

My selection: Hamilton to beat Inverness Caley Thistle

The best price available for a Hamilton win is 6/5 available with a couple of bookmakers including bet365

Saturday 10^th January

English Premiership

Everton v Hull

After both sides were involved in FA cup action last Saturday, it’s back to the Premiership and a clash between two sides in the top 8.

Hull were the surprise package during the first half of the season, remaining in the top 6 of the EPL for long periods of the first round of games. The points they accumulated earlier on in the season may prove to be invaluable come the end of the season if their recent form is anything to go by. Their last win the league came over a month ago at home to Middlesborough. You also have to go back to the end of October for their last win on the road. They have however, only lost two of the following 5 matches, both defeats coming to the Manchester clubs.

Everton on the other hand, took a while to get going, especially at Goodison which had proved such a fortress in the past seasons under Davie Moyes. Beset with numerous injury problems to key players resulted in the Toffees going 6 before gaining their first league win on home soil against Fulham. Since that victory, they have drawn 2, lost 1 and in their latest home game, brushed aside Sunderland 3-0. They are unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions winning 4.

Tim Cahill has proved pivotal in Everton’s recent good run playing as a lone striker for much of the last month in the absence of Yakubu, Saha and Anichebe. The latter, however, started last weekend’s cup tie and should keep his place in the starting line-up with Cahill in support. Hull will hope for a bit of magic from Geovanni who has been their talisman, especially away from home.

Everton have aspirations of European football and if they wish to achieve that, they must beat a Hull side on their worst form of the season thus far. Moyes will be hammering home how important it is to get all 3 points tomorrow with their next 3 matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United. Teams are now getting accustomed to Hull’s style of play and the promoted side may find things a lot different in the 2^nd half of the season, beginning tomorrow.

My selection: Everton to beat Hull

The best price available for an Everton win is 4/6 with several bookmakers including Skybet

English Championship

Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday

One point separates these two sides which suggests it has all the makings of a close fought encounter at Portman road on Saturday.  

The home side have a squad equipped to challenge for a play-off spot and play some lovely football a lot of the time. It could be argued that their young midfield is too inconsistent to put a run of victories together which is needed in this league. Their last 5 games have saw a return of 7 points whilst they have lost 2 of their last 3 home games. It should be noted, however, that these defeats came against top sides in the shape of Birmingham and Cardiff, two sides which have quality in abundance and both coming away with victories by the odd goal.

Sheffield Wednesday have stuttered of late having been challenging for a play-off spot themselves in the earlier part of the season. Their home form was key to their lofty position having only picked up 2 wins on the road, losing 8 and drawing 3. Both wins came against sides in the lower half of the table in the shape of Blackpool and Charlton. Manager Brian Laws has attempted to pick up points by playing good football, which is not always the most effective way in the Championship.

Whenever the home side have came up against mid to lower half of the table sides, they have inevitably brushed them aside, with wins over Bristol City, Derby and Barnsley amongst their 5 home successes. They themselves will play football the way it should be played and with the visitors missing the likes of Clarke, Tudgay and Wade Small.

Already 6 points behind 6^th place, the home side cannot afford to fall any further behind at this stage of the season and will be looking to record a much needed win. Wednesday concede goals on the road, they have managed to ship 30 goals on the road, the highest amount of any side in the league. Whoever play’s upfront for the home side will not get a better chance to grab a couple and kick-start their season.

My selection: Ipswich to beat Sheffield Wednesday

The best price available for an Ipswich win is 5/6 available with several bookmakers includinng Betfred

English Championship

Sheffield United v Norwich City

Tomorrow’s clash see’s two sides needing the points for very different reasons. The home side find themselves in 6^th place and occupying the 4^th and final play-off spot whilst the visitors are at the opposite end of the table only two points outside the relegation zone.

United come into this game in relatively good form with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 matches. They can also count themselves very unfortunate in one of those matches when Crystal Palace equalized in the 4^th minute of injury time. Their home form has been decent with 6 wins and only 3 defeats. It should also be noted that these defeats have came against sides above them in the table, in the shape of Burnley, Reading and Wolves.

Norwich City have been rather disappointing this year considering the amount of players they brought last summer. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in the league with the other game resulting in a narrow win over hapless Charlton at Carrow Road in December. Their away form has been especially poor this year, picking up 8 points (2 wins and 2 draws) in 13 matches. They have only managed 11 goals in these games conceding 24.

With Preston North End, Crystal Palace and QPR breathing down Sheffield United’s neck in the play-off place hunt, they will be desperate to pick up 3 points and continue their recent good form.

My selection: Sheffield United to beat Norwich City

The best odds available for a Sheffield United win is 7/10 available with Paddypower

, they have inevitably brushed them aside, with wins over Bristol City, Derby and Barnsley amongst their 5 home successes. They themselves will play football the way it should be played and with the visitors missing the likes of Clarke, Tudgay and Wade Small.

Already 6 points behind 6^th place, the home side cannot afford to fall any further behind at this stage of the season and will be looking to record a much needed win. Wednesday concede goals on the road, they have managed to ship 30 goals on the road, the highest amount of any side in the league. Whoever play’s upfront for the home side will not get a better chance to grab a couple and kick-start their season.

My selection: Ipswich to beat Sheffield Wednesday

The best price available for an Ipswich win is 5/6 available with several bookmakers includinng Betfred

English Championship

Sheffield United v Norwich City

Tomorrow’s clash see’s two sides needing the points for very different reasons. The home side find themselves in 6^th place and occupying the 4^th and final play-off spot whilst the visitors are at the opposite end of the table only two points outside the relegation zone.

United come into this game in relatively good form with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 matches. They can also count themselves very unfortunate in one of those matches when Crystal Palace equalized in the 4^th minute of injury time. Their home form has been decent with 6 wins and only 3 defeats. It should also be noted that these defeats have came against sides above them in the table, in the shape of Burnley, Reading and Wolves.

Norwich City have been rather disappointing this year considering the amount of players they brought last summer. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in the league with the other game resulting in a narrow win over hapless Charlton at Carrow Road in December. Their away form has been especially poor this year, picking up 8 points (2 wins and 2 draws) in 13 matches. They have only managed 11 goals in these games conceding 24.

With Preston North End, Crystal Palace and QPR breathing down Sheffield United’s neck in the play-off place hunt, they will be desperate to pick up 3 points and continue their recent good form.

My selection: Sheffield United to beat Norwich City

The best odds available for a Sheffield United win is 7/10 available with Paddypower

Correct Scores Singles

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Arsenal vs Manchester United

12.45 Saturday 8^th November

One of the biggest fixtures in the English calendar takes places this weekend at the Emirates Stadium. The home side are coming off the back of several poor results including a defeat to newly promoted Stoke last weekend. The defeat was made even worse with strikers Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor being sent off and injured respectively meaning both are absent this weekend. They also may be missing captain William Gallas and winger Theo Walcott, both of whom are rated 50/50.

United had the luxury of leaving £100m worth of talent on their bench in their Champions League match away to Scottish Champions Celtic on Wednesday night with this match in mind. That alone signals Manager, Alex Ferguson’s intentions which could spell bad news for the home side. Man U have been in excellent form of late having won 6 of their last 7 EPL matches scoring aplenty.

Having already lost to Liverpool and drawn at Chelsea, United have to stamp their authority on this title race and make a mark against another of the top 4. To do this, they must win at the Emirates for the first time. A last minute equalizer from Gallas prevented them taking all 3 points in this fixture last season but that was when Arsenal were going exceptionally well.

The loss of midfield anchor Flamini cannot be under-estimated. Cesc Fabregas does not look the same player he was last year and their defence and goalkeeper looks extremely vulnerable, especially against a physical approach. United’s strikers, Rooney and Berbatov can mix it up with the best of them and when you add Vidic, Ferdinand and Ronaldo to the mix, set pieces could pose a major problem for them tomorrow.

My selection: Manchester United to beat Arsenal

The best price available for a United win is 7/5 which is 7/5 with willhill.com

Sheffield Wednesday vs Doncaster Rovers

15.00 Saturday 8^th November

Both sides come into this match looking for the win for very different reasons. The away side are rock bottom of the Championship having only won 2 matches all season and are desperate for victory in order to halt a run of 11 games without a win, whilst Wednesday have stuttered of late having beaten arch rivals United at home. Since then they have drew 1 and lost 3.

Saturday gives the home side a chance to add to their impressive home record. They have lost only one of their seven home games this term which see’s them 5 points out the play-off places. Manager Brian Laws can call upon a near full strength squad with only two absentees compared to 9 players missing only a couple of weeks ago.

Doncaster, by all accounts, have playing good football since their promotion but just lack the cutting edge at this level which is why they are where they are.  Good football is all well and good but you can only win matches by scoring goals and with only 7 scored in the league all season, it’s clear to see Doncaster do not have the required quality for the Championship. Their strikers will not get it any easier this weekend with Sheffield Wednesday having the joint second best home defensive record in the league.

Wednesday also have the edge in the head to head, in two previous matches they have won both with Donny failing to even register a solitary goal.

My selection: Sheffield Wednesday to beat Doncaster Rovers

The best price available for Sheffield Wednesday to win is 5/6 which you can get at StanJames and betdirect

Hamilton vs Falkirk

15.00 Saturday 8^th November

Hamilton started the season with two wins out of two, since then they have only registered a single success which see’s them propping up the SPL after the first round of games. Falkirk on the other hand started really slowly, failing to win in the league until the 5^th time of asking. Since then they have collect another 8 points from a possible 18. It’s not excellent form by any stretch of the imagination but in that time they have only lost twice and both could easily have ended up in a Falkirk victory.

The two sides have already met this season, Falkirk ran out easy 4-1 winners at the Falkirk Stadium. That match was less than two months ago and since then, it’s not got much better for Hamilton, they have lost their following 5 fixtures scoring only twice and conceding 13.

Falkirk have proven quality at this level in the shape of Steve Lovell, Neil McCann, Burton O’Brien and Jackie McNamara added with excellent young players with the likes of Patrick Cregg, Darren Barr and Scott Arfield all impressing this season. Hamilton could welcome back captain Mark McLaughlin this weekend which should help bolster a porous defence, whether it will be enough to help them pick up anything is a different matter.

Falkirk manager, John Hughes has been quoted this week as saying he is pleased with his players and they way they have been both training and playing in recent weeks. This is a guide in itself as Hughes is famous for coming out and lambasting his players when he thinks they are not putting the effort in.

The away side were being tipped to challenge for a top 6 place this season and they can certainly still achieve that. However, if they wish to do so they have to start picking up more points away from home and they will not get a better opportunity than this match. In 5 previous away meetings at Hamilton, Falkirk have won 3 and drew 1.

My Selection:  Falkirk to beat Hamilton

The best price available for a Falkirk win is 8/5 with several bookmakers, including Ladbrokes.