Scottish Premier League

Saturday 5^th December

English Premier League

Manchester City v Chelsea

Money meets even more money as Mark Hughes’ City look to end their run of 7 successive league draws when they take on all conquering Chelsea who sit 5 points clear at the top of the table.

Man City have been something of an enigma all season long. They have flattered to deceive on occasions but at other times have been scintillating and shown glimpses of a side capable of matching the best. They’ve brushed Arsenal aside twice already this term, once in the league and once in the cup, whilst they have put in credible performances away to Liverpool and city rivals United but have come away with just one point from those two games. Their defeat in the derby game is, to date, their only loss in the league thus far which proves them as being one of the toughest nuts to crack in the EPL this season. They have, however, been let down with draws against the likes of Burnley, Fulham and Hull at home along with poor performance on the road at places such as Birmingham and Wigan. Even if they had won 3 of those games they would have been in a much healthier position than their current standing of 7^th, 3 points off 4^th placed Arsenal.

Chelsea have been very impressive all season. Not only have they been impressive, they’ve been extremely consistent for much of it as well. Apart from 2 slip up’s away to Wigan and Aston Villa, they have a flawless record with 12 wins from 14 matches. The ease of some of their wins has also caught the eye. Since losing 2-1 to Villa in October, they have won 6 in a row in the league, scored 17 and conceded 0. It is breathtaking form and it’s even more impressive when you take into account the fact that they have played Arsenal and Manchester United in that run of fixtures. These are two sides who lie 2^nd and 4^th in the league at this point in time so it’s safe to say that Carlo Ancelotti’s charges are sitting top because they are purely the best team in the country currently. Last week’s London derby at the Emirates was so comfortably for the away side it was scary. They were under very little pressure throughout the game but were quite willing to allow Arsenal to have the ball for much of the match, confident in their defensive ability to withstand the quick passing as they kept them 30 yards from goal. It was the footballing equivalent of keeping a midget at arm’s length if we’re being honest. Going forward they were powerful, clinical and precise. Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka have been excellent all season and they caused the Gunners all sorts of problems.

City proved earlier in the season that they can compete with the top four sides. They have not been embarrassed by any of Arsenal, Man United or Liverpool, far from it. The thing they have to do now is not only do they have to compete; they have to better them on a regular basis. They won’t get a much stiffer task than that of Chelsea in their current form. Emmanuel Adebayor will be their focal point in attack with Carlos Tevez almost certain to partner him after his goal in midweek. It will be interesting to see who operates on the left. Will Craig Bellamy, who turned in a man of the match performance in that game, be preferred to the now fit again Robinho? It’s difficult to say, Bellamy will certainly be more efficient in terms of the shape of the team and tracking back, but he doesn’t have the same ability as the little Brazilian.

Chelsea will line up very similar to that of last Sunday’s team with Drogba and Anelka supported by Joe Cole upfront. Their midfield trio of Lampard, Essien and the returning Michael Ballack is so strong it’s difficult to imagine City’s midfield dominating them.

People will tell you that the value pick is to go with City as they have lost just once all season and will be on a high after Wednesday’s win over Arsenal. However, there’s not many, if any, teams in World football at the moment who would get the better of Chelsea on form so I don’t see any other result other than an away win to make it 5 wins in a row for Chelsea at Eastlands.

My selection: Chelsea to beat Manchester City

Best odds available: 10/11 available with several bookmakers including Betfred

English League 1

Swindon Town v Leyton Orient

Just a slightly less affluent fixture as we delve back into reality football when Danny Wilson’s inform Swindon entertain poor travellers Leyton Orient at the County ground.

Swindon have struck 3 wins together in the league on the bounce after a run of poor form which as seen them climb to 10^th and just 3 points off of the last play-off spot in a tightly congested league. They have had excellent wins over Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle away as well as a very decent win over highflying Huddersfield at home last time out in the league. They have lost just once at home and just the 3 in total so it’s no surprise that they have the promotion in their sights. They are arguably strongest in the midfield where they have a plethora of good players at this level. Simon Ferry is on loan from Celtic and has been a stand-out for Wilson’s men this season alongside Jonathan Douglas who joined from Leeds in the summer. These two make the side tick in the middle of the park so it’s important Douglas will be fit to take his place in the side.

Orient are sitting relatively safe with a 5 point cushion over 21^st placed Brighton but know they will have to start to improve their away form to make sure of their survival later in the season. Their home form is good with 7 points from a possible 9 most recent but they have failed to pick up a point away from home in the league since the beginning of October. In total, they have lost 6 on the road this season with their two successes coming against Wycombe and Bristol Rovers as well as a point against Yeovil. They have lost, amongst others, at Leeds, Huddersfield and Norwich.

Although Swindon are not quite at the level of the three teams mentioned above, they are still good and I think they’ll be too classy in the midfield for an Orient side who haven’t even managed a goal in their last 3 away reverses.

My selection: Swindon to beat Leyton Orient

Best price available: 4/5 available with several bookmakers including Coral

Scottish Premier League

Celtic v Aberdeen

Third and final preview takes us North to Scotland as league leaders Celtic will be looking to stay top as they take on a buoyant Dons side who defeated the other team from Glasgow last weekend when they were victorious against Rangers at Pittodrie.

Celtic have been strong at home this season with 4 wins and 2 draws from their 6 matches. They have been inconsistent away from home but still remain hard to get the better of when they are infront of their home fans. In the last week they have beaten St Mirren 3-1 and won 2-0 in Europe against Tel Aviv, both at Parkhead. In both those games, the winning margin could have been much greater with missed chances aplenty. It is likely Tony Mowbray will line up with Scott McDonald and Giorgios Samaras in attack for the 3^rd successive match with big money signing Marc Antoine Fortune once again on the bench. It’s midfield where Celtic create most of their opportunities with Aiden McGeady in fine form of late and the midfield partnership of Landry N’Guemo and Marc Crosas beginning to show signs of blossoming.

Aberdeen have been mean on the road and have the 2^nd best away defensive record. Mark McGhee has attempted to build from the back and has worked to an extent. They will be on a high following their 1-0 win over Rangers last weekend but will have to do without their captain Mark Kerr for Saturday’s visit as he was sent off in that game. They have already kept two clean sheets against Rangers this season but that does not really tell the story. Rangers missed chance after chance in both games and let Aberdeen off the hook on so many occasions.

I don’t envisage this being too much of a test for Celtic other than their own poor finishing. Aberdeen worked so hard last week, especially when down to 10 men and they’ll find it hard to reach those same levels again so soon after, especially away from home. Celtic will create chances, there is nothing surer so providing their strikers are in form, and I think they’re due a big home win, I can see them winning starting minus a goal.

My selection: Celtic (-1) to beat Aberdeen

Best odds available: 11/10 available with Skybet

Good luck and happy punting

Matches that draw at half-time but give a definite result at full time (part 3)

LE CHAMPIONNAT.
This is probably the "tightest" league out there.
Not one club is averaging 2 goals or over per game. This makes for "tight" games, obviously.
Recommendations can only be, "PROCEED WITH CAUTION".

PORTUGAL SUPA LIGA.
The stand-out team here is Leixoes. At least as far as non-drawn games are concerned.
Sporting Braga are also worth a consideration.

NETHERLANDS. EREDIVISION.
Here draws, in general, are pretty scarce. Averaging a little better than one every five games.
Goal-less draws appear about once in twenty matches. Qiute a plus.
Sides like TWENTE  and HEERENVEEN are worth consideration.

SCOTTISH PREMIER.
This league has the MOST full time draws of the FIFTY-THREE leagues I studied.
35.2 %. ; With almost half of these being goal-less.  Not really a league to have too much confidence in.

Remember the THREE basic rules:
DISCIPLINE
DISCIPLINE
DISCIPLINE.

Folks,

Welcome to my post, I am to deliver previews of the biggest European games each weekend as well as in-depth analysis of how to make you money. I have an accurate strategy which aims to minimize risk and utilise a spread betting systemhealthy return which should still guarantee an .

I am based in the UK but have contacts in Scotland, Spain and Italy meaning an up-to-date insight of European Football. My picks this weekend will focus on teams on the road, therefore better odds on top teams, when teams are playing away they are quite unpredictable, but if you bet across numerous leagues picking big teams then the risk is lessened.

The English Premiership drums up some very interesting fixtures this weekend.

As an avid Liverpool fan, I have to discuss the Merseyside Derby. Liverpool were uninventive against Stoke and lazy against Crewe yet they still remain undefeated in the league. How £40 million pounds worth of strikers haven’t clicked yet, I do not know, it drives me up the walls without being too bias. This match is always fiery and produces goals, it’s maybe Robbie Keanes time to step up to the plate and produce the goods. Im sticking my neck on the line and going for an away win, Everton are scoring goals with Cahill getting back to form but their defence is hardly water tight at the moment.

Back Liverpool, odds (6/5).(Bet Direct/Skybet/Stan James)

Newcastle are on a downward spirral at the moment, the talk of El Tel taking over will also not bear will with the faithful Geordies. The talks with a Nigerian consurtium are also promising, the sooner Mike Ashley moves on the better. They need stability, security, and patience. Whether King Kev returns or not, the new manager should be given sufficient time and money, but this weekend I feel spells more doom and gloom, even Tottenham beat Newcastle this week!! Blackburn to edge this one just.

Back Blackburn, odds (2/1)(Ladbrokes)

My other picks for this weekend in the Premiership are Chelsea (2/5) Bet 365) to easily overturn Stoke, and Man City (7/5) Ladbrokes) (Goal Machines) to overturn Wigan in a game that will produce a lot of drama.

The Scottish divisions are a speciality of mine, I have lived in Edinburgh for three years and the Scottish people are very passionate about their football. I have learnt a lot from uber enthusiam regarding the beautiful game, fitba as they call it.

My Scottish banker this weekend is – Rangers.

Rangers to come to Edinburgh and take all three points against Hibs. Rangers only have the league to play for this year, and Hibs are just getting over a somewhat sticky start. ( Back Rangers 8/11 (Bet 365)

Across Europe we also have some interesting teams on the road. All three teams have performed comfortably well on the road recently, both Barca and Madrid hammered the helpless Sporting Gijon, so I feel Villareal will comfortably follow suit. I can’t help but add Real Madrid and Barcelona to my coupons, they have superstars thoughout their team and are arguably world beaters on their day. Just be careful to mix your away selections accordingly picking one or two teams from each league, reducing the risk.

Villareal vs Sporting Gijon.(4/6 Ladbrokes)

Barcelona vs Espanyol. (17/20 Centrebet)

Real Madrid vs Betis. (9/10 Betdirect)

Apologies I have recently fractured my thumb and typing is frustrating at the moment, anyway best of luck this weekend, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions!!

Gerard