Well, that was an interesting week of football wasn't it? No? You're probably right. Internationals have now lost all their shine, and it is because of these pointless teams like Luxembourg, Andorra and the like that are ruining it. Just because they are a country really shouldn't mean that a rag-tag collection of butchers, bakers and used car salesmen can compete with professionals. It's all very nice and all that, but it's a waste of everyone's time, and means slim pickings in terms of gambling outside of acca's. Put them all in their own qualifying tournament and let the winner enter into a group with the pro's for a sound hiding. At least they would have some competitive games in the qualifying tournament, Andorra haven't won in years, what's the point?
Anyway...enough of that! This weekend sees the return of professional club football and the gambling that inevitably comes with it. I will put up my Premier League tips as is now de rigeur, and I will try and put out a smaller blog with 5-10 tips from lower leagues and around Europe. I am now up to a truly massive 4 followers and would greatly appreciate regular readers adding to that number.
Let's begin with those Prem games:
Everton v Manchester United, Saturday 1245
Normally I'm not an away backer, and rarely do I see Man Utd at a price that truly appeals, but this weekend is one of those times. Everton have started off the season in shocking fashion and United have been grinding out results, as is their want. Reports this morning suggest Everton will be going with a novel 4-6-0 formation as they have no fit strikers, Cahill and part-time Screech lookalike Fellaini will be asked to push on and provide the attacking threat. United will be welcoming back a Wayne Rooney who looks like a weight has been lifted thanks to the hooker revelations now being in the public domain. Although paying a reported 200sheets for 20 fags should be the more shameful act, in my opinion. William Hill are currently 1.9 and that will be more like 1.8 come kick-off so I'd get on now. It's a steal!
Arsenal v Bolton, Saturday 1500
Arsenal have struggled in the past against Bolton and are missing both Theo Walcott and RVP for around 6 weeks now. With Nicklas Bendtner also injured that leaves Marouane Chamakh to stake a claim for being the focal point of the attack in the coming weeks. Bolton are not the 'up and at em' merchants they were under Big Fat Sam and Gary 'Boring' Megson and Owen Coyle harbours ambitions of making them attractive as a team. This is laudible, and I think he's made some good signings to do this. But, and it's a James Beattie size but, this approach will be playing into Arsenal's hands. The prices of around 1.25 on a home win are a bit prohibitive for me so I'd look elsewhere for a bit more value. William Hill are again a large price on the Arsenal/Arsenal in the HT/FT market, I'd take a bit of that at 2.37 currently.
Fulham v Wolves, Saturday 1500
Now this is a difficult one to call! Although with Wolves possibly missing Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle I would back Fulham at 1.85 with Victor Chandler if the team news on the day confirms this. Fulham have started the Mark Hughes era with some fairly steady results and he is a manager who believes in building from the back. Mich McCarthy is a man of similar beliefs, even more so away from home. If you want to bet now then I'd get on under 2.5 goals at 1.8 with bet365. If you can bare to wait though I'd see whether Fletcher and Doyle have made it to start.
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers. Saturday 1500
The bookies are now pricing City's home games like they are members of the Sky 4 with this match seeing them a biggest price 1.38. I like the cut of their gib, but I can't be backing them at that price. Mario Balotelli is out for around 6 weeks it has been established today, and this limits City's attacking options to the elephant washers son or possibly the most over-priced striker in history Roque Santa Cruz. The word lethargic could have been invented with this pair in mind and it's enough for me not to back City. I will be backing Blackburn at home regularly this season, but Eastlands has been good to City so I can't back them either. I have seen a stat that says City have had the least shots at goal of any Prem team this season though and I think Fergie-s chief brown noser would settle for a draw so it's got to be under 2.5 again I think. Take the 2.25 at SkyBet for this.
Newcastle v Blackpool, Saturday 1500
Newcastle have started their Premier League return fairly well so far and I think that will continue in this match. Andy carroll might have the worst hair in history and look like a father of 12 pikey, but he causes defenders problems. And with Blackpool having a defence even my Nan would worry this could spell disaster for Ian Holloway's men. This match looks a foregone conclusion to me, if Newcastle can beat a decent Villa side 6-0, then surely they can turn the Seasiders over? I think so and I'll be handicapping Newcastle as I'm so sure! Bet 365 go 2.38 on Newcastle -1.5 and I think they'll cover that.
West Brom v Tottenham, Saturday 1500
If Tottenham fans and ol Sloppy Chops fancy themselves as sticking around in the Top 4/Champions League then they need to win games like this. Jermaine Defoe wont be available though as he injured himself whilst excelling for England midweek (a never before used phrase that). It already seems to me that they are relying on one man this season, and that ape/man is Gareth Bale. He has been superb so far this season and the amount of dangerous crosses he puts into the box make it easy for Spurs forwards. Saying that though, They got made to wear a dress and cry by Wigan at home last time out though, proving that nothing is certain. Paddy Power are sticking their necks out with a 4.0 on this match. I can't back West Brom though, mostly due to them being utter tosh. I have been following Spurs results of late with interest since I saw that they always score early on and that often the 1st half is the highest scoring. It seems to ring true so I'll take BetFred's 3.25 on that.
West Ham v Chelsea, Saturday 1500
The Hammers haven't a hope here, there's more chance of 'celebrity' fan Danny of Dyer making an oscar worthy appearance on celluloid. Saying that though I can't back Chelsea at 1.33 as I don't have the funds to make it worthwhile. If you're in the reddies then I'd suggest a 33% rate of profit for a foregone conclusion is good value. I want a bit longer odds to make it worthwhile for me and I think they can be found in the anytime goalscorer market. 'Big Fat' Frankie Lampard will return and take an absolute barracking from the home fans for the crime of moving to their rivals. I think he'll respond with a goal and celebrate by pointing skywards in the the most boring celebration since Alan Shearer hung up his boots. Victor Chandler go 2.15 on this scenario (the goal, not the celebration!) and I'd take that. The only worry is that he might not play having sat out England's impressive (funny that) victories of late. Never fear though, you'll get your money back if he never graces the Boleyn Ground. If you don't want to risk it then substitute 'Lamps' for Florent Malouda in the same market, he likes to net in thrashings, and their should be one here. He is a slightly longer 2.5 with extrabet.com.
Wigan v Sunderland, Saturday 1500
I have said mant times that I will never back a Wigan result whilst Martinez remains in charge and I wont change that here. No-one would have said with any certainty that they would get dicked by Blackpool at home and beat Spurs away in a matter of weeks, but that is exactly what happened. Darren Bent finally got off the mark for Engalnd this week and has already been first scorer twice this season. He should be on a high because of breaking his duck for England and I fancy him to notch early on here. Wigan's defence are as accomodating as Rooney's latest lady of ill repute and I would take the 6.5 on offer at Victor Chandler's for Bent first goalscorer.
Birmingham v Liverpool, Sunday 1600
This si the game last season where many began to recognise that Liverpool were in decline. They really struggled to beat McCleish's men and only a David Ngog dive for a penalty rescued them from defeat. I think Big Eck is doing a commendable job at Brum and has made them into a solid outfit with dashes of flair too. Roy Hodgson's era at Liverpool hasn't started strongly and I can see Birmingham getting something here. Pool rely far too heavily on Fernando Torres and Stevie Me and it'll cost them a lot. Ladbrokes go 2.25 on Birmingham in the draw no bet market and that looks appealing to me.
Stoke City v Aston Villa, Monday 2000
With Gerard Houlliers appointment confirmed now this will be his first game in charge of the Villa. Some Villa fans who loved Martin O'Neill have had the bare faced cheek to accuse Houllier of playing a long-ball game, like this is something that has been unseen at Villa. O'Neills Plan A seemed to be hit it long with Plan B being hit it longer. He is a hugley enjoyable pundit, and clearly an articulate man, but to hail him as some sort of modern Ferguson is pathetic. He's an average manager who is a good motivator but a poor tactician. All this being said I like Stoke and with the upheaval at Villa I reckon they might come up roses in this. Victor Chandler go 2.6 on a home win and that's where my money will be going.
More tips to follow...
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