Merry xmas one and all! I'm sat here in something of a food based coma, completely unable and unwilling to move. So I might as well take a look at some bets to spend my money on. Hopefully you've all had a good one and plenty of merriment has been had? My favourite bit of news was Rafa Benitez getting the boot having incomprehensibly turned Inter into utter shite in only 6 months. Simply incredible. The man has had some success, the Spanish title wins with a modestly assembled Valencia side stand out most for me. Much more so than the Champions League win, for all the glitz and glamour a league is harder to win. He does have a terrible beard too. My musical reccomendation this time is a bit of a shouter, I'm going for System Of A Down with Forest.
Fulham v West Ham, Boxing Day 1200
This will probably not be a classic. In fact I would be willing to stick my neck out and say it will be awful and one to avoid. West Ham are going down, and worse still, apart from Scott Parker they'll be doing it without much fight. Fulham too, are deep in trouble and without a recognised striker or creative midfielder they too are another side I think we'll be waving tata to come May. A loan move for someone like Stephen Ireland would be a great signing though, so if Mark Hughes uses the January window well they could even push for Europe again! All in though, I think this will be another match Fulham try not to lose before anything else. But, because of West Ham's continuing shitness I think they're very backable at 2.0 with Ldbrokes to sneak a win.
Blackburn v Stoke, Boxing Day 1500
This will again be pretty unlikely to set pulses racing. The newly unemployed fat swine still has his fingerprints on Rovers and it'll be difficult to change their style of play. The new man Steve Kean has been given until the end of the season to give the management a go. History tells us that assistant generally are assistants at his age for a reason. That reason is that they generally aren't good enough for the big boys job. Stoke are still the worst footballing side to ever 'grace' the Premier League. Utterly dreadful. Being a lower league football fan though it does tickle me to see this style of play succeeding against more impressive footballing teams. However comma Rovers are not much better. The Fat Twat has just missed out on the Inter job as I write, hopefully noone will give him a job and we'll never have to listen to his arrogance in spite of never winning anything and see him doing all he can to bum Sir Wrigley. I would not back Blackburn at the moment so I'll take Betfred's 2.37 on Stoke, but in Draw No Bet for security.
Blackpool v Liverpool, Boxing Day 1500
This will probably fall victim to the weather again as Blackpool's stadium really can't cope with the cold. It's a shame to as I think they might again cause Pool a shock. The stick I regularly hear Woy Hodgson given always includes the incredulous 'we even lost at home to Blackpool', and what a day it was! The commitment to giving it a go that the Tangerines have should be seen as the way all smaller teams aspire to. You might lose a few by a hefty amount, but I think it will gain you enough wins to be worth it in the long run. And, by christ, it's better than Birmingham or Blackburn. If this match goes ahead I think Liverpool are too short priced. They are generally garbage away from home so being odds on in this is a chance to oppose to good to miss. Odds of 5.0 are generally available on a home win and that's the one for me.
Bolton v West Brom, Boxing Day 1500
Bolton have been good to watch and good to back this season, West Brom have certainly entertained, but in fits and spurts. They definitely could win this one, but I am more inclined towards Owen Coyle's men. The change in style he has imposed and been successful is a stand out for his CV, and he hasn't even spent a great deal to do it. I would fully expect his name to start being spoken of for the big jobs before long. Roberto Di Matteo seems to be struggling to send his team out as motivated sometimes. He too is a young boss though, and has undoubtebly done well and made some good signings, Odemwingie a particular standout. As I've mentioned before, I really fancy a home win. The best price available is 2.1 with William Hill.
Everton v Birmingham, Boxing Day 1500
Everton have been unkind to me whilst tipping them this year. They have failed against the likes of West Brom at home and then they beat Man City away on Monday to spoil my weekend. The shits. Birmingham are really struggling like a few others at the moment and it seems a lack of pace and goals is the problem. Nikola Zigic has not been a success at all and looks utter gash at present. The other options are the distinctly average Cameron Jerome and the increasingly aged Kevin Phillips. They are another team that will view January as a big month to add the missing pieces and move away from the dropzone. I think they'll struggle to attract any big names to the club and unless they pull a Chrisophe Dugarry style masterstroke they will probably end up embroiled in the relegation battle. The fact that Everton should be still in a good mood from the win at eastlands and that Brum will still be a turgid side chockfull of dross makes me inclined towards a comfortable home win. Everton are 2.1 with Betdaq carrying a -1.0 asian handicap and that seems good enough to me.
Man Utd v Sunderland, Boxing Day 1500
This one is a poser for me. I like Sunderland a lot and they've been in great form of late. However, a key part of that recent run has been the very impressive performances of Danny Welbeck on loan from United. He therefore will not take any part in this and that will blunt the Mackems somewhat. I would expect to see him given a call up for England before long as he looks a promising player to me. United still haven't impressed me at all. But, the tossers continue to win and are still unbeaten. I don't think they'll last the season that way, as they're not good enough to avoid a beating, but they should win this. Quotes of around 1.25 don't excite me at all unless you have a serious wedge to put on it. Sunderland might have kept a clean sheet against Bolton, but they looked likely to concede a lot to me at some point. I think United could be the ones to give them a roasting if Nani and Rooney turn up so I'll handicap them. Victor Chandler go 2.02 on United with a -1,75 asian handicap, that's for me.
Newcastle v Man City, Boxing Day 1500
Another tough one to call this. The Geordies were impressive in besting Liverpool at home recently, with Andy Carroll looking very accomplished. The problem with Newcastle is that they're as likely to beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, but lose to Wigan and it makes them exceptionally hard to predict. But, this being my line of work, I really ought to have a pop. I think City still looked good in their loss to Everton, just lacked a cutting edge. The odds seem to have moved in accordance with the teams respective last matches, and I think they've been pushed out too far. Mancini has drilled City into a generally tough to beat side, and Tevez, Silva and Balotelli are excellent when in form. I fancy them to put the last performance behind them and they should have too much for Newcastles rearguard if they do. Odds of 2-3 are available and I'll take some of that.
Wolves v Wigan, Boxing Day 1500
And so we move on to the team only being made to look vaguely competent by West Ham's incredible levels of poor. Wigan are a dradful side, lacking in all areas and watched by noone. They are a skid mark on the pants of the Premier league and I'll be glad to see the back of them at the end of the season, and I wouldn't expect them back anytime soon. How Roberto Martinez has kept his job is beyond me, he's failed to impose a style of play or bought in anyone of note and he'll take them down this year. Wolves have been performing pretty well without getting results until recently. Now they're getting some more reward for their endeavour and they should get another 3 points here purely because they'll put the effort in. Paddy Power go 2.15 and that looks cracking to me.
Aston Villa v Tottenham, Boxing Day 1730
The late match comes from Villa Park and sees the ever entertaining Spuds travel to hoofball merchants Aston Villa. Ged Houllier seems to be stuck in the same decade old timewarp as Martin O'Neill was. They were very successful back then, but both seem blind to the moves in formations and seem inadequate to manage now. If Ashley Young leaves Villa then I really think they will struggle, and might be backable for relegation next season if such a thing happens. This current malaise they are in would make Spurs a betting prospect for me. When they're firing they are very impressive and in Luka Modric they have a midfield general playing as well as anyone, in my opinion. The little Croatian seems to be moving towards the Andrea Pirlo deep lying playmaker rolenow and doing very well too. I think an attacking approach could reap reward for Sloppy Face in this. They are currently 2.4 on Betfair, but I would expect that price to be shorter by kick off.
Arsenal v Chelsea, Monday 2000
Another top of the table Monday night clash. Chelsea role up to Arsenal looking for 3 pretty much guaranteed points judging by past performances. In the last 18 matches against Man Utd and Chelsea Arsene Wenger's men have lost 14. A horrendous record and one Wenger has to take a lot of blame for for not learning anything from their performances. They never take into account the opposition's strengths and seem shocked to be beaten the same way every time. Drogba has scored 13 in 13 against the Gunners and he'll be licking his chops for this no doubt. I would love to see Arsenal win this and I still think they might win the league because of United and Chelsea's lack of good performances. You've got to follow form and bet on Chelsea again turning them over. Coral are still 2.87 on the away win and I'd snap that price up because it will not last!
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