And by christ Blackburn's new owners have delivered for both their fans and Fat Sam haters like myself. The fat twat. Presumably with Rafa now struggling at Inter Milan with his typical alienation of every player possible, he'll be brushing up his Italian in expectation of a job offer more becoming of his skills? His skills being impersonating a lamb shank and bending over whenever Sir Wrigley asks. The awful fat man. Talking of Sir Wrigley, I had the mispleasure of watching the turgid affair put on by his team and Arsenal on Monday night. Forgive me, but I thought we could have a cracker with L'Arse in imperious away form and United just generally not impressing. I should have known. For all Wenger's accomplishments and skills, learning from past mistakes isn't one of them. I could have told you United would pack the midfield and that leaving Clichy isolated because of Arshavin's legendary lack of back-tracking was a recipe for disaster. And yet, he saw fit to change nowt. I've always been an admirer of Wenger's and the way he tries to play football whilst not bankrupting the club (looking at you Sloppy Chops), but he needs to change something. An assistant that will challenge his decisions might be a start? Anyway this week's musical recommendation is a xmas themed belter, The Ramones with Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight), cracking.
Sunderland v Bolton, Saturday 1245
We're back to the Saturday early kick-offs this week and, oh me oh my, Sky have lined up a belter. And I sort of mean that! I have thoroughly enjoyed Bolton's meteoric rise under Owen Coyle and when Sunderland are firing they too are a sight to behold. The big issue for Sunderland has been that in the absence of Titus Bramble and Michael Turner they look about as easy to penetrate as that Jodie Marsh. However comma they are, once again, missing so Bolton's chances of at least scoring will increase in my mind. Bolton haven't had any problems hitting the net this season and generally neither have the Mackems so I'm hoping for some goals to kick the weekend off with a BANG! I'm going for over 2.5 goals at a widely available 2.0.
Arsenal v Stoke, Saturday 1500
As I've already mentioned, Arsenal were absolute toilet, gash, rubbish on Monday evening and that will be enough for most people to consider opposing them this weekend. Throw in Stoke's undoubted physical presence and The Gunners less than stellar home form, and you can see why it's hard to fancy them. This being said, they haven't actually had many problems with beating Stoke in the past. This could be because Stoke are crap at actually playing football, maybe? Anyway, Arsenal looked impotent on Monday and I think they'll happily leave this game with a 1 or 2 nil victory. I think this slow start might lead to a Draw HT/Arse FT result, and that's available at 4.5 with Laddies.
Birmingham v Newcastle, Saturday 1500
I have just been informed that of their last 27 matches, Brum have won only 4! Now, this is relegation form and it's no suprise to see them falling like a stone at present. They're tight at the back, but when your strikers are of the calibre of Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic, it's easy to see where the problems lie. Newcastle made my weekend last time out as i had them at 3.75 to beat Liverpool at home, and they went right ahead and tore them a new one. The return of Joey Barton seemed to galvanise them, and he deservedly got man of the match. He is a truly hateful little thug though, so I'll add the caveat that he is a c word of the highest order. With him and Andy Carroll both looking in great nick at the moment, you can't back an under-performing Brum side. I fancy Alan Pardew to make it 2 wins from 2 and start some pressure on Big Eck. Odds of 3.2 are still available at Victor Chandler and that seems generous enough for me.
Blackburn v West Ham, Saturday 1500
With the Fat One having vacated the Rovers hotseat, Steve Kean steps into the breach for this match against a still horrendous West Ham side. I saw my season ticket holding Irons friend on Saturday after watching them succumb to a Man City side and he informed me they were 'dogshit'. No fight, no bottle apparently. And it would seem the odds compilers are in broad agreement with Rovers well under even money for the home win. I doubt very much whether Blackburn will come out with a new swashbuckling style this weekend, but they should be more than comfortable for a win against a Hammers side that are, if possible, worse on their travels. I'm that confident in light of my pals assessment of West Ham that I'll handicap Rovers for a bit of extra value. I'll take Victor Chandler's 2.34 on the asian -1.0 hcap.
Wigan v Aston Villa, Saturday 1500
This week's leading contender for 2 minute highlight package is Wigan at home to a disappointing Villa side. Ged has failed to get much out of his troops at Villa and has managed to upset 'Big' John Carew in the process. Wigan are just dross, no more needs saying, they'll be in the Championship next year. Hopefully never to darken my door again. I can't really be bothered to assess strenths, as neither team currently have any. God only knows which way this will go. I'm thinking it wont have much in it though and Satn James quotes of 3.2 on under 1.5 goals tickles my fancy.
Liverpool v Fulham, Saturday 1730
Roy Hodgson welcomes his old side to Anfield on Saturday on the back of another disappointing performance in Europe. I'd like to take this opportunity to say Joe Cole was dreadful, absolutely hopeless. Like many, I can remember him as a 17 year old bag of tricks, who looked likely to be a fantastic flair player. Injuries and Jose Mourinho assured he would not become this player. Stuck out on the left by both Chelsea and England for most of his career, he's become a nothing player. No position to call his own, no discernable flair left, and he never could shoot. Anyone still mentioning his 'potential' should be shot, he's nearer retirement than his teens, give it up. Enough of that. He wont play and Liverpool will win. Fulham can't buy a win at home or away, and Anfield has been becoming something of a fortress again for Pool. Home win prices of around 1.55 don't excite me so I'll take a chance on Pool doing it early and striding home. Liverpool/Liverpool at 2.37 with Stan James in the HT/FT is the one for me.
West Brom v Wolves, Sunday 1200
Another weekend, another Midlands derby! This one sees a Wolves side who are finally getting the results their effort has deserved against an up and down WBA. Both should stay up comfortably for me, West Ham, Wigan and Fulham are all far worse. I don't know why, but I fancy a cracker in this!? West Brom are always capable of goals, and I fancy Wolves to give this a bloody good go too. Professional Yorkshireman Mick McCarthy wont ever send a team out to all-out-attack, but I think he will fancy something from this, especially with the added feel-good factor a derby performance. Bet365 go 2.42 on over 3 goals and I think the worst that'll happen is you get your money back on that.
Blackpool v Tottenham, Sunday 1330
Well, once again Droop Jowls has been embarrassing himself by talking Spurs up as title challengers. What a prat. They're 7 points off Man Utd and if you think they're making that up you're fucking mental. They are yet to win outside of London this season and they'll drop yet more points still. They'll do well to finish Top 4 in my opinion. Blackpool are everyone's 2nd favourite team this season, what with their 'mad' manager Ian Holloway and tactics of forward first football. I think getting aginst the Spuds here is a brilliant bet. Their defenders are still shaky and the strikers need a hatful of chances before they put one away, particularly Jermaine Defoe. Yes he gets goals, but the team would get more if he's lay it off or show some composure on occasion. Coral go 2.25 on the Draw and Blackpool in the Double Chance market and I think that's sensational stuff!
Chelsea v Man Utd, Sunday 1600
United go from beating Arsenal at home to a trip to Stamford Bridge to play a faltering Chelsea side. I have previously mentioned my belief that old age and a serious lack of squad depth would catch up with Chavski, and it looks like that is coming true now. It's just a shame for Chelsea that all their attacking players seem to be creaking at the same time. Whilst United beat Arsenal on Monday, they again failed to impress. Darren Fletcher looked terrible to me, and by christ Michael Carrick is never worth £18mil, what the fuck does he do. Can't tackle, can't shoot and fails with simple passes when under anything resembling pressure. This should make Chelsea more confident of getting a win and being straight back in the title race. I wouldn't like to call this one though, except to say I see it being cagey. Neither will want to give 3 points to the opposition so it's unlikely we'll see an open game. I think the half time draw at a widely available 2.1 is as good a bet as any for this.
Man City v Everton, Monday 2000
The Monday night fixture comes from Eastland's with a struggling Everton the visitors. David Moyes has done a fantastic job with The Toffee's, but he must be wondering if he has taken them as far as he can. If he wanted to leave the club, then I for one wouldn't blame him. This match could well see Carlos Tevez starting having handed in a transfer request at the end of last week. I actually think he comes across ok as a person, he just seems very badly advised and not clever enough to see it. His agent Kia Joorachabian is obviously in it for himself, and the percentage if all his signing on fees seems to be his sole motivation when advising his client. He seems a right shit in short. All this being said, when you look at the way both teams are playing this is only going one way. What hasn't been widely said is that David Silva and Vincent Kompany have arguably been just as important for City this season and they're both happy. I'm handicapping City as I'm sure they've got enough and Everton have no firepower. Victor Chandler go 2.29 on a City win with a -1.0 asian hcap and I'm all over that like I will be my Dad's sausage rolls next week!
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