As the headline would suggest I am completing this blog from the comfort of my couch, as I sadly have very little on on my day off. But, enough of my melancholy, you're surely all waiting for this weeks batch of tips. This midweek we saw Arsenal dominate against a Stoke side again determined to prove that you can be successful without resorting to playing any actual football. We saw Man Utd again look an absolute shower in Europe, with the midfield once again looking like a complete overhaul is needed. And we saw Chelsea play a bit better and gain a decent away win against Danish side FC Kobenvahn. To my eyes Arsenal are still the bet for any of the Premier League as they look capable of turning on some style or battling, everyone else looks like Wimbledon's harder working B team. Musically I'm in a chilled out moment so I'm going to go for Television with Marquee Moon, 7 minutes of brilliance.
Aston Villa v Blackburn, 1500 Saturday
The early kick off this week comes from the Championship so we start alphabetically at Villa for the Prem. Whilst they looked much-improved after Darren Bent's move and won twice on the spin, they've been terrible since without anyone paying much attention. They are getting ever nearer the relegation spots and need to turn their form around quick sharp to pull away. Blackburn are still solid at home and capable enough away to pick up enough points to steer clear of relegation this season. This probably wont be a classic by any means, but I think Villa should have enough at home to nick this. They do need Ashley Young to pull his head out of his arse though. He seems to have been elsewhere ever since move to big clubs, and Liverpool, started last season. He's as important to them as Bent and they'll need him to supply the bullets for Bent. Anyhoo, Bent scores first at a widely available 4.5 is the one for me.
Everton v Sunderland, 1500 Saturday
An interesting match here with 2 teams capable of turning in an impressive performance, but too unpredictable to be looking at Europe. Everton are looking a bit shit again at present and the lack of a goalscorer outside of the erratic Saha is the main problem. I've already made my feelings known that Moyes should leave at the end of the season. He seems to need a new challenge and his formerly impressive side are now looking like they're on the slide. The club probably needs a fresh approach and someone who will now see the lack of finances as a challenge not a burden. Sunderland have never been shy of splashing the cash, but are not really moving much further forward at the moment. Steve Bruce has been very hit and miss, Gyan looks a great player potentially, but players like Riveros have been given little time to impress and cast aside. I think there's probably a manager who can do more for the club, but they seem perfectly happy to expensively underachieve at present. They've been generally shit away so far, and Everton's best performances have been at home, but they look short to me. Coral go 2.25 on Sunderland and the Draw and I think that's worth a punt.
Newcastle v Bolton, 1500 Saturday
Another contest that looks closely matched on paper is this one between promoted Newcastle and perennial mid to lower tablers Bolton. Both have put in some fantastic performances and some that were utter, utter dogshit. Newcastle have thrashed Villa and beaten Arsenal and Bolton were as high as 5th position at one point in the season. However comma as expected since the sale of star man and all round nutjob Andy Carroll the Geordie's have looked toothless. Strikers of the 'calibre' of Leon 'Not the' Best and Shola 'Shit' Ameobi are not going to get you out of the Championship, let alone see you up the Prem table. Bolton are also struggling for goals now that Johan Elmander has reverted to the form of his career before this season, that is to say he's useless. You can never be certain what will happen in a Newcastle game, but I think the omens point to a low scorer. Betfair go 1.88 on under 2.5 goals and that's what it all points to.
Wigan v Man Utd, 1500 Saturday
It's United's twice yearly guarantee of 3 points and a boost to goal difference at Wigan on Saturday afternoon. These are 2 of the teams I dislike most in the division for completely different reasons. The frankly embarrassing 'support' of Wigan irks me no end. When you flick on MOTD and see 6 blokes and a couple of kids cheering their 'beloved' Wigan side on it appals me. Almost as much as having to listen to Shearer and the other merry band of dickheads on the programme, the jug eared twat and the camp moron. I forget their names. There are so many sides with a brilliant support no matter the level that I would rather see in the country's top league. Man Utd annoy me as they're managed by a graceless Jock twat and that never used to bother me when they were good to watch. Now they're horrible, boring, slow, insipid, just gash. The persistence with Rooney pisses me off too, although it amuses me to know they're stuck with his £6mil a week wages or whatever stupid amount they bent over and took in negotiations. He's got the touch of a pub player and no amount of running around swearing will make me think he's anything more than a hard working, classless prole. Lets be honest, it'll be a thrashing and should really be investigated. United -1.5 is available at 2.5 at Bet365 and it's nailed on.
Wolves v Blackpool, 1500 Saturday
Having finally won a match against Spurs midweek Blackpool will be hoping for a few more to once again move away from relegation trouble. Wolves are also gaining the results their endeavour deserves, but not regularly enough. As with many sides this season, goals are a problem. The strikers are not pulling their weight and sadly it's probably going to see them relegated. I like professional Yorkshireman Mick McCarthy a lot and appreciate his brutal honesty about his sides failings and contentious issues. Much better than blaming anything but your own inadequacies like messrs Bruce and Wenger in particular. Blackpool will no doubt attack from the off and in Charlie Adam they possess a player that would improve the midfields at Man Utd, Liverpool or Chelsea. He might not be quick or athletic, but he has an eye for a pass and possesses a threat from set pieces, corner delivery stands out. It's this attacking flair that gives me enough confidence to take a chance on them this time. BlueSq go 2.25 on them Draw No Bet and that'll give a bit of cover.
West Ham v Liverpool, 1330 Sunday
Having spent almost 2 hours of my life watching Liverpool against the mighty Sparta Prague I am not in the best of moods with them at all. They were dire, devoid of invention and lacked a goal threat at all. But, what annoyed me most is listening to the commentators going on about Joe fucking Cole getting back 'to the form we know he's capable of'. Now, to me, he was shit. He's always been shit. He's a paceless attacking midfielder who can't shoot or cross. He could no doubt do some incredibly fancy tricks at 15, but he's 30 now. He wont get better. He did not fulfil his potential. Just fucking stop it. The Hammers have been impressive some matches and back to their early season crapness too often. In Robbie Keane, Demba Ba and Obinna they have the firepower ti get them out of trouble. I would imagine Liverpool themselves would take the last 2 players. It really depends on which West Ham team turns up, but I'll take a chance the strikers show up after the thrashing of Burnley. Odds of 2.62 are widely available on the home side Draw No Bet and I'm happy with that.
Man City v Fulham, 1500 Sunday
In a game that will be completely overshadowed by the Careless Cup final we see Citeh hosting Fulham. It's Mark Leslie Hughes first return to Eastlands since his sacking and a chance to gain some revenge for the 4-1 hiding he took at Craven Cottage. Whatever his apologists in the media say, Mancini has improved Citeh, they are better at the back and he has coaxed better performance out of Carlos Tevez. Which has also amusingly made him the best striker in Manchester, presumably much to Sir Wrigley's chagrin. Fulham are also still terrible away from home, crap, useless, the lot. They've won less than 10 away in 3 seasons and only once this term so far. Why this is isn't important, it helps us gamblers no end. Citeh will win this , I guarantee it. City -1.5 at 2.45 at Bet365 looks to good to be true to me.
Carling Cup Final 2011, Arsenal v Birmingham, 1500 Sunday
The first silverware of the season is up for grabs at the disappointing Wembley on Sunday. Considering it cost more than twice what the Emirates cost Arsenal and looks like a car park with a ridiculous arch over it it's a horrible waste of money. Which has also led to mental ticket prices to cover this overspend. Rant over. This can really only go one way, it's Arsenal's to lose. They'll no doubt be up against a 4-5-1 with the 1 ridiculously isolated and will need to break Brum down, but they should. The motivation for all of them will be huge, they are generally still very young and have won not a lot between them. The miss of Walcott will hurt, but they're hardly short of midfielders. If Fabregas is fit it is a foregone conclusion. Brum are obdurate and can put the yards in, but lack the skill to damage Arsenal. If Zigic plays there will probably be a set piece chance or 2, but Arsenal will have Johan Djourou back and he's actually good in the air. Get on the Gunners to end their trophy drought and start their march to the Premier League too!. Victor Chandler go 1.97 on Arsenal -1 asian and I'll be on that.
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