Good morning all and sorry for not putting a blog up last week. I was very busy at work and also only an addict bets on cup matches! Just so you can all now self-diagnose! This weekend sees a return to the Premier League and then a break for some international friendlies, where England can once again marvel at such things as possession football and tactics. This week has seen the huge drama that is the January Transfer Window, dun dun dun. Sky Sports News would have you believe this is some sort of world altering time period such is the hype and ecstasy on display on that channel on the last day. Presenters are dispatched all over the country to stand outside training grounds in the cold to be lied to by sloppy faced tools like 'Arry Redknapp, and they believe him! The man with a face like a lava slide was telling SSN in the morning that no business would be done. He then seemingly sent out his 'crack' team to make ridiculous bids for anyone who has scored a goal in La Liga this season, and Charlie Adam. But, topping all that was the news that an injury prone, shadow his former self striker who doesn't always start for his national team is worth £50mil. And even more startling is that a man who was 2nd top scorer for his side in his country's second tier competition behind Michael Chopra is worth £35mil 8 months later. Sweet fucking christ. This weeks recommended music comes from the old school, it's The Undertones with Teenage Kicks.
Stoke v Sunderland, Saturday 1245
We start the weekend off just down the road from where I'll be spending my weekend in glorious Stoke. It's a common misconception that Stoke are formidable at home, they're actually no better than they are away. This is probably due to the same reason as Blackpool's stellar away form, they don't alter their tactics at all. Most teams will sit on the back foot for a while when away and are therefore better staffed to cope with the aerial, physical bombardment you get from Tony Pulis' men. Having let go of Tuncay and Gudjohnsen recently I think it is safe to assume Total Football is off the menu. Sunderland have actually looked better more often than not in the absence of Darren Bent this season, good job since they've flogged him. If you are desperate for goals and are happy for one man to get them then Bent's your man. Sadly most teams endeavour to move on from that after a season or 2 which is why we will see Bent moving on. All this being said, I think this is a hard match to call. God only knows why, but I think there might be goals in this! Victor Chandler are top price on over 2.5 at 2.37.
Aston Villa v Fulham, Saturday 1500
talking of yer man Bent, it's his lot up first alphabetically at 3pm. They take on a rejuvenated Fulham who have been pulling away from the relegation places of late. Moussa Dembele's return to fitness has been a huge factor, as has Danny Murphy's return to form. The loan signing of Gael Kakuta from neighbours Chelsea seems a good move to me. He's a tricky wee get with plenty of pace. Villa's main business was obviously the signing of Bent, and he's already notched 2 goals for his new team. He'll thrive in a system set up to supply a lone forward with plenty of chances and should get 10 goals easily by seasons end. I also fancy him to open the scoring in this one. Fulham's form might have improved, but they'll get sod all at Villa Park. Betfred are largest on Mr D Bent scoring first, I'll have some of that.
Everton v Blackpool, Saturday 1500
Ah, the curious case of Everton...David Moyes has undoubtebly worked miracles on a small budget at the Toffees, but this season something has gone awry. Whether it's just that he's taken the team as far as he can or not is open to debate, but I think he's lost motivation. Last season saw Steven Pienaar playing well above himself, same for Louis Saha, and Mikel Arteta looks to have peaked last term too. This leaves them very short of inspiration. I think Moyes knows his spine is potentially getting weaker and also that he hasn't got the funds to buy ready made replacements for any of them. I would not be at all suprised to see him walk away at season's end. Blackpool managed to keep hold of star man Charlie Adam, and I think it'll serve him well to be playing rather than warming Spurs bench. He scored against West Ham in their midweek defeat and his reaction looked like a man with a point to prove. He'll know he needs to maintain his form to get a move to Liverpool or Man Utd at the end of the season and that should be enough for him. I think you've got to oppose Everton at under 1.5, get on Blackpool and the Draw at 2.67 with Coral.
Manchester City v West Brom, Saturday 1500
Now, I tuned in to the Baggies match against Wigan midweek and I have to say I was pleasantly suprised by the entertainment on offer. Neither team was outstanding, but both were committed to winning and it made for good end to end stuff. Since gaining all manner of plaudits around mid-December WBA's form has dipped dramatically and with only the loan signing of Carlos Vela in the window, they might get pulled further into the relegation struggle. Citeh have made extremely hard work of limited opponents of late, Notts County and Birmingham should not be a challenge to a team with title aspirations. Edin Dzeko has looked lively, if not particularly graceful so far, and that bodes well. If they can get him to show the form that made him a star in the Bundesliga it'll add another dimension to their attack. Back them to win this match to nil and you shouldn't be disappointed. Coral are again standout at 2.5.
Newcastle v Arsenal, Saturday 1500
Whilst Andy Carroll was without a shadow of a doubt hugely overpriced by Liverpool, his value to Newcastle was huge. They have been left to choose between the striking prowess of messrs Shola Ameobi, Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands. Dogshit one and all. The offer was too good to turn down, but they need to find one of these players in some sort of form or the rest of the season is going to be an uphill struggle. They looked absolutely toothless against Fulham in midweek, in a match they'd have fancied with Carroll in the side. Arsenal might have had to come behind against Everton, but they were much the better side and the goal should never have been given to Saha. I have also seen a lot of criticism in the press of Cesc Fabregas for 'gobbing off' at the referee. Now, as with Phil Brown not too long ago, these accusations by David Moyes have been proven completely unfounded. It's a disgusting slur on one of the very few truly World Class players in the league, and the press should be made to wear the stocks if he ends up leaving soon. He is merely showing the fight and captains spirit that the team and Fabregas personally are constantly accused of lacking. Why he is picked on and Wayne 'Facking shit ref, you facking cunt' Rooney and John 'Tiny Tears' Terry are lauded for similar actions can only be xenophobia. I see a comfortable Arse win here. Totesport go 1.75 on that outcome and that's enough for me.
Tottenham v Bolton, Saturday 1500
Having been soundly thrashed by Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend, Spurs put in one of their best performances of the season to beat Blackburn away. Shorn of nearly all centre halves they repelled Rovers for 87 minutes after Peter Crouch nodded them in front. No mean feat. They will fall short this season though and I would aim a lot of criticism at Harry 'Droopy Jowls' Redknapp for this. The clown must have known his strikers were shit before the window opened, I did, and he must have also known his injury prone defence was an accident waiting to happen, again I did. If he didn't he's incompetent, and if he did and chose to not bid for any defenders and to go whoring his club round Spain on the last day for a striker, then he's a tool. But, you already knew that. Bolton are another team who were lauded pre-xmas, by me included, who have fallen away a bit since. I can't see that changing here. if Spurs had enough to beat an in-form Rovers away, they'll win this. Hills go 2.4 on them leading at HT and FT and that interests me.
Wigan v Blackburn, Saturday 1500
A borefest waiting to happen it would seem. Wigan might have been involved in a thriller with WBA in midweek, but their form would suggest that was a blip on the path to the Championship. Thank fuck. Blackburn have been ticking along nicely under Steve Kean and have made a couple of interesting signings in Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina. Formica is an Argentinian playmaker and was attracting interest from France and Rochina is a Spanish striker who had been impressing in the Segunda in Spain for Barcelona B. A couple of signings that show he's a manager far removed from Big Fat Bastard Allardyce. The Lamb Shank lookalike had stated that Kean wouldn't be cut out for management, but so far he's already improved the Fat One's boring outfit inot a team with a lot more flair. And he's shipped out permanent dickhead El Hadij Diouf, the awful spitting shitbag. I think they could do this, but I'm not exactly confident enough to put the holiday funds on it! Victor Chandler go 2.1 on Balckburn in the Draw No Bet market and that's the one for me.
Wolves v Man Utd, Saturday 1730
The late kick off sees now bottom Wolves taking on still unbeaten United at Molineux. The sports writers in this country have been appallingly keen to inform all those listening that after 2 goals against Aston Villa at hoem that Wayne Rooney is probably the best player the world has ever seen, ever. He's not. He's an above average player who would be shown up by most players in La Liga for the hard toiling troll that he is. Saying this he was always a player that scored in spurts, as that filthy prossie will no doubt confirm. Boom Boom. Wolves have been grafting all season, but lack that bit of quality or presence that would see them from relegation battlers to comfortable mid-table a la Stoke. United have drawn plenty on their travels so far, and Wolves will hope to ad to that list. I do think United are coming into their traditional post-xmas form though, and that will be far too much for Wolves. Nani in particular has impressed me, and has picked up his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo's habit of shooting from anywhere within 30 yards out. This makes Boylesports quotes of 3.0 on him to score anytime look worth a poke.
West Ham v Birmingham, Sunday 1330
Two of the most disappointing sides so far this season meet around lunchtime on Sunday. Both have picked up a bit of late, in no small part down to rejuvenated strikers. The Hammers have seen Victor Obinna in scintillating form and Nikola Zigic is looking more like he's played football before every match. Away from home Brum tend to be very workmanlike and happy to hold out for a draw most of the time whilst tyring to nick one from a set piece. Zigic gives them hope that against a leaky Hammers defnece they might just do it. However comma With the partnership of Keane and Obinna already seeing both score away at Blackpool, Hammers fans must be optimistic. All it really takes to survive in this league is a glut of goals. Get on the Irons at the still widely available 2.1.
Chelsea v Liverpool, Sunday 1600
The weekend ends with a huge match for numerous reasons. Fernando Torres has joined Chelsea for an astonishing £50mil and the fans of his new club will be looking for a huge effort to score against his former employees. After seeing the usual parade of knuckle-draggers on SSN burning his shirt in Scouseland, it'd serve the tools write too. Liverpool also have a new striker on show, man-biting Luis Suarez. He has been given the goal on his debut against Stoke, and it was heading in however slowly, and that has led to all sorts of wild claims of his ability from Merseyside. Having watched a bit of the Eredivisie as well as the World Cup I can confirm he should adapt better than other imports from that league like Afonso Alves and Mateja Kezman. He is more than just a goalscorer and is happy to be a link man as well as being quick enough to get in behind defences. I think Chelsea are still light years in front of Pool currently and couldn't back the Scousers to leave with anything. I think Chelsea will come haring out and should lead at HT and FT. 888sport go 2.5 on that outcome and that will conclude my weekend's punting.
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