I'm going to try something highly irregular this week and look to some of those strange foreign leagues for my bets. I really don't like punting on the cups so whilst I might throw one or two bets in, personally I'll be casting my glance away from England. This week saw Arsenal ushered out of Europe and Arsene Wenger still seemingly unable to comprehend how his team were beaten by a clearly better team in the vast majority of both legs. It might not always appear so, but I am a massive fan of the Frenchman's. He should receive great credit for basically laying the blueprint for diet, fitness and scouting that all clubs now look to follow in England. The man's a genius, but he is losing his marbles and is far too stubborn. I've mentioned before how he needs a number 2 that does more than nod and resemble a paedophile, as Pat Rice seems to. Someone who will tell him it's not a sin to occasionally call his players a bunch of fooking bottlers, they wont learn otherwise. We also saw Totteringham surpass the Gunners in this years Champions League. Whilst they put in their worst performance of the tournament so far, they deserve great credit for making themselves very watchable and succeeding in their first campaign. Music this week comes from Velvet Revolver with the tuuune Sucker Train Blues.
Birmingham v Bolton, 1245 Saturday
Having told you how I hate the cups, my first bet is in, drum roll please...the FA Cup. Look at me, going back on my word, like the disgusting gambler I am. Anyhoo, the reason I picked this match out is that I genuinely think if Birmingham could just retire from the FA Cup now they would. They have just won the Carling Cup and caused a backlog of matches in doing so. They have just dropped into the bottom 3 in the Prem and will desperately want to avoid injuries going into the run-in. Bolton have no such problems. They can afford the thrill of a cup run still with them safely tucked up in mid-table. I realise Bolton are away, but I'm willing to take a punt on Bolton's best XI being too much for Brum's reserves. Let's face it, their first team is pretty wank. Boylesports are 2.62 on Bolton now, that will be around 2.4 by kick-off in my opinion.
Roma v Lazio, 1400 Sunday
My first foreign pick is in the Eternal City Derby between Roma and Lazio. Whilst Roma are the 'home' team for this match, they'll be playing in the same stadium Lazio play their home matches in. So the fear factor of an away trip is immediately halved there. Roma have been pretty dreadful of late, culminating in Ranieri resigning a couple of weeks back. Ex-player Vincenzo Montella has taken over and has had mixed results. The problem seems to lie in their piss poor defence. Phillipe Mexes is a cracking player, but a stroppy French sod, who is happy to throw a wobbler when things don't go his way. And if that isn't a stereotype, I don't know what is!? He's the experienced man supposedly and his less than calm demeanour must rub off on his colleagues. Lazio have quietly been grinding out results all season, with Hernanes their star man. The Brazilian is destined for a big move and has re-found his early season form of late. Stan James are standout at 3.4 on Lazio, and I would again expect to see that nearer 3.0 come Sunday.
Almeria v Atletico Madrid, 1700 Saturday
The first match of the weekend in La Liga is a Madrid derby involving the cities 2nd and 3rd teams. Almeria have been punching above their weight for a few years now in La Liga and have been looking likely to succumb to relegation this season so far. However comma they have got some memorable results and are tight at the back. Atleti were widely tipped to challenge Real and Barca more this season and have failed miserably. It seemed to be ignored that they won the Europa League without winning a match in 90 minutes, and that their defence was as porous as ever. When you then add in Diego Forlan looking tired and bored, and Aguero seeming to be waiting for a bus to take him to England, it adds up to a mess. This is nothing new for Atleti, they revel in their failures like no other team. Victor Chandler are 2.5 on Almeria Draw No Bet and I'll take that on.
Ankaragucu v Galatasaray, 1300 Sunday
Now then...In my current job I keep a close on the Turkish Super Lig and bet on it a fair deal myself. There isn't a standout bet for me this week, but I do like the odds on this game. Gala are hovering around lower mid-table this season and are as poor as they have been in many a year. Fenerbahce and Besiktas have got pots of money in comparison and shrewd signings by Bursaspor and Trabzonspor have seen those clubs pulling clear of Gala too. This has led to them being slightly over-priced most weekends for me, especially away from home. These 2 teams are pretty evenly matched, with Ankara better at home than Gala are away. For this reason I'll be backing Ankara art an industry best 3.0 widely available now.
Vitesse v Heerenveen, 1945 Saturday
My last tip will come from the land of tulips, clogs and lax drug laws, the Netherlands. The league that gifted us strikers such as Afonso Alves and Mateja Kezman is a goalfest most weeks. Most defences seem about as full of holes as organised religion. Generally one team will run away with the league somewhat and this year it is the turn of PSV. Ajax are broke and in a state of rebuilding and Twente have failed to reach the heights of Schteve McClaren's reign. Who'd have ever thought you'd say that abotu a team? However comma the game I am looking at is a mid-table affair between newly minted Vitesse and Heerenveen. Vitesse spent big in the summer in the hope of breaking into the Champions League, but a sluggish start put paid to that plan before xmas. Since the break though they have looked a more settled side and home form has been very decent. They are desperate for points as they are still just above the relegation places, whereas Heerenveen are comfortable mid-table thanks to some impressive home form. This home form has masked a pretty poor return of only 2 wins from 12 away from their gaff. Betfair are still 2.66 on a Vitesse win and I'd say that'll be nearer 2.5 by kick-off.
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