The title is a not so subtle reference to Chelsea's announcement that they plan to price even more 'normal' people out of the match going experience next season. This is particularly relevant to me as last weekend I had the 'pleasure' of a trip to Stamford Bridge. I've been to Old Trafford once before and hadn't visited a Premier League ground again since due to the complete lack of anything approaching an atmosphere at that match. Now, the pre-match pub with all the 'top boys' was cracking, but from there on in it was unbelievably diluted. I have never seen so many posh boys heading to a match before. Chino's as far as the eye could see. Once inside the view from the West Stand was superb, but not once did I here a particularly loud song being sung. This was a tad unfair as Wigan had only brought around 60 fans so there wasn't much for the fans to work with admittedly. All this is leading me to tell everyone to just boycott anywhere pushing prices like this and go support your local lower league team. You will be appreciated, the atmosphere will be at least 10 times better and the people will be able to actually hold a conversation about the sport they're watching. Music comes this week from new favourites Two Gallants with the storming Steady Rollin. An absolute humdinger of a tune!
West Brom v Chelsea, Saturday 1500
In the spirit of Chelsea being a soulless place, the team was almost as bad on both Saturday and Tuesday. The midfield is plainly not working at the moment. Lampard is not my favourite player, but if you aren't going to let him hover around the box the whole match, then don't bother with him. He isn't going to get up and down and his passing isn't good enough. Similarly Michael Essien is being restricted in a midfield 4 and looks a shadow of the monster he was 2 years ago. And Torres needs the summer break to try and recapture some sharpness and confidence. The rest of the team were laying chances on a plate for the last 10 minutes of the Wigan match and he somehow contrived to fluff the lot. West Brom have become very hard to beat under Woy Hodgson and have also had the returning Peter Odemwingie adding some unpredictability and goals to the side. He has been a revelation this season, settling in quickly and troubling every defence he has played against. Having seen Chelsea's season ended by Man Utd midweek I would expect them to simply go through the motions, and that wont be enough for me to beat this reinvigorated WBA side. Take WBA and the Draw on Double Chance at 2.2 with Betfred before it settles around 2.0 on matchday.
Arsenal v Liverpool, Sunday 1600
The big match of the weekend in the Prem sees Pool travelling to another soulless identikit stadium to play Arselol. See what I did there? Pool were actually very impressive in beating Citeh on Monday night, and Andy Carroll in particular. He absolutely bested the usually solid Citeh defence, and Joleon Lescott can surely now be gotten rid of in the summer if the Blues have any ambitions of challenging for the title next year. Arsenal took on Blackpool last time out and finally got a win for the first time since Orient in the FA Cup. Even then they were doing their level best to give Blackpool the chances to get back in the game. The problem for me is that they need some back up to Alex Song. He has developed into a fine defensive midfielder, but there is noone else at the club in his mould and they are lightweight in his absence or if he isn't in form. I see Carroll terrorising this Arsenal defence all afternoon, his physical presence is the sort of thing they hate and those 2 goals will have his confidence at a high point. Back him to find the old onion bag at a top priced 3.5 with Stan James.
Real Sociedad v Sporting Gijon, Sunday 1600
My pick from Spain this week sees current form team Gijon travelling to fairly hopeless Sociedad. A good run before xmas has Sociedad in the relative safety of mid table for now, but they haven't won in 7 matches and have looked like they're on their summer holidays for most of that run. They need to turn it round, but look completely at a loss for how to do it. Manuel Preciado gained some revenge over Jose Mourinho a couple of weeks back in breaking his amazing 9 year unbeaten home record. Particularly satisfying as Mourinho had criticised Gijon's performance against Barca earlier in the season and Preciado was less than amused. Anyway Gijon should give Sociedad a good fight as ever and I can see them coming away with at leat 1 point if not 3. Stan James will still give you 1.8 on Gijon and the Draw Double Chance and I'd be on that like a tramp on chips.
Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen, Sunday 1430
To Germany now with Hollywood FC taking on in form Leverkusen. It had been widely assumed that Borussia Dortmund had wrapped the title up about a month ago, but Leverkusen's imperious form has seen them cut the gap to 5 points and made people slightly rethink those opinions. Whilst Dortmund probably have done enough to hold on until seasons end, Bayer have certainly made them work for it. Munich dispensed with Van Gaal just recently after a poor season has them scrapping for even qualifying for next seasons Champions League. A grave situation for a club that considers itself amongst the best in the world. The squad has looked stagnant at times and many players have spoken out suggesting dressing room unrest is also an issue. And these things wont be solved overnight. For that reason I think they are worth opposing this week. The odds have been as long as I've ever seen on a match with Bayern at home, but you can still get 1.88 on Leverkusen and the Draw Double Chance at Bodog and I'd suggest doing that very thing.
Karabukspor v Istanbul BB, Saturday 1400
My first tip from the SuperLig this week has homers Karabuk taking on overachievers Istanbul BB. Istanbul have been above superpowers Besikltas and Galatasaray for most of a very impressive season, but have begun to look jaded in recent weeks. They don't score many and have relied on a tight defence to rise up the table and the toll is beginning to tell on a small squad. They were always better at home, but lost to lowly Sivasspor last weekend when hosting, and looked very lacklustre in doing so. Karabuk similarly have also been excellent at home, picking up 8 wins from 13 games and scoring 26 goals in the process. This sort of form and BB's tiredness mean I'm happy to be with the home side on this. Take the 2.16 available at Betfair before it goes below 2.0 tomorrow.
Antalyaspor v Eskisehirspor, Sunday 1500
Next up is another team looking like they've given everything already this season in Eskisehirspor. They have been as impressive as Istanbul BB this season in climbing up as high as 4th position before fading to 7th just recently. They look like a Europa League place is beyond them now and have all but thrown in the towel. They have only won 4 from 14 away from home all season, and like many teams in Turkey have relied on home form to propel them up the table. Antalyaspor are comfortable in mid table obscurity, and similarly to BB have found goals hard to come by at times. They have won 5 from 14 at home, but only scored a paltry 15 goals in doing it. However, the last 2 matches have seen them hand out a 3-0 thrashing to Gala and also a thrilling away 3-2 win against Bursaspor that has ended their title hopes. This sudden burst of form and confidence should be enough to see off the higher placed Eski. Take Billy Hills 2.5 on the home win and thank me come Sunday tea time.
Manisaspor v Galatasaray, Monday 1800
Last up is Gala's trip to Manis on Monday evening. I've made a tidy little sum opposing them away from home this season and I see that run continuing on Monday. They looked particularly hopeless against Antalyaspor a couple of weeks ago and weren't much better in losing to Trabzon at home last weekend. There will never be a better time to play the fading giants and Manis have a fantastic opportunity to pick up 3 points. Gala don't do draws, only 3 from 28 matches this season, and Manis should add to their 5 home wins. They haven't won at home since late January, but at the prices I'm willing to punt on them finally doing so. They are still around 2.76 on Betfair and I would fully expect that to settle at more like 2.5 over the weekend so get on board now!
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