As the title suggests, I don't think we'll be witnessing any repeats of the midweek crackers we've seen from the UEFA competitions. This is obviously not including the borefest between In-Ger-Lund's representatives Chelsea and Man Utd on Wednesday. A horrific game brightened up by a really cracking goal from United. A cross field ball from the usually dreadful Carrick to Giggs then a great cross and finish applied by Wayne of Rooney. Speaking of everyone's favourite potato-headed neanderthal, he has picked up his ban for elbowing James McCarthy this week. At least, I assume that's what it's for or we're about to see players picking up suspensions for swearing in view of the camera in every match. The FA have once again proved their incompetence with this one and how they're staying in their jobs is a question for another time, they constantly fail miserably and still pick up their pay cheques. We have also seem Tottenham finally meeting a European power, and getting their arses handed to them. I can only assume I missed the bit where Redknapp's wonderful attacking talent overpowered Real. They were absolutely insipid, and the fact they've scored bugger all this year and bought crocked players has come back to haunt them. Music comes from the Blakroc album with ODB, Ludacris and Black Keys with the stamping Coochie.
Wolves v Everton, Saturday 1245
The Premier League weekend starts with Everton's injury ravaged squad travelling to Molineux. Professional Yorkshireman Mick McCarthy has assembled a team of battlers, who are a decent forward away from a mid-table outfit. The defence is no-nonsense and the midfield hard, with good wingers like recent England call-up Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly. If there were someone prolific to partner the unselfish Kevin Doyle then they'd have turned plenty of narrow losses into draws and draws into wins. Everton have struggled all season, but have put enough wins on the board to not have to worry about relegation. I've mentioned before how I think David Moyes has lost the drive to take this stagnant team apart and build a new one. This summer will be the measure of that, as major changes are needed. Back to the betting and I think Wolves are good value here, Everton's injuries making them even more so. Back them at 2.62 with many firms putting that price up.
Tottenham v Stoke, Saturday 1500
My second tips comes from the weeks biggest losers Spurs. As predicted the tie is as good as over already and Harry Redknapp's stock is about to fall like a stone. Their league form has faltered to the point where re-qualification for the Champions League looks like a very long shot. He is also finally up on charges of taking bungs in the summer in one of the more open secrets in the game. The amount of shitty players the man has bought from dodgy areas like Africa and Eastern Europe leads me to think there may well be something in this. They have been dubbed 'The Entertainers' by the cheerleaders Sloppy Chops has in the media, regardless of the fact only 3 teams have scored less goals at home this season. The reason they are entertaining is only Rafa VDV and their horrendous defence. Stoke's non-football has again moved them well clear of relegation for the moment and most teams have still yet to figure out how to counter their physical game. They will play the same way they always play and I think Spurs will struggle with it. The Spurs defence is still injury hit and I would imagine any key players with a slight knock will be rested in the forlorn hope they can turn the Real match around. Steam in to the Draw and Stoke in Double Chance at 2.2 with Coral, it should be 2.0 for me.
Aston Villa v Newcastle, Sunday 1600
Last tip from the Premier League for this weekend comes from Villa Park on Sunday afternoon. Having been absolutely hopeless since Ged Houllier took over Villa looked like they got some bite back last weekend. They may not have beaten Everton, but the effort and application that has been missing was in evidence. And, of course, Darren Bent scored. The man always scores. Having had a mutiny stopped in it's tracks by Villa chairman Randy Lerner it looks like the players have tried to keep Villa away from The Championship in case their shit performances mean they all go down with the team. Newcastle have also not been great since the sale of talisman Andy Carroll. The rest of their strikers are Championship standard and not suprisingly they have struggled for goals. Joey Barton has again opened his mouth on the In-Ger-Lund team this week to L'Equipe and it makes good reading, especially his criticism of 'teachers pet' Gareth Barry. The problem is when Joey claims to be easily the best English midfielder, whilst he might have an outside claim, it's miles from a cast iron certainty. I see goals, goals, goals in this one. Bet365 go 1.95 on Over 2.5 goals and I think we'll see that.
Hercules v Espanyol, Sunday 1600
A match up from Spain provides the next source of increased income. Hercules had been worryingly poor since xmas and the dropping of star man Royston Drenthe. His displays on the left wing had lit up the team the first half of the season before he was dropped for daring to complain about not being paid. He was reinstated to the side last weekend and they impressed in winning. With young Royston probably the star man. Espanyol's home form has been great all season ,and is a big reason why they have stayed comfortably in the top half of the table, but their away form hasn't matched it. They have also been looking a bit jaded of late and that gives me a bit of confidence to back the home side here. Coral are again biggest price at 2.2 and I'd expect that to have gone by kick-off so get on now.
Eskisehirspor v Fenerbahce, Saturday 1700
First tip from Turkey this week has Fener travelling to Eski. Eski have been very good at hoem and have risen as high as 6th in the table off the back of that fact. Fener have been around the peak of the table most of the season, but have lost 4 away from home and only drawn once. Both sides are in very good form and are regularly outplaying the opposition. I see it as quite close to call and don't agree with the prices available at all. Most bookmakers seem to have priced it up with the name Fenerbahce in mind and not taken into account Eskisehirspor's impressive home performances. I think this gives an opportunity to have a poke at the home side. Prices are falling at the moment, but 4.3 is still available on the home win and I think it's worth a gamble at that price.
Istanbul BB v Sivasspor, Sunday 1200
An early kick off on Sunday has a favourite of mine Istanbul BB taking on Sivasspor. Siva had signed players like Darius Vassell over the summer and looked serious, but a lack of money saw the team in disarray soon enough and players leaving the club having not been paid for months. Their form has improved marginally just lately with the players left gelling some more after playing time together. But, Istanbul have been very good at home and have hovered around the top 6 all season on the basis of that. They won 2-1 at home last week, sadly they don't score enough to make it comfortable for backers. They should have more than enough for Sivasspor though so match prices of 2.6 at Bet365 look very appealing to me and will surely be more like 2.4 come kick off.
Galatasaray v Trabzonspor, Sunday 1700
Possibly the most well known Turkish team out side of Turkey is Gala. They had some great European campaigns on the not so distant past, playing the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd. But, they have fallen on hard times lately. Money hasn't been available the way it has been to city rivals Fener and it has shown in performances this season. They currently reside in lower mid-table obscurity and are coming in from a humiliating 3-0 loss last weekend. They have been beaten by lesser lights home and away all year. Trabzonspor have traditionally lived in the shadows of Istanbul's big 2 of Gala and Fener, and now upstarts Bursaspor have come on the scene. This season has seen something of a renaissance for them though, with them sitting atop the SuperLig for most of the season so far, and still hanging on desperate to pull away from chasing Fenerbahce. They are better than Gala, and should be able to get the job done. I think they'd be around 2.0 in England so I think the 2.2 at Betfair should be snapped up before it goes back to the 2.0 it should really be.
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