Well, here we are, after another week or so of horrifically boring international football. We have learnt England can easily beat a team ranked almost 100 places below them and 1 position above San Marino. We have learnt England's back up aren't as hateable as the first choice 'Golden Generation', as they are more willing to work for their places. And we have also learnt that Jack Wilshire is the second coming of christ, or something in that ballpark. Now, young Jack is without a doubt a fine prospect, and having come through at the 1 club in England that places technical ability above size and speed he's standing out for In-Ger-Lund. The problem lies in the fact that those around him can't do the same thing and pass the ball without undue haste. He will no doubt flourish at Arsenal, and will look good for In-Ger-Lund, but I hardly think he's going to dominate the world for his country without help. And that help will not be found in Andy Carroll or Ashley Young. Young is another perfectly decent player the media have got excited about as the feel they have campaigned to get him in the team. Sadly the fact he can barely cross or shoot and is a thoroughly shameful diver has escaped them. Oh well...the hurt goes on for the patriots. Music this week is the loud and proud Millencolin with Farewell My Hell.
West Ham v Man Utd, Saturday 1245
The weekend kicks off with the still hopeless away United travelling to resurgent West Ham. Since signing around 43 new strikers in January, the Hammers have seen a steady improvement with enough goals being scored to keep eyes away from their still very pedestrian backline. Demba Ba in particular looks a good acquisition, pace to burn and no little skill too. He should give United's defence a run for their money in the absence of the Braaappp-tastic Rio Ferdinand. There should be no little motivation for the Reds here knowing that anything less than a win and Arsenal beating the constantly shit Blackburn at home will leave them with a game in hand and only a 3 point gap. Wayne 'Gobshite, cheating, granny shagging, general twat' Rooney has been talking of United being 'up' for this one so expect the ref to be called something horrendous everytime he gets within 20 feet of England's talisman. Can we not have him taken out back and shot? I would be loathe to back West Ham as United invariably get results when needed keeping them ahead of Wenger's Gunners. Bet365 go 2.2 on the half time draw and I think that's worth a tickle.
Stoke v Chelsea, Saturday 1500
Another game that sees a team struggling away this season travelling to a tough venue. Chelsea have masked recent poor performances with stringing together a couple of wins and neutrals and fans alike marvelling at David 'Sideshow Bob' Luiz rather magnificent barnet. Tis a cracker though. What does get my goat though is that people are queueing up to throw plaudits at him for scoring goals and galloping forward although he has given away 2 penalties already and leaves the leaden booted Terry exposed to a quick counter with his forays upfield. His first job as a central defender is defending, the clue is in the positions name. No amount of goals will make him a good defender and whilst he is employed there he has yet to convince me he's the complete package. Roque Junior got forward well, and we all know how that turned out at Leeds. Anyhow, Stoke are still playing something more approaching NFL with all their reliance on set-plays. But, it is still causing teams problems and getting them results so it's hard to argue. Oh, and Torres is looking more shot with every passing week, even getting booed when replacing Fernando Llorente for Spain in midweek. I fancy another half time stalemate in this. Stan James are standout at 2.2 for that.
Wigan v Spurs, Saturday 1500
Spurs, as Sloppy Chops will never tire of saying, are down to the bare bones this week. The only fit central defender they have is Michael Dawson, and he's struggling. They are also missing the man Messi looks up to in Gareth Bale out too. With the Champions League Quarter Final against Madrid coming up in the week they will not be chancing anyone for this match as I think Redknapp knows the Champions League qualification next year through the league is slipping away. He will no doubt bemoan his 'luck' in losing all his centre backs, but let's examine the evidence. He has bought a bunch of crocks...and they're crocked. Not bloody rocket science is it? No doubt his wonderful chums in the Red Tops will lap his usual bollocks up though. Wigan are a shower of shit themselves, but are capable of a result with players like Rodalega and the increasingly impressive James McCarthy in the side. I can easily see a Spurs slip up here so I'll be backing the home side. Stan James again appear confidently against me and are out at 3.3 on such an eventuality.
Lecce v Udinese, Sunday 1400
I am again including my current favourite team Udinese in my tips. They are a truly spectacular side to watch when in form, all attacking flair and goals. Antonio Di Natale is hardly a new boy, buy even at 32 he is consistently banging in the goals in the twilight of his career. With a young support cast including Kwadye Asamoah and next big thing Alexis Sanchez, he is ably assisted. Lecce have been terrible all season and look set for a spell in Serie B the way things stand. The international break shouldn't have harmed Udine too much, Di Natale is out of Italy's future planning so should be fresh to cause Lecce defenders nightmares. Victor Chandler are 2.3 on Udinese -1.0 asian and I would expect them to cover that pretty easily here.
Hoffenheim v Hamburg, Saturday 1430
Second foreign tip comes from the German Bundesliga with upstarts Hoffenheim hosting Hamburg. About 5 years or so ago Hamburg had a team including the talents of Rafa Van Der Vaart setting Germeny alight playing some wonderful football. Those days appear behind them at the moment with a more prosaic style of football currently keeping them comfortably mid-table after a couple of disappointing seasons. Hoffenheim are the little village team bankrolled by a local multi-millionaire from the regional divisions all the way to the big time. Their thrilling rise was all masterminded by huge Arsene Wenger fan Ralf Ragnick, who has recently departed in the wake of star player Luis Gustavo being sold behind his back to Batern Munich. This may be a blessing in disguise as they had begun to exhibit signs of stalling and getting complacent. They're still far from on top form, but they are decent at home and I think are worth a punt when they are marginal favs for this. Take Victor Chandlers 2.6 on them.
Karabukspor v Gaziantepspor, Saturday 1200
The first match of the Turkish SuperLig this weekend comes from Karabukspor with them hosting favourites of mine Gaziantep. Whilst I have been following Gaz for a few weeks now they aren't one's to go mad for goals at all and this rings especially true away from home with a pitiful 14 scored in 13, although only conceding 9. They keep it tight and try and sneak it most weeks, and it does often work! I have a feeling they might slip up this week. Karabuk have played 13 at home winning 7 and scoring 23, so they should put Gaziantep's defence under some pressure, and I think at current prices they're worth a go to do just that. Get on with Betfair and you can still get 2.88 on what should be at most a 2.5 in my view.
Istanbul BB v Bucaspor, Sunday 1500
Second Turkish tip comes from the capital with Bucaspor the visitors. Istanbul have been a bit of a suprise package this season with some good results propelling them to mid-table and still with an outside chance at Europa League qualification on the cards. They have been particulaly successful at home with 6 wins from 12 matches so far whereas Bucaspor have failed to get an away win all season. I really don't think against a defence as tight as Istanbul's they're going to start this week. Strangely BB have scored more goals away from home than in their own stadium this season, but I'd be willing to back them to improve their tally this weekend. I fancy them for a few goals so I'll take a handicap against odds on prices. Bet365 go 2.67 on a -1.0 asian and I'd be happy to take them on with that.
Brentford v Carlisle, Johnstones Paint Trophy Final, Sunday 1330
Here we then. The big one. The second trophy given out in the English football calendar. The Johnstones Paint Trophy Final. Wowsers. I have always wanted to make the trip to Griffin Park for some reason, it appeals as it's a proper community club in London I think? And I once went to Carlisle. Twas a wet and cold place fulfilling most stereotypes about being grim oop north that weekend. So I'm leaning towards The Bees for this one. Looking at league positions we find Carlisle in 11th in League 1 and Brentfors looking down on them from a lofty 9th position. There would appear to be little between the sides, but Brentford have barely conceded a goal on their way to the final and for that reason, as well as the small journey and no doubt large crowd cheering them on I think they might sneak it. They are marginal favs with most bookies around he 2.6 mark. If you don't want to call what will surely be a tight game I think goals might be at a premium so odds of 10.0 on a 0-0 draw with Bet365 look appealing to me too.
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