As you may guess from the title, last weeks tips again showed a very healthy profit leaving myself and all those who follow with a nice bit of extra spending money last month. I will endeavour to keep the current hot streak up, especially as International football is upon us again next weekend and I am not sure I'll be doing much betting on any of that after last times shocking tips!
This week has again seen 'Champions' League and Europa League action. The only club to win in the 'Champions' League was Arsenal, and yet to read post-match articles you'd think they'd been roundly thrashed. Admittedly the defence once again looked incredibly porous in the face of any sort of opposition attack. The purchase of Per Mertesacker is already looking like the naysayers who said he was too slow and cumbersome may have had a point. Man Utd somehow managed to throw away a 2-0 lead to even be behind 2-3 at one point before drawing 3-3 with a Basle side who are unlikely to be going far in the competition. Their defence also again looked dodgy, but there has been very little mention of this in the press. Chelsea also threw away a lead late on when Salomon Kalou managed to idiotically handball and give away a late penalty for Valencia to equalise.
Music this week comes from the mellow Chuck Ragan with Gerladine, enjoy!
Blackburn v Man City, Saturday 1500
The only match I didn't mention from the 'Champions' League is Man City's trip to Munich. They lost 2-0 to a Bayern side who are in imperious form of late and there is no shame in that. However comma the shame comes from the shocking refusal of Carlos Tevez to come off the bench as a substitute when Mancini asked. I have always pitied the Argentine as he's clearly a bit thick and has his agent's voice in his ear a little too much, but this is indefensible. There can be no mistake in translation, as he has claimed, when asked to come on. You either get up or stay seated and his choosing of the latter will hopefully see his days at City numbered. Blackburn once again looked a team destined for relegation in last weeks 3-1 defeat at Newcastle. The Geordie's have started well enough, but were barely made to work for an impressive victory. Steve Kean might be a decent bloke, but he is out of his depth as a Premier League manager and will surely take them down. I am expecting a riled up City side to turn up and turn over their near neighbours. Back Man City -1.0 Asian at 2.02 with Bet365.
Tottenham v Arsenal, Sunday 1600
Definitely the most interesting match up for me this weekend is Arsenal's trip to White Hart Lane. As mentioned already, the defence has looked shambolic for much of the season already and if a decent but limited Olympiacos side can find holes to exploit then you would expect the likes of Luka Modric and Rafa Van Der Vaart to have a field day. Emmanuel Adebayor has also been in his usual early impressive form for Spurs and will relish the opportunity to once again attempt to score against his former employers. I wouldn't put it past him either. I saw a stat this week that of all Arsenal's goals conceded on the last 4 years, a staggering 55% have come from set pieces. This is truly where Wenger's blind spot is and the lack of physical presence stands out most. I would completely expect plenty of balls into the box for Adebayor to challenge for on Sunday. I realise Arsenal rested the likes of Ramsey and Van Persie midweek, but they can only do so much if the defence is handing out gifts. Back Tottenham at 2.2 with Totesport.
Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao, Sunday 1100
This weeks staggeringly early match from the Primera in Spain sees a struggling Bilbao side travelling to Sociedad. Sociedad have opened the season pretty well and currently hover around the mid-table mark, a position they'll probably spend the vast majority of the season in. They have already probably achieved one of the high points of their entire season too by coming back from 2-0 down to hold the mighty Barcelona to a 2-2 draw. They have currently played two matches at home with a win and a draw to show for it in what is usually a pretty solid home ground for them. Bilbao are still trying to get to grips with Marcelo Bielsa's new tactics and way of playing. The likes of Iker Munain should eventually flourish in a system designed to rely less on the physical side of the game the men from Bilbao have become renowned for. They are still without a win a present in the Primera though and as they generally don't travel well anyway, I think they are worth opposing in this. Back Sociedad at 2.5 with Victor Chandler.
Palermo v Siena, Sunday 1400
Palermo have been quietly impressive coping with the absence of playmaker Javier Pastore after his sale to newly rich Paris St Germain during the summer. They have never been that close to the Champions League positions since their promotion a few years ago and currently sit in 6th place, somewhere they'll be more than happy with at this stage. The only element of caution before getting stuck in is that whilst they have scored seven in their two home matches, they have also conceded five in doing so. They have won both games too. Siena have found scoring goals somewhat harder so far and only have four from four matches so far, and only one in two away matches. Both away games so far have ended in draws and I think with Palermo's ability going forward they can get a win in this. Back Palermo at 2.0 with Blue Square.
Juventus v AC Milan, Sunday 1945
Without a doubt the biggest match in Italy this weekend sees AC Milan travelling to Turin to take on Juventus. Many people had tipped AC to again win Serie A this season, but unfortunately for them they have not started too well. The criticism of them being too old has again resurfaced in recent weeks with only one win to show for their four matches so far. They have been held twice and soundly beaten 3-1 by Napoli in their other games so far. Juventus under Antonio Conte have come out of the traps at a cracking pace. They sit atop the division at this early stage with two wins and two draws from four matches. Much of this has been down to the form of the rejuvenated Milos Krasic, their flying winger. In a league like Serie A where the game is often slow and teams play deep with only the strikers upfield it is great to see a player like Krasic in form. If he continues like he is now the Old Lady may well finally have an heir to the great Pavel Nedved. Back Juventus at 2.5 with William Hill.
Hannover 96 v Werder Bremen, Sunday 1430
First match on Sunday in the Bundesliga is a top of the table clash with Werder travelling to Hannover. Werder are having something of a renaissance this season and currently lie second behind the ridiculously dominant Bayern Munich. Much of this has come from a 100% record in their four home matches so far where they have already scored eleven and conceded four. Away from home though they have one win, one draw and one loss and have only scored three whilst conceding the same number. This could well be due to a long overdue rethink of their all out attack tactics of the last few seasons. Whilst they have made their matches very interesting for the neutral it has forced their own fans to watch through their fingers at times. Hannover started last season brightly before fading somewhat as the toll of a long season told on their young side. They will only improve with experience and are also currently doing well. They too are unbeaten at home with two wins and two draws. They have scored six in those games with four in reply. I think we could be in for a high scoring match as they have conceded in each of their home matches so far and Werder will surely capitalise on that. Back Over 3 Goals Asian at 2.07 with Bet365.
Karabukspor v Orduspor, Saturday 1300
First Turkish tip comes with newly promoted Orduspor playing a Karabukspor side who lost to an improving Trabzonspor side last weekend. Orduspor have been pretty good so far in their first season back in the Super Lig for a few years, but they are yet to win away. They have one draw and a loss in their to away matches. They do keep it tight though, a real rarity in Turkish football, and there has only been four goals in total in their four matches. Karabuk have one win and one draw from their two home matches so far, including a creditable 1-1 draw with Galatasaray. They also beat Sivasspor 2-1. They are prone to concede goals, but fortunately for them Orduspor do not pose much of a threat in that regard. I think Karabukspor may well sneak this one. Back Karabukspor at 2.3 with Coral.
Eskisehirspor v Trabzonspor, Sunday 1300
Eskisehirspor's bright start was ended last weekend a more fluid Galatasaray side in Istanbul. They had sat on top of the Super Lig going into last weekend with a 4-0 away win over Sivasspor their most impressive result. Last season they also went very well for a long time in the league before fading late on and failing in their bid for European qualification. Most of this was built on their excellent home form and ability to grind out results. This has continued this season with one win and a draw from two home games and only two scored and one conceded. Trabzon have started slowly after pushing the outside aided Fenerbahce all the way last season. They picked up a shock 1-0 win at the San Siro against Inter Milan in the Champions League, but form at home has been less spectacular. They finally got their first win last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Karabukspor at home after drawing both away matches and losing at home in their other three matches. I think Eskisehirspor can get a good victory here if performing near their best. Back Eskisehirspor Draw No Bet at 2.38 with Coral.
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