As it approaches the end of the month I'm sure we're all feeling the pinch, especially with xmas seemingly just around the corner now? Hopefully this weekends tips will provide you with some much needed extra cash to tide you over. Had you of been following @TopTopTips on the Twitter you'd already have made inroads into last weeks small loss with a couple of handy midweek efforts.
Most of the action was in the 'Champions' League this week, and we saw England's sides once again perhaps showing that for all Sky's bluster, the Premier League is no longer miles better than the rest. Man City are now for all intensive purposes out of the competition as they need an absolutely hopeless and shot-shy Villarreal side to defeat Napoli. Man Utd are by no means assured of Last 16 action either having again showed their numerous defensive shortcomings against a no more than decent Benfica side. Old Red Nose once again made a point of showing his wonderfully grumpy side by walking out on his press conference when a reporter had the temerity to ask if Utd were struggling. Chelsea succumbed to a last gasp defeat away in Leverkusen to leave themselves a lot of work to do in their last match shoot out with a very good Valencia side. Funnily enough, the only side to be qualified is Arsenal. Robin Van Persie again showing why no striker is more important to his side at the moment with a brace to defeat an excellent Dortmund outfit.
This weeks music comes from Direct Hit with Hide The Body.
West Brom v Tottenham, Saturday 1500
The strangest thing about this season from a betting perspective is that at present Tottenham are good things in nearly every match! In a world where Man Utd and Chelsea rarely go off anywhere near even money this represents some fantastic value for all of us at the moment. As much as I have always been loathe to give Harry Redknapp much credit, he has built a very solid team at Spurs this season. The defence has two of the better full-backs in the league in Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto. They are both defensively solid as well as providing plenty of pace and attacking impetus when called upon. Brad Friedel has again turned back the clock to show that even at forty he is a class act. The centre halves often rotate due to the brittleness and age of some, but all are competent at their jobs and Younes Kaboul in particular has improved no end. Scott Parker has slotted seamlessly in alongside the pass master that is Luka Modric to provide an extremely solid base which I would imagine Utd and Chelsea both currently admire. Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon provide plenty of pace down the flanks and Rafa Van Der Vaart and Emanuel Adebayor are looking a great pairing in attack. West Brom are picking up points regularly enough for Roy Hodgson to be comfortable in the job, but they've also looked poor at times. The defence looks susceptible to real pace, which unfortunately for them is something Spurs have in abundance. Back Tottenham at 1.95 with Boylesports.
Swansea v Aston Villa, Sunday 1330
If anyone watched the Monday night match between Spurs and Villa I'm sure you'd have been as shocked as I was to see just how awful Villa now look. I realise that Alex McCleish probably viewed keeping it tight and hoping to nick a gaol as his best chance, but they were dreadful. They offered absolutely nothing going forward and the passing was truly horrendous. Having watched the match I can now fully understand most Villa fans frustrations and why they are already calling for his head. Having also seen Birmingham under McCleish for the previous 2 seasons I think it is safe to say it is unlikely his tactics will change and that could see Villa in real trouble. Swansea put in another impressive performance in holding Man Utd to only a 1-0 win last weekend and having a couple of chances themselves. They hold on to the ball superbly and this can frustrate sides. If they only had someone who was capable of scoring 15 goals at this level in a season they'd have a much higher chance of survival. I still think they should take this having only lost at home last weekend all season. Back Swansea at 2.3 with Paddy Power.
Rayo Vallecano v Valencia, Saturday 1700
The stand out results in the Champions League this week were probably both the thrashings dealt out by Valencia and Real Madrid to Genk and Dynamo Zagreb respectively. Valencia were relentless in punishing a Genk side that have looked well out of their depth at times by beating them 7-0. In those goals the fantastic Roberto Soldado picked up a first half hat-trick to extend his impressive seasons tally. With both Fernando Torres and David Villa both struggling for confidence and goals for a while now the likes of Soldado and Fernando Llorente of Bilbao must fancy their chances of breaking into the Spain side for Euro 2012. Valencia have also made third place in La Liga look like it is already very much their own this season. They have only been outclassed by Barcelona and Real Madrid and looked way ahead of the pack in most matches. Rayo Vallecano are yet another team from the Madrid area and apparently their ground is one of the most impressive in terms of atmosphere in La Liga. They have risen to mid table having had a relatively mixed set of results so far. If you look at their matches they have not defeated anyone who could be considered better than them so far and I don't see this being the start. Back Valencia at 2.25 with BlueSquare.
Udinese v Roma, Friday 1945
A rare Friday night tip for the blog. This top of the table clash between Udinese and Roma should be entertaining with both sides as committed to attack as anyone is in Italy! Udinese were something of a surprise to many outside Italy last season with a run after xmas propelling them into Champions League positions and making stars of players like Gokhlan Inler and Alexis Sanchez. Both these players have now left, as many do every summer at Udine, but more are always ready to make the step up thanks to a very impressive scouting network in South America and Africa. Udinese currently lie fourth in a very congested top of the table in Serie A, and are also currently perfect at home. Five wins from five and ten goals scored and none conceded is some going. Roma have cropped up a few times in this blog as I find the attempted importing of a Barcelona style very interesting. They have now climbed to fifth after a hard start with players bedding in, but they are still struggling to anything like impose themselves upon matches. I think you have to back Udinese to continue their run. Back Udinese at 2.3 with Victor Chandler.
Hannover v Hamburg, Saturday 1730
Only one tip from my favoured league this week. Hamburg have been worth opposing most weeks in Germany after the summer finished with ex-Chelsea director Frank Arnesen rocking up with the remnants of his failed youth system in tow. Players like Michael Mancienne and Jeffrey Bruma may have been talked about as exciting prospects, but anyone who has had the misfortune to watch them would be able to see they were poor. Unsurprisingly then, Hamburg have not exactly set the Bundesliga alight so far and have only recently looked like making any sort of impact. Hannover were one of a number of teams that have turned to youth and it has served them well. They are solidly built from the back with their attacking players given more of a licence to roam when in possession. They are currently unbeaten at home, having won four and drawn three from seven. They have however conceded nine in those matches and scored thirteen, so they are not completely infallible. Hamburg have scored seven in six away and conceded a horrendous fourteen so far, in no small part thanks to the ex-Chelsea recruits. I think this should be a routine victory for Hannover. Back Hannover at 2.3 on Betfair.
Istanbul BB v Gaziantepspor, Sunday 1100
First up from the Super Lig is my current favourite team of Istanbul BB. As I have mentioned a few times previously home form can take you a long way in Turkey. Most sides struggle away from home so if you can make your own ground a fortress then you stand a decent chance of a high placed finish. Last season Istanbul BB did this and this season has started off even better with some ever important away wins added to push them to the heights of fifth currently. They have won two and drawn three at home scoring eight and conceding three in this time. Gaziantepspor spent much of last season with a terrific home record pushing them up the table and to the cup final. This time out though they have struggled for any sort of form and languish fourth bottom with only two wins so far. Their away record reads as played five, won one, drawn two and lost two. They have only scored four and conceded five too. I think Istanbul should win this, but probably not by too many. Back Istanbul BB at 2.1 with Ladbrokes.
Manisaspor v Kayserispor, Sunday 1400
The match following the above sees similarly high-flying Manisaspor hosting Kayserispor. Manisaspor have come from being a comfortable mid-table side to sitting in fourth position so far in the Super Lig behing giants Gala, Fener and Trabzon. As with Istanbul BB they are very strong at home, but also post a decent away record. They have done well because unlike many in Turkey they have a strong defence allowing them victories without handing out thrashings. They have played five at home winning three, drawing and losing one a piece. They have only conceded four and scored six in those matches. Kayserispor have never set the Super Lig alight and will probably be very happy to plod along in mid-table as they are now. They have played five away from home winning two and losing three in that time whilst scoring five and conceding seven. I think Manisaspor's fantastic run should continue for a while yet. Back Manisaspor at 2.3 with SportingBet.
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