JAN 24: FOOTBALL TIPS

DOUGIE FREEDMAN says Cardiff's bottle will crash tonight – but will he be right?

His Crystal Palace side head for Wales leading 1-0 from the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final with the prize of a showpiece date with Man City or Liverpool at stake.

Cardiff are by far the better side on league form but Freedman, who rested nine players at the weekend, is convinced Malky Mackay's men will fail to live up the hype having flopped in big games in the past.

Promotion is Mackay's priority which is why he put out a full side against Portsmouth but I still expect Cardiff to win in 90 minutes to at least force extra time.

They are a biggest 4-5 with William Hill on the night and 1-1 at bet365 and BetVictor to qualify.

Consider Scotland hitman Kenny Miller, who hit a cracker against Portsmouth on Saturday, for first goal at 9-2 (various).

Palace are 5-6 with William Hill to progress and 9-2 at bet365 and BetVictor to win in 90 minutes while the draw pays 11-4 at Coral and Skybet.

The tie could of course to go to penalties with both sides 16-1 to win by that method at William Hill.

In the Football League there are five games and best bets should be Torquay at home to a Dagenham side who have conceded 14 goals in their last six away games. The Gulls are
4-6 at Skybet, Betfred and BetVictor.

Wimbledon have won two in the bounce to stop their slide down the table and can make it three against Macclesfield. AFC are a best 6-5 at BetVictor.

By all accounts Preston were dire in losing at home to Orient at the weekend so you have to fancy a Notts County  side who held MK Dons at home at the weekend. County are 5-4 at bet365.

MK Dons are back on the road at Stevenage and may have to settle for a draw and Scunthorpe v Sheffield Wednesday could also be a stalemate. However, I can't see MK Dons or Wednesday losing.

In the Blue Square Premier best bets are Wrexham who are a biggest 1-1 at William Hill and Coral at Forest Green. The leaders are on a great run and showed their ability by taking Championship outfit Brighton to penalties in the FA Cup. Forest Green have scored just once in six games so Wrexham look cracking value.

Grimsby have won six in a row to move away from the wrong end of the table and are looking to make it a magnificent seven at Barrow. It's a tough place with the home side unbeaten in nine on their home patch.

It could be a draw but confident Grimsby are difficult to ignore at a best 6-4 with the likes of William Hill and Coral.

Fleetwood look bankers at home to Braintree but best you can get is 4-9 with William Hill, Coral and bet365.

There is one game in the SPL and it's a massive one for Dunfermline at Motherwell.

Jim McIntyre's men produced their best display of the season to win 3-0 at Kilmarnock at the weekend and are a biggest 11-2 at bet365 and Paddy Power to add another three points.

Motherwell are without an SPL win in five and at home they've been beaten four times, scoring just seven goals in 10 outings. Backing a Pars win is risky at 11-2 with the likes of bet365 and Paddy Power but it could happen.

And if you don't fancy that look at them on the double chance (not to lose) at 6-4 with Coral and Stan James.

Well are a biggest 4-7 at Betfred and Coral with the draw paying 3-1 at Ladbrokes.

Forfar floored leaders Cowdenbeath at the weekend and can follow up by beating Stirling in the Second Division. They are 20-21 at BetVictor.

East Fife should see off an Albion Rovers side that's gone off the boil with no wins in five. The Fifers are a best 1-1 at William Hill.

Recommendations

Cardiff to qualify

(1-1, bet365, BetVictor)

Wrexham

(1-1, William Hill, Coral)

Dunfermline double chance

(6-4, Coral, Stan James)

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