Monday, Ewood Park, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1
IT was three out of three for me on the Premier League yesterday so I'm confident ahead of tonight's Blackburn v Man United clash.
And I'm pretty sure the Reds will record a vital win that will lift them five points clear of title rivals Man City who slipped up against Sunderland on Saturday.
My Sunday successes were Newcastle – too big at 2-1 against Liverpool – Papiss Cisse at 2-1 to score and both teams to net at Spurs v Swansea (11-10).
So now to Ewood Park and game both sides will be desperate. It was 3-2 Blackburn when the sides met at Old Trafford at Christmas so it's worth looking at both teams to score at
20-23 at BetVictor or over 2.75 goals at 4-5 with bet365.
Last season it was 1-1 at Ewood but Man United ravaged Rovers 7-1 at home. Interestingly, the Reds have won just two of their last nine trips to Blackburn so anyone backing the home side can make a case for their thinking.
I don't know if Rovers' shock win makes me more or less confident about United's chances tonight.
The weekend was kind to Sir Alex Ferguson with City drawing but it was a nightmare for Rovers boss Steve Kean who saw relegation rivals Wigan, QPR and Bolton all pick up three points.
United are on a run of six league wins – the last three to nil – at just the right time and being over the course countless times before will help their cause. City boss Roberto Mancini reckons they won't be caught if they beat Rovers and QPR before City play again and that's just the incentive the champions need.
I can't see them slipping up although a best 2-5 with Betfred doesn't attract. Rovers are 8-1 with Stan James with the draw 21-5 at BetVictor. United are 6-4 at Skybet to win to nil for the fourth game running.
Wayne Rooney has bagged eight goals in his last six Premier League outings and is 4-5 at Blue Square to net at any stage and 3-1 with Coral to break the deadlock.
Javier Hernandez slammed in two in the 5-0 thumping of Wolves at Molineux and is 4-1 at Ladbrokes to hit the opener.
Antonio Valencia's run into form and also scored at Molineux. He's worth a look at 3-1 with unibet to net at any time.
Blackburn's biggest threat will come from Yakubu who netted a double in the Old Trafford win. He is 9-1 at Ladbrokes and bet365 to break the deadlock and 3-1 at unibet and Ladbrokes to score.
United are now just 2-1 to win the title by seven or more points according to Ladbrokes. Their winning margin odds have changed substantially since City's draw with Sunderland and the firm also offer 2-1 the Reds win by five or six points.
A goal difference win is now a 50-1 outsider and it's just 8-1 they win all of their remaining fixtures.
Recommendations
Over 2.5 goals
(4-5, bet365)
Yakubu to score
(3-1, unibet, Ladbrokes)
Hernandez to score first
(4-1, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Good days tipping Paul! I also got 3 from 3 although one was Celtic having said that! Newcastle were far too big considering they had home advantage and also had league table and form on their side. Hope most took advantage! Bookies placing too much on the Pool name and history I reckon. And perhaps Stevie G was capable of winning the match on his own but he needs team mates closer to his level. Also got spurs -1 up although I was quite fortunate with that one as it was a bit of an impulse bet.
Anyway going for Utd ht/ft tonight. Same price as -1 and slightly easier to get up. Although I’m sure they’ll win, the price is too short to risk a bigger stake.
Marc, I see Racing Post and some others tipping Blackburn to win. I understand why but I’m expecting a good, professional performance from United tonight as they try to move five points clear of City.
That’s interesting Paul, I’m not a reader of the RP so find that quite bizarre. I suppose if Blackburn can win at Old Trafford then they can win at Ewood. Combined with the high price and Utd struggling there in the past decade then I guess that’s their angle. However like you, I’m looking at it as you rarely see sides do the double over Utd or even take 4 points from them over a season.
Utd will win because they realise that any dropped points will mean the title is back in City’s own destiny. A Utd win will almost allow a them to lose at the Etihad and still win the league. That’s a real possibility due to City’s form at home being so strong up to last weekend.
Paul just wondering why you have selected Hernandez mate instead of Rooney with his recent goal scoring. If you had £100 would you stick it on Hernandez at 4/1 or Rooney at 11/4 with bets refunded on either one of them if they score the second goal. What you think. Is Rooney playing?
Chris, I took Rooney against Fulham last week and maybe it’s Hernandez’s turn. As far as I’m aware both will start. As I’ve said before there is no exact science to this. Rooney could hit the bar and Hernandez scores the rebound or vice versa. You can’t analyse it too much.
Blackburn are 8/13 with two goal headstart. Should have a good chance. That’s with Patrick power
N’Zonzi to score first 33/1 e/w, easy money……..
Roonwy is available and I think he was just looking for a better value bet Chris.
you read ydays sun by any chance john….patrick power haha
No craig didn’t see it. What was on
Am going for the draw tonight lads.think utd will be in for a tough night
paddy, or patrick, power answered a few questions next to the horse meetings. he said he was christened patrick power but been known as paddy since he was 7. thought you read it when mentioned patrick power haha
I got £50 floating in my ladbrooks account do I put£50 on Rooney score anytime or Hernandez to score anytime???
Or do I do £25 on Rooney and £25 on Hernandez ?
What do you guys think???
Matt, if you’re on Man Utd to win the chances are one if them will score first. But if you’re splitting the stakes I’d do it on first scorer rather than anytime scorer.
what about a 2-2 tonight at ewood?
Frank, should be goals but I’ve gone strong on United and I’m sticking by that.
It’s going to be an interesting game. If Blackburn get the ball out wide to Jason Wilcox and Stuart ripley then they’ve got a great chance
Thanks for the heads up Paul put £25 on Rooney to score 1st and £25 on hernandez to score 1st hope it’s one of them now!!!
I don’t even no if they playing lol!!!
Matt, should be playing but if not you’ll get your money back anyway.
Cheers Paul your a great help.
3-1 United seems to be sticking out to me,hope I’m right!
Hope Rooney or Hernandez score 1st lol
Ain’t looking good ffs!!!
Hernandez missed two decent chances, not seen much from Rooney but he’s the main hope now.
Blackburn +2 goals is looking good
Has the look of 1-0 United
And that’s the championship
Still could be a twist but that’s a massive win for United.
Dam had a hunch on Valencia scoring wish i put some money down.
Richy, I tipped him to score at 3-1 in my piece but obviously wasn’t my first choice.
And that’s why I don’t often take a stab at the double chance market! Thankfully Sevilla won so only down 50 for the night. Hoping for a goal before ht is a horrible feeling. Reminded me of wanting an old firm booking before 20 odd mins and that ended badly aswell. Note to self, matches last 90 mins!
Marc, it’s true. Tonight I really fancied Man Utd and Sevilla but even doubled up the price isn’t great so I can see why yourself and other punters are trying to increase the odds. At the end of the day Man Utd HT and FT is a double and it’s so much easier picking singles.