THERE are some huge games all over Europe on Sunday and some crackers in the Premier League.
Newcastle v Man United has traditionally been one of the highlights of the season on Tyneside and last January Alan Pardew's men recorded a memorable 3-0 victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds head north on the back of last week's home defeat to Spurs and are in danger of falling seven points behind early pacesetters Chelsea.
It wouldn't be a fatal blow to the Old Trafford side's title hopes but a serious dent.
Bookies don’t expect the Red Devils to suffer a third reverse of the campaign but I don't fancy backing them at odds on, with William Hill offering a best price of 19-20.
Paddy Power and Hills offer 3-1 on the Magpies which seems fair but the best bet could be a draw at 13-5 with Betfred.
Three of the last four league meetings have ended in stalemate and only the width of the bar prevented the recent Capital One Cup clash between the sides going to extra time.
Bet365’s 4-6 for both teams to score looks a banker considering the likes of Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will be on the pitch. I also like the look of over 3.25 goals at 7-5 with BetVictor.
Van Persie is BetVictor’s 18-5 favourite to break the deadlock but Ba scored in both fixtures against United last term and has struck five times in three outings so could be the call at 13-2 with Skybet.
Spurs look banker material at 4-9 with via Betfred to build on their Old Trafford win by beating Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.
Andres Villas-Boas is beginning to look the real deal and Villa's defence could be in for a long afternoon. Consider them at 11-8 with Ladbrokes minus one goal.
Liverpool have suffered successive home defeats to Man Utd and Udinese and could do with a result when Stoke visit Anfield.
Stoke defend doggedly and it could take a while for Liverpool to break them down. Look at the first goal being scored in the second half (11-4, William Hill, Ladbrokes).
I'm not even sure if Liverpool will win and best could be the draw at 12-5 with BetVictor or Stoke draw no bet at 9-2 with bet365 and William Hill.
The final Premier League games sees Southampton at home to Fulham and I'm banking on the home men.
Fulham have struggled on the road in the Premier League and Saints can build on the momentum gained by their 4-1 win against Aston Villa at St Mary's.
Rickie Lambert scored two that day and is proving his quality at this level. Back Saints to win at 7-4 with bet365 and Lambert to score at 2-1 with Stan James.
Celtic should return to the top of the SPL by beating John McGlynn’s young Hearts side.
Most firms are putting up 3-10 Celtic while the Jambos are 10-1 at Paddy Power and BetVictor.
Celtic reached the summit for the first time last weekend but Hibs took over with their defeat of Dundee yesterday.
This game could be all about Gary Hooper who has hit seven goals in his last three games, including his first Champions League strike away to Spartak Moscow in midweek.
Hooper banged in all five when the sides met at the end of last season and is enhanced to 11-10 from 4-5 with William Hill to net in a home victory.
The English hitman is 11-4 (various) to bag the opener.
Recommendations
Over 3.25 goals Newcastle v Man Utd
(7-5, BetVictor)
Lambert to score
(2-1, stan James)
Stoke draw no bet
(9-2, bet365, William Hill)
Spurs -1
(11-8, Ladbrokes)
Hooper/Celtic wincast
(4-5, William Hill)
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.
