NOV 30: MR FIXIT’S TIPS

THEY say records are there to be broken and hopefully that's what Middlesbrough will do at Birmingham tonight.

Boro beat me for five homes last weekend when they were shocked by Bristol City but bounced back well by defeating Huddersfield in midweek.

Now Tony Mowbray's visit a struggling Birmingham but it's worth noting Boro have won just once in their last 15 trips to St Andrews.

If that stat doesn't worry you then Boro look decent value against a side with just won success at home in six and three all season.

There is no doubt Boro are the better side and tempt at 9-5 with boylesports and maybe that loss to Bristol City will prove to be nothing more than a blip.

The inconsistent Blues lie 19th and have lost to the likes of Barnsley and Ipswich at home to I have to oppose Lee Clark's men.

Scott McDonald was on target against Huddersfield and the ex-Celtic star has netted six in 10 games. He's worth a look at 2-1 with Paddy Power to net at any time. He is 13-2 with Paddy Power and William Hill to score first.

Anyone considering a both teams to score bet should be aware that five of the last six have seen only one team score. No to both teams to score pays 13-10 at BetVictor.

The other game in England sees Bradford entertain Brentford in the FA Cup. Bradford have beaten big guns such as Wigan on their way to the last eight of the Capital One Cup so deserve respect against their League One visitors.

However, the home men have injury problems and have drifted to 12-5 while Brentford are a biggest 5-4 at Betfred. At full strength I'd have sided with League Two Bradford to pick up at least a point but their form has dipped with just two wins in six.

Two of those matches have finished 3-3 which suggests questions marks over the defence and if Brentford take their form to City – they have five wins in six – they can edge this one.

Best bets on the continent could be Zenit St Petersburg as they head to troubled Spartak Moscow. Spartak sacked boss Unai Emery after a 5-1 defeat at Dinamo Moscow and a disappointing Champions League campaign.

There have been reports of fans trying to confront players and players blaming the management for their current position – seventh in the league and out of Europe.

Teams who have just lost a boss often respond positively but this is a tough one for Spartak against a side in good form despite off-field problems that led to their game against Dinamo Moscow being abandoned after crowd trouble.

Risk Zenit at 5-4 with Paddy Power and what about our in-form friend Danny to score. He is 2-1 at William Hill or 7-1 to net first.

There is one game in Serie A and it could be a draw between Catania and AC Milan. Four of the last seven meetings of the sides have finished 1-1 while Catania's only defeat at home this season was to Juventus.

Milan will be lifted by their defeat of Juve last week but they haven't won successive games this season.

For those who haven't noticed William Hill have brought out a Friday both teams to score coupon in shops. All sorts of leagues are featured and with no research at all – just a look at prices – I've done a little £5 fivefold that pays just under £100.

My games are Catania v Milan, Dusseldorf v Eintracht Frankfurt and the Dutch lower-league games at Fortuna Sittard, Helmond Sport and Veendam. As I said these taken by price only (that is ones bookies think will come in) so have your own look if you fancy a punt.

The La Liga game between Osasuna and Vallecano could struggle to produce as five of Osasuna's last six have seen no more than one team score and their last two have been 0-0s – as was the previous meeting between the sides.

Recommendations

Middlesbrough
(9-5, boylesports)

Brentford
(5-4, Betfred)

Zenit St Petersburg
(5-4, Paddy Power)

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