JAN 30: WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL BETTING ROUND-UP

BACKERS of favourites got their fingers burned on the FA Cup last weekend.

Tonight four of the big guns who return to action are odds on and punters must decide to back them or blank them.

I'm quite happy to support two of them but worried about the other two. Man United are no bigger than 1-4 with the likes of William Hill and BetVictor and shouldn't have too much trouble at home to Southampton.

The Reds beat Fulham 4-1 in the FA Cup despite resting stars such as Robin van Persie and I fancy the Dutchman at 11-4 with Coral to score first.

With United being so short consider them at 4-7 with Paddy Power minus one against a Southampton with just one in six and still finding their feet under a new boss.

The other odds-on side who should win are Everton but again a price of 8-13 (various) at home to West Brom looks a bit skinny.

Bookies are aware the Baggies haven't won in eight but Steve Clarke's men could come alive at any time.

The ones I worry about are Spurs and Chelsea. After losing at Leeds it's an away trip to Norwich for the White Hart Lane men.

Spurs were short of strikers at Elland Road but their overall display was poor and interestingly they head to a Norwich side who have much to prove after being knocked out at home by non-league Luton. This one looks a draw to me.

Chelsea were lucky to escape from Brentford with a 2-2 draw and need a massive improvement at a Reading side fighting for their lives. Brian McDermott's men have won four in a row, including two FA Cup ties, and confidence is as high as it's been all season.

You don't really know what Chelsea is going to turn up these and there is a possibility of Reading battling to a point the way QPR did against Man City. However, 0-0 is unlikely as Reading have conceded 22 goals in 11 homes games – exactly two a match.

And so to the big one – Arsenal v Liverpool. The Gunners' only defeats in recent weeks have been to Chelsea and Man City so Arsene Wenger's men must rise to the occasion.

Liverpool played a strong side at Oldham but still crashed out of the FA Cup and Brendan Rodgers has to lift his troops.

Recent meetings have been low scoring – with the last five at the Emirates being under 2.5 goals – and earlier this season it was 2-0 to Arsenal at Anfield.

Arsenal look in slightly better shape than Liverpool with French forward Olivier Giroud suddenly hitting form. If forced to bet I'd side with the Gunners but I'm not confident enough to put hard cash on it.

Liverpool will be boosted by the return of keeper Pepe Reina but for me the bet is Giroud at 2-1 with Ladbrokes to score at anytime.

Likewise West Ham v Fulham looks tough to call but the Hammers have won there on two of their last three visits and beat the Cottagers 3-0 at home this season – so they are one of their favourite opponents. It could be a draw but I'm slightly tempted by the Hammers at 13-5 with BetVictor.

In the SPL, it's all about whether Celtic can bounce back from shock League Cup semi-final to St Mirren.

Gary Hooper netted in the 3-2 defeat and was the only one of the champions' players to be awarded pass marks by boss Neil Lennon.

The Irishman laid into his players after the flop and Killie, who beat Celtic in last season's League Cup Final, are bound to feel the backlash.

Celtic are no bigger than 1-4 at bet365 to return to winning ways while Hooper is 5-2 virtually across the board to hit the opener. I can see an emphatic win for the Bhoys and like the look of Celtic minus one at 4-6 with Blue Square.

Two sides who had contrasting League Cup fortunes meet in Paisley and St Mirren v Inverness could end all square with both scoring (13-10, BetVictor).

Saints were superb in beating Celtic but were hammered by Ross County in their last home again. Billy McKay let Hearts off the hook on Saturday but it should be a blip so consider him at 11-8 with Skybet to score.

For Saints the man to watch is on-form Steven Thompson at 19-10 with BetVictor.

Hearts can build on their semi-final victory by beating Dundee at home. The Jambos are 4-6 with William Hill and on-loan Michael Ngoo, who hit their goal at Easter Road, is 7-4 with bet365 to net at anytime.

Ross County have lost just one of their last five and are worth a look at 8-5 with Ladbrokes against a Hibs side that's netted just two goals in their previous five.

Aberdeen have beaten St Johnstone twice this season but after failing to score in their last two games may have to settle for a point in Perth.

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