LET me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year - hopefully 2011 will prove to be your best at the bookies yet.
The winter break is still underway for a lot a lot of the European cards, so we'll head to Spain and start with Barcelona's trip to Deportivo La Coruna.
I ran out of adjectives to describe the Catalans in 2010 – so we'll save the hard sell and have a look at the best markets for a Blaugrana win.
Deportivo have scored just 15 goals in the league this season – Barca have netted a staggering 38 more than that.
Bet365 are offering a tasty 5-6 on Barca being the only team to score – I think it's a top bet and offers, if you can believe it, less of a risk than a lot of other markets punters are being forced into when it comes to betting on the Spanish champions.
Even bigger news, though, is that Depor are without a few key players – perhaps even all of them. Riki, Michel and Andres Guardado are set to miss the Barca game through injury, while Urreta and Knut Olav Rindaroy are doubtful.
Barca will welcome Xavi back to the starting line-up for his 551st appearance along with defender Gerard Pique and captain Carles Puyol. Lionel Messi will also play a part and he's a best 11-5 with bet365 to bag the opener.
Last week I picked Pedro in Messi's absence and he did the business with both goals against Levante. To net at anytime look to 21-20, again at bet365. For Barca to win pays out at 5-4 with Coral.
Sevilla are four points off a Europa League slot and a further four behind Valencia, who occupy the final Champions League berth. But … the Rojiblancos' away form is pretty poor – out of the eight matches on the road they've won three, lost five and haven't kept a single clean sheet. They've also only scored three goals away from home in La Liga.
Sociedad have scored in all eight home games this seasons and have kept five clean sheets. I'd back Real especially as Sevilla are seen as favourites when, in reality, there's little between them. The best price is with bet365 at 19-10.
For a scorer, look to Joseba Llorente at an anytime 11-5 with Coral.
