THE big game on Saturday is Liverpool v Chelsea (12.45pm) and while I don't think the visitors to Anfield will win I don't expect them to lose.
Chelsea are unbeaten this season but have had a few wobbles and a 1-1 draw at Maribor in the Champions League was a disappointing result.
Liverpool lost at Real Madrid but their display in the 1-0 defeat was satisfactory. Boss Brendan Rodgers was criticised in many quarters for fielding weakened team at the Bernabeu with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and Dejan Lovren rested.
Rodgers had the last laugh when the stand-out stand-ins restricted Real to one goal and put up a brave fight. It's likely most of the main men will return for the live lunchtime showdown against the Blues and Rodgers needs a response from them.
The title already looks gone with Liverpool trailing the Blues by 12 points and it's that gap which puts me off backing Jose Mourinho's men to win. He doesn't need to bust a gut for three points and after drawing at the Etihad and Old Trafford Chelsea may be happy to take another.
Chelsea are a biggest 6-5 at Coral while Chelsea draw no bet is 13-20 at Ladbrokes and McBookie. Diego Costa will start and is 6-4 Ladbrokes to net at any time.
Liverpool need to put on a show and while Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to start I'll be on both teams to score at 8-11 with McBookie.
Southampton are the side closest to Chelsea at the moment and while that won't be the case at the end of the season Ronald Koeman's men should beat Leicester at home today.
Saints have won eight of their last nine which is why they're no bigger than 4-9 so instead consider them minus one at 5-4 with Paddy Power. Graziano Pelle has bagged four in his last four games and is 9-2 at Paddy Power to break the deadlock.
West Ham look another decent bet at home to an Aston Villa side who have now lost six in a row and are without banned striker Christian Benteke. Take them at 3-4 with Paddy Power and Ladbrokes and what about Enner Valencia to score.
Man Utd have been pretty decent at home and should be too strong for a Crystal Palace side who conceded some poor goals at home to Sunderland on Monday. United are no bigger than 1-3 at Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.
The evening game sees Man City try to get back on track at QPR and it's difficult to back them at a best 8-15 so I'll be back on Sergio Aguero to score first at 3-1 with William Hill and others.
In the Championship I like Ipswich at home to Watford and Daryl Murphy, who could lead the line for Ireland against Scotland on Friday, is in good form and 2-1 with 888sport to score.
There are no League One and League Two matches with the FA Cup qualifiers taking place and there are a lot of short-priced favourites up against non-league teams. However, I'd advise caution after Warrington kicked off the round with their shock win against Exeter.
Best of the bunch look to be Bury v Hemel, Mansfield v Concord, Plymouth v Fylde, Hartlepool v East Thurrock and Doncaster at Weston. That fivefold pays 9-2 at William Hill.
My Super Single on Saturday come from the Scottish Premiership where best bets could be Partick Thistle at a St Mirren side struggling for players.
Saints are without the likes of Jim Goodwin, Callum Ball, John McGinn and Steven Thompson and have still collected just one point in front of their home fans.
The Jags are a side I can't rely on but tempt at 19-10 with bet365 while Thistle draw no bet is 11-10 at Paddy Power and William Hill.
Kilmarnock have lost their last two matches but should get back on track against a Ross County side who looked pretty tame in Monday's loss to Aberdeen. County have notched score draws on their last two away so both could score at 3-4 at McBookie.
The other games between Inverness-Hamilton and Dundee-St Johnstone are tough to call and could be draws.
In the Championship it's increasingly looking a title fight between Hearts and Rangers and both should win today – the question is by how many.
Hearts -1 has been a popular bet and they are 5-6 at Skybet to cover it at home to a Raith side they beat at Stark's Park. I'd even consider the Jambos -2 at 21-10 with Skybet.
Rangers have twice beaten Falkirk away by two goals this season and are 4-5 with Skybet to win by two or more.
In the lower leagues the best bet could be Stranraer at 6-5 with William Hill at home to Ayr and I'm on the Blues' Jamie Longworth at 9-2 with McBookie to score first.
And here's a heads-up about a new coupon from Ladbrokes called Top Prices Top Teams and it's a good addition for shop customers who have no access to better online prices. Note: the prices are only available in SHOPS.
The firm promise to beat William Hill and Coral shops on 20 popular picks including Celtic, Hearts, Rangers, Man Utd and Man City.
Ladbrokes are advertising a fivefold on Man Utd, Man City, Everton, Reading and Celtic pays £148 to a £10 stake – and that actually beats any rival shop or online price.
The downside is you have to do a minimum five teams but it's worth a look for people who do fivefolds and upwards.
Anytime scorer treble
Pelle, Valencia Murphy
(15-1, BetBright)
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.
How good would it be for Southampton to finish in the top 4 though, I reckon they’ll be in Europe next season in some way whether it’s through FA cup or league position but good to see Forster and Lennon doing good down south, bug Victor Wanyama tae
I admit to being a Saints fan (so bias) but I see no reason for us not to finish 4th and i stuck £20 on this in mid september at around 60-1. A few reasons i stay optimistic:
First, United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all showing glaring weaknesses and inconsistency and while i expect them to improve this is by no means certain. It also means that the points total needed may well be 5-8 points lower for 4th in the mid 60’s or even lower.
Second, final league positions are based on consistency. Yes we’ve had a kind fixture list but you can only beat the teams put in front which the before mentioned teams have struggled to do. There is no point beating Arsenal if you then go on to lose to QPR. Still only 3 points from the two games. So the fact we’re grinding out results is actually a good indicator, than a few flashy wins.
Also i have a bad feeling about Leicester tomorrow, sensing 1-2 loss to a dubious penalty.
Although I’m bias because I am Chelsea fan I still think the blues will put 2 or three past a Liverpool side that are still feeling the affects of losing Suarez. Rodgers is a great manager but without belief from his players that they can go out and beat teams like Chelsea the Real Madrid game told the story you send your stars out there against the big teams also Rodgers clearly still doesn’t know his starting 11. I’m gonna gonna go for a treble which is Chelsea -1, Southampton, and hull which pays just over 17-1 @ coral
Liverpool haven’t scored a goal in their last 4 matches. Their struggling for goal let alone keep a clean sheet
How do you get the offer from ladbrokes on the city United hearts Celtic rangers 5 fold. It comes up at around 5 to 1 on ladbrokes online account.
Neil, if you read the article it’s you it’s in shops.
Swindon mid/bro west ham
3xdoubles 1xtreble
How do you get the ladbrokes offer on the five fold please?
Joel, the Ladbrokes fivefold offer is a shop bet only. Hills online pay marginally smaller.
Thanks Mr f
Hey guys, do you think its worth getting on costa to outscore liverpool at 7/1? got an enhanced off from paddy in my emails last night.
Mr F not fancying Chris Martin to be in the goals today ?
Place a £5 First Scorer bet on any Scottish Football game this Saturday and if it loses, MCBOOKIE will refund your stake.