LAST night I challenged site users to name the four Europa League semi-finalists – and there were several correct entries.

I tipped Basel, Chelsea, Benfica and Fenerbahce to qualify and Andrew Hutchings was one who followed suit. His name was first out of the hat and he wins a £10 free bet with Ladbrokes.

It was exciting stuff particularly at Newcastle and Basel and well done to everyone who backed all four ties for both teams to score.

Tonight the focus is on Leicester v Birmingham in the Championship and I've got to agree with Milesey who's siding with the away side.

Leicester are on a terrible run at the moment having suffered four successive defeats while Birmingham have improved in recent weeks with just one in defeat in six – to Wolves.

Crucially they have netted in each of those games and are 9-2 at Titanbet to put a further dent in Leicester's play-off push.

Try that or take less of a risk with Birmingham draw no bet at 11-4. Birmingham or draw pays 23-20at Titanbet.

If you're looking for a scorer Scotland winger Chris Burke is decent value at 5-1 with bet365.

There are top-flight games in Spain, Germany, France and Holland with St Etienne looking likely winners at Valenciennes.

My fairly high-risk treble starts with St Etienne who are unbeaten in 16 and face a side without four players including Anthony Le Tallec. St Etienne are 1-1 at Titanbet.

There are plenty of Dutch and French lower-league games and one that catches my eye is FC Eindhoven v Emmen. The home side are on a run of five defeats, including three in a row at home by 5-1, 3-0 and 2-0.

Eindhoven sit rock bottom and face an Emmen side who have been in good enough form to expect to win here. Emmen, 6-5 at Titanbet, have lost just one of their last four, beating Go Ahead Eagles and winning at Sparta Rotterdam in that spell.

Complete the treble with Luotn at home to Grimsby in the Blue Square Premier. Grimsby have made the play-offs and won't be busting a gut meanwhile.

Luton have no chance of being there but thumped Lincoln last time out and haven't lost at home to Grimsby since they were relegated. The Hatters are 5-4 at Titanbet.

Super Single

Birmingham draw no bet (7.45)
(11-4, Titanbet)

Top Treble

St Etienne (7.30)

Emmen (7.0)

Luton (7.45)

Pays £99 to a £10 stake at Titanbet

Leagues Tipped:
85 Comments
  1. Milesey 11 years ago

    Stevenage Borough 3.15 v Yeovil Town 2.42, the draw 3.45

    Now that Graham Westley is back at Stevenage as manager, it might be worth latching on to the Borough for under 2.5 goals from now until the end of the season. Westley has already shown his intent with his latest stint at the Lamex, two games in charge and two clean sheets.

    The 45-year-old has hallmarks in his side, which are organisation, strength at the back and be resilient. The Hertfordshire club drew 0-0 with Portsmouth last Saturday but secured a 1-0 win over the Hartlepool the match before. Neither game represented a free flowing football affair, but it’s great news for backers of not many goals.

    Yeovil are looking at the play-offs now rather than an automatic promotion chance and are currently in a run of one defeat from their last eight matches. Although not quite at their best at the weekend, they beat Shrewsbury 2-1 thanks again to a Paddy Madden special. The 23-year-old forward has now hit 23 goals this season to rubber stamp his position as League One’s best striker.

    The Glovers are the better footballing team and have the more dangerous players from a creative point of view. However, Westley guided Stevenage to the play-offs in a previous spell at the club by essentially playing a 4-5-1 and pressing in the midfield. I am hoping to get to half-time with no goals, which gives the chance to trade on 0-0 and 1-0 scorelines. Overall, the draw looks most tempting – which of course can be greened up as long as the home team can keep Madden quiet.

    Recommended bets:
    Back 0-0 @ 13.0
    Back the draw @ 3.45
    Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.95

    Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Millwall v Wigan (Saturday, 17:15, ESPN)

      Wigan are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Millwall in all competitions, without conceding a goal (W2 D1)
      The last time that these two clubs did battle was in 2004/05, Wigan’s final season in the newly established Championship, where the Latics led the division for most of the season before eventually going up second behind Sunderland. Wigan won both games 2-0 during that campaign and have since gone on to establish themselves as a top-flight club, while Millwall are yet to taste Premier League football and even suffered a relegation to the third tier during that eight-year period. Although form tends to count for little in these one-off encounters, Wigan are playing particularly well at present – winning five of their last seven games – and their superior quality should see them through.
      Best Bet: Back Wigan to win @ 1.82

      Millwall have conceded just one goal in their five FA Cup matches so far this season
      Kenny Jackett’s Lions deserve huge praise for reaching this stage of the competition for the second time in 10 seasons considering the budgetary restrictions on the south London club. This particular campaign has been built around a solid defence, something they’ve not always been able to rely on during a topsy-turvy Championship campaign this season. However, Millwall have largely rediscovered that resoluteness of late, keeping five clean sheets in a row before letting in three in their last two runouts. Wigan will have to work particularly hard for this victory and, after notching just one goal in each of their last two matches, it may be the odd goal that sees them into the final.
      Recommended Bet: Back Wigan to win 1-0 @ 7.8

      Jordi Gomez has scored three goals and assisted two more in the FA Cup this season; the Spaniard played a part in two of their three goals against Everton in the quarter-final
      Wigan’s influential Spaniard was in for some rough treatment against QPR but should have shaken off Bobby Zamora’s boot to the head by the time the Latics run out at Wembley. Gomez seems to relish the cup competitions more than most, having notched in three of the four prior rounds of this FA Cup run, and also scoring twice in the opening rounds of the Capital One Cup. Gomez is a tricky customer, even for the most experienced Premier League defences, as Everton found out to their peril in the quarter-final, where his goal capped a man-of-the-match display. Gomez can help his team make history again here.
      Recommended Bet: Back Jordi Gomez to score @ 3.9

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Everton 1.45 v QPR 8.4; The Draw 5.0

      Harry Redknapp billed last week’s game against Wigan as a must-win for his side. Given that they didn’t go on to pick up three points the conclusion must be that even those within the club now realise that they will be playing Championship football next season.

      Everton, on the other hand, still have plenty to play for after taking a point from their game with Spurs last weekend, but welcome the Rs having won only won two of their 11 previous Barclays Premier League meetings.

      The R’s have scored 24 times in these 11 games against Everton; against no other side have they scored more than 17 in the Premier League. While Kevin Mirallas has netted in three of his last four league games and Loic Remy has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances. The statistics suggest that goals are on the agenda.

      Best Bet: Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.8

      Reading 7.6 v Liverpool 1.5; The Draw 4.8

      Like Rangers, Reading’s Premier League fate was all but confirmed last weekend, when losing 2-0 at home to Southampton. The Royals have now lost seven successive Premier League games, just one short of their top-flight record of eight straight defeats.

      Add into the mix the Opta stat that Liverpool have won four of their previous five league meetings with the Royals and it’s difficult to see Reading not equalling that unwanted record.

      In nine previous clashes with the Reds in all competitions, Reading have never managed a clean sheet, while Nigel Adkins’ inherited side have the worst defensive record in the top flight.

      Best Bet: Back Over 3.5 goals @ 2.62

      Southampton 1.92 v West Ham 4.4; The Draw 3.8

      West Ham are the only Premier League team to have lost every game they have fallen behind in (10 matches) away from home in 2012-13, so the first rule for betting on this game is that if Saints score first get on them In-Play.

      Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won their last three Premier League games with Jay Rodriguez scoring in each of them. The first time in his career that he has scored in three successive top-flight games in his career.

      Best Bet: Back Soton/Soton @ 3.3 in HT/FT

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      GOALSCORER GAMBLE
      —————–

      Aston Villa v Fulham (Saturday, 15:00)
      Christian Benteke has scored in four successive Premier League games and in eight of his last 10 (nine goals in total)
      Where would Aston Villa be without their Belgian goal machine? The answer; bottom by four points. Mercifully for the Villa faithful, that is a scenario that they do not have to contemplate, for the rest of this season at least anyway. The combination of Benteke’s sizeable frame and deft close control makes him a constant menace to opposition defences and, in this devastating form, he’s the key to Villa survival.
      Recommended Bet: Back Christian Benteke to score @ 2.7

      Everton v QPR (Saturday, 15:00)
      Kevin Mirallas has netted in three of his last four league games
      Another club who have done extremely well to land one of this golden generation of Belgian footballers is Everton. Like his compatriot Benteke at Villa Park, Mirallas has shown a real eye for goal since moving to Goodison Park from Olympiakos, and he’s also blessed with pace to burn. With nifty footwork comparable to his fellow countryman Eden Hazard, Mirallas has the whole package, but for half the price.
      Recommended Bet: Back Kevin Mirallas to score @ 2.6

      Southampton v West Ham (Saturday, 15:00)
      Jay Rodriguez has scored in three successive top-flight appearances for the first time in his career
      Some players flourish under certain managers and one of Mauricio Pochettino’s great success stories in his short reign to date has to be Jay Rodriguez. After Southampton paid £6 million for the Burnley trainee last summer, much was expected in his debut season. However, not until Pochettino’s arrival did he really start to perform at the level we are seeing now. He looks like scoring every game at present.
      Best Bet: Back Jay Rodriguez to score @ 2.88

      Chelsea v Manchester City (Sunday, 16:00, ITV)
      Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in four FA Cup matches this season, including a hat-trick against Barnsley
      Cometh the FA Cup, cometh Carlos Tevez. It may have been his compatriot picking up all the plaudits from Monday’s Manchester derby victory, however, Roberto Mancini will do well to consider Tevez’s FA Cup record this season. He’s also by far the most in-form striker in Mancini’s squad right now, having bagged seven from as many appearances in the lead up to this semi-final clash with Chelsea.
      Recommended Bet: Back Carlos Tevez to score @ 3.0

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Lay Malaga to beat to beat Osasuna @ 2.14
      Barring those folks with money on a Borussia Dortmund win, anybody watching Malaga’s stoppage-time capitulation in Germany would have felt sympathy for the Spaniards. Until the match entered added time, Manuel Pellegrini’s side looked to have pulled off the perfect Champions League away performance but then it all unravelled in a manic two-minute spell. To rub salt in the wound, replays showed that Felipe Santana’s winning goal should have been flagged offside. Having won only one of their six previous La Liga games to boot, Malaga must somehow pick themselves off the canvas for this date with Osasuna. They’ve also lost their last three following European dates.

      Lay AC Milan to beat Napoli @ 2.18
      Due to a succession of frustrating draws throughout February, second-placed Napoli let leaders Juventus prise open an ominous nine-point gap at the Serie A summit. With the title seemingly out of their grasp, Napoli’s main goal is surely to stop the advancing Milan beyond them and claiming that all-important second automatic Champions League spot. Three wins on the spin have certainly aided that cause greatly, ensuring that the visitors to the San Siro will start this game four points clear of their third-placed hosts. The sides have drawn their last two top-flight meetings but, with the attacking trio of Goran Pandev, Blerim Dzemaili and Edinson Cavani in such top goalscoring form and Mario Balotelli suspended for the hosts, Napoli can go one better.

      Lay Heracles to beat Groningen @ 2.06
      These Dutch Eredivisie sides last met in December and on that occasion Groningen, currently one place above their hosts in the table, ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. That made it two successive wins for Groningen in this fixture and represented their third win over Heracles in the last four encounters. Furthermore, the form table shows Heracles suffered defeat in four of their last six games and the last two of those in succession. In contrast, Groningen are on an upward curve having strung together two straight victories, while only tasting defeat once in their last four matches.

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Blackburn V Derby
      Sat 13th Apr, 15:00

      Blackburn’s caretaker boss Gary Bowyer was flown to India this week for a meeting with club owners Venky’s, after Rovers slipped into the bottom three for the first time this season.

      A 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday saw them drop into the relegation zone, after a run of nine league games without a win, earning only three points.

      Grzegorz Sandomierski will continue in goal with first two keeper Jake Kean and Paul Robinson out injured, while Dickson Etuhu, Bradley Orr and DJ Campbell are also sidelined.

      Derby’s slim play-off hopes were dented last Saturday as Ipswich claimed the 1-0 win from the meeting at Pride Park.

      The defeat brought the Rams’ three-match winning to an end, although a win at Elland Road remains their only away victory in their last nine attempts.

      Both Jamie Ward (hamstring) and Craig Bryson (groin) played through injuries last time out and couldn’t last the 90 minutes, but should have recovered sufficiently ahead of this one.

      This is the third meeting between these sides this campaign, with October’s 1-1 draw in the league followed by a 3-0 Blackburn victory in an FA Cup tie in January at Pride Park.

      Rovers have hit crisis point in a unbelievable season for all the wrong reasons, and a settled Rams outfit will be ready to capitalise on the negative atmosphere at Ewood Park.

      DERBY WIN @ 2.87
      *************

      Bristol City V Bolton
      Sat 13th Apr, 15:00

      Bristol City now need to make up eight points in their last five matches after they were beaten 3-1 at out of form Burnley last weekend, suffering a fourth match without victory in the process.

      At Ashton Gate, however, the Robins have won five and drawn two of their last seven, and will be all but down if they don’t win this one.

      Cole Skuse will have a pain-killing injection ahead of this weekend in a bid to beat his troublesome knee problem, while Sam Baldock should also return after missing the last outing with a slight hamstring twinge.

      Bolton are now one of five teams battling it out for the final three play-off places, and their latest outing saw a routine 2-0 home win over struggling Wolves.

      It was a second straight victory for Dougie Freedman’s men, who have won seven of their last nine, but the majority of those have come at the Reebok, and they’ve won just one of ten league games away from home.

      Keith Andrews’ Achilles injury will again keep him out of action, while Tyrone Mears is also a doubt to feature through illness.

      Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended with Bolton victories, although the only one this decade finished 3-2 back in October’s reverse fixture.

      BOLTON WIN @ 2.46
      ******************

      Scunthorpe whipped up a storm at Preston last weekend with a toothless performance that sparked anger from supporters and local media alike, and though a vast improvement should be expected when they entertain Walsall on Saturday, we don’t anticipate it amounting to anything other than defeat.

      Fourth-from-bottom Iron barely threatened as they went down timidly at Deepdale, the eventual 3-0 scoreline standing out like a sore thumb on the classified results in the current climate of haunted teams digging deep to keep their survival hopes alive.

      However, there’s something different about the situation at the foot of League One. The drop into the basement isn’t nearly as damaging from a financial perspective as losing Premier League, Championship or Football League status and there’s been a suggestion that most players are only too willing to accept their fate.

      It was a sentiment echoed by long-serving defender David Mirfin after the game, contradicting manager Brian Laws who insists that his troops do care, while admitting that he had “stripped the paint from the walls” with his dressing room inquest in Lancashire.

      So the focus has changed and we can expect a much greater intensity from the Iron but the odds are still stacked against them with confidence riding on a sequence of eight defeats in the last 10 matches and their character likely to be tested by an unforgiving Glanford Park crowd.

      Walsall might sit two points outside the play-off places but that only enhances the case for backing them. As a relative minnow at this level, you’d be much more concerned about their mindset if they were occupying one those coveted spots and being hunted down by ominous shadows.

      As it is, they haven’t lost anything – unlike seventh-placed Tranmere who have lost everything – and they’ve got nothing to lose on a pivotal weekend when victory is guaranteed to improve their position markedly as fifth-placed Sheffield United host sixth-placed Swindon and ninth-placed MK Dons travel to tenth-placed Leyton Orient.

      If all goes swimmingly, the Saddlers might find themselves breaking into the top six for the first time this weekend with two games remaining against rock-bottom Bury and a jubilant Crewe side that might mistakenly take to the Gresty Road pitch in Bermuda shorts and flip-flops.

      Given that scenario, can you imagine any other team being available at 11/8 or better for this fixture? If Milton Keynes were heading into this match 13 unbeaten like Dean Smith’s men, they would probably be odds-on. When you put those reputations aside, it’s a bet that sells itself.

      Meanwhile, defeat for Scunthorpe would all but guarantee survival for Colchester, which is just as well because we see them coming unstuck at Notts County this weekend. Take some of the 2.16 available on the mid-table Magpies securing their first win under the permanent guidance of Chris Kiwomya.

      It’s not an obvious bet on recent form but the ratings over a half-a-season suggest that Notts should be around the even money mark and they ought to welcome this challenge with open arms following a run of four matches against top-six opposition that brought just a solitary point.

      Colchester, by contrast, could have the opposite problem. Their schedule hasn’t been quite so demanding but their position has demanded results and now the intensity could drop off given that they’ve managed to secure themselves a six-point cushion in the battle for survival.

      WALSALL WIN @ 2.43
      NOTTS CO WIN @ 2.16
      *********************

      Exeter appear to have crumbled in their pursuit of a League Two play-off place and Saturday’s trip to Kingsmeadow presents dogged Wimbledon with an ideal opportunity to propel themselves away from danger by inflicting a fifth straight defeat on the Grecians – and we’re backing them to do just that.

      Right now, Paul Tisdale bears all the hallmarks of a man who deep down knows his team are swimming against an unrelenting tide but, philosophical as always, he’s trying to put a positive spin on the situation, insisting all is not lost.

      Successive defeats to Plymouth, Rochdale and Dagenham from Easter Saturday onwards were followed by a first-half mauling at Rotherham in midweek and Tisdale’s attempts to galvanise have now stretched to complimenting his dejected players on avoiding a six-goal thrashing at the New York Stadium.

      The Grecians were 3-0 down at the break and the Millers bagged a fourth shortly after the restart but Tisdale preferred to focus on what he saw as a show of character in the final half-an-hour once the game was over as a contest.

      He said: “We could have lost by five or six, but we didn’t. We certainly played with some strength of mind and I have to say that I think they did okay. It could be a turning point. We might be down, but we’re not down and out. Maybe the opportunity has gone, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”

      Wimbledon head into this game on the back of three straight defeats, just when it seemed as though they had all but assured survival with a 12-point haul from five matches going into the Easter period, but they can at least console themselves with fine margins in the manner of those setbacks.

      Solitary goal disappointments against Rotherham, Barnet and Bristol Rovers were the product of carelessness more than anything but Neal Ardley is doing a sterling job in his first managerial post and we should trust him to get the Dons back on track with a full week to prepare ahead of this game.

      The table remains very congested towards the bottom with only four points separating the bottom seven teams but we’re fast approaching the point whereby the pressure gets all too much for one or two clubs occupying the most dreaded positions and we reckon Saturday could be a particularly sombre day for Torquay.

      The Gulls are the only one of the seven teams involved who have yet to sample the harrowing experience of being plunged into the bottom two, but it could happen at the worst possible time with a battle-hardened Barnet side visiting Plainmoor this weekend. Take some of the 2.10 available on Barnet (+0) on the Asian handicap.

      Sitting two points ahead of their hosts, the Bees head into this game with much greater psychological leeway, knowing that victory is likely to put crucial distance between themselves and Alan Knill’s men, but also reassured by the fact that they also have another two games to rescue themselves if it doen’t go according to plan.

      Edgar Davids, being the worldly-wise elite performer that he was, instantly recognised the dynamics of this clash in his post-match interview following last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield and we can rest assured that he has been preparing his players immaculately all week.

      For Torquay, the situation is critical and we expect the make-or-break nature of this clash to weigh heavily on their performance. Knill has many qualities in his managerial skill set but psychological framing isn’t one of them and one wonders how well-equipped his players will be to cope.

      AFC WIMBLEDON WIN @ 2.60
      BARNET ( +0 ) ASIAN HANDICAP @ 2.10
      ************************************

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      ****************************************************
      ****************************************************

      ************ TODAYS FOOTBALL TIPS ******************

      *****************************************************
      *****************************************************

      SINGLE OF THE DAY
      ——————

      Fourth-placed Angers travel to Niort – aiming to pile the pressure on the top three with the end of the campaign in sight.

      Stephane Moulin’s side go into this one high in confidence following two wins and a draw from their last three away from the Stade Jean Bouin, and will be desperate to maintain that positive form as a win could lift them into second place, depending on the results of Nantes and Guingamp.

      Les Scoistes, who finished 11th in the top tier last season, have hit form at just the right time, and line up for this clash without a loss in their last half a dozen.

      And 13 goals notched in that time shows just how lethal the visitors have been in the final third – a stat that will act as a warning to their hosts Niort here.

      Pascal Gastien’s side have won just one of their last five on their own patch, and the pressure is on them to secure maximum points from this clash, as they sit in 15th place in the table – just a single point outside the drop zone.

      Just one clean sheet from their last six suggests that les Chamois have been struggling at the back of late, and that could be key in this fixture.

      The hosts must make the most of their home advantage if they are to climb away from the danger area, especially with Le Mans – who occupy the last relegation place – winning their last outing, and possibly at the beginning of a resurgence.

      Unfortunately for the Stade Rene Gillard side, I can’t see them getting any share of the spoils here, as Angers look to make their move into the top three.

      FRANCE: Ligue 2
      7.OO K/O
      Niort V Angers
      Angers @ 2.56

      **************************

      IRELAND: Premier League
      7.45 K/O
      UC Dublin V St. Patricks
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.0

      **************************

      SPAIN: Primera Division
      9.00 K/O
      Betis V Sevilla
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.83

      ***************************

      AUSTRIA: Erste Liga
      5.30 K/O
      FC Lustenau V Grodig
      GRODIG @ 2.03

      ****************************

      CZECH REPUBLIC: Gambrinus liga
      7.15 K/0
      Brno V Sigma Olomouc
      SIGMA @ 2.0

      ******************************

      TOP TREBLE

      SIGMA @ 2.0
      GRODIG @ 2.03
      Betis V Sevilla
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.83

      5.86/1

      *******************************

      IPL CRICKET

      TODAYS MATCH

      Delhi Daredevils v Hyderabad Sunrisers
      Start time: 15.30BST
      TV: live on ITV4

      Delhi
      The Daredevils were one of the most fancied sides after topping the points section last term but they have been horrendous so far, continuing the form which saw them slip away sorrily in the knockouts. Three defeats from three is not the start anyone expected and Jeremy Snape, the esteemed performance coach, must be baffled how a side which is bursting with talent can be so insipid. Lasith Malinga made his first match in defeat by Mumbai. But he was of little use. The Indians racked up a massive 209. Virender Sehwag looks likely to recover from an ankle niggle.

      Hyderabad Sunrisers
      The sun does not look like setting yet on the new franchise’s ambitions. One of the rags of the tournament have looked rich in ability and camaraderie. With two wins from three outings they are nicely cosseted in the top four, making a mockery of the Daredevils’ bigger wage packets at the foot of the section. Thisara Perrera, the Sri Lanka beefcake, is biffing it at a strike rate of more than 150 and Dale Steyn was awesome in the Super Over against Bangalore.

      Innings runs
      The Feroz Shah Kotla is not the most reliable of batting tracks according to gossip and rumour. But that is an unfair reputation when you look at the stats. The first-innings scores for last season read: 110-157-192-207-152-153-136-215. There are some big numbers there contributing to an average of 166. Indeed, Rajasthan made 165 batting first in the one game in Delhi so far. It would make sense therefore to go more than 160 for the side batting first for this one. You should be able to get around even money.

      Match odds
      It is difficult to imagine that Delhi, boasting Mahela Jaywardene, Virender Sehwag and David Warner can lose four in a row. It is difficult to imagine any side losing four in a row in such a short format with game-changers in their midst. But we sure as hell aren’t backing Delhi at prices as low as 1.66. We would rather chew off our own hand than have it hovering over the ‘back’ button. Hyderabad are 2.34. It is a no-brainer to plump for a back-to-lay at such odds. Given Delhi’s form we can be confident the Sunrisers can have a spell of dominance enabling us to get out at sub 2.00.

      Top Delhi runscorer
      Jayawardene-Warner-Sehwag is a mouth-watering front three and we are spoilt for choice rather if they line-up together. Jayawardene has actually looked pretty classy, Warner has a 50 last time but if Sehwag is fit he could return with a bang. If we can get 4.00 he might be worth following.

      Top Hyderabad runscorer
      Perera is Hyderabad’s top runscorer so far and will be available at chunky prices. Otherwise expect Kumar Sangakkara and Shikkar Dhawn to attract most cash.

      Recommended bet
      More than 160 first-innings runs at 2.00

      ——————————————–

      Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors India
      Start Time: Saturday 13 April 2013, 11:30 BST
      TV: Live on ITV4 and itv.com

      Mumbai Indians

      For all of the concerns about the age of their side, Mumbai look to be a formidable side this year. Players have been queuing up to sing the praises of Ricky Ponting as captain, Dinesh Karthik seems to be relishing the number three role, their only defeat was by a mere two runs and even the failure of Sachin Tendulkar (24 runs at an average of 8.00) has gone un-remarked as they have taken second place in the table. Even Ponting and Harbhajan Singh have kissed and made up. Factor in a bowling attack featuring Lasith Malinga – still one of the most feared one day bowlers in world cricket – Harbhajan, Indian Test star Pragyan Ohja and even Australia’s much-maligned Mitchell Johnson and you have a team which is a real force to be reckoned with.

      Pune Warriors India

      Pune won for the first time in 11 IPL matches on Thursday, pulling off arguably the biggest surprise of the competition so far in downing Rajasthan Royals by the comprehensive margin of seven wickets. There’s no coincidence that Yuvraj Singh was missing for ten of those eleven losses and he played a vital part in the defeat of Rajasthan, picking up the key wicket of Rahul Dravid and then hitting an unbeaten 28 from 23 balls to see them home. The real star with the ball, though, was Rahul Sharma, who took 2-16 and if he can find some consistency he will pose a challenge for Mumbai. Expect few changes from that side for this game, although MItchell Marsh may give way to Marlon Samuels if the latter is fit again.

      Venue and conditions

      It is going to be a warm evening in the Wankhede Stadium, with very little cloud cover. Batting first is definitely the thing to do here as any movement with the ball tends to come in the second innings. Mumbai put up over 200 in their last innings here and there’s every chance of this game being a run fest.

      Match odds

      Mumbai are, understandably, hot favourites for this game at 1.64, with Pune a long priced second at 2.38.

      Top Mumbai batsman

      Karthik is the third highest run scorer in the tournament so far with 183. He also has the highest strike rate of any of the top 20 batsmen at 166.36 – higher even that the likes of Chris Gayle. There’s a Tendulkar-based double whammy in backing him – his odds will be longer just because of the number of people who will back Sachin no matter what form he is in, but Tendulkar’s poor form means that he will be likely to get to the crease good and early. Back him at around 4.25.

      Top Pune batsman

      The absence of Samuels due to injury gave a chance to another overseas player and Aaron Finch took his opportunity with alacrity, blasting 64 from 53 balls to take Pune to the edge of victory. For the first time in the tournament a Pune batsman not only looked in decent form but looked like they knew how to bat in a Powerplay. At around 4.1 he’s a good price to repeat the feat on a batsman-friendly track.

      Recommended bet:

      Back Dinesh Karthik at around 4.25 to be top Mumbai batsman

      —————————————–

      F1 – Chinese Grand Prix…

      It hasn’t taken long for Sebastian Vettel to show his true colours. He might have been full of saying sorry for ignoring team orders to go ahead of Mark Webber in Malaysia, but jump forward a couple of weeks and it’s a different story. “I don’t apologise for winning,” he’s said now.

      And, actually, good for him. If you’d backed Vettel for the race you would have done it expecting the young German’s competitive instincts to be one of the deciding factors, so you wouldn’t be at all sorry if that’s how it turned out.

      But it does mean that as the Grand Prix circus arrives in China this weekend the spotlight will again glare down on Vettel and his fellow Red Bull driver Webber to analyse the fall-out from their Malaysian feud.

      I was just as fascinated by a row in the last race that didn’t happen. When Fernando Alonso careered off the track I expected the volatile Spaniard to come in raging about the team’s decision to delay a pit stop. He had run into the back of Vettel when the race was a few seconds old, it was clear the front wing of his car had been severely damaged, and it seemed obvious he had to stop and get it sorted.

      Instead the pit engineers chose to keep him racing in a damaged car with the idea of changing tyres a lap or two later, at the same time as they fixed the wing.

      It turned out a disastrous decision as, just a few hundred yards after passing the pits, the wing fell off altogether and his Ferrari careered out of control into a gravel trap.

      Alonso was asked about it this week in a Twitter Q and A on Ferrari’s website, and this was his reaction: “In hindsight it is easy to say it would have been better to come in, but we thought I could hold on for another lap to make the most of the pit-stop. The race simulations state if I stopped to change the nose I would have finished ninth or tenth so we didn’t lose anything. The problem wasn’t not coming in; the damage was done in the collision.”

      Roughly translated that means Alonso admits it was his fault and not the team’s. It puts an interesting insight into his state of mind about his car this year. Last season he dragged himself into contention for the title despite a dog of a car, and was moaning all year about being handicapped. This time he seems happy with his wheels and that suggests there is more to come from him.

      It’s why I think that while Vettel at 3.35 favourite is the obvious bet to win the Chinese Grand Prix, the value is in backing Alonso at 4.8. Ferrari’s development work in the three week break since the last race has been centred around their qualifying pace, which was already good. Felipe Massa, after all, was second on the grid in Singapore.

      The Shanghai track with its 1.2km straight and varying corner types is a fairly unique circuit that puts additional demands on the cars – especially with the effects of dust from the nearby factories. That makes odds against in the safety car market – currently spread between 2.24 and 5.4 – the other piece of value this weekend.

      Recommended Bet
      Back Fernando Alonso to win @ 4.8
      ———————————————-

      Milesey

  2. Brian 11 years ago

    Could any1 on here help put £5 bet on Garcia be the 1st round leader masters in he is joint leader with sum1 how does this work do tgey pay out in both players????

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Brian, deadheat rules should apply so you’ll get half the money unless your bookie has a different rule.

  3. Brian 11 years ago

    Just checked there mr f WILLIAM hill it was with they paid out half cheers

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Brian, OK that’s what they should do. Normal deadheat rules so if it had been three joint leaders it would have been a third and so on. Tough market to pick a winner though so well done.

  4. Craig alves 11 years ago

    Noy football related but the golf competition longshot. if 5 players picked the same player but some got better odds will the person with the bigger odds win?? I took Zach Johnson at 110/1 but others have him at 125/1?? couples is uo there too and of course it’s far too early to say who’ll stay there but just want some confirmation even tho it is the highest price wins

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Craig, that’s one for admin to judge.

  5. Craig alves 11 years ago

    ok cheers we’ll see what they say tomorrow

  6. Danny 11 years ago

    FRIDAY FOOTBALL

    Treble – Rosenborg – Caen – Peruwelz

    Double – UnionBerlin – Landskrona

    Single – Real Betis

    Both 2 Score
    Odessa – Dnipro
    Brno – Simga Olomouc
    RNK Split – Rijeka
    Tours – Guingamp
    Cesena – Verona

    Goal Scorers
    Max Kruse – Freiburg
    Rory Patterson – Derry
    Andreas Haddad – Brommapojkarna

  7. Tony 11 years ago

    Shamrock
    Longford
    Tns
    Rosenborg

  8. Danny 11 years ago

    for anybody that fancies an early morning bet I think I have found a nice wee double in the Malaysian Premier League KO 09.45

    Home & Away Double only see bet365 odds

    Sime Darby @ 1.83
    Jahor FA @ 1.57

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      SINGLE OF THE DAY
      ——————

      Fourth-placed Angers travel to Niort – aiming to pile the pressure on the top three with the end of the campaign in sight.

      Stephane Moulin’s side go into this one high in confidence following two wins and a draw from their last three away from the Stade Jean Bouin, and will be desperate to maintain that positive form as a win could lift them into second place, depending on the results of Nantes and Guingamp.

      Les Scoistes, who finished 11th in the top tier last season, have hit form at just the right time, and line up for this clash without a loss in their last half a dozen.

      And 13 goals notched in that time shows just how lethal the visitors have been in the final third – a stat that will act as a warning to their hosts Niort here.

      Pascal Gastien’s side have won just one of their last five on their own patch, and the pressure is on them to secure maximum points from this clash, as they sit in 15th place in the table – just a single point outside the drop zone.

      Just one clean sheet from their last six suggests that les Chamois have been struggling at the back of late, and that could be key in this fixture.

      The hosts must make the most of their home advantage if they are to climb away from the danger area, especially with Le Mans – who occupy the last relegation place – winning their last outing, and possibly at the beginning of a resurgence.

      Unfortunately for the Stade Rene Gillard side, I can’t see them getting any share of the spoils here, as Angers look to make their move into the top three.

      FRANCE: Ligue 2
      7.OO K/O
      Niort V Angers
      Angers @ 2.56

      **************************

      IRELAND: Premier League
      7.45 K/O
      UC Dublin V St. Patricks
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.0

      **************************

      SPAIN: Primera Division
      9.00 K/O
      Betis V Sevilla
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.83

      ***************************

      AUSTRIA: Erste Liga
      5.30 K/O
      FC Lustenau V Grodig
      GRODIG @ 2.03

      ****************************

      CZECH REPUBLIC: Gambrinus liga
      7.15 K/0
      Brno V Sigma Olomouc
      SIGMA @ 2.0

      ******************************

      TOP TREBLE

      SIGMA @ 2.0
      GRODIG @ 2.03
      Betis V Sevilla
      OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.83

      5.86/1

      *******************************
      Milesey

  9. bomber Harris 11 years ago

    Union berlin v dresden german league 2
    Union Berlin have won 8 of there 14 home league games this season.
    Dresden have lost 7 of there 14 away league games
    Union Berlin have won 5 of there last 6 home league games 11/10 looks a decent price for a home win !

  10. Mr H 11 years ago

    The only bet I had last night was skybets 15/2 that all 8 teams would score and Benfica left it late :)

  11. Mr H 11 years ago

    My early double is Prayag SC v Palian Arrows in the Indian I league and a home win 4/7 @11am

    Singapore league Geylang Utd v Albirex Niigata FZc and an away win 4/5 @ 12.30pm

  12. ben h 11 years ago

    milesy, I am a scunthorpe fan travel jome and away and last week was dreadful however at home since christmas we have been strong also ticket prices were slashed to a fiver yesterday so a bigger crowd, I feel we will get something from the game

  13. Greg Browning 11 years ago

    Paul did you get involved in the Palmerias match last night?

    My single on them to win came up, the sending off killed the corners though, there was 9 with half an hour to go, it finished on 9!

    Did over 5.5 first Half corners which came in so ended up with a bit if profit even though my over 11 corners and race to 7 didn’t come in!

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Greg, only backed them to win. Don’t like doing anything else if I’m not keeping tabs on the game.

  14. Sean Ireland 11 years ago

    NORTH/SOUTH IRISH DOUBLE {saturday}

    Cliftonville v Linfield Home win 19/20 skybet.
    Sligo Rovers v Cork city HT/FT Sligo 21/20 skybet.

    Cliftonville have the oportunity to wrap up the title
    and seal an historic treble in this game against their
    bitter Belfast rivals linfield.They have won their last 10
    games in the lg and won last 14 at home.They are 21 points ahead
    of third placed Linfield having played a game less and have scored
    88 goals in 33 games,their price of around evens is very generous
    so snap it up.
    Sligo play in the league of Ireland and are also in amazing form
    they sit top of the tbl with max points from 7 games scoring 17
    and conceding just 2,they have won their last 10 in all comps.
    They face a team already 12 points adrift at this early stage
    of the season and the price for a win is a bit slim at only 2/5,
    so i looked for value in another market for this match and i
    think ive found it.In 8 of the last 9 games Sligo have been winning
    at half time and full time so this stat justifies taking the price
    of 21/20 @ skybet for this to come in again.

    • The Dane 11 years ago

      Thanks, Sean Ireland. I’ll be using those two tomorrow.

      The Dane.

    • Burger 11 years ago

      Historic treble? Think you are getting ahead of yourself Sean! But yes they are in the cup final too, and like you say they are cracking price to beat Linfield tomorrow. Nobody can live with Cliftonville, the way they are playing at the moment, so only the finish line nerves can stop this one coming up.

      Home win though for me and I’m very tempted by the -1 at 5/2.

  15. andrew hutchings 11 years ago

    Thank you very much Mr F!!

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Andrew, no worries. Admin will email you about your prize.

  16. RabTheHermit 11 years ago

    Almost forgot about the A-League game today. Going to take Western Sydney @ 2.05 in-play and watch the stream. Western Sydney for me have been the best in the league so far.

  17. The Dane 11 years ago

    DENMARK.

    One game from the Danish Superliga today between two bad and out of form teams. Both are 0-1-4 in the last five and there’s not a chance that I’m risking as much as 0.01% of my bankroll on a winner.

    What I do find interesting are the information that Silkeborg have conceded more goals than any other team in the Superliga during the season. Aarhus GF are not far behind in the stats and have conceded most goals in 2013. That combined with the fact that 11 out of the last 15 between the two teams have seen both score makes me invest in a BTTS bet.

    Silkeborg – Aarhus GF (5.30 UK)
    Both Teams To Score
    Odds: 1,66
    Stake: €19.00 (or 3.8% of the fixed €500.00 bankroll for this Danish only series)

    29.15% interest so far on the €500.00.

    The Dane.

    • robert miller 11 years ago

      The Dane strikes again, that must take your profit over 30% now. a bit of patience reaps rewards at times

    • Danny 11 years ago

      LOL The Dan Strikes Again

      Silkeborg 2 Win @ 2.90 BetVictor
      Marvin Pourie anytime scorer @ 2.38 Ladbrokes

  18. Greg Browning 11 years ago

    Yeah, good win with 10 men Paul!

    Right gents, had a scroll through tonight’s games and there are a couple of gems!

    First up Grosseto v Emploi

    Grosseto will be playing 3rd tier football next seeing, currently sitting rock boron in Seria B and are up against an Empoli side looking to ensure at least the playoffs! There’s 34 points between these two teams, will be 37 after tonight!

    Empoli win 5/6

    Also looking to get promoted are Verona who are hot on the tails of Sassuolo, they sit second and are awy to Cesena! Verona should be too good here

    Verona 6/5

    Hearths Berlin will be back playing top tier German football but will want to go up as champions! They are away to Ingolstadt who have Lost there last three who have little to play for!

    Heartha Berlin 4/5

    A risky one here but I facncy Le Mans at home to Istres, 2 points seperate these two both struggling at the bottom of the table!

    Istres have lost there last 6 away games and have failed to score in any of them playback Le Mans had a morale boosting win last week against Tours and will fancy their chances at home tonight!

    Le Mans 11/10

    The season can’t end soon enough for Eindhoven, the are rock bottom and have lost their last 9 matches! Emmen are the visitors tonight, while hardly setting the league ablaze are a better outfit and have had a couple of good away results recently at Rotterdam and MVV!

    Emmen 6/5

    Last selection is the Niort v Angers match, Milesey has tipped this as his super single today and while I think they will win, I’m opting or over 1.5 Angers goals at 7/4 ( which isn’t far off what they are to win)

    Niort are the draw specialists having drawn 16 of their 31 mathes, based on the price, over 1.5 goals gives you a bit of room as you don’t need o worry about Niort scoring as long long as Angers do!

    Angers over 1.5 goals 7/4

    Emploi 5/6
    Verona 6/5
    Hearths Berlin 4/5
    Emmen 6/5
    Le Mans 11/10
    Angers over 1.5 goals

    Good luck everyone :)

    • steve myers 11 years ago

      yeah Greg totally agree with Empoli 5/6.

  19. Greg Browning 11 years ago

    Came across it in inplay this morning

    Who’ll face who in the champions league draw: 19/10 if you picked it right

    Don’t know why but fancied Bara v Munich And Real v Dortmond

    Two £4 singles – cheers :)

  20. Tony C 11 years ago

    Any chance of a bts treble for to ites please Paul?, and well done other nite with the four bts you picked. A last minute East Fife equaliser !!!!! Thanks for the nervous wait mate.

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Tony C, sorry have run out of time. Have a 5pm deadline to finish my Record pages then working on the desk tonight.

  21. Danny 11 years ago

    Paul who won last weeks Betway Treble and Bet365 super single

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Danny, no idea. Admin usually name winners today.

  22. Peter Brown 11 years ago

    Anyone fancy Cska Moscow today ?

    • Danny 11 years ago

      its a really tough one to call few bets caught my eye

      the 1.91 on offer from William Hill for both 2 score looks good

      Aleksandr Kokorin (Dinamo) Anytime @ 3.6 Bet365

  23. MrT 11 years ago

    My Bets today.

    Over 2.5 Goals Treble

    Silkeborg v Aalborg +2.5
    VVV Venlo v FC Zwolle +2.5
    Betis v Sevilla +2.5

    Both teams to Score Double

    Silkeborg v Aalborg btts
    Leicester v Birmingham btts

    Away Win Double

    FC Lustenau v Grondig(2) (aus)
    Brno v Sigma Oloumuc (2) (Czech)

    Away Win Singles

    Niort v Angers (2)
    Geyland Int v Albirex Nigata (2)

    Irish Treble

    UCD v St Patricks (2)
    Dundalk v Derry (2)
    Shamrock v Bray (1)

  24. Callum G 11 years ago

    Surprised Betis are not in there

    sevilla have a shocking away record and betis have great home form this season . It is a derby but from sevillas other derby games away from home this season that doesnt change there poor away form .

    my super single is Betis to beat sevilla at (6/4)

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Callum, I do fancy Sevilla but I like the others too.

  25. the chief 11 years ago

    Mr F your super single looks good. Leicester won 1 in 13 I was going to take the draw but happy to take 11/4 DNB. Im also taking Wes Thomas to score anytime he as 3 in his last 4.

    BET BIRMINGHAM DNB 11/4
    BET THOMAS TO SCORE ANYTIME 10/3
    BET LEICESTER 1 BIRMINGHAM 1 15/2

    TOP TREBLE

    ROSENBORG
    EMPOLI
    LUTON

    BTTS TREBLE

    MVV VS DORDRECHT
    OSS VS EXCELSIOR
    VOLENDAM VS HELMOND

    GOOD LUCK IF YOUR HAVING A BET

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      the chief, on current form Birmimgham are too big. Draw no bet is a good price and I’m on that and Birmingham.

  26. Danny 11 years ago

    Home & Away Double only see Bet365 odds

    Sime Darby @ 1.83 WIN
    Jahor FA @ 1.57 WIN

  27. the chief 11 years ago

    ST Helens vs Catlan Dragons sky sports 3

    Catalans Dragons lost at Hull FC last week but they did rest a few players for that match, Damien Blanch, Daryl Millard and crucially Thomas Bosc (SKYBET GO 14/1 HE GETS MAN OF THE MATCH, COULD BE WORTH A SMALL WAGER) are all back in the side. Catlans have decided to stay in Manchester this week, rather than fly back home, as they bid for only their 3rd away win of the season.

    With all the injuries St Helens have I think this will be a closer match than the odds suggest. I certainly think they can stay within 8pts here. I’m sure they will be boosted by that amazing win at Langtree Park last season when the scored after the hooter had sounded to win 34-32. Saints missing some key players like James Roby, Tony Puletua, Johnny Lomax, and Mark Flanaghan. Carl Foster is set to replace Flanaghan and he wil become the 32nd player Saints will have used this season. Not only do I believe Catlans will stay within 8pts, I think they win the match.

    BET CATLANS TO BEAT ST HELENS 7/4 VARIOUS
    BET CATLANS + 8PTS TO BEAT ST HELENS 1/1 @ PADDY POWER
    BET DAMIEN BLANCH TO SCORE ANYTIME 5/4 @ SKYBET/LADBROKES

    GOOD LUCK IF YOUR HAVING A BET

  28. Cam 11 years ago

    i got 13/8 for Betis on Skybet, they seemed good last week where they won 5-1 away to Granada.

    Although, Sevilla are a strange team, won 11/15 at home in the league but 1/15 away,could be different in a city derby. though.

    The difference might be Negredo, who has scored 7 in his last 5 for Sevilla.

    What does anyone else think about this match?

  29. Danny 11 years ago

    DANISH DOUBLE DELIGHT

    Danish 1st division sees 2 games being played tonight and the form is pointing to the away double

    Joint top Vejle make the Journey North on the back of 5 straight victories too take on a Hjorring side they have got the better of on the last 3 occasions and have taken less than 50% of points available in there last 10 home games this season

    Viborg make the short trip to nearest city and opponents Hobro. Title and promotion contenders Viborg have won 6 and drew 4 of there last 10 league games they will be on a high and hope too take all 3 points of a Hobro side that if they lose tonight could be dragged into the final relegation scrap with AB Copenhagen as FC Fyn withdrew from the league

    AWAYS DOUBLE
    Vejle @ 1.83
    Viborg @ 2.00

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      SOUTH AMERICAN TIPS
      *******************

      Friday

      Independiente v Unión de Santa Fe – 23:00

      This game is a massive encounter in the relegation picture, with both sides currently occupying places in the bottom three of Argentina’s peculiar average points table.

      Sparing you the mechanics, Unión 4.3 are bottom and incredibly unlikely to stay up this season, while Independiente are 0.69 points per game away from safety. Having been in the division for so long – in fact, they are one of only three teams to never be relegated from the top flight – they are slightly disadvantaged when it comes to chasing down 17th-placed Quilmes and if the Brewers continue their current form then Independiente, one of Argentina’s five grandes will go down in June.

      As far as this weekend goes the two sides are fairly inseparable with just a point difference in the Torneo Final having played very different opposition, but both are low on confidence and need all the points on Friday night.

      Independiente’s underperformance has been such that forward Luciano Leguizamón was threatened with death on leaving training this week, and having exhausted most options in trying to kickstart his flailing team, Americo Gallego will gamble on youth-teamer Adrián Fernández to make an impact on his first start.

      In Daniel Montenegro, Independiente will have by far the best player on the pitch, and in a game like this his quality has to be the determining factor, so although it won’t be a big stake, we’ve got a sneaking feeling that the hosts will get a valuable win – even though it won’t be enough to lift them out of the drop zone.

      Recommended Bet

      Back Independiente at 2.08

      *******************************************************
      Saturday

      San Martín de San Juan v Boca Juniors – 20:20

      Boca Juniors’ struggles this season have been well documented in this very column and we are still waiting for a sign that everything is going to be alright, and that this harking back through the Xeneize’s near-history isn’t an ill-advised nostalgic journey destined for failure.

      San Martín are one of the weakest sides in the division, and are one of only two winless sides remaining in the Torneo Final. Only Colón have conceded more, so Boca’s disappointing strike force will get its best chance yet to find some much-needed rhythm.

      With only one win in the league, Boca are hardly one to look down on San Martín, but the quality is there throughout the squad, and despite a succession of injuries scotching Carlos Bianchi’s plans, the emergence of new youth players from the seemingly endless conveyor belt of talent has produced even more names this season.

      Federico Bravo and Sebastián Palacios have joined the likes of Christian Erbes, Leandro Paredes and Juan Sanchez Miño in the first team now, and one feels that with this season already a virtual write-off for Boca, the patience that Bianchi will be afforded due to his history with the club would be best repaid by spending the rest of the campaign building a young, cohesive team.

      They’re not losing many games, in fact only three rivals have lost fewer league games in the Torneo Final and they shouldn’t lose to San Martín. With five draws from eight games there is the fear that a stalemate would nix the away win, so DNB Boca looks to be the best course of action in this game, with quality coming to the fore against a fairly dismal opponent.

      Recommended Bet

      Back Boca Juniors Draw No Bet @ 1.83

      *************************************************

      San Lorenzo v Racing Club – 22:10

      The key stats in this game all pertain to the low amount of goals expected.

      San Lorenzo have been brilliant defensively under Juan Antonio Pizzi, which has helped them pull away from Independiente and Quilmes in the relegation table.

      Unfortunately, they’ve not been very prolific at the other end and a total of just nine goals in their eight games this season doesn’t paint a very entertaining picture to say the least. Their games average 1.13 goals apiece, and not a single one has gone over 2.5 goals – so it’s no surprise to see the unders exceptionally short at 1.48.

      Racing haven’t exactly been prolific themselves, and having stabilised after a ropey started to the season, their thoughts will be on the respectable finish that will guarantee them continental qualification and continuing to bring through young talent.

      A low-scoring game is inevitable, and with the two weakest attacks in the top half facing off the most worthwhile punt on this one may be 0-0 correct score at 7.0

      Recommended Bet

      Back 0-0 Correct Score @ 7.0

      ****************************************************

      Lanús v All Boys – 00:15

      Lanús lead the table and should beat All Boys this weekend.

      No Copa Libertadores distractions mean the Granate have been able to fully focus on the league and a win on Saturday evening would extend their lead to five points over Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate.

      All Boys have made a name for themselves as a team that’s fairly difficult to play against, but despite sitting in the top half their away form has been rubbish in the Torneo Final and although the price is a little short, Lanús win this.

      ***************************************************
      Sunday

      Colón de Santa Fe v Vélez Sarsfield – 20:10

      Vélez manager Ricardo Gareca has given no hints as to the team he’ll play in Santa Fe this weekend but he will be wary of resting too many players against Colón given their recent pick-up in form.

      Bottom and winless after six games, Roberto Sensini’s side have won two on the bounce now and boast the top scorer of the Torneo Final in Emmanuel Gigliotti. Even with their improvement, you’d think Vélez should be too strong and 2.72 is a big price for the defending champions, but with Colón’s consecutive wins it will be safer to make it a Draw No Bet.

      Recommended Bet

      Back Veléz 0 Asian Handicap @ 1.89

      ***************************************************

      River Plate v Arsenal de Sarandí – 00:15

      Third against fourth should be a good game at El Monumental where River look back on course after a bit of a wobble in March. Free from continental commitments it should have been easy for Ramón Díaz to play his strongest team every week but a plague of injuries in defence has derailed his plans and now David Trezeguet is out for the rest of the season with a serious injury that needs operating on.

      The good news in this medical crisis is that young players like Eder Balanta, the 20 year-old Colombian defender who made his debut in last week’s clásico with Racing, have done well when they’ve stepped in – and there is some experience in the team to guide them.

      Arsenal stay under the radar but consistently overachieve, and the creativity and verve of Carlos Carbonero and Martin Rolle should be the envy of most Primera División midfields. It has meant that in fifteen games this season (across all competitions including the Copa Libertadores) Arsenal have only failed to score once, and with River’s defensive personnel issues, we feel as if they’ll do so again.

      Given the attacking talents at their own disposal, River should trouble their opponents too and even though Arsenal boast one of the best defenders in the country in Lisandro Lopez there is enough support for both teams to score that we will hop on board at an odds-against price.

      Recommended Bet

      Back both teams to score @ 2.14

      Milesey ( betfair )

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      CHAMPIONSHIP
      ————-

      Bristol City 3.05 v Bolton 2.5; The Draw 3.5

      It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to beat the drop, or chasing a play-off place, at this stage of the season the key thing to have is momentum. Bolton have it, Bristol City don’t, and that makes The Trotters a decent bet to win this encounter.

      It’s three defeats in four, with nine goals conceded, for The Robins and their only win in seven was against hapless Middlesbrough who, let’s face it, the Dog and Duck would beat at the moment. Sean O’Driscoll’s side are cut adrift at the bottom of the table and are trading at just 1.02 to go down. In other words, they may as well start preparing for League One football now say the Betfair layers.

      It’s a completely different story at Bolton where Dougie Freedman’s men have put together a fine run of form; seven wins in nine league games to be precise with just three goals conceded in those wins.

      The worry is Bolton’s away form as they’ve won just three on their travels all season. But they’ve never been in as good as form as they are now, and being away to a side that concede an average of two goals per game on home soil should allow Freedman’s men to record their fourth away win and move a step closer to reaching the end-of-season play-offs.

      Recommended Bet: Back Bolton to win @ 2.5

      Peterborough 3.1 v Watford 2.42; The Draw 3.6

      This is a very difficult game to call in terms of the outcome as both sides having something huge to play for. Peterborough desperately need a win as they aim to fight off relegation, while Watford can’t afford any more slip-ups in their quest to win automatic promotion.

      But the beauty here is that we don’t have to make a prediction in the Match Odds market. All we know is that both sides are in decent form, will be going for the win, and are both capable of scoring – and conceding – a plethora of goals.

      A total of 67 goals have been scored at London Road this season, that’s an average of almost 3.5 goals per game, while Watford’s away games have produced 66 goals, again, at an average of very nearly 3.5 goals per game. Of course, stats don’t always point to what will happen in a game, but with Posh on an unbeaten run of eight and the Hornets one of the highest scoring teams in the country it’s impossible to envisage this game ending with few goals.

      Recommended Bet: Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.9

      Wolves 2.22 v Huddersfield 3.6; The Draw 3.5

      I spoke very positively about Wolves last weekend and fancied them to trouble Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. They were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes!

      But I’m always willing to forgive a side one bad result, and prior to last weekend Wolves were in excellent form as they aim to pull away from the relegation zone. Dean Saunders’ men had won four of their previous five games, scoring 11 goals in the process. I’ve mentioned a few times that the ability to score goals at the stage of the season is crucial, and it’s this ability that I believe will see Wolves safe.

      Huddersfield are very in and out at the moment and are deep in relegation trouble if they don’t find some immediate consistency. Three wins and two losses in five games has been followed by three games without a win.

      The Terriers are struggling to keep out the goals at the moment – they conceded six at Forest, four at Brighton, and have recorded just one clean sheet away from home since the beginning of November. Against a Wolves side who have an eye for goal at the moment I can see them coming away from Molineux empty handed, and I make the home side a great bet to edge away from safety.

      Recommended Bet: Back Wolves to win @ 2.22 (best bet)

      Milesey ( betfair )

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      BUNDESLIGA
      ———–

      Greuther Furth vs Borussia Dortmund, Sat 14:30 BST, Live on Betfair Live Video

      Match Odds: Greuther 8.0, Dortmund 1.47, the draw 4.9

      It would have been difficult for anyone without Malaga-based sympathies not to smile during Jurgen Klopp’s post-match interview, after he had watched his Dortmund team snatch Champions League victory from the jaws of defeat. Two stoppage-time goals catapulted BVB into the last four, and they now face Real Madrid, who they took four points from in the group phase. Klopp bared his teeth in a gigantic grin throughout the interview, laughing repeatedly at the self-perceived absurdity of his side going this far in European football’s premier competition.

      Now Dortmund must come down from cloud nine and continue their efforts to wrap up second spot in the Bundesliga. Last week a shadow side came from behind to beat a determined Augsburg outfit 4-2, and that victory shows the strength-in-depth Klopp has at his disposal. Back-up striker Julian Schieber scored twice, while promising trio Moritz Leitner, Leonardo Bittencourt and Jonas Hofmann were given rare run-outs.

      Dortmund have won four of their last five games in all competitions, and they have racked up 14 goals in that period. Robert Lewandowski has scored in each of his last ten Bundesliga games, and he will be keen to extend that record against the Bundesliga’s weakest side.

      Greuther Furth are doomed. They are nine points away from escaping the bottom two with just six games left, and their home record is truly atrocious. The Clover Leaves have collected four points from 14 home games, and have scored a pitiful six goals. The counselling industry in Furth must be enjoying something of a boom, as dismayed Greuther fans vent their anger and frustration.

      At least Greuther have shown some fight under new coach Frank Kramer. Last week they missed several good chances before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach, and they at least carry a bit of a goal threat these days. That said, it’s hard to see them avoiding a repeat of their 3-1 defeat to Dortmund back in November.

      It’s worth backing Borussia Dortmund -1.0 & -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.00, and with BVB scoring freely and Greuther playing more openly these days, Over 3.5 Goals looks tempting at 2.68.

      Best Bet

      Back Borussia Dortmund -1.0 & -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.00

      Recommended Bet: Back Over 3.5 Goals at 2.68

      Wolfsburg vs Hoffenheim, Sat 14:30 BST

      Match Odds: Wolfsburg 2.16, Hoffenheim 3.75, the draw 3.55

      Hoffenheim have given themselves a lifeline with last week’s 3-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf, a perfect first game in charge for new coach Markus Gisdol. Hoffe are now just a point behind third-bottom Augsburg, and although they weren’t outstanding against Fortuna, they did enough to win a tense encounter. The loss of keeper Heurelho Gomes for the season with a broken hand is a blow – the Brazilian has been very solid since his January loan move from Spurs.

      Hoffenheim have a dreadful away record, with 10 defeats in 13 games, but Saturday’s opponents Wolfsburg are in the midst of a frustrating run of results. Coach Dieter Hecking looks ready to explode most weeks, as time and again his side shoot themselves in the foot. The Wolves have won just two of their last ten games, and they have drawn their last three. Centre-back Simon Kjaer is a utter liability, and for me the dozy Dane is one of the Bundesliga’s most overrated players.

      Wolfsburg have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches, and they have a German Cup semi-final coming up against Bayern Munich, so they may not be fully focused. Gisdol wants his new charges to “hunt Wolfsburg like a swarm of bees”, and if attacking trident Roberto Firmino, Kevin Volland and Sven Schipplock play like they did last week, Wolfsburg may struggle to contain them. Wolfsburg have drawn three games in a row, and I think Hoffenheim can dig in and make it four.

      Recommended Bet

      Back the draw at 3.55

      Bayern Munich vs Nurnberg, Sat 14:30 BST

      Match Odds: Bayern 1.26, Nurnberg 15.5, the draw 6.8

      Bayern wrapped up the title with a minimum of fuss last week, as they won 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. The celebrations were muted – Bayern have been champions-elect for months, and they knew they had a big Champions League trip to Juventus on the horizon. Bayern won that game in Italy 2-0, and they have now won 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions.

      Bayern’s Bavarian rivals Nurnberg have pulled clear of the relegation dogfight thanks to a run of nine matches unbeaten, but I wasn’t impressed by last week’s 2-1 home win over Mainz. Nurnberg were second-best for large parts of the game, and both of their goals came from excellent set-piece delivery from the outstanding Hiroshi Kiyotake.

      Nurnberg are only one of four teams to take points off Bayern this season, but Bayern are in mind-bogglingly good form. In their last home game they dismantled Hamburg 9-2, and they didn’t field their strongest available line-up. It’s a derby, and Bayern players will be keen to put down a marker ahead of the German Cup semi against Wolfsburg, so I think Nurnberg will have their hands full. In 10 of Bayern’s 14 home games, backing Bayern -2.0 on the Asian Handicap has been a win or a push, and seven of those 14 matches have featured more than 3.5 goals. It’s also worth noting Nurnberg have won just one of their last 12 away games.

      Recommended Bets

      Back Bayern -2.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.12

      Back Over 3.5 Goals at 2.32

      Milesey ( betfair )

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      SERIE A
      ——–

      Milan v Napoli

      The big game of the weekend is unquestionably at San Siro, where Milan take on Napoli. The big news is that Mario Balotelli is out for Milan, and so the Rossoneri will have to rely on a strikeforce of Stephan El Sharaawy and Giampaolo Pazzini. This makes a big difference, as Balotelli makes Milan a different side, and I think that Napoli will be confident of at least getting a draw, which in the context of the table, wouldn’t be a bad result.

      Milan are 2.1 favourites to win, which is too short, and Napoli are 3.9. The key to a Napoli win is whether they can supply Edinson Cavani: that job will fall to Marek Hamsyk, Goran Pandev and the new goal scoring sensation (and I never thought that I’d be saying this) Blerim Dzemaili, who has now got 4 in his last 2 games. Milan had looked rock solid defensively until they conceded those two penalties against Fiorentina last week, but there is a chance that the season is starting to take its toll, and with Balotelli out, and Napoli looking typically businesslike at home against Genoa last weekend, I’m tempted to chance Napoli at a decent price to put the argument about second place to bed.

      I have a nagging feeling that Napoli may settle for a draw if the game is level with half an hour to go, though, and so rather than try and be too clever, I’ll play this a little more conservatively. Milan are too short at 2.1, and so let’s lay them and keep the draw onside.

      Recommended Bet

      Lay Milan against Napoli @ 2.1

      Atalanta v Fiorentina

      Fiorentina’s attempts to nail down a 4th place finish could make great strides this weekend. Inter and Lazio both have awkward looking games, and, with a win in Bergamo, Vincenzo Montella’s team could find themselves with a 4 point advantage and with games running out. Fiorentina showed great spirit in their 2-2 draw against Milan last week. They were 2-0 down and down to ten men, but a couple of penalties brought them level, and Montella will hope to see that momentum continue into this match.

      Atalanta pulled off an extraordinary win at Inter (and provided a decent priced winner for this column) and they won’t roll over here. Atalanta are 3.4 for the win, with Fiorentina available to lay at 2.34, and while that Atalanta price looks tempting, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fiorentina put in a performance inspired by last week.

      La Viola have lost 8 times away from home, and will miss Stefan Jovetic, Stefan Savic and the suspended Nenad Tomovic here, but rather than lay them, I’m once again interested in the goals markets. Over 2.5 goals are trading at 2.1, and that seems a value pick to me. Atalanta are pretty much safe, and so there’s a devil may care aspect to their play at the moment, which has led to 5 of their last 7 matches going over 2.5 goals (the other two were a strange 0-0 v Sampdoria and a 2-0 win in Siena). With Fiorentina looking more vulnerable than at any stage this season, 5 of their last 6 matches have gone over 2.5, and the only reason I can see for ‘overs’ to be odds against is that Atalanta’s last home game finished 0-0. That match against Samp, as I have already intimated, is best ignored.

      Recommended Bet

      Over 2.5 Goals in Atalanta v Fiorentina @ 2.1

      Cagliari v Inter

      The Italian newspapers this week have been full of the Inter President Massimo Moratti and his conspiracy theories regarding the make up of the top four. Moratti’s argument is that Milan have more money than Inter, and therefore that they were always destined to finish in a Champions League place. These passionate and pretty misguided comments followed Inter’s capitulation against Atalanta last week, a match in which we saw all of Inter’s recent failings: defensive uncertainty, bad organisation, an apparent lack of a plan. Andrea Stramaccioni’s lack of attacking options has become almost comical. Antonio Cassano is injured, joining Rodrigo Palacio and Diego Milito on the sidelines. With Ezequiel Schelotto suspended, this means that the coach will be entirely dependent on Ricky Alvarez and Tommaso Rocchi. One hugely inconsistent, the other ageing.

      Cagliari have been playing well under Ivo Pulga, and their strikeforce of the revelation Marco Sau and the rejuventaed Mauricio Pinilla look to have a good understanding. I can’t understand why Cagliari are as big as 2.94 for the win here, and couldn’t make Inter favourites as they currently are on Betfair; Cagliari 3.0 for the win, Inter 2.6. Cagliari may be in the bottom half of the table, but they have won their last three home games against Torino, Sampdoria and Fiorentina, and this Inter team, with injury problems to the fore, is no better than any of those sides. Cagliari are an outstanding bet.

      Recommended Bet

      Back Cagliari to beat Inter @

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory
      Sunday 08:00

      It’s the second of the semi-finals in Australia and it couldn’t be simpler. The winner books themselves a place in next weekend’s Grand Final against the Wanderers, with the losers having to deal with falling at the final hurdle.

      High pressure and high drama is assured as the Victory travel to the Bluetounge Stadium on Sunday morning with it all to play for…

      The Mariners have had to use their squad to its fullest in recent weeks. Playing four games in sixteen days hasn’t come at the best of times in terms of preparation for this semi-final. With Graham Arnold shuffling the pack intelligently in their midweek AFC Champions League fixture, he has a strong and fresh selection of first team regulars chomping at the bit to secure a Grand Finals spot next Sunday.

      The most notable absentee from Tuesday’s loss to Guizhou Renhe was golden boot winner and prolific striker Daniel McBreen. With a week’s rest under his belt as well as two goals in his last two outings, he is sure to be prominent in the waves of Mariners pressure that is expected in Gosport.

      Another man missing the trip to China was midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who has arguably been the A-League stand-out player this season. Chipping in with six goals, three assists and being an ever present in the starting eleven, the Kiwi has had his best season to date with the Mariners.

      With the record of playing the most finals series matches out of any team in history (sixteen) means the experience of the hosts will be invaluable, but the fact that only four of these have ended in victory will no doubt be present in their sub-conscious – something Arnold will no doubt try and use as an extra incentive for his side.

      After an extra time victory over Perth in their elimination final, Melbourne Victory will no doubt feel relieved to be a part of semi-final weekend. After trailing at home for 90 minutes, an added time penalty converted by Mark Milligan was enough to force extra time, where a 94th minute winner scored by Archie Thompson sealed the 2-1 Victory at the AAMI Park. A more convincing performance will be needed to over-turn a confident Mariners outfit, and coach Postecoglou knows his defence are a constant concern.

      Leaking 45 goals in the regular season and still finishing in third place was quite the achievement for the Victory. With personnel changes in the back four on a weekly basis it has proven hard for Postecoglou to know what his best formation is. After losing this fixture 6-2 earlier on in the season, it would be naive of the Victory boss to hope to outscore the hosts, but with youngster Marco Rojas having a dream season in front of goal, he might well be relied upon heavily come Sunday morning.

      The history books have these two sides down as inseparable. With nine Victory wins, eight Mariners wins and seven draws you would be forgiven for thinking this one could go to penalties. However with the form Mariners are in as well as the hold they have had over their visitors in this season’s clashes, I can see Mariners nicking this one and sealing their place in next Sunday’s Grand Final.

      Recommended Bet
      Back the Mariners win @ 1.74
      Back 3-1 @ 14.5

      PSV vs Ajax
      Sunday 15:30

      It’s squeaky bum time in the Netherlands. With four points separating the top four teams in the Eredivisie, points mean prizes in the last five games of the season and its Ajax’s to throw away. With a three point lead over their hosts PSV going into this fixture, reigning champions Ajax will know that avoiding defeat could go a long way to securing their 32nd Dutch title.

      PSV have spent a majority of this season in top spot. With a relentless strike force scoring 88 goals paired with a competent defence, it looked like Dick Advocaat had the formulae spot on to stroll to their first title since 2008. Recent losses at the hands of teams like Zwolle and Heerenveen however have raised many eyebrows at the title credentials of Eindhoven, with many suggesting they have bottled their major chance.

      With a plethora of striking options, Advocaat has had to rotate upfront all season. With eight forwards finding the net this season, it’s a headache that has been welcomed in Eindhoven especially seeing the results it has had on the pitch. Lens, Matavz and Wijnaldum all started last weekend away to Williem II with a 3-1 victory and will hope to keep their place in Sunday’s starting line up.

      Without back to back victories in nine games, PSV have allowed Ajax to cruise to top spot after five wins on the spin, and with the season coming to an exciting climax it couldn’t have come at a better time. Hitting top spot for the first time four weeks ago, Frank de Boer’s men look to be peaking at the perfect time and with a favourable run in they look in a strong position to defend their Dutch crown.

      With a midfield consisting of Siem de Jong and Christian Eriksen in top form, this partnership has become the envy of the rest of the league, if not Europe. With nineteen goals between them along with eighteen assists, they have been instrumental in Ajax’s successes so far this season.

      With the league’s best strike force coming up against the best midfield, expect this to be a high tempo frantic affair. A home win would see PSV edge above their visitors on goal difference, where as an away win would see Ajax go six clear of PSV with four to play. With Vitesse and Feyenoord both facing tricky away ties, Ajax could well have one hand back on their Eredivisie title come Sunday evening.

      Recommended Bet:
      Back Ajax to win @ 3.2
      Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.5

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Estudiantes are worth a lay at home to Martin Palermo’s Godoy Cruz on Sunday…

      Over December and January, the off-season in Argentine football centred around one man, Carlos Bianchi, and wondering if Boca Juniors’ most successful manager could bring back the glories to La Bombonera.

      He brought back Juan Román Riquelme, which was a symbolic glory but everything else has faltered for the Larry David lookalike while two of his former charges – and Boca legends – Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Martín Palermo have excelled in their first managerial posts.

      While Barros Schelotto – assisted by twin brother Gustavo – has Lanús sitting pretty atop the league, the Granate are a well-run side from Buenos Aires that have been in the top-of-the-table mix for the last few seasons, for Martín Palermo in the footballing outpost of Mendoza it has been a lot more difficult.

      Argentine football has always been very centralised with thirteen of this year’s twenty top flight sides coming from Buenos Aires province, and that being a fairly low mark historically. Mendoza, a city in the Andean foothills that is closer to the Pacific Ocean than the Atlantic, is better-known for wine than football, but Godoy Cruz is the city’s biggest club and one that has made much more of a splash in recent years.

      Palermo’s arrival at the start of this season was a gamble, but one that looks to have paid off with the Tomba only three points off the top after eight games and now showing any signs of slowing down. Defeat to leaders Lanús was their first and only loss so far this season and although their fixture list does have the appearance of one front-loaded with the easier games, you can only beat what is put in front of you and Palermo’s men have done just that.

      Their lucky run of games may end this weekend if the new manager ‘bounce’ takes effect at Estudiantes with Mauricio Pellegrino taking over at the club. A former Barcelona, Valencia and Liverpool defender, Pellegrino’s first senior coaching role (after being assistant at both Liverpool and Internazionale) didn’t really work out in Valencia and he was sacked on December 1 2012.

      Given a chance in his homeland, the only way is up for Estu under Pellegrino stewardship and the fear for Palermo will be that his one-time Argentina teammate’s arrival in La Plata will boost their faltering side enough to take the points on Sunday.

      To give some perspective of how poor Estudiantes have been, club legend Juan Sebastián Verón is looking into a return from his playing retirement in order to help the club, a desperate and embarrassing move that could see the 39 year-old rejoining the squad after an operation to fix an existing knee issue.

      The key man for them at the moment is Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, whose four strikes mean that he has contributed 50% of the club’s goals this season. But considering Godoy Cruz have scored just one more this season and are twelve points better off, it rather suggests that the problem lies elsewhere.

      Match odds

      Without a win this season, there is no way that Estudiantes should be 2.4 to win this game.

      Yes, Pellegrino may have an impact as new managers often do but equally he could take time to implement his methods in a squad that has been in a rut for some time now, arguably since Alejandro Sabella (now manager of Argentina) left the club in February 2011. The club have now gone through five managers since.

      Godoy Cruz have been up and down in recent weeks but they don’t like likely to lose this one, and 3.2 is big for them with the lay of the home side worth consideration or backing the visitors on the Asian Handicap 0&+0.5 at 1.85.

      Goals

      Estudiantes are one of only six sides whose games have averaged over 2.5 goals apiece this season, and three of their eight games have gone over that mark while they’ve had no goalless draws.

      Godoy Cruz have had a better defence, and this is reflected in their average of just 1.88 goals per game including two games that didn’t trouble the scorers.

      There’s no huge support for either over or under 2.5 goals, but with a price as big as 2.46 for the overs you’d lean that way on a purely value basis.

      Other bets

      For whatever reason, Martin Palermo’s men don’t start games too well and if every match this season had finished at half time then they’d be down in the bottom half.

      On the strength of that statistic there is some temptation in Draw/Godoy Cruz on the HT/FT market at 7.4 or even Estudiantes/Godoy Cruz at a whopping 50.0 if they’re to overturn a deficit at the break – just as they did on their last away trip, at San Martín.

      Best bet: Lay Estudiantes @ 2.6
      Other bets: Back Draw/Godoy Cruz on HT/FT @ 7.4

      Milesey

    • Milesey 11 years ago

      Sassuolo vs Brescia
      Saturday 14:00

      First up on Saturday we’ve got action from Italy’s Serie B as Sassuolo and Brescia fight for promotion to the top flight.

      After missing out on the automatic promotion spots by one place last year Sassuolo have been the standout team in Serie B this season. They’ve enjoyed a glorious campaign and look likely to be on their way to Serie A for the very first time.

      The ‘Neroverdi’ have led the way nearly all season but a recent wobble has seen their lead cut down to six points. They are no longer cruising to the title the way they were a month ago. They’re now without a win in four and last weeks loss to Novara has made the unthinkable possible.

      Due to their stadium being revamped they’ve played their home fixtures up the road in Modena at the Stadio Alberto Braglia and it’s been a happy adopted home; they’ve only suffered one loss there so far this season. A lot of that success has been down to their rock solid defence, only conceding nine in their seventeen home matches played so far.

      As well as a tight defence they’re the top scorers in the league, they have three strikers in double figures including eighteen year old Domenico Berardi who has caught the attention of lots of Europe’s top clubs, Alex Ferguson is said to be keeping a keen eye on his progression.

      With seven games to go and a six point lead Sassuolo are firmly expected to be mixing it with the big boys next year but they’ll have to snap out of their sloppy spell and get a few more decent results to get over the line.

      Brescia have a much harder task on their hands to reach the promised land. Sitting in seventh they are hoping a strong end to the campaign will clinch a promotion playoff spot.

      Coach Alessandro Calori and ‘The Swallows’ are on a strong run, especially on their travels, they’ve won three from four away and shouldn’t be intimidated by facing the league leaders.

      Striker Daniele Corvia is their main threat, signed from Lecce in the summer he leads the way with twelve goals so far. He was on target when these two met in Brescia back in November. That match ended in a draw and considering the form of these teams a repeat at 3.35 seems tempting.

      However I expect Sassuolo to get back on track on Saturday. Their stuttering form has gone on too long, Coach Eusebio di Francesco will have his team fired up and they should get another good result in Modena.

      Recommended Bet:
      Back Sassuolo to win @ 2.06
      Back Sassuolo to win 2-1 @ 9

      FC Midtjylland vs AC Horsens
      Saturday 16:00

      Next we’re off to Denmark and a relegation scrap between Midtjylland and Horsens. These two finished third and fourth last year but have both struggled this time, staying in the Superliga is all that matters now.

      ‘The Wolves’ of Midtjylland are draw specialists in Denmark, ten already and seven have them have been at home. If they could have turned a few of those draws into wins they wouldn’t be in such a precarious situation.

      They currently occupy eight place but are only four points above the drop zone. The good news for them is they are playing at home this Saturday. They certainly haven’t been in scintillating form at the MCH Arena but they have proved hard to beat there; they’ve only been turned over twice there all year and are unbeaten in five.

      Midfielders Petter Andersson and Mads Albaek have been the star performers and should carry the heaviest danger to the Horsens defence.

      Oddly despite Horsens awful season and perilous league position their defence has been pretty impressive. Despite sitting second from bottom and currently heading for the drop they have actually conceded less goals than any other team on the road in Denmark this season.

      Their problems are at the other end of the pitch; they’re the lowest scorers in the league and no single player has found the net more than three times. As a team they have failed to score in five of their last six matches. Toothless.

      All is not lost for Horsens though, with so many other teams in close proximity they just need a couple of positive results to pull clear. If they win on Saturday they will pull Midtjylland within a point. It’s apt then that their nickname is ‘Yellow Danger’, a couple more losses and it’ll be ‘red alert’. Manager Johnny Molby, cousin of Jan, needs to get his team playing before it’s too late.

      With this one it’s impossible to ignore the form. Horsens have lost eight out of ten and five in a row away in the league. Midtjylland have only suffered one loss in nine at home and are coming off a decent win last weekend, they must be favoured.

      Recommended Bet:
      Back Midtjylland to win @ 2.04
      Back against both teams to score @ 1.84

      Milesey

  30. Stephen Miller 11 years ago

    putting the the £30 i won on Palmerias on Cska Moscow top of the league on an amazing run 21/20 .

  31. Danny 11 years ago

    Stephen I mentioned it earlier somewhere its an incredibly tight game the two of them are on similar great form in the last 15 league games CSKA have taken 37 points from 45 available and Dinamo have taken 35 points from the 45 available should be some game and if you want to tune into it too make your bet more interesting its live on ESPN good luck

  32. AL 11 years ago

    SOUTHAMPTON @ 19/20
    WATFORD @ 29/20
    BOURNEMOUTH @ 1/1
    PETERHEAD @ 17/10

    £20 pays £520 with betvictor

  33. Danny 11 years ago

    HAHA My Home Town At Its Absolute Finest

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHRI8PnDqAA

  34. the chief 11 years ago

    With Thomas not starting switched bet to

    Redmond to score anytime 11/2 @ coral

    good luck if your having a bet

  35. Patrick 11 years ago

    Fc Eindhoven 3-0 Emmen after 20 minutes, wtf is going on!! Eindhoven are supposed to be getting the drubbing, what a strange and unexpected scoreline.

    • Patrick 11 years ago

      Hilariously, Bet365 are only giving 12/1 the draw and 22/1 Ememn win lol!

    • Mr Fixit 11 years ago

      Patrick, I can’t agree more. It’s a strange one indeed.

  36. Elliott 11 years ago

    Early Morning Tip:

    06:00 Kick Off

    Yokohama FM v Kawasaki Frontale

    Japan J League

    Yokohama have played 5, won 5 – scoring 17 and conceding 6. Top of the table.

    Kawasaki have played 5, drawn 3 and lost 2. Both losses were away.

    Back Yokohama @ 1.95.

  37. weordie 11 years ago

    just jumped on and saw the FC Eindhoven score… wow, did not expect that. Football huh?

  38. Danny 11 years ago

    well that’s Rosenborg burst me I shall bid you all farewell good luck with the rest of this evenings betting opportunities

  39. Tony 11 years ago

    Cheers for the silkeborg advice mate. 2 down 3 to go. U drinking Danny bro

  40. Danny 11 years ago

    naw mate am no drinking just trying to get to sleep but its so clammy and uncomfortable

    Goal Scorers
    Max Kruse – Freiburg BOOM
    Rory Patterson – Derry BOOM
    Andreas Haddad – Brommapojkarna BOOM

    dae I put it on course not I get wasted of a rosenborg side at odds of 1.30 one day I will learn lol

  41. Tony 11 years ago

    I mate nothing worse than the clamy patter.
    Good tips was on this morning then went out mate.
    Took silkeborg, broompakjarna, and st etienne, shamrock longford. a was going to Rosenborg. But never botherd when a picked ma winnings up. Never botherd till 6 the night

    • Danny 11 years ago

      al keep and eye on them unless a faw asleep Longford in danger down 2 10 men

  42. Bayo 11 years ago

    NEED ANGERS to score and win 83MINS GONE…..

  43. weordie 11 years ago

    oaft… the dutch second division has swung completely the other way for btts lately eh

  44. Greg Browning 11 years ago

    A night of really strange results so far! Betis v Seville is going to make it all better though! :)

  45. Tony 11 years ago

    A seen that mate. Not lookin likely we shall c. U on the swally the Mora mate

    • Danny 11 years ago

      just seen they St Etienne mugs done you bad turn mate aye al be on the swally the night mate one of the group from the casino is having a 50th Party so that will good plus am celebrating my new job so bring on the madness

  46. Craig alves 11 years ago

    Elliot, took ur tip on yokohoma mate hopefully wake up to a winner ;)

    • Willie McGuire 11 years ago

      Craig / Elliot

      Am also on them as Ive backed them a few times already.

      Recommend 2 singles on Yokohama & on the -1 handicap!

  47. Greg Browning 11 years ago

    Betis v Seville would make it all better I said!(hoped£

    Did Over 2.5 goals and Over 3.5 goals

    Up by half time – glorious :)

  48. the chief 11 years ago

    FULL TIME SCORE

    ST Helens 12 Catlan 22

    Happy days!!!

  49. pedro 11 years ago

    The angers game beat my btts to score line. 430 down the tubes. Gutted.

  50. 1plus2 11 years ago

    Mr F i would just like to say what a great job is being done on this site and for the amount of chances to win some free bets is also well appreciated just need tae win some of them now lol

  51. Tony 11 years ago

    Well done Danny boy on the new job mate. Didn’t know if u had it or not cause u never mentioned it mate. Wait till u get your 1st pay mate u will be putting on a big single. Well done on the job mate

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Get £20 In Free Bets at The Pools

18+, UK only. Deposit and place a £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you £20 in free bets. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport& 1x Virtuals. Cashed out, Void or ‘Draw No Bet’ wagers do not qualify for this promotion. Free bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. Full T&Cs apply.

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