ALLOA did me proud last week when I made them them the headline act – and today's unsung heroes could be little Burton.
Nigel Clough's men started life in the Championship with two narrow defeats but found their feet to beat one of the promotion favourites Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 at home in midweek. The result should give Burton belief – and that's something that's sadly lacking at Blackburn.
As soon as he landed the job Rovers fans were calling for his head and Coyle's talking about the fear of being booted after starting the season with three Championship defeats.
To be fair to the Scot he's probably landed in the wrong job at the wrong time with so many off-field troubles at a club that not so long ago won the Premier League.
On the field his side have conceded nine even if three have been own goals by Shane Duffy, a Celtic transfer target, and the centre-half won't be involved today which is a blow … to Burton.
As it stands Rovers are heading to League One and Burton look a big price at 12-6 with bet365. If you want less risk consider Burton draw no bet at 6-5 with William Hill and McBookie.
In the Premier League all of the big guns are away today with Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea odds on and Arsenal facing a test at Leicester.
A treble on City, Pool and Chelsea pays 4-1 at Paddy Power and the only one I'd worry about is Pep Guardiola's side at Stoke. I'm sure he's done his homework – maybe spoken to Arsene Wenger – but it's bound to a culture shock.
However, if City play as they did in Romania in midweek when Sergio Aguero rattled in a hat-trick after missing two penalties they should win. Best bet is Aguero to score at evens with Ladbrokes and William Hill.
I tipped Liverpool to win at Arsenal last week and barring a late scare they were magnificent. Next up is a visit to Burnley who lost at home to Swansea first time out. Instead of backing Liverpool at 3-5 with Betfred look at Jurgen Klopp's men to net 2+ at 4-6 at McBookie or 3+ at 5-2.
Chelsea need a last-gasp Diego Costa goal to see off West Ham and are 3-4 with William Hill to follow up with another three points.
If this was last season game of the day would be Leicester v Arsenal but both sides started with defeats. The Gunners did the double against the champs last season, winning 5-2 at the King Power. I'm on goals again with over 3.5 paying 15-8 at Paddy Power.
Spurs should see off Crystal Palace at home and elsewhere in the Championship back Sheffield Wednesday at 4-5 with Ladbrokes at home to Leeds, QPR at home to Preston and goals at Huddersfield v Barnsley.
Bets to Consider
Burton
Burton dnb
Aguero to score
Liverpool to score 2+ or 3+
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
As Burton are my 2nd fav team, I keep a good eye on them and try to keep tabs. Prior to their promotion, I did say that Nigel Clough had unfinished business at Burton having started the mammoth task of turning them from a bunch of amateurs ( literally ) creeping up the leagues over a 10 year period leaving them about 17 points clear of the tier below the English 4th tier (Div 2 ) they had 2 or 3 games in hand too. He then joined my beloved Derby.
I think former Derby striker Peschisolidou limped over the line to gain promotion. That was the former Derby mans first managerial job and proved the gulf in experience between the two managers.
Burton coming up was no fluke, over the years they’ve had terrific league and FA cup success and that prize money has been re-invested wisely into slightly better quality year in year out.
I know the way Clough works, he doesn’t go feet first when he gains a league level, he gets in there, he consolidates, gets used to the league, finds his feet, primary focus – league safety and anything else is a bonus. His 2nd season is usually about turning them from a vulnerable club staring at the trapdoor to a team that aims to finish comfortably 12th to 16th – steady progress over years. He plays the long game.
I think only a fool will put cash on Burton for the drop and Tuesdays comfortable home win against a solid championship top 6 side shows they can compete with the best I the league when they need to. Dare I say it but they act a bit like my beloved Derby, they play well against the big sides when they’re expected to collapse in most cases but struggle against the smaller clubs when they should be mopping up the points.
We are at that stage of the league when stats mean nothing, neither does form. Most clubs have several new staff ( except Derby who brought in NOBODY ) and anybody in the opening month can beat anyone. Some players are still mentally on holiday and not as match fit. I look forward to seeing how they progress BUT I think the championship are about where they will get and no further. We could see them in the championship for a handful of seasons, there may be a managerial change but I highly doubt it. But its lovely to see them playing at this level.