IT'S a Bank Holiday in England but there are no Bank Holiday fixtures outside the Blue Square Premier.
In Scotland it's not a Bank Holiday but we do have typical Bank Holiday weather.
So instead of hitting the golf course I'll be hitting the keyboard and trying to come up with some midweek winners.
There are a couple of games in Spain that complete week two in La Liga – a weekend that's seen both teams score in every fixture and Real Madrid lose to fall five points behind leaders Barcelona already.
Tonight it's Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao and Real Valladolid and Levante with Atletico at 9pm and the other kicking off earlier at 7pm.
I'm focusing on the later match first as that throws up memories of the Europa League final where Atletico beat Athletic 3-0.
It was a one-sided final and you have to fear the worst for Athletic whose squad is danger of being torn up with Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez set for moves with others possibly following.
Athletic made the worst possible start to the season with a 5-3 defeat at home to Real Betis, losing three goals inside 31 minutes then fighting back to 3-3 before committing more defensive suicide.
They recovered to hammer HJK Helsinki 6-0 in the Europa League but by all accounts they could have scored 15 against a side that was totally out of its depth.
So you have to fancy Atletico to win and they are a best 8-13 at Ladbrokes and Betfred. Falcao netted four times against Athletic last season, including two in the Euro final, and the Brazilian is 16-5 at Paddy Power to score first and 1-1 with boylesports to net at any time.
Levante's squad is intact apart from the loss of striker Aroune Kone to Wigan and they should be too strong for Valladolid. BetVictor's 11-4 looks a tad big and you can take that or the double chance which is less risky at 5-6 with Paddy Power.
Elsewhere there are games scattered across Europe and I like the look of Sporting Lisbon at
4-9 with Stan James at home to Rio Ave. Sporting have hung on to their starts including Ricky van Wolfswinkel who is 15-4 at Ladbrokes and bet365 to hit the opener.
Rio ave scored just 10 goals on their travels last season and have lost five in a row to nil at Sporting. Another win to nil for the Lisbon side pays a best 6-5 at bet365.
I'd suggest a double on Atletico and Sporting but to make it a treble you could add Swedes Malmo at home to Sundsvall. Malmo sit second in the table and remain unbeaten at home in nine games this season. Last time the sides met the home side won 6-0 but my only concern is that 4-11 at Ladbrokes is a bit short.
In the Blue Square Premier the best bet looks to be promotion hopefuls Luton who are 8-11 (various) away to Ebbsfleet and Macclesfield (4-6, various) at home to Barrow.
Recommendations
Falcao to score first
(16-5, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes)
Levante
(11-4, BetVictor)
Van Wolfswinkel to score first
(15-4, Ladbrokes, bet365)
Top Treble
Atletico Madrid (9pm)
Sporting Lisbon (8.15pm)
Macclesfield (3pm)
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.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Alright Paul,wot u think about Atletico Madrid 2 win and 3 or 4 goals in the game? I’m on it at 23/10 with PP
Jonathan, it’s a tough double to land but I could see it. Gives you chance of 2-1, 3-1 or even 3-0 Atletico and those are the scores I’d favour. But then it could be 2-0 and you’re beat which is why I’m happy with Atletico doubled up with Sporting then a treble with Atletico, Sporting and Levante +1.
Took the atletico, sporting and malmo treble. Also done sporting -1 and malmo -1 double.
Joe, Malmo have left it late but hopefully that’s the winner.
Cheers Paul,think i’ll add them in2 a double or treble then,hopefully get them both up :)
withdrew what was needed out acc last night but left £3.20 in for mid wk bets.
malmo -2
oster
ath mad/bilbao BTTS
levante +1
sporting
£1 on for £27 tonight
leeds
swansea
sunderland
dunferline
anderlecht
everton
£2.20 for £15 bak, league cup dodgy but missed out games what i hope is the shocks of the round
Collected my money from the bookies this morning and lost it all in the roulette machine within 10 mins. I’ll never learn.
Chris, I never touch them but it’s easy to do.
2-0 now :D
Two goals in the last three minutes. Nice.
gutter seeing oster come bak to win 4-2 and malmo 2-0 wi late gls, gettin 2 greedy a hink.
well done joe, wish id done done the same bet wi -1 haha
Phew!! Malmo left it late but they two goals keep my double treble alive!!
*double AND treble :)
Chris i work with a guy who asked ALL his local shops not to let him on them. Seen him take thousands at times but also seen him pumping crazy money in loadsa times!
Unlucky craig hope its no the only one that beats u. Hate it when that happens :(
Just a single on falcao 1st goal 3/1 for me…good luck
Peter, Falcao’s the man.
1-0 rio ave afer 40 mins-jailbait :(
Paul, it’s a surprise score. Hopefully they’ll get it sorted in the second half.
Hes absolutely brilliant Paul..,great determation for the 2nd goal:) he will win people a lot of money this season!
Nice one with falcao paul and peter. Watchin sporting game online – just not happening for them tonight.
Athletic must b sick of the sight of Falcao,lol
Hat trick for Falcao,lol. Really hope Atletico take their foot off the gas now
Atletico Madrid have been fantastic tonight. I was on them half time full time but wishing now I had done the handicaps as that’s what I usually tend to bet. Can’t complain though.
I have ear-marked a treble for midweek, Partick Thistle, Dunfermline and Rangers. You can get 2/7 Dunfermline with Ladbrokes. Elsewhere they’re as short as 1/7 so be careful.
I will also be betting Rangers on the handicaps against Falkirk as I expect a reaction from them after such a poor performance against Berwick. You can get 2/1 minus 2 goals with Paddy Power.
Paul, I look forward to reading your tips for midweek.
Good luck everyone!
James, I looked at the handicaps too but in the end did Falcao as my main bet. Can’t see Rangers -2 coming up to be honest but I’ll be on Dunfermline, Hibs and Ross County and like the look of Partick Thistle at Hamilton.
a got 4/11 on dunfermline at betvictor, never touched rangers for obvious reasons. can see few shocks and draws tomorrow but hopefully av no picked any of them, prob only get half right tho haha