THERE are so many markets available these days it's difficult to cover all bases.
As well as win-draw-win markets there are the well-known first scorer, correct score, handicap, over/under and HT betting.
Both teams to score is now one of the most placed bets and there are loads more obscure offerings such as first goal time bands and total goal minutes.
In my weekend Daily Record column I tipped quite a few correct first scorers including Aberdeen's Scott Vernon, Rangers' Nikica Jelavic, Celtic's Gary Hooper and Man United's Wayne Rooney.
That would have made a tidy Lucky 15 win but did I bet it? Did I nick. Anyway buoyed by that success as I go through the English Premier League card tonight I'm going to flag up four players who will make up the Lucky 15 I'm going to attempt on Wednesday.
Although to be fair at the prices you'd need two up to profit so it would be better to leave out the singles and do doubles, trebles and a fourfold (11 bets).
Last night was all about the relegation scrap and it was joy for Bolton and despair for Blackburn.
Tonight it's about the fight for the title with Man City looking to stay top at Christmas.
I was impressed by the way City bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Chelsea to beat Arsenal 1-0.
They could have scored many more than one against the Gunners and with their 100 per cent home record intact d I can't see anything but a home victory against Stoke even though the visitors have won four in a row in the EPL for the first time.
In fact with City no bigger than 1-4 (various) it's worth considering them at minus one at 4-6 with Paddy Power
Picking first scorer is never easy because of the options available to Roberto Mancini but Sergio Aguero is due one so take the Argentine at 7-2 with bet365.
United face a trickier test at Fulham where they have suffered a couple of defeats over the years. However, they look back at their best since being given a reality check following their Champions League exit to Basel.
They swept aside Wolves 4-1 and QPR 2-0 and I can see them winning at Craven Cottage. I like the look of 2-1 or 3-1 with Rooney scoring first after hitting three in two games.
Rooney is 4-1 at Betfred and consider both teams to score at 10-11 at William Hill with Fulham being in decent form especially at home. United are a best 3-4 at William Hill and Fulham 9-2 at Ladbrokes.
Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal's title hopes were over after falling 12 points off the pace but of course their next target is a Champions League place.
They performed well enough at the Etihad to suggest they'll go to Aston Villa and win. Villa have been easily beaten at home to Man Utd and Liverpool in recent weeks without scoring and Saturday's defeat was 2-0 going on seven or eight.
Arsenal could run riot if Villa defend as poorly and having missed out against City take old favourite Robin van Persie at 7-2 with Paddy Power and William Hill to bag the opener. The Gunners are a biggest 4-5 with Coral, William Hill and Paddy Power.
The top-flight shock result of the weekend was Wigan's 1-1 draw with Chelsea but it was well deserved. Next up for Roberto Martinez's side is a visit from Liverpool.
If Wigan repeat Saturday's battling display they can notch another point but if Liverpool play as well as they did at Villa they could be heading home with all three.
When you look at Liverpool's away record it's hard to dimiss their chances. They have won five on the road, at places such as Arsenal and Chelsea, and conceded just seven goals while Wigan have just one home triumph this season.
So risk the Reds at 4-7 with Paddy Power and Ladbrokes and take Luis Suarez to score first before he starts a lengthy ban.
The Uruguayan rattled the Villa woodwork twice and is 9-2 at Chandler to break the deadlock.
The other games look quite close to call. I predicted Newcastle's draw at home to Swansea but the Geordies had enough possession and chances to win a couple of games.
It's now five without a victory for Alan Pardew's men but they can stop the rot at home to West Brom. Newcastle are 20-21 with Chandler and take Demba Ba at 4-1 with Paddy Power to break the deadlock. Like Suarez only the woodwork kept him out at the weekend.
Talking of Swansea they now head to Everton and it could be another low scoring draw between two low scorers. The stalemate pays 14-5 at Chandler.
After one win and one defeat it could be a draw for Martin O'Neill's Sunderland at QPR. This is a biggest 12-5 at Chandler.
Recommendations
Man Utd
(3-4, William Hill)
Man City -1
(4-6, Paddy Power)
Arsenal
(4-5, Coral, William Hill, Ladbrokes
Ist scorer lucky 11
Rooney (Man Utd)
Suarez (Liverpool)
Ba (Newcastle)
Van Persie (Arsenal)
Perm doubles, trebles and a fourfold
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.
