WHEN I started looking at the weekend card I was really struggling to pick homes, not just value ones, but homes of any sort.
It wasn't until I noticed the amount of games arranged for Friday that I began to realise why.
There are matches scheduled tonight and at first glance I saw as many homes from them as from the 39 on Saturday.
So let's start with Liverpool v Newcastle and although the result that jumps out is draw I'm going to take a chance on the Reds.
Bad luck and poor finishing has been blamed for a home record that reads played 9, won 3, drawn 6.
Kenny Dalglish's men have been held by the likes of Swansea, Norwich and worse of all Blackburn last time out.
However, against better opponents the pressure of having to win may ease and I'm thinking Liverpool may raise their game for a Newcastle side who climbed out of a six-game mini slump by winning at Bolton.
Andy Carroll will get a chance to show he's not a waste of money against the side who sold him for £35million and even more important is the likely return to skipper Steven Gerrard.
A 1-1 draw is statistically the most likely scoreline but I'm taking a chance on Liverpool to win, maybe 2-1.
Carroll is 6-1 at bet365 to score first with Gerrard, sure to take penalties after Charlie Adam became the latest Anfield ace to miss, is 7-1 at William Hill and Chandler. Gerrard is 2-1 with William Hill to score.
The imperious Demba Ba is 8-1 with the likes of William Hill and Betfred and that's big enough to allow consideration of him to net at any time at 11-4 with William Hill and bet365.
To win Liverpool are 4-7 (various) with Newcastle 6-1 at Chandler and the draw 3-1 with the same firm.
When you consider Liverpool conceded to Blackburn you've got to think Newcastle will at least score and both sides to hit the target pays 11-10 at Ladbrokes.
The one game in the Championship sees leaders Southampton tackle a Bristol City side who beat them early on in Derek McInnes' reign.
Saints will be desperate for revenge and should get it against a side who haven't won since that shock result. City have drawn two and lost three and are struggling to escape from a drop-zone battle that looked like it wouldn't involve them.
At home Saints have still only dropped points to Blackpool and I like them at 4-9 (various). Top scorer Rickie Lambert is 10-3 with bet365 and Coral to break the deadlock.
Huddersfield, 8-11 with the likes of William Hill and Chandler, are another side who should win at home to Carlisle but they have been less reliable than Saints. However, with Jordan Rhodes back on form, hitting five in two games, they should have too much up front for a Carlisle side that's conceded eight goals in four games but lost just one in five.
The other League One clash sees Bury, who have been away specialists this season with six wins compared to three at home, visit a Tranmere side who have lost six in a row. Bury have netted seven in their last two away games at Scunthorpe and Walsall and look good value at
12-5 at Chandler.
There are four games in League Two and leaders Crawley should bounce back from their shock defeat at home to Gillingham by seeing off a Barnet side who have failed to score in their last two away games. Crawley are 4-11 with firms such as William Hill and Paddy Power.
Cheltenham have moved to within three points of Crawley and can add three more points at home to Rotherham. Theyare 11-10 with William Hill and Blue Square.
Gillingham will be without Luke Rooney, sent off at Crawley, and have a lengthy injury list so might not be the away fancy the look at Dagenham.
The Daggers are unbeaten in three after bringing in a couple of loan signings and could cause a minor upset. They are 13-5 at Blue Square.
Finally, Accrington head for Hereford on a run of four wins on the bounce. Hereford have lost five out of six so consider the away at 7-5 with Coral.
Recommendations
Both to score at Liverpool
(11-10, Ladbrokes)
Bury
(12-5, Chandler)
Southampton/Crawley double
(Pays £19.60 to a £10 stake at Chandler)
Lambert to score first
(10-3, bet365, Coral)
Accrington
(7-5, Coral)
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 
liverpool draw bury gillingham cheltenham and accrington my accumulator for tonight.
Jamie, it’s a cracker if it comes up. Mostly what I’ve tipped but not too sure about the Liverpool game. I hope you’ve permed it with the big prices, worth doing.
what you mean? yeah be a decent return if it comes up.
as singles doubles and trebles? or a patent?
I’d perm them so they come up if you get one wrong, either three and all four or four and all five.