A STAGGERED winter break for Premier League clubs means four matches this weekend and no 3pm kick-offs today.
That's a nightmare scenario for acca backers who, with a growing need for cashout offers, prefer games to start at the same time.
Everton v Crystal Palace is the early KO and at 5.30pm it's Brighton v Watford and if pushed I'd take wins for Everton and Watford.
After a great start under Nigel Pearson the Hornets are winless in four including an FA Cup defeat at Tranmere when they fielded a reserve side.
More frustrating were defeats at home to Everton and at Aston Villa when they conceded late winners after leading.
It means Watford are back in the drop zone but just three points adrift of today's opponents who are 15th.
So it's another of those six-pointers and with Brighton having won one out of seven at home Watford will fancy their chances.
Their last win was 3-0 at fellow strugglers Bournemouth and a repeat of that display would land an away win at 5-2 with boylesports and those odds are too big.
I can't rule out a draw so for me best bet is Watford draw no bet at 17-10 with Marathonbet.
Crystal Palace are winless in seven so that explains why Everton are as short as 13-20 with Unibet.
The Toffees should win but it takes a lot to trust them at that price so consider Brazilian forward Richarlison to score as an option at 11-8 with bet365.
Tomorrow I expect Man City to give West Ham a bit of a doing. It was 5-0 to the champs at the London Stadium on day one and bringing in Davie Moyes hasn't improved things with their only points in six home draws against Everton and Brighton.
The Hammers chucked away a two-goal lead against Brighton to draw 3-3 and look fragile defensively.
Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne and Co could run riot. City are of course short at 1-9 so look at City -2 at 5-6 with Paddy Power or even -3 at 21-10.
Sheffield United take on Bournemouth at home in the other top-flight affair and you have to fancy the Blades at 3-4 with Coral.
Bournemouth have climbed out of the drop zone with wins against Villa and Brighton but both were at home and on the road they've suffered.
In the tough to call Championship one side I like are Brentford at home to Middlesbrough. The Bees bounced back from defeats at home to Leicester and Nottm Forest to thrash Hull 5-1.
Boro have drawn four and lost two of their last six and while they are better than their lowly league positions suggests I like the home at 3-5 with Marathonbet.
Second-place Leeds' catastrophic run continued with defeat at home to Wigan and they face a tough trip to Nottingham Forest in the late game.
Forest are up to fourth – four points behind their hosts – and tackle a side that's suffered four defeats in five. The home must come into play at 3-1 with Betfred while Forest draw no bet is 2-1 at Marathonbet.
In League One Sunderland should beat an Ipswich side that's lost two in a row. They are 23-20 with Ladbrokes.
Peterborough can make it five wins on the spin at home to Oxford who lost a couple of key men during the window. Best price on the Posh is 11-10 at Betway.
Recommended Bets
- Watford draw no bet at Brighton (17-10, Marathonbet) – 5.30pm
- Man City -3 at home to West Ham (21-10, Paddy Power) – Sunday
- Nottm Forest at home to Leeds (3-1, Betfred)
- Sunderland at home to Ipswich (23-20, Ladbrokes)
- Peterborough at home to Oxford (11-10, Betway)
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.
