IT'S not a week I'm a big fan of – dominated by international friendlies and with some Johnstone Paint Trophy matches thrown in.
However, it got off to a flying start with two 7-2 winners on Monday night thanks to Wycombe draw no bet and Matt McClure to score.
So I can approach the rest of the week knowing my bank balance won't be any lower than it was when I started – but hopefully it goes even higher.
We've reached the regional final stage of the FA Trophy with Coventry taking on Crewe in the Northern first leg and Orient facing Southend in the South.
Now it's not a tournament treated too seriously in the early rounds but with teams now just one step from a lucrative trip to Wembley the stakes are higher.
Orient sit mid-table in League One and face a Southend side battling to stay in the League Two play-off places so there won't be much between the teams.
However, Orient should be slightly stronger and with owner Barry Hearn saying he'd love to take his club to Wembley I can see them landing a first-leg knockout punch. Orient are a best 11-10 at BetVictor while Southend are 3-1 with Ladbrokes.
I won't be punting much on either tie but in the second final Coventry are 19-20 at Coral to edge out League One rivals Crewe.
Just four points separate these sides and Crewe won 1-0 at home in the league so again there shouldn't be too much in it.
I'm more tempted by some of the league action on tonight and I've already mentioned Colchester at home to Swindon.
Colchester have won their last two and look on the up after finally clearing the relegation zone. They shocked Swindon 1-0 at the County Ground and now entertain a club in all sorts of trouble.
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio saw deals for three players blocked by the league while the club's takeover issue was resolved and discovered his best player had been sold behind his back to raise much-needed cash.
He took 14 fit players to Crawley and drew 1-1 at the weekend and says he has 13 players available for the trip to Colchester.
It's a dire situation and although those 13 might perform well the fact they are travelling to an on-form Colchester makes them incredibly tempting at 17-5 with BetVictor. You can even have Colchester draw no bet at 15-8 with BetVictor.
In League Two leaders Port Vale should be OK at 8-15 with Coral at home to Wimbledon. Vale have won four out of six and have netted 11 goals in four matches.
Wimbledon are unbeaten in five, drawing their last three, so they should make it harder for Vale than Accrington did at the weekend as they went down 3-0. Still, Vale might be worth a look at 11-8 minus one with bet365 and Skybet.
Recommendations
Colchester
(17-5, BetVictor)
Port Vale -1
(11-8, bet365, Skybet)
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.
3 singles for today:
ENGLAND U21 V sweden u21 / ENGLAND U21 WIN @4/7
STEVENAGE FC V Notts co / STEVENAGE FC WIN @7/5
COLCHESTER UTD V swindon / COLCHESTER WIN @11/4
and a double:
STEVENAGE FC 7/5
COLCHESTER UTD 11/4
Milesey.
Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish has left the club by mutual consent after just over just 40 days in charge.
Milesey, I noticed that. I was surprised when he was appointed but not surprised he’s left after the owner tried to get him to sign players he didn’t want on deadline day. No matter who you are you can’t turn it around in seven games.
He does it to all the Midlands clubs though, so who is next WEST BROM ?
Milesey
S T E V E N A G E
STEVENAGE
S T E V E N A G E
STEVENAGE
Milesey, good win for your boys but I should learn not to touch Johnstone Paint games and Swindon did well with all of their problems.
Yeovil are the team to be on tonight,as Mrfixit has said they have won last 5 and have taken some big scalps during their recent unbeaten run including Sheff utd,Mk Dons and Brentford whilst conceding only 2 goals in last 6 games,Oldham who they face tonight have been on a terrible run in the league,losing last 4 and not having won in last 9,very confident in backing YEOVIL tonight at huge odds of 15/8.They are the standout bet tonight.
Oldham Athletic will hold a pitch inspection at 13:00 GMT before their League One game at home to Yeovil Town.
Provided a layer of snow can be removed from the surface and there is no further snowfall at Boundary Park, Oldham are optimistic that the game will go ahead.
Milesey, just nipping out in the snow! I’ll hold off betting any advise others to do the same until we see if it passes the inspection.
A team many of you will not know about but are a cracking bet is Cliftonville in the N.Ireland lg,they have won their last 4 games and have only lost once in last 18 and not drawn in 9,theyve already beaten the team they face tonight Coleraine 3-1 back in december and beat them 5-1 away from home in september, they are worth a big bet at home at odds of around 4/7,id consider a double with my above tip.
Sean, I’ve got to say I don’t have time to follow Irish football but that looks good advice.
I reckon Roy Keane will be in with a shout for the forest job
Billy Davies 7/4
Nigel Adkins 3/1
Roy Keane 7/2
Alan Curbishley 20/1, i don’t know why he hasn’t got back into management, always on the betting on every managers position that comes up.
Milesey
Glen Hoddle seen at the City ground this afternoon – a contact of mine coaches the U14’s at Forest – might be nothing but you never know…….
Eddie, I’d be surprised if Keane wanted it. Sounds like one to avoid in current climate.
Games at Oldham, sheff utd & Stirling are postponed.
Was going to dbl Yeovil with Colchester, either a single now or possibly a dbl with port vale
Darren, I’ll update top tips but has made a poor night a bit poorer.
Just on leyton orient tonight..pretty sure over 2.5 goals in cliftonville game
cliftonville in this second half are playing with the wind expect at least another 2 goals
Conor, some teams play better with the wind in their face because they can hold the ball up but whatever Cliftonville have got this one in the bag. Shame about Coventry though.
The mighty Stevo!! Lol