THERE are two massive relegation battles in England and Scotland tonight.
I expect Blackburn's fate to be sealed by Wigan while Dunfermline could take the SPL drop fight to the last day with a win at Hibs.
So let's start with Blackburn v Wigan. Yesterday's results just about sealed Rovers' fate and they need two big wins tonight and away to Chelsea at the weekend to have any chance of staying up.
The Chelsea game is tough but they won't be relishing trying to match up to a Wigan side heading for a great escape.
Wigan's transformation has been amazing with wins over Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle. Roberto Martinez's men deserve to stay up and they are just about there.
I don't see them losing at Ewood Park and I'm willing to risk them at a biggest 19-10 at BetVictor and William Hill. Blackburn are 6-4 (various) with the draw 13-5 at Betfred. A safer punt is Wigan draw no bet at 10-11 with Ladbrokes.
Yakubu (5-1, various) is the first score favourite but I'm going with Victor Moses (9-1, BetVictor) or Shaun Maloney (9-1, various).
In the SPL the bottom two, Hibs and Dunfermline meet at Easter Road with the Hibees three points ahead and a better goal difference. So the Pars really need a win and could get it against an outfit with just one victory and 13 goals in front of their suffering home fans all season.
Hibs will want to get the job done tonight so they can start preparing for the Scottish Cup Final but Pars boss Jim Jefferies, who was in charge of Hearts for so long, won't make it easy.
His men have kept the race alive with a win against Aberdeen and draw at Inverness, keeping two clean sheets.
Dunfermline are a best 19-5 at BetVictor with Hibs 10-11 (various) and the draw 13-5 at boylesports. The Pars are so big you can back them on the double chance at 1-1 with Coral.
For two low scorers it's surprising there have been 10 goals in the three previous meetings this season – although nine of those strikes came at East End Park while the Pars won 1-0 at Easter Road. This looks an under 2.5 game at 1-1 with Skybet and you can have 5-4 with William Hill for the first strike in a tense affair coming after31 minutes.
No scorer wouldn't be the biggest surprise and that pays 12-1 at Skybet. If you fancy the Pars the man to back for the opener is Andy Kirk who has hit three in three games. The Irish ace is 8-1 at bet365.
West Ham host Cardiff in the second leg of their Championship play-off defending a 2-0 lead. They lost 1-0 at home to Cardiff in the league but I can't see them messing up now.
The Hammers won comfortably in Wales and I can see them repeating the feat, especially if they grab that all-important first goal.
West Ham are no bigger than 1-14 to qualify while Cardiff are 12-1 (various). To win tonight it's 7-10 the Hammers at William Hill with the Welshmen 9-2 at BetVictor.
There are several games in the French top flight with the big one at Rennes where title challengers Montpellier head.
PSG moved ahead of Montpellier on goals scored last night so Montpellier will be keen to restore their advantage but face a tough test at hope fifth-placed Rennes.
Rennes have won three of their last four and are competing with Lyon for fourth spot and will make it difficult for an outfit held at home to Evian in midweek.
Montpellier missed an injury-time penalty against Evian amidst scenes of mayhem and key man Younes Belhanda is banned after being set off during the chaotic scenes. That's a concern but maybe top scorer Olivier Giroud will step up to the plate after being criticised for not taking the pressure-pot spot-kick.
However, Montpellier have been in and around the top two all season and can grab at least a point that puts them back in the driving seat. Surprisingly Rennes are favourites at 8-5 with Coral while Montpellier are 2-1 (various).
At that price you can have Montpellier draw no bet at 23-20 with William Hill and they are 8-15 with Coral on the double chance.
So in three big games I'm favouring the away sides and could put on a small stake on the treble at odds of around 40-1 or more. It's a big ask of course to the double chance treble that pays £44.29 to a £10 stake at Coral might be the way to go.
Elsewhere you have to fancy third-place Lille at home to Caen, who are almost safe from the drop. Defending champions Lille have slim hopes of retaining their title and no bigger than 1-3 to win so look at them minus one goal instead. That pays better at 5-6 with Paddy Power.
Lorient are another side just about safe and they can add to Dijon's problems with a home win. Take Lorient at 5-6 with William Hill and BetVictor.
For anyone looking at a game with goals consider Elfsborg v Gothenburg in Sweden. It's a game leaders Elfsborg should win as they attempt to make it six wins in a row and they are 9-10 at unibet. But Gothenburg have won three in a row after a terrible start so look at both to score (8-11, Coral).
Recommendations
Wigan draw no bet (8pm)
(10-11, Ladbrokes)
Dunfermline (7.45pm)
(19-5, BetVictor)
Montpellier draw no bet (8pm)
(23-20, William Hill)
Lille -1 (6pm)
(5-6, William Hill, BetVictor)
Elfsborg (6.15pm)
(9-10, unibet)
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.
Luton a massive 7/1 at Wrexham at -1.
West Ham 8/5 also -1 both at William Hills. :)
John, personally I won’t be touching West Ham -1 because they don’t need to win. In fact they can lose by one and still qualify so it doesn’t make sense to me to back the -1. Same goes for Luton, 2-0 up and not needing to bust a gut before a likely final showdown. These would have been great bets for the first leg, not so sure about tonight but good luck if you decide to have a go.
Could not bet Dunfermline today think Hibs are good thing.
John, as I said it’s a game between two poor sides and the bet I’m on is Dunfermline not to lose. Hibs need to step it up at home where they’ve not won this year before I’d describe them as a “good thing”. Also Leigh Griffiths is banned and James McPake is a doubt. If I see McPake’s not playing I’d be keener to back the Pars because he’s been Hibs’ best player since he signed.
ive went for blackburn wigan draw and hibs to win in an acca. also took st ettiene at home to marseille at evens, do you think it’s worth going for a big single on them paul?
Craig, I’d favour St Etienne but don’t know about going bid. Keep expecting Marseille to come good because they’ve a quality squad that did well in Europe so their crash down the table’s been a surprise.
westham 8/11
elfsborg 8/11
gais 11/10
orebro 5/4
tolouse 4/6
£4.50 returns £105 william hill
Wigan, lille -1, elfsborg, lorient looks like a good value 4-fold to me! May even be an idea to perm the 4 selections.
Luke, I’d definitely perm them as the prices aren’t too bad.
Small bet on a Dunfermline/Wigan double
£10 returns £117.90 with betvictor
Al, these games could go either way but I think that’s worth a shout. Hibs are as bad as Dunfermline and vice versa so just under 4-1 looks pretty generous while on current form you’d take Wigan to beat Blackburn although a draw is enough for them.
Agreed Paul, also fancy Wigan to beat Blackburn, Dunfermline a good bet at that odds against a poor Hibs side missing some key players. Small stake double for me!
Going for a couple of each-way goalscorers at Upton Park tonight…
James Tomkins 25/1
Mark Noble 12/1
A draw is enough for hibs, wigan and west ham but think they will all play to win and with other teams needing to win i went for over 2.5 goals in each game. What do you think of goalscorer match bet tonight mr f? Carlton cole 11/10 to score anytime but 15/8 to outscore kenny miller. Cole been in form with miller struggling for goals.
Joe, the scorers bet isn’t bad but it’s one that is quite often a tie. Cole is obvious choice for first scorer but Allardyce knows how to stop teams playing and I don’t think he’ll over commit going forward now he has a good lead.
I fancy the Rennes – Montpellier match to see goals tonight Montpellier need to win because psg won 4-3 in a great game last night.i reckon the will go all out tonight so over 2.5 goals in Rennes – Montpellier good luck to all.
A draw puts Montpellier back on top but I agree with your, there should be plenty of goals with both teams scoring.
Went for lukes bet and these.
Wigan -1 and hibs/dunfermline(draw) £3 returns £45.90
A fun first Scorer Bet:
o’connor E/W
Di Santo E/W
Roux E/W
£1 E/W, £2 stake returns £144.66
Wigan Ht/Ft @ 4/1 … Gone for it!
Im on Wigan Dunfermline to win, Rennes match over 2.5 goals 8.5/1. Hills.
Right, guys good luck with the bets. Not easy because there are a lot of outsiders in there. Off to see Bankies v Irvine Meadow in their last league game of the season.
Ooops that was meant to be Wigan Hibs, to win. Rennes match over 2.5 goals, £10 returns £96.25 Hills
Got over 2.5 goals in early kick for a good start. Confident of goals in blackburn game but think hibs game will need an early goal to get it going.
David, hope you permed those selections! I didn’t in the end, unfortunately! Lorient had the ball for the entire final 15mins, and weren’t given a nailed on penalty! But that’s the way it goes I guess.
Ah well 3 early goals for hibs gets that one up too. Thats done a few bets in here but also helped a few. I just need goals in blackburn game. Kean said before match gonna go at eigan from the off so should be open game. Put on four or more goals just before kick off.
Joe, football’s a strange game, eh? Where did that Hibees’ performance come from. I’m going to dry off and watch the rest of the Blackburn game.
it was unlcuky luke, I never permed either. my motto go for it, if you dont win wasnt ment to be. hoping Di santo does the business.
So true mr f. Really fancied goals at ewood park tonight but really nervy performance from blackburn. Early goal must have settled hibs down as no one seen that scoreline coming.
Joe, Hibs a bad result for me but all my others are up so far and waiting for Wigan not to lose.
I think your safe. Blackburn could play to midnight and not score.
Had a nice £9.50 on Wigan, Hibs & Montpellier.