FINDING value in the English top flight is difficult – especially with all of the leading contenders dropping points.
Last week my main selections were Leicester and West Ham and a 3-1 double landed with a last-minute winner from the Londoners.
Looking at this weekend's card and it's the same problem. Man City at West Brom, Arsenal at Sunderland, Man United at home to Burnley and Liverpool at Crystal Palace are all short.
A fourfold pays just 7-2 at Marathonbet. And if you leave out Man City, who have failed to win in six, the treble returns 2-1 with the same firm.
It should land but it's one for high rollers as opposed to your average Joe.
So where's the value in England today? Best bets could be Watford at 4-5 with Stan James at home to Hull but both sides are struggling to it's not what I'd call a standout.
More attractive options lie in the Championship and I like the look of Leeds at 21-20 with William Hill at home to Burton.
Garry Monk has weathered a storm and five wins in eight has lifted the Elland Road club to within three points of the play-offs. Burton's home form is good but they haven't a league away win to their name.
At 5-4 with Betway Cardiff also look a decent bet at home to Wigan. Both clubs recently axed their managers and Neil Warnock has – as he always does – made a big impact in Wales.
Immediately the team have become more solid and tough to beat. Seven points in three games – just one fewer than they collected in the first 11 – has catapulted Cardiff out the drop zone and they should beat a Wigan side who sacked Gary Caldwell after two wins in 14.
At the start of the season I tipped Newcastle to run away with the title and after a slow start it's looking that way.
Rafael Benitez's side have hit the top running and have won six in a row in all competitions, scoring 19 goals.
They travel to Preston today after hammering them 6-0 at home on Tuesday to reach the last eight of the EFL Cup – and a tie at Hull gives them a great chance of reaching the semi-finals.
Newcastle are on a high and 3-4 with William Hill to pile the misery on Preston.
Bolton blew away Bury in their derby on Monday and can follow up by beating Port Vale in League One. They are 8-11 at Betfred.
Sheffield United fought out a 3-3 thriller with Bradford last week and have banged in 10 in three games. Their record at home to MK Dons is poor but their opponents are without a win in four and I'll be on the Blades at 10-11 with Skybet.
In League Two I like Plymouth at home to Colchester at 21-20 with McBookie and Yeovil look too big at 2-1 with bet365 at home to Grimsby.
Yeovil haven't conceded in four – winning their last three 1-0 – while Grimsby after a promising start have netted just once in five games although that goal earned them a win against Cambridge.
Bets to Consider
Watford
Leeds
Cardiff
Newcastle
Plymouth
Yeovil
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.
