IT'S derby day in the EPL with bragging rights at stake in Birmingham and the north-east.
First up it's Aston Villa v Birmingham with extra spice attached to the tie after the rivals were paired in yesterday's Carling Cup quarter-finals.
Villa haven't really got going under Gerard Houllier while Birmingham picked up a welcome three points with victory against Blackpool last weekend.
Only one point separates the sides and that's the way it could stay with a draw that pays 13-5 with Stan James.
I don't see Villa losing as they are unbeaten at home but the goals have dried up and under 2.5 could be the call at 4-5 with 888sport and Betfred.
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is William Hill's 6-4 favourite to win the sack race but I don't see what all the fuss is about.
The Championship winners started well after their step up and are only one point behind Sunderland whose boss Steve Bruce is being praised for their campaign so far.
Yes, Newcastle have suffered home defeats to the likes of Wigan and Blackpool but I can't see Sunderland rolling them over at St James'.
It might look like fence sitting but again the best bet could be a draw at 23-10 with Ladbrokes and Chandler.
There should be fireworks and goals so take both teams to score at 5-6 with totesport.
The other EPL game sees Bolton entertain Liverpool and again this could end up all square.
Bolton are sitting in mid-table and despite boss Owen Coyle's good footballing philosophy they lack goals. Liverpool's problems have been well documented and although they will have been lifted by last week's win against Blackburn they are yet to pick up full points on the road in four EPL outings.
As Bolton are the 5-2 (Chandler) underdogs they might be worth a punt at 4-6 with Coral on the draw no bet market. But for me it's a draw and I'll be perming any two and all three in the top flight today.
Meanwhile, Man United are 28-1 from 33-1 with William Hill to remain undefeated in the league this season after beating Spurs last night.
However, they remain second favourites for the title at 4-1 while Chelsea have been cut from 4-6 to 4-7 after a late winner at Blackburn.
In the SPL, Hearts (8-11, Ladbrokes) should pick up three points from Kilmarnock's visit to Tynecastle.
Boss Jim Jefferies will be desperate to put one over his old side and striker Kevin Kyle is also out to impress the side he left in the summer.
Kyle is likely to be the main danger to Killie and is 9-2 with Betfred to score first. But don't rule out Rudi Skacel who has netted Hearts' last four goals at home, including a hat-trick against St Mirren last week. He is 12-5 with Paddy Power to score at any time.
SUPER SINGLE
- Skacel to score (12-5, Paddy Power)
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.
GambleAware
Bookies normally price up draws between 2-1 and 5-2 meaning they fear a draw ever 2-3 games.
On our stats a draw should be priced up about 10-1.
Wish I knew when our next draw was coming ?
For the record there has been 65 games in the crap premier league with 12 draws, a draw every 5.5 games.
So we are lagging behind in the draw stakes.
Based on the stat above we should have had 2 draws by now.
Even Rolf Harris could draw, and he is a cnut.