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Weekend Football Betting Tipsby Ben, last updated 2007-01-24 23:53:26Pinnaclesports Previewby PinnaclesportsThe FA Cup enters the fourth round this weekend, with 32 teams vying for the chance of making history, by becoming the first club to lift the famous old trophy at the new Wembley Stadium. After numerous delays, the wrapping will finally come off the venue, for the season finale on May 19th. There will be plenty of twists and turns before then and www.pinnaclesports.com has priced all 16 ties this weekend, as ever offering up to 60% better odds on Asian Handicaps.Chelsea Facing Another Potential Cup Banana Skin Having successfully negotiated Wycombe in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge midweek, Chelsea face another Cup banana skin on Sunday. The Blues can only aspire to Nottingham Forest's pedigree, the club won back-to-back European Cup's under Brian Clough from 1978-80. However, the class of 2007 is a pale shadow of that glorious side. Colin Calderwood is the 11th manager since Cloughie, and instead of European competition, the Scot faces the challenge of getting Forest out of Division One. Though a Cup run, featuring a trip to glamorous Premiership opponents, provides a welcome financial boost, it is also a distraction from the club's priority, which remains promotion. Forest did shock Charlton in the previous round, but that was with home advantage; they have failed to score in three consecutive away league defeats around that game, and Forest certainly seem vulnerable on the road. They drew 1-1 away to Conference South minnows Salisbury in round two, so PinnacleSports.com's assessment 1.952 (+2.0), shouldn't therefore come as a surprise. Under-fire Chelsea striker, Andriy Shevchenko, has scored goals at the highest level, but he'll be particularly pleased about the double notched against Wycombe Wanderers. Sheva is now back in Jose Mourinho's good books and has earned another start here, with Michael Essien deputising alongside Ricardo Carvalho in a makeshift defence. The Premiership Champions are a warm order priced 1.971 (-2.0) by PinnacleSports.com, but will be wary of Forest's direct approach and aerial threat. United Looking to Bounce Back at Pompey's Expense Manchester United were ten minutes from gaining a stranglehold on the Premiership title last weekend, before Arsenal scored twice and changed all that. Alex Ferguson's side are still six points clear of Chelsea, but the Scot will be wary of a hang-over from that dramatic capitulation. A convincing FA Cup win over Portsmouth in front of a packed Old Trafford would provide the perfect tonic, and PinnacleSports.com rate United 2.04 (-1.5). Though the Red Devils have lost just once at home this season, they left it until the 90th minute to beat Villa in the previous round at the Theatre of Dreams, so this game is far from a foregone conclusion. Portsmouth have maintained their top six status, confounding those critics who expected them to fall into their more accustomed position in the Premiership's lower reaches. However, the South Coast side have lost on five recent visits, with an aggregate score of 15-2, including 4-1 in a previous FA Cup encounter in 2003. If that isn't enough to put you off Portsmouth, they can be backed at 1.893 (+1.5) with PinnacleSports.com. Arsenal Gunning for Cup Revenge Over Bolton The Gunners tremendous turn-around at home to United provoked the wildest celebrations the Emirates Stadium has seen to date, and seemed to finally blow the wrapping off the venue. The N4 faithful will be expecting revenge for three defeats in the last four meetings, including in this competition last year at the Reebok. Arsenal were already on a high following two emphatic Cup wins at Anfield, so after the heroics against United, they are understandable favourites with PinnacleSports.com 1.98 (-1). Bolton could be vulnerable on the evidence of last week's 5-1 hammering at the Riverside, and the 3-0 defeat at Anfield on New Year's Day. The Trotters did beat Arsenal 3-1 earlier in the season with home advantage, but the Gunners' form has improved dramatically since then. To succeed at the Emirates Stadium Sam Allardyce's side will have to do what no other Premiership club has managed this season. PinnacleSports.com are offering them with a goal start, at 1.943 (+1), so if you think they are capable of avoiding a heavy defeat, they could be interesting on that Asian Handicap. 60% better odds at www.pinnaclesports.com ! 1.96/1.96 style pricing (c102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web's highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts. Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on US horse bets and the best odds on all major sports. Find a Smarter Way To Bet at www.pinnaclesports.com Gerry's Picksby Gerry McDonnellPie Will SurviveI'm a lover, not a fighter. My campness is not a result of liberal idealism; I've simply lost so many brawls that i've had pacifism thrust upon me. Nowadays, the only way i'd get involved in a ruck is if the wife was being mugged. If we stood together, I reckon we could take her. Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich do not share my increasingly feminine outlook. War has broken out between manager and chairman, and Chelsea's title ambitions are the first confirmed casualty. The beleaguered Blues are still firing on all cylinders in the cups though; Nottingham Forest will be cut down at a scything 1/7. Petr Cech is so concerned about the ongoing hostilities, he's whipped out his helmet as a safeguard. With the inspirational keeper between the sticks and a revitalised Shevchenko leading the line, I'm quietly confident that the Blues will either win 3-0 or 4-0, a scenario which pays out at a more socially acceptable 3/1. The normally placid Frank Lampard has reacted angrily to criticism from Joey Barton this week. I can't help thinking that Frank should have just taken it on the chin; the second one. The Lamp is in fine fettle, he must be backed at a rotund 11/8 to find the net at any time. If the fallout from the ‘Big Brother' house has taught us anything, it's that we must unite as a people. Let's come together, right now, to back West Ham at 5/6 to see off Watford. Wayne Rooney has admitted to knowing all the songs from ‘Oliver!' off by heart. I'd have thought ‘Grease' would have been more up his alley. They say an army marches on their stomach'; Rooney can lead his United troop to a victory over Portsmouth at 3/10. Southampton look overpriced to cause a shock at Manchester City. The Saints are flying high in the Championship, Bradley Wright-Phillips is in goal scoring form and Pele is sure to make it hard for Psycho's men. Man City are always the epitome of unpredictability, the Saints can march in at 4/1. I don't believe in déjà vu, although i've got a niggling feeling that I may have mentioned that once before. Birmingham face Reading in the 4th Round for the second year running; the Blues came out on top last time, at odds of 6/4, a repeat is more than a possibility. Violence is never the answer. Unless the question is, ‘What's the best way to ensure my dinner's on the table on time'. Reading coach Wally Downes actually laid hands on Neil Warnock last week, when push comes to shove, I suggest you back Birmingham to win 1-0 at 15/2. It's been reported that Tottenham may be given a bye in the UEFA Cup; how can they be so sure that they'll meet Rangers? I'm absolutely positive that Spurs will beat Southend at 1/4. Is it wrong for me to continually speak of my admiration for Thierry Henry? Apparently, it is during lovemaking. It's hard for me to think of the Gunners without remembering my wedding day. It brings a tear to my eye to think of the wife being led down the aisle by her father, shortly after her brothers had led me down head first. I'm welling up about the 8/15 for an Arsenal win over Bolton. Mike Newell's comments on female officials were nothing short of abhorrent in today's more enlightened society. There is a definite place for the fairer sex in the beautiful game; those pies don't heat themselves. Blackburn will see off Luton at a rather warm 5/6. Stoke will be up for the fight at the Cottage, but like Big Brother's Jackiey, they're poorly armed. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that a Fulham win at 8/13 is a punt pulled directly out of the top drawer. Many people admire Ghandi for his unswerving commitment to resolving conflict in a non-violent manner. Personally, I preferred it when Thumper tried to teach him how to ice skate. Middlesbrough are on fire, they'll turn over Bristol City at a red-hot 11/10. It's not the size of the dog in the fight; if it was, the wife would be the undisputed world heavyweight champion. Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Fulham, West Ham and Arsenal form an 18/1 accer that is so dominant, any argument against it would be like foreplay; a complete waste of time and effort. Weekend Betting: Luton v Blackburn Saturday 27th January 12:30 Live on BBC Luton 10/3 Draw 12/5 Blackburn 5/6 Get on: Blackburn Match Special: McCarthy to score two or more goals 11/2 Birmingham v Reading Saturday 27th January 15:00 Birmingham 6/4 Draw 9/4 Reading 17/10 Get on: Birmingham Match Special: Campbell to score the only goal of the game 33/1 Bristol City v Middlesbrough Saturday 27th January 15:00 Bristol City 3/1 Draw 9/4 Middlesbrough 11/10 Get on: Middlesbrough Match Special: Yakubu and Viduka both to score 13/2 Fulham v Stoke Saturday 27th January 15:00 Fulham 8/13 Draw 13/5 Stoke 5/1 Get on: Fulham Match Special: Fulham to score three or more goals 9/4 Tottenham v Southend Saturday 27th January 15:00 Tottenham 1/4 Draw 9/2 Southend 10/1 Get on: Tottenham Match Special: Defoe to score two or more goals 4/1 West Ham v Watford Saturday 27th January 15:00 West Ham 5/6 Draw 5/2 Watford 4/1 Get on: West Ham Match Special: Benayoun to score at any time 11/4 Man Utd v Portsmouth Saturday 27th January 17:15 Live on BBC Man Utd 3/10 Draw 4/1 Portsmouth 9/1 Get on: Man Utd Match Special: Ronaldo to score direct from a free kick 7/1 Chelsea v Nottm Forest Sunday 28th January 14:00 Live on BBC Chelsea 1/7 Draw 6/1 Nottm Forest 18/1 Get on: Chelsea Match Special: Shevchenko to score a hat-trick 20/1 Man City v Southampton Sunday 28th January 15:00 Man City 4/6 Draw 5/2 Southampton 4/1 Get on: Southampton Match Special: Southampton to win 2-1 16/1 Arsenal v Bolton Sunday 28th January 16:00 Live on Sky Arsenal 8/15 Draw 3/1 Bolton 13/2 Get on: Arsenal Match Special: Henry to score from a Fabregas pass 9/2 Bet with bet365 | betdirect | bluesquare - FREE £25 bet. ← Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 Next → |
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