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Weekend football
by Ben, last updated 2006-08-24 22:47:49Gerry's Picks
by Gerry McDonnell
A Ferd in the hand is worth two on the boxThere's only one thing in life that's more enjoyable than an evening with the wife and kids, and that's an evening without the wife and kids. Whenever I'm lucky enough to be rid of the evil one and her two clones, I like to relax in front of the box with a couple of lagers watching quality television programming.
As the free-view doesn't kick off until 11:00pm, my programme of choice is ideally football related and entertaining, thus immediately ruling Soccer AM out of the equation. With the exception of the imperious Jeff Stelling show on a Saturday afternoon, other programmes struggle to match my demanding criteria, so you can imagine my unconfined joy when news broke that Rio Ferdinand was set to enter the world of light entertainment.
His wind-up show was a disappointment, the sketch where he ‘murked' the drug testers by forgetting to turn up was left out, as was the one where he ‘murked' the Man U board by refusing to sign a contract until their wage offer rose from £100,000 to £110,000 a week. I imagine the sketch where he was going to ‘murk' Martin Jol by pretending to bid £18m for Michael Carrick was pulled for being too unrealistic.
Rio has been offered another bite at the TV cherry, the premise being that Ferd and his crew will ‘pimp' up the pads of...fellow millionaire professional footballers. I literally can wait.
Talking of pimping, Wayne Rooney misses United's match against Watford due to the FA upholding a ridiculous ban for a red card in a friendly. Rooney's agent hit back by threatening to withhold Wayne's image rights; I can only guess that Rooney suggested ‘upping the ante' and Stretford misunderstood. United have won their last six against Watford, the Mancs are the weekend nap at 2/5.
With Rooney banned, best pal Cristiano ‘more dives than Glasgow' Ronaldo should be backed to net the opener. Ronnie's been priced up at 15/2, a price so big I almost fell over.
Watford were absolutely robbed by the ref at Goodison Park, they're now playing Man U, they'll be lucky if they're awarded a throw in. Watford won't score, take 21/20 about a United win coupled with a clean sheet.
Arsenal have treated Man City in recent years like Ben Thatcher treats Pedro Mendes, they've pounded on them unmercifully. (Mendes is not the first person to be unable to work thanks to Thatcher.) Arsenal have left Manchester with all three points on their last eight visits, you've got to fancy the Gunners at 8/11 to reach number nine. Someone's going to take a pommeling at the hands of the Wenger boys soon, there's a decent chance it'll be Thatcher's mob.
Blackburn players do enjoy a challenge. The wild Rovers had two players sent off on the opening day, that's virtually a friendly for Savage & co. Chelsea were turned over at Ewood Park last season, a repeat is out of the question. A wounded Chelsea are a great bet at 4/7 to make amends for their Boro bashing.
I had my fingers burnt by Liverpool last week, but the Reds can make amends at home to West Ham. Liverpool's attacking options were limited when Stevie G snatched the FA Cup from the Hammers' grasp in May, but now they have three quality marksmen and Peter Crouch competing for a start. The Pool should be backed at a healthy 1/2.
Fulham look a promising investment at home to Sheff U at 10/11. Chris Coleman's battlers won the same amount of home matches as Manchester United last season, only a disastrous campaign on the road ensured a 12th place finish. I'm a little worried about the Malbranque situation, Chris Coleman appears to be cutting off his nose to spite his face; that's only a good idea if you're Iain Dowie. If the Cottagers come anywhere near replicating last season's home form, we're venturing towards decent stake territory.
David O'Leary's lackadaisical attitude ensured the Villa team rolled over and died away at Arsenal in a 5-0 defeat just four months ago, yet under Martin O'Neill, the same group of players were able to fight like the wife ‘when the decorators visit' to nick a commendable draw. The Villa are worth a bet at 7/5 at home to Newcastle, simply because of the O'Neill factor.
I'm a great believer in positive thinking. There's an old saying that I hold dear, ‘If at first you don't succeed, then Paul Jewell will probably buy you'. You shouldn't kick a dead dog, but I can't help but feel that the signing of Heskey will prove disastrous for Wigan. Reading have started the season well, they're worth a second look at 3/1 to leave the JJB with three points.
The acc of the week:
The accer this week is so certain, that even under extreme torture it would refuse to budge. Liverpool, Fulham, Tottenham, Arsenal and Aston Villa are the good things, you're looking at a payout of 17/1.
The weekend specials:
"A little Camp?" - Ivan Campo to score with a header 20/1
"A professional Fowl" - Robbie Fowler to score a penalty 6/1
"Bull's high" - Jimmy Bullard to score with a header 14/1
"A very dirty Vid" - Mark Viduka to be sent off 20/1
The quote of the week:
"He's not intelligent."
Jose ‘all tact' Mourinho, when asked about Michael Essien.
The lay man:
Sheff Utd are begging to be laid at 10/3 for their trip to the Cottage, this is possibly how the expression ‘easy money' originated. Help yourself at Betfair, Backandlay or Betdaq.
Weekend Betting:
Liverpool v West Ham Saturday 26th August 12.45 Live on Premiership Plus
Liverpool 1/2
Draw 10/3
West Ham 15/2
Get on: Liverpool
Match Special:
Bellamy to score two or more goals 5/1
Charlton v Bolton Saturday 26th August 15.00
Charlton 6/4
Draw 9/4
Bolton 9/5
Get on: Draw
Match Special:
Match to finish 1-1 11/2
Fulham v Sheff Utd Saturday 26th August 15.00
Fulham 10/11
Draw 9/4
Sheff Utd 3/1
Get on: Fulham
Match Special:
Papa Bouba Diop to score with a header 10/1
Tottenham v Everton Saturday 26th August 15.00
Tottenham 4/5
Draw 12/5
Everton 4/1
Get on: Tottenham
Match Special:
Berbatov and Keane both to score 13/2
Watford v Man Utd Saturday 26th August 15.00
Watford 15/2
Draw 10/3
Man Utd 2/5
Get on: Man Utd
Match Special:
Ronaldo to score direct from a free-kick 8/1
Wigan v Reading Saturday 26th August 15.00
Wigan Evs
Draw 9/4
Reading 3/1
Get on: Reading
Match Special:
Lita to score the only goal of the game 50/1
Man City v Arsenal Saturday 26th August 17.15 Live on Premiership Plus
Man City 9/2
Draw 13/5
Arsenal 8/11
Get on: Arsenal
Match Special:
Henry to score a hat-trick 25/1
Aston Villa v Newcastle Sunday 27th August 14.00 Live on Sky
Aston Villa 7/5
Draw 9/4
Newcastle 2/1
Get on: Aston Villa
Match Special:
Angel to score with a header 6/1
Blackburn v Chelsea Sunday 27th August 16.00 Live on Sky
Blackburn 6/1
Draw 11/4
Chelsea 4/7
Get on: Chelsea
Match Special:
John Terry to score at any time 5/1
Middlesbrough v Portsmouth Monday 28th August 20.00 Live on Sky
Middlesbrough 5/4
Draw 5/2
Portsmouth 11/4
Get on: Draw
Match Special:
Boateng to be booked 6/4
Bet365 Picks
WILL BLACKBURN SHAKE OFF THE BLUES?
Rovers 5/1 for repeat success against the Champions
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Blackburn are a huge 5/1 with bet365 to inflict defeat on Chelsea this Sunday. Mark Hughes will have his troops fired up for the visit of the Blues but will they have enough quality to get past the visitor's stubborn defence? Chelsea are 1/2 for another three points while the draw is a tasty
11/4 with bet365.
Sunday's other TV match pits Aston Villa (13/10) against Newcastle (7/4) with the Draw at 9/4. The Villains will be popular with many bet365 customers after an opening away draw at Arsenal and it's 18/1 that they triumph by a 3-0 scoreline.
Visit the bet365 site today to check out the latest Premiership odds, plus a wide range of promotions and offers!
HAMMERS LOOK HUGE FOR SHOCK WIN
Pardew's men 11/2 to triumph at Anfield
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bet365 make Liverpool 1/2 chances to beat West Ham on Saturday, despite playing in Europe midweek and several injury worries. The draw is 5/2 but many bet365 customers have already backed West Ham at 11/2 for large amounts. Marlon Harewood is also popular at 10/1 to score the first goal.
Arsenal (4/6) and Spurs (4/5) have also been popular picks so far, with respective matches away at Man City (7/2) and at home to Everton (3/1).
bet365 have also received a number of accumulator bets which include Man Utd (4/11) away at Watford and Fulham (10/11) at home to Sheffield United.
Click hereto visit bet365 right now and check out the latest Premiership odds, plus a wide range of promotions and offers!
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