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Weekend Footballby Ben, last updated 2006-02-01 23:21:17There are a few standout early bets this weekend. Firstly, I do like the in form West Ham to beat Sunderland. The price is 1.62 at Totalbet. I can't see that lasting too long especially how the Hammers just beat Arsenal away from home. Odds should be less than 1.5 for this match. Secondly, Portsmouth to beat Newcastle. I can't see why Newcastle are odds on. They haven't won in 6 and have only score 2 goals during that time. Portsmouth are a completely different team to what they were 2 months ago. Its taking Redknap a while to get his squad together but they will come together sooner or later. I see this as a realistic away win for them. The draw no bet at bet365 is 3.5. Finally theres Reading to beat Crewe. Its top versus bottom. I can't see anything other than a Reading win. Crewe haven't won since 5th November. Reading haven't lost since the first day of the season. The 1.53 at bluesquare might not seem value for an away win. However the way I see it, is that if this game was played 10 times, Reading would win 9 of them and draw the other one. Gerry's PicksBy Gerry McDonnellThe Gram of GodBeating the bookies is an enjoyable pastime, but is there more to life? Recently, I've felt an urge to discover a deeper meaning to my existence, leading me to conduct a little research in the field of religion and spirituality, in search of enlightenment, in search of God. As always, the first stop for any serious researcher is Sky Sports News. Within 15 minutes, I'd discovered that the Holy One is a Scouse scally by the name of Robbie Fowler. In football, as in life, sometimes you have to go back to move forward, and the signing of Fowler is a step in the right direction for the Reds. The Pool's midfield is as creative as any in the league, yet a misfiring Cisse, an overrated Morientes and a game but ultimately limited Crouch have failed to take chances in the big matches. The Pool have flopped against Chelsea on three occasions this season, with God on their side, that's about to change. Kop a load of the Reds at 7/2. I don't dislike Robbie Savage, to be honest I can take him or leave him; and I could definitely take him. Mark Hughes believes that the blonde nause is unfairly criticised at times, claiming that Robbie is more sinned against than sinner. The jury's out on that one; they're back, he's guilty. Rob's mob are a tasty looking punt at 6/4 away at West Brom. The Baggies lack a quality striker up front; I suggest that they sign Rob Earnshaw in the summer. It was always going to happen; after Gary Neville's crotch-shaking badge-kissing Scouse-baiting goal celebration, Man U were destined to be drawn away at Anfield in the next round of the Cup. It's tough to pick a winner in that one, but at home to Fulham in the League, United are a confident call at 1/4. No visiting team has left Old Trafford with a clean sheet this season; the zero in Fulham's away win column can breathe easily. Arsene Wenger has (once again) bought extremely well in the transfer window. In Diaby, they finally have a replacement for Vieira, while Walcott is a young Henry. The future's bright, the future's raspberry. Arsene sends his young guns to an improving Birmingham, 9/4 is on the table about the draw; help yourself to seconds. Poor old Paul Scharner, he's been in the Country for nearly a month, and his team-mates haven't filled him in on ‘Rule 1'; he had to learn the hard way that the laying of hands on Duncan Ferguson is strictly prohibited. Without Jason Roberts, Wigan will be taught another lesson at the Reebok. Bolton are the bet of the week at 10/11. Joey Barton's decision to hand in a transfer request was a strange one. The City board overlooked his awful interpretation of Hamlet at a Christmas party, and were lenient after a pre-season brawl with a teenage Everton fan. Barton will start against an Everton side without madman Duncan Ferguson; be like Joey, mark the coupon with an X. The draw is available at 9/4. The weekend specials: "Kop idol" - Robbie Fowler to score and Liverpool to win 1-0 55/1 "Duncan disorderly" - Everton to have a player sent off 10/1 "Ash, bang wallop" - Dean Ashton to score a hat-trick 16/1 "Sutton for the weekend" - Chris Sutton to score and Birmingham to win 1-0 50/1 "Barton, think" - Joey Barton to be booked 7/4 Quote of the week: "I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas morning." Robbie Fowler: Racehorse owner, property magnate and excitable 30 year old. Revelation of the week: Robbie Savage's middle name is...Willy Stat, you're a liberty: It's a brave man that criticises Stuart Pearce; I am not a brave man. Man City have only won once away from home since August, it must be an anomaly. Acc of the week: Bolton, Blackburn, West Ham, Man Utd and Tottenham are the five good things on the coupon, the accer will pay out at 14/1. Weekend Betting: Birmingham v Arsenal Saturday 4th February 15.00 Birmingham 11/4 Draw 9/4 Arsenal 5/6 Get on: Draw Liverpool and Man U had to settle for a point at St Andrews. After three consecutive 1-0 defeats on the road, the Gunners will be reasonably happy with a point. Match Special: Match to finish 1-1 or 2-2 4/1 Bolton v Wigan Saturday 4th February 15.00 Bolton 10/11 Draw 9/4 Wigan 5/2 Get on: Bolton It's been five months since a visiting team left the Reebok with three points. Wigan have only won two of their last nine matches away from home; chalk this one up to Big Sam. Match Special: Stelios to score at any time 2/1 Everton v Man City Saturday 4th February 15.00 Everton Evs Draw 9/4 Man City 9/4 Get on: Draw It's eight matches undefeated for the Toffeemen; City have only one won match on the road in five months. It's been 14 years since City left Goodison with three points, a tough match to call. Match Special: Match to finish 0-0 or 1-1 3/1 Middlesbrough v Aston Villa Saturday 4th February 15.00 Middlesbrough 11/8 Draw 2/1 Aston Villa 7/4 Get on: Aston Villa Boro haven't won a league match at the Riverside since last November, the Villa are unbeaten in six on their travels. Match Special: Milan Baros to score two or more goals 7/1 Newcastle v Portsmouth Saturday 4th February 15.00 Newcastle 4/6 Draw 12/5 Portsmouth 7/2 Get on: Draw Pompey have lost their last six on the road against Premiership opposition; the Geordies look an average outfit without Michael Owen. The last four matches between these two have been drawn, I spy another. Match Special: Alan Shearer not to score 4/6 West Brom v Blackburn Saturday 4th February 15.00 West Brom 6/4 Draw 11/5 Blackburn 6/4 Get on: Blackburn Sunderland and Villa were the last two visitors to the Hawthorns, they both left with the points. Blackburn have won their last three on the road in the league, you can see that run continuing. Match Special: Pedersen to score the only goal of the game 45/1 West Ham v Sunderland Saturday 4th February 15.00 West Ham 4/7 Draw 12/5 Sunderland 9/2 Get on: West Ham The Hammers have won five on the bounce, scoring two goals or more in each match. Sunderland are the worst team in the history of the Premiership. Match Special: Dean Ashton to score two or more goals 5/1 Man Utd v Fulham Saturday 4th February 17.15 Live on PPV Man Utd 1/4 Draw 7/2 Fulham 10/1 Get on: Man Utd Fulham will win away from home this season, but it won't be today. It's been over four months since a team left Old Trafford with more than a point, banker home win. Match Special: Van Nistelrooy to score a hat-trick 14/1 Tottenham v Charlton Sunday 5th February 13.30 Live on Sky Tottenham 8/13 Draw 12/5 Charlton 4/1 Get on: Tottenham Spurs are defending an impressive home record; the Champions are the only team to leave the Lane victorious. It's been three months since the Addicks won a league match away from home. Match Special: Danny Murphy to score from outside the penalty area 9/1 Chelsea v Liverpool Sunday 5th February 16.00 Live on Sky Chelsea 8/11 Draw 11/5 Liverpool 7/2 Get on: Liverpool It's now three matches without a win for the Champions, and six matches without a clean sheet. Seven of the last nine meetings between these two have produced one goal or less; the Pool can score, and one goal will be enough to take the points. Match Special: Liverpool to win 1-0 9/1 Mark's Picksby Mark HendersonNo Euro Skeptics - England are 4/1 Favourites!Following a favourable draw in Montreux last week, England are the 4/1 favourites to win Euro 2008. The Three Lions are 2/5 to win Group G, which also contains Croatia (4/1) and Russia (5/1). Poor Scotland have an horrific group which includes Italy (11/10 to win Group B), France (5/4) and Ukraine, who at 9/2 look the best value. The Ukrainian's are notoriously difficult to beat, and no-one will relish a trip to Kiev. Ukraine qualified for this summer's World Cup in a group which included Turkey, Denmark and Euro 2004 Champions Greece. Euro 2008 - To Qualify for the Finals: 1/20 England, 6/4 Rep.Ireland, 8/1 Wales, 10/1 Scotland, 50/1 N.Ireland. 4/5 Chelsea at Home? You're havin' A Laugh! Chelsea and Liverpool have met each other an incredible eight times in the last two seasons, and the Reds have come out on top only once. Some may argue that the Champions League semi-final at Anfield last May was the most important of these eight games, but nevertheless, it does remain their only victory over Jose Mourinho's men. Whilst Liverpool (10/3 to win on Sunday) are as good a side as they've been for many years, Chelsea continue to raise the bar above and beyond any other team, making the 4/5 at home look massive. Chelsea last suffered a home league defeat way back in February 2004 and Liverpool's last away venture ended in defeat, albeit unluckily, to Manchester Utd. Live Game Pick Chelsea to beat Liverpool @ 4/5 (Sunday 16.00, Sky Sports 1) DJ's Blues can be Louder than the Gunners @ 10/3 It's been a shocking season for Arsenal so far, and could get a lot worse come Saturday evening. Arsenal can't be backed with any confidence at 8/11 and, although Birmingham are third from bottom, it's worth remembering that Arsenal have already lost at places like West Brom and Middlesbrough. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last 5 home matches and the Gunners away record is worse than Aston Villa's and Newcastle's. The Blues are finally showing signs of recovery, and with the useful addition of Chris Sutton and the sensational swoop for DJ Campbell, the 10/3 looks very tempting. Premiership Pick Birmingham to beat Arsenal @ 10/3 (Saturday 15.00) Hammers & Rovers Make A Cracker of an Acca! After watching their 3-0 humiliation at home to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, it's clear that Sunderland have only two hopes of retaining their Premiership status next year. No hope and Bob hope. Throw in the fact that Sunderland's last Premiership win in London was in March 2001 (against Chelsea no less!), the 8/15 for West Ham is definitely worth throwing in our accumulator. The reasons for opposing Sunderland are too numerous to mention, so I'll crack on with my final selection for this weeks accumulator, which is Blackburn at 11/8. Mark Hughes' outfit have been quietly climbing up the Premiership. After 6 matches, they were third from bottom, but now look like possible UEFA Cup candidates. The Baggies have suffered back-to-back home defeats to Aston Villa and Sunderland and won't be looking forward to Blackburn's physical style of play. We've got some big prices in there, so it's big returns for small stakes time! A mere fiver will return £149.13 on our Premiership four-timer, which includes a bet365 bonus of 5% (Up to 60% available every Premiership weekend). Premiership Accumulator Pick Birmingham (10/3), Blackburn (11/8), West Ham (8/15) and Chelsea (4/5) - Pays £149.13 bet365 ← 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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