Weekend Tips

This weekend their is two terrific sporting events. In football we have the FA Cup semi-finals as well as a full selection of football league fixtures and in Horse Racing it is Grand National day.  

Football:

Tipping Moyes to be
smiling come full-time today

Liverpool have been on very poor form and should have lost on Tuesday had it not been for Blackburn's ineptitude. Manager Kenny Dalglish is under pressure in this one. It is an FA Cup semi against the local rivals. The departure of Damien Camolli in midweek was a sign of the owners thoughts on the season. Dalglish also received the dreaded 'job is safe' quote which usually means he will be sacked in 6 weeks. If Dalglish is beaten in this one and failed to improve on his current 8th place in the Premier League then questions will be asked and surely Dalglish will not be able to say 'it's been a successful season'.  Despite the seriousness of this game I still think that Everton will win. Everton are on fantastic form and playing very well. Jelavic who I did not rate has started his Everton career magnificently and as a team they seem to be getting better each week. As a result it seems to me an Everton win is logical and @2/1 a fantastic price. Liverpool with Brad Jones in goal, who looked very shaky on Tuesday night and their poor form provide me with no feeling that they will win this one. I would not be surprised if this is a thumping 3-0 Everton win. David Moyes' (above) Everton deserve to win something, Moyes has done terrific with no real investment for years. My only doubt is that of extra-time although 2/1 is worth the gamble for me. Without doubt Everton players and fans are looking forward to this one with confidence whereas with Liverpool's fans and players is it more of dread.  

The other Semi-Final on Sunday is very hard to call, as both sides look towards top four and Chelsea have Barcelona in mid-week. They will say they are no looking at that one but they will be no doubt. I would not be surprised if this one went al the way to penalties. The bookies go 8/5 Spurs, 15/8 chelsea and 23/10 the draw after 90 minutes. Either side to win on penalties in 12/1. 

In the Premier League expect Manchester City to have a tough day at Carrow road where 6/1 Norwich are not a bad price considering City's away form. In the Championship expect wins for Birmingham and Cardiff as well as plenty of goals elsewhere. 

Bet of the day : Everton to beat Liverpool @2/1 (SkyBet)

Long Shot: Three draws: West Ham/Brighton, Preston/Huddersfield and Crystal Palace/Ipswich @40/1 (SkyBet)

Win Multiple: Cardiff, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Swindon, Crawley, Northampton and Manchester United (Sunday) @11/1 (SkyBet).  

Horse Racing:

Grand National day is here and quite frankly anything could happen. Synchronised ridden by the masterful AP McCoy is the favourite and does hold a good chance. The key to the national is luck as many fall, bring others down etc. The terrifically named Shakalakaboomboom is the second favourite after thousand on people backed him this week. It is believed to be the pick of those going on name, hence the money. West End Rocker presents a threat also and last years winner Ballybriggs at 12-1 looks a grear shout. 

I will be looking to see how both female jockeys get on today as there has never been a female jockey winner. So good luck to Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh who ride Organisedconfusion and Seabass respectivly.  

One of the keys to the national is that of a horse who knows the course. For this reason I am going with 33/1 chance Black Apalachi. As he has done the course before he is a good price and great place money. 

Outsider place claim: Postmaster under the ride of Dougie Costello @100/1, what a winner that would be. 

You can make a claim out for any of the horses, it is always a terrific race in which anything can happen. I hope it is not spoilt by any protestors like the boat race. I also hope all the horses survive and people are talking about the winner and not deaths. 

It looks very tough to find a Winner at Aintree today however one stand out for me is that of Oscar Whisky in the 3.40 @5/2. The Nicky Henderson stable is in great form and this for me is another winner.  Paul Nicholls Rock on Ruby also 5/2 is the main threat but Oscar Whisky and Barry Geraghty. 

Win bet : Aintree 3.40 - Oscar Whisky 5/2

Good luck to all who are betting today.