Weekend Tips

It is finally here. The final day of the Premier League season is upon us and what a day it will be. I cannot remember a time when the title, top four places and relegation issues will all be decided on the final day. It is going to be very tense and exciting afternoon, which will involve many twists and turns. A full 10 matches all kicking of at 3pm for the only time during the season. Personally I cannot wait. 

Also this weekend we have huge Challenge Cup Quarter-final action and Saturday racing from Ascot, Haydock, Nottingham and Lingfield. 

Last weekend my bet of the day came through as Chelsea beat Liverpool. It was all going as I had predicted, a 3-0 win for Chelsea, until Andy Carroll came on and changed the game. Luckily they hung on and I collected the winnings. 

Football:

It is written in the stars?
Hughes heads back to the Ethiad

So many massive games this weekend. Only four of the ten games, have no effect on the title, Champions League places and relegation. It is difficult to know where to start. Although I will start will the title race. Personally I can not see anything other then a Manchester City win over relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers. At home, with the team they have and the way they are playing it is difficult to see how they will not win. However we have seen some incredible things this season in the division. City are @ 1/8 (SkyBet) to win this one, 8/1(SkyBet) the draw and a massive 14/1 (SkyBet) for the unthinkable QPR win. Roberto Mancini must be expecting to win this one although another interesting element is that of current QPR manager, and former Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes (left). Sacked by City, Hughes says he is not motivated by revenge, although you can bet he would love to deny City winning the title as well as keeping QPR up. Also players such as Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton going back to their former club. It is almost written in the stars that a team managed by Hughes will deny City with a goal scored by an ex-city player. This is without doubt Sir Alex Ferguson's dream. It seems far-fetched but you never never know. 

Ferguson hoping for an incredible day 

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson's (right) Manchester United are travelling to Sunderland. This is potentially a difficult one. Sunderland have been poor of late, as they appear to be thinking about their holidays. Although final day of the season, final home game and hosting United they may just be up for it. I expect United to win @2/5 (SkyBet) as I think they will attack Sunderland from the off, although they have been wasteful in front of goal. If you fancy Sunderland here you will get 13/2 (SkyBet) or the draw @7/2 (SkyBet). I think United will just win this one 2-1. 

The race for top four it now at the final stage. Chelsea have dropped out of the running which leaves Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United to battle it out for 3rd/4th/5th. However with the possibility of Chelsea winning the Champions League it is now made it even more important to finish third as to guarantee that Champions League place. Arsenal travel to take on West Brom in Roy Hodgson final game in charge. Tottenham are at home to Fulham and Newcastle face a very tough trip to in-form Everton. Arsenal are an unbelievably short, 1/66 (SkyBet) to finish sunday in the top four, Tottenham are 1/8 (SkyBet) and Newcastle are 9/2 (SkyBet).

Hodgson hoping for perfect send off

The bookies seems certain that Arsenal will come third however I am not sure. I think the game against West Brom is going to be very very hard. I have made this one my bet of the day. I honestly believe that West Brom @4/1 (SkyBet) will win this one, if Tottenham and Newcastle United can take advantage is another issue. For me Arsenal showed their weaknesses last week against Norwich and I can see West Brom doing to Arsenal what they did to Chelsea and pick up a 1-0 win. It is Roy Hodgson's (right) last game and so a big performance is expected, on top of this they are also the home side which is a plus for them. For me this is a good bet. I think Arsene Wenger will be very very worried about this one. The bookies go Arsenal @8/13 (SkyBet) and the draw is at @3/1 (SkyBet).

Finally for me Bolton are looking a cert for relegation. Even if QPR fail to get anything from the Ethiad, Bolton will have to win at Stoke. Stoke in truth have nothing to play for and people will remember what Wigan did their last year. However the way Bolton have been playing I cannot see it. Last week was huge, to throw away a 2 goal lead at home to West Brom was the final nail in the coffin for me.

Bolton are 4/11 (SkyBet) to go down with QPR @11/5 (SkyBet)

Bet of the Day: West Brom @4/1(SkyBet) to beat Arsenal. 

Longshot of the game: Hollywood script bet - QPR to draw at Manchester City @8/1 (SkyBet)

Accumulator: Chelsea, Swansea, Norwich and Wigan @ 14/1 (SkyBet)

Horse-Racing:

Win bet:  Beachfire @11/2(SkyBet) in the 3.45 @ Lingfield 

Each-way bet: Hawkeyethenoo @12/1(SkyBet) in the 3.25 @Ascot

Rugby League:

Leeds Rhinos won as expectedly last night as they beat Leigh 60-12 to progress to the semi-finals. Today it is the massive game between St Helens and Wigan Warriors. This one is very very tough to call. Both on form, both with terrific players. St Helens are  @11/8 (SkyBet) and Wigan are @10/11(SkyBet) I think St Helens will edge it, I predict 24-20. On Sunday, I expect Huddersfield Giants @1/33 (SkyBet) to progress with a home win over London Broncos @8/1 (SkyBet) and Catalan Dragons @8/11(SkyBet) to beat Warrington Wolves @11/10 (SkyBet). This one is going to be a great game. Catalan in France are very very tough, not many teams go to the south of France and come back with anything another then defeat.