Weekend Tips

Last week proved to be very frustrating as Ipswich failed to beat a very poor Blackpool side.  

The horse racing also provided a mixed bag as Captain Chris won very convincingly whilst Zakander could only grab second and both Houblon Des Obeaux and Sea Claria put in very poor performances.

This week the Premier League returns and one bet in particular stands out.

Football:

Pulis' men to give United a tough afternoon

One football bet stand alone this week and that is Crystal Palace to beat Manchester United. Skybet currently has them at a hugely inviting 5/1. Now given Palace's improved form and the state of which Manchester United find themselves in this is a crazy price. Win, lose or draw this is a bet that I cannot leave alone.

Tony Pulis' men have improved greatly and in Tom Ince they have a player who can cause plenty of trouble.  I backed them two weeks ago and they delivered. Now I know Manchester United will turn up with Mata, RVP and Rooney but having seen them against Fulham and others they are struggling.  David Moyes is under pressure no doubt, United are 11 points of 4th and are not looking like closing that gap.

5/1 is a wonderful price and is worth a punt even if its goes down.

Accumulator bet of Arsenal, Manchester City, Sheffield United and West Ham is 7/1 (SkyBet).

Horse Racing

Only one bet this week and that is Full Shift in the 4.25 at Kempton. SkyBet has it at 11/8 and I will be taking that.

Rugby Union

Italy looks a bolt on certainty to win today over a very poor Scottish outfit. 8/13 (SkyBet) is a good bet and appears a very safe one.

Rugby League

Huddersfield and Salford double looks safe as houses. Combine with Italy for a treble. 

Weekend Tips

Last week produced some mixed results. Crystal Palace did the business for the bet of the day however Southampton were the let down in the fourfold accumulator.

Also mixed results in the Horse Racing as only one of the three managed to deal with the ground to get the win.

This week sees Arsenal take on Liverpool and Manchester City host Chelsea in the FA Cup. Both huge games considering what happened when they met recently. Both should be great viewing, however from a betting point I will leave well alone as other football matches are far more appealing on that front.

Another note-worthy event is USA taking on Russia in the ice-hockey at the Winter Olympics at 12.30 GMT on Saturday.

Football:

McCarthy in his Wolves days

This week there is limited action given that it is FA Cup weekend and the abysmal weather. This weeks bet of the day comes from the Championship. In form Ipswich Town are 4/5 (SkyBet) for a home win over Blackpool. Mick McCarthy has done a great job at Ipswich after arriving with the club battling relegation 15 months ago. Now Ipswich are battling it out for a play-off spot. McCarthy takes a lot of criticism sometimes for his 'style' of football but he know what to do in this division and how to get out of it.  Personally I do not think they will have enough to get to promoted this year but they are on form at present. 

However Blackpool have been on a downward spiral for months after an impressive start to the campaign. Losing Tom Ince in the January transfer window was a huge blow to the club despite it not being a surprise. Blackpool have won only one of their last 17 games in all competitions. This statistic says it all. Also Blackpool have lost their last eight away games in all competitions. So on the face of it looks a banker home win for the tractor boys. The double bet would be to combine this one with Watford to beat Middlesborough at 6/5 (SkyBet). Watford has improved of late and put in impressive displays against Brighton and Leicester. 

Middlesborough are also on a decent run of form having only lost 1 in last 10 games however I think the difference today will be Watford's firepower. Middlesborough struggle for goals and cannot see them getting more than one today. Whereas Watford's strike force is strong and even though Middlesborough have a great defensive record I do not expect them to hold out Watford. Expect Troy Deeney and Forestieri to both get on the score sheet today. 

SkyBet go 3/1 the double. 

Horse Racing:

The racing of late has been very tough as a result of the ground. Form goes out the window as punters look for a stayer who loves the mud. Over the past few weeks I have seen horses really struggling to finish and even saw a few actually walking over the line. 

Last week only Smad Place came up with the goods but and Katenko was third at Newbury while Brick Red had to settle for second at Warwick . This week action comes from Ascot, Lingfield, Wincanton and Haydock. 

At Ascot Captain Chris in the 3.50 looks good. A winner last time out in a very competitive race he looks to have a good chance here. SkyBet have him at even money. Houblon des Obeaux at 4/1 in the 2.40 is only a good shout. 

SkyBet go 9/1 the double.

At Wincanton Zarkander at 6/4 is the one to be on in the 3.35. 

At Haydock each-way bet of Sea Claria in the 1.45 at 7/1.

Weekend Tips

Last week proved to be very successful. In the football my bet of the day won as Cardiff managed to overcome Norwich for a gift at 6/5. Everton also came through after defeating Aston Villa for a lovely 5/2 double.

There was also success of the horse racing front. Four out of the five selections won. The only failure was shutthefrontdoor as he was a non-runner. Therefore the bet became two doubles.

In the rugby union the win looked secure until Wales conceded a late try to only win by 8 points instead of the 10 required.

This week provides plenty more opportunity for wins with football and horse racing.

Football:

This week the bet of the day is Crystal Palace at 7/5 (Skybet) to beat West Brom at home. Both sides are near the foot of the table in dire need of points. Tony Pulis have improved Palace beyond all recognition in the

Ince to help fire Pulis' Palace to 3 points

past month or so and I expect that to continue today. The availability of Tom Ince will also provide Palace with additional firepower in attack and could be the difference today. Having seen him play on many occasions in the Championship I am very interested to see how he performs at the higher level. There is no doubt he has terrific talent and I expect him to have a big impact for Palace and in doing so helping to secure Premier League survival this season.

It is great to see young England players like Ince and Zaha hopefully playing week in week out in the Premier League.

West Brom have struggled all year and I do not think the sacking of Steve Clarke has benefited them. Having said that in players such as James Morrison, Chris Brunt and very talented Saido Berahino they have more than other sides around them. The selling of Shane Long was a strange one and in doing so they have lost a very useful attacking option.  Having seen West Brom of late I think they are going to find it very tough today. The best I can see them getting is a draw.

The treble bet would be a Palace win with Chelsea and Southampton for 7/2 (Skybet).

Horse Racing:

This weekend racing comes from Newbury, Lingfield and Warwick. All meeting have been given the go-ahead after inspections. The ground will be a major factor today as it has been for the past few weeks and so a battling horse who loves the mud is required.

Newbury: Katenko in 2.25 at 11/4 (Skybet). Beaten on his last run and today he is in a very strong field including Paul Nicholls trained favourite Al Ferof. However taking into account Venetia Williams' form of late and that Katenko is 4 pounds lighter I think he will give it the edge.

Smad Place 15/8 (Skybet) in the 4.10 would be my second selection at Newbury.

The double is at 9/1 (Skybet).

At Warwick the stand out bet is Red Brick in the 2.40. Personally thought he would be a shorter price but at 11/4 (Skybet) it is a no brainer. Was disappointing on last run but feel it will return to form today.

Weekend Tips

Last week it was all going to plan with Sheffield United comfortably dealing with Fulham until the sending off of Michael Doyle. In the Horse Racing both Annie Power and Red Sherlock did the business and created a nice little double.

After the delights of a midweek football fixture list and the final hectic few days of the transfer window the weekend is here and there is plenty of sport around.

Football:

Zaha with much to prove

For me this week one bet leaps out and that is Cardiff City. Incredibly Cardiff are at 6/5 (SkyBet) for a home win over Norwich. Both sides have struggled of late however Norwich to me never look threatening. The lack of goals this season must worry all Norwich fans as they battle the drop. Cardiff on the other hand, may be bottom of the league, but do have firepower and an attacking intent. I know Cardiff have actually scored fewer goals than Norwich this season and have gone 7 league games without a win but today this will change. The signings of Kenwyne Jones and Wilfried Zaha will make a difference for sure. Personally I think the signing of Zaha is a great move. The lad has not been given a chance at Manchester United this season which was a surprise to me given their form. Zaha has bags of talent and will cause trouble to many sides for the rest of this season. The only problem could be the lack of matches and game time he has had this season. 

For Norwich I am personally a massive fan of Nathan Redmond and do not understand why Chris Hughton is not starting him every week. He always causes trouble for the opposition and makes things happen. 

I expect to see a very happy Ole Gunner Solskjaer of MOTD tonight. 

Could double with Everton 2/5 (SkyBet) as expect them to thump Aston Villa.

Elsewhere Ipswich are a good bet at 21/20 (SkyBet)  to beat Bolton given recent form. In the Premier League I expect Spurs to have a tough time at Hull. The signings of Long and Jelavic will prove dividend this year and expect them to survive. A Hull win is at 5/2  (SkyBet) as is the draw. Another bet which interests me seems utterly mental but it is Crystal Palace. Given their recent improvement and organisation quality I can see them giving Arsenal a tough time. The Premier League has been so unpredictable this year that anything is possible. The longer it goes for Palace the better they will get. At 5/1 (SkyBet) for the draw it is tempting but I will leave this one this week.  

Horse Racing:

Going will be extremely heavy and will need to pick battling horses who loves the mud. Expect many top weights to struggle.

At Wetherby a treble of Aurore D'estruval , Flemenson and Shutthefrontdoor at 6/1 (SkyBet) look a strong selection. 

At Sandown Oscar Whiskey looks a good bet and will be heavily odds on. I would pair it with Saroque for a 5/1 double.

Rugby Union: 

Wales play Italy in the opener of their Six Nations campaign and I and many expect them to win with ease. Italy can be a difficult side but Wales should have too much for them. A Wales win of 10 points or more is at even money (SkyBet) and looks a certain payout.