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.