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

Plenty of action this week as we have a full set of football fixtures, Horse Racing from Chester,Newmarket,Haydock and Market Rasen, Rugby League Play-off semi-finals and the Ryder Cup. It promises to be a very exciting weekend of sport. 

Football:

This week I am looking towards a treble as the way to go. Everton have been playing really well of late and despite their defeat in mid-week to Leeds they still go into this one as favourites. For me Everton are going to have a terrific season and will challenge for top 4. David Moyes has done a wonderful job and I believe a top 6 finish I think is a cert. Players such as Marouane Fellani, Steven Pienaar, Nikica  Jelavic, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka have been immense. On the other hand Nigel Adkins's Southampton have struggled. Last weeks victory over Aston Villa was crucial. It was one that they simply had to win. However for me as I regularly express Aston Villa are poor and were there for the taking. I think the win with have done the confidence of the team the world of good although I just think Everton will be too strong. As ever with Southampton defensively they are very weak and they will be tormented by Everton whose movement and power will be too much. Skybet go 4/11 the Everton win.

Cisse is back on the goal trail

The second team in the treble is Newcastle. It is very rare that I back my own team however in this instance at 11/8 (SkyBet) that are just too tempting not to back. The Toon travel to Reading whose form of late has been awful. Their performance against Tottenham recently was so poor as similar to Southampton it was defensively that they were so susptical. The marking was poor and they gave far to much time and space to the Tottenham players. Despite their win in midweek I expect a side as strong as Newcastle to put them away. Papiss Cisse (left) scoring in midweek is great news for the Toon and will relive the tension of the striker waiting for his first goal. This too with Demba Ba already on terrific form  should provide nothing but nightmares for an already shaky Reading backline. 

The third and final team is that of Stoke (10/11-SkyBet). Stoke take on a Swansea side who bubble is bursting. Despite a great start to the season Swansea have lost their last two and an away trip to Stoke is always a physical and tough task as all the top teams have found out, with both Arsenal and Manchester City only managing draws at the Britannia. It will be interesting to see how Michael Laudrup's Swansea cope and if they are up for the fight or they will just crumble. 

Elsewhere I am tipping Arsenal to win the early game against Chelsea. The 6/5 (SkyBet) is a nice price and one worth going with. In their current form and at home, Arsenal have a great chance. Despite Chelsea being top of the League for me they have not been playing that well and today is their first real test this season. Lukas Podolski to score at any time 11/2 (SkyBet) is a wonderful bet. 

Other Premier League games that are intriguing is Fulham/Manchster City and Norwich/Liverpool. Fulham at home are very good and I think Manchester City could be in for a tough time. On the other hand Norwich/Liverpool is two teams who have started slowly. Both without a win however the pressure in on Brendan Rodgers here as Liverpool will still be expected to win this one. 

Bet of the day : Everton/Newcastle/Stoke treble @ 5/1 (SkyBet) . 

Lower League win Accumulator: Brighton/Bolton/Gillingham and Huddersfield @8/1 (SkyBet)

Long shot of the day: Fulham to beat Manchester City @7/2 (SkyBet)

Horse-Racing:

Having looked at the cards Newmarket is where the bets are. The main attraction is that of the The Cambridgeshire is at 3.40 and I am tipping Frankie Dettori's mount for Saeed Bin Suroor.

Win Bets:  Newmarket: 1.55 Excess Knowledge @ 8/1 (SkyBet) 

                 Newmarket: 3.00 Chachamaidee @11/2 (SkyBet)

EachWay: Newmarket: 3.40 Man of Action @16/1 (SkyBet)  

Rugby League: 

I am tipping St Helens to defeat Warrington is a thriller tonight to join Leeds in next weeks showcase.  They are 11/10 (SkyBet) to do just that and this is a nice price. 

Golf:

So Europe trail 5-3 after Day 1, a deficit which can be easily rectified. Europe are now out 5/2 to win the Ryder Cup. This is very tempting, as things can change very quickly. Todays foursomes are crucial as Europe must win a minimum of 2 in the morning session and in the afternoon session. Going into the afternoon at 9-7 down I would still fancy Europe but behind by more then 2 will be very tough indeed,  Looking at the quality of European golfer I am amazed that USA are as short as 2/5 after Day 1. This is far too short. 

Good Luck with all your bets this weekend. 

Time for English Football State of Origin

Origin is huge success in Australia. 

Every year I watch the State of Origin in Australian Rugby League witnesses passion, drama and great entertainment. This is where the states of Queensland and New South Wales faces each other in a three match series.

The series has been a huge success since its creation in the early 1980's and is now one of the most anticipated matches of the year in Australia with sell out crowds and a worldwide audience.

I have always wondered why this idea is not used in English football. You could easily have North v South. Having sat through numerous boring friendlies for the England team, this would be something new and different. I think it would be a great concept as it could be seen as almost a trial match for the England team.

Also I believe the British public will get behind it, and I am sure they would be sell outs if sold/marketed properly. You could have three matches held over the country.

Game 1: North - Old Trafford

Game 2: South - The Emirates

Game 3: Midlands - Villa Park

Also to prevent the chance of draws, if level after 90 minutes it should go straight to penalties. The pressure of this would be the closest the pressure of a World Cup or European Championships. 

Now the teams would be an issue whether they are decided by birth place, first professional appearance, club and also which side to players from the Midlands go on. Personally I would say birth-place and players from the midlands can be selected by either side, so if chosen by both the player decides. Decisions by these players stick, you could not play for South one year and North the next.  

Also you would have to decide whether Scottish and Welsh players would be allowed to play. Personally I would say no but it is open to debate. 

For Example :

TEAM SOUTH:

                                          HART

G.JOHNSON          TERRY           FERDINAND            COLE

                  LAMPARD    PARKER      WILSHERE

WALCOTT                       DEFOE                           STURRDIGE



Manager : Harry Redknapp




TEAM NORTH :

                                             FOSTER

   JONES                LESCOTT        CAHILL              BAINES

                    GERRARD    CARRICK        MILNER

  A. JOHNSON                ROONEY                         WELBECK
                                   



Manager : David Moyes

This is just hypothetical. But I would want to see this.

Obviously there are many obstacles, such as the clubs and scheduling but I think the FA should work with the Premier League to make it happen. It is a guaranteed sell out with rights sold around the world. 

It would benefit the England team and Roy Hodgson as he would see these players without the foreigners around them to judge them. It would also highlight the growing issue of lack of English players in the Premier League and it could also be a stepping stone between club and county. 

I will be sending this idea to the FA.