Weekend Tips

On last weeks bets, the accumulator success was the highlight @14/1. I hope you had that as I did. My longshot 'hollywood' bet came oh so close before Sergio Aguero scored in the 94th minute and my bet of the day was ruined by a certain Martin Fulop. A performance of amateur standard in which he gifted Arsenal 2 goals and despite getting a strong hand on Andros Santos' shot failed to stop the ball from going in. If only Ben Foster had been in goal it could have been different. Anyway moving on...

A massive saturday is now here. Two matches of huge significance. Firstly at 3pm the Championship Play-off final between Blackpool and West Ham United. The £90million game as it has been previously billed. A place in the Premier League is up for grabs as both look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.  This is followed by the biggest game in club football, the Champions League final. At 7.45pm Chelsea take on Bayern Munich for the ultimate club prize. Both games promise to be enthralling.

Football:

Holloway dreaming of the big-time

I have long been tipping Blackpool to win the play-offs. They are the perfect play-off team. They have won the play-offs before and in Ian Holloway (left)  they have a real character who can really motivate the players. They go into this one as the underdogs. West Ham were the favourites to gain automatic promotion from the beginning of the season. With Sam Alladyce as manager, a man of Premier League experience as well as having players such as Robert Green, Mark Noble, Carlton Cole, Kevin Nolan and Matthew Taylor. All of these players have experience of playing in the Premier League. Their sqaud on paper is by far the best in the Championship and they will have been disappointed only to make the play-offs although this will all be forgotten if they win today. The key player for me is Jack Collison, he has been fantastic of late and is a crucial player for West Ham. If he continues his form Blackpool may struggle to contain him. West Ham have so many options especially on the attacking sense. In Ricardo Vaz Te, Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole, John Carew and Sam Baldock they have plenty of goal-scorers.

The bookies go 10/11 (SkyBet) for a West Ham while Blackpool are @11/4 (SkyBet) to win it in 90 minutes.

Is it fate?
Phillips to fire Blackpool back to the premier League 

My tip is to back the outsiders in this one. No doubt that they are up against it but I just feel they will do it. I have backed them from a long-time out and will continue to do so. I think it will be a cracking match. The pressure in on West Ham and I think this will help Blackpool. I think Blackpool will be looking forward to this one more than West Ham. Big Sam will be so relieved if West Ham win this one. West Ham looked very very good in their play-off semi against Cardiff as they dominated both games although that will not happen today. Blackpool are a tricky team with fantastic team spirit and do have some quality players. In Matt Phillips and of course the legendary Kevin Phillips (above) they have two match-winners. Kevin Phillips is a goal-sorer and I am sure he will score today. He is clinical in front of goal and that is why he scores so many.  My fear for Blackpool is that of set-pieces. West ham are incredibly powerful in the air and Blackpool must cope with this.

I predict a classic high scoring game of which I a going to have a couple of quid on Blackpool to win 4-2 @80/1 (SkyBet).

My bet of the day is 11/4 Blackpool win.

Robben against his former club
is in the hunt for glory

Then tonight, a clash that many were not expecting after seeing the semi-final draw. It was all set-up for an El Classico final in which the two best teams in the world would battle it out for the title. However it was not to be as both Real Madrid and Barcelona were left stunned by Bayern Munich and Chelsea. This one promises to be a very interesting clash. Both sides are missing players due to yellow cards although for me it is Chelsea who will suffer more. The loss of Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Mierles is huge. However despite this I still expect a terrific match in which anything could happen. Bayern Munich have a very dangerous front three. In Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben (left) they have two of the best wide players in Europe. However for me despite the stats and the media hype I personally do not rate Mario Gomez. For me is is massively overrated. He is far to wasteful in front of goal and in a game such as this he will only get maximum 2 good chances, but will he take them? I think not. They do have a magnificent team with players such as German Internationals Phillip Lahm Bastian Schweinsteiger , Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer. Another advantage for them is the venue. The match is taking place at their home stadium the Allianz Area. This is a major advantage for Bayern and one which Chelsea will have to deal with.

On paper and in theory Chelsea are up against it and should not really win, that is why many have predicted that they will not. Although with this Chelsea team you just get the feeling they can. For many it is their last chance. Many of them were in the team that lost to Manchester United in 2008 and not many get a second chance. These players have got that second chance and in truth for many a final chance. Players such as Dider Drogba will cause Bayern a lot of problems due to his power and strength. He is the one Chelsea fans will look too. Players such as Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard I expect to also have terrific games. Can Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo win the trophy that Roman Abramovich wants so much? It really does promise to be a classic watch.

Bayern last won the tournament back in 2001 however were beaten finalist in 2010 to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan. As a result many of their players will also feel that they have a second chance.

It will be interesting to see how the 5-2 defeat they suffered to Dortmund at the weekend affects Bayern ,if at all. Many will say just as with Chelsea's defeat to Liverpool that their minds were on this one.

For me I do think that it will be tight although am seeing a Chelsea win by 2-1. To win in 90 minutes Chelsea are a great price @ 100/30 (SkyBet) whereas Bayern are @7/10(SkyBet).

Fun bet for me is Dider Drogba to score first and Chelsea to win 2-1 @66/1(SkyBet). Either sides to win on penalties is @ 12/1 (SkyBet).

Bet for this one : Chelsea to win in 90 minutes at 100/30(SkyBet)

Horse-Racing:

Newbury 3.40: Win:  Frankel @1/4 (SkyBet) can see no other outcome

Newmarket 3.55: Eachway : Bernie the Bolt @7/1 (SkyBet)

Drogba Fires Chelsea to Cup Success

Chelsea seal another FA Cup succes

Chelsea made it four FA Cup victories in six years as they claimed a well deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Chelsea were dominant and strikes from Ramires and of course Dider Drogba gave Chelsea a comfortable 2-0 lead and seemingly another FA Cup final victory. Although Liverpool finally woke up in the final 25 minutes, inspired greatly by the introduction of Andy Carroll, as they pilled the pressure on a tiring Chelsea. Carroll netted with a great finish before the a moment of pure brilliance from Petr Cech kept Carroll's header out. Carroll showed the form he had at Newcastle and why Liverpool paid so much money for him. Chelsea hang on to claim their first silverware under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo and left Kenny Dalglish's side with more then a few regrets.

In truth for the first 65 minutes Chelsea were so dominant they could have had three or four. Liverpool did not turn up. It was for me the most one sided FA Cup final since Manchester United victory over Millwall back in 2004. The gulf between the two appeared to be huge. Steven Gerrard was anonymous for most of the game as his Captain Fantastic / Roy of the Rovers aura seems to be fading. No longer can he galvanise and carry Liverpool sides as he has in the past. It was a very poor showing from Liverpool who Gordon Strachan describes as 'lacking enthusiasm', which seems unbelievable for a Cup Final. 

The deadlock was broken after 11 minutes as Jay Spearing was dispossessed and Juan Mata's pass found Ramires in full flight who breezed past Jose Enrique will ease before he fired his shot straight at Pepe Reina, however the Spaniard had tried to predict the shot and so was in the wrong position and could do nothing to prevent the ball going in. In truth it was a catalogue of errors. Jose Enrique attempt at defending was awful as for Reina, you would expect a man of his experience to be doing far better. 

No stopping that one- Drogba fires home

Throughout the first half Liverpool created nothing. As an attacking force they were dismal. It was so easy for Chelsea. As a result I expected them to be given the riot act and to come out second half all guns blazing however this was not the case. They began the second half as they had finished the first. Chelsea then deservedly went 2-0 ahead through Drogba's left-footed low drive into the far corner (left). It was so one-sided it was not even a spectacle. For an FA Cup final for a team to show not fight, passion, enthusiasm or drive was incredible. 

However the introduction of Andy Carroll on 55 minutes turned the game. He immediately looked to be a threat. On 65 minutes Carroll scored a superb effort as he bamboozled John Terry before firing into the roof of the net. For the first time in the game, Liverpool seemed to be interested. 

Cech makes incredible save from Carroll

Suddenly they were flooding forward and looked a threat. Carroll was causing chaos in the Chelsea defence. John Terry's quiet afternoon had gone. The team seemed to now have purpose and drive. In the 82nd minute they were nearly rewarded again. Carroll (right) found himself totally unmarked and his powerful header was incredibly saved by Petr Cech. Liverpool appealed for the goal, as Luis Suarez remonstrated with the linesman. In real time from the television angle it looked a goal however from the reply it showed to me that the ball had not crossed the line and Cech had in fact made an FA Cup winning save. I am glad that the referee got this one correct, as would have been awful if we had had another goal -line decision controversy. The officials got this one correct however goal-line technology must be brought in.  Liverpool continued to push forward in search on the equaliser as Chelsea fell further and further back. It seemed they were running on empty. However it was not to be for Liverpool as Chelsea hung on for the win.To be honest despite Liverpool's final 25 minute burst of energy, I do not think anyone could seriously make a genuine case for Liverpool deserving to be level.  You cannot not play for the first 65 minutes and seriously expect to win. Chelsea were deserved winners. 

Where do Liverpool go from here?

The defeat will leave Liverpool fans reeling over their sides lack of anything in the first 65 minutes. Kenny Dalglish will be wondered what exactly happened. Should Andy Carroll have started? His performance in the last 25 minutes was that of when he was at Newcastle. I do think that Carroll will come good. If he is used correctly he is incredibly dangerous. His performance maybe gives him an outside shot at the England squad. Today we saw a number of very poor showing, Steven Gerrard (right) looked past it, Enrique seems to be getting worse and Liverpool appear to be going backwards. As for Dalglish he is a man under pressure. He spent a lot of money over the summer and his return is a dismal league campaign and finish, FA Cup final defeat and a Carling Cup win. Luckily for Dalglish he has qualified for the Europa League although they are so far of the pace it must scare Liverpool fans. Although Dalglish looked an old and haggard man on the touchline who seems to not know what to do. It will very interesting to see what happened in the summer at Liverpool. Will Dalglish still be in charge? I think so although will he be given money to spend? Dalglish and Liverpool must face the stark reality of the situation and will have to do some seriously thinking over the next few weeks.  

As for Chelsea they now have a Champions League final to look forward to. That is the big game for them no doubt. They will need to win, due to their league form, in order to qualify for the tournament next year. Also it is the one they have always wanted. It will be an intriguing final no doubt. It may also be vital for the future of Roberto Di Matteo. If he does win the Champions League, surely he will be given the job. For me he should get it anyway, however Roman Abramovich is a strange man and no one can predict what he will do. 

Weekend Tips

Last weekend I was let down by West Brom and Norwich. However my points about Liverpool were justified if you saw the performance and defeat to Fulham in mid-week. I am sure had Grant Holt been picked Liverpool would have struggled. Elsewhere the horse-racing bet of the day came in though with Ballyoliver @7/2. Finally Batley put in a fine display despite narrowly losing  to London Broncos although they were well worth the bet. 

This week we see the end of both League 1&2 as well as a bumper Sunday of huge Premier League action and on top of this an FA Cup final. There is also horse-racing from Newmarket, Goodwood and Thirsk. 

Football:

Goal-machine Cisse will be looking for more against City

An absolutely massive weekend of Premier League action. So many crucial games as the title, Champions League places and relegation still to be decided. With regards to the title race, I can see no other result then a Manchester United win @1/6 (SkyBet) against Swansea. United toughest game is next week away at Sunderland, if Sunderland are up for it then it will be a very very difficult trip for them. The other key game is that at St James' Park. In form Manchester City take on in form and Champions League chasing Newcastle United. This one could be a classic. Both sides with so much attacking flair. For me the key is for Newcastle to score first. For Alan Pardew's side this is a must. This is very possible for them to do. The form of Papiss Cisse (left), 13 goals in 12 games and with the providers of Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa you would think they will cause City trouble.  Newcastle are @19/5 (SkyBet) for the win, City @4/6 (SkyBet) and 3/1 (SkyBet) the draw. I am going to tip Newcastle to win this one. It is a bold claim as City will throw everything at them however think Newcastle will win it. A Newcastle win is a must if they are to continue to search for 3rd in the table. 

Harry looking for nothing less then 3 points at Villa park

The other Champions League contenders are Arsenal who play Norwich in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. I expect Arsenal to win this one, however do hope for Grant Holt to cause havoc. Arsenal are 4/6 @(SkyBet) for the win. Tottenham play away at dire Aston Villa and can only see a win here. The only hope for Villa is a 0-0, however cannot see Villa holding out. Harry Redknapp's (right) Tottenham @5/6 (SkyBet) for the win, Aston Villa @100/30 (SkyBet). Alex Mcleish's men are really struggling as they look to limp over the line for Premier League survival. I said I thought Villa would go down and they will be very very close although I just feel that point they got last week may save them. However we have seen some very strange goings-on this season and who knows maybe QPR will win away at City on the final day. 

The FA Cup final seems to be almost forgotten about as so many fixtures are happening around it and the league season still ongoing. For me it should be like it used to be, on it's own day after the season has finished. Anyway I digress, this one is a 5.15 kick off and for me there is only one outcome. Chelsea despite that defeat to Newcastle in mid-week are by far the favourites @ 6/4 (SkyBet). Liverpool are @9/5 however this is far too short. Liverpool's performances have been poor to put it nicely. 

Drogba a cert to score for me

For me this will be 3-0 to Chelsea and @25/1 I will give that a punt. Liverpool will struggle as they have all season and cannot see them being able to cope with the attacking options of Chelsea. Juan Mata will cause them real trouble and if Didier Drogba (left) starts he will certainly score. Even if he does the resurgent Fernando Torres could easily score. His form of late has been greatly improved and against his former club it is almost written that he will play a part. There is no doubt that this one is bigger for Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool although they will fall short. This will leave Dalglish's job in danger I feel. Over 100 million spent and only a Carling Cup. I do believe he will survive although if they start next season badly he could be the first man for the sack. I expect Roberto Di Matteo to play his strongest side and this will be more then enough to overcome Liverpool.

Bet of the day: Chelsea @6/4 (SkyBet) to win the FA Cup in 90 minutes. 

Lower league acculator: Wins for Sheffield Wednesday, Stevenage, Notts County and Southend @6/1 (SkyBet)

Outside bet of the day: Relegated Exeter to beat Sheffield United @7/1 (SkyBet). The Ched Evans jailing has really affected them as I just cannot see them scoring. One to certainly avoid when betting on a play-off winner.   

Horse-Racing:

Eachway Bet: Woolfall Treasure in the 3.30 at Goodwood is a nice each-way punt @14-1(SkyBet). 

Win Bet: Neutrafa @100/300 (SkyBet) in the 4.05 at Goodwood. 

Good luck with all your bets.

Drogba continues to role back the years as he fires Chelsea to first leg lead

Magnificent. Last night Chelsea produced one of their best ever Champions League performances just when they needed it.

Chelsea have plenty of recent history with Barcelona in this competition and after the injustice back in 2009 this one was always going to be a extra tense affair. There really is no love lost between these two.

Drogba fires home 

Didier Drogba's 45th minute strike (left) was enough to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. Barcelona dominated with nearly 80% procession in the game although just could not find a way through the stubborn Chelsea defence. However at times, as you need to in these sort of games, Chelsea had the luck.

In the first half Cesc Fabregas had two wonderful chances to put Barcelona ahead. Firstly after an Andres Iniesta shot could only be parried by Petr Cech, Fabregas from all of 8 yards sliced his effort wide with the goal at his mercy. Fabregas was then sent clean through one-on-one with Cech, he chipped past Cech however it was the terrific Ashley Cole, who got back to make a sublime goal line clearance. Fabregas also had another shot well saved by Cech, and you started to feel it was not going to be his night. Also in the first half Andres Iniesta put Alexis Sanchez clear with a wonderful chip over the top of the Chelsea defence. Sanchez also lobbed the on rushing Cech only to see his effort hit the bar.

However then in the the 45th minute Lionel Messi lost the ball to Frank Lampard just inside the Chelsea half. Lampard then provided a stunning reverse pass to set Ramires clear. Ramires then cut it back to Drogba who left-foot finish found the net. For me Victor Valdes should take some blame for his effort to save it. If he has lead with his hands and not with his feet I am sure he would have stopped it.

Guardiola left ruing missed opportunities

Into the second half and the pressure once again continued from Barcelona. Chelsea were throwing themselves in front of Barcelona shots, with Gary Cahill makes two crucial blocks. Then as time seemed to be running out Barcelona had possibly their best chance of the game. In the 90th minute Pedro shot hit the post and Sergio Busquets following in from all of 8 yards blazed his effort high over the bar. Pep Guardiola (left) cut the look of a frustrating man as the final whistle blow.

Last night performance from Chelsea was remarkable. The winning performance on Sunday over Tottenham was one of a Chelsea team of a few years ago. The big guns of Frank Lampard, Ashely Cole and John Terry and for me the most important influence of Didier Drogba all performed. This was also the case last night. It was almost like watching Chelsea under Jose Mourinho for me. Disciplined, dogged and resilient. Also a feature of his Inter Milan side who knocked Barcelona out 2 years ago at this stage. A further point is even though Mourinho has been gone nearly 5 years, 6 of his signing were in the 16 as well as the like of Terry and Lampard who were key to his team. They always say the team's spine is key to success and look at Chelsea and it's spine of Cech, Terry, Lampard and Drogba. All key components of Mourinho's Chelsea.

I have slated Chelsea at times this season, and deserved so, however last night performance deserves nothing but praise and admiration. To beat Barcelona is an incredible feat and one that should be acknowledged. Against a team that has the best player in the world in Messi, who Chelsea managed to keep reasonably quiet, and contains some of the greatest midfield men in the world Chelsea stepped up and performed. Yes, they are still up against it and face another enormous and greater challenge in the return leg next week but they showed last night why the fans will have hope. They have given themselves a fighting chance. Not conceding an away goal was another major bonus. For me I see more Chelsea as having a better chance then Arsenal did in the previous two years when they travel to the Nou Camp. This is partly due to the way they will play. I wrote at the time that Arsenal needed to play ugly to win however did not and got hammered with Arsene Wenger's pure football. Chelsea will make it tough and anything could happen.

Ash 'King' Cole.
without doubt Man of the Match

Roberto Di Matteo does also deserve plaudits with his tactics and team selection. Although I am not sure he is the one picking them. The players are playing as we know they can and not the producing the woeful performances they put in under Andre Villas Boas. They are playing with pride, hunger and passion. A team-performance it was and all those who played deserve great credit. The likes of John Obi Mikel played the best I have ever seen and Gary Cahill proved his International class however two players really stood up for me.

Ashley Cole (right) for me had the best game he has had for 2 years. Last night I saw just why he has been quoted as the best left back in the world. His all round performance was terrific. He was up and down the left hand side all night. His clearance of the line, his energy and professionalism impressed me. Ashley Cole has had his off the field problems and is one who regularly moans at the referee. However last night I did not see this side of Cole. His performance was one of maturity and drive. It was great to see, as it shows just how good he can be when 100% focused. It was performances like this one as to why Chelsea brought him back in 2006. For me he was without doubt man of the match.

The second was that of Didier Drogba. This a man written off by many, including myself as past his best and to be soon moving on. I still believe he is past his best although in the last two matches his has produced performances of near his best. His hold-up play and all round game has stood out. Yes, he has received plenty of criticism for his 'antics' and the amount of time he spent on the floor but the job he did for his team was what was needed. Also after his superb finish at the weekend, he seemed to be back in the hunt for goals and this is why he had to be picked over Fernando Torres. In a game such as this, playing the counter-attacking way, you are only going to get max 3 chances if that and you need a man who is going to finish them. Torres at the moment is not that man. Torres' lack of confidence in his own ability is clear for all to see. He reminds me of Andrey Shevchenko back in 2006/2007 season. A great player but just did not fit it. Torres is the same, again brought in for a large sum and at the want of the owner rather then manager. He does not look to me as 'part of the gang' if you will. He looks an outsider.  I personally think Torres will leave in the summer and think he should. If he did move club I can see him returning to form and getting the goals once again. But for me, it will never work out at Chelsea for Fernando Torres.

It will be interesting to see which team Terry selects next week for the return fixture as Chelsea attempt to get a result in the Nou Camp. If Chelsea can grab a goal it will make it interesting. For me they will need to score to have a chance.

In this kind of form, Chelsea have a great chance to go through to the final. It also helps them as they try to achieve top-four in the Premier League. This weekend against Arsenal is massive. Can the Chelsea old guard many in their 30's produce over four games, at the intensity these have been played in. In the first two they have gained an FA Cup Final and Champions League hope, producing the the next two could give them top-four finishing hope and a Champions League final. Chelsea have it all to play for.

Napoli left stunned as Chelsea progress

Last night Chelsea produced a display of grit, determination and resilience as they completed an emphatic comeback to win 5-4 (aet) on aggregate and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Branislav Ivanovic was the hero with the goal in extra-time after a well worked move, in which Drogba turned brilliantly before finding Ivanovic whose finished with real power past De Sanctis.

'Pick that out' - Ivanovic smashes home in extra time

After early pressure by Napoli the game changed and in the 29th minute as Drogba made it 1-0 with a powerful header. From this moment on Chelsea began to dominate the game. Early in the second half Terry made it two with another headed goal. At 2-0 it was enough to see Chelsea through due to their away goal however only 7 minutes later Gokan Inler fired a 20-yard strike past the helpless Petr Cech to put Napoli in the lead again. Chelsea however did not crumble as I thought, they fought back piling on the pressure. Napoli were struggling and gave away a penalty in the 75th minute to which Frank Lampard cooly stepped up to hammer home. Napoli were increasing on the back foot and rarely a chance came their way. Into extra-time and Napoli looked spent. They were visibly tiring by the second as Chelsea continued to pour forward.  Fernando Torres almost scored however was unable to convert as his time without a goal heads past the 25 hour mark. Then after a terrific turned and cross by Drogba, Ivanovic rifled home to send Stamford Bridge into euphoria.  

After a poor display in the first leg I felt that Chelsea had very little chance of progressing. Their performances in the League were poor and the team looked disinterested and lacking confidence. However since the sacking of Andre Villas Boas they seem to have a new lease of life, a willingness, a drive to succeed.

Di Matteo showed a lack of class

Chelsea's celebrations at the end were that of pure delight however if not somewhat unsavoury. Roberto Di Matteo (left) went running on the pitch, jumping of players in deight. This only days after the man who brought him to the club was sacked. To me this showed a real lack of class on Di Matteo's part. For me no matter what the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry say the players did get Andre Villas Boas the sack. It was evident. Where was the fight against West Brom that they showed yesterday? answer nowhere. Yesterday there was a key moment where ITV showed the touchline where none other then John Terry was barracking orders at the players. Even ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley stated 'by the way if case you were wondering the man in the suit is the manager'. Now I know people will say he is just passionate however this is appalling. I do not care how experienced, how passionate you are no player from any other team would do this. Could you imagine a Manchester United or City player standing behind Ferguson or Mancini shouting instructions? I do not know what was worse the complete lack of respect by Terry or the lack of backbone by Di Matteo not to say anything.  For me it shows who runs Chelsea and as with Real Madrid a few years ago its the players. I do feel for Villas Boas as they were not with him and I agree with him that the old guard need to leave Chelsea. Despite this result and whatever they achieve this season they need to leave for Chelsea to progress. This is why Di Matteo must also go as he is not the man to rebuild this team. 

So this performance left me wondering and probably what many Chelsea fans thought as where has that performance been this season? Is Chelsea's season to be saved as the fans look at a top four place and FA Cup and  Champions League success will optimism? This is all still to be seen, however one thing is for sure on this form and this attitude Chelsea are definitely ones to watch. Personally I think they will fall short but they have proven me wrong before.

The draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League is on Friday.