Weekend Tips

After last weeks successful selection of Crystal Palace as well as a win for Zamdy man, it was all in all a good weekend. This weekend there is plenty more action included the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Football:

Expect Clough to be celebrating come the final whistle

For me this week the bet is Sheffield United. I backed them in the last round to beat Aston Villa and they did at a wonderful 6-1 (SkyBet). Fulham, like Aston Villa, are struggling in the league and survival is without doubt the main aim. The weather this weekend is poor and playing away from home has never been a strong point for Fulham. This all leads to me thinking Sheffield are a great bet. SkyBet go 7/4, which although a little short is understandable. I will still be taking this one on. Nigel Clough will have them organised and ready to go whereas Fulham's commitment can be questioned.

Elsewhere a solid accumulator looks: Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Southampton and Brighton 3-1 (SkyBet).

Horse Racing:

Horse Racing comes from Cheltenham and Doncaster this weekend. Personally I feel there are many open races and given the ground you will need a horse who love the mud. Annie Power looks a certainty and I expect her to be at least 1/5 by the off. I will probably look to double this with another and at the moment am think Red Sherlock 7/4 at Cheltenham in the 15:00.

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- FA Cup Preview

We were unlucky with a few bets last week, in particular Sunderland and the Rugby being called off. However Everton won and so did the choice of wins so a nice 15-1 win there. So still up on the day.

FA cup action this week however where will the shocks come from? With regards to Saturday I think that there are some very interesting clashes. Chelsea entertain Birmingham in the early kick off (12.30) this is a crucial game for Andre Villas Boas. He must win this one and I think he will. The best Birmingham will hope for is a draw or a 1-0 win. Despite Chelsea's poor form this is a game they should not struggle in. Birmingham have been playing very well recently and have a very strong defence however do lack goals. Birmingham hopes rest in Nathan Redmond. As a result I would predict a tight 2-1 win for Chelsea (4-1 with SkyBet). If AVB loses this one then he is in real trouble and faces the sack far sooner then in the summer.

Elsewhere Blackpool have the potential to surprise Everton. Blackpool similar to Birmingham with regards to good form and this one is very difficult to call. I would predict Everton to just edge it 2-1 (7-1 with SkyBet). But with Kevin Phillips around and Ian Holloway as manager who knows. Also Millwall entertain Bolton, with both teams near the bottom of their respective divisions. Due to Bolton form and The New Den not being an easy place to go I would predict a draw (12-5 SkyBet). I also expect Norwich to beat Leicester.

Evans out to shock again with Crawley

The interesting clash and the best chance for  a shock is at the Stadium of Light.  Last week I tipped Sunderland to beat Arsenal and they were unlucky not to. I can not believe Arsenal will get that lucky again. Also no Henry and the thumping that they received in mid-week will play on their minds and I think that they will lose. Sunderland will also have learnt from last week and will be out for revenge. So I predict a win for Sunderland. (9-5 Skybet)

The second major shock will be on Sunday where League 2 Crawley Town take on Premier League Stoke City.  Stoke struggle away from home and Crawley will be buzzing for the contest. Steve Evans (right) will have his team organised and disciplined. Their win over Hull in the last round was very impressive and I think that this is the best chance of a shock. 11-4 odds from SkyBet are very appealing and I will be having a punt on that.

The romantics of the cup with hope that Stevenage can beat Tottenham and in the FA cup you never know however for me I do not expect them to have any trouble here. Then at Anfield where Brighton take on Liverpool again I expect Liverpool to have to much. Brighton are on good form however the likes of Bellamy will really trouble them and if I was Dalglish I would play Carroll as Brighton are not good with dealing with big powerful centre forward. He would have joy all day and probably score, as long as Liverpool put decent crosses in.

Bet of the Day: Sunderland to beat Arsenal (9-5 Skybet)

                         Tomorrow- Crawley to beat Stoke (11-4 SkyBet)

Longshot of the day: Despite me predicting an Everton win Blackpool odds of 6-1 are very appealing. This is a huge price when you consider there are only 3 possible results and the form of Blackpool. There are only one division below.

Win multiple: MK Dons, Sheffield United, Cheltenham, Barnsley (7-1 SkyBet)

Both to score: Southend/Crewe, Port Vale/Gillingham, Hartlepool/Notts County and Bristol Rovers/Oxford  (7-1 SkyBet)

Horse Racing:

Each Way- 2.25 at Haydock- Reindeer Dippin at 13-2

Win - 4.30 at Haydock- Upthemsteps at 7-2

Good luck with any bets you have this week.