Weekend Tips

What a week it has been. Andy Murray has won his first Grand Slam, the first Brit to do so for 76 years and England have started World Cup qualifying with 4 points from 6. However this is still a disappointment. Also the terrible findings of the Hillsborough disaster were released proving that football fans were not to blame, it will be interesting to see if Liverpool raise their game today.

Top flight football is back this week and so a full fixture list to chose from as well as Rugby League and horse-racing from Newcastle,Bath,Chester and Doncaster where Camelot goes for history. Last weeks' bet of the day came through despite Serena Williams giving me a scare. However my prediction of Djokovic would have changed after I knew about the delay, although can take nothing away from Murray he deserved it.

Football: 

Three points for O'Neill today

This week there is one game that for me stands out above the rest. It is the tea-time saturday match between Sunderland and Liverpool. Sunderland under the management of Martin O'Neill (left) are a very difficult team to play against. They have started the season solidly drawing away at Arsenal and home against an in-form Swansea side however their first win will surely happen today. The thing I like about Sunderland is the front three, in James McClean, Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson they pose a very direct threat that will cause many teams problems throughout the season. For me this is a top-half front three. As a result I think Sunderland have goals in them, now when I compare this to Liverpool it is easy to see why the common sense must be a Sunderland win. Liverpool have struggled in their opening three games losing against West Brom (A) and Arsenal (H) and getting a draw against Manchester City (H). They won many plaudits for their performance against City however for me they were playing the best they could and City were at half-pace and used a strange team selection. I look at the Liverpool team and nothing would really worry me if I was Martin O'Neill. The front three of Luis Suarez, Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling is weaker then that of Sunderland. The boy Sterling looks a great player with plenty of pace however none if them are what I would call goal scorers. Suarez is capable of great skill and incredible goals but is he going to score 20? I dont think so. This for me is Liverpool biggest problem. Both of their goals this season have come from set-pieces.The team does not have goals in them. As a team they create very little and even if they do they have no clinical striker to finish them. In fact for me they have no traditional striker at all now that they have let Andy Carroll go. This decision was an error, Carroll has not had the best of times at Anfield however as a Newcastle fan I know just how good he can be, given the service. This was the same as Alan Shearer. He was also a plan B. Liverpool have all small forwards and are unable to change the game. There is no power up front so arial threat is non existent. Now I know the same could be labelled at Barcelona however they are in a different league, literally and metaphorically, and the players they have are far superior to that of Liverpool. Sunderland are defensively organised and so a shut-out here is very likely. Also worryingly Steven Gerrard looks as if the years of carrying Liverpool and being the 'Roy of the Rovers' have finally taken their toll on him.

I understand what Brendan Rogers is trying to do however I do think he has made mistakes this season already and I do not see things getting any easier for him any time soon. Today will be emotionally charged for Liverpool due to the Hillsborough files however this match will do nothing to raise their spirits.

The records will show any team that struggles for goals will be battling relegation, now I do not think Liverpool will be in such trouble however talk of top 4 is laughable unless of some terrific signings in January and plenty of luck. For me they will be mid-table and they can have no complaint.

SkyBet go 12/5 a Sunderland win which is amazing odds and ones that should not be missed. SkyBet also go  11/10 Liverpool win and the draw is 12/5.

Bet of the day: Sunderland to beat Liverpool 12/5 (SkyBet)

Accumulator bet: Arsenal, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Bournemouth @ 20/1 (SkyBet).

Longshot: Stoke to win at home to Manchester City @4/1 (SkyBet). Stoke a very tough place to go and Man City may be thinking of Real Madrid in mid-week.

Also maybe few pounds on Brendan Rogers to be the first manager sacked in the Premier League at 20/1.

Racing:

Camelot goes for history and I think he should do it. At 2/5 it is too short for me however it will be major shock if he fails.

Win bet: 1.50 @Doncaster- Invisible Man @4/1 (SkyBet)

Each-Way: 3.00 @Doncaster- Steps @10/1 (SkyBet)

Rugby League:

It is play-off weekend and so three matches left to bet on. Treble for me; Leeds, Hull and Warrington at 11/10 (SkyBet).

Good luck with your bets today. 

Weekend Tips

The day has come.  After another penalty heartache for England at the Euros and football fans enjoying Wimbledon and the Olympics: the domestic football is back. Men and women all over the country are waking up this morning with excitement as to the season ahead. All with hopes of promotion, glory or success. With clubs starting the new season with new managers, no fewer then six in the Premier League, a fresh hope of what is to come may be the feeling if you are an Aston Villa fan that is or maybe a slightly nervy one if you are a Tottenham fan. 

With this weekend being the opening day bets will be tough to call. There is no doubt ,as ever on the opening day, there will be shocks and possibly some big wins. If recent years are to go by then Wigan should start as ever with a resounding 4/5/6-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday. It is the first time we will get to properly see new signings and see the impact they will have. There is also racing from Newbury, Newmarket and Doncaster as they search for winners continues. Also just a reminder that next week is the Ebor Festival at York, should be a cracker. 

Football:

Tough times ahead for Laudrup:
A fascial expression I think we will be
seeing a lot of this season

There are seven Premier League matches this afternoon as well as a virtually full football league fixture list. My bet of the day is that of QPR to beat Swansea. Mark Hughes has strengthened his squad throughout the summer adding players of class and experience. The signings of Park Ji Sung and Junior Hoilett will really aid them this season. For me they will have a better season however I would not go as far as calling them a surprise package. As for Swansea, they did very well last season defying all expectations to stay up. Although this season I think they are in trouble. The loss of Joe Allan to Liverpool was a blow however for me it was losing Gfyi Siggurdsson that is the biggest loss. I look at Swansea and I just do not see goals. They may continue their style from last year and have plenty of possession but for me I do not see where the goals are coming from and a team that does not score goals are clearly relegation material. Also new manager Michael Laudrup (above right) despite a converted  playing career but his managerial CV is not full of successes and he has never managed in the Premier League. I think he is going to struggle. As a result with QPR being at home, first game of the season, they will look for 3 points. Personally I think it will be 3-0. 

SkyBet go 20/21 the QPR win and this is a great price. A Swansea win is at 11/4 and the draw 5/2. If anyone was interested the 3-0 win is at 40/1.     

Elsewhere it will be interesting to see how Arsenal perform. The loss of Robin Van Persie and now Alex Song may have affected them. Sunderland can be an awkward team but away from home would put me of a bet here. In theory it should be a classic Mark Lawrenson BBC prediction of 2-0, but with Martin O'Neil as manager I feel a shock here is possible and SkyBet go a tempting 7-1 the Sunderland win and 7/2 the draw. Also a wins for West Ham (6/5)and Reading (13/10) are possible. West Ham take on, in my opinion a very poor Villa, and at home back in the Premier League the atmosphere will be fantastic. Reading have a slightly trickier affair against Stoke, however again they will be buzzing to start the season and I do think despite the calls of doom and gloom for Reading that they will have a good season and survive. They play good football and I have been impressed with certain summer additions such as Pavel Pogrebnyak. 

The other games I will just watch as for me none are worth a bet.

Bet of the day: QPR win over Swansea @ 20/21- SkyBet 

Premier League Treble: QPR, West Ham and Reading @9/1 - SkyBet or add Manchester City for odds of 10/1

Long Shot- Sunderland to win at the Emirates @ 7/1- SkyBet

3 Draws- Hull/Brighton, Ipswich/Blackburn and Fulham/Norwich @40/1- SkyBet

Accumulator- Sheff Utd, Preston, Rotherham, Southend and Swindon @30/1- SkyBet

Racing:

 Each-Way bets:  Newbury 3.05 - Edinburgh Night/ Newbury 3.40- Rakaan

 Win Bet: Doncaster 5.00- Daring Indian

Rugby League:

The Bulls have been resurgent of late and despite Huddersfield's win last week I think the Bulls will have too much for them. Better focused and more committed so have to back the Bulls. Bradford Bulls to beat Huddersfield Giants @ 2/1 (Sunday)

Good luck with all your bets today.

Weekend Tips

Last week saw a return to fortunes as the bet of the day (Brighton/Middlesborough- draw) was a winner and both horses won (My Boy Bill @7/1 and Arctic cosmos @5/4). We were also unlucky with the Sunderland one. Still it was worth a punt and it was so close to coming off what would have been a great 14/1 winner. Being the Easter weekend there is a bumper list of fixtures in only a few days. There is also racing on C4 from Kempton, Musselburgh and Haydock, Masters Golf and the boat race so plenty of chances to back a winner.

Football:

O'Neill's Sunderland to go marching on

 This weekend one football fixture sticks out for me. Sunderland at home to Tottenham. As a Newcastle fan I do hate that I am constantly tipping Sunderland however under Martin O'Neill they are a real force. They have proven that with homes wins over Liverpool and Manchester City. Their performance last weekend was astonishing and were unlucky not to get the three points. Harry Redknapp's Tottenham will be in for a real battle as they travel to the North-East. The bookies know this as Sunderland price has been slowly getting lower and lower each week. This week they are 12/5 with SkyBet and still well worth that. Tottenham have stuttered as of late but last weekends win over Swansea will do the confidence good. Their run-in is very nice and would say that third place should be theirs. When you compare run-ins they have to be favourites as they face many mid-table teams with nothing really to play for unlike the other top four challengers.

Elsewhere is the Premier League I see wins for Bolton, Chelsea and Liverpool. As a treble this is 7/2 with SkyBet and looks a good one. Bolton battling for Premier League survival against Fulham safe in mid-table and very poor away from home. Chelsea should beat Wigan despite Wigan's form of late as they continue to chase top four. Liverpool have been poor however Aston Villa are looking awful and a outsider to go down, @10/1 (SkyBet) I will having a punt on that. I thought about it weeks ago however with their price still at 10/1 it is a good punt. I see nothing when I look at the team.   

In the Championship win treble for Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Southampton @3/1. All at home and all in form against sides who are not in Crystal Palace, Bristol City and Portsmouth the latter two who are both heading into League 1. Good old boring Middlesborough have a game against fellow play-off chasing Cardiff both sides will not want to lose and as with the Brighton game last week a draw here is looking most likely and @23/10 (SkyBet) it is another nice price.

Mancini looks a worried figure

On Sunday two big Premier League games. The first, Manchester United vs QPR seems to me straightforward. Anything other then a United win will be a real surprise and they deserve their 1/6 (SkyBet) odds. The second game is the big one between Arsenal and Manchester City. Both sides really need the win. Also by the time this one is played City will know how United did and Arsenal will know how top-four challengers Chelsea and Tottenham did as well as knowing the Newcastle won and would leapfrog them with a win on monday against Bolton should Arsenal lose. This one will be tough to call however I predict an Arsenal win as believe City are struggling. Bookies are also not sure making Arsenal 7/5 City 9/5 and the draw 12/5. In truth I will leave this one alone as expect a tight, nervous match for both sets of fans.

Bet of the day : Sunderland to beat Tottenham @12/5 with SkyBet

Longshot of the day: 6 home wins: Bolton, Liverpool, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Southampton @18/1 with SkyBet. 

If you are really really lucky add the Middlesborough draw for odds of 60/1.  

Racing: 

Three meetings this week and a number of stand outs. Although the fields are large so picking the winners is going to be tough as well as it being the start of the season.  

At Kempton, Soraah in the 2.40  is a great horse however 9/4 is very short however do think he will win this one. Ryan Moore on board. Although the value for money bet is that of Emma's Gift at 16/1. An each-way punt here seems the way to go. Later on at Kempton, Eastern Sun in the 4.20 looks the one to beat. It will be short priced but John Gosden trained and ridden by his number one and for me future Champion Jockey William Buick. At 5/2 I would not oppose.   

At Haydock Zitenka @12/1 in the 2.25 is a good bet. Third last time out, up in class here although with Dougie Costello riding looks a good each-way bet. 

Finally at Musselburgh, Bronze Angel in the 3.50 @5/1 impressive winner last time out and expect good ride again here. In the 2.45 three punters favourites run as Captain Dunne (7/2), Borderlescott (9/2) and Hamish McGonagall (15-8) clash. Expect McGonagall to lead through out and just hold on for the win although is very tough to call. 

Best bets:

Win: 4.20 Kempton- Eastern Sun @5/2

Each-way: 2.25 Haydock - Zitenka @12/1

Golf:

Is it Mcllory's year

Rory Mcllory seems to be the one. After losing last year on that agonising final day, I think this year he will come good. 3/1 seems the bet for me however Lee Westwood does present a real challenge. I expect a late challenge from someone however who I do not know. 

Boat Race:

Oxford are the 1/3 favourites however having always supported Cambridge I will do again. Cambridge 2/1.  

Either boat to sink 33/1.

It seems a terrific few days of sport coming up. Good luck with all your bets.

Weekend Tips

So I had an indifferent week last week with the bets. The bet of the day won as I  correctly predicted a win for West Brom and @ 3/1 it was a great one. However elsewhere we were unlucky due to Van Persie 90th minute goal and Back Bob Back coming in second. I will be hoping for better this week. It is a big week coming up with Cheltenham starting on tuesday so it will be an exciting week.

Back O'Neill for another upset 

Two football fixture stands out this week. One is that of Sunderland at home to Liverpool. O'Neill (right) has done wonders at Sunderland and I expect this run to continue. It will be a tough game for Liverpool and there inability to score will hurt them again. I am going to be bold and back a Sunderland win however the draw also look a good bet. At 3/1 it is too good a price not to give it a go.

The second is that of the late game between Everton and Tottenham. Everton are playing very well and at Goodison always prove difficult opponents and  @ 9/5 it is very tempting. Tottenham need to recover after last weeks defeat by Manchester United but I think they will struggle again.

Football:

Bet of the day: Sunderland to beat Liverpool @3/1 (SkyBet). Continued success for O'Neill as liverpool continue to struggle.

Multiple wins: MK Dons, Wrexham, Stevenage and Southampton @4/1 (SkyBet)

Racing:

Each-way bet: 2.50 at Ayr - Artic Night @8/1 (SkyBet)

Win bet: 3.05 at Cheptow- Minella Stars @11/10 (SkyBet)

Good Luck with your bets. 

Weekend Tips

Last week I had success by tipping two 8-1 bets. All teams to score in League 1 and the Rugby half/time-full/time double. Also Robin Van Persie for first scorer, although Arsenal had a much easier game then I was expecting. I was also unlucky with Brunston who came in fourth. Hopefully I have equal success this week.

Again this week many of the fixtures have been called off so there are only a selection of fixtures to look at. However similar to last week I expect plenty of goals due to the conditions.

Football:

O'Neill fine run set to continue

Wins: Blackburn, Fulham , Reading, Sheffield United and Celtic 15-1 (SkyBet)

Best Bets of the day: Martin O'Neill (right) to lead Sunderland to victory over Arsenal 12-5 (SkyBet) and Everton to beat Chelsea 12-5 (SkyBet)

Longshot of the day: Both teams to score in all League 1 and 2 fixtures 34-1 (SkyBet)

Horse Racing: 

Each way: Island Legend in the 1.40 at Lingfield 12-1 (SkyBet)

Rugby Union: Ireland to beat France 3-1 (SkyBet)

O'Neill A Dark Horse For The England Job

Martin O'Neill is one of the best managers in the game and yet his name is barely muttered when it comes to the England job. 

With Fabio Capello leaving after Euro 2012 it seems that Harry Redknapp has almost got the job, however for me O'Neill should signify a serious contender. For a man who is widely respected in the game for his achievements both as a player and manager it is amazing that he has never been offered a top job. In the summer of 2010 he was linked with Liverpool before losing out to Roy Hodgson. For me he should have got the England job after Sven Goran Eriksson left in 2006.

London calling?

Currently he manages his born-hood team Sunderland AFC and his record up to this point is very good. After Steve Bruce's sacking Sunderland were down at the bottom end of the Premier League and struggling to pick up any points. A home defeat to Wigan was the final straw that got Bruce the sack. The sale of key stars was sighted for Sunderland problems. However since O'Neill (left) has come in his record is P12 W8 D2 L2 in all competitions. In the league it stands at P10 W7 D1 L2, this is almost Champions League form. This to he has done with the same players as Bruce had. The transformation is superb. Sunderland are now a team that no one wants to play. The victory over Manchester City was an incredible achievement and highlights just what O'Neill brings. He has a terrific way will getting the best out of so called players of 'average' ability. He has shown this throughout his career.

In the early days when O'Neill was Wycombe Wanderers manager he lead them to the Football League as well as winning the FA Trophy twice (FA Cup format but only non-league sides involved). During a five year reign he took them from the Conference to the Division 2 (modern day League 1). This also included two consecutive promotions in 1992/93 and 1993/4.

At Leicester he lead them to the Premier League and through one of the most successful times for the club in recent times. Between 1997-2000 he lead the foxes to three League Cup finals in four years. Winning two of these finals in 1997 and 2000. He therefore lead them into the UEFA Cup in 2000 as well as an 8th place league finish. This with a squad of players that contained Matt Elliot, Robbie Savage, Muzzy Izzet, Emile Heskey and Neil Lennon. If anyone doubted his role at Leicester it is interesting to see that only two year after he left they were relegated (2001-2002).

At Celtic he had a 76% win after five years in charge (2000-2005) ; winning 3 League titles, 3 Scottish Cups and one League Cup. He also lead them to the UEFA Cup final in 2003 where they lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto. After leaving to care for his ill wife he came back into football in the summer of 2006 to take charge of a struggling Aston Villa side who had been finishing in the bottom half for last few years under both David O'Leary and John Gregory. O'Neill went on to lead Villa to three 6th place finishes in three consecutive years. One in which it seemed the Champions league was a real possibility only for his squad to be too small to maintain the push. He also lead them to the Carling Cup final and if Nemanja Vidic had been sent off as he should have been in the third minute it could have been another cup win for O'Neill. It was incredible at the time that some Villa fans were complaining about him on the radio, since his departure they are no where near top six and are a weak side. Those fans will see when he leads Sunderland to a higher league position then Villa this season how wrong they were. 

O'Neill's man management skills are well known as terrific and this is something required for the England job. I believe that he could do a fantastic job for England. His mentor was that of the great Brian Clough a man described as the 'greatest manager England never had', and O'Neill does share similarity with the great man. His ability get results with average teams is one of them. Furthermore the current England team are average on the International stage and need a man like O'Neill get the best out of the players. At the moment of course Harry Redknapp is the leading contender however the current court case that he is involved with could affect or ruin his chances of the England job. If this is the case then the FA in their Wembley HQ should being looking at O'Neill as a serious contender.

Newcastle Sack Hughton

Hughton sacked with Newcastle 11th in the Premier League

Unbelievable. The soap opera that is Newcastle United. As a fan it really does leave you speechless. 

When I was in a lecture and my friends turned and told me the news I was in total shock and anger. Just as they were gaining some stability and the fans were maybe beginning to forget about Mike Ashley and his past decisions he has decided on what appears to be the ludicrous decision to sack manger Chris Hughton (above). The man took over the team when they were in turmoil and many were touting Newcastle to 'do a Leeds' and drop even further down the divisions. He stabilised the club, gained the backing of the players and gained promotion. Ashley can have no complaints. His remit was promotion and he delivered. With a few 'cheap' January additions such as Wayne Routledge, Leon Best and Mike Williamson he won the Championship with 102 points. Also over the summer with no serious money he brought in what he could. It is fair to say not all his signing I agree with and some have not really worked e.g Sol Campbell and James Perch however Check Tiote was a great addition and he was unlucky with Hatem Ben Afta getting injured as he is a quality player. Had he been fit and in the team I am sure they would have more points then they currently do. Newcastle currently sit 11th in the table and are on course for survival. I know this could change and there is a long way to go in the season but I feel this decision is rash.

The job he has done should not be underestimated. This season Newcastle have put in some terrific performances agianst Chelsea, Arsenal and of course the 5-1 beating of Sunderland. The form has dipped recently and the West Brom game was disappointing and was extremely poor. Nevertheless that was a one off very poor performance and even at the end I still had faith in him getting something next week against Liverpool. This man has done wonderfully well with what he has been given. Lets remember this is Newcastle's first season back in the Premier League so the aim is to survive. There was no real investment over the summer so he has players in the squad who really are not Premiership players yet he still gets results. Players such as Guthrie, no manager can turn him into a great player.

I suppose the departure of Colin Calderwood was a clear sign as he was allowed to leave and no replacement was made. Looking back this was the writing was on the wall, the board decision had obviously been made and they were waiting for one poor performance as an excuse to get sack Hughton and West Brom game provided that. 

Hughton deserved a new contract and the chance to keep Newcastle in the top-flight. As for this statement about the need for a more 'experienced manager' what is that about? No one is available and furthermore who would want the job after they see the way the board treats its mangers. Kevin Keegan and Hughton both treated appallingly and deserved much, much more. It is a sad day for the Toon and one I hope does not lead to Newcastle free-falling just as they did before and go back into the Championship. Mike Ashley hold your non-footballing head in shame. Even if Newcastle get someone in and go on to have great success this decision will still be wrong. I know many will say if the new guy comes in and does well all will be forgotten but for me this event will always feel wrong. 

I hope Newcastle can get someone in who will help them to firstly stay up and then continue this plan of the Newcastle board and Chief Scout Graham Carr of finding young talent such as Ben Arfa and Tiote for small fees. Hopefully Newcastle will remain in the Premier League for a very long time and maybe even challenge Europe and return to the great days of Bobby Robson and enter the Champions League. 

O'Neill would be great choice

Names that have been mentioned are that of Alan Shearer however I doubt this will happen. Martin Jol who I hope does not get it as he is not one of my favourite managers to put it politely. Alan Pardew is mentioned and is the bookies favourite however having just been sacked from League 1 Southampton is he the right man? For me I would love to see Martin O'Neill. For me he is a terrific manager and one who could help Newcastle. He is great with getting results with average player and looking at the Newcastle  squad that is what we are dealing with. His job at Villa was magnificent and Newcastle could do with a man like that however would he work for Ashley? He is a top manager who will have success again where ever he ends up. 

I hope the best for Chris Hughton. I am sure that he will be back soon as the job he has done at Newcastle will not go unrecognised. I am sure he will be back in management by the start of next season.