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

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

Bore draw predicted at Brighton's Amex Stadium 

Well the last two weeks have brought me little joy as winners seem very hard to come by. This week is extremely tough. In the football it is getting to the end of the season and so strange results are happening as teams are fighting for their lives. As a result when looking through the fixtures it is tough to pick. Although one game has draw written all over it. I few weeks ago I tipped Birmingham/ Middlesborough to be a draw and ended up 3-0 to Birmingham however this week I am sure this one will be a draw. Gus Poyet's Brighton and Middlesborough both score nor let in many goals. As a result I think it will be either 0-0, 1-0, 0-1 or 1-1. Also will both sides seeking promotion and play-offs there is so much on this one that a draw is a logical result. I feel neither will go for the win. Therefore 12-5 (SkyBet) the draw is well worth a punt and is my bet of the day. A longshot is that of Manchester City/Sunderland. I have a feeling this one will not be as straight forward as many are suggesting. At 14-1 (SkyBet) Sunderland are a great price and worth a gamble. The rails I feel are coming off at City and Sunderland is a team no one wants to play.

On the horses it is the beginning of the flat-season and so no real form to go on and many unknowns being seen for the first time. As with last week I will leave the horses alone as just sit and watch.  However if you are betting on the horses the stand out is My Boy Bill in the @Doncaster. At 10-1 with SkyBet is is well worth a go. I expect some big winners on the horses. Also when in doubt stick with the old timers such as Kyllachy Star and The Cheka as they are over run during the season however here is their first outing so maybe worth a few pounds each-way. Also a winning fro me is that of Artic Cosmos, so superior to the small field in the 2.20 at Kempton and for me a cert short price winner.

Football:
Bet of the game: Brighton/ Middlesborough draw @12/5 (SkyBet)

Longshot: Sunderland to beat Manchester City at 14/1

Horse Racing:
Each-Way- 3.50@Doncaster- My Boy Bill @10/1 (SkyBet)
Win- 2.20@Kempton- Artic Cosmos @5/4 (SkyBet)

Rugby League:
Wigan, Saints, Leeds treble @8-1 (SkyBet)

Good luck with all your bets. Hopefully I have predicts some wins here.

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- 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.

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.