Weekend Tips

Another Weekend, another chance for more betting. Last week I thought Sunderland would have hung on. I was disappointed with the performance and think Adam Johnson was missed. This week there is another full set of fixtures as well as Rugby League play-offs and Horse-Racing from Newbury,Newmarket,Ayr and Catterick.

Football:

For me the best value for money bet in the Premier League is  Wigan to beat Fulham at home. Fulham are notorious for their form on the road. They really are a totally different side. I was impressed with them last week and in Dimitar Berbatov's performance. He is a very good signing for them that is for sure. Although I expect Wigan who have been playing well themselves to bag the points in this one. They collapsed last week at Old Trafford however Fulham are not of that standard. SkyBet go a generous 7/5 for the Wigan win which are very tempting odds.

There are some odds-on home-win that are looking good as well. Home win double for Chelsea/West Brom @ 11/10 (SkyBet) also looks a good punt. Stoke, like Fulham, are a different side away from home and Chelsea despite playing in mid-week should have too much. Reading will have to play a lot better then they did against Tottenham if they are to get anything at West Brom. A performance I can not see coming of the level needed to worry West Brom. West Brom getting back to winning ways a great shout.

Elsewhere the most interesting clash is at St Mary's. Southampton need a result and today is a great chance. Aston Villa are a poor side and are there for the taking. The reason I would not back Saints is the defence. They have been so poor of late I would not want to put my money on them. I am leaning towards a Saints victory and they are 7/5 (SkyBet) to do that but I will leave this one alone.

Tomorrow's games are very tough to call as it really is a Super Sunday. Manchester United must be favourites to beat Liverpool and I would call a United win @13/8 (SkyBet). SkyBet go 8/5 Liverpool and 23/10 the draw. Arsenal vs Manchester City is too close to call. I think that this is the first real test for this Arsenal side who have been very impressive at the start of the season. Being at home City should pick up the points however I am not too sure. SkyBet go 8/11 City and 7/2 Arsenal although I think 14/5 draw is great odds. I will be leaving both of these alone in terms of betting however it does promies to be quite a sunday.

Best Value bet : Wigan to beat Fulham @7 /5 (SkyBet)
                          West Brom/Chelsea double @ 11/10  (SkyBet)

Long-shot of the day: 3 draws: West Ham/Sunderland, Crystal Palace/Cardiff and Ipswich/Charlton @37/1 (SkyBet)

Both teams to score: Crewe/Leyton Orient, Yeovil/Sheffield Utd, Port Vale/Gillingham and York/Cheltenham @7/1 (SkyBet)

Win Accumulator: Leeds, Crawley Town, Notts County, Southend and Wycombe @37/1 (SkyBet)

Horse-Racing:

Win bets: 2.05 Newbury --- Lay Time @11/4 (SkyBet)
                2.35 Newbury --- Master of War @4/1 (SkyBet)

Each way 2.45 Newmarket --- Wellingrove @25/1 (SkyBet)
                 3.55 Newmarket --- Bernie the Bolt @10/1 (SkyBet)


Good luck with your bets.

Who has got it right?

This summer we have seen no less then 6 managerial changes with  Liverpool, Tottenham, Swansea, Norwich, Aston Villa and West Brom all with new men in the hotseat. However which club have made the right appointment?

Is Rodgers the right man?

Liverpool took the decision early on in the summer to remove Kenny Dalglish from his position. For me this was no surprise as Liverpool had a poor season on and off the field. Despite a League Cup victory and an FA Cup final, finishing the season in 7th was simply not good enough. Their performances were poor as they really struggled to find the back of the net. Dalglish spent over 100 million in 18 months and unfortunately for him many of his signings did not perform. Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Jordan Henderson all had poor seasons and as a result Dalglish took much of the criticism. Also off the field, the Luis Suarez race row caused nothing but poor publicity for Liverpool. The way it was handled was appalling and the behaviour of Dalglish throughout was totally unprofessional. It was this for me that sealed his fate.

Brendan Rogers offers a new approach to Liverpool. He has won many plaudits for his management of Swansea and the football they played but this is a huge jump for him. This job is totally different. The expectations as well as the size of the job. For me Liverpool are further away from a title win as I can remember. I admit leading Swansea to the Premiership and keeping them up against the odds was a remarkable achievement. However I did feel that towards the end of last season they had been found out and would have said they will struggle this coming season.

Rogers has made some signing so far with Fabio Borini from Lazio, Joe Allan from Swansea and Oussama Assaidi from Heerenveen all joining and I expect more with Clint Dempsey being heavily linked. However I do think it will be a huge error to let Andy Carroll leave and one that could leave Rodgers with egg on his face.

I expect Liverpool to have a very tough season and that will start with a tricky trip to West Brom on saturday. For me a 6th place finish is the best they can hope for however I would predict the same as last year and 8th.

Is Rogers the right man to lead Liverpool to glory? Maybe, however it will take him 2/3 years at least to build them but will he get such time? For me he is not the right man but only time will tell.

Verdict: 5/10       Prediction for Season: 8th          

Laudrup faces tough test

Having lost Brendan Rogers many, including myself, have tipped Swansea for relegation. The loss of Gyfi Sigurdsson, Joe Allan and soon that of Scott Sinclair will affect them. Swansea finished last season poorly just as Bolton did the year before they went down. Swansea have turned to the legendary ex- Danish, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Ajax and Juventus star Michael Laudrup (left) to make sure they survive a second season in the Premier league. It is an obvious match for both man and club due to the philosophy that they both have. As a player Laudrup's talents can not be questioned however as a manger such a reputation he does not hold. He has had success at Bronby and did well with limited finances at Getafe and Real Mallorca. Although he has no experience of the Premier League and English football apart from TV. He will learn quick no doubt however for me he is up against it.

He has made signings, bringing in former players who he knows and trusts which is always a good move. Jonathan de Guzman,Chico Flores and Miguel Michu are players I have seen very little of. All three have come from Spanish or Italian football and it will be interesting to see how they adapt. They have also signed young right-back Curtis Obeng who is a great player. I saw him playing for Wrexham last year and he looked like he could play at a much higher level. Will be interesting to see how he develops. Also they have signed a striker Preston Jamie Proctor from League One Preston and Kyle Barkley from Arsenal and Itay Scechter from Kaiserslautern. I expect more signings  especially if Sinclair does leave. My concern for Swansea is goals. Is Graham going to get 10-15 goals? Sinclair and Sigurdsson scored over 20 goals between them last year and these will be hard to replace. So the pressure on the likes of Graham and the new guys such as Michu is great. Laudrup needs to unearth a gem or face relegation.

I would like to see Laudrup do well and not become another former great player to fail as a manger as Ruud Gullit and Bryan Robson have.

Verdict: 6/10        Prediction: 18th

Tottenham took the hugely unpopular yet predictable decision of replacing Harry Redknapp. Tottenham's collapse last year was a nightmare for fans as they lost third place from a position of such strength. Redknapp's course case, the England job possibility and that 'ghost' goal in the FA Cup semi-final seemed to suggests the way things were going for Spurs. Didier Drogba's penalty in Germany in the Champions League final sealed in the nightmare meaning Spurs missed out of Champions League football. Such a promising year had ended in despair.

Villas Boas needs success

Daniel Levy has opted for Andre Villas Boas as the man to lead the Tottenham charge for success and a top-four finish. Villas Boas has a nightmare at Chelsea and was removed by player power. The Chelsea players were never with him their performances clearly showed that. Due to that experience many fans may be sceptical of his appointment. For me he deserves a chance however this is it. Every manager gets sacked and offered things just do not work out however for this to happen twice in a row with two major English clubs with ambition will affect his reputation. If he fails at Spurs expect him to return to Europe and I would guess he will not be back for a long time, if ever. 

Spurs are almost certain to lose Luka Modric, which is a big blow however I expect them to re-invest the 30million+ they will receive for him. They have been linked with the likes of Moussa Dembele, Willan and Joao Moutinho. For me they are looking a little light up front and so getting Emmanuel Adebayor back seems to be an obvious move considering the success he had last year. 

The signing of Jan Vertonghon is a great signing and I expect more signing of such pedigree to follow.

Verdict: 7/10  Prediction: 6th

Clarke's first chance in the hot seat

West Brom have opted for the vastly experienced assitant-manager Steve Clarke (right). Clarke has had spells at Newcastle,Chelsea,Liverpool and West Ham while working with some top managers. People may say that this is a gamble considering he has never held a top job position. This on top of the fact that he is replacing the experienced man that is Roy Hodgson who really developed West Brom into a safe mid-table Premier League side. He is a tough man to follow no doubt. I do believe that Steve Clarke had deserved a chance and will flourish in his new position. 

West Brom have largely kept the same squad as last year which is a positive. The squad has the quality to survive another Premier League season in comfort I feel.

The signing of Romelu Lukaku is one that I am interested to see. This is a man who arrived at Chelsea with a big reputation and promise however he was never seen. For a 18 year-old he is physically huge. For me he is suited to the Premier League due to his power and pace. I think he will be a big hit this during this loan spell. West Brom will undoubted add to their squad and I think it will put them in a good position for a mid-table finish. 

Verdict: 7/10      Prediction: 11th

Not even Lambert can save Villa 

Aston Villa are a team in all sorts of trouble. It has been a decline since Martin O'Neill left the club. Alex Mcleish and Gerard Houllier  both endured poor seasons at Villa park. I heavily tipped Villa to be relegated last season and they were so lucky to survive. For only managing to win 7 games all season, they deserved to be relegated. 

Villa have opted for Paul Lambert (left). Lambert has huge success at Norwich leading them from League One to the Premier League and then survival in three years. Lambert is a good manager no doubt, however the Villa job promises something very different. the club is in decline and going down. If will take one hell of a manager to lift such a club and turn its fortunes around. A task I feel is beyond Lambert. 

I look at the squad and it is so poor. I know there is still time to buy however they need 6/7 quality players I feel. Throughout the team I would worry. Shay Given is no where near the player he was, saw that at the Euros, Richard Dunne must be 3 stone over weight. He is slow and cumbersome, as proved at the Euros. Then they have signed Vlaar, who was appalling at the Euros. If defence they have nothing and they will be shipped goals on a regular basic. In midfield, unless someone new has turned up I see nothing that would worry me. It is only Darren Bent. He is the only one to get goals and goals win games. Injury to Bent and their goals will disappear.   

They have relegation written all over them. Opening three games of the season will leave Villa bottom with 0points for sure. Home against Everton and away at newly promoted West Ham and Newcastle. Lambert is a good choice and if I were a Villa fans I would be happy with it however for me noting can save them. 

Verdict: 8/10   Prediction 19th

Hughton he right man

Norwich fans will have be saddened to lose Paul Lambert to Villa during the summer after they have endured three wonderful seasons under his tenure. They have replaced Lambert with Chris Hughton (right). This for me is a great move for the club. Chris has done terrifically well at Newcastle, where all agree he was unlucky to be sacked and at Birmingham City leading them to the play-offs despite all the off the field issues.

Norwich fans will be wary of the 'second season sydrome' however for me they will be safe. Hughton will make some new signing to improve the squad. Also I do not foresee them losing anyone. The bulk of last year's team will remain. I do think they will find it more difficult this year but will survive. They are in far better shape then Aston Villa. 

Verdict: 9/10         Prediction: 15th 

Other Predictions:

Title : Manchester United

Top Four: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton

Relegation : Swansea, Reading and Aston Villa 

Weekend Tips

It is finally here. The final day of the Premier League season is upon us and what a day it will be. I cannot remember a time when the title, top four places and relegation issues will all be decided on the final day. It is going to be very tense and exciting afternoon, which will involve many twists and turns. A full 10 matches all kicking of at 3pm for the only time during the season. Personally I cannot wait. 

Also this weekend we have huge Challenge Cup Quarter-final action and Saturday racing from Ascot, Haydock, Nottingham and Lingfield. 

Last weekend my bet of the day came through as Chelsea beat Liverpool. It was all going as I had predicted, a 3-0 win for Chelsea, until Andy Carroll came on and changed the game. Luckily they hung on and I collected the winnings. 

Football:

It is written in the stars?
Hughes heads back to the Ethiad

So many massive games this weekend. Only four of the ten games, have no effect on the title, Champions League places and relegation. It is difficult to know where to start. Although I will start will the title race. Personally I can not see anything other then a Manchester City win over relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers. At home, with the team they have and the way they are playing it is difficult to see how they will not win. However we have seen some incredible things this season in the division. City are @ 1/8 (SkyBet) to win this one, 8/1(SkyBet) the draw and a massive 14/1 (SkyBet) for the unthinkable QPR win. Roberto Mancini must be expecting to win this one although another interesting element is that of current QPR manager, and former Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes (left). Sacked by City, Hughes says he is not motivated by revenge, although you can bet he would love to deny City winning the title as well as keeping QPR up. Also players such as Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton going back to their former club. It is almost written in the stars that a team managed by Hughes will deny City with a goal scored by an ex-city player. This is without doubt Sir Alex Ferguson's dream. It seems far-fetched but you never never know. 

Ferguson hoping for an incredible day 

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson's (right) Manchester United are travelling to Sunderland. This is potentially a difficult one. Sunderland have been poor of late, as they appear to be thinking about their holidays. Although final day of the season, final home game and hosting United they may just be up for it. I expect United to win @2/5 (SkyBet) as I think they will attack Sunderland from the off, although they have been wasteful in front of goal. If you fancy Sunderland here you will get 13/2 (SkyBet) or the draw @7/2 (SkyBet). I think United will just win this one 2-1. 

The race for top four it now at the final stage. Chelsea have dropped out of the running which leaves Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United to battle it out for 3rd/4th/5th. However with the possibility of Chelsea winning the Champions League it is now made it even more important to finish third as to guarantee that Champions League place. Arsenal travel to take on West Brom in Roy Hodgson final game in charge. Tottenham are at home to Fulham and Newcastle face a very tough trip to in-form Everton. Arsenal are an unbelievably short, 1/66 (SkyBet) to finish sunday in the top four, Tottenham are 1/8 (SkyBet) and Newcastle are 9/2 (SkyBet).

Hodgson hoping for perfect send off

The bookies seems certain that Arsenal will come third however I am not sure. I think the game against West Brom is going to be very very hard. I have made this one my bet of the day. I honestly believe that West Brom @4/1 (SkyBet) will win this one, if Tottenham and Newcastle United can take advantage is another issue. For me Arsenal showed their weaknesses last week against Norwich and I can see West Brom doing to Arsenal what they did to Chelsea and pick up a 1-0 win. It is Roy Hodgson's (right) last game and so a big performance is expected, on top of this they are also the home side which is a plus for them. For me this is a good bet. I think Arsene Wenger will be very very worried about this one. The bookies go Arsenal @8/13 (SkyBet) and the draw is at @3/1 (SkyBet).

Finally for me Bolton are looking a cert for relegation. Even if QPR fail to get anything from the Ethiad, Bolton will have to win at Stoke. Stoke in truth have nothing to play for and people will remember what Wigan did their last year. However the way Bolton have been playing I cannot see it. Last week was huge, to throw away a 2 goal lead at home to West Brom was the final nail in the coffin for me.

Bolton are 4/11 (SkyBet) to go down with QPR @11/5 (SkyBet)

Bet of the Day: West Brom @4/1(SkyBet) to beat Arsenal. 

Longshot of the game: Hollywood script bet - QPR to draw at Manchester City @8/1 (SkyBet)

Accumulator: Chelsea, Swansea, Norwich and Wigan @ 14/1 (SkyBet)

Horse-Racing:

Win bet:  Beachfire @11/2(SkyBet) in the 3.45 @ Lingfield 

Each-way bet: Hawkeyethenoo @12/1(SkyBet) in the 3.25 @Ascot

Rugby League:

Leeds Rhinos won as expectedly last night as they beat Leigh 60-12 to progress to the semi-finals. Today it is the massive game between St Helens and Wigan Warriors. This one is very very tough to call. Both on form, both with terrific players. St Helens are  @11/8 (SkyBet) and Wigan are @10/11(SkyBet) I think St Helens will edge it, I predict 24-20. On Sunday, I expect Huddersfield Giants @1/33 (SkyBet) to progress with a home win over London Broncos @8/1 (SkyBet) and Catalan Dragons @8/11(SkyBet) to beat Warrington Wolves @11/10 (SkyBet). This one is going to be a great game. Catalan in France are very very tough, not many teams go to the south of France and come back with anything another then defeat. 

McCarthy Axed by Wolves

Mick McCarthy has been sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers just one day after their humiliating 5-1 home defeat to local black country rivals West Bromwich Albion. The defeat leaves Woves in 18th position in the Premier League on 21 points from 25 games.

Axed after humiliating derby defeat

It seems that Woves owner Steve Morgan who is currently on holiday was furious with the performance and has decided to act. The decision was taken and McCarthy (right) was informed of this by Chief Executive Jez Moxley.

Moxley told the Sky Sports News:

"Mick McCarthy has done a fantastic job but if we continued in this way we were definitely going to be relegated. The trend was only going one way and when we lost 5-1 at home to West Brom we had to act".  

"This has been a decision we've taken with a heavy heart but we have to act in the best interests of the club. We've had brilliant times with Mick McCarthy and it is sad it has come to an end. But I'm sure it won't be long before he's back in management:"

McCarthy left this morning clearly disappointed but with his head held high. He told Sky Sport News:

"I feel we've achieved a lot, both for me personally and as a club. I really feel it is a privilege to have managed such a great club and I've had the best of times. I want to send my best wishes to everybody and also to the new guy that comes in - and to everyone. Please stay up!"

During McCarthy's five-and-a-half year tenure he guided Woves to the Premier League and has kept them there. This is now their third season in the Premier League. The job he has done has been terrific however Wolves' poor form this season has ultimately cost him his job, amassing only 14 points in their last 22 games. He has been unlucky with injuries but his time is up. However a manager of his quality will surely be back in football very soon. He has already this morning being linked with the current Leeds United job.

Many pundits have pointed the finger at the players for sealing McCarthy's fate. Former Wolves manager Graham Taylor feels that the players let McCarthy down. He said

"Managers are responsible for results but players are responsible for their performances. I watched the [West Brom] game and a number of the Wolves players should be looking at themselves". 

Early favourites for the job are that of former QPR manager Neil Warnock and former West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley. Either have the experience for the job, something the Moxley said they were looking for.

Personally I think the decision is questionable as feel that there is no one better at the moment to keep them in the Premier League. For me they are now more likely to go down. However a new manager can sometimes merit a good response and that is what Steve Morgan will be hoping. The good news is that they have two weeks before they play Newcastle so two weeks to install a manager. The bad news is that with the transfer window being closed he will have to work with what he has got. The first aim must be to tighten the defence and organise them into a more efficient unit.

Who do you think should be the new man at Wolves?

Relegation Fears Become Very Real As Season Nears Its Climax

With eight games to go many Premier League teams are still at risk of relegation. Currently Wigan,West ham, Woves, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Blackpool, West Brom, Fulham, Newcastle United and even Sunderland are involved. None of these are safe.

Wigan have been struggling all year and are my favourites to go down. They just don't have enough to survive. The likes of Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia are the key men and will have to produce if Wigan are to survive. They have picked up results recently however I feel that they will go down.

Ba is West Ham best hope for goals 

West Ham were in trouble for a long time however have picked up dramatically and with players like Demba Ba (left), Scott Parker and Victor Obinna they have a chance to survive. Demba Ba is a player I really like and am sure many Premier League teams will want to sign him this summer. Upton Park is a very tough place to go and they will have to pick up points there and fast. 

Woves are a terrific battling team and it is this that i think will see them safe. They will continue to get results and think they will make it. The likes of Kevin Doyle, Stephan Hunt and Matt Jarvis will see them safe. 

Birmingham are in really danger. Poor performances have left them in a very dangerous position. They are tricky at home which is where I see there points coming from. With Nikola Zigic and the arrival of Obafemi Martins i can see them just surviving.

Asron Villa is the one who have an outside chance of going down. They have no ability to grind out results. No fighting spirit. I look at Villa I see a beaten team, no team morale or spirit. Defeat to Woves was crucial. They just don't have the players willing to battle to see them safe. The key man is Darren Bent, his goals will be key. It a bold claim and would be a real shock but for me Villa will go down. Best bet 7-1 got to be worth a punt.

Great character--Holloway 

Blackpool have become many peoples second team after this season. With Ian Holloway (right) at the helm, Charlie Adam, terrific spirit and the way they play I hope they survive. They are on a poor run but I am hoping they can turn it around as they are great to have in the Premier League. 

West Brom will be very close to going down however under Roy Hodgson they will just make it. Three points against Arsenal would have been huge. They are a side improving and battling.

Blackburn are the another team who for me will go down. In freefall and no sign of that ending. 

Fulham will also see themselves safe. They will pick up draws that edge them towards safety. Bobby Zamora's return is key.

Newcastle are also in a dire run of form with only one win in nine. However think they will survive. They have crucial games away at Villa and Blackpool and home games against Birmingham and Woves where the safety points will come from. However they should be wary and they could easily drop back down to the championship.

Sunderland should be safe. Cannot really see them going down. Would be incredible but see them finishing 4/5 points from safety.

Prediction : Blackburn, Aston Villa, Wigan DOWN.

Is a bold claim but can see it happening.