Anelka set to save Trotters' baconBOLTON V MAN UTDWith manager Gary Megson having abandoned Sammy Lee's footballing philosophies in favour of something more direct, Bolton have become harder to beat in recent weeks but they're going to have to play to their strengths if they are to beat Manchester United this weekend. And one of those strengths is French striker Nicolas Anelka, who's goals have been one of the few positives of Wanderers' season so far. Crazyhorse Back Nicolas Anelka to score anytime at 7/2 Goodison SparkEVERTON V SUNDERLANDAfter a steady but unspectacular start to the season, Everton hit a run of six games unbeaten before the international break, thanks in so small part to the return of Tim Cahill. They'll know another three points are crucial at home to Sunderland if they harbour ambitions of another top six finish, and this should be achieved against a side that have picked up only two points on their travels. Hurricane Everton to win by 2 goals at 18/5 Steve Gibson's Passion of the MiceMIDDLESBROUGH V ASTON VILLAHow Steve McClaren must regret leaving the Riverside. Boro honcho Steve Gibson happily shells out millions yet shows a satisfaction with mid-table mediocrity that is alien to all other Premiership tyrants. Any other chairman would be breathing down Gareth Southgate's neck at the moment but Steve is keen to shine a beacon of loyalty through the treacherous fog. Sadly, for the home fans, nine games without a victory isn't going to change much and a relegation battle looms. Villa have hit seven goals in their last two trips to Teeside and this game has away win written all over it. Dionysus Back Aston Villa to win at 8/5 It's just like watching BrazilMAN CITY V READINGHome form has been central to Man City's superb start to the season and they look good to secure another victory against a Reading side who have struggled badly away from the Madejski this season. City have stolen a march on the big four with Elano and are being rewarded with some world-class displays from the Brazilian, and he can once again further his reputation as one of the Premiership's very best attacking midfielders by guiding City to victory. All four of his league goals have been scored at the City of Manchester Stadium and considering Reading's present away form, he looks likely to find the back of the net once again. Reznikov Back Elano First Goalscorer at 6/1
Irish Lay Healy's Hands on the Men from Legoland at Windsor ParkNORTHERN IRELAND V DENMARKDavid Healy has enjoyed himself during Northern Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and his goals have seen off the likes of Sweden and Spain at Windsor Park. The Fulham striker will be keen to go out on a high as they entertain Denmark in Belfast and his international goal scoring record suggests that The Danes are there for the taking for the boys in green. Crazyhorse Back David Healy to score anytime at a very generous 9/4 Donadoni, gone and blown itSCOTLAND V ITALYWith Scotland riding high on a wave of optimism born out of a magnificent qualifying campaign thus far it is going to be no easy ask for Roberto Donadoni's Italy side as they make the trip to Hampden Park on Saturday. The Italians already look decidedly shaky on the road and against a team with the partisan Scottish crowd in full voice behind them on a cold evening in Glasgow it seems there is every chance Scotland could do the business again. Rumour The big value available on the Scotland win at 14/5 has to be taken Liech suck life out of LatviansLATVIA V LIECHTENSTEINOf all the European footballing minnows, Liechtenstein are head and shoulders above the rest. They've already amassed seven points in this qualifying campaign, including a 3-0 thumping of Iceland and a 1-0 victory over Latvia who they face again on Saturday. Of course the Latvians are no mugs, as Northern Ireland will testify, but the gap between these countries is far closer than the market suggests so, for a value punt, the Latvians must be opposed. Hurricane Back Liechtenstein with a goal headstart at 5/2 Leeks Like TroubleWALES V IRELANDNothing to play for here but that shouldn't stop both sides clowning around at the back. With Giggs retired and Bellamy missing this Welsh team lacks an experienced figurehead, and have been known to combust in front of their own fans. Now Steve Staunton is languishing in unemployment Ireland begin to look like a backable proposition again, and with Robbie Keane and the promising McGeady going forward they look to have enough ammo to win in Cardiff. Strangely enough, if this match was being played in Dublin I would probably tip Wales. The beautiful game is the real loser here. Dionysus Back Ireland to win at 13/8 That's Norway, ah huh, ah huh, i like itNORWAY V TURKEYWith Group C very tight, this is a make-or-break game which Norway should be able to see out and qualify for Euro 2008. Turkey have conceded early in each of their last three away qualifiers and that trend looks set to continue against a Norway side keen to make up for their last qualifying result and secure qualification in front of their own fans. With players of the quality of John Carew and Brede Hangeland, Norway should be able to score early and comfortably see off any potential second half fightback. Reznikov Back Norway Half Time/Full Time at 11/4
Alas Smith and JonesSUNDERLAND V NEWCASTLEWith both teams leaking goals at the back, this could be high-scoring North East Derby. On the other hand, neither manager will want to lose this one so it may be a case of batoning down the hatches in defence and hoping for the best up front. Being the home side, Sunderland will have to force the running and striker Kenwyne Jones is more likely to find the net than Newcastle's Alan Smith. Crazyhorse Back Kenwyne Jones to score anytime at 2/1 Gunning for GloryREADING V ARSENALWith Reading shipping goals at an alarming rate recently, up to 7 at a time, and Arsenal scoring at will recently, up to 7 at a time, there looks to be great value on a decisive victory for The Gunners on Monday. They may have failed to score in the Champions League game midweek but this was a no pressure game for the London club with a much changed lineup on the pitch. Reading will be a very different proposition and to my mind there is only one result here. Rumour Back Arsenal to win with a 1 goal handicap at 6/4
Toffee Tim Chews Up The BluesEVERTON V BIRMINGHAMTim Cahill has a habit of trying to make up for lost time when he returns from injury and usually finds a rich vein of goalscoring form. Indeed, after missing most of the 2002/03 season with Millwall, he returned to fire The Lions into the FA Cup Final and he could do the same for The Toffees this year. The Aussie midfielder has already scored twice since returning to the first team and looks good value to add to that total this Saturday against Birmingham City. Crazyhorse Back Tim Cahill to score anytime at 23/10 Ramos not slaughteredMIDDLESBROUGH V TOTTENHAM HOTSPURBoth these teams are desperately battling to achieve some mid-table obscurity and both will try and use this game to turn their season around. With a lot at stake and both teams having a habit throwing games away lately the draw is very appealing. I expect Boro to be ahead in a battling match until late on when Spurs snatch a glorious equaliser. Playing safe you could take the over 2.5 goals bet in the game but everything is pointing to an inconclusive 2-2 score line. Rumour Back the 2-2 draw at 14/1 Red Devils CescxorcizedARSENAL V MANCHESTER UNITEDThe Gunners have begun the season in cavalier style and should they fail to get a result the league table paints an ominous picture, as United have only recently found their flair. A win, however, would send the confidence of Wenger's artists to a stratospheric level, with their rivals facing a season of chasing. The Emirates has seen several good teams rolled over this season, and the Champions look set to be next. Dionysus Back Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United at 11/1 Latest Football Tips |
