Rafael BeneathusLIVERPOOL V ARSENALPicture the scene. Arsenal have made it 13 wins on the bounce with another example of how the game should be played. Rafa Benitez trudges off miserably but claims Liverpool were the better side having successfully passed the ball across their backline on numerous occasions. He also insists it is still a formality that they'll complete the quadruple. Jamie Redknapp agrees. No one else does. Of course this might not happen, but I'd rather have the fate of my hard earned in the hands of the league's form side, than a team which looked devastated at full-time in Besiktas. Hurricane Back Arsenal at 2/1 Swallow one Jol to relieve HartburnTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V BLACKBURN ROVERSEarly in the week this fixture looked like a great bet for an away win, but now that Jol has walked the plank a rethink is necessary. Despite those touching displays of unity from the players it was obvious they had little faith in his managerial abilities, and like a widow with a facelift the prior constraints are thrown to the wind for the chance to impress. Expect plenty of gusto from the home team but it is unfortunate they must face a Blackburn side with serious pretensions for this season. A hard-fought draw looks the most likely outcome. Dionysus Back Tottenham 2-2 Blackburn at 16/1 with Blue Square 'Ski on the PisteBIRMINGHAM CITY V WIGAN ATHLETICSomething has to give in the clash between Birmingham City and Wigan at St. Andrew's this weekend. Both teams go into this game on the back of a run of three defeats on the spin in the League and only goal difference separates them in the table. Of the two, Wigan are probably the more likely to come out on top, despite the fact they haven't scored since September, and in Antoine Sibierski they have a striker who is long overdue a goal. Crazyhorse Back Antoine Sibierski to score anytime at an attractive 10/3 Harry Knapps Another WinPORTSMOUTH V WEST HAM UNITEDAfter a tough run of games at the start of the season, Portsmouth are now racking up points against all-comers, and I can't see anything to change that on Saturday, as they continue to threaten breaking into a Champions League spot. Although West Ham are a tougher proposition that Wigan, Fulham or Reading, their win over Sunderland would've hardly concerned Harry Redknapp's scouts, so a comfortable home win looks the call here. Hurricane Back Pompey to win with a goal handicap at Extrabet's 11/4
Blue Noses Take the MikelEVERTON V LIVERPOOLMerseyside Derbies are funny affairs. They rarely go to form and the chances of a drab 0-0 draw are slim. Liverpool are favourites, despite the game being played at Goodison Park, but The Reds haven't had the best of times on the other side of Stanley Park in recent years. Having said that, Everton's strikers haven't exactly been on fire this season so it may be best to look to their midfield for the goals and Mikel Arteta can punish Benetiz's men from set-pieces. Crazyhorse Back Mikel Arteta to score anytime at 6/1 A Wayne of two halvesASTON VILLA V MAN UTDWayne Rooney played both the hero and villain role in the international disaster in the week but can feel aggrieved that his stumble outside the box resulted in a penalty. His broad shoulders can take such setbacks however and the fact he seems to be hitting real form seems to have been overshadowed by the result. With a chance again at Aston Villa for both Rooney and Ronaldo to hit the net the value looks to lie with the ever adventurous (and more prolific of late) Ronaldo getting there first. The money-back offer from Paddy Power should Rooney wrap things up is a nice extra insurance to boot. Rumour Back Cristiano Ronaldo to score the first goal of the game at 7/1 School of Hard KnoxARSENAL V BOLTONBolton are in a hole at the moment, as they make one failed managerial approach after another. If Archie Knox's time alongside Walter Smith at Everton is anything to go by, their approach to their match at Arsenal will be ten men behind the ball and hold out for the draw. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see this approach is doomed to failure, even if the Gunners are without Van Persie, so making a home win the cornerstone of any weekend accumulator looks a shrewd decision to me. Hurricane Back Arsenal with a goal handicap at 10/11 Hail, hail the Celts are here...FULHAM V DERBYUlsterman David Healy and Tartan Army favourite Kenny Miller both failed to find the net in midweek for their respective countries so will be eager to hit the back of the net this weekend as Fulham and Derby go head-to-head. Both sides aren't exactly watertight at the back so there should be plenty of goals on the menu at Craven Cottage this Saturday. Crazyhorse 1/2 point each on Healy and Miller to score at anytime, 2/1 and 3/1 respectively.
Scots Boyd by KrisSCOTLAND V UKRAINERangers striker Kris Boyd has been enjoying himself during Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign at Hampden Park. Three of his four goals have been scored in Glasgow and the former Kilmarnock player has only failed to find the net at home once. He's therefore fancied to continue his hot streak as Alex McLeish's men go in search of the win that will take them a step closer to the finals. Crazyhorse Back Kris Boyd to score first at 6/1 Maltesers leave opponents HungaryHUNGARY V MALTAMalta have become much harder to beat of late, as shown by their draws against Turkey and Moldova and, most notably, by defeating Hungary, who they face again on Saturday. Carling Cup hero Michael Mifsud is sure to be full of confidence and, though another win may be beyond them, this should be a close match. Crazyhorse Back Kenny Miller to score anytime at a very generous 10/3 The one and OwenlyENGLAND V ESTONIAWith a goalfest widely expected at Wembley this Saturday, Michael Owen cleared fit to play and no room for complacency in England's approach, it's surprising to see reasonable odds on the prolific England star hitting the net. Having walked straight back into scoring form for Newcastle after recent surgery the Estonian defence will have their work cut out tracking the ever hungry Owen. Rumour Back Owen to score in 90 minutes at a very reasonable 4/5 Much at stake in TransylvaniaROMANIA V NETHERLANDSThese two teams sit atop Group G with an identical record, two points ahead of Bulgaria with this game in hand. The fixture in Rotterdam earlier this year ended in a stalemate and with both sides still to play Luxembourg, a draw would not be the worst result for either. Romania are unbeaten at home and the Dutch have only conceded two goals in this campaign, so a point apiece seems fair value at 9/4. Dionysus Back the draw at 9/4
Rooney Runs RiotMANCHESTER UTD V WIGANWayne Rooney has finally got off the mark this season at home in the midweek Champions League game. As bright as he has been since returning from injury the lack of a goal to show for his efforts was in danger of becoming a distraction for the prodigious England star. Now Wigan look to be the unfortunate recipients of a reinvigorated Rooney and co. While Wigan have looked a more solid outfit at the start of this campaign than at the end of the last their away form is still a worry. It would be no surprise for Ronaldo to also grace the score sheet as the home team turn winning back into winning with style but it's Rooney who gets the nod for netting a goal in the 90 minutes. Rumour Back Rooney to score at anytime at 6/5 It's Miller TimeREADING V DERBYUnsurprisingly, the bookies don't really fancy Derby County this season. True, they were thumped 6-0 by Arsenal but that was Arsenal and Reading are not really up there with The Gunners. And despite the fact that The Royals have problems of their own at the back after shipping seven against Portsmouth, you can get some generous odds on The Rams as they travel to The Madjeski Stadium, particularly in the goal scorer market. Having scored again last weekend, Scot Kenny Miller is likely to be Derby's biggest threat. Crazyhorse Back Kenny Miller to score anytime at a very generous 10/3 Mid'ohMAN CITY V MIDDLESBROUGHHaving struggled at home last season, Manchester City's form at Eastlands has been all the more impressive - it's hard to argue with a 100% record. This week's visitors are Middlesbrough and, whilst they created chances last week, it's hardly surprising to see them ending up empty handed when their main striker, Mido, thinks his only job is to moan his way into the referee's notebook. Expect more of the same on Sunday. Hurricane With no odds on Mido to pick up his fourth booking in six games, back Man City at 8/11 Everyone scores at the CottageFULHAM V PORTSMOUTHFulham and Portsmouth are on Super Sunday this week and it should be a game to savour, however, this is not down to the rapier clinicism of Benjani or measured composure of Konchesky. Neither side worries too much about the art of defence, focusing more on outscoring the opponents, and with Pompey second and Fulham fourth in the scoring charts it shows both attacks have plenty of bite. As such, it is extremely possible that we could see a baseball score at the final whistle. Whenever I am supremely confident about an overs or unders bet they invariably fail, so even though overs is nailed on I won't jinx it. Betfair are currently offering 33/1 about 7 goals or more which is tempting, but Paddy Power have put their hand in the fire in the correct score market, and it may be worth backing a few at 500/1, but i'm going for the nine-goal thriller. Dionysus 1/2 point each, Fulham 4-5 Portsmouth and Fulham 5-4 Portsmouth, both at 500/1 Latest Football Tips |
