Football betting tips from Oddschecker. The expert view on upcoming fixtures helping you get straight to the best bets.
With Everton needing just a point to secure this season's UEFA Cup spot, they'll do well not to underestimate a Newcastle United side with nothing left to play for. Manager Kevin Keegan likes to play attacking, attractive football and with the pressure off his side will be able to indulge their manager. But with home advantage, The Toffees should win and having already scored nine goals already this season defender Joleon Lescott will be looking to sign off in style by getting into double figures.
Crazyhorse
Back Joleon Lescott to score anytime at 6/1
With Rangers seemingly playing a game every other day, Celtic know that they cannot afford to slip up in the race for the title with their fierce rivals breathing down their neck with plenty of games in hand. They should win this game, but that's easier said than done, with the rest of the SPL seemingly gaining ground on the big two on the pitch, if not at the bank. An early goal should settle the nerves and the preference is for the wonderfully named Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who is trying to cement his place in Holland's Euro 08 side.
Crazyhorse
Back Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to score first at a generous 4/1
Poor Gretna may not be around when the Scottish League season gets underway again in August and tomorrow's game against St. Mirren may will be their last after sixty-odd years. Unfortunately there is unlikely to be any fairytale ending at Love Street. Goals are likely to fly in from all angles, but all at the wrong end as far as the erstwhile English Northern Premier League are concerned. A good day for St. Mirren all round, a bad one for Gretna.
Crazyhorse
Back St. Mirren to win 3-0 at 8/1
I could understand Birmingham being priced up as strong favourites this weekend if their opponents had nothing left to play for, but Blackburn know that only a win will give them a chance of snatching the Intertoto Cup spot from Villa's grasp. Birmingham are likely to be nervy and, with little chance of both an under strength Portsmouth and an abysmal Derby doing them a favour, the home sections of St Andrews could resemble a morgue as full-time approaches, leaving Rovers to rub considerable helpings of salt into their wounds.
Hurricane
Back Blackburn -1 goal at 8/1
This is likely to be both clubs' last Premiership appearance for a while. On paper Reading should triumph in a must-win game for them, but they have not scored in six crucial matches, and cannot feel hard done by if relegated. After the nightmare season Derby have had, I have a feeling that they will depart the league with a smile on their faces. Paul Jewell and his players will be desperate to give the fans a reward for their fantastic support, and 5/1 for the home victory is well overpriced.
Dionysus
Back Derby to win, 5/1
For all Steve Bruce's men are an improved outfit in recent months, it is hard to see United slipping up with the league on the line. Without a game for a week the squad is deep and fresh enough to get the job done in the 90 minutes, and with Old Trafford icon Steve Bruce in charge of the opposition I can't see Wigan fighting for their lives to get a result. This is not to say they won't give it a good shot, but this will be through open attacking play rather than keeping it tight, and I expect United to be crowned champions amongst a McFlurry of strikes.
Dionysus
Back total goals 6+
All credit must go to Phil Brown for turning Hull from a team flirting with relegation to real promotion contenders. Their form in the second half of the season has been as good as anyone's, and even though they failed last week at Ipswich, they will believe that can get the job done against Watford. The Hornets have really disappointed this season; selling Marlon King in January and failing to replace him has cost them an automatic promotion place. Given Watford's woeful form and their technical deficiencies with a football, Hull can take a big step to Wembley with a win at Vicarage Road.
Reznikov
Back Hull to win 2-0, 16/1
You either love him or hate him, but no one can deny that Neil Warnock has done a superb job at Palace, dragging them up the table to the point of being favourites to gain promotion. They play like all Neil Warnock teams, but its effectiveness at this level cannot be disputed. Bristol City too have had a great season, but coming up against an in form Palace, they may just fall short. Young striker Victor Moses has enjoyed a remarkable second half of the season, and it is clear to see why he is held in such high regard. He looks set for a big future but come Saturday, he can be a hero for the Eagles.
Reznikov
Victor Moses to score 2 or more goals, 14/1
Current Tipster Standings| Tipster | £ Total | Sequence | Tips |
|---|
| Hurricane | +13.18 | W1 | 25 | | Dionysus | +9.71 | L3 | 24 | | Reznikov | +2.90 | L4 | 23 | | Crazyhorse | -5.44 | L2 | 34 | | Rumour | -8.05 | L1 | 18 |
Last Week's Tips
Newcastle's recent change in fortunes under king Kev has once again made St. James's Park a tricky prospect for any visiting team. A notable element in this resurgence has been the charge out of the blocks stamping their authority on a match and we have seen goals at 4,6 and 18 minutes from Newcastle in their last 3 home games. I expect more of the same against Chelsea who know this is a must win game for their late title challenge and so could let things slip at the back just enough. However, The Blues are in rare form and my gut instinct is that they will take the title race to the wire so I'll be backing the win from behind.
Rumour
Chelsea to win from behind at 9/1
Although Liverpool's hopes of winning the Champions League are in tatters, they could still end the season top of one league - the disciplinary table. Despite Rafa Benitez's recent complaints about referees, Liverpool get far more than their share of decisions so it's no surprise to see they have picked up just four bookings in their last six league games at Anfield. Their opponents on Saturday are a Manchester City team who are also flying high in the fair play league and I'm sure they will be more than aware that a UEFA Cup spot awaits them if they keep things clean again on Saturday. With referee Mark Halsey generally happy to keep his cards in his pocket, and nothing riding on the game as far as the league is concerned, it's clear where the value lies.
Hurricane
Back no bookings at 8/1
It would be harsh to lay into Derby; they have been spanked all over the country for the best part of a year and are liable to freefall a few more divisions yet, such has the team's soul been crushed. With two six-goal batterings in their last three games the defenders may as well spend their summer in rehab. They travel to Ewood Park on Saturday against a Blackburn team with Europe still in their sights, and a routine slaughtering of the Rams can keep the dream alive. Roque Santa Cruz has had a great first season, and will be like a Guarani in an Asuncion roller disco at the thought of playing these soon-to-be part timers. He can nail the fifth hat-trick against poor Derby this season.
Dionysus
Back Santa Cruz to score a hat-trick at 16/1
Rarely in the Premier League do you see a team at a price of 20/1 but West Ham visit Old Trafford this weekend and are priced up as such. They have been written off by bookmakers and pundits all over the country, and even though their recent form is nothing to get excited about, they do not deserve the ignominy of such a derisory price. With the league so finely balanced, this is a must win game for United and you usually wouldn't want anyone else on your side, but football being the beautiful game it is, nothing can be taken for granted. It may be wishful thinking for United to suffer a European hangover, but West Ham themselves are no forlorn hope, and considering the price, are worthy of interest.
Reznikov
Back West Ham to win, 20/1
Having finally secured their League One status last weekend, Millwall go into this match worry-free and can finally relax after a nail-biting relegation scrap. Reports seem to suggest that this could be Neil "Bomber" Harris' final contract for The Lions but rumour has it that the popular striker will be offered a new game if he impressed manager Kenny Jackett. He was Man of the Match last week and could well be again against a Swindon side struggling with their own form.
Crazyhorse
Back Neil Harris to score at anytime at a very generous 3/1
Joleon Lescott has had an excellent year, combining solid defensive performances with a goalscoring record that many a striker would grab with both hands. On past history, Lescott will be especially keen to silence the Villa fans this Sunday, and with Arteta and Osman both expected back to provide some much needed creativity, the England defender has a good chance to add to his already impressive goal tally.
Hurricane
Back Joleon Lescott to score anytime at 6/1
With an entertaining display of attacking football against Portsmouth last week and a UEFA spot still in sight Manchester City will not be holding back as they host precariously positioned Fulham. While many will think Fulham will have more fight with relegation looming, the task ahead may already seem too much to players and fans alike and conceding a goal early on could open the flood gates as heads go down. With this in mind any number of bets look value in this match. Benjani to score a brace appeals as does backing the irrepressible Petrov to get on the score sheet. Safest bet of all however looks to be over 2.5 goals.
Rumour
Back over 2.5 goals in the game at 23/20
Millwall are in trouble at the wrong end of League One for one reason and one reason only - and that's their inability to score goals this season. Sure, they can do the pretty stuff and dominate games for long periods, but when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net they've failed miserably. However, with Bournemouth and Gillingham breathing down their necks, Millwall have an opportunity to finally come good and secure their League One status with a win over promotion chasing Carlisle United.
Crazyhorse
Back The Lions to win 3-1 at a very generous 28/1
Newcastle have enjoyed a renaissance under returning messiah Kevin Keegan, and the barmy summer talk of moves for Ronaldinho et al is in full flow. They'll struggle to make an impact on the top six or seven next year, but whilst they are playing with the kind of the attacking the Toon army wants, they are good value for an entertaining game. West Ham appear to have already gone on their summer holidays and, unbelievable as it sounds, Newcastle must be fancied to gain another victory, or at least score a few goals to please the travelling fans.
Reznikov
Back Newcastle to score 4+ goals at 33/1
United need a victory to guarantee another league title, but Fergie will have no problems coming away from Stamford Bridge with a point, and staying tight will be the name of the game for the away side. Chelsea have been stoically impressive under Avram Grant, but they have taken a while to break down sides far inferior to this weekend's opponents, and the big names have not been on song in recent weeks. The probable bombardment will likely bring them some kind of reward, but it won't be enough to stop United's march to the title.
Dionysus
Back 1-1 at 6/1
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