(04/01 16:00) Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol : Athletic Bilbao -0.5 Win @ 1.88

Spanish

Espanol are in the the middle of a torrid run of form. They currently sit in the bottom 3 of the table and have won just 3 times in their last 26 league matches, including no wins in their last 7. They did pick up a point against Betis before the xmas break but their new manager Mane is yet to taste victory.

The won their opening road game at fellow strugglers Recreativo but since then they have picked up just 2 pts in 7 away.

Ath Bilbao have won their last 3 at home to teams in and around the bottom 3 in the table and in doing so kept 3 clean sheets. They are currently enjoying their best form of the campaign in 4 wins in the last 6.

Espanol come in to this game without the services of captain Raul Tamudo, who is their top scorer with 3 goals & De La Pena.

0 Comments and 111 Views

(03/01 15:00) Leyton Orient v Sheff Utd : Sheff Utd Win @ 1.91

FA Cup

Sheffield United travel to Orient today on the back of an away run which see them unbeaten in 7. Their 1-1 draw at the home of Championship leaders Wolves was their 13th point picked up in this run and their away form has been better than their home form.

Orient have only won twice at home this season and play a division below their opponents. They are currently winless in their last 5 matches and will be without ex-Sunderland & Doncaster midfielder Sean Thornton, who is out through suspension. They got to this round by beating Bradford and Colchester on the road but their home form has been the problem.

Sheffield United are currently unbeaten in their last 5 in the league and manager Kevin Blackwell is going to make a couple of changes to the side by resting captain Gary Speed. However, he does welcome back striker Darius Henderson back into the squad to challenge James Beattie and Danny Webber for starting spot.

If you compare boith sides whilst Orient are struggling at home at the bottom of League 1, Sheffield United are challenging for promotion in the Championship on the back of a decent run of form in the away fixtures. Even with Blackwell resting some players I believe the United side will be good enough to get the win.

0 Comments and 38 Views

(23/05 15:00) FA Cup 2008/09 : Arsenal Win @ 9.00

FA Cup

The title has gone for another season but Arsenal have this and the Champions League to try and redeem themselves. Wenger has failed to win any trophy for 3 seasons now so any silverware would be welcome and their recent form is not bad. Wins over Man U and Chelsea have been followed by draws at Villa and at home with Liverpool and a home tie against Plymouth is a nice start. Whilst they were humbled away at Burnley in the League Cup the last time they were knocked out by lower league opposition in the FA Cup was 1996. As the FA Cup campaign starts to pick up pace the could be welcoming back many of their injured stars and Ladbrokes offer of 8/1 looks decent enough for me.

  Bet on Arsenal at 9.00

0 Comments and 21 Views

(28/12 15:00) QPR v Watford : QPR -0.5 Win @ 1.98

Championship

Two new managers meet in a London derby at Loftus Road tomorrow as Paulo Sousas QPR entertain Brendan Rodgers Watford.

A lot was expect form QPR this season with the financial backing they have and now under Sousa they look like they may be making their move on the top 6. They have lost just once in the last 7 and they have started to pick up points on the road. Their home form has been good all season with 9 wins and 2 draws from their 12 at Loftus Road and they have a good chance of continuing that run as Watford have won just once in 12 away games. QPR will feel they should have beaten Charlton yesterday after throwing away 2 leads and after a late goal chalked off for a foul but they can make up for that tomorrow.

After a decent start under Rodgers Watford have lost their last 2 and suffered a 4-2 home defeat against Bristol City yesterday. Rodgers described the performance as a step backwards and it was a return to the defensive frailities that dogged the final months of Aidy Boothroyds reign. They have beaten just a poor Southampton side in any of their last 15 away games and have conceded 12 in the last 6.

Tamas Priskin will continue to be absent with a back injury so Rasiak and Smith will continue up front for Watford. There is no news on the QPR side yet but with no report of any injuries yesterday for them I expect it to be a similar side.

0 Comments and 158 Views

(28/12 12:00) Newcastle v Liverpool : Liverpool Win @ 1.91

Premiership

For Newcastle this game couldnt come at a poorer time. Yesterdays loss at Wigan came at an extra cost as their already depleted squad has been decimated by injury and suspension. Mark Viduka had to be replaced in the second half after tearing a muscle and joins Martins and Ameobi on the sidelines. Jose Enrique was injured in the warm up and Habib Beye hobbled off in the 1st half with a suspected fracture. Bassong was sent off meaning he misses out as well through suspension. That means 3 out of the starting 4 in defence yesterday will miss this game.

Liverpool coasted to a nice 3-0 win at home to Bolton and could even afford the luxury of resting Javier Mascherano with this game in mind. They can also welcome back Fernando Torres to the squad for tomorrows game. They won at St James Park 3-0 last year and have won 6 and drawn 2 from their 9 on the road this season.

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 6 at home (3 wins and 3 draws) but all bar 1 was against sides in the top half of the table. With injuries and suspensions hitting them hard Liverpools odds look appealing.

1 Comments and 452 Views

(26/12 17:15) Aston Villa v Arsenal : Arsenal Win @ 2.10

Premiership

Arsenal are going through the mill at the moment but they have saved their best for the big sides recently beating Man U & Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool. With Villa challenging strongly for a Champions League spot this season this is a massive game for the Gunners.

Everybody is rightly pointing out Arsenals recent problems but their away record is not to bad with 4 wins in 9 and Villas home form has not been spectacular with just 4 wins in 9. Arsenal suffered the loss of Fabregas against Liverpool whilst Adebayor is suspended for this match but Villa themselves maybe without Martin Laursen & Carlos Cuellar who are suffering from injuries.

Sooner or later it will click for Arsenal and I still expect them to finish in the top 4 come the end of the season.

0 Comments and 305 Views

(22/12 20:00) Everton v Chelsea : Chelsea Win @ 2.38

Premiership

Chelsea win for me with their excellent record on the road. They have an excellent chance of going into the break leading as they have done in 12 of their last 15 away games.

0 Comments and 63 Views

(17/12 19:45) Hamburg v Aston Villa : Hamburg Win @ 1.85

UEFA Cup

Villa have already qualified and have rested many of te first team squad. Hamburg have boh in form strikers leading the line and knowing Jol hell be taking this seriously.

0 Comments and 38 Views

(13/12 17:30) Tottenham v Man Utd : Man Utd -0.5 Win @ 1.93

Premiership

Berbatov, Ronaldo & Carrick all make the United side so the injury wories they had must have been a little exagerated.

United have a great record here and I expect them to get the win here today.

Tottenham start without King who is rested due to playing Monday night.

0 Comments and 43 Views

(13/12 15:00) Rochdale v Bournemouth : Rochdale Win @ 1.80

League Two

Rochdale can be found at odds of 1.80 at a couple of firms to beat a Bournemouth side who have failed to keep a clean sheet on the road this season and have conceded 16 goals in their last 5 away matches. Rochdale have only suffered defeat once in their last 13 league matches and just twice in their last 15 at home.

0 Comments and 78 Views