FOOTBALL ARCHIVE BELOW - Service was stoped in September due to lack of expert (ise! )

PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND 24th September 2010 -

It has been a bad week for Liverpool and Everton, after being dumped out of the League cup on penalties by teams in the lower divisions and losing last weekend.. Both will be looking to bounce back but will face tricky opposition in the shape of Fulham & Sunderland respectively. Everton travel to Fulham which is always a hard ground to visit and Liverpool host Sunderland, who got a good point against Arsenal last week and also having beat Man City earlier on

Champions Chelsea will get their first real test of the season as they travel to the team who beat them twice in the league last year. Man City will be disappointed after getting dumped out of the league cup so will be under pressure to get a result after an indifferent start to the season. This will be a tight one to call if both teams play to their potential.. Arsenal entertain West Brom in a game they would expect to win and try hopefully close the gap, if City can take anything against Chelsea..

West Ham face Spurs on the back of getting their first point of the season, they will be up for this after winning in mid-week too. Spurs meanwhile after a shocking result against neighbours Arsenal and with the champions league campaign in the week could be in for a tricky afternoon against one of Redknapps former clubs.. Man Utd face the short trip to Bolton on Sunday, buoyed by a good result and performance last week against bitter rivals Liverpool, they will be hoping for another 3 points on a ground where theyve had mixed results in the past few seasons. With Berbatov taking over from Rooney as Uniteds main weapon this season you would expect the away team to take the points here although the return of Jaaskelinan in goal is important to the Trotters at the back..

The final games see Birmingham vs Wigan at St Andrews, with a good home record its hard to see Wigan getting anything here, Blackpool host Blackburn, both teams will fancy their chances in this one, Stoke travel to St James Park looking to keep their recent good run going and Villa travel to Wolves looking for a good start to league life under the stewardship of Houllier

Treble          Arsenal ( -1 ), Birmingham & Man Utd - 1pt pays 7/2 Paddy Power

THE INSIDE RIGHT

PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND 18th Septmeber 2010 -

PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND 10th September 2010 -

After a week of international football the premier league returns to action... The early game this weekend see's Everton host Man Utd, where a certain striker will get a more hostile home comming than usual. With 1 point from 9 so far the Toffee's will be looking to get their season back on track against a United side hoping to put pressure on their championship rivals. This is always a close one to call and the home team will make it very hard for Fergie's men, but i expect United to just pip this one by a single goal...
 
Having started the season well Bolton travel to the Emirates stadium. Owen Coyle has tried to change the way his team play, so this could be a more entertaining game that you would have expected in previous seasons. With both Rob(injury) Van Persie and Theo Walcott both ruled out with ankle injuries for up to 6 weeks the gunners will be relying on captain Fabregas to provide the spark to win the 3 points. This could a tight one to call due to the home sides injuries, and i fancy the Trotters to leave the capital with a point... Man City face Blackburn at home and will be looking to get back on track after losing in injury time last time out. Balotelli is out for atleast a month but City will not miss him here as they return to winning ways..
 
Champions Chelsea travel across town to face struggling West Ham, their fortunes have to change soon but with the form and most of their key players not playing in the recent internationals, Ancelotti's boys will be just to good and will stroll out comfortable winners..
 
In the weekends other games Newcastle are expected to take the points against Ian Holloways Blackpool at St James Park, draw specialists Fulham entertain Wolves at Craven Cottage, where a decent home record should be enough to take 3 points.. Tottenham travel to the Hawthorns minus goal scorer Defoe but will be giving likely debuts to Van Der Vaart and Gallas ahead of their midweek champions league debut. Spurs fans will be hoping for a good result before then, but can Harry keep the players focused against West Brom.. Wigan face their old manager after their surprise and much needed win last time out, however Sunderland can boast world cup star Asamoah Gyan in their team at the DW stadium and along with Darren Bent scoring for England on tuesday i expect Steve Bruce's team to take the points...
 
Sunday see's Liverpool travel to Birmingham, with Torres now fit and scoring in his last club game, this could be the start of a decent run for the merseysiders, with their star striker making a difference to a generally average squad (Gerrard, Reina & Carragher aside), Woy's team will be well organised & solid with their captain and Torres adding the extra spark. However they will need to be at their best as St Andrews is a hard place to go as alot of teams have found since their return to Engalnds top flight...
 
Treble   Liverpool, Sunderland & Chelsea    1 point - 7.4/1 P Power
Double  Tottenham & Man Utd    2 points - 2.9/1 P Power
 
Good Luck
The Inside Right

PREMIERSHIP Weekend 28th August 2010 -

Apologies for no write up this week the Inside Right is sampling hospitality at Old Trafford this weekend and set off early....

Arsenal 8/13, Fulham 11/8 , Everton 7/4 and Man City 5/6 

4 x 0.5pt Win Trebles and 0.5pt Win Accumulator

Have a great weekend

The Inside Right

PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND 21st August 2010 -

PREMIERSHIP 2010/11 - DAY 1!!!

14th August 2010 -

WORLD CUP JUNE 2010 - South Africa

South Africa.... Where the worlds best players (plus Mr Shaun Wright-Phillips) will be gathering to try and win the biggest tournament in world sport !!!

We've previewed the main markets and lined up some betting advice below....

Top Goalscorer

There are a few players who could be in with a shout to top the scoring charts this time round... The spanish strikeforce of Villa & Torres (if fully fit) appear to be attractive options, playing against Honduras, Switzerland & Chile in the group stages and being one of the teams likely to go close to winning... Luis Fabiano is another good bet to top the charts, Brazil's top scorer in qualifying looks likely to be their number 9, with N. Korea in their group and likely 2nd round & 1/4 final opponents not being any major concern... Wayne Rooney is hard to ignore if you forget about the patriotic side of betting, USA appear the hardest game in the group along with lesser opponents expected in the next 2 rounds then Rooney could go close, along as he keeps his temper in control.

Others of interest could be Miroslav Klose with the Germans always doing well in major tournaments, Van Persie appears to be a name on alot of peoples lips, with a comfortable group & with Schneider pulling the strings an attacking Dutch team should score goals. Gilardino could be a dark horse for this one even though you might not fancy the Italians to do well, after a good domestic season & being in a group containing New Zealand, who are rank outsiders (2000/1), Paraguay & Slovakia he could score some goals in the group stage and early knockout rounds...

L. Fabiano @ 12/1 with Paddy Power 0.5pt
W. Rooney @ 11/1 with Paddy Power 0.5pt
A. Gilardino @ 50/1 with Ladbrokes 0.5pt each way  - 4 places 1/4 odds

Group Winners
Groups B (Argentina), C (England), D (Germany) E (Holland), F (Italy) & H (Spain) seem like the likely winners of their respective groups...

Group G has been branded the group of Death, containing heavyweights Brazil, Portugal & Ivory Coast with N. Korea being the apparent whipping boys. This group could be decided by Drogba's broken arm ruling him out or not. Although a tricky group Brazil's experience of the big games should see them finish top in a tight group...

Group A is the most interesting to call, former champs France, the big name, only qualified via the play-off's & Henry's handball. They appear to lack confidence & with coach Domenech to stand down after the tournament some players may look beyond this tournament. Mexico are a promising young team as they showed against England recently, Uruguay have a decent world cup pedigree but lack the quality to escape the group, the final team in the group are hosts South Africa. With a nation behind them it could be enough to see them into the second round, but only as runners up. If Ribery, Benzema & Henry are up for it then France should have enough otherwise expect this group to go to the wire...

Four Fold - Holland, Spain, England & Germany @ 4.6/1 with Paddy Power 2pt
Treble - Brazil, Argentina & Mexico @ 8.8/1 with Paddy Power 1pt

Outright Winners

Anyone of six teams are in with a shout this time around... Spain are rightly stated as the bookies favourites. Any squad that can boast having Cesc Fabregas, Pedro & Pepe Reina as substitutes, attacking players such as Villa, Torres, Iniesta, Xavi & Silva in their first 11 have to be taken seriously... Brazil & Germany always do well in this tournament. Brazil have a squad of players that play in europes top club sides, that consistently challenge for the top honours, experience of the big occasion counts in the worlds biggest tournament. Coach Dunga has also installed some defensive discipline to an attacking lineup... Germany never fail to do well, with a young, exciting team again (Mesut Ozil could be a star of the tournament) along with experienced players like Klose, Podolski, Schweinsteiger & Lahm expect the Germans to go close again even without their injured captain Ballack...

England & Holland are teams that no-one will fancy taking on in the knock-out stages, if they don't hit the self destruct button. The Dutch boasted one of the meanest defences in qualifying (they did play Scotland twice though) & will always score goals. They don't have as many world class players as in years gone by, but have good quality in Sneijder, Robben & Van Persie. The big difference could be that there is no longer any big ego's (think David's & Van Nistelrooy) in the squad to disrupt coach Van Marwijk's plans... Where do you start with England, a squad boasting several world class players, potentially the best coach who is not affraid of upsetting the big names to get results & exciting young players challenging the establishment to a place in the starting lineup. This has to be their best chance of glory for many a tournament, if they get passed the red cards & shootout misery that seems to haunt them...

Argentina are the final team in with a shout. With the worlds best player (Messi) & other attacking talent in the shape of Tevez, Milito, Higuain, Di Maria, Aguero all being orchestrated by the born again Juan Veron and a solid defensive unit behind them (Samuel, Heinze, Burdisso & Mascherano) the South Americans chances all hinge on the descisions being made by eccentric manager & Argentina legend Maradonna. To be fair it is probably forgotten that he took over a team in trouble, which with one win in the previous seven games was already struggling to qualify but he got them over the line...

Brazil @ 9/2 with Paddy Power  - 2pts Win
Holland @ 10/1 with William Hill  - 1pt e/w
Argentina @ 7/1 with Coral - 1pt e/w

Enjoy the football festival & Good Luck
The Inside Right

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 8th MAY 2010 -

The final weekend of the league season is here & for once the only outstanding issue is who will be crowned champions, Chelsea or Man Utd ?? There's been alot of twists & turns but will there be one more ??
 
Chelsea go into their game against Wigan as red hot favourites to not only win the game but win the title, being at home they should be too strong against a Wigan team who have already beaten them this season. This should be a comfortable win for the home team & the party will be in full flow by 6pm...
 
Title rivals Man Utd host Stoke in a game United must win to have any chance of winning the league. The Old Trafford faithful will expect to see their team win and hope a miracle happens, United will win but the miracle is unlikely...
 
With fourth place now secure Tottenham will take the points against Burnley & hope bitter rivals Arsenal lose to Fulham so they can leapfrog them & finish in 3rd !! Spurs will win, but Arsenal will be out to ensure they get atleast the point they need to guarantee 3rd place.
 
Man City travel to West Ham and will hope to make up for the disapointing mid-week loss to Spurs & in turn not make the final champions league spot. With goals available from Tevez, Bellamy & Adebayor City will have too much for the hosts...
 
In other games Everton at home against cup finalists Portmouth should take the 3 points, Sunderland visit Wolves & with Darren Bent still with a slight chance of finishing top scorer may well be edge in this one. Liverpool travel to relegated Hull in what could be Rafa's last game in charge of the red's and will finish a very disappointing season with a win..
 
1pt Win Quad  -    Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea & Everton - 2.49/1 wth P Power
1pt Win Treble -  Man City, Liverpool & Sunderland - 8.64/1 with P Power
 
Good Luck
The Inside Right

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 30th April 2010 -

 With no change at the top except for Chelsea extending their goal difference, it's the penultimate weekend. The top two both having away games this weekend, it's likely the destiny of the title will be decided here as both finish with winnable games at home...
 
First up Chelsea travel to Anfield. The hosts still have an outside chance of fourth & will be all out for 3 points after the disappointment of losing in Thursdays Europa semi in extra time. Chelsea mean while welcome back Terry after suspension & will be on a high after scoring 7 last weekend. This will be a tight game however with Chelsea in goalscoring form & having more attacking options i expect them to place one very large hand on the league trophy this weekend...
 
United, who will be hoping their bitter rivals can do them a favour 2 hours before they play, face a tricky visit to the Stadium of Light. Former captain Steve Bruce has already stated that his team are up for the game, will make things hard, with home wins against the likes of Arsenal, Spurs & Liverpool. United who havent lost in this fixture in the last 10 years, will need to be on top form. There won't be much in this one, with Bent aiming for the golden boot & a world cup place this could be the end of Uniteds league challenge...
 
Elsewhere Spurs will expect to win & stay fourth at home against a Bolton team that's now guaranteed top flight football for next season. At the same time Man City host Villa where a win for the away team could all but end City's hopes of Champions League football by going 4 points ahead.
 
Birmingham host relegated Burnley, with the visitors having a bad away record this should be a win for the midlanders. There could be a bruising encounter at the Brittania, after being thumped last weekend Tony Pulis will be expecting his Stoke team to show their fighting spirit against an Everton team still with dreams of a europa spot for next season. West Ham will be looking for the point to guarantee survival against Europa finalists Fulham, Wigan host a Hull team who, mathematically, still have a chance to stay up. Arsenal travel to Blackburn & Portsmouth face Wolves.
 
 
Treble      Tottenham, Wigan & Man Utd - 1.25pt win - 3.24/1 Paddy Power
Double      Birmingham & Everton - 0.75pt win - 3.22/1 Paddy Power
 
Good luck
The Inside Right

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 24th April 2010 -

What a weekend it was last week at the top of the table !!! Man United score a late late winner and then Spurs blow the title race wide open...
 
Man Utd host Tottenham in the first game of the weekend, United will be hoping to claim top spot and put more pressue on Chelsea. United have a good home record vs Spurs and should just edge the win with this being one big game too many in recent weeks for the Londoners.
 
Saturdays late game see's Arsenal vs Man City, with their season as good as over & injuries mounting, Arsenal will be in for tough evening against the blue side of Manchester. With Adebayor up against his former employers & Tevez having a great season City will fancy their chances of an important win and 3 points in the battle for fourth. With so many injuries it's hard to see anything other than an away win.
 
Chelsea host Stoke on Sunday, with captain Terry suspended the Potters will be up for ruffling a few feathers at Stamford Bridge with their physical approach to the game. Although after a bad performance last time out the Londoners will still be confident with the likes of Drogba, Lampard & Malouda capable of winning the game for them.
 
Other games see Bolton vs Portsmouth, where the Trotters will hope to seal survival against the bottom placed club. Hull need a home win or they could be doomed when they face Sunderland who are finding a bit of form again at the end of the season. Burnley could sense a chance of 3 points they would not usually expect to get when they host Liverpool, who may be tired after a long trip and disappointing result mid-week in Madrid, Everton will also fancy their chances for the same reason against Fulham, who although didn't lose, will have one big eye on next weeks semi return against Hamburg....
 
This could be a weekend to get a decent return on your money.... Good Luck
 
Quad      Man Utd, Everton, Man City & Chelsea - 0.5pt Win - 8.8/1 Paddy Power
Double    Burnley & Man City - 0.5pt Win - 21/1 Paddy Power

THE INSIDE RIGHT......

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 17th APRIL 2010

The game of the weekend is the Manchester derby which see's United travel across the city to the blue half. With United being hit and miss in the last few weeks, Carlos Tevez will be looking to put the final nail in in his former clubs title coffin!!! If Rooney is fully fit then Man Utd will fancy their chances, but with City in good scoring form this one will be hard to call as form will count for nothing in a game that both sides have to win... Expect this to be an all action game but i fancy United to edge it with Fergie using recent woe's to raise the reds game.
 
In Saturdays late game champions elect Chelsea take the short trip to London rivals Tottenham, who will buoyed after mid-week's win against Arsenal. Spurs could well blow the title race wide open (again) after a season that has seen many unexpected results by getting a big big win in their race for fourth place...
 
In the weekends other games Birmingham winning at home should all but guarantee Hull playing Championship football next season, Arsenal travel to Wigan looking to get back to winning ways, with Van Persie fit again they should get 3 points and leave Wigan still looking nervously over their shoulders. Burnley will be hoping for another away win as they head to the Stadium of Light against Sunderland but a home win should be expected.
 
Fulham face a tough to beat Wolves team of late, with one eye on Thursdays Europa League semi expect Roy Hodgson to make changes so Wolves could get an important win at what is usually a tricky game for anyone visiting Craven Cottage. Villa travel to cup finalists Portsmouth and should get a confidence boosting win, Everton face tricky game at Blackburn and Stoke host a Bolton team still needing points to guarantee survival for another year.....
 
 
Treble     Birmingham, Arsenal & Aston Villa - 0.75pt Win Treble - 3.6/1 P Power
Double     Stoke & Wolves - 0.5pt Win - 6.2/1 P Power
 
Good luck
The Inside Right

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 10th April 2010 -

It's semi final time in the fa cup... Aston Villa will be looking to avenge their 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea 2 weekends ago, although this should be much closer. Chelsea will be confident of reaching the cup final for consecutive years after a recent return to good form and a big result last weekend in the league. Martin O'Neills team will make it hard for the Londoners but Chelsea sould return to Wembley with the likes of Drogba, Lampard & Malouda all capable of scoring late winners....
 
In the other semi it should be a bit more straight forward, Spurs will be expecting an all London affair in the end of season showpiece, with Defoe being fit again this should be a comfortable win for them, Pompey will have the spirit but that's about it....
 
The big game in the premiership is at the bottom of the table with Hull hosting Burnley. This is a massive 6 pointer and a win for Hull would almost end any hopes of survival for Burnley. This will be a closely fought game, with alot of grit & determination but not much flair, Burnley having an awful away record should be enough for a Hull win and 3 important points.
 
In the other games Man Utd will be looking to leapfrog Chelsea to take top spot, after an horrendous week which has seen them lose to rivals Chelsea, throw away a champions league semi final spot & lose Rooney to injury (again) Blackburn will fancy their chances of piling more misery on Fergie. A tricky game for United but they should finish the weekend on top in a tight game....
 
Europa league semi finalists clash as Liverpool host Fulham, with a mid-table position safe Roy Hodgson's team will be bought back down to earth on Merseyside... Man City should take advantage of Spurs being involved in a cup game & win at home against a physical Birmingham team to stake their claim for 4th place. West Ham face Sunderland at Upton Park and will be hoping they can get a much needed win against Steve Bruce's much improved team, Darren Bent is back in goals & will leave Zola biting his nails at the games tick down. Finally Wolves face Stoke, this could go either way, with Stoke being safe for another season Wolves may well nip this one at home with the need for points still a concern...
 
League Treble     Hull, Sunderland & Liverpool 0.75pt Win Treble - pays 7.1/1 with P Power
Cup Double         Chelsea & Tottenham - 2pt Win Double - pays Evens with Paddy Power

THE INSIDE RIGHT

FOOTBALL WEEKEND 3rd April 2010 - EASTER ACTION!!

Whilst the rest of us enjoy the Easter break, the premiership race at the top and bottom is now about who has the bottle to get the all important points

The first game of the weekend will see First vs. Second. Can Man United stretch their recent winning streak in the league after mid-weeks disappointing result in Munich and can they cope without top scorer Rooney Chelsea, who travel to Old Trafford, will fancy their chances of finishing Easter in pole position after their recent goal scoring run of 12 in their last 2 games, although they have injury concerns themselves with Drogba still nursing a slight groin strain and still short of regulars in their backline, expect this to be a tight game with neither team wanting to lose points to each other as the games tick down

Arsenal, who will be hoping for a draw in the early game, will try to narrow the gap with a must win home game against an in-form Wolves side. Wenger's side who have an increasing injury list with the latest causalities being Arshavin, Gallas and Fabregas may well struggle to get the home win you would normally expect them to get.

The four teams fighting for fourth place are all away in the weekends games, Villa and Man City will expect 3 points away to relegation strugglers Bolton & Burnley respectively, whilst Liverpool face a fight to get 3 points against a Birmingham side tough to beat at home, the final team Spurs travel to an inconsistent Sunderland team who can be tough to beat on their own patch.

In the final games Stoke would expect to push for a top half finish by getting a win at home to Hull, Everton will be looking to pile more misery on Gianfranco Zola & West Ham at Goodison and Wigan will be looking for points in their fight for survival against a Fulham team who entertain Wolfsburg on Thursday night prior to their visit on Sunday. With Portsmouth all but down and Blackburn having broke the magical 40 points 'safety margin' this could go either way with the pressure being off both teams

Treble          Stoke, Everton & Wigan  - 0.75pt Win pays 9.4/1 Paddy Power - no joy
Double          Man City, Villa  - 1pt Win pays 3.1/1 at Paddy Power - WINNER!!!!!

0.25pt Win five timer....pays 41.66/1 with Paddy Power.... - small loss!

Happy Easter

The Inside Right.....

CYCLING ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERT COLIN COUPON......31st March 2010

Tour of Flanders & Paris Roubaix

It's hard not to think of either race without discussing Tom Boonen and once again we find him at the head of the market for both the Belgian and French classics separated by seven days. Boonen highlighted his form in the recent Milan San Remo with a podium place beaten only by the fast finishing Oscar Freire who will be absent from Flanders on Sunday. Boonen has some solid wins already this year and has to be on any short list but if we cast our mind back to 2009 it was because of this favouritism he was marked right out of it by the Italian Filippo Pozzato with neither satisfied with the day's racing. Once again Pozzato heads into the race in good form, the Italian attacking bravely on the Poggio in last week's classic only to be reeled in close to the finish.

It's hard to look outside the top 6 or 7 in the betting for this ultimate test in one day race riding but the gaps between favourites and those further down offer some value. Last years winner, Stijn Devolder has been quietly preparing for this race and can never be discounted. Once again he's going off at double figures which surely is a mistake given he's won this the last two years running.

I would have been backing Edvald Boassen Hagen off the boards but a recent injury has meant less than ideal preparation for the event. His form has been absolutely brilliant for someone who didn't actually get that much winter training. He's won in Tirreno Adriatico and Oman and has placed in Qatar. He's a little young for this but i'd watch the betting in running with 20 kilometres to go and if he's in the mix, then I'll be having a go.

Fabian Cancellara has been preparing for this race and is joint favourite but I question his tactics overall. He had the World Championships at his mercy but somehow missed out on a medal and his results in Flanders over the years have been less than inspiring despite his win last week against Boonen and Flecha in the E3 Prijs in Flanders. I think of him as a Paris Roubaix favourite but not this weekend so I'll leave him out of my thinking.

Juan Antonio Flecha seized his chance in the Omloop and was third last week to Boonen and Cancellara so we know he's in form in Belgium. He can do enough to stay with the main guys but can find it tough to get away from them and I think it will be a similiar situation on Sunday. However a podium place is well within range and he's my idea of a good each way bet at present if it transpires that Boonen, Pozzato and Cancellara mark each other out of it. With Stijn Devloder once again waiting in the wings, I'll take the two of these as each way bankers with Boonen to follow them home.

Paris Roubaix will feature all of the above and it should come down to a contest between Cancellara and Boonen with the likes of Thor Hushovd providing the background entertainment of what is normally a calamitous race of crashes and punctures. I think Boonen has enough to win this as he normally recovers well enough throughout the week after Flanders and is on top form for Roubaix. He may be 7/2 favourite but we'll get a decent race out of him. Cancellara will run him close and Pozzato, Hushovd and Martijn Maaskant can make up the placings.

Bet -Tour of Flanders

0.5pt e/w - Stijn Devolder 25/1 BLUESquare and 888 Sport  (3 places 1/5 odds) - no luck....
0.5pt e/w - Juan Antonio Flecha 18/1 Paddy Power ( 3 places 1/4 odds ) - no luck...

BET - Paris Roubaix

Tom Boonen - 1.5pt Win 11/4 best price

Thor Hushovd - 0.5pt e/w 14/1 3 places 1/4 odds

ENJOY THE ACTION....CC ( will update the Roubaix market as soon as priced up! )

Weekend Footy - 26th March

Arsenal take a trip to St Andrews on the run of 6 sucessive wins to take on a Birmingham team that seems to have lost it's momentum having lost their last 2, although they can still boast not having lost at home since September. With 2 ageing centre backs in Campbell & Silvestre likely to play in the abscence of the suspended Vermaelen expect this to be tricky for Arsenal, although they should come away with 3 points with the knack of scoring late goals....
 
Chelsea face Aston Villa with both teams needing a win, with the teams having potential injury concerns in defence there could be a few goals in a game you normally may not expect to see too many. With no champions league game in the week Chelsea won't be distracted & will make it a home win.
 
Manchester Utd could be 3rd by the time they kick off in the late game on Saturday away to Bolton, with Fergie claiming Rooney is not an injury concern, United with a few changes to their starting 11 to take 3 points against a side with a much improved home form & to have a chance of a record breaking 19th league title.
 
In other games Spurs will win at home to Portsmouth, expect a Liverpool win with Torres's finishing being the difference against an improving Sunderland and in Monday nights clash Man City will expect to get back on track in the battle for 4th against Wigan.
 
Treble      Liverpool, Man Utd & Chelsea - 1pt - 2.63/1 P Power - WINNER!!!!!
 
Double     Spurs & Man City - 1pt - 1.63/1-  P Power - WINNER!!!!!!!!

Five Timer - 0.5pt Win - 4.38/1 P Power - WINNER!!!!! - a bumper weekend for the INSIDE RIGHT!

The Inside Right....

Midweek Football - 23rd/24th March

Spurs and Fulham go again in the only replay from the quarter finals and with Portsmouth awaiting the winners in the semi, both London teams will fancy their chances of reaching the FA Cup Final. With an injury list that's starting to grow as a long season takes it toll, Tottenham will fancy their chances of progression with home advantage.... Spurs should advance to the semi with Fulham's poor away domestic form costing them.

The Premier League plays catch-up with West Ham vs Wolves on Tuesday with both teams currently lying in the two positions above the relegation zone, neither team will want to lose so expect a bore draw or West Ham to shade it and go above the visitors...

In the other games Villa need maximum points, with fourth still up for grabs, against Sunderland ahead of the weekends trip to Stamford Bridge, with Carew scoring goals again and Agbonlahor now fit the Villans should ease to victory.... After an important win on Sunday Man City are at home to a strong Everton and will be looking to leapfrog Spurs into fourth, with Tevez always a threat and Adebayor returning from suspension Citys firepower will leave the blue side of Manchester dreaming of Champions League football next season... After a bad week Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea need and should take maximum points against Portsmouth, and in the remaining game expect it to be tight between Blackburn vs Birmingham

Draw Double - B'Burn/B'ham & West Ham/Wolves - 0.5pt pays 11.6/1 with PPower

Treble - Villa, Spurs & Chelsea - 1pt pays 2.31 / 1 with PPower

Good luck

THE INSIDE RIGHT

Weekend Action 20th March 2010 -

After both having good results in their last league games, Man Utd host Liverpool in the weekends stand out fixture, with Torres fit and amongst the goals, along with Berbatov and Nani now producing on a more regular basis supporting the on-fire Rooney, expect this to be an entertaining but close game, with Man Utd edging it with more match winners in the their squad ...

In the weekends other games Arsenal should have too much at home for an erratic West Ham side who, although are capable of producing on their day, won't end their current run of bad form here. Fulham entertain Man City at Craven Cottage following Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday and numerous games in recent weeks Man City will have the freshness to seal some important points in the race for 4th !!!

The two basement battles of the weekend see Wigan vs Burnley and Portsmouth vs Hull, I can see Wigan beating Burnley who's away form has been poor this season and the latter fixture both teams needing points to close the gap on the teams above them ending in a draw.

Everton at home to Bolton should be enough for a comfortable home win, although the Trotters are hitting a bit of form with three wins in their last four games and Stoke vs Tottenham should be close but i can see the Londoners taking the three points..... Just, with the strikeforce of Defoe and Pavlychenko in good form. After Tuesday's loss to Inter in the Champions league expect Chelsea to take it out on Blackburn and with Drogba making up for his red card misery....


Quad - Man Utd, Arsenal, Wigan & Everton - 1pt @ 4.86/1 with PPower - WINNER!!!!!!!!!
Treble - Chelsea, Tottenham & Man City - 1pt @ 6.5/1 with PPower - One result away....shame

Good luck

The Inside Right

WEEKEND FOOTBALL - 19th Dec 2009

It was only 12 months back when Phil Brown brought his charges to the new Emirates stadium and beat the young Gunners and fate has once again dealt him a decent hand for tomorrow's clash with Cesc Fabregas out with a hamstring strain. Brown has has a week to galvanise his team and even though they are massive under-dogs tomorrow I expect them to give the Gunners a fight similiar to Burnley's mid-week exploits. It's too good an opportunity to pass up and so I'm going to back the draw tomorrow

Wolves rested 10 players midweek and the return of a more familiar line-up may prove too much for Burnley in what is already being deemed a 6 point game not even half way through the season. McCarthy has eyed this fixture from a long way out and I fully expect them to capitalize after a slick display against Spus last week. If that form holds I think Wolves should see this through comfortably

Blackburn is a no goal haven and despite the attacking flair of Spurs, they can be hit and miss. If the mid-week exertions haven't taken their toll they could be firm favourites but I think this game will be physical which will not suit the light-weight Spurs attack. Back Blackburn for a result with a draw the likely outcome

Weekend Treble .25 pt
3 singles @ .75 pt

Arsenal/Hull -Draw 6/1
Wolves Win 11/10
Blackburn/Spurs Draw 12/5

CC.............

MIDWEEK FOOTBALL 14th Dec 2009 -

Birmingham are in the form of their life yet the bookies still tag them as Championship material. Offering generous odds for even their home matches which has fast become a fortress is foolhardy at best as they are well up to winning these type of matches. I backed them at the weekend at Evens which was well worth the punt and now again they are available at best price 13/10 (Victor Chandlers). Why oppose a team on a run?

Sunderland were very unlucky to concede late in the game against Portsmouth and a confident Villa will once again test their depleted defence to the core. However there was a lot to like about the home side's performance and I fancy them to do a little better than Manchester United did at home to the visitors at the weekend. That said, Martin O Neill will look to preserve his third place and Villa will be up for this game so a draw is a very likely outcome at just under 5/2 in most places.

My final bet this evening is Bolton at home who showed their battling qualities at the weekend against the serial "draw" artists Man City. Bolton could have won this game and I think the form of Cahill and Klasnic will be enough to get them over the finish line in front tonight. Kevin Davies is a big player for them and West Ham's beleaguered defence will do well do contain the big man.

My midweek treble is backable just over 14/1 - 1pt WIN

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Weekend Football 11th December 2009 -

Birmingham have been in flying form of late and with West Ham short on options up front it's hard to see where a goal will come to trouble the home side. Lee Bowyer has been in form of late in a deeper midfield role and has scored in each of his last two games. Sebastian Larsson looks a threat from free kicks whilst the Birmingham defence is quite solid. I'll take Birmingham to beat West Ham.

Manchester United's defence is in tatters with so many injuries forcing midfielders into defensive duties. However their attacking threat is there for all to see and goals have been plentiful of late. Rooney should shake off a strain and return up front whilst Giggs and Valencia are in flying form. However, the Villa defence looks a little better recently and with the attacking options at O' Neill's disposal I think we could have a quite closely match game here and I'm expecting a result for Villa. I'll take the draw.

Wigan away from home is dangerous proposition and Stoke have a mean home record. However Stoke have not been playing well of late whilst Wigan have come on from their drubbing at the hands of Spurs. I'll take the draw here also.

Jermaine Defoe may have a few early Xmas presents when Wolves come to town and such is his form I cannot help but think he might bag himself a brace or more. Odds have shortened but I'll still take it on

Draw Double - United/Villa & Stoke/Wigan 12/1 - .5pt

Birmingham win - Evens - 1 point

Defoe Hat-trick - 14/1 - .5 point

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Weekend Football 5th December 2009 -

1pt Win Treble -

Wolves, Tottenham and Liverpool

7/5 - 6/4 and 3/4

Good luck...

TJ

WEEKEND FOOTBALL 20th November 2009 -

WEEKEND FOOTBALL 7th Nov 2009 -

Tottenham welcome back Jermain Defoe after a three game ban and will be hopeful of a home win after a crushing defeat at the hands of Arsenal last weekend. The gap between the top four and Spurs was there for all to see bar Robbie Keane who insisted before kick off, there was nothing between the teams. However I expect them to get back to winning ways against Sunderland who although quite strong in recent weeks may come up short against the pace and power of the Spurs front line.

Wigan will ring the changes for their clash against Fulham at home, according to sources where they are a different team to play against. Fulham for all their plaudits did not need to be great against Liverpool last week and their away record is once again far from average. With the like of Rodalegga on form, I expect Wigan to bounce back with a comfortable win.

Man City welcome back Kolo Toure and Adebayor and these re-enforcements in defence and attack should be too much for Burnley. On the back of three consecutive draws, City will be keen to bang a few in and I'm taking them in the handicap.

Treble - 1pt

Spurs, Wigan & Man City(-1)

6/1 Ladbrokes

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FRIDAY 30th October 2009 -

Portsmouth, Aston Villa & Stoke & QPR tonight

QPR in fine form with brilliant away win. A win tonight brings them into the promotion places. At 5/6 and Even money in places they are a firm bet.

Everton and Villa served up a thriller last year in this corresponding fixture. Villa have taken goals early in games but have been unable to sustain leads. Everton have been giving away stupid goals but have had Saha to thank for getting them back in games. If Saha is out as expected, I 'll take Villa to record an away win

Stoke are very strong at home and new boys Wolves will have it all to do. Beattie is on form and Stoke's direct game should be enough to battle past the away team.

Porstmouth are still waiting for a win but have not leaked goals at home in their last two encounters. Wigan travel with Roadallega on form but I've a feeling this weekend could just be Pompey's after a deserved goal fest mid week in the Carling Cup

Stoke & Postmouth Double (5/6 & 11/8) - 1pt

QPR, Stoke & Portsmouth Treble (5/6, 5/6, 11/8) - 1pt

Villa away Win 13/8 - 1pt

Sadly no joy from our treble - nice start for Chopra though as he is now 11/2 Favourite for the golden boot odds in the division...slight over reaction perhaps but good start all the same!!!

8th August  - THE FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!

Greetings to all who didn't follow me and my cycling tips this summer but most will remember our successful campaign last season tipping across the divisions. Let's hope for better things in the upcoming football season.

I'll start the season with a sure fire treble with decent odds namely Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff and QPR. Sheffield are home to Barnsley, a team very lucky to have stayed up last year and have done nothing to alter the situation over the summer months with only one transfer completed at time of writing. Sheffield played well against their neighbours in Sheffield United in both Derby matches and should have the edge in this fixture. The Even money in many bookmakers is a very good price.

Cardiff have a strikeforce par excellence for the season ahead with Michael Chopra returning to more familiar stomping grounds and I expect him to have a good season. Cardiff played well in parts and could be counted on to deliver at home in some of the sterner tests. Scunthorpe did well to get promoted and I fancy their chances in home fixtures but Ninian Park is a tough place to go so don't expect fireworks this weekend.

With the money coming from Flavio Briatore and a couple of decent signings over the summer, QPR may well prove a team to follow this season. Jim Magilton knows how to win in the Championship and will be up for this given his dismissal at Ipswich and this team has enough good players to make a flying start to the season. An outside bet for a promotion place?

Tips

Michael Chopra - Highest Goalscorer 1 point @ 16/1 Ladbrokes

QPR to get promoted - 1 point @ 6/1 Ladbrokes

Cardiff & Sheffield Wednesday & QPR Treble

1.5 points @ 9/2 Paddy Power

Colin Coupon...

Tour De France - Wrap Up!!

So nearly a cracking return for us with Mountains winner, Overall winner and cruelly robbed by the authorities on the Green Jersey. Finishing up level for the Tour given the funny results and interference is not too bad a result - Winners at 20/1, 12/1 e/w, 6/4, 11/10 meant we more than had the head above water.

Colin Coupon will be back for the Football season which gets underway in a matter of days.......

TOUR DE FRANCE TIME TRIAL - 22nd July 2009

Apologies for a break in the coverage....!

Some very fancy prices about this morning!

The destination of the minor placings will be played out today but there is probably no doubting that Alberto Contador will now win the Tour De France. However going into today's time trial second down to sixth is wide open and the 25 mile course will suit some more than others.

After looking back over the time trials this year there haven't been many surprises in the winners. Cancellara won the prologue of this year's Tour but also blew the opposition away in Switzerland so is a worthy favourite. Bert Grabsch is trading at a respectable 14/1 to follow up on his Dauphine Time Trial win and surely he will not be out of the top three today? However there are other really strong candidates to look at for those three placings.

In my mind it's tailor made for Fabian Cancellara to win today but once again the bookies give no leniency with cyclists and the Swiss star trades at around 4/7. In my mind he's worth that price but not a whole lot of money will be made on backing him.

Of the Overall Contenders Lance Armstrong seems to be in top form if just a little short of the form of the likes of Contador and the Schlecks in the mountains. However he should find the course today more to his liking. Bradley Wiggins is a time trial specialist and has shown us how much in form he is with his displays up to yesterday's stage. Will he have recovered in time to do a good test ? Vincenzo Nibali is in cracking form and this boy can time trial too. It's a pity most bookies pay only on the top three because I feel he is a top five contender and is available at odds between 66/1 and 250/1 on Betfair. I don't think he can win but he could make top five. Contador has shown he can time trial as well as climb so I expect another bold show from him.

Further down the G.C. Tony Martin showed strong form in the first two weeks before fading. He has ridden conservatively with today's stage on his mind and is sound value at prices varying from 28/1 to 40/1 in places, so shop around. Roman Kreuziger can do a good test, if a little short of top class whilst Andreas Kloden and the like of Olympic Silver Medallist (in this discipline) Gustav Larsson can produce top quality times.

So for a value bet, there's no surprise in me going with Bert Grabsch who I see as the only one to give Cancellara a run for his money. At bigger prices his young team mate Tony Martin is way overpriced also and may make the top five but I'll stick with Bert today.

Tip Bert Grabsch

1 point each way

14/1 this morning into 11/1 Paddy Power
16/1 Stan James

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TOUR DE FRANCE - Update 15th July 2009

By crikey that Cav lad is good! I thought he'd take one of the last two stages but to take the two is incredible and once again underlines how quick and strong he is in a finish. He has four stage wins to date and we're just after hitting half way. I predicted four stage wins thinking that through mishap and luck somone else could claim a sprinting stage but now I'm not so sure he can't go and win every other flat stage there is.

Tomorrow's stage and Saturday's stage are essentially flat finishes with little hills peppered along the way and pundits have been predicting that early breaks will flourish in the terrain. I'm not so sure that Team Columbia will let chances to take another two stages go so I'm sticking with Cav for tomorrow and Saturday. Check his prices in each of the mornings. My only worry is that the last kilometre tomorrow is slightly uphill and that may play into the hands of Thor Hushovd or Oscar Freire but they will need to show unbelievable power if it comes to a sprint after a long days in the saddle - 214 kilometres over nagging little climbs will take it out of everyone.

Cav was taken at 6/4 yesterday and 5/4 today so money has been made although Freire let me down by not finishing in the top three. It's a long stage tomorrow with a lot of early climbs and a steep third category climb about 50 km before the end. If Cav gets over that with the leaders get straight on to Betfair and back him if they are close to any breakaway. However I would advise not to back him in the morning and only back "in running" and only after that last climb.

Tip - Thursday's Stage

Mark Cavendish - Bet in Running from around 3pm onwards. 1 point win. (contingent on way the race pans out )

Have a look at Filippo Pozzato and Alessandro Ballan Betting in Running as I think they can get up those climbs a bit better than Cav can and may be value by backing them in the morning regardless.

Morning Tip

Filippo Pozzato .25 e/w price to follow

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Tour de France - Update 13th July 2009

As the site has problems at present of an updating nature the tips for the next two days are

Tuesday - Oscar Freire 0.5pt e/w 12/1 General ( 15/1 Betfair ) - no joy...

Wednesday - Mark Cavendish 1pt Win at best morning price - WINNER 6/4......

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Here is the write up!!

As one door closes another opens and while our tip for Friday, Franco Pellizotti suffered greatly and lost time on the first mountain stage, he miraculously recovered enough to go on a 100 mile escape on Sunday's stage and thus enter the frame for the Polka Dot Jersey (see tips for King of the Moutains). Still and all a sickening weekend best avoided and gladly so given the unpredictability of tipping anyone with concrete certainty. However the next few stages should hopefully be a little more defined with two sprinters stages to concern ourselves with. So it's back to the form book and hopefully a few better prices.

After three hard stages in the mountains, the sprinters can look forward to a bit of action in the next few days and the race for the Green Jersey in this year's Tour is certainly hotting up. Mark Cavendish looks the quickest sprinter but is he prepared to sacrifice some of his energy for the intermediate sprints that lie ahead that will go a long way to deciding the destination of the Points classification? Even though he has two stage wins to his name he trails Thor Hushovd in the competition thanks largely to the big Norwegian's consistency to date. Hushovd won Thursday's stage whilst Cavendish toiled on the final climb. The flatter finishes over the next two days will play into the hands of the Manxman but with him needing to contest the intermediate sprints it may give other sprinters a better chance in the finale. I still think Cavendish will be hard to beat but I'm hoping the mountains have levelled the playing field a little as a lot of riders will be tired.

Tomorrow's stage will see the usual early breakaway but I think Cervelo and Columbia with the help of the AG2R team will keep tabs on any break over 5 minutes and we should see a bunch finish. Will Hushovd go for one of the three intermediate sprints or hope that an early break swallows up the points on offer with a resultant bunch finish or will the combination of today's rest day and three hard days in the mountains temper any breakaway attempt in the first instance? It's tough to call.

I'm going to stick with Oscar Freire tomorrow at a likely bigger price. He came over yesterdays stage quite well and took third place points on the stage bringing him back into the running for the Gereen Jersey. Hi ssecond place to Hoshovd last Thursday proved his form and I think he needs to place consistently well in the next three stages by way of a breakaway or by way of a sprint to be a real contender in the Green Jersey competition.

As the next two following stages are fairly flat, the usual men to look out for will be Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, Thor Hushovd, Tom Boonen and Oscar Freire. With Cav the main man I'm going with him to take at least one of the stages, with Freire in the running and Boonen hopefully popping up somewhere in what has been a disasterous Tour thus far. Check your prices every morning but in the meantime here are my early priced tips

Tomorrow - Tuesday - Oscar Freire .5 e/w 12/1 (15/1 Betfair)
Wednesday - Mark Cavendish 1 point win

Tour de France Stage 7 - 10th July 2009

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 6 - 9th July 2009

No write up today, apologies.....

Kim Kirchen is your man though for a Stage Win here on a tricky uphill sprint finish...

0.5pt e/w 9.8 Win  and 3.6 Place on Betfair....3 places

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TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 5 - 8th July 2009

Finally money to show for all our correct predictions in the four stages to date with Team Saxo placing third in the Team Time Trial after market leaders Astana and Garmin both of whom were predicted to race home quicker. That said it makes it four correct tips on stage winners out of four but today is the first day we made clear profit.

Unfortunately tomorrow is another flat stage as is Thursday so the bookmakers will surely make Mark Cavendish a long odds on winner. If you wish to roll on your small winnings from the first few stages, I couldn't advise against him winning again but the other teams will ensure their teams get their sprinters to the finish tomorrow unlike the farce yesterday on Stage 3.

The stage is flat but very technical in the final five kilometres with a number of 90 degree bends and roundabouts on the approach to the finish. This may lead to crashes and a hairy sprint. There is a tight corner just before the finishing straight so whichever sprinter's team train is first around that bend will surely provide their sprinter with the winner.

Of course Team Colombia is the best lead train out so it's hard to look too far from them but for the third time I'm going to take a small chance on Tom Boonen who has a fantastic burst of pace and has had nothing go right for him so far which hopefully will change tomorrow. I still think Cav is the fastest but Thor Hushovd got to within two bike lengths of him yesterday and I rate Boonen a far quicker finisher than the Norwegian. With luck, if Big Tom can get on Cav's wheel or even make the acceleration before him, it gives him a great chance of finishing in the top three with such a tight road into the finish. Cav is going for win number three but his team must surely be tired from today's time trial and might not be at their best. Take another chance on Tom at a likely decent each way price

Tom Boonen .5 point e/w 24.5 Betfair and 4.5 place Betfair 

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Story So Far -

Points Total

S1, Evans .5 e/w - 5th, loss 1 point, Zabriskie .5 e/w - 10th, loss 1 point

S2, Cavendish 1 point 11/10, 1st profit 1.1 point, Boonen .5 e/w - Bunch finish, loss 1 point

S3, Boonen 1 point e/w 16/1, bunch, loss 2 points

S4 Team Saxo 1 point e/w 12/1, 3rd, profit 3 points

Overall Loss 0.9pts

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TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 4 - 7th July 2009

Such a bizarre finale yesterday with a strong cross wind splitting the main bunch into two groups with nearly all of Team Colombia making the first break and the rest of the main contenders for the stage missing out including my pick, Tom Boonen. Cavendish finished the stage off sweetly as predicted for his second win but once again we are left counting the cost of a non sprint finish. Odds for Green Jersey winner are all but unbackable now so I hope everyone was on the Even money as advised last week on the Manx man. Cav has now bagged two stage wins so is halfway towards my predicted total of 4 but even I'm a bit wary of this as I think he is unbeatable on the flat and could win five or more stages in his current form.

Today's stage is a Team Time Trial over 25 miles of a tough, technical course and with winds expected to be galeforce. There are only four real contenders for this stage, Team Colombia, Team Astana, Garmin and Team Saxo Bank. With all the work done by Colombia yesterday, I think they will find it hard to win even though their team is so strong. However with two stage wins under their belt, confidence is high and it is very close to pick a winner from either of the four. Astana have a team of brilliant cyclists with the likes of Contador, Armstrong, Kloden and Leipheimer all excellent individual time trialers. It is no wonder they are going off as favourites but the odds on money about them is very short.

Garmin Slipstream have a brilliant time trialling team and will run them very close with the likes of Bradley Wiggins, David Millar and David Zabriskie in their team. In what should be a race between these two I cannot find a winner and their odds prohibit me from tipping either to make money on.

So at a very favourable price I am picking Team Saxo Bank who have the current yellow jersey wearer and Saturday's time trial winner in Cancellara, the Norwegian Time Trial champion Kurt Arvessen as well as the very in form Schleck brothers. They might be written off as winners with the strength in depth about the other teams but with most bookmakers paying out on the first three I will take them to finish at least third and at betwen 10/1 and 12/1 they are a great each way price.

Team Saxo Bank

1 point each way 12/1
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TOUR DE FRANCE - STAGE 3, 6th July 2009

Two stages gone and two comprehensive winners in the two C's, Cavendish and Cancellara. Whilst Cancellara's odds were too prohibitive to back on Saturday, the Even money was brilliant about Cavendish yesterday given his utter dominance in bunch sprinting. However the crash within three kilometres saw a lot of the sprint hopefuls either delayed by riders falling or giving up on contesting the sprint after a gap opened. Surprisingly Nicholas Roche finished within ten bike lengths of Cavendish and only five behind Tyler Farrar which shows that the quality of the final sprint was not top notch. The likes of Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire and Danielo Bennati would have finished quite closer to Cavendish but for the fall and in my opinion ahead of Farrar so we can count ourselves a little unlucky that Big Tom Boonen wasn't in the mix.

Today's stage is much like yesterday, rolling roads early doors which will lend itself to a breakaway attempt with a bunch finish likely at the business end. It is hard to see any rider beating Cavendish - the gap he opened up on Farrar in the final one hundred and fifty metres was quite incredible, imagine a 100 metre track sprinter like Usain Bolt beating the other sprinters by over a full second then we have an idea of how far ahead Cav is from the rest. His team are utterly dominant in getting him in the correct position evidenced yesterday when Team Milram tried to get their sprinter in positon with a different line to Colombia but Gerard Ciolek could only manage sixth.

It's hard to take anything but positives from yesterday though as Cav makes his mark on this year's Tour in pursuit of the Green Jersey and with most of the bigger names falling short, Cav has opened up a nice gap already in the Points Total. Today should be dominated by sprinters again and I'm sticking with Cav to follow up but in a much tighter finish with some of the bigger players escaping any melee towards the finish. However his price makes backing him almost impossible at 1/2 and even 4/9 in places. We can see from yesterday that only a slight error by another rider can mess up a sprint and should that happen the each way values of a number of riders come into play. Second favourite for today's race is 9/1 across the board! So we have to take it that Cav wins and look to make money on the places.

I had identified Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire and Danielo Bennati as likely contenders for the Green Jersey and I see no change to that which means they need to get the luck today that deserted them yesterday. They each are available at 16/1 , 9/1 and 20/1 respectively which are massive prices for a place bet. I have to take Tom Boonen again at 16/1 each way as it's far too big a price for a rider of his capabilities. I couldn't put anyone off Oscar Freire but I think Boonen is a better sprinter and was unlucky yesterday .

Tip

I think Cavendish will win again but at 1/2 there is no point backing him unless you're rolling up on the double from yesterday. However we saw how hairy it was towards the end of yesterday so luck will need to be on his side and also his team will need to be spot on again. With one eye on the Team Time Trial tomorrow, perhaps Team Colombia might hope to share the work with other teams but they should be dominant so we're looking to either a mishap like yesterday or a power packed finish from Tornado Tom to make some money on this stage.

Tom Boonen
1pt e/w 16/1 (Blue Square online), 24/1 Betfair

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TOUR DE FRANCE UPDATE - 4th July 2009.............

Stage One threw up few surprises with Fabian Cancellara annihilating the field over the 15 kilometres beating Alberto Contador and Bradley Wiggins comprehensively. Unfortunately only four seconds behind Contador was my tip Cadel Evans who was looking so good up the first half of the climb only to fade on the flat run in. We would have had a nice start to our campaign at the recommended 14/1 pricing for a placing on the stage!

However what was certainly a positive was seeing our pick for yellow, Alberto Contador, in flying form in his least favourite discipline and the Even money about him this morning to win the Tour must now surely be closer to 1/2 !! A great start. Even better was the form shown by Roman Kreuziger our tip for the under 25 category finishing almost thirty seconds clear of Andy Schleck the odds on favourite and placing in the top ten on the stage. With that vein of form our selection remains a firm each way possibility and maybe even a top ten finisher.

Tomorrow we see the first flat stage and it's sprinter's paradise all the way. I cannot stress how much Mark Cavendish is miles ahead of these in speed and so is my clear pick for the spoils tomorrow. Next best should be Tom Boonen and Oscar Freire with Tyler Farrar not far away. As we are in the business of making money, the odds about Cavendish might be prohibitive but with most bookies paying on the first three and the likely helter skelter about the finish it might pay to stick each way with Boonen if the odds are in our favour in the morning or during the race. At time of writing (Saturday evening) Boonen is a massive 11/1 on the UK bookmakers sites but more constricting at 6/1 with Boylesports. Paddy Power (known for getting the market completely wrong) have not priced up yet but check them for an early price. Tornado Tom has had a hurricane week but is, I think, the second best sprinter in the peleton and a former winner of the Green Jersey, so mark his card and pay close attention and perhaps swing his way to finish closer to CAV than the rest.

Tips

Mark Cavendish 1 point 11/10 Blue Square
Tom Boonen .5 e/w 11/1 Blue Square.com
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Tour De France - Stage 1

The Tour has finally arrived and opens as per usual with an individual time trial around the principality of Monaco famed for it's Formula One extravaganza. Monaco is quite a hilly area and with an ocean front likely to produce winds onshore, this time trial is far from easy to call. A very strong rider on the flat may find the first few kilometres unsettling as the road ascends and with these stages decided by seconds, any time lost early doors may be hard to recoup in the final few kilometres. I have trawled through this season's time trials to get a feel for what type of rider has excelled on such a course.

A couple of facts about the course before a decision can be made. The distance is 15.5 kilometres which makes it an actual stage rather than a prologue. The first 7.5 kilometres ascend out of the town into the hills but is not so steep with an average gradient of 2-3 per cent. Kilometre 8 to 11.5 is descending, though again not rapidly and the final four kilometres is flat along the ocean front where side- winds may come into play.

The course is similiar to the one Alberto Contador won in Paris-Nice back in March and the more recent Dauphine-Libere won by Cadel Evans beating Contador by seven seconds. My feeling is that both will have a large say in the destination of the stage win and their prices on the market are very attractive.

However there is one specialist in these type of events who has proven time and time again that he is the best short course time trialist in the world. The Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara won in 2007 when in London and has a palmares full of time trial wins over the years but most notably in the recent Tour of Switzerland. He blew the opposition away in both time trial stages so his form cannot be questioned going into this Tour. He is odds on favourite but not value for me in what I think may throw up a few surprises.

Looking back over the past few years results in these stages, one rider who has always performed unbelievably well against the odds has been David Zabriskie. The American has been selected in a very strong Garmin Team who no doubt have highlighted time trials and the team time trial as possible stage wins. He comes here in great form having recently won the American Time Trial Championships and will relish this first stage. He represents fantastic value of a podium place on the stage and is on my short list.

It's tough to see past Cancellara for the win but his price is prohibitive so I will take two against the field in tomorrow's opening stage in the form of David Zabriskie and Cadel Evans both of whom I know are in top form and will have been primed for the event. Expect a bold showing from all the main contenders and look to the form of Armstrong and Contador. The race of truth is exactly that and can show positive indications of who is on top form for this year's Tour.

Tips - Each Way - First Three placings

David Zabriskie .5 e/w 40/1 Paddy Power (79/1 Betfair!)

Cadel Evans .5 e/w 14/1 Stan James, 12/1 all others (23/1 Betfair)

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TOUR DE FRANCE - White Jersey, Best Young Rider -  2nd July 2009

The maillot blanc is awarded to the best-placed rider under 26 years of age in the Tour de France. Past winners include Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck (again qualifying for the category), and Damiano Cunego. Last year was a close run thing between Andy Schleck and Roman Kreuziger and this year should be no different with those same two men in contention along with Vincenzo Nibali and Tony Martin of Colombia. The Dutch rider Robert Gesink enters the frame as a possible contender given his prowess in the mountains in recent week long Tours and could be worthy of a top ten finish overall.

Fans of Irish cycling will have followed the career paths of cousins Nicolas Roche and Daniel Martin and until this morning both were signed up to compete in this year's Tour. However Dan Martin has been forced to withdraw due to a tendonitis issue in his knee which for me personally is a huge diappointment as I'm particularly fond of his combatitive style. He was an outside tip for the White Jersey but with riders of the calibre of Schleck and Kreuziger, it was always going to be a difficult task.

And so to the likely odds available at this stage and bookmakers have nailed their colours to the mast quite early installing Andy Schleck as odds on favourite. However his odds make backing him an impossibility and anyway I feel that the level of form shown by Roman Kreuziger this year makes him a stand out bet at around 5/1 each way just in case Andy has a bad day or two. As mentioned before Kreuziger has won the Tour of Romandie and finished second in the Tour of Switzerland, both good stage races and a key pointer to Tour form. Kreuziger has an advantage over Schleck in the time trials and his climbing has come on leaps and bounds since last year as can be evidenced in those recent week long tours. In honesty it should be closer to call in the betting ring and for that reason I am taking the bookies on and going with Roman Kreuziger to win this year's Best Young Rider Category and the White Jersey

Tip

Roman Kreuziger - 1 point each way 5/1

1/3 of odds in Paddy Power for each way returns!!!

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TOUR DE FRANCE - Polka Dot Jersey, King of the Mountains - 2nd July 2009

With the goal of designing a suspenseful race in mind, the Tour organizers have created a series of mountain stages that tease and tempt with the possibility of big attacks, but should not prove especially decisive. It isn’t that the Tour does not include hard climbing. The course includes the mighty Col de Tourmalet, the highest paved pass in the French Pyrénées, for example. But the organizers have placed the stage finish 70 kilometers from the summit of the Tourmalet. That distance, most of it covering descending or flat terrain, offers plenty of road for a chase group to neutralize a big attack. Many of the other mountain stages in this Tour follow a similar pattern with either a descending finish or the major climb located at a significant distance from the stage finish. If the Tour organizers have calculated correctly, the result should be a suspenseful Tour, where the general classification hopefuls have to think tactically about when and where they will use their strengths and how exactly they can win this Tour.

This leads to a most interesting battle for King of the Mountains this year. The main protagonists may reserve energy for the run in towards each finish as distinct from in the past where surging ahead on the second last or last climb, not only gained them time, but also points towards the King of the Mountains title. Generally awarded for the most consistently placed rider across each of the summits, this year's Tour will be exactly that as riders will surely contest the Classification rather than incidentally acquire the hill climber's jersey on the way to gaining time or a stage victory.

The premise of this jersey is simple - The bigger the climb, the more points are won for riding over it ahead of rivals. The rider with the most points wins the famous polka dot jersey. The climbs are categorised in relation to their difficulty with lower hills defined as Category 4 rising to 3 , 2 and 1 but the major climbs are given their own distinct ranking of HC, Hors Category (above categorisation), and they are the monuments of the Tour found in the Alps and Pyrenees such as the Col de Tourmalet and Col D' Aspin.

It is a pure mountain goat's jersey and has been won by notable but disgraced cyclists such as Richard Virenque, Bernhard Kohl and Michael Rasmussen in the past. This year it is assured of finding a new home and I have a few for the short list.

Top of my list is Andy Schleck who showed in last year's Tour that he has the capacity to become a fantastic stage rider in the future by finishing 12th overall and also winning the Under 23 category. He is heralded by many as a future winner of the Tour though at just 24 he may be a little way off that target. For that reason I think this year he has targetted the climber's jersey along with a top ten finish and hopefully a stage or two thrown in. His form has been solid without being spectacular although he has won the arduous Liege-Bastone-Liege and was runner up in Fleche-Wallone. His win in the Luxembourg Road Race Championships shows us his current good form and I was impressed with his climbing in the Tour of Switzerland. Given the absence of any stand out team captain in Saxo, apart from his brother who is still recovering his form from an injury sustained a few months back, Andy may be leader and with the general classification perhaps just out of reach, a Tour jersey will be a prized possession

This year has some stand-out competition in the mountain category and Roman Kreuziger is another I would not dismiss lightly. His form was good in Switzerland and he won the Tour of Romandie against some top opposition. Like Schleck he is barely 24 but is a solid rider at this stage of his career. Along with his team mate Franco Pellizotti, stage wins and the polka dot classification with a top ten finish would be a fantastic Tour achievement and I can see either of the Liquigas boys going for this jersey if the opportunity presented itself. Their odds are shambolic in Paddy Power especially given the fact they are great climbers and don't let the big prices fool you at this stage.

The first day in the hills will be a very good indication of who may challenge for the jersey but I would like to get the jump on the bookies by picking three against the field in my selections above with Andy Schleck my main tip. Have a look out for the first day's climbing on Stage 7 (friday week) which includes the first of three mountain top finishes and which will shape the market in this category.

Tips - Each way Tips

Andy Schleck 1 e/w @ 8/1

Roman Kreuziger .5 e/w @ 50/1

Franco Pellizotti .5 e/w @ 20/1 Paddy Power

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THE GREEN JERSEY - Sprinters 1st July 2009

Anyone who has followed my ramblings over the past few months will know how sweet I am on Mark Cavendish. He has provided me with more winning tips than any other rider and one year on from his 4 stage victories in the Tour, I am going with him to better that with as many stage wins and a Green Jersey as I see no one who can come within two bike lenthgs of him in any flat bunch sprint stage finish. The team selected by Team Colombia has been designed to put their main man in the best possible position in the final few kilometres and it is the well oiled train that will deny almost everyone else coming close to Cav, provided the wheels don't fall off early as they did in the first few stages of the Giro this year. Riders like George Hincapie, Berhard Eisel and Mark Renshaw will have the bunch strung out in the final two or three kilometres and Cavendish should be able to repel all challengers close to home.

First of all let's look at the likely stages where the Manxman can make his mark. The Stage One Time Trial can be omitted but stage two, three, and five are there for the taking with small category climbs early in the stages and long rolling quick roads which should result in bunch sprints. Stages ten, eleven and twelve are dotted with minor climbs which may lend themselves to early breakaways but the downhill stretches into the finish of each may bring the riders back together flat but we will need to wait until the final stage before Cav can shine again.

Of the likely contenders on the pro circuit for sprint finishes, Alessandro Petacchi, Cav's main danger in the Giro does not compete. Petacchi beat Cavendish soundly in the first two stages of the Giro then but with the Italian missing from this year's Tour we will need to look further and deeper to find anyone worthy of challenging Cav for a sprint finish. Tyler Farrar has tried to mix it with Cav but has fallen a couple of metres short of top notch. Thor Hushovd has not been able to maintain his pace in the final few metres whilst a more likely contender probably lies in the possible return to form of Daniele Bennati who has been well short of practice due to injury this year. However Bennati will need to ride on the curtain tails of the Colombia bus as his team does not have the cover required for a top level sprinter. Best of the rest might well be Oscar Freire of Rabo bank with Gerard Ciolek of Milram and should Tom Boonen of Quick Step be allowed to compete, then we may well have an upset on the cards given his recent level of form. However a French Court is yet to decide on his participation.

The Green Jersey winner will depend on whether the winner of the sprints can bring his body over the mountains to the stage finish in Paris. Cavendish has not done this before but is motivated by the jersey this year. Points are awarded not only for placings in the stage finishes but also in intermediary sprints during the stage itself. However with likely breakaways early in the stages, those sprints may not prove wholly decisive in the race for the Green Jersey and so with much confidence I am tipping Mark Cavendish to become the first Briton to win the jersey and in the process win at least three stages in this year's Tour De France.

Tip - Mark Cavendish

Best Bets

Green Jersey Winner - 3 points Even Money

Exactly 4 stages 10/3 Paddy Power - 1 point

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Tour De France Part One -Yellow Jersey Contenders, 30th June 2009

It's five days to the beginning of the Tour De France and panel selections have been made by nearly all the teams. Ireland's Nicholas Roche received the call up yesterday evening whilst Dan Martin had been drafted early last week. There are a certain number of surpise omissions most notably in Team Colombia where reigning World Time Trial Champion Bert Grabsch has been omitted along with Frantziek Rabon, two stalwarts in both individual and team tests against the clock. Not that Team Colombia are weakened with riders of the calibre of Kim Kirchen, Tony Martin and Michael Rogers but I would have been very tempted by the 7/2 on offer about their success in the team trial had they been included as well as in the longer of the two individual time trials. So each day this week I will get down to the business of predictions in each of the categories Yellow Jersey , the Green Jersey and the King of The Mountains as well as the Best under 23 rider.

Overall Contenders - Yellow Jersey

Alberto Contador is likely to be odds on to win this Tour given the expectation to follow up on his previous Tour win as well as his Giro and Vuelta wins in 2008. The fact that his main rivals have question marks about them ensures that Contador commences the three week Tour as market leader by some way. The young man has everything, speed, stamina and power and a will to dominate in all disciplines of the bike. His time trialling isn't the very best but it's close to perfect and his climbing is better than most and together those factors will decide how much he wins this Tour by. His conditioning this year has meant he was slightly below form in the Dauphine Libere due to severe training camps shortly before but still he was involved in nearly all the mountain top finishes and was close in the time trials. Three weeks have passed and he has timed his form to perfection. In essence I cannot see anything bar an accident or a mishap preventing him from winning this year's Tour. At odds of around Even money, you may well be buying money even at this stage.

I really liked the form Cadel Evans brought to the Dauphine. My worries were substantiated in the second to last stage when he did all he could to break Valverde but just couldn't. This in my opinion, is what will prevent him from winning any Grand Tour. His time trialling was perfection this year but he just cannot control every move like the big teams can and Contador with the likes of Leipheimer, Kloden and others will mark him out of it. For me he is worthy of a place on the podium but I think the chances of winning it are reflected in his price.

The Tour would not be the same without mentioning Lance Armstrong. You might have noted that I didn't mention his name as a domestique for Alberto Contador and it is with bated breath I await the dual between these two giants of cycling. Armstrong's return to the professional fold was a mixed bag of emotion for many and his return especially to France will have more negative than positive support. A recent survey found that 70% of French people viewed his career as one tainted with drugs and in the home of cycling this will not go away quietly on the mountains of the Alps and Pyrenees. However from a betting propostion he is well entitled to be among the favourites even if he has not won or performed well in a race all year. He got shelled in the Giro which was not unusual given his lack of training for the event but he will be in as good a shape as he can be in this event. I think he is the only man who can give Contador a run for his money and many bookmakers also have this view. Armstrong can dominate in the climbs and I would venture a better time trialist than Contador, however only one aspect will prevent him from winnning this Tour, his age. At 37, an Armstrong win would be the oldest the Tour has ever seen and I'm not sure that it ever will. Whilst there are some aspects you will never lose, 37 is not 24 and Armstrong may just not have the legs to do what Contador can do. But it will be closer than a lot of people think.

Summary
Contador has done it before and goes into the Tour with great form. Armstrong has done it seven times before but has not come up against a competitor like the young Spaniard who is more like Armstrong than he'd care to know. I can see them finishing one two decided by the time Contador takes out of him in the mountains and the time Armstrong can get back in the time trials. Cadel Evans could be best of the rest but keep an eye on young Andy Schleck who is fast becoming a really talented stage rider.

ADVICE

2.5pts Win - Alberto Contador 11/10 Paddy Power and William Hill
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P.S.- correction to the above piece. Reports had it that Bert Grabsch was not in the Team Colombia line up but Markus Burghart has been replaced by him. It gives Colombia even more chances of stage success in both time trials and team time trial.

CYCLING UPDATE 25th JUNE 2009 - UPCOMING EVENTS

I will be writing a comprehensive review of the Tour De France which gets under way on Saturday week in Monaco once the teams have been finalised after the weekend. I will look at some of the recent Tour results, the course in detail and the riders who have shown form this year and around this time last year, not to mind the team tactics involved in what will prove to be a very exciting renewal of Le Grande Boucle.

There are some exciting mountain finishes, sprint stages, time trials and the return of the Team Time Trial which astonishingly has Team Columbia only as third favourite at 7/2 in some bookmakers.

Mark Cavendish will have opportunities to shine in the first week but can he last a three week Tour and become the first British rider to have won the Green Jersey as best points scorer?

Can Lance Armstrong return to make it seven Tour de France victories or is Contador unbeatable?

Who is likely to challenge in the mountains for the Polka Dot Jersey and rightfully claim the King of the Mountains mantle?

It's a fascinating three weeks of racing and I hope to give you answers to those questions and offer value tips each and every day through the month of July.

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CYCLING UPDATE 20th June 2009 -

CYCLING UPDATE 18th June 2009 -

Team Orders went against our main tip Franck Schleck yesterday as he molly coddled his team leader Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara up the last climb thus sacrificing his own chances. Schleck was more than comfortable and ensured Cancellara remained in contention with the main climbers. The group had whittled down to 19 riders and Schleck finished seventh to Cancellara's second so the team came before individual honours which was more than a little frustrating for our tip knowing he was the class act there. As expected his brother died a death on the climbs paying for his exertions the day before and lost over a minute.

Today is a sprinter's day according to the route profile and the flat run in should ensure a bunch gallop. Odds on Mark Cavendish are quite paltry but fair given his dominance in any sprint and best priced at present is just under 2/1 on Betfair (but the liquidity in the market is quite small). Team Colombia have perfected the lead out and so I expect Cavendish to hold all the cards but if there is any chink in his armour it is that yesterday's day in the mountains might have made him a little leg weary. But that's a huge if.

Thor Hushovd faded badly in the final 50 metres of the spint on Monday but if timing his challenge should give Cavendish most to do. He might be value at 9/1 in Paddy Power (yes they're back!!) and Ladbrokes and you can get 10.5 about him on Betfair. It's a big ask for the Norwegian but he might fair a little better today if Cavendish isn't on song.

Tips

Mark Cavendish win

Danger Thor Hushovd

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CYCLING UPDATE 17th June 2009 -

The expected early breakaway materialised yesterday with one of our tips Sylvain Chavenal making it into the group which stayed away for most of the day eventually whittled down to only 9 riders contesting the final sprint. The final climb before the flat run in was too much for our man and even the likes of Heinrich Haussler was not able to match the pace of Andy Schleck and co up the Category Two ascent. None of the sprinters got a look in and it was well advised to stay away from Mark Cavendish even though all the major bookmakers were trading at odds on for another stage win!!

Today is a real climber's day and I would have tipped up the impressive Andy Schleck had he not gone on a mission yesterday. His older brother Franck is my tip today to see his way away on the climbs and stay away to the finish. However be very wary of the final few kilometres because if Franck gets assistance from anyone lower than him on GC then we might have a case of the "Valverde" (see my report on last week's Dauphine).

I expect the race the blow apart with some notable climbs heading towards Austria. The main contenders in the climbs will be Kreuziger, Kirchen and Gerdemann and the latter is one of my favourite cyclists for his outspoken nature on drug taking in the peleton. I would love to see him compete with the like of Schleck today and to go on and have a successful Tour De France. However Schleck looks a sound bet for at least a plae given his fine form in last month's Tour of Luxembourg and who generally comes into form around this time of year.

Tips

Franck Schleck 12/1 Stan James (between 6/1 and 8/1 across the board)
Linus Gerdemann 40/1 BET365, 33/1 Ladbrokes

N.B. Interesting to see that Paddy Power closed their book on this race yesterday and have not re-opened it! Maybe Colin Coupon got their "expert" fired for the price given on Cav on Monday!!!
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CYCLING UPDATE 16th June 2009 -

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CYCLING UPDATE 15th June 2009 -

Alejandro Valverde collected his second Dauphine Libere in Grenoble yesterday coming through a spate of attacks on the final First Category climb by Cadel Evans to comfortably ride to the finish. A great winner for us as tipped last weekend at 4/1 (7/2 in places). We very nearly had icing on our cake with Alekander Kuyschinski narrowly missing out on a podium place in yesterday's stage at 66/1. The Belarussian was highlighted as a likely attacker on the final day and so it proved as a group of 15-20 riders broke away in the first few kilometres. As the group started to splinter on the final climb, Kuyschinki battled hard at the front and made one tactical error in not following the Dutch rider Stef Clement at the top of the climb who later went on to win. Perhaps Alex didn't have the legs but he was only twenty seconds away from getting in the front group of two at one stage which would have guaranteed us place money. Instead he had to settle for fifth place but a fantastic ride all the same.

Overall we had a very successful week with winners in Bert Grabsch, Valverde, Moncoutie and so very close with Kuyschinski. Already underway is the week long Tour de Suisse (Tour of Switzerland) and the action has been intense. With its undulating terrain, Switzerland throws up exciting stages and today again is a demon to weigh up. Essentially it is a flat stage with one climb peaking 60 kms from the finish. However it is the length of the climb which makes me wonder whether the renowned sprinters will make it back to the bunch in time to contest the final sprint. Yesterday Mark Cavendish finished over 13 minutes down on the bunch as the gradient went up and we could see a similiar case today although I suspect his Team Colombia has other cards up their sleeve should he not make it. His team mate proved quickest yesterday and with form as shown, what's stopping Bernhard Eisel from following up today? He's trading at between 8 and 12/1 depending where you go where as Cavendish is best priced 13/2 with Paddy Power obviously not feeling Cav can regain contact in time for the finish following the climb. So it is a tricky one to call.

The race today will depend on how those vying for overall contention feel about showing their hands so early in the week over the day's one and only climb. I think that although the mountain is long, it may be manageable if a certain tempo is maintained. The run in after the climb will enable many of those dropped to get back in so it is unwise to discount the sprinters just yet. Who would back against Cav winning if he came over the climb less than two minutes down!? I think that is where we must concentrate today and if possible watch the betting in running. Should the bunch steamroll up that climb then forget the out and out sprinters like Cav and Bennati. But bear in mind the strong men who are also good finishers like Heinrich Haussler and Oscar Freire who have the legs to get over the climb and to get back in the bunch with team support. For me it is not a betting proposition until I see the time gaps over the mountain. However here are some options

Take an early price about Cavendish to win - available at 13/2 Paddy Power, however -
Lay Cav on Betfair if he's losing time rapidly on the climb with no team support  i.e. more than 4  riders with him.
If Cav has that help and comes over the top around three minutes back, take a gamble on him getting back in the bunch and winning the sprint - remember Team Colombia recently won the Team Time Trial in the Giro and have notable time trialists in their squad so they can easily get back in with a lull after the main climb and feeding stations slowing down the bunch.

If Cav has no support back Heinrich Haussler or Oscar Freire to win - larger price in running on Betfair more than likely on the final climb.

Early prices

Win Market

Mark Cavendish - 31/5 Betfair & 13/2 Paddy Power
Oscar Freire - 17/5 Betfair & 3/1 Paddy Power

Each Way
Heinrich Haussler - 13/1 Betfair & 10/1 Stan James & Paddy Power

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CYCLING UPDATE 14th June 2009 -

Unfortunately I peaked a day too early in tipping David Moncoutie in the mountains of the Dauphine Libere. The 32 year old soloed home over the final climb after shedding his earlier breakaway companions to record a fabulous win, 10 years after his first stage win in this same event. It is a little sickening given that he was available at 25/1 in the morning and 22s on Friday but it showed he was in peak form over the climbs. It was heartening to see an improved performance by Daniel Martin who coaxed his teammate David Millar up the hills and finished in the top 20 after a less than illustrious week blighted by sickness. I still think a strong showing might be on the cards today but unfortunately the hills are not as steep and he may be under team orders to protect Millar. But it might pay to have a small bet on him getting some leeway now that Millar cannot seem to be able to win the Overall Classification. Our main tip Alejandro Valverde looks set to win his second Dauphine and will have deserved it after his powerful showing in the mountains this week. A winner for us all if you took my bet last sunday!
 
Today's route covers three climbs not as arduous as the previous passes through the Alps but sure to throw up some familiar names especially on the last climb, a category one climb, which offers the mountain goats a chance to shine . However the downhill run in to Grenoble of about 30 kilometres will give any stragglers the chance to get back in the bunch and contest a finish. I think we must concentrate on those who have been active in early breakaways and who may just have the strength to get away before the last climb and who can stay away as I think the results of today's stage will be decided by the make up of an early breakaway group.
 
Stephane Goubert, Lars Bak, Juan Manuel Garate Cepa were all active on Friday and any of the three are capable of going out early and staying away should a breakaway group form. I think 39 year old Goubert felt Friday was his day but his team mate proved stronger and it would be no surprise to see him in the mix again today. Lars Bak is a fine strong rider and could take his chance if having the necessary legs whilst Garate may not be the strongest in a sprint but is a threat if getting into an early break. One other for the short-list is the Belarussian Aliaksandr Kuschynski who always seems to find himself in breaks and who is a rider I've admired for his long range efforts.
 
Today's stage could go any which way and it will be frantic at the start where everyone will be trying to get into early breaks. I wll concentrate on the above five at small stakes in the hope that at least two will make it into a break. Watch the betting in running on Betfair if any of them do as they will be worth a few punts later in the day.
 
Tips
 
Daniel Martin 40/1 Bet365
Stephane Goubert - no price available
Lars Bak - no price available
JuanGarate - 66/1 Sporting Bet & 42/1 Betfair
Alex Kushsynski - no price available

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CYCLING UPDATE 12th June 2009 -

With three kilometres left to race in yesterday's stage to the mountain summit of Mont Ventoux I emailed The Judge to let him know that even though Alejandro Valverde was in a break of two and looking likely to go into yellow, he would not win the stage. My reasoning was that his companion Symd was working as hard as he could with Valverde to enhance the time gap on Valverde's main rivals. With yellow beckoning and overall honours more important than minor stage wins, Valverde gifted the race to his Polish companion for all his hard work, theatrically feigning tiredness at the last corner whilst Symd rode by. I crumpled and dumped my docket showing Valverde for the stage win at 6s, later remembering it was a each way and I'd get my money back but sick in the knowledge I'd just watched a certain winner giving a stage out of "kindness" At the same time though I uncrinkled my Overall Classification betting docket from the same bin which after Wednesday's time trial looked dead and buried.

There's a couple of certainties coming up in the next few days. Valverde will win this Dauphine, that I am nearly assured of, Evans will not win this Tour, as he cannot attack alone and there are no time trials remaining and Contador has heavy legs and is saving his powder until July where I expect him still to be the major force in Le Tour. Outside of that it is anybody's game for a stage win today, tomorrow and Sunday and I will point to a number of reasons why I think that even though our tip Daniel Martin didn't show himself in brilliant lights yesterday, there is still a cause for hope today alone with one or two other riders.

Yesterday's stage was always going to be about who moved into the yellow jersey. The main protagonists were edgy and left no one bar 4 rank outsiders off early in the stage, eventually swallowing them up early in the climb. The mindset of the leaders was to chase everything, watch each other and not lose too much time early in the climb. It made no sense for anyone without a realistic chance in the GC to try and go for a stage win as there was too much at stake for the like of Evans, Valverde and Contador and it would have taken a super-human effort for anyone to have stayed away at the speed Valverde went up the climb. I think a lot of the younger riders were told to keep their powder dry until later, either today or tomorrow and Dan Martin i'm certain was one of them.

Martin put Valverde under pressure on every climb in the recent week long Tour of Catalunya. One could argue that Valverde wasn't at peak form and did enough to win that week but commentaries have disagreed on this instead highlighting the amazing ability of young Martin. When looking at yesterday's results it is hard to see how Valverde could put over six minutes into Martin given the recent result in Spain. Sure, there may be other arguments like Martin bulking in training for next month's Tour, feeling heavy legs because of it or that he was sick or even maybe that he was taking it all in with next month's Tour on his mind but I think that form yesterday is too bad to be true.

So with money to play with from the last two days results, I'm going to stick with the young Irish man in the hope that he gets into an early break which is left away and can show us what he produced in Spain only a month ago. As I've been picking two or three this week, I will also like to highlight the chances of the French rider David Moncoutie who climbed really well yesterday and who is so far behind on GC, could be allowed a lead early on the main climb Col D' Izoard. The other Astana mountain goat from Spain, Haimar Zubeldia Agirre, was another one to the fore yesterday and may be allowed some leeway as Alberto Contador does not seem interested in attacking his rivals. They're my three to follow today and hopefully it won't be a farcical result like yesterday.

Tips

All each way Value bets

Dan Martin 50/1 Paddy Power
David Moncoutie 22/1 Paddy Power
Haimar Zubeldia Agirre 28/1 SkyBet & bet365


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CYCLING UPDATE 11th June 2009 -

TODAY'S STAGE

The climb to the observatory at the top of Mont Ventoux has an almost mythical quality given the vast openess of the last few kilometres drawing comparisons to the surface of the Moon. Situated in Provence, although often climbed as part of the Dauphine Ventoux has featured less so in the Grande Boucle, Le Tour De France. It is a harrowing climb with temperatures often dropping a few degrees lower than sea level and winds that can reach gale force near the very top. It is this imposing edifice which greets the riders on today's 5th stage of the Dauphine Libere.

Riders to concentrate on are the mountain goats. Bookmakers have installed Alberto Contador as market leader knowing that he must make time on Cadel Evans if he is to win this year's race. However I expected to see more of Contador yesterday in the time trial and although not performing badly, he might have been expected to finish a little closer to Evans. Although an accomplished climber, the price about him today is too skinny for my liking.

Cadel Evans is a wheel sucker. Seemingly unable to attack own his own away from the main climbers in order to gain time he relies on takign time int he time trails and minimising losses on the climbs. His eyes will be focused squarely on Contador and all his moves today and unless yesterday's test took everything out of him it will be tough for the Spaniard to break Evans. This leads me to think that other notable climbers are in with a chance if an opening comes their way.

Alejandro Valverde must know that attacking is the only option available to him to win overall but again a tight rein will be put on him. My fear is that he can respond to anything for 90% of a climb but is found wonting when the hammer is really put down with consistent attacking. But with a likely breakneck pace by the Astana boys in the early parts, should Valverde stick with Contador and Evans further up the climb, he will win the stage today.

Today however, I will take the chance that a lowly overall placed rider with climbing ability will succeed in breaking from the peleton before the main climb. There are a few who fit the bill none other than Ireland's Daniel Martin. He showed himself in brilliant form readily breaking Valverde in the recent Tour of Catalunya and was in real fighting form up every climb. He's kept his powder dry all week and I expect him to feature at some stage in the next three days, hopefully today. He has raw talent going uphill and can now mix it with the big boys. Should he be allowed any leeway earlier in the climb, expect him to charge up that mountain quicker than anyone.

Another of today's riders placed third on this stage in 2007 and is a climber of mean repute. Igor Anton has had a reduced roster this year concentrating solely on the bigger races and at 26 is slowly coming into form. The Basque Euskatel team will look to place him in an early breakaway possibly and hope that he makes his best way to the finish alone. He has won in the Vuelta and the Tour of Switzerland and can mix it today with the better riders. One for the short list at a decent price.

It's a tough one to call with so many riders looking to the next three days of mountain climbing and not everything will be settled today. The overall classification could be due a shake up regardless with the climbers coming to the fore. Contador can attack and take back time and is more than capable but maybe he is still feeling the effects of heavy training over the past few weeks and is biding his time until July. Evans may just about hang on to his overall leader's jersey but don't be surprised to see younger riders like Martin and Anton to make their way up the G.C. following some decent displays today. Should Valverde be bang on song he will stay with and beat everyone to the finish but its all adds up to an exciting day in Southern France.

Tips

Each Way Value

Daniel Martin - 33/1 & 35/1 BET 365 and BETFAIR
Igor Anton - 18/1 Paddy Power (but as low as 9/1 in other bookies)
Alejandro Valverde 6/1 Paddy Power

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CYCLING UPDATE 10th June 2009 -

What a result we had today, four of my tips filling the first 5 places and a winner with Bert Grabsch the value bet at 10/1 hammering home with a stunning performance. It had looked like Evans would hold on to his slender lead going through time checks at half way but Grabsch finished best of all to beat Evans by seven seconds. As predicted, Evans moved into the yellow jersey of race leader but must surely face a massive test retaining that with the immense Mont Ventoux finish tomorrow. This climb is legendary most notably known as the mountain on which British rider Tom Simpson died, suffering from heat exhaustion brought on by amphetamines and alcohol in his system. Today's drugs are a bit more advanced and hopefully we can take that unknown out of our calculations for a stage winner tomorrow.

It's been a quite succesful start to the cycling site with notable wins in the Tours and solid placed efforts in the Classics. Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Cavendish thrilled us with their finishing exploits in Italy both tipped up to shine and duly obliging with two wins a piece. Cavendish is a virtual certainty in the sprint stages and hopefully will carry form through to next month's Grande Boucle Le Tour De France. Mountain wins for Carlos Sastre in the Giro provided another winner whilst the classic favourites Pippo Pozzato, Edvald Boassen Hagen and Tom Boonen duly obliged in the one day events.

Here is a list of tips and results

Dauphine Libere

TT Winner Bert Grabsch at 10/1

Giro D' Italia

Team Time Trial - Team Colombia mentioned as dangers to Garmin Slipstream - Finished in that order

Sprints - Petacchi rated as danger to Cav - both win two stages a piece

Mountains - Soler backed at 16s and comes home 4th, just caught on the line!! Sastre tipped as main danger on last mountain stage! Di Luca prominient all week!

Time Trials - Levi Leipheimer and Denis Menchov tipped up - First and Second in the main TT

Classics

Leif Hoste at 22/1 comes home third in Paris Roubaix after highlighting Tom Boonen's claims - Boonen wins!

Pozzato fifth at 10/1 in Tour of Flanders, Martijn Maaskjint 100/1 4th!!!

I'll be back with more tomorrow and in the next few weeks

Be Lucky

CC

CYCLING UPDATE 10th June 2009 -

Today's time trial in the Dauphine Libere should not throw up many surprises in that those on form in the prologue remain favourites for today and for overall honours. Given that the one-two on day one were Evans and Contador, it would be strange for either to under-perform today over the much longer 42 kilometre test.

However it is a power packed time trial stage and I have a few outsiders to consider before lumping on either Evans or Contador who will view the next four days in the mountains as places to eke time.

Bert Grabsch and Frantziek Rabon are the Columbia High Road form men in these tests and it is no surprise to see the former at the top end of the market in many bookmakers. Paddy Power's however have not jumped on the boat and are offering 10/1 about a win with three places paid each way. Given Grabsch's fine performance in the recent Bayern Rundfahrt where he put over 30 seconds into Linus Gerdeman, I would expect him to be near the head of the field for a long time until the main protagonists set off. The Czech, Rabon, on the otherhand is a power horse and won both time trial stages of this year's Tour de Romandie as well as finsihing third in Criterium International. Neither can be discounted in today's test and offer fantastic value against the front pair.

While I feel it unlikely that Evans and Contador will put major time into each other, I do expect the overall leadership to change and with Evans looking a little better in the stages to date, expect him to go back into the yellow jersey after tonight's stage. I think he has a good time trial in him today and I rate him as highly as the bookies do at 4/5 favourite. However my value goes with either Rabon or Grabsh upsetting the apple cart

Each Way Bets

Bert Grabsch 10/1 Paddy Power & 27/2 Betfair - WINNER, go collect!!!!!!!!!!
Frantisek Rabon 18/1 Paddy Power, Bet 365 & 29/1 !!!! on Betfair

All the best...CC

CYCLING INFO - 5th June 2009

The week-long Dauphine Libere has oft been used as preparation for the Tour De France with its Alpine stages mixed in with time trial tests and sprinting stages. Whilst nobody wishes to show their form too early ahead of the Grand Tour, it is often a classic indication of those on track for next month's extravaganza.

As the mountains show us the climbers, the time trial test mid week is a truer indication of the overall level of form of the competitors. In order to win this Tour one must show form in both tests with speed and power essentials for the time trial. Bert Grabsch ticks my boxes for both time trial tests but is not a likely winner of the Overall Classification

Alberto Contador is the overwhleming favourite for both this race and this year's Tour De France and it is easy to see why. He is an accomplished time triallist and can leave others for dead in the mountains. He has trained on the course in preparation for the Tour and will be very familiar with his surroundings in the coming week. However this time of year is all about endurance training and I would imagine that he has put some serious training spins in over the past few weeks which will just about bring him to the level required for next month's Tour. He might have heavy legs and could see this as another training race in preparation for July and with that in mind I am hoping that other week long specialists can take advantage.

Recent winner of the Tour of Catalunya, Alejandro Valverde has been found wonting in the bigger tours but is a major threat in the shorter week-long events and is second favourite to win this year's Dauphine. Ireland's Daniel Martin finished second to Valverde in Catalunya and was a constant threat in the mountains but Valverde survived with the support of his team. Valverde tops my list of favourites for this event on the basis that he is in top form recently and his prior placings in this event.

However the value bet of the race must be Germany's Linus Gerdeman winner of the recent Tour of Bavaria. Whilst not a major race, it nevertheless included some climbs and a long time trial which showed the young German to be in fine form. He has won in the Alps before in 2007 and will no doubt be able to compete in the time trial given his fine third place in the Bavarian Tour's test. At 40/1 with Boylesports, he must be entitled to go close to the top three and is my value selection for the Overall Classification.

I will be bringing you day by day reports on the stages with likely contenders for each stage. After a very successful Giro D' Italia in which I picked four stage winners and five each way placings, I will hope to continue the good trend right through to the Tour De France but in the meantime try and get your bets on early for this year's Dauphie Libere

Daupine Libere - Commences Sunday 7th June
Overall - Alejandro Valverde 10/3 with Boyle Sports
Each Way Value - Linus Gerdemann 40/1 with Boyle's also

Good luck, CC

WEEKEND ACTION - 18th April 2009

Funny that out of 180 competitors in cycling I can predict who'll be in the top five but out of two football teams I contrive to get it wrong. However, we have been woefully unlucky. None more so than last week where Arsenal did the business in style, Bristol led until the 84th minute, conceded a penalty, got a man sent off, and then left in two late goals, whilst high fliers Birmingham were awful against bottom team Charlton drawing nil all. Hopefully we can get a good run of fortune this weekend.

Reading have been in shocking form of late but must hope they can put some of those results to bed by beating Barnsley in tomorrow's Championship. Reading are very nervy at present and only need to go a goal behind to lose confidence as has been the case over the past couple of months Top striker Kevin Doyle needs an injection to play and Rosenior among others is a welcome return. However I think an early goal will settle them and they can get their campaign back on track.

Barnsley haven't registered a win in a month and although they have no injury worries, the squad must be reeling from some inept perfomances that drags them back to the mire.

Coventry have had a barren spell in front of goal and I think this trend will continue away to relegation fighting Notts Forest. The Reds battled last week to gain a very late winner and showed there is mettle through their ranks by coming from behind twice in that game. I fancy them to keep up the pressure on Southampton and Charlton with Barnsley likely to be beaten.

Arsenal are in cracking form and are really playing some glorious positive football. For all Chelsea's qualities their defence has been weak in the past couple of games. I think this can be exploited in full by Wenger's charges as Arshavin didn't play mid week - so will be fresh, Fabregas is in top form and Adebayor is scoring again. With Arsenal coming through what many would suggest an easier fixture unscathed, I see a power packed performance at Wembley.

2 point Treble

Reading, Notts Forest, Arsenal

8/13, 10/11,  21/10

Return for 2 points  - 19.12

Be Champions

Colin Coupon

EASTER WEEKEND ACTION - 9th April 2009

The return of Cesc Fabregas and Adebayor has brought a new impetus into Arsenal. In truth they could have won their Champions League fixture and should have beaten Man City by more than two goals. It's been quite a while since this team had lost and their creativity in attack knows no bounds, so much so that star man Robin Van Persie was scarcely missed last week.

Wigan are a good side under Steve Bruce and have top form in their home fixtures. They are a tough tackling, tough to break down side with a little creativity in the form of Valencia, however I cannot see them troubling Arsenal this Saturday and must back the away team as part of my treble.

Birmingham are the form team in the Championship at present. I normally shy away from teams playing the bottom sides as normally they are galvanised into achieving points at any cost and Charlton will be no better . However such is the difference in class that I think it will be a comfortable away win.

Notts Forest are back in trouble and face a tricky home tie to Bristol. Bristol have to go back to February for their last away win which makes this a tricky tie to predict. Forest have just been plain brutal home and away and look like a team who've given up the ghost. I'm sticking with another away result in my treble at the odds on offer.

2 point bet

Arsenal, Birmingham & Bristol City

8/1

CC

MIDWEEK ACTION 7TH APRIL 2009 -

Champions League Advice

We cannot look much past the English teams in this years Champiopns League with doubts over most of the oppostion and with the draw favouring Manchester United bid to retain the Cup.

Tonight sees the Devils host a poor Porto side albeit with the second highest scorer in the campaign so far in Lopez. United's defense will be without Ferdinand but welcome back Vidic who should have enough to contain any attacking Porto threat.

Ronaldo did nothing on Sunday against Villa but still came away with two goals. On the basis that United will come into this game with renewed confidence and with many of the first team regulars returning I fancy United to bang in a lorry load ofv goals tonight, not leaving anything to chance for the next leg.

Bets

1 point bets on
United -2 handicap (Paddy Powers 3/1)
Ronaldo to score two goals or more (Paddy Power 5/1)

CC

WEEKEND FOOTBALL 4th April 2009 -

My apologies for the little holiday I took coinciding with the Cheltenham festival but I'm back until the bitter end with a clean slate.

I predict goals goals and more goals with the return of the Premiership and we need look no further than in form teams Arsenal and Liverpool as the pick of the bes this weekend.

Arsenal headed into the international break with a resounding victory against teak tough oppponents Blackburn at home and Newcastle away amassing seven goals. One of the worst travelling teams Man City could not have picked a worse time to travel to the Emirates as an on form Van Persie and clinical new signing Arshavin finding form. Man City may be without instrumental centre midfielder Stephen Ireland with creativity hard to come by. Two good footballing teams however I expect Arsenal to go to town on Man City.

Arsenal

-2 handicap - 1 pt 9/2

Liverpool are just hammering goals home and away and with assured displays midweek in their respective internationals, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will prove too much for this Fulham side. This side is a shadow of the team that played out a goalless draw in November against this opposition and a win will push the Pool to top of the Premiership. With that in mind and with Gerrardf Kuyt and Torres in blistering form over the international break, I can see Liverpool going to town on this team.

Liverpool -1 Handicap 7/4  generally - 1 point
Gerrard to score anytime 13/8 Coral Bookmakers - 2 points

CC

APOLOGIES TO ALL AS NO FOOTBALL ADVICE WHILST CC's HOLIDAY CONTINUES.....BACK SOON....

Weekend Action 7th March 2009 -

The League of Ireland returns tonight and it might be worth it to take a punt on
the three Dublin teams in action , St Pats at home, Bohemians away and Shamrock Rovers away at Bray Wandererers.

Rovers started the season brightly last season while St Pats have a fairly suitable opening game. Dunadalk return to the top flight for the first time in 8 years and in Bohemians face a difficult opening to their campaign,

Recommendation

1 point Treble - 3 Dublin Teams to win tonight in Eircom League

The FA Cup returns tomorrow but there are some choice games to look at in the Championship and League One.
The Seagulls tamed the Wolves last weekend and followed up with a decent win mid week. Can Plymouth continue against Reading this weekend? On the basis that we follow teams in form then I'll take them at decent odds.

Notts Forest are still in the relegation mire whilst Swansea are still playing well enough to consider them as Play-Off contenders. I'm a huge fan of Swansea's sleek attacking football, crisp passing and Latin flavour thus I'll again stick with them although they are finding a few too many draws over the past few weeks and need to get their head in front early doors.

Charlton are all over the place and relegation seems a forecasted certainty unless they start winning games. In what is a bottom of the table clash I can see Watford coming out on top but in fairness both are as bad as each other. A draw is the most likely which won't suit either team.

Bets

1 point Double Swansea & Plymouth

2 point draw Charlton - Watford

Midweek Football - 3rd March 2009

Anyone fancy Arsenal to score tonight? I don't and the 6/1 on offer about West Brom at home tonight is too tempting to pass up with the return of playmaker and captain Jonathon Greening plus the absence of William Gallas a major plus against a confidence bereft side.

League One promotion hopefuls MK Dons are away tonight and I expect them to carry on winning games right til the end of the season. As favourites for this battle, 6/5 is a decent price to back them at considering the superb draw with League leaders Leicester at the weekend.

Doncaster continue to confound the critics and have moved safely clear of the bottom of the Championship. At 9/5 they represent tremendous value and should be backed even though away from home.

Scunthorpe have been diabolical of late and their opponents tonight Walsall are no great shakes but I fancy them to shake up the home team. At a general 4/1 they are great value.

Championship rivals Reading and Wolves have been in very poor form of late and both face difficult away ties tonight. I'm going to back against them again as Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace have enough in the locker to put these teams away. Same can be said about a resurgent Watford who should be able to account for Plymouth away from home.

Bets -

1 point Treble

West Brom (6/1), MK Dons (6/5) & Doncaster (9/5)

return : 43.12

1 point Treble

Walsall (4/1), Sheffield Wednesday (9/5) & Crystal Palace (13/8)

Return : 36.75

1 point Treble

Bristol Rovers (4/6) Watford (9/5) & Sheffield Wednesday (9/5)

Return : 13.07

Good Luck - CC

Colin Coupon

Midweek Football Tuesday / Wednesday February 17/18th 2009 -

Let's get the weekend out the way - I cursed David Martin of Millwall from a height as his dismissal after 65 minutes proved disasterous for our Treble. All selections held two goal advantages with ten minutes remaining so we seemed certain to collect at 15/1. However 10 man Millwall could not hang on conceding two late sloppy goals. A memorable day turned sour only to be a litle brightened by our Double coming off with a little bit of ease. Burnley are tough at home and with Wolves lacking confidence at present, the 13/8 on offer was a steal. Doncaster are in fine form and have a run of form that should ensure their survival in the Championship. They never looked in any doubt.
 
Looking ahead to this week, there are some stand out bets on offer. In the Championship, Swansea travel to Watford in fine form and very unlucky not to be safely in the next round of the Cup whilst Derby have an easier task at home to Blackpool than their weekend fixture against Manchester United.
 
Peterborough are in fine form in League One and travel to Tranmere whilst Leeds travel to struggling Hereford with the playoff places back in sight.
 
Bets
 
0.25 pt Yankee (Total 2.75pts)
 
Peterboro, Leeds, Swansea & Derby - Total Return 25.35

Good luck

Colin Coupon

Weekend Football - Saturday February 14th

F.A Cup time again and we have to be having a shot at it. Some stand out bets on offer and hopefully we'll see more than a positive return on the selections.

Once again, I can't get away from Swansea. Unbelievable results in the past 15 matches, the Welsh side are eating up points in the Championship and now look ahead to a FA Cup game against one of the Premiership's worst traveling teams,Fulham.
The team is underrated, the venue is awful but the result will be forthright. It's a home win

I really fancied Sheffield United last week to take their city rivals Sheffield Wednesday. However only one team turned up and it wasn't the Blades. Can they recover in time to progress through to the next round? I don't think so. Hull on the other hand are buoyant after a deserved draw against Chelsea, a game which they could have won but for poor finishing. Phil Brown's side are no mugs and this is a game which I expect will be put to bed early doors and see them safely through to the next round.

West Ham in my mind have to be the bankers of the round. Middlesborough just can't score. With great performances against the like of United, Liverpool and Chelsea, in addition to the rich vein of form their hungry striker Carlton Cole is in, I can see the tie going only one way.

CHAMPIONSHIP

I thought Wolves were made of sterner stuff but I've been proved wrong in the last few weeks. They must be dreading going to an inform Burnley side flying high from their Cup Run. Burnley know what it takes to win matches and have proved their staying power against Premiership class and I expect them to take against a nervous Wolves side tomorrow.

I hope everyone has followed my love of Doncaster in recent weeks. Undeniably brilliant!! How can a bookie disregard them so much - they're up there with Swansea on Championship form teams. Odds of 3/1 were available last week at the off and they duly obliged despite falling behind early.Who are we to back against them? Home Win!

How I was sickened by 10 man Oldahm keeping League leaders Leicester at bay last week! I have to follow them this week at home, its a cert that they'll produce some more magic, at least defensively. Millwall should be better than their performace against Leeds, whilst Leeds travel to Huddersfield looking to regain their early season form. However their main striker and talisman is suspended so I'll bypass them in favour of Carlisle who seem back in form.

BETS

1 point Treble - Swansea, Hull, West Ham (General 13/8, 15/8, 5/6) 13.84 return on one euro stake

1 point Double  - Burnley, Doncaster (General 13/8 & 5/4) 5.91 return on one euro stake

1 point Treble Oldham Millwall, Carlisle (General 8/11, 15/8, 11/5) 15.89 return on one euro stake

Be Lucky!

Colin Coupon

Weekend Football  - 7th / 8th February 2009

Unfortunately West Brom's late equaliser last week was curtains for my 5 timer. Players were rested midweek in light of the fact that the home fixture to Newcastle could prove a six pointer in the battle to stave off relegation. There was a lot to like about their play against Hull last weekend and I fancy them to score in this fixture with Newcastle's porous defence. With the away team, it's hit and miss and I do not think they have the capacity to score away from home. That said they will battle and a draw is a very likely outcome, however, West Brom are my pick at the prices.
 
Liverpool are buoyed by the great result against Chelsea at the weekend where they were by far the dominant team. They travel to Portsmouth at the weekend and I cannot see how they can possibly slip up again, unless Benitez really tinkers with the team. Torres hit form last week and I expect him to provide us with a masterclass against the League's worst defence in recent months.
 
Robbie Keane's return to White Hart Lane may prove the catalyst in Spurs' ever depressing season. Whilst Arsenal play better football, there is a lack of penetration and I expect Spurs to defend a little better in this bitter North London Derby. Whilst it might be stretching it to see a Spurs win, I think a draw is the likely outcome.
 
Championship
 
I see some banker home ties this weekend and can't help but have a cut of a long price accumulator.
 
Swansea are in top form and are one of my favourite selections. Reading have not failed to score at home all season, whilst Sheffield United can come out top in their home derby. Notts Forest are home to QPR and can continue their recent good form.
 
Two striking away bets come in the form of Doncaster (on a fine run) and Cardiff (league's form team) who I fancy to account for their weak oppostion.
 
Weekend Bets
 
1pt Win Treble - approx return on a one euro stake 12/1
West Brom 5/4, Liverpool 4/5 , Spurs-Arsenal Draw  23/10 - All prices with BET 365
 
0.25pt Win Acca  - approx return on a one euro stake 27/1 
Everton 8/11 , Swansea 11/10, Reading 4/6, Sheffield United 5/6 & Notts Forest 6/4 - All Prices at Boyles

0.25pt Win Double - approx return on one euro stake 8/1
Cardiff & Doncaster 5/4 & 5/2 with Boyles

Be Lucky,

Colin Coupon

Resident Football Expert