WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH THE TOUGH GET GOING, THE CLEVER ONES MEANWHILE WATCH AND MAKE SMART COMMENTS

PREMIER LEAGUE

12:45 Chelsea (1.33) Draw (5.3) Bolton (12.5) LIVE SKYSPORTS
12:45 Everton (5.5) Draw (3.6) Manchester United (1.73) LIVE SKYSPORTS

Like ying and yang, or mary kate and ashley, somethings just have to go together right now,such as the big games of the day. In what is either a genius stroke of broadcasting or the worst bit of scheduling since LIVE8 both games are on at the same time on different channels. It means we can watch the crucial action unfold, it means noone gets an unfair advantage(though I'm sure Jose will find reason to complain) and it means my virgin plus has a double chance to either reddem itself or annoy me again(see previous post.) As for the games themselves there will no doubt be more specials than a takeaway menu board but which one to pick, what is the black bean chicken and what is the sweet and sour. Of course it all depends on your view you might like takeaway sweet and sour and hate blackbean, we do live in a democracy after all in which we have a right to choose, it might be between things of equal ineptness but it is a choice.
That's one massive paragraph with little to do with the games themselves so lets get to it both sides have winnable but tricky games against teams battling for fifth place. Chelsea should feel most confident they have home advantage against a Bolton side who were awful in their flintoff style capsize against Reading. They have enough depth to get through this game whoever they play, Bolton's defence are leaking goals they seem a lot more brittle than Bolton sides of days gone by and this seems a highly plausible home win.
Our recommendation is to put four points on each of the following, chelsea to win by one goal, chelsea to win by two, chelsea by three. It seems highly likely that Chelsea will win this one but they rarely hammer teams and Mourinho will be loathe to push his players too much to hammer a side when three points is three. The goal difference is beyond an issue and it will either be a matter of chelsea getting an early one and holding back, or struggling to score as in recent weeks and getting a late one.
Man United though have a much trickier game and I would have been more confident on Everton if it wasn't for the appalling performance against West Ham, if Everton have AJ back than this because a different match, the difference between AJ and JB(James Beattie) is like the one between Heinz and Tesco's beans, just ask Hugh Grant and the photographer. While the team news could have a huge impact we will go with the same sort of prediction in the United v Chelsea game this time with BET365, they offer United to win by one goal at 3.1 and United to win by two or more goals at 3.3, 3 points again advised, you could even take the draw onside at 3.6 withbet365 and stan james and still return profit.
RECOMMENDATION: UNITED AND CHELSEA DOUBLE 4 points. 2.36 betfair 2.23 better/blue square/ betdirect.
RECOMMENDATION: Chelsea win margin one/two/three all 3 points. 3.3/4.0/6.5 blue square.
RECOMMENDATION: UNITED WIN margin one/two or more 3.1/3.33 points, optional draw cover 3.6 withBET365 and Stan James.
RECOMMENDATION: Keep an eye on Skybet during the match they will offer live in game running on the prem title, it would not beyond United to go behind and their price to go out and then come back and win as they did in midweek.

ELSEWHERE
15:00 Blackburn (2.15) Draw (3.5) Charlton (3.77)
15:00 Manchester City (2.3) Draw (3.25) Aston Villa (3.28)
15:00 Middlesbrough (2.85) Draw (3.4) Tottenham (2.63)
15:00 Portsmouth (3.5) Draw (3.4) Liverpool (2.3)
15:00 Sheffield U (1.62) Draw (3.85) Watford (6)
15:00 Wigan (2.3) Draw (3.4) West Ham (3.4)
SUNDAY 29-04-2007
16:00 Arsenal (1.4) Draw (4.6) Fulham (9.5)
MONDAY 30-04-2007
20:00 Reading (2.05) Draw 3.5 Newcastle 4.3.

Picking this weekend's winners is tougher than trying to convince people Grease is the word is worth watching, our advice is to keep the stakes low and look at the other markets oh and to watch the BBC one show instead. The pick of the bets is probably the over 2.5 at evens(totalbet) in the Boro v Spurs match at 0.5pts. In addition the anytime market could be worth some small punts 0.25pts on each of these players.
John Stead ANYTIME bet365 2.88 Sheff United v Watford.
Luton Shelton anytime bet365 3.00 Sheff United v Watford.
Benni McCarthy anytime coral 2.88 Blackburn v Charlton
Darius Vassell anytime Premierbet 3.75 Man City v Villa
Gabriel Agbonlahor anytime premierbet/bet365 4.3 Villa v mancity.

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP:
FRIDAY 27-04-2007
19:45 Sunderland (1.4) Draw (5) Burnley (9)
SATURDAY 28-04-2007
15:00 Barnsley (2.4) Draw (3.2) Leicester (3.4)
15:00 Birmingham (1.73) Draw (3.75) Sheffield W (5.2)
15:00 Cardiff (2.4) Draw (3.5) Hull (3)
15:00 Coventry (3.4) Draw (3.5) West Bromwich (2.25)
15:00 Leeds (1.73) Draw (3.6) Ipswich (5.2)
15:00 Norwich (3.25) Draw (3.5) Southampton (2.3)
15:00 Plymouth (2.9) Draw (3.4) Preston (2.4)
15:00 Southend (1.73) Draw (3.75) Luton (5)
15:00 Stoke (2.1) Draw (3.6) Colchester (3.55)
15:00 Wolverhampton (1.53) Draw (4) QPR (6.8)
Sunday 29-04-2007
13:30 Crystal Palace (4) Draw (3.5) Derby (2.1)

In the words of the wiseman Billy Ocean, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and it doesn't get any tougher than the second last weekend of the season unless you count the last one I guess. It's hard to pick too much value on this weekend but here are few that stand out.
BRONZE BET: 0-5 PTs: Burnley not to lose 9.0 the win(general) and 5.0 the draw(totesport/ladbrokes). This is especially off note if you followed this column's advice at took Sunderland at 10-1 to win the league it's worth covering yourself. Even if you haven't 9.0 is huge value at this stage of the season when the pressure is on, I would expect Keane and his men to come through but Burnely are playing some very good stuff recently and as david would no doubt testify upsets can happen.
SILVER BET: 1.0Pts: Danielle Nardiello 3.0bet365 anytime market. Nardiello is firing at the moment and his four goals in two games have almost fired Barnsley to safety, as long as he is fit(there a few question marks about this) then he should be backed with confidence at 3.0 to maintain his fine goalscoring record.
GOLD BET: 2.0Pts each on sheff wed away win/draw. 5.2 the win(expekt) 5.3 the win(betfair.) 3.75 the draw(boyle) 4.0(betfair) While Birmingham do sit top of the table Sheff Wed are on a great run of form and more than caable of springing the surprise. There is a momentum and confidence about Sheff Wed and there's a whole lot of pressure on Birmingham, five point two is a steal.

COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE AND TWO
LEAGUE ONE
FRIDAY 27-04-2007
19:45 Northampton (2.1) Draw (3.4) Huddersfield (3.3)
Saturday 28-04-2007
15:00 Blackpool (2.25) Draw (3.4) Scunthorpe (3.1)
15:00 Bournemouth (2) Draw (3.4) Gillingham (4)
15:00 Brentford (2.7) Draw (3.4) Port Vale (2.6)
15:00 Brighton (3.2) Draw (3.5) Oldham (2.25)
15:00 Carlisle (2.2) Draw (3.5) Swansea (3.25)
15:00 Chesterfield (2.4) Draw (3.75) Bradford (2.9)
15:00 Crewe (2.25) Draw (3.4) Tranmere (3.1)
15:00 Leyton Orient (3.15) Draw (3.5) Nottm Forest (2.2)
15:00 Millwall (3.5) Draw (3.5) Bristol City (2.2)
15:00 Rotherham (3.25) Draw (3.5) Cheltenham (2.25)
15:00 Yeovil (1.73) Draw (3.6) Doncaster (5.5)

LEAGUE TWO
Saturday 28th April
12:00 Hereford (3.2) Draw (3.4) Shrewsbury (2.3)
15:00 Accrington (2.2) Draw (3.4) Macclesfield (3.2)
15:00 Boston Utd. (1.67) Draw (3.75) Torquay (5.5)
15:00 Bristol Rovers (2.38) Draw (3.5) Swindon (3.01)
15:00 Chester (3) Draw (3.4) Peterboro (2.25)
15:00 Grimsby (2.75) Draw (3.4) Lincoln (2.63)
15:00 Mansfield (2.2) Draw (3.4) Barnet (3.65)
15:00 Notts County (2.25) Draw (3.4) Darlington (3.4)
15:00 Rochdale (2.75) Draw (3.4) Hartlepool (2.75)
15:00 Stockport (1.91) Draw (3.6) Bury (4.5)
15:00 Walsall (1.8) Draw (3.6) Wrexham (5)
15:00 Wycombe (2.6) Draw (3.5) Milton Keynes Dons (2.7)

Such is the difficulty in predicting this weekend I've had to combine the two leageus together, that and it means less waffle from me.
BRONZE BET: Barnet not to lose at Mansfield at 0.5pts 3.65 (expekt) 3.4 (general) Barnet were hammered last week five nil and were awful, i'm really selling this one aren't I:) but fear not Mansfield are just as bad in fact worse. The pressure is truely on for them and the club is in a mess with issue over owernship and pay, abrnet have to be worth 0.5pts each on the win and draw.
SILVER BET: Wrexham have now won three straight including wins at playoff chasing Lincoln and Shrewsbury while Wallsall last week lost at home to Bury. The 1.0point on the win at 5.0(betfred/stan james) and the 3.7 the draw(betfair) 3.6 (tote) are worth a little bet.
GOLD BET: It's twelve games since Chester last won, in this time Peterborough have risen up the table and now sit just four points off the playoff places, it's a game young ferguson and his men must win and at 2.25 with expekt it's worth 3.0pts of your money.

OTHER BETS
Reading 7.5(coral/betfred) betting without big four if Everton and Bolton lose this weekend and Reading win then they will be level on points. This is well worth an investment of 1.opts.

OTHER SPORT THIS WEEKEND
The snooker world championship continues, as does the US sport playoffs, ongoing tennis and golf tournaments, a big weekend of rugby of both codes and of course big reality tv action. The event of the weekend though looks like being the cricket world cup final and the hopes that SriLanka can spring a massive shock.

SPORTS DAIRY
Friday, April 27
FOOTBALL: Coca-Cola Championship: Sunderland v Burnley.
League One: Northampton v Huddersfield.
CRICKET: LV County Championship Division One: Surrey v Hampshire. Warwickshire v Sussex. Yorkshire v Durham.
Division Two: Essex v Glamorgan. Leicestershire v Somerset. Middlesex v Northamptonshire. Gloucestershire v Nottinghamshire.
University matches: Cambridge UCCE v Derbyshire. Durham UCCE v Lancashire. Kent v Cardiff UCCE. Worcestershire v Loughborough UCCE.
RUGBY UNION: Magners League: Borders v Cardiff (1930). Ospreys v Leinster (1910). Ulster v Glasgow (1930).
RUGBY LEAGUE: Engage Super League: Hull KR v Huddersfield (2000). Leeds v Catalans Dragons (2000). Salford v Wigan (2000).
GOLF: Madrid: Spanish Open. Irving: EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
TENNIS: Barcelona: SEAT Open. Casablanca: Hassan II Grand Prix. Budapest: Women's Grand Prix.
SNOOKER: Sheffield: World Championship.
BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.
RACING: Chepstow. Newton Abbot. Perth. Sandown. Wolverhampton. Punchestown.

Saturday, April 28
FOOTBALL: Barclays Premiership: Blackburn v Charlton. Chelsea v Bolton (1245). Everton v Man Utd (1245). Man City v Aston Villa. Middlesbrough v Tottenham. Portsmouth v Liverpool. Sheff Utd v Watford. Wigan v West Ham.
Coca-Cola Championship: Barnsley v Leicester. Birmingham v Sheff Wed. Cardiff v Hull. Coventry v West Brom. Leeds v Ipswich. Norwich v Southampton. Plymouth v Preston. Southend v Luton. Stoke v Colchester. Wolves v QPR.
League One: Blackpool v Scunthorpe. Bournemouth v Gillingham. Brentford v Port Vale. Brighton v Oldham. Carlisle v Swansea. Chesterfield v Bradford. Crewe v Tranmere. Leyton Orient v Nottm For. Millwall v Bristol City. Rotherham v Cheltenham. Yeovil v Doncaster.
League Two: Accrington v Macclesfield. Boston v Torquay. Bristol Rovers v Swindon. Chester v Peterborough. Grimsby v Lincoln. Hereford v Shrewsbury (1200). Mansfield v Barnet. Notts Co v Darlington. Rochdale v Hartlepool. Stockport v Bury. Walsall v Wrexham. Wycombe v MK Dons.
Bank of Scotland Premier League: Aberdeen v Kilmarnock. Dundee Utd v Inverness CT. Hibernian v Rangers. Motherwell v Falkirk.
Scottish League Division One: Clyde v Dundee. Hamilton v St Johnstone. Partick v Livingston. Queen of South v Airdrie Utd. Ross Co v Gretna.
Division Two: Alloa v Forfar. Ayr v Morton. Brechin v Cowdenbeath. Raith v Peterhead. Stranraer v Stirling.
Division Three: Albion v East Stirling. Arbroath v East Fife. Dumbarton v Queen's Park. Elgin v Montrose. Stenhousemuir v Berwick.
CRICKET: LV County Championship Division One: Surrey v Hampshire. Warwickshire v Sussex. Yorkshire v Durham.
Division Two: Essex v Glamorgan. Leicestershire v Somerset. Middlesex v Northamptonshire. Gloucestershire v Nottinghamshire.
RUGBY UNION: Guinness Premiership: Gloucester v Bristol (1505). Leicester v Wasps (1505). Harlequins v Sale (1505). Newcastle v Bath (1505). Northampton v London Irish (1505). Worcester v Saracens (1505).
Magners League: Munster v Dragons.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Engage Super League: Harlequins v St Helens.Wakefield v Hull (1800).
Co-operative National League One.
GOLF: Madrid: Spanish Open. Irving: EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
TENNIS: Barcelona: SEAT Open. Casablanca: Hassan II Grand Prix. Budapest: Women's Grand Prix.
SNOOKER: Sheffield: World Championship.
BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.
RACING: Haydock. Leicester. Market Rasen. Ripon. Sandown. Wolverhampton. Punchestown.
SUNDAY APRIL 29
28-29 BASKETBALL Newcastle: BBL Championship finals weekend
29 MOTORCYCLING Silverstone: British Superbikes
29 MOTORCYCLING Holland: World Superbikes

VIRGIN ON THE RIDDICULOUS

It's Wednesday night I have to work but I can rest safe in the knowledge that my v plus box is hard at work taping the game and I can watch it on my return. Isn't technology wonderful?

Then again on return I'm quite tired so I'll wait to the next morning, I wake up settle myself down with breakfast, remote and get ready to watch one of the big games of the season. Except I can't I have a problem but v plus boxes don't get damaged virgin media will tell you before you sign up. they do though, and it's not the first and nor I fear is it the last. Which other game will v plus suddenly decide I don't want to see. The customer service staff tell me it's rare they have problems, so rare that it'll take upto five days to get someone to fix it, what are they shipping in the technical experts from the new planet just discovered.
I tell them this isn't the first problem I've had with said company and it isn't it once took five tecnhicans, six visits and three weeks to fix a previous problem, sounds like the plot to an implausible Five comedy show doesn't it?

So fear not though because I'll be compensated a whole 3pounds fifty, if a champions league semi final is worth three fifty what price the last day of the season when I'm scheduled into work, four pounds, four fifty, don't I just spend that in morning wasted on call centre calls, emails and annoyed blogs.

Isn't technology a wonderful thing?It might not work but we now have five different ways to register our disgust with it, just as well really because you never know when any of those five are going to breakdown.

THE DANNI MINOGUE OF BLOGS AND TEN THINGS NOT TO DO ON YOUR FIRST DATE

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THIS WEEKEND

1: All about the new rules that's in place, seemingly according to Jose Chelsea are playing a handicap system in their quest for the title, nothing like a good loser huh. The title race meanwhile is wide open Chelsea still have to play Man united, both sides have to play Everton, the value bet is to find out if any bookies are offering bets on how many points the big two sides will get and maybe go on the low.
2: That there's nothing like a bit of moral support and Tony Adams assertion that David James wasn't as good as David Seaman wasn't that.
3: That our sky money is clearly going to good use, two table topping clashes involving key premiership title matches and our money gets us Villa v Portsmouth.
4: You pay for what you get, our maybe not we are cheaper, funnier and as of this weekend more accurate in our tips than the Racing post. In fact so confident am i that I'll be using the same system as the racing post to take them on.
5: The importance of saving your work or else it'll get deleted when your computer crashes and it'll never be as funny as last time around, hence this.

THIS WEEK'S BETS

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

MAN UNITED V AC MILAN: The last time I predicted Man United would struggle to qualify they won 7-1 so for the good of English football I'm going to do it again and suggest that you get on the Milan draw/away double. No doubt United can beat anyone on their day but as Boro showed at the weekend they are still capable of not having their day. That was a long of way saying united are not perfect and 4.3 the win(betfred and boyle) and 3.2 the draw(boyle and paddy power) are good value on a side playing such good football in their domestic league. With injuries at the back United look vulnerable and Kaka will be key to Milan's attacking threat, the battle between Carrick and Scholes v Gattuso and Pirlo will also be key. United's pace will no doubt cause MIlan problems at the back as it would any team, but with this being a first leg and with the europan games are so tight and the importance of the away goal United themselves might not be unhappy with the draw and we would recommend a one point stake on the draw and one point stake on the Milan win.
Depending on the team news and who gets the nodd Gilardino3.8 (bet365) and Inzaghi 4.2 (paddy power) are worth a small stake on the anytime market. 0.5 pts.

CHELSEA V LIVERPOOL: Some times in life you really shouldn't get involved, like when your girlfriend asks which of those outfits works best for us or when Jose Mourinho asks if you could ref a friendly five a side training match, this game is such an occasion. The battle could be more like a chess match than football match at times, by that I mean slow and tight oh and almost resulting in full scale nuclear war by the end. If you really must have a bet then some value could be had on outside o.5 pts on either side keeping a clean sheet. Paddy power offer 2.25 on chelsea and 3.3 Liverpool keeping their sheets cleaner than an NHS hospital ward. I do actually fancy Chelsea to come through two legs but much like in Valencia, Chelsea's odds could come out after the first leg.

UEFA CUP
17:00 Osasuna (2.88) Draw (3.25) Sevilla (2.6)
19:45 Espanyol (2.65) Draw (3.2) Werder Bremen (2.8)

The Danni Minogue of europe's cup competitions continues on Thursday night under the shadow of its bigger more succesful sibling. Like Danni it remains rather harder to get over-excited over, something false about it. From a betting point of view this is a very tough one to call and fidning a name and small stakes on the anytime market might be the only way to get involved.

COCA COLA LEAGUE
There isn't much midweek Coca Cola action apart from two league two games.
19:45 Macclesfield (2.5) Draw (3.4) Bristol R (2.7)
19:45 Shrewsbury (1.83) Draw (3.5) Wrexham (4.5)

Both games feature playoff chasing sides against sides battling to avoid relegation each side needing the points more than unfunded school after tesco's sports equipment. Macclesfield have a good home record and haven't loss their since Jan 30th when Wallsall were the visitors, Bristol Rovers though are capable of beating anyone and this looks one to swerve. The better bet could be on Shrewsbury to beat Wrexham at 1.83(better/bet direct) Shrewsbury need the win to reach the playoffs and can do it over a Wrexham side who have shown improved signs at the bottom but struggled to get past Torquay atthe weekend. With the stakes so high the value of the bet should be kept low at 1.0pts.

SCOTLAND
Dunfermline (5) Draw (3.71) Hibernian (1.73)
The bookies are making a big mistake here in over-pricing Dunfermilne they got a big confidence boosting win at the weekend in terms of survival but there not dropping off in the cup either. They were good value for at least the draw last time around and bet365 and totesport should be thanked for their 5.0 offer.
Worth a one point stake. With one point on the draw after ninety minutes.

NON LEAGUE
Nationwide Conference
23 Apr 19:45 Rushden & D'monds v Northwich 1.80 3.40 3.75
24 Apr 19:45 Grays Athletic v Kidderminster 1.83 3.50 3.50
24 Apr 19:45 Halifax v Crawley Town 1.90 3.50 3.25

Conference North
24 Apr 19:45 Redditch v Gainsborough 2.00 3.40 3.00
24 Apr 19:45 Workington v Droylsden 2.37 3.50 2.37

Conference South
24 Apr 19:45 Eastbourne Borough v Newport County 2.10 3.50 2.75
24 Apr 19:45 Eastleigh v Bishop's Stortford 2.75 3.50 2.10
24 Apr 19:45 Farnborough v Fisher Athletic 2.20 3.50 2.60
24 Apr 19:45 Histon v Thurrock 1.61 3.50 4.50
24 Apr 19:45 Salisbury v Havant and W 2.10 3.40 2.80

Southern League Premier
23 Apr 19:45 Northwood v Merthyr 2.87 3.40 2.10
24 Apr 19:45 Hitchin v Clevedon Town 2.20 3.50 2.60
24 Apr 19:45 Mangotsfield v Stamford 2.20 3.50 2.60
25 Apr 19:45 King's Lynn v Team Bath 2.30 3.50 2.50
26 Apr 19:45 Maidenhead Utd v Banbury 1.50 3.75 5.50

Unibond Premier Division
24 Apr 19:45 Fleetwood Town v Mossley 1.28 4.50 8.00
24 Apr 19:45 Matlock Town v Prescot Cables 1.40 4.20 6.00
24 Apr 19:45 Witton Albion v AFC Telford 2.20 3.50 2.60
25 Apr 19:45 Whitby v Ashton Utd 1.90 3.40 3.25

NBA BASKETBALL
SERIES ODDS

EASTERN CONFERENCE
DETROIT(1) V ORLANDO(8)
current score 2-0
odds 1.02 and 21.0
series thoughts: An extremely small but worthwhile bet could be on the correct series odds, at 4-0 and 4-1. Detroit are good value to not drop too many in a series they are showing early signs of dominating. Orlando though should be not disheartened they are enough signs in palce that they could get a game but two might be unlucky. The 4-0 and 4-1 at 3.15 and 2.1 will still return profit.

Cleveland(2) v Washington (7)
current score:1-0
odds: 1.04 and 12.0
series thoughts: One game down and much as expected Washington are struggling without their injured super duo, like asking Lex Luther to take on Superman with his bare hands and without a fiendish evil plan and evil laugh. The fact of the matter is that cavs will win this one and with a bit to spare and at 2.42 the rout or 2.22 the 4-1 look well worth backing.

TORONTO(3) V NEW JERSEY (6)
current score: 0-1
odds: 2.58 and 1.61
series thoughts: You have to love Lawrence Frank well it's not compulsory but you can admire him at least. My favourite moment of the NBA playffs so far is seeing all the Rps fan dressing in red to support their team and the Nets coming to play in red uniforms. I took the Nets to win the conference at 26.0 and they've now shot down. There is no reason why you shouldn't take them at their current odds of 15.o each way with Hills and Ladbrokes to win the conference. Also it's worth getting on new jersey to win the series 4-2 or 4-1 at 2.5/6.2 with betfair.

CHICAGO(4) V MIAMI (5)
current score: 1-0
odds: 1.51/2.92
series thoughts: So far this series has gone as expected with the home advantage, this of any of the games could be the one that goes to the last game even the last possesion.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
DALLAS (1) V GOLDEN STATE (8)
current score: 0-1
odds: 1.21/5.0
series thoughts: When does a win become a crisis, if the Warriors were to make this series two nil, and it's highly possible. At 6.0 with betfair they are worth a small back t win the next game, maybe Avery Johnson will learn from his mistake and go big, the stars can't play so bad again but on the off chance that the Warriors really have something these are great odds.
PHOENIX (2) V LA LAKERS (7)
current score: 1-0
odds: 1.06/16.0
series thoughts: Game one seemed to about sum up this whole series, Kobe will have sells where he seems unstoppable, smart coach D'Antoni will adjust and stop him and Kobe will adjust again. Kobe will get no support, Marion, barbosa, Stoudamire and of course Nash will catch fire, Lakers in five at odds of 2.2.
SAN ANTONIO (3) V DENVER (6)
current score: 0-1
odds: 1.42/3.1
series thoughts: Denver did everything they had to do and did it well in game one but can they repeat all the tricks in game two, I'm not sure they can and the Spurs will only up their shooting come pressure time, the series will now stretch and take the Spurs to win in six or seven at betfair with odds of 4.1/3.15.
HOUSTON(4) V UTAH (5)
current score: 2-0
odds: 1.06/6.0
series thoughts: First the good news for Utah fans T-Mac lead sides have let their first round lead slip before and Utah still has home games. The badnews is that T-Mac is on fire and Deron has yet to catch fire, they are signs for the Jazz and they will be that much tougher on their homecourt. Get on the rockets to win in six or seven at 5.6/6.6 with betfair.

CRICKET WORLD CUP SEMI FINALS
TUESDAY 24-04-2007
14:30 Sri Lanka (1.75) New Zealand (2.31)
WEDNESDAY 25-04-2007
14:30 Australia (1.42) South Africa (3.3)
TITLE ODDS
Australia 1.95
Sri Lanka 5.3
South Africa 6
New Zealand 6.7

Four teams and just three games left and the end is finally in sight in the neverending soap opera that is the Cricket worldcup, how will it end, will it be the ovcious Australia, will there be a twist winner like one of the other three, or will we wake up and find it was all just a dream or something we imagined in the shower. Chances are it will be an Australia win, very good chances are. Those who are looking for some betting value should check out the range of specials on offer at Stan James for the semi finals, they offer odds on top scoring captain, top scoring opener, top wicketkeeper, and top allrounder, amongst others.
Hayden is on great form and at 2.75 looks great value to be the pick of the openers, 2pts with Stan james.

SPORT DIARY FOR WEEK
Tuesday, April 24

FOOTBALL: Champions League semi-final: Manchester United v AC Milan (1945)
League Two: Macclesfield v Bristol Rovers. Shrewsbury v Wrexham.
CRICKET: World Cup semi-final, Kingston.
RUGBY UNION: Guinness Premiership: Bristol v Leicester.
Magners League: Llanelli v Ospreys (1935).
TENNIS: Barcelona: SEAT Open. Casablanca: Hassan II Grand Prix. Budapest: Women's Grand Prix.
SNOOKER: Sheffield: World Championship.
SQUASH: Dublin: Irish Open.
BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.
RACING: Bath. Folkestone. Southwell. Towcester. Wolverhampton. Punchestown.
NHL/NBA PLAYOFFS.

Wednesday, April 25
FOOTBALL: Champions League semi-final first leg: Chelsea v Liverpool (1945).
CRICKET: World Cup semi-final, Gros Islet.
LV County Championship Division One: Surrey v Hampshire. Warwickshire v Sussex. Yorkshire v Durham.
Division Two: Essex v Glamorgan. Leicestershire v Somerset. Middlesex v Northamptonshire. Gloucestershire v Nottinghamshire.
University matches: Cambridge UCCE v Derbyshire. Durham UCCE v Lancashire. Kent v Cardiff UCCE. Worcestershire v Loughborough UCCE.
RUGBY UNION: Magners League: Cardiff v Dragons (1910).
TENNIS: Barcelona: SEAT Open. Casablanca: Hassan II Grand Prix. Budapest: Women's Grand Prix.
SNOOKER: Sheffield: World Championship.
BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.
RACING: Catterick. Epsom. Kempton. Perth. Worcester. Punchestown.
NHL/NBA PLAYOFFS

Thursday, April 26
FOOTBALL: UEFA Cup semi-final first legs.
CRICKET: LV County Championship Division One: Surrey v Hampshire. Warwickshire v Sussex. Yorkshire v Durham.
Division Two: Essex v Glamorgan. Leicestershire v Somerset. Middlesex v Northamptonshire. Gloucestershire v Nottinghamshire.
University matches: Cambridge UCCE v Derbyshire. Durham UCCE v Lancashire. Kent v Cardiff UCCE. Worcestershire v Loughborough UCCE.
GOLF: Madrid: Spanish Ope. Irving: EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
TENNIS: Barcelona: SEAT Open. Casablanca: Hassan II Grand Prix. Budapest: Women's Grand Prix.
SNOOKER: Sheffield: World Championship.
BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.
RACING: Beverley. Fontwell. Perth. Southwell. Yarmouth. Punchestown.
NHL/NBA PLAYOFFS

LIVESPORT ON TV
13:30 BBC2 Day 4 World Snooker Championship
14:30 British Eurosport Day 4 World Snooker Championship
14:30 Sky Sports 1 Semi-final World Cup
19:00 BBC2 /
British Eurosport Day 4 World Snooker Championship
19:35 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland /
S4C Scarlets v Ospreys Magners League
19:45 ITV1 Manchester Utd v Milan UEFA Champions League Semi-final 1st Leg
19:45 Sky Sports 2 Hibernian v Dunfermline Scottish Cup Semi-final Replay
20:35 NASN Detroit v LA Angels MLB
Wednesday 25th April
00:00 Setanta Ireland Houston v Pittsburgh MLB
00:00 NASN Conf. Quarter-finals Game 7 NHL Play-offs
01:00 Five TBC NBA
03:00 NASN Conf. Quarter-finals Game 7 NHL Play-offs
10:00 British Eurosport /
BBC Interactive (10:00-23:00) Day 5 World Snooker Championship
14:00 BBC2 (not N. Ireland) Day 5 World Snooker Championship
14:30 Sky Sports 1 Semi-final World Cup
15:30 British Eurosport Day 5 World Snooker Championship
18:10 NASN Colorado v NY Mets MLB
18:30 Sky Sports 2 Semi-final World Cup
19:00 BBC2 Day 5 World Snooker Championship
19:45 Sky Sports 1 Chelsea v Liverpool UEFA Champions League Semi-final 1st Leg
20:30 British Eurosport Day 5 World Snooker Championship
Thursday 26th April
00:00 NASN Conf. Semi-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
03:00 NASN Conf. Semi-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
07:00 Setanta Golf Pine Valley Beijing Open Day 1 Asian Tour
10:00 BBC Interactive (10:00-23:00) Day 6: 2nd Round World Snooker Championship
11:00 Sky Sports 1 Open De Espana Day 1 Euro Tour
13:00 BBC2 (not N. Ireland) Day 6: 2nd Round World Snooker Championship
14:00 British Eurosport Day 6: 2nd Round World Snooker Championship
16:00 Sky Sports 1 Open De Espana Day 1 Euro Tour
17:30 British Eurosport Dinamo Moscow v Charleroi UEFA Fustal Cup Semi-final
18:00 Setanta Golf Henrico County Open Day 1 Nationwide Tour
19:00 MUTV Liverpool v Manchester Utd Reserves
19:00 BBC2 (not N. Ireland / Scotland) /
British Eurosport Day 6: 2nd Round World Snooker Championship
19:30 Sky Sports 1 Peter Manley v Dennis Priestley, Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld v Roland Scholten, Terry Jenkins v Colin Lloyd Premier League
19:30 Sky Sports 3 Widnes v Halifax National League One
19:45 Sky Sports 2 /
Sky Sports HD2 Manchester Utd v Liverpool FA Youth Cup Final 2nd Leg
19:45 Setanta Ireland (N. Ireland only) Semi-final 1st Leg UEFA Cup
19:45 ITV4 Osasuna v Sevilla UEFA Cup Semi-final 1st Leg
20:00 British Eurosport 2 Boomerang Interviu v Murcia UEFA Futsal Cup Semi-finals
20:00 Setanta Golf /
Setanta Sports 1 EDS Byron Nelson Championship Day 1 PGA Tour
Friday 27th April
00:00 NASN Conf. Semi-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
01:00 Setanta Ireland Detroit v Chicago WS MLB
03:00 NASN Conf. Semi-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
07:00 Setanta Golf Pine Valley Beijing Open Day 2 Asian Tour
10:00 British Eurosport /
BBC Interactive (10:00-23:00) Day 7: 2nd Round World Snooker Championship
11:00 Sky Sports 1 Open De Espana Day 2 Euro Tour

In the meanwhile have a good sports weekend and in the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than a guy doing any of these things on a first date.
1. Do not tell her how many girls you’ve slept with! Whether the number is one, 11 or 111, this is information that should be saved for a later time. A much later time.
2. Do not tell her about the time you got arrested for indecent exposure!
Hold off all discussions of your criminal record until at least Date #3.
3. Do not tell her about the time you watched television for 72 hours straight!
She'll probably find out about your couch potato-ness soon enough.
4. Do not tell her about the time you snogged your sexy third cousin!
Ok, the cousin might not have been a blood relation, but your date will nonetheless find the whole thing extremely gross.
5. Do not tell her your Area 51 theories!
Also, it'd probably be best to not mention your obsession with the Kennedy assassination.
6. Do not tell her she looks good enough to eat!
That line stinks on so many levels.
7. Do not tell her your salary!
Talking about money too early is a lose/lose proposition.
8. Do not tell her about your porn stash!
Self-explanatory.
9. Do not tell her about your college trip to Amsterdam!
Also self-explanatory.
10. Do not tell her about your imaginary friend!
Cute when you're five, scary when you're 31.

PORN/SEX/ANCESTORY AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL GET ME MORE HITS

It's dirty, wild and wet, but enough about the Birmingham pitch we are a good clean fun loving sports betting blog, what's more we are free and more accurate than a uk weather forecaster. So be sure to sign up for exclusive news and tips at the bottom of the page, we don't spam you or any old cold meat substance.

Let's get previewing this weekend's sport.

PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY 21ST APRIL
12:45 Tottenham (2.7) Draw (3.3) Arsenal (2.65) Live on PREMPLUS
It's been the most famous split since William and Kate, David Dein has left Arsenal and has left many unanswered questions, will Arsene Wenger stay? will the players sign new contracts if Wenger won't? would Peter Hill Wood's mum even recognise him?
It's funny to think of Arsenal as the club supposedly standingup for English rights, personally I feel they might be digging a hole for themselves, or it could just be that there holding out for a better offer. hmm. Anyway on the pitch this probably won't affect the game but what will is Fabregas absence. Tottenham will be hungry for revenge but can they do it? It should be a highly entertaining game and goals could be the order of the day. Take the over 2.5 goals at 2.05 with BET365.

15:00 Bolton (1.91) Draw (3.4) Reading (4.3)
Both these men have done remarkable jobs on little resources i.e Keeping Anelka, Diouf and Lita on the striaght and narrow despite limited brain resources. In game terms Reading are over-priced here but with Coppell not seeming so keen to get into Europe it's worth swerving match betting and get on the anytime markets. Keep an eye on team news as to who gets the start out of Kitson or Doyle and take them in the anytime market. Doyle is available at 3.8 with BET365 and Kitson 4.0 with Coral. The reason is, that like a poodle who thinks there are an alasatian Reading are not afraid to attack, Bolton's defence is strong but Reading can breach it and this is the way to go on this game.

15:00 Charlton (2.1) Draw (3.3) Sheffield U (3.65)
Guts, courage, bravery all words to describe anyone willing to take on K-Fed as a potential husband and all words used to describe the winners of this game. It's the proverbial six pointer expect it's worth three but you know what I mean. It's all about who wants it most on the day, to me it's a betting minefield but if for some reason you need to make it more interesting with a bet, then Darren Bent at 2.75 with Skybet in the anytime market could be the way to go.

15:00 Fulham (2.35) Draw (3.3) Blackburn (3.15)
After victories over Spain, Sweden and feeding thousands with a loaf Lawrie Sanchez is widely held as a miracle worker, what isn't so well known is that as club manager of Wycombe the fans were not sorry to see him leave. Which is not to say Sanchez is a bad manager but don't be suprised if he doesn't keep Fulham up, the malaise (a kind of fancy salad cream) runs deep there. Betting wise this is hard to call, but it doesn't take Marty McFly or Doctor Who to tell you Fulham's defence will concede and Benedict McCarthy can be backed at 3.4 with Skybet in the anytime market to make Fulham feel even sicker.

15:00 Liverpool (1.5) Draw (4.5) Wigan (8.5)
I once served Emile Heskey popcorn in a cinema once(what a claim to fame) and somewhat unsuprisingly he dropped it, still he might just be worth a little punt to score here against his distracted old club. Heskey is 5.0 in the anytime market with extrabet.

15:00 Watford (2.75) Draw (3.33) Manchester City (2.6)
Watching Man city is very much like watching Grease is the word on ITV, an inferior version of a bigger rival, the interest is low and the only saving grace is some of the City players dress better than Sinitta. I'm not really sure where this is leading, but then you try talk about this game with interest, Watford are all but down this could free them up to play as well as they have against Pompey or as bad as they have all season. City are safe, but Pearce maybe not so. In the end I'd keep hold of money both in terms of ticket and betting, the best of the bad bunch may be to bet on DeMarcus Beasley at 5.0 (victor chandler) in the anytime market. Beasley is playing for a new contract (god knows why he'd want it) and is hitting a bit of form, small stakes advised, not least for Joey Barton's heart.

15:00 West Ham (2.5) Draw (3.4) Everton (2.75)
In the wise words of the great philospher, Marshall Mathers, you only get one shot in this lifetime and you've got to lose yourself in the moment. Now the West Ham players have cracked the losing bit but I'm not sure that was quite what Mr Shady meant. This is make or break for them and more than likely will be break, Everton are coming with a good end of season run, Arteta can West Ham ragged and at 2.75 with Bet365 and Paddy power we should and I quote 'smack that.'

17:15 Man Utd (1.22) Draw (6.5) Middlesbrough (15)
Chelsea fans will cling to the thoughts that Boro have been difficult opponents in the past, in the same way Tony Blair clings to power, the results however will be the same, a disappointing prelude leading to all out war. Get on Rooney at 2.38 (BET365) and Ronaldo 2.65 (expekt) in the anytime market.

SUNDAY 22ND APRIL 2007
13:30 Newcastle (7) Draw (4) Chelsea (1.57)
Chelsea fans will be more heartened by the fact that Newcastle really are god awful and that Glenn Roeder has proven to be about as popular succesor as Gordon Brown will. It's worth getting big on Chelsea and to add to this Sean Wright Phillips is a great value 6.0 in the anytime market with Skybet to continue his fine run of form against an awful Newcastle defence.

16:00 Aston Villa (2.25) Draw (3.25) Portsmouth (3.45)
Aston Villa seem good value at 2.25(boylesports and paddy power) to continue their recent good form and defeat Pompey. In a game which someone at Sky decided we wanted to see despite it being totally meaningless.

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
Picking the coca cola championship is tougher than working out the plot of a David Lynch movie and with just as many twists and turns. At the moment leaders and massive form side Sunderland look the best side but that could all change with a tough game to Colchester, Sunderland may come through but that's not where the value lies. The 3.0 on Cureton to score anytime with bet365 is the value on a player on fire and with Sunderland are conceding around a goal a game.
Other promotion hopefuls Derby have an easy home game against Luton, but the odds reflect that and Birmingham have a tough game against local rivals Wolves.
At the other end Barnsley 2.13(extrabet) look good value to beat a Palace who will have given up for the season, if they ever got started. Leeds at 4.5 the away win/3.6 the draw seem good value not to lose at a Southampton side who have been hugely disappointing. On the other side Southend's fight could be over if they lose to a Plymouth side who are playing some good football these last few weeks.
The best bargain since the Primark riots surely has to be had at the tills of extrabet where Sheff Wed are the bet of the week at 1.79. They face a Coventry side who might as well turn up with their bucket and spade, though don't let Kevin kyle near the donkeys or confusion will be the order of the day.

COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE
Into League one and unlike an episode of Neighbours, every match here seems to mean something. The short price value is on Swansea to leave Brighton all at sea. Mid price value lies in form Carlisle to beat jittery Bristol City, and Oldham to beat Crewe. Those who like their shots long could do worse than 8.0(ladbrokes) and 7.0(boylesports) on Rotherham and Bournemouth to cause some shocks. As usual cover with the draw, but Yeovil are having more problems at home than a tennant of Frank Spencer, Forest are also showing all the signs of stability of a Frank Spencer coffee table and it could be worth an interest in these two sides. Rotherham have the pressure off after relegation and Mark Robins men have shown lots of encouraging signs at the end of the season, maybe just too little to late. Bournemouth are battling relegation and needs the points and have the potential to worry Forest.

COCA COLA LEAGUE TWO
As the season nears end picking a winner becomes harder than ever but like a CHav on a Friday night were always willing to have a go, so here is a few League two games worth looking out for.
Bristol Rovers are good value at 2.2 (general) to beat Lincoln, Rovers are coming with a late run to make the playoff, while Lincoln seem to be doing everything in their power to avoid the playoffs. Barnet are good value not to lose at Grimsby at 3.28 the win(extrabet) 3.4 the draw(stan james/bet 365) the underhill boys are on a very good run of form including victories hartlepool and rochdale, while Grimsby took a tanking last weekend at Accrington 4-1.
For those who like their prices a little shorter a good home double banker is Swindon at home to the awful Mansfield and Wrexham at home to ready relegated Torquay.

SCOTLAND


EUROPE

RUGBY: In the Union code the Heineken Cup semi finals take place and it could be an all English final with like the champions league three out of the four semi finalists being English. Northampton will no doubt be distracted by a releagation battle and wasps should be backed at 1.91(tote/vc/uk betting) to cover an eight point handicap.
Elsewhere in the League code there are two big games with Hull v Bradford and the big one St Helens v Leeds, Leeds have had a great season but St Helens have been on a different level this week and can be backed with Huddersfield in a double at 2.28 with extrabet.

CRICKET:As the world cup super eight fizzles out quicker than a pop idol's career attention might turn this weekend to the domestic game that has started and those who haven't already had a bet for the league could do worse than Hampshire at 3.75 with betfred and sussex at 4.5 with boylesports. In League two Nottingham look great value at 3.75 with Boylesports.

SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Avoiding the O'Sullivan top half of the draw seems to be the way to go here, the top halfd of the draw is loaded with talent, the bottom not so.
Peter Ebdon at 15.0 (expekt and betfred) and Murphy 11.0(power and stan james) are where our money is going in the wide open botom half. At half the odds a final place wrth taking each way.

SPORT IN FOCUS
NBA BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS PREVIEW
Now things get interesting I'll be turning a lot of my attention to the NBA although I have to confess I'm very disappointed with the lack of bookies who get involved in this market here in the Uk, centrebet again are the ones who have at least made the effort.

TITLE ODDS
Dallas Mavericks
3.25 title/ 2.38 conference.
GOOD Wealth of talent, Dirk, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Howard.
BAD: Can Dirk do it in the big big games.
UGLY:The depth of the wild west means every game wil be a tough one for the Mavs even the Warriors.
BOTTOM LINE: Can make finals and at 3.25 with betfair are worth a small shout to make it there year. The 2.38 the conference is a little too short though.

San Antonio Spurs
6.2/4.5 conference
GOOD: Veteran experience, Tim Duncan, Ginobli, Parker, Horry,Poppovitch been there done that.
BAD: In the wrong conference have to adjust there game to the speed merchants.
UGLY: The lack of depth and aging legs could cost them with deep series against denver, phoenix and dallas.
BOTTOM LINE: It's battle of heads versus legs and in the head Spurs are the match for anyone, worth taking on small odds to in both conference and title.

Phoenix Suns
4.9/3.97 conference.
THE GOOD: Wealth of talent, Steve Nash bigtime player, Amare Stoudamire hungry, Marion, Thomas, Bell, Barbosa.
Caoch D'Antoni one of the best in the business.
THE BAD: Have to go through deep west and open against Lakers who caused them big problems last time.
THE UGLY: Lack of depth could tire them as not as deep as many of the other sides,plus play a fast high energy game, it cost them last year when series went long.
BOTTOM LINE: Suns have as good a chance as anyone and are my probable favourites but when you can get them and Dallas and San Antonio on side it's got to be done.

Detroit Pistons
9.2/2.88 conference
THE GOOD: Wallace/Prince/Billups all been there done that and in the weak east.
THE BAD: Chris Webber is no Ben Wallace
THE UGLY: Flip Saunder not as good at game tactics as many of the other coaches, somehow didn't win it last year when they had Ben Wallace and the record win season.
BOTTOM LINE: Much too short a price about a side who have no viable Shaq dealer, not to mention how they'll deal with the run and gun west sides.

Miami Heat
16/ 5.5 conference.
THE GOOD: defending champs, game on the line, pressure situation, there's few to trust more than riley, shaq and d-wade.
BAD: Got a tough first series against chicago, high pick and roll game might impact wade's shoulder, wallace can handle shaq.
THE UGLY:Vulnerable players d-wade and shaq are always one big injury away from total breakdown, also whether they have the hunger to repeat.
BOTTOM LINE: In a weak conference the 5.5 seems good value as long as Wade and Shaq stay healthy, Miami are a match for anyone out East.

Houston Rockets
27/ 15.5 Conference
THE GOOD: TMAC/YAO and the defence.
THE BAD: The deep west.
THE UGLY: Not as deep as other sides, a healthy in head and body bonzi wells would have been a huge difference maker sadly he's not there, in either sense.
THE BOTTOM LINE: On the day the Rockets can beat anyone and it could be worth siding with them in individual matches to pull off a few shocks.

Cleveland Cavaliers
22/5.9 conference
THE GOOD: because they have an easy first round game against injury plagued washington and King Lebron
THE BAD: King Lebron might find it easy to be like jordan in regular season but jordan did it time and time again in the playoffs, doubts over whether lebron can be like MJ.
THE UGLY: A lack of supporting cast, ther are no pippens/grant's or rodman's on the cavs.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The draw helps the cavs but Lebron will need some help not least from himself.

Utah Jazz
47.0/38.0 conference
THE GOOD: Jerry Sloan expert coach whose has been there and done it.
THE BAD: Young and lack of playoff savvy.
THE UGLY: Loss of Kirilenko is huge.
THE BOTTOM LINE: You can never underestimate a Jerry Sloan side not least because they have a habit of proving annoying opponents to the Rockets. The loss of Kirilenko turns them from value outsiders, to just outsiders.

Chicago Bulls
32/ 14.0 conference
THE GOOD: The addition and presence of ben wallace gives them a shaq killer.
THE BAD:Are they winners, choked against new jersey to cost them a much easier run to the title.
THE UGLY: That run they now must go through miami,detroit, possibly cleveland or new jersey and then the winners of the west, tough, very tough.
BOTTOM LINE. If Chicago can come through Miami and it's a big if they could be good value for the East at 14.0 there worth supporting.

Washington Wizards
260/101 conference
THE GOOD: Antwan Jamieson never say die.
THE BAD: The lack of his support.
THE UGLY: Because arenas and butler are huge players that are mssing, Arena their points, Butler their heartbeat.

Toronto Raptors
48/11.0 conference
THE Good:pace and speed could outrun anyone in the east.
the bad:bargani and mo pete out.
the ugly: missed washington, now have to play on fire new jersey the only other east side not to be outpaced.
bottom line: Toronto

Los Angeles Lakers
70/ 51.0 conference
the good: emperor kobe.
the bad: the rest of them.
the ugly: how they going to stop nash and stodamire.
the bottom line: nevermind the famous triangle they'll need the bermuda triangle to get out of the wild west.

Denver Nuggets
44/ 35.0 conference
the good: on paper match up well.
the bad: in experience and winning not so.
the ugly: nene and camby's foul trouble or melo's temper could cost them.
the bottom line: If a lot of elements click in the nuggets can cause lots of problems, but their elders Spurs should teach them a lesson or two about team basketball.

Golden State Warriors
250/ 101 conference
the good: regular season record against the mavs.
the bad: this is the playoffs.
the ugly: the mavs know how to get it done and have a wealth more options.
the bottom line: can cause the mavericks problems with their big guards and a coach who knows how to get inside drik-s head but should be happy just to be there.

Orlando Magic
150/51.0 conference
the good: hill and millic have a point to prove.howard will be difficult to deal with.
the bad:so do detroit.
the ugly: worst team in the playoffs.
the bottom line:should be happy to steal a game against the pistons.

New Jersey Nets
90
the good: kidd, carter mikki moore,hot form at right time.
the bad:
the ugly:no legit big man if they came up against the wallaces or shaq.
the bottom line:the nets can spring a few shocks or two but it's too much to ask them to go all the way.

RECOMMENDATIONS
PLAYOFF MATCHUPS: New Jersey can beat Toronto at 2.30 with Centrebet and a nice juicky stake should be placed, in a fifty fifty series Miami look good value at 2.20 to overcome Chicago.
East conference winner value bet : New Jersey Nets 20/1 Ladbrokes: This could be worth some small stakes as New Jersey can certainly overcome Toronto, they have no reason to fear Cleveland and that puts them in the Conference final.
EAST CONFERENCE WINNER: Miami and Chicago 5.5/ 7.0 ladbrokes. Slightly bigger stakes on these two, the bet is to oppose Detroit and both these sides have the capability of going all the way whoever wins this could well be the finalists in the western boys whipping race.
WEST CONFERENCE WINNER: Phoenix and San Antonio are both capable of winning the wild west and look value.
OVERALL WINNER: Dallas/Phoenix and San Antonio are the three teams I can see winning this and if you can hve them all on side and still be making profit then it needs to be done, big stakes on each of these will return wins, it's one of the biggest value bets of the year.

That's us for the weekend have a great sports weekend in the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than a ticket for Bon Jovi at wembley, but with better hairstyles.

MORE OPTIONS THAN A LATENIGHT ITV PHONE QUIZ

BETTING BLOG FOR Tuesday april 17-Friday 20 april.

Well were back in our all new timeslot, if a blog can have a timeslot, we'll be posting twice a week from now on, every tuesday, every friday with all your sports betting needs. Be sure to sign up at the bottomof the page for free and we'll send you exact news when we update and any general betting thoughts outside of the day. In the meanwhile on with the goodies.

FOOTBALL
PREMIER LEAGUE

TUESDAY

ARSENAL V MAN CITY: Watching the female US astronaut running the Boston marathon in space was a bit like watching Arsenal playing football this season, some of it was out of the world but you couldn't help laugh at the absurdity of the situation. As for Man City the moon might need to be made of cheese before Stuart Pearce ever leads them to the league title, both sides are safe, the game though needs swerving quicker than an oncoming metoroid.

MAN UNITED V SHEFF UNITED: Maybe one day we'll be united and our love won't be devided so sang the nineties pop legends that were Marky Mark and Prince Ital. This is not only a very deep if mispelt lyric, but an accurate summary of the gulf between these two sides. As United and Chelsea fly away out of sight quicker than ice in a nightclub, the likes of Watford and Sheff United are their Kate Mosses, their poor unfortunate targets. It does not take a wise man or a great betting mind to predict the inevitable United win, which is lucky because I'm neither. What I am though is resourceful and I can come up with more viable options than an ITV premium phone quiz. For those interested in betting on this game far better to swerve the 1.17 on offer for the home win and take the odds on the 4/7 united to cover the plus one handicap with betdirect.

WEDNESDAY
BLACKBURN V WATFORD: Hangovers are a terrible thing, they leave you dazed, confused, with every slight movement becoming a living nightmare of co-ordination and balance, or being Emile Heskey. It remains to be seen how both sides react to the cup loss, but their could be small value in getting on Watford to cover the handicap. They need the win more than Blackburn and with the draw on your side seem capable of a point, or at least not getting hammered.

LIVERPOOL V MIDDLESBROUGH: Natalie Portman has recently said she is considering a lesbian affair I note that because it's a lot more interesting than anything this game could produce, verdict no bet, that's on the football not on portman's relationship.

WEST HAM V CHELSEA: D-I-V-O-R-C-E once sang Tammy Wynette, but then again she also sang Stand By Your Man, the poor man must have done something terrible to change her view, something akin to what Jose must have done to Roman to make him want to split with the manager who might just win them a trophy, or two, or three, or four, this season. West Ham for their part have also undergone a painful divorce this season, divorcing themselves from reality, as Nigel Reo-Coker, Anton Ferdinand et al seemed to suddenly think they were world class footballers who need not put the effort. However as all marriage guidance councillors will tell you need to put the effort in or it could in tears. Chelsea to win and push United all the way, West Ham for r-e-l-e-g-a-t-i-o-n.

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
TUESDAY
BURNLEY V NORWICH: Norwich might be marginally over-priced here but the fact is that these two teams are safe for another season and as such this is about as trustworthy with your money as a conservative government.
LEICESTER V BIRMINGHAM: Both these side badly need a win for differing reasons, it is a game with huge implications at either of the table but with stakes so high and this being a Derby then it's one not to bet on. In fact it's so serious I refrained from making a joke.

NON LEAGUE
If you to tend spread as little as a virgin waiting for the right guy, the time might be right to pop your spread betting cherry, those guys at sporting index are sweet talking us and you into a nice deal with 27-30 mini performance on Stevenage. This allows 15 for a win and 10 per goal. Bearing in mind this a must win for Stevenage and that they have ten goals in their last three games this seems worth a little investment on them to gain more than the points spread.

WEEKLY DIARY
Tuesday, April 17
CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight, Bridgetown: South Africa v England.
TENNIS: Monte Carlo: Masters Series.
ICE HOCKEY: Ljubljana: World Championship Division One group B.
RACING: Exeter. Nottingham. Warwick.

Wednesday, April 18
RUGBY UNION: Magners League: Cardiff v Dragons. Llanelli v Ospreys.
CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight, St George's: Ireland v Sri Lanka.
LV County Championship Division One (to Apr 21): Surrey v Yorkshire. Sussex v Kent. Warwickshire v Lancashire. Worcestershire v Durham.
Division Two (to Apr 21): Essex v Derbyshire. Somerset v Middlesex. Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire.
TENNIS: Monte Carlo: Masters Series.
ICE HOCKEY: Ljubljana: World Championship Division One group B.
RACING: Beverley. Cheltenham. Newmarket.

Thursday, April 19
CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight, Bridgetown: West Indies v Bangladesh.
LV County Championship Division One: Surrey v Yorkshire. Sussex v Kent. Warwickshire v Lancashire. Worcestershire v Durham.
Division Two: Essex v Derbyshire. Somerset v Middlesex. Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire.
GOLF: Shanghai: BMW Asian Open (to Apr 22). Louisiana: Zurich Classic (to Apr 22).
TENNIS: Monte Carlo: Masters Series.
ICE HOCKEY: Ljubljana: World Championship Division One group B .
SQUASH: Dublin: Irish Open (to Apr 24).
RACING: Cheltenham. Newmarket. Ripon. Tipperary.

LIVE SPORT ON TV
ATP Masters
14:30 Sky Sports 1 South Africa v England World Cup Super Eights
17:30 BBC2 Northern Ireland /
BBC Interactive Semi-final U19 World Championship
18:10 NASN Pittsburgh v St Louis MLB
19:30 Sky Sports 2 South Africa v England World Cup Super Eights
19:30 BBC2 Northern Ireland /
BBC Interactive /
British Eurosport 2 Semi-final U19 World Championship
20:00 Sky Sports 1 /
Sky Sports HD1 Manchester Utd v Sheffield Utd Premiership
20:00 Setanta Sports 1 Montceau Les Mines v Sochaux French Cup Semi-final
20:05 Setanta Ireland Drogheda v Derry Setanta Sports Cup
21:00 British Eurosport Stanislav Merdov v Daniel Kodjo Sassou WBO Inter-Continental Featherweight
Wednesday 18th April
00:00 Setanta Ireland Boston v Toronto MLB
00:00 NASN Ottawa v Pittsburgh NHL Play-offs
03:00 NASN Detroit v Calgary NHL Play-offs
09:00 Sky Sports Xtra Monte Carlo Day 3 ATP Masters
10:30 British Eurosport Euro 2012 Host Announcement UEFA Euro 2012
14:30 Sky Sports 1 Ireland v Sri Lanka World Cup Super Eights
19:00 Sky Sports 2 Ireland v Sri Lanka World Cup Super Eights
19:30 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland Inter Milan v Roma Serie A
20:00 Sky Sports 1 /
Sky Sports HD1 West Ham Utd v Chelsea Premiership
20:35 NASN LA Angels v Oakland MLB
Thursday 19th April
00:00 Setanta Ireland Atlanta v NY Rangers NHL Play-offs
00:30 NASN Buffalo v NY Islanders NHL Play-offs
01:40 Five TBC MLB
03:00 NASN Nashville v San Jose NHL Play-offs
06:30 Sky Sports 1 Asian Open Day 1 Euro Tour
09:00 Sky Sports Xtra Monte Carlo Day 4 ATP Masters
14:30 Sky Sports 1 West Indies v Bangladesh World Cup Super Eights
19:30 Sky Sports 2 Terry Jenkins v Adrian Lewis, Peter Manley v Roland Scholten, Dennis Priestley v Raymond van Barneveld, Colin Lloyd v Phil Taylor Premier League
20:00 Sky Sports 3 Sevilla v Deportivo Copa Del Rey Semi-final 1st Leg
20:00 Setanta Golf /
Setanta Sports 1 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Day 1 PGA Tour
20:00 Setanta Ireland Ireland v South Africa IHF World Championships
Friday 20th April
00:00 Setanta Ireland Houston v Cincinnati MLB
00:00 NASN Pittsburgh v Ottawa NHL Play-offs
03:00 NASN DET v CGY or DAL v VAN NHL Play-offs
06:30 Sky Sports 1 Asian Open Day 2 Euro Tour
10:00 Sky Sports Xtra Monte Carlo Day 5 ATP Masters
11:00 British Eurosport Istanbul, Turkey: 125cc Practice MotoGP
11:45 British Eurosport Istanbul, Turkey: Practice MotoGP
13:00 British Eurosport Istanbul, Turkey: 250cc Practice MotoGP

TRENDS
Don't worry not a fashion blog trust me I'm far from qualified, but a look at certain market trends, this time out were going to look at draws in Italy. Far be it from me to suggest Italian football is corrupter than an ITV phone in quiz, but I have heard it suggested from regular Italian soccer betters that there is strange things happen with the draw market in the last few months of the season, one to keep your eye on.

THE WISH I WAS ON THAT BET
The 69,616-1 on the six nil-nil draws on the French football. Wish I had a pound of that.

Until the meantime I'll be back here on friday with the second of your second part, in the meantime were out of here quicker than stupid comments from Bryan Ferry's mouth.

THE LATE LATE SHOW

Hey all we've gone with the exciting change of putting this up later in the day now, so we can bring you more updates and betting news, let me know how you think it works, in the meanwhile, here's today's market impact. Remember if you want some bedtime reading you can sign up at the bottom of the page and we'll email you everytime we update.

THE MOVERS AND THE SHAKERS
1720: Bet365 have suspended betting on the next permanent manager of Leicester City after a quick-fire gamble on Paul Ince.
Spokesman Steve Freeth said: "We’d only just put the market out and our liability screens were flashing and lighting up like a Christmas tree – we’ve seen enough for the time being.
"There was a colossal gamble on Ince for the Coventry job back in February that didn’t materialise, but this looks the real deal.
"Ince then still had his hands full keeping Macclesfield in the Football League, but our punters seem to think he’ll be taking the reins from Nigel Worthington at the start of next season.

As a Norwich fan it will be interesting to see if Worthy really was a rubbish manager or just a rubbish manager.

17.00: England are the 13/8 underdogs with totesport to win their first ever match at the new Wembley when they take on Brazil on June 1st.
The Brazilians are the 6/4 favourites with the draw a 2/1 shot.
Paul Petrie, totesport spokesman, commented: "The form that England are in at the moment you would have thought they would have picked easier opposition than this in order to build their confidence."
Like Andorra or Wales perhaps.
The firm is offering 11/2 that England will lose 1-0, the same scoreline they suffered against Germany in their last game at Wembley.

15.53: Joes Edge has taken over from Point Barrow as totesport's John Smith's Grand National favourite. Joes Edge is 8/1 from 10/1, while Dun Doire is out to 12/1 from 10s.

TENNIS
Britain’s Davis Cup side have be drawn against 2005 winners Croatia for their World Group play-off clash in September and William Hill make Team GB their 2/1 outsiders with Croatia offered at 4/11.
Andy Murray is 6/1 to win a Grand Slam this year and 12/1 to win Wimbledon, whilst former British number one Tim Henman is 100/1 to win the elusive Wimbledon title.

There's the mugs bet of the day for you.

THE SPORTING DIARY FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS

Wednesday, April 11

FOOTBALL: (all 1945) Champions League quarter-final second legs: Liverpool v PSV Eindhoven. Bayern Munich v AC Milan.
CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight, Bridgetown: England v Bangladesh.
TENNIS: Valencia: Open de Comunidad. Houston: US Clay Court Championships. South Carolina: Family Circle Women's Cup.
RACING: Bath. Exeter. Hereford.

Thursday, April 12
FOOTBALL: (all 1945) UEFA Cup quarter-final second legs: Tottenham v Sevilla. Benfica v Espanyol. Osasuna v Bayer Leverkusen. Werder Bremen v AZ Alkmaar.
CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight, St George's: Sri Lanka v New Zealand.
GOLF: Shanghai: China Open . South Carolina: Verizon Heritage.
TENNIS: Valencia: Open de Comunidad. Houston: US Clay Court Championships. South Carolina: Family Circle Women's Cup.
RACING: Aintree. Leicester. Taunton. Tipperary.

LIVE SPORT ON TV
19:00 Sky Sports 3 Bangladesh v England World Cup Super Eights
19:20 NASN Houston v Chicago Cubs MLB
19:45 Sky Sports 2 Bayern Munich v AC Milan UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 2nd Leg
19:45 Sky Sports 1 /
Sky Sports HD1 /
Setanta Ireland (N. Ireland only) Liverpool v PSV Eindhoven UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 2nd Leg
Thursday 12th April
00:00 NASN Conf. Quarter-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
00:30 Setanta Ireland Georgia v Philadelphia NHL
01:50 Five TBC MLB
03:00 NASN Conf. Quarter-finals Game 1 NHL Play-offs
07:00 Sky Sports 1 China Open Day 1 Euro Tour
14:30 Sky Sports 1 New Zealand v Sri Lanka World Cup Super Eights

THE BETTING ZONE
Doo doo doo doo, that's supposed to be scary zone like music, okay we'll work on that one. In the meanwhile thoughts for tonight's Champions League game, if anyone's still listening after last night's marvellous prediction. It wasn't even close between man united and Roma, here's hoping tonight's games have some tension and don't leave us like the Life On Mars ending tired and confused.
Liverpool should come through against PSV in the same way the sun should shine tommorrow morning though I would laugh if they suffered an Istanbul style reverse. However I'll not be holding out for that and instead will suggested a no bet as it's hard to get onside for a side who can coast through the game. PSV meanwhile just have 16 fit players which means there about as likely to frighten Liverpool as someone with a white sheet running around shouting whoo holy ghost. Expect a scrappy game.
Bayern v AC should be a lot more interesting and I would recommend some small stakes on Kaka at 10.0 in the first scorer, anytime market with BET365. AC need to attack and Kaka is one of the Champions League top scorers with two less than stellar defences i'm expecting goals and a match that lasts longer than thirty minutes.
BET OF THE DAY: Kaka anytime scorer/first time at 10.0 with BET365.
MUG OF THE DAY: BET365 for offering odds on Ince to be next permanent Leicester manager when all the papers told us the punters that fact this morning.

Be back tommorrow evening, in the meanwhile subscribe for free and we don't sell your email, in the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than Sam Tyler returning to the modern day world.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

Apologies for the Tony Blair style holiday absence, but I had a lot of things on and some of them even paid me money which is more than this blog does, still I have time on my hands today so on with the blog.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
The end of a busy weekend of sporting action has seen us all gorged silly and over fed on sports and there is no end in sight with this week's european football, ongoing cricket world cup and grand national. Here is a look at how the market is moving and how none of us probably still can.

FOOTBALL: Fulham's 3-1 home reverse defeat Manchester City on Easter Monday has seen their price run quicker than Chris Coleman at the sight of the cross, Coleman's side could well be sucked into the battle, you missed the jokes huh, and are now down to 4/1 with William Hill and Coral for the drop.
West Ham (2/5), Sheffield United (8/15) and Charlton (10/11) all remain odds-on at this stage, the latter earning another point with a 0-0 scoreline at home to Reading.
Wigan also grabbed a point at Aston Villa and they are out to 10/3 at Betfred while 1/200 chances Watford threw themselves the slightest lifeline by beating Portsmouth 4-2 at Vicarage Road.

Sunderland are now 4/6 favourites with William Hill to win the Championship following their 2-1 win at Southampton.
Hills make Derby 15/8 second favourites with Birmingham 9/2 third best.

Regular readers will have hopefully followed our ten to one on Sunderland a couple of months back and should now be feeling as happy as someone who has escaped a Roy Keane telling off.
Meanwhile at the bottom Colchester did a Leeds on Leeds, scoring late not selling all their best players and paying over the top for a goldfish. This dropped Leeds back into the relegation zone and the Whites are 5-6 to fall into League One.
Brentford were the first team in the Football League to be relegated after a 3-1 loss at Crewe. The Bees, who were 8-1 for the drop ante-post, are 12-1 with Bet365 to win League Two.

CRICKET: Daniel Vettori is into as short as 10/1 following his heroics against Ireland yesterday. Which if is heroic is as heroic as Superman showing his might against an evil three year old.
Vettori mopped up the tail with four wickets as New Zealand ran out 129 run winners in Guyana and that haul has taken the left-arm spinner onto 12 wickets, just three behind leaders Lasith Malinga and Glenn McGrath.
And he ranges in price from just 10/1 with Stan James to 16s at Sky Bet.
Malinga is 5/2 favourite with Ladbrokes, McGrath is 7/2 at Hills, it's then 5/1 Muttiah Muralitharan and 16/1 bar.

RUGBY LEAGUE: St Helens are down to as low as 1.47 with Betfair to win the Rugby League thing is it a title or champiosnhip? Leeds who face Wigan tonight are next best, closed followed (LIKE A not so discrete stalekr) by Bradford.

NOVELTY: Switzerland are the new bookies favourites for Eurovision, our tip Sweden are great value at 8.00 with Boylesports,
I promise I'm not on comission I just think the song is a great song that is catchy on first listen and will do well, still a great value bet.

Switzerland 7.5 9
Sweden 8 8
Serbia 11 13
Belarus 12 13
Bulgaria 13 15
Russia 13 14.5
Ukraine 15 16
Greece 17 19.5
Cyprus 21 19
Romania 26 27
Israel 34 44
United Kingdom 34

TODAY'S THE DAY
SPORT DIARY
TUESDAY APRIL 10
FOOTBALL
Champions League quarter-final second legs (1945): Man Utd v Roma. Valencia v Chelsea.
CRICKET WORLD CUP
World Cup Super Eight, St George's: West Indies v South Africa (David Clough covering).
DOMESTIC CRICKET
Lord's: Friends Provident Trophy launch (1300).
RUGBY LEAGUE
Engage Super League: Leeds v Wigan (2000).
TENNIS
Valencia: Open de Comunidad (to Apr 15).
Houston: US Clay Court Championships (to Apr 15).
South Carolina: Family Circle Women's Cup (to Apr 15).
RACING
Chepstow. Fontwell. Pontefract. Fairyhouse

LIVE SPORT ON TV
14:30 Sky Sports 1 South Africa v West Indies World Cup Super Eights
18:00 British Eurosport 2 Real Madrid v Lietuvos Rytas ULEB Cup Final
19:05 NASN Seattle v Boston MLB
19:45 ITV1 Manchester Utd v Roma UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 2nd Leg
19:45 ITV4 /Setanta Ireland (N. Ireland only) Valencia v Chelsea UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 2nd Leg
20:00 Sky Sports 2 /Sky Sports HD2 Leeds v Wigan Super League
Wednesday 11th April
00:05 NASN Kansas City v Toronto MLB
00.50 NBA Channel five I'm too lazy too look into my tv guide to find out, it'll be worth it for Mark Webster's jumper alone.

THE TIPPING POINT
If I keep typing in this title Google will pick it up and I'll get hits from intellectuals in the meanwhile I'll make do with you lot:)
FOOTBALL: THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Some things are hard to seperate, Siameese Twins for instance and previously The Atom, tonight's teams in The Champions League is also a case in point. Which is precisely why you should bet and shouldn't bet, confused, that makes two of us. The notion is that there should be little in the betting between the two teams for both matches, home advantage should be shading the odds slightly. Which is why Valencia v Chelsea is a no bet and Man United v Roma is a must bet.
Roma came through 2-1 in the last leg and have the advantage. United will need to attack and this will suit Roma's style of play greatly, the side specalise on counter attacks and with Totti up front can cause problems to a United defence badly missing Vidic and Neville. Roma should be backed with the away win at 6.5 with Boylesports and the draw at 3.6 with Boylesports.
In addition Small stakes on Totti at 10/1 to be the first scorer with BET365. The reason is twofold, Totti is an ace striker and penalty taker and United's need to attack will give Roma counter attacking opportunities. The second is that BET365 need to be rewarded and possibly punished for offering a new and unique market.
They are offering an excellent service where your inital stake is entered into a double market, in this case 10.00 on Totti first scorer becomes thirded and 3.something is on offer for Totti to score anytime.
RUGBY LEAGUE Leeds at 2.0 to cover the handicap against Leeds. Our other bet for the day is in the Rugby League where BET365 again need to be applauded for offering evens on the handicap, Wigan were hammered by St Helens and might find Leeds too much for them, small stakes advised.
BASKETBALL: No bets as such but pleased to see Centrebet finally being prepared to push the NBA coverage markets with player performance points an interesting addition.

STARS OF THE DAY: BET365 AND Centrebet for pushing betting on.
MUGS OF THE DAY: All the bookies who are now insisting that you have to send them copies of your driving Licence or Passport if you only have a VisaElectron card, there stance on under age betting is honourable but they need to find ways around that as who can be bothered to photocopy their driving licence just to have a bet.
BET OF THE DAY: Roma not to lose.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Always be sure to check specials for value, Hills for instance offer a double on United going out, but the two match betting singles are a better price.

Well that's it for today, be back tommorrow with more stuff including a new feature The Blaggers Guide to, where we take an aspect of sport or betting, ask a number of experts and come up with the blaggers guide to appearing widely knowledgable about an area you might not have the time to be into.

In the meanwhile I'm out of here slower than Everton's Lescott at an offside trap.

BACK TOMMORROW

Fear not back tommorrow with Champions League Coverage and a whole host of new funny jokes, well new anyway, see you all then.