A MUG'S GUIDE TO BETTING

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL

2007-05-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Who would have thought we would look to nineties low key drum n bass act The Propellerheads for betting inspiration but so we do. It seems there has been a massive punt on the 3-3 score line tonight, an act likely to repeat itself as Paris Hilton is to think oh getting in that car drunk seems like a good plan, okay maybe even less likely. It seems obscene to expect such a score, especially with both sides looking to cram the midfield with ball winners like Maschareano, Sissoko, Seedorf and of course the man himself Gattuso. You can praise your Kaka's (and if your two or three you tend to do) and your Gerrard's, but the real key and the first player I would have on my team is midfield jack russell Gattuso. There was a reason Italy won the world cup, Milan beat Man United and why I think Milan will win tonight. He'll continue to get overlooked and so won't get a nod in the man of the match market but he'll be the real key as to why Milan will wn tonight. That and I have a little vodoo doll of the Liverpool team.
Those who follow the blog will know we told you to get on milan at 3-1 before the semif finals and with Liverpool now available at 2/1 it's the rare situation of a win win evening for mug punter followers. Still if your finding your powder a bit dry(whatever that means) and want to add another bet to your market you can look at the range of specials on offer. The one that caught my eye most is the Paddy Power special about Liverpool coming back from the dead. The one big issue with Milan that remains is that they do tend to fade and so a small stake on Pddy power's (o.5 stakes) of Liverpool coming back from the dead could be advised to cover the bigger game stakes. Liverpool to come from behind and win 17.0 and Liverpool to come from behind and draw 7.0. In addition the 10.0 on betfred's Milan and Liverpool penalties win is good value with the game promising to be a tight affair(0.5 pts each.) However the real one to steam into is Liverpool at 3.75(boylesports) if as advised pre semi final you already have Milan on board at 4.0.
Let's hope like the Propellerheads former collaborator Shirley Bassey this match is a little belter.

PHIL SPECTOR'S HAIRDRESSER, BIRD COMPOTE AND PG TIPS, YES REALLY.

2007-05-18T02:22:00.000-07:00

BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPET PART TWO

Our nice little streak continues after the success of Seville we followed up with Lambert at 4.1 in the anytime market as Bristol Rovers blasted Lincoln, you'll excuse if were looking like the cta that's swallowed the cream, followed by a fish supper and a bird compote. It pays to follow us and it doesn't mean you have to pay so why do people still pay for tips, unless they're of the PG kind and you can put them in your cup.

CAPTAIN COOK THE ENTREPETED EXPLORER
Bravely going places where no other has gone before befits some with the name of Cook. England batsman Alastair seems to have gone where few before him have gone batting with pateince, skill and poise to hit a great century to put England in a solid if not too convincing position. The weather could be a factor in the match but there seems more hope with Cook batting in a disciplined manner. He never looked like getting out yesterday and you should sail full steam ahead(if we still use steam) and back BET365's offer of 2.0 the 150plus on Cook runs and 4.0 the 200plus.

THE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Football is like Poker but with less cards (unless it involves Graham Poll) and improved dietary regulations. Actually it is nothing like Poker but that wasted a good few lines when all I have to say is that both tonight's games offer no value whatsoever, that's right I'd rather invest in Enron (note to FBI I never did it) then get involved in tonight's games. Interesting watches but then you say that about a market stall just don't get caught out yourself.

NBA PLAYOFFS
The NBA continues to roll on with Detroit and Utah securing places in the final while San Antonio lead Phoenix 3-2 and Cleveland lead New Jersey 3-2. The odds are almost identical for tonight's game sixes with the home side favourite for the win, but the away team capable of sneaking it on the outside. My advice is to keep your money tight our investers should already have New Jersey each way and San Antonio and Phoenix for the West, like a good poker player it's time to keep your hand and your cards close to you and not fold. And no poker is nothing like basketball either.

BOOTS N ALL
Something's in life require handicapping, Paris Hilton for instance could have benefited if someone imbolised her car, Phil Spector could have done with immbolising his hairdresser who hasn't really helped his image, Rugby League betting also benefits from Handicaps. Potential one side games like St Helens and Wakefield become, well slightly less one sided one sided games. St Helens should have more than an enough to cover the handicap tonight, of 26.0 at 1.91. Hull KR could also be worth a smaller punt to cover the handicap against Wigan, given 16 points at odds of 1.91. Bradford and Huddersfield like new love birds are inseperable.

RECOMMENDATIONS: 3PTS ON ST HELENS TO COVER HANDICAP AAGINST WAKEFIELD OF 26.0 points. 1.91 BET365.
1PT each on Alaistair Cook to score 150 or more 2.0 BET365 and 200 or more at 4.0.
0.5 pts on the handicap Hull KR plus 16 against Wigan 1.91.
ALREADY RECOMMENDED: Bristol Rovers to win the playoffs
San Antonio and Phoenix for the West and the NBA title.
New Jersey at 16.0 each way for Eastern Conference title.

Be back tommorrow with the FA cup thoughts and the road to Wembley, no not the M1.

THE BEST OFFER SINCE WE TOOK SEVILLE AT 7/1

2007-05-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPET

We don't like to blow our own trumpet here at the blog, not least because we neither own nor play one, but a little over a few months ago we advised Seville at 7/1 to win the UEFA Cup after they rested some players for a first leg and went behind, last night they did the business (all be it on penalties) and returned a nice little profit. Don't thank us though but feel free to contribute to the trumpet if you want to.

I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY,LUCKY,LUCKY

Though this series has more promise than a husband before the wedding, it'll probably end up like the wedding, a massive disappointment. Punters and pundits alike seem to think England will walk this one and judging by the mess the West indies are in it's hard to oppose, but it desn't exactly encourage you to get onside with the predictions. England are very much like Jodie Marsh a lot up front, but not much behind. These two themes tie in nicely with the news MTV are launching a search to find Jodie a new husband, this is the perfect opportunity, and some lucky fellowers, like the out of sorts England cricket team, will not believe their luck. For those who want to try their hand, at the betting, rather than the marriage thing, you could do worse than some small stakes on top batsman. Chanderpaul at 4.0 could be worth small stakes to be top West Indian batsman in a weak line up, Harmison and Hoggard can both be backed at 3.25 to be top England bowler in Flintoff's absence.

PIRATES OF THE RIVER AVON

It's believed Hollywood producers are struggling to convince Depp, Bloom and Knightely that they would be best served to make a fourth film set in the river avon as they attempt to negotiate the dangers of Bristol, the traffic,the bridge and the under achieving football clubs, that could be all set to change. Bristol City got promotion and Bristol Rovers are going well, those of you already on our recommendation of Bristol Rovers to win the playoffs could do well to add to this with a stake on Lambert a 4.1 to be anytime scorer, care of extrabet. The Bristol club, like a celebrity hunted by a tabloid journalist are prepared to attack away from home and the Lincoln defence is about as steady as Johnny Depp's accent, the result, an over-rated trilogy oh and Bristol to progress to the final.

MUGS BET OF THE DAY
Big Brother to organise a foreign exchange programme (with another reality TV show) (3/1)
Exactly four housemates to be evicted in one night (not including the last eviction) (8/1)
Big Brother to give the housemates a Parrot (10/1)

I don't know who are the biggest mugs on this, Paddy Power for offering Endemol makers free money, Punters who back a maket more rigged than WWE wrestling or those of us who watch it.

In the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than Jose Mourinho on receipt of a phone call about his dog see you all tommorrow, well not in a physical sense,unless I have stalkers.

2007-05-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY MAY 15TH

FOOTBALL
DERBY V SOUTHAMPTON

Some things in life are certain, the eastern block will dominate Eurovision voting, Lorraine Kelly will have an item on fashion and if it's an issue on anything Lily Allen will have an opinion. In fact I was going to get Lily to have an opinion on the Derby v Southampton match but for somee reason her press publicist doesn't deem this blog good for Lily's career, I mean I admit we have one or two less hits than her myspace account, but still I'm sure people here were wanting to know her opinions on this key playoff clash, as it is we'll have to make do with my thoughts.
Watching the last leg I was struck with one consuming thought, are Walkers crisp packets getting bigger while the amount of crisps are getting smaller, oh and the fact there was little between these two sides. Which lead me to two thoughts, always buy McCoys and look to see if there is any value on the away side for the second leg and lo and behold there is. Let me explain why, Southampton and Derby have little to seperate them and with away goals not counting double then Southampton just need a one.nil win to get extra time. The 3/1 with Bet365 on Southampton to qualify is worth a punt as there is little between these two sides, Southampton have a decent away record and have scored on each of their last sixteen away encounters. Derby failed to win ten of their twenty three home games, these are two sides more equal than an American celebrity and a normal member of public in the eyes of the law. It doesn't take Lily Allen (luckily for you and me) that this represents good value and is worth a low level stake.
RECOMMENDED: 2.0 pts on Southampton to qualify Bet365/ladbrokes.

BETTING NEWS
With cheesy tabloid style headlines.

FORLORN VAUGHAN: Sky Bet make Andrew Strauss a 5/1 chance to skipper England in all four Tests against the West Indies this summer.
Strauss takes over from Michael Vaughan who misses the opening game at Lord's this week after breaking a finger - though he is hoping to be back for the second Test on home turf at Headingley.
Strauss is also 11/4 to score England's first Test century of the summer and 5/4 for over 330 runs in the series.
As far as the match odds are concerned this week, it's 8/15 England, 2/1 the draw and 15/2 the Windies.

OUR THOUGHTS: We will have a full preview tommorrow, unless we can get Lily Allen or even Peaches Geldof would do.

ROTATION ROTATION ROTATION: The next Manchester City manager market has settled down in the last 12 hours or so, with former Chelsea and current Parma boss Claudio Ranieri remaining the clear faviourite.

THOUGHTS: I have to confess I cut and paste half this stuff from bettingzone to save you the trouble but really a professional website where people get paid should no how to spell favourite, I however do this for free and can make all the typos I like.

He was backed yesterday from 16/1 right into evens and that's the price he is at the moment with Ladbrokes, who then offer 6/1 Paul Jewell, 8/1 Billy Davies and 12/1 bar.

However if the press are to be believed then there could be moves this morning for PSV chief Ronald Koeman and AZ Alkmaar boss Louis van Gaal. They've both been flagged up as possible candidates but neither yet features in Ladbrokes' list.

OUR THOUGHTS: I'm pretty certain I heard from a Man City board member they were after a continental manager and last i Checked Liverpool(Jewell) and Scotland (Davies) were not thought of as continental, unless your from Middlesborough then anything is.
The Ranieri appointment would be a little mad, far better for Man City would be Koeman or Van Gaal, especially Van Gaal who has built a strong attacking football side at AZ, this is Man City though and who knows what they might do, I'd recommend laying bar though as no manager ever called bar has a job and you can quote me on that.

A GOOD MOVE? With Reading's Steve Sidwell expected to sign for Chelsea, William Hill are offering odds of 2/5 that he will score a Premiership goal for them next season should he sign, and 7/4 that he will fail to do so.
Given the competition for places at Stamford Bridge, Hills also offer 11/10 that he will make seven or fewer starts in the Premiership next season for the Blues.
It's 11/8 that he will make between eight and 13 league starts and 7/2 for 14 or more games.

OUR THOUGHTS: If Sidwell is to end up at Chelsea the 7/2 is not the worse price, he could easily play a sitting role for the club allowing Essien to work around the pitch more and with Makelele and Lampard yet to sort contract matters he could be a good addition, worth keeping an eye on. The price that is not Makele that thing is called stalking.

0745: Finsceal Beo is Cashmans' 6/4 favourite for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot - and 1/3 to gain revenge on her French 1000 Guineas conqueror Darjina.
Jim Bolger's filly failed by just a head to hold Alain de Royer-Dupre's runner at Longchamp on Sunday after winning the Stan James 1000 Guineas at Newmarket a week earlier.
And in a special match bet between the big two, the Cork-based firm make Finsceal Beo 1/3 and Darjina 9/4.
Coronation Stakes, Cashmans bet: 6/4 Finsceal Beo, 5/1 Darjina, 7/1 Sander Camillo, 8/1 Yaqeem, 10/1 Mi Emma.

OUR THOUGHTS:Is it just me or is this a greater collection of horse names as you'll ever see.

CARLOS THE JACKAL TO BE SNAPPED UP: Sky Bet have installed Liverpool as 3/1 favourites to snap up West Ham saviour Carlos Tevez for the start of next season.
Tevez was instrumental in the Hammers' escape act which saw them seal Premiership survival on the final day of the campaign with a 1-0 victory over champions Manchester United.
He scored the winner in that match and six goals in total in the final nine games but the speculation has already started as to where he will ply his trade next term.
Sky Bet make the Argentine 4/1 to be playing for Chelsea, 9/2 for Barcelona and 6/1 for Manchester United. It's an 8/1 chance he's still with the Hammers on the opening day of the next Premiership season.

OUR THOUGHTS: According to the tabloids he's off to Real Madrid for thirty million. Believe who you will. I personally think Tevez will end up some warm and sunny, like Inverness maybe.

Well that's all for today I may be back later on with some NBA thoughts and then again I may not, until thenwe'll leave you with today's mugs bet of the day.

MUG BET OF THE DAY: ANDY MURRAY at 2.38 up against clay specalist Volandri represents today's worst value of the day, backing it would be the biggest mistake since Sly Stallone decided he had nothing to declare.

I won't push you, but don't get mugged get the muggins.

IT'S SO UNFAIR I HATE YOU

2007-05-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

Somethings in life are unfair, the football league playoffs for instance give equal chance to teams finishing third and sixth, but short of starting a Paris Hilton style petition or having a jose mourinho style strop what are we to do. We can quietly lambast the game into our pints, while enjoying the footballing feast we are served and of course hope that we make some money off the bookies, that's where I come in, the making money bit you can buy yur own pint you cheapskate.

COCA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
West Brom 3.5(betdirect) 3.5 (betfair)
Derby 3.61 (extrabet) 4.2 (betfair)
Southampton 3.75 (boyle) 3.8 (betfair)
Wolves 4.3 (betfred) 4.7 (betdaq)
FIRST LEG ODDS

12-05-2007
12:00 Southampton (2.25) (general) Draw (3.25) (general) Derby (3.25) (power/premier/expekt)
13-05-2007
12:00 Wolverhampton (2.5) /bet365/power/expekt) Draw (3.25)general) West Brom (2.88) (power/premier)

Like the space between Paris Hilton's brain and her face there is nothing much to seperate things here. West Brom are the bookies favourite by virtue of having ended the season with a bit of a goal bonanza almost scoring as many goals in one game as their semi final opponents Wolves have in one season. This means there games could go one of two ways, Wolves could score more than normal because they are more opportunities to attack against an attacking side like West Brom, or West Brom could get sucked into a negative game. The other game is quite similar featuring an offensive side Southampton against a defensive side in Derby.
Playing wise it is hard to seperate all four sides, statistic wise it is worth noting that the away side in the first leg tends to come through two legged ties more than often, case in point is the champions league semi final. All four sides have plusses and minuses, West Brom score a hatful of goals but also leak them, Wolves the opposite, Derby have good squad depth but a lot of key injuries to players such as Barnes, Southampton have a wealth of talent but are not hit and miss. All could be considered good or bad value and it just depends on who gets their game together three times in a row, for us it's like Paris Hilton one to watch(and lOrd knows lots of people have or currently are) but not to get involved with.

COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE
Nottm Forest 3.1(premier) 3.05
Blackpool 3.25 (general) 3.25
Oldham 5 (power) 5.5
Yeovil 5 (boyle) 5.3

MATCHES
11-05-2007
19:45 Yeovil (2.5) Draw (3.25) Nottingham Forest (2.8) 13-05-2007
17:30 Oldham (2.5) Draw (3.25) Blackpool (3)

Two promises for league one we actually do have an opinion and are not going to make any more Paris Hilton jokes. What a teaser huh? Anyway League one is much easier than that and I'm not taking about Paris again, the smart money should be on Blackpool, they might have missed out on the casino but you should double down on Blackpool to come chips in for the Championship. They ended the season with just one defeat in 14, they won the final game of the season 6-3 against the league's other in form side Swansea, they have goals, confidence and look great value at 3.25 with quite a few bookmakers. The rest of the opposition are Forest who are natural favourites but struggle against pacy forwards and the weight of expectation on them will be huge, Yeovil give me a good run for blog followers when we tipped them at 28-1 and will cause Forest problems. Oldham for their part tailed towards the end of the season and a lot depends on their form of two key men in Gregan and Porter either one has an offday and it could be bad news they play nice football under John Sheridan but might not have the depth and mental toughness of a Blackpool.
RECOMMENDATION: 3pts on Blackpool at 3.25.

LEAGUE TWO PLAYOFFS
Milton Keynes 3 3
Bristol Rovers 3.75 3.65
Lincoln 4.3 4.7
Shrewsbury 5 4.9

MATCHES
12-05-2007
17:15 Bristol Rovers (2.2) Draw (3.25) Lincoln City (3.5)
14-05-2007
19:45 Shrewsbury (2.5) Draw (3.25) MK Dons (2.88)

The 3.75 on Bristol Rovers looks like being the best value since the last Primark sale and you need to get there before the stampede starts as the price could come down in the next few days. Bristol went eight games unbeaten at the end of the season including victories over Hartlepool and Swindon, although Lincoln hold the better regular season Bristol Rovers were very impressive in their last few games of the season against sides who got promoted. Lincoln did not win one of their last six and Bristol are the side to be on. In the other tie either side could come through but Bristol are the bet for lague two.

recommendation: Bristol Rovers 2pts at 3.75.

Think we don't know what we are talking about, we told you to get on Sunderland way back at 10-1, we also got advised getting on Hartlepool at 14-1 each way. Be sure to keep us bookmarked throughout the summer and next season for the blog that pays even if you don't pay us.

I'M SO EXCITED AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT

2007-05-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

Less than five hours to the big moment,the one you have all been waiting for that's right the Dundalk Presbyterian Church starts an evening course where for just fourty dollars you can explore effective ways to evangelise, Learn how to teach Mark's Gospel and find out what it feels like to run your very own course, or for those who can't get that hot ticket we have the champions league semi final. A pale shadow of an event but worth a few hours of anyone's time.

TUESDAY 1ST MAY 2007-FRIDAY 4TH MAY 2007
FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
OUTRIGHT BETTING

TEAM Best Bookmakers Best Exchanges Best Spreads
Chelsea 2.63 2.64 77-79
Man Utd 3.4 3.5 70-73
AC Milan 5.5 5.3 65-67
Liverpool 6.5 6.8 59-62

MATCHES
19:45 Liverpool (2.5) Draw (3.15) Chelsea (3.44)
02-05-2007
19:45 AC Milan (2.25) Draw (3.25) Manchester United (3.6)
PREVIEW
It's half time in the Champions League and both games are as close as a stalker and their stalkee, it should make for a fascinating couple of games. Tonight at Anfield Liverpool will again aim to put one over Chelsea, while after their slip up last weekend Chelsea will be all the more desperate to come out with at least one of the major trophies on offer. Suddenly there's more excitement than a finale of eggheads with Jose as CJ the spolit know it all, John Terry as Daphne the gentle but lethal expert, Frank Lampard as Judith near of them knows too much about sport and I'm running out of analogies there, you get the point it's exciting right.
The game itself is a nightmare from a betting point of view, how will Chelsea react to their problems at the weekend can Liverpool turn it on after weeks of going through the motions, will there be hysterics, fights, how many times will the commentators mention Istanbul or Barcelona. The game will depend on whether Liverpool can get a handle on the midfield, whether they can marshall Drogba and just which players show. their class.
Last time we advised making a bet on Liverpool or Chelsea to keep a clean sheet at better than 2.00. This time were going the other way and backing either of them to score at better than 2.00. Extrabet offer 2.04 Liverpool to score first, 2.22 Chelsea to do the same, the win is small but it's worth it as small long term adds make big long term wins. The only way you can lose is if the game ends nil nil and I'd feel this highly improbable with such tension, nerves and quality.

Wednesday night it's Milan v Man United part two, the most exciting sequel since shrek and donkey returned for an another whirlwhind adventure, speaking of Rooney and Ferdinand they might be key players in this game. With Maldini out Rooney could have room to spring the Milan defence and could be the key to United's success. If Rio is back he will need to have a big game as Milan look to break the United defence and get that one goal they need. However bigger than those two is the return of Gattuso he is pivotal to Milan and it is no coincidence that United's comeback occured after he came off the pitch. This should be a big game and the result and qualifier is so hard too call, the value ehre could lie in a little anytime scorer market. Both Kaka and Rooney are trading at very good prices against defences that they have already shown they know how to spring, Rooney at 3.75 in the anytime market with bet365 and Kaka 3.6 with paddy power.

OTHER FOOTBALL
SCOTTISH PLAYOFFS WEDNESDAY
Scottish Division One Matches

19:45 Brechin (2.7) Draw (3.6) Airdrie Utd (2.6)
19:45 Raith (2.38) Draw (3.6) Stirling (2.9)
Scottish Division Two Matches
19:45 East Fife (2.5) Draw (3.6) Stranraer (2.85)
19:45 Queens Park (2.3) Draw (3.6) Arbroath (2.75) NOW PLAYING TUESDAY
THURSDAY UEFA CUP
19:45 Sevilla (1.55) Draw (3.85) Osasuna (8)
19:45 Werder Bremen (1.57) Draw (4.1) Espanyol (6)

RECOMMENDATIONS: NONE

NBA BASKETBALL
Best Bookmakers Best Exchanges
Phoenix Suns 3.65 4.7
San Antonio Spurs 5.0 6
Detroit Pistons 6.5 6.4
Dallas Mavericks 6.8 7.4
Houston Rockets 15 18
Cleveland Cavaliers 17.0 16.5
Chicago Bulls 17.0 16
Golden State Warriors 34 65
New Jersey Nets 41 46
Utah Jazz 71 75
Denver Nuggets 201 160
Toronto Raptors 301 210
LA LAKERS 500 240

MATCHES
02-05-2007 %
00:00 Toronto Raptors (1.6) New Jersey Nets (2.65)
02:30 Dallas Mavericks (1.21) Golden State Warriors (5.5)
03-05-2007
01:00 San Antonio Spurs (1.17) Denver Nuggets (4.5)
03:30 Phoenix Suns (1.16) Los Angeles Lakers (6.6)

RECOMMENDATIONS: AS PREVIOUS

OTHER SPORT
THE WEEK UPCOMING
Tuesday, May 1

FOOTBALL: Champions League semi-final second legs: Liverpool v Chelsea (1945).

RUGBY UNION: Magners League: Cardiff v Dragons (1910).

SNOOKER: Sheffield: 888.com World Championship.

TENNIS: Estoril: Estoril Open. Munich: BMW Open. Warsaw: J and S Women's Cup.

BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.

RACING: Bath. Sedgefield. Southwell. Wincanton. Wolverhampton.

Wednesday, May 2

FOOTBALL: Champions League semi-final second legs: AC Milan v Man Utd (1945).

CRICKET: LV County Championship Division One: Hampshire v Yorkshire. Kent v Sussex. Lancashire v Surrey. Worcestershire v Warwickshire. Division Two: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire. Northamptonshire v Essex. Nottinghamshire v Glamorgan. Somerset v Derbyshire.
University Match: Durham UCCE v Durham.

SNOOKER: Sheffield: 888.com World Championship.

TENNIS: Estoril: Estoril Open. Munich: BMW Open. Warsaw: J and S Women's Cup.

BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.

RACING: Ascot. Cheltenham. Nottingham. Pontefract. Ballinrobe.

Thursday, May 3

FOOTBALL: UEFA Cup semi-final second legs: Sevilla v Osasuna. Werder Bremen v Espanyol.

CRICKET: LV County Championship Division One: Hampshire v Yorkshire. Kent v Sussex. Lancashire v Surrey. Worcestershire v Warwickshire. Division Two: Gloucestershire v Leicestershire. Northamptonshire v Essex. Nottinghamshire v Glamorgan. Somerset v Derbyshire.
University Match: Durham UCCE v Durham.

SNOOKER: Sheffield: 888.com World Championship.

TENNIS: Estoril: Estoril Open. Munich: BMW Open. Warsaw: J and S Women's Cup.

GOLF: Milan: Italian Open. North Carolina: Wachovia Championship.

EQUESTRIAN: Badminton Horse Trials.

BOWLS: Australia: World Cup.

RACING: Folkestone. Hereford. Huntingdon. Redcar. Tipperary.

See you all friday for the big weekend preview.

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

2007-04-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-26T04:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-23T01:52:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-10T04:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

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

LETS SAY NICE THINGS ABOUT MCCLAREN

2007-03-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

Not because he's a good manager but because I learned from Gandhi that peaceful positive action is the way forward, so lets all say something nice about Steve, I'll start, his was looking good last night.

LAST NIGHT'S MARKET MOVERS
England's 3-0 win against Andorra in Barcelona didn't impress the bookies and Steve McClaren has been cut from 7/4 to 6/4 with bet365 not to see out Euro 2008 qualifying as manager.
England were 0-0 with the minnows at half-time before a Steven Gerrard double and an injury time tap-in from debutant David Nugent sealed the win.
Yet the display was abject and all too similar to the drab on show in Israel, and bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth explained his firm's reasons for cutting McClaren. Not his hair, not that lovely hair.
He said: "The late goals only papered over what was another laboured performance against a very poor side. McClaren will be giving Steven Gerrard a big pat on the back after his display, but will we see Frank Lampard back against Estonia in June?"
Will we indeed will we sign any of them or will we have so many mysterious injuries our first choice midfield will be Hargreaves and Ben Foster.

Paddy Power's next England manager betting sees Guus Hiddink the 5/1 favourite ahead of Luis Felipe Scolari, Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce.

The Irish firm were more impressed with their own team, as the Republic of Ireland held on for a 1-0 win over Slovakia at Croke Park. Kevin Doyle's early header was enough to seperate the teams and give a boost to under-fire manager Steve Staunton.
Haines said: "He might not be out of the woods just yet but six points in the last two games keeps Ireland moving in the right direction and gives 'Stan' some breathing space. We expect punters' requests to bet on the manager's exit to ease for now."
The Irish manager had been just 6/4 to lose his job during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign but this was pushed out to 9/4 on Wednesday by Paddy Power after the 1-0 victory.

Stan though can't afford to rest on his laurels with tough games ahead.

CRICKET WORLD CUP:
0950: South Africa and Sri Lanka have swapped places in the betting for the 2007 Cricket World Cup following the Proteas' victory in Guyana.
Graeme Smith's side wrapped up a nervy one wicket win despite Lasith Malinga taking four wickets in an incredible four balls - and South Africa are now 7/2 from 9/2 with their opponents out to 5/1 from 4/1.
Australia, who saw off the West Indies in a 103 run victory, are 6/5 from 5/4 with the home nation now 10/1 from 8/1.
Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "South Africa were sweating and so were we - their opponents were a £100,000 loser for us. "The Proteas are in reasonable shape, but the Aussies are beginning to look ominous."

Indeed they are nothing funny in that I'm afraid especially if your money is on one of the other teams.

DIARY
CRICKET
World Cup Super Eight, St John's, Antigua - West Indies v New Zealand (1430).

TENNIS
Miami: Sony Ericsson Open

GOLF
Sintra: Portuguese Open (to Apr 1). Texas: Houston Open (to Apr 1).

SNOOKER
China Open.

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.

RACING
Hereford. Lingfield. Towcester. Thurles.

HOCKEY
Scotland v Canada (1900)

FOOTBALL: International Friendlies
02:00 Colombia (1.8) Draw (3.25) Paraguay (4)
02:00 USA (1.25) Draw (5) Guatemala (8)
04:00 Ecuador (3.3) Draw (3.2) Mexico (2)
Conference South Matches
19:45 Welling (1.62) Draw (3.75) Thurrock (6)
Brazilian Carioca
00:30 Botafogo RJ (1.33) Draw (4) Volta Redonda (8.5)
00:30 Cabofriense RJ (1.85) Draw (3.25) Friburguense (3.75)
01:45 Vasco da Gama (1.25) Draw (5) Americano (9)
Brazilian Paulista
00:30 Bragantino (2.1) Draw (3.25) Sao Caetano (3)
00:30 Guaratingueta (1.62) Draw (3.4) Ituano (6)
00:30 Santo Andre (2.38) Draw (3.2) Juventus SP (2.7)
00:30 Sao Bento (2.44) Draw (3.45) Barueri (2.64)
00:30 Sertaozinho (2.63) Draw (3.2) Noroeste (2.38)
01:45 Santos (1.73) Draw (3.2) Corinthians (4.5)
01:45 Sao Paulo (1.14) Draw (6) RIO BRANCO (13)

Copa Libertadores Matches View Odds
00:45 Defensor (1.57) Draw (3.4) Deportivo Pasto (5.5)
01:45 Internacional Draw Velez Sarsfield odds not listed yet.
Eircom First Division View Odds
19:45 Dundalk (1.66) Draw (3.4) Athlone (5)

LIVE SPORT ON TV
11:00 Sky Sports 1 Open de Portugal Euro Tour
12:00 British Eurosport Stephen Maguire v Shaun Murphy China Open
14:30 Sky Sports 1 West Indies v New Zealand World Cup Super Eights
16:00 Sky Sports 2 Open de Portugal Euro Tour
17:45 British Eurosport Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Day 1 UCI World Track Championship
18:00 British Eurosport 2 Vilamoura, Portugal: Special Stage FIA World Rally Championship
19:30 Sky Sports 2 Raymond van Barneveld v Colin Lloyd, Terry Jenkins v Roland Scholten, Dennis Priestley v Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis v Peter Manley Premier League
20:00 Setanta Golf /
Setanta Sports 1 Shell Houston Open Day 1 PGA Tour
20:00 Sky Sports Xtra Miami Quarter-final ATP Masters
Friday 30th March
00:00 Sky Sports Xtra Miami Quarter-final ATP Masters
00:00 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland TBC NIT Tournament Championship
01:00 NASN Detroit v Nashville NHL
02:00 British Eurosport 2 Semi-finals WTA Sony Ericsson Open
02:00 Setanta Ireland Slam Dunk and 3 Point Contest College Hoops
08:30 British Eurosport TBC China Open

THE TIPPING POINT
LAST NIGHT: We had a pretty decent night last night, good anytime market wins for Doyle and Koumas, Italy on the plus two, we mentioned Wales 3-0 correct score, Albania,Northern Ireland and Lithuania all covered the handicap. Though Slovakia let us down witht hat big double on them and Italy. I can't be bothered and I don't think you care enough about the stats to work out how it went, promise I'll work out a proper system and keep tabs soon.
TODAY'S TIPS: Are PG and very nice they are as well. That's right all good gamblers oh and me need to know when to have a night off, with no football, very close darts matches, a cricket world cup match that is too close to call means this is one day to sit on your cash and do your homework for the weekend. Make sure you do because I'll be back tommorrow asking to see those books.

In the meanwhile I'm out of here faster than an apprentice firee.

YOUR RIGHT TO INFORMATION

2007-03-28T02:13:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE YOU REDDITCH WE DO

Unlike certain England managers I'm prepared to admit I was wrong, Redditch is a lovely place, based in the heart of Worcester. All things consdiered it is a pretty town with nice churches,lots of history and lots of nice countryside, this is in no way connected to the fact that Redditch were my only winners last night, nor for the fact that I've been supported by the Redditch tourist board, though any contribution is welcome.
On with a new day and we've got more international goodies than a club 18-30 holiday.

THE MARKET MOVERS
CRICKET: The West Indies are no bigger than 10/3 to beat Australia in today's rain-delayed Super Eights clash at the World Cup despite having to chase down a mammoth total of 322-6. Matthew Hayden was the star of the show for the Aussies with another destructive century and he now leads the run charts by 86 and is no bigger than 7/4 to still be top of the pile at the end of the tournament.
Did we tip Hayden I can't remember I would like to claim we did but there is no sign of it other than in my head, still it was an impressive knock that even had Englishmen and New Zealanders nodding in approvement.

William Hill are unable to split South Africa and Sri Lanka when they meet in the crucial Super 8 stage of the World Cup and offer 5/6 both teams.
Muttiah Muralitharan is the 4/1 favourite to be the top wicket taker in the match with Ntini offered at 5/1 while former captain Shaun Pollock is a 11/2 shot.
Jack Kallis is the 3/1 favourite to top score for South Africa, with Jayasuriva the 3/1 favourite to top score for Sri Lanka.

FOOTBALL: Despite their recent goalscoring woes, England are 2/5 with Coral to score at least four goals against Andorra on Wednesday night, a match they are 1/50 to win.
Andorra are 66/1 outsiders to record one of the biggest shocks in football history since the last shock in international history, fans of westerns can get the quick draw at 7/1.
England are also odds-on, at 4/7, to qualify for Euro 2008, and 5/4 not to make it, with under-fire manager Steve McClaren 13/8 to leave the top job this year.
Skybet quote 14/1 about England to be trailing at any stage during the game and it's 5/1 for Andorra to score.

NOVELTY: The Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza are heading the betting to become one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
On July 7 this summer the seven monuments with the most global votes will be announced at a massive celebration to be broadcast around the world from Lisbon, Portugal. And now Paddy Power make both these frontrunners as 1/33 red hot favourites to make the line-up while bet365 have the Pyramids as short as 1/40.
Other highly fancied landmarks include the Roman Colosseum at 1/8 with Paddy Power and the Acropolis of Athens which is available at 2/5 with bet365.
The Eiffel Tower (4/1) and the Statue of Liberty (3/1) are perhaps the most noticeable outside bets while the Sydney Opera House is as long as 7/1 with Paddy Power.

No truth in the rumous that Blackpool Pleasure bach or Oldham town centre are value outsiders though.

TODAY'S SPORTING DIARY
FOOTBALL
Euro 2008 Qualifying Matches
16:00 Azerbaijan (8.7) Draw (4.3) Finland (1.5)
16:00 Bulgaria (1.29) Draw (5.5) Albania (12)
16:00 Ukraine (1.35) Draw (5) Lithuania (11)
16:25 Czech Republic (1.11) Draw (8.2) Cyprus (25)
16:30 Romania (1.04) Draw (13.5) Luxembourg (67)
17:00 Georgia (1.13) Draw (8.3) Faroe Islands (25)
17:00 Hungary (1.5) Draw (4) Moldova (8)
18:00 Israel (1.36) Draw (4.5) Estonia (11)
18:30 Liechtenstein (9) Draw (4.5) Latvia (1.44)
18:30 Malta (10) Draw (5) Greece (1.36)
19:00 Turkey (2) Draw (3.27) Norway (4.3)
19:30 Ireland (2.05) Draw (3.25) Slovakia (4)
19:30 Poland (1.13) Draw (8.2) Armenia (25)
19:30 Serbia (3.4) Draw (3.25) Portugal (2.38)
19:45 Northern Ireland (6.5) Draw (3.5) Sweden (1.67)
19:45 Slovenia (7) Draw (3.57) Netherlands (1.62)
19:50 Italy (1.35) Draw (5) Scotland (10)
20:00 Andorra (91) Draw (20) England (1.03)
20:00 Wales (1.06) Draw (15) San Marino (51)
21:00 Spain (1.13) Draw (7.5) Iceland (25)
International Friendlies
00:00 Chile (1.73) Draw (3.4) Costa Rica (5)
00:00 Venezuela (1.39) Draw (3.95) New Zealand (8.9)
18:00 South Africa (1.7) Draw (3.4) Bolivia (4.5)
19:00 Germany (2) Draw (3.2) Denmark (4.3)
20:00 France (1.33) Draw (4.5) Austria (10)

CRICKET
World Cup Super Eight, Providence Stadium, Guyana - South Africa v Sri Lanka (1430).
Second innings of West Indies v Australia , St John's, Antigua - Australia v West Indies (1430).

TENNIS
Miami: Sony Ericsson Open

GOLF
National Assembly for Wales - 2010 Ryder Cup annoucement (1300)

SNOOKER
China Open.

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.

RACING
Kempton. Southwell. Towcester.

HOCKEY
Scotland v Canada (1900

LIVE SPORT ON TV
12:00 British Eurosport TBC China Open
14:30 Sky Sports 1 South Africa v Sri Lanka World Cup Super Eights
18:00 British Eurosport Quarter-finals WTA Sony Ericsson Open
18:10 NASN Atlanta v NY Mets MLB Spring Training
19:00 Sky Sports Xtra South Africa v Sri Lanka World Cup Super Eights
19:30 Setanta Ireland (N. Ireland only) Poland v Armenia EURO 2008 Qualifier
19:45 Sky Sports 1 Andorra v England EURO 2008 Qualifier
19:45 Sky Sports 2 Republic of Ireland v Slovakia EURO 2008 Qualifier
19:45 Sky Sports 3 /
Sky Sports HD2 Wales v San Marino EURO 2008 Qualifier
19:45 BBC2 Northern Ireland /
BBC Interactive Northern Ireland v Sweden EURO 2008 Qualifier
19:50 BBC2 (BBC1 in Scotland, not available in N. Ireland) Italy v Scotland EURO 2008 Qualifier
00:00 British Eurosport 2 Quarter-finals WTA Sony Ericsson Open
00:00 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland New Jersey v Buffalo NHL
00:30 NASN Atlanta v Florida NHL
01.20 Five Philly v Carolina NHL
08:30 British Eurosport TBC China Open

THE TIPPING POINT
LAST NIGHT: We had a pretty poor 1-3 record with Shrewsbury beating Rochdale,Rotherham beating Blackpool, the under 2.0 in that game, only lovely Redditch saved us. We are now 2-5 for the week, although a 2.88 and 3.5 win keeping us above board. However using our clever stake plan you would be down 8 per cent of your total budget this week. Still stick with us as like a 90s retro night, things can only get better.
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: Smt. Bansari Sheth Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, 28th March, 2007 where The Asiatic Society of Mumbai takes pleasure in inviting you and your friends to the Fourteenth Smt. Bansari Sheth Memorial Lecture
by Shri Shailesh Gandhi (RTI Activist) on “My Right to Information”. We recommend getting on the buy of the use of the words civil rights, possibly available on Betfair.
Oh and there's some Football stuff, internationals lets preview some of them.
ANDORRA V ENGLAND. I notice The Apprentice starts tonight,sadly there is no Alan Sugar figure at the FA to mutter the words we all want to hear, You're Fired, so we go on with the dirge that is McClaren's England. There should be little doubt England shall win this but the performance and the goals are key. This is one to avoid from a betting POV as England are about as reliable as my Virgin media box right now , but for those who must bet we've found the best of a bad bunch. We wouldn't recommend puttting much or even any of your money, but the anytime goalscorer market could be the way to play for England with the way the strikers are struggling to put the ball in the net. Standout prices could be on Midfielders or Centre backs at set pieces. Small stakes on Lennon at 4.8 with extrabet who could be back on his right wing and Terry at 5.0 with William Hill.
ITALY V SCOTLAND: The first of our two leg double is on Italy to beat Scotland at 1.36 with Coral this will be put in a double for FOURTY per cent stakes with, well keep reading, youthink lewis or Morse would give away their endings. Thoughts on this game are that Scotland are playing well above themselves and this could be a game too far. Scotland will make life very difficult for Italy and confidence will be high but Italy should have enough class to come through here. Also recommended is to take the win margin on plus/plus two/plus three. Twenty per cent stakes on each, Boylesports offer 3.4 /3.75/6.5 and it seems a safe return on your investment, Scotland won't get hammered but Italy should win this one.
WALES V SAN MARINO: There are two things I don't like in this world, okay there's an awful lot but for the sake of this paragraph let's just pretend there's two. Correct score bets and those cheap betting adverts that involves Betfred's face, but I have to confess even I was toying with their 3-0/4-0/5-0 correct score odds at 6.5/7.0/10.0, and I wouldn't discourage you from making such a bet. My money will be on Jason Koumas who could mark his return from suspension with a goal and William Hill's 3.25 anytime seems great value on the Cardiff man. Five per cent stakes.
NORTHERN IRELAND V SWEDEN: I'll have more mixed emotions than a hormonal teenager tonight, I always like to see the home nations do well, but my in law nation via relationship is Sweden, so I'll settle for a draw and I think both managers will from what you gather from interviews with them. My advice then is to get on Northern Ireland on the handicap with the plus one 2.2 sporting odds and the draw on the handicap 3.6. Ten per cent stakes each.
REP OF IRELAND V SLOVAKIA: All good doubles should have two things and here is our second part of the Italy double header which were going a big fourty per cent stakes on. Go with the Italy win and Slovakia draw and Italy win Slovakia away win. The reason is as clear as Wayne Rooney' brain. Here is why, Ireland stuttered their way to victory over an awful Wales, a side Slovakia hammered 5-1, Ireland got hammered 5-2 by Cyrpus, Slovakia beat them 6-1. Undoubted Ireland are tough to beat at home, but the price is much too big when comparing both teams records and players. The pressure at Croke Park will be huge, Keane's pace will be missed as Duff is having a terrible season. Douglas will be suprisingly dropped despite being Ireland's best player against Wales and they'll miss his commanding midfiled presence. The draw is worth having on side as Ireland have a good home record, but this is a very good bet.
Those wishing for something patriotic could do worse than a five per cent bet on Kevin Doyle to score anytime at 2.75 with Ladbrokes, Doyle has a very good record in the Premiership and Slovakia average conceding over two goals a game.
OTHERS: Most of the other matches seem straight up short odds bets that are not worth getting involved in, there might be some handicap value to be had though. Albania/Lithuania and Moldova could offer handicap cover value as they will lose but maybe not as much as the bookies think.
CRICKET WORLD CUP: Australia and West Indies enter the second day of their one day match, Australia have set a big total for the West Indies to chase but no doubt the West Indies will try get out and get them quickly, this should make for a enjoyable day, added to that we have South Africa v SriLanka which should be a massive game that South Africa need to win. The bookies just favour South Africa although little lies in the price difference and little lies on the pitch difference. The best way is to look at another market and there are some interesting match markets at www.centrebet.com who I'll be looking at in more detail tommorrow as I offer a rate the bookies service, look out for that one.

MUG BET OF THE DAY: England at 8.5 with Victor Chandler to win Euro 2008 remind me on how they can be fifth favourites for a tournament they might not even make.

Well that's all for today I'm out of here quicker than Andorra player who realises he has to get back to work.

THE BLOG THAT WAS WRITTEN LAST NOVEMBER

2007-03-27T02:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we here at the blog get a bit short of time and don't do a proper blog or even a blog at all, however we are now going to follow the BBC's example and get some recorded in advance, so if you ever get here and there is no blog, remember the following pieces of advice should always ring true.

1: Man United and Chelsea will win at short odds.
2: Leeds will get over-priced.
3: England will be over-priced.
4: Correct Score odds are a waste of time.
5: Germany and Australia will always be dangerous.
6: Spain and India will have the potential but not the temperament.
7: Nobody will want to go to Eastern Europe in mid-winter, except maybe the east europeans and even then.
8: The gap in the world, whatever the sport, is not as big as you think.
9: Extrabet will offer the best anytime market value, Stan james/Bet 365/Paddy power most markets, expekt the most value.
FAILING THAT you can catch me at times on http://thedailypunt.com/forum sharing my words of wisdom on all manner of subjects.
Or you could just use the general betting phase oh this is one to take a watching brief on.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT(Market movers with added jokes)

FOOTBALL: Punters are backing Steve McClaren to lose his job as England manager following Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Andorra.
The knives have been out since England's woeful display in the goalless draw against Israel in Tel Aviv last Saturday, or in fact since his appointment was suggested, both Coral and VC Bet have seen support this week for the Andorra game to be McClaren's last in charge of the national side. Coral go 10/1 from 16/1 while VC Bet are 15/2 from 12/1.
Meanwhile Sky Bet quote 5/2 for McClaren to be the first Home Nations manager to go. A string of uninspiring performances from Wales and the Republic of Ireland mean that John Toshack (4/1) and Steve Staunton (9/4) are also under increasing pressure. But (as we break all rules of journalism by starting sentence with meanwhile and but) the 2/1 favourite is Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, whose current contract expires in November.
Scotland's Alex McLeish is the only Home Nations manager who looks safe, having only just come into the job, starting with a win over Georgia.

Who'd be an international manager huh there's probably more security in bomb disposal.

CRICKET: Sky Bet are offering 25/1 about England winning all their Super Eight clashes at the World Cup in the Caribbean.
See mug bet of the day. The firm have priced up all the matches in the next stage of the tournament and reckon the opening game with Ireland offers by far their best chance of victory. Bet that took them a lot of work.
The Three Lions are 1/16 to win that match, 1/5 to see off Bangladesh and then odds-against for their other four fixtures, against the West Indies (6/5), South Africa (11/8), Sri Lanka (6/4) and Australia (2/1).
Meanwhile it's 50/1 for Ireland to win three or more of their matches.
The opening match of the Super Eights stage sees the hosts West Indies take on the World Cup holders Australia and Sky Bet is offering a host of specials ahead of the game. Business must be slow.
Matthew Hayden hit the quickest World Cup century of just 66 balls against South Africa last time out and Sky Bet are making him 7/2 to be the top Australian batsman and 11/4 to be Australia's top batsman for the tournament.
Meanwhile Ladbrokes are giving odds of 8/1 about the match producing twenty or more sixes while it's 6/1 that six or more batsmen register half centuries and 3/1 about the home nation having a centurion.
They make the Windies 4/11 to concede the most extras despite the Aussies giving away 17 in their last match against South Africa.
The Magic Sign will refund all losing bets on the top match runscorer market if Matthew Hayden produces the biggest individual score of both teams

GOLF: How many bookies use there real name is a question I ponder while William Hill tell me they are offering 20/1 that Tiger Woods wins all four of the Major's in 2007.
The world number one has been in ominous form recently and the same firm make him 11/8 to be wearing a victorious green jacket at the US Masters in Augusta.
"It is a short price but before anyone says anything would you bet against Tiger?” said Hills spokesman Rupert Adams.

POLITICS: A little bit of politics whoo as Ben Elton might say if he we ever to get on television ever again. While we think about that alarming prospect news that William Hill have slashed the odds about Jack Straw becoming the next Chancellor from 6/1 to 5/2 favourite. Straw is to mastermind Gordon Brown's campaign to become Labour leader. It's a bit like following a successful football manager who has over-acheived and if Mr Straw had any sense he would take a nice cushy role like deputy pm, but then this is Mr Straw.

WHAT'S ON DIARY
Kate McMillan (SPE Events) Dinner Meeting: Tuesday 27th March 2007
Panel Session Topic: ''Prospects for International Oil Prices''. Oh and some Sport.

FOOTBALL
League One: Rotherham v Blackpool (1945)
League Two: Shrewsbury v Rochdale (1945). Wycombe v Bristol Rovers (1945).
Under-21 international: Holland v Republic of Ireland (2000)
Under-18 international, Yeovil: England v Holland (1945)
Scottish League Division Three: Arbroath v East Stirling (1945).
Non League fixtures.

CRICKET
World Cup Super Eight, St John's, Antigua - Australia v West Indies (1430).

TENNIS
Miami: Sony Ericsson Open

SNOOKER
China Open

ICE HOCKEY
Challenge Cup final: Sheffield v Coventry.

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships

RACING
Lingfield. Sedgefield. Wolverhampton.

WHERE AND WHEN?
TV GUIDE
08:30 British Eurosport TBC China Open
12:00 British Eurosport TBC China Open
14:30 Sky Sports 1 Super Eights World Cup
16:00 Sky Sports Xtra Miami ATP Masters
16:30 British Eurosport Men's Team Final European Table Tennis Championship
18:00 Sky Sports 2 Lake Nona v Isleworth Tavistock Cup 2007
18:05 NASN NY Yankees v Minnesota MLB Spring Training
18:30 British Eurosport Quarter-finals WTA Sony Ericsson Open
20:15 British Eurosport Pablo Navascues v Miguel Angel Pena Spanish Light MiddleWeight
Wednesday 28th March early
00:00 British Eurosport 2 Quarter-finals WTA Sony Ericsson Open
00:00 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland Pittsburgh v Washington NHL
00:30 NASN NY Rangers v Montreal NHL
00.50 Five Indiana v Cleveland Cavs.

THE TIPPING POINT
Last Night: We went one from three last night in a not so successful Monday.
TODAY: Were making four bets, four count them four, sorry Mr Rooney I know that was a difficult task for you. Firstly were telling you to take Blackpool away to Rotherham. Rotherham may have shown signs in recent weeks but they were poor in losing to Crewe on Saturday and Blackpool have a very good away record, second in the league away form and second in overall form. Rotherham are now ten points adrift and are sinking quicker than Castaway's ratings. In addition the 1.85 with Stan James on the over 2.0 goals is worth looking at as Blackpool and Rotherham know, unlike a Castaway participant, where the net is and both are in the top tengoalscorers in the league.
In addition Rochdale are worth following again with the 3.5 win and 3.25 draw with Totesport, Shrewsbury are themselves on great from, but Rochdale go in full of big confidence after a 7-2 weekend win at Stockport. With the draw on our side this looks well worth a bet.
Into the non-league we go and it's a busy mid-week of fixtures with the leagues coming towards an end, we recommend getting on Redditch. Wikipedia tells me that, Located in the heart of England, Redditch is an ideal point of departure for destinations. Don't know about you but if the first thing you have to say about a place is that it's a good getaway point it doesn't bode well. Still thankfully nice cities has nothing to do with football, although it might be a better way of my beloved Norwich getting into the Premier League. Redditch are travelling well and are five games unbeaten, they go to a Worksop side who have come off the rails slightly and they seem value not to lose at 3.5 the away win/3.25 the draw, do it or i'll make more rail jokes.
CRICKET WORLD CUP: The Super eight starts up today and what a cracker as holders and favourites Australia meet hosts West Indies. It should be a game to watch but a tough one to call from a betting pov, if you must get involved to spice up your tv viewing then the 1.83 at Bet365 with Gayle's performance being under 53, Gayle is prone to give his wicket away cheaply and his bowling if used is unlikely to trouble the Aussies. The only danger is he is a very good fielder but it's worth chancing at those odds.

MUGS BET OF THE DAY: The 25/1 Skybet on England to win all eight of there Super eight games I'd rather invest in hooverboots for pigs.

In the meanwhile were out of hear quicker than someone whose just noticed Amy Winehouse is about to talk. Check back daily by 1pm at the latest for updates.

Gerstmann's syndrome

2007-03-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

YOU'VE GOT TO SMILE

Poor Steve McClaren instead of offering sympathy for his plight we all attack and mock, no I'm not talking about his ginger hair, though the hairist attitude of the nature is another matter for another time and maybe with me and my psychatrist.
No I'm talking about GERSTMANN'S SYNDROME of which poor Steve is clearly affected, the tell tale sign of this the confusion between right and left body parts, such as footballers who play right footed, those who play with left feet and where they should be positioned. I feel the FA should stand do a Tammy Wynette and Stand by their man least until he has received proper treatment that and the end of the season and Jose leaves Chelsea.
On with the weekend's betting review, the day's betting preview and points of view, not the tv show.

LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE
Actually he didn't but I god bored writing the same headings and this was the only title I could find with the word last night so go with me on it.
FOOTBALL: Somewhat unsuprisingly the odds about Steve McClaren no longer being England manager at the end of the year have been slashed to 13/8 from 4/1 by Coral following England's dismal draw against Israel.
England have been cut to 5/4 from 5/2 by Coral to fail to qualify for Euro 2008, and can be backed at 4/7 to make it Switzerland and Austria.

"The odds don't lie and it is looking extremely perilous for both England, in terms of their chances of making it to Euro 2008, and McClaren in terms of him hanging on to his job," said Simon Clare, Coral spokesman and clear master of the understatement.

When Will Steve McClaren Leave the England Post? 6/4 2010, 13/8 2007, 7/2 2008, 11/2 2009, 14/1 2011, 2012.

England have been pushed out to 8/1 from 7/1 to win Euro 2008, and Germany now head the betting having been cut to 6/1 clear favourites from 7/1 by Coral.

To Win Euro 2008: 6/1 Germany, 7/1 Italy, France, 8/1 Holland, England, 9/1 Spain, 12/1 Portugal, 20/1 Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden.

We did say to keep an eye on Germany and Portugal in the betting didn't we, don't say we didn't warn you, you'll never listen to your mother will you?

RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS: St Helens have been trimmed shorter than a Britney Spears haircut, 8/13 with Sky Bet, to win the Super League after the latest round of games.
The Saints enjoyed a good weekend having started it off with a comprehensive 42-12 victory over Hull KR on Friday night before seeing current co-leaders Bradford fail to do a George and slay the Catalans Dragons, going down 22-29.
A last-minute try from John Wilson sealed the French club's first away win of the season leaving the Bulls now out to 8/1
Meanwhile Wakefield's remarkable rise continued after overcoming Warrington 30-24 on Sunday to climb joint top with 10 points, two ahead of St Helens.
The Wildcats are as short as 33s with Corals to be the regular season winner while Stan James have kept them out at 100/1.
Leeds Rhinos are the 4/1 second favourites with Sky Bet and their 28-16 win over Harlequins on Friday saw them also move onto 10 points.
At the bottom Huddersfield who can't buy a win, not that I'm saying they would try that, are the bookies 10/11 favourites to go down, Hull KR still can't get no love and are second favourites at 3/1 for the wooden spoon.

RUGBY UNION NEWS: Northampton are Even money with Sky Bet to be relegated from the Guinness Premiership after slipping to a 31-19 defeat at Bristol on Sunday.
Dave Hilton, Roy Winters and Rob Higgitt all scored tries as the home side moved up to fourth and pushed the struggling Saints closer to the trapdoor, dont you open that.
Paul Grayson's side occupy the Premiership's only relegation spot at the foot of the table, one point behind Worcester, who are available at 6/5 for the drop.
On Saturday Gloucester moved to the top of the table as they ended their season at Kingsholm unbeaten in the league with a 24-18 victory over Newcastle.
With three games left, and their final home game being played at Ashton Gate against Bristol, Gloucester are a best of 10/11 with Stan James to finish the regular season top while Leicester are bet365 11/10 second favourites.

GOLF NEWS: Tiger Woods has been cut further to 11/10 with Blue Square to win the US Masters after his triumph at the CA World Championship. On Sunday the world number one overcome an unusually error-ridden final round to claim the 77th win of his professional career in Miami.
In his final competitive outing before he battles it out in Augusta, Woods, four ahead overnight, had a closing 73 to clinch victory in the event for the third successive year and sixth time in eight attempts.
Woods is available at a best of 11/8 with William Hills to be sporting a brand new green jacket with a win at the Masters but most bookies have him down at 6/5.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Would that work if he just turned up wearing a Green M and S Jacket, that's technically new isn't it?

Fellow American Brett Wetterich finished second, two shots off the pace if there is a pace in golf, and he's been slashed, like a teen going down the woods alone at night into scary music being played, to 80/1 with betdirect to claim the Masters title.
Phil Mickelson is 8/1 second favourite with Sky Bet to win at Augusta National despite finishing 10 shots adrift of Woods in Miami while Ernie Els has drifted slightly to 12/1 third favourite.
A noteable move in the market is Sergio Garcia, whose joint-third place at the CA World Championship has seen VC Bet chop him down to 28/1 but he's available as long as 40s elsewhere.

CRICKET NEWS: Australia are now 6/4 across the board for the World Cup after they beat South Africa by 83 runs in St Kitts.
The Proteas are now generally available at 5/1 for World Cup glory, third favourites behind 9/2 SriLanka.
England eased past Kenya in St Lucia to qualify for the Super Eight after good knocks from Ed Joyce (75) and Kevin Pietersen (55 n.o).
England are as low as 10/1 with VC Bet and Stan James in the outright market following the win, but they can still be backed at 14s with several layers.

TODAY'S THE DAY
THE DIARY
CRICKET
World Cup rest day.

FOOTBALL
Oxford v Dag and Redbridge.

TENNIS
Miami: Sony Ericsson Open

SNOOKER
China Open (to Apr 1).

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.

RACING
Kempton. Plumpton. Stratford.

LIVE SPORT ON TV
12:00 British Eurosport TBC China Open
15:45 British Eurosport Semi-finals European Table Tennis Championships
16:00 Sky Sports Xtra Miami ATP Masters
18:00 Sky Sports 2 Lake Nona v Isleworth Tavistock Cup 2007
18:00 British Eurosport TBC WTA Sony Ericsson Open
18:05 NASN Boston v Cincinnati MLB Spring Training
19:30 Sky Sports 3 Belle Vue v Poole Speedway Elite League
19:45 Sky Sports 1 Oxford Utd v Dagenham and Redbridge Conference
20:00 Setanta Ireland TBC Setanta Sports Cup
21:45 British Eurosport Quarter-finals

THE TIPPING POINT
WEEKEND REVIEW: Not a bad weekend a good football treble on Swansea/Portugal and Croatia, also a big win on Rochdale at 4.6 who won 7-2.
TODAY'S TIPS: FOOTBALL: Gateshead might be the place to be tonight, as someone who was born there I never thought that would ever write that, but Gateshead are going goal crazy while Telford need a win as they're seemingly easy march to the title has been underdone by seven games without a win. With this game meaning more to Telford than Gateshead stakes should be kept down to five per cent, but if Gateshead are up for it they could spring another shock and 2.88 with the home side side on form is well worth a shot.
Elsewhere Oxford and Dagenham and Redbridge is the live Sky game, it's a tough game to call with Oxford needing the win but lacking form, while Dagenham have the form but don't really need the win. Our advice is that if you must bet, a five per cent stake on Marvin Robinson at 3.75 with extrabet in the anytime market. The Oxford frontman has two in the last two and with Oxford having to throw caution to the wind and attack it could be time to meet the Robinsons.
SNOOKER: The China Open has started already but we can be early with tommorrow's games, a treble of Steven Hendry, Higgins and Robertson will pay 2.75.

SPORT IN FOCUS
CRICKET WORLD CUP
While those poor cricketers out in the Caribbean get a rest day there is no rest for us betters as we use the day off to get a handle on what has happened and what is happening. Here are the early thoughts of this blog as we head into the SUPER EIGHT, or five good ones, a couple of okay ones and England.
TO WIN: Australia 2.5 2.58 77-81
Sri Lanka 5.5 6 60-64
South Africa 6 6.2 58-62
New Zealand 8 7.8 60-64
West Indies 9.5 10 58-62
England 15 16 42-46
Bangladesh 101 160 20-23
Ireland 751 680 12-15
ANALYSIS: No doubt Australia are justfiable favourites as the Bowling and Batting seem to be firing and like others before them reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. Still 2.5 seems too short and on the off chance they have an off day or two then Sri Lanka still remain good value and those who haven't already could do worse than get on them each way at 5.5 to win, New Zealand also look good value at 8.0 in the each way market. England look worth opposing for the rest of the tournament as they have been poor in qualification and now have some big games ahead.
In the top batsman Ponting and Smith lead the win and it would be hard to argue with either, but with eight games left and good each way odds there could still be some value to be had. Tharanga is still competitivefor me with just fifty runs or so behind the top three, there is value to be had if you look around.
Top bowler is even tighter than batsman and harder to call than any alcohol beverage after a few of said item. Brad Hogg though seems a suprise at 9.0 as he is currently leading and looking full of form, worth a twenty per cent interest each way.
There's more markets on offer than in London but most of them like London, represent no value.

MUGS BET OF THE DAY
At the weekend I read Paddy Power made Roy Keane 9/4 favourite to be the next manager in Ireland, bearing in mind Roy's outspoken views and the fact he think abut as much of the Irish FA, as something he would step when out walking his dog and maybe even less so, there seems no chance that this could happen. The 9/4 on offer is very poor value.

LONG TERM BET
SELECTION
Felipe Scolari 5/2
Martin O'Neill 5/1
Sam Allardyce 7/1
Guus Hiddink 10/1
Fabio Capello 12/1
Ottmar Hitzveld 12/1
Marcello Lippi 14/1
Steve Coppell 14/1
Alan Shearer 16/1
Paul Jewell 16/1
Terry Venables 16/1
Arsene Wenger 20/1
Mark Hughes 20/1
Stuart Pearce 20/1

That isn't the betting as to who will next be caught in a sex sting by the News of the World but to be England manager although the two often amount to the same thing. Three of the top four are mad, Scolari and O'Neil got badly messed around last time and no way would take the role. Hiddink has Chelsea ahead of him, that just leaves Big Sam at 7/1. Big Sam was keen last time and the FA will probably mess around so much with a replacement that Big Sam could be the only man they get if McClaren doesn't turn things around.
There are however two other names that stand out for value, Coppell and Mourinho. If McClaren was to survive until euro 2008 and Coppell was to have another good year at Reading then the 14/1 would seem good value. Reading seem solidly established, Coppell is an ex England player and his teams play good football. In addition Mourinho at 20/1 plus(no odds listed) loks a good bet, his and Roman's relationship is more troubled than that of any of Henry and his wives. Mourinho has often commented on his love of England and how happy his family is here, this could be the ideal solution for all involved, if the FA bigwigs had the guts to take some positive steps.

TODAY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
20 per cent stake Brad Hogg topwicket taker world cup, eachway. 9.0
10 per cent stake New Zealand each way world cup 8.0.
10 per cent stake, snooker treble Higgins/Hendry/Robertson
10 per cent stakes on Allardyce at 7/1.
5 Per cent stake Marvin Williams anytime scorer Oxford v Dag and Redbridge.
5 per cent stake Gateshead to beat Telford.
5 per cent Stake on Mourinho and Coppell to be next England manager 20-1 plus and 14-1.

That's all for now folks, until tommorrow I'm out of here quicker than empty platitudes and tears out of a Miss World contestant.

THE QUICK AND EASY

2007-03-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

But enough about Brittney, here are my weekend tips no time I'm afraid for any bIg write ups.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
GEORGIA NOT TO LOSE: Scotland vastly over-rated home price, Georgia capable of getting a point or more.
COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE
Rotherham away win/draw at Crewe.

COCA COLA LEAGUE TWO
Rochdale not to lose at Stockport 4.6 Expekt, 3.4 the draw.
I think Rochdale are great value not to lose, Stockport are starting to stutter and have no wins in three, rochdale are on a very good run themselves and that's much too big a price for them.

COCA COLA LEAGUE ONE
Rotherham not to lose at Crewe

THREE TEAM HOME BANKER
PORTUGAL/CROATIA/SWANSEA

Be back Monday with usual service in the meanwhile were out of here quicker than the new wembley stadium took to be built.

JUST WHO WAS DR MARTEN?

2007-03-23T02:55:00.000-07:00

INTRO THING
Hey all and welcome to friday 23rd of march and a fine day it is, not least because it's my birthday, where's my cards? I guess your all too busy with the world of betting too bother, gosh you learn who your friends are don't you. Anyway in the menwhile lets gone on with it the quicker I get this done the more I can go out and enjoy the day:)

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT(A LOOK AT THE BIG MARKET MOVERS)
Two kings of spin go head to head today, no not Max Clifford and Alaistair Campbell, but Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble. Muralitharan is 11/10 to take more wickets than Anil Kumble in today's massive World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and India in Group B. Despite the presence of the spinner winenrs, Ladbrokes go 2/7 that seam takes more wickets than spin in today's key game. It is a must win game for India and the bookies make them 2.0, in-form srilnaka are marginal favourites at 1.91.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson's not only has the most swedish sounding name of any man but is a mighty good golfer, his price to win the WGC-CA World Championship has been slashed after a sparkling first round from the Swede in Miami.
European golf's man of the moment, winner last month of both the Dubai Desert Classic and Accenture World Match Play titles, shares the lead with Australian Robert Allenby after a five-under-par 67.
His odds have collapsed like a badly put u foldable chair coming down from a pre-tournament 33/1 to just 11/2 with Blue Square and Sporting Odds. That makes him the second favourite, with only world number one Tiger Woods ahead of him in the betting.
Twice a winner on the course, Woods had to settle for a one-under 71 and was quickly off to the practice putting green to work on things as he was eased to 11/4 by bet365.
Our selection Ernie Els has come in from 20/1 to 9/1 third favourite after carding a 70 while it's then double figures prices and upwards about the rest who are headed by Allenby at 10/1 with bet365.

In the European qualifiers Greece odds have come down from 2.95 to 2.6 in some places as Turkey's injury list mounts. Be sure to check back tommorrow for a full preview of the euro qualifiers.

DIARY (ALL TODAY'S SPORT)
Other than my birthday party with jelly, ice cream and pin the tail on the England manager, there are some other major events to put in your diary.
FRIDAY MARCH 23
CRICKET
World Cup Group B, Port of Spain: India v Sri Lanka (1330).
Group D, Kingston: Ireland v West Indies (1430).

FOOTBALL
League Two: Mansfield v Macclesfield. Wycombe v Boston.
Non League football
Under 21 matches.

RUGBY UNION
Guinness Premiership: London Irish v Saracens (2000).
Magners League: Borders v Edinburgh (1930). Llanelli v Dragons (1910). Ulster v Munster (1930).

RUGBY LEAGUE
Engage Super League: Hull v Wigan (2000). Leeds v Harlequins (2000). St Helens v Hull KR (2000).

TENNIS
Miami: Sony Ericsson Open

GOLF
Florida: WGC-CA Championship.
Madeira: Madeira Islands Open.

BOXING
Nottingham, British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles: Carl Froch (Nottingham) v Sergey Tatevosyan (Rus).

BASKETBALL
BBL (one match).

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.

SQUASH
London: ISS Canary Wharf Classic (end).

RACING
Lingfield. Newbury. Wolverhampton.

LIVE SPORT ON TV
01:00 Setanta Ireland Nashville v Calgary NHL
01:30 NASN Pittsburgh v UCLA NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
08:40 Setanta Sports 1 Dragons v Knights NRL
13:00 British Eurosport Jerez, Spain: Practice Session MotoGP
13:30 Sky Sports Interactive India v Sri Lanka World Cup
14:30 Sky Sports 1 Ireland v West Indies World Cup
18:00 Sky Sports 2 C.A Championship Day 2 World Golf Championship
19:10 BBC2 Wales /
BBC Interactive Llanelli v Dragons Magners League
19:30 Setanta Sports 1 /
Setanta Ireland Borders v Edinburgh Magners League
20:00 Sky Sports 3 /
Sky Sports HD2 Hull v Wigan Super League
21:00 The Golf Channel Safeway International Day 2 LPGA Tour
22:00 Sky Sports 2 Carl Froch v Sergey Tatevosyan Super Middleweight
23:00 NASN Butler v Florida NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

THE TIPPING POINT (TODAY'S TIPS)
FOOTBALL TIPS
League Two: Two league two games tonight but nothing stands out, I'd be wary of getting on Wycombe at so short a price they are strange results this time of the season and 1.67 are short odds for anyone least of all a Wycombe side with just one win in their last four. Boston have a real shortage of players but did run out winenrs in their last to games and this is one to give a wide swerve.
Mansfield V Macclesfield: Mansfield have off the pitch problems and boss Billy Dearden on the pitch might be said to breed some youngsters, not literally, that kind of thing must be illegall and could end in jail. Macclesfield have shown imprved signs under Paul Ince but still are in relegation trouble, they must be backed with the draw on their side, at 3.4 the draw, 3,75 the away win. 10 per cvent stakes advised.
NON LEAGUE: The value bet of the Conference is on Rushden and Diamonds at home to Crawley, Rushden have had a tough few years after being abandoned by their DR Martens owning owner, whose name sadly isn't Dr Marten. Anyway Crawley are badly out of form and Rushden can give them a good kicking (sorry couldn't resist) this evening.
RUGBY TIPS
Rugby Union: I'm not usually one to tip on Rugy Union League if you follow but tonight there is a bargain 1.91 to be had with Coral on them t cover a two point handicap against a Saracens side who don't travel well.
RUGBY LEAGUE: This year's Rubgy League has had more twists than a series of Lost and made as much sense but things are starting to logic out and Hull and St Helens can continue that trend with wins this evening. The value though is to be had on Harlequins to cover a 14 point hadicap at 1.91. Leeds have started well but tend not to hammer teams, Harlequins tend to be trickier oppositon on the road.
CRICKET WORLD CUP: Well we said Netherlands would win on the handicap and we were sort of right, today's games see West Indies take on Ireland and India in a key match v Sri Lanka. One bet to highlight with a market felt tip and big biro is William Hills' 5/6 on Ireland's first wicket to fall between 17, West Indies have taken more early wickets than an insomniac thief, Ireland have lost more early wickets than an insomniac amnesiac, good value. The other game should be one to watch, if we could, see mug of the day, but it remains to be see how India handle the pressure on them.

TIPS REVIEW
Yesterday we went with just one in action betting recommendation that was with Dennis Priestly to cover the handicap at 2.0 with Sportingodds, and he did in a 7-7 draw that capped a top night's darts action in Scotland.

MUG OF THE DAY
Sky wins today's award for if they continue to insist on showing West Indies v Ireland when the biggest game of the tournament so far takes place at the same time in India v SriLanka. They have four channels why are they insisting on just showing one game and with that the wrong game.

TODAY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Rushden and Diamonds at home to Crawley 25 per cent stake
Macclesfield not to lose 20 per cent stake win/20 per cent stake draw
London Irish to beat Saracens on handicap 15 per cent stake.
Harlequins to cover handicap Leeds 10 per cent stake.
Ireland to lose a wicket before 17 runs 5 per cent stake

BETTING THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Why are no bookies offering odds on BBC reality tv show Castaway? You can get odds on all sorts from Branson launching a space flight, to the name of Charlotte and Gavin's baby but nothing on Castaway very strange.

THINGS WE DID WHILE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING OUR BLOG
Watched the nailbiting Taylor v Barney darts match.
Wondered if Sid Waddel was the finest commentator on television.
Read that Joan Jett and Carmen Electra were dating.
Listened to the friends of the bride swing meets Indie, sitcom theme comes very recommended.
Eat fresh bread from a bakers you can't beat it.

TOMMORROW
Is only a day way and features all our sports guide for the weekend, International Football, Coca Cola League stuff, more Cricket and a guest interview with Dr Marten.

In the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than a SonyPlaystation 3, and with better games.

EUROPE'S WORST SIDE AND NO IT'S NOT LEEDS

2007-03-22T02:36:00.000-07:00

INTRO THING
Hello all and welcome once more to your guide to all things sporty, betty and other girls names. Yeesterday we were overwhelmed by visitors word has either got round, that or putting in lots of obsucre words has drew me into googlewhacks.
If yesterday was your first time then please come back and if it wasn't still come back it's like a big stag party but without the strippers oh and the booze.
Anyway on with what we do best, procrastinating and some sports betting news and tips.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT(A LOOK AT THE BIG MARKET MOVERS)
CRICKET WORLD CUP: Sri Lanka are now as short as 5/1 for World Cup glory after crushing Bangladesh by 198 runs in their Group B match at the Queen's Park Oval on Wednesday.

That opening sentence by the way was in no means a cut and paste from another service, honest.

Sanath Jayasuriya scored his 24th one-day international century as Sri Lanka posted 318 for four while Bangladesh, who looked a shadow of the team which beat India by five wickets on Monday, could only make 112 all out in reply.

That one was mind.

Only a crushing defeat to India in their final group game would put them in danger of elimination

That wasn't, I copyed and pasted that one.

Bookmakers VC bet to cut them to 5/1 third favourites behind 9/5 Australia and 7/2 South Africa. The Sri Lankans are general 6/1 shots elsewhere with Coral and Paddy Power splitting the difference by offering 11/2.
Jayasuriya has been slashed to 6/1 second favourite at Stan James to finish the tournament as top runscorer although William Hill and Ladbrokes make him 16/1, this is turning into such a crazy world cup that not even the bookies can agree what will happen next. Ponting still heads the market, Graham Smith and Jacques Kallis are also considered to be the front runners,and I can't think of a joke to end my sentence so I'll end it up in the air, a bit like

POLITICS: Gordon Brown's shock budget announcement to cut the basic income tax rate from 22p to 20p has led to Paddy Power clipping Labour's odds to win the next General Election.
David Cameron's Conservatives have been pushed out slightly by Paddy Power to win power from 4/7 to 4/6 but remain favourites.
Labour, whilst still outsiders to win the next General Election due to the points deficit in the polls, have been trimmed from 5/4 to 11/10.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: "Some may see the headline news of the tax cut as a bribe to the electorate by the Prime Minister-in-waiting but if the public feels it is better off in the pocket they could be right.
"Labour still has a deficit in the opinion polls but this should almost certainly improve Gordon Brown's future prospects when he takes over at Number 10."

Liberal Democrats have seen about as much movement as percy the Slug setting off on his summer holiday.

NOVELTY: Paddy Power have made four-time Eurovision winners Sweden their red hot 6/1 favourites to win this years Eurovision song contest in Helsinki with their entry 'The Worrying Kind' by The Ark.
Other countries in the bookies' top ten include the Ukraine and Switzerland at 10/1, Belarus, Bulgaria and Russia at 12/1, Denmark at 14/1 and Israel, Romania, the UK and Ireland all at 16/1.

We here have been adovcating The Ark as the best form of betting protection since we had a fair few days of rain thousands of years ago and Mr Goat said to Mrs Goat lets go see what that crowd is doing down there by that boat.

FOOTBALL: There has been a large amount of betting on Rimini to beat Albinoleffe, what do you mean it's been a slow week for Football.

DIARY (ALL TODAY'S SPORT)
THursday 22nd March and the big event in everyone's diary is surely the Limerick coffee morning, if you can't get tickets for that big event here is what else is on

CRICKET
World Cup: Gros Islet group C: Canada v New Zealand (1330).
Group A, Basseterre: Netherlands v Scotland (1330).
GOLF
Florida: WGC-CA Championship (to Mar 25). Madeira: Madeira Island Open (to Mar 25).
ICE HOCKEY
Elite League (two matches).
SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.
SQUASH
London: ISS Canary Wharf Classic.
TENNIS
Sony Ericsson Open.
RACING
Ayr. Ludlow. Southwell. Clonmel.

LIVE SPORT ON TV (HAVE A GUESS?)
13:30 Sky Sports 1 Holland v Scotland World Cup
13:30 Sky Sports Interactive Canada v New Zealand World Cup
17:00 NASN Boston v Philadelphia MLB Spring Training
18:00 Sky Sports 2 C.A Championship Day 1 World Golf Championship
18:30 MUTV Manchester Utd v Everton Reserves
19:30 Sky Sports 3 Terry Jenkins v Dennis Priestley, Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld, Colin Lloyd v Peter Manley, Roland Scholten v Phil Taylor Premier League
21:00 The Golf Channel Safeway International Day 1 LPGA Tour
23:00 NASN Southern Illinois v Kansas NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
23:00 British Eurosport 2 Philadelphia v Colorado AFL

THE TIPPING POINT (ALL TODAY'S TIPS)

FOOTBALL TIPS: I promised you some football tips yesterday and then I realised there was an international friendly, a serie b game I can't find the odds for and a Bulgarian game. Speaking of which PFK Chernomorets Burgas Sofia might have one of the coolest names in Football but they are perhaps the worst side in all of europe's top leagues with a record of
played 19 won 0 drew 1 lost 18 for 5 against 76 points _2
They play Saturday again for those interested.

Anyway were going to look at some EURO 2008 long term specials for you.

THE WINNERS: Best Bookmakers Best Exchanges
Germany 8 7.6
Italy 8.5 9
England 9 9
France 9 9.6
Holland 9 9.2
Spain 13 14.5
Czech Republic 21 27
Portugal 21 17
Switzerland 21 23
Sweden 26 32
Croatia 34 34
Turkey 41 46
Greece 51 65
Austria 67 80
Denmark 67 80
Serbia 67 95
Romania 81 100
Russia 81 50
Ukraine 81 110
Norway 151 160
Poland 151 130
Bulgaria 201 200
Scotland 251 200

We had to draw the line somewhere, right above Ireland and Wales. Anyway it's probably too early to get behind anyone just yet but Portugal and Germany need watching to make sure their price doesn't move too much.
RECOMMENDATION: Watching brief Germany and Portugal.

GROUP A: Best Bookmakers Best Exchanges
Portugal 2.38 2.26
Serbia 2.88 3.1
Poland 6.5 10
Finland 17 17
Belgium 34 34
Armenia 2001 1000
Azerbaijan 5001 1000
Kazakhstan 5001 1000

Portugal right now have the best player in the world, but enough about Pauletta, Ronaldo isn't bad as well. Portugal might have had a slow start but I expect them to get their act together they have a winnable game against Belgium at the weekend and a game in hand of Finland. My advice is to get on the 2.38 on Portugal with BlueSquare, 10 per cent stakes.

GROUP B: France 1.83 1.8
Italy 2.63 2.64
Ukraine 10 9
Scotland 26 15
Lithuania 1001 220
Georgia 3001 1000
Faroe Islands 20001

RECOMMENDATION: No bet, if Ukraine win their game in hand you have four teams played four games on nine points, we expect Scotland not to qualify, but picking two from the other three might be a nightmare greater than finding out instead of winning the money on the lottery jackpot you win an open air westlife concert in your back garden.

GROUP C: Greece 2.5 2.6
Turkey 2.5 2.3
Norway 4.5 4.6
Bosnia 67 50
Hungary 126 50
Moldova 2501 1000
Malta 5001 1000

RECOMMENDATION: It's the big one this weekend as Greece play Turkey, and they'll not be a dry eye in the house, teargas has that effect on you. Our advice is to stay clear of this group you have inconsistent sides someone will come through but you'll only end up looking like a mug if you try predict it, trust me I really do know.

GROUP D:
Best Bookmakers Best Exchanges
Germany 1.53 1.61
Czech Republic 3 3
Slovakia 26 36
Rep Of Ireland 34 70
Wales 501 1000
Cyprus 2001 1000
San Marino 8001 1000

RECOMMENDATION:I think it could be worth waiting until the end of the Czech Republic v Germany game what you might hope for is a Czech Republic win, this Czech side could beat anyone on their day, but do not have squad depth or consistency. If they were to beat Germany you could get increased odds on Germany who are past masters at the art of qualification. Enough footballing cliches there for you?

GROUP E:Croatia 2.1 2.16
England 2.88 2.76
Russia 6.5 6.6
Israel 41 52
Estonia 1001 1000
FYR Macedonia 1001 500
Andorra 20001 1000

Croatia seem very good value at 2.1 bearing in mind they've already been to Russia and Israel, have an outstanding home record and don't play England again until the final game by with a whole lot of luck both sides will have advanced. We can dream can't we?

GROUP F Sweden 2 2.02
Spain 3.5 3.55
Denmark 4.5 4.5
Northern Ireland 151 84
Iceland 501 300
Latvia 501 300
Liechtenstein 10001 1000

RECOMMENDATION: It seems strange that a side six points clear at the top should still be available at 2.0 to win their group but that is the case. What makes this even better value is that the other sides Denmark and Spain are not really showing much either, the price is their because Spain ae a name and people think they must start winning soon and maybe they will, but to overcome Sweden they need to make back nine points. Even if one of those is a game in hand, it's asking a lot for Sweden to lose twice. Sweden have the best qualification record of all European teams in recent history and with two to qualify there is no reason why Sweden can't come through here. Thirty per cent stakes.

GROUP G Netherlands 1.44 1.4
Romania 5 4.5
Bulgaria 7.5 7.6
Slovenia 81 60
Belarus 501 1000
Albania 751 1000
Luxembourg 10001 1000

RECOMMENDATION: Romania and Bulgaria five per cent stakes: Holland might sit in pole position but they have not impressed in qualifying and in group where it remains so tight and two teams can go through, the second and third placed sides are over priced and worth a small stake.

CRICKET WORLD CUP: I'm going to refrain from world cup picks today after the complete lack of success I've had, New Zealand should easily beat Canada but will not exactly be pushing themselves, Scotland v Holland could be a close one and though I marginally favour Scotland to Win, Holland can cover the handicap. Okay so those are tips but no money will be going on from me, unless I can find a bookie offering spreads on how many times the sky cameraman will cut to pretty women in the crowd, I'd recommended getting on the high side there.

DARTS PREMIER LEAGUE: You know the problem I have with the Darts Premier League is the name, it isn't Premier League enough for me, they need to encouraging Phil Taylor to start taking dives every times someone comes near him, and Peter Manley needs to start having a go at the official about his timekeeping, you know all the positive sides of football, I mean who wants to watch people who just concentrate on playing and accept defeat with grace, madness it'll never catch on. Still I'll give it a whirl if there is nothing else on, it really is a tough week to call with two one sided games, two in form players playing and two out of form players playing. My advice is too invesigate some of the specials on offer for instance Dennis Priestly is 2.0 with sporting odds receiving a 1.5 handicap from Terry Jenkins, this should be a very tight game that in-form Jenkins might just shade but the 1.5 is good cover. 5 per cent stakes.

SPORT THE DIFFERENCE (SPECIAL REVIEWS IN-DEPTH OF COUPLE OF SPORTS)
SNOOKER: Graeme Dott v Ian McCulloch; Anthony Hamilton v Marco Fu; Stephen Maguire v Joe Perry; Mark Williams v Joe Swail; John Higgins v Michael Holt; Barry Hawkins v Fergal O'Brien; Neil Robertson v Ryan Day; Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ding Junhui; Ken Doherty v Mark Allen; Matthew Stevens v Joe Delaney; Steve Davis v John Parrott; Shaun Murphy v Judd Trump; Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond; Stephen Lee v Mark Selby; Ali Carter v Andy Hicks; Stephen Hendry v David Gilbert.

Well there we go the unthinkable has happened and I'm excited by the Snooker World Championship, maybe it's the gladiator in me (and if there is one it's a very small scared one) who loves the prospect of two of sport's best going head to head. Also it opens up the rest of the book when the two favourites clash. We will preview it more in the upcoming weeks, but be sure there is value to be had elsewhere. The China Open is the next event and that breaks off on March 26th.

US REVIEW: NBA: The biggest movers right now in the NBA are The San Antonio Spurs who have as usual come on strong business end of the season, and as usual I ignored them and thought this could be the year they were finished. I would say they are probably eight teams who could win it this year and here is how they are priced up
Dallas Mavericks 4 3.7
Phoenix Suns 4.5 4.7
San Antonio Spurs 6.5 7.6
Detroit Pistons 10 12.5
Miami Heat 15 23
Cleveland Cavaliers 19 29
Chicago Bulls 21 39
Houston Rockets 26 26
Out East you can get the following odds
DET Pistons 2.5 2.5
CHI Bulls 6 5.3
CLE Cavaliers 6 4.8
MIA Heat 6 5.5
WAS Wizards 11 7.8
TOR Raptors 15 11.8
Out west you can get the following
DAL Mavericks 2.5 2.22
PHX Suns 3.25 3.35
SA Spurs 4.3 3.95
HOU Rockets 13 13
UTA Jazz 15 11
LA Lakers 26 17
Here are some gernal NBA pointers to help you out this week.
SMOKING HOT
Denver, Athony has returned to all star level.
Houston, that defence is firing.
Dallas, but what's new.
Kobe Bryant, dragging the Lakers kicking and screaming to the playoffs.
COLD AS ICE
The central division especially Indiana

NBA RANT: As usual the odds on the NBA markets are limited if this was Football we would have priced up the race for eight in each conference and a whole host more specials, the US sports markets are crying out for some new markets, my email is at the top if they need some creative help. Like any bookmaker reads this, I'm lucky if my mum does, hence the rude jokes:)

Hey that was fun next week expect NHL and other US Sports to find a regular betting slot.

BETTING THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Why would you bet on the toss? It's such a random thing that has no skill or statistical analysis at all. Unless your a fourteen year old boy in boarding school and that's what passes for entertainment round your way.

THINGS THAT WE DID WHEN WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE WRITING THIS
Listened to Hello Safriede
Watched people take lie detectors on Jeremy Kyle
Played frogger
Contemplated getting old.

MUG OF THE DAY
Peter Manfredo who has dismissed Joe Calzaghe as nothing special that's like walking in front of a tiger's cage and saying here kitty kitty.

That's all for us be sure to check back tommorrow for more news, bets, all free and all paid for by, hey whose paying for this. In the meanwhile were out of here quicker than someone in a restaurant who has forgotten their credit card, not that I would do that.

THAING MYSELF IN KNOTS.

2007-03-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

THE INTRO THING

They are many things I do well, make a mean Thai Curry, retain useless bits of sports trivia, avoid work, but sadly sports betting doesn't seem to be one of them. Generally the last few weeks have seen me waste more money than a local council, fear not though this has given me a new blog that I'll be running from friday and I'll be telling you all about tommorrow. Soon as I've done the whole registering it thing and got my head round it. It's the future of betting I tell you.
Anyway on with the betting stuff.

LAST NIGHTS REVIEW
LEAGUE TWO: Bristol Rovers 2 Stockport 1, Barnet 0 Shrewsbury 0. Six possible results, four eventualities covered, one correct.
We could lament that Stockport were unlucky but then Shrewsbury were quite lucky as well. The reaction from the bookies has seen Stockport at 2.75 and Shrewsbury at 6.5 for automatic promotion.
NON LEAGUE: Weymouth managed to blow a two goal lead to lose 3-2, Dagenham meanwhile are now twelve points clear at the top and are as low as 1.01 with coral to take the league title, round about the same odds you would get for the sun coming up in the morning, which I hope happens, the sun one that is.
SCOTLAND: Berwick strengthened their grip at the top of the table while Stenhousemuir completed a miserable night for us.
CRICKET WORLD CUP: Graham Smith hit 91 to top the leading batsman market and is down to 7.0 with William Hill though he is still 8.6 with extrabet. Ricky Ponting remains the favourite at 5.0.
The outright winner market sees Australia favourites at 2.88
The rest
South Africa 5
Sri Lanka 8
West Indies 8
New Zealand 8.5
India 13 13
England 17
Bangladesh 201

We'll give a more in-depth thoughts of how the world cup is panning out later on this week.

TODAY'S THE DAY
THE DIARY
FOOTBALL
England Under-19 v Turkey Under-19, Doncaster (1945).
League One: Chesterfield v Doncaster (1930).
Scottish League Division Three: East Fife v Dumbarton (1930).
Nationwide Conference: Halifax v Oxford live on Skysports.
Southern premier League: Corby v King's Lynn.

CRICKET
World Cup Group B: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Port of Spain (1330)
Group D: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Kingston (1430)

TENNIS
Miami: NASDAQ-100 Open.

ICE HOCKEY
Elite League (two matches).

SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.

SQUASH
London: ISS Canary Wharf Classic.
RACING
Chepstow. Kempton. Lingfield.

LIVE TV SPORT
13:30 Sky Sports 1 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka World Cup
14:30 Sky Sports Interactive Pakistan v Zimbabwe World Cup
17:00 NASN Boston v Pittsburgh MLB Spring Training
19:00 BBC2 Wales Newport County v The New Saints FAW Premier Cup Final
19:45 Sky Sports 2 Halifax v Oxford Utd Conference
23:00 NASN Washington v Buffalo

DAILY TIPS
CHESTERFIELD V DONCASTER: You would think game wasn't taking place this evening bearing in mind the way the media have been ignoring it, unlike them though we aren't afraid to talk about the difficult games. Power to the people and all that stuff. This is a hard one to call between two sides at different ends of the table both badly out of form. What is noticeable is the lack of goals both sides have scored, each of them have got just two goals in their last six games. That's a poorer success rate than a spotty teenager at the school disco, not that i would know. The way to play this is either on the under 2.5 goals, 1.7 with Mansion or to oppose the total goal minutes with Sporting Index on 37-40 spread.
HALIFAX V OXFORD: I'm going to against the crowd here and tell you not to get on the Oxford win, undoubtedly Halifax are in a mess but Oxford still have not convinced me they have refound their form. This is to me one to avoid more than Keanu Reeves offer that he will drive.
CRICKET WORLD CUP: With all that has occured it is understandable there is little betting interest in Pakistan v Zimbabwe, it remains to be seen how they react. Will their minds be on the job or will they be elsewhere, will they win big for Bob Woolmer. It's a betting minefield and one to stay clear, instead if you must bet on today's cricket, look at the handicap market on the Bangladesh v SriLanka game, our outright tips SriLanka should win this one but Bagnladesh could run them close.
GOLF: It's Wednesday that means it's golftime, and this week we can have more golf than you can shake a stick at, although I can't condone that sort of shick staking behaviour. Anyway can you imagine a world without Tiger Woods, I'm sure Monty and the others do everyday, Tiger's got a history in this week's tournament and that's why we'd recommend the market without Woods. In form Els and Singh are both massive in the market without Tiger, Vijay is 11.0 and Ernie 13.0. Ernie has the course history, Singh the form,well worth getting on.
TENNIS:Some people think there is some sort of Federer crises going on, but there is not, fear not the man is still on form he is just adjusting and experimenting with his game in the scay thought that he could get better soon. In the meanwhile tournaments have be come ripe picking for other players as Nadal found last week. However court surface suited Nadal last time out and he looks too short this time as does an injured and tired Murray. The value could be had in small each way stakes on outsiders , Djokovic at 41.0, Yozhuny at 81.0 and Ferrer 101.0, look good value each way bets.

Well that's it for today, be back tommorrow with some more Football, Darts, Snooker, Dominoes and US Sports, in the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than a Scooch backing singer.

BABY I'M THE WORRYING KIND

2007-03-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

BABY I’M THE WORRYING KIND

THE GHOST OF BETTING PAST

Had some food, watched some tv, went to bed, it was cold and miserable outside. Oh not that kind of review,okay then United and Chelsea continued with their quest for world domination, and are now 1/3 to meet in the final, United are low as 6/1 for the treble and Chelsea are 33/1 for the quad, both sides are 50/1 to win the local elections as well re-finding elvis,shergar and solving the planet’s climate problems.
In the we don’t like cricket, we love it World Cup, India battered Bermuda who came up hideously short in their run chase, honest I didn’t mean to make a joke there. India still have a difficult qualifying route despite creating a world record victory and are 13.0 for the title, West Indies are the second team through atnd swing from 6.5 to 8.0.

TODAY’S THE DAY

TUESDAY 20TH MARCH
SPORTS CALENDAR

FOOTBALL
League Two (1945): Barnet v Shrewsbury. Bristol Rovers v Stockport.
Scottish League Division Three: Albion v Stenhousemuir (1930). East Stirling v Berwick.
Various Non Lgue action.
CRICKET
World Cup group C: Gros Islet: Kenya v New Zealand.
Group A, Basseterre: Scotland v South Africa.
ICE HOCKEY
Elite League (one match).
SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.
SQUASH
London: ISS Canary Wharf Classic.
RACING
Exeter. Southwell. Warwick.  
THE TIPPING POINT
LEAGUE TWO: Maybe it's my conservative nature but I think all immigrants should be banned, actually I'm not that kind of Conservative, just a bit conservative on the betting side of things. That's why tonight I'm going for shrewsbury and stockport but covering them with draws. The reason why, Bristol Rovers and Barnet both have decent home records but I think the Shrews and the Stocks have enough about them to at least gain a point and the odds are in our favour to play both markets.
SCOTLAND: Same idea and same stakes in Scotland, Stenhousemuir have enough not to lose at 2.5 away to Cowdenbeath.
NON LEAGUE: There's great value to be had in the Conference where Weymouth are 2.1 with Stan James and Ladbrokes. Opponents Woking are on a poor run and Weymouth can be backed at ten per cent stakes.

THE WORLD CUP: Has already started today but no doubt everything I said was going to happen will:)

THE REALITY TV BIT
EUROVISION: If you haven't aready you need to get on The Worrying Kind and Sweden a joyous pop tune that sounds like Queen meets Abba meets Wizzard on a drunken night out. You can still get a good deal on Betfair we are also ploughing our way through the songs here so you don't have to we'll give you our complete verdict nearer the time.
AMERICAN IDOL:American Idol is down to the last 11 and it kicks off again in American, bald and scary Phil looks not just like an extra from Alien Nation, but good value at 6.0 with both Skybet and Bet365 to be the next eviction. He was in the bottom two last time out and doesn't have the likability factor of the two favourites Hayley or Sanjaya, five per cent stakes advised.
The win market is a difficult one to call with Melinda, Lakisha and Jordin being the judges overwhelming favourite, but good looking guys should never be discounted and Chris and Blake have the potential to go far, Chris Sligh has the novelty factor and a great voice, these six stand out head and shoulders. There is little to chooe between the top three guys that's why Chris Richardson is good value to be top male at 5.5, he's like a JT lite but he is a good looking guy with both public and judge support and can secure top male at five per cent stakes with Skybet's odds.
SPORTS PERSONALITY: It's difficult to call who is going to have a good year, but it' s worth considering what each person would need to do to win the trophy. Murray will need to win a major, Hamilton to win the formula one, Johnny Wilkinson to win the world cup for us, all of a sudden it becomes a case of who will get votes baring a bad year. Boxers are a good follow Amir Khan is currently 21.0 and what makes him stand out is that he is going for a world title which would rank as an anchievement. Holding a title for some reason doesn't rank as high as outright winning of titles. Don't ask why, anyway Amir Khan may be pushed towards a world title shot this year and it's worth keeping an eye on his price and his upcoming fights as he could be a real future bet.

Well that's us for the day hope you all have a good day and speak to you all soon, in the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than Frank Lampard on the sight of a Tottenham fan.

BLOG ROTATION

2007-03-19T03:05:00.000-07:00

BLOG ROTATION

Regular readers or even those irregular ones with eyes will have noticed there was no column on Saturday, I was rotating myself for crucial cup replays this week, unfortunatly my replacement was firing blank words and it left you all tipless, fear not though we are back with tips for monday's fa cup, market analysis, cricket worldcup and the secret to life, but that later. First up tonight's fa cup tips.

MAN UNITED V BORO: Superlative, amazing, fantastic, awesome, these were just some or none of the words used to describe Carlos Quireoz interview technique, but that should not detract from the way United play this weekend it was football of the highest quality, tesco's finest as opposed to the economy brand served up by Boro at the weekend. Southgate decided to rotate his players, but for one small problem he only has two or three good ones. Yakubu and Viduka should be back and Boro should be more up for this one, but it would take a brave or foolish person to think they can get anything from this game. United should win but the odds are about right instead the way to go is count on goals. If you take the stan James line on this finishing over 2.0 and add it to the same bookiess line on Spurs v chelsea finishing over 2.0 as well, a one pound stake returns 3.5.
SPURS V CHELSEA: Spurs are certainly the most exciting team to watch this season and goals are their order of day that's both scoring and conceding, this could again go over the 2.0, 10 per cent stake is recommended on the double.

CRICKET WORLD CUP
With the sad passing of Bob Woolmer they might be a strange air around the cricket world cup today with that it seems best to keep stakes low and jokes down. Today's games see West Indies take on Zimbabwe and India in a must win game against, a side they will hope to keep it short against, bermuda. We, unlike Dracula, like our Stakes and recommend them going on Caan at 8.0 with Bet365 to be top Bermudan batsman, five per cent stakes. Those looking to get involved in the West indies v Zimbabwe game might struggle but a small five per cent stake on Sarwan 5.0 to be top West Indian batsman. If Gayle or Chanderpaul gave away their wicket cheaply, which they are prone to do, Sarwan will come in third and could build a healthy score as the third batsman.

ELSEWHERE
TENNIS
Miami: NASDAQ-100 Open (to Apr 1).
RACING
Market Rasen. Southwell. Wincanton. Gowran Park.
SWIMMING
Melbourne: World Championships.
SQUASH
London: ISS Canary Wharf Classic (to Mar 23).
Start of Speedway Season.

LONG TERM MARKETS
Every Monday we like to take stock of what has gone down over the weekend and see if we can spot any long term bargains.
PREMIERSHIP: Okay so Man City's win didn't help us, but we can still profit if we get on Sheff United at 4.0 to get relegated. Charlton are showing great fighting signs and Sheff United have lost a key player in Hulse and the 4.0 seems good value to cover the Man City bet. 20 per cent stakes.
CHAMPIONSHIP: The promotion market is anyone's to call but barring a collapse not seen since MFI stopped making furniture our each way 10/1 bet on Sunderland looks like coming off. Burnley are two points off relegation and are still giving us good value. Right now though if you made no bets the markets don't offer anything fresh.
LEAGUE ONE: Although coming with too late a run to make an impression on the automatic promotion race the late run of Swansea makes them great value at 6.5 to get promotion, they seem to be full of confidence under new manager Martinez and they have a much playing talent as the other clubs. Twenty per cent stake at Coral's 6.5 comes highly recommended.
Down at the bottom it remains tighter than a Paris Hilton outfit post surgery sorry natural growth, hmm.
LEAGUE TWO: It's not often you can be in a win/win/win position but this might just be the moment, I know it's as a rare as a Christiano Ronaldo smile but that also happened this week. I have ten pound on Hartelpool at 10/1 for the title, by placing a further ten on Wallsall at 4,5 with Betfred and Milton keynes Dons 7.0 with Coral I will be making at least fifteen pounds and covering all eventualities, best case Hartlepool wins I win 70, Milton Keynes wins me fourty and Wallsall fifteen.
Darlington represent good value at 13.0 with coral, ten per cent stakes on them to get promoted, they are one point of the playoffs and like Swansea are on a great run of form.

THE MEANING OF LIFE
Oh out of time be sure to check back tommorrow for that as well more Football, more world cup cricket and we look at some long term betting opps including American idol, Rugby League and Rugby union, all this and more than stuff you can shake a stick at and stuff you can shake a stick at. See you all tommorrow until then I'm out of here like a Freddie Flintoff paddling oar.

SHORT BUT NO LESS SWEET

2007-03-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well that's hopefully the case after great night's work on the UEFA Cup we have four games tonight. Time constraints mean that we are a little short of time but the tip should be a winning one hopefully.

ROCHDALE TO WIN/DRAW AT CHESTER: ODDS OF 3.25 the win with paddy power and 3.25 the draw. A stake on both will return so long as Chester don't win, which is something they haven't managed to do in their last four games, their two wins in ten are against awful sides in Accrington and Bury and they have only six goals in ten.
Rochdale have just one defeat in their last ten games and some decent performances against playoff contenders, fourty per cent stake on each, see you all tommorrow.

THE LUCK OF THE IRISH, CUSTARD PIES, PETER BEARDSLEY'S LOVECHILD OH AND SOME BETTING.

2007-03-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT'S REVIEW
Chelsea's win at Man City was about as exciting as an episode of Dancing on Ice but they've done the job and the bookies have re-acted by cutting them to 7/2 for the title with the gap down to six. The problem is that even if Chelsea beat Man United the goal difference makes it four points and United have some very winnable final games. Man City for their part are now down to 5/1 for relegation and if you didn't get on them on a few weeks ago like we suggested then 6.0(5/1) is still a nice price to be on. Charlton and even Watford are showing signs of the fight while Man City are showing as much willingness to fight as Audley Harrison. Our prediction is a nice twenty per cent stake on man city to go down.

UEFA CUP

AZ V NEWCASTLE: Last time around was a cracker and here's hoping for more this time. AZ have to win by two clear goals and not concede three away goals, Newcastle have to defend solidly, easy done? Well not when your defence has calamity bramble in a man who has more accidents than Frank Spencer. Our call is to get on AZ to win the game at 1.96(pinnacle) the reason is they have a wealth of attacking options, great home record and Newcastle can afford to not win the game outright. 30 per cent stakes.
BENFICA V PSG: Another home win is on the cards here, but the better value is Benfica to qualify 1.8(4/5) with paddypower. the reason is that Benfica have the away goal and just need a 1-0 win here. Benfica have a good home record, goalscorers and are worth a 10 per cent bet to qualify.
ESPANYOL V MACCABI HAIFA: Espanyol are another side who should prevail at home as they are unbeaten in all competitions in eight and Maccabi Haifa are not great travellers, this means the win margin bet could be the way to go. A ten per cent stake on each of Espanyol to win by one/two or three goals would return your money with a bit of interest. Espanyol should win but the spanish side don't hammer many teams and the win margin is the way to go.

The treble is also worth a 10 per cent stake on all three sides to win tonight.

Tonight's other game see Sevilla travel to Shaktar Donetsk regular readers will know after the first leg we told you to get on Seville to win it all, but as all good injury lawyers know now it's also worth covering yourself to prevent accident. With ten per cent stakes on the win for Shaktar and the draw which would see the home side threw as well. Unless it was 3-3 and up. Donetsk are a tricky side at home and 3.09 the win/ 3.35 the draw could be worth the cover. The odds are taken in this game from, not literally as that would be theft and we don't condone that here, pinnacle the home win and expekt the draw.

THE CRICKET WORLD CUP: After a cautious first few days it's now we start to get invovled in the cricket world cup. Firstly we recommend lots of money on bermuda to win, that's at miss world 2007, but more on that another time. In terms of cricket they are uglier than the lovechild of Peter Beardsley and well anyone and Sri Lanka should have a walk in the park and then come back and bowl them out very quick. Tharanga can start to stockpile some runs in the chase to catch Ponting and it's worth looking to who wins the toss and bats first. If it's sri lanka then get on Tharanga to win man of the match, if it's bermuda get on a sri lanka bowler to be man of the match.
Also put 10 per cent stakes on Ireland to spring a shock and beat Zimbabwe, the Zimbies (wish that really was their nickname) are being overpriced because they used to be a test nation, the 2.75 available on Betfair should be backed as Ireland could be in for a big few sporting days, with this the Rugby, cheltenham and the annual dana lookalike compettion.

BACK TO REALITY:Well speaking of the luck of the Irish anyone know why Colin murray has survived longer than Ray Stubbs in Celeb face Academy, still he has nothing on tara p-t who must be the luckiest person in the world, she can't sing can't dance, can't even on stando n stage without looking akward, isn't that likeable and is still in. Still it's all for charity even the money the bookies made on it, oh know hold on that bit isn't, why is that?

MUGS OF THE DAY: There has been some pretty stupid ideas threw out history,most of them involving fighting in the Russian winter or 80s fashion but this could be the best/worst one yet. Some bright spark at the Football League seems to think what we the fans hate most is draws, not the diving, lack of sin bins, salary caps or miked refs, and they are discussing abolishing draws. Lets hope these ideas are quickly shot down before we became the laughing stock of world football, even drwaing lots or custard pie fighting would be better alternatives to penalties, especially the custard pie thing.

LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY

2007-03-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

MAN CITY V CHELSEA: Roman is getting divorced, Claude and Roman have had a fall out, Jose and Roman have already fallen out, Jose threatens to leave Roman and take Frank and John with them, what is this the plot of a Spanish soap, nope this is the mess Chelsea are in right now. Man City should be laughing but this is Man City and as usual they are an even funnier joke. Stuart Pearce might be a very good man but his management skills are somewhat of the mark and tonight could be his last game, it makes for a fascinating encounter and City will come out fighting and I don't just mean Joey 'the lips' Barton. Chelsea though should have enough class to come through, terry will be back, drogba will be a handful and chelsea will run out winners. Fifty per cent stake on Chelsea.

ASTON VILLA V ARSENAL: Both these clubs are less like a soap opera and more like a kids television show, you had mad professor wenger and his young prodigies, against zany martin and his kids from the wrong side of the track. Alright it's the makings of a rubbish tv show but a very interesting game. Arsenal have had a hideous few weeks and Villa will be hoping to add to their misery. Resultswise it's tougher to call than who gets the best deal out of the Roman divorce, but there is one winner, the anytime market. John Carew has the height to cause Arsenal and air traffic control numerous problems. The gunners conceded a heartbreaking set piece goal in the champions league and at 3.75(11/4) with paddy power he looks good value to steal the show.

THE CHAMPIONS, well of the cup of runners ups: See the problem with the UEFA Cup is that it doesn't have a theme song, forget the battle for eurovision, lets have a song for UEFA hosted Platini and the glamorous Matthew Lorenzo, I can see it now. Meanwhile back in reality there is some uefa second leg football leverkusen play Lens, osasuna play rangers, spurs play braga and bremen play celta vigo. There is little value to be had in these markets except maybe to get on Defoe, after teamnews, at 2.43(7/5) in the anytime market with Extrabet. Braga's backline is vulnerable to pace and Spurs have that in abundance.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP: Nothing in either of the championship games, Barnsley travel to Plymouth hunting key points, Plymouth could be hung over from their cup exploits and Barnsley are badly off song, West Brom have a great home record but the goals are drying up quicker than Kent Water Supply, Palace for their part are showing signs of improvement these are two to avoid.

CRICKET WORLDCUP: If Australia were to lose Scotland it would be the biggest shock since Mrs Noah realised that boat would come in useful after all, there seems little value to be had in this match and nor in Kenya v Canada, Thomas Onodo is an all rounder with a real game and he could be one to provide value but in these early stages it's worth keeping a watching brief or stakes low.

BACK TO REALITY: After the success of Celeb Big Brother were going to tip you early (10 per cent alright) and tell you that Sweden are the ones to watch in terms of Eurovision, they are trading at 7.2 on Betfair and that's very generous. They are represented by The Ark (see the Noah joke worked) who are the darkness mixed with 70S glam rock, it's a real winner of a song, good performance, great vocal, instant grab, noone hates Sweden politcally (well maybe the Fins do) other than that though this seems a big favourite and fourty per cent stakes are advised before the odds come tumbling down again.
Elsewhere American idol seems rightly priced so far and Celeb Face Academy is way too difficult to call, all contestants have been in the bottom three and it really does depend on the performance on the night.

Well that's all for a bumper day, I'm off to take candy from a baby though babies round here tend to be well armed and well trained in the art of violence from a young age, so I might not be back with all fingers in tact tommorrow. In the meanwhile I'm out of here quicker than Kate Thornton's X Factor career, see you all tommorrow.

FINDING YOU MORE BARGAINS THAN DAVID DICKINSON BUT WITHOUT THE ORANGE FACE

2007-03-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

That's right there's so much sport today that we don't have time for any of the usual intro's and shenanigans and that isn't just because I'm trying to gloss over a bad few betting days for this column.

WE DON'T LIKE CRICKET, OKAY WE DO BUT FIFTY ONE GAMES IN SIX WEEKS

Is an awful lot, still I'm sure the players and the media will be content after all six weeks in the Caribbean isn't exactly a big ask now is it. If it was six weeks in Slough I'm sure we would have a few more complaints. What it does mean though is the bookies have gone gnarls barkley over the markets on offer, i.e crazy. We've ploughed through the markets on come out with a few value tips for you. Don't thank us, oh well if you like.

THE OUTRIGHT WINNERS
There are only eight teams who can win this, which is seven more than the scottish premier, but will make for a lot of meaningless games. However there will be some small value bets and some shocks and we'll be sure to tip our hat and your mouse when we know of them. In the meanwhile start with two outright bets on the winners of the tournament. There a big question marks about each team and no outright winner, but the value lies with India and Sri lanka at 8.5(15/2) 10 per cent stakes each. Totesport are taking on India and it is understandable why, India are the Spain of cricket, no they don't have a racist coach, rather they have lots of talent but are not always the sum of their parts. However the pitches in the Caribbean should help them and a side with such a strong batting and bowling attack can not be ignored at that price. They can beat anyone in that day and with a format that allows for off days India have the potential to make this their year. Sri lanka meanwhile are one day masters, they coming out like a london schoolkid whose hads his rep damaged, i.e all guns blazing. They destroyed England last summer 5-0 and lost to India 2-1 but without two key players. Expekt offer a great value 8.5(15/2).

THE OTHER MARKETS
Top batsman is a bit of a sweepstake but some things you need to consider, it is essential to get on a batsman who will bat one to three in the order and that numerous games make it not essential to get someone who will make the final. There is less of a difference between twelve and ten games and five and three. With bookies offering quarter the odds the first four it's worth risking some small stakes (five per cent) on some outsiders. Here's a few we have highlighted, take your pick of all or some.
Sourav Ganguly 26.0 (25/1) general
Chris Gayle 18.0 (17/1) expekt.
Upul Tharanga 34.0 (33/1) general.
Mohammed Yosuf 26.0 (25/1) general.
Top bowler backers should look for players who won't have to share the wickets around.
Daniel Vettori 36.0 (35/1) pinnacle is our each way pick.
THE OTHER OTHER MARKETS
You can bet on everything this world cup from who will the toss, lowest team innings score and how often Michael Vaughan will spend in physio, okay maybe not the last one. There's a few goodies to be had here for bargain hunters think of me as David Dickinson but some what less Orange.
Upal Tharanga 40 per cent stakes on top debutant batsman 5.5 with sportingodds.
20 per cent stakes on 2.5 (6/4) Bermuda to have the lowest scoring innings.

THE FOOTBALL MARKETS
We've moved sports in case you didn't notice, and it's the good association football that generally keeps us busy here, it's a very interesting night of championship action tonight and a few bets stand out for us.

Southend not to lose at home to Burnley 2.2(6/5) the win and 3.25(9/4) the draw. Although your playing on short returns it's worth for the consideration of the very small chance Burnley will win away from home tonight. I'll explain why, Southend had a great win at the weekend at Ipswich and are showing encouraging sings of getting out of their, Burnley are sliding badly and have no win in 16. They are struggling to score, though they are difficult to break down and draw a few hence the conservative draw cover. Thirty per cent stakes on both the home and the draw.

Bristol City at home to Bradford in a double with Aberdeen at Motherwell. 20 per cent stake.

Macclesfield not to lose at MK Dons, 5.5(9/2 totesport) the win 3.6(13/5) the draw. Macclesfield have shown improved signs since Ince tok over, they have got some good results against tricky teams.

Well that's for today were out of here quicker than a Bermudan batsman.

PRE BET SUPERSTITIONS

2007-03-10T04:19:00.000-08:00

What do you do, do you use the same system if your on a good run, or maybe you wear the same pair of pants if your on a good run, or maybe change them three times a day if your on a bad run. Punters are as bad as the footballers and I'm no different, after a bad couple of days I'm about to return to the most simple bet that nearly always gets me out of trouble. I take the three teams over 2.00 and put on doubles and trebles. Then I take two or three teams not to lose. The last few days have to be honest gone as well as a George Bush foreign policy that's what were going to do.

THE BETS
Mansfield at Notts County 3.0:various: Mansfield are on the up, Notts County on the down, confidence could be key in this local derby.
Stockport at Barnet: 2.2 with betfred on a side on a run such as Stockport is huge.
Leyton Orient at Cheltenham: 3.0: various: good value on a in-form orient climbing slowly against a struggling Cheltenham.

ALSO CONSIDERED VALUE
Larsson/Viduka/Yakubu anytime. 2.84/3.75/4.0 one or more of these should score, all extrabet.
leicester not to lose at palace 3.5the win/3.25 the draw.
preston not to lose at hull 2.4 the win/3.8 the draw.
scunthorpe not to lose forest 2.25 the win/3.3 the draw.
bristol rovers not to lose at boston 2.6 the win/3.25 the draw.
queen of the south home win ross county 2.0.

GOOD LUCK EVERYWHERE SEE YOU ALL MONDAY FOR MARKET MOVES IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS AND SOME MORE DUBIOUS JOKES.

REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE UPDATES USING THE BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

2007-03-09T01:58:00.000-08:00

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

One leg down one to go, not a tasteless Heather Mills Joke, but an accurate description of last night's UEFA CUP. Big winners were Newcastle, Bremen, PSG and Spurs, with Bremen and Spurs leading the market. Seville just about scraped a 2-2 draw, and have seen their price go out to 8.0 with paddy power,this could be good value as they did miss chances last night and no doubt key players might return for their final leg. This could be worth a twenty per cent stake bearing in mind the quality Seville have and they need only win one-nil.
Speaking of the Power, paddy's older brother Phil was on majestic form last night's, he is playing Darts that no-one can live wih right now and he is now under evens to win the tournament. Better bet not a name I was awae of until recently, though might be trying to make a name for themself, even if that name is MR MUG, as they offer a very generous evens for Phil to win the premier league and shrewd gamblers could make a big profit on this.

BETWATCH
Last night was probably the worst disaster since Brittney replaced her hairdresser, but Danny Koevermans and a clever staking plan may have limited the damages, not to mention the value on the teams we still rate will go up and in the long-term that could work. Which leads us to.

BETTING THOUGHT OF THE DAY
That's right and today we want to paraphrase George Michael that you've got to have faith. If you have belief that you have done your homework in the markets and a side suffers a disappointing result such as that of Benfica and Seville then you need to learn when to hold your nerve. Look for encouraging sings did they miss key players who will return next time, did they miss chances, make sily mistakes, or are they just rubbish and you got it wrong. After game research is an important tool to the punter as pre match homework.

TODAY'S THE DAY
A solid if unspectactular friday of sport. Soccerwise we have a few key championship games, a little european action, a bevvy of cricketing warm up games, tennis, golf continues on and we have some rugby league, oh and the US goers sports crazy through the early hours of the night.

GAME IN FOCUS
BIRMINGHAM V DERBY
THE ODDS: Birmingham (2.1) PREMIER/BETFRED
Draw (3.4) Premier/Tote
Derby (3.7) Expekt/WBX.
WHO ARE YA? Both sides are pushing for the title and this is a key matchup. Derby sit top, two points ahead of Birmingham but played a game more.
THE FORM? Birmingham have won their last two home games 1-0 over Cardiff and Leeds. They have just two defeats in their last eight, away to Hull and at home to Southend.
Derby themselves have won their last to at home to Colchester and away to Norwich, this ended a mini slump of just one point from a possible 12.
INSIDE THE FORM: Both sides though have been short of their best while getting their results, Birmingham fans are about as convinced by Steve Bruce as ALL Saints record label was of their potential, they struggle to score for a side with a wealth of scorers, possibly due to a lack of creativity across the middle and some negative tactics. Lack of creativity in the middle is certainly not Derby's problem, Barnes and Jones are big talents in the middle but they have struggled for goals and also they rode their luck against Norwich in midweek.
I'VE GOT THE KEY, I'VE GOT THE SECRET: The battle in the middle is key can Birmingham's industry outdo Derby's artisan players.
REASONS BRUM CAN WIN: Damien Johnson will give them bite in the middle, they have the strikers to worry Derby.
REASONS THEY MIGHT NOT: Derby are grinding out the results and Brum lack the creativity their opponents do, they need to keep Jones a marked man.
REASONS DERBY CAN WIN: There improved resiliance, David Jones is on fire,Howard can cause Birmingham problems at the back.
REASONS THEY MIGHT NOT: Derby had a tough game Tuesday night and back to back wins is a tricky one and they might be happy with the draw.
TEAM NEWS:Birmingham:The Blues have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season. Mikael Forssell is in contention for a place in the 16 after coming through a midweek reserve outing. Damien Johnson is also back from the sidelines and defender Radhi Jaidi is available following his suspension.
Derby:Michael Johnson misses out due to a hamstring injury. Paul Boertien and Richard Jackson miss out with knee problems, but Stephen Pearson may return. Billy Davies must choose between Craig Fagan and Gary Teale at right-wing spot and Tyrone Mears and Mark Edworthy at right-back.
THE VERDICT: The results one is a very tough one to call, what is clear is the way the game will unfold it will be a tight cagey affair that while be of huge importance, it may not be the feast the neutrals are demanding but it could certainly provide interest from a tension pov.
In terms of betting the others market is the best value and a ten per cent stakes on David Jones in the anytime makret. Jones has three goals in two games and in a tight game efforts from a distance or set pieces could be the market and Jones is your man. A generous 7.8 with extrabet.

ELSEWHERE
Hartlepool look great value at a standout Premierbet 1,85 are the odds, and it is a thirty per cent stake.
Wrexham look worth a small punt of 20 per cent at home to Bury they are 2.2 with total/sky and uk betting. Bury have not won since December 16 and Wrexham under new management got a big win at Barnet last weekend back on them to continue that run.

Well that's it for the day be sure to find out when we update everyday by signing up with us, there is a little box at the bottom of the page that you put your email in, also we send you bonus tips as and when we have them. Today we'll send our champions league draw analysis to anyone who signs up. It's free, no spam and your helping us out win,win,win.
Be sure to check back tommorrow for the bumper weekend betting choices.

RSVP PSV ASAP

2007-03-08T01:12:00.000-08:00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Another exciting night of european football is over and there's really nothing quite like the Champions League, certainly not the UEFA CUP. Still I have one gripe, can Sky or ITV or whoever shows the games stop telling us the scores from the other games during the match. With so many games on both channels and so many new fancy personal recorders it would be a perfect chance to watch back to back games one recorded, one live. If you want to tell us the score give us the halftime option because right now your ruining it for us football fans to have a real football watching marathon.

BETWATCH

We didn't quite make it on the anytime market with neither Podolski or Farfan finding the net but this week was a success on the anytime market as we got a big winner at 10.0 with Quaresma. It's worth noting extrabet's prices for future and see if they make the same mistake again of pricing european players so high.
However we did have a win on our big tip which was Bristol City away at Chesterfield a bargain 2.3 with BET365.

MARKET REPORTS
Man United and Chelsea seem to be battling for favouritism, with all bar Ladbrokes favouring the blues. United seem a little over-priced here as Larsson will be missed and with Saha out they may struggle for goals. Liverpool and Valencia follow and it is the spanish side who could be value. They're trading at 8.0 with traditional bookmakers and 8.8 with Betfair they have goals,strong defence, good form and a favourable draw Friday could make them worth a punt. It's worth keeping one eye on your betting accounts and the other on the draw this friday and acting quickly to make some investments. PSV are a massively over-priced 25/1 with ladbrokes, especially at a third the odds the final. That makes them around 8.5 to win two games, in a tournament that has no dominant team. They might not have been pretty against Arsenal but they did the job and still have a few key players to return. Porto and Liverpool have done similar jobs in winning the Champions League and we recommend a 10 per each way stake on them.
Over in League one Bristol City's win seems to have set them and Scunthorpe up for the two automatic spots,the race for the playoffs seems on with four places between eight. With no side really coming with a great run of form it remains one to watch rather than bet on.

TODAY'S ACTION
18:00 Lens (2.1) Draw (3.27) Bayer Leverkusen (3.8)
18:45 Maccabi Haifa (3) Draw (3.25) Espanyol (2.5)
19:30 Newcastle (2.1) Draw (3.3) AZ (3.8)
19:45 Celta Vigo (3) Draw (3.26) Werder Bremen (2.5)
19:45 PSG (2.5) Draw (3.2) Benfica (3.1)
19:45 Sevilla (1.45) Draw (4) Shakhtar Donetsk (8)
20:05 Rangers (2.15) Draw (3.3) Osasuna (3.8)
21:35 Braga (3.2) Draw (3.25) Tottenham (2.4)

NEWCASTLE V AZ: There is little doubt that the 3.8 on AZ is as tempting as the cakes in a shop are to Ronaldinho, especially when you consider that AZ have already been to Seville and won, I'd be recommending the cover with the draw but little doubt that this is good value. Even better value though is the 3.6 anytime goalscorer price with Ladbrokes and Coral on Danny Koevermans to score anytime. He has an impressive scoring record and finds the net as regular as Ronaldinho finds his sugar intake, with Calamity Bramble set to play there'll be opportunites galore for him to feast on.
RANGERS V OSASUNA: The bookies are finding this one a difficult one to price up, Rangers are showing improved signs under Walter Smith, while Osasuna are struggling in Spain, incapable of putting that big white ball between the two sticks. This game depends on how highly or not so highly you judge scottish football, probably one to avoid.
BRAGA V TOTTENHAM: This one is a tricky one to call, Benfica and Porto have already failed to record victories there, while Spurs until recently have had about as much away success as Robbie Williams has had with his career lately. However they have shown improved signs /spurs that is not Robbie's personalities) and this could be a very close one, Berbatov is 3.0 in the anytime market but with Braga's defence tighter than a Robbie rhyme it remains one to watch.
OTHER GAMES: Elsewhere Sevilla look nailed on to beat Shaktar Donetsk, the best way to play this is the win margin bet with bet365. If Sevilla win by two or more goals you get 2.2 if Sevilla win by one goal you get 3.5, it's a small add for the probable result but on the offchance that Seville win but it's kept close then this is a market worth playing.
Benfica also look good value in the draw/win market not to lose at a PSG side having a nightmare of a season.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
WHY THE US SPORTS MARKETS SO DULL? Many a premier league game has over 30 plus markets, while the average NBA game has five max. Isn't it about time the bookmakers spiced up their US Sports markets, I far one have many ideas have inventive markets they could run, but right now if you don't want to bet on something heavily stats laden such as total points and the result market doesn't appeal there is no where to punt. Come on bookmakers sort it out, if you need some help in the markets my address is at the top of the page, but it can't be beyond the brains of BET365, Paddy power and Stan James, the creative bookmakers to come up with something else.

BET OF THE DAY
PSV at 25/1 to win the Champions league, 1/3 the odds each way bet. 10 per cent stakes.
ALSO RECOMMENDED
AZ AWAY WIN/Draw at Newcastle 3.8 the win expekt, 3.3 the draw. 20 per cent stakes
Danny Koevermans 3.6 in the anytime market AZ V Newcastle. Coral/ladbrokes. 10 per cent stake.
Sevilla to win by one goal 40 per cent 2.2
Sevilla to win by more than one goal 40 per cent 3.5 both with bet365.
Benfica away win PSG 30 per cent, 3.0 various.
Benfica draw at PSG. 30 per cent, 3.2 various.

That's all for you tommorow, like Arsenal's season I am out, unilt tommorrow.

THE RHYMING PREVIEW

2007-03-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Last night was a pretty decent night, we got Norwich v Dery on the over and Bristol Rovers at 3.8 the draw, but best of all we got Quaresma at 10.0 in the anytime market, a nice tidy profit. Let's see if we can continue that tonight and as added bonus I've even made it all rhyme, what more can you ask for your money, hey this is free you know.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ARSENAL V PSV
Farfan might be quite mad,
But he's a bargain price to be had,
5.2 with extrabet to score anytime,
It's as simple as the way I made this rhyme.

AC MILLAN V CELTIC
Millan will probably win this,
But those short odds make this one to miss.

BAYERN V REAL
There's not a lot that rhymes with Podolski,
But he's good value anyway 3.03 extrabet in the anytime market for the in-form striker.

UNITED V LILLE
United should have at easy against Lille,
Though at best 1.4 it' s not the odds that makes me go crazy like a seal.

ELSEWHERE
Chesterfield have just one win in ten,
Bristol City are 2.3 with the BET365 men,
This is our bet of the day,
Lets make those 365 bookies pay.

Goodluck everyone see you all tommorrow.

WHAT'S AN ADO?

2007-03-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

Well after a fairly rubbish few weeks of posting we are back where we belong and back to posting what we do best, i.e lame jokes and bumbling attempts at football predictions, you know you love it.
With no further ado, whatever an ado is, lets get started.

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
LIVERPOOL V BARCELONA: It's quite funny how these games, the ones that are a joys to watc are generally the ones that are a nightmare from a betting point of view. Speaking of nightmares Craig Bellamy could be a key player here Barcelona have to attack, Liverpool can break at pace on the counter, lead by quicker than a falying golfball Bellamy This could go anyway results wise, the others market might appeal and I toyed with the idea of the over 2 goals, 2.0 at Stan james. However with the way Barcelona laboured to break Liverpool down in the home league then I would suggest keeping a watching brief.
CHELSEA V PORTO: This one meanwhile does not appeal anywhere near as much to the neutral, but makes good betting sense. The anytime goalscorer market is where you should be looking. First three things to consider, one Peter Cech is in amazing form and the best keeper in the world, Two Khalid Boularouz will return after his shoulder injury and Michael Essien will push into midfield, meaning Chelsea should be in stronger shape and more balanced formation. Three I'm quite mad. That last is possibly why I'm telling you to take two Porto players on the anytime market with 10 per cent stakes. The reason is because the two players Adriano and Quaresma are on great form. When you get 7.2 and 10.0 for two such in form players then you have to take the odds, these are with extrabet. No defence in Europe is unbreakable and it just takes one wonder strike or a mistake for a goal chance to be available. These odds are too big to pass up. The staking plan is a measure of confidence level, 10 per cent of the total 100 per cent you would bet on a sure thing, even if there is no such thing as a sure thing.
LYON V ROMA: Lyon are starting to show an improved sign, while Roma are stuttering away from home, the 1.8 on the home win could be considered good value, but I'm happier taking the over 2.0 goals on 2.3 with ukbetting, again 20 per cent stakes. The over 2.0 goals market tends to be a fifty/fifty split in terms of chance. The reason there being so generous here is last time out this was a nil-nil bore draw, however conditions in Lyon will be much more favourable, the home side have found their goal touch, Roma meanwhile are struggling at the back, the 20 per cent is advised to reflect the over price in the market.
VALENCIA V INTER: If Ukbetting are pricing a game that finished nil-nil last time and had no chances at 2.3 the over 2.0 goals what do you do when you get a game that finished 2-2 and had hatful of chances, and they price it the same. You weigh in more, the 40 per cent bet appeals here as both sides have a wealth of strikers and goals are not in short supply for them.

THE FIZZY LEAGUES: Elsewhere it is a tough call, Hull v Ipswich sees a good home side against a side with a good win at the weekend in a crucial relegation match. Sheff Wed and Plymouth are two sides who seem set for a mid-table finish and interest and motivation are low. Norwich v Derby could be the pick of the championship, both sides have hit scoring form with eight goals between them at the weekend, back on it continuing with the over 2.0 goals at 2.1 Stan James, 10 per cent stakes.
Into League One Blackpool would have been huge value at 1.8 at home to Bournmouth, but the away side have shown a big improvement in recent weeks and the value looks better elsewhere. Doncaster look overpriced at Forest until you consider the horrendous injury list, Forest for their part are as always over-priced at home and this is also one to swerve. The League one bet of the day is Port Vale at home to Cheltenham, 1.83 general. Port Vale have played their way out of trouble in recent weeks and impressed in a 4-2 win over Yeovil at the weekend. They certainly know where the back of the net is while Cheltenham with 13 goals have the lowest away tally in the league. The verdict 30 per cent home win.
League two meanwhile features the loss of Shrewsbury v Wrexham, victim of the weather and Shrewsbury's scarily closeness to the riverbanks, not the best feature of planning ever. In the games that do go ahead Mansfield entertain Chester, Chester have drew their last two, while Mansfield have taken a massive seven points of nine against playoff hopefuls Lincoln, Wycombe and Milton Keynes Dons. Though with just two points between them and Chester's two recent draws this is one to swerve.
The value bet of the day in this and any league, and with a 40 per cent stake on the win/40 per cent stake on the draw, is the double chance on Bristol Rovers at Accrington. The Bristol side are on a high after a local derby success in the Paint Trophy while Accrington are sliding ever closer to the trapdoor of non-league football. Accrington are coming of the back of a performance their manager called the worst in his eight years in charge. Bet365 go 2.8 the away win, 3.2 the draw.

Well that's it for today, good betting day to you all and see you all tommorrow. In the meanwhile what is an ado?

VIRGIN ON THE INSANE

2007-03-01T04:08:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone just a quick note to let you know that the service might suffer a little with the new madness going on with Sky and Virgin. I'm looking to switch providers and as such my internet providers and my internet may go soon, also we might be moving the blog back to it's old home as new blogger is not behaving as I hoped it would.

Keep your eyes peeled anyway and remember if you go to http://anothawriter.blogspot.com you can sign up for email updates as to when and where we are. Be back tommorrow I hope.

WERE MOVING

2007-02-27T02:36:00.000-08:00

HTTP://MUGSGAME.BLOGSPOT.COM

Why? It's an easy name to remember, also it's new blogger so we can do more with the tools, and because it focuses on our new interests, the others market.
What do I get? Still the same quality of service but over time more work, more design, more pretty things an most importantly more winning tips. The vast majority of mine and other gamblers losses is in the outright results markets bookies know this and it's high time we did something about this.
Ninety five per cent of the straight matches market is priced correctly, meaning your money should be going elsewhere we aim to open up some of the other options and explain how you can be in charge of your money.

What do I do if I'm a subcriber already? Nothing you'll be kept on the mailing list and send the new address via email.

In the meanwhile we'll be still using this website for a week or so just till word gets around, there really is no other website offering what we offer, free tips and insights into markets that don't cover the traditional markets. There are so many new markets out there, get out there and see the world just don't get mugged.

http://mugsgame.blogspot.com

WHAT'S IN A NAME

2007-02-21T03:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes lazy bookmakers give teams too much respect because of who they are not what they do on the pitch, it's your duty to make them pay.

THE GHOST OF BETTING PAST

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Last night's game saw a lot of action, both on the pitch, in Lille's case off it. Man United were brought in by the bookies to 6.0 quicker than Alex Ferguson reeling in Gary Neville, and while it looks job done, they did struggle against an ordinary Lille side and there seems little value to be had there. Elsewhere Arsenal lost 1-0 and then proceded to both shorten and drift, meaning people were unsure if this was a good or a bad 1-0. Confusion reigns supreme with some bookies going 5-6 Arsenal to qualify, others 5-6 Arsenal not to qualify, madness. It should be an interesting second leg, though I'm personally offering 100-1 odds that Thierry Henry actually manages a smile this season, any takers, thought not.
Real and Bayern had a goal feast, both are bad teams and you shouldn't get fooled by that, Celtic v Milan finished 0-0 and our tip Nakumra hit a free kick into the keepers hands, which somewhat suprisingly was probably the best thing Celtic did all game. With just one win in eleven away games we can understand why Milan will go off so short, but they will need Inzaghi back and Gilardino to remember that the aim of the game is to put that football thing in between those sticks.
Tonight's games should give us a clearer view of who could win the champions league.

CHAMPIONSHIP: Things we were on the ball with, Sunderland, Leicester, West Brom, things we got badly wrong Southend and Hull. The top of the table has more betting up and downs than an up and down thing but real value lies with Sunderland 13.0 with sportingodds. The odds pay a fifth the odds the top three something which is well with in Sunderland's reach. Sunderland were very unlucky not to beat Brum last night and have upcoming big games against the so called better teams, including a home game against Derby this Saturday. If they win that there odds will fall, our advice is to get on them, they have two quality wingers, goalscorers, tight midfield and a well organized defence, but most importantly bags of confidence and desire.
Elsewhere at the bottom it has been far too tight to call though with each side down the bottom showing capability of winning games, Burnely look worth a small wager at 10.0 with Stan James in the relegation market. They are woefully short of confidence and could get suckered into the relegation battle.

LEAGUE ONE: What's in a name and awful lot it seems, Forest who are stuttering their way thrugh the title race like an asthmatic turtle are 4.0 to win the league, Yeovil who are on the same points as them are quadruple their odds. 16-1 is an obsecene price with Betfred and value for Yeovil to finish top three. Elsewhere Scunthorpe are a generous 15/8 bearing in mind they are six points clear, Forest miss tactics and Oldham miss Sean Gregan, their biggest danger could well be Bristol City.
At the bottom Rotherham look gone but seven points seperate seven and expect many surprise results like last night's five-two away win for Orient over Millwall, could be some good value odds on offer in forthcoming weeks.

LEAGUE TWO:Oh Hartlepool, where for art thou Hartlepool, oh there you are three points clear. It's too early to get smug but 14/1 at the start of the season, 10-1 a month ago, 9-2 a few weeks ago, we've called Hartlepool all the way down the line. Even at 15/8 they could still be considered value, they were lucky last night but luck carries a big part. The nearest rivals are imploding which not only makes our longterm bet look good, but makes Stockport at 13.0 with Betdirect, a fifth the odds the top three, good value. Outside of Hartlepool they are the form team and can take advantage of the other sides drop in form to sneak into the top three.
Also Darlington could be good value to get promotion at 8.0 with betfair, they are only six points off Wycombe and could sneak into the playoffs via the backdoor, from there it's anyone's game.

THE GHOST OF BETTING PRESENT
BRONZE BET: If last night taught me something it was that there's nothing funny than watching Alex Ferguson give Gary Neville the full on hairdryer treatment, oh and that it's a nightmare to call the first leg of two legged games in Europe. That's why our betting tips will more or less avoid Europe, the only call were going to make is in the Barcelona v Liverpool game to get on Liverpool with plus one, covered as always by the draw. Barcelona are missing some striking options and this year don't have Larsson in reserve, Barca might win this one but Liverpool can keep it tighter than eighties lycra and at 2.25 the win, the 3.6 draw, seems great value.

SILVER BET: Inter versus Valencia to go over the two goals at 2.4 with ukbetting. Shall I show you the ways, Zlatan, Adriano, Crespo, Italy's top scorers, against a Valenica whose last four games have averaged three goals each and have strikers like Villa and Morientes not to mention the class of wingers, this might be europe but it could go over the over, quite easy.

GOLD BET:When I said I was going to more or less avoid Europe I didn't quite think my first two bets would be Europe, I've got a future in politics clearly, anyway I can promise this last one has nothing to do with Europe other than Stoke and Derby are both located in Derby. You have to go back to november and numerous games ago for the last time Derby one by more than one goal and Bet365 are taking a chance with their handicap market. By offering 2.0 Stoke with the plus one and 3.6 the draw. Stoke are a well organized difficult team to break down and you have to go back to December 16 for the last time they lost by more than one goal. Today's gold bet is Stoke on the handicap.

ELSEWHERE: They are two tricky premier league games with little give on the odds and as such that's enough for today.

THE GHOST OF BETTING FUTURE
I know I promised you a full scale NBA roundup and that's coming soon but with the season just re-starting it seems a good time to tell you that as far as I can see only Detroit and Miami can win the east right now and at 3.5 and 5.0 each you should get on them.

Well that's it for today, be back tommorrow for more betting stuff,have a good sports day everyone and remember there are some stupid people in the world don't be one of them. Take for instance the women who went on the US version of who wants to be a millionaire and used all three lifelines and still got the 100 dollar question wrong. The question, what is largest? a peanut, the moon, an elephant, or hey who you calling large. She ignored her best friend and 98 per cent of the audience and became today's mug of the day. Avoid getting mugged and sign up for the muggings at the bottom of the page.

See you all tommorrow

AH YES IT'S PANCAKE DAY

2007-02-20T02:12:00.000-08:00

Don't know bout you but it's great to have the Champions League back, not just because it saves me from reality television or England friendlies, but because there's nothing like seeing two giants go toe to toe, that and I love the moment where that opera voice sings 'The Champions'

With that said though the first round of matches is a betting nightmare, the two legged nature of the contest and the inconsistent domestic form of many of the teams make this one tougher than an Audley Harrison opponent. My thoughts on each game and them some value bets across the league.

CELTIC V AC MILLAN: There's more chance of the UK winning this year's Eurovision then there is of Celtic being Champions League champions this year, but that doesn't mean you can't discount them here. At home Celtic are a match for anyone and this a long way from a vintage Milan side, injuries to Nesta and Dida, means the rear-guard will be vulnerable. Milan also look as toothless as Audley Harrison, without cup-tied Ronaldo, Inzaghi and suspended Borriello. This game might be a tight one to call but the 5.9 on Nakumara to score anytime with extrabet seems the bet to be on. Nakumara takes all the free kicks and has a mean shot from distance, in a game in which opportunities might be few and far between he seems great value.

LILLE V MAN UNITED: Cristian Ronaldo is widely held up to be the best in Europe right now, his close control and fast movement mean he is widely tipped to be the pancacke flipper of the year, oh and he's a damn good footballer as well. United will need Ronaldo to be at his best to break down a tough Lille side in what could be a war of attrition, as appose to nutrition which comes at teatime. United will battle and hustle, Lille will frustrate, you will channel surf and this game will finish a low scoring one. My advice, chicken, mushroom and bacon, oh and no bet.

PSV V ARSENAL: Of course we all know the real reason why we celebrate Shrove Tuesday don't we, nope, of course it's the final day before the fourty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, before showing us the error of our ways. Arsene Wenger will hpe William Gallas will have a similar effect on the Gunners back line, this should be a tight one, PSV are struggling for form in Holland and were less than impressive when winning on Saturday. Arsenal meanwhile huffed and puffed their way to a nil-nil draw against Blackburn. This one is like the three day old pancake best left alone.

REAL V BAYERN: Both sides have coaches that left and then cameback and now must really wish they hand't bothered, both sides are struggling for form in their domestic league, both sides have players with an allergy to lemon, this time is a real pick em, as in pick who will go out when they meet someone good.

BRONZE BET: Sunderland not to lose at Birmingham 3.5 the win, 3.25 the draw, various. There are not many great things to come out of Sunderland, futureheads maybe, steve cram and the road out of there. However, Roy Keane, Niall Quinn and the Irish money are building a very good side out of there, their main strength lies in widemen Hysen and Edwards who have great pace, Brum for their part are missing key wideman and captain Damien Johnson, not the BBC correspondent. The Mackems are no worse than Brum and should not be overlooked at these odds.

SILVER BET: Hull not to lose at Barnsley 3.2 the win/ 3.2 the draw with Stan James. Hull are not very good, in fact they would have more success if they let some of the wildlife that rolls around near the University have a game. That said though they are better than Barnsley and Barnsley doesn't even have any wildlife, unless you count the locals on a friday night out. On the football pitch Hull have drew their last two away games including against Derby, they are showing improved signs under Phil Brown. Ray Parlour will give their midfield added strength and hair styling advice, Barnsley are really struggling, coach Simon Davey does not convince and if not for Howard they would be lower than they are. Key striker Nardiello is suspended, for the game, not from a bridge, and Hull should at least pick up a point here.

GOLD BET: Doubles are a dangerous thing before you know where you are they mess you up, yeah make mine a double fries, make mine a double vodka, make mine a double top, dangerous stuff, especially the darts one. My advice is that you need to get on the double tonight though, at the odds of 2.98 paddy power are paying out on the Millwall home victory over Leyton Orient and West Brom at home to Cardiff. You'd be seeing more than double your money if you do.

Elsewhere Stockport, Shrewsbury, Darlington, Leicester, Southend and Grimsby look the pick of the evening's other games.

Goodluck everyone.

MONDAY FEB 19TH 07: JUST THE TWO OF THEM

2007-02-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

SILVER BET:Brentford at home to Northampton 2.25 with premier and total bet. Brentford are four games unbeaten, won three in a row including a win against in form Huddersfield at the weekend, Northampton meanwhile have just one draw and no wins from their last five games. The reason this is such low stakes is because both sides played at the weekend, but Northampton palyed Friday and have the day rest, in addition doubts over Kuffor's mean it is important to check team news.

GOLD BET: Jo Kuffor at 3.1 to score anytime with Paddy Power. The signing of Neil Shipperley has really helped turn Brentford around, not so much in that he bags the goals, but in that he holds the ball up well, draws defenders away and creates great space for Kuffor. Kuffor's fitness is in question so hold for teamnews before you bet and if he is not fit Shipperley at 3.2 with extrabet could be value, he hit the woodwork twice at the weekend and this could be his night to shine.

Just the two bets today, due to the quiet nature of events we will be holding our money for a big day of cahmpions league and football league action. In the meanwhile have a good Monday.

THE FATHER OF MCBRIDE

2007-02-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

TODAY'S TIPS

BRONZE BET: It always amazes me that when people talk about good centre forwards that Brian McBride just can't get any love, is it because he is american, because he plays for the unfashionable Fulham, or simply because you wouldn't recognize him if he walked past you wearing a big t-shirt saying I'm Brian McBride, in a village called Brian McBride'sville, and lived in a country called McBrideland.
Whatever the reason McBride gets over looked, it's great news for us the punters when you get 3.25 (11/5) with a bookmaker on a home team's top scorer in the anytime market, who has eleven goals this season, against a defence that is shaky as Spurs, it's our bronze bet of the day.
SILVER BET: It's worth getting on the over 2 goals at 2.10 with Stan James both sides have very shaky defences and both sides have attackers who can score. I think the taking over the 2.0 goals seems great value.
GOLD BET: Getafe not to lose way to Athletic Bilbao, Getafe only have one defeat in nine and have risen into the dizzy heights of seventh, Bilbao meanwhile just one win in five. Getafe sit at 3.2 for the win and 2.88 the draw and look great value not to lose.

See you all Monday.

YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT IT BAD

2007-02-17T03:42:00.000-08:00

When your on a nite out with workmates and out of the corner of your eye your looking for scores and scorers, thankgoodness for SkySports news what did we ever do without it, and it allows us a social life, of sorts.

I SAID/THEY PAID

What can I say it was a rather tasty night last night.

"The call is to get on the anytime market with their strikers Mark Stallard and Spencer Weir Daley, both men are 3.6 and 4.1 in the anytime market with extrabet."

Weir Daley scored two, great player by the way and one Forest will do keep a hold of.

"Also in that game Stan James are taking a risk by offering 2.0 on the over 2 goals, both sides will go out attacking and this would could easily make it over the 2.0."

Three and the funny thing is ITV called the over 2.5 at exactly the same odds, where's the value in that,the sooner people get wise to Stan James and the over 2.0 market the better.

"Haverford West at home to Lianelli, the draw, home win double. The 3.9/3.45 with expekt. This is a big risk and the bookies are going on reputation and have not done their homework make them pay by getting on the home side."

Finished one-one and we were covered nicely.

Of course no-one is forcing you to check back daily.

TODAY'S THE DAY
VALUE ACCUMULATOR: Take a treble on Stan James Over 2.0 coupon, small stakes on Bristol Rovers v Milton keynes, Leyton Orient v Carlisle and Cardiff v Leeds being over 2.0, 1.00 returns 7.80.

BRONZE BET: Gravesend not to lose at Oxford in the Conference: 3.5 the win/3.3 the draw with Bet365. Gravesend are on very good form, an impressive way record, Oxford's woes may continue.

SILVER BET: West Brom not to lose at Boro 4.5/3.4 Betfred. Boro had a long game in midweek and were taken to penalties by a spirited Bristol City, and West Brom are a much better side than Bristol City. In Kamara they have an in-form striker, Philips loves coming back to the North East and Koumas can torment Premiership defences. West Brom are also on a great run of form, true Boro are improving but the gap between mid-table premier league and top six Championship is not large and bookies are taking a big gamble here.

GOLD BET:Stockport with Betfred at 2.38,away to Accrington Stockport is on great form and should come through against Accrington. Maybe align with home wins for scunthorpe and/or dundee at home to Clyde.

NO BET: We'd avoid Man United at the short odds, Reading are no-one's mug and 1-4 is crazy short odds,also be wary of the short odds on Oldham at home to Millwall key player Gregan is out which could impact, there is much better value than these two today.

See you all tommorrow, same place, same format, same jokes probably.

ABOUT AS FUNNY AS AN EPISODE OF MY FAMILY

2007-02-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

That's how today's piece might be, put down to continued illness or the dropping of a key scriptwriter, or bad genetic material, or maybe we've just jumped the shark, still the tips are still winners.

I SAID/THEY PAID

"Our bronze call is on Martins 2.63 in the anytime market with Coral, Martins scored at the weekend and his pace might prove to much at this level."

The speed he ran up for that penalty.

"The match are odds are prohibitive, but by taking BET365 on with a small stake on, Lens to win by one goal, or by two goals or more 3.0 and 3.2 you can get a nice little return."

Kerching.

WHAT NEXT? well here's our
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

BRONZE BET: In a highly competitve match tonight table toppers Wallsall take on high flying Lincoln, it should be a very good game. Wallsall are starting to stutter, hard to call on the result but the anytime market could be how to play. Lincoln don't know the meaning of the word sit back and defend and with Wallsall conceding three last week they are clear chinks in their armour. The call is to get on the anytime market with their strikers Mark Stalalrd and Spencer Weir Daley, both men are 3.6 and 4.1 in the anytime market with extrabet.
SILVER BET: Also in that game Stan James are taking a risk by offering 2.0 on the over 2 goals, both sides will go out attacking and this would could easily make it over the 2.0.
GOLD BET: Haverford West at home to Lianelli, the draw, home win double. The 3.9/3.45 with expekt. Now maybe I'm going mad but five points difference between two sides isn't much, this is more or less balanced out with the home advantage. Then you look at the form, and HaverfordWest sit fourth, with four wins, one draw, one loss. Lianelli may have won 7-0 last week in the cup, but before that they only had no win in seven, three of which were draws. This is a big risk and the bookies are going on reputation and have not done their homework make them pay by getting on the home side.

NO BET: Tonight's Rugby League is certainly an interesting set of fixtures but they were shcoks last week and may well be this week, from a betting pov it is much too early to call.

AND FINALLY
No and finally today that will return monday when we also debut our new feature DR BET, and as well as our usual we have a special half term report on the NBA hopefuls. You can't afford to miss it, find when we update and get today's and future bonus tips by leaving your email in the box at the bottom.

See you all tommorrow.

THE PAGE THAT HAS GONE TO AMERICA FOR ONE YEAR AND TURNED INTO A DIVA

2007-02-15T03:52:00.000-08:00

THE INTRO BIT
Hey y'all, what's going on, sorry about that I came over all Joss Stone, who seems to have spent a couple of months in the States and developed a new accent a new attitude and kidnapping of all fashion sense, is this part of a new CIA crackdown operation, we should be alerted to this.

HE SAID/SHE SAID

"Arsenal on their day can take anyone apart and over evens for Arsenal is very tempting but then Bolton are know to make life very difficult for the Gunners,no bet."

True to form last night's game was a cracker to watch but a nightmare from a betting POV, Arsenal came through after extra time but this one you would have done well to swerve.

"Leverkusen's defence doesn't actually attract much love either, and suprisingly for a side seventh in Bundesliga, they have the join third worst defensive record."

Sure enough Blackburn managed two important away goals, just a shame that none of them were McCarthy but that's why you keep the anytime stakes small because it's a market with 24 variables and that's before subs.

"Lervkusen target man Stefan Kiessling seems good value in the anytime market at 3.6 with Coral,against a Blackburn defence that looks as stable as the the first two little pigs houses."

Well we called the defence,Kiessling just couldn't find the net no how much he huffed and he puffed.

"The next team we should be showing love to todays is Osasuna in an away/draw double result bet at Livorno. The 2.9 the win, 3.2 the draw with BET365 is the best price available right now and is as generous as a guy in the first six months of his relationship. "

Osasuna ran out two one winners. Just more examples of on the ball advice and hey even if we get tips wrong we are a whole lot less poker-faced than those stat obsessed tipsters elsewhere.

Elsewhere we had a mare with our tennis tip Andeev getting a first round upset, a lesson on covering your bets there. However our Roddick/Murray/Fish call is still going and we still have Allenby in the golf, remember you get all this for free and daily and if you leave your email in the box at the bottom of the page you get auto email updates and lovely bonus tips which don't make my blog, or you could not.

TODAY'S THE DAY

Betters should embrace every new day as if it's going to be there day, even last night they felt as unloved and as unable to do anything right as an England manager at a press conference, so what do we advise to, Steve should avoid the hotpants and you should take note of the following thoughts.

NO BET OF THE DAY: On the result of Zulte Waregem v Newcastle.
While it may look like a walk in the park, an unfashionable Belgian side (is there a fashionable Belgian side?) against a Newcastle side who have just beaten Liverpool. However, were advising big caution here, Newcastle have had plenty of experience against smaller teams in recent in European games this term and not all of those encounters have been straightforward.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by Lillestrom in their home match and they completed narrow aggregate victories over Baltic minnows Ventspils (1-0) and Levadia Talinn (3-1) in the Uefa Cup qualifying rounds. This advises a note of caution and although the Geordies looked great in winning a very difficult group the match odds are highly prohibitive.

BRONZE BET: There is however value to be found by getting on the anytime market, Waregem have conceded in each of their last six game while newcastle have scored in the last eight, our bronze call is on Martins 2.63 in the anytime market with Coral, Martins scored at the weekend and his pace might prove to much at this level.

SILVER BET: Lens v Pananthiniakos might not be considered many people's ideal game of the day, but there is a good bit of value to be had. Lens are on a good run in France and should have enough to gear through this game. The match are odds are prohibitive, but by taking BET365 on with a small stake on, Lens to win by one goal, or by two goals or more 3.0 and 3.2 you can get a nice little return.

GOLD BET: I have to confess today's column has been less than funny, put that down to me feeling really ropey today, hope tommorrow's a bit better. Today's gold bet which is Crisite Kerr at 15.0 with totalbet and ladbrokes to win the SBS open, each way a quarter the odds, top five places. She is in a good run of form, has course history and the odds on Webb winning three tournaments in a row are just too short.

BONUS TIP: Ah you'll have to subscribe via the box at the bottom, it's free, and we don't spam you. What you waiting for?

WANT MY ADVICE

That's right a brand new feature, are you having a few betting problems, want to know why your money isn't going as far as it should, or my theories on betting tipsters or systems, then drop me an email or a comment and our resident betting expert Dr Bet will get answer it for you.

I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE

2007-02-14T02:13:00.000-08:00

You need to nearly always cover the away win with the draw, especially at the prices last night in the Bedford v Basingstoke game which finished nil-nil, oh that and I should stop starting my intro's with song titles.

Elsewhere last night was a storming success, Huckbery and Viduka came through on the anytime market and our big tip to get on the over in Colchester v West Brom was also a success, and yet do we get a Valentine's card expressing your love for us, we do not. I was going to not write this as I was so hurt, but like the disgruntled wife of ten years I get used to you and your ways, so I'll get on with the tips.

NO BET: If Arsene Wenger believed in the boogeyman as a kid he probably looked like Sam Allardyce, or at least mine did. Allardyce says Arsenal and Wenger are scared of his Bolton side it'll be all them clowns they have, Mr Anelka and Mr Hadji Diouf step forward, but today is not the day for fear, unless you have a more than amorous unwanted admirer, because today is the day of love.
We here at the muggins are showing the two men some love, we will happy book them a nice romantic restaurant, some fizzy drinks (isotnic energy of course) and some good food(strictly balanced mix of food groups) and send them to bed early (but nothing funny in the 48hours leading upto and after a game, which given Arsenal's schedule leads to one unfortunate Mrs Wenger) and let the good times start.
Still with that horrible mental image aside, yup I mean you Mr Hadji Diouf, we should get on with what we do best, procastinating, oh and sports tipping.
Arsenal on their day can take anyone apart and over evens for Arsenal is very tempting but then Bolton are know to make life very difficult for the Gunners, and then there is nelka, or Anelka to those with a fully working keyboard. Added to the mix that there is no Davies and no Henry, more variables and you have more confusion than a thirteen year old girl's love life. My choice is to keep your money in your pocket, both for Valentine's and this game.
BRONZE BET: Goalscorers in the Bayer Leverkusen v Blackburn game: Lervkusen target man Stefan Kiessling seems good value in the anytime market at 3.6 with Coral,against a Blackburn defence that looks as stable as the the first two little pigs houses.
Kiessling’ scored his third goal in five games at the weekend and Blackburn's weak defence looks even more vulnerable in the absence of Robbie Savage, not to mention somehow less attractive, I never thought I would find those words in the same sentence with Robbie Saavge, not without a negative term close by.
Leverkusen's defence doesn't actually attract much love either, and suprisingly for a side seventh in Bundesliga, they have the join third worst defensive record. Blackburn's strikers might be as accurate as cupid's bows, but they should have enough to hit the target at least once, my tip is McCarthy, he has gone three games without scoring but at 3.41 with extrabet seems decent value to stop Blackburn feeling so blue.
SILVER BET: The next team we should be showing love to todays is Osasuna in an away/draw double result bet at Livorno. The 2.9 the win, 3.2 the draw with BET365 is the best price available right now and is as generous as a guy in the first six months of his relationship. Livorno are being forced to play the match behind closed doors as part of the Italian security measures, though it's unlcear if they are using euros or lira.
The Italian side have not won in thirteen games and are as feeling as sick as someone who has indulged too much on the Valentine's chocolates. Osasuna have a good recent away record, with two wins, two draws and just the one defeat in their last five, and seem over-priced to break more Livorno hearts.
GOLD BET: Robert Allenby at 4.5 with Skybet to get a top ten finish. This is golf for you who aren't aware of the man, who must feel like the Cyrano de Bergerac of the golf world, or maybe just plain old Jim Bergerac. Allenby won the tournament in 2001 and received about as much attention as Jessica Simpson's new album. Allenby or Allie to his friends and people who like making stuff up has made the top ten in all three of his US starts this year - eighth at both the Sony Open and Bob Hope and ninth at the Buick Invitational.
And as well as his win here in 2001, he's since finished 15th in 2004 and seventh in 2005, he currently lies second in scoring average in 2007 and for this we must show him some love, not Davis the third mind.
My advice is to mark your card with this man.

AND FINALLY (your offbeat look at the world of betting and the world of the world)

http://www.friendsofted.org/fotevents.html

For surely the highlight of this year's sporting calendar is the first ever TedFest and the bookies have been quick to get it priced up. My advice is to get on the a nice cup of tea market, ah go on, you sure I can't convince you. Bearing in mind the capacity is 100 people, the 300-400 and 400-500 cups served are both 3-1 and this seems like a nice number to be served each day.
It seems like a brilliant weekend and if anyone wants to send me there as betting correspondent I'll be more than happy to go. For the journalistic venture of course not that it sounds like fun.

See you all tommorrow, well not literally, be sure to sign up at the bottom of the page so you know when and where we update and get a free bonus tip and my full undivided love. Good betting day, in the meanwhile remember
Roses are red, Violents are Blue, Bookies say that's very nice of you, thankyou. It needs work I think.

BASINGSTOKE THEY'RE INDESTRUCTIABLE THEY'RE ALL YOU CAN BELIEVE IN.

2007-02-13T01:22:00.000-08:00

I should declare a vested interest in one of tonight's FACUP games, I am a Norwich fan, yup I've been picking losers from day one, therefore I'm loathe to get involved in tonight's game against Blackpool and in general games involving Norwich.
However I can give you some pointers. Last time around there was little to seperate the two teams and there will be little between them tonight. Neither side played at the weekend but previous to that Norwich beat Leeds, however Fotheringham and Lapin were key loan additions and they will be out again. A lot will reply on the Dad's Army brigade of Huckerby and Dublin to lead us through and I would take their experience over Blackpool's youthful verve, but the match value lies on Blackpool, and as such I will stay clear.
Those interested in the others, the markets that is, not the film, might want to consider Darren Huckerby in the anytime market at 2.88 with Premierbet. Since Earnshaw's injury, Huckerby has been pushed forward and plays in the front two, this has given him a lot more opportunities and he has four goals in the last five games, including one in the previous game against Blackpool.

BRONZE BET: There are some things you need to side with Mark Viduka in, a fight maybe, or a premeir league pie eating contest, he also makes sense to side with at 2.25(5/4) in the anytime market. Bristol City have only two of their regular back five playing and will be vulnerable to a Boro side who have showed a much more attacking side to their game in the last few months. With Boateng holding the middle, Downing and Morrison are given licence to buzz up and down the flanks, Yakubu is a real livewire up front at the moment and Viduka himself can be a massive handful if the mood takes him. Viduka should be less than 2.00 like his strike partner and as such we need to get small stakes on with those nice chaps at ladbrokes or bet365.

SILVER BET: Colchester v West Brom: Over 2 goals at 2.14 with Stan James. This is a remarkable price, one so remarkable not even oddschecker picked it up. The fact of the matter is that these are two teams with an abundance of goalscoring options, and competition for strikers is high at both grounds, with the likes of Iwuelmo, Cureton, Philips and Kamara and two less than tight defences Stan James need to be punished at that price, and the best way to do that is by taking the odds on offer and not by tickling them.

NO BET: A key relegation battle takes places this evening between Leyton Orient and Brighton, no doubt Orient manager Martin Ling expressed his displeasure in their hammering by Bournmouth at the weekend. Brighton for their part lost one-nil at the weekend and have gone four games without goals, a quieter time than mid week in this city. However with Orient in town and their leaking defence we might see more action than a bank holiday in Brighton and probably as messy as well, my advice keep a watching brief, oh and never go to Brighton on a bank holiday.

GOLD BET: Did you know that around 3000 people took the time and energy to sign a petition calling for the UK national anthem to replace with Spandau Ballet's Gold, have these people got nothing better to do, not to mention no music taste, surely there time should be better spent, maybe reading this blog for instance. Well that goes some, or none of the way to explaining today's gold star bet, Bedford to beat Basingstoke, because a little known fact is that the lead singer of Spandau Ballet once went to Basingstoke, which is reason enough to back them, what do you mean you want more?
How about the price as Basingstoke are at 2.63 to beat Bedford in the Conference South. Although both sides sit together in the table, they are miles apart in the form. Bedford have good reason indeed to remember the fifth of November, that was the last morning they woke up as winners, Basingstoke for their part have only lost one in six, with two wins and three draws, they seem good value at 2.63 withSkybet to put further distance between themselves and Bedford at the bottom.

OTHER STUFF
What do you mean there's more to life than football, well alright then there's other sport. Today's tennis action continues in three men's tournaments and two women's. There is snooker and Squash and small betting options for this with more time on their hands, but sadly we don't so were going to stop with the three.

BET WATCH
Last time we offered three bets, San Jose really gets going today with Murray in action against Kevin Kim, Andy Roddick takes on Dancevic and Blake takes on Kunitsyn, all three are short odds to go through and we should be very surprised if any of them slip up here.
Good news in Brazil where the seeds Moya and Gaudio have crashed out,Andeev has come right down to 10-1 across the board and this might drop further if he wins his opening round match against Lukas Dlhouy this afternoon.
Also last night we told you to get on the double with Team Bath and Havant and Richmond sadly the latter's game was like a Britney Spears wedding,called off too quickly for anyone to make enough money from, but Team Bath pulled through on the short single, so go team.
I should also big up my own prediction from week's ago about a massive bet on Shilpa Shetty winning Big Brother the Celeb Version, we were on it before the price went off the wall, it's been a win win situation. We got some cash, and she has her own toy in the shops now, rumours that vodoo dolls of Jo, Jade and Danielle will be hitting the shops soon may as yet be untrue, apparently people have had trouble telling the difference between the real girls and the dolls.

AND FINALLY
Just like the great Trevor McDonald were getting in an and finally and that is a little reminder that we have a box at the bottom of the page you put your email address in and we tell you when the blog has been updated and we give you a bonus tip, so sign yourself up and some friends, we don't spam, ham or any other cold meat substance.

DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE?

2007-02-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

No not a display of my love for the genius of Burt Bacharach,though that last sentence probably was, more a declaration that today is all about the weird world of tennis. Travelling round the world, visiting exotic locations, hitting a funny little ball around the court seems a nice way to making a living, but those of without the skill who can only who make a good living from backing the games, and those who sell their tips to mug punters. Why bother paying them when were free and we've added tennis to the list of sports we cover, we now have more cover than Fratton Park.

BRONZE BET: Igor Andreev was the star of Russia's davis cup win at the weekend as is playing some excellent Tennis, he's a decent value 20-1 shout for a small wager on him to win/each way at BetFred.
SILVER BET: JAMES BLAKE, ANDY MURRAY, ANDY RODDICK: To win in San Jose, they all know the way round the court, haha. Blake and Roddick are Californian resident, Murray won the whole thing last year,the tournament that is not San Jose. The other candidates are Safin and Fish but were happy to oppose them, the singles on all three will return a win, the bigger the stake the bigger the overall profit, though also the bigger the loss.
GOLD BET: Back to what we do best,other than talking rubbish, Football tips. Tonight were going Non League with a double bet on the surely American owned Team Bath at home to Cirencester in a double with Hampton and Richmond who haven't lost since November and look great value at 1.8.

See you all tommorrow and remember you can sign up for a free email telling you when we have updated. We don't sell your name to any nigerian lawyers and you can be in the know first, well second,after me.

PART TWO:

2007-02-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

PREMIER LEAGUE
15:00 Chelsea (1.3) Draw (5.5) Middlesbrough (12)
Chelsea might have enough to win, but Boro to cover the 1.o goal handicap.
15:00 Everton (2.15) Draw (3.25) Blackburn (3.6) Two mid-table sides, little to seperate them, Everton tos hade it but ot at those odds, no-bet.
15:00 Manchester United (1.15) Draw (8) Charlton (29)
Man United to cover the handicap of two goals, 2.38 with stan james.
15:00 Newcastle (4.3) Draw (3.5) Liverpool (1.95) Away win hopefully you gt on before the price drop.
15:00 Sheffield U (2.9) Draw (3.25) Tottenham (2.6) Sheff United home win and draw cover against poor away Spurs side.
15:00 West Ham (1.83) Draw (3.65) Watford (4.6) Watford away win, draw double.
17:15 Portsmouth (2.1) Draw (3.25) Manchester City (4.3) Man City away win, draw double.

ELSEWHERE
HARTLEPOOL AT HOME TO WALLSALL IN LEAGUE TWO
DARLINGTON AT HOME TO BOSTON LEAGUE TWO
SPAIN BETIS HOME WIN
Millwall home win chesterfield in league one.
sheff wed and cardiff not to lose championship.

PART ONE AND A HALF OF TWO: CAN ANYONE FIND ASHLEY YOUNG?

2007-02-10T04:06:00.000-08:00

OF course if your about to put money on Ashley Young to score anytime it would certainly help if Stan James listed him on the website, either he has gone missing in action or Stan james have made a mistake, we are on it as we speak.
Accoridng to a Stan James representative he should be up in the next five minutes and priced at 2.88 as he just is now, see that think of us as superhero blog here to help you and find Ashley Young.

PART ONE OF TWO

2007-02-10T03:47:00.000-08:00

First up then we start with the early game, Villa v Reading and then back at two for the roundup of all the games.

READING V VILLA: This should be a good game between two open sides. Reading are six games in unbeaten and that loss was to Man UNITED, they are on great form and play a nice brna dof attacking football, behind a well organized and well drilled 4-4-2. Leroy Lita is the man of the moment and expext are surely taking a chance by offering 2.8 on Lita to score in the anytime market, bearing in mind the lack of speed across the Villa backline and the confidence he is playing under. Also of value in the anytime market is Ashley Young at the 3.85 anytime market. Question marks were asked about the size of the fee but Young and Carew are forming the basis of a devestating partnership and this seems a big price for Young to run onto a Carew kncokdown and bag a goal.
In terms of the result, Reading's home advantage should hand them an advantage but Villa are showing improved signs recently and this one is just tough to call at those prices. Instead I'd recommend a decent bet on the over 2.0 goals, both sides have a wealth of attacking options and in form strikers, evens at stan james for the over 2.0 seems a great value bet.

Be back at two for the rest of the games.

THE BLOG THAT AS POPULAR AS A TURKEY RIGHT NOW

2007-02-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

hmm slow slow hits day, could be my poor betting record last night, or the fact that i had a lot on today and didn't put it up until seven. You know if you go to the box at the boottom and input your email then you'll get word asap when the page goes up.
For those annoymous people stay paying attention here's my thoughts for the night.

BRONZE BET: What do Freddy Eastwood and Lee Cook have in common, they are both quality players, both stars of their team, both have appeared on popular BBC Flog It. You try finding a true fact about them. Oh and their both great value in the anytime market, Eastwood is 2.63 with extrabet, While Lee Cook may have only scored once this season, but now QPR have shited to 4-3-3 he has much more goalscoring chances and opened his account and at 5.0 seems good value to add to his account as Southend don't have the strongest of home defences.
SILVER BET: That bit shiner and of more value is the Silver Bet and tonight is anther anytime bet and that's Chris Ashton at 2.63 to score anytime in Rugby league's Wigan v Warrington. In a clash that should be entertaining a resurgent Wigan should clash with the very under-rated Warrington side, the lines on the game seem about right, but the value could be had in Chris Ashton in the anytime market he seems set for a breakout season and considered that the bet is 1.91 elsewhere Coral are taking a big stand.
GOLD BET: Southend to win this evening at 2.2 QPR may have won last time out at Burnley, but Southend are on a very good run including wins at Birmingham, credible draw at Stoke and not outclassed defeats at Spurs and at home to Derby. Back them to win this big relegation tussle and get themselves out of trouble.

SWEET POTATO PIE

2007-02-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

WELL that title has an even more tenuous theme than ever, basically after the success of putting a Ray Charles song in my title last night I figured I would see how many days it worked for, anyway on with the sport, Football is at a real low today so like the Sporting hoar I am I 'm spreading myself into other areas, including darts, cricket and the world knitting championship, sadly that last one is a lie, but if any of the major bookies wants to offer odds on Knitting then I can help them make their book.

THE BRONZE BET: Ricky Ponting: 4.5 with Skybet in the Anytime market to be Australia's top batsman, I would recommend taking this bet over the series each time, Ponting is on fine form and has had a nice little break to help him out. He got 104 against New Zealand last time out and has hounded the English bowlers all winter, seems worth a bet that he can do it again.
THE SILVER BET: ED JOYCE: Joyce has top scored in two of the last three games and hit a solid 26 last time out, he's in fine form, he's all set to open and 5.5 with four of the bookies seems a very nice price.
THE GOLD BET: And there's a lot of it on show tonight at the Darts, more bling than at a FIFTY CENT gig, and probably better music as well, Darts is the new Football, which was the new rock n roll, which was the new wheel, I think. Anyway tonight sees the continuation of Sky's darts premier league, like it's football counterpart, but without the diving and a few bigger bellies, though David Unsworth might feel at home. My advice is the Taylor, Barneveld and Scholten treble that should pay 3.01 with extrabet.

Well I'm out of here quicker than a Sid Waddell sentence, good luck everyone.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

2007-02-07T04:29:00.000-08:00

I tend to judge international friendlies like I do those emails I get from kindly Nigerian lawyers, i.e Not really the best use of my limited money. Still there is one international friendly that might just be worth a small pound or two and I don't mean that one in Manchester. I'll tell you what will happen there, England will win and we'll all get excited or England will lose and it'll be doom and gloom, or it'll be a bore draw, that and the BBC team will get on our nerves. I could think of one place I'd rather not be than at the game tonight and that's at my work, but that's another matter all together.

Still Georgia v Turkey excites me, each to their own I know, Georgia are showing improved signs under coach Klaus Topmoller, who quit an international music career to turn around Georgia, who were quite clearly on his mind especially when they showed him the money. Georgia are an overpriced 2.2 on the handicap with 3.4 the draw, the reason for this is probably not prejudice against the coach's hair but the way Turkey played when beating them 5-2. Still Turkey tend to regard friendlies the way the birds think about life on Bernard Matthews farm, not really the best place for them. There recent friendly record has shown some less than impressive result and as such Georgia on the handicap are our gold bet of the day.
Just behind them in Silver, alright so you know how the Olympic medals work, is Ireland and Shane Long on the anytime market at 2.25 with betdirect, big odds considering his recent scoring record and a San Marino defence that not even Pery Mason could help.
The Bronze bet of the day is Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves at 3.25 in the NBA. The T-Wolves are in the midsts of a bad slump and the Warriors looked impressive with a big win over their reserves Indiana, are is that the other way, either way Golden State are worth small stakes either outright, or with Pinnacle at 1.91 to cover the 7.5 point spread.

Well in the immortal words of Ray it's time I hit the road Jack but in the meanwhile keep Georgia on your mind.

RHYME AND MORE REASONS

2007-02-06T02:58:00.000-08:00

TO SIGNUP FOR THE FREE EMAIL, SIMPLY GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE LOOK AT THE BOX AND INPUT YOUR DETAILS, IT'S FREE, AS EASY AS TYPING ABC, IF YOUR NAME IS ABC AND YOU GET A FREE GOAT, WELL MAYBE NOT THE LAST ONE BUT THERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE.

WERE BRANCHING OUT TODAY AND DOING SOME RHYMING PREVIEWS HOPE IT HELPS AND IN FACT HOPE THE TIPS ARE GOOD

TODAY'S BETTING
COCA LEAGUE ONE
19:45 Oldham (1.91) Draw (3.4) Blackpool (4.3)
Mirror Mirror on the wall, which league is the toughest of them all,
Why my pretty League one is certainly a nightmare to call,
Blackpool lost last time out,
But that doesn't mean they don't have a shout,
This one is just too close to pick,
So it's with the other games we will stick.
19:45 Port Vale (2.2) Draw (3.25) Northampton (3.45)
Port Vale have now not won in seven,
While Stuart Gray had a start from heaven,
However Northampton have lost their last two,
This one becomes tough to call for you,
I would get on the good doc,
Kenny Deuchar in the anytime market is a lock.
19:45 Rotherham (3) Draw (3.3) Swansea (2.5)
Rotherham are on a terrible run,
But backing Swansea is not easy done,
They are much too jeykll and hyde,
This is one in which you just can't pick a side.
Bristol R.(1.91) Draw(3.35) Darlington(4) View Odds
Darlington have no loss in five,
They are starting to once more come alive,
Bristol though have no losses in ten,
This could be a game to far for the Cleveland Men.

RECOMMENDATIONS
BRONZE: KENNY DEUCHAR ANYTIME MARKET 3.25 bet365. The Dr has a great scoring record in Scotland and is sure to start again tonight.
SILVER: BRISTOL ROVERS Homewin 1.91 various, Darlington are playing well, but Bristol Rovers are playing better still.
GOLD: Kidderminster away to Braintree, Won eight games straight and can make their higher league advantage, high stakes at 2,2 with stan james.

ALL OTHER GAMES TODAY

International Friendlies Best Book

00:00 Cyprus(2.4) Draw(3.25) Hungary(3) View Odds 106%
15:00 Bulgaria(1.73) Draw(3.5) Latvia(5) View Odds 106%
18:00 Mali(2.38) Draw(3.25) Lithuania(3.25) View Odds 104%
19:45 Australia(3.6) Draw(3.25) Denmark(2.2) View Odds 104%
19:45 Ghana(2.8) Draw(3.25) Nigeria(2.6) View Odds 105%
19:45 Northern Ireland(2.5) Draw(3.25) Wales(3) View Odds 104%
20:00 Brazil(2) Draw(3.25) Portugal(4) View Odds 106%
20:00 Greece(2.2) Draw(3.25) South Korea(3.5) View Odds 105%

U21 International Matches Best Book

14:00 Czech Rep U21(1.57) Draw(3.75) Slovenia U21(6) View Odds 107%
14:00 Malta U21 Draw Finland U21 No Prices Yet
15:00 Northern Ireland U21(2.5) Draw(3.2) Wales U21(2.88) View Odds 106%
17:00 Portugal U21(1.2) Draw(6) Estonia U21(15) View Odds 107%
18:00 Scotland U21(4.5) Draw(3.5) Germany U21(1.91) View Odds 103%
20:00 England U21(2) Draw(3.4) Spain U21(4.2) View Odds 103%

Welsh Premier League Matches
20:30 Newi Cefn Druids(2.38) Draw(3.3) Bangor City(2.5
Nationwide Conference Matches
19:45 Aldershot(2) Draw(3.4) Grays(4) View Odds 104%
20:45 St.Albans v Morecambe
Conference North Matches
19:45 Harrogate Town(1.91) Draw(3.5) Farsley Celtic(3.5)
19:45 Worksop(1.83) Draw(3.6) Redditch(3.75)
Conference South
19:45 Bognor Regis Town(2.5) Draw(3.6) Newport County(2.3)
19:45 Eastleigh(2.38) Draw(3.6) Lewes(2.5)
19:45 Welling(2.2) Draw(3.5) Salisbury(2.63)
FA Trophy Matches
19:45 Braintree Town(3.25) Draw(3.5) Kidderminster(2.2)
19:45 Stevenage(2.2) Draw(3.4) Morecambe(3.25)
Southern Premier League Matches
19:45 Hemel Hempstead(2.2) Draw(3.5) Banbury(2.75)
19:45 Hitchin(1.73) Draw(3.6) Cheshunt(4.5)
19:45 Maidenhead Utd(2.38) Draw(3.6) Tiverton Town(2.6)
19:45 Yate(2.38) Draw(3.5) Stamford(2.4)
Ryman Matches
19:45 Margate(1.5) Draw(4) Carshalton Ath(6)
19:45 Tonbridge Angels(2.3) Draw(3.6) Ramsgate(2.63)
UniBond Matches
19:45 Burscough(1.67) Draw(3.6) Fleetwood Town(4.5)
19:45 Ilkeston Tn(2.38) Draw(3.6) Guiseley(2.4)

everything I know about havant and waterlooville

2007-02-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

1: They play in Hampshire
2: They were formed after a merger in 1998.
3:Many former stars (it's a rather loose use of the term star) of the Premiership and Football League have turned out for H&W over the years including Dean Holdsworth; Fitzroy Simpson; Paul Wood; Liam Daish; Alan Knight; Richard Pacquette; Gareth Hall; David Lee; David Howells and Robbie Pethick.
4:: They have their own podcast http://www.high4u.org.uk/
5: They are a bargain 2.0 with skybet tonight and you need to get on them. They are top of the table, have lost one home game all season and play a Fisher side who have just onw in in six. Decent stakes are recommended at 2.0 with skybet.

Elsewhere Scunthorpe battle Bristol City in a match that is just too tight to call and King's Lyn should beat northwood, but the 1.63 is very short for an away side.

just who is keyzer soze? and who will win la liga?

2007-02-04T04:14:00.000-08:00

You need to look further afield than British football
today for some value, Spurs v man United seems well
priced, Spurs are a tricker home side and different
team with Berbatov and Lennon in, United are playing
good stuff and are rightly favourites, but Chelsea
amongst others have come a cropper at White Hart Lane.
This seems a good one to watch.
Livingston v Celtic is a blatant away win and is more
obvious than a Cameron manifesto,, but Celtic are
playing at cruise control right now and in the cup is
difficult to get on them at such low odds.

Head for Europe to get the value, English people
should know all about that.

France: Troyes v Lyon, Troyes plus one handicap 2.63
and the draw on the plus one handicap 3.4. Although
there is no doubting the different quality in these
two sides, one is running away with the League, one
like a misguided prostitute flirting with relegation,
it's worth a small risk on Troyes, the way the both of
the teams have started the new year is very differing,
added to this in the mix that Lyon have key injuries,
they might just win this but it could be close and
nervy, so small stakes on the handicap could be the
way to go. The odds are with sportingodds.

SPAIN: The Betis Bet of the day in Spain is Betis not
to lose, unbeaten in five including matches against
Seville, Barca, Madrid, Valencia, the 3.5/3.2 not to
lose seems great value and a price not to sleep on.
Elsewhere the Usual Suspects should win but offer no
value, as the Spanish league looks a harder mystery to
call than just who is keyser soze?

GERMANY: Also worth doing with Stan James is putting a
double on today's two german games, banking on both
games having over 2.0 goals. Bremen are missing key
holding player Frings, and Schalke know where the back
of the net is, as do the other sides. The double on
the over two might sound like complex maths for sunday
but is also a good value bet.

Like the keyzer i'll see you on the other side.

SOAK UP THE SUN

2007-02-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

Apologies for such a late one but we actually had sun here in England, in February, a miracle I know, so I can be forgiven for soaking up as much of it as possible can't I:)

15:00 Aston Villa (1.91) Draw (3.4) West Ham (4.5): Carew 2.63 anytime market, Skybet.
15:00 Blackburn (1.8) Draw (3.6) Sheffield U (5.5): Stead anytime market
15:00 Charlton (12) Draw (4.8) Chelsea (1.36): Chelsea away double with Arsenal.
15:00 Fulham (2.4) Draw (3.25) Newcastle (3.2) : Over 2.0 goals 2.2 Stan James.
15:00 Manchester City (2.2) Draw (3.4) Reading (3.5): Reading draw and away win double.
15:00 Watford (3.6) Draw (3.25) Bolton (2.25): Watford home win and draw double.
15:00 Wigan (2.7) Draw (3.25) Portsmouth (2.75): No bet, both poor right now.
17:15 Middlesbrough (5) Draw (3.54) Arsenal (1.83): Arsenal double with Chelsea.

OTHERS
COLCHESTER HOME TO BRUM: 2.88
STAR BET: WEST BROM AWAY TO HULL 2.3
Over 2.0 goals Hull v West Brom Stan James
Northampton home to Crewe League One 2.25
Barnet away/draw Torquay 3.0/3.31
hartlepool away/draw Swindon 3.35/3.3
lincoln away/draw 2.8/3.35 NOTTS County.

rugby union
jason robinson 2.5 anytime england v scotland

that's all, have a good saturday see you on the other side for a meatier sunday than your granny's roast.

STRAIGHT AND TO THE POINT

2007-02-03T03:49:00.000-08:00

No one liners, no thoughts, just quick concise betting, what do you mean finally.

Just going to do the early game,w ill do the full preview around 14.30 so keep your eyes peeled to the blog.

Liverpool v Everton: Take the Liverpool win margin with Paddy power on plus one, plus two, plus three, med stakes. If one comes up the money shall be returned, the higher the win the bigger the return. Liverpool are playing well, EVerton not so, what more do you need?
In addition take small stakes on Riise and Alonso in the anytime marketm Tim Howard is very vulnerable at shots from a distance and has conceded numerous long range efforts this season, in a tight fiery game shots from a distance might be on order and these two have a great shot, both are 5.5 in the anytime market, on general offer.

Six Nations: Italy v France, Italy won't get hammered as much as the bookies think, and there is value getting on there side, whether by handicap, multiple win margin or the spread market. Italy will bloody a few noses this season as they get better from year to year

Be back at half two.

ANYONE KNOW ANY GOOD DVD'S?

2007-02-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

Not the greatest friday night in the history of friday
night sports entertainment, but what it lacks in
entertainment it makes up for in betting
opportunities, here is how to get your weekend off to
the best possible betting start.

CARDIFF V BARNSLEY COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
19.45 SKYSPORTS
1.73 SKYBET 3.2 EXTRABET 5.5 VARIOUS

Cardiff have not scored in ten of their last fifteen
games, Barnsley have seven in eleven games, now what
side did you say Midsommer Murders was on again? Fear
not though both teams have back to back wins which
means confidence might be that bit higher and the
football flowing a bit better, if you can flow on
land?
Cardiff are no better than 1.73, but would you want to
invest heavily at odds-on given there scoring record
or there horrendous run of form prior to the two
previous, or the way they almost threw a three goal
gap last week.
So do you instead take the 5.5 about the Tykes as
value even though their points tally off the top-seven
sides this term stands is three out of a 24.
Or do you keep your money and rent a good dvd, that
would be my advice,Children of Men I hear is quite
good as is Little Miss Sunshine.
For those who really need a bet, seek help, that's a
worrying sign, and were not joking here.
The other markets seem well covered though Chopra
might be worth a small stake at 2.38/11-8 with a
couple f bookies on the anytime market. He seems on
fire at the moment and small stakes at the price on a
player who has scored 4 in two, including a hat-trick
last time seems decent value.

CATANIA V PALERMO
19.45
2.88 BET365/SPORTING ODDS 3.0 EXPEXT/BLUE SQUARE
2.75 BETFRED

High-flying Sicilian clubs Catania and Palermo do
battle in a match brought forward to Friday because
the city of Catania will be thronged during the
weekend for the feast day of their patron saint, St
Agatha, who is seen as the city's guardian from nearby
Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano.
So which side will be partying hardest and who will be
exploding into life, and who will be reduced to
volcanic debris, sorry couldn't resist.
Well dubious puns aside, this game should be a fiery
one,PAlermo won a cracker last time out 5-3 and
Catania will have a point to prove. Catania got a
good point against Atalanta midweek and a crucial home
win over Empoli, they seem good value to at least take
a draw over a Palermo missing key players notably
in-form Amauri.
The draw/home win double seems good value on small
stakes.

Nurnberg v Bayern Munchen
Fri 2nd, 19:30 Setanta
Bayern 2.1 Betfred 2.08 mansion
Draw 3.36 extrabet 3.29 mansion
Nurnberg 4 totalbet 4.22 mansion

Bayern Munich, once again led by Ottmar Hitzfeld,
travelling to high-flying Nurnberg. Bayern are now
eight points adrift of the Bundesliga leaders, but
have high hopes that Hitzfeld can be their saviour.
The bookies must really believe in his messiah like
qualities as a side that are nine games unbeaten and
have just one home defeat all season are rated as 4.0
shots by totalbet. The stakes should be kept small as
you run the risk of the new manager bounce, but form
alone would suggest Nurenberg can at least cover the
draw in this one.

OTHER FOOTBALL
Argentina Torneo de Verano Matches
02:10 Boca Juniors(2.5) Draw(3) River Plate(2.63)
Belgian Juliper League
19:30 Beveren(4.8) Draw(3.6) Club Brugge(1.73)
Copa Libertadores Matches Best Book
00:30 Tacuary(1.91) Draw(3.25) LDU Quito(3.5)
Dutch Eredivisie Matches
19:30 FC Groningen(2.38) Draw(3.4) Heerenveen(2.9)
Dutch Gouden Gids Divisie
20:00 De Graafschap(1.22) Draw(5.5) FC Eindhoven(12)
20:00 Emmen(1.73) Draw(3.6) Cambuur(5)
20:00 Go Ahead Eagles(2.35) Draw(3.4) FC Den
Bosch(2.75)
20:00 HFC Haarlem(1.67) Draw(3.6) AGOVV(6)
20:00 Helmond Sport(3.5) Draw(3.4) FC Dordrecht(2)
20:00 Maastricht v Stormvogels Telstar No Prices Yet
20:00 MVV v Stormvogels Telstar No Prices Yet
20:00 Roosendaal(1.29) Draw(5) Omniworld Almere(10)
20:00 TOP Oss(2.5) Draw(3.4) BV Veendam(2.55)
20:00 VVV(1.53) Draw(3.95) FC Zwolle(7)
20:00 Volendam(1.44) Draw(4) Fortuna Sittard(7.3)
French Division Two Matches
19:00 Montpellier(2.38) Draw(3) Reims(3.5)
20:00 Amiens(2.1) Draw(3) Gueugnon(4.3)
20:00 Bastia(2.95) Draw(2.8) Caen(2.63)
20:00 Chateauroux(2) Draw(3) Ajaccio(4.5)
20:00 Creteil(2.85) Draw(2.88) Le Havre(2.75)
20:00 Dijon(1.67) Draw(3.25) Libourne
Saint-Seurin(6.5)
20:00 Niort(2.1) Draw(3.1) Istres(4)
20:00 Tours(2.88) Draw(2.88) Grenoble(2.75)
20:30 Metz(1.4) Draw(4.2) Brest(9)
German Bundesliga Two Matches
18:00 FC Erzgebirge Aue(2.63) Draw(3.25) MSV
Duisburg(2.9)
18:00 Karlsruher SC(1.6) Draw(4) Kickers
Offenbach(6.5)
18:00 Koblenz(2.05) Draw(3.25) Eintr Braunschweig(3.8)
Italian Serie B Matches
20:45 Cesena(1.95) Draw(2.95) Spezia(5.5)
Italian Serie C1/B
20:45 SS Lanciano(3.4) Draw(2.8) Ravenna(2.5)
Turkish Matches
19:00 Fenerbahce(1.33) Draw(5) Genclerbirligi(9.5)

NBA
Sat Feb 03, 2007 Best Book
00:00 Philadelphia 76ers (1.75) Golden State Warriors
(2.11)
00:00 Indiana Pacers (1.67) Los Angeles Lakers (2.2)
00:30 Cleveland Cavaliers (1.38) Charlotte Bobcats
(2.5)
00:30 Los Angeles Clippers (1.4) Boston Celtics (2.8)

00:30 Toronto Raptors (1.7) Atlanta Hawks (2.2)
01:00 Detroit Pistons (1.13) Milwaukee Bucks (6)
01:00 New Orleans Okla City Hornets (1.67) Minnesota
Timberwolves (2.1)
01:00 Orlando Magic (1.6) New Jersey Nets (2.38)
02:00 Denver Nuggets (1.19) Portland Trailblazers
(4.5)

That's all see you all tommorrow and be sure like a
crazy man on the street, spread the word, and the word
is us.
RECOMMENDATIONS
BRONZE: NURNBERG WIN/DRAW 4.0/3.2 TOTALBET/UKbetting.
SILVER: CHOPRA SCORE ANYTIME AT 2.38 with vc/bet
direct/skybet.
GOLD:CATANIA WIN/DRAW 2.88/2.88 with bet365.
PLATINUM RECOMMENDATION: GETTING A GOOD DVD

FAMILY FORTUNES

2007-01-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

LAST NIGHT THOUGHTS
It was maybe a game to far for Fulham so hope you all
didn't get on that too much, Sheff United continue to
defy the odds and in Hulse and Stead they have a very
promising forward lineup. Right now I think they have
enough about them to get out of relegation, and make
relegation a four team race between Wigan, West Ham,
Charlton and Watford.
Elsewhere Liverpool are down to 20/1 for the title but
I'm not convinced, Pompey are sliding, Boro improving
and Reading a tough tough home side.
In the Championship my thoughts that Brum were
over-rated showed through, Derby have come down for
the title as they are griding out results. Preston
and Sunderland both stuttered, tonight should add
further interest.
In League two Wallsall got their act together,
Stockport are slipping under the radar but playing
some very good stuff and Swindon met a side
experiencing the new manager home bounce and as such I
was glad we held our money.
Well with a disappointing night last night I've taken
advice from those who know me best, my family and
here's there tips, not mine, honest.

TONIGHT
PREMIER LEAGUE
19:45 Chelsea (1.33) Draw (5.3) Blackburn (11)
I have to confess I harbour secret desires to write
for the Racing Post,not least because it'll stop me
having to buy the thing, anyway that could go some, or
none of the way to explaining why I was going to nick
their advice. Blackburn on the Asian Handicap but
then since this morning everyone and their gran has
gone for this, so I'm going to offer this one advice
from my own gran, both teams to score at 2.1
withBET365.
The reason is I'm scared of my gran, oh that and
Blackburn scored four at the weekend and know where
the goal is, Chelsea will still be without Terry.
20:00 Bolton (1.57) Draw (3.8) Charlton (6.5)
My great Uncle Belgaria, what do you mean I'm making
these people up for a tenuous theme to today's email,
he would rightly whinge about how much prices are
nowadays, and who can blame him when you have too pay
29pounds to watch this potential borefest. At first
this seems an easy home especially given the way
Bolton played against Arsenal, but then charlton
actually have two wins and one draw from their last
four, in addition Bolton just don't do easy home games
against the lower teams. This should be a homewin but
not at those odds, I would be holding onto my money.
20:00 Manchester United (1.17) Draw (7) Watford (23)
My dad's solution for everything used to involve
having a Banana, tired, have a banana,bored have a
banana, need to write a line for a song, then add ooh
and have a banana. Maybe Mr Boothroyd need to heed
this advice and litter the pitch with some Bananas,
not that Ronaldo will need the help to fall. United
should win, Watford will make it tricky buoyedd by
their confidence of two recent weeks, but United's
class should be enough, my advice, have a banana.
20:00 Newcastle (2.2) Draw (3.3) Aston Villa (3.6)
This one could be entertaining, though arguably for
all the wrong reasons, the comedy that is Newcastle's
defence come face to face with Villa's shiny new
forward line. Newcastle know where the net is as well
and this is why Great Aunt Germintrude recommends
getting on the over 2.0 goals at 2.1 with STan James.
ELSEWHERE
Those nice sportingodds chaps and friends of cousin
Verri odd are offering the nice 2.0 sheff wed plus one
on the handicap, as usual cover with the draw. There
are little between the two sides and Southampton often
struggle to break teams down.
West Brom are a great home side as are Bristol City a
small home double could be well advised there.

Oh and Arsenal play Spurs, I think Berbatov's injury makes this an evenly balanced game and there seems little of interest across the board.

Well that's all thanks to my family for their great
advice and thanks for reading, please tell a friend,
about my free email that is, not about my family. All
the best and back tommorrow.

LOTTERIES WINNER AND FRIEND OF ALL VERY RICH BUT IN DANGER AFRICANS

2007-01-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well even if the betting business is just ticking
along,the big money to be had in your own blog is with
all the lottery wins you get and the businessmen you
help, now you would have to be a total mug to fall for
any of this email rubbish i'm getting.
Anyhow back to betting, and following up a JamieT
style Stella weekend(look at my-space) we have fingers
crossed for our good week, well not to crossed or it
becomes difficult to type.

THE PREVIEW
19:45 Portsmouth (1.95) Draw (3.3) Middlesbrough (4.3)

There's good news and bad news, the good news is that
Boro know where the back of the net is, Yakubu in
particular hits the net more than a dolphin off the
coast off Japan. Okay that was bad taste but this is
the Premier League what do you expect. The bad news
is that their defence has started to let a few in,
which seems to have helped the Woodgate for England
cause no end.
Still Boro's Jekyll and Hyde nature helps us greatly,
because the bookies find themselves doing their best
Rolf Harris impression, asking us if we can tell what
it is yet. Is it 3.5, or 4.33 or somewhere in
between. The 4.33 therefore with the Power (no not
Phil Taylor,) seems good value. Boro are not great
but then neither are Pompey, Pompey have been
struggling of late recently and Downing can expose
their weakness at fullback, with Yakubu finding his
form Boro are worth small stakes with the draw cover.

19:45 Sheff Utd (2.5) Draw (3.25) Fulham (3)
Sheff United have no wins in four, fulham have no
defeats in ten, you make who the favourite, you offer
fulham at 3.0, thankyou verymuch we'll have some of
that. Fulham are really playing some great football
and they won't be outfought by United. Brown will be
up for this one, sheff united without morgan will
struggle to cope with Montella and McBride. I'd get
on this one and cover with the draw on med/high
stakes, with small stakes on montella and mcbride 2.88
and 3.3 anytime, all with our friends at paddy Power.

19:45 West Ham (6) Draw (3.66) Liverpool (1.67)
I can't think of anything exciting to say here, West
Ham are poor, Liverpool are good, Liverpool should
win, the odds reflect this. Oh and Alan Curbishley
killed JFK with Rafa Benitez help. No bet and a need
for a good lawyer.

20:00 Reading (1.85) Draw (3.5) Wigan (4.5)
This year's Wigan, play last year's reading, which may
pause a warning to this year's reading if you follow
still. Less Confusing is the result, Reading should
win this one but they are better 1.85 around and if
you need to get on it small stakes are advised.

CHAMPIONSHIP ONE LINERS
Tue Jan 30, 2007 Best Book
19:45 Barnsley (2.25) Draw (3.25) QPR (3.25): Why did
the chicken cross the road, to avoid this game, no
bet.
19:45 Birmingham (1.44) Draw (4.3) Southend (8.5): I'm
being serious here, you need to get on Southend on the
handicap with the draw handicap. No seriously. I
know the gap in positions, the four-nil result last
time, but Brum are stuttering, and Southend are
showing improved signs and with a goal headstart the
2.88 on them to win or the 3.4 the draw with stan
james is worth small stakes, stop laughing at the back
there.
19:45 Colchester (2.6) Draw (3.28) Preston (2.75): Dr
dr I could do with seeing some goals, head to
Colchester this evening, Nugent's form and
Colchester's Cureton and Iwuelmo, the over 2.0 on 2
goals at Stan James appeals.
19:45 Coventry (2) Draw (3.43) Luton (3.85: Dr dr I
feel like a championship side, sell all your best
players and that should solve that one. Our advice
avoid like a Westlife album.
19:45 Derby (1.83) Draw (3.5) Burnley (5.5) View Odds
A man walks into a betting shop puts some money on
derby and stresses a lot, Derby almost cost me at the
weekend and they might win this time around but while
the new players are blooding in,if the english
lanaguage allows that, I'll be looking elsewhere.
19:45 Hull (2.1) Draw (3.34) Leeds (3.75): Leeds haha,
doesn't get funnier. Probable home win though the
price doesn't warrant interest, especially with Hull
having a few injuries. With the way Leeds defence is
the evergreen Windass seems good value in the anytime
market at 2.5. Small stakes.
19:45 Norwich (2.5) Draw (3.25) Wolves (2.9): dr dr
I've got a lot of injuries, then send out a patched
side and hope you meet a side playing as bad as you
are, no bet.
19:45 Stoke (1.91) Draw (3.4) Ipswich (4.5): A man
walks into a bar has a pint bemoans the fact that we
haven't been the same since losing Lee Hendrie and
he'd be right. Home advanatage might see Stoke
through but at less than 2.0 against an Ipswich side
who are no mugs, no bet.
19:45 Sunderland (1.83) Draw (3.44) Crystal Palace
(4.5): There was an englishmen, a few irishmen and a
large trinidad and tobago contigent, palace might find
the new improved sunderland no laughing matter. Med
stakes on the home win for in-form sunderland.
ELSEWHERE
Some Johnstone's Paint Trophy, that should be as
exciting as watching said product dry, in addition
some League Two games that are tough to call. The
value bet of the League two games is Swindon at 2.5
with premierbet the form makes them a good call,
keeping the stakes small could be advised bearing in
this is peterborough's first home game under darren, I
didn't get this job because of who my dad is,
Ferguson.
Barnet and Stockport seem slightly over-priced but for
me that's enough bets for the day.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy this while you can
when I GET those lottery wins and money from nigerian
lawyers i'll be rich beyOnd my wildest dreams.

price update

2007-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

A few prices have change, watford have come under 2.0 on the handicap which makes them a no bet, apologies if prices listed are wrong, be sure to conisder the new prices before betting.

Gdluck everyone and hope they all continue on the first bet road.

everyday I give you less and less

2007-01-27T04:29:00.000-08:00

apologies about this but lots on, no reason, no rhyme, just tips.

Luton v blackburn over 2.0 goals stan james 2.0, small stakes
barnet v plymouth: hayles anytime 2.9 paddy power, small stake.
brum v reading: mcsheff anytime 3.0 coral,small stake.
blackpool v norwich: home win 2.4 expekt, med stake.
b.city v boro: over 2.5 stan james, blue sq, small stakes.
palace v preston: palace to win by one, score, draw, preston to win by one, all three. paddy power
derby v b.rovers: derby win margin, plus one,two,three, paddy power, 3.30,4.00.6.50.
ful v stroke: away win, draw double, 5.7,3.55expekt
ips v swan: awkinfew any 3.25, trundle any 2,65
spurs v southend: 3.5,3.8,5.5 spurs win margin,1,2,3.
wh v wat: watford plus one, 2.0 paddy power, watford plus one draw.3.3 paddy power.
man u v pompey: man.u to cover -1 1.91 with bet 365.

league double doncaster, hartlepool 2.69 william hill, med/high stakes.

SHORT BUT NO LESS SWEET

2007-01-24T09:16:00.001-08:00

SPURS V ARSENAL: Goals should be the order of the day today with two leaky defences and attacking sides. Ukbetting's over two goals at 2.05 is the pick of the other markets. In terms of game betting the marginal value lies with Arsenal but in a two legged game the draw becomes a good option for the away side. Best to avoid the draw and get on the overs.
ELSEWHERE: Take UKBetting or totesport on with the 1.8 Newport to beat Eastbourne although both sides have not win in their last three games Newport have a great home record and should have enough to see off Eastburne.
Over in Italy there is one match and Empoli could be worth siding with, they are the 3.75 away win, 2.8 draw with BET365. Empoli are surprise champions league place contenders while Catania have been slow to get out of the blocks since the winter break, cover with the draw as Emploi's away form still does not match their home form.
Over in Spain people will expect Barca to go marching on but the 1,62 is not worth biting at, Betis are showing improved signs and have drew their last two games and are no longer complete whipping boys, this includes a draw with Madrid. With Zambrotta and Beletti possibly out there are goal opportunites for Betis. Take the small stakes on the double for betis and the draw, pitch up with which bookmaker you think offers the ebst chance on your expected result. I see Barca winning by one, which means I want best odds on draw, sportingodds offer 3.8 the draw and 2.2 betis, well worth a small interest.
France: Nantes 3.4/ 3.04 look the value bet of the day.
Marseille v Auxerre looks the one to avoid from a betting pov two inform teams battling in a match that is very tough to call.
Valenciennes and Sochaux a good value home double.

Gdluck everyone.

BETTER BRIEF THAN NEVER

2007-01-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Apologies for missing yesterday but there wasn't anything I fancied, posting
may be a bit sparodic over the next few weeks as I'm
working on some exciting new stuff which I'll keep you
posted on, in the meanwhile stick with us as change is
a coming.

TUESDAY
COCA COLA: Chelsea v Wycombe: I have to be honest and
say this is a game I'm giving a wide swerve to,
chelsea should probably win but not at those odds,
though as bad have chelsea have been lately I just
can't get on board wycombe, mayb easter in the
anytime, but I have afeeling we may have ridden that
one too far. One to watch, especially if chesea can't
get that early goal.
PREM LEAGUE: Watford v Blackburn: Those with
Premierbet should be all over 2.25 right now with very
decent stakes. Blackburn have won the last three away
games against better opposition than Watford, wigan,
everton and man city there victims. Watford may have
only lost two-nil to Villa at the weekend but they
have keeper Ben Foster to thank for that and Blackburn
on a great run of form seem very generously
priced,especially when you consider ladbrokes go as
low as 1.83. Speaking of Foster his presence in goal
should watford avoid ahammering and for those looking
for another bet the win margin of blackburn should be
either 1/2/3 a small stake on each brings returns.
FA CUP LUTON V QPR: I've said all there is to say
about this twice now, the advantage probably has swung
to QPR with their best playing returning while Luton's
are being sold or injured. The 3.4 with sporting odds
on qpr to win should be matched with the 3.2 draw.
BUNRLEY V STOKE: This one is a tough one to call,
although Burnley have no win since November they were
much improved last timeout against Southampton and but
for the weather would have been favourites to beat
Norwich at the weekend. The signings of akinbiyi, so
bad they named him twice djemba djemba and joey
gudjonsson will really booster their ranks. Stoke for
their part will welcome back fuller but haven't had
the same cutting edge since losing hendrie from a
betting pov this is a bit like many city centres on a
friday night a no go.
ELSEWHERE: Millwall away to Northampton at 2.9 I have
to point are overpriced with expekt. I also have to
point out that I won't be backing them as I have been
to that well one too many times these last few weeks.
Though I wouldn't put you off getting on them at 2.9,
Millwall have won the last four league games, and have
scored four goals on three of those occasions.
Northampton though are unbeaten in four themselves
including a good home win against carlisle and draws
at Tranmere and Yeovil.
The other game would seem a banker home win for
Swansea over Gillingham and it probably win, but the
odds are way off give nothing away, especially on a
side prone to drawing a few.
Bristol City will no doubt see plenty off interest
against a oor Brighton but punters should be wary of
team news and this being the cup, Shrewsbury and
Bristol Rovers seems your typical no bet game.
As for the conference dag and redbrige look good value
away odds at grays, morecambe, kidderminster and
stevenage are short but good value homes.

SUPER SMASHING GREAT WEEKEND

2007-01-20T03:29:00.001-08:00

Quick one today as I'm short of time.

THREE BETS OF DAY
Millwall at home to Brighton
Chesterfield at home to Brighton
Mcclesfield at home to Hereford
PREMIER LEAGUE ONE LINERS
Liverpool v Chelsea: Chelsea decent value at 2.75 with preierbet if you don't have an account, Drogba anytime market appeals.
Villa v Watford: Bad match prices, maybe Watford and the tie on the handicap as Villa might win but will never hammer Watford.
Fulham v Spurs: Any kind of goal bet with both sides having goals in them and weaker defences, over 2.5 goals.
Boro V Bolton: Two unpredictable sides and no bet.
Newcastle v West Ham: No bet.
Pompey v Charlton: over 2.0 goals.
Reading v Sheff United:Hulse and Steed anytime market. Sheff United to cover handicap and tie on handicap.
Man City v Blackburn: Away win, draw, value.
SCOTLAND
Scotland double short price home wins for Albion and Morton.

goodluck everyone for the weekend:)

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, MOVE ON

2007-01-18T09:19:00.001-08:00

LAST NIGHT
Decentish night last night, did well on the Brum game,
probably the only person based in Newcastle who
enjoyed the result. We were on the ball with Fulham v
Leicester and if Cardiff had remembered where the back
of the net was we might have had some success there,
still nearly isn't it in betting. We'll try harder,
or nearly anyway. Well that on here is a thursday and
friday special for you all.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY'S BETTING
THURSDAY SCOTTISH FA CUP
19:45 Hibernian(2.1) Draw(3.27) Aberdeen(3.75)
I've been back and forwards this game more times then
a ping pong at a youth hostel, however I still come to
the same conclusion, that there is none. This is an
incredibly tough game to call, these two sides have
met three times this season and two have ended in draw
and the other Aberdeen won 2-1. The advantage lies
here with Hibs who are going in with the better form
and the home advantage, though this is reflected in
the prohibitive odds of 2.1. Aberdeen have been lucky
with late goals in their last two matches and with
injuries to a lot of key players, including captain
Russell Anderson and an important Scottish cup match
it is hard to get on them. Hibs though are too low
considering there is so little between these sides,
also the loss of top scorer Craig Killen is a big blow
and they struggled to convert a wealth of chances at
the weekend.
In the others market the handicap is highly
restrictive, the over/under to tough to call, there
has been a 2-2 and a 0-0 between these sides recently,
no players stand out in the anytime market, maybe
Sproule but his price is low as he isn't getting the
starts. None of the specials stand out wither. I
would take Hibs to come through, maybe after extra
time but not with any betting conviction and so this
is a no bet.

FRIDAY 19TH JANUARY
19:45 Tranmere(1.83) Draw(3.42) Bradford(4.5)
Not to sound repetitive and boring but to me this is
another no bet. No doubt Tranmere are the favours and
certainly so with a good home record and a win last
time out at Crewe, Bradford don't travel so well and
the loss of Dean Windass back to hull will be a huge
blow to their scoring threat. However Tranmere have a
very generous defence and a victory over the Jekyll
and Hyde Crewe is nothing to write home about, if
footballers could write. The other markets are less
than thrilling and less something s added tommorrow I
would stay clear of this one.

Coca-Cola League Two Matches
19:45 Shrewsbury(1.91) Draw(3.3) Rochdale(4.3)
This is very much like the Tranmere game in that the
value is on the home side but not enough. Shrewsbury
are nobodies mugs and are a difficult home side,
however there is little in the form table between them
and rochdale. Rochdale were poor in their one-nil
loss to Bristol Rovers last week, and are a very funny
side. They go on big win streaks and then massive
losing streaks. It is that makes them dangerous they
have some decent away wins. While Shrewsbury draw a
little too many for comfort. I would if pushed expect
the two games to be home results but you have to
consider the value. I like the look of the over 2.0
goals with Stan James at 2.0. Both these sides know
where the net is and also know how to concede, they
have a combined for tally of 21 and against 24, that's
35 in twelve matches, almost three goals per game.
Small stakes advised.

BEWARE THE BIRMINGHAM PITCH DESTROYING PIXIES

2007-01-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Okay so it's only seventeen days into 2007 and maybe
your just about getting used to writing the date or
maybe in my case just getting used to writing, note
the new and improved spell check emails, no expense
spared hear at The Muggins. However we bring you big
news of the biggest bet of the year so far that you
would be a mug to miss oh and some general football
tips you know you love us. The Muggins.

LAST NIGHT
Up and down night last night we had great success with
Southend and Bristol City at big prices, we didn't do
so well with the shorter prices in Scunthorpe and
Brechin. We were wrong on mansfield but correct on
chester on the handicap draw, we did even worse in the
anytime market. I did say Hull and Bristol City would
score but seven goals and not one of our three
players, just one of those nights. However they are
optimistic signs as very little occurred that
surprised me which means you are generally assessing
the market well.
TONIGHT
FA Cup Matches
19:45 Fulham(1.62) Draw(3.75) Leicester(6)
Bearing in mind that Fulham have drawn their last six
and Leicester their last two the 3,75 with StanJames
should understandably attract some interest. Their
was little to split these two sides last time out and
it may take a moment f magic to do so again. The
reason why I'm going to stay clear of the draw is
because Fulham have a good home record and Leicester
do not possess the greatest away record. There in we
should be avoiding the straight match result and look
to the other markets. I have little doubt that
Leicester will score, but find it hard to pin it down
to who it will be. The value therefore to me is with
Stan James and the handicap market. They give
Leicester a goal headstart at 2.1 which is okay, but
the 3.75 draw is excellent, basically to lose this bet
Fulham to win by more than one goal something they
have yet done all season. A real value bet.
20:00 Newcastle(1.75) Draw(3.55) Birmingham(5.2)
Newcastle versus Birmingham is again very much the
same market as the Fulham v Leicester game. Except
with two key differences, Birmingham are a better side
than Leicester, and should be headed for the
premiership. In addition Birmingham had the weekend
off while Newcastle had a gruelling game Sunday
against Spurs. Although confidence should be high at
St James energy levels may be low and if they can't
breakdown Birmingham early the wear and tear might
begin to show. Newcastle are no doubt a huge side at
St James but they struggle to breakdown teams like
Birmingham, who will come to defend and make life
difficult. In addition Birmingham possess goal
threats of their own and though Bentdner is out and
Dunn is on his way, Larsson, Vine and McSheffrey will
cause a handle for any defence let alone Newcastle's
kids. I wouldn't argue with anyone who said they were
going to take the Brum away win and draw, but I'm
going to do the same handicap bet with Stan James as I
did last time out, Brum with the one goal to win or
draw.
20:00 Tottenham(1.4) Draw(4.5) Cardiff(9)
This needs little comment really Spurs have an
exceptional home form, Cardiff have completely gone
off the rails since the early season, the 1.4 could
even be considered value. I'm going for the spurs win
margin market with paddy power, spurs to win by one,
two or three goals, will all return if one result
comes up.

EXTRA BIT GOES HERE
That's right if you were an email subscriber there would be a nice little bit here, including my bet of 2007 so far, yes I know it's only been seventeen days. So what you waiting for just send us an email and we will add you.

RUBY TUESDAY

2007-01-16T05:02:00.000-08:00

Well we had a good night last night and I hope you did
as well, last see if we can keep it up tonight.

THOUGHTS ON ALL TODAY'S GAMES

Coca-Cola League One Matches
19:45 Cheltenham(3) Draw(3.25) Scunthorpe(2.3)
Despite Cheltenham being a much better home side than
they are away and having a decent recent home record,
it is hard to ignore BET365's 2.3 on Scunthorpe.
These sides are at opposite ends of the table for good
reason, Scunthorpe are five games unbeaten and with
Sharp avoiding suspension to the next game they have
the firepower to see off a Cheltenham side who have no
wins in five and were poor in losing last time out to
Huddersfield.
19:45 Tranmere(1.8) Draw(3.6) Crewe(4.5)
This is a tough one to call as Tranmere are really
starting to stutter after such a strong start, with
only one win in eight confidence is not high at
Tranmere. Crewe for their part are unbeaten in three
although they haven't really beaten anyone. Crewe are
more than capable of winning ths one, but I'm going to
take a watching brief on this as Crewe are very hit
and miss, what is certain though is they will score at
least once, and Maynard and Varney are the men in form
at 2.5 and 2.75 anytime market.

Coca-Cola League Two Matches
19:45 Accrington(2.5) Draw(3.25) Mansfield(2.75)
Mansfield represent good value here on the not to lose
market, a great 3-1 away win at hereford will have
them buzzing with confidence which is something
Accrington are in very short supply of, just one point
from five games means they face a real relegation
battle.

19:45 Bury(2.25) Draw(3.25) Darlington(3.3)
In terms of value I would say Darlington are it for
today, there is no way they should be 3.3,but then
again I'm not going to bet. Although Bury have gone
off the rails and were lucky not to lose to Torquay
(who can't buy a win) Darlington still have to
convince me. Although encouraging noises came out of
the second half performance versus Peterborough,
Peterborough have been awful recently and as such this
one to take a watching brief on for me.

FA Cup Matches
19:45 Barnsley(2.25) Draw(3.27) Southend(3.2)
Another one I'm recommending you take on the draw and
away win is Southend at 3.25 the win, 3.27 the draw.
The reasons are that although both these teams are so
close in the league race, they are miles apart in the
form table. Southend are unbeaten in their last five
games including victories over Cardiff and West Brom,
five games is also the last Barnsley registered a win
and Simon Davey's honeymoon period is well and truly
over. The last game between these side showed their
was little between these two and this could go to
extra time and in tight cup games, the draw becomes a
little extra valuable.

19:45 Coventry(2.05) Draw(3.28) Bristol City(3.75)
No doubt many of you will pile into Bristol City and
far be it for me to talk you of it, the home side are
playing some poor stuff and were four down at half
time against Palace and pressure is mounting on Mickey
Adams, the loss of Elliot Ward is especially being
felt at the back. Bristol City for their part are on
a great unbeaten run of 13 games. Again they
represent good value on the draw, and away win market.
Especially as Bristol City tend to draw a lot more
than they win away from home. The real value though
is on the anytime market Brooker and Jevons are 3.6
and 3.8 with Paddy Power and the way Coventry are
defending should present a host of chances for the
Bristol City forwards.

19:45 Ipswich(1.44) Draw(4.4) Chester(8.3)
I toyed with the idea of taking the away win, draw no
lose on this one, especially if you consider Chester's
recent away record in which they have won the last
three and drew the two previous. Mark Wright has a
defensive formation with quick counter attackers that
works so well away from home and Ipswich need to be
very wary. However I'll refrain from Chester as their
list of away victories is against less than stellar
teams, which is not to say the money should be on
Ipswich bearing in mind their less than stellar form,
so I'd suggest getting on the handicap, you have to go
back to November 19 and the 3-1 win over Norwich for
the last time Ipswich won by two clear. Chester on
the plus one are 2.9 with Paddy Power and it's 3.4 the
plus one on the draw. This seems very good value in a
tight game.
19:45 Luton(2.1) Draw(3.52) QPR(3.65)
I've seen a lot of people advise QPR but they are
without their star man Lee Cook and don't have the
best of away records while Luton might be showing
improved signs but the odds are way too short for the
home side. In the others market it's also tough to
call, both have defences that can leak goals, while
both have strikeforces that are missing key men, for
Luton the sale of Vine and QPR key playmaker Cook,
certainly one to avoid from a betting pov.
19:45 Man City(1.57) Draw(3.92) Sheff Wed(7)
This should certainly be a great game to watch from a
betting point of view it's a mess. It should be a
tight one and the under market may have appealed but
the bookies are all over that, instead I'd advise
looking elsewhere for value.
19:45 Oldham(2.6) Draw(3.3) Wolves(2.8)
This is a real fifty fifty pick em, Oldham are a great
home side, Wolves a very good away side, this again is
one to avoid.
19:45 Plymouth(1.5) Draw(4.1) Peterborough(7.5) If
Peterborough hadn't sacked their manager I would have
been strongly on this, but I'm loathe to get involved
against sides who have lost their manager as you never
know how it will affect them. Plymouth are showing
improved form and Hayles on the anytime at 2.63 with
paddypower could be a real value pick.
20:00 Middlesbrough(1.5) Draw(4.3) Hull(7.5): I'd
never back Boro without Boateng at 1.5, this should be
a highly competitive game that Boro might just shade
but not at those prices. I wouldn't go against Hull
on the away win, draw double but Boro's home form
might make me offer a little question over that.
Instead I'll be investing in the anytime market Stuart
Elliot at 4.5 the Hull forward scored two at the
weekend and could make a rare start with Barmby out
injured. Yakubu should score but doesn't represent
good value at 1.91 with skybet and 2.00 in general.
Scottish FA Cup Matches Best Book

19:45 Brechin(1.8) Draw(3.6) Cowdenbeath(4.5)
19:45 Dundee Utd(2) Draw(3.25) St Mirren(3.75)
19:45 Queen of South(2.75) Draw(3.6) Dundee(2.55)

You can right off dismiss QOS and Dundee as this is
priced well, instead it's the other two that command
attention. Dundee United might well be good value to
see of St Mirren at 2.0 but it's hard to get behind a
team that have conceded ten goals in two games. As
good a home side as they are and as off form as St
Mirren you have to wonder what those two defeats have
done for their confidence.
To me the value in Scotland lies on Brechin at home to
Cowdenbeath at 1.8. Brechin are on a great run at the
moment, they have one defeat in 14 games against a
Cowdenbeath side with just one win in five, in
addition Brechin already have two league wins and one
cup draw against their opponents this season, 1.8
makes it nice value and can be taken as a single, or
as a banker in an accumulator.

Well that's all folks be back tommorrow be sure to
check back or email us directly at
anothawriter@yahoo.co.uk and we will email you when we
are updated rather than have you check back all day.

all you need to know about Par Cederqvist

2007-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

WALLSALL V GRIMSBY

He's just signed for Wallsall from Sweden.
He's going to score a hatful.

He's 2.63 with paddy power on the anytime market and
this might be a game too soon for him but he is
certainly a player to watch.

best odds: Wallsall 1.5 across the board
draw: 3.8
grimsby: 7.0 bet365, sporting odds.

Wallsall sit top of the table, three pints, Grimsby
have no goals in four games, and have conceded eleven
in losing their last four games. Grimsby's only win
in six is against hapless Torquay, so it doesn't take
a genius to tell you who will win this one. It is
upto you whether you think the odds represent value or
not.
Maybe consider the handicap but beware that as bad as
Grimsby are, Wallsall haven't been hammering too many
teams lately.
I'd recommend the similar win margin bet we were on
for man united this week, taking the home to win by
one will return 3.25, two 4.33 and three 7.0, it is
extremely rare that wallsall really hammers a team.
Grimsby have brought in one or two defencive players
and will be looking to keep the scores here low.

KILMARNOCK V HIBS
We recommend getting on Hibs a good few days ago and
this has shown itself to prove value as the odds have
drifted to a general 2.4 on the decimal, Betfred still
offer a stand alone 2.5.
Why the importance of getting on Hibs, Killy have been
truly awful recently and have lost five straight,
including a cup loss last week to Morton. Hibs
meanwhile are on a good run with three games unbeaten
including a credible draw at Aberdeen. Their overall
performance has greatly improved since John Collins
took over and they should have enough to come through.
Maybe take them in the double with Wallsall.

Well that's it for tonight been short but I hope no
less sweet, be back tommorrow, until then keep passing
the word round, and lookout for exciting new
developments in the offing.

One of these days in your travels, a guy is going to show you a
brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken. Then this guy is
going to offer to bet you that he can make the jack of spades jump out
of this brand-new deck of cards and squirt cider in your ear. But, son,
do not accept this bet, because as sure as you stand there, you're
going to wind up with an ear full of cider.

The only sports based betting magazine at
http://anothamug.blogspot.com.

Mine make a double

2007-01-14T04:11:00.000-08:00

today's thoughts,

Three games today, Everton v Reading, Spurs v Newcastle, Hearts v Celtic. Game one Everton v Reading, consider that despite Everton's poor reeent form, players are returning from injury, very few sides go to goodison and get three points. Likely result draw, they could be goals inthis one, maybe 1-1, two to two. If we haven't gone to the anytime market then this might be worth considering, or the over 2.0.
Spurs v newcastle, spurs should be looking to win this, but last time out Newcastle outplayed them and it should be a tight one, no value betting.
Hearts v Celtic, another possible draw, Hearts are much improved and Celtic have understandably taking their foot off thier gas.

Today's value bet:
8.0: On the enhanced odds double special on offer at victor chandler on berbatov and doyle to score anytime.

Hope it's a good sunday, be back tommorrow for a full roundup.

weekend one liners

2007-01-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

championship

a double/treble combination of rasiak, stokes and earnshaw as anytime scorers for southampton, sunderland and norwich could be advised.
Preston look overpriced at Barnsley
Hull are overpriced at 11/10 with paddy power at home to qpr.
derby have a tough game and new players to blend which doesn;t match the odds.
cardiff v southend is one to avoid.
palace are capable of a shock at coventry

league one

millwall look overpriced on the draw, away win double.

blackpool seem decent value home to port vale who struggle against the top ten.

forest v yeovil, scunthrope v oldham are ones to avoid.

league two

darlo v peterborough is one to avoid so much.

stockport are the pick of the homes

torquay have not win in ages so bury could be worth a look,

scotland

aberdeen look good home winners v inverness.
albion are on a tear and look good value today.

hope it's a good weekend for everyone, similar thing tommorrow for you all so keep your eyes peeled.

ALL YOUR WEEKEND PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS HERE AT 17.30

2007-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:00