TONIGHT'S FOOTBALL .....

Just a few lines about two of tonight's matches, please check back tomorrow, when I will have some very strong news to pass on.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

CHELSEA - JUVENTUS

Yesterday I told you that, IMO, the English teams play at too high a tempo for their Italian counterparts and saw little last night to make me change my mind, United could have led by three at the break over Inter and an out of sorts, injury hit Arsenal, saw off Roma and could/should have scored more.

Chelsea looked more like their old selves in the win at Villa Park on Saturday and already seem to have fully accepted new coach Guus Hiddink. He seems sure to stick with both Drogba and Anelka up front and this is a potentially prolific partnership, if Hiddink can get it to work. Scolari said it was not possible, but there were clear signs against Villa that he was wrong. I expect the Blues to win and also feel that Drogba is big, at 2.875 + in the anytime goalscorer market, but will stick with the straight match bet.

5.5 points Chelsea -1/2 ball 1.84 asian line.

ENGLAND FA CUP

MIDDLESBROUGH - WEST HAM UNITED

Boro will be interested in this I guess, they need a boost of some sort, but the scheduler has not been kind and with Liverpool visiting on Saturday and given their dire league position, it is clear where their priorities should lie. I know that the Hammers are very keen on the competition and it is a trophy their fans would love to lift, around 3,000 are set to make the extremely long midweek trip and I am sure that they will be making the bulk of the noise, in what will be a fairly empty stadium. West Ham have been playing well and created any number of chances in the 2-1 defeat at Bolton over the weekend, where they were caught cold by two early goals. Expect them to come out fired up tonight and at level ball, they look the bet for us, with no outside distractions. Boro have scored just once in their last six starts against Premier league teams. The league game here ended 1-1 back in November, but the visitors were at a very low ebb then, yet still dominated, had a lot of chances on goal and Boro did not have an attempt worthy of the name until just before half time. Away win.

6 points West Ham level ball 1.90 asian line.

Good Luck.