IT'S RAINING IN THE UK ............ GOALS I HOPE !

Tuesday:

CHAMPIONSHIP: Plymouth Argyle- Barnsley

This is a re-arranged fixture from earlier in the season, the first match being abandoned due to torrential rain, with the visitors leading 4-1 !

That was a godsend to Argyle, who will be hoping to put that good fortune to much needed use this evening. They were unlucky not to get something from their 2-0 home loss to Blackpool at the weekend and certainly had the better of the chances, especially in the first half. Now they are in deep, deep trouble and will surely only look for the three points this evening.

They have huge defensive problems, little chance of keeping a cleansheet, so their best chance might be to throw caution to the wind and try to and win a shootout.

Barnsley are 6-2-11 on the road and have been involved in some very open encounters recently, including losses at Bristol City (5-3) and Newcastle (6-1), a 4-1 win at Preston and by a couple of goals at highflying Cardiff, all in the last 6-7 weeks. So, even though their squad is down to the bare bones, they seem unlikely to sit back and with that in mind, along with the four goals they scored in the "first" meeting and the three conceded in the reverse fixture just six weeks ago, a fourth straight "over" in h2h meetings at Home Park looks firmly on the cards.

"Over" 2.5 goals 2.07 IBC.

Wednesday

One early bet for tomorrow

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER: Forest Green Rovers- Barrow

Very biefly, Barrow are out on their feet, this is their third start in a sequence of 10 games in 28 days and they played on Monday night, on a quagmire of a pitch, in conditions which left them completely drained. They are six points clear of the relegation zone, with four games in hand, so a win and a couple of draws here and there, probably on home soil, will be enough to see them safe AND they have a huge Wembley final to look forward to at the end of the season, no one wants to get injured and miss out on that. In addition, Barrow is so remote, that they are faced with training 100 miles away, so these guys are even travelling 200 miles + for a home game, so this week and the next month, will be brutal.

FGR are only just outside the drop zone, but are playing as well as any side in the bottom half of the BSP. They have beaten York, narrowly and unluckily lost to Luton in recent weeks, two of the very best non league teams and come here on the back of three straight wins, in which they have scored nine goals and having had five days rest. Home win.

FGR -0.25 1.77 Sbobet/ IBC.

Good Luck.

TIME FOR BLUE MOON TO SHINE OVER EASTLANDS............

EPL: Manchester City- Wigan

Wigan have struggled on the road all season, where they have only claimed a single cleansheet (at Wolves) since the opening day of the campaign and no side outside the bottom three has conceded more. The problem for them, is that once they allow the first goal, the floodgates seem almost certain to open and they have conceded four or more on SIX occasions, that is a dire defensive record for any EPL team and makes even poorer reading when we see that two of those games came against Portsmouth and Blackpool ! They also allowed two at Division 2 club Notts County and Athletic can hardly travel anywhere with confidence. Even the short journey's seem to leave them travel sick and they have lost all five Lancashire derbies, with a 15-3 goal difference and despite a solid record against City, that looks set to continue this evening.

The hosts scored in their opening 17 starts at Eastlands, 43 in total at an average of over 2.5 per game, before drawing blanks in their last two, a dire stalemate with Liverpool and a loss to Everton last week, when they had plenty of the ball and goalscoring chances. It is very difficult to see them drawing blank a third time, especially with Adebayor set to return, following a four match suspension, although whether they are a better team with or without him atm, remains open to debate. Regardless of that, it at least increases Mancini's options and despite continued defensive injury concerns, he can have few excuses not to win this and close the gap on Spurs and that treasured fourth spot, to just two points.

Couple of key players set to miss out for the visitors, Charles N'Zogbia who scored in the reverse fixture will be especially missed and it is hard to see this lightweight offense causing too many problems this evening. Hosts are a very frustrating team, on a going day, they can compete and beat the very best in the EPL and on other's it is easy to think they are simply not bothered ! Having said that, they have had to stew on the loss to Everton for a week and we can expect to see their hungrier side tonight. First goal is key, if that is not stating the obvious and if it comes City's way, another four goal reverse might easily follow and that is just what the home side need, a nice confidence boosting win and under the circumstances, I will give up the bigger handicap and take the more tempting odds.

Manchester City -1.75 goals 2.35 Sbobet.

Good Luck.

PAINFUL !

The last ten minutes of yesterday's games were a little painful to take, when after looking in a very strong position on all four bets, we ended up with three losers !

Reading dominated the opening half, but could not find a second goal and leading for 80 minutes, was not quite enough. Everton created a huge number of chances, enough to have won two games, including 13 on target, but could not breakthrough. We were a goal short at the KC Stadium, yet could have been home and dry inside 50 minutes, with Fulham having nine attempts on target, two of which were cleared off the line and a solid penalty shout turned down. At Carrow Road, Leeds had the better of a game of few chances, before conceding an 89th minute goal to Norwich, who look to have wrapped up the title. City fans have been rewarded for the incredible support they have shown to their club this season, with almost 20,000 season tickets sold and a similar number already signed up for NEXT season !

All in all, it was a betting day to forget and pretty tough to stomach, but that is the nature of the game and time to move on. There was a fourth loser overnight, when due to British Summer Time, I lost an hour's sleep, which was the last thing I needed !

Back Later .

A LITTLE HIGHER UP THE LADDER .............

EPL: Hull City- Fulham

I think we will see City going all out for three points here and this game could get very stretched in the second half. Fulham did a lot of chasing in the second period against Tottenham in midweek and so many matches this season, are definitely starting to catch up with them. They will doubtless have one, or both eyes on their midweek Europa League game with Wofsburg , especially with europhile Roy Hodgson at the helm and they are certainly not the hardiest of travellers in the EPL.

Having said that, City struggle to keep a cleansheet at the best of times and have conceded three times after the 88th minute in their last two starts, goals which cost them four hugely needed points. They are "over" in their last four outings and in 11 from 14 starts, Fulham in 9 from 12, including their last five. Hard to see either keeping a cleansheet and whilst I would opt for the Tigers as the likelier winner of the two, the "over" option, at very nice odds, looks the stronger bet IMO.

"Over" 2.5 goals 2.17 Sbobet/ IBC.

EPL: Woverhampton Wanderers- Everton

Fantastic couple of weeks for Wolves, with seven goals and seven points in three away starts. Those points look likely to secure their EPL status and whilst Mick McCarthy will do everything to keep his team focused on the job in hand, they do run the risk of at least mentally, switching off today. They face an Everton side playing as well as anyone in the top flight, infact, no side has collected more points in 2010 including the top two and in the last six weeks alone, they have recorded wins over Chelsea and both Manchester United and City. This has left them just seven points behind Spurs and the fourth Champions League spot, whilst this looks a very tall order, they have to give it their best shot and with an easy run in, they only play one more game against a top half side, three points today, would keep the dream very much alive.

The visitors are vastly improved now that all their stars are available, having been without Jagielka, Arteta, Yakubu, Cahill, Saha and others for much, or in some cases most of the campaign. David Moyes side work very hard and unlike some of the other stronger sides in the EPL, are ideally suited to grinding out a result in these type of games, having beaten Bolton, Wigan, Sunderland and Burnley since Boxing Day, keeping a cleansheet in each. This will not be easy, but another hard earned win for the Toffeemen.

Everton -0.5 2.08 +.

Good Luck.

BIG TEST FOR BAGGIES .............

CHAMPIONSHIP : Reading - WBA

Albion are battling with Newcastle for the Championship title, but at the end of the day, all that matters is that they finish the season back in the EPL . Currently sitting with an eight point lead over third placed Forest, I think that they would view a point here, as one earned, rather than two lost. Therefore, I am very comfortable taking the home side off level ball.

At long last Reading have kick started their season and are beginning to show what quality they have at the club. They have lost just twice in 14 starts, one of which came against EPL highflyers Aston Villa and even in that game, the Berkshire side completely dominated the opening half, racing into a two goal lead. They also played Albion twice in that sequence, getting the better of two very tense FA Cup ties, they are arguably playing better now and the visitors are getting to the stage where they are happy to tick another game off.

The Baggies have won their last five, but have had to grind out most of those and were fortunate to hold on to a 1-0 lead at home to Coventry on Wednesday, with the visitors missing three excellent chances and hitting the woodwork as time expired. At the same time Reading were finding an injury time winner at promotion chasing Leicester. That was the fourth time recently that they have scored after the 92nd minute, with three of those goals earning wins, which shows the level of commitment and drive at the club right now.

Those hard earned points have seen them close to within eight of the playoffs, which is incredible as they were in the drop zone, what seems like only yesterday. They have a game in hand, at least, on most of the teams above them and with 27 points still up for grabs, they will be looking for another win today and to continue the momentum. They tend to do better against all the footballing sides and with Albion falling firmly into that category, I make them a solid selection with the draw no bet option.

Reading level ball 1.99 Sbobet .

Back later.

"MARCHING ON TOGETHER" ...........

DIVISION 1 : Norwich City- Leeds United

Arguably the two best teams in Division 1 and I feel that we might just see the better side of United, who are in a terrible slump at present, this afternoon.

They are not suddenly a bad side, but they have let the huge level of expectation get to them , now that that has fallen, the pressure might ease a little at Carrow Road, especially with so few away fans allocated tickets, United could probably have sold 10,000 tickets for this game. Not much has gone right for the Yorkshire giants recently and losing Kisnorbo early in the Millwall game, to a season ending injury, was just the latest set back. However, they have been busy in the transfer market this week, signing experienced Championship defender Neil Collins as a direct replacement for the Australian, Shane Lowry for a second loan spell from Aston Villa and Sanchez Watt from Arsenal, the promising 19 yo has already made three Carling Cup starts for the Gunners this season, scoring against WBA. That should freshen up Simon Grayson's side, along with the likely return of top scorer Jermaine Beckford, Lowry has stated that nothing has changed since he was last at Elland Road, team spirit is still high, the mood upbeat and they are geared up for a big finish to the season.

Getting a handicap start and odds against for them in a Division 1 fixture this season, seemed utterly unthinkable after they won at Old Trafford in the cup, but now it is a reality and whilst City are looking for an amazing 14th win here in 15 starts, they have also wobbled a bit recently and have really ridden their luck at times, with such a big lead at the top of the table, they might not be too unhappy with a share of the spoils and that approach might be their undoing.

Leeds United 0.25 2.21 IBC.

Good Luck.

SATURDAY ..............

Stakes returned on our bet yesterday, to be honest, I am reasonable happy with that especially with the match scoreless at half time and often what we do not lose, makes as much difference to the bottom line, as the winning bets.

I intend to be active on the blog today and will probably put up three or four selections , these will be basic notes, not likely to win any literary prizes and were written yesterday lunchtime, so please bear that in mind.

I would also like to write a little about something else going on in the sporting world this afternoon, but as always, time will be the deciding issue there. So, all in all, worth checking back !

Good Luck.

FRIDAY ..............

FRANCE LIGUE 2: Nimes-Ajaccio

Here we have two of say nine teams chasing what appears to be the one remaining promotion spot, yet most of these are in no real danger of being dragged into the relegation battle, with just nine rounds remaining.

Therefore, four and six points respectively off third place, we can surely expect both to go all out for the three points. That is very much the case for the Corsican visitors, who have a very unusual away record, especially for Ligue 2, of 6-0-8, with 7 of their last eight producing two or more goals. They might be tired after playing on Tuesday night and there is a danger they could "lose interest" if falling behind.

Nimes are traditionally a very strong home side and that has continued this season with just two defeats at their des Costières home. However, seven of their last eight here have produced at least three goals and they have both scored and conceded in their last seven home starts, last year's meeting was very open and ended 2-2, something similar looks likely tonight and I really like the "over" two goal option.

"Over" 2 goals 1.88 Sbobet.

Back Later.

WEDNESDAY ................

Yesterday went smoothly with the "over" bet landed before half time and Southend, previously without a win in 2010, easing home 3-0 .......... timing is everything !

Not quite the perfect day, as Brentford had to settle for a point at Colchester after leading 2-0 and 3-2. I am reliably informed, from totally unbiased sources (!) that this was the minimum that the Bees deserved and once again I have to applaud the Bees board for getting the contract extension for Charlie MacDonald sorted out this week. He put in another MOTM performance last night and worked hard to get himself back in fanatstic shape, after a serious injury last season, sometimes in life you get what you deserve. In the past, Brentford would have let these negotiations drag on and on and someone would have come in with a better offer. Things can always be improved, but the club is so much better run nowadays and I am very positive about the short term future of BFC.

I have found two selections today, one is in a specialist market and both have already been backed, I will try to post at least one on the blog later in the day, providing they do not shorten much further.

Good Luck with your bets today !

ALLSVENSKAN ..........

I remain in good form and was very strongly with Elfsborg last night, who beat Halmstad 6-0, of course, you only have my word for that, but I am only mentioning it because I am very keen on the Borås club to win their domestic title this season.

Actually, I wrote an extensive preview before the season started and have just wasted 20 minutes of my life looking for it ! Not going to try and recreate it now, but the gist is/was that Elfsborg impressed me greatly in pre-season and I rate them stronger than in recent seasons, when they have gone close to adding to a title last won in 2006. Improvement needed to put in a huge challenge this season was only minimal and IMO, they have made that and then some. They are almost unbeatable on the artificial surface of their impressive Borås Arena and will pick up enough points on the road to end the season as champions. I do not want to say too much more at the moment, all the pre season 5.0-5.5 has gone, but I still think there is plenty of value in the current quote of circa 4.0 and I am confident that this is a winner. Long term readers of the blog know that these are the kind of words, I rarely, if ever use.

I have bet three games today and have included very brief notes on two of them in the post below.

Good Luck.

TUESDAY MATCHES............

CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe United - Peterborough United

The meeting of two struggling sides often results in goals and despite the visitors tightening up defensively and being involved in a number of low scoring games recently, I feel that will be the case tonight.

Hosts are two points outside the drop zone and targeted the matches with Plymouth at the weekend (where they recorded a come from behind win) and today, as vital to their survival plans. They might also have a little revenge in mind, after losing the reverse fixture 3-0 at London Road, the biggest win of the season for Posh. Scunny have the worst goal difference in the Champioship and are without a cleansheet in ten starts.

The visitors are ten points adrift of safety and their cause looks lost, having said that, they are showing a lot of heart and probably playing as well as at anytime this season. They have little choice but to "go for it" and a draw will not help them much, actually they have not registered a stalemate in 14 outings, so given the circumstances, that result seems unlikely this evening, unless it is a high scoring one. This is bound to get stretched after one team takes the lead and odds against the "over" looks decent value.

"Over" 2.5 goals 2.03 +.

DIVISION 1 : Southend United- Walsall

At this stage of the season the form book goes out the window and more matches are decided by heart and commitment. United showed they are up for the battle at the weekend, toiling away with ten men and coming back from two down to earn a much needed point against Carlisle. Hard to pinpoint exactly what has gone wrong at Roots Hall in recent months, they are in a financial mess, but that is true of many clubs and have been forced to sell a couple of key players, but that hardly explains why they are still without a win in 2010. Especially as this is a side with a little ability IMO. Two consecutive draws have at least steadied the ship and I am prepared to give them a chance tonight based on that and two very promising performances against highflyer's Norwich and Charlton last month, when the Shrimpers had the better of long periods, but absolutely no luck.

The visitors are safely tucked away in mid table and will soon be in a position to start building for next season. They make the most of the few chances they do create, but might be a little tired after playing half of their game against Colchester with ten men on Saturday and then making this long road journey across country today. The cleansheet at the weekend was their first in eight starts and with Roots Hall always being very noisy and intimidating under fllodlights, I do not think they will keep one tonight. Huge game for Southend, who are four points from safety and face three of their next four on the road, this is must win territory for them.

Southend -0.25 1.95 +.

Good Luck.

NOT ONLY FOR THE BIRDS AS ROBINS HOST CANARIES.............

I have four selections today, putting two online now and might add to those later in the day. However, I am not writing much, just very basic notes.

Swindon have conceded more home goals than any other top 7 side, they do not sit back at their own ground and I certainly do not expect them to do so today. They are secure in a playoff place, effectively three wins clear of the seventh placed side, yet only five points off second spot and an automatic promotion place, so they should just go for the win here.

They showed terrific ambition by signing very promising West Ham youngster Frank Nouble on loan this week and will be confident after consecutive clean sheets and two road wins, including one at highly rated Southampton and Town have already put three past Leeds at the County Ground this year. On the other side of the coin, they were dire in a recent home loss to local rivals Bristol Rovers, so are capable of the odd stinker and a few defensive howlers, which is hardly a negative for our bet, especially against the potent visitors. City are the top scorers in the division, both home and away and have scored in 22 of 23 starts, the only time they failed was when they were reduced to ten men at home to Saints. "Overs" for me, in a game that should be fun to watch.

Celtic fans now know that they are very unlikely to see Robbie Keane next season in a hoops shirt and both he and they, will be looking to make the most of their limited time together. Keane is way too good for the SPL and capable of winning games almost single handedly, I suspect we might see another big win for the Bhoys today, who, with the title race all but over, can play virtually without pressure. they have an amazing record against Saints, whom they normally beat by 2-5 goals , scoring nine in two previous meetings this season and winning the last eight h2h games at Celtic Park, scoring an average of over 3.6 goals per match. Something similar is on the cards today, although in all fairness, the visitors are playing well. However, I do not feel that will be enough today and Saints tend to go for it in games against the big two, even on the road, which is rare and kind of perfect for our bet.

DIV 1 : Swindon Town-Norwich City over 2.5 goals 2.02
SPL : Celtic -1.75 goals 2.0

Good Luck.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER ............

Exeter left it late last night, but got their reward for a very gritty and determined effort and landed another nice winner. I am maintaining a very high strike rate for the month on all my selections (circa 71%) and hope that will continue for a little while longer.

I have come up with just the one bet today (so far ) and am quietly confident of adding to March's profit, the odds have already fallen some ten "clicks", but I still think there is value remaining and might put it online later in the day. Either way, good luck with all your bets today !

Edit: sorry guys, no time to post, took over 2.5 in the Fulham game @ 2.21 this morning, no sweating on the outcome today, I will definitely put something up over the weekend !

WHERE'S IT TO ...............

DIV 1 EXETER CITY - BRISTOL ROVERS

This will be a very passionate West Country derby and we can expect both teams to go looking for the three points. Rovers are the stronger side, but often struggle on the road, where they have lost ten times and conceded more goals than any other team in the top half of the table. Eleven points off the playoffs and with games running out, they look to be out of options, but will have no choice but to look for the win.

City are entering a defining stage of their season, with the next four days likely to give a clear indication about their ability to survive at this level. They are four points from safety and follow this with a six pointer at fellow strugglers Wycombe on saturday. Despite their predicament, they have only lost four home games this season, only Brentford in the bottom half have proved harder to beat (hardly surprising) and City have already beaten Leeds here in 2010, so, on a going day are a match for anyone in tier three. Failure to turn draws into wins on home soil have cost them dear and they arrive on the back of another two stalemates, but there was much to take from both of those games and they have steadied the ship and given them a platform from which to launch a survival bid. With boss Paul Tisdale confident his young midfield are fast improving and playing as well as at anytime this season, he is going to stick with this line up now, injuries permitting and it is time for his loyalty and trust to be rewarded. But then his bravery was never in question, anybody prepared to wear a cravat in Division One has courage in abundance !

Hosts will have a very big, noisy and loyal home crowd behind them tonight and will take heart from the reverse fixture, where despite losing 1-0, they had the better goalscoring chances and dominated much of the game. Their need is greater and I take them to record what what be a famous victory over local rivals.

Exeter City -0.25 2.16 IBC.

Good Luck.

SUNDAY ............

Celtic landed my first maximum bet of 2010 courtesy of a Robbie Keane hat-trick, so, with stakes level on the other three bets, that provided decent returns on the day.

I watched a 3-3 draw at Griffin Park, a match which saw two injury time goals and Brentford gift the visitors all three of their's, including two almighty howlers from home keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who dropped two balls your mother would have caught with one hand,despite holding a card, box of chocolates and bunch of flowers in the other (UK Mother's Day BTW). Bad day at the office for the giant Polish youngster, who has been earning rave reviews all season long.

Exciting game, the Bees started slowly, but did enough in the second half to have beaten a very big and physical MK Dons side. Ref was poor, Dons were a bit agricultural in their approach, I am being kind to both there (!) and there were six goals, including a very dramatic finish, so something for everyone and £21 ( I know !) well spent .

Saw a classic comment from on one of the forums, where someone suggested that pre match Dons had been fed on raw meat and the Bees a cream tea ! Charlie MacDonald (pictured) worked tirelessly, he was my man of the match, but all the team worked hard to stay in a match they could easily have been muscled out of.

I get to go far too infrequently nowadays, but it reminded me how much fun a day at GP can be !

I have had just one bet today and do not feel I can post it on here, so, you are on your own, or will have to look elsewhere.

Good Luck.

SATURDAY....

OK, I am very short of time today, so it is not possible for me to write much on the blog. I do have four selections and think perhaps for the first time ever I will just write them without preview.

I have taken West Ham + 1.5 goals, "over" 3 in the Hull- Arsenal fixture, Bradford giving up 0.25 goal and Celtic minus 1.25. The last named is my strongest bet of the day, infact, it is my first maximum bet of 2010. What does that mean ? Obviously, I like it a lot and feel everything is right with the bet. It doesn't have to be a winner, but I am pretty confident.

This is now a very big game for Celtic and their last chance to win some silverware, they have rested for six days and meet a Kilmarnock side who by early afternoon will have played the top three sides in Scotland in less than a week. I do not feel they have the resources for that and will be further hindered by being without a couple of key players. The visitors will also be out for revenge after losing here ( for the first time since I was in short trousers) on Robbie Keane's debut and I expect them to be at their best and most committed today. No time to write more, off to Griffin Park today, for one of my all too rare visits !

Good Luck.

UPDATE ....

We landed the United "over" bet comfortably enough, so are finally on a bit of a roll . Infact, after an up and down start to 2010 (the Super Bowl aside), March could not have started much better, I have an 83% strike rate for the month and am planning my first max bet of the year for the weekend, which I will post on here if possible.

Good luck !

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ..............

MANCHESTER UNITED - AC MILAN

My good recent run continued yesterday and hopefully we can build on that, in the run up to what promises to be an exciting weekend.

Milan need a minimum two goals to progress, that is a very tall order, but they will take heart from the opening period of the first leg, when they could, perhaps should, have scored 3-4 times, which would have left us looking at a very different scenario this evening.

The United defence has looked extremely fragile at times this season, they are "over" in ten from twelve starts, a sequence in which Wayne Rooney has scored an incredible 13 times and he did not play in the last of those ! In that game, even the goal shy Wolves strikers, the EPL's least potent attack, wasted a number of very good chances, Sam Vokes must still be having nightmares about the one he missed ! Rooney will return tonight and will want to show the rest of the footballing world just how good he is at present.

United have conceded in each of their CL fixtures at Old Trafford including three to CSKA and I doubt they will manage a clean sheet tonight. Not so sure that Milan will be completely gung-ho from the off, but sooner or later they will have to open up and this, like the first leg, should get very stretched, "overs" for me.

Manchester United -AC Milan "over" 2.5 goals 1.90 Sbobet.

Good Luck.

TUESDAY ..........

Both selections won on Sunday at nice odds, with the Reading-Villa bet landed very early in the second half. It can be exciting to get a late winning goal go your way, but occasionally, it is just as much fun and better for your heart, to win without sweating.

I have taken two bets today, one in the Championship and another in Division 1, on a day when Champions League action takes centre stage, however, a winner is a winner wherever it comes and my fingers and toes are crossed for these two. Unfortunately, I will not be able to post either on here, as I see them both as big potential improvers, currently underestimated by the oddsmakers and I intend on following them for a week or two.

I will probably be posting a selection tomorrow and definitely have something for Thursday, so please check back later in the week.

Good Luck.

FA CUP ........... THRILLER IN PROSPECT AT THE MADEJSKI

READING - ASTON VILLA

I see this very similar to the last round game between Palace and Villa, where we took the "over" and the match developed into something of an end to end shootout. We might be fortunate enough to watch another today, Villa will surely come and attack at every opportunity and will fancy their changes against a Championship defence that might stuggle to deal with their pace on the break.

Under Brian McDermott, Reading have developed a far more expansive style and scored 17 in their last 7. After winning at Liverpool and WBA in earlier rounds, they will not fear a replay, but would surely prefer to put this one to bed at the first attempt, if only on the basis that lightning doesn't strike twice or even a third time ! They will be aware that Villa have already conceded two to Burnley and Brighton, plus four to Palace and Blackburn in 2010 and those teams are hardly the most prolific goalscorers in their respective leagues. The visitors are battling for a top four spot and still have five EPL fixtures to play this month, last thing they need is a replay. Two potent teams both looking to win, I can hear the MJ soundtrack playing to this one !

"Over" 2.75 goals 2.28 Sbobet.

Good Luck.

SUNDAY ............

I am very pleased with the Bees 1-1 draw at Elland Road, Leeds were the better side, but the match was not as one sided as some reports suggest, Brentford had a lot of the ball, good tactics and United lacked a cutting edge. These are the type of league fixtures Brentford supporters could only have dreamt of, just a couple of years ago and might become common place in the future..... exciting times at GP !

Our stakes were never in doubt in the Wycombe game, with Wanderers restricting Carlisle to just the single attempt on target, unfortunately they couldn't find a winner, but no damage done there.

Not much time today, but I will post a couple of very brief previews, starting with the SPL fixture between Falkirk and Celtic.

I feel we might see the best of Celtic today, some poor decisions from the officials once again cost them dear at Ibrox last week, the title is on it's way to Rangers and the green half of Glasgow feel as though the rest of the SFA are against them. They have a point to prove and can now play without pressure, man for man, they have the best team in Scotland and today are possibly playing the worst, albeit one fighting for it's SPL future. The Bhoys have a good record here as you might expect, scoring ten on their last three visits, including two games this season, one of those was a 3-3 draw which still rankles with the visitors, as they committed a number of defensive howlers. They are still capable of producing plenty of those, witness the Aberdeen debacle, when a ridiculous handball by Braafheild turned the course of the game and maybe the season. No Kamara or Brown today , but there can be no excuses and if they can get their noses in front, they should run away with this one.

Celtic -1.5 goals 2.23 IBC.

Back later.

DIVISION 1 .............

This is not the "strong" bet I mentioned yesterday, but still one I am very keen on.

Wycombe Wanderers -Carlisle United

We discussed Wanderers before the Millwall game when they did us a favour by taking all three points from Millwall, they had preceded that with a fine 1-1 draw at strong home side Brentford and followed it with a scoreless home draw with Southampton, where they restricted the free scoring Saints, to very few chances.

However, the wheels of the recovery bus fell off at Stockport last week, when they trailed 4-0 after 60 minutes of dire football, on a pitch which resembled a ploughed field. Gary Waddock made some substitutions and the introduction of the two Matt's, Harrold (fomer Bee and Prince Harry lookalike) and Phillips, certainly jolted them into life. They pulled three goals back and came very close to a fourth on at least one occasion and were left rueing what might have been.Waddock has virtually a full squad to choose from today and certainly has plenty of offensive decisions to make, with both Matt's pushing for starts.

I feel we might see them back to their best returning to Adams Park and in a strange way, there was still much to take from the performance at County, where they had 18 attempts at goal, two thirds of which were on target and did not let their heads drop.

Carlisle make the very long trip south with a degree of mid table safety, they have a Wembley cup final ahead next month, three home games in a row after today and have struggled on the road in recent outings, especially in a 4-1 loss to Hartlepool. Their fans normally travel in big numbers, but with money tight and another two trips to the south of the country, including the cup final, which nobody wants to miss out on, in the next few weeks, they will be picking and choosing which games to attend and only a few hundred will be at Wycombe today. That kind of puts this in perspective, it is just another game for United, for Wanderers, three points are absolutely vital to stay in touch with the clubs outside the drop zone. Actually, with their next two outings, big six pointer's against the teams immediately above them in the table, a win is essential as it would give them a lifeline.

As outlined before the Millwall game, the squad is much changed from pre Christmas and I take them to get the points and continue their "great escape".

Wycombe level ball 1.96 SBO/IBC

Good Luck.

FRIDAY ..............

I have not got overly involved this week so far, just the four bets, but I am 4 from 4, or three and a half to be precise, winners that is, by the way !

Played the one match so far for the weekend, which I have ranked "strong", these are rare and double stake investments for me, if possible and providing the odds hold up, I will put this online either tonight, or in the morning.

Tomorrow is the day Brentford supporters have had earmarked since the fixture lists were announced nine months ago, Leeds United at Elland Road. This is a "new" venue for Bees fans and a big day for our club. Tickets have sold well and Brentford will have the second biggest away following any team has taken to ER this season, with circa 2,500 fans making the trip. Half seem to be making a weekend of it, or arriving in the city on the first train from London, so expect some very noisy support at the stadium. Win, lose or draw, they will have a good day out .

Bees fans are always looking to do things a little differently like walking the 300 miles to Hartlepool in 2005 ( !) and plans are already underway for 150 supporters to travel to the away game with Millwall next month by boat ! As this means a 20 minute walk to the New Den from Greenland Pier and some planning to do this dressed as sailors or pirates, it is only for the brave, drunk, foolhardy, or a combination of all three !

Last word on the Bees today, midfielder David Hunt has recently started a blog, doubt that he will be giving any betting tips, but if he writes on a regular basis, it might give some kind of insight into the life of a lower league footballer. David has not started many games recently, but played a big role in last season's title winning side ( I like that phrase !)..... blog link.

Good Luck.

TUESDAY ...... "MASSIVE" WIN LIKELY FOR STAINES ....

It's my birthday today (thank you, thank you), but unlike most people celebrating their day of birth, I am kind of a year younger this morning, having somehow been thinking for the last six months I was a year older than was the case, so I get another twelve months of being .................

Anyway, quite pleased about that and just need a couple of winners to complete the day.

I think the Division 1 and 2 games are very difficult today and have not got involved yet, but might take something "in running". I have been betting more and more games "live", where I feel my edge is greater, by getting detailed in play updates from a number of lower league matches every round.

I have bet two non league games though, one in the Conference and a second in the Blue Square South.

BSS: WEYMOUTH - STAINES TOWN

Weymouth are holding up the rest of the BSS and have lost 21 from 31 starts, conceding a league high 75 goals, 20 of those have come in their last six outings and at a time when they have been playing an ultra defensive 5-4-1 formation !

Now they are going to switch to a much more offensive line up and you have to fear for them at the back. They were out muscled and played by an out of form Bromley side at the weekend, I have just finished watching the highlights of that and as you might expect Weymouth were poor and lacked any fight after the second goal, eventually losing 4-0.

Staines lost their first game in two months on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to fellow playoff hopefuls Eastleigh, they were very lacklustre and are desperate to get back to winning ways asap, especially ahead of a double header in the next fortnight with "local" rivals and another promotion hopeful in Woking Town.

The visitors have a number of former FL players in their ranks and should prove far too much of an offensive threat for the home side who look doomed and the planned change in formation smacks of desperation. Town have scored 26 goals in 11 outings since Boxing Day and it is very difficult to see the Terras restricting them to less than at least two this evening.

Staines Town -0.75 2.01 IBC..... currently circa 1.71 !

Odds have tumbled badly( or nicely) since this morning, but might drift later, or higher quotes may be available "in running" and I have little else to pass on, so it is this, or nothing.

Good Luck.