FA TROPHY ............

Another day where the odds have not lasted long, three of my four selections have been well backed and the other, is subject to a pitch inspection shortly. Having promised to post two previews, I will do so, but you will have to decide if any value remains.

HUCKNALL TOWN FC- TAMWORTH

I like the odds on offer here, in a match involving two teams from the Blue Square North division. Not much between them in the league, but the hosts have recovered well from a poor start to the season and have lost just once in nine starts, that coming against league leaders Hyde, they have won six of those, scoring an impressive 23 goals. Last start was at home to ........ Tamworth, which they won 3-1, racing into a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes and despite then sitting back, still created the better chances, including hitting the woodwork twice, before conceding a very late consolation goal to the visitors. That game was played on a heavy pitch, which is very likely to be the case this evening and I see no reason for the result to be any different.

6 points Hucknall Town -1/4 ball 2.17 asian line ..... odds now 1.84 !

Good Luck.

TUESDAY UPDATE ....

I have previewed four matches on the email service today and am planning to cover two of them on the blog this afternoon, so please check back.

Brentford have hit a rich vein of form, after knocking 3 past Wrexham at the weekend, they scored 13 or 14, watchers lost count, against the might of their own supporters last night. For the bargain price of £200, you could pull on the famous red and white stripes ( fans were, quite rightly, the home team ) and run out on the hallowed turf of Griffin Park and attempt to kick lumps out of your heroes !Ten or maybe twelve years ago, I would definitely have been up for this, but then I would have had all the hassle of them bugging me to sign a professional contract, so all in all, it is probably best to have missed the opportunity.

Most of the home team were decent sunday footballers and all were impressed by the speed and quality of the pros, which is quite funny, as they are probably the same people that have been booing them off the pitch for the last 18 months ! Us football fans are a funny bunch, especially the 18 stone + lumps who spend the whole afternoon singing "you fat b****** " at a 12 stone professional athlete, without the slightest embarassment !

Seriously, all clubs should play the fans once per year, I know about the injury/insurance problems, but to be honest, most supporters would be too slow to catch a cold, let alone a professional footballer . It is a fantastic way to bond with the players and the other way round,plus supporters get to realise that the guy they have been giving stick to for being slow/ useless/ not trying, is not so bad after all. The players will hopefully realise how lucky they are, to get well paid (in some cases) for something, others would pay their own money to do. Manchester United could probably charge £50k per fan and still play infront of 75,000 !

Back later.

NFL WEEK 15 ..........

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - NEW YORK JETS

NEW YORK GIANTS- WASHINGTON REDSKINS

All the talk coming into this weekend has been of the weather, with three games predicted to be badly hit with snow and the bookmakers have been busy, closing up the lines, especially the totals.

I am paricularly interested in one of these, the "Spygate" rematch between the Patriots and the Jets, unbeaten New England, were originally posted as 24.5 point favourites, they are now trading at 21. That might seem like a high total with much of game likely to be played on the ground, but these are conditions that the Pats are very used to and actually the forecast is now, not so bad for the Foxboro area, although there could be some gusty winds.

This is an exceptional team and they have been so dominant this season, that I just get the feeling that it now takes some extra motivation to get them really up for a game, like playing the Steelers last week. Given the real bad feeling that has developed between these two,due to "Spygate" ( not going into details, just do a web search), this is probably just such a game. Really think that they would like to "stick" it to the Jets and do not see them easing up, whatever the score or conditions. New York are poor on the road and against the Patriots full stop, their quarterback, Kellen Clemens has thrown twice as many interceptions (more) than touchdowns since coming into the side and could be in for a very tough evening.

Big matchup in New York where the Giants, who have all but clinched a wildcard spot, host the Redskins, who still have playoff hopes of their own, but have to win tonight. With a late kick off here, conditions will not be too nice in the Big Apple either.

Giants have won 4 from 6, but their average winning margin is just 3.5 points, with the biggest winning margin 6 points. So giving up 4.5 points to a very motivated Redskins team, who got back to winning ways last week and rarely lose by more than a touchdown, is not going to be easy. Hail to the Redskins.

5.5 points Patriots -21 points 2.05 Pinnacle/ Vegas.

5.5 points Washington +4.5 points 2.04 Pinnacle/ Vegas.

Good Luck.

ITALY SERIE A .....

EMPOLI- GENOA

Genoa are too gung ho at present and persist in a 3 man strike force, they have collected just 2 points from 6 starts, conceding 14 goals. Empoli are very dependent on their home form and since trailing by two goals at the break against Roma, have played 5 halves of football on home soil, collecting 5 points and scoring 6 , without reply.

4.5 points Empoli -1/4 ball 1.98 asian line.

Good Luck.

SCOTLAND .... SPL

INVERNESS CT - CELTIC

ICT have won 3 in a row without conceding, on the road, Celtic have leaked goals, conceding 12 in 8 ( 1.5 average), despite that, they have still won 5 of those starts. They are likely to do the same today, but I feel that they will concede, as they have on 5 of their last 6 visits, which ended 1-2, 1-2, 1-1, 1-1,0-2, 1-3. Going to suggest a bet on ICT to score, or Celtic not to keep a clean sheet and a small interEst in the 2-1 scoreline. Visitors are still nursing a handful of injuries.

4 points Inverness to score circa 1.60+ exchanges
1.5 points Celtic to win 2-1 correct score 8.0 + (9.0 stan james )

Good Luck.

ENGLAND PREMIERSHIP ............ Liverpool unchanged shock horror!

Just so there is no misunderstanding, I am not putting any of my stronger football selections for today on the blog, any matches previewed, will be taken from "the best of the rest". This will not be the case with the NFL, where all my selections will be posted online.Because the matches are so huge, I feel compelled to write something about the Premiership games, so will start with them....

LIVERPOOL- MANCHESTER UNITED
ARSENAL- CHELSEA

Two mouth watering ties here. Not much love lost in the first fixture and surprisingly, they do not do draws !

Only once in 17 meetings have these huge clubs finished all square, so you could consider a lay of the draw, but that does seem a risky proposition, maybe this is an option "in play", if the scores are still level late in the game.

United have had the upper hand recently, losing just 2 from 10, infact, Pool have only scored 4 in those games, just once in the last 6. I can see Rooney , Ronaldo and Tevez targeting Hyypia and trying to draw him out of position. Fantastic game in prospect , wher I just favour the away win.

Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kewell, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Itandje, Babel, Crouch, Aurelio, Lucas.

The other game is very different historically, with 5 of the last 10 ending all square, amazingly Chelsea won the other five, so no wins in 10 for the Wenger boys ! Given Arsenal's recent blips and no Drogba and Essien for Chelsea, both could settle for a point yet again, which would leave both firmly in title contention and it is certainly attractively priced.

4.5 points Manchester United level ball 2.16 asian line.
4 points Arsenal- Chelsea draw 3.25 general

Back shortly.

SUNDAY MORNING ...........

I have writers cramp this morning after previewing nine (!) matches on the email service, three main selections including my first ever 7 point ranking game and a brief look at six other fixtures on a terrific day of football action.

Guess that worldwide viewing figures will go through the roof, on an afternoon when Liverpool-Manchester United is followed by Arsenal - Chelsea, all this following on from a Brentford away win, there is only so much excitement a man can take.

Will definitely be covering the NFL on the blog this afternoon, where we have just three rounds of regular season football remaining and the Patriots are closing in on a 100% record.

Good Luck.

SATURDAY ROUND UP ....

All three selections won on the blog today, 4-2, 4-0 and 3-0, infact, the last 7 posted have all won, with a 24-4 goal difference !

Tomorrow looks a very interesting day and I have some really strong views, including one match, where I am considering my biggest bet of the season. So please check back.

If you want to ensure that you get to see these previews first, subscribers always receive the newsletter in mid/late morning, the cost per day is less than many of you will pay for a newspaper tomorrow and further details can be found on http://www.bestbets4free.blogspot.com/ .

Good Luck.

DIVISION 2 .....

SHREWSBURY TOWN - DAGENHAM

I know that the plan didn't work well last week, but we have to oppose Dagenham again today, they are not playing well and the squad is simply not big/good enough for Division 2. They are missing 7 players today and are in big trouble defensively, especially down both flanks, where Town are strong. The hosts are a decent side , who are slowly recovering some form and this is the first in a run of 3 from 4 at their new home, they should win this comfortably and I prefer to take them giving up the 0.75 ball and getting the higher odds.

6 points Shrewsbury -3/4 ball 2.19 asian line .... NOW 2.13

Good Luck.

DIVISION 1 .........

SWINDON TOWN - BRIGHTON

Going to give the visitors another chance, they ran out of steam against Forest last week and the coach claimed that a heavy schedule had caught up with them. They have had 8 days to recover and meet a Swindon side, without 6 players, still managerless and with plenty of off the pitch problems. Visitors have a real boost with the return of key players O'Callaghan and Whing , they will be keen to get back to winning ways and had gone 10 unbeaten before last weeks loss. They have a very nice run of fixtures ahead with the next six against teams level or below them in the table, so a good chance to put some pressure on the top 6, who all meet each other over Christmas.

5 points Brighton level ball 2.02 asian line .... NOW 1.90

Back later.

CHAMPIONSHIP ....

WBA - CHARLTON

These two, along with Watford, look the main contenders for an automatic promotion place. However, Albion look the better footballing side and have done wonders to keep their challenge going full steam ahead, with a host of key players out injured, it says a great deal about the quality and depth of the squad Tony Mowbray has assembled. He has far more options available today, with the return of a handful of starters and they are meeting a Charlton side with defensive problems. Only Coventry have won at the Hawthorns this season and that match turned on a dismissal, after WBA had just levelled, after earlier trailing by two goals.

5 points WBA -1/4 ball 1.83 asian line.

Good Luck.

SATURDAY PLANS ......

Wow ! Cottbus certainly turned it on last night, German clubs like to give a Christmas present to their fans, with a home win before the break !

I have previewed six matches on the email service today, all in the UK, five english lower league fixtures and one from north of the border. Will try to put what I can on the blog through the day and will start just after midday UK time, please check back.

If you do not wish to wait, you can always subscribe to the newsletter and receive it directly to your inbox each and every morning, further details can be found at www.bestbets4free.blogspot.com .

Good Luck.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ....

GERMANY BUNDESLIGA
COTTBUS - HANNOVER

Hosts have tightened up recently , collected 4 points from two starts and kept a pair of clean sheets. They will accept a point tonight and are unlikely to be too gung ho, in looking for all three. They have a fully fit squad to choose from and this is the last chance for some players to impress the coach, who is planning to be very busy in the transfer window. Hannover will be without three key players in Lauth, Balitsch and Fahrenhorst and have been involved in some free scoring games recently, the nature of the home side's approach is unlikely to suit them.

5 points Cottbus +1/4 ball 1.93 asian line.

Good Luck.

GLASGOW RANGERS - LYON

Rangers can be justly proud of their european campaign this season and will qualify for the next stage with a point this evening. Having won the reverse fixture 3-0 that might not seem too difficult a task, but Lyon look back, or close to their imperious best in their domestic league and are a different proposition to the side that Rangers met 10 weeks ago.

Problems upfront for the Scottish giants, who will be without Darcheville and Beasley and they look set for a long night of rearguard action and are likely to set their stall out to frustrate the French champions. However, this is hardly an unkown scenario for Lyon, who domestically, face this problem at least every two weeks and often more frequently. I am siding with the visitors, they are simply a better side and it is difficult to see Rangers keeping them at bay. Also see a little value in dead ball specialist Juninho to get on the scoresheet, with Lyon doing the bulk of the attacking, they may collect a few free kicks around the Rangers box and he doesn't need too many opportunities. Incredibly, he has scored in the last 6 matches that he has started.

4 points Lyon -1/2 ball 2.33 + general quote.
1 point each way Juninho 10.0 first goalscorer 1/3 1234 Blue Square-1/2 odds 123 Ladbrokes OR 2 points anytime scorer 3.75 general quote.

Good Luck.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ...

ARSENAL-STEAUA / SLAVIA PRAGUE-SEVILLE

Unusually, I am going to take a double here, for both favourites to win. Both will be looking to win the group and if Arsenal take maximum points against a Steaua club in turmoil and facing all sorts of threats from their owner, then Seville will have to do likewise, to take top spot. This will ensure more chance of an easier knockout stage match and a second leg on home soil.

The Gunners will not want a third game without a win, especially ahead of their derby with Chelsea and the return of van Persie and Diaby will give Arsene Wenger a few more options. Regardless of what team he puts out, they will play the Arsenal way and should be too strong for a Steaua side missing six players.

Slavia are in poorish domestic form ( 3 draws in 4 starts) and are finding goals very hard to come by, they have a long list of injuries and are booked for 3rd spot in the group and a UEFA Cup campaign, regardless of what happens this evening. Seville are fielding a very strong team and should win this.

4.5 points double Arsenal circa 1.30 and Seville circa 1.80.

Back later.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ... matchday 6

CHELSEA - VALENCIA

Valencia are in a mess, David Villa might wish to prove to the Blues that he should be their next big money signing, but even he has a bit to find at present. Not only are they struggling to win, but even a goal seems beyond them. They have not scored in 4 matches and only twice (opening two games) in five CL group fixtures. The quality of performance is just not there and they been given the run around by some very average La Liga sides in recent weeks.

Valencia could still qualify for a UEFA Cup spot, but that chance is very slim and they would be better off focusing on getting back into contention for a top 4 spot in the league, especially ahead of a visit from Barce at the weekend. Chelsea have already won the group, but will be keen to keep their good run going and may want a little revenge on the visitors who were the only side to take a group point away from Stamford Bridge last season. They do visit Arsenal on Sunday, but still, a home win for me.

This should be quite an open affair and the visitors have pledged to start with a 4-3-3 formation and not many teams will line up like that at the Bridge.

5 points Chelsea -1/2 ball 1.97 asian line

Good Luck.

FA CUP REPLAYS .....

WALSALL - NORTHAMPTON TOWN

This is the third time that these two have met in just 16 days and in the series so far, Walsall have dominated, with an easy win and a draw, both away from home . The inform Saddlers are breathing down the necks of the automatic promotion challengers,with an unbeaten run of 9 matches ( just one loss in 14), a run made even more impressive , coming as it did ,after a very sluggish start to League 1 life, where they were winless in their opening seven fixtures.

Town are struggling and have put in some very lacklustre performances recently. They have won just one match, which came against lower league opposition, in nine starts and have a greatly reduced squad this evening and must choose from just 16, maybe only 15 available first team players. They will be without top scorer Andy Kirk and several other key starters, due to a combination of injury, suspension and one loanee being refused permission to play, by his parent club. Tough ask for the visitors, who should be more concerned about their league position, as they sit just a handful of points outside the drop zone and have 3 of their next 4 games away from home, including trips to Forest (this weekend) and Doncaster.

5.5 points Walsall -1/2 ball 1.90 general.... NOW 1.83

Good Luck.

TUESDAY PLANS ....

Good Morning ! The sun is shining here, but it is freezing cold, however, give me that over the rain any day of the week.

I have previewed six matches taking place today on the newsletter, looked at two european games yesterday and added four domestic fixtures this morning. So a busy and very interesting day, with 10 of the 12 teams playing this evening, still fighting for their Champions League life.

Going to post what I can on the blog this afternoon, if you do not want to wait so long, you can always join the email service, for around the cost of a daily newspaper, you will have the GOWI previews delivered to your inbox, every morning, details can be found here http://www.bestbets4free.blogspot.com/ and payment can be made using any credit or debit card, Paypal or Moneybookers.

Back later.

TONIGHT'S FOOTBALL .......

I previewed four matches on the email service today, one taking place this evening and the others later in the week. This evening's selection has come in for hefty support and the line has moved by a full quarter ball, but I will post it online in any case, with so little else going on.....

ENGLAND.... FA CUP REPLAY
SWANSEA CITY - HORSHAM

Swansea could and should have comfortably won the first match between these two and created any number of chances. If Roberto Martinez was considering resting some of his squad for this encounter, those thoughts have left his mind as their weekend fixture was postponed, leaving him free to choose his strongest available eleven. The highflying Swans will not wish to be embarrassed on national television, especially in the first live game ever shown from the Liberty Stadium.

Horsham will be without their top scorer who is suspended and know that they will have their work cut out, Swansea battered the home goal in the first leg, despite heavy conditions which favoured the hosts, creating 26 chances, 16 of which were on target ! These are big numbers.

The Welsh club are playing really well at present and in their last outing, a 3-0 win over Northampton, prevented their opponents registering a single attempt on target. Class should tell and the four division + gulf between the two, should be clearly apparent.

6 points Swansea -1.75 goals 1.87 asain line.... now -2 goals 1.84.

Good Luck.

NFL WEEK 14

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings need to win to retain their playoff hopes, which have been revitalised with big wins over the Giants ( prev won 7 from 8) and the Lions. When they win, it tends to be fairly comfortably and they have averaged a 17.5 point winning margin in their six victories this year.

Therefore, I have little concern giving up just over a touchdown at the 49ers, who have lost their last 4 starts at Monster Park and 9 of their last 10 games this year. SF will be starting with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, he threw into plenty of trouble last week, but with Alex Smith seemingly out for the season, Dilfer will get a decent run, however, he is very interception prone.

5.5 points Vikings -8 points 1.99 Pinnacle/ Vegas line.

Good Luck.

SPAIN ... SEGUNDA

CELTA VIGO- SEVILLA ATLETICO

Some very nice stats here from two teams that do most of their attacking, after the break. Celta have gone in level at half time in 12 from 15 starts and in 6 from 7 at home. The visitors in 8 from 12 and 5 from 7 away starts. Hard to see anything different this evening.

6 points half time draw 1.85 +.... 1.91 Bet 365

Good Luck.

PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL ............. JUANDE AT A TIME ...

TOTTENHAM - MANCHESTER CITY

I do not think that Sven will take any chances with Elano and he will only start if 100% fit and judging by recent reports, that seems unlikely. That fact, combined with City's poor away form (one win in 7) and record against Spurs (lost the last six ), makes me lean towards the home team.

Tottenham desperately need the win, as, next up, they visit Portsmouth and then Arsenal, which could leave them entering the Christmas programme in the bottom 3, how the Gunners supporters would enjoy that !

They are without the suspended Keane, but with Berbatov, Defoe and Bent available, can hardly use that as an excuse, in any case all their problems are at the other end of the pitch, where they concede far too freely. Anyhow, I expect them to come out fired up and all guns blazing today.

5 points Tottenham -1/2 ball 2.00 +

BLACKBURN ROVERS- WEST HAM UNITED

I expect this to be an open encounter, like most of Blackburn's recent home starts. These two tend to produce a lot of entertainment when they meet at Ewood Park, the last 7 meetings have been over and 8 from 9, which produced an average of 4.22 goals per game. It is not the West Ham way to sit back and with the returning Ashton and Ljungberg, they have too many offensive options to do so. Bentley is suspended for Rovers and he will be missed, but it is a clear "over" for me.

6 points "over" 2.25 goals 1.80 asian line.

Back Later.

DIVISION 2 ...........

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE- WREXHAM

D&R are in free fall and are without a win in 9 starts, collected just two points in that sequence, with a 5-19 goal difference. It is not like they have been terribly unlucky as the performance level has been poor and they have struggle to create much at all, they are the only side I can recall not having one attempt on goal at home in a league game. Wrexham, under new boss Brian Little, have dragged themselves off the foot of the table with an unbeaten run of 4 games, conceding in just one of them and recording an eyecatching win at in form Bury ( just 2 losses in 15). They are playing a very tight, disciplined defensive style and it is hard to see the goal shy hosts, who's tiny squad continues to be severely stretched, getting too many opportunities.

6 points Wrexham + 1/4 ball 1.76 asian line.

Good Luck.

DIVISION 1 ......

GILLINGHAM - PORT VALE

Boss Mark Stimson has got the Gills firing, he has got his own men in and playing his style of football. They even managed to break their away duck with a win at Crewe in midweek. they have lost only once in 6 starts, scoring 11 goals. Vale are in poor shape, have collected only one point from a possible 15, they have conceded 3 in each of their last two league starts, played on two very heavy pitches in the last 6 days and even failed to beat lowly Chasetown at home last weekend.

Gillingham are always tough to beat at home (5-3-1) and have won the last two h2h meetings , scoring 3 in each. The Gills owner is very bouyant at present, he looks to have done a major financial deal for the club off the pitch and is even talking about promotion, which, if you look at a league table, is very optimistic.

6 points -1/2 ball 1.80 general quote.

Good Luck.

DOWN IN THE VALLEY ......

CHAMPIONSHIP
CHARLTON ATHLETIC- IPSWICH TOWN

Charlton have had a good midweek and the three points collected at Cardiff, have enabled them to close in on a top two place. Their away form has been good all season, it is just infront of their own fans that they have disappointed. They should be able to put that right today, with the visit of Ipswich Town, who are something of a mirror image of Charlton, fantastic at home, Town are still without an away win and boast a 0-4-6 record. They will not be helped by some central defensive problems, especially when we see that they have already conceded 21 times on the road.

Ipswich have done fantastically well on a limited budget and a proposed takeover of the club, looks set to be completed on the 17th of this month. This will completely wipe out all debts and give the club £12m to spend on the playing staff, but will not be much help at the Valley this afternoon.

5 points Charlton -1/2 ball 1.91 general quote.

Back shortly.

FRANCE LIGUE 2 ....

LIBOURNE - SEDAN

I will finish with an "over" bet , Friday would not be Friday, without one ! In a league where 170 games have produced an average of just 2.36 goals per game, these two have been punching well above their weight in recent starts, at least on the total goals front. Over the last 10 league rounds, their games have produced an average of 3.3 and 2.6 per match respectively. Libourne's home fixtures are even more prolific, with a mean of 3.67 and with them stuck at the foot of the table and facing poor travellers Sedan, they will surely "go for it". However, they have yet to keep a clean sheet all season, so will probably need to score two, I like this bet with the "2" goal line, but would not stop you taking the 2.25 or 2.5 quotes either.

6 points "over" 2 goals 1.74 asian line..... now 1.70.

Good Luck.

ENGLAND .... DIVISION 1

I want to post something on the blog today, but my main fancies have, as usual , come in for significant support. Think I will put two of them online as they appeared in the email, along with the current quote and you can decide how much value remains and whether or not, to get involved.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION - NOTTINGHAM FOREST

We have two quality Division 1 sides meeting here and it should be close. The hosts have lost just once in 16 starts and, as it seems I say every week, that came against Leeds United, in a match that B&H dominated. Their coach, the younger of the Wilkins clan, is very astute and thorough and takes few , if any, short cuts. He completely changed the shape and formation of the team, for the midweek trip to Doncaster, in order to compete with Rovers slick passing style and at the lower levels, not many coaches would consider doing that for one game. To my mind there are 6-7 English coaches in the Championship and below , who deserve a chance at a higher level, if they were, perhaps there would be more names in the hat for the NT job, but the whole game is racked with fear and no one wants to take a chance. As it is, give Jose the job, it will certainly be fun and he will keep the FA and the players on their toes.

Forest are very tight at the back and concede few goals, just 10 in 17 starts, a league low , only Carlisle and Leeds are also under 16. However, they are accused to being too negative and with the players that they have available, that is probably justified.

Not many teams are going to come away from the south coast with maximum points and I do not see that changing just because big name Forest are in town. Brighton are looking for the win to take them up to 5th place in the table and have more than held their own in recent starts with Doncaster, Swansea and Leeds, who I place on a very similar level to tonight's opponents. Going to take a saver on the 0-0 draw, as I feel goals will be at a premium.

We have had a lot of rain in the UK along with some high winds, however the sun is shining now and the forecast for the next 24 hours or so, is not too bad, but for sunday, it is scarey, so check an updated forecast, before placing any bets then.

6 points Brighton level 2.08 asian line ..... now 1.96
1 point 0-0 draw 9.0 general , 9.5 VC Bet, bigger on the exchanges.

Back later.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING .............

Hopefully, this is the start of better times ahead, we just need to stay in the Football league now ............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/7132539.stm

http://www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~1185238,00.html

Back later.

FRIDAY MORNING ...

Hi, we were a little unlucky with the Cambridge match yesterday, sometimes a loss really annoys and this one bothers me. United lost thanks to a defensive error and could not get back into the game, despite enjoying 62% possession and winning the attempts on goal count 19-8 !

In the words of Martin Allen, onwards and upwards !

I have previewed 4 matches on the email service and will put what I can from those on the blog this afternoon. Looking at the weekend, I have some very confident selections and will be posting my email (6-7 previews), later today, which should enable me to post qute a few, market permitting, on here tomorrow.

Please check back.

BLUE SQUARE PREMIERSHIP ......

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS - CAMBRIDGE UNITED

No doubt which of these two is in the better form. Hosts have won just once in 5 and only one of six on home soil, they are also handicapped by the loss of two very key players, including top scorer James Constable, who has 10 goals in 18 league starts. Cambridge are very tight defensively, only Grays have conceded fewer and they have lost just once in 25 matches, including winning six in a row ! They stick with their 3-5-2 formation, which works well and the whole squad is happy with, Kidderminster have been tinkering a lot and recently playing just one man up front, even in home games, which is clearly restricting their opportunities.
One, infact, two words of caution, Harriers have never lost in 10 meetings to United, but this is the strongest Cambridge have been for many seasons.

Next, the referee, Mike Mullarkey , is very strict, this need not be a problem, as my selection are probably the more disciplined of the two teams, but we have had a lot of teams reduced to ten men recently, including Rochdale last night, so it bears mentioning.This is live on television and if any of you play the card or penalty markets, Mr Mullarkey's record makes interesting reading. In his last 11 matches in charge, he has awarded 5 penalties, awarded 2 reds and an average of 4.3 yellow cards. In just 3 BSP games this season when he has had the whistle, he has really stuck to the letter of the law, with 2 pens, 2 red and 14 yellow cards ! So, no Mullarkey when Mike is around.

5 points Cambridge -1/4 ball 2.05 asian line.

Good Luck.

SERIE A .................

INTER MILAN - LAZIO

Lazio have a couple of huge fixtures ahead of them in the next 7 days and will have to pick and choose their battles. Surely an away game against the best team in Italy, with a depleted squad, is not the one to choose. With Roma just 3 points behind and hosting a goal shy Cagliari this evening, Inter can ill afford to step off the gas and should win this easily enough .

6 points Inter -1.25 goals 1.96 asian line.

Good Luck.

LET THE AWAY FANS STAND OUT IN THE RAIN ...........

CARLISLE UNITED - SWINDON TOWN

No injuries at the home club, with a fully fit first and youth team squad, do not remember the last time I saw that anywhere in professional football, at this stage of the season. They need this win to get back on track and continue their promotion push, they are meeting a Swindon side, without a manager and with a great many off pitch problems. On the field they are strugling and were really lucky to finally beat non league Forest Green at home on Saturday. In training yesterday, they had more players in the treatment room, than on the pitch and are set to start with a very inexperienced line up this evening, at least in some key positions. A long midweek trip to Carlisle is the last thing they need under the circumstances.

6 points Carlisle -3/4 ball 2.00 asian line.... now 1.94

Good Luck.

LEAGUE 2 ....

NOTTS CO - PETERBOROUGH UNITED

The visitors could hardly be in better shape and the goals are really flowing (12-0 last two starts), they are big spenders and the quality is starting to show through. County's last 3 performances have been dire. They started by losing at home to Macclesfield, where they had just 42% of the ball, then lost to basement club Lincoln City and on saturday, came the worst performance of the lot. Not only did they lose at home to Havant and Waterlooville, a club way below them in the league structure, in what was the cup upset of the day, but the manner of the loss, left County fans pulling their hair out. The visitors won, but also had the lion's share of possession and chances, that is simply not good enough. At the moment,with their playing level and confidence so low, they have to be opposed.

6 points Peterborough -1/4 ball 1.84 asian line...NOW 1.78


Good Luck.

CHAMPIONSHIP ...........

SCUNTHORPE - BLACKPOOL

I expect a very cautious opening peroid here. Blackpool have gone in level at half time in 14 from 18 matches and had a very tough battle with QPR on an energy sapping surface just 48 hours ago. Scunthorpe have a similar record, are all square at the break in 11 from 19 and 6 from 9 at home, they also played on saturday, when they were unlucky to lose by a 3-0 scoreline at Plymouth, but then faced/endured the VERY long trip home and another game immediately. Both sides will be leg weary and are carrying knocks, another half time stalemate looks on the cards and it is very reasonably priced, you may even get bigger on the exchanges nearer kick off.

5 points half time draw 2.10 general quote.

Good Luck.

A LITTLE SOMETHING BEFORE YOUR TEA, BOVRIL , PUKKA PIE OR PRAWN SANDWICH ........

MANCHESTER UNITED - FULHAM

When I started to look at today's fixtures, this match up looked the most unappealing to me, at least from a gambling perspective. United look too strong and of course, you are asked to give up a massive handicap, yet I get the feeling that Fulham have a little more to offer, than we have so far seen. Therefore, a game to leave well alone, sit back and let Rooney, Ronaldo and co entertain us. However, upon delving a little deeper, I found some very interesting statistics.

If you made a league table for the Premiership after 45 minutes play, Fulham would be top of the table, don't you think that is incredible ? They are 7-6-1 at the break, only going in behind, at home to Tottenham. On the road, they are an even more amazing 4-2-0, look at the actual fixtures and this becomes yet more eyecatching. At half time, away from home, they have led at Arsenal, Aston Villa, Wigan and Sunderland and gone in all square at Liverpool and Chelsea . This means that they have played at three of the big 4, they meet the other this evening and are yet to trail after 45 minutes. Of course, they struggle to take this form into the second period and are still without an away win after 90 minutes !

Let's take a very quick look at United, in the league they are 6-1-0 at Old Trafford, yet just 3-4-0 at the break, so level in 57% of games. If we also include all other matches at OT this season .... Sporting (0-1), Kiev (2-0), Roma (0-0), Coventry (0-1) and Inter (friendly 1-3), United have played 12 home fixtures and led at half time in just 4, or 33% of them. Like all very good teams Sir Alex's team do not panic, they know that the goals will come eventually, whether that is in the first or 70th minute matters little and of course, teams are more likely to crack, the longer the pressure is put on, so these statistics all make perfect sense.

So, where does this leave us this evening ? I cannot see Fulham winning, with wins for the other three contenders at the weekend, United desperately need maximum points and really should get them. Of course, United could have one of those nights, come out all guns blazing, get a little luck and be 4-0 up in 30 minutes, that is almost exactly what happened in this fixture last year, but Fulham were dire that day and lacked fire in their bellies, that will not happen to a Lawrie (first choice for a remake of The Krays) Sanchez led side, at least the fight will be there.

The average time that they have conceded their first goal in all away games this season, is the 81st minute !

I am backing the half time draw and taking a saver on the double result, if we get past the 30th minute with the match all square, I may consider trading out, or at least covering my stakes.

5.5 points half time draw 3.40 exchanges.
1.5 points double result Fulham- Manchester United 34.0 general quote.

Good Luck.