SATURDAY PLANS .........

Good morning ! I have previewed seven matches on today's newsletter, four domestic games, plus three international fixtures, which included one large stake bet at odds of circa 7.0 !

I will post 2-3 of these on the blog later in the day, so please check back.

IMPS COMING GOOD ..............

DIVISION 2

LINCOLN CITY - ROCHDALE

City are a side that we discussed in detail in the pre season preview and although it has taken time, they have been very badly hit by injury, they appear to be finally getting things together. Their only loss in six has come at highflying Bury and they were very impressive in a 2-0 win at Chester last weekend, where they dominated for almost the entire game. Their opponents were on a six match unbetaen run before that game, which included fixtures against Bury and Shrewsbury, possibly, apart from Brentford (!), the two best teams in Division 2. The influential Stefan Oakes is set to return to the home squad tonight, but it is a sign of how far they have come recently, that he is likely to start on the bench. Dale are a good team and will challenge for a playoff spot, but they are below their peak at present and played a tough midweek fixture, whilst City only had this to prepare for, on a short week ( this is Rochdale's third start in under 6 days), it could prove key. H2h wise, The Imps have had the upper hand at their Sincil Bank home, being unbeaten in eight meetings and winning the last two, including 7-1 two seasons ago.

6 points Lincoln -1/4 ball 2.21 asian line.

Good Luck.

TGIF ..............

DIVISION 1

NORTHAMPTON TOWN - HARTLEPOOL UNITED

I rate both these two teams better than the league table suggests and they have certainly been involved in some high scoring matches recently. However, defensively Pool are incapable of keeping a clean sheet, have conceded three times in 3 of their last 4 starts and lost the last three on the road. Until they tighten up at the back, they are not a team I will be backing. I like Town boss Stuart Gray, he has been given time by the Northampton board and I am sure that they will be rewarded, he is tactically astute and has been tinkering with his formation in training this week, to combat the visitors 4-3-3 formation, which is not a line up you see too often in Division 1. Town have scored at least two goals in their last four starts, have a striker on fire in Akinfenwa, who has three in the last two and seven all season. They pose a real threat from set pieces, which Pool have struggled to defend at times and are coming off a very convincing win at Crewe last week, where the y had 17 attempts on goal. Home win.

6 points Northampton -1/4 ball 1.93 asian line.

Good Luck.

EARLY START TO THE DAY !

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ADELAIDE UNITED - BUNYODKOR TASHKENT

I have watched both teams recently and been impressed with each. However, IMO there is absolutely no doubt that the visitors from Uzbekistan are by far the better and classier outfit.

They have money , lots of it and as we know, in the modern game, money talks. This is the side that tried to sign Eto'o from Barcelona and if that sounds far fetched, a quick look at the squad will tell you that they have a couple of big names there already. Zico is the coach and he has two countrymen in the side, Luizao and Rivaldo, yes, that Rivaldo, on a $14m two year contract. I am pleased to say that he has not just gone for an easy top up to his pension plan and he has worked really hard and looked what he remains, a class above anyone else in Asia. I have also been impressed by another South American, Chilean international, José Luis Villanueva Ahumada. The bonus with Rivaldo is that he receives so much attention from opposing players, that it frees a lot of space for the rest of the team. He, or they should certainly get plenty of space today, especially through the centre, where Adelaide are missing key central defender Sasa Ognenovski. Kashima Antlers coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, is a friend of Zico and has supplied him with a lot of information about the home team, after his side lost to them, in two very close quarter finals. I watched the second game in Adelaide and the Australian team were fortunate to progress, in Bunyodkor, they are meeting a side with far greater goal threat and not just from you know who.

Adelaide blew a three goal lead at home over the weekend, they were "running on empty" in the second half and claimed that the recent gruelling schedule had left them very drained.

The only real concern I have is the huge distance travelled from Uzbekistan, but that is always a problem in this competition. I certainly do not see the visitors going home empty handed.

6.5 points Bunyodkor level ball 2.22 asian line.

Good Luck.

TONIGHT'S FOOTBALL ...........

JOHNSTONE'S PAINT TROPHY

LUTON TOWN - BRENTFORD

Bees are on a roll, are up to 4th spot in the table and at times, have been playing some very nice football. They are close to having a decent team and are playing with a lot of confidence, as befits a side which is unbeaten since the opening days of the season and which has conceded only two goals in eight starts. They will rotate the squad tonight, but with no match until next Monday, when the mighty Bees are live on television(!), I expect them to want to keep the momentum going and go for the win. Town are struggling to put a team out this evening, with, I understand, only 13 first team squad players available and that is if they get permission for two loanees to play, they claim that motivation for the competition is low and given the team news and their dire league situation, that is probably true.

6 points Brentford +1/4 ball 1.80 asian line.

HEREFORD UNITED - SWINDON TOWN

Extra day recovery time for Town, who are taking this seriously and will most likely be unchanged from the side which drew 3-3 at Hartlepool on Friday night. They have put in some decent performances on the road, also drawing at in form Stockport in their previous away start and here in the league one month ago, in a match where they were the better team and created far more chances. Goals are a real problem for Hereford, they have not scored in three from four and are five without a win. Propping up the rest of Division 1 and facing a trip to highflying Oldham at the weekend, they would be better off concentrating on their dire league position. Town have seen the big money that some of their local rivals have made from this competition in recent years and are certainly "up" for the game.

6 points Swindon level ball 1.96 asian line.

Good Luck.

NFL .... INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ HOUSTON TEXANS

Very briefly, the Colts season is on the line today, in what is the winless Texans first home start of the season. Having gone 7-0 in the last three seasons, to be facing 1-3 is a real wake up call for Indianapolis.

Despite playing poorly in their last start, it took a 51 yard field goal, with four seconds remaining to finish off Peyton Manning's troops and that is about as poorly as they can play. Especially defensively, where, without Bob Sanders, they were unable to stop the run. They are coming off a bye week, so, have had to live with the disappointment for a fortnight, champions do not like that !Colts have a much tougher set of fixtures coming up next and this is pretty much a season defining game. They have won 12 from 13 over Houston and I am confident that they will add to that today and cover this reasonable looking handicap.

6 points Indianapolis Colts -3 points 1.83 Vegas Line.

Good Luck.

AJAX TO CLEAN UP !

NETHERLANDS EREDIVISIE

HEERENVEEN - AJAX AMSTERDAM

Heerenveen are a joy to watch, they know only one way to play and that is to go forward. Forget the score, if they have six they want seven. However, today they meet their nemesis, as this approach suits Ajax fantastically well, the Amsterdam giants have won the last six meetings with a 20-6 goal difference, five produced four or more goals. The visitors will be looking for the three points as they will not wish to fall any further behind the front runners and a title challenge, at the very least, is what they simply have to muster this season. They have a third choice keeper today and are missing a handful of players, but that is not as bad as it reads, they have options and most would not have started in any case. Clubs in Holland tend to be over protective of players and if they sneeze, they are rested ! I am confident that this will be over and would suggest a huge bet on Ajax if there were no problems, still going to back them, but for reduced stakes.

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

5 points "over " 3.5 goals 2.19 asian line.

Back later.

SATURDAY FOOTBALL..........

CHAMPIONSHIP

Just a few basic notes about three matches today ......

SWANSEA CITY- WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Something of a return to reality for Wolves, when they were thumped 3-0 at home to Reading in midweek, at the same time Swansea were ending Preston's 32 match unbeaten home run on a Tuesday night at Deepdale. The visitors have an injury crisis and inform striker Chris Iwelumo and both wingers are out, along with several others, there was very limited supply to the front men in the Reading game and despite getting Carlos Edwards on loan from Sunderland yesterday, it is hard to see the problem being any less acute today. Swansea are a very talented ball playing team, who can pass you to death at times, at level ball, I make them a strong bet.

6 points level ball 2.04 asian line.

DIVISION 1

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN - LEICESTER CITY

City did well for us in midweek, but they meet a far harder opponent than goal shy Colchester today. No Campbell, Dickov or Clemence for the visitors and to be honest, man for man, I do not think that there is a huge amount between the two sides. Town boss Stan Ternent has watched Leicester twice himself recently and is confident his team can get a result, in front of what looks almost certain to be a sold out Galpharm crowd. His team outplayed leaders Oldham for long periods of the game last week, with only an inspired goalkeeping display, keeping the home team in the game. I feel that they are beginning to live up to the pre season hype (most of which came from me !) and seem to raise their game against the bigger clubs. I will take a chance, at what look huge odds.

6 points Huddersfield level ball 2.19 asian line.

FRANCE LIGUE 1

TOULOUSE- AUXERRE

Toulouse are another side we have discussed a bit recently, they are vastly improved from last season and have not lost since the opening day of the season. Since that defeat, they have only conceded three times in six league outings and a miserly defence is the cornerstone on which they build. As I said previously, the whole squad was improved over the summer and I am happy to bet them at home to an Auxerre side, who are slowly getting things together, but remain without Berthod, Chafni and Popov, especially only giving up a quarter ball. Hosts have won the last three meetings here, without conceding.

6.5 points Toulouse -1/4 ball 1.88 asian line.

Good Luck

TONIGHT'S FOOTBALL ...........

NETHERLANDS

EREDIVISIE

AZ ALKMAAR- SPARTA ROTTERDAM

Finally, AZ appear to be coming good, after a year or so in the doldrums. They have had a fantastic couple of weeks, beating PSV and then putting five past Willem on the road and three against Heracles in the cup. It is no coincidence that this has happened at the same time that their treatment room has emptied, with only Schaars unavailable this evening. AZ regally entertained us a few years back, with some wonderful attacking football and a mountain of goals, Dutch football really needs them to return to something like that form.

Sparta have yet to win this season and have conceded nine goals in just four starts, actually they have ridden their luck at times and could be considered fortunate to have collected even two points. They have not been so lucky on the injury front and will be without several key players this evening. No doubt they will start with ten men behind the ball, but that has not helped them much in previous meetings, they have lost the last four in Alkmaar, three of them by three or more goals. Infact, in nine h2h games, they have scored in only one, losing the other eight. Very hard for me to see anything other than a comprehensive home win and AZ are my strongest bet of the day.

7 points AZ -1.5 goals 1.98 asian line.

Good Luck.

WSOPE .............. WE HAVE A CHAMPION !

John Juanda is the new WSOPE champion !

After 21.5 hours play, Stanislav Alekhin made a poor looking call on a draw, Juanda's pair of Kings held up and his Russian opponent, who claimed he only called because he was tired, was left chip dead, a few hands later it was all over !

Back later.

WSOPE UPDATE ...........

Incredibly, after almost 21 hours play, we still do not have a champion !

John Juanda and Stanislav Alekhin are battling it out and are very close in chips, so no end in sight yet ! Since starting at 13.00 yesterday, I have had three meals, two showers, watched four football matches and slept for seven hours, they have played poker !

UEFA CUP ....

STANDARD LIEGE - EVERTON

Liege have now played three matches against Liverpool and Everton this season and have yet to lose inside 90 minutes. They drew the first leg 2-2 and the temptation to sit back and hold on to what they have,might be too great, especially as they must do without injured Brazilian striker De Camargo. That could be fatal, Everton have performed better on the road all season and are now becoming experienced european campaigners. Liege are clearly a good team and the best that Belgium has to offer, but at level ball and odds against, I am happy to take the visitors, who have a couple of match winning performers in their team and are again motivated to do well in this competition.

5 points Everton level ball 2.18 asian line.

BENFICA - NAPOLI

I seem to be discussing these two on a very regular basis. Napoli won an entertaining first leg 3-2 and something similar this evening would not surprise me, I certainly expect that we will see a few goals. Having watched the Benfica defence twice recently, it would take a brave man to bet on them keeping a clean sheet against almost anyone, they are extremely error prone. My feeling is that Napoli would be better off out of the tournament and just concentrating on a top 4 finish in the league, which they are capable of obtaining. However, they are forgetting how to lose and probably want to keep the sequence going, so seem sure to give of their best. Plenty of attacking options for the hosts, "over" for me.

5 points "over 2.5 goals 2.16 asian line.

Good Luck.

WSOPE FINAL TABLE ............. THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING !

We now have our final table at the WSOPE and what an international line up it is, with two players each from UK, Russia and the US, plus one from Canada, Finland and last, but not least, Sweden.

Not only did Ivan Demidov become the first man in history to make the final table of both WSOP main events, but he also did it in the same year, I will not hold my breath for the next man, or woman, to complete that feat. If that was not enough, he currently lies second and third in each and with countryman Stanislav Alekhin, also with well over 1m in chips, Russia hold two of the top three spots.

Chip leader John Juanda was steamrolling over the field early evening and looked like he might have taken a huge lead into the final day, but all nine players are firmly in contention.

Each is guaranteed a minimum £81,450 and the winner will take home £868,800 and the coveted gold bracelet, not bad for five days work ! Few , if any of the remaining players would have got to bed before the early hours, which will mean a short night's sleep and I think experience of these tournaments and the physical and mental strain that they produce, will be key today.I am hoping that someone will come up with odds this morning, as I have a view on the winner, but there is not too much time as play is scheduled to start at 13.00 UK time.

Chip count:

Seat 1: Robin Keston 849,000
Seat 2: Daniel Negreanu 1,002,000
Seat 3: Chris Elliott 281,000
Seat 4: Bengt Sonnert 385,000
Seat 5: John Juanda 1,349,000
Seat 6: Ivan Demidov 1,006,000
Seat 7: Toni Hiltunen 386,000
Seat 8: Scott Fischman 732,000
Seat 9: Stanislav Alekhin 1,278,000

Back later.

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

BORDEAUX - AS ROMA

Neither of these two have really been firing recently and both were left shell shocked by their opening group games, Bordeaux were comprehensively thumped 4-0 at Chelsea, a result which they have chosen to put down to bad nerves ! Roma lost at home to Cluj of Romania, that was a bad result and they played poorly, but many people are simply writing off Cluj and that is wrong, they are an improving team, with good players and a very rich owner. Having said that, Roma should never have lost.

Totti and Pizarro are both out for the visitors, but Roma's favourite son is always missing nowadays and it is no longer the major loss it once was, they have learned to win without him. I expect to see the real Roma side tonight, the CL final is being played in Rome and to not even make it out of the group stage in such a year, would be a disgrace, they have the double header with Chelsea up next, so have to get something from this. Hosts have not impressed, will have a second choice keeper, who has only played 9 times in five years, between the sticks and seem more interested in avoiding defeat, than trying to win, opting to flood the midfield.Vistors have never lost in seven visits to France and I am sure that will be eight after this evening's action.

5.5 points Roma level ball 1.89 asian line.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK - BARCELONA

Donetsk have a recent home win over Barce in the CL group stage, but that was in a match where the visitors had nothing to play for. With both sitting on three points at the top of the group this time round, we have very different circumstances. As discussed recently, Donetsk are growing ever stronger, they are likely to field a team with 5-6 Brazilians and a couple of (almost) world class europeans.

Barce are a great side, but are struggling to keep a clean sheet. Domestically, Shakhtar are finding it impossible to win with six draws fron nine starts, I think much of this has to do with giving the CL priority at present. A draw would not disappoint either too much, each having two far easier matches up next and at decent odds, that looks the best value.

4 points draw 3.85 exchanges.

Back later.

LONDON CALLING .......... WSOPE UPDATE

Down to 18 in the WSOPE, just two tables remain and they will play down to a final table today, things have got very tight now that the big money is in sight and it could still develope into a very long day ! Chip counts aNd table/draw order:

Talal Shakerchi - 415,000
Justin Smith - 540,000
Bengt Sonnert - 610,000
Toni Hiltunen - 287,000
Daniel Negreanu - 450,000
Soren Kongsgaard - 256,000
Brandon Adams - 245,000
John Juanda - 1,110,000
Stanislav Alekhin - 510,000

Mike Matusow - 211,000
Philippe Rouas - 362,000
Ivan Demidov - 340,000
Chris Elliott - 300,000
Johnny Lodden - 415,000
Scott Fischman - 340,000
Peter Neff - 333,000
Robin Keston - 150,000
Brian Townsend - 215,000

Back Later.

WEDNESDAY .......

Leicester won comfortably enough yesterday, but Zenit could not find an equaliser, quite how, will remain one of the mysteries of the modern world, the Russian side having dominated the second half and missing countless chances.

I have previewed four matches on the email service today, three Champions league fixtures and a slightly less high profile game, where I have invested a massive 14 points !

Please check back later, when I will cover one or more of these selections on the blog.

WSOPE ..............

WSOPE Main Event is taking place this week in London and from 362 entries, who all coughed up the £10,000 buy in, we are down to just 24 players and what an event this is turning into, with the cream continuing to rise to the top. Over half the remaining field could be considered big names in the poker world, the sponsors must be delighted and Vegas envious.

This tournament has it all, huge names in Juanda, Negreanu, Matusow and Seidel, known to even casual observers of the sport. The usual handful of Scandinavians, Russians (more about them later) , a couple of "old timers" (no names) and some internet superstars, including Justin "BoostedJ"Smith and Brian "sbrugby" Townsend, who has recently taken a frightful hammering at the online Omaha tables. Johnny Lodden is "back" after falling on very hard times, we have all been there and I wish him well !

All are guaranteed a £28,960 pay day, but that is small fry and most will only have eyes on the first prize of over £868k, even two double ups for the shortstacks will take them to "midtable", so no one is really out of this yet.

I have to finish with a word about Russian player Ivan Demidov, incredible he has already booked a place in the WSOP final table, taking place in Las Vegas in November, which guarantees him $900k, but second in chips there, he will have much bigger dreams. The 27 yo Moscovite obviously has the knack of playing these events and another final table looks on the cards and what a double that would be !

Juanda, John chips 657,500 table 2 seat 6
Negreanu, Daniel 653,000 1 2
Smith, Justin 624,500 1 4
Rouas, Phillippe 573,000 1 8
Lodden, Johnny 478,000 3 6
Townsend, Brian 424,500 3 8
Sonnert, Ben 346,500 1 9
Hiltunen, Toni 321,500 2 2
Kongsgaard, Soren 316,500 3 1
Demidov, Ivan 316,000 3 9
Bloch, Andy 301,000 2 8
Fischman, Scott 298,000 3 7
Bergius, Perttu 261,000 1 1
Judah, Mel 254,000 2 1
Shakerchi, Talal 225,000 1 3
Alekhin, Stanislav 215,000 1 5
Neff, Peter 213,500 2 7
Adams, Brandon 212,000 3 2
Elliott, Christopher 181,500 3 3
Matusow, Mike 147,500 1 6
Seidel, Eric 85,000 3 5
Torsvik, Kim-Andre 78,500 2 3
Keston, Robin 74,000 2 4
West, Tim 63,500 2 5

Back Later.

I WONDER WHO HE SUPPORTS ? ..................

DIVISION 1

COLCHESTER UNITED - LEICESTER CITY

United sacked their coach last week and the caretaker boss started well, with a 4-3 win at Tranmere on Friday night. However, that win only papered over the problem, which is that they create far too few chances, even in scoring four, they only had a handful of attempts at goal. Over the season so far, they are bottom of the attempts on goal "table", with 50 strikes, only 23 of which have been on target. At the other end of the pitch, they have also struggled, conceding two or more, in 5 of their last 6 starts. So you can see, that all is far from well in deepest,darkest Essex.

City can go top with a win, will have some 1200 + supporters making a lot of noise in the stadium and have been happier on the road, where they do not have the expectation of a huge home crowd, waiting to be entertained, hanging over them. They have scored 12 in the last four away starts and it is hard to see them not getting a host of chances this evening."Over" is an option, but I will side with the visitors.

6 points Leicester City -1/4 ball 2.17 asian line.

Good Luck.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE .........

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG - REAL MADRID

I am a little concerned about the draw here, but the level ball option eliminates that and it is difficult for me to comprehend how Real, who have won just once in eight away starts in the Champions League, have been made favourites to win this.

The Spanish champions have travelled without Guti, Gaga and Sneijder and have yet to really fire this season, apart from when reduced to nine men, in an amazing Supercup meeting with Valencia. Actually, they won at the weekend, when reduced to ten men, so maybe their best chance is to get someone sent off early !

We all now know that Zenit are a great side and they performed really well in the big win at Lokomotiv at the weekend, star player Andrei Arshavin was not even included on the bench for that, the feeling being that he is still distracted by transfer talk. I cannot believe that he will not take some part this evening, in what looks set to be the strongest possible home line up, with Shirokov and Tekke, also returning to the squad . Zenit lost at Juve, but it took a dead ball strike late in the game from del Piero to snatch the win and that looked the only way a goal was coming. The Russian side had 59% possession and a goal from open play, was looking very unlikely.

With Zyryanov and Danny pushing forward from midfield this is a team with limitless attacking possibilities and they are strong in every position. If they really go for it this evening and Real are on a "going day", we could be in for a rare treat, miss it at your peril !

6 points Zenit level ball 2.06 + asian line.

Back later.

NFL ............. ARIZONA CARDINALS @ NEW YORK JETS

Very quickly, this is a fascinating clash between two veteran quarterbacks in Kurt Warner and Brett Favre and the ball is certain to see plenty of air time.

Briefly, I favour the Jets, this comes ahead of a bye week, which is followed by three, at least on paper, easy looking games, or as easy as it gets in the NFL. Having invested a fortune in the off season, they will be crestfallen to go into the break 1-3.

Signs are that Favre and his receivers are starting to fall in synch with each other and he threw 30/42 passes, for 271 yards and three touchdown's at San Diego on Monday.

Arizona have a dire record in the east, going 2-15 since 2003 and also losing the last four against the Jets. They have tried to do things differently this time, by staying on the East coast, after losing to Washington last week. I have heard that some of the players were unhappy about this and I am not sure that it has worked well. Either way, man for man I like the Jets and giving up just a point, I have to side with them.

6 points New York Jets -1 point 1.93 general quote.

Back Later.

EARLY KICK OFFS ....... JUANDE IT WILL ALL COME GOOD FOR SPURS .........

PREMIERSHIP

PORTSMOUTH - TOTTENHAM

The injury situation at Pompey has cleared up a bit and both Sol Campbell and Jermain Defoe will return to face their former club. However, after conceding 10 goals in the last seven days, it is unlikely that confidence will return as quickly and the defence has not looked solid for longer that one week ! Guimares caused them all kinds of problems at the back, once they decided to come out of their shell and I have no doubts that Spurs will get chances today. The visitors were mighty relieved to get a win in midweek, even if it did come at hapless Newcastle. They have a fine record in this fixture, winning six (one draw) of the last seven meetings and are desperate and motivated to get an opening league win. I have not given up on Spurs and feel that one really strong showing will kick start their season.

5.5 points Tottenham level ball 2.04 asian line.

ITALY

SERIE A

BOLOGNA - SSC NAPOLI

Hosts have not won since the opening day victory at Milan and were dire in the 3-0 home defeat to Udinese in midweek, after which, their coach got the dreaded vote of confidence. They are without the suspended Miguel Britos and Salvatore Lanna, which means changing the backline around, which may not be an entirely bad thing. Obviously, I am sticking with Napoli here, who we have discussed several times recently,they are bursting with confidence, remain unbeaten and have a squad which allows rotation, without any loss of shape or ability. They are going to go very close to a top four finish and have to continue to collect points in fixtures like this. Let's just hope that this time they keep eleven players on the pitch, which they have failed to do in the two opening road games.

5.5 points Napoli level ball 2.08 asian line.

Good Luck.

VILLA LOOK THE REAL DEAL .............

SPAIN

LA LIGA

SPORTING GIJON - VILLARREAL

I have tried to find an angle in this game, that still offers some value and think that I have found one. Gijon have been incredibly gung-ho in their starts so far, conceding an incredible 17 goals in their last three matches ! OK, it is hard to see how those fixtures could have been any harder, coming as they did against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, but they also conceded two at home on the opening day, to goal shy Getafe. Things do not get any easier at the El Molinon, with the visit of Villarrreal, who, at least on what I have seen recently, are the equal of the big two. The visitors are excellent on the road, where they collected more points than any other side in La Liga last year and have won 8 of their last 11 away starts.

Back to this game, I think that Villa will win and with a huge Champions League game in midweek, surely they would prefer to put this one "to bed" as early as possible. Hosts have conceded eight times before the break in the last three, visitors just once in 7 away first half's, at circa 2.60, the odds for Villarreal to lead at both 45 and 90 minutes, look very attractive.

6.5 points Villa-Villa HT/ FT 2.625 general quote.... including the exchanges.

Good Luck.

IMPS SET TO CLIMB THE TABLE .........

DIVISION 2

LINCOLN CITY - MORECAMBE

OK, City have stopped the rot , with two fine defensive performances at Leicester City and mighty Brentford and it is now time for them to push on. They is plenty of stability at the club, no one has panicked after a poor start and boss Peter Jackson, has the offer of a contract extension, which he has only to sign. What can I add to my comments in the season preview ?

City are the better side, about that, I am 100% certain. Morecambe are big and strong, but lack quality. On reflection , Lincoln have had a tough start to the season, not only being incredibly unlucky with injuries and also a virus at the club, but playing five of the top six, in just seven outings. They now have a real chance, with three of the next four starts at home, to make up some lost ground and close in on the playoffs. This is a huge game for City and they have approached it as such. Home win.

6.5 points Lincoln City -1/2 ball 2.12 asian line.

Back shortly.

Saturday ................

CHAMPIONSHIP

BARNSLEY - NORWICH CITY

I rate the visitors the far superior team, yes, they underperformed for us in the 1-0 home defeat to QPR, but the opening 45 minutes there, was the only sub standard showing and loss ,in their last six starts.

Hosts have not scored in four of their last five, infact, their only win came in a 2-0 defeat of Derby, where County completely dominated the game ! City, as I discussed recently, see here , have some quality players and are creating a lot of chances, 99 in 7 starts an eyecatching six per game more than Barnsley. H2h wise, visitors have won the last six meetings, including the last three at Oakwell, all by two or more goals.

6 points Norwich level ball 1.94 asian line.

Back later.

OMG .......... IT'S FREAKY FRIDAY TIME !

I am just making my final decisions regarding today's email, but will probably preview SIX matches, all being well, I will put at least one of these on the blog later this afternoon.

As always, you can read read full details of the newsletter service on the website www.predictuwin.com . It is also time for my semi-regular Freaky Friday special offer to readers of the blog. If you sign up to the service today, before 18.00 (UK time), for the minimum three month subscription, I will add six weeks completely free and also guarantee that if the email doesn't make at least 50 points profit over this period, that you will receive a further three months subscription at no charge.

If you have any questions you can send an email using this link.

Good Luck.

TONIGHT'S ACTION ..........

My strongest ideas this evening are in Spain, but I will keep those for subscribers to the email service, elsewhere .....

Portsmouth have horrendous problems ahead of the Carling Cup tie with Chelsea, with Jermaine Defoe, Papa Boupa Diop, Sean Davis, Lassana Diarra, David Nugent and Sol Campbell all out injured, so Kanu and Richard Hughes will start.Confidence must be very low following the thumping administered by Manchester City at the weekend and if the Blues are fully motivated and this is where we can only guess, they should win easily enough. They will be without Deco, Essien and Carvalho for sure, the last named has covered for Terry's lack of pace time and time again, he will be missed and it is enough to just about put me off.

ITALY

SERIE A

NAPOLI - PALERMO

Napoli continue to impress me, they have beaten Fiorentina and Benfica at home and taken away points at Roma and Udinese, both with ten men on the pitch. They have a very decent squad now, which allows some rotation and Cannarvaro, Contini, Hamsik, Maggio and Denis, who all played at Roma, which was a fantastic performance, where, after the red card they took the game to one of the best sides in Italy, return to the side.

Palermo have won their last two, but both were at home and the Roma win was against a side distracted by an upcoming Champions League fixture. In their only away start, they were comprehensively beaten at Udinese and will be without two strikers in Budan and Miccoli ( who scored twice in the Roma game). Home win.

5.5 points Napoli -1/2 ball 2.08 +

REGGINA - AC MILAN

Milan got the "monkey off their back" with the big win, over the previously unbeaten Lazio on Sunday night. They have to build on that tonight, especially with the Milan derby at the weekend, the prospect of potentially trailing Inter by ten points before the end of September, is too awful to contemplate and heads would roll !

Reggina have struggled for possession in all starts to date and were poor in the weekend defeat to Roma. As you might expect , Milan have dominated recent meetings, winning 7 of the last 8, scoring three or more, on four occasions. With Kaka , Shevchenko, Pato and Ronaldinho all vying for starting places, it is difficult to see them being any less prolific against a team that is going to have a season long battle to survive.

6 points Milan -1 ball 2.06 asian line.

Good Luck.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE .........

I have just finished today's newsletter and have previewed four matches , briefly discussing a fifth. Going to cover one or two of these on the blog later in the day, so please check back.

If you cannot wait, then consider subscribing to the daily email, it is sent directly to your inbox every morning, for around the cost of a quality newspaper and offers fantastic value for money.

Details can be found on the website www.predictuwin.com

Good Luck.

NFL ............. HOUSTON TEXANS @ TENNESSEE TITANS

I only have time to write the very briefest of notes, but am ultra keen on the Titans and am not just talking about their cheerleaders !

Texans have had a very tough time of things recently, they started poorly in their opener with Pittsburgh, where they scored only a little over 200 yards of offense and allowed their opponents to complete all but one of their attempted passes. Then Hurricane Ike took a hand and caused major disruption to practice and their second game to be postponed. So they have not played for two weeks. If that was not bad enough, a lot of players suffered damage to their property, at least one had his home destroyed and that tends to make football less important .

Titans have two nice wins under their belts, are very strong defensively and have won six straight against the Texans.

6 points Tennessee -4.5 points 1.94 Vegas line.

Good Luck.

EARLY KICK OFFS .......

PREMIERSHIP

CHELSEA - MANCHESTER UNITED

United have not won in nine visits to fortress Stamford Bridge, where the Blues are unbeaten inside 90 minutes in 84 games (they lost a cup , penalty shoot out) and it is hard to see that changing today. Gene Hackman lookalike, Big Phil Scolari will certainly have his troops fired up for what is, his first really big game in charge. He is certainly not going to let complacency set in, after not being entirely happy with the performance, despite the fact they put four past Bordeaux in midweek. United could not find a way through the Villarreal defence, have had a day's less recovery time and Ronaldo probably still needs time to get himself match fit.

6.5 points Chelsea -1/4 ball 1.89 asian line.

MANCHESTER CITY - PORTSMOUTH

I really like the price for the "over" here, City's four league starts have averaged 4.0 per game and now that Jo has settled into his game and has Robinho alongside, they look a far cry from the goal shy team of last season.Pompey's games have also produced plenty of excitement, with three containing three of more goals. In the UEFA Cup tie in midweek, once Guimares threw off the shackles and tried to go forward, they created plenty of problems for the Portsmouth defence, which really rode their luck at times. Plenty of pace going forward on both teams and a repeat of last years four goals would not surprise, the odds look fantastic !

6 points "over" 2.5 goals 2.16 asian line.

ITALY

SERIE A

UDINESE - NAPOLI

Here we have two teams with real ambition of breaking into the top 4 this year, but getting a half ball start, I have to stick with the visitors, who have really impressed me this season. They are a massive club, with literally millions of "members" worldwide and will get back into the Champions League and the big time, sooner rather than later. Napoli have already beaten Fiorentina and drawn at Roma, where they played more than a third of the game with ten men, yet still took the game to their hosts, creating 17 attempts on goal. They are very fit and get stronger the longer the game progresses. Unfortunately they will be without striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, but have Brazilian Ignacio Pia available to take his place. They will have great PMA from last season, where they won 5-0 here and did the double, with an 8-1 goal difference.

5.5 points Napoli +1/2 ball 1.93 asian line.

Back later.

TODAY'S FOOTBALL ..........

A few brief notes about this afternoon's matches..........

CHAMPIONSHIP

WATFORD - READING

Watford have fallen on hard times, most of their "stars" have been sold and the squad is not big enough to cope with more than a few missing players. Recent injury problems have not improved and Doyley and Priskin are also both out today. Reading still have pretty much a Premiership level squad and the side that put six past Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, will be boosted by the return of Ingimarsson. Actually, Watford lost 2-0 at Wednesday last weekend in a match dominated by the Yorkshire side, which tells you all you need to know about the size of the home team's task today.

6 points Reading -1/4 ball 2.05 asian line.

DIVISION 2

WYCOMBE WANDERERS - DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

I discussed Wycombe on Monday, which you can read in the archive section of the website, if you log in to your account. It is not that they are a poor team, they are not, Peter Taylor has got them well organised and they defend very well, with just a single goal conceded all season, but they pose a limited goal threat. Brentford have played these two in the last fortnight and almost all supporters I have spoken to, regard D&R as the better team at present and they are scoring for fun, with a league high total of 16 goals. No team has stopped them yet and if they again notch a goal, it is very hard to see Wanderers scoring twice. There has been a few words at Wycombe this week between Taylor and top player Scott McGleish, who was unhappy at being substituted last week, he has been fined by the club and is not sure to be included today.

5 points Dagenham +1/2 ball 1.85 asian line.

BLUE SQUARE PREMIERSHIP

BARROW - KETTERING

These two were both promoted from the BS North last season, Barrow through the payoffs and Kettering as runaway champions. Hosts made a good start to life in the Premiership, but recent indications are that teams are coming to terms, with their direct style. Kettering are unbeaten in nine games, are quite a classy outfit and never know when they are beaten, that's probably because they have forgotten what it is like to lose, having tasted defeat just 5 times in 51 league starts ! They have signed some quality players, experienced at this level and above, unlike most sides in the BSP, the very long trip to Barrow, will not be a journey into the unknown, they went there three times last season ! They have won three of the last four meetings, drawing the other and I do not see them losing that unbeaten tag today, facing a side with injury problems up front.

6.5 points Kettering level ball 1.95 asian line.

OXFORD UNITED - CRAWLEY TOWN

You all know that I rate Oxford higher than the league table would suggest and that they have let us down several times ! However, last time we backed them, they managed to come from behind and post a win, breaking our duck, so we can try them today, facing the league leaders. Crawley will be without two key players and boss Steve Evans starts a very lengthy suspension, during which, he is not allowed any contact with his players for 90 minutes, before of after the game !

United's injury problems are clearing up, Trainer and Turner return, James Constable is fit to play and strike partner Jamie Guy will have a late test, but is also likely to play some part. However, clincher for me is that they have signed Paul Evans, the 34 yo veteran of 500+ league games, is a leader of men and is just what they need to push them forward from midfield. I am a little biased, as he is one of my all time favourite Brentford players, but he did go on to play at a higher level and also for Wales, so it was just not me that rated him highly . Evans played for an hour last week in an impressive debut and will strip much fitter today. I do not see Oxford losing this.

6 points Oxford level ball 1.80 asian line.

Good Luck.

"LET'S BE HAVING YOU "

CHAMPIONSHIP

NORWICH CITY - QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Emmanuel Ladesma will return for Rangers this evening and they will be looking to build on a 4-1 win over ten man Southampton on Sunday. However, that scoreline was very flattering to QPR, who at times were out played by a well coached Saints team, who will surely improve as the season progresses and the London team have yet to put in a truly commanding performance on the road, being happier at Loftus Road.

I believe that the much maligned Glen Roeder is doing a very good job at Norwich, he stopped the rot last year and brought in his own men over the summer, using his fantastic contacts in the game, to bring some quality to Carrow Road. This season did not start well results wise, but they have been dominating games, without getting any luck in front of goal. Actually, they have hit the woodwork, more than any other side in the Football League. However, they got off the mark at Plymouth on Saturday and took a lot of confidence from that ,the players are very certain that they will be involved in the promotion shake up . The line was led at Plymouth by Antoine Sibierski, recently signed from Wigan,who put in an awesome performance and apprently, he has helped a lot of the youngsters in training, competition upfront is now fervent, with a fit again Darel Russel and Arturo Lupoli, also vying for a starting spot. Lupoli is on a season long loan from Fiorentina and despite making his name at Derby, learnt his trade at Arsenal, which is how he came to Norwich, Roeder having a very useful frienship with Arsene Wenger.

City are seeing this as a real test of how far they can go and are very motivated to get the result, a packed and loyal home crowd deserve. Win or lose tonight, this is not a team we should be opposing in the coming weeks.

6.5 points Norwich -1/4 ball 2.02 asian line.

Good Luck.

BIG WEDNESDAY .......

We have some very attractive fixtures today, especially in the Champions League and I am hoping to build on yesterday's success, when all four blog selections won, producing almost 19 points profit.

I have previewed three matches today on the newsletter and am confident that they will all go close.

Over the last five days or so, I have slept very little and watched an incredible amount of sport, far more than usual. Feeling drained at the moment, but am certain that my head and notes are full of winners and that the hard work will pay off with big returns in the coming weeks... so stay tuned !

Good luck with all your bets today .

FOREST WILL STRUGGLE TO BEAT THE TUESDAY HOODOO !

CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESTON NORTH END - NOTTINGHAM FOREST

It is well over seven years and some 32 games, since Preston last lost at Deepdale on a Tuesday nightin a league game and I do not think that will change this evening. Alan Irvine has turned the club around since his arrival and the locals are anticipating another playoff push. Not many teams will come away from here with anything, PNE are unbeaten in the league todate and have won 9 of their last 12 home starts, with two of the "failures" coming at the end of last season, when they had nothing to play for. They posted wins here last season over the three promoted teams, Hull, Stake and WBA, which is a rare treble and tend to raise their game, against the bigger name sides, which despite recent hard times, Forest remain.

In the two home wins this camapign, they have totalled an amazing 26 shots on target, those are big numbers and I feel they will have too much for a Forest side that is really struggling defensively, conceding two or more goals (16 in total) in their last six starts .

Team news: Andy Cole looks set to make his Forest debut, key PNE midfielder Richard Chaplow has been widely reported as injured and out of contention, but his hamstring is not bad as first thought and after a test this morning, he is expected to be available to play some part.

6 points PNE -3/4 ball 2.09 asian line.

Good Luck.

PAUL JEWELL JUGGLING WITH HIS OPTIONS ....

SWANSEA CITY - DERBY COUNTY

Regular readers know that I am a big fan of Swansea and especially their boss Roberto Martinez, however, now that County have broken their duck, recording their first league win in just a couple of days short of one year, I have to take a chance on Paul Jewell's side.

These sequences tend to run in cycles and whilst it is unlikely that Derby will go unbeaten for a year (!), surely they are capable of putting a run together. Recent performances had already suggested that things were about to change, they beat a good Preston side away in the cup and dominated the game at Barnsley, somehow losing 2-0 with the home keeper, Luke Steele, making four fantastic saves. At the weekend I was very impressed with the win over Sheffield United, where a lot went wrong, after again dominating ,they took the lead, only to immediately concede an equaliser. In the second half it looked like the winner would never come and then they were awarded a penalty, which, after much deliberation was then disallowed. After such a dire run and with confidence at a low ebb, it says a lot, that they still managed to find a winner and the joy amongst their long suffering supporters was unbounded.

They created 18 attempts on goal against a good Sheffield side and now have something to build on, there is still quality in the squad and I fancy them against a Swansea outfit that will allow them to play football.

5.5 points Derby +1/4 ball 2.12 asian line.

Good Luck.

IS SLEEPY CHELTENHAM READY FOR THE RETURN OF MAD DOG ?

DIVISION 1

CHELTENHAM TOWN - BRISTOL ROVERS

Martin Allen was appointed Cheltenham's new boss yesterday, this was an "appointment in waiting" and they were just delaying until after the Hartlepool game on Friday, to announce things. Allen is a proven operator at this level and a relegation battle, which believe me, even at this early stage Town are well and truly in, is right up his street !

I get the impression that success might have gone to his head a little , he was certainly flavour of the month for a while and I am sure that following a year out of work, he will return a little more humble and hungrier than ever . MA is a great motivator and will be jumping in local rivers and cycling to games, anything to get his team going and whilst he can hardly be termed a tactical genius, his enthusiasm tends to rub off on these lower league players and even after just a couple of days, we could see the benefit immediately.

To be honest, I would prefer that they were facing a different opponent, Rovers are a team I rate, in a false position in the league and this is a local derby. Having said that, they have conceded eleven in their last three starts, so at least defensively, confidence must be very low. They will be looking to keep things tight, especially early in the game. At level ball, we can give the home side, who are sure to come "flying out of the blocks", a little of our money.

5.5 points Cheltenham level ball 2.08 asian line.

Good Luck.