Football Bet of the Day: Gran Canaria Groundhog Day should yield a win

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> "Sporting have lost eight of their last nine games, they are wretched away from home, and they have one of La Liga's worst defensive records."</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Las Palmas -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="1/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s;" title="">2.00</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Las Palmas v Sporting Gijon</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Saturday January 07, 17:30</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Live on Sky Sports 2</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Our French fancy didn't quite taste as sweet as we'd hoped <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">last night.</span> Monaco's 2-1 win over Ajaccio was good for them, but we needed a bigger margin of victory.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />We don't normally spend two evenings in the same place in any given week, but after Las Palmas let us down against Atletico Madrid, I'm willing to give them another opportunity. La Liga is restarting, and the Gran Canaria-based side are facing struggling Sporting Gijon.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Until their defeat to Atletico, Las Palmas were <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">unbeaten at home,</span> and although they have faded after a bright start to the season there is a case to be made for them winning this evening. Firstly, they will bring back some players who were surprisingly rested against Atleti, while some players are fit after illness and injury. <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">David Garcia</span> can play at the heart of defence after suspension, and Sergio Araujo is the only major absentee.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Las Palmas have won two of their last three home games in the league, but Sporting Gijon's road form leaves a lot to be desired. They have lost seven of their last eight away games in all competitions, and including home games they have lost eight of their last nine matches. This <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">abysmal run</span> has seen the Rojiblancos drop into the relegation zone, although the feeling is that performances should've yielded slightly better results.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />If Sporting are to get anything out of this match, then they must improve their defending, and a suspension for the experienced Fernando Amorebieta won't help their cause. Sporting have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 13 league matches, and only rock-bottom Osasuna have a worse defensive record.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Las Palmas aren't quite as strong as they were in the first third of the campaign, but I believe they should still have enough quality to see off Sporting.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Las Palmas -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;">2.00</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHLZLhCQG84MTgdifkfDCL0GsmKMq5v_plGQtPdMsoeB_kjKq7AgCkvnba0m8tmAD1QeA8vHclry7Gl385AQCqLCZne2nckQ1Rxp1vjFukDzZaT2wosPY1i2lg1oMBN59ZyzDHJTRJBQ/s1600/laspalmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHLZLhCQG84MTgdifkfDCL0GsmKMq5v_plGQtPdMsoeB_kjKq7AgCkvnba0m8tmAD1QeA8vHclry7Gl385AQCqLCZne2nckQ1Rxp1vjFukDzZaT2wosPY1i2lg1oMBN59ZyzDHJTRJBQ/s640/laspalmas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

Football Bet of the Day: Gran Canaria Groundhog Day should yield a win

"Sporting have lost eight of their last nine games, they are wretched away from home, and they have one of La Liga's worst defensi...

Read More

The Big Saturday Multiple: Canaries to fly into FA Cup Fourth Round

<br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> - <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057175" style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Norwich @ 3.1 (21/10)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />- <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28064454" style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Benfica @ 1.6 (6/10)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />-<a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28056454" style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Over 2.5 Goals in Real Sociedad v Sevilla @ 1.66 (4/6)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />- <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057179" style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Under 2.5 Goals in West Brom v Derby @ 1.65 (13/20)</a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">The Multiple pays approximately 13.58 (13/1)</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Bet 1</span>: <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057175" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Norwich (HOME) @ 3.1 (21/10)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />The hosts have had a miserable time of things of late as they have slid down the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Championship</span> following a bright start. They were expected to at least make the play-offs but as things stand, they are currently only ninth in the table.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />On the plus side, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Alex Neil's</span> men got back to form on Monday as they thrashed Derby 3-0 and while the visitors did end the game with 10 men, Norwich were already 1-0 up at the time anyway.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Southampton</span> slumped to another defeat at Everton on the same day that Norwich were beating Derby and the 3-0 loss at Goodison Park was their third straight defeat.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Claude Puel</span> has injury problems in the attacking third of the pitch and all isn't seemingly very well at St Mary's as club captain, Jose Fonte, handed in a transfer request on Thursday.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Bet 2</span>: <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28064454" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Benfica (AWAY) @ 1.6 (6/10)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Our away victory will hopefully come from <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Portugal</span> this evening as Primeira Liga leaders, Benfica, will hopefully take all three points from their trip to Vitoria Guimaraes.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />This won't be plain sailing for the visitors as <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Vitoria</span> are getting some great results this term and have only been beaten three times in 15 fixtures. They have won three on the bounce and are six unbeaten in front of their own fans.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />That being said, Rui Vitória's side have won a dozen of their 15 matches this season and their <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">dominance</span> is reflected in the fact that they have scored 32 goals and conceded just eight.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Benfica come into the match on the back of <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">six straight wins</span> in all competitions and their record on the road over the last 14 months or so has been fantastic.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Since a 1-0 defeat at Porto way back in September 2015, the Eagles have played 23 games away from home and <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">won 20</span> of them. They were only beaten once and the other two were draws. They also won on this ground during that run - a 10 success in January 2016.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Bet 3</span>: <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28056454" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Real Sociedad v Sevilla (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.66 (4/6)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />La Liga is back and the goals are set to flow at <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Anoeta</span> with Sevilla in town.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />These two teams are both <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">higher</span> in the table than most would have expected as Sevilla are up in third, while Sociedad are not too far behind in fifth.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Interestingly though, with the pair of them conceding 21 goals each in 16 fixtures this season, they both have the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">worst defensive record</span> in the top eight, so their success has largely been down to their attacking prowess.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sevilla have <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">netted 32 goals</span> this term - a record only bettered by Real Madrid and Barcelona, while Sociedad are fifth in the standings with 28 goals to their name.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Eusebio Sacristán's</span> men are seeing their matches average 3.06 goals each time, and that figure is even higher for the visitors as their outings are seeing 3.31 goals per 90 minutes.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />The stage is set for a <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">goal-fest</span> and over 2.5 should land quite comfortably.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Bet 4</span>: <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057179" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">West Brom v Derby (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.65 (13/20)</a><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />We finish back in the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">FA Cup</span> as I expect the Midlands derby between West Brom and Derby to be a relatively low-scoring affair.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">The Baggies</span> are excelling this season under the guidance of Tony Pulis and they could be one of the dark horses for this competition. They are eighth in the Premier League and very tough to beat.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />They haven't been handed the easiest draw in the world however as Derby have returned to form under <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Steve McLaren</span>. They may have lost last time out, but prior to that it was it was eights wins and two draws from 10 fixtures.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />The key to their success has been at the back as the Rams kept <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">eight clean sheets</span> during that period and that led to six of the 10 seeing under 2.5 backers collect.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />It should also come as no surprise that the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Tony Pulis</span> led hosts are very solid in defence and they rarely concede more than once in a match. They have been banging the goals in of late - especially at the Hawthorns - but I have my suspicions that Pulis will give Salomon Rondon a rest this afternoon.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Multiple</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057175" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Norwich @ 3.1 (21/10)</a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28064454" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Benfica @ 1.6 (6/10)</a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28056454" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Over 2.5 Goals in Real Sociedad v Sevilla @ 1.66 (4/6)</a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <a href="https://www.betfair.com/sport/football/event?eventId=28057179" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Back Under 2.5 Goals in West Brom v Derby @ 1.65 (13/20)</a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">The Multiple pays approximately 13.58 (13/1)</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-yacTXLZOGiYR5eeol7gDony6jTRAFpVDXJg9XDWYaSEpLaXOtvTjaRm2RVx_tYAI544QW8sCM3TwxoRuAROKGs4phRJyIvG31rJjyrK5GjlpOjjI_qwhDhHQeTweORJDrsRXj99I-g/s1600/nhan-dinh-real-sociedad-vs-sevilla-2h45-ngay-0801-kho-doan-cuc-dien.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-yacTXLZOGiYR5eeol7gDony6jTRAFpVDXJg9XDWYaSEpLaXOtvTjaRm2RVx_tYAI544QW8sCM3TwxoRuAROKGs4phRJyIvG31rJjyrK5GjlpOjjI_qwhDhHQeTweORJDrsRXj99I-g/s640/nhan-dinh-real-sociedad-vs-sevilla-2h45-ngay-0801-kho-doan-cuc-dien.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

The Big Saturday Multiple: Canaries to fly into FA Cup Fourth Round

-  Back Norwich @ 3.1 (21/10) -  Back Benfica @ 1.6 (6/10) - Back Over 2.5 Goals in Real Sociedad v Sevilla @ 1.66 (4/6) -  Back Under 2.5...

Read More

Manchester United v Reading: Stam to rue Red Devils reunion

<br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> "Manchester United are taking cup competitions seriously this season, and they have a very strong squad. Reading deserve massive credit for their campaign so far, but I suspect they'll come up short, just as they did in the League Cup at Arsenal."</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Manchester United -1.5 & -2.0 on the Asian Handicap at</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="5/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s;" title="">1.85</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Manchester United v Reading</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Saturday January 07, 12:30</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Live on BT Sport 2/Betfair Live Video</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Manchester United</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />At a club like Manchester United, criticism and scrutiny comes with the territory. After a barrage of flak in the early months of Jose Mourinho's reign, the Red Devils appear to have finally clicked into high gear. They have won their last six Premier League games, and in all competitions they are <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">unbeaten in 13 outings.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />It's not just collectively that United are proving their critics wrong. There were some who said <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Zlatan Ibrahimovic</span> wouldn't be able to adapt to the English game, that he was too old, too slow, and too cosseted after a spell in France with PSG. Ibrahimovic says he has thoroughly enjoyed making his critics eat their words (he used a ruder phrase), having bashed in 18 goals in all competitions. Meanwhile, the statistics show that world record signing <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Paul Pogba</span> is having a consistent effect on games, while offside scorpion-kick master Henrikh Mkhitaryan is finally showing the form that lit up the Bundesliga game after game.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Mourinho has marshalled his resources effectively this season (his squad is a lot stronger than he would publicly have everyone believe), and as a result his team are still in four competitions. They play Hull City in the League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday, and face a Europa League tie against Saint Etienne in February. Despite such a crowded fixture list, Mourinho is likely to field a <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">strong side.</span> It's worth bearing in mind that his CV features three League Cups, an FA Cup, a Taca de Portugal, a Copa del Rey and a Coppa Italia, so he does take cup competitions seriously.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Reading</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />A familiar face will return to Old Trafford this weekend, as <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Jaap Stam</span> takes his place on the visitors' bench. The Dutchman was part of the United side that won a glittering treble in 1999, only for his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson to deteriorate significantly. Stam is keen to put that row behind him, especially as he is now making waves as a manager.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Stam clearly learnt a lot during his three years on the Ajax coaching staff, because he has <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">hit the ground running</span> at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals are playing excellent possession-based football, the fans have been reinvigorated, and the team's fighting qualities were there for all to see in a recent comeback win at Bristol City (Reading came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the last 20 minutes). Reading are currently third in the Championship, six points off the top two.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Stam insists his return to Old Trafford shouldn't be the pre-match focus, and that he is more interested in pitting his wits against Mourinho that reminiscing. Something Stam will have to address in his side's <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">fluctuating away form.</span> Although they have secured 90th-minute winners at Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers recently, they also lost 2-0 at Leeds United and 5-0 at Fulham. It tends to be famine or feast on the road for the Royals - they have won seven of 14 away games, lost six and drawn just one.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Match Odds</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Reading are unquestionably a good side playing well, despite not spending a huge amount of money on their squad, and they have won eight of their last 11 games in all competitions. However, they are less consistent on their travels, and they face a Manchester United team in form and capable of fielding a very strong lineup while still resting some players. Reading were knocked out of the League Cup 2-0 at Arsenal, and I suspect they'll lose this with a bit to spare too.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />United are trading at <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="1/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.25</span></span> for the win. If you back them -1.5 & -2.0 on the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Asian Handicap</span> at <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="5/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.85</span></span>, you'll get a half-win if the hosts win by two goals, and a full win if they manage a bigger victory.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Eight of Reading's last nine games have featured three goals or more, while four of United's last six matches at Old Trafford have seen an Over 2.5 Goals bet pay out. Because I expect a comfortable home win, I'd lean to towards backing overs, but <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="4/7" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.57</span></span>is hardly an attractive price.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Manchester United win both halves?</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />In all but one of their away defeats this season, Reading have lost both halves. Manchester United have won both halves four times at Old Trafford this season, and you can back them at evens to do so again this weekend.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: white;">Back Manchester United -1.5 & -2.0 on the Asian Handicap at </span><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;">1.85</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeFzmZJ-WFBD3vctc5bym_MScpiI824RSgwZR_wy_MIspEqze_JgCr9xyf_aFEe6-k9w4XdsTaPTG-Yoh6TPg9BsnFVlOAogTkT-5Ir_wMFSRbA1YrD5RZmG7quV4og4ZInGkHIwIorY/s1600/zlatan-ibrahimovic-goal-celeb-swansea-manchester-united-city-premier-league_3825328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeFzmZJ-WFBD3vctc5bym_MScpiI824RSgwZR_wy_MIspEqze_JgCr9xyf_aFEe6-k9w4XdsTaPTG-Yoh6TPg9BsnFVlOAogTkT-5Ir_wMFSRbA1YrD5RZmG7quV4og4ZInGkHIwIorY/s640/zlatan-ibrahimovic-goal-celeb-swansea-manchester-united-city-premier-league_3825328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

Manchester United v Reading: Stam to rue Red Devils reunion

"Manchester United are taking cup competitions seriously this season, and they have a very strong squad. Reading deserve massive cred...

Read More

Serie A Betting: Back Fiorentina to triumph and goals at Genoa and Sassuolo

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #383838; font-family: Arimo, Helvetica, "Helvetica Neue", Arial; font-size: 12px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> <span style="background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">“I'm surprised to see Fiorentina as big as </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">1.90</span></span><span style="background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> to win this, and they represent just a little bit of value.”</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> I always approach the first round of matches in the new Serie A year as I do the games at the start of the season: with caution, and a little trepidation. Any themes that we've noticed early (Atalanta's form, Torino and Cagliari's penchant for goals) aren't guaranteed to have been carried over into 2017, so we must keep stakes small and watch carefully to see where value might appear.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> That said, readers of this column want to have a bet, and so here are three sensible and hopefully well-judged selections.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Pescara v Fiorentina</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 14:00</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> I don't think that it's unreasonable to keep opposing Pescara. They snatched a late equaliser against Palermo, which cost us a winning bet, but they're still a poor proposition and a team that loses all too frequently. Valerio Verre and Cristian Biraghi are suspended with Simone Pepe and Jean-Christophe Bahebeck nursing injuries too.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Fiorentina are no great shakes on the road, but they won't have to be against Pescara, and I'm convinced that their performance in that remarkable 3-3 draw against Napoli will carry them forward with confidence into this game.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Borja Valero is also back and so I'm surprised to see them <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">as big as </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.90</span> to win this</span>, and they represent just a little bit of value. After all, Pescara have never won this Serie A fixture in six previous attempts.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Fiorentina to beat Pescara @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.90</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Genoa v Roma</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 14:00<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport 3</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Suggesting that there'll be goals in a Roma game isn't the most original choice, but their performances against the lesser lights of the division have been pretty consistent.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Roma's games against the better sides in Serie A have tended to be tight, as they change their freewheeling approach. Against the likes of Genoa, though, there's an altogether different way of doing things, and when <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Luciano Spalletti's team</span> feel that they can simply outscore someone, that's exactly what they do.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Added into the mix is Genoa's ability to hurt teams. They beat Juventus at Marassi in a high-scoring match and put three past Milan. They've also been involved in two seven-goal thrillers here, and so you can feel that the odds are on your side.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Roma are likely without <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Kostas Manolas</span> and Thomas Vermaelen, which further reduces their likelihood of keeping it tight at the back. Five of the last eight editions of this fixture have been Over 3.5 goals, so history is on our side.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> I expected <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Over 3.5 goals to be trading at under the </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="2/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.00</span> mark</span>, and it's a nice surprise to see that <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">outcome available at </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="2/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.00</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Over 3.5 goals in Genoa v Roma @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="2/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.00</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Sassuolo v Torino</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 14:00</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Torino let us down just before Christmas when they lost 1-0 at Genoa, but there's a chance that they could be back to their old selves at Sassuolo.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Sassuolo lost a remarkable game in Cagliari just before the break, when they went down 4-3, and while I doubt that this will be an Over 6.5 game, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">there's enough juice in the </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="4/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.79</span> available about there being at least three goals</span> to suggest that's worth a bet.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Both of these teams have spent much of the season (with varying degrees of success) trying to play open football, and there's no reason why that would stop. I know that Sassuolo have had a poor campaign, but they are seven points from relegation.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> We know all about Torino as a strong attacking force and poor defensive one, and the fact that <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">three of Sassuolo's last four Serie A games have gone Over 2.5 goals</span> leads me to think that this is the most realistic and worthwhile third bet of the first weekend back.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> No point commenting on the Sassuolo injury crisis anymore, but in addition to all that Lorenzo Pellegrini and Luca Mazzitelli are suspended, so they essentially have no midfield. Juan Manuel Iturbe completed his move from Roma to Torino and could get his debut in the second half.</div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #383838; font-family: Arimo, Helvetica, "Helvetica Neue", Arial; font-size: 12px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Recommended Bet</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Over 2.5 goals in Sassuolo v Torino @</span><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;">1,79</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem-ZSugiPl8m_Iakho5dGu1raUit2aJsb5yOh7NvzekK055dXOPQ8DcVu6UbdNvLH7rPw6DsnGM3MedDIrrxk3vRcEO42IiL-YxSeWRLuHnHkeYTn-J7xi-jWaDHwYXzcSVrQ7chE14w/s1600/fiorentina3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem-ZSugiPl8m_Iakho5dGu1raUit2aJsb5yOh7NvzekK055dXOPQ8DcVu6UbdNvLH7rPw6DsnGM3MedDIrrxk3vRcEO42IiL-YxSeWRLuHnHkeYTn-J7xi-jWaDHwYXzcSVrQ7chE14w/s640/fiorentina3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

Serie A Betting: Back Fiorentina to triumph and goals at Genoa and Sassuolo

“I'm surprised to see Fiorentina as big as  1.90  to win this, and they represent just a little bit of value.” I always approach the ...

Read More

La Liga Betting: Villarreal can make life tough for Barcelona

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #383838; font-family: Arimo, Helvetica, "Helvetica Neue", Arial; font-size: 12px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> <span style="background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">"After a worrying blip in November, the Yellow Submarine found their groove again before Christmas, dispatching Atlético Madrid and Sporting Gijón in some style"</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Real Madrid v Granada</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Saturday, 12:00<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports 2</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />For many people, 2016 was a nightmare that seemed to drag on forever. For Zinedine Zidane, it was a dream. The Frenchman's maiden year in management could hardly have gone more smoothly, yielding a Champions League title to go alongside the one he won as a player, the Spanish Super Cup and, just before Christmas, glory at the Club World Cup in Japan. If his success can summed up in one stat, it is this: <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Zidane has now won more trophies as a manager than he has lost matches</span>.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />He will hope for more of the same in 2017 and things got off to a solid start on Wednesday, when Real brushed Sevilla aside in the Copa del Rey. Now, almost a month after beating Deportivo La Coruña, they return to the bread and butter of La Liga, hoping to extend their three-point advantage at the summit. Given that they also have a game in hand, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">the outlook is fairly rosy for Los Blancos</span>.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />A home game against Granada is a landing as soft as they come. The Andalusians showed signs of life in December but signed off before the break with a home defeat to Real Sociedad and were turned over by fellow strugglers Osasuna in the cup this week.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Yet given the scrawny odds available on the hosts in all markets, the best option might be backing the visitors to provide the tiniest bit of resistance by scoring. Real's defence is weakened by the absence of the suspended Sergio Ramos and they have conceded in nine of their last ten La Liga games at the Bernabéu. <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Granada have scored in seven of their eight away league games</span> this term (including against Atlético Madrid) and can do so again here.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Real Madrid to win and both teams to score at 13/10</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Celta Vigo v Málaga</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 17:30<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports 2</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />A midtable clash it may be, but the meeting between Celta Vigo and Málaga in Galicia looks unlikely to disappoint as far as entertainment value goes. <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Both of these sides have been involved in some thrilling matches recently</span> and we expect this one to produce the goods as well.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Celta were convincing winners over Valencia in the Copa del Rey this week (4-1) has tenand have been impressive going forward all season: only six sides in La Liga have outscored them going into Jornada 17. <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Iago Aspas alone has ten goals to his name</span>, including nine in his last nine league games.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Málaga are no slouches going forward, either, but the key factor here is that <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">neither of these sides can defend</span>. Celta have kept just two clean sheets all season in the league, the last of which came in September, and will be without Facundo Roncaglia (suspended). Málaga have conceded three goals or more on four separate occasions since the end of October.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />All of Celta's last seven home games in La Liga have gone over the 2.5 goal mark, as have three of Málaga's four away. But the combination of <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">two strong attacks and two shaky defences</span> makes the 3.5-goal line worth taking on at chunkier odds.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back over 3.5 goals at</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="85/40" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.10</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Villarreal v Barcelona</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 19:45<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports 2</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Fourth plays second at El Madrigal as Villarreal look to maintain the momentum they built up before the winter break against Barcelona. </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Both of these sides lost in the cup this week</span><span style="background-color: white;"> (Villarreal to Real Sociedad, Barça to Athletic Club), giving this match an added edge.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">After a worrying blip in November, </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">the Yellow Submarine found their groove again before Christmas</span><span style="background-color: white;">, dispatching Atlético Madrid and Sporting Gijón in some style. They will be without Cedric Bakambu again here, but Alexandre Pato has helped to plug that gap: the Brazilian has been busy in recent matches, even if his finishing remains frustratingly hit-and-miss.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Barça have no major selection issues, but will need a major improvement from Thursday night's display in Bilbao. Not for the first time this season, </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Luis Enrique's charges started sluggishly</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and, despite creating plenty of chances as the game wore on, were profligate in front of goal.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Villarreal's recent record against Barcelona isn't great: they haven't beaten the Catalans in 14 league games (D4 L10). But they have been strong on home soil in recent weeks and will fancy their chances of making a game of it </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">against a side that has conceded in five of eight away games</span><span style="background-color: white;"> in La Liga.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Recommended Bet</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back both teams to score at</span><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;">1.76</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU8ohDjuaNo3lBnRt64K56v08UvDvMQODk5kjce10mhmbyFKeOrlmRrAMuNkA9YeyWppWSgSmNAMCu2WaHxr-YtkqlX3Mn43SrfE3O9-xPJiLyxZ6n_U4juzgv29F7DhUhyu5-tGYJ4/s1600/Neymar+Barcelona+Villarreal.640x452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU8ohDjuaNo3lBnRt64K56v08UvDvMQODk5kjce10mhmbyFKeOrlmRrAMuNkA9YeyWppWSgSmNAMCu2WaHxr-YtkqlX3Mn43SrfE3O9-xPJiLyxZ6n_U4juzgv29F7DhUhyu5-tGYJ4/s640/Neymar+Barcelona+Villarreal.640x452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

La Liga Betting: Villarreal can make life tough for Barcelona

"After a worrying blip in November, the Yellow Submarine found their groove again before Christmas, dispatching Atlético Madrid and Sp...

Read More

Saturday FA Cup 3rd Round Tipsheet: Superior squad depth should see Magpies progress

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> "But given United's quality we can be confident that whoever Benitez starts with should be good enough to progress to the next round. The Magpies have been excellent away from home this term, and facing an out-of-form Birmingham side should present few problems."</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Newcastle @ </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="20/21" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.94</span> to beat Birmingham</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: #f5f6f6; border: 0px none; color: #666966; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 7px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Birmingham </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="7/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.50</span> v Newcastle <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="20/21" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.94</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="11/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.75</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Predicting the outcome of a FA Cup Third Round tie 48 hours in advance is pretty much a case of the blind leading the blind.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />In fact, the only thing we can <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">wager on confidently</span> during the new few days is that we won't hear a manager declare in his pre-match press conference that, "We've been looking forward to this game for weeks, having a good cup run is our priority and I'll be fielding my strongest side possible."<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Unfortunately that just doesn't happen anymore. League titles, qualifying for Europe, avoiding relegation, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">achieving promotion</span>; those are your priorities these days. They always have been of course, but they used to go hand-in-hand with managers still taking the FA Cup seriously.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />But not anymore, and you can rest assured managers up and down the country will be making a <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">plethora of changes</span> to their starting XIs this weekend.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Newcastle have easily the strongest squad in the Championship and <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Rafa Benitez</span> hasn't been afraid to rotate his men for league games, so he'll no doubt freshen his side up for the trip to St Andrew's after a hectic Christmas schedule.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />But given United's quality we can be confident that whoever Benitez starts with should be good enough to progress to the next round. The Magpies have been <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">excellent away from home</span> this term, and facing an out-of-form Birmingham side should present few problems.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />The Blues have taken just a single point from a possible 12 since <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Gianfranco Zola</span> replaced Gary Rowett and I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Italian juggled his side here, more in the hope of trying to find a few players he can trust for league games ahead than anything else.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Newcastle to Win @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="20/21" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.94</span></span> (best bet)</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Everton </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.92</span> v Leicester <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="7/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.60</span>; The Draw <span aria-describedby="qtip-7" class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="11/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.75</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> Everton have hit a bit of form in the Premier League, winning three of their last five matches including a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, an impressive 3-0 win over Southampton, and a 2-0 triumph over Saturday's opponents Leicester.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />However, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Ronald Koeman</span>'s men find themselves fully nine points behind sixth-placed Manchester United in the league so a good cup run would be very welcome on Merseyside.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />I can see Koeman fielding a strong side, and given Leicester's <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">dreadful away form</span> backing the home win carries a lot of confidence.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />The Foxes have yet to win a single league game away from home this season, and with a relegation battle ahead, and the club losing a few players to <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Africa Cup of Nations</span> duty during the next four weeks or so, I envisage Claudio Ranieri resting some of his more important players for the trip to Goodison Park.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Everton to Win @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.92</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Hull </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="9" oldtitle="13/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.66</span> v Swansea <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="10" oldtitle="15/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.88</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="11" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> At least one boss will commence his tenure at his new club by progressing to the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">fourth round</span> of the FA Cup, but don't expect it to be at the first time of asking.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Both Hull and Swansea are in such poor form that it's impossible to make a confident selection in the Match Odds market, though given the Draw is trading as the outsider of the three options at a quite appealing <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="12" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">3.60</span></span> then that's the call from a <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">value perspective</span>.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />I'm pretty confident that if these two clubs met under the exact same circumstances three matches in a row then at least one of them would finish in a stalemate, and that would be enough for us to make a profit.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />It's also impossible to know exactly how new managers <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Marco Silva</span> (Hull) and <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Paul Clement</span> (Swansea) will approach this tie given Premier League safety is undoubtedly their priority.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />It could be that both managers will simply go all out for the win given that a replay is probably the last thing they'll want, and I'm not surprised that the <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Over 2.5 Goals</span> options is a shade of odds-on at <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="13" oldtitle="1/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">1.98</span></span>. When these two sides met in the Premier League earlier in the season it was Under 2.5 Goals that was favourite. Hull ran out 2-0 winners at the Liberty Stadium.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />If you're thinking of having a decent wager on this match it will probably mean you waiting for the team new. Unfortunately I don't have that luxury but at this stage I just feel that <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">the draw</span> is slightly over-priced.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back The Draw @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="14" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Norwich </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="15" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.50</span> v Southampton <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="16" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.26</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="17" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.50</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> There could potentially be a minor shock at <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Carrow Road</span> on Saturday afternoon given Southampton's poor run of form.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Many will argue that with the Saints safely in mid-table then boss <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Claude Puel</span> may as well play his strongest side possible and go for FA Cup glory. It's certainly a possibility, but his strongest side aren't exactly playing well at present.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />And with club captain <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Jose Fonte</span> handing in a transfer request on Thursday a few cracks might just be starting to appear within the Southampton squad.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Puel's men have lost three league games on the spin now, <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">conceding nine goals in the process</span>. That's quite an alarming statistic for a team that recorded six clean sheets on the spin earlier in the season.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Norwich haven't exactly been in great form either, in fact I've been keen to take them on recently, but on Monday they recorded a superb 3-0 win over in-form Derby, and with <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Alex Neil</span> still under pressure I'm confident he'll send out a strong side to try and gain some more momentum against a vulnerable Premier League outfit.<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Norwich to Win @ </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="18" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.50</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"></span></div> <h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">West Brom </span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="19" oldtitle="5/6" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.86</span> v Derby <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="20" oldtitle="4/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.80</span>; The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="21" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span></span></h2> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="background-color: white;">A meeting of two in-form teams though it's unlikely we'll witness a high-scoring classic when the Baggies host the Rams on Saturday afternoon.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Tony Pulis</span><span style="background-color: white;">' men are enjoying a fantastic season, currently sitting eighth in the table with a four-point cushion over those below them. They've just recorded back-to-back wins over Southampton and Hull but I've got a feeling that the visit of Derby will present a very tough challenge.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Steve McClaren</span><span style="background-color: white;">'s men have been on a terrific run of form in the Championship, winning eight of nine games prior to Monday's defeat at Norwich, and they've recorded a very impressive </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">seven clean sheets</span><span style="background-color: white;"> from their last nine matches.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">At the Ipro Stadium Derby haven't conceded a goal for over three months, and although this tie is away from home it shows how organised and defensively tight McClaren's men have become.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">West Brom will have plenty of possession but if they don't make an early breakthrough I envisage a </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">very tactical affair</span><span style="background-color: white;"> with both defences coming out on top. Don't be surprised if this game remains goalless for long periods.</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Recommended Bet</span><br style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;">Back Under 1.5 Goals @</span><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;">3.00</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HrX2WZoZtuM5YCyZ4t9qz0_hSlakV3NXPYMM7UCdzd3tK4kSCZoMYe871vr_31cXWVGy9Diwke52Rw0Eg35GGh653yc7Fiftv6ZufyqvBMJaMVxmcW9bAi0pZjHNu0KidlLgM3bg0Yo/s1600/newcastle+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HrX2WZoZtuM5YCyZ4t9qz0_hSlakV3NXPYMM7UCdzd3tK4kSCZoMYe871vr_31cXWVGy9Diwke52Rw0Eg35GGh653yc7Fiftv6ZufyqvBMJaMVxmcW9bAi0pZjHNu0KidlLgM3bg0Yo/s640/newcastle+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke: 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px none; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em;"> <span style="border: 0px none; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-color: #ffb80c;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

Saturday FA Cup 3rd Round Tipsheet: Superior squad depth should see Magpies progress

"But given United's quality we can be confident that whoever Benitez starts with should be good enough to progress to the next rou...

Read More