Monthly Archives: November 2010

Premier League Preview – Tuesday

Posted on by
Reply

Stoke City take on Birmingham City on Tuesday night with manager Tony Pulis still seething from yet another big decision that appears to have gone against his men at the weekend.

Mark Clattenburg is set to take charge at the Britannia Stadium and Pulis will be hoping that he can cut out his high-profile mistakes that have caused controversy in recent weeks.

Potters fans never know what to expect from their team at the moment as they lost their first three Premier League matches, then took 10 points from their next four, and haven’t added to that tally since beating Blackburn on October 2.

But the current poor run includes three away defeats and the only reverse at home was against Manchester United when they looked set to take a point from the Red Devils before Javier Hernandez won the game with just four minutes to go.

Stoke do not have a great recent record against Alex McLeish’s side at home, as Birmingham have won three of their last four league and cup games at Stoke, keeping a clean sheet in each match, and the Midlanders  travel to the Potteries after coming back from 2-0 down to take a point against West Ham at the weekend.

Goals may be at a premium in this match as Birmingham have only scored six in their last eight matches, while they have won just three of their last 21 Premier League contests.

Stoke have scored two goals in their last four top-flight matches but if they can get the rub of the green then we predict that their losing streak will come to an end and they will sneak this one by the odd goal (Stoke 11/2 to win 1-0).

Tuesday’s other Premier League match-up sees Tottenham entertain Sunderland with Harry Redknapp’s men desperate for a win to get their season back on track.

The north Londoners have been superb in Europe and it may be that their league form has suffered as a consequence, with a draw and two defeats in their last three games leaving them in seventh place on 15 points.

However the table is so congested, with four other teams also on 15 points, two on 14 and a couple more on 13, and so the standings could alter significantly over coming weeks.

Spurs are back at White Hart Lane and that should give them the edge over a Sunderland side who have also garnered 15 points to date.

They bounced back from humiliation in the north-east derby to beat Stoke on Saturday, albeit with a little help from the officials, but they are a different side away from Wearside, with three draws and two defeats on their travels.

Steve Bruce is likely to go looking for a point on Tuesday, as his men rarely score away from home, and it could be like the Alamo at times with Spurs; attacking talent bearing down on the Sunderland box.

Tottenham are capable of beating the best on their day and we believe they will run out winners by at least two goals, although an early strike will be vital to force the visitors to come out and try to get back into the game (Spurs 5/1 to win 2-0).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

10 things we learned about the weekend’s football

Posted on by
Reply

1) Lorient are laughing all the way to the bank after selling Laurent Koscielny to Arsenal for £9.7m as he is not any kind of answer to their defensive problems – Gunners fans can breathe a sigh of relief though as the red card against Newcastle means he is banned for two games (Arsenal 4/7 to beat Wolves on Wednesday).

2) Arsenal also still have keeper problems as Lukasz Fabianski played up to his nickname – Flappyhandski – as Newcastle stunned the Gunners at the Emirates on Sunday.

3) Andy Carroll is proving any doubters wrong and that he may well have deserved a place in the England team. The 21-year-old will be hoping he is still firing when the next squad is announced by Fabio Capello.

4) Liverpool’s Fernando Torres (8/1 to finish as the Premier League’s Top Scorer) is proving the old adage true that ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ following his two-goal demolition job on champions Chelsea.

5) Spurs are struggling to balance their domestic and European commitments, and badly need Jermain Defoe back from his ankle problem as the club has mustered just 13 goals in 11 Premier League games, despite smashing seven in two past Euro champions Inter Milan.

6) Teams do not always get what they deserve – just ask Mick McCarthy. Wolves played well enough to win at a misfiring Manchester United but a 93rd-minute goal keeps Wolves in the bottom two and United (3/1 to win the Premier League) in the title hunt – always play to the whistle!

7) His heart may not be in it but Carlos Tevez is capable of showing that money can indeed buy you a title after Man City ended their three-match losing streak at West Brom.

8) Alternatively tune in to watch Real Madrid, no shrinking violets when it comes to splashing the cash, and they are tearing up in La Liga, remain unbeaten in all competitions and are banging in goals for fun. Maybe Jose Mourinho really is the Special One.

9) Blackpool (11/10 to stay up) have been a breathe of fresh air in the Premier League this season and look as though they will continue to be so after another good performance – plus Ian Holloway is always good for a post-match quote.

10) West Ham (Evens to be relegated) are in bad enough trouble as it is without throwing away a 2-0 goal lead, apparently through complacency, and it’s the fourth time this season they have surrendered a winning position. The Hammers are going to continue to struggle unless they improve their resilience.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Fergie admits to Owen mistake

Posted on by
Reply

Sir Alex FergusonOwen Hargreaves made his first start for over two years in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Wolves on Saturday but he lasted just a few minutes before injury forced him off the field again (United 7/2 to win the Premier League) and boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it was a mistake to play the midfielder in the game.

A bewildered Ferguson has revealed it is a hamstring problem that has affected the midfield star this time, rather than a recurrence of the long-standing knee injury that has sidelined him for the best part of two years.

“We thought by doing that it would give us a compact midfield with experience. But he only lasted five minutes. It was a disaster,” revealed the Old Trafford chief. “He has hurt his hamstring, which is unbelievable.”

United left it late yesterday, with Ji-Sung Park scoring the winner in stoppage time, as they keep the pressure on league-leaders Chelsea, who visit Liverpool on Sunday.

The shock result of the day perhaps came at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton Wanderers secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Tottenham.

Spurs went into the game on the back of a famous European victory over Champions League holders Inter Milan but they struggled to cope with a compact and determined Bolton side.

Kevin Davies opened the scoring for the hosts, before Gretar Steinsson and a Davies penalty appeared to put the Wanderers out of sight.  Spurs did hit back through Alan Hutton and Roman Pavlyuchenko to set Bolton’s nerves jangling but Martin Petrov added a fourth to ensure the home side secured all three points.

Wanderers boss Owen Coyle was understandably delighted with the result and believes Bolton are heading in the “right direction.”

“I like to think we are improving. Hopefully we are moving in the right direction. It is very much a work in progress,” Coyle said.

“The players are showing a lot of quality, and I thought it was an outstanding performance today.”

Bolton have been beaten just twice this season and look a strong and well organised unit, with players such as Chung-Yong Lee, Stuart Holden and Petrov providing pace and skill.  The Wanderers are a very attractive 20/1 to secure a top-six finish, they are currently fifth in the league, and although very much an outside bet it is not out of the question that Coyle could lead them into Europe this season.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp turned his attentions to Gareth Bale and defended the midfielder’s performance against Bolton.  The Welsh wizard produced some glimpses of magic at the Reebok but failed to make the same impact he did against Inter Milan in midweek.

Bale is without question one of Spurs’ best players but Redknapp is eager to ensure the youngster is not put under too much pressure after he praised the youngster despite the defeat at Bolton.

“There was nothing wrong with Gareth today. He was probably my best player,” said Redknapp.

“He had some fantastic runs and crossed a couple of great balls. If people had got on the end of them he could have made two or three goals.”

Spurs are pushing for fourth spot but could fall further behind the pack if Manchester City end their losing streak and secure a victory at West Brom (Match Betting – West Brom 9/4, draw 12/5, City 23/20).

However, with players such as Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Bale amongst their ranks it would be foolish to count Spurs out at this stage (Spurs 3/1 to finish in the top four).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Welsh pride on the line

Posted on by
Reply

It’s going to be fiery crivals Cardiff City and Swansea clash in a juicy first-versus-third contest in another exciting weekend in the rollercoaster ride that is the Championship.

The battle at the Cardiff City Stadium is bound to throw up some incidents and there should be plenty of goals in a match between two attacking sides.

Cardiff have been the stand-out performers in the Championship so far and are on a five-game winning streak in the league which includes a 4-0 hammering of Leeds United at Elland Road.

Whilst the Bluebirds have shown some excellent attacking football  they can be suspect at the back having recorded only one clean sheet in their last five games so Swansea have a good chance of getting on the scoresheet in this one.

Swansea have quietly worked their way up the table and welcome back experienced midfielder Mark Gower as the player has recovered from a torn hamstring.

The Swans are unbeaten in their last six Championship games and look like they could challenge for a play-off spot this season.

Swansea (14/5 to beat Cardiff)  have a good chance of getting something out of this game and will be boosted by the fact that Cardiff are without the league’s top goalscorer – Jay Bothroyd – through suspension.

Down at the bottom of the league Middlesbrough face Crystal Palace in a crucial game for both sides, even at this early stage in the season.

Newly-appointed Boro boss Tony Mowbray did not get off to the best of starts as he saw his side lose 2-1 at home to Bristol City in his first game in charge at the Riverside.

Middlesbrough have not won in their last seven Championship games and will be desperate for all three points on Saturday.

Palace have also had a miserable start to the campaign after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

The Eagles are leaking goals having conceded seven in their last two games.

Mowbray will be pleased by the fact that his side have not failed to score at home this season, and with Kris Boyd (6/5 to score anytime) starting to adapt to the league, they have a good chance of winning the battle at the bottom.

Two clubs in and around the play-off places are Coventry City and Leeds United and the two meet at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

Leeds fans are suffering an up-and-down season; after shocking home performances against Preston and Cardiff they produced an accomplished display at Scunthorpe.

The Whites side seem more comfortable away from the big crowds at Elland Road having picked up more points on the road this season and have won more points from coming back from a goal down than any other side in the league (Leeds 11/1 to win from behind).

The Sky Blues sit in fourth and have had a strong start under manager Aidy Boothroyd.

This should be an interesting contest which has been boosted by the fact that in-form striker Gary McSheffrey will face the side who decided to not keep hold of him last season.

The former Birmingham striker has criticised Whites boss Simon Grayson which will add extra spice to this one.

With Leeds playing well on the road they are in a good position to win the clash on Saturday.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

10 Football Bets This Weekend

Posted on by
Reply

1) Bolton to continue their great run at home against Spurs and upset the midweek Champions League winners, who will not like it up ‘em (Bolton 19/10 to win)

2) Fulham have lost only once at home and can take the three points against Aston Villa, who have no fit strikers and have already lost four on their travels.

3) Sunderland to bounce back from their 5-1 mauling at Newcastle when they return to familiar surroundings to take on poor travellers Stoke.

4) The loan signing of David Healy can help Doncaster Rovers (Evens in the match betting) continue their impressive home form against Millwall (13/5 to win, 23/10 the draw).
5) Leicester have also delved into the loanmarket and the arrivals of Darius Vassell and Curtis Davies can earn the win at Barnsley.

6) In a real relegation battle, the last side Preston want to take on is Bristol City as the Robins have lost only one of the last 25 matches against North End.

7) Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, scoring 10 goals in his last four games in the Primera Liga, and the former Manchester United ace can lead Real to glory in the Madrid derby.

8) Bayern Munich have turned a corner since their defeat to league leaders Borussia Dortmund and can continue their unbeaten run, winning four of the last five, against basement outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

9) Schalke 04 have endured a disappointing start to the campaign but the side that finished second last year can still call on the likes of Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and should justify favouritism against Bundesliga new boys St Pauli.

10) Bristol Rovers have made a solid start to their League One campaign and can be backed at 10/11 to prevent an FA Cup shock at Darlington, who have already lost three at home and lie mid-table in the Conference.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Sunday’s match predictions

Posted on by
Reply

Bet on the Premier LeagueArsenal v Newcastle United

Arsenal’s recent good run of form in all competitions was ended on Wednesday when they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League but don’t expect the Gunners (3/10 in the match betting) to misfire when Newcastle (10/1 to win, 4/1 the draw) travel to the Emirates for the early Premier League kick-off at 13:30.

Shakhtar are no mugs and with Arsene Wenger’s men seemingly on course to make the knockout stages in Europe’s elite competition having won their first three group games, they can be forgiven for succumbing to a long trip against tough opposition, particularly when key players were missing.

Arsenal are still without Manuel Almunia, Abu Diaby, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen due to injury – while Andrei Arshavin, Denilson and Alex Song are doubtful – but captain and talisman Cesc Fabregas (5/1 to score first) is set to return to the heart of midfield.

The Spanish World Cup winner is likely to be reunited with Jack Wilshere who is available again following a three-match suspension and the pair have been forging an excellent partnership in the middle of the park.

Already five points behind Chelsea in the table, there will be no taking it easy from the north Londoners, who had won five on the bounce (the last three without conceding) since a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge before that midweek reverse.

During that winning run, Arsenal also thumped an admittedly weakened Newcastle side at St James’ Park in the Carling Cup so the Magpies can be expected to be brought back down to earth with a bump following their 5-1 win in the Tyne-Wear derby last Sunday.

The Gunners have scored at least three goals in the last five meetings with Newcastle, who have not won at Arsenal since 2001 in a run of 10 games with only one draw.

Goals are certainly expected with over 2.5 priced at 4/9 but having won their last three against Newcastle (who have scored just once in their last seven away games against Wenger’s men) at home by a 3-0 scoreline, Arsenal with -1 on the handicap at 3/4 or to win to nil at 20/21 should be looked at.

West Brom v Man City

West Brom will be looking to replicate their recent impressive away form at The Hawthorns when the Premier League millionaires of Manchester City ride into town on Sunday afternoon.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men have shocked many football fans in recent times by going unbeaten at home, winning at the Emirates, and holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford.

They will now be looking for a repeat of their Carling Cup win over Manchester City on Sunday with the two Italian managers enjoying contrasting fortunes in recent times.

Roberto Mancini is under increasing scrutiny after three defeats in a row both domestically and in Europe, but he is set to benefit from the return of Carlos Tevez, who has been at the root of all things good for City so far this season.

A win for West Brom could leapfrog them over Sunday’s more illustrious visitors and their attacking power will be boosted at the Hawthorns by the return to fitness of Peter Odemwingie, who has impressed with his pace and goals since arriving in England over the summer.

With the poor form, low confidence and reports of in-fighting that has plagued City in recent weeks, there could not be a better time for West Brom to get another win over one of the teams regarded as title challengers.

Di Matteo has built a side capable of playing swift attacking football, and unless City’s defenders start to play as a unit, which they have not shown in recent weeks, it could be a long afternoon in the West Midlands, particularly as the Baggies (13/5 in the match betting) have not lost at the Hawthorns in 11 months.

Liverpool v Chelsea

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Napoli may have improved the mood at Anfield but Chelsea’s visit on Sunday could bring the Reds crashing down again.

The victory over the Serie A side was impressive, but a hat-trick from Steven Gerrard essentially spared Liverpool’s blushes with the Italians the better of the two sides until the midfielder’s introduction.

The Liverpool captain is always capable of scoring and he does tend to raise his game in high-profile encounters. Gerrard is 5/2 to score anytime but at 9/1 the England international is worth some consideration in the enhanced first goalscorers’ market.

However, while I expect Gerrard to have a good game against the reigning champions, the rest of the Liverpool squad have done little to impress this season and Chelsea should prove too strong for Roy Hodgson’s side.

Fernando Torres is struggling for both form and fitness, while Joe Cole is unavailable as he is suffering with a hamstring problem.

Chelsea could be without Jose Bosingwa (illness) and Michael Essien (toe), while midfield duo Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun are definitely ruled out.

Even without Lampard and Essien, Chelsea should still be too strong for Liverpool and at evens, the league-leaders are good value to take all three points from their trip to Anfield.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Premier League Preview

Posted on by
Reply

Bolton will be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium as the youngster is currently on fire.

Bale was an unused substitute in the same fixture 13 months ago but has now been mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi.

Spurs should bounce back here after the defeat at Manchester United – as long as the officials let them! (Spurs 13/10 to beat Bolton)

West Ham have not won since beating Spurs on September 25 and I would not hold your breath if you are expecting an away win against Birmingham.

The Blues are solid at home and the Hammers have scored just twice away from home all season and the points should stay in the West Midlands (Birmingham 10/11 to beat West Ham).

The north-west derby between Blackburn and Wigan is usually spicy but with the sides separated by just one point near the foot of the table, a draw must be on the cards with neither side prepared to give anything away at Ewood Park, and with goals at a premium (draw 12/5).

Blackpool have surprised many in the early part of the season but they face an improving Everton and it is high time the Seasiders received another Premier League spanking.

David Moyes’ men were never as bad as their league position suggested and, with 10 points out of a possible 12, they will surely be too good for Ian Holloway’s side (Everton 4/5 to win).

Fulham and Aston Villa have both garnered 12 points so far in a tight division but the Cottagers are tipped to win this one, as the Villans have no experience up front with Heskey, Agbonlahor and Carew all out, and 19-year-old Nathan Delfouneso set to make a rare start.

Fulham are much better by the Thames while Villa have already lost four times away from home (Fulham 5/4 to win).

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney for three weeks as he has been sent to the USA for conditioning but it should not matter as they are tipped to easily beat a Wolves side who cannot win on their travels and have only taken one point away from Molineux all season.

The Red Devils seem to have cured their draw-itis which threatened to leave them lagging behind Chelsea at the top of the table and they have won their last five matches in all competitions.

Despite Rooney’s continued absence they will have far too much ammunition for Mick McCarthy’s men at Old Trafford.

United do have one injury doubt – Sir Alex Ferguson – as the boss has been struck down by a virus and is currently bed-ridden (United 1/6 to win).

Finally Sunderland play host to Stoke City on what will probably be the last game showed on Match of the Day.

A low-scoring or goalless draw could be on the cards here despite the fact that the Black Cats’ newest signing, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, is tipped for his first starting appearance in the top flight.

In the four Premier League meetings between Stoke and Sunderland no goals have been scored by the away team, so do not expect too much goal-mouth drama on Wearside at the weekend (0-0 draw 8/1).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

10 Best Football Bets This Weekend

Posted on by
Reply

1) Bolton to continue their great run at home against Spurs and upset the midweek Champions League winners, who will not like it up ‘em (Bolton 19/10 to win)

2) Fulham have lost only once at home and can take the three points against Aston Villa, who have no fit strikers and have already lost four on their travels.

3) Sunderland to bounce back from their 5-1 mauling at Newcastle when they return to familiar surroundings to take on poor travellers Stoke.

4) The loan signing of David Healy can help Doncaster Rovers (Evens in the match betting) continue their impressive home form against Millwall (13/5 to win, 23/10 the draw).
5) Leicester have also delved into the loanmarket and the arrivals of Darius Vassell and Curtis Davies can earn the win at Barnsley.

6) In a real relegation battle, the last side Preston want to take on is Bristol City as the Robins have lost only one of the last 25 matches against North End.

7) Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, scoring 10 goals in his last four games in the Primera Liga, and the former Manchester United ace can lead Real to glory in the Madrid derby.

8) Bayern Munich have turned a corner since their defeat to league leaders Borussia Dortmund and can continue their unbeaten run, winning four of the last five, against basement outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

9) Schalke 04 have endured a disappointing start to the campaign but the side that finished second last year can still call on the likes of Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and should justify favouritism against Bundesliga new boys St Pauli.

10) Bristol Rovers have made a solid start to their League One campaign and can be backed at 10/11 to prevent an FA Cup shock at Darlington, who have already lost three at home and lie mid-table in the Conference.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Rampaging Real too hot for Atletico

Posted on by
Reply

It might not be the biggest derby for Real Madrid this weekend, particularly with ‘El Clasico’ coming up at the end of the month, but Atletico (17/2 in the match betting) will be looking to upset their more illustrious neighbours to earn the bragging rights in the Spanish capital and reignite their bid for Champions League football next year.

That will be the plan anyway but Real (2/7 favourites) have turned a corner under Jose Mourinho following a slow start to the campaign and are now beginning to look like a team, rather than a collection of individuals.

The goals have started to flow as well of late, certainly domestically, with 19 scored in the last four games as Los Merengues have moved to the top of the table with a minimum of fuss.

They hold a one-point advantage over arch-rivals Barcelona (both 10/11 to win Primera Liga) and will not be wanting to let that advantage slip, with the Catalans given the perceived easier task this weekend of a trip to Getafe.

Of course, Barcelona do kick off earlier on Sunday but that will have no bearing on the Atletico clash as Real will either want to regain the lead or pull further clear ahead of ‘El Casico’ on November 28.

The attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria have started to gel and all have got amongst the goals, with Ronaldo leading the way with 10 goals in the last four games to take his season’s tally so far in the league to 12.

The former Manchester United ace is an obvious candidate in the goalscoring markets as he also takes the penalties, and will no doubt have a number of opportunities to add to his collection and is available at 5/2 to be first or last goalscorer, 4/7 anytime or 11/4 to score 2 or more.

With a dominant home record of four wins from four, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two, it is no surprise to see Real strong 2/7 favourites in the match betting, and it may be worth taking them to do complete the Half-time/Full-time result at 8/11.

Being a derby match, there will be no easing into the game and with Atletico seemingly struggling on their travels, Real will waste little time in setting about their neighbours.

Hercules were not handed the easiest of starts on their return to the top flight in Spain but they wasted little time in making a name for themselves with a 2-0 win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp on the second weekend.

Los Blanquiazules (11/5 in the match betting) can become the first team this season to win at the Reyno de Navarra when they take on Osasuna (21/20 to win, 11/5 the draw) on Sunday as they have proved they certainly can be a match for the big boys in the top flight.

Following the Barca win, Hercules have already held Sevilla and Villarreal this term and although they lost last weekend, two of Real Madrid’s three goals came in the last eight minutes.

Although Osasuna have not been beaten at home, two wins and two draws, Los Rojillos have had a much easier start to the campaign on paper, only facing Real in the opening nine games, while they were hammered 4-1 at Racing Santander last weekend, who moved out of the bottom three with the win.

Meanwhile in Germany, Bayern Munich (7/4 to win the Bundesliga) seemingly have turned things around after a slow start to the campaign and look ready to pick up three points on their travels.

Since a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Borussia Dortmund, the Bavarian giants (4/7 in the match betting) have gone a five-match unbeaten streak, winning four of them, and can claim the win at lowly Borussia Monchengladbach (19/5 to win, 11/4 the draw) on Saturday.

Bayern have banged in 14 goals in those five games and look to have far too much ammunition for the basement side who have yet to win at home and have lost three of their five games, while they have only mustered six goals all season.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

SPL Preview

Posted on by
Reply

Celtic responded well to the Old Firm defeat and put three past St Johnstone last time out, cutting Rangers’ lead at the top to just one point.

They now face an Aberdeen side who have already lost three times away from home this season and the Dons are not fancied to end the Hoops’ record of having won all their SPL games this season – bar the clash with their Glasgow rivals.

A point for Aberdeen would represent a great result, which just emphasises the gulf in class between the top two and everyone else north of the border, in what has become effectively a race for third.

Bhoys legend Henrik Larsson trained with the squad on Friday but we are reliably informed that he will not be in the starting line-up on Saturday afternoon (Celtic 7/1 to win 2-1).

Hamilton host Dundee United and the market suggests this is too close to call (Hamilton 7/4 to win, Dundee United 7/5 to win).

United are five points better off but, with the SPL tight, apart from the Glasgow clubs, punters should not read too much in league positions at present.

David Goodwillie and Barry Douglas could miss out after their part in the incident which saw Danny Swanson receive a facial injury in Glasgow this week.

Hamilton are yet to win at home, while the Terrors have won just once away from Tannadice.

Although it is the obvious prediction, this could be the banker draw of the weekend in Scotland (goalless draw 8/1).

Inverness will welcome Motherwell to the Caledonian Stadium full of confidence after holding Rangers to a 1-1 draw last time out at Ibrox.

Indeed, Terry Butcher’s outfit have taken 11 out of a possible 15 points since their last SPL defeat to Hearts and, with home advantage, they are tipped to beat the team just one place above them in the standings (Inverness 13/8 to beat Motherwell).

Their current unbeaten run includes away wins at St Mirren and Kilmarnock and they are one of the form teams in the league at present.

Midfielder Lee Cox is pushing for a return to the squad following an ankle injury but Gil Blumenshtein, David Proctor, Chris Innes and Kenny Gillet remain on the sidelines.

Well lost at home to Hamilton last week but could have Jamie Murphy and Keith Lasley back if they have no adverse reaction to training on Friday.

Finally, St Johnstone entertain Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park in another contest which could fall into the category of a ‘toss of a coin’.

Derek McInnes’ side, as expected, lost heavily to Celtic last time out but, away from the Old Firm, they can be a match for anyone on their day and had run into some decent form before the visit of Neil Lennon’s men.

Wins at home to Hibs and away at Hamilton, plus a draw with Inverness, have seen them move up to seventh in the table, with 11 points from 10 games, with Killie just one point behind in ninth.

St Johnstone will look to bounce back from their Celtic reverse and are tipped to take all three points from this one (St Johnstone 11/10 to win).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.