Monthly Archives: April 2012

Motherwell out to break Hearts

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Motherwell are on the verge of an historic achievement if they can qualify for the Champions League this season, but first they must get through a tough trip to the capital to take on Hearts on Tuesday night (Hearts 11/8, draw 5/2, Motherwell 9/5 – Match Betting).

With Glasgow Rangers deep in the midst of financial turmoil it’s highly unlikely the Old Firm outfit will be allowed to play in Europe next season, which has opened the door for Motherwell to potentialyl have a shot in the biggest competition in club football.

The Steelmen currently find themselves in the third place in the Scottish Premier League table, with five points between themselves and Dundee United, who look like they will miss out on the rare chance to play in the Champions League.

However, manager Stuart McCall has insisted he will not be taking anything for granted with three games of the season to go and all their focus will be on picking up as many points as possible to keep Dundee at bay.

Motherwell will certainly be buoyed by their last outing as they knocked five goals past fifth-placed St Johnstone with an accomplished performance at Fir Park.

Michael Higdon scored his 15th goal of the season whilst Estonian Henrik Ojamaa bagged himself a brace against a lacklustre Saints outfit on Saturday.

The pair will certainly cause the Hearts defence problems if Well can reproduce the attacking football that made them a constant threat at the weekend.

However, it will be a very different test when they make the trip to Tynecastle to take on a Hearts side who have booked their place in the final of the Scottish Cup to face rivals Hibernian (5/4 – Scottish Cup Outright).

The Edinburgh outfit sit in sixth place in the SPL table and will be looking for a top-four finish if they can have a strong end to the current campaign.

Hearts (4/7 – Scottish Cup Outright) have relied heavily on the goals of Rudolf Skacel this season with the Czech bagging 15 goals compared to just the five from Jamie Hammill, who is their second highest goalscorer.

In a season with Champions League qualification a serious possibility due to the situation at Rangers, Hearts will be very disappointed they aren’t in the mix for the lucrative European competition.

Motherwell have won the two previous meetings between the side this season, with a 3-0 win at Fir Park and a 1-0 win at Tynecastle, and it’s hard not to see them making it a clean sweep considering what’s at stake.

A 2-1 win for Motherwell (2-1 – Correct Scoreline – 10/1) looks a good bet, as Motherwell have looked strong in front of goal and Hearts might just have one eye on their Edinburgh derby cup final on May 19.

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Liverpool must find momentum

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There are two Premier League matches (totesport coupon) on Tuesday and both, on paper, look like mid-table affairs without too much hinging on them. But, at a closer look, there’s plenty of intriguing side-stories as Liverpool prepare for the FA Cup final and also look for a win against Fulham as they bid to finish above Merseyside rivals Everton, who themselves go to Stoke, in the table.

Liverpool v Fulham (7.45pm)

The Reds (4/7 – 90 minutes) will certainly have one eye on Wembley as they welcome the Cottagers (11/2) to Anfield and boss Kenny Dalglish could even play a shadow side as he guards against injuries and suspensions for the important Cup Final date with Chelsea.

However, on the other hand, Liverpool will want to build on their 3-0 win at Norwich on Saturday so they can approach the weekend with momentum and in better form than they have generally been in over the past few months.

Andy Carroll missed the win at Carrow Road as a precaution so he could start, but hat-trick hero Luis Suarez, skipper Steven Gerrard and key defenders Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger are all likely to be among several first-choice players rested.

The likes of Dirk Kuyt (13/2 first goalscorer), Craig Bellamy, Maxi Rodriguez and Jonjo Shelvey, then, are set to carry the attacking threat while relatively inexperienced trio Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan and Sebastian Coates could earn starts in defence.

With this in mind, Fulham may just fancy their chances of becoming the latest side to frustrate the Reds at Anfield and come away with a positive result.

The Cottagers were well beaten on Merseyside on Saturday when they lost 4-0 at Everton and, after what has been a decent season overall for Martin Jol’s side, they are likely to put on a better performance than that on Tuesday.

Moussa Dembele, Andy Johnson and Pavel Pogrebynak can cause Dalglish’s side problems, while the impressive Clint Dempsey, who scored the winner in Fulham’s 1-0 win over the Reds at home earlier in the campaign, is good value to open the scoring at 15/2.

All things considered, then, with Liverpool set to field largely a second-string side, Fulham can profit and claim at least a draw from this, on offer at a tasty 3/1 with totesport.

Prediction: 1-1 (13/2 – correct score).

Stoke v Everton (7.45pm)

These two have just about satisfied pre-season expectations and look like ending the season being comfortable in mid-table, although the Toffees (13/8 – 90 minutes) will hope to push on in the final league games to try and make up for the heartbreaking Cup semi-final defeat against Liverpool by finishing above the Reds in the standings.

David Moyes’s side, apart from that Wembley loss, have been in superb form of late and followed up the impressive, and deserved, 4-4 draw at Manchester United with that 4-0 mauling of Fulham at Goodison on Saturday.

Nikica Jelavic has been nothing short of a revelation since he joined from Rangers and he added two more goals to his Blues account against the Cottagers so is worth backing to continue that form at the Britannia Stadium (11/8 to score anytime).

Add to that the excellent recent form of Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and the returning Tim Cahill, and the Potters have plenty to fear ahead of this clash.

Stoke, priced at 7/4 (90 minutes), have faltered somewhat in recent weeks but got a decent point against third-placed Arsenal on Saturday and are always a real handful for anyone at home.

Both sides are likely to make changes with this game coming just three days after the weekend so it could be a tight encounter with little to choose between the two sides overall.

Stoke may just have the edge, though, with home advantage proving key and a narrow win for the Potters is predicted to move them up level with West Brom in 10th with two games to go.

Prediction: Stoke 2-1 Everton (10/1 – correct score).

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Ставки на матч «Манчестер Сити» – «Манчестер Юнайтед».

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Футбол. Чемпионат Англии. Премьер-лига

Манчестер Сити – Манчестер Юнайтед. Вот мы и дожили, что разбирательство с титулом чемпионаRooney watch 1 300x203 Ставки на матч Манчестер Сити Манчестер Юнайтед. Англии превратилось в дерби одного города, и город этот называется не Лондон. Если бы кто-то произнес такую мысль лет 5 назад, то на него, как минимум, посмотрели бы косо, но все меняется…

А поменялось самое главное – в «Сити» 2.15 пришли огромные деньги шейха Мансура. С тех пор «горожане» ни в чем не нуждаются и покупают игроков не глядя на суммы их трансферов. Шейх Мансур еще за несколько дней до матча заявил, что независимо от результата, он уже доволен итогами этого сезона. Сказано очень хорошо и правильно, но я думаю, все мы понимаем, ради чего вкладывались сотни миллионов долларов, уж явно не для вторых мест.

Роберто Манчини также заявил, что даже в случае победы его команды, фаворитом чемпионской гонки останется «Манчестер Юнайтед». Так как, по мнению тренера, оставшиеся две игры «МЮ» проведет против «Суонси» и «Сандерленда», а это, как ни крути, соперники более приятные, чем «Ньюкасл» и КПР.

Если кто-то скажет, что в Англии все команды играют на 100% в каждом матче независимо ни от чего, то я с ним соглашусь. Но когда «Ньюкасл» борется за путевку в Лигу Чемпионов, а у КПР даже более значимая задача – «остаться в живых», то есть не вылететь из Премьер-Лиги.

И совсем другая мотивация у «Суонси» и «Сандерленда», так как эти команды располагаются строго посередине таблицы, а значит, не могут вылететь, но и подняться в еврокубки шансов нет. С одной стороны понятно кому легче, но сколько раз мы уже наблюдали, как те, кому ничего не надо брали и побеждали тех, на ком висит огромный груз ответственности.

Выходя на этот матч, обе команды наверняка вспомнят 1:6 на «Олд Траффорд», но я не уверен, что «МЮ» 3.25 будет непременно настроен на реванш с крупным счетом. Задача подопечных Фергюсона формулируется просто – не проиграть, и как мне кажется, мячей будет забито мало – Тотал Меньше 2.5 очень вероятен.

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City eye derby glory on title D-Day

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Monday night will see the most highly-anticipated Manchester derby in decades, as City and United go head-to-head in a match that is likely to decide the destination of the Premier League title this season (City 6/5, draw 12/5, United 12/5).

For some time now it has been a two-horse race for the crown and as the battle between these two giants has ebbed and flowed, we have now arrived at the biggest game of the campaign and, possibly, of the past few seasons.

City (7/4 Premier League outright) were clearly not comfortable holding the frontrunners tag and, having enjoyed a healthy lead over United, the Blues started to slip up as the pressure of closing in on their first Premier League title clearly started to get to them.

However, the Red Devils, who have been in this position so many times before as they go in search of their 20th league title, have also found life difficult at the top in recent weeks.

United at one stage held an eight-point lead at the top of the table but a defeat to Wigan Athletic and a thrilling 4-4 draw with Everton at Old Trafford in their last outing, has left them with just a three-point advantage ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes City would go on to win the Premier League title if they were to collect all three points on home soil and has insisted his players will be going all out for a win.

This is really a match City must win and you can expect their boss Roberto Mancini to go with an attacking line-up for the derby.

Argentine duo Sergio Aguero (11/2 first goalscorer) and the prodigal son Carlos Tevez have looked extremely dangerous in attack in recent weeks and the question has been asked whether this game would have as much riding on it if Tevez had not done his disappearing act to South America?

Another controversial figure Mario Balotelli, who scored in City’s astonishing 6-1 victory over United at Old Trafford earlier this season, could feature in this high pressure encounter.

Mancini has insisted he trusts his fellow Italian to keep his cool, although questions must still be raised over the former Inter Milan star’s temperament.

It would be hard to break up the Aguero-Tevez partnership but Mancini may well bring in Balotelli and use Tevez (6/1 first goalscorer) as an impact player in the second-half, with the striker looking to get one over his former club.

As for United (4/7 Premier League outright), they will be concerned with the ease in which Everton scored four at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ and Ferguson will be determined to tighten up that defence.

England striker Wayne Rooney (11/2 first goalscorer) has looked dangerous up front recently and City will, of course, be more than aware of what the 26-year-old is capable of.

Nani, Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young, meanwhile, have been causing teams problems all season, so there will be plenty to think about for the Blues defence.

However, on home soil and with the momentum behind the chasers, City might just edge this all-important derby to set up a very exciting end to the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

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Is La Liga the best?

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It has been a bruising week for Spain’s big two, with Real Madrid and Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals to Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively. But with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid setting up an all-Spanish Europa League final this week, taking some notable scalps on the way, is Spain’s top flight the strongest league in Europe?

Chelsea (7/4 to win the Champions League) turned in a heroic performance at the Nou Camp on Tuesday to secure a 3-2 aggregate win and depose the reigning European champions Barca.

Pep Guardiola’s side has been labelled one of the greatest ever sides in the modern game and were highly fancied to retain the title. But the defeat on Tuesday appeared to be a seminal moment, with Guardiola quitting his post on Friday after four years in charge. Rebuilding may now be needed in Cataluna.

The prospect of playing his old side Chelsea in the final was an enticing one for Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, and all seemed to be going to plan when Cristiano Ronaldo’s double put them 3-2 ahead on aggregate in the early stages of the second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

However, Arjen Robben – another Chelsea old-boy – scored from the penalty spot to level a game that went all the way to penalties, with the German side progressing 3-1 on spot kicks.

The double defeat of Spain’s top two gave further ammunition to those who claim the Spanish league should not be considered the best on the continent, with the all-action Premier League often touted as the best.

The critics, while acknowledging the immense talent in both the Real and Barca squads, accuse La Liga of being too top heavy in favour of the duo. With 26 points separating them from the rest, that argument carries some weight.

However, Chelsea aside, it needs to be pointed out that both Manchester City and Manchester United failed to get out the Champions League group stages, while Arsenal lost in the first knock-out round to AC Milan, who promptly lost to Barcelona.

Then if you look at the Europa League final, where Bilbao take on Atletico Madrid, rumours of La Liga’s demise may be greatly exaggerated. Marcelo Bielsa’s Bilbao (10/11 to lift the Europa League) are a whopping 43 points behind Real Madrid in the table in sixth place.

But their run to the Europa League final in Bucharest took in a last-16 clash with Premier League Champions Manchester United.

England’s supposed best side (4/9 Premier League Outright) were completely dismantled by their Basque opponents, Fernando Llorente particularly impressive in a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Madrid, level on points with Bilbao, have reached their second Europa League final in three years, beating high-flying Valencia and Italian side Lazio – fourth in Serie A – along the way.

With England’s other Europa League representatives – Tottenham, Stoke, Fulham and Birmingham – all falling short, three at the initial group stages, La Liga can justifiably argue it has the strength in depth to compete in both domestic in European competition.

To further bang La Liga’s drum, why not look at the international odds? With reigning world and European Champions Spain 3/1 favourites to win Euro 2012, with manager-less and seemingly rudderless England priced at 9/1.

The reign of Spain may be continuing for some time yet.

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Another huge Prem Sunday

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There are two Premier League games to get stuck into on Sunday and there will be no thoughts of holidays in either contest as there are points to play for at both ends of the table.

Chelsea v QPR

It has been a fantastic week for Chelsea, upsetting the odds to book their place in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich – despite going 2-0 and a man down against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

No doubt they will get the reception they deserve when they return to Stamford Bridge but that thrilling victory came at a cost with Gary Cahill joining David Luiz on the sidelines and, coupled with Branislav Ivanovic serving the final game of his ban, the Blues will host QPR with just one fit centre-half.

John Terry will be the focus of attention, not least for his sending off in midweek, but he also lines up against Anton Ferdinand – a man he allegedly racially abused in the 1-0 reverse at Loftus Road last October.

Chelsea are still chasing points to finish in the top four and guarantee a Champions League place next season and on top of all that, the Hoops are desperate for the win which will give their survival hopes a massive boost.

The match betting suggests that punters should look no further than a home win with the Blues priced at 2/5, while the draw is on offer at 7/2 and a rare QPR win is priced at 15/2.

It is the away form of Mark Hughes’ men that would worry those looking for a price as they have mustered just three victories on the road this season, with only Blackburn and Wolves winning fewer.

The Rs have picked up some surprise results this season and recent wins over Liverpool, Arsenal, Swanea and Spurs have all come at home – compare that to defeats at West Brom, Sunderland and Bolton as well as a division low of 11 points away and it does not look good.

Chelsea have been a different proposition since Roberto di Matteo took the helm at Stamford Bridge with just one defeat – 2-1 away at Man City – in 15 matches since he took charge.

However, the old adage is that form goes out of the window in derby matches and that has certainly been the case as far as the Champions League finalists are concerned.

Chelsea have not won any of the previous seven London derbies this season, while in contrast QPR have won three of the seven they have played – albeit all at home.

With injury problems at the back for the hosts though, QPR can make a game of it and pick up their first point on the road since the beginning of February.

Tottenham v Blackburn

Spurs were apparently title challengers a couple of months ago – or at least guaranteed a return to the Champions League – when they were seven points clear of arch rivals Arsenal but have hit the skids big style and are now facing the stark reality that they could miss out on the top four altogether.

It would be a huge disappointment for the fans, and neutrals alike, given the way they have performed at times this season but the Premier League season is ‘a marathon not a sprint’ – and Spurs look as though they will come up short.

Harry Redknapp’s team could well be nine points behind the Gunners going into the match after picking up just six points from the last nine games, and scoring just eight goals in the current run, but the league table does not lie.

The ongoing situation regarding the England position may not have helped the side but the spring in the step has gone from the players and they need to find a way to grind out a win to keep the top-four challenge going.

The match betting suggests it will come this weekend as they are 2/5 to get back on the winning trail and it is difficult to argue, given their opponents.

Blackburn Rovers have been a funny side this season with some fantastic results, notably a 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, thrown in amongst a host of abject performances.

No club in the bottom half has scored more goals away than Steve Kean’s men – and in Yakubu and Junior Hoilett they will pose a threat at White Hart Lane – who are 15/2 to win with the draw priced at 7/2.

However, a whopping 41 goals conceded away from Ewood Park will make happy reading for goal-shy Spurs while they have been awful of late on the road, going down 2-0 at West Brom and Swansea, as well as losing the six-pointer at Bolton.

Rovers, currently three points from safety in 19th place, have suffered the major blow that Grant Hanley will miss the rest of the season but they have got be up for a ‘cup final’ and it is never over ’till the fat lady sings.

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Rangers eye Old Firm fillip

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There are two games in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League on Sunday and the main event is the last Old Firm game of the season – which is potentially the last for a long while. Despite all the off-the-field problems and stories, there will be the usual commitment as both teams strive for bragging rights in Glasgow.

Celtic v Rangers

There has been some talk about this Old Firm game being “meaningless” as Celtic wrapped up the SPL  title weeks ago. But try telling that to the fans, as you can expect the usual excitement and tense atmosphere in Glasgow come Sunday lunchtime that is associated with every Old Firm clash.

True, survival for the administration-stricken Rangers is more important that league points, but victory over their fiercest old rivals would be a moment of light relief for Gers fans who have suffered more than most in recent months (Celtic 4/5, draw 13/5, Rangers 10/3 Match Betting).

Neil Lennon rested several star men for their clash with Motherwell last time out but, unsurprisingly, they are all back for the Old Firm clash. Georgios Samaras, Scott Brown, Kelvin Wilson and Glenn-Loovens return to first-team plans for Parkhead, while Adam Mathews and Beram Kayal are back from illness and injury respectively and could be included.

For Rangers, Kyle Lafferty is not considered after being handed a two-week club suspension while Kirk Broadfoot and Jamie Ness are available again after struggling with injuries.

When it comes to who can get the goals, Gary Hooper  (4/1 First Goalscorer) is the main man for Celtic with 18 league strikes this term and he is the leading man to break the deadlock at Parkhead. Rangers have relied on Sone Aluko (5/2 Anytime Goalscorer) since the exit of Nikica Jelavic but, despite his pace which is capable of causing huge problems, the former Aberdeen man is not as potent as his predecessor.

In three Old Firm games so far there has been 12 goals, so expect more of the same and all the traditional fireworks associated with one of the biggest derbies in world football, despite Rangers’ recent off-field woe (21/10 – 4 or more – Total Goals).

St Mirren v Hibernian

Neither of these teams are really going into this game with any run of form behind them. It’s only one win and three draws from the last six home matches for St Mirren, while Hibs’ away form boasts three wins and three losses from the last six (St Mirren 6/5, draw 9/4, Hibs 9/4).

The home side have a full squad to choose from and boss Danny Lennon admits he is looking for a continuation in the “entertaining style and attacking football” they have shown to be higher in the table than many expected.

Hibs are battling to ensure their SPL future and have received a boost with the news Garry O’Connor’s foot injury isn’t as bad as first feared and could feature. It is touch-and-go if Pat Fenlon will risk him, and he may opt for Eoin Doyle or Roy O’Donovan (Doyle 8/1 O’Donovan 9/1 First Goalscorer) instead.

The visitors managed a narrow win in the most recent encounter at Greenhill Road, but there was a 0-0 at Hibs last month, and this game looks very close yet again (15/2 0-0 Correct Score).

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Ставки на матч ЦСКА – «Спартак»!

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Футбол. Чемпионат России. Премьер-Лига

ЦСКА – Спартак. Самое популярное дерби нашей страны! Для болельщиков обеих команд результат таких матчейMcGeady downed 1 300x234 Ставки на матч ЦСКА Спартак! важен так же, как и итоговое место в чемпионате. Тем более, что сейчас оба эти понятия сойдутся воедино. Победа в этом матче будет весить даже не 6 очков, она реально может повлиять на итоги чемпионата для этих двух клубов.

Итоги матча могут напрямую коснуться и тренеров обеих команд, так как поражение для Валерия Карпина – значит увольнение с поста тренера команды. Леонид Слуцкий также находится в шаге от отставки, так что матч будет крайне нервный, и на лавках градус будет не меньший, чем на поле.

На самом деле, оба тренера могут посетовать на эпидемии травм в их коллективах. Например, тренер «красно-синих» вынужден действовать без Сергея Игнашевича в обороне и Алана Дзагоева в атаке, не удивительно, что результаты «армейцев» в такой ситуации не блещут. Плюс, к этому можно прибавить, что Игорь Акинфеев, который вернулся в основной состав две игры назад, только набирает свою форму.

Схожие проблемы испытывает и Карпин. «Красно-белые» остались до конца сезона без Паршивлюка, Билялетдинова и Диканя. Если потерю двух полевых игроков еще можно компенсировать, то без своего голкипера обеспечивать приемлимый результат стало для «Спартака» крайне затруднительно.

При самом неудачном развитии событий этого тура ЦСКА 2.45 может не то что забыть про место в Лиге Чемпионов, «красно-синие» рискуют «упасть» на 7-е место в первой восьмерке. Хотя, что в этом удивительного? За весь третий круг чемпионата подопечные Слуцкого одержали всего одну победу, комментарии, как говорится, излишни.

Но как вы думаете, над кем она была одержана? Да, именно над злейшими неприятелями из «Спартака»…

Вот и получается, что сегодняшний матч для ЦСКА, как единственный шанс спасти не самый удачный сезон. С учетом того, как «Спартак» 2.80 играл в обороне в матче с «Анжи», игра может получиться результативной, так что Тотал Больше 2.5 весьма неплохой вариант для, тех кто объективно понимает, что победить в этом матче может кто угодно.

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  2. «Зенит» – ЦСКА – развязка чемпионата? Онлайн трансляция «Реал Мадрид» – «Спортинг»! Футбол. Чемпионат России. Премьер-Лига. Зенит – ЦСКА. Этот матч должен…
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Baggies to deepen Villa troubles

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The Premier League season is at ’squeaky bum time’ and while there are a number of clubs who have nothing to play for there are still plenty who do. The relegation battle and the race for a top-four finish get tighter by the week but Saturday’s matches could go some way to deciding both situations.

Sunderland v Bolton 3pm

Bolton did their hopes of escaping the relegation zone the power of good on Tuesday night when they won one of their two games in hand at Aston Villa. Having fallen behind, Owen Coyle’s men showed great spirit to bounce back to win the game 2-1, lifting them to within a point of escaping the drop zone.

While the Trotters appear to be rallying, Sunderland are drifting towards mid-table mediocrity after a dreadful recent run of form, winning just one of the last nine in all competitions. The goals have dried up for Martin O’Neill’s men and their failure to score in the last four games will be music to the ears of Bolton’s leaky defence.

Traditionally Sunderland have got the better of Bolton, winning six of the last seven against the Trotters. However, if there was ever a time to end that run it must be Saturday for Bolton. Sunderland are 10/11 to record another win over Bolton in the match betting, with the draw 13/5 and the Trotters priced at 3/1.

West Brom v Aston Villa 3pm

If there were any doubts about Aston Villa being in a relegation battle then Tuesday’s defeat to Bolton put an end to those. Alex McLeish’s side have won one of the last 13 matches and find themselves just three points outside the relegation zone. There are calls for McLeish to go but at this stage of the season you have to ask whether there is much point.

Saturday’s derby match looks as though it could deal another blow to Villa’s survival hopes, with West Brom probably relishing the chance to deepen their neighbours gloom having made sure of another season in the top flight. West Brom have won the last two games 1-0 and a repeat of that scoreline at 6/1 might be worth an investment. Under 2.5 goals at 5/6 looks a safe bet as well given how few goals both teams score, with Villa having only scored more than one goal in a game once since February.

West Brom are 23/20 for the win – a solid price despite their home record – while Villa are 5/2 and the draw is 23/10.

Wigan v Newcastle 3pm

Two of the form sides in the Premier League clash at the DW Stadium on Saturday, with both still having plenty to play for. Wigan looked dead and buried in February but 12 points from the last 18 has catapulted them out of the relegation zone, albeit only by a point. The Latics produced a similar run at the end of last season to secure their safety but stumbled at Fulham last week.

Newcastle are likely to provide another bump in the road for Roberto Martinez’s men having won their last six on the bounce. Alan Pardew’s team is purring at the moment and with no new injury concerns it is likely to be the same starting XI that blew away Stoke last weekend.

Newcastle have the talent to get the better of Wigan and in Papiss Cisse they have a striker who is bang in form, the Senegal hitman scoring 11 times since he arrived in January. He is 4/1 to grab the first goal, with a Newcastle win on offer at a generous 6/4 in the match betting given their recent run. Wigan are 15/8, with the draw 12/5.

Elsewhere, punters might be tempted to back Stoke to beat Arsenal at 7/2, given how much the Gunners hate going to the Britannia Stadium. However, the Potters have nothing to play for and look to be planning their summer holidays, while Arsenal are desperate need of the points in the bid to secure third.

Norwich could prove decent value if you fancy them to beat Liverpool at 3/1. Neither side has much to play for in the league, with the Reds focusing on the FA Cup final. Kenny Dalglish’s men were unlucky to lose to West Brom last weekend but you wonder whether they’ll be up for the fight at Carrow Road on Saturday teatime.

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It’s Saints’ day in Premier race

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The Championship season reaches its climax on Saturday with two outstanding matters to be resolved and we look at how Southampton and Cardiff are set to be the ones smiling at full-time with regards to who claims the final automatic promotion place and the last play-off spot respectively.

Southampton v Coventry

All the action gets underway at 12.30 on Saturday lunch-time and all eyes will be on St Mary’s as Nigel Adkins‘ Saints look to finally book their place in the Premier League alongside champions Reading.

Southampton have had a couple of small screen horror shows in recent games with a televised 3-1 home defeat to Reading and a 2-1 reverse at Middlesbrough in front of the cameras last Saturday keeping their fans waiting to celebrate a second successive promotion and put an end to their seven-year top-flight exile.

However, a win against already-relegated Coventry City is required, while a draw could do unless third-placed West Ham, who are two points behind at kick-off, stick four past Hull City at Upton Park.

Only the pressure can get to the Saints’ players now because on paper this fixture is a ‘gimme’ in terms of the three points.

They currently top the ‘home’ table going into the match, are the Championship’s top scorers with 81 goals in 45 matches and have already beaten the Sky Blues twice at the Ricoh Arena in the league and FA Cup.

Adkins, who is set to replace hamstring injury victim Richard Chaplow with Guly Do Prado in his starting XI, will be confident of seeing his team record a ninth league double of the season and book a place in the Premier League.

Andy Thorn’s Coventry side are preparing for League One football next season – the first time the Sky Blues have been at the third tier of the English game since 1964.

They arrive on the south coast at the bottom of the ‘away’ table after recording just one away win all season and they are the lowest scorers in the division with 40 less than their opponents going into the encounter.

To make their mission even more difficult, defender Richard Keogh is suspended following his sending-off against Doncaster so 17-year-old Jordan Willis is poised for a first senior start.

The only statistic Coventry – and West Ham – fans can cling on to is that Southampton have not recorded a league double over the Sky Blues for 21 years.

However, regardless of Hammers’ boss Sam Allardyce’s attempt to point out the pressure is all on the Saints, we feel they should have more than enough to get past Coventry and once the first goal goes in the floodgates will open.

Incidentally we feel the Hammers (1/2 Home Win 90 Minutes) will keep their part of the bargain and defeat Nick Barmby’s Hull City but will have to go back to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Prediction: Southampton Home 90 Minutes @ 3/10
Value Bet: Southampton 3-0 Correct Score @ 14/1

Crystal Palace v Cardiff

The only other outstanding issue in the Championship is the race for the sixth and final play-off place with Cardiff in the driving seat.

The Bluebirds missed the chance to seal their place last weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds, while seventh-placed Middlesbrough valiantly fought back from a first-minute goal down to see off promotion-chasing Southampton at the Riverside.

The mission for Malky Mackay’s men is simple – a draw or win at Selhurst Park will be enough to seal a third successive play-off campaign as Tony Mowbray’s Boro are two points behind with a vastly inferior goal difference.

The current form is positive for the Bluebirds as they go to Selhurst Park unbeaten in nine matches and have only lost once against a team in the bottom nine all season.

Mackay is boosted by the news midfielder Don Cowie has recovered from a calf strain, while Rudy Gestede could also return, but winger Craig Conway is still out with ankle ligament damage.

Palace go into the game looking for a first win in nine to round off a season which will see them finish in their highest position in three seasons.

The Eagles did lose to Cardiff in the Carling Cup semi-finals earlier this year and will be looking for revenge, while boss Dougie Freedman will also remind his players that they did win the first leg 1-0 on home soil.

However, goalkeeper Julian Speroni has joined an already lengthy injury list after he dislocated a finger in the game against Reading last Saturday, while centre-back Paul McShane is absent with a hamstring injury.

Palace have not won on the final day in the past three years and have only defeated one of the top seven clubs this term.

Add to that the fact that the two sides, along with Middlesbrough, have drawn the most matches in the Championship this term and it all points to a stalemate which would be good enough to extend the Welsh outfit’s season.

Boro travel to face Watford at the same time and we feel that they should have enough to get the three points required (Boro 11/8 Away Win 90 Minutes), but will suffer the heartbreak of missing out on the play-offs courtesy of goal difference.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: Cardiff/ Draw HT/FT @ 16/1

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