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Tale of two strikers on Sunday

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Chelsea striker Fernando Torres bids to end his 17-game goal drought against champions Manchester United on Sunday while Aston Villa travel to face a Newcastle United side that can recall in-form striker Demba Ba after he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Torres’ troubles date back three and a half months, with his last Premier League strike coming against Swansea in September, and the Spaniard was subsequently sent off in that match (Torres 11/2 First Goalscorer).

That red card came at a bad time for the 27-year-old striker who had scored in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford the previous weekend, although the overriding memory from that match will be his shocking open-goal miss after rounding stricken United keeper David de Gea (80/1 Torres and Chelsea win 3-1 in Scorecast).

He is another Spaniard under pressure after another meek display against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week, but Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to recall the ex-Atletico Madrid starlet because recent first-choice Anders Lindegaard is out.

Torres does possess a good record against United, having bagged four times in seven previous Premier League games against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men .

And United’s recent record at Stamford Bridge is poor, losing six and drawing only three of their last nine visits while only managing four goals in their last ten visits in all competitions (9/2 Chelsea -1 in Handicap).

Chelsea are without Ashley Cole after the left-back was sent off for two bookable offences in the Londoners’ 1-1 draw at Swansea in midweek.

Ryan Bertrand is expected to come in for the England defender and mark in-form United winger Antonio Valencia, who has either scored or assisted each of the Red Devils last three open play goals, while he also won their second penalty at Old Trafford in midweek.

Wayne Rooney could return after a two-game absence and he has scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Chelsea and also netted on his last two visits to Stamford bridge, one in the league and one in the Champions League (Rooney 11/8 Anytime Goalscorer).

The return of Demba Ba (6/1 2 or More goals) will no doubt boost Newcastle United ahead of the lunchtime clash with Aston Villa at the Sports Direct Arena, but they will again be without suspended midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

Cabaye’s absence, and that of Cheik Tiote, was certainly felt against Blackburn in midweek when the Magpies were badly outgunned in the centre of the park and needed a half-time reshuffle to deny Rovers a deserved point.

Newcastle have lost just two of their last 15 Premier League home matches, winning eight and drawing five but Villa’s away form has been good this season.

Villa have lost just two of their last 12 Premier League away games and none of the last five, a period in which they have won three and drawn two on their travels.

During that spell they have twice come from behind to win, against Chelsea and Wolves (16/1 Aston Villa Win from Behind), and twice kept a clean sheet (3/1 Villa to keep a Clean Sheet).

Boss Alex McLeish will be keen to end a dismal record against Newcastle as a Premier League manager – having won none and lost three of his five matches in charge of Birmingham and Villa.

His ace in the pack is striker Darren Bent who has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances and now has 100 Premier League goals.

Villa’s weakness from set pieces could be exploited by Newcastle, who are dangerous in the air at corners with Mike Williamson (14/1 to Score Anytime), Fabricio Coloccini (10/1) and Shola Ameobi (7/4).

Aston Villa have conceded more goals from corners than any other team in the top-flight this season (10) while they are the only team in the Premier League yet to score from a corner.

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Top six bid for big Prem prizes

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Following the closure of the transfer window on Tuesday, managers across the country will now have to make do with the squad that they have assembled for the rest of the season. Here we assess who might come out on top in the battle for the Premier League title and a top-four finish to secure Champions League football over the coming months.

Title race

Manchester City’s (4/6f – Title outright) 1-0 defeat at Everton on Tuesday, coupled with Manchester United’s (6/4) victory over Stoke, means that deadline day may also be looked back on as the night the title race swung in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side’s favour.

City have shown plenty of frailties in recent weeks, going out of both Cups and dropping crucial points in the league, but their undoubted talent means they are likely to continue to compete with their local rivals for the title right up until May.

The two Manchester clubs are level on points at the top now and many think it will be a straight fight between them for the title, but Spurs (14/1) remain lively outsiders at this stage.

Harry Redknapp’s side continue to impress and their easy win over Wigan again showed they are a side to be feared. The wily old boss has strengthened with what could be an astute buy in the shape of Louis Saha to inject a bit of freshness into a squad already brimming with talent with the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in fine form.

A return to the top four would have been the requirement in the summer and, while a serious title bid is still not out of the question with them sitting five points behind the other two, third place should be enough to satisfy the north Londoners come May.

Prediction: United 1st, City 2nd, Spurs 3rd.

Top-four finish

Assuming United, City and Spurs do claim the first three places in the Premier League, there is then just the one spot left to battle for in the race for Champions League football next term.

At this stage, it looks like a straight fight between Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal for fourth and there is a case to be made for all three to eventually land it.

Chelsea (1/2 – top four finish) occupy fourth at the minute and are therefore in the driving seat, despite plenty of question marks over their form and long-term prospects of coach Andre Villas-Boas.

There has been a lack of fluidity about the Blues this season – something which was a hallmark of previous title-winning sides – and they remain inconsistent.

That should give the Gunners and Reds hope but, they too have been unpredictable which means this could be a battle which has plenty more twists and turns to come as spring approaches.

Liverpool (11/4) have done well in the Cups so far and whether getting through to the Carling Cup final proves to be a distraction remains to be seen but if they do hit form and go on a winning run, fourth can be achieved.

They have already beaten Chelsea twice and Arsenal once this season so that will give Kenny Dalglish confidence.

Question marks remain over big summer purchases Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson but there are signs they are finally settling in and, with Luis Suarez primed to return next week, suddenly things are looking up at Anfield following a difficult few months.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s (9/4) poor start to the season was forgotten after a fine winning run before Christmas but they have again stalled of late. Defeats at Fulham, Swansea and at home to Man United highlighted their familiar failings while boss Arsene Wenger has been targeted by some fans for not strengthening in the transfer window.

They are capable of going on a decisive run again, though, and may just have the last laugh in the battle for fourth to surprise some and just about satisfy all at the Emirates that Wenger remains the man to take them forward.

Prediction: Arsenal 4th, Liverpool 5th, Chelsea 6th.

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Wednesday’s Premier picks

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Premier League game week 23 is wrapped up on Wednesday but a number of trappy fixtures could make for a difficult night for punters – here’s some potential clues about winning bets.

Aston Villa have not won at home in the Premier League since a 3-2 victory against Norwich City on November 5 last year, so look a tad short at 5/6 (draw 13/5 QPR 7/2 – match prices) to take maximum points off newcomers QPR on Wednesday.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea have all returned from Villa Park with a win in recent weeks, while Everton grabbed a 1-1 draw, and the manner in which they collapsed against the Gunners in the FA Cup has to be of concern to manager Alex McLeish.

Mark Hughes has shown signs of turning the Rangers dressing-room around and could be bolstered by the arrival of a number of new signings for the trip.

The Welshman must improve on a wretched run of away results which has yielded just three wins in the Premier League but, at 5/6 +1 in the match handicap, the west Londoners could sneak a point, while the under 2.5 goals market at 8/11 seems a fair recommendation.

Blackburn Rovers will be looking to continue their fight against relegation with the visit of Newcastle United on Wednesday.

The Ewood Park outfit have only lost once in the Premier League since Boxing Day but recent defeats to West Brom, Bolton and Stoke on home soil has undermined their efforts to consolidate their top-flight status. The hosts have also yet to be involved in a goalless draw in the top flight this season.

Demba Ba, Cheik Tiote and new signing Papiss Cisse remain on African Cup of Nations duty, meaning Newcastle have to be blunted as an attacking force.

The visitors have only managed to win one of their last six away matches, a 2-0 win over Bolton, while Rovers forward David Goodwillie has found the back of the net in his last two appearances and can be backed at 2/1 (Anytime Scorer).

Bolton look a big price (4/1, draw 11/4 Arsenal 8/11 – match prices) to carry on where they left off at home against Liverpool by beating Arsenal at the Reebok.

Owen Coyle has no new injury concerns for the visit of the north Londoners but must arrest a wretched run against the Gunners of just one win in the last 10 meetings between the two sides in the top flight.

Robin van Persie has scored 20 goals in his last 20 Premier League away appearances and it would be folly to ignore the Dutch goal-getter at 5/2 (First Goalscorer).

Arsenal have conceded the most goals away from home in the Premier League (25) and, with concerns again in defence, the over 2.5 goals market is priced accordingly at 8/13.

Fulham continue to put in their best performances at Craven Cottage but the visit of improved travellers West Brom could prove an arm wrestle.

Liverpool, Bolton Arsenal and Newcastle United have all left west London empty-handed in recent weeks and the improved form of Clint Dempsey – the American has scored five in five at home – means at 13/8 (Anytime Scorer) he has to be a consideration.

The Baggies have improved markedly away from the Hawthorns – losing only 1-0 to Tottenham in just one defeat in five in the top flight – but the Cottagers have conceded just once and scored 15 goals in their last five home matches against Wednesday’s opponents.

A difficult fixture to make a call so play safe and take the draw at 13/5.

Another difficult betting proposition sees Sunderland entertain newcomers Norwich City at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats continue to make progress under Martin O ‘Neill and have only lost twice since the Northern Irishman’s arrival on Wearside, but the Canaries are flying high since the turn of the year and have not lost in five in all competitions – scoring 10 goals in the process.

Norwich are unbeaten in four on the road in the Premier League and appeal at evens +1 in the match handicap.

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Foxes hunt Boro scalp

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Wednesday’s sole Championship encounter sees Leicester City look to keep their push for a play-off place on track against a Middlesbrough side whose own promotion ambitions have hit the buffers in January.

The game was delayed by 24 hours due to Boro’s involvement in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at north-east neighbours Sunderland on Sunday and that could hand an immediate advantage to the Foxes.

Nigel Pearson, who captained Boro to promotion to the Premier League in 1998, saw his Leicester charges comfortably defeat League Two Swindon 2-0 in the cup on Saturday, while Tony Mowbray’s side were involved in a blood and thunder derby draw at the Stadium of Light a day later.

The extra 24 hours’ rest and the fact the Foxes were not pushed too hard should stand the hosts in good stead, although Pearson has doubts over in-form striker Jermaine Beckford and full-back Lee Peltier from that game.

However, loan striker Nathan Delfouneso (13/8 Anytime Scorer) could come in for Beckford, while Liam Moore is available to replace Peltier if required.

Pearson also has midfielder Danny Drinkwater and goalkeeper Conrad Logan available, while new signing Wes Morgan will be in the squad.

Boro have problems in goal with teenage keeper Connor Ripley set for only his second start after coming off the bench to replace veteran Danny Coyne at Sunderland, while first-choice custodian Jason Steele is still sidelined with a thigh strain.

Influential midfielder Nicky Bailey remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while Julio Arca serves the second match of a three-game ban after being sent off at Coventry.

Kevin Thomson returns from his one-game suspension as Mowbray is likely to name a similar side which earned a creditable cup draw on Wearside.

Leicester have won their last three games, albeit two of those were in the FA Cup with a win at Southampton sandwiched in between, while they lost their last league game at the King Power Stadium when Barnsley triumphed 2-1.

The Foxes’ last league win on home soil was against Blackpool at the end of November so they are not exactly firing on all cylinders in front of their own fans.

Boro’s impressive first half to the season has unravelled in recent weeks as they go to Leicester on the back of three successive league defeats, in which time they have conceded eight goals and scored only once.

However Mowbray will no doubt hope his players can transfer their impressive performance from the Sunderland cup tie into the league to ensure they stop the rot in the East Midlands on Wednesday.

Recent fixtures between the two sides have been close affairs with five draws from the last seven, while Leicester won the other two when they did the double over Boro in the 2009/10 season.

It was a goalless draw at the Riverside earlier this season and there is a good chance of a similar outcome this week.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: 0-0 Draw Correct Score @ 15/2

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Swans to upset odds again

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The Premier League makes a rare venture into midweek territory on Tuesday, with five games in total taking place. Most of the big names are in action, with the pick of the matches Chelsea’s trip to Swansea on what could be an eventful night in the top flight.

Swansea City v Chelsea 7:45pm

To say Swansea have punched above their weight this season would be an understatement, with the Welsh outfit many people’s favourites to go down at the start of the campaign.

However, an attractive style of football and some rock solid home form means they welcome Chelsea sitting comfortably in mid-table.  The last time the Swans played at home they claimed the scalp of Arsenal after outmanoeuvring the Gunners at their own passing game. They might have lost twice since then but it was clear Brendan Rodgers had one eye on this meeting when he sent out a scratch side at Bolton in the FA Cup.

The big guns will all be back for Swansea for Tuesday and Chelsea would do well not to underestimate them. The Blues battled to a 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday as they continued a run of just doing enough to get by in games. Their last away match in the Premier League saw them frustrated by Norwich and it could be a similar result on Tuesday night.

The Swans aren’t prolific in front of goal and even though Fernando Torres has looked bright recently he is still goal shy. Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks to be a good shout should this one go to form.

Despite their stuttering performances Chelsea are 4/5 to win in Wales while Swansea are a tempting 7/2 to cause yet another upset, with the draw 11/4. Either would be a worthwhile punt, depending on how brave you are feeling.

Wolves v Liverpool 7:45pm

Wolves look to be on the slide at the moment. Knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Birmingham City and turned over by Aston Villa surely must have set off the alarm bells at Molineux.

A lack of transfer activity this month will also have sent supporters in search of the panic button as they slip towards the relegation zone. One win in the last 13 in all competitions is a worrying stat and memories of their bright start to the season are long gone.

The last thing they need is a visit from a team which will be buzzing after cup victories over Manchester City and Manchester United respectively. They say a week in football is a long time and Liverpool proved that was true by bouncing back from a shocking performance at Bolton to beat the two big boys from Manchester.

The Reds’ away form may not be brilliant recently but they will be flying and have way too much for Wolves, who are without a whole host of midfielders. Liverpool to win to nil at 7/5, or the Reds to win by any score at 8/11, should be the way to go.

Everton v Manchester City 8pm

City have had a week to think over their Carling Cup exit to Liverpool and will return to Merseyside with revenge in mind. Roberto Mancini’s men haven’t been particularly impressive lately but are still getting the job done in the Premier League.

The title is the priority this season and they will know they will have to win at Goodison Park to maintain their three-point lead, with Manchester United expected to roll over Stoke on Tuesday.

However, winning at Goodison has been a problem for City recently, with just two wins in 14 at Everton. The Toffees might be struggling for players but David Moyes will certainly make sure they are a tough nut to crack.

You can get 10/3 on it being a draw half-time/City winning at full-time and that looks a great price given how City have performed in the first half of games recently. Mancini’s men are 5/6 for the win outright, with Everton 7/2 and the draw 5/2.

Elsewhere on Tuesday there should be comfortable wins for Tottenham and Manchester United as they play host to Wigan and Stoke respectively. Spurs are 2/9 to beat the Latics at White Hart Lane, while United are 2/7 to take their cup frustrations out on the Potters.

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Tuesday’s Championship picks

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There are nine matches in the Championship on Tuesday as the race for automatic promotion and the play-off places hots up. We will have a look at three of the big contests and try to pick a winner or two (West Ham 10/11 Championship Outright).

Ipswich v West Ham

West Ham go into the clash with Ipswich sitting on top of the pile and looking good for an immediate return to the Premier League.

But boss Sam Allardyce knows that there could still be a few twists and turns before the end of the season with plenty of clubs within touching distance ready to strike if the Hammers start to falter.

They head into Tuesday’s encounter in East Anglia having secured three successive league victories and confidence will be high that they will make it four as they face an Ipswich side at the wrong end of the table and just four points outside of the relegation zone.

West Ham have won eight times on their travels so far this term, while The Tractor Boys have been less that convincing on the own patch with seven defeats already and so it all points to a tough outing for Paul Jewell’s men.

The hosts have not won a Championship match since beating Derby 1-0 on December 17 and their position in the table reflects a lack of success and confidence in recent times.

Lee Bowyer will miss the match due to a groin injury, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is another absentee as he serves a one-match suspension.

And Jewell could hand a debut to midfielder Ryan Stevenson after he signed from Hearts, while Matt Taylor is set to return to the West Ham squad.

Taylor has had two outings for the reserves to prove his fitness and may return but fellow midfielder Papa Bouba Diop looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Odds: Ipswich 11/4, West Ham Evens, draw 5/2

Southampton v Cardiff City

Southampton will go top of the table if they beat Cardiff and the Hammers suffer defeat to Ipswich and victory will see them open up a four-point gap over the Bluebirds in third place.

Therefore there is much on the line for Nigel Adkins’ side as they host the Carling Cup finalists at St Mary’s Stadium.

And they certainly need a lift after some poor results of late with only six points taken from their last five Championship games and a 2-0 defeat to Leicester in their last league outing.

But the south coast outfit will face a Welsh side in red-hot form, as they have taken 11 points from a possible 15, while also dumping Crystal Palace out of the Carling Cup to book a date at Wembley against Liverpool.

Southampton will have to do without defender Jos Hooiveld, who misses out with a hamstring strain but Jose Fonte and Richard Chaplow are fit to play after recovering from injury.

Iago Falque is back after being cup-tied while Adam Lallana will be given a late fitness test on his groin injury.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has has no new injury worries as captain Mark Hudson returns after a calf strain with full-back Kyle McNaughton also likely to start after returning from a spell on the sidelines.

Odds: Southampton 10/11, Cardiff 3/1, draw 5/2

Hull v Doncaster

Hull take on Doncaster at the KC Stadium desperately trying to hang on to the final play-off spot.

They currently sit in sixth place in the table, just two points better off than Birmingham, who play Leeds on Tuesday evening.

With their participation in the FA Cup now over, boss Nick Barmby can concentrate his efforts on keeping pace with the top clubs in the second tier of English football to try and plot a course back to the promised land.

They have won their last two league games but suffered three straight defeats prior to beating Reading and Peterborough.

Consistency is the key to a sustained promotion push and Hull have been unable to string together too many wins in recent times but they will never have a better chance of landing the spoils than against a Doncaster side second bottom in the table.

The South Yorkshireman have taken just four points from their past five games and need to get something going pretty quickly if they are to stave of the threat of relegation.

But they will face a Hull side that should be back to full strength after Barmby rested several players for the FA Cup defeat to Crawley.

It will be tough for Donny and it is difficult to see past a Tigers’ victory.

Odds: Hull 4/7, Doncaster 11/2, draw 11/4

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Atletico eye success in Pamplona

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After another exciting weekend of La Liga action, Monday sees a game that could be vital to who makes the European places as Atletico Madrid travel to Pamplona to take on Osasuna (Osasuna 9/4, draw 11/5, Atletico 6/5).

Both sides currently sit just outside the European places and will be looking to take three points from their rivals in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter at the Reyno de Navarra.

Once again Osasuna continue to confound the critics and, despite being one of the smallest clubs in the league, are more than holding their own. However, they haven’t won for six games and are currently on the slide after making a superb start to the season.

Their problems have coincided with a bad run of injuries and the Navarrans (11/1 to win 2-1) are like to be without Ion Echaide, Roversio and Ruben Rocha while full-back Damia will miss the game though suspension. However, Jose Luis Mendilibar has built his side on hard work and team spirit and won’t be fazed by so many absentees.

Their key man is likely to be midfielder Javad Nekounam who, after a difficult start to his time in Spain, is now seen as one of the best players in the league. The Iranian cuts an imposing figure in the heart of midfield but his real strength lies in his passing game and his distribution will be vital as his team look to break down the Madrid rearguard.

Once again, despite having one of the best squads in the country, Atletico have failed to deliver the goods on a consistent basis this season but their form has picked up significantly since the appointment of former captain Diego Simeone at the end of 2011.

The Argentine was known for his determined style of play and this is exactly what ‘Los Rojiblancos’ have been missing and, having guided them to two wins from his three league games, he appears to have already stamped his mark on the side.

Atletico (12/1 Europa League outright) have a number of key players suspended for the match with both Diego and Gabi missing out, so there will be even more expected of Columbian striker Radamel Falcao. The talented forward initially struggled to settle into Spanish football following his summer transfer from Porto but has now hit 14 league goals this season and is apparently being linked with a move one of Europe’s premier clubs.

With Osasuna likely to try and play a physical style, Falcao’s ability to hold the ball up and bring others into the game will be vital if his team are to get a result.

Falcao could be the difference in Pamplona and his and Atletico’s extra quality should see the team from the capital through. However, Mendilibar’s team won’t go down easily so expect a superb encounter at the Reyno de Navarra (Atletico 6/1 to win 1-0).

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Lights out on Boro cup dream

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The FA Cup continues on Sunday with two more intriguing ties to look forward to, starting with Middlesbrough making the short trip to Sunderland for a north-east derby. The days second match-up pits Arsenal against Aston Villa. Both the home teams are odds on to win but will it be that straight forward?

Sunderland v Middlesbrough 1:30pm

All three teams in the north-east look to be on the up at the minute and Sunday’s game is a chance for Tony Mowbray’s Boro to show they are capable of hanging with the big boys. The Teessiders are currently fourth in the Championship, just five points off the automatic promotion places.

Mowbray has done a great job rescuing the club after Gordon Strachan had done his best to turn Middlesbrough into a retirement home for Rangers and Celtic has-beens. Having made a great start to the season, the Riverside outfit have suffered a dip in form of late, winning just one of their last five in all competitions. That solitary victory came in the third round of the FA Cup when they narrowly avoided a replay against Shrewsbury.

Mowbray’s team has been crippled by injuries and suspensions of late, and his hands will be tied again for the trip to Sunderland with Nicky Bailey, Julio Arca, Kevin Thomson, Jason Steele and Bart Ogbeche all out.

While Middlesbrough’s form has dipped Sunderland’s resurrection under Martin O’Neill shows no signs of slowing down. The 2-0 win over Swansea makes it six wins in nine matches since O’Neill took the reins at the Stadium of Light. Having guided the Black Cats away from the relegation zone, O’Neill has set his sights on taking Sunderland on a cup run.  The Northern Irishman played a near full-strength team against Peterborough in the last round and with the expectation of Nicklas Bendtner will almost certainly do the same again.

Sunderland are 4/6 to win, with Boro at 5/1 and the draw at 11/4 in the match betting. With the home side a very short price you might want to look towards Stéphane Sessègnon at 11/8 to score anytime given the form he has been in recently.

Arsenal v Aston Villa 4pm

The Gunners are desperately looking for a pick-me-up after an alarming dip in form recently, the defeat to Manchester United last weekend making it three losses on the bounce for the north Londoners. All the good work Arsenal had done after a shocking start to the season appears to have been wasted and the Emirates Stadium faithful will be desperate to see their team win by any means necessary.

The news that Jack Wilshere could miss the rest of the season won’t have improved the mood amongst Arsenal fans but even so they will be confident of beating Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry and Bacary Sagna could all return for the Gunners and that would be a timely boost given their problems up front and in defence. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also get a run out after his man-of-the-match performance last week.

Last time Villa played at the Emirates Stadium they won 2-1 but that was under Gerard Houllier and with Stewart Downing and Ashley Young in the team. Villa’s style under new boss Alex McLeish has changed but it is starting to pay dividends with three wins in their last six matches. The addition of Robbie Keane to the squad looks to have been a shrewd one after his brace last week helped Villa beat Wolves.

The former Tottenham striker is 2/1 to score anytime against Arsenal and you wouldn’t bet against it if he gets a run out. Villa are tough to break down and gave Arsenal a real scare in the clash at Villa Park in December so this one looks destine for a replay. The draw is 11/4 in the match betting, with Arsenal 4/7 and Villa 5/1.

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Milan double on the cards

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The FA Cup takes centre stage in England this weekend meaning there is no Premier League action, but in La Liga and Serie A there are plenty of intriguing top-flight ties to look forward to.

Serie A

Catania boss Vincenzo Montella has called on his side to become more ruthless in front of goal after their slide down the Serie A table of late.

Parma visit the Sicilian side on Sunday in what could well be a tight contest. Parma started the season strongly, but have slipped down the league themselves after their bright opening to the campaign, but they are still a hard team to beat.

Montella may be eager for his side to get back to winning ways, but a draw could be on the cards in this particular fixture, which can be backed at 11/5.

Inter Milan endured an abysmal start to the campaign but the Nerazzurri are in a rich vein of form and have won their previous seven league games to close the gap on current pacesetters Juventus and AC Milan.

Inter travel to Lecce and can be backed at 8/13 to take all three points, and it is hard to see Lecce getting anything out of this fixture despite the fact they enjoy home advantage.

AC Milan are just a point behind Juventus, who host third placed Udinese this weekend and the San Siro side host Cagliari on Sunday.

The Rossoneri are the heavy 1/3 favourites to take all three points and they should have no problem in seeing off the Cagliari, who sit comfortably in mid-table despite a dip in form in the last few weeks.

An AC Milan-Inter Milan double pays out at just above evens and it is certainly worth considering backing the two Milan sides to secure victories this weekend.

La Liga

Malaga have been on a shocking run of late after a decent start to the season, with three losses and two draws in their last five La Liga fixtures.

Sevilla travel to La Rosaleda on Sunday in what promises to be an interesting affair and Sevilla are 9/4 to secure the win.

Sevilla have also endured a difficult run of form but they have picked up with two draws after three losses on the spin and could well take all three points at Malaga on Sunday.

Valencia lie third in the league but their form of late has been questionable and their midweek Copa del Rey exploits may have taken their toll ahead of the trip to Racing Santander.

Granted, Santander sit just above the relegation places and it will be a huge test for the strugglers but they have impressed in recent matches.

Valencia are the 11/10 favourites, while Racing can be backed at 12/5. The draw, which is priced at 9/4, could well be the best bet in this particular fixture.

Espanyol are a formidable side on home soil and the Barcelona-based club host Real Mallorca on Saturday. Espanyol are unbeaten in five, including a hard fought draw with city rivals Barcelona and look good value at 5/6 to take all three points.

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Spurs to avoid Hornets’ sting

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Watford are hoping to spring a surprise on Friday night when they take on Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round at Vicarage Road, but the north Londoners should have too much for them.

The Hornets will be hoping Spurs are still reeling from their last-gasp defeat by Manchester City in the Premier League last Sunday – a result which put a major dent in their Premier League title aspirations.

Tottenham will be looking to bounce back from that Etihad Stadium loss and may see the FA Cup as their only chance for silverware this season, given that they now trail table-toppers City by eight points.

But Watford, currently 18th in the Championship, are no mugs at home and their recent defeat by Reading was their first in nine games.

Tottenham are favourites at 2/5, though the Hornets will be looking to maintain their decent form at Vicarage Road by attempting to beat their illustrious opponents and are 11/2 to cause an upset.

With a midweek Premier League fixture, Spurs could rest a few players, meaning Jermain Defoe may get another start, and with five goals in his last nine games he may be a decent bet for First Goalscorer at 6/1.

The Championship outfit will fancy their chances of scoring against a Spurs side that has only kept two clean sheets in their last 11 away games, with Marvin Sordell priced at 10/1 to net first.

Tottenham seem likely to edge the match but Watford can hold them until half-time before the north Londoners’ Premier League class tells.

Friday’s other FA Cup tie is an all-Premier League affair, with Everton taking on Fulham at Goodison Park.

With the sides level on points in the Premier League, it may prove to be a close affair with the draw offering value at 9/4. Everton start favourites at 10/11, but Fulham – at 5/2 – go into the match after an impressive 5-2 demolition of Newcastle at Craven Cottage last weekend.

Clint Dempsey scored a hat-trick against the Magpies and the American is in form with that being his second three-goal haul in three games, the first of which was against Charlton in the previous round.

With 15 goals to his name already this season, Dempsey is 6/1 to add to that total by opening the scoring at Goodison.

Everton, on the other hand, are finding goals hard to come by this season, with left-back Leighton Baines their top scorer with four.

The Toffees will hope Tim Cahill will now step up to the goal-scoring plate after netting his first goal in 35 matches in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn last Saturday.

The Aussie is 7/1 to open the scoring in the fourth-round clash as Everton look to embark on a decent FA Cup run to make up for their indifferent Premier League form.

Even though the Goodison club will start favourites, 10/11 offers scant value about such a shot-shy unit and punters may decide an in-form Dempsey can earn Martin Jol’s men a replay back at Craven Cottage.

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