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Holloway defies the odds

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At almost the halfway point of the Premier League season it has been interesting to see how certain managers have risen above the rest, in terms of what they can get out of their players. Someone who typifies this more than anyone is Blackpool boss Ian Holloway.

The former QPR boss has made a fantastic start to life in the Premier League, when all the critics believed that Tangerines would be torn apart in every game this season.

That certainly has not been the case and Blackpool (2/5 to stay up) currently sit in tenth in the Premier League, after defying all odds last season with promotion from the Championship.

Holloway is renowned for his quirky interviews and the passion he clearly has for football is infectious and has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League.

However, it’s the team’s attacking style of play that has endeared them to so many football fans.

The attitude that we don’t care if we are playing Manchester United at Old Trafford or Liverpool at Anfield, we are going to have a go and try to get all three points from every game has been excellent.

Holloway has had such a limited budget to work with at Bloomfield Road, but he has been able to give the players he has got the belief to fear nobody.

So far this tactic has worked this season and it would not be surprising if we were all talking about Holloway and Blackpool in their second season in the Premier League next year.

Another manager who has been able to get the most out of his limited resources is Roberto Di Matteo.

Despite being relatively new to the managing side of the game, compared to the veterans like Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson, he has already developed a strong management style that appears to be working down at the Hawthorns.

West Brom (7/1 to be relegated) are 11th in the Premier League and have recorded some impressive wins -  including an outstanding 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for the Baggies when they were hammered 6-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening game of the season.

However, Di Matteo has managed to get results in the top flight whilst continuing the attractive football that, in the past, cost them a place in the Premier League.

The Italian has added a bit of steal to their style of play and with the signing of Peter Odemwingie, West Brom have given many teams a run for their money this season and they should avoid relegation next year.

A manager who has been able to convert a side from a team renowned for playing long ball football to a team who get the ball in the deck and create plenty of chances, is Owen Coyle at Bolton Wanderers.

Since arriving at the Reebok Stadium from local rivals Burnley, Coyle has changed the philosophy at the club.

This was not something that has happened overnight, but it is clear to see that the standard of football the Whites (11/2 to finish in the top six) are playing has improved greatly.

Coyle has managed to get the best out of the likes of Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden, who have helped the Trotters reach seventh place and keep alive their European hopes.

Bolton really have the potential to challenge for a top six finish this season, largely due a very good and highly-rated manager at the helm.

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Five young footballers to watch in 2011

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Connor Wickham – Ipswich

Only 17 years old, Wickham signed his first professional contract earlier this year and has quickly started fulfilling the potential in the Championship (11/10f QPR Outright)  many scouts and pundits had seen in him.

His height of 6ft 3in make him a powerful force in the air and is as strong as an ox, despite his young age, making him very hard to knock off the ball.

Manchester United have taken a special interest in Wickham, though they might get no dispensation from Old Trafford legend Roy Keane when making any enquiry about him.

Wickham became the youngest player to make a senior appearance for the club when he came on as a substitute against Doncaster Rovers in April at 16 years and 11 days, breaking Jason Dozzell’s record.

Wickham has made an impact at international level, scoring the winning goal for England in the UEFA European U17 Championship final.

He has already played 43 times for Ipswich, scoring four goals, and is valued at £10million by Keane, who has already rejected an £8m bid from Tottenham.

Jack Wilshere – Arsenal

Wilshere is a product of the Arsenal Academy who has quickly risen from playing youth football to being a valuable member of Arsene Wenger’s first team squad (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League title).

He was a star of Arsenal’s 2009 FA Youth Cup success, scoring in both the semi-final and final, but by the time those games came around he had already made his first team bow and impressed.

He was Arsenal’s youngest ever debutant at 16 years 256 days, beating Cesc Fabregas’ record, and six days later scored his first goal for the Gunners in the 6-0 Carling Cup win over Sheffield United.

Even before he had signed his first professional contract he had played in the Champions League, making his debut against Dynamo Kiev.

This season has been in many ways his breakthrough campaign, as he made his first start against Liverpool in August and has continued to see regular action. He was Arsenal’s Player of the Month for September and scored in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Adept at dribbling and with a powerful shot, 18-year-old Wilshere has made his England debut this season, coming on as a substitute against Hungary in August.

Danny Welbeck – Sunderland

Welbeck has ended the year well, endearing himself to the Sunderland fans with impressive performances including a goal to earn the 1-0 win over Bolton.

The 20-year-old is on loan at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United, his home-town team, who he joined as a junior in 2005.

He made his competitive bow for United in September 2008 in the 3-1 Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough, and his Premier League debut came two months later, as a substitute against Stoke City. He marked the occasion with a memorable 30-yard curling shot into the top corner as United won 5-0.

Welbeck can be used as a wideman or a striker, and has great pace allied to strength and ability with both feet.

He signed a new four-year contract with United last December, assuring him that he was very much part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans for the future despite the Red Devils’ boss then sending him out on loan to Preston.

Welbeck scored two in eight games for North End before returning early from his loan spell due to injury, and after he recovered Steve Bruce was quick to snap him up on a season-long loan.

He starred with a goal in the 3-0 away win at Chelsea, and bagged both Sunderland (9/2 Top Six Finish) goals in a 2-2 draw at home to Everton next time out.

He has made something of an international impact since making his debut for England Under-21 in February 2009, and bagged a brace in England’s 3-0 win over Lithuania in September.

Andy Carroll – Newcastle

Carroll is still only 21, but its well over four years since the Newcastle United faithful first took him to their hearts when he became the Magpies’ youngest player to appear in Europe, during a UEFA Cup tie against Palermo in November 2006.

Even at that age he had formidable presence, able to hold off defenders using his strength and pace, and experience has only added to his abilities.

He made his Premier League bow in February 2007, and after a six-month loan spell with Preston, he returned to St James’ Park determined to claim a regular starting spot.

Indeed, the club’s decision to offer him a new four-year contract was testament to the fact that they rated him highly, and after Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship he took his chance with both hands.

He set up a superb partnership with Peter Lovenkrands which accounted for more than half the club’s goals in 2010, and finished as the club’s top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions.

Carroll scored his first career hat-trick against Aston Villa in the Premier League in August, and captained Newcastle for the first time the next month against Manchester City (Carroll 9/1 to be Premier League top scorer).

His performances for Newcastle earned him a call-up for the England friendly against France in November, and England boss Fabio Capello has talked of wanting Carroll up front as Wayne Rooney’s partner in the future.

Marc Albrighton – Aston Villa

Not given a chance during Martin O’Neill’s time in charge at Villa Park, Albrighton has grabbed his opportunity with both hands since Gerrard Houllier took over.

He has excellent pace and dribbling ability, together with the vision to be able to pick out players who have given themselves a yard of space in the box.

An outstanding prospect for England, he is never afraid to take the responsibility of shooting if a chance presents itself.

Albrighton made his competitive debut in the UEFA Cup tie at CSKA Moscow in February 2009, but it has been this season when his star has risen – he made his first Premier League start against West Ham on August 14, setting up two goals.

He scored his first Villa (11/2 Top Six Finish) goal against Spurs in October, and was rewarded with a new contract offer for the next four years.

Albrighton has bounced back well after being out of the side following an appendix operation, and has now scored three goals in 16 games.

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All eyes on Tevez

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Manchester City can go top of the Premier League table for Christmas if they can see off Everton at Eastlands (City 8/11, Everton 4/1, Draw 5/2 – Match Betting), but many observers will be watching to see if Carlos Tevez plays and how well he does should he feature.

Tevez (7/2 Premiership Top Scorer) has scored 10 of City’s 24 league goals this season and the side have never lost a Premier League match in which he has scored.

However, he is now at odds with his employers after handing in a transfer request last weekend, citing an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with “certain executives” as the reason.

City have insisted that Tevez will not be sold in January’s transfer window, while boss Roberto Mancini insists that he will do all he can to ensure Tevez stays put to see out his contract which expires in 2014.

Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian claims the Argentine will continue to give 100 per cent when ever he pulls on a City shirt, but reports that he could lose the captaincy to Kolo Toure for the Toffees game will place a question mark over how committed he will be.

City have not lost in their last seven league outings, but they do struggle for goals on home turf with only eight so far this term – the joint lowest in the Premier League – so Tevez’s involvement could prove crucial in this clash (EVS – Anytime Goalscorer).

Mancini has a strong squad to choose from with only Nigel De Jong definitely missing due to suspension.

Meanwhile, Everton arrive at Eastlands without a win in their last eight games and are minus the suspended Mikel Arteta, while Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert and John Heitinga are injury doubts.

The omens are in favour of the Toffees, who have won on their last three visits to face the Citizens and they have not conceded a goal in any of those encounters.

Anything less than a victory will be the longest boss David Moyes has gone without a win since taking over at Goodison Park, and will equal the record of nine matches without a win recorded back in 1999.

City are expected to win this comfortably, but the potential unsettling effect of the Tevez saga could give Everton a chance to sneak a share of the spoils on a happy hunting ground for the Merseysiders.

Value Bet: Correct Score 0-0 Draw @ 9/1

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Sunday EPL preview

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Somen Tchoyi could be the value at 10/3 in the Anytime Scorer when West Brom take on bitter Black Country rivals Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday.

The former Salzburg favourite has got Baggies fans out of their seats with a string of eye-catching performances and is the club’s top scorer this season with four goals – all of them coming in his last eight appearances.

The Cameroon star looks a bag of tricks and might have improved his recent return had he not hit the crossbar against Aston Villa last weekend, when Albion fell to a 2-1 defeat to prevent Roberto di Matteo’s men from chalking up a third Premier League win on the bounce.

West Brom can be backed at 5/6 in the match betting against Wolves and the omens look good for odds on players.

Wolves have failed to score in six of their last eight games against West Brom – and in each of the last three – and they have not won any of their last eight trips to the Hawthorns losing five and drawing three.

Another way in could be to take the 7/4 on West Brom to Win To Nil, or, taking the win factor out of the equation for slightly less value, go for the 5/4 to Keep A Clean Sheet given that Mick McCarthy’s team have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 away trips in the Premier League.

The only concern about this recommendation is the fact that West Brom have only kept two clean sheets in their last 16 Premier League home games.

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Bologna need to solve defensive woes

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Harold Wilson once said a week was a long time in politics. But it is a short time in football, particularly when you’re Bologna coach Alberto Malesani (Bologna 10/3 to beat Parma) .

Before last week’s game against AC Milan, the Rossoblu had looked like being able to pull away from the foot of the Serie A table, with three wins in four games.

But even Malesani was forced to admit the 3-0 defeat to Milan was a “defensive disaster”, and the question is whether he will have been able to do anything about that by the time they visit Parma on Sunday.

The Rossoblu are 14th in the table, just four points outside the relegation zone, and Malesani said about the Milan game: “I had demanded that my players put more pressure on the ball but they didn’t do it.

“We have to be more focused and remain humble if we are to avoid the drop this season.”

Problem for Malesani is that his team are poor travellers. While at home they only average 0.75 goals conceded per game, on the road it is 2.12.

One of the things that could come to Bologna’s rescue is that their defeats have come against quality teams.

The Rossoblu have not lost to a team below 11th in the table (in fact their 1-1 draw against Catania is the only time they have not won such a game), so they aim to keep that run going against a Parma side who are currently 16th.

Parma have an extra bounce in their step after beating Fiorentina 2-1 in midweek to make it through to the quarter finals of the Coppa Italia (Parma 3/ 4 to beat Bologna).

Parma coach Pasquale Marino hopes the victory will help erase the memory of last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Palermo – the club’s second in three games.

“The victory against Fiorentina was important for the morale of my players,” said Marino.

“The Coppa Italia is one of our aims. We now have a very important game against Bologna.We have to ride the wave of enthusiasm and take three points on Sunday.”

The visitors will be without midfielder Gaby Mundigayi, who is suspended.

Only one of Parma’s defeats so far this season has come at home – the 1-0 defeat to AC Milan on October 2.

Atletico Madrid can forget all about the Europa League and concentrate on qualifying for the Champions League when they take on lowly Malaga (Atletico 23/20 to beat Malaga).

Atletico’s hopes of defending their Europa League crown ended on Thursday when a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen saw them exit at the group stage.

It was their previous match, at home to Aris Thessaloniki, that was key to their downfall as they conceded twice in the second half to lose 3-2.

Now they  travel to third-bottom Malaga, where a victory could help them close the five-point gap to Espanyol in the fourth Champions League spot.

Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores said: “Now the only thing that we have to do is accept the consequences and forget about it as soon as possible. We hope that the return to Europe will be through the front door and into Champions League.”

Atletico bounced back from successive league defeats to beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 last weekend, lifting them up to sixth.

Malaga, under new coach Manuel Pellegrini, have won their last two home Primera Liga games including a 4-1 win over Racing Santander (Malaga 23/10 to beat Atletico).

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Champions League preview

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The line-up for the last 16 of the Champions League has now been revealed with some interesting match-ups. We’ll have a look at each one in turn and try to determine who might make it into the quarter-finals.

Arsenal v Barcelona

Arsene Wenger said he knew that the Gunners would land the most difficult tie of all and he was proved right as the names were drawn out of the hat. The Catalans were too good for the Londoners 12 months ago and, if anything, are a better side now. Pep Guardiola says he is scared of facing Wenger’s men but deep down inside Barca will fear nobody on their march to the final.

Prediction: Arsenal 11/4 to qualify

AC Milan v Tottenham

Spurs have a confidence about them in Europe that suggests that they could progress from this tie, despite Milan’s current standing in Italian football. The San Siro outfit are six points clear in the league table but just how strong is Italian football? Harry Redknapp has instilled a belief in his players that they can win any match and the 3-1 victory over Inter Milan proved that they can.

Prediction: Spurs 10/11 to qualify

FC Copenhagen v Chelsea

The Blues are clearly not the same side that they were at the start of the season and the Danes might see this as one they can win. But there is plenty of time for the west Londoners to regroup for the Champions League knock-out stage and they might be a different side again come March.

Prediction: Chelsea 1/12 to qualify

Marseille v Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that he feels this will be a difficult tie as the French side are notoriously hard to beat on their own patch. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the top-flight this term and, while that might not be the case when these two sides square off, they will surely have too much for a Marseille side who are currently fifth in the Ligue 1 standings.

Prediction: United 1/5 to qualify

Inter Milan v Bayern Munich

Jose Mourinho is now long gone from the San Siro and it shows as Inter are languishing in seventh place in the Serie A standings. Bayern are also enduring a torrid time domestically as Borussia Dortmund continue to run away with the Bundesliga. This is difficult one to call but the Germans are just favoured to sneak through over the two legs.

Prediction: Bayern 10/11 to qualify

Real Madrid v Lyon

The El Clasico hammering aside, Mourinho has enjoyed an excellent start to his time in charge of Real and that should continue with progression to the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition. Lyon are right up there in the French league but it will be a step up facing the Spanish giants who will have thoughts of winning the competition for no other reason than to prevent Barca from doing so.

Prediction: Real 1/5 to qualify

Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk

Neither of these sides will really entertain thoughts of winning the Champions League but the Italians are tipped to progress to the next round despite the Ukrainians’ easy passage into the last 16. They topped Arsenal’s group with 15 points but will find the knock-out round a different kettle of fish against the experienced Serie A side.

Prediction: Roma 8/13 to qualify

Valencia v Schalke 04

Schalke topped their group in qualifying but it was far from the ‘group of death’ while Valencia scored goals for fun in finishing runners-up to United. The Germans are not enjoying a good time of it domestically and are precariously close to the drop zone in the Bundesliga and the Spaniards’ pedigree should see them through this one.

Prediction: Valencia 8/15 to qualify

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SPL/Live Euro games preview

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Bet on the SPLThe weather has decimated the Scottish football programme but three fixtures have beaten the big freeze, while we will also have a look at the Spanish matches that are live on TV on Saturday.

Hamilton v Celtic

Hamilton’s last win was back on October 30 when they secured a 1-0 away win over Motherwell but November has been a tough month. Four defeats were followed by a goalless draw with St Mirren last time out and that is hardly the sort of form you want with Celtic due to visit. The Bhoys have stuttered themselves since putting nine past Aberdeen and have won only one of their last four SPL games, but they will surely be far too good for Accies, who have yet to win at home this season.

Verdict: Away win (3/10)

Value bet: Celtic to score in both halves (21/20).

Hearts v Inverness CT

Hearts are the in-form team north of the border with six successive top-flight victories, which has seen them reach the giddy heights of third in the SPL standings, with 32 points from 16 games. Inverness are, themselves, unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws and this has the makings of a cracker at Tynecastle. Hearts duo Ian Black and Eggert Jonsson are expected return from illness while Inverness midfielder Nick Ross has also recovered from illness.

Verdict: Draw (13/5)

Value bet: 1-1 draw (11/2).

Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Killie have lost just once in six top-flight games and are in decent form and will look to follow up last weekend?s victory over Aberdeen with three points against Hibs. The Edinburgh club have stuttered since their amazing victory over Rangers, with one win, one defeat and a draw last time out. Both clubs are comfortably in mid-table but a home win is predicted here in a tight contest at Rugby Park.

Verdict: Killie win (11/10)

Value Bet: Killie to win 1-0 (11/2).

Espanyol v Barcelona

Barca seem untouchable at present and Arsenal will probably find that out in the next stage of the Champions League but Espanyol must try to find a way to stop them this weekend. Espanyol are fourth in the La Liga standings but Barca have shipped just eight goals all season and seem certain to add another three points to their tally here.

Verdict: Away win (2/7)

Value bet: Barcelona to keep a clean sheet (5/6)

Real Sociedad v Valencia

Theses two clubs will be battling it out for a Europe League place or, in Valencia’s case, maybe a spot in the Champions League. Sociedad are looking to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Barca last time out while Valencia were involved in a 3-3 draw with Osasuna in their last top-flight outing. Stalemate could be the order of the day here with neither side willing to give an inch in pursuit of a European spot.

Verdict: draw (9/4)

Value bet 1-1 (1/2).

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EPL Saturday Previews

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The Premier League is now entering the hectic festive period, which can be crucial to teams battling at both ends of the table and, as ever, there are plenty of key games on Saturday.

Sunderland v Bolton

Sunderland (Evens) have been strong this season, they have lost only two of their 15 league games and are yet to lose at the Stadium of Light so far this campaign. Steve Bruce will be without Anton Ferdinand, so Nedum Onuoha should move to centre back and Ahmed Elmohamady come in on the right.

Bolton, in form and attractively priced at 13/5, are without Mark Davies, who should be replaced by Fabrice Muamba after his goalscoring substitute’s appearance last weekend.

Arsenal v Stoke

All eyes are going to be on Ryan Shawcross in this game, as it is the first meeting between the teams since he broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg. There is no love lost between Arsenal and Stoke, but the Gunners need to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United on Monday night and will be expected to take all three points (To win 3-0 – 7/1).

Stoke (17/2) have not won at Arsenal for 29 years, but the home side have looked more vulnerable at the Emirates than in recent years and have lost to Newcastle, West Brom and Tottenham there so far this season, but another defeat looks unlikely this weekend. Cesc Fabregas is likely to return to the Arsenal starting line-up, while Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are both pushing for starts.

Birmingham v Newcastle

Birmingham sit too close to the relegation zone for their fans liking and are on a poor win of just four wins in their last 27 league games. Their home record reads better, though, losing only one of the last 23 at St Andrew’s and they face a Newcastle side that beat Liverpool last time out in Alan Pardew’s first game in charge so the Magpies may well get something from the game. Take the draw at 11/5 .

Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell and Martin Jiranek have recovered from flu, but they are without Alexander Hleb and James McFadden. For Newcastle, Steve Harper is fit against and the centre back pairing of Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini are both back from suspension.

Blackburn v West Ham

Caretaker Steve Kean takes charge of Blackburn following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, while the pressure is on Avram Grant as reports suggest he could be sacked if he loses this game. Both games between these two teams finished in draws last season but the Hammers will be looking to take advantage of the turmoil at Ewood Park. It may not be pretty but goals are on the cards and tote offering 23/10 on 4 or more looks tempting in this one.

Grant is expected to give a fitness test to Valon Behrami but he is without Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Manuel da Costa, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Anthony Edgar and Peter Kurucz. Blackburn are not suffering so much, with Keith Andrews expected to miss out and Vince Grella and Steven N’Zonzi both racing against time to be fit for the game.

Wigan v Aston Villa

Both of these teams need to improve over the Christmas period, with Wigan winning only one of their last ten and Villa getting only two wins out of 11. Gabriel Agbonlahor is back from a chest infection but there are reports that Ashley Young has damaged ankle ligaments and could face a spell on the sidelines.

Tom Cleverley could return for Wigan but Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa are both suspended for the game. Franco Di Santo and Victor Moses are both missing for the Premier League’s lowest scorers as they look to extend their five-match unbeaten run in front of their home fans.

Villa finally got a win last weekend – 2-1 against West Brom – and are 6/4 to come away with another three points on Saturday, a generous price despite Wigan’s good home record.

Liverpool v Fulham

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson faces his former club Fulham for the first time on Saturday evening, but he refuses to confirm whether or not Steven Gerrard will return. Fernando Torres should play after he was left out of the midweek Europa League game as Liverpool look to continue their good home form and totesport’s enhanced first goalscorer odds of 3/1 on the Spaniard netting first looks a good bet. The Reds have taken 17 of their 22 points at Anfield, and Fulham have never beaten them on Merseyside.

Nothing less than a win will do for Hodgson (1/2) as the storm clouds gather over his head once again and Mark Hughes’ side have struggled away from Craven Cottage, failing to win on the road in 26 games and have taken three points in only one of their last 13 league games, which is why they are 6/1 to cause a shock at Anfield.

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In-form Leeds can overturn leaders

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QPR suffered their first Championship defeat of the season last weekend when they were played off their own Loftus Road ground by Watford, but they face a tough ask to bounce back on Saturday as a trip to Leeds looms on the horizon (QPR 5/6 – Championship Outright).

Leeds v QPR

Rangers’ last win at Elland Road came back in the 1995/96 season when both clubs were still in the Premier League, with Danny Dichio steeling the headlines with a brace in a 3-1 win.
Three trips north since have seen the Hoops pick up just a point and the league leaders will do well to improve on that against a side that have not lost at home in almost two months.

Bet Advice: Draw HT / Leeds FT @ 9/2

Cardiff v Burnley

If QPR slip up, then Cardiff will be confident of pegging them back when they come up against Burnley, who threw a 2-0 half-time lead last week at home to Leeds.
The Clarets have not tasted victory away from Turf Moor this term and that record will not be improved on in the Principality.

Bet Advice: Cardiff to win @ Evens

Sheffield United v Swansea

The Swans will also be looking to stay on the coat tails of the leaders at Bramall Lane, as they face a Blades outfit which lost boss Gary Speed this week to the Welsh job.
United average a goal a game at home and that will not be good enough against the visitors.

Bet Advice: Swansea to win @ 6/4

Coventry v Norwich City

These two occupy the final play-off places and will fancy their chances of staying there on the final day of reckoning in May.
The Sky Blues are overdue a home draw and the Canaries will be good for at least a point at the Ricoh Arena.

Bet Advice: Draw @ 23/10

Ipswich v Leicester

The Foxes have been boosted ahead of the trip to Portman Road after being reassured boss Sven-Goran Eriksson does not want the Blackburn job.
The Walkers Stadium outfit will have more reason to celebrate when they have put Roy Keane?s free-falling outfit to the sword by the odd goal.

Bet Advice: Leicester to win 2-1 @ 8/1

Derby v Reading

The Royals will fancy their chances at Pride Park against a Rams side who have lost four out of their last six games, with wins coming against strugglers Ipswich and Scunthorpe.
So take Brian McDermott’s side to nick it and secure their third away win to move into the top half of the table.

Bet Advice: Reading to win @ 19/10

Watford v Preston

This meeting at Vicarage Road has score draw written all over it, with both sides finding some decent form of late.
North End are still rock bottom but are unbeaten in three – taking five points in the process, while the Hornets beat QPR last time out and have no lost in four matches.

Bet Advice: Draw 2-2 @ 12/1

Portsmouth v Scunthorpe

Pompey have been hard to beat at home and have got back to winning ways after a slight wobble, however next-to-bottom Scunny have already won five on the road so represent danger.
There should be goals in this one and both teams to score looks nailed on.

Bet Advice: Both Teams To Score @ 8/11

Hull v Bristol City

The Tigers are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten run which they are putting on the line against a Robins side also in form.
Home advantage should count in this one, although goals have been in short supply at both ends at the KC Stadium this season.

Bet Advice: Hull to win 1-0 @ 13/2

Doncaster v Middlesbrough

As a curtain-raiser for the weekend’s Championship action, the fixture planners could have chose a tastier game for Friday evening.
Both sides would have expected to be in the top half at the halfway point of the season, but it hasn’t worked out like that.

Bet Advice: Draw @ 12/5

Millwall v Barnsley

Just as Donny and Boro are under-achieving, the Lions and Tykes are enjoying decent seasons however the Yorkshiremen’s poor away record goes against them here.

Bet Advice: Millwall to win @ 20/23

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Palace like playing at Selhurst Park this season, which is just as well because they have been lousy on the road so far.
Forest are unbeaten on their own patch and although that won?t last it will do for the rest of the year.

Bet Advice: Forest HT/Forest FT @ 13/10

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Old frailties will cost Gunners

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Monday night saw Manchester United arguably strike a serious psychological blow to Arsenal’s title hope as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men reclaimed top spot. We examine how United’s 1-0 win, plus the other Premier League results, have affected the title race (outright and match prices on totesport.com).

The cry of ’same old Arsenal, always cheating’ rang around Old Trafford on several occasions on Monday night as the Gunners tried to get stuck in against their title rivals. Perhaps a more apt chant would have been ’same old Arsenal, always failing’ as Arsene Wenger’s side once again faltered when faced with some serious opposition.

The north London outfit started the match as huge underdogs to come away with three points and anyone who wondered why they were such a big price only had to look at their limp-wristed display to find the answer. Monday’s defeat has seen Arsenal go to 9/2 to win the Premier League and even that seems generous when you consider all their flaws.

Arsenal started the match as top dogs in the Premier League and with Wenger having told his team to use the match as an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the league. However, after 90 minutes the only statement the Gunners had made was to show they still aren’t good enough to win the league.

Monday was supposed to be the night when Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and Jack Wilshere announced themselves on the big stage. Instead the only positive Arsenal fans will take out of the game is that they may have finally found a goalkeeper good enough to wear the number one shirt in Wojciech Szczesny.

The 1-0 defeat means Arsenal have won just three out of their last 23 matches against either United or Chelsea in all competitions. Their record against the big two speaks for its self and surely now Wenger must realise that some of his youngsters aren’t good enough and he needs to spend to be considered serious title challengers again.

Whereas Arsenal fans had to endure 90 minutes of horror United supporters will be a very content bunch, especially with the re-emergence of a certain Wayne Rooney (25/1 top Premier League goalscorer).

The England striker looked as fit as ever and was showing signs of getting back to his menacing best. While his penalty miss could have been costly it turned out to be just a blot on fine night for the 24-year-old.

Overall it was a good night’s work for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who showed that even when they aren’t at their best they still have enough to overcome one of their supposed title rivals.

United are 7/5 to reclaim the Premier League and with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City stuttering along who would bet against them. Watching the three others title rivals they all have problems right now and if United can get a positive result at Stamford Bridge on Sunday you can see them going on to walk away with the crown, again.

United will travel to west London full of vim and vigour as they prepare to face a struggling Blues side. Had Didier Drogba scored that last minute penalty against Tottenham on Sunday you could make a strong case for a resurgent Chelsea side. Instead United’s price of 23/10 to bet the Blues in the football betting looks too good to turn down based on what we saw on Monday.

While Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea face a tough December schedule their big-spending rivals City should be licking their lips at the opportunity to keep pace, or even overtake, the trio. City’s next four matches will see them face Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Blackpool, all games they will feel confident of winning.

However, nothing is ever simple at City (11/2 Premier League outright) and with Carlos Tevez having thrown his toys out of the pram Roberto Mancini can be forgiven for being distracted by his band of spoilt brats.

So what have we learned about the title race this weekend? Based on the past three days it seems the title will only be heading in one direction come May and that is back to Old Trafford.

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