Tag Archives: Hoops

Hoops to claim vital win

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The weekend’s Premier League action climaxes on Monday with a London derby between Queens Park Rangers and West Ham (Match Betting – QPR 11/10, draw 12/5, West Ham 11/4).

After previously being stalwarts of the top flight in years gone by, the two sides haven’t met since 2004 and you can be certain that both teams will be desperate to get one over on their local rivals.

After making eleven new signings in the summer QPR have struggled to gel, taking just two points from their opening five league games, and are now bottom of the table following Reading’s draw on Saturday.

Furthermore they’re currently in the midst of somewhat of an injury crisis, most notably in defence, where three of their first-choice back four are currently out of action.

However, they do have plenty of talent in both midfield and attack and the return of Alejandro Faurlin has undoubtedly made a massive difference to the side.

However, it’s former Hammer Bobby Zamora (11/8 to score at anytime) who is most likely to be their key man on Monday and he’ll be desperate to prove he can still mix it in the Premier League, after a largely disappointing time since moving to Loftus Road in January.

With West Ham struggling to defend crosses this season, Zamora will fancy himself to get on the scoresheet for what would be his fifth goal of the season.

In contrast to their rivals, Sam Allardyce’s men have made a solid start to their return to the top flight, taking eight points from their first five matches to leave them tenth.

However, after a fairly straightforward start to the campaign this is one of their last easy games before they meet some of the big boys and they will be targeting three points on Monday.

One of their problems this season has been scoring goals, an issue that has been magnified by the injury to Andy Carroll and, with Carlton Cole looking out of form so far this term, even more responsibility has fallen on captain Kevin Nolan (5/2 to score at anytime).

Despite not being a favourite amongst the fans, the veteran is always reliable when the Hammers need a goal – a quality that more than makes up for his lack of mobility. His ability to drift into the box can often prove priceless and he’ll be looking to catch the makeshift Hoops backline napping.

But, with so much quality going forward its surely only a matter of time before the QPR find their feet and they could just sneak this one (QPR 8/1 to win 2-1).

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Hoops to run rings round Saints

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Celtic may have already wrapped up the Scottish Premier League title this season but plenty of Bhoys players will be looking to earn a place in Neil Lennon’s plans for the future, when they host St Johnstone on Thursday (Celtic 1/3, draw 4/1, St Johnstone 8/1).

Nothing will give a Celtic squad more pleasure or more confidence than a win over their Old Firm rivals Rangers – and the fact it was a 3-0 victory on home soil in their last outing – will guarantee a buoyant mood in the Hoops camp.

It’s been a long time since Celtic enjoyed a decent run in the Champions League and Lennon’s main focus now will be on strengthening his squad to challenge for the group stages of the top European competition.

That means the current crop of players will have to prove themselves before the end of the current campaign and expect the Scottish champions to be on their metal when they host St Johnstone, despite the title already being in the bag.

Striker Gary Hooper (5/2 first goalscorer) is just one goal away from 20 in the SPL this term and he will be determined to reach the landmark in what has been a fine season for the Englishman, who has been linked with a move south of the border to the Premier League.

However, it looks like the forward, who is still just 24-years-old, wants to stay with the Bhoys to make his mark in the Champions League next season.

St Johnstone will be fully aware of the threat posed by the former Scunthorpe United man but based on their last outing, they might not have the ability to stop him.

Despite sitting in fifth place in the table, Saints have gone four games in the SPL without a win and were thumped 5-1 by a rampant Motherwell at Fir Park last weekend.

The Perthshire outfit have not won a game since they beat Inverness back at the end of March, in what has been a barren spell for manager Steve Lomas and his side.

Despite the poor run of form in the league, Saints are still just three points off a top-four finish, though, and will be looking to pull off a major scalp against the champions on Thursday night.

Francisco Sandaza has been a big loss for Lomas recently following off-field issues and the Spaniard, who is by far the club’s leading goalscorer this season with 17 in 32 appearances, is unlikely to feature against Celtic.

With their limited attacking options and their less-than-convincing defensive display against Motherwell last weekend, it’s hard to see St Johnstone getting anything out of this game in their bid to close down the gap on Dundee United in fourth.

Expect Celtic to bang in the goals, then, and it would be a brave person to go against Hooper (4/7 anytime goalscorer) adding to his goalscoring tally in front of the Celtic faithful.

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Hoops to run rings round Caley

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon this week claimed he hated failure and would be disappointed if his side didn’t end the season with any silverware. That has no doubt heaped the pressure on his Hoops side ahead of their must-win trip to Inverness on Wednesday night.

Victory for the Bhoys will see them go two points clear at the top of the SPL with three matches to go. However, if recent performances are anything to go by Celtic will be as cool as a cucumber in the Highlands and roll over a Caley side that have hardly been pulling up trees recently. We preview what could be the SPL title decider.

Who would have thought that after the debacle that was Tony Mowbray last season that the relatively inexperienced Lennon would be able to step up and take the reigns as easily as he has. The former Celtic player made wholesale changes to his team in the summer, much like Mowbray had done the year before. But while Mowbray fell flat on his face Lennon has got his team humming.

After a bit of a sticky start to his time in charge – especially in Europe – Lennon has thrived as Celtic manager and his team are on course to wrestle the title away from Rangers for the first time in three seasons. The Hoops brand of attacking and attractive football has been a breath of fresh air after watching the Gers grind out the title in recent seasons. The signings of Emilio Izaguirre, Baram Kayal and Daniel Majstrovic have proven to be inspired. But the piece de resistance has been Kris Commons’ January arrival.  The Scotland international has 10 goals in 17 appearances for the Hoops and shouldn’t be overlooked to enhance his reputation again on Wednesday night.

Celtic head to the Highlands in probably their best run of form this season, avoiding defeat in their last 23 league matches. Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing of Dundee United was the perfect response to Rangers 5-0 mauling of Motherwell. While Inverness have written some unforgettable headlines against Celtic in the past recent results have gone the way of the men from Glasgow. Celtic have won six of the last eight meetings and the Hoops have already won twice at the Caledonian Stadium this season in the league and Scottish Cup.

Celtic are 3/10 to pick up three points on Wednesday, while Inverness are priced at 10/1 to win, with the draw on at 4/1.  A quick look at Caley’s home form this season will explain why they are such a big price to win on their own patch. Terry Butcher’s men have won just four out of 16 matches at home, with their last win in the Highlands way back at the start of March. Butcher slammed his team’s performance after a 1-0 lost at Aberdeen on Saturday and Caley’s season looks as though it is going to peter out.

While Inverness are unlikely to be hammered on their own patch they don’t have a strike force which will trouble Celtic’s rock solid defence. The Hoops have conceded just eight goals away from Parkhead in the league and look a good bet to keep a clean sheet, which is on at evens with Totesport. You can also backed Celtic to win to nil at 5/6.

Whatever happens on Wednesday night it will be a season-defining result we get from Inverness.

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Hoops to maintain SPL charge

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Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening looking for maximum points to keep their Scottish Premier League title bid (8/15 Outright) on track ahead of Sunday’s make-or-break Old Firm derby with Rangers.

Neil Lennon’s side remain on course for a league and Scottish Cup (Celtic 1/4 Winner) double following Sunday’s 4-0 semi-final win against 10-man Aberdeen at Hampden Park which set up a final date against Motherwell next month.

And, while they will know how important it is to secure three points at Rugby Park on Wednesday after Rangers travel to Dundee United on Tuesday, the Hoops will no doubt be going all out for the win regardless.

A win for Walter Smith’s Gers at Tannadice will move them four points clear at the top of the SPL (11/8 Outright), but Celtic will have two games in hand, including the trip to face Killie, to try and overhaul their Glasgow rivals.

It is all set for a nervous climax to the campaign for the Bhoys and the loss of key midfielder Joe Ledley to a hamstring problem picked up against Aberdeen will not help matters.

But Lennon is boosted by Shaun Maloney’s (11/8 Anytime Goalscorer) timely return from a long-term injury and he is ready to fill the void for the final seven matches if required.

Celtic head into the Killie clash in good form of late having won five and lost one of their last six games – including four wins on the bounce with only one goal conceded.

The Hoops secured a narrow 2-1 win at Rugby Park earlier in the season, but will go into this latest encounter on the back of a three-match winning streak on their travels.

Kilmarnock sit in fifth position in the SPL and held Celtic to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting at Parkhead on December 21 so they will not be overawed going into this match.

Caretaker boss Kenny Shiels, who is aiming to ensure he is named permanent boss having replacing Finland-bound Mixu Paatelainen in March, will do his chances the power of good by following up two draws with the prized scalp of Celtic (13/2 Home Win 90 Minutes).

They are unbeaten in their last four home games with two wins and three draws (18/5 Draw 90 Minutes) from the last six played at Rugby Park so they will not be rolling over for Celtic.

Despite the hosts being hard to beat, Celtic will have built up a head of steam after that Scottish Cup win and they should edge a narrow game to secure the points.

Prediction: Celtic/Celtic Half-Time/Full-Time @ Evens

Value Bet: Celtic To Win 2-1 @ 7/1

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Hoops look for capital gains

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There are six games in the SPL on Saturday with both Old Firm clubs in action. Leaders Celtic head to Edinburgh to face Hibs, here’s our take on that and the other key fixtures at both ends of the table……

Hibernian v Celtic

Celtic were held to a surprising 1-1 draw at Hamilton last time out, but it is only a couple of weeks since they beat Rangers, so confidence in the squad should still be high. They are top of the table by five points, but have played three games more than their Glasgow rivals. Hibs have won only twice at home all season, scoring just nine goals and surely the Bhoys will have far too much ammunition.

Odds: Celtic 4/9 to win
Value bet: Celtic Evens to keep a clean sheet

Aberdeen v St Mirren

The Dons have rescued their season to a certain extent with seven points out of a possible nine, including two away wins and they should have too much for a St Mirren side, who are just one point below them in the table. The Buddies are struggling at the moment and have won just once in five top-flight games, with three defeats and a draw, and this has the makings of a tight affair at Pittodrie. Goals may be at a premium but the home side are tipped to sneak this one.

Odds: Aberdeen 4/5 to win
Value bet: Aberdeen 7/4 to win to nil

Dundee United v Hearts

United finally managed to take all three points last time out against Motherwell after four successive draws and they are comfortably in mid-table at present, but face the in-form team north of the Border. Hearts have won eight of their last nine SPL games, with one draw, but they lost last time out in the Scottish Cup. However, that was surely just a blip and the Jambos should take this one comfortably by at least two goals.

Odds: Hearts 6/4 to win
Value bet: Hearts to score in both halves 11/4

Kilmarnock v St Johnstone

Killie are on an excellent run at present and have won four out of their last five top-flight games with a draw against Celtic, preventing their chances of a perfect five. Rugby Park has not exactly been a fortress this term, however, with four wins and five defeats, and it is their away form that has seen them reach fourth place in the table. St Johnstone are also on a decent run with three wins, a draw and a defeat in their past five matches and this one has draw written all over it.

Odds: Draw 5/2
Value bet: Correct Score 1-1 11/2

Motherwell v Inverness CT

This one sees fifth take on sixth in the table and it should be a competitive affair at Fir Park. ‘Well have lost four of their last five league contests with just one draw for their troubles, but they have faced the top three and so not too much should be read into their results. Caley have also suffered of late and have taken just two points from a possible 15, but they too have faced the top sides. Inverness are better away from home and are tipped to take this one by the odd goal.

Odds: ICT 23/10 to win
Value bet: Inverness 8/1 to win 1-0

Rangers v Hamilton

The Ibrox club will be annoyed to have slipped five points behind Celtic and will want to make sure they do not fall further behind, despite having three games in hand. A home clash with the bottom side would seem the perfect way to bounce back following the Old Firm defeat and it would be a brave man to back against Walter Smith’s men, when they play Accies at home. The visitors have scored just six away goals all season and it would be a major surprise to see them add to that tally on Saturday.

Odds: Rangers 1/7 to win
Value bet: Two or more goals at half time 6/5.

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Hoops bid to clip Canaries’ wings

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The Championship continued its festive goal-fest this midweek with 39 goals in 11 fixtures as the action now enters 2011 with a full programme of 12 games to be played out on New Year’s Day.

All eyes will be on Carrow Road where fifth-placed Norwich face league leaders QPR.

Norwich v QPR (3pm)

The Canaries cemented their place in the play-off places with a 4-2 win against struggling Sheffield United on Tuesday and will fancy their chances of inflicting a third defeat of the campaign on the Hoops. However, Neil Warnock’s side bounced back from their recent two successive defeats with comprehensive wins over Christmas, including a victory at Coventry, and are looking to condemn Norwich to a fifth home defeat of the season, while possibly stretching their seven-point lead at the top of the Championship.

Match Bet: 1-1 Draw @ 11/2

Bristol City v Cardiff (3pm)

This Severn-side derby at Ashton Gate could have big implications at both ends of the Championship table. Bristol City are just four points off the relegation zone with no wins in their last three games, while they grabbed a fortunate 1-1 draw against lowly Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Cardiff’s automatic promotion hopes took a dent with a 4-1 mauling at Watford and they have struggled on the road of late. Keith Millen’s Robins have improved on home soil of late and they will look to avenge last season’s humiliating 6-0 thrashing in the corresponding fixture.

Match Bet: Bristol City To Win @ 19/10

Swansea v Reading (3pm)

The third-placed Swans moved level on 40 points with their South Wales rivals Cardiff after securing a seventh home win of the season against Barnsley on Tuesday. And they will look to jump into the automatic promotion places with a win against Brian McDermott’s sixth-placed Royals, who are unbeaten in eight league outings.

Match Bet: Draw HT/Swansea FT @ 7/2

Leeds v Middlesbrough (1pm)

The New Year action in the Championship starts at Elland Road with Simon Grayson’s in-form side looking for at least a point which will take them into the promotion places behind QPR. The Whites have not lost in 11 league games – six of those wins – since a 4-0 home drubbing against Cardiff on October 25 and they will be confident of making it 12 against struggling Boro after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Portsmouth. But Tony Mowbray’s side have shown signs of improvement lately and arrive in West Yorkshire on the back of a 3-1 win at bottom club Preston so will be no pushovers.

Match Bet: Leeds 2-1 @ 7/1

Coventry v Ipswich Town (3pm)

The Sky Blues are outside the play-off places on goal difference following the 2-0 home loss to league leaders QPR which made it three defeats on the bounce, so they will be looking to get back on track against struggling Ipswich. Roy Keane’s men have not played since ending a run of six straight defeats in style with a 3-0 win against Leicester at a snow-bound Portman Road on December 18 due to the bad weather so could be rusty at the Ricoh Arena.

Match Bet: Coventry To Win @ 21/20

Nottingham Forest v Barnsley (3pm)

Forest maintained their unbeaten home record throughout 2010 in style with a 5-2 thrashing of local rivals Derby at the City Ground on Wednesday and Billy Davies’ side should start the New Year with that record intact against a Barnsley side going into the game on the back of two successive defeats.

Match Bet: Forest To Win @ 8/13

Watford v Portsmouth (5.20pm)

Malky Mackay’s Hornets are buzzing at the moment as they have moved to within a point of the play-offs having followed up a 3-1 win at league leaders QPR earlier in December with a 4-1 mauling of second-placed Cardiff at a foggy Vicarage Road to make it five unbeaten. Pompey stormed back from 2-0 and 3-1 down at Leeds to earn a 3-3 draw on Tuesday which followed successive away wins at high-flying Swansea and Norwich so to bet against Steve Cotterill’s side would be a huge risk.

Match Bet: Draw @ 12/5

Burnley v Sheffield United (3pm)

These two sides go head-to-head at Turf Moor without permanent managers at the helm as Stuart Gray is in temporary control of the Clarets following Brian Laws’ departure on Wednesday, while John Carver could still be in command of the Blades after they lost Gary Speed to Wales unless Micky Adams’ imminent appointment goes through in time. Burnley have lost their last two at home, while the Blades have dropped to within two points of the relegation places after the 4-2 defeat at Norwich made it three away-day losses on the bounce.

Match Bet: Burnley To Win 1-0 @ 11/2

Millwall v Crystal Palace (1.30pm)

This south London derby gets underway early on Saturday after the Lions made it six games unbeaten after seeing off Leicester 2-0 on Tuesday, despite playing for over half an hour with 10 men when Alan Dunne was sent off. Second-bottom Palace were unlucky not to pick up three points at Bristol City, but with the worst away record in the Championship they will find it difficult in the Den.

Match Bet: Palace HT/Millwall FT @ 25/1

Preston v Derby (3pm)

Bottom club Preston get life without the sacked Darren Ferguson underway with a visit from a Derby side currently on a downward spiral. North End axed Ferguson after Tuesday’s 3-1 Deepdale defeat to fellow strugglers Middlesbrough left them five points adrift of safety, but they will look to make up some ground on the sides above them when Nigel Clough’s Rams arrive on the back of a 5-2 battering at rivals Nottingham Forest which made it five straight defeats.

Match Bet: Draw @ 23/10

Doncaster v Scunthorpe (3pm)

More derby action at the Keepmoat Stadium sees mid-table Doncaster up against a Scunthorpe side still in the relegation places, despite winning 2-0 at Burnley. Sean O’Driscoll’s men have not played since a 2-1 home win against Middlesbrough on December 17 due to the weather so they will be looking to reduce the four-point gap to the play-offs with a win. However, despite their struggles, the Iron have six wins on the road this season but strangely no draws from 11 games – could that trend be bucked on Saturday?

Match Bet: 2-2 Draw @ 12/1

Hull v Leicester (3pm)

This game sees Hull boss Nigel Pearson face his former employers following his move to the KC Stadium from the Foxes last summer. However, the season has not panned out how either side would have liked as they both sit in the bottom half of the table going into 2011. The Tigers’ form has improved of late as they are unbeaten in eight outings, while Sven Goran-Eriksson’s side have so far lost nine on the road and conceded 30 goals – more than any other side in the Championship.

Match Bet: Hull To Win 2-0 @ 9/1

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Chance for Hoops to close gap

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Scottish Premier League title-hopefuls Celtic have an excellent chance to close the gap on arch-rivals Rangers when they take on Motherwell at Parkhead on Wednesday (Celtic 1/3, draw 19/5, Motherwell 17/2 – match betting).

‘Gers have had their midweek game at St Johnstone postponed because of the snow, which means the Hoops have the opportunity to go top of the table before the small matter of the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Celtic won’t yet have the services of former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg, who looks likely to sign in the New Year.

However, the Bhoys will go into this game looking to avoid dropping yet more points as they have drawn three of their last four games – at home against Dundee United, Inverness CT and Kilmarnock – in the SPL

Managerless Motherwell have struggled since the departure of Craig Brown to Aberdeen earlier in the month.

‘Well have lost their last two games which have been at Fir Park against Hearts and Rangers which are by no means easy fixtures.

Celtic will be favourites to make it three defeats on the trot for Motherwell and it’s doubtful that they will scupper their chance to go top of the table.

Hearts have played some excellent football in recent months with boss Jim Jeffries picking up the manager of the month award for November.

The Edinburgh club are undefeated in their last seven games in the SPL and will fancy their chances on Wednesday when they take on St Mirren (3/1 – match betting).

Hearts ran out 3-0 winners when these sides met earlier in the season at the Tynecastle Stadium and they will be confident of beating St Mirren who currently sit six points above the relegation zone.

The biggest game of the midweek fixtures is at the bottom of the table as Hamilton take on Aberdeen.

This match is crucial for both sides as the Dons sit just three points ahead of Hamilton who are rock bottom of the SPL (Hamilton 6/4, draw 23/10, Aberdeen 9/5 – match betting).

Even at this relatively early stage of the season if Aberdeen can pull of an away win at New Douglas Park, the Accies will be in serious trouble at six points adrift from safety with wins hard to come by.

Despite not being able to win in their last five outings, Hamilton have been hit badly by the weather in recent weeks and do have two games in hand over Aberdeen.

It’s going to be a real tight game in Hamilton but the home side could pull off the win against Brown’s men because it could be relegation for the Accies if they don’t.

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