Tag Archives: Keep

Foxes tipped to keep top spot

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There is a full list of Championship action to consider on Saturday when looking at the weekend coupon. Here we pick out some of the biggest games and assess which way they are likely to go in what is, as ever, one of the tightest leagues around.

After 12 games, just 10 points separate top from 17th, so there really is all to play for as we edge towards the busy winter period.

Leicester v Crystal Palace

The Foxes, as leaders, appear to be finally realising their potential and are living up to their pre-season tag of outright favourites for the title.

Nigel Pearson’s side, 4/7 to win, have claimed victories in six of their last seven Championship games and will take on the Eagles, shorn of their manager after Dougie Freedman’s departure to Bolton this week.

Expect a home win then as Palace, at long odds of 5/1 to win, will be reeling from Freedman’s somewhat unexpected exit (Draw 11/4).

Prediction: Leicester 2 Palace 0 at 6/1

Leeds United v Birmingham

This is a game at Elland Road which sees two well-supported clubs go head-to-head although it is a difficult one to predict.

Leeds (21/20) have been inconsistent but are just six points off the top and are always tough to beat at home.

Blues, 13/5 to win, on the other hand, have been poor overall under new boss Lee Clark and sit just two places and four points clear of the relegation zone.

However, they came back brilliantly from 3-0 down at Millwall in midweek to draw 3-3 to show their character and will look to build on that with a draw in West Yorkshire (23/10), however difficult that will be.

Prediction: Leeds 1 Birmingham 1 at 11/2

Blackburn v Watford

Rovers say they will have a new manager in charge by next week amid reports Harry Redknapp is ambitiously being lined up by the Ewood Park club’s owners.

Fulham first-team coach Billy McKinlay and Tottenham counterpart Tim Sherwood are also in the frame but it will be Eric Black who leads them again at home to Watford, who are on offer at 3/1 with the draw at 12/5.

Rovers got a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the week and should follow that up with another home win in this.

Watford remain frustratingly inconsistent under Gianfranco Zola but will ask questions of Rovers although three points for Black before he again goes back into the shadows is the bet, albeit at a short 10/11.

Prediction: Blackburn 2 Watford 1 at 7/1

Middlesbrough v Bolton

Boro are improving and have the look of a side destined for at least the play-offs this season as they host what could be a rejuvenated Bolton side (13/8) at the Riverside.

Tony Mowbray’s men are now unbeaten in four, having won their last three, and will be confident of seeing off Wanderers (13/8), despite the appointment of Freedman this week.

However, don’t rule out the impact of the ‘new manager bounce’ – even if Freedman is not officially in charge of team affairs this weekend – and back the draw at a tempting 9/4.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Bolton 2 at 14/1

Cardiff v Burnley

Cardiff are again flying high in the Championship in second place as they hope to finally join the top flight after a series of near-misses in the past few years.

They entertain manager-less Burnley and this looks like a home banker, reflected in the unappealing odds of 8/11 for a Bluebirds triumph, while the Clarets are a long 4/1 to win with the draw at 5/2.

Burnley have had two good wins since Eddie Howe left, against Blackpool and in midweek against Bristol City, but this is a much bigger test as they take on the joint leaders.

Cardiff, who have won all six of their home games so far, need to keep the pressure up on the Foxes at the top and nothing other than another three points for Malky Mackay’s men looks the outcome here.

Prediction: Cardiff 3 Burnley 1 at 12/1

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Dons to keep up with pacesetters

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There are two League One fixtures on Sunday as Preston play MK Dons and Shrewsbury take on Walsall. The Dons are riding high towards the top end of the table and will want to make sure they end the weekend in the play-off zone (MK Dons 9/2 League One Outright).

Preston v MK Dons

Milton Keynes’ fans must be wondering what they have got to do to earn promotion to the Championship having lost out in the play-offs in three of the last four seasons.

The simple answer is to finish in the top two and that is the challenge for Karl Robinson and his men this term.

And they have made a decent start to proceedings with five wins and two draws from their first nine games to sit in fifth place in the table.

They are currently eight points behind table-topping Tranmere but it is open to question whether the Birkenhead club will sustain its challenge throughout the ten months of action.

Home form has been excellent for the Buckinghamshire outfit but they have struggled on their travels with just five points away from Stadium MK to date and they will want to put that right at Deepdale.

But Preston are no mugs at home with 10 points from their five home games this season and this one has the makings of a tight encounter in Lancashire, with the clubs locked together in the market.

The Dons have drawn their last two league fixtures while Preston beat Doncaster away from home before losing to Oldham on their travels and they will happy to be back on home soil on Sunday.

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff should return to the Preston defence after missing the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Morecambe through suspension, while Akpo Sodje has been tipped to return to the starting line-up after his brace in the Morecambe victory.

MK Dons will have to do without defensive duo Gary MacKenzie, who has undergone hip surgery, and Anthony Kay., who is suspended, while Mathias Doumbe could be in line to make his first start of the season in defence.

Preston are the league’s joint-top scorers at home and so it seems as though Milton Keynes may have to add to their tally of six away goals if they want to come away from the north west with anything this weekend.

Odds: Preston & MK Dons 13/8, draw 23/10

Shrewsbury v Walsall

While Walsall are comfortably tucked away in mid-table the Shrews are in dire need of points as they are hovering dangerously close to the drop zone.

It is true that there are still plenty of games to go but by now the pattern of the season is usually set and it could be a continuing struggle for Graham Turner to keep his side out of the bottom four.

Seven points from a possible 15 at home is not great but by no means a disaster, however it is the club’s form away from New Meadow that is giving cause for concern.

Turner has seen his charges pick up just three points on the road and, while they have managed to secure three draws, it is victories that will guide a team towards safety.

Therefore every home game is vital and they welcome the west Midlanders to Shropshire having not tasted victory since the 4-1 home triumph over Coventry back on September 18.

Two draws and two defeats have followed and it is inevitable that the fans will start to become worried if things do not change sooner rather than later.

And the last team they would want to visit are the away-day specialists from Walsall, who have already taken 10 points from five games on their travels this term.

Had their home form been stronger then Dean Smith’s side could easily have been in the top six by now but they are 11th – just two points short of a play-off place.

But they are not in the best of form heading into the weekend clash having suffered back-to-back home losses in their last two outings while beating Bournemouth on the south coast on September 29.

It could be argued that they will be pleased to get away from the Banks’s Stadium for this one and the Saddlers have a fully-fit squad to choose from, save for Will Grigg, who is on World Cup duty with Northern Ireland.

Shrewsbury will be without injured strikers Terry Gornell and Sam Winnall and it may be that Paul Parry continues up front alongside top scorer Marvin Morgan.

While defeat would not be a disaster for the home side, they will need to get things going quickly and will have to be on their guard against a Walsall side who have made a habit of winning close games away from home.

Odds: Shrewsbury 5/4, Walsall 11/5, draw 23/10

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Bluebirds aim to keep flying

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There is a full programme of Championship football on Saturday with all 24 clubs in action. Cardiff are sitting pretty at the top of the table and will hope to maintain that lead against lowly Ipswich. We will take a look at that match-up and the other big ties affecting the top clubs this weekend (Cardiff 9/2 Championship Outright).

Ipswich v Cardiff City

While August was a mixed month for the Bluebirds, the advent of September saw the Welshmen’s season ignite with four wins and just one defeat en route to the top of the standings.

And October also began well with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City to welcome the start of autumn as they opened up a one-point gap on Leicester City.

The task now for the capital club is to keep it going and a trip to Portman Road does not look too taxing for Malky Mackay’s charges.

The Tractor Boys last tasted league success back on August 21 at Watford and since swatting the Hornets, they have lost four and drawn three games and these are worrying times for the East Anglia outfit.

Home form is always the key to success and Ipswich have yet to win on their own patch with two draws and two losses, while they have only scored four goals.

It is true that Cardiff’s away form has not been their strength to date, with just one win on their travels, but they look a confident outfit and should have enough to claim the spoils from this one.

But history is not on their side as Cardiff have only won three times at Portman Road and were beaten 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Craig Bellamy looks set to miss out due to injury and Tommy Smith is doubtful, while midfielder Luke Hyam has been ruled out for Town but Michael Chopra is fit to play.

Pressure is mounting on Ipswich boss Paul Jewell and things might be even worse on Saturday night.

Odds: Ipswich 2/1, Cardiff 13/10, draw 12/5

Leicester City v Bristol City

Hot on the Bluebirds’ heels are the Foxes who, like the team above them in the table, won four of five Championship games in September.

That is certainly promotion form and they took some decent scalps last month, with wins at home to Blackpool and Hull while claiming all three points against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Victory at Huddersfield last time out made it back-to-back away wins but they are back on home territory this weekend and, with Cardiff playing at tea time, they could temporarily sit at the top of the table.

While they have not really blown any teams off the park, Nigel Pearson’s charges have been efficient and solid at the back and that augurs well for the season’s promotion push.

The East Midlanders have won all four of their home games and conceded just two goals in the process and, while that record will end at some stage, Bristol do not look like the club to ruin the home fans’ afternoon this weekend.

They have taken four points from a possible 12 on their travels but scored only four goals in the process and the Robins currently sit in 14th place in the table.

One win in their last six games is not the sort of form that is going to cause opposition managers too many sleepless nights and, with the middle of the division looking congested, they could easily be sucked into the danger zone if results do not improve.

Odds: Leicester 4/7, Bristol City 5/1, draw 11/4

Derby County v Brighton

Brighton are just one point behind Leicester in third but cannot afford to rest on their laurels with several big clubs nestled in behind and waiting to pounce.

Five consecutive victories had seen the Seagulls fly up the table but defeat at home to Birmingham and a draw with Ipswich last time out has thwarted their progress.

However a trip to Pride Park will not faze Gus Poyet’s high-flyers as they have already picked up nine points from four games away from home and appear happy to continue their brand of passing football away from the Amex.

Indeed it could be argued that they are happier on the road as the south coast club have already dropped seven points on their own patch this term.

They will face a Derby side in mid-table who have scored 11 goals in their four home games this season with two wins in the East Midlands already.

They did lose their last home encounter to Burnley but have taken 10 points from a possible 18 and will be no pushovers this weekend.

Poyet will still be without strikers Craig Mackail-Smith and Vicente with the duo set to return to action after the international break and they will be looking to improve on a record of just four goals in their last four matches.

Odds: Derby 13/8, Brighton 13/8, draw 9/4

Blackpool v Charlton

Blackpool are one of four teams on 16 points and they will hope to add another three to that tally when they welcome the struggling Addicks to Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

The seaside town certainly enjoyed the back end of the summer with a maximum nine points in August, with 10 goals scored and just one conceded, but they found points and goals much more hard to come by in September.

Ian Holloway’s men took just four points from five league contests and suffered defeats to Leicester, Huddersfield and Cardiff.

But they bounced back to form with a 3-2 victory at Hull on Tuesday night to get their promotion bid back on track.

The Tangerines are desperate for another taste of the promised land after failing to stay in the top flight in their only season in the Premier League to date.

And the fact that they came so close to a return last season will surely spur them on to try to go one better this term.

The days when Charlton were a permanent fixture in the Premier League seem a long time ago and it would seem as though they will be fighting a relegation battle this campaign and not considering a push for promotion.

Chris Powell has been unable to halt his side’s slip down the standings and they are currently 20th in the table with just nine points, which includes one win at home and one away.

The boss made it clear to the Charlton fans that they would need at least one season to settle into the Championship before thinking about taking another step up, but if things do not improve they might well be back in League One next year.

Four defeats from their past six games has left the Londoners hovering above the drop zone but they will have taken some confidence from a 2-1 win at Derby the last time they ventured away from the Valley.

But facing Blackpool in the north west will be a lot tougher and it is hard to see them coming away with anything this weekend.

Odds: Blackpool 4/6, Charlton 4/1, draw 11/4

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Fergie to keep faith in youngsters

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Wednesday will be a big day for a number of young hopefuls at Old Trafford, as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to field a raw side for their Carling Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace (United 2/9, draw 5/1, Palace 12/1 in the match betting).

United have managed to get to this stage of the competition with a blend of youth and experience, which has seen them get past the likes of old rivals Leeds United and avoid a potential banana skin against Aldershot Town.

Paul Pogba and Ezekiel Fryers played in both Carling Cup games this term, having impressed in the academy at Old Trafford.

The youngsters have been guided through the tricky games by veterans Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov (7/2 first goalscorer), who have also performed well in the competition as they hope to impress Ferguson enough to secure more regular Premier League action.

Another promising name coming through the ranks with the Red Devils is 18-year-old midfielder Ravel Morrison, who was named on the bench for United’s Champions League encounter with Benfica last week.

The playmaker looks to have a bright future ahead of him, after helping United to the FA Youth Cup last term and now the player has a chance to impress at the Theatre of Dreams.

Having avoided an upset against the Shots, it will be Palace’s turn to try and overturn a side who have looked a little uneasy in recent outings.

A draw against Benfica and then a point earned in controversial circumstances with Newcastle United at the weekend added up to a frustrating week for the Premier League champions.

However Palace have not been in the best form of their own, having failed to score in their last three outings.

The Championship side though have proven to be a tough side to break down under manager Dougie Freedman and have done better than expected in the second tier of English football this term.

But with just one win in their last five games, they will have to make some serious improvements, especially in the attacking end of the field, if they want to cause United any problems.

Palace have not won at Old Trafford since 1989 but against what is set to be a relatively inexperienced United side, they should have one of their best chances to cause an upset.

Darren Ambrose (14/1 first goalscorer) is set to return to the starting XI which will be a big boost for the London outfit, in what must look like a mammoth test.

Palace have nothing to lose and will be determined to take their chances if some of the United youngsters freeze on what will be a big night for them.

However, with one or two veterans in the side such as Giggs (5/2 to score anytime), they should be able to guide these promising players through to the Carling Cup semi-finals without too much trouble.

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Scotland to keep slim Euro hope alive

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craig leveinScotland face Liechtenstein in their penultimate qualifying game for Euro 2012 knowing they need a win to keep their slim chances of reaching the tournament still alive – if only for a few days.

Craig Levein’s side sit third in the Group I and two points behind the Czech Republic – who face Spain on Friday night – and know they need four points from their final two qualification matches to stand a chance of making the play-offs.

The Scottish boss knows they face Spain in their final game so is not thinking about that and instead concentrating on the task in hand, making sure they get the result they need against the international minnows of Liechtenstein.

It took a 97th-minute header from Stephen McManus to beat Saturday’s opponents at Hampden Park but Scotland (2/7 to win – Match Betting) should take some confidence from the fact they remain in contention to get a play-off spot thanks to a win over Lithuania last time out.

While Scotland are strong at Hampden Park, the same cannot be said of their performances on their travels as they have failed to win either of their two matches on the road so far, going down 1-0 to the Czechs and drawing 0-0 with Lithuania in Kaunas.

Given that it would take a big challenge for Scotland to beat Liechtenstein (9/1 to win , 9/2 draw – Match Betting) on Saturday and then go on to get the point they need away at Spain on October 11th, provided the Czechs have not already sewn up second place before the final game, albeit with an unlikely win over Spain and a Liechtenstein surprise.

The first thing to concentrate on for Scotland is beating Liechtenstein, and their hopes have received a big boost with the shock return of captain Darren Fletcher. The Manchester United man had been expected to miss the game through tonsillitis, but had been pencilled in to possibly face Spain.

However, the skipper is set to meet up with the squad at their training base in Switzerland and Levein admits he will play on Saturday “if the medical team gives him the thumbs up”.

More good news for Scotland is that striker Kenny Miller (3/1 First Goalscorer) is likely to play in Vaduz as he has recovered quicker than expected from a groin problem. The presence of those two players will be huge for Scotland as Fletcher controls the midfield and Miller is the one proven international goal scorer in the squad.

Craig Mackail-Smith, David Goodwillie and Steven Naismith are the other attacking options if he does not make it, but none of those trio are really proven on the international stage and Miller has shown over the years he can lead the line on his own and get goals – he scored one and set up the other against the Czechs at Hampden Park.

The trio of Alan Hutton, Graham Dorrans and Barry Robson have all returned to training and are likely to be named to face Liechtenstein as Levein seems set to name a strong line-up for this crucial clash.

For the hosts there are concerns over top goalscorer Mario Frick, while they are without midfielder Franz Burgmeier – who has experience of British football during a spell with English side Darlington – due to suspension.

Even the staunchest of Scotland fans are likely to be confident of getting a result on Saturday and they need goals to really boost the confidence ahead of a massive game with Spain. It is still a long shot for the Scots to make Euro 2012 but if they are to go out, they are sure to go out fighting.

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Scots to keep Euro hopes alive

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After a Saturday’s controversial draw with the Czech Republic, Scotland continue their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a crunch tie against Lithuania at Hampden Park on Tuesday, knowing only a victory will do if they’re to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland and Ukraine next summer (Scotland 4/7 to win on Tuesday).

Craig Levein’s side looked as if they were on course for a crucial victory against the Czechs but a questionable penalty awarded by referee Kevin Blom following Jan Resek’s tumble in the box gave Michal Kadlec a chance to level the scores, handing Michal Bilek’s side a point.

To add further insult to injury, the Scots themselves were denied a spot-kick in the closing minutes leaving them bitterly frustrated. The Tartan Army will be hoping Darren Fletcher and his men can channel this anger in a positive manner and get the three points required against an improving Lithuanian side.

Fletcher will undoubtedly be one of the Scot’s key players, driving the team forwards and doing all he can to ensure the victory. The Manchester United man was much derided during the early stages of his career but is now seen as one of the nation’s premier midfielders and with both Charlie Adam and Scott Brown missing through injury and suspension respectively, Fletcher will be looking for a big performance.

Scotland will also be without star striker Kenny Miller who is banned following his yellow card at the weekend meaning Blackburn’s David Goodwillie (4/1 first goalscorer) is likely to be the man charged with leading the line for Levein’s side. The former Dundee United forward has only played once for his country but has the talent to fire them to victory on Tuesday night.

After a decent start to their qualifying campaign, which included an away victory against the Czechs, Lithuania’s (11/2 for the win) form has hit the skids in recent times and their last two fixtures have seen them pick up just a point from two games against minnows Lichtenstein.

Their most notable player is surely Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas who has been one of the SPL’s brightest stars for the last few seasons. The left-footer has both pace and ability and could cause the Scottish rearguard some major problems.

Another name to lookout for is the skipper Tomas Danilevicuis (7/1 first goalscorer) who despite his age, still has an eye for goal and will be looking to make an impact in what could be one of his final matches for his country.

Following their encouraging performance on Saturday, the Scots will be expecting a comfortable win against the eastern Europeans and will be doing all they can to close the gap on the Czechs going into the final two games of qualifying.

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Scotland to keep hopes alive

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Scotland (6/4 to win in 90 minutes) manager Craig Levein faces his most important game in charge against the Czech Republic at Hampden on Saturday and he is boosted by the return of some important faces to the side.

Last year in Prague, the manager opted for a surprising 4-6-0 formation – which backfired when they were defeated 1-0 thanks to a header from Roman Hubnik – but there will be no repeat this time around as Scotland strive to get closer to that second spot in the group.

The Tartan Army need maximum points to keep themselves in with a realistic shot of winning a play-off place as runners-up to runaway Group I leaders and world champions Spain, so the return of skipper Darren Fletcher comes at just the right time.

The Manchester United man is going into the game woefully short of fitness – he has only played twice since being hit by a mystery infection back in March – but Scotland are not blessed with many world class midfielders so his guile and determination will be a massive boost.

Levein has also included Charlie Adam (10/1 First Goalscorer) in for his first competitive start and the Liverpool man should add the class and skill to Fletcher’s running to ensure Scotland are really competitive in the middle of the park.

Elsewhere, Alan Hutton is in at right back and Kenny Miller (5/1 First or Last Goalscorer) will start up front alone in what looks a strong Scotland squad on paper. The vast majority of the starting line-up plays in the Premier League, with three from the SPL and only one from the Championship – and that is something Scottish fans have not always been able to boast in recent years.

The Czech Republic (9/5 to win, draw 23/10 90 Minutes) come into this game smarting after a 3-0 friendly defeat to Norway last time out and they are without Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, meaning one of the untested duo of Jan Lastuvka or Jaroslav Drobny will be between the sticks.

There remains some real talent among the Czech ranks with the likes of Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky and former Liverpool man Milan Baros (6/1 First Goalscorer) the real familiar faces to British football fans. Elsewhere though they are full of European pedigree and there is a core of the unit from Czech champions Viktoria Plzen – who recently made it into this season’s Champions League.

Scotland recorded a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in Levein’s first game in charge back in March 2010, thanks to a goal from Scott Brown who will also start at Hampden on Saturday, and they need to go out confident in search of another victory (5/1 Scotland 1-0 Correct Score).

Nothing but a win for Scotland on Saturday, and also against Lithuania on Tuesday night, will be enough if they want to make the Euro 2012 play-offs. But Levein has a talented squad at his disposal and they should have enough to get wins in both games, especially as the Czechs are not the force they were in the days of Poborsky, Koller and Nedved.

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NI aim to keep dream alive

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There’s no Premier League action this weekend due to the international break and one of the most intriguing games involving the home nations on Friday sees Northern Ireland take on Serbia in a Euro 2012 qualifier – a crucial match for Nigel Worthington’s side as they try and keep their hopes of a making it to a major tournament once again alive.

Northern Ireland have never featured at a European Championships and have not made the finals of a major tournament since the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, but their current campaign represents their best chance in many a year.

Before the Windsor Park showdown against Serbia they sit third in Group C, a point ahead of Friday’s opponents and two points behind second-place Slovenia with a game in hand.

The morale-boosting 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands earlier this month has left Worthington’s side in with a great chance of progressing through the group and booking their place in Poland and Ukraine next year, but it is the final three qualifying games that will obviously prove critical.

Following Friday’s clash in Belfast, they take on Estonia – also at home – before finishing their schedule with a daunting away game at current Group leaders Italy.

So, with that in mind, getting a victory over Serbia looks even more important if they are to keep the dream alive.

Northern Ireland have been in this position in their group before only to capitulate in the final games to miss out on qualification and Worthington will have his side pumped up for Friday in front of what is usually a passionate home support.

He is preparing for the game, however, with major doubts hanging over the fitness of both Kyle Lafferty and Pat McCourt. If the pair, who scored two each in the Faroe Islands win, miss out then it will be a major blow to the boss and he will have to rely on the likes of experienced duo David Healy and Chris Brunt to find the goals that would secure a win.

They are viewed as underdogs, despite home advantage, and 2/1 looks appealing with Northern Ireland likely to go all out for the victory but Serbia (11/10) will be a tough proposition.

It’s a tough one to call, this, but the draw at 9/4 does represent good value while a punt on Healy to score anytime at 7/2 is also well worth a shot.

Prediction: draw @ 9/4
Value bet: 2-2 @ 14/1

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United to keep bragging rights

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Manchester United claimed their 19th top-flight title on the same day as neighbours Manchester City broke their trophy drought by claiming the FA Cup. City are also in the Champions League next season so where might the Manchester balance of power lie in 12 months time? (United 13/8 to win 2011-2012  Premier League title).

United looked anything but title contenders in the early stages of the season with several below-par performances as Chelsea swept all before them.

But they kept winning, and claimed countless points with goals right at the death, with the Blues then imploding around the festive period to fall off the pace.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men did rally to mount a late challenge but it was too little too late and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were deservedly crowned champions with a draw at Ewood Park.

Just a couple of hours later and it was the blue half of the city that was cheering as they won their first silverware in 35 years with a 1-0 success over Stoke City at Wembley.

With the monkey now off their backs, City will look to push on in the next few years to establish themselves as regular contenders for domestic and European glory.

So who might hold sway in the north west next term?

The jury may still be out on Roberto Mancini as manger and it is unclear whether he will be in charge of City’s next campaign, with rumours of return to Italy, but whoever is in the Eastlands’ hot-seat will not be able to compete with the experience and tactical nous of Ferguson.

The Scot’s record speaks for itself and, with a little tinkering here and there, it appears that he will have a squad to challenge for the title and in Europe against next season (United 13/8 to win Champions League final).

Javier Hernandez has emerged as real talent and, while the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are coming to the end of the careers, there is a pool of talent at Old Trafford that should be able to cope with their retirement.

Edwin van der Sar’s decision to hang up his gloves will be Ferguson’s main concern as the Dutchman has been the club’s best keeper since the great Peter Schmeichel, and he will look to fill the void sooner rather than later.

Wayne Rooney looked back to his best during the title run-in and, with the England international star in the ranks, United will always have that x-factor that can get them a goal from nowhere.

City appear to have a squad already the equal of their rivals but it is the togetherness of the United players that has proved the difference this term.

When things were not going well they still seemed to find a way of grinding out a result – something the stars at the City of Manchester Stadium will have to learn how to do.

There will be further big-name signings for City this summer – maybe the biggest yet. But it will not matter a jot if they are unable to gel with their team-mates.

Money can buy class players but it cannot buy team spirit and, under Ferguson, United have always had it in spades.

The balance of power may be shifting in Manchester but it could be a few more years yet before the blue flags fly higher than the red ones in the football-mad city.

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Gers set to keep one step ahead

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Rangers will look to move a step closer to the Scottish Premier League title (4/11 Outright) on Tuesday when they play host to Dundee United – but it might not be plain-sailing as the Terrors were the last team to win at Ibrox.

Walter Smith’s Gers have been left in pole position to retain the title after Celtic lost 3-2 at Inverness in their game in hand last week to keep them a point at the summit.

Rangers showed no signs of nerves at the weekend as they thrashed Hearts 4-0 at Ibrox, while Celtic (2/1 Outright) kept the pressure on with a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Rangers will have the advantage of trying to open up a four-point gap this week against Dundee United, before Neil Lennon’s Hoops face a trip to Hearts on Wednesday.

Therefore it is imperative that they don?t blow a big opportunity, but United arrive full of confidence having picked up a shock 3-2 win at the same venue just over a month ago on April 2 (66/1 Dundee United 3-2 Correct Score).

But the Gers exacted revenge with a 4-0 win at Tannadice later in April and have an awesome overall record against their opponents with 56 wins from their 85 meetings so they will no doubt be feeling like they have the upper hand.

Rangers, who are also in an eight-match unbeaten run, will be lifted for the game by the news Craig Whyte has completed his takeover to boost their finances going into the future.

United arrive in buoyant mood following Saturday?s comprehensive 4-0 win against Motherwell and they know a second successive win at Ibrox will keep alive their hopes of pipping Hearts to third place finish and a Europa League spot for next season.

Boss Peter Houston knows that if Rangers win the SPL and Celtic win the Scottish Cup then the Terrors would get European football courtesy of a fourth-placed finish.

But he wants his side to do it for themselves by bouncing back from two straightaway-day defeats and re-enacting their display at Ibrox last month.

“We got rid of some silly mistakes, defensively we were solid,” Houston said.

“In the middle of the park I thought Scott Robertson and Morgaro Gomis bossed it, and Jon Daly scored the perfect hat-trick with left foot, right foot and header.”

Both sides have plenty to play for but Rangers? need for the points is greater and there really can be only one winner at Ibrox on Tuesday.

Prediction: Rangers Home 90 Minutes @ 2/9

Value Bet: Jelavic 1st Goalscorer Rangers Win 2-0 Scorecast @ 12/1

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