The early kick off on Sunday sees Getafe take on Levante (Getafe 5/6, draw 12/5, Levante 16/5), two sides who currently sit in mid table and will be looking to take three points away from the fixture. The home team come into the game off back to back wins and will be looking to continue in that rich vein of form, although they are still missing top scorer Abdelaziz Barrada, who serves the final game in his suspension. They will have a tough test against Levante, who secured European football last season and took three points off Valencia before the international break.

Bottom of the table Espanyol will welcome Rayo Vallecano (Espanyol 10/11, Draw 5/2, Rayo 11/4) in a fixture that they need to take three points from. The team from Barcelona have started the season poorly and are yet to taste victory so far, so need a bit of luck to turn their fortunes around at this early stage.  They will feel they have a real opportunity to take something away from Rayo, who started this season with two wins but have since failed to pick up a win.

Real Zaragoza will travel to Granada (Granada 10/11, draw 12/5, Zaragoza 3/1), with both managers having to chose from depleted squads. Granada boss Juan Antonio Anquela will be without new signing Antonio Floro Flores, Fran Rico and Hassan Yebda, who are all missing through injury, as well as Yacine Brahimi and Dani Benitez who are both suspended. Likewise, Manolo Jiménez will have to adjust his starting 11 with Aranda, Adam Pinter and Ivan Obradovic all injured alongside Alvaro Gonzalez and Christian Romaric who both miss out through suspension. With both managers having to make a number of changes the quality of football may be affected (Correct score 0-0 15/2).

Struggling Osasuna will take on high flying Real Betis (Osasuna 21/20, Draw 12/5, Real Betis 5/2) at the Estadio El Sadar as they look to get their campaign going. Osasuna have only picked up one win and one draw so far and lie in a woeful 19th place, they will have to be on top of their game if they are to come away from this meeting with anything. Betis sit 4th in the table but after a good start they have tasted defeat twice recently and could be a target for an Osasuna side who will be looking to get among the goals.

The late kick off on Sunday sees Real Sociedad welcome Atletico Madrid (Sociedad 13/5, Draw 5/2, Atletico evens). Diego Simeone’s side are firm favourites for this one and no surprise as they are yet to be beaten this season, after drawing on the opening day they have gone from strength to strength winning every game with the aid of Radamel Falcao, who is the league’s joint top scorer on eight goals. Sociedad are unbeaten at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta so far with three wins from three and this great home form has helped them to 13th in the table.

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Carlisle currently sit just outside the play-off places in eighth but a win this week would move them above Notts County and into seventh while Stevenage, currently three points behind Tuesday’s opponents in ninth, know they are approaching last-chance saloon in their bid to be involved in the end-of-season drama next month.

Going into the game, both sides also know that it looks like there’s just that one play-off place up for grabs now as three from Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Huddersfield and County look certainties to be involved, meaning the Cumbrians, Stevenage and Brentford will have to battle for that remaining spot.

Carlisle’s form going into the game is not that of a promotion-chasing side, however, as Greg Abbot’s side are without a win in four.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against champions Charlton can be forgiven as Chris Powell’s men have brushed aside pretty much everyone in the division this term but they will need to get back to winning ways if they are to push for seventh.

Abbot also suffered a blow when it was confirmed the influential Lee Miller, who has scored 15 goals this season, and Chris Chantler will both miss the run-in through injury, so Stevenage will eye a real chance to secure a valuable win themselves.

They come into the game on the back of a stunning 6-0 triumph over Yeovil – a win that finally ended a seven-game run without a victory – and this clash is one of three home games they have out of the final four that remain.

That will give the men from Broadhall Way hope that they can overhaul the points deficit and sneak into the play-offs and, although they have one tough trip on the road to Sheffield United to contend with, Stevenage will fancy their chances – both in this game and in their remaining matches (Stevenage HT/FT – 9/4).

Carlisle edged the earlier game between these two 1-0 back in September and another tight match is predicted but we see Stevenage gaining revenge and claiming a narrow win, take 2-1 at 8/1 (correct score market) to keep their play-off hopes alive.

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In Spain’s Primera Division, Mauricio Pochettino’s Espanyol have slipped down to mid-table after a run of recent poor results. However, they finally returned to winning ways in comprehensive fashion last week with a resounding 5-1 mauling of Rayo Vallecano at the Cornella-El Prat, as new signings Kalu Uche and Philippe Coutinho grabbed a hat-trick and brace of goals respectively.

Espanyol remain in tenth position but the table is so congested that they are just two points of sixth spot which would secure Europa League football for next season, while fourth-placed Malaga are only four points better off at the time of writing. Therefore the visit of 19th-placed Racing Santander appears to be the ideal fixture for Espanyol to secure a second successive win which could take them fifth if results go in their favour.

Racing have only won once away from home all season and have gone five games without a win as they sit in second-bottom spot and are three points off the final position of safety. However, they have won on their previous two visits to the Cornella and will hope to make it three times lucky on Monday. But, looking at the fixture on current form, it is difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable win for Espanyol.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 4/6
Value Bet: Draw/Espanyol HT/FT @ 10/3

Moving across Europe to Italy’s Serie A and Roma play host to Genoa aiming to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Roma, who currently sit in sixth position and are five points behind fourth-placed Napoli, ended a run of two successive defeats with a 1-0 success against Palermo last weekend thanks to a goal from Fabio Borini. As a result Luis Enrique will be looking for his men to secure another three points on Monday when a mid-table Genoa side arrive at the Stadio Olimpico looking like they have little left to play for this season as they sit eight points clear of the relegation places.

The team news is mixed for the hosts as captain Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi will both miss out, but goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and defender Marco Cassetti are set to return to the starting line-up after serving their respective suspensions.

Genoa, who secured a creditable 0-0 home draw with title-chasing Juventus last weekend, are currently bogged down in a winless run with two draws and three defeats in their previous five outings so Pasquale Marino will be hopeful of some kind of result in Rome. He will be boosted by the news Alberto Gilardino suffered no ill-effects from his comeback against Juve and will be back in the team on Monday.

Genoa won the fixture on home soil earlier in the season, but Roma have won the previous two matches in front of their own fans and we see that trend continuing on Monday night.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 1/2
Value Bet: Roma 2-0 Genoa Correct Score @ 11/2

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Liverpool trail Spurs by just one point but the Reds have a superior goal difference and a point at Craven Cottage would see them move into fifth, the only spot that comes with a Europa League place as a result of Birmingham’s Carling Cup win and Stoke’s upcoming FA Cup final appearance.

European football seemed beyond Liverpool just a few weeks ago but Spurs’ poor form has seen the Merseyside outfit close the gap and they will be desperate to bring European football to Anfield next season, even if it is not in the Champions League.

However, Fulham, who are 19/10 to secure the win, are a strong side on home soil and have enjoyed a return to form of late. The Cottagers have lost just three games at Craven Cottage this season and Liverpool will face a battle to take all three points on Monday night.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hopeful that Clint Dempsey, who has been struggling with a hamstring strain, will be fit to face the Reds. The American midfielder, who is 6/1 to score the first goal, is the Cottagers’ top scorer this season and Hughes will be eager for Dempsey to shrug off his injury complaint and take a place in the starting line up.

Brede Hangeland missed Fulham’s 3-0 win at Sunderland last time out through illness but is available to face Liverpool. Reds striker Andy Carroll is now fit following a knee problem and Hangeland’s aerial presence could be crucial in keeping the £35million January buy at bay during the showdown. Carroll is 13/8 to score at any time, while Fulham are 12/5 to keep a clean sheet.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has reported no new injury concerns but the visitors will again be without Steven Gerrard, who has a groin problem, and Daniel Agger, who has a knee injury.

Both teams head into the fixture on Monday in decent form and Fulham, who are safe from the drop, will be keen to break into the top eight as they seek to finish the season strongly.

Liverpool have lost just once in their last six league fixtures, while Fulham have won their last two in a row and have been beaten just twice in their last eleven games.

It should be a tight affair but Liverpool’s need for points and the possibility of a place in Europe should inspire them to another victory under Dalglish, with Liverpool 7/5 to take all three points.

Champions League football may elude Liverpool this season but the signs look encouraging for next year with Messrs Carroll and Luis Suarez leading the attack. Dalglish is expected to become the club’s permanent manager following his successful temporary stint, and a spot in next season’s Europa League would be just reward for the Reds’ efforts since the Scottish manager took control.

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Birmingham City (11/10) v Wolves (5/2) Draw (23/10)

Birmingham City need to make their home fixtures count and especially against fellow relegation rivals Wolves. Alex McLeish’s side are only three points above the drop zone but they should have enough about them to sink Mick McCarthy’s troops further into the mire.

Birmingham have won three of the last four league meetings with Wolves – including a key Championship promotion battle at this stage of the season in 2009.

They appear to match up well against Wolves in that they can handle the rough and tumble nature of a West Midlands derby but also possess players with that extra bit of quality to grab a goal in a tight game. Kevin Phillips did it last year by scoring twice as a second half substitute and his record against Wolves is such that he will be a very good bet to be First Goalscorer (9/2) or Last Goalscorer (9/2).

Bet – Birmingham (11/10), Phillips First Goalscorer (9/2) and Last Goalscorer (9/2)

Liverpool (1/2) v Newcastle (6/1) Draw (3/1)

Liverpool have not lost a match at Anfield since Wolves’ shock 1-0 victory back in December and there is no reason to suspect that their run of seven wins and three draws since then will come to an end on Sunday.

Newcastle have picked up six away points from the last 21 on offer and have only scored three away goals since they sold Andy Carroll to Kenny Dalglish’s side.

Carroll’s ability to link up with fellow new boy Luis Suarez is already in evidence and it may be prudent to back both players in the anytime goalscorer market. However, Liverpool’s record of leading at half-time in their last ten shows that they have secured an interval advantage in only four of those fixtures. So take the 3/1 on offer for Draw/Liverpool in the Double Result market.

Arsenal (6/4) v Manchester United (9/5) Draw (9/4)

Arsenal have won only two of the ten matches they have played since the Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham City in February. Their fragile self-belief was cracked by Obafemi Martins at Wembley while Manchester United are now dreaming of ending their season in glory at the same stadium.

The Gunners can cause United problems on their own patch, no doubt about it, and in players like Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie they have more than enough to suggest that they will score.

However, Manchester United will not give an inch and may be worth backing to stun Arsenal by coming from behind to with the match. Totesport are offering 10/1 that United can do what only Tottenham have done at the Emirates Stadium this season.

Bet – Van Persie Enhanced First Goalscorer (6/1), Man Utd to win from behind (10/1)

Manchester City (2/5) v West Ham United (7/1) Draw (7/2)

Manchester City can take another huge step towards Champions League qualification with what should be a routine home win against bottom-of-the-table West Ham in the late Sunday game.

City’s morale will have been boosted by Spurs’ failure to take anything at Chelsea and, if the home side score early, this could be a horrible afternoon for Hammers fans.

Roberto Mancini’s tactics have been conservative at times this season but if David Silva gets on the ball and dictates the play they could score three or more goals for the seventh time since the turn of the year. City are second bottom of the Overs/Unders table – with their games averaging just 2.45 goals, but West Ham are a side they can tear apart and they may end up very comfortable winners in the end.

Bet – Man City (-1 Handicap) (21/20)

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Nottingham Forest

Forest were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Blackpool last season, with the Seasiders eventually getting the better of Cardiff in the final to secure a place in England’s top flight, and Davies is eager to ensure Forest go one better this season.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I know the players and my staff feel exactly the same way,” Davies told the club’s official website.

“I always relish the start of a new season. There’s great optimism but as ever there’s also great passion and commitment as well.

“It’s a fantastic challenge again for us – there are exciting times to look forward to, so bring it on.”

Davies has plenty of Championship experience to draw on as he bids to bring success to the City Ground.  The Scottish manager led Preston to the play-off final in 2005, only to see North End miss out to Watford, before leading Derby County to promotion in the 2006/2007 season with a play-off final victory over West Brom.

Davies was axed early the following season by the Rams after a dreadful start to their Premier League campaign but he has since rebuilt his reputation at Forest and many are tipping Davies to lead the Reds to promotion.

However, the Forest boss has largely struggled to secure his transfer targets during the close season and he has basically the same squad at his disposal as he did during the previous campaign.  The considerable talents of goalkeeper Lee Camp, midfielder trio Paul McKenna (captain), Chris Cohen and Polish star Radosaw Majewski will surely help Forest push for promotion, while forwards Nathan Tyson and Rob Earnshaw are always capable of finding the back of the net given the chance and there is still plenty of time left ahead of the close of the transfer window on September 1 for Davies to add to his side.

Middlesbrough, under the guidance of Gordon Strachan, are the current 19/10 favourites to secure promotion to the Premier League with Totesport.  Neil Warnock is also being tipped to take QPR (7/2) back into the top flight after doing his deals early in the summer, while Burnley, who have managed to keep the majority of their squad together, are priced at 18/5 to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

The likes of Leciester City (9/2), last season’s beaten play-off finalists Cardiff City (5/1) and Bristol City (11/2), who signed England goalkeeper David James earlier this month, will also be gunning for promotion and the Championship promises very competitive ahead of the big kick off.

Forest travel to Burnley for their season opener tomorrow, with Davies eager to lead the City Ground side into the Premier League (Match Betting – Burnley 6/5, draw 9/4, Forest 21/10).

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