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Graham Hunter’s La Liga Preview: The first El Clasico of the season heralds the return of Suarez and the best of the rest

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Real Madrid v Barcelona Saturday 5pm

Given that Barcelona won only 12 times in 74 years away to Real Madrid until 2003 it will come as a shock to the unwary, and the stuff of nightmares to Florentino Pérez, that Madrid have won only five of the last 17 Clásicos at the Bernabéu.

Without wishing to ignore Ronaldinho or Etoo, this is testimony to what the era of Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Victor Valdés Messi and Piqué has been like. Strong, talented, unquenchably hungry. But also, centrally, an era where Barcelona have largely dominated possession and Madrid, if their opponents are on form, become positionally ragged.

It’s not the end, yet, but it’s the beginning of the end. Valdés and Puyol are gone. A few weeks ago Xavi would have been an outsider to start based on Luis Enrique’s extremely sparing use of the midfielder. Piqué admitted to me this week that he’s facing the biggest challenge of his career right now. The challenge to keep his place.

Real Madrid lose at home to Barcelona - 2005

These last ten years have seen 33 Clasicos – in La Liga, La Copa, the Supercopa and the Chamipons League. At the Santiago Bernabeu, at the Camp Nou, at La Mestalla.

These behemoth matches have gifted us 112 goals – almost three and a half per game.

At which point I think it’s fair to look at the credentials of the two sides as they approach this particular Clásico. In theory it’s irresistable force v immoveable object.

Madrid [for which read Cristiano Ronaldo] are scoring at an unparalleled rate. Forty three times this season they’ve hit the net [all comps] while ‘immoveable’ Barça [for which read Claudio Bravo] have yet to concede a goal in La Liga.

Put it all together and the ten year, 112 goal stat tells you that more often it’s the force which is irresistible and the object which is moveable. There have only been ten clean sheets in the last 33 meetings between the sides [in fact only 7 scoreless draws since 1928, and there will NOT be one on Saturday]

Which somewhat puts the focus on one of the battles featuring a Clasico debutant this weekend. Claudio Bravo. Excellent so far this season he’s been only partly responsible for the zero goals conceded given that Barcelona have been pressing like Italian farmers during the olive harvest. But he’s produced several key saves.
Something which has been in short supply in his previous meetings with either Real Madrid or Ronaldo.

A Bravo Decision

Claudio Bravo's record versus Real Madrid

Since his debut in 2006 Bravo has:
Played Madrid ten times.
LOST nine
CONCEDED thirty
CONCEDED AWAY fourteen
CONCEDED TO CR7 ten goals in six meetings
WON never.

Doesn’t mean that the horrific run can’t end now that he’s with Barcelona .. but it’s a nasty, nagging thought to carry with you into enemy territory.
His tormentor, Ronaldo took eleven games to score two goals v Barça … and has eleven in thirteen thereafter.

Does Suárez start. Instinct says yes. Football’s conservatism tells you no. The Barcelona players all say he’s ripping it up in training. Luis Enrique seems enchanted with him. He scored two against England in his penultimate competitive match not long after having a surgeon hack about in his knee. He’s remarkable.

But for how long would he last, stamina-wise? Did Pedro do enough against Ajax to correct the impression that he’s been out of form this season.

For Madrid how much does Bale’s absence matter? It’s remarkable that the only Clásico they won last season, the Cup final, was without Ronaldo. That Bale gallop and goal will live long in the memory but won’t be repeated this weekend.

Lionel Messi beats Xabo Alonso

Messi ripped Madrid up again last season – scoring two penalties. An art at which he’s looked increasingly jittery since. Iniesta got the other goal in that stunning 3-4 Barcelona win – he, too, has had an underwhelming season until playing blisteringly well against Ajax.

Worth backing ‘anytime’ are Isco, in his best form at Madrid and very capable of scoring, Benzema who had two in this fixture last season, laid on the opening goal in the Cup final and rocketed a shot off the bar in the Camp Nou Clásico, and Neymar.

In the league last season, only he had as much influence as Messi in Clásicos scoring one, making two and winning a penalty. This season he’s been muscular, quick and much more focussed.

For the ‘over three goals’ mob, I agree. Final score 2-2, Neymar and Benzema, Messi and Isco to feature on the scoresheet.

  • Real Madrid 7/5, Barcelona 15/8, Draw 5/2: Bet Now

Valencia v Elche, Saturday 7pm

Right, quiz question. You are betting in play, Elche get a penalty against Valencia – what’s gonna happen?

First of all, so long as he’s not been injured or red carded Edu Albacar will take it. His career stat is thirteen out of thirteen converted. “I know there’s likely to be a day when I miss but I want to be able to retire with the boast that I scored every penalty I took”.

In this instance there’s a little bit more of the old ‘irresistable force, immoveable object’.

Diego Alves, recalled to the Brazil squad this week, is back for Valencia having missed the defeat in la Coruña with gastroenteritis. Alves has saved 16 of the 35 penalties he’s faced in Spanish football. Taking into account the couple which have also gone wide or hit the woodwork the stats say that if you face Alves it’s about 50/50 whether you score or not.

Alvaro Negredo is fit again but only makes the bench. Valencia missed their young Portuguese midfielder André Gomes dramatically in that loss to Depo and his return should be influential. Each team won the home version of this match last season – Valencia will do so again this.

  • Valencia 4/11, Elche 17/2, Draw 7/2: Bet Now

Sevilla v Villarreal, Sunday 6pm

Last time these two teams met here there was a bit of the ‘after you Claude’ feel to the match. Sevilla had the Europa League final in view and Villarreal just needed one point to clinch a return to Uefa competition in their first season after promotion back to La Liga. There was pretty football but few chances, almost no tackles and not a single booking – after the previous two encounters had yielded fifteen yellows and two reds.

Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Europe was on the agenda this week and it might give the narrowest edge to a strong Villarreal away performance. They were at home while thrashing Zurich 4-1 while Sevilla had to fight out a draining 0-0 draw at Standard Liege. The Yellow Submarine more rested as a result – it’s a narrow call. Both Mbia, who should start, and Kevin Gameiro, who’s still finding match tempo after five months out but who should come on in the second half [he has a goal and a shot off the post in his two comeback matches] look nice for a ‘goal anytime’. For Villarreal Gio Dos Santos is the obvious candidate for a goal against the club who helped him kickstart his career after his nightmare at Spurs. Bruno Soriano too, ‘who should definitely be playing for Spain’ according to his manager, Marcelino, is in fine form and might be worth a punt.

  • Sevilla 21/20, Villareal 5/2, Draw 5/2: Bet Now

Getafe v Atlético Madrid, Sunday 8pm

In theory this should be meat and drink to the Spanish champions. Off the back of potentially their best performance of the season, even including two wins over Madrid, and a short trundle across the Spanish capital to face a team which is neither their footballing nor their physical equal. But Geta’s aggressive Romanian coach Cosmin ‘Don’t You Dare Take A Bad Performance Back Into MY Dressing Rom’ Contra doesn’t agree with me.

“They are under the pressure of having to win all the time to fight to retain their title. “We just want to make it tough for the champions. “See if they have a bad day and we have a good one. “They played differently last season, they’ve brought in 12 new guys and they are still adapting. “They aren’t the same as they were last year”.

Which is just as well given that Getafe lost 9-0 on aggregate to Atleti last year.

For los Rojiblancos the fact that Griezmann finally got a goal having hit the bar, the post, defenders and some invisible forcefield for weeks when shooting at goal might release some of his anxiety and you’d not bet against him adding another. If after his two cracking goals in a minute for Geta to win at the Anoeta on Monday you fancy Abdoul Yoda to repeat the feat just remember that two is the magic number. The most he’s ever scored in a season for Servette Sion or Astra Giurgiu before moving to Madrid. In fact he has ten in all matches since July 2008. So good luck with that.

  • Getafe 6/1, Atletico Madrid 8/15, Draw 11/4: Bet Now

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Graham Hunter: Will Ronaldo return to Manchester United? Here’s what you need to know…

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Graham Hunter byline

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter reveals the role Chevrolet and Nike could play in Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United from Real Madrid, but suggests it still might not be enough, due to the influence of the great Zinedine Zidane…

Here is a stone cold fact. There is a much-better-than-evens chance that Cristiano Ronaldo will return to play for Manchester United.

In fact, right now, that idea is very much part of the plans of both the Old Trafford legend and his immensely powerful agent Jorge Mendes.

However, that’s only the ‘whether’. The ‘how’ and the ‘when’ very much remain subject to whim, vast sums of money, the player’s will and an absolutely fascinating battle – Sir Alex Ferguson v Zinedine Zidane.

Fergie, when he was young, had a much more elegant and cultured left foot than people now recall. It was WELL within his talents to exceed 1000 keepie uppies before the ball hit the ground.

But, Zizou he was not.

Ronaldo’s goal stats for Man United and Real Madrid

Ronaldo statsbomb

Why Ronaldo and Ferguson are bound forever

However Ferguson is patently the Zidane of modern football management. He also inspires trust, affection and respect from Ronaldo. As disparate are the two men’s attitudes as to how life is to be led, what constitutes ‘fashionable’ and whether conspicuous consumption is or isn’t the eighth deadly sin, the Portuguese and the Scot are unified by one thing above all else: an ability to dedicate themselves ruthlessly to winning.

Many talk about it, very few are capable of it.

Like MENSA members (or Masons), such people instantly recognize each other and either bond forever or become implacable enemies.

Ronaldo and Ferguson are bound forever.

United know, have known for a long, long time, that life at Real Madrid is NOT the dream ticket Ronaldo imagined it would be.

While they benefitted from an £80m transfer fee, the real reason Ferguson and United allowed Ronaldo to leave for the Spanish capital is directly equated to the reason Ferguson let Carlos Queiroz go there too.

Some, particularly in Iberia, don’t simply view, but feel in their soul, that Real Madrid is the most toweringly important club in the history of football.

His problems at Real Madrid

Yes, yes, okay. Ronaldo was going to earn shedloads of money for going there, as was his agent. But the trigger, the reason for yearning to go was not cash.

Ronaldo desperately wanted to play for Madrid, add his name alongside (even above) those of Gento, Di Stefano, Raúl, Figo and Zidane.

Ferguson understood.

Unless you get that concept, then you won’t get what’s going on in his mind right now.

While in Spain Ronaldo has seen his Ballon D’Or status evaporated by Messi and, professionally, he’s endured more frustration than elation.

His personal form doesn’t need discussing. He’s scored more than a goal per game, very nearly as many away as at home, and he’s certainly a more complete team player now, aged 28, than when he left Old Trafford.

But Real Madrid has been a let down. He has three medals from his four seasons, but only one that would rank of supreme importance to him (despite his brilliant winning header in the Copa Del Rey final of 2010), which is the exceptional Liga victory of 2011/12.

Zinedine Zidane

INFLUENCE: Ferguson, in his new role, is up against Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane

Internal politics rage in the Perez fiefdom

Was United under Sir Alex a fiefdom? Yes, in a wholly positive sense, it probably was. There Ronaldo felt protected, developed, trusted, backed in public with coruscating rhetoric – valued. United felt like a high performance organisation.

Madrid hasn’t. It’s currently Florentino Pérez’s fiefdom and, now, will be for a further four years given the uncontested Presidential elections earlier this summer.

But it’s a place where internal politics rage, where Jose Mourinho’s putsch to gain precisely the overall power which Sir Alex earned over the years at Old Trafford didn’t end up benefitting Ronaldo – it’s a high performance organisation, which is under performing.

It’s also a mirage that because Mourinho and Ronaldo share a nationality and an agent that all was sweetness and light between them. It wasn’t.

Ronaldo, coincidentally, is constructed the same way as Ferguson. Dominate opponents, thrash opponents when you can, play on the front foot all the time, add goals when the chance is there, entertain – adhere to the ruthless need to win, but do it via attacking football.

If you asked Ronaldo what Mourinho would have done on the touchline of the Camp Nou in 1999 when Teddy Sheringham equalised in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich and assistant Steve McClaren was urging closing the 90 minutes out so that extra time was a guarantee, he’d know the answer alright. And he’d disagree.

Mourinho got it wrong at Real

The sad thing for Madrid fans is that Ronaldo, while setting new standards of professionalism, dedication, excellence and scoring, has made it clear where he diverges from the party line at Madrid.

It was Ronaldo waving his team forward, against team orders, when they went on to lose 0-2 at home to Barca in the 2010 Champions League semi final.

His idea was right, it was the Madridista idea – Mourinho proved to have got it wrong.

When he admitted he was ‘sad’ last Autumn he underlined with complete sincerity, that he wasn’t asking for more money, for a better contract.

It was true.

He was making it clear that a) he didn’t feel that there was the right unity and desire at the club b) that Real Madrid was repeatedly guilty of not ‘protecting’ him in public, (even the President not accompanying him to institutional events) and c) he yearned for more spectacular football.

Ronaldo v Barcelona calm down

The options for Ronaldo now

Ronaldo has two more years on his Madrid contract.

Now, right now, is the red ‘danger’ zone for the club if they don’t renew him. IF they cannot convince him to renew before the end of the season then…

  • a) The summer will be eaten up by the World Cup and then holidays and he’ll return for duty just a few months from being able to sign for anyone he pleased on January 1 2015. For free.
  • b) They will be faced with the thorny choice of selling him cut price in late summer 2014 or taking the ‘Hail Mary’ approach of letting him enter his last year of contract in the hope of persuading him to stay – but with the risk of needing to sell.

Their main weapons, now, are not only new coach Carlo Ancelotti (whose words “we need to play spectacularly, this is Real Madrid” won’t have displeased Ronaldo) and Zidane.

Zizou is assistant coach to Ancelotti but he’s also someone who is now guiding the President, talking to the players, influencing who signs for them (Varane, Isco) and attempting to return grandeur to the nine time European Champions.

Zidane can, in theory, begin to sculpt the kind of Real Madrid Ronaldo always wanted.

However at United, Sir Alex Ferguson can still, from his new role, do the same for Ronaldo.

The fact that he is still involved, not fully retired, is a bonus to the Reds as far as Ronaldo is concerned.

Their kit sponsors, Nike, want Ronaldo back and are willing to financially influence that.

Their shirt sponsors, Chevrolet, view Ronaldo as not only a huge boost to the football operation but a massive marketing magnet all over the planet – but most particularly in the US.

Florentino would be lynched for selling CR7

If Real Madrid can be convinced to sell before the end of this market, I’ll be amazed. The fans now adore him, he’s the club’s best player by a zillion miles and he’s someone around whom a charge for la Decima, the tenth European Cup, can be mounted.

Florentino would be lynched for selling. But can the deal be constructed and put in place for next summer: Yes.

Would United be the leading candidate to sign him if he left for free in 2015: Yes.

Hundreds of millions of pounds are involved in this, share prices are involved in this, Presidential ego is involved. Predict with a voice of total certainty  how it will play out at your own risk.

But there is a race to convince Ronaldo about how he spends most of the next five years of his playing life. And United are right in it.

  • Betting: Can Manchester United win the Premier League title race without Ronaldo?

Graham Hunter is the author of the award-winning book, Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. He is a regular contributor to the Paddy Power Blog on football and an all-round good guy. Follow him on Twitter here

Dive into Hunter’s archives on the Paddy Power Blog here


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Allen return can reap reward

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There is plenty at stake at Roots Hall this Friday night as Southend look to cement their place in the League Two play-offs with a victory over struggling Barnet, while Wolfsburg aim to prolong their hopes of European qualification at Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.

Southend v Barnet 7:45pm

Southend’s push for automatic promotion has hit the buffers of late with just three wins in the last nine games and two in the last six as they lie in fifth place in the table, six points behind Crawley in third with three games to go.

The Shrimpers are almost certain of the play-offs though, holding a seven-point advantage and a much superior goal difference over eighth-placed Crewe.

The Seasiders will be desperate to get back into the habit of winning going into the post-season and can be backed at 5/2 to be promoted to League One.

Southend do have what appears to be a tricky fixture against fellow play-off hopefuls Oxford next week – with the Us still far from securing a play-off berth – but that match is flanked either side with eminently winnable games against teams looking to avoid the drop out of the Football League in Barnet and Macclesfield.

The match betting suggests a shoo-in for Paul Sturrock’s men on Friday when they host the Bees, with Southend priced as 4/6 favourites to take the three points, while the draw is on offer at 11/4 and a Barnet victory at 4/1.

Barnet have endured a difficult time this season and lie three points clear of Macclesfield and Hereford going into the final three games, although their goal difference is much worse than both their relegation rivals.

The Bees though were in a more precarious position last year but Lawrie Sanchez took over for the final four games of the season and secured two wins and a draw to help the club preserve its League status.

Martin Allen had only been at the club in his second spell for just three games before Sanchez steered the team to safety, although it is a role reversal this season with ‘Mad Dog’ returning to the club where he started his managerial career for a third spell.

Whether the ‘new’ manager syndrome works on Friday for the London club remains to be seen and, although it would take a leap of faith to back a side that has not won in eight games, stranger things have happened – ask Sunderland fans about Martin O’Neill’s turnaround.

Barnet’s last win actually came on the road at Port Vale and they have managed five away wins this season, not the worst considering their position in the table.

However, Southend have only been beaten five times at Roots Hall this season so the draw might be the way to go with Barnet hoping that 18-goal hitman Izale McLeod brings his shooting boots to help steer the club ever closer to survival.

Mainz 05 v Wolfsburg 7:30pm

Games are running out for Wolfsburg to qualify for Europe next season with Die Wolfe currently five points adrift of sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with nine to play for.

Felix Magath’s men have hit the wall at just the wrong time with three successive defeats but a win on Friday will apply the pressure ahead of their rivals’ games over the weekend.

The betting suggests that they will have their work cut out in arresting the slump as Mainz are favourites at 10/11 to pick up the three points, with the draw at odds of 9/4 and Wolfsburg priced at 5/2.

Thomas Tuchel has hardly created a fortress at the Coface Arena with Die Nullfunfer winning seven and losing six of 15 games at home but that may still prove enough on Friday.

Wolfsburg have mustered just three wins on the road this term – with two draws and 10 defeats -  and, coupled with their recent slump, Mainz look the call to secure the win.

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Michel set for Getafe return

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Bet on La LigaAs Sevilla continue their quest for European football, manager Michel will make a return to his former club Getafe as they go head to head in La Liga at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Monday night (Getafe 13/8, draw 9/4, Sevilla 13/8 – Match Betting).

The Red and Whites stand no chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season, with Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid (5/2 Champions League outright), Barcelona and Valencia looking set to sweep up the top three places in the table.

However, Sevilla find themselves just outside the Europa League qualification places and so the side from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan look set to do battle with the likes of Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid for a place in Europe’s secondary competition next term.

Michel will be desperate to secure a top seven finish in La Liga this season and three points against his former club would be a massive boost for the Andalusian outfit.

If Sevilla do secure Europa League football it will be largely down to their star striker Alvaro Negredo, who is reportedly attracting interest from a host of top clubs from across the continent.

The 26-year-old has been in fine form in recent weeks and will be going into this game against Getafe full of confidence having bagged himself a brace in the 3-0 victory over Zaragoza on Thursday.

With four wins in their last five outings, Sevilla are a side in form so expect Negredo to cause Getafe all sorts of problems at the back.

As for the Dark Blues, they have been going through mixed form of late but the most important thing for the club and its fans is that they will be retaining their La Liga status for next season.

The club are sat in mid-table and have a nice 14-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone, with games running out for the likes of Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza and Racing at the bottom of the table.

Getafe have the worst goal difference of any of the top 15 teams in the league but the club have worked wonders to keep themselves away from the battle at the bottom.

Wins over Barcelona (5/6 Champions League outright), Valencia and Atletico Madrid have proven that Getafe are capable of springing a shock against the bigger teams in Spain.

But with La Liga football all but assured for next season, there may be the temptation to take the foot off the gas a little, with one eye possibly on a nice summer holiday.

The last time these two sides met in the league, Sevilla ran out 3-0 winners at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan back in December and it would not be surprising to see a similar scoreline on Monday night, with Michel getting one over on his former team (Sevilla 3-0 winners 25/1).

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United ready for Rovers return

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Monday night will see Manchester United return to the ground where they secured the Premier League crown last year, as they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park looking to extend their lead at the top of the table this season (Blackburn 15/2, draw 7/2, United 2/5).

With rivals Manchester City dropping points in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, United have the chance to go five points clear if they can overcome a resurgent Rovers side.

The mind games between United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson and City’s Roberto Mancini have been rife over the past few weeks, with the Italian tactician predicting their rivals will only draw their game on Monday night.

United are in fine form, though, and will be fully expected to get three points against Blackburn, as they have notched up nine wins in their last 10 games.

The defending Premier League champions did come unstuck against Rovers at Old Trafford, when these two teams met earlier in the season in what was one of the shock results of the season.

United could welcome back Rio Ferdinand, as the veteran defender has recovered from a back injury and will be able to add his vast experience to the back-four.

Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney (5/2 First Goalscorer) to continue his fine form by scoring a goal in every game for the rest of the campaign.

The former Everton star scored a crucial penalty to help United secure their 19th league title last year and will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet again at Ewood Park, to help the club make a big step towards taking number 20.

By no means will the league’s frontrunners have it all their own way, as Rovers manager Steve Kean has got his side battling hard in games as they fight for their lives near the bottom of the table.

With just goal difference separating Blackburn from a place in the relegation zone, every game in crucial for the men from Ewood Park they will not writing this game off as unwinnable.

Results over the weekend have not helped their cause and their defeat to local rivals Bolton in their last outing will not have done their confidence any good.

However, Blackburn do have some quality players dotted around their squad and none more so than their striker Yakubu (8/1 First Goalscorer) and the young an exciting talent David Hoilett.

This duo are likely to cause the likes of Ferdinand problems at the back so don’t be surprised to see either name on the scoresheet on Monday night.

Both teams have so much to play for at either end of the table, so these games can go either way at this the business end of the Premier League season.

However, on their current form, Mancini’s prediction of a draw looks unlikely and United should extend their lead at the top of the table with another win, with games running out for City.

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United set to return to summit

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Manchester United may have been knocked off the top of the table by rivals Manchester City on Saturday, but with only goal difference separating the top two, a Red Devils victory against Fulham on Monday will fire them three points clear.

With the title race entering its final stages, things have begun to heat up between the two Manchester sides at the top of the Premier League.

The war of words off the field is well and truly on after Sir Alex Ferguson angrily responded to claims by City’s Football Development Executive Patrick Vieira that bringing Paul Scholes out of retirement was an act of desperation.

The Scot duly criticised City’s decision to bring Carlos Tevez back into the fold after his self-imposed exile, the United boss also insisting he had ‘plenty of ammunition’ to throw back at City should they continue to engage in mind games.

Entering mind games is all part of Ferguson’s and United’s well-worn path to title glory, which obviously includes a strong finish in the run-in.

While City appear to be floundering, United are clicking into top gear at the right time, winning 25 points from a possible 27 since losing back-to-back games at the turn of the year.

They are also doing so in fine style – the Red Devils have scored 73 goals in 29 league games, the most by any top-flight club at this stage of the season since Tottenham in 1963-64.

Fulham meanwhile go into this game hoping to bounce back after two successive defeats – the latest a 3-0 home hammering by Swansea.

However, Old Trafford is probably the worst ground for the Cottagers to go to looking for a win – they have only avoided defeat there once in 49 years, a 3-1 victory in 2003.

Since then, United have racked up eight consecutive home wins over the Londoners, scoring 22 goals.

It isn’t surprising therefore that United are just 2/9 for the victory, meaning you will have to look elsewhere for betting value.

With 10 goals in his last eight league and cup games, Wayne Rooney simply cannot be ignored in the first scorer markets. He is 5/2 to score first, with the odds of 11/4 to score two or more also worth considering.

It is also worth noting that the Red Devils have won nine penalties this season, more than any other team. So the 9/2 on offer for United to score from the spot could be a more creative punt.

Fulham have failed to score in their last four games at the home of the Champions and their only goal in the previous match was an own goal by Rio Ferdinand. So the correct score markets to nil in United’s favour are my tips.

United (4/5 to win to nil) have scored two or more goals in each of their last 15 league games so the 2-0 United correct score at odds of 11/2 is worth backing.

However, given Fulham’s woes in the North West, the 13/2 on offer for a 3-0 home win is my prediction.

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Goals galore on Redknapp return

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp looks set to return to the dugout for his side’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Monday, with the Londoners hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Redknapp has been absent for the past three weeks following minor heart surgery but that hasn’t stopped his team from picking up points. They have won seven of their last eight in the league, meaning they have made their best start since 1990.

With memories of last season’s Champions League adventure still fresh in the mind, Tottenham are desperate for a return to Europe’s premier competition.

They currently sit in fifth place, on the cusp of that magical fourth spot, but with six points separating Newcastle in third and Liverpool in seventh, competition for the Champions League places is set to be intense.

Villa boss Alex McLeish, meanwhile, will be quietly satisfied with his start to life in the Villa Park hot seat. The Scot knew he needed a decent start following his controversial move from city rivals Birmingham over the summer, so eighth place after 11 games represents a respectable opening.

However, the trip to White Hart Lane – a ground where they have won just once in ten years – sees the start of a tough run of fixtures from now until Christmas. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all lie on the horizon, meaning those early season points could prove more valuable than first thought.

Tottenham will be hoping that Rafael van der Vaart will recover from a hamstring injury in time to play. The Dutchman has scored six goals in his last six games and is understandably 4/1 joint favourite to net first. If van der Vaart doesn’t make it then Jermain Defoe may get a rare start. Defoe has hit three goals in Tottenham’s last four home games against Villa and is 9/2 to do so again.

Unsurprisingly, with their dazzling array for forwards, goalscoring has not been a problem for Redknapp’s men. They have hit 20 goals in their past eight league games – so over 2.5 goals at 8/13 looks a good option while four or more goals is priced at 7/4.

Villa meanwhile will again be relying on Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor to supply them with goals. Former Sunderland hit man Bent – now an England regular – has five goals this season and has scored four in six league matches against Spurs. Agbonlahor also has five goals and earned recall to Fabio Capello’s squad for last week’s friendly double header with Spain and Sweden, only for a hamstring injury forcing him to pull out. Villa will hope he has recovered in time for Monday. Bent is priced at 15/2 to score first, while strike partner Agbonlahor is 10/1.

Despite being unbeaten against London clubs in 2011, Villa have yet to win away this season and their price of 6/1 reflects this. The draw is priced at 3/1, with a Tottenham victory 8/15. Value bets may be found in Spurs scorecasts, with Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa priced at 18/1.

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Whites set for Rovers return

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Leeds United boss Simon GraysonHaving beaten Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium already this season, Leeds United will be full of confidence going into Friday night’s Yorkshire derby in the Championship (Doncaster 2/1, draw 9/4, Leeds 11/8).

It was two goals from Honduran international Ramon Nunez which gave the Whites the 2-1 win in the Carling Cup over Rovers back in August and boss Simon Grayson will be looking for a similar result in the league.

Leeds regularly find themselves behind in matches and it was James Hayter (7/1 first goalscorer) who gave Doncaster the lead after just two minutes in the League Cup clash.

But as regularly as they find themselves behind, the Whites usually get themselves back into games and it was two fine strikes from Nunez that put Leeds through to the next round of the competition, where they were humbled by old rivals Manchester United at Elland Road.

After a slow start to the season, Grayson’s side have started to climb their way up the Championship table and are unbeaten in their last four outings.

What was a rarity in their last game was the fact Leeds were able to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at Elland Road.

A centre-back partnership of Darren O’Dea and Tom Lees, who has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with the club, looked like a strong combination and could leave Australia international Patrick Kisnorbo on the bench for the short trip to Doncaster.

Leeds also have in their ranks the league’s joint highest goalscorer in Ross McCormack (11/2 first goalscorer) and he will once again be a threat, especially if he gets partnered by Argentine striker Luciano Becchio, who is closing in on a place in the starting line-up after a long spell on the injury list.

As for Doncaster, they have been buoyed since the arrival of Dean Saunders as manager – going unbeaten in their last three outings – with two wins against Crystal Palace and Peterborough.

Rovers have some new-found confidence under the former Wales international and would love to end their 60-year spell without a win against Leeds in the league.

Doncaster will be boosted by the arrival of England one-cap-wonder Chris Kirkland, who could make his debut in goal following a loan move from Wigan Athletic this week.

Leeds (6/1 Championship promotion) are the highest of the four clubs left in the Championship without an away win and should have ended that run, after they found themselves 2-0 up against Brighton in their last game on the road, only to draw the contest 3-3.

The fact the Whites have been less than convincing away from home will give hope to Doncaster, who will look to cause the new-look Leeds defence problems.

However, Leeds looked much stronger at the back against Pompey and, with the attacking threats of Robert Snodgrass, Becchio and McCormack in their ranks, they should make the trip back across Yorkshire with all three points.

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Hammers hope for quick PL return

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Rovers manager Sam AllardyceThe Championship is back with the new campaign starting on Friday night when Blackpool travel to Hull. The 2011/12 season looks like it could be one of the tightest in history and a number of sides will fancy their chances of making it to the promised land of the Premier League with recently-relegated West Ham (4/1 outright) among the favourites to return to the top flight.

The Hammers experienced a nightmare season last year. After a disappointing start to the campaign they never really looked like they had the mentality to stay in the Premier League.

The Upton Park side were constantly criticised for seemingly wasting their obvious talent and former boss Avram Grant was seen by many as the reason for their consistently flat performance.

However, Sam Allardyce in now in charge at the club and if there’s one thing ‘Big Sam’ knows how to do, it’s motivate his sides.

The former Bolton boss has also invested wisely bringing in the likes of Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan and the squad is now arguably stronger than last term. He will be confident he can return the east London club back to the Premier League at the first attempt and not many would bet against him.

Leicester (9/2 outright) will be another club looking for promotion after a summer that has seen them spend heavily and bring in a number of established stars as they look to return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Sven-Goran Eriksson took over the side midway through last season and nearly took them to the play-offs after an appalling start. One Foxes player to look out for is one of Sven’s former starlets at Manchester City, Michael Johnson, who has signed on at the King Power stadium on-loan and will be looking to reinvigorate his career after a terrible run of injuries.

A fully-fit Johnson has the ability to play at the very top level and he’ll be looking at this season as a chance to gain first-team football and rebuild his reputation.

Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping their side can finally fulfil their potential after falling short in the play-offs for the last two seasons. Steve McClaren has been installed in charge at the City Ground and will be looking to succeed where predecessor Billy Davies failed and inspire his side to take the next step.

They’ll be looking to the likes of Dexter Blackstock (40/1 top scorer) to fire them to glory and this season could finally be their year to make a return to the top flight.

Finally one team who could be the surprise package of the season is newly-promoted Southampton, who will be hoping their young squad can take them back to the top flight for the first time since 2004. Saints have invested well during the summer and have managed to bring in influential midfielder Jack Cork from Chelsea.

However, their most important piece of transfer business was keeping young winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He could be one of the stars of the season if he can hit the heights of last term.

Whatever happens, the Championship always provides excitement so strap yourself in and get ready for yet another rollercoaster season in the Football League.

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QPR close in on PL return

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Bet on the ChampionshipEaster Monday could be one of the biggest days in the history of Queens Park Rangers as they are just one game away from making a return to the Premier League.

Manager Neil Warnock and his men were held to a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday which meant the celebrations had to be put on hold.

However, a win over Hull City at Loftus Road on Monday would secure the Hoops the Championship title and a return to the big time (QPR 3/4, draw 13/5, Hull 10/3).

The Tigers were largely disappointing over the weekend as they went down 4-2 against a Middlesbrough side who will want to put this season behind them as quickly as possible.

Hull are by no means out of the race for the play-offs though, as only three points separates them from the top six.

Rangers will be looking to Adel Taarabt for more inspiration on a big day, and the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is in fine form after bagging a brace against the Bluebirds on Saturday.

Both Hull and Rangers will be desperate for the points but with home advantage and the talented Taarabt in their ranks, the Hoops should get themselves over the finishing line.

Cardiff City are currently a point off the automatic places, with Norwich City holding that vital second spot in the Championship.

The Bluebirds are hitting form at just the right time and they will be full of confidence as they head to Deepdale to take on Preston North End (Preston 21/10, draw 5/2, Cardiff 11/10).

Strikers Jay Bothroyd and Craig Bellamy are back in the goals and the pair will be a threat to any side for the rest of the campaign.

Preston took a major blow to their hopes of avoiding the drop as they went down 4-0 to Millwall at the Den on Saturday.

Manager Phil Brown has a decent record of getting teams out of trouble, however this task seems to be a bridge too far and Cardiff are likely to condemn North End to League One next season.

The race for the fourth play-off place is really heating up with five teams battling for the one spot.

Nottingham Forest currently hold the crucial last play-off place and they make the journey south to face Bristol City (Bristol City 17/10, draw 12/5, Forest 7/5).

The Reds were handed a big slice of lucky pie on Saturday as they recorded a 3-2 victory over a determined Leicester City side.

Captain Paul McKenna struck a late volley at goal which squeezed through the hands of Chris Weale to fall into the net and secure the three points for Forest.

Bristol City will be disappointed with their 3-2 defeat at the hands of struggling Sheffield United at the weekend and will now be without Nicky Maynard for the game on Monday.

The striker was given a red card at Bramall Lane and will have to watch from the sidelines for this game.

City are no pushovers at Ashton Gate and they could hold Forest to a draw on Monday.

Leeds United are out of the play-off places for the first time since November after they were held to a goalless draw against Reading on Saturday.

The Whites dominated much of the second half but could not break the deadlock at Elland Road and now face a tricky away trip to Crystal Palace, who are fighting for survival (Palace 13/8, draw 5/2, Leeds 7/5).

Palace played out a 0-0 draw of their own against Doncaster in their last outing which leaves them just three points clear of the drop.

The London club will be desperate to get something out of this game but with the attacking threats that Leeds possess, it should be a crucial away win for the West Yorkshire side.

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