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Trio eyeing cup shocks

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Stevenage, Crawley Town and Brighton will be hoping to overcome Premier League opposition in a busy Sunday of FA Cup Fifth Round action.

Crawley v Stoke
League Two high-flyers Crawley are taking on Premier League opposition for the second year in succession in the form of Stoke City (Crawley 11/4 draw 12/5 away Evens). Last season they travelled to Old Trafford in the last 16 and were unlucky to not force a replay after hitting the bar late on in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

The big spending West Sussex club were a non-league team then, but fresh from lifting the Conference title last May they are now chasing a second successive promotion into League One. They have already provided two cup shocks this season having defeated Championship side Bristol City and Hull without conceding a goal.

Stoke meanwhile are hoping to go one better this season after reaching last year’s final before losing to Manchester City. The reward for their May day at Wembley was a spot in the Europa League, a new experience for the club with boss Tony Pulis admitting it has been a challenge trying to combine European and domestic duties.

They travel south on Sunday fresh from a 1-0 defeat to Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie, with Pulis again pledging to shuffle his pack for the return to domestic action.

For that reason, the Broadfield Stadium is the most likely venue for an upset on Sunday, with Crawley’s financial resources meaning they possess a squad far stronger than their League Two standing suggests, making their odds of 11/4 worthy of a punt.

Stevenage v Tottenham
Stevenage manager Gary Smith hasn’t even been in English football management for a month yet he is already preparing his side for a huge tie against Premier League title-chasing Tottenham (Stevenage 9/1 draw 4/1 Tottenham 1/3). The 43-year-old moved to Broadhall Way last month after a three year spell in the MLS with Colorado Rapids.

His first game in charge was a 1-0 fourth round win over Notts County that set-up a plumb tie with Harry Redknapp’s Londoners. The club have yet to concede a goal in their cup adventure so far this year, taking in wins over Hartlepool, Stourbridge, Notts County and Reading. They also know how to knock out Premier league sides after defeating Newcastle at the third round stage last season – the only occasion they have knocked out a top flight side.

Spurs boss Redknapp is open about his desire to guide Tottenham back into the Champions League but will not want to see their momentum checked by a defeat to lower league opposition in the cup. They have lost just once to lower league opposition in 33 attempts and, despite being a touch fortunate to make it past Watford in round four, are unlikely to slip up on this occasion. A comfortable 3-0 Spurs win is my tip and is priced at 7/1.

Liverpool v Brighton
Kenny Dalglish’s reds have already booked one Wembley date this season but the Scot has warned his side that Carling Cup final places are at risk if they under-perform against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday (Liverpool 1/4 draw 9/2 Brighton 11/1). The club have not lost at home in any competition this season but have not made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since winning it in 2006.

They have already beaten Brighton this campaign, with goals from Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy giving them a 2-1 Carling Cup win at the Amex Stadium in September. Albion meanwhile will be hoping to repeat their heroics of 29 years ago, when they last beat Liverpool en route to the final, where they eventually lost to Manchester United in a replay.

They were giant-killers in round four, knocking out Alan Pardew’s Champions League-chasing Newcastle. Gus Poyet’s men have also yet to lose in any competition this calendar year, winning six and drawing four of their 10 league and cup games.

I expect the sides’ unbeaten runs to continue after Sunday’s contest, with a hard-earned replay the reward for Albion. My prediction is an entertaining 2-2 draw priced at a hefty 28/1.

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Five potential Cup shocks

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FA Cup fourth round weekend is coming up so we assess where the shocks could be with plenty of big Premier League reputations once again on the line.

QPR v Chelsea

The first of five all-Premier League ties in the fourth round gets the action underway on Saturday and, after all the off-field shenanigans in the build up to the game, expect a fiery encounter at Loftus Road.

The Rs managed a 1-0 win in the infamous league game between the two and Mark Hughes’ men can match that feat and cause a minor shock (QPR 9/2, Chelsea 4/6, draw 13/5).

Much of the focus will be on John Terry and Anton Ferdinand but afterwards all the talk could be about another disappointing day for Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas and an early FA Cup exit for his side.

Derby v Stoke

The Potters survived a banana skin in the third round when they overcame Gillingham but they are sure to be tested once again when they head to Derby on Saturday (Derby 5/2, Stoke 11/10, draw 9/4).

The Rams made a fine start to the season in the Championship but have been inconsistent of late as their play-off bid has faltered. But in Nigel Clough they have one of the most respected young managers in the game and he will have his side well prepared to take on last season’s beaten finalists.

Derby have been difficult to beat since the turn of the year and have kept four consecutive clean sheets so a narrow 1-0 home win, on offer at 17/2, looks tasty in this one.

Sheffield United v Birmingham

The Blades host the Blues at Bramall Lane with the League One club good value at 13/8 to cause an upset and dump out the Championship side.

United are well in touch in the League One promotion race and have lost just twice at home all season ahead of this fourth-round tie.

Boss Danny Wilson is scenting a shock and this week described Saturday’s game as a “fantastic clash” between two in-form sides.

Blues (13/8) will fancy their chances too, and have risen up the Championship table in recent weeks and could yet mount an automatic promotion bid in the second half of the season.

But a passionate home crowd can inspire Wilson’s men in this one and a narrow home win is well worth backing.

Brighton v Newcastle

The evening game on the south coast has been picked for live TV because of the very real prospect that another Premier League side could going tumbling out (Brighton 11/4, Newcastle Evens, draw 12/5).

The Magpies have exceeded expectations so far this season and remain in the hunt for a top-six finish in the Premier League but will face a stiff examination against Gus Poyet’s side.

The Seagulls have been good at their new Amex Arena home this season, losing just three times in the league, and expect another packed stadium to make things difficult for Toon, who are likely to make changes for the tie.

Without top-scorer Demba Ba, Pardew’s men may struggle to penetrate the Brighton defence so the Championship side could easily spring a shock.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Another of the all-top flight games rounds off the action on Sunday with Villa, buoyed by a 3-2 win at Wolves last weekend, eyeing the Gunners’ scalp and brave punters can be rewarded by backing Alex McLeish’s side at 5/1.

Arsenal (4/7) have hit another sticky patch in recent weeks, losing against Fulham, Swansea and Manchester United to scupper their top-four hopes.

Arsene Wenger usually rotates his squad for the FA Cup and while that could mean a first start since his return for Thierry Henry, several inexperienced youngsters may also get the chance to impress.

That could play into Villa’s hands, however, and they can take advantage of the current gloom at the Emirates and come away with a hard-fought away win.

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Possible 3rd-round shocks

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With the FA Cup third round coming up this weekend, here we look at five potential shocks with Premier League reputations on the line on what is traditionally one of the most exciting dates on the football calendar.

1. Gillingham v Stoke (Sat 3pm)

This has all the hallmarks of a giant-killing (Gillingham 7/2 in the match betting) with in-form League Two side Gillingham hoping to catch the Potters (8/13) cold at the Priestfield Stadium.

The Gills are currently sixth in League Two and are well placed to mount a promotion challenge in the second half of the season. Andy Hessenthaler’s side are currently on a four-game winning streak, are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions and will relish the opportunity of testing themselves against a Premier League side.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is likely to rotate his squad and, with a Europa League knockout campaign to come in 2012, will not shed a tear if they exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

2. Fulham v Charlton (Sat 3pm)

Craven Cottage hosts a London derby in the third round when League One leaders Charlton visit on Saturday afternoon looking to claim a Premier League scalp (Charlton 11/2 in the match betting).

Chris Powell’s side have enjoyed an impressive first half to the season and will approach this tie with nothing to lose against Martin Jol’s side (2/5, draw 3/1).

The Addicks are five points clear at the top of League One, losing just twice all season, and have plenty of talent in their squad to trouble Fulham.

Again, expect the Premier League side to make changes with so-called more important games coming up and back Charlton to come away with a narrow win, take 0-1 at 12/1.

3. Swindon v Wigan (Sat 3pm)

Swindon boss Paolo di Canio will relish pitting his wits against Wigan counterpart Roberto Martinez in this clash at the County Ground.

Town are well in contention for a promotion place in League Two, sitting in fourth and, with home advantage against the Latics, are well worth backing to come out on top in this tie at 9/4.

For Wigan (EVENS), this represents a tough test but Martinez’s priority is undoubtedly to remain in the Premier League and, with that in mind, a big shock could well be on the cards in Wiltshire.

4. Birmingham v Wolves (Sat 12.30pm)

Although this would not go down as big an upset as some of the others, Championship side Blues beating Premier League Wolves would still count as a shock if Chris Hughton’s men can see off their West Midlands rivals at St Andrew’s.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has often played a weakened side in the FA Cup in order to rest players for league games and he is expected to make changes for this one to make it a more even contest – a prediction that is reflected in the odds with Blues narrow favourites at 5/4 with Wolves 7/4 to win.

Hughton’s side are out of the Europa League so only have a play-off charge to contend with in the second half of the season so will give their all to make it into the fourth round.

5. Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa (Sat 5.30pm)

Alex McLeish takes his inconsistent Villa side (8/15 to win) to the West Country on Saturday evening knowing a defeat would increase the pressure on him among the club’s restless fans.

This is a side that can go to Chelsea and win impressively but then surrender without so much as a fight at home to Swansea immediately afterwards.

There is no doubt Villa have a talented squad when they gel but all too often this season they haven’t and have looked a disjointed outfit for much of the campaign.

Rovers can exploit their weaknesses even though they have their own problems and sacked boss Paul Buckle earlier this week.

With a new manager to impress, the Pirates’ players will be going all out to prove they have a future at the club and can claim a memorable upset at odds of 4/1 in this one.

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Possible FA Cup 3rd-round shocks

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With the FA Cup third round coming up this weekend, here we look at five potential shocks with Premier League reputations on the line on what is traditionally one of the most exciting dates on the football calendar.

1. Gillingham v Stoke (Sat 3pm)

This has all the hallmarks of a giant-killing (Gillingham 7/2 in the match betting) with in-form League Two side Gillingham hoping to catch the Potters (8/13) cold at the Priestfield Stadium.

The Gills are currently sixth in League Two and are well placed to mount a promotion challenge in the second half of the season. Andy Hessenthaler’s side are currently on a four-game winning streak, are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions and will relish the opportunity of testing themselves against a Premier League side.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is likely to rotate his squad and, with a Europa League knockout campaign to come in 2012, will not shed a tear if they exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

2. Fulham v Charlton (Sat 3pm)

Craven Cottage hosts a London derby in the third round when League One leaders Charlton visit on Saturday afternoon looking to claim a Premier League scalp (Charlton 11/2 in the match betting).

Chris Powell’s side have enjoyed an impressive first half to the season and will approach this tie with nothing to lose against Martin Jol’s side (2/5, draw 3/1).

The Addicks are five points clear at the top of League One, losing just twice all season, and have plenty of talent in their squad to trouble Fulham.

Again, expect the Premier League side to make changes with so-called more important games coming up and back Charlton to come away with a narrow win, take 0-1 at 12/1.

3. Swindon v Wigan (Sat 3pm)

Swindon boss Paolo di Canio will relish pitting his wits against Wigan counterpart Roberto Martinez in this clash at the County Ground.

Town are well in contention for a promotion place in League Two, sitting in fourth and, with home advantage against the Latics, are well worth backing to come out on top in this tie at 9/4.

For Wigan (EVENS), this represents a tough test but Martinez’s priority is undoubtedly to remain in the Premier League and, with that in mind, a big shock could well be on the cards in Wiltshire.

4. Birmingham v Wolves (Sat 12.30pm)

Although this would not go down as big an upset as some of the others, Championship side Blues beating Premier League Wolves would still count as a shock if Chris Hughton’s men can see off their West Midlands rivals at St Andrew’s.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has often played a weakened side in the FA Cup in order to rest players for league games and he is expected to make changes for this one to make it a more even contest – a prediction that is reflected in the odds with Blues narrow favourites at 5/4 with Wolves 7/4 to win.

Hughton’s side are out of the Europa League so only have a play-off charge to contend with in the second half of the season so will give their all to make it into the fourth round.

5. Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa (Sat 5.30pm)

Alex McLeish takes his inconsistent Villa side (8/15 to win) to the West Country on Saturday evening knowing a defeat would increase the pressure on him among the club’s restless fans.

This is a side that can go to Chelsea and win impressively but then surrender without so much as a fight at home to Swansea immediately afterwards.

There is no doubt Villa have a talented squad when they gel but all too often this season they haven’t and have looked a disjointed outfit for much of the campaign.

Rovers can exploit their weaknesses even though they have their own problems and sacked boss Paul Buckle earlier this week.

With a new manager to impress, the Pirates’ players will be going all out to prove they have a future at the club and can claim a memorable upset at odds of 4/1 in this one.

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Totton and Sutton eye Cup shocks

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Bet on the FA CupWhile the focus of media attention is trained on the Premier League for most of the year, the FA Cup is the usually the competition where lower league sides can have their chance to make headlines and rub shoulders with the big boys.

Every side playing in the second round this weekend will be desperate to earn a place in the hat for the third round draw, where they will be joined by teams from the Premier League and Championship.

On Sunday the final four teams will be vying for a spot in the third round, with AFC Totton taking on League Two Bristol Rovers while Sutton United play League One Notts County.

Southern Premier League side AFC Totton will be playing their first ever FA Cup second tie, despite their history spanning 125 years (AFC Totton 4/1 draw 11/4 Bristol Rovers 4/6).

They have had to play five games just to get this far, beating the likes of Fleet Town, Clevedon Town, Weymouth and Bradford Park Avenue.

The game caps an exciting year for the Stags, whose momentum in the Cup has been matched in the league. They are currently in second place and are eyeing a third promotion in seven years since manager Stuart Ritchie and his assistant Sean New took over in 2004.

The club also moved into a brand new 3,000 capacity Testwood Stadium earlier this year, with all tickets unsurprisingly sold out for their clash with Rovers (Totton to win 1-0 11/1).

The fact that Bristol Rovers are also in poor form – taking just four points from their last 18 – increases expectation for an upset. The Pirates began this season among the favourites for promotion but a stuttering start currently sees them down in 18th place in the table.

They received a further blow this week with the news that captain Matt Gill has been ruled out for two months following knee surgery, the latest in a number of injuries to key first-team players that has dogged their season.

Top-scorer Matt Harrold should be fit, though. The striker is 4/1 to net first for Rovers.

Unlike Totton, Sutton United do have some pedigree in the FA Cup. Back in 1989 they defeated then first division Coventry in the third round in one of the most memorable shocks in the FA Cup’s long history.

To this day they remain the last non-league team to knock out a top-flight side and will be eager to have the chance for a repeat should they nudge past Notts County (Sutton 5/1 draw 14/5 Notts County 4/7).

They began their FA Cup adventure with a 5-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet at the start of October and have progressed a further four rounds to get this far.

The two sides last met just four years ago at the first-round stage, Richard Butcher with the only goal on that occasion for the Magpies. A repeat 1-0 win for Notts County is priced at 6/1.

Sutton are a rising force under manager Paul Doswell though. Since moving to Gander Green Lane in 2008 he has led them to two FA Cup first round appearances, the Ryman Premier League title and two Ryman Premier League play-off appearances.

They are also in the middle of a 10 match unbeaten run that sees them riding high in third place in the Blue Square South table – though they haven’t won a game since securing their place in the FA Cup second round against Kettering Town last month.

Notts County, meanwhile, are right in the hunt for a play-off place in League One but have contrasting home and away form. They are unbeaten in their past eight games at Meadow Lane but on their travels they have lost three out of their last five.

Boss Martin Allen has already described the televised game as “like back in the old days when they used to meet up in the market square and put someone in the stocks and throw stones at them or chop their head off.

“We’re lined up, we’re going in on that horse and cart, on that trailer, being led out in front of the nation.”

His side will need to be at their best if they are to avoid a medieval humiliation come Sunday evening.

Value bets: Sutton win @ 5/1
Totton 1-1 Bristol Rovers 1 @ 6/1.

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Five potential EPL weekend shocks

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Following the international action, the Premier League is back this weekend but any chance of a repeat of the crazy goalscoring we saw last weekend looks slim. However, there are plenty of betting opportunities, as ever, and here we take a look at some possible shocks and value bets to earn you some money.

The Manchester derby is the early game but, as is often the case with local showdowns, it’s best to steer clear of this one with pretty much anything able to happen at Old Trafford in what could be an early pointer as to who could end up winning the title come May.

Looking at the weekend coupon, though, there are plenty of other value bets to be had in another intriguing set of fixtures in the top flight.

Birmingham host Stoke at St Andrew’s looking to build on the 1-0 win at West Ham while the Potters are fresh from the late, late win over Sunderland so this one looks tight as well. However, at 2/1 the visitors – no doubt backed by a loud and large away following – seem attractively-priced to pull off a victory in the West Midlands.

With still only nine points separating bottom and eighth in the table, there are plenty of teams sweating over their top-flight status and Blackpool, despite all their early-season coupon-busting, are now very much in the relegation fight everyone expected them to be in all along. They entertain Aston Villa, who are the slight favourites at 11/10 for this one, but we fancy the Seasiders to secure a much-needed Bloomfield Rd win at 23/10.

Apart from the late capitulation at Stoke, Sunderland have been fairly solid home and away all season, so expect Spurs to find it tough going at the Stadium of Light this weekend. A 1-0 success for Steve Bruce’s men looks tasty here at 7/1.

West Brom versus West Ham at the Hawthorns has all the makings of a scrappy but full-blooded relegation six-pointer on Saturday and the Hammers, despite being bottom, are not as bad as all that. In Victor Obinna, Freddie Piquionne and now Robbie Keane, they have players to cause any defence problems so we see another away win here. Get on the Hammers, who some thought could be challenging for a European spot by now, at 13/5.

Finally, the west London derby on Monday evening at Craven Cottage sees Chelsea hoping to bounce back from the defeat against Liverpool with a win over Mark Hughes’ Fulham. But we see more misery for £50million man Fernando Torres and co with the home side worth a punt at 19/5 to achieve the three points here.

So, with a few derbies and relegation scraps to look forward to there will be no repeat of last week’s goal-fest – just plenty of shocks to keep us entertained. Or that’s how we see it anyway.

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Five potential FA Cup shocks

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Every football fan loves the excitement of the FA Cup third round and there is always a shock result somwhere. Several Premier League teams face possible banana skins and here are five potential surprise results………

Millwall v Birmingham

Kenny Jackett has got Millwall riding high in the Championship table and they are proving many doubters wrong this season. They are unbeaten in their last eight games and he seems to have found the perfect combination, as the Lions are scoring goals and not conceding.

Things are not looking so rosey for Alex McLeish, with Birmingham’s win over Blackpool in midweek their first victory on the road this season, lifting them out of the Premier League relegation places. They have only kept two clean sheets in 19 games in all competitions and that could be their downfall when they enter the Lions’ Den on Saturday.

Prediction: Millwall will add to Blues woes @ 11/8 for the win

Arsenal v Leeds

On paper this may not seem a likely shock, but this is a Leeds side that defied all the odds to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup last season. Add into the equation the fact Arsene Wenger has already admitted he will rest a number of players for the clash, and Leeds’ chances do not seem quite as slim.

Arsenal have already lost three of their nine home league games this season, but the statistics show they come into the game in much better form. They are unbeaten in four, while Leeds have drawn three and lost one in the same period. It could all depend what side Wenger puts out and especially how his reserve defence copes with a dangerous Leeds attack.

Prediction: Leeds can get a draw @ 9/2

Blackburn v QPR

Blackburn are a difficult club to predict in recent times, whether it is the surprise sacking of Sam Allardyce, their swings from good wins to big defeats or their chase of Ronaldinho! QPR have had a much more basic season, just notching win after win, both at home or on the road. Neil Warnock has blended grit and determination with skill and flair and the Hoops look more than capable of giving any Premier League side a real game.

Prediction: QPR’s flair @ 5/2 to overcome Blackburn’s steely determination

Leicester v Man City

Sven Goran Eriksson is unbeaten at the Walkers Stadium during his time as Leicester manager and will be looking to get one over on the club that harshly sacked him after he led them to the top of the Premier League. The Swede also has another ex-City man in Darius Vassell leading his attack and the Foxes are becoming an increasingly effective force in the Championship.

It remains to be seen exactly what side Roberto Mancini will put out at the Walkers Stadium, but most football fans would expect even a City reserve team to be too good for Leicester. This season City have impressed and shocked in equal measure, so it is hard to predict exactly what they will do in the FA Cup.

If Sven can motivate his side and get the frustrating City, then their millionaire visitors could implode and the former England man could get an unlikely result.

Prediction: Leicester to hold City to a draw @ 14/5

Stevenage v Newcastle

This clash brings back great memories of the 1998 competition, where the home side – then non-league and still being called Stevenage Borough – held Kenny Dalglish’s Premier League Newcastle to a 1-1 draw at Broadhall Way, thanks to a goal from Giuliano Grazioli.

Stevenage are sitting mid-table in League Two under Graham Westley, but that controversial replay defeat to Newcastle still sits hard in the throats of Stevenage fans. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not want the same bad memories of this clash that predecessor Dalglish had, and his side come into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 5-0 win over West Ham.

Prediction: For nostalgia’s sake, another draw @ 3/1

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Five Potential Festive Shocks

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The games come thick and fast over the festive period and there is another full programme across Tuesday and Wednesday, weather permitting of course, and with so many games in such a short space of time a few shocks tend to crop up so here are five potential shocks for your consideration.

Rumours emerged earlier in the month that West Ham boss Avram Grant had just three games to save his job.  Since those reports emerged the Hammers have drawn at Blackburn and beaten Fulham at Craven Cottage, their first win on the road in the Premier League this season, and the situation at Upton Park has started to look a little better.

West Ham host Everton on Tuesday in what could well be an intriguing contest.  Everton have been unable to hit the same heights they have achieved in previous seasons this campaign and the Goodison Park side seem to be lacking a clinical edge.  West Ham can stretch their unbeaten run to three games and possibly even haul themselves out of the drop zone with a win over Everton and at 2/1 they could well produce a shock at Upton Park (Match Betting – West Ham 2/1, draw 12/5, Everton 13/10).

Manchester United are now the clear favourites to take the league title at the end of the season and the Old Trafford side now enjoy a two point advantage, with two games in hand, at the top of the table after their 2-0 win over Sunderland on Boxing Day.

The most remarkable thing about United so far this season is the fact they have managed to remain dominant despite the fact key man Wayne Rooney is in arguably the worst form of his career to date.  Rooney has not managed to bag a Premier League goal since August, when he scored from the spot against West Ham, but the England international must surely end his barren run soon.

United travel to Birmingham on Tuesday and Rooney can be backed at 10/3 to score the first goal, everyone knows Rooney has the talent and eventually he will rediscover his scoring form – and it could well happen against a struggling Birmingham on Tuesday.

Sunderland are riding high in the Premier League table but on Tuesday they host an unpredictable Blackpool side who love to flow forward.  Sunderland are suffering from a mini defensive crisis with both John Mensah (ankle) and Michael Turner (knee) ruled out.  The Seasiders have managed to pick up some impressive results this season and a win at the Stadium of Light would be another big achievement but one they’re certainly capable of (Match Betting – Sunderland 8/13, draw 3/1, Blackpool 11/2).

The Championship can prove to be a very difficult competition for the punter but there is also great value in England’s second tier.  On Boxing Day Leicester City were heading for a home defeat against Leeds United but the plucky Foxes managed to fight back and secure a 2-2 draw, despite the fact the Yorkshire side had dominated the contest for over an hour.

Leicester have struggled on the road this season and they travel to Millwall on Tuesday but after that stunning comeback against Leeds the confidence should be high amongst Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men and at 7/4 they could well be worth backing to pick up their third win on the road of the campaign (Match Betting – Millwall 6/4, draw 12/5, Leicester 7/4).

Reading secured an impressive 4-1 victory over strugglers Bristol City on Boxing Day and the promotion chasing Royals travel to relegation contenders Hull City on Tuesday.  The Tigers main problem this season has been scoring goals and in 10 home games they have only managed to hit the back of the net eight times.

After Reading’s win over Bristol they are now seventh in the Championship table and well placed to fight for promotion.  Hull like to keep it tight but with Reading in free-scoring form it may be too much of a task for the KC Stadium side and the Royals look a good bet to continue their fine away record and pick up another three points on Tuesday (Match Betting – Hull 6/4, draw 23/10, Reading 9/5).

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Potential Boxing Day shocks

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The weather may yet wreak havoc with the Boxing Day programme but just in case there is a let up, let us have a look at any potential shocks after the Christmas Turkey has been polished off.

Blackpool v Liverpool

To flag this one up as a potential shock might be doing the Seasiders a disservice as they have equipped themselves magnificently over the first half of the season. Both clubs have taken 22 points so far, although the Reds have played one more match. Under normal circumstances, Liverpool would be expected to win this one nine times out of ten but, despite having Steven Gerrard back in their ranks, they will struggle to contain a Blackpool side that have entertained with their attacking football up and down the country so far this term. Victory for the Tangerines could see them just two points off a European spot while Liverpool’s slide down the table will continue.

Verdict: Blackpool to win (19/5)

Value Bet: Blackpool to win 1-0 (9/1).

Manchester United v Sunderland

United are riding high at the top of the Premier League standings but there is a feeling, despite an improvement over recent games, that they are still not the side of old and do have weaknesses. It is true that they have yet to be beaten this term but that is purely down to a few last-gasp equalisers earlier in the season. Steve Bruce’s men will not fear the Red Devils, having beaten Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and they are themselves just four points off a Champions League place going into the festive period. The unbeaten run is bound to come to an end at some stage and the Black Cats could be the side to do it.

Verdict: Sunderland to win (11/1)

Value bet: 2-3 goals (10/11)

Newcastle United v Manchester City

With the Carlos Tevez situation now resolved, City would seem to be a much calmer place to be but Monday’s defeat to Everton was unexpected and a real set-back to the club’s chances of lifting the Premier League trophy this season. But Newcastle have also steadied their ship with the appointment of a new manager in Alan Pardew and began the new era by beating Liverpool. We expect that success to continue at what is sure to be a freezing St James’ Park on Boxing Day as the Magpies continue to defy the critics who felt they would go straight back down this season.

Verdict: Newcastle win (11/5)

Value bet: Newcastle to win 2-0 (12/1)

Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest

Boro cannot seem to string two wins together and the introduction of the legendary Tony Mowbray as Gordon Strachan’s successor has had no impact whatsoever on results. But on what will be a cold day in the north east, the Riverside outfit might be able to sneak this one against a Forest side who are pushing for a play-off place. It is true that crowds have dropped off at the Riverside and there is a lack of confidence among the home players but one or two good results could easily turns things around and what better way to start than on Bowing Day.

Verdict: Boro win (6/4)

Value bet: Boro half time / full-time (7/2).

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Potential weekend shocks

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Tottenham caused a bit of a shock in midweek with a 3-1 win over holders Inter Milan in the Champions League, with Gareth Bale putting in another impressive display against the Italians to become the reported subject of potential bids by the so-called giants of the game.

However, Spurs could be on the end of a shock this weekend when they return to Premier League duty as they face a tricky trip north to take on party-poopers Bolton (19/10 in the match betting).

It is one thing taking on the defending champions in Europe’s elite competition in front of a packed home stadium, but now the players have to come down from that feeling of euphoria for more ‘mundane’ domestic matters.

Spurs have an awful record at Bolton, never having won at the Reebok Stadium in the top-flight while the last league away win came way back in 1996.

Bolton have made themselves hard to beat this season, with just one narrow defeat at home to Liverpool last weekend spurring them on, while they have the added incentive of joining fifth-placed Spurs on 15 points, and can continue their 11-match unbeaten run.

West Ham United may be staring up at the rest of the Premier League table but they can have cause for optimism going into Saturday’s clash at Birmingham City.

Avram Grant’s men have lost their last two top-flight matches but a good win at home against Stoke booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and the players can take heart from their performance at the Emirates, going down 1-0 to an 88th-minute winner.

The Hammers (11/4 in the match betting) seem to enjoy the trip to St Andrews, having won five and drawing one of their last seven matches there, and could upset the odds again.

Taking a bit of a chance on which side will turn up at the weekend but Wigan (10/3 to beat Rovers) could potentially cause a surprise when they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, despite having a pretty awful record at Ewood Park.

The Latics’ six-match unbeaten streak came to an end last weekend but any side which can win at White Hart Lane this season has got to have a chance of taking the three points from a club that has registered just one home win this season, and taken just one point from a possible 12.

West Bromwich Albion have surprised all on their return to the top-flight, particularly after suffering a 6-0 hammering at Chelsea on the opening day of the season, but now lie sixth in the table after an impressive run of form.

The Baggies (14/5 in the match betting) have made the Hawthorns a fortress this season, having won three and drawn two of five in the league, while they have also marched into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

An eight-match unbeaten streak, which included wins over Arsenal and City as well as a draw at Old Trafford, only came to an end on Monday because the side was reduced to nine men – and even then they only lost 2-1 to Blackpool.

City have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, the second of which was at West Brom’s Black Country rivals Wolves despite taking the lead, while there remains constant talk of a rift in the visiting camp.

And finally a big shock it would be but Wolves (16/1 to win, 5/1 the draw) may have enough to get something out of a trip to Old Trafford when they take on Manchester United.

Mick McCarthy’s men can only have taken confidence from coming from behind to beat big-spending Man City, while they gave United a real run for their money in the Carling Cup, only to lose 3-2 to a last-minute Javier Hernandez strike.

United on the face of it have turned a corner, winning their last five matches in all competitions, but have yet to really hit their straps this season and have a number of injuries to contend with, after Luis Nani and Darren Fletcher joined the casualty list in midweek.

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