If you can actually remember back to November, you will know remember that we backed Man City, a draw in the Fulham/Birmingham game, a draw in the Middlesbrough/Forest game and Swansea to beat Derby. The latter two came off for an overall profit of just over a tenner to ten pound stakes. We were agonisingly close in the other two with City shooting themselves in the foot against Liverpool at Anfield in a 2-2 draw, and Birmingham triumphing by a single goal.
You can tell it has been a long time since we offered our tips, because the Manchester City/Liverpool return match is this weekend! City have 6 wins from their last 6 at home, and Liverpool have struggled for goals away from home without Torres. Therefore City look too good at 6/4 to win.
Staying in the Prem, and Tottenham visit Wigan on Sunday. Wigan drew at home to Bolton in midweek on a frankly awful pitch which hindered both sides. Spurs should find the same problems, and coupled with their patchy form and Wigan’s fondness for a home draw, 5/2 for the draw is a decent punt.
Down into the Championship, and Newcastle host Preston. The Magpies have made a habit of some crushing home wins whilst Preston’s away form isn’t up to much. Over 2.5 goals is the bet here at 21/20.
In League One, Tranmere have quietly improved their form after being the early-season whipping boys for just about everybody. Whilst they remain in trouble, they’re now only a couple of wins from mid-table and they host Leyton Orient who have been steady if unspectacular on their travels. The draw at 12/5 is worth taking.
A slightly more risky bet in League Two is on offer in the Rotherham/Torquay game on Friday night. Despite their excellent side, Rotherham have tended to lose concentration at various times this season and have displayed vulnerability at home. Torquay tend to lose by the odd goal at the moment, and with Rotherham’s front two of Le Fondre and Pope not lacking in the goals department, a 2-1 home victory at 8/1 is a nice little tempter.
