as great as we are, we tipsters gotta eat too

Saturday, November 22, 2008

PORTSMOUTH vs HULL (EPL)

portsmouth take on hull at fratton park, with hull facing some tough times in recent weeks. the draw with man city would have restored some confidence, but i think portsmouth have too much quality for hull. daniel cousin is a major doubt, and dean windass might take his place. i'm sure he'll look out of place against the imposing centre-backs of portsmouth.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on portsmouth -0.5 @ 1.95 = $9.75

SEVILLA vs VALENCIA (LA LIGA)

The 5th placed hosting the 3rd placed team, an exact parallel of our Aston Villa vs United matchup. Sevilla have some injury problems but they also do have in-form striker Luis Fabiano, who just banged in a hattrick against Portugal. Valencia are also a team who can score goals, with David Villa still in fine goalscoring form. I think it's hard to call who's going to win this match because it could go either way, so I think i'll go for over 2.5 goals as these clubs just do not do 1-0 wins.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Over 2.5 @ 1.90 = $9.50

TOTTENHAM vs BLACKBURN (EPL)

Blackburn are shit, whereas Spurs aren't. Paul Ince is a newbie without much experience. Redknapp is a veteran in the Premier League and has worked a miracle at Portsmouth and now is resurrecting Spurs' campaign with his magic. Okay, no, it's not magic it's just common sense and proper man management which Ramos lacked, but nevermind. Spurs might be the heavy boat for this one, so beware, but I'm gonna go for Spurs anyway.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Tottenham -0.5 @ 1.790 = $8.95

MAN CITY vs ARSENAL (EPL)

Logic says Man Shitty will win as they haven't won in 4 games. They are strong at home and welcome back Richard Dunne, who has been voted best City player 3 years running, so that's how much he means to the club. Robinho Elano and co return after beating Portugal 6-2, with Elano even bagging a goal, which means they'll be raring to go for this match. Arsenal, on the other hand, slumped 2-0 to Villa last week and have just dropped Gallas and stripped him of his captaincy - it's a team with many problems in its squad that can't be addressed overnight. Toure is doubtful and Gallas is dropped so it's going to be Silvestre and Djourou in the centre.. hardly a defensive partnership worth mentioning. Walcott is also out for this match, so I really think that Arsenal can get at most a draw from this match, which means Man Shitty on the handicap.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man City +0/0.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

man city is the heavy boat going into this game, and that is really tempting me to put some on arsenal. arsenal have finally dropped gallas, and i'm sure silvestre and djourou will make a far better partnership, both of them aggressive in the air, and fairly quick on the deck as well. besides, walcott and eboue injured opens the door for the impressive aaron ramsey, or maybe even wilshere. the youngsters will be eager to impress, and should have enough quality to trouble a porous man city defence. besides, city like to play an attacking game, which suits arsenal. i think the worst arsenal will do here is a draw.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on arsenal -0/0.5 @ 2.020 = $10.10

ASTON VILLA vs MANCHESTER UNITED (EPL)

This will be a great football match. Why? Because the last time these 2 clubs met in the Premier League, United scored 4 goals, extending their winning streak over Villa to 13 consecutive games. Logic tells me that one should be wary because Villa are good - Agbonlahor's on form, they just beat Arsenal etc. - and United's defence hasn't been as rock solid as previous seasons due to the loss of Carlos Queiroz (who just lost 6-2, hah! come back because you fail as a manager). However, I think that United will still win this even without Berbatov, and I predict that Tevez will turn in a MOM performance as he is desperate to prove his worth to the team.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man Utd -0.5/1 @ 2.075 = $10.375

SUNDERLAND vs WEST HAM (EPL)

Sunderland recently arrested a 4 game losing streak and beat Blackburn away from home last week, and I expect them to win again here. Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse look like they can form a formidable partnership, epitomising the big forward - small(er) pacey forward combination. West Ham just haven't been good enough and have not won in the past 7 games, so one should be wary when betting on Sunderland, but I think that as long as Mark Noble and Dean Ashton are still sidelined, West Ham's problems won't ease and their winless run will continue.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Sunderland -0/0.5 @ 1.900 = $9.50

DENVER NUGGETS vs LA LAKERS (NBA)

the nuggets travel to the staples center in a bid to snap a long losing streak there. the lakers have beaten them on eight previous occasions consecutively, and are heavy favourites to win tonight. however, denver nuggets have looked a better outfit since the trade which sent allen iverson to the pistons. in return, they acquired chauncey billups, and i think that with his winning mentality and defensive mindset, this has really strengthened the nuggets. kobe bryant has not had much game time recently, as he is being rested once the lakers build up a strong lead. i fancy the lakers needing him in the fourth quarter for this one, as i think the nuggets will push them all the way.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on denver nuggets +8 @ 1.90 = $9.50

CHELSEA vs NEWCASTLE (EPL)

newcastle have not won in two games, after an impressive start for joe kinnear. chelsea, on the other hand, are flying at the top of the table, and look very impressive. they have recorded 7 away wins on the trot, and should they be able to bring their away form home, this would be a no-brainer. however, this one's at stamford bridge, and as much as i can see newcastle getting pummelled, i can also see newcastle really pushing chelsea all the way here. newcastle did it to man u on the first day of the season, and there's no reason to doubt their ability to do likewise against an injury-ravaged chelsea. the loss of carvalho and alex will lead to opportunities for the likes of martins and owen. also, the portuguese players returned late, and fatigue should be considered a factor here. bosingwa and deco have made good starts to their chelsea career, and if the two of them don't reach their usual high standards, then chelsea might struggle.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on newcastle +1.5/2 @ 1.97 = $9.85

STOKE CITY vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION (EPL)

stoke city have a good home record, winning 4 out of their 6 home games, including a gritty win over mighty arsenal where rory delap showcased his throwing ability. west brom, on the other hand, have only won once away from home, and are rock bottom in the premier league. they have lost 5 in their last 6 games, and if they do not buck up soon, they will be staring at a return to the championship. i fancy west brom to have it in them to at least get a draw in this relegation six-pointer, considering that stoke's top-scorer ricardo fuller is suspended for the game.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on west brom +0/0.5 @ 1.975 = $9.875

West Brom have had a bad run, and it ends here. They are probably short on confidence after losing back to back against Liverpool and Chelsea, but I think that they have enough quality to play out a draw here.

Roland's prediction: $5 on West Brom +0/0.5 @ 1.975 = $9.875

Friday, November 21, 2008

SWANSEA vs BIRMINGHAM (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

birmingham finally got a win last week, after 3 games without one. their players came through the international break unscathed, and they need the points in a bid to catch wolves at the top. i fancy them to have enough quality to get at least a point here, so level ball's a good option.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on birmingham level @ 2.075 = $10.375

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SAUDI ARABIA vs KOREA (WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - ASIA)

Eddy feels that Korea stand a chance of getting at least a point from Saudi Arabia.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on Korea +0/0.5 @ 1.875 = $9.38

GERMANY vs ENGLAND (INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY)

Well, I hate to bet on friendlies. Results often don't go the way you expect them to go, and upsets happen everywhere. Everything points to Germany for this match - Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Wes Brown, Joe Hart, Emile Heskey, and the latest injury Theo Walcott are all out for England. I fancy the second stringers, like Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Agbonlahor etc. to play their hearts out in a push for the starting line up and hopefully do well enough to get a result.

Roland's prediction: $5 on England +0/0.5 @ 2.050 = $10.25

BAHRAIN vs AUSTRALIA (WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - ASIA)

Quick tip here. Both teams have many injury concerns, but the advantage goes to Australia even though they're away as Bahrain has been very leaky at the back. They have lost 3 and drawn 1 in their last 4 games, conceding a total of 10 goals in the process. I think Australia has enough quality to see Bahrain off, even with Vince Grella and Brett Emerton out.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Australia -0.5 @ 1.850 = $9.25

Sunday, November 16, 2008

EVERTON vs MIDDLESBROUGH (EPL)

everton are a team on fire. after the draw with manchester united, they have won their last 3, beating bolton, fulham and west ham. in team news, they welcome fellaini and yakubu back, which should strengthen everton for this game. middlesbrough have proven to be highly unpredictable this season, and with punters favouring everton for this one, i think boro have a good shot. everton have a shit record at goodison park this season, and i just think boro have it in them to at least sneak a point.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on middlesbrough +0.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

ATLETICO MADRID vs DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (LA LIGA)

atletico should win this one, considering they are at home, but they face a resurgent deportivo side who have won their last two. as such, im staying clear of them as they are rather inconsistent. capable of dishing out footballing lessons to other teams, they are also vulnerable to unexpected losses, much like my beloved arsenal. however, with their last 5 games producing less than 2.5 goals (under), i think it's worth a shot going for this game to produce 3 or more goals. atletico are definitely able to create chances, and with a leaky defence, deportivo might get in on the act as well.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on over 2.5 goals @ 2.00 = $10.00