as great as we are, we tipsters gotta eat too

Saturday, January 17, 2009

KILMARNOCK vs HEARTS (SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP)

nothing much to say here, except this...surely hearts can't lose AGAIN?

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hearts level @ 1.95 = $9.75

BOLTON vs MAN UTD (EPL)

One of Premier League's worst attacks versus the Premier League's best defence, I don't think there can be any other conclusion here - United win. Man Utd's last goal conceded was against Arsenal and they have been unbeaten since then, bar a disappointing outing to Pride Park. I don't think they will slip up against Bolton, who have been bad offensively and have lost all 7 games against the current top 5 teams in the league. Cristiano Ronaldo has been steadily improving since his ankle surgery and this match couldn't be at a better timing as he loves to score against Bolton - 6 goals in 6 matches against the Trotters. Rooney's injury means that Tevez will start upfront and he is dying to prove his worth and we saw that against Wigan where he ran his socks off and showed some glimpses of his previous best. I think United will win here, especially since Bolton captain Kevin Nolan is still suspended for this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man Utd -1/1.5 @ 2.120 = $10.60

rooney is injured, and the ref isn't about to award united another soft penalty like the last time, so that's two main weapons out for united. to tell the truth, bolton looked like they were matching united until rob styles gave an inexplicable penalty for ronaldo being felled by j lloyd samuel's good tackle. rooney has also made a habit of scoring against bolton, so his loss will be felt. add that to tevez's constant whining and slight injury, and you can see united looking a little toothless. besides, they were pushed all the way by a battling wigan, and they can expect more of the same from a side that will be fresh after having a midweek break. fabrice muamba is comparable to wilson palacios in his combative nature, and with gary cahill back, bolton are not about to roll over and die, especially after losing 5 of their last 6. i honestly do not see how bolton will lose by more than 1 here, so they have to be my choice for tonight.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on bolton +1/1.5 @ 1.78 = $8.90

SUNDERLAND vs ASTON VILLA (EPL)

Villa have gone unbeaten in their last 10 domestic games, their last league loss coming against Middlesbrough in November. They are definitely high on confidence and have the "luck of Champions" - playing badly but still winning games with 1 moment of inspiration. Sunderland are a decent side, but I think Villa's defensive partnership of Davies and Laursen should be able to hold off Cisse and Kenwyne Jones, especially since Sunderland's most creative midfielder so far, Steed Malbranque, is out suspended. Villa are adept at playing away from home as it forces their opponent to come out and attack them, hence making them able to counter attack with the pace of Agbonlahor and Young, and this shows as they have won 7 of their 10 away games. I think Villa's form has been too good and Sunderland will probably lose this one, despite dominating.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Villa -0/0.5 @ 1.975 = $9.87

Villa have gone unbeaten in their last 10 domestic games, their last league loss coming against Middlesbrough in November. interesting, cos middlesbrough are rivals with sunderland and newcastle. boro and newcastle have already beaten aston villa this season, when the villans were backed all the way. a villa win in this game seems too obvious to be true, given that influential steed malbranque is out for the red and whites. kieran richardson is available though, and he is quickly becoming a hit with the fans, given his good performances ever since roy keane left. i think sunderland will have enough in them to force at least a draw in this one. djibril cisse is unmarkable on his day, and he has been linking up well with kenwyne jones. sunderland should be backed here. villa's run HAS to stop.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on sunderland +0/0.5 @ 1.925 = $19.25

MANCHESTER CITY vs WIGAN (EPL)

Wigan have had a very good run, a string of decent wins have catapulted them to 7th place, before they met Man Utd and finally lost. They did, however, play really well and deserved at least a draw and would have if not for the heroics of Vidic. Man Shitty have gone from spectacular (5-1 against Hull) to awful (losing 3-0 to Nottingham Forest), and Mark Hughes will have to change that to keep his job. The form team here is definitely Wigan, especially since Man City have their best performer so far, Ireland, suspended for this match. However, I think that City have to end their bad run that has left dangerously close to the relegation zone, and this match is their best chance as Robinho is back and it is at home, where they have been scoring truckloads of goals. I think that Wayne Bridge will be more than capable of handling Valencia's pace and trickery and City will win this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man City -0.5 @ 2.050 = $10.25

BLACKBURN vs NEWCASTLE (EPL)

Blackburn have been shit all season, but they look a rejuvenated side under Big Sam. Newcastle, on the other hand, have been doing decently well under Kinnear but a recent injury crisis has coincided with a rather bad run for them - 3 losses and 2 draws in the last 5. I fancy Blackburn to win this one because Newcastle have a terrible record away from home, winning only 1 out of 10 games played away. Add this on to the fact that their top strikers, Ameobi Martins and Smith, are all injured, I don't fancy Newcastle to score at Ewood Park. Blackburn look to have Santa Cruz back but the front duo of McCarthy and Roberts has been working well and I think Blackburn will win this one, especially since they have been well rested and have had 2 weeks to prepare for this match due to their previous league match being cancelled.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Blackburn -0.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

BARCELONA vs ATLETICO MADRID (SPANISH KING's CUP)

barcelona won in the first leg convincingly with a lionel messi hat-trick. atletico madrid have looked out of sorts in their recent games, losing to valencia, barcelona, and bilbao on the bounce. i feel they will be looking to at least restore some pride and confidence at the nou camp, and as such, i believe they will fight to the end. as for barcelona, they have a commanding lead, and will probably not be too fussed with adding gloss to the aggregate scoreline. as such, i think atletico have a great chance of grabbing at least a draw here.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on atletico madrid +0.5/1 @ 2.040 = $10.20

Sunday, January 11, 2009

ATLETICO MADRID vs ATHLETIC BILBAO (LA LIGA)

bilbao are unbeaten in five, but they now face a trip to the vicente calderon stadium, and i think the most they can hope for is a point. atletico, however, will relish the visit of easier opponents after facing valencia and barcelona in their past 2 games. i can see atletico getting their title challenge back on track with a convincing win over bilbao.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on atletico madrid -0.5/1 @ 1.80 = $18.00

WIGAN vs TOTTENHAM (EPL)

wigan have all their big guns back, ie the likes of zaki, heskey and kirkland. they are in great form in the league, while tottenham's bright start has fizzled out somewhat. however, i feel that tottenham will be boosted by the signing of defoe and i think he will lead tottenham to victory here, in a match i do not see them losing.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on tottenham level @ 2.07 = $10.35