ASTON VILLA vs BLACKBURN (EPL)

Villa beat Wigan resoundingly 4-0 at the JJB, with Carew appearing as a half time substitute. So I think that they should have a full squad available against Blackburn, who have been shite. Villa are very good at set pieces, whether attacking or defending, so the return of Roque Santa Cruz for Blackburn will not be that scary. I'd expect the industrious Nigel Reo-Coker to destroy Blackburn's midfield, and Villa to record a win here.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Villa -0.5/1 @ 1.92 = $9.60

Eddy is a genius and shares my opinions and wishes me to tip Villa -0.75 from camp.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on Villa -0.5/1 @ 1.92 = $9.60

NEWCASTLE vs WEST BROM (EPL)

Newcastle lost over the weekend in an exciting derby match which saw me take all the spoils as I had a bet on Sunderland. It was, however, a very spirited performance which we've seen from them in the past 3 games. They lost unluckily to an unstoppable Richardson free kick, and had many chances of their own which they failed to convert. I feel that a return to St. James Park will spur on an even better performance, and the return of Jonas Gutierrez will aid them in attack, which has been surprisingly good with a resurgent Duff pulling the strings. West Brom were very wasteful and lost 3-0 at home to Hull, and I think Newcastle should have enough quality to win this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Newcastle -0.5 @ 1.90 = $9.50

CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL (EPL)

everything tells me chelsea are not gonna win this one. they have a long injury list, while liverpool are almost at full strength, save for fernando torres's injury. also, liverpool have had the rub of the green in recent matches, achieving morale-boosting comeback victories and with late winners to boot. they have, so to speak, the luck of champions, and it would be unwise to bet against them. however, let's not forget that liverpool perform well when people least expect it. tonight, most people will be expecting them to achieve at least a draw at stamford bridge, and i think they will disappoint. a strikeforce shorn of fernando torres will likely waste chances, which is a huge no-no when it comes to big matches like these. also, skrtel's injury has forced benitez to play daniel agger who's clearly lacking match sharpness. he made one or two errors last week, and was lucky to get away with them. liverpool have been lucky for quite a while, and i think chelsea can finally punish them, which would be unfortunate, as i would rather these two draw, so my arsenal can push on up the table.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on chelsea -0.5 @ 1.97 = $9.85

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ASTON VILLA (EPL)

aston villa travel to wigan after a poor run of sorts where they did nothing against chelsea, and then couldn't beat an injury-ravaged portsmouth side. they have john carew back after he missed out against ajax, and i think this is important. he provides a focal point for the attack, and he should be a worry for wigan's defence, which is the weak link in an otherwise impressive wigan team. heskey will line up alongside zaki, but i don't think this will be much of a problem for the combative centre-backs villa have in laursen and davies/cuellar. add to that antonio valencia's unavailability for this match, and i think villa will not lose this one.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on villa level @ 2.040 = $10.20

MANCHESTER CITY vs STOKE CITY (EPL)

stoke city have proven themselves to be quite worthy opponents in the premier league this season, with their direct and rather amusing style of football. rory delap's winner last time out against spurs showed everyone the other side of his game, besides his long effective missile-like throw-ins. however, they come up against a strong man city side on paper, and it's hard to see how the likes of ryan shawcross and higginbotham will be able to cope with the likes of shaun wright-phillips and robinho. they might keep it tight though, so i'm going for a narrow victory.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on man city to win @ 1.45 = $7.25

PALERMO vs FIORENTINA (SERIE A)

palermo have fantastic form at home, winning 3 out of 3. those wins included wins against genoa and as roma, so that shows they're no slouches at home. fiorentina have won 3 on the bounce in the league, but disappointingly were thrashed by bayern munich in midweek. however, they look too good to ignore given the handicap, considering palermo's winning streak at home must end someday. looking at both squads, the quality balance is slightly in favour of fiorentina, so they should be backed here.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on fiorentina +0/0.5 @ 1.78 = $8.90

HOFFENHEIM vs HAMBURG (BUNDESLIGA)

hoffenheim have perhaps surprised many bundesliga followers this season, and they sit in 3rd spot currently, just behind 2nd placed hamburg. they are a very adventurous team, and i think they fully deserve to be where they be. the prolific finishing of ibisevic has helped their cause this season, and i think he might cause a few problems tonight. however, i really do not see hamburg losing this one, as they just have that little bit extra in terms of squad quality. hoffenheim have also not looked convincing defensively, so i think hamburg are good value on level ball.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hamburg level @ 1.90 = $9.50

RECREATIVO HUELVA vs VALENCIA (LA LIGA)

Recreativo Huelva are the whipping boys of the La Liga. They have not won at home/in the last 6 games. Against an in form Valencia side who have 7 wins in a row. I don't think Valencia will slip up here.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Valencia -0.5 @ 1.950 = $9.75

ATALANTA vs AC MILAN (SERIE A)

Milan have finally gotten their act back together, winning 7 and drawing 1 in their last 8 games, their last win coming from their brilliant 3-1 UEFA CUP (lets laugh at Flamini now) win away from home at Heerenveen. They seem to be playing better, so backing them is less of a risk now, especially against a shit Atalanta side that have not faced many of the stronger sides in the league.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Milan -0.5 @ 1.840 = $9.20

PORTSMOUTH vs FULHAM (EPL)

We all know how shit Fulham is away from home. They have been one of the unluckiest sides, playing well and not getting points. I think that trend is set to continue, as Pompey welcome Diarra back who gives great defensive cover from the midfield and a lot of energy to Pompey's play. Their last match against Braga was a disaster because the Pompey 2nd string just can't cut it, but I think their first string has enough quality in them to win against an unlucky Fulham.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Portsmouth -0.5/1 @ 2.125 = $10.625

SUNDERLAND vs NEWCASTLE (EPL)

Sunderland is a team that is very strong at home, and will be totally fired up for this derby clash. However, they have not beaten Newcastle in the past 8 years, their last win coming in November 2000. We all know how streaks have to end and I feel that this is the time, as Roy Keane has assembled a solid counterattacking unit with the likes of Andy Reid, Richardson, Cisse all providing quality in attack. Back defensively they are disciplined and strong, so I think Newcastle will have a hard time breaking them down especially with the loss of Owen. Against City, Newcastle showed heart but no final product as Shitla Ameobi was disastrous and Martins is still not at full fitness, so I think a Sunderland win is due.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Sunderland -0/0.5 @ 1.920 = $9.60

AJ AUXERRE vs LYON (LIGUE 1)

olympique lyonnais have not won in their last two ligue 1 games, losing to rennes, and then only managing a draw against lille. however, in midweek, fred and benzema got a brace each to steer their team to a 5-3 come-from-behind victory against steaua bucharest, and i fancy that their form will carry over to the weekend to get their ligue 1 challenge back on track, even though auxerre themselves are no pushovers.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on lyon -0.5 @ 1.92 = $9.60

WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs HULL CITY (EPL)

west brom played rather well against manchester united last week, making the champions sweat for much of the first half, limiting them to half-chances. in the second half, their discipline faltered and they gradually tired. hull city have been THE surprise package this season, and it is unwise to bet against them. however, with west brom being at home, i think a good bet would be for west brom to win the first half. they came flying out of the blocks last time out, and should they do it again, hull shouldn't be able to cope.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on west brom level at half time @ 1.725 = $8.625

BLACKBURN vs MIDDLESBROUGH (EPL)

paul ince has done it. he's started robbie fowler. what in the world does he think he's doing starting a 48-year old? obviously he doesn't think blackburn are bad enough to get relegated. well, if they persist with him, they're gonna be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. pogatetz is back from suspension, while justin hoyte misses out through injury. double joy for middlesbrough. add that to the fact that didier digard and afonso alves are likely to be recalled for this match, and i think boro should at least achieve a draw at ewood park.

Eddy's prediction: middlesbrough +0.5 @ 1.83 = $9.15

EVERTON vs MANCHESTER UNITED (EPL)

everton are on a horrible run of form, while manu are simply irresistible. they have scored 14 and conceded none in a 5-game winning streak. however, it's fair to say that manchester united have not come up against any tough opposition, racking up the wins against aalborg, bolton and blackburn among others. everton, on the other hand, have had a tough time against tougher opposition in the shape of sides like sunderland, newcastle, and of course the great arsenal. with joseph yobo back at full fitness, it could be a good time to back everton to upset manu here. besides, i'm sure the everton fans would hate for rooney to score against them or achieve a win, so the passion from the terraces might just spill over onto the pitch and fire up the likes of lescott and arteta.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on everton +1/1.5 @ 1.91 = $9.55 (odds change)

United have scored 17 in their last 6, and conceded just 1. Ferdinand and Evra will return to the squad, so I don't expect Everton to be able to score. Everton has been leaky all season and will probably concede lots more goals here today. This match comes a day after Rooney's birthday and we all know the imperious form that he's in, and the fact that he loves to score against Everton. Take Rooney to score first/last and a United win.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Manchester United -1 @ 1.800 = $9.00
$5 on Rooney 1st Scorer @ 5.00 = $25.00

CSKA MOSCOW vs DEPORTIVO (UEFA CUP)

CSKA Moscow are in fine form, winning their past 9 games. Vagner Love is in great form and just scored a brace in a resounding win over Amkar Perm (who the f*** are they?). They have great solidity with the likes of Akinfeev in goal, and Yuri Zhirkov will be a huge threat down the wing all night. Deportivo are not shit but CSKA Moscow have more momentum heading into this match, and Russia is a very tough place for visiting teams from Europe, which is why I'm backing them.

Roland's prediction: $5 on CSKA Moscow -0/0.5 @ 1.75 = $8.75

SEVILLA vs STUTTGART (UEFA CUP)

Sevilla are 2nd in the La Liga, having won all their home games so far. They have a record of 11 wins and 3 draws in their last 14 matches (stretching back to last season). Stuttgart haven't had the best away form and have lost their last 2, and I don't see them winning against an in form Sevilla side.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Sevilla -0.5/1 @ 1.800 = $9.00

UDINESE vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (UEFA CUP)

Udinese are the form team, sitting comfortably in 2nd place and they haven't lost a home game this season. Spurs are in a terrible run and I don't think their run will stop here because they have zero confidence in their side. Pavlyuchenko and Corluka are cup-tied for Spurs, which means that upfront there's only Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell, hardly a strikeforce that terrifies people.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Udinese -0.5 @ 1.95 = $9.75

SPORTING BRAGA vs PORTSMOUTH (UEFA CUP)

With AC Milan in their group, Portsmouth will look to gain maximum points from every other match, especially against a weak Sporting Braga side that are not doing well domestically. Pompey have shown that they can cope with the loss of Diarra and could defend stoically while counterattacking against Villa, so I think they stand a great chance here. The Defoe-Crouch partnership looks better every game and I fancy Pompey to nick this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Portsmouth level @ 1.925 = $9.625

CHELSEA vs ROMA (UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Chelsea are in great form, just beating Middlesbrough 5-0 even with first teamers like Drogba, Deco, Joe Cole, Carvalho etc. etc. out. They've been unbeaten under Big Phil so far and I don't think that streak will stop against Roma, who just slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Inter at home. Spalletti did mention that the match against Inter would be the "turning point". Yep. Into relegation.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Chelsea -1 @ 1.750 = $8.75

ATLETICO MADRID vs LIVERPOOL (UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

atletico have lost their last 3 games in la liga, but they were to sevilla, real madrid, and barcelona. all 3 games were at the vicente calderon too, so it's tempting to plump for liverpool here. however, liverpool could be missing fernando torres, even though el nino himself is eager to play against his former employers. for atletico, they will be featuring two ex-koppers in luis garcia and florent sinama-pongolle, though both are likely to feature from the bench as impact susbstitutes late on. i really do not see atletico losing 4 in a row at home, while liverpool's unbeaten run has gone on for too long.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on atletico madrid level @ 1.875 = $9.375

Liverpool have come from behind a grand total of 5 times this season to win the game. That speaks of the confidence running through the side. Together with this being a Champions League match, in which Liverpool often performs very well in, I think that a bet on Liverpool is a great choice. Kuyt is in form and will probably bag a goal here as he loves to pop up with important goals for Liverpool. Even without Torres, I feel that Liverpool will somehow win this one, or at least draw it.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Liverpool level @ 1.975 = $9.875

MANCHESTER UTD vs CELTIC (UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

manyoo have looked good since ronaldo's return, and wayne rooney in particular looks in imperious form. celtic, on the other hand, have not had the best of starts to their champions league campaign, only managing a 0-0 with aalborg, and then losing narrowly to villarreal. however, in the match against the yellow submarines at el madrigal, they looked really good, and were unlucky to be defeated. as such, i think celtic are good value to be backed on the handicap, as i do not see them being smacked. they might even scrape a draw, so that's something fo you to think about.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on celtic +1.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

Uhhh. United boast a 16 match unbeaten home run. Celtic have lost 17 of their last 18 away games in the Champions League. Without Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Celtic's attack is impaired. United are finally getting their Championship winning form back and I think Celtic will be hard pressed to keep the scoreline low.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Manchester United -1.5/2 @ 1.910 = $9.55
$5 on Over 2.5/3 goals @ 1.90 = $9.50

JUVENTUS vs REAL MADRID (UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

real madrid recorded a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over city rivals atletico last night, and i think that the quality in their ranks will be too much for juventus to handle, who are in terrible form. juve also lack any sort of confidence, and they need a lot of that to tackle the might of real madrid. i expect ruud van nistelrooy to keep up his good form of late, and his red card last night will only mean he's fresher when they travel to turin, and this could be very very disastrous for juve. i cannot see juve winning this tie at all.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on real madrid level @ 2.00 = $10.00

Yup. Real have gotten the results while playing badly all season, and are playing against a crisis club. I think they have a great chance to win this one, especially with Poulsen, Buffon, Camoranesi and Trezeguet out for Juve.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Real Madrid level @ 2.00 = $10.00

STOKE CITY vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (EPL)

well well. tottenham has been the bane of many a punter this season, as they've gone too many matches without picking up a win. the run will end tonight, as stoke city are kinda one-dimensional and rely too much on long throws from rory delap. this might trouble spurs, but they have to win sometime, and i think this is the best time to play stoke, as ricardo fuller, who is their only goalscoring threat will be tired after playing twice for his country recently.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on tottenham -0/0.5 @ 1.94 = $9.70

YOKOHAMA F MARINOS vs NAGOYA GRAMPUS EIGHT (J LEAGUE)

nagoya have not won in their last 3, but they still have a good shot at the title, if they can rack up the wins from now on. yokohama have been inconsistent all season, and i think frode johnsen will lead his troops out for a vital victory here.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on nagoya grampus eight level @ 1.99 = $9.95