SHEFFIELD UNITED vs READING (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

reading are in good form currently, and look like strong promotion contenders this season. last week, they managed to whack derby 3-0, which is quite a feat, considering that derby are quite strong this season. against sheffield united, who have won two in a row, i see reading doing well, and perhaps possibly nicking an away win. sheffield united are unbeaten at home, but i think that record will end here.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on reading level @ 1.975 = $9.88

ATALANTA vs NAPOLI (SERIE A)

Napoli's revival has certainly been interesting. They used to have the likes of Diego Maradona and they were a force to be reckoned with, at least, until they got relegated and got declared bankrupt. This is a club with a rich heritage and this season they seem to be playing with this newfound belief. While they aren't the best away from home, Napoli still have a great squad capable of getting results, especially with the likes of Lavezzi and Hamsik and Denis in attack. While Atalanta will be more rested as Napoli had a midweek game, I feel the difference in quality will show for this match and Napoli will win it so that they can keep up with the top 2 who are only ahead by a point.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Napoli level ball @ 1.910 = $9.55

HULL vs MAN CITY (EPL)

I hate Hull, as when I bet on them, they lose, and when I bet against them they don't lose by a big enough margin. City though, are on level ball for this match, and I feel that it's a good bet to take. City and Hull are on similar runs in the EPL - 3 straight losses - and both teams need the points. City definitely has the advantage in terms of quality and Mark Hughes won't allow City to lose this match. Zabaleta should return from his suspension, so Micah Richards will be able to cover Dunne's absence in the centre of defence, so I don't forsee many problems for City.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man City level ball @ 1.810 = $9.05

i agree with roland. i think man city have too much quality to go on a 4-game losing streak, and hull's bubble has burst finally. they have a shitty defence and rode their luck in many a match this season. man city will expose their defensive weaknesses in this one.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on Man City level ball @ 1.810 = $9.05

FULHAM vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (EPL)

And the Redknapp Revolution continues. After the 4-2 win over Liverpool, Spurs will be full of confidence. Fulham aren't a shit side and are decent enough at home, winning their last 2 home games. However, they were against Newcastle and Wigan, both hardly qualifying as top quality opposition, and I feel they'll be hard pressed to get a result against a Spurs side that is currently THE form team.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Tottenham Hotspur -0/0.5 @ 1.980 = $9.90

BOLTON vs LIVERPOOL (EPL)

Liverpool just crashed out of the Carling Cup, so Bolton will be on the unfortunate team that receives the backlash. Liverpool are too good to lose 2 games in a row, and with the return of Torres, should be able to win this match easily. Bolton have won 2 games in a row, which is 2 games too many for such a shit side. My last 3 bets involving Liverpool have all won, so lets hope my streak continues here.

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

BRISTOL ROVERS vs SCUNTHORPE UTD (ENGLISH LEAGUE ONE)

scunthorpe are on a hot streak of form, and are currently just behind table-toppers leicester city by a single point only. i fancy them to overcome bristol rovers tonight, who are seeing a run of fantastic form fizzle out in the past few games. at level ball, scunthorpe is definitely worth a shot.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on scunthorpe level @ 1.84 = $9.20

GUINGAMP vs TOURS (FRENCH LIGUE 2)

guingamp are a quality side but have somehow struggled to find their footing in ligue 2 all season. i fancy them to grab a home win tonight, against tours, who are rather mediocre as well.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on guingamp -0/0.5 @ 1.800 = $9.00

BLACKBURN vs SUNDERLAND (BPL)

blackburn may have beaten sunderland in the league cup, but that was in the league cup, and i don't think anyone could really care about that competition, certainly not clubs scrapping in a relegation dogfight. i think this might just be the best bet of the weekend, considering that blackburn are really shitty, and sunderland are really quite good. i don't see how sunderland will lose again, with the quality they have in their ranks.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on sunderland +0/0.5 @ 2.050 = $20.50

I agree with Eddy here. Quick fact: Sunderland have lost to Blackburn every time in their past 5 meetings. Sunderland are on a 4 match losing streak. Surely these trends won't continue, as Sunderland have a quality side and were rather unlucky in their loss to Portsmouth last weekend.

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

EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs VFB STUTTGART (BUNDESLIGA)

vfb stuttgart go into this game on the back of two defeats in a row, to hamburg and to cologne. they desperately need the 3 points here to get their season back on track, and what better team to do it against than eintracht frankfurt, who have looked a class below them all season. eintracht frankfurt will be high on confidence though, given that they narrowly lost to bayern munich and managed to record a win against moenchengladbach last time out, so don't go all out on stuttgart.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on vfb stuttgart -0/0.5 @ 2.010 = $10.50

HERTHA BERLIN vs HOFFENHEIM (BUNDESLIGA)

hoffenheim are flying high in the bundesliga at the moment, and it's wonderful to see that a small team making astute (a little expensive, must be said) signings can be so successful. they have seen off the likes of hamburg and hannover 96 convincingly, and have only two defeats to their name, to werder bremen and bayer leverkusen, so no shame in that. they have won their last 5 in a row, and i think it's time for the run to come to an end. hertha berlin can be a dangerous side, and with a stouter defence than any of hoffenheim's last 5 opponents, i think hertha look ripe to end hoffenheim's dream run.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hertha berlin level @ 1.98 = $9.90

NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs BIRMINGHAM (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

birmingham have lost two on the trot, to coventry and wolves, and find themselves 4 points behind wolves currently. they can ill-afford another loss, and even a draw would be an unsatisfactory result given their ambitions of promotion. good news for them as seb larsson and radhi jaidi slowly regain match fitness, while the addition of nicky hunt on loan from bolton might help to stem the leak of goals at the back. i fancy birmingham to win this one, as nottingham forest are quite crap, and were lucky to SOMEHOW get a point against derby when the referee inexplicably disallowed two derby goals.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on birmingham -0/0.5 @ 1.800 = $9.00

BLACKPOOL vs IPSWICH (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

ipswich head into this game after a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over promotion contenders q.p.r and face a blackpool side that astonishingly went to watford and came away 4-3 winners. both teams will be high on confidence, but i expect ipswich to be able to bring blackpool down to earth, with the quality in their side proving the difference. the likes of moritz volz and owen garvan are quality and will be able to punish blackpool.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on ipswich level @ 2.01 = $10.05

TORINO vs PALERMO (SERIE A)

Palermo have been suffering from their loss of striker Amauri this season. Torino, however, are on an even worse run - scoring just 2 goals in their last 5 games and losing 4 of them. While the loss of Amauri is taking its toll, Palermo still have attacking pedigree with Edison Cavani, Fabio Simplicio and Fabrizio Miccoli. Also, their next 3 matches will have Inter, Bologna and AC Milan, thus 3 points for this match is crucial for Palermo and I think they will at least get something out of this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Palermo +0/0.5 @ 1.790 = $8.95

NAPOLI vs SAMPDORIA (SERIE A)

Sampdoria have won their last 3 games - Torino, Bologna and Partizan Belgrade. However, they haven't been great opposition. Napoli, on the other hand, just had a great 3 win run against much better opposition (Juve, Lazio, Reggina (okay, they are shit too)) ended with an unlucky loss to AC Milan, a match in which they had 1 man sent off but defended well until they unfortunately conceded an own goal. Denis has been great for Napoli, and they have great youngsters in Hamsik and Lavezzi. Napoli have won all games at home and I don't think their run will stop here.

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

FULHAM vs NEWCASTLE (EPL)

Newcastle have posted back to back wins at St James Park and it looks like their revival is on course under Joe Kinnear. Fulham, on the other hand, have had a very bad run - 3 straight losses, 2 draws, a lucky win over Wigan, then another loss to Everton. I think that Newcastle will probably nick this as they have belief going back into their side. With Gutierrez, Duff and Martins terrorizing the Fulham defence, I think Newcastle can at least draw this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Newcastle +0/0.5 @ 1.880 = $9.40

LIVERPOOL vs WEST BROM (EPL)

My last 2 bets involving Liverpool matches have been spot on, and both have been against Liverpool. This won't happen for 3 matches running and Liverpool will get their season back on track against West Brom, who might have been unlucky but definitely lack the quality to hold a Torres boosted Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool's last 9 matches against West Brom have all been wins, so I guess this match is about how much they will win by. My guess is that they will win by a lot, as they look to erase their disappointment from being held to a draw against Atletico and losing to Spurs. Even if they can't score, they still have Stevie G to dive and win them a penalty, so bet on Liverpool this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Liverpool -1.5/2 @ 1.850 = $9.25

SUNDERLAND vs PORTSMOUTH (EPL)

Sunderland and Portsmouth will head into this match looking to avoid their third consecutive defeat. My logic in these matches is that since both teams need the points, it is always advisable to back the home team. While Kranjcar's return might be great news for Portsmouth, I doubt the players' loyalties to new manager Tony Adams. Hell, I don't even know if he's fit or experienced to be a Premiership manager. Sunderland are strong at home and I think they are worth backing for this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Sunderland -0/0.5 @ 2.050 = $10.25

HULL CITY vs BOLTON WANDERERS (EPL)

Hull City are THE surprise package of the season. They are high on confidence, and their bubble did not burst like I predicted. Instead, they will be even more confident after scoring 3 goals at Old Trafford, albeit they were mostly fortuitous (imo!). Captain Ian Ashbee returns from suspension, while Bolton's Kevin Nolan is suspended for this match. I think Hull will probably win this match as Bolton are shite, and Hull should be more than able to deal with Bolton's physical approach as they are able to "rough it out" as well.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Hull -0/0.5 @ 1.925 = $9.625

WIGAN vs STOKE (EPL)

Wigan have finally turned around their bad form of 4 losses in a row with a win over Portsmouth, but they still sit precariously at 17th position, just above the relegation zone. Wigan will be definitely desperate for points and Steve Bruce will ensure that they get them. They have a huge backline - Bramble, Boyce, Melchiot, Figueroa - that will ensure that they are capable of dealing with Rory Delap's artillery attacks. Kirkland is a class act playing for a decent-ish side and should be able to keep out most of Stoke's attacks. Amir Zaki is in great form and is the top scorer in the league at the moment, so I think Wigan will get maximum points at the JJB.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Wigan -0.5 @ 1.800 = $9.00

agree with roland here. wigan are a good side and with their ability to grind results out, they should be able to just edge stoke here. and i hope they do it, to erase the painful memories of stoke 2 arsenal 1 a little. haha

Eddy's prediction: $5 on wigan -0.5 @ 1.800 = $9.00

ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED (EPL)

Battle of the titans! No points for guessing who I'm going for here.. United, obviously! Everything points towards an Arsenal demise - their depleted strikeforce (Van Persie banned, Adebayor injured), injury problems (Eboue out, Walcott/Gallas doubtful, Silvestre broken nose), and bad form (conceded 2 late goals to draw 4-4 with arch-rivals Spurs, loss against Stoke, goalless draw at home to Fenerbahce). Do I need to justify my case any more? United might be the heavy boat on this one but I really don't see Arsenal getting anything out of this match.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man United -0/0.5 @ 1.960 = $9.80

it all seems to point to a manu win doesn't it? injury news, current form, confidence, past results...etc. everything would point you to a man utd win, if logic is used. however, we've all been here before, if you fancy a punt every weekend on your football matches. walcott, gallas and silvestre are "doubtful". now, "doubtful" is a word often used to mislead people into thinking they won't play, to encourage a flurry of betting for the other team, leading to a heavy boat. and you know what often happens to heavy boats. yup, they sink. in this case, however, it really looks like man utd are strong favourites for this one, but considering the fact that arsenal are at home, and have not won in like 3 matches, i think they will dig deep and at least hold out for a draw.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on arsenal +0/0.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

KASHIWA REYSOL vs NAGOYA GRAMPUS EIGHT (J LEAGUE)

nagoya have gone on a 4-match winless streak in the j league, where they scraped to draws in each and every single one of those games. their cup win over fc gifu will perhaps help to restore confidence for nagoya, and bring back the winning touch for them against a reysol side who are not very good at defending. nagoya are still in the title hunt, and a win here would help them keep up the pressure on kashima antlers.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on nagoya grampus level ball @ 1.90 = $9.50

ATLANTA HAWKS vs TORONTO RAPTORS (NBA)

this is a historic moment for us here at thetipsters.blogspot.com, as i bring to you the very first NBA tip here, considering how it's been largely successful for me. the atlanta hawks are 3-0 so far this season, with their most impressive win being the most recent one where they went to new orleans and somehow managed to achieve an away win there. the raptors have also impressed, but their most recent game saw them lose to the pistons. considering the fact that the pistons are a well-drilled outfit, that shouldn't be too much of a concern for raptors fans. i think the hawks have over-achieved in the games they've played so far, and i think the time is right for the raptors to end their winning streak, as bosh and calderon have looked really menacing. should jermaine o'neal get back to anything resembling his true form, the hawks could really suffer.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on toronto raptors +3 @ 1.90 = $9.50

CLERMONT FOOT vs FC METZ (FRENCH LIGUE 2)

prior to last weekend, metz endured a bad run of 3 games where they were held by sedan, chateauroux, and beaten by brest. they are, however, a quality side, and i expect them to be able to push clermont foot, despite being the away team. the likes of babacar gueye and cyril chapuis should be able to stretch the clermont foot defence. their good form at home is something to take note of though, losing only once in 7 games. this stat is rather surprising considering the lack of quality in their squad, and i expect them to lose at home for only the second time this season.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on fc metz level ball @ 1.88 = $9.40

ALBIREX NIIGATA vs TAMPINES ROVERS (S-LEAGUE)

both teams are capable of scoring lots of goals with their free-flowing attacking football, so whatever the result, tune in tonight to watch both teams carve out patterns with their passing moves on the jalan besar pitch. one might expect loads of goals in this one, but i think that with both sides wary of each other's attacking prowess, this might actually turn out to be quite cagey, with neither team willing to throw too many players forward. also, the jalan besar artificial turf takes a little getting used to, and this is why i think it might actually be a low-scoring affair.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on total goals under 3/3.5 @ 1.90 = $9.50

STANDARD LIEGE vs SEVILLA (UEFA CUP)

Sevilla started their season off with 8 wins and 2 draws in 10 games before slumping to a string of 3 defeats. I don't see Sevilla losing here as they do have quality in their side and will not lose 3 games in a row. Nevertheless, Standard Liege have proven their worth against bigger teams - holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw and beating Everton 2-1 at home. However, do remember that they were against a Liverpool that had not clicked into gear, and an Everton who had suffered a long string of defeats that left them demoralized and low on confidence. I fancy the quality of Luis Fabiano and Jesus Navas to bring Sevilla a much needed victory.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Sevilla -0/0.5 @ 1.950 = $9.75