ASTON VILLA vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION (EPL)

aston villa look set to welcome gareth barry and luke young back from injury. they are unbeaten in too many games for me to remember, while west brom have had a mini-revival of their own in recent times. on paper this looks pretty straight-forward, as villa should win this at a canter. however, it looks a little too simple in my opinion. west brom will have confidence from a good run, while aston villa, at home, might be over-confident against a relegation battler. also, arsenal went to villa park and almost got a win, by playing intricate, nice passing football. west brom play a similar style, just not quite with the same calibre of players, but i fancy them to be able to keep it tight.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on west brom +1/1.5 @ 2.01 = $10.05

QUEENS PARK RANGERS vs COVENTRY (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

qpr look set to start wayne routledge against coventry. routledge was once a bright prospect of english football, but has faded somewhat after failing to get games at the clubs he went to, like spurs and villa. however, at qpr, he's likely to be the main man and this will clearly be a boost to qpr's hopes of promotion. coventry have been on a small winning run, but i don't see it continuing against a good rangers side.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on qpr -0.5 @ 1.90 = $9.50

BURNLEY vs SWANSEA CITY (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

swansea have drawn their last 8 league matches and another one would see them set a league record for consecutive draws. i don't see it as a particularly glorious record to hold, so i don't think the swansea players will be going all out to draw this game. burnley have been playing good football in the championship, and kevin mcdonald is set to start tonight's game due to joey gudjonsson's injury. kevin mcdonald is a tricky little customer, and i think his introduction to the starting 11 will provide more creativity in between the strikers and the midfield. that is key to unlocking swansea and condemning them to a loss.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on burnley -0.5 @ 2.09 = $10.45

CHARLTON ATHLETIC vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

on paper, it looks like nottingham forest are definitely capable of overcoming charlton athletic, even away from home. however, nottingham forest are gunning for their 4th away win IN A ROW. can u imagine forest doing that? i sure as hell can't. also, charlton have not won for 17 games. as u know, i believe all streaks come to an end, and as such, i think charlton are great value to back on level ball.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on charlton level @ 1.77 = $8.85

BLACKPOOL vs BIRMINGHAM (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

blackpool have done well in their last 4 matches for a team of their quality, drawing all 4 of them, although their opponents included table-topping wolves and potential banana skins like forest and wednesday. now they come up against a birmingham side chasing promotion. kevin phillips and james mcfadden have recovered from injury and virus respectively, while they will also be boosted by the loan signings of speedy personnel in hameur bouazza and scott sinclair. being an away match, i see this injection of pace being crucial, and i think birmingham can hit blackpool on the break.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on birmingham -0/0.5 @ 1.81 = $9.05

NEWCASTLE vs WEST HAM (EPL)

Martins and Viduka are out, meaning that Newcastle will partner Andy Carroll with Owen or play a 4-5-1. I highly doubt that that strikeforce is going to be effective. Nicky Butt has been the ballwinner for Newcastle and his suspension means that their defence will be more exposed than the time they leaked 5 goals to Liverpool. West Ham have found it easy to score goals so far and Scott Parker will be back from his suspension, so I think West Ham should be able to at least draw this match, keeping in mind that they have a terrible record at St James Park. I just don't think Newcastle can win it.

Roland's prediction: $5 on West Ham +0/0.5 @ 1.950 = $9.75

Also, here's a small Serie A multiplier:

Milan (0) @ 1.925 (ROMA vs MILAN)
Napoli (-1) @ 2.000 (NAPOLI vs CATANIA)
Inter (-1.5) @ 1.850 (INTER vs CAGLIARI)

$5 pays $35.61

ARSENAL vs BOLTON (EPL)

Well, everyone's going for Bolton and we know why. Fabregas, Gallas, Silvestre, Walcott are all out for this match and they aren't the dominant force they used to be anymore. However, I think that Gallas's injury will mean that Djourou plays and he is more than capable of dealing with Kevin Davies in the air. Bolton is the heavy boat from odds movements and I think the heavy boat will sink this time, as Bolton have been awful the last few matches, and their chances are worsened as Nolan and Steinsson are suspended for this match. Arsenal matches against Bolton always result in goals and Arsenal are due a big win, so Arsenal on the handicap for me.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Arsenal -1/1.5 @ 1.880 = $9.40

well i'm pretty sure of an arsenal win as well, because it would be an absolute disaster for us to get anything less. kolo toure, gael clichy, denilson and song will be back for arsenal. while nolan, steinsson and cahill are out for the wanderers. the only problem arsenal might face is kevin davies and his imposing physique, but i think we'll do enough to win, just win.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on arsenal to win @ 1.35 = $6.75

EVERTON vs HULL CITY (EPL)

Everton have done very well after their unlucky last minute loss to Aston Villa, winning 4 and drawing against Chelsea. They have coped very well with Louis SuckHard, Yakubu and Vaughan out and I think this game won't be too hard either. After not conceding for 5 games, I doubt they will start to leak goals against a Hull side who haven't been playing too well these few games. I think Everton will definitely win this one, though I'm not too sure about them clearing the handicap, so I'll stick with a straight win for this game.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Everton @ 1.65 = $8.25

FULHAM vs BLACKBURN (EPL)

Fulham have been awesome at home and have amassed 21 points from home games, equalling Man Utd and Liverpool so far. They have yet to lose in their last 10 games and their last gasp equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge shows that they are a side brimming with confidence and working hard for each other. Hangeland has been immense in the Fulham defence and I think he should be able to cope with McCarthy and Roberts. Even if Bullard is out (he's "doubtful"), I still think Fulham can win this one as Blackburn haven't been great all season even with Big Sam back.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Fulham -0/0.5 @ 1.880 = $9.40

READING vs WATFORD (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

reading have had a poor run of late, not winning any of their last 3, and getting dumped out of the fa cup. however, one feels that steve coppell never wanted to win the fa cup anyway, and i think this is the match he had in mind. he wants promotion, and to do that, you have to beat teams like the hornets. i am backing reading to snap out of their poor streak with a win at home.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on reading to win @ 1.45 = $14.50

MOTHERWELL vs HEARTS (SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP)

hearts have failed to score in their last 3, and as a result, have also not won in 3. motherwell manager mark mcghee has repeatedly expressed his desire to qualify for europe again, and realistically, if he is to do that, he must avoid defeat against hearts, who are currently in 4th. i am of the opinion, though, that hearts will go all out to win this one, and at level ball, represent good value, especially seeing that lee wallace and marius zaliukas are back from suspension.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hearts level ball @ 1.86 = $9.30

MULTIPLIER OF THE DAY

gillingham vs aston villa (aston villa win @ 1.35)
cordoba vs sociedad (sociedad level @ 1.975)
novak djokovic vs ernests gulbis (djokovic @ 1.20)
agustin calleri vs jo wilfried tsonga (tsonga @ 1.14)

$5 on above multiplier pays $18.28

LEVADIAKOS FC vs ARIS SALONIKI (GREEK SUPER LEAGUE)

aris will be the 8th team trying to beat levadiakos at their home ground this term, something which hasn't happened this season. levadiakos have somehow managed to be unbeaten at home, and winless away from home. however, aris is a quality team and they will not be pleased that they drew their last two. i fancy aris to be the team that ends levadiakos's record.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on aris level @ 1.96 = $9.80

TROFENSE vs BENFICA (PORTUGUESE LIGA SAGRES)

benfica head into this clash after a disappointing home draw with 10-man nacional last time out. their form in the league has been patchy so far. they have only won 2 of their last 5 games in the league, and 1 in their last 5 for all competitions. if they're gonna be able to keep the rest of the chasing pack away from them, it's game like these, against trofense where the must look to win. i think they are safe to back considering they will go all out for a win.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on benfica to win @ 1.44 = $14.40

BARCELONA vs MALLORCA (LA LIGA)

everyone is on barcelona's side for this one, and why not? barcelona are flying high in la liga, they are scoring goals for fun, and are on the back of two vital victories over villarreal and real madrid. however +2 is my favourite handicap and it is a good one, considering mallorca are no shits themselves.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on mallorca +2 @ 1.96 = $9.80

HARTLEPOOL vs STOKE (FA CUP)

hartlepool and stoke will be deceptively even, even though the teams are leagues apart. i think hartlepool will make use of their home advantage to push stoke all the way, especially as stoke are set to send out their reserves in a competition i don't think tony pulis gives a shit about. just take note that the likes of ryan france and nick featherstone are playing for stoke. yes, who the heck is nick featherstone? as such, i think hartlepool might just be able to force a replay in this one.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hartlepool +0.5 @ 1.83 = $9.15

WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs PETERBOROUGH UNITED (FA CUP)

3rd round fa cup action resumes tonight, after last night saw a spurs win over wigan athletic. west brom have achieved a good set of results of late, picking up wins over tottenham and manchester city, and only lost out to chelsea. they face a peterborough side that is currently in good form as well. however, with this one being played at the hawthorns, i think west brom have enough in them to get a win, especially as peterborough will have half an eye on the vital clash against mk dons coming up.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on west brom to win @ 1.50 = $7.50

TOTTENHAM vs WIGAN (FA CUP)

tottenham have been in bad form recently, while wigan have rounded off a wonderful 2008 with a string of good results. they have cleared their handicap in their last 7, while tottenham have fallen flat in their last 4. in terms of quality, tottenham look to have the edge in a game where steve bruce is without zaki, heskey, cattermole and kirkland. that is the spine of their side in both midfield and attack, and i think tottenham are due a win sooner rather than later.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on tottenham -0.5 @ 1.83 = $9.15

HULL CITY vs ASTON VILLA (EPL)

Hull have capitulated in recent weeks and conceded 9 goals in their last 2 games. Knowing Hull, they will likely bounce back from the dismal results and play their hearts out against Villa. However, Villa have shown that they are mentally resilient and can get the results even when their players aren't playing too well. They turned in an excellent performance against Arsenal and they will head into this game full of confidence having salvaged a very late point that keeps their 4th spot intact. I think Villa should be able to win this one, but don't expect a 4-0 drubbing.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Villa -0/0.5 @ 1.750 = $8.75

i disagree here. hull city have long been written off by me as a shit team, and that's because they are. however, there are a few factors pushing me to think that hull can upset villa here by recording a draw at least.

1) villa have been too lucky, too long. they have achieved results they don't deserve in the past few weeks, and with all lucky runs, they come to an end.
2) hull were hammered twice in two matches. surely they have some pride and will respond.
3) bernard mendy up against luke young. mendy has the skill and guile to beat luke young at least 6 times out of ten, and i think this will be how they can push villa all the way.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on hull city +0.5 @ 1.96 = $9.80

EVERTON vs SUNDERLAND (EPL)

Everton have only won 1 game at home, while they have won 7 games away. Everton are definitely a side with quality and to only win 1 game out of 9 at home is a shcoking statistic, which I think will be made right against Sunderland. Everton have been very solid at the back and have coped very well with their lack of strikers and injury crisis. I think Sunderland's recent run of results - trashing West Brom 4-0 and Hull 4-1 were just the result of Roy Keane leaving and not because they have such great quality within their squad, as seen by the unambitious and shitty performance at home against Blackburn. Everton to win this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Everton -0.5/1 @ 2.050 = $10.25

BOLTON vs WIGAN (EPL)

Bolton host an in form Wigan who have won 4 games at home and only lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the emirates in their last 5 matches. Conversely, Bolton have seen a slump in their earlier form that brought them up the table, losing 3 games in their last 4. However, one must take things into perspective - they were against Chelsea, Villa and Liverpool, all members of the top 4 (lol@Arsenal). Kevin Davies is likely to start and Bolton should have enough quality to beat Wigan, who have lost Cattermole due to him accumulating 5 yellows. Michael Brown is set to replace Cattermole and he will give a lot of fouls away, and we all know how lethal Bolton are at set pieces.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Bolton -0/0.5 @ 1.930 = $9.65

WEST HAM vs STOKE CITY (EPL)

Well, West Ham have steadily improved over their last few matches - first drawing 1-1 at Chelsea, unluckily losing to Villa at home and then beating Portsmouth 4-1 away. They have coped rather well without Dean Ashton and Zola has reinvented them into an attacking team. Stoke will probably look to keep West Ham out by defending in numbers like they did at Old Trafford, but I think that West Ham's wing play with Faubert, Illunga and Behrami should be able to unlock the Stoke defence when they put in quality balls into the box.

Roland's prediction: $5 on West Ham -0.5/1 @ 1.940 = $9.70

STOCKPORT vs LEEDS (LEAGUE 1)

leeds haven't won in 5 games in the league, therefore at level ball, they represent outstanding value. i think they will break their bad run of form at stockport, and net us some money.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on leeds level ball @ 1.97 = $9.85

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs SWANSEA CITY (COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP)

birmingham recorded an important away win at portman road on boxing day. important because 1) ipswich is a team commonly referred to as a banana peel for top sides and 2) we tipped it here on thetipsters.blogspot.com, so they had to win. in any case, birmingham must follow that impressive victory with a win over swansea, who have somehow managed to draw their last 7 games. they are unbeaten in 7 games if you like your glass half-full, and they haven't managed a win in their last 8, if you like your glass half-empty. whichever way you look at it though, i believe birmingham have enough to put swansea to the sword.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on birmingham -0.5/1 @ 2.00 = $10.00

VIETNAM vs THAILAND (AFF SUZUKI CUP)

thailand will still be smarting from that smash-and-grab raid by vietnam that leaves them with a 2-1 deficit to overcome. vietnam's strategy worked to perfection as they hit thailand on the counter, making full use of le cong vinh's pace and landing themselves two goals. thailand obviously have the players to overcome the deficit but do they have the mental tenacity? considering they have gone to indonesia and come away with a 1-0 away win, they might not be overly intimidated by the crowd in hanoi. they have to win to have any chance of lifting the cup and i think they will. in good news for them, suchao nutnum is back for them after completing his ban, and i think he will add a bit more thrust to thailand, which is crucial.

Eddy's prediction: $10 on thailand -0.5 @ 1.95 = $19.50