2008/09 Week 16

Manchester Utd seem to be slipping into top gear about now and we'll be cheering the Red Devils on this weekend. Sports Acumen have again underrated the EPL champions on their supremacy spread betting market. They have United available to buy at 2.1 in their home match with Sunderland. Even before Roy Keane dramatically left Sunderland this price was value. With the resulting chaos and recriminations it is now even better. I cannot have this line any lower than 2.3. Utd are close to top form currently with their front men seemingly competing for doimnace against each other whilst ensuring the team as a whole prevails. I am risking 3pts at 2.1 and would suggest you still bet but at reduced levels if 2.2 becomes the screen price.
 
Next up we are placing our faith in another member of the EPL's big 4. Arsenal host Wigan at the Emirates this Saturday and the lines on offer dont appear to reflect Arsenal's new found strength. Last week's performance against Chelsea was a huge confidence boost. Added to that they now have a much stronger starting 11 available once more. With Adebayor and Van Persie paired in attack goals seem certain. The defence also withstood pressure last Sunday and that bodes well here. Wigan are undefeated in 5 EPL matches but they still fail to convince. They snatched a late late win last time out at home to West Brom. Chris Kirkland has been inspired in goal and much of their recent good run can be traced back to his performances. I expect Arsenal to simply have too much here, I feel they will get back to enjoying their football once again and run out convincing winners. Pinnacle Sports are offering 1.862 or 1.83 with IASBet about Arsenal -1.25 on the Asian Handicap. I am backing this one to risk 2.5 pts.
 
Our final EPL bet for the weekend is siding with M'Boro away at Hull. Boro have been a little hit and miss this season so far but at the same time they have impressed when on the road. They possess a solid defensive unit and an attack that despite poor figures to date could prove explosive. Hull are beginning to even out form wise from their superb start to the comp. I feel here that Boro may just ask too many questions of their hosts at both ends of the pitch. Paddy Power are going 2.23 on their 0 Asian line. For me this is just a touch too big, i'm taking Boro here for a 1 unit risk.
 
Dropping down to the Championship, Reading are our next selection. They visit Barnsley this weekend and should be backed at 2.2 with Ladbrokes, BlueSq or Boyle Sports. Reading are yet to convince away from home this season but a team this good will not fail for long. They have in the Hunt brothers and Kevin Doyle some of the section's best individual players. Barnsley are a well organised workmanlike side but one which can be taken advantage of by superior teams at top form. I expect Reading to mount a sustained period of good form from now to the January window. 2.2 is value for sure, I'm risking 1.75pts
 
Our final UK selection comes from further down the footballing pyramid. We are heading to the Blue Sq Prem Division where we are backing Ebbsfleet. Ebbsfleet host Weymouth who themselves are a club in complete disarray. With no visible management structure and with players fearing for their futures it is certainly a good time to oppose Weymouth. Tote Sport have got Ebbsfleet chalked up at Even Money and that has to be snapped up. Punting on the lower leagues is always fraught with danger but this one does appear to tick all the necessary boxes. We will risk 1.5 pts at Evens and top up to smaller stakes on the exchanges at 1.96.
 
Next up we are heading to Spain with a bet that certainly swims against the tide! Off late, Real Madrid have been simply dreadful. Without Van Nistelrooy and numerous others they have been beaten and defeated far too easily. This weekend should see the return of Cannavaro, Higuain and hopefully Sneijder and pepe will recover in time too. Their opposition is Sevilla. They themselves are hardly firing on all cylinders. Without suspended Luis Fabiano they are struggling from a shortage of match winners. Real can be backed at 2.10 and just 4 weeks ago that price would have been unthinkable. I am taking Real to bounce back and placing my faith in Higuain to fire them to victory. Stan James and CentreBet are both 2.10 and I am staking 1.25 pts.

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