2008/09 Week 18

This weeks first selection is Blackburn at 1.91 to win at home against Stoke this Saturday. Rovers sacked Paul Ince this week and immediately replaced him with the more experienced Sam Allardyce. I expect Allardyce to have an immediate impact at Blackburn and feel they still have more than enough quality to take 3 points here. Stoke have injury doubts over Sidibe and Delap, both of whom have been key to their recent good form. Rovers have underachieved so far this campaign and I am sure that the change of manager will shake them into some type of form. With David Dunn also returning from injury its a good time for Rovers to face a huge home fixture against one of their main relegation rivals. I'm tipping Big Sam to start with a win, stake 2.5 pts at 1.91 with Coral, Paddy Power or SkyBet.
 
Our second EPL bet of the week is on the spreads and is a buy of Newcastle supremacy at 0.1 against Spurs with Sporting Index. Newcastle did us a favour last weekend by winning at Portsmouth and I feel they are in a real purple patch of form right now. Owen and Martins are a Champions League strike force whilst the defence now seems settled, coherant and incredibly tough to crack. Spurs arent playing badly themselves at present but they do currently have a touch of an injury crisis. Ledley King is a doubt for this one as is his regular sidekick Jonathan Woodgate. Darren Bent has also suffered a knock this week and could miss out too. Its not a huge bet this one by any means but I do feel SPIN have underrated the Magpies just a little. With home advantage on their side and a full week to prepare I'm siding with the home side here, buy Newcastle Supremacy at 0.1 for a 1.5 pt risk.
 
Our final EPL selection of the round is a small lay of Hull at 2.18 to beat Sunderland at the KC Stadium on Saturday. Hull keep shutting their critics up with more awesome performances, especially on the road against the big 4. At home this season they have conceded too many goals however. When the onus is on them to take control of the match and set the pace they seem a little less bullish. Poor defences end up proving costly and against Cisse and Jones they will certainly be tested. Sunderland returned to the sort of form last weekend that they should be hitting every week. They possess a squad brimming with ability that could still make the top 10. Its not a match where I have a huge opinion, this is simply that the price on a home win is just enough shorter than i made it for me to become involved. At 2.18 I'm laying 1pt.
 
In the Championship we are backing two of the sections form teams. Firstly we will back Wolves away at Doncaster. BetFred are offering 1.91 and that has to be snapped up quick. With goals not a problem I expect the league leaders to brush Donny aside. Donny continue to play attractive football but dont record enough goals for to keep them away from the bottom reaches of the division. Wolves are a goal machine that I cant see being stopped just yet, I'm staking 2.5 pts at 1.91.
 
Our second Championship bet is Cardiff at 1.83 with Ladbrokes, Paddy Power or Boyle Sports. Cardiff also have goals aplenty in their ranks. With stars such as Chopra, Bothroyd, McCormack, Routledge, Ledley and Whittingham goals are easy to come by. Dave Jones has moulded a stong, dynamic side which could and probably should be in the top 6 come May. Wednesday on the road are far from watertight. Cardiff should have too much class and I really feel Wednesday could cop a hiding here. I'm risking 2.5 pts at the 1.83.
 
We drop down to League One for the remainder of our picks. Firstly we are taking Swindon to beat Yeovil at 2.1 with Tote Sport or Bet Fred. Swindon let us down badly last week at Crewe but they were smashed in the betting pre match and that wasnt just my money! Yeovil offer them an instant chance to make up for their poor showing last time out. Yeovil are genuine relegation material this year and are struggling to compete with their wealthier and bigger rivals. Swindon have enough quality in their ranks to take maximum points in this one. I am having 1.25 pts at 2.1.
 
Our second League One bet has us siding with MK Dons against crisis club Leeds. Without Jermaine Beckford Leeds are a pale imitation of their early season self. MK Dons just keep winning, they are a tough solid side that seems well equipped to last the distance near the top of League One. I feel Leeds are still being priced up on name more than ability. Their recent form is horrendous and I'm certain it is unlikely to change any time soon. The best way to side with MK is on the Asian Handicap -0.25 line. Take MK at 1.95 off this line and stake 1.25 pts.
 
Lastly we are dipping into non league football for one last punt. Torquay host Cup giantkillers Histon this Saturday in an intrigueing match up between two of the leagues best sides. Torquay for me are the best footballing side in the Blue Sq Premier. Histon for all their battling qualities and great organisation could be outplayed here. If Torquay click at home they are hard to stop. With all this considered it strikes me that 2.2 about a home is certainly value. Head to Tote Sport and back the 2.2 for a 1pt risk.

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