In the EPL this week, take Sunderland to pile more misery on relegation threatened Bolton. The black Cats are sitting pretty in mid-table and have drifted in price after Burnley appointed Owen Coyle as their new manager. There is a belief that a new manager often brings a short term boost in results but we will take on this opinion since Bolton are still a club without direction or much talent since Sam Alladyce left the helm two seasons ago. Having expected an odds-on quote, we are happy to take 1.5 points on sunderland at 2.02 with Pinnacle (2.0 with IASBet). We will also recommend an each way wager on Darren Bent scoring the first goal at a generous 6.0 with Totesport or William Hill (with 1/3 the odds for a place meaning 2.67 for the place part of the bet). Take 0.5 points each way.

Also in the EPL, back the 'unders' in Man Utd's tough trip to St Andrews to play Birmingham who concede just 0.5 goals per game at home and score 0.8. They rank first in defence and last in attack at home as they adopt a very negative set-up and will take no chances against a talented United side. A cagey affair is anticipated and the odd goal may settle this, so take the 1.81 available on under 2.5 goals with Pinnacle (1.8 with Skybet or Stan James) for 2 points.

In Spain this week, we like the look of a resurgent Villarreal side to overcome struggling Almeria. Villarreal had won six in a row before being unlucky in only drawing when travelling to face Barcelona last weekend and are arguably the form side after a bad start to the season.

Almeria are poor, and have parted company with their manager over the winter break as they sit just three points above the relegation zone having lost six of thier last eight games before sneaking a late win against bottom placed Xerez last week. Villarreal are asked to give up a goal on the Asian handicap (-1) whereby stakes are returned should they win by exactly one, with winning odds of 1.86 should they win by two or more (a draw or loss is a losing bet). Take 1.75 points at 1.86 on Villarreal -1 with Ladbrokes (1.85 at Pinnacle).

Finally in Spain, have a small bet on Lionel Messi to score first against Tenerife on Sunday. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, the little Argentinian is even more likely to notch first and odds of 5.0 are big enough to get involved. Take 0.75 points at 5.0 with VC Bet or Bluesq.

Bets:

Sunderland over Bolton, 1.5 points @ 2.02 (Pinnacle)
Sunderland v Bolton, Darren Bent 1st goalscorer, 0.5 points each way @ 6.0 Sportingbet (Totesport/WillHill - 1/3 the odds a place)
Birmingham v Man United under 2.5 goals, 2 points @ 1.81 (Pinnacle)
Villarreal (-1) on the Asian Handicap over Almeria, 1.75 points @ 1.86 (Ladbrokes)
Tenerife v Barcelona, Lionel Messi 1st goalscorer 0.75 points win only @ 5.0 (VCbet/BlueSquare)

African Nations tornament:

With the African Cup of Nations tournament starting this weekend in Angola, we have a few bets that should be considered on the outright markets.

Our main fancy is the tournament favourites Ivory Coast, who boast the worlds best striker at the moment Didier Drogba, along with a smattering of European based talent in Kalou (Chelsea), Kolo Toure (Man City), Zokora (Sevilla), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Eboue (Arsenal) and Arthur Boka (Stuttgart) to name a few. They have talent all over the pitch and should comfortably win their group with only a weakened Ghana (missing Sulley Muntari and Steven Appiah, two of their top three players), Burkino Faso and Togo to overcome.

Take the 3.6 on them winning the tournament with Stan James for 1.5 points and take the 1.73 on them winning group B with Coral for 2.5 points.

Our other fancy is Cameroon, led by the goal machine Samuel Eto'o. They too have a number of Europe's top talents, but have a small edge over their competitors due to their strength in two often forgotten, but critical positions - Goalkeeper and Manager. In Carlos Kameni they have the best of the goalkeepers by far in a position that is often considered a weakness in African football. The Espanyol stopper is courted by top clubs in Europe and will be keen to continue to impress the watching scouts.

In Paul Le Guen, Cameroon also have a great and experienced coach who was at the helm during the glory years at Olympic Lyonnais in France. He took over a faltering Camerron side in qualifying and has welded a cohesive unit capable of taking scalps at the world Cup this summer.

We fancy Cameroon for their group D at 1.67 for 1.75 points with Coral, Stan James and Betfred and this (coupled with an Ivory Coast group win) would ensure the two would not meet until the final. Take the 3.5 offered by Paddy Power on Cameroon to reach the final for 1.25 points.

Finally, Samuel Eto'o (second favourite for Didier Drogba) in the top goalscorer market should be backed as he is playing in what is arguably the easiest group (Tunisia, Gabon and Zambia make up the numbers). Stan James are biggest at 6.0 with 2 each way places at 1/3 the odds so take 1 point each way.

Bets:

Ivory Coast to win the tournamet, 1.5 points @ 3.6 (Stan James)
Ivory Coast to win group B, 2.5 points @ 1.73 (Coral)
Cameroon to reach the final, 1.25 points @ 3.5 (Paddy Power)
Cameroon to win Group D, 1.75 points @ 1.67 (Coral)
Samuel Eto'o top goalscorer, 1 point each way - 1/3 odds first 2, @ 6.0 (Stan James)

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