Top Tips for Sunday’s matches

Betting, Bookmakers, Chit-Chat, Fixed Odds, Football, General Posts, Tipsters | jimmyhillsbeard | October 28, 2007 at 1:30 pm

With European games coming thick and fast, Sunday is turning into the new Saturday. Having been let down by Benjani’s late penalty miss last its a chance to recover some of those lost winnings but looking at the fixtures we’ll need to tread carefully.

In the Premier League, each of the games could go either way. There has been some chat of all four games going the way of the away team, which pays out over £400 for a £10 stake at Bet365 but on closer inspection there’s a case to be made in other markets.

First up is bottom of the table Bolton v Aston Villa. New Manager Syndrome may well kick in at the Reebok as Gary Megson settles into the hotseat. As we’ve seen on many occasions a new man at the helm can often have a positive impact as players raise their game in order to impress. Megson was not the favoured candidate but he landed the position and the players will have to start playing for their futures again. Backing Bolton however would involve throwing the form book out the window. They’ve won just one league game at the Reebok this season, whilst Villa are undefeated in 3 away so far. The bookies can’t split the two teams and some of them just give Villa the edge. For me I’d steer well clear of this game but there might be value in Bolton on the Asian Handicap (0, +0.5) with Paddy Power at 16/25.

One of the most obvious bets of the day is to side with Everton when they visit Pride Park but before lumping on, consider Derby’s decent home record against the Toffees. They’ve won 4 of the last 5 contests there, dating back to 1997. The 11/10 (BetFred, BlueSq etc) is tempting but then again so is the 3/1 (Skybet) on Derby so as you can tell I can’t make my mind up on this one either. The value for me might be in the total goals market. Derby have managed just 5 so far in the League and Everton are averaging just over a goal a game away from home. Back under 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Coral.

Juande Ramos will see his new club in action for the first time at White Hart Lane this afternoon and the New Manager Syndrome may just kick in here as well as at the Reebok. A combination of bad luck, bad play and internal unrest has left Spurs in a precarious position but they are not as bad as the league table suggests. Thursday’s defeat to Getafe was a fitting end to the Jol era and will hopefully have brought some closure for the Spurs fans. However, today’s visitors, Blackburn Rovers will not be the type to roll over and will be out to give Ramos a rude awakening. Mark Hughes has done an exceptional job assembling a strong, talented squad at Ewood Park that is capable of beating any of the teams outside the big four. Had Jol still been in place I’d have gone for a Rovers win but with a new regime on the horizon I think Spurs can get things off toa winning start, back them to win at 5/4 with Bet365.

Match of the day is at Anfield where Liverpool entertain Arsenal. Rafa Benitez finds himself under a little bit of pressure after a disappointing week that seen his side fail to sparkle (but still pick up 3 points) in the Merseyside derby then lose again in the Champions League in Turkey. What better way to respond than to win your next game in front of your home crowd. But… it’s an Arsenal side that just can’t stop winning that they’re up against. Seven wins out of seven in all competitions tells you all you need to know about the Gunners title credentials. And I think they can put a big dent in Liverpool’s hopes today by winning by the odd goal. Having said that I’m more confident that both teams will show each other a lot of respect early doors and think that the game will come to life in the second half. I doubt there will be much goalmouth action in the first 45 so am going with a draw at half time at 11/10 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, SportingBet or totesport.

In Scotland, Aberdeen look certs to win at home to Falkirk (4/6 Skybet) but Rangers‘ trip to Dundee Utd might be more tricky than at first glance. Craig Levein has United playing well at the moment and they’ve yet to concede a goal at home this term . In recent years they have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Gers and the 9/2 on the home win makes some appeal. Again, I expect another tight affair and the bet for me is a draw at half time (7/5 with Skybet) is the bet for me.

Briefly, in Europe keep an eye out for (now) managerless Seville at home to Valencia – they away team are a very inviting 23/10 at Portlandbet. And in Germany, Bayern Munich can keep up their cracking start to the Bundesliga with an away win at Dortmund (4/5 at Bet Direct and Bet365)

My Big Six