The truth is, the gap between the creme-de-la creme of European nations and the bottom-dogs is huge and although betting on the outcome of games between the two is a non-event there is money to be made on predicting the correct score.

Teams like San Marino, Andorra, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are regularly handed thumpings when they go on the road and seldom do they find the net and it’s this statistic I’m looking to exploit.

Scotland v Liechtenstein

Close to home and Craig Levein’s first home competitive game see Liechtenstein visit Hampden and nothing less than a comfortable home win will do. I’m drawn to Scotland winning by a few goals, say 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 but a closer look at Liechtenstein’s results suggests that a clean sheet for Scotland isn’t guaranteed. In World Cup 2010 qualifying they didn’t pull up any trees and managed just 2 goals but look back at Euro 2008 qualifying and you’ll see that they scored 9 including finding the net in 4 away ties, only failing to find the net in Denmark and Spain.

In 2006 qualification they averaged more than a goal a game, bagging 13 in 12 matches, although 7 of those were across 2 games against Luxembourg. All in all it makes me slightly nervous in backing Scotland to keep a clean sheet tomorrow. I think I’ll leave this one alone.

Sweden v San Marino

In Malmo, Sweden play host to perennial whipping boys San Marino who haven’t scored a goal away from home in any of their last 3 qualifying campaigns. That’s 16 games without a point and a goals for and against tally that astonishingly reads 0-82. On average then they lose just over 5-0 every time they travel and that looks a decent place to start when trying to pick out some correct scores. Indeed on 2 previous clashes the Swedes have beaten San Marino 5-0 and 6-0 so the spread of results looks best placed at 4-0 (11/2 Bet365, Blue Sq, Boylesports), 5-0 (6/1 Boylesports, Blue Sq, Ladbrokes) and 6-0 (15/2 888 Sport, Blue Sq) for this one.

Germany v Azerbaijan

World Cup semi-finalists Germany welcome Azerbaijan once again after both sides were paired together for the second qualifying campaign in a row. Almost a year ago to the day the Germans ran out 4-0 winners and again that looks a decent place to start. Azerbaijan are not going to spring a surprise here but they are a step up from the likes of San Marino, however they shouldn’t be troubling the German defence. Their 4 away goals in the last 3 campaigns have come against Liechtenstein (2), Finland and Kazakhstan so finding the net against Europe’s elite looks beyond them.

That said, they seldom take a hammering. They’ve only lost by 4 or more on 5 occasions in the last 32 matches, although they’ve won just twice in that spell. Despite Germany’s rich array of striking talent it pays to play the averages and I’ll be going with a spread of 3-0 (11/2 Totesport, Coral), 4-0 (11/2 Totesport, Blue Sq) and 5-0 (8/1 Skybet) in this one.

Ireland v Andorra

The Irish have a cracking record at home in qualifying and haven’t lost a game on home turf in the last 3 campaigns. Hwoever, they don’t often win by many but surely there are goals on the cards when Andorra come calling tomorrow. The good news for the Irish is that talismanic captain Robbie Keane has declared himself fit and will undoubtedly get on the scoresheet but boss Giovanni Trappatoni has warned his side not to underestimate their visitors after they succumbed to just a 2-0 defeat to Russia on Friday.

In recent times the only comparable game that the Irish have played at home was San Marino back in 2006. They won that 5-0, a result that’s not been bettered in a competitive match since. What makes this one tricky to call though is that Andorra do get handed a thumping from time to time.  They’ve lost 8, 7, 6 and 5 on a few occasions in recent times and an early goal for the Irish could set them up for a very comfy night. My call is a spread of 3-0 (11/2 Totesport), 4-0 (11/2 Betfred, Blue Sq, Totesport) and 5-0 (13/2 Boylesports).

Ok, so now I’ve got my correct score spreads, here’s how I bet them. Simply take all 3 results for all 3 games and perm them. That’s 3×3x3 bets = 27 and all we need is for one of each the results to land and we’re seriously in the money.

Bet of the Day

• Sweden to win 4-0 (11/2 Bet365, Blue Sq, Boylesports), 5-0 (6/1 Boylesports, Blue Sq, Ladbrokes) and 6-0 (15/2 888 Sport, Blue Sq)
• Germany to win 3-0 (11/2 Totesport, Coral), 4-0 (11/2 Totesport, Blue Sq) and 5-0 (8/1 Skybet)
• Ireland to win 3-0 (11/2 Totesport), 4-0 (11/2 Betfred, Blue Sq, Totesport) and 5-0 (13/2 Boylesports)
• Perm 3×3x3 = 27 treble bets.

However, it’s not all good news for the Bluebirds, as their other star striker, Michael Chopra, is out for the next 3 months with injury.

The focus, therefore, is even more on Bellamy to get the goals to help his hometown team achieve their ultimate goal of Premier League football. It’ll be interesting to see if he can stand up to the test and deliver what everyone is expecting of him.

Cardiff travel to Portsmouth on Saturday. Pompey have their own well-documented problems. They’re looking to expand their squad as they’ve only been able to name a bench of four substitutes so far this season.

Portsmouth’s two home games so far this campaign have ended up in 1-1 draws. You’d have to favour Cardiff in this one, but without Chopra, the possibility of a draw increases. At 12/5 (Paddy Power), that could be the one to be on with this game.

Championship tip of the weekend:

• QPR to beat Derby @ 6/4 (Victor Chandler)

Championship fixtures:

28 August

• 15:00 Barnsley (19/10) v (23/10) Middlesbrough (8/5)
• 15:00 Derby (21/10) v (23/10) QPR (6/4)
• 15:00 Doncaster (5/4) v (23/10) Hull (12/5)
• 15:00 Ipswich (11/13) v (5/2) Bristol City (4/1)
• 15:00 Millwall (18/19) v (5/2) Coventry (10/3)
• 15:00 Nottm Forest (18/19) v (5/2) Norwich (7/2)
• 15:00 Portsmouth (11/5) v (12/5) Cardiff (7/5)
• 15:00 Scunthorpe (17/10) v (23/10) Crystal Palace (19/10)
• 15:00 Sheffield Utd (18/19) v (12/5) Preston (16/5)
• 15:00 Swansea (7/5) v (23/10) Burnley (2/1)
• 15:00 Watford (6/4) v (23/10) Leeds (2/1)
• 17:20 [TV] Leicester (13/10) v (23/10) Reading (9/4)

Brentford host Rochdale on Saturday. The Bees will be buzzing after a Carling Cup win over Hull City in midweek. But the advantage comes from Rochdale having only played their cup tie on Thursday evening, giving them only 41 hours recovery between games.

‘Dale put up a good fight against Premier League opposition in the shape of Birmingham City, before falling to a narrow 3-2 defeat. Anyone who watched the game will know that their players worked extremely hard, and it’s going to be difficult to energise themselves for the trip to Griffin Park.

Despite Brentford’s disappointing beginning to the season, this should be a game which they are looking to take all three points from to kickstart their campaign. Gary Alexander is a proven goalscorer in this division, and looks a good bet for the first goal at 6/1 (Bluesquare, 888 Sport).

League One tip of the weekend:

• Bournemouth to beat Notts County @ 13/10 (Betfred, William Hill)

League One fixtures:

27 August

• 19:45 Colchester (15/13) v (12/5) Carlisle (13/5)

28 August

• 15:00 Bournemouth (13/10) v (12/5) Notts Co (5/2)
• 15:00 Brentford (10/11) v (5/2) Rochdale (7/2)
• 15:00 Brighton (11/13) v (5/2) Walsall (7/2)
• 15:00 Bristol Rovers (5/2) v (12/5) Southampton (5/4)
• 15:00 Dagenham & Redbridge (6/5) v (12/5) Tranmere (5/2)
• 15:00 Hartlepool (12/5) v (12/5) Sheffield Wednesday (13/10)
• 15:00 Huddersfield (11/10) v (12/5) Charlton (11/4)
• 15:00 Leyton Orient (5/4) v (12/5) Exeter (5/2)
• 15:00 MK Dons (5/4) v (12/5) Swindon (5/2)
• 15:00 Oldham (11/13) v (5/2) Yeovil (15/4)
• 15:00 Plymouth (17/10) v (12/5) Peterborough (15/8)

The home side will be looking to pick themselves up after a 6-0 defeat against Fulham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday evening. Aside of that game, the Valiants have started the campaign extremely well and upset QPR in the first round of the cup, and are unbeaten in the league.

Their forward duo of Marc and Justin Richards, who incidentally are not related, have been banging in the goals with five between them thus far and will be looking to add to their tally against Torquay. Marc is 11/2 while Justin is 6/1 with Bet365 to open the scoring, you could toss a coin between which one to go with as both are very likely first scorers.

Torquay have begun the season flying. The Gulls have the only 100% record in the division and were extremely unlucky to be defeated in the Carling Cup by Championship side Reading by an injury-time goal.

They’ve yet to concede a goal in league action and in Chris Zebroski and Elliot Benyon, they have strikers who can do some damage at the other end of the pitch.

With both sides having good attacking talent on display, you might fancy a flutter on both teams to score which is available at evens (Bluesquare, 888 Sport).

League Two tip of the weekend:

• Crewe to beat Lincoln @ 19/10 (Totesport, Ladbrokes)

League Two fixtures:

27 August

• 19:45 Bradford (11/10) v (12/5) Southend (10/3)

28 August

• 15:00 Aldershot (7/5) v (12/5) Stevenage (9/4)
• 15:00 Barnet (2/1) v (12/5) Bury (6/4)
• 15:00 Cheltenham (6/4) v (12/5) Burton (19/10)
• 15:00 Hereford (7/4) v (12/5) Rotherham (17/10)
• 15:00 Lincoln (8/5) v (5/2) Crewe (19/10)
• 15:00 Macclesfield (11/5) v (12/5) Chesterfield (13/10)
• 15:00 Morecambe (11/8) v (23/10) Gillingham (9/4)
• 15:00 Northampton (6/4) v (23/10) Wycombe (2/1)
• 15:00 Oxford (4/5) v (5/2) Accrington (4/1)
• 15:00 Port Vale (7/5) v (12/5) Torquay (2/1)
• 15:00 Stockport (2/1) v (12/5) Shrewsbury (7/5)

Chelsea are the kings of the 6-0. Two games played, and two 6-0 wins under their belt. They should feel pretty confident of possibly doing the same again ahead of Stoke City’s visit to Stamford Bridge.

Tony Pulis’ side have not had the best starts to the season. Defeat at Wolves on the opening day was followed by a home defeat to Spurs last weekend. It doesn’t bode well ahead of the toughest test of all going up against the champions. Chelsea can be backed to do an incredible third 6-0 win in a row at just 25/1 (888 Sport, Coral).

Another potential hiding could be given out at Old Trafford at tea-time on Saturday. West Ham are the visitors to face Manchester United on the back of awful early-season form. After two rather dismal losses to Aston Villa and Bolton in the league, the Hammers only just scraped past Oxford in the Carling Cup in midweek with a late Scott Parker goal.

Although Manchester United are usually slow starters to the season, you cannot see anything other than a convincing win for the Red Devils. Paul Scholes is the player in form at the moment, and he’s a very tempting 11/1 with Bet365 to open the scoring on Saturday.

If you’re looking at games which should be a bit closer, then look no further than Aston Villa v Everton on Sunday.

Villa have had a bad week. First a 6-0 mauling by Newcastle which was followed by their Europa League exit at the hands of Rapid Vienna. Rumours are now abound that Ashley Young could be heading for pastures new, and it’s not too rosy in the Aston Villa garden at the minute.

Everton haven’t enjoyed the best start to the season themselves. Defeat at Blackburn and a home draw against Wolves wouldn’t be the way David Moyes would have dreamt about his team’s early season form. But a 5-1 demolition of League One Huddersfield in the Carling Cup should boost the Blues confidence going into the clash at Villa Park.

An away win is available at 2/1 with Ladbrokes whilst Tim Cahill looks good value at 10/1 (VCBet) to grab the first goal.

Premier League tips of the weekend:

• Adam Johnson to score anytime (Sunderland v Manchester City) @ 10/3 (William Hill)
• Liverpool to win 5-0 v West Brom @ 22/1 (Skybet, Sportingbet)
• Blackpool to beat Fulham @ 11/5 (Betfred)

Premier League Fixtures:

Saturday 28 August

• 12:45 [TV] Blackburn (5/1) v (3) Arsenal (4/6)
• 15:00 Blackpool (11/5) v (12/5) Fulham (11/8)
• 15:00 Chelsea (1/8) v (8/1) Stoke (28/1)
• 15:00 Tottenham (2/7) v (5/1) Wigan (12/1)
• 15:00 Wolverhampton (6/4) v (23/10) Newcastle United (21/10)
• 17:30 [TV] Manchester United (1/6) v (7/1) West Ham (22/1)

Sunday 29 August

• 13:30 [TV] Bolton (6/5) v (12/5) Birmingham (14/5)
• 15:00 Liverpool (1/4) v (5/1) West Bromwich (15/1)
• 15:00 Sunderland (7/2) v (13/5) Manchester City (10/11)
• 16:00 [TV] Aston Villa (17/10) v (23/10) Everton (2/1)

Two favourites who absolutely must win are Sevilla and Spurs. The Spaniards trail Portuguese side and conquerors of Celtic in the last round, Braga, by a goal to nil but will fancy their chances of turning the tie around at home in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. They need be wary of conceding on the night but should be more than capable of the win at odds of 2/5 (888 Sport, Blue Sq, VCBet).

Spurs looked all but out of it after half an hour in Switzerland last week as they went 3-0 down but they dug in and return to White Hart Lane needing just a single-goal victory to progress (as long as Young Boys don’t score more than 2). Again, I expect the gulf in class will ensure that Harry Redknapp’s boys prevail and the 1/4 (Bet365, Blue Sq, Betfred, Blue Sq, Skybet) should be snapped up asap.

Back to Tuesday and all the ties look really tough to call. I’d expected better things from Red Bull Salzburg in the first leg but they were stunned by Hapoel Tel Aviv and trail 3-2 ahead of the return leg in Israel. The big-spending Austrians are 3/1 to get the win they need to progress and they might be worth a wee nibble at those odds when you consider that Hapoel can afford to lose 1-0 or 2-1 and still qualify.

Sampdoria have a bit of work to do if they’re to get the better of Werder Bremen. The Germans take a 3-1 lead to Italy but questions remain over their defensive capabilities. Like in the first leg I fancy both teams to score here but it’s none too appealing at just 8/13 (Paddy Power) so how about over 2.5 goals at a slighty more interesting 3/4 (betChronicle).

On Wednesday it’ll be a big night in Amsterdam as Ajax look to return to Europe’s elite by seeing off Dynamo Kiev. The first leg was drawn 1-1 in Ukraine but that result owed much to the dismissal of Kiev’s Denys Garmash, which swung the game in Ajax’s favour. The Dutch crowd will have good reason to be nervy too, Ajax blew chances to reach the group stages in 2006 and 2007 with home defeats to FC København and SK Slavia Praha forcing their exit. Kiev lie third in league after 7 games and although not exactly in top form the away win cannot be completely ruled out here at 7/2 (Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Skybet).

Selectabet’s Best Bet:

• Sevilla & Spurs Double 3/4 (Blue Sq)

Live on Sky Sports 4. Kick off 12.15

This fixture is always one to look forward to in the SPL calendar. With both sides getting off to winning starts last weekend it could be a cracker.

Backers of Rangers will be tempted by the 4/5 odds available at Betfred and William Hill and why not, after all they’ve won 4 of their last 5 visits to Easter Road and these are the games they need to win if they’re going to retain the SPL title. Boss Walter Smith has been busy in the transfer market and loan signing Weiss should make his debut. Jelavic will have to wait till next week to make his bow but James Beattie’s fitness will be one week further on. Steven Davis is expected to return to the side and if Rangers bag the first goal in this one I don’t think they’ll look back.

Hibees boss John Hughes will be hoping to build on last week’s impressive 3-2 win at Fir Park but even by his own admission he does know what he’s going to get from one week to the next. Can they win tomorrow? Yes, of course and at 4/1 (Ladbrokes) it looks a decent option but when it come to games against the Old Firm, Hibs often flatter to deceive. A better bet for me would be to take Hibs to win either half and that’s available at 6/4 (Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Skybet, William Hill).

There’s sure to be plenty of firepower on show and I think that can lead us to the best bet of the day. BOthe teams were involved in games that feature more than 2 goals last week and the same bet is 5/6 at Canbet, however I prefer the look of both teams to score at 7/10 with William Hill.

Live on Sky Sports 2. Kick off 5.15pm

These side could hardly have got off to more contrasting starts last weekend. Chelsea breezed to a 6-0 trouncing of newly promoted West Brom, whilst Wigan were humbled 4-0 by Premier League debutants Blackpool. A dead-cert away win then tomorrow? Well, yes!

At 2/7 (Paddy Power) backing the Blues is not going to make you rich, so lets look where else there’s value to be had in this evening kick-off.

Wigan generally play a more expansive game under Roberto Martinez, which can often be their downfall. It does mean though that goals can be forthcoming, particularly for the opposition. Over 2.5 goals is not surprisingly favoured at 8/13 (Totesport) and over 3.5 goals is even more tempting at 13/8 (Boylesports). Both games between the two teams would have delivered on that bet last season (3-1 & 8-0).

Didier Drogba is chasing a hat-trick 0f Premier League hat-tricks and would be the first player to do so if he manages it. After coming close to tipping him to net 3 last week (I eventually went with Frank Lampard) I’m tempting to give it a go with Ladbrokes and Skybet both offering 12/1.

Live on Sky Sports 1. Kick off 8pm

Manchester United’s season hasn’t even kicked off yet but they’re already playing catch-up with title rivals Chelsea after the Blues thumped West Brom 6-0 to storm to the top of the league on Saturday evening. United also face a newly promoted side in Newcastle but I don’t expect they’ll be rattling in the goals at the same rate as Chelsea tonight.

At 2/9 (Bet365, Betfred, Blue Sq, Boylesports, Ladbrokes) United don’t represent much value, especially when you consider that they’ve not been convincing on the opening days of the season previously. In the last three seasons they’ve drawn twice an won once in their fixture, managing just 2 goals in the process so it’s fair to say they’ve been slow starters of late.

That said, it’s been 38 years since Newcastle have beaten United at Old Trafford so don’t be getting too carried away with the 18/1 odds on an away win at betChronicle.

In fact it’s hard to find any value in the match betting, but the one thing we know for sure is that Newcastle look likely to struggle in front of goals this season with Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan likely to be the biggest threats. If United can get off to a win then backing them to win to nil looks like the best way to profit. Coral go 10/11.

Taking that bet a bit further I reckon it’ll be relative tight and can see the home side wearing the Toon down and eventually running out winners by a couple of goals. In the correct score market 2-0 looks like the way to  at 11/2 (Betfred, Blue Sq, Boylesports, Coral).

Bet of the night though could be to back Rooney to return to form in familiar surrounds. After a truly dismal World Cup and a disappointing England appearance last week, Rooney will be glad to get back to action at Old Trafford and start proving that reports of his demise are premature. He’s got a cracking record against Newcastle having scored 9 in 11 and is 3/1 to open the scoring tonight. Better still, he’s 4/5 (888 Sport, Blue Sq) to score at anytime and that’s got to be snapped up.

Best Tips:

• Man Utd to win to nil 10/11 (Coral)
• Man Utd to win 2-0 11/2 (Betfred, Blue Sq, Boylesports, Coral)
• Rooney to score anytime  4/5 (888 Sport, Blue Sq)

The Premier League in England gets under way this weekend. It should be a very interesting season ahead, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool looking to challenge at the top along with big-spending Manchester City who will be looking to push into the Champions League qualification places too.

Chelsea may struggle defensively without Ricardo Carvalho who has left Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid. Arsenal have strengthened their squad with two canny additions in the form of Laurent Koscielny and Maraoune Chamakh.

Manchester United look to have signed another gem in Mexican striker Javier Hernandez while Roy Hodgson’s arrival at Liverpool, and the signing of Joe Cole should help them stake a place in the elite of English football once more.

Manchester City will surely be pushing those four teams, and the likes of Tottenham and Everton, for Champions League qualification, if not the league title. They have spent big yet again and the signings of Yaya Toure and David Silva is a signal of their intent. They are available at 61/100 (Skybet) to make the top four in 2010/11.

I have a sneaky suspicion that Arsenal could be the champions come May. If they can keep the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie fit for the whole season, they have real quality throughout their side. The goals of Chamakh will also help their cause, and at 7/1 (Ladbrokes), they could be a very good value bet to have a successful campaign.

On to the weekend of fixtures now, and there are three stand out games. Unsurprisingly, Sky Sports have chosen to show all of these.

Tottenham and Manchester City kick off the season with the lunchtime game on Saturday. Both sides possess an array of talent and it’s bound to be a closely fought game. A draw can be backed at 12/5 (Stan James, Boylesports).

There will be a number of high-quality forwards on show, making it difficult to select a first goalscorer. Jermain Defoe, Carlos Tevez, Peter Crouch, Emmanuel Adebayor are all top-class, but after a good pre-season, Robbie Keane’s return to White Hart Lane (after his loan spell at Celtic last season) could be rewarded with the opening goal. At 7/1 (Bet365, Skybet, Paddy Power), he’s good value and could well be worth a punt.

On Sunday, Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield. It’s a difficult start to Roy Hodgson’s reign with the Reds.

Despite their comfortable progress in the Europa League qualifier, they haven’t enjoyed a great pre-season. With their key players coming back late from World Cup duties, that is perhaps the reason behind that. Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard are all now back in the squad and they should give the Gunners a good game.

The home side are slight favourites for the game, but with Maraoune Chamakh set for his competitive debut, the Gunners could well prove difficult to beat. Arsenal at 2/1 (Paddy Power, Coral) look the best value, and Theo Walcott appears great value at 12/1 (Victor Chandler) to open the scoring at Anfield.

On Monday night, newly promoted Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. The Toon couldn’t have picked a trickier opening fixture back in the top flight. But if you recall, two years ago this same fixture was played on the opening weekend and the Magpies managed a draw.

Manchester United are always slow starters, and with many of their squad having only just returned to training after their World Cup exertions, now could be as good a time as any to face them.

Newcastle haven’t really made a mark in the transfer market this summer, and appear to have a lack of punch up front. They will make life hard for the Red Devils, but you can only see one outcome. Don’t expect a thrashing, but a 1-0 Manchester United victory could be the best bet of the game at 7/1 (Victor Chandler, Stan James).

Premier League tips of the weekend:

• Theo Walcott to score first goal (Liverpool v Arsenal) @ 12/1 (Victor Chandler)
• West Ham to beat Aston Villa @ 10/3 (Skybet, Blue Sq, 888 Sport, Ladbrokes)
• Martin Petrov to score first goal (Bolton v Fulham) @ 10/1 (Paddy Power, Victor Chandler)

Premier League Fixtures

Saturday 14 August

• 12:45 [TV] Tottenham (7/5)            v (12/5) Manchester City (21/10)
• 15:00 Aston Villa (20/19) v (12/5) West Ham (10/3)
• 15:00 Blackburn (21/10) v (12/5) Everton (6/4)
• 15:00 Bolton (13/10) v (12/5) Fulham (5/2)
• 15:00 Sunderland (5/4) v (12/5) Birmingham (13/5)
• 15:00 Wigan (5/6) v (13/5) Blackpool (4/1)
• 15:00 Wolverhampton (7/5) v (23/10) Stoke (23/10)
• 17:30 [TV] Chelsea (2/11) v (13/2) West Brom (20/1)

Sunday 15 August

• 16:00 [TV] Liverpool (6/4) v (23/10) Arsenal (2/1)

Monday 16 August

• 20:00 [TV] Manchester United (1/4) v (5/1) Newcastle (14/1)