Southampton should tie up promotion to the Premier league in the early kick-off today.

Up against already relegated Coventry, the Saints should be good enough to beat the handicap and get our treble off to a winning start.

Nigel Adkins men have been very impressive at home whilst Coventry must just wish that the season was over. You won’t get rich backing them at 1/4 but 118Bet’s asian handicap odds of 1.72 (-1.5 goals) looks much more sensible.

In the Conference Luton need a point at Champions Fleetwood to assure themselves a place in the end-of-season play-offs. The Hatters won on their last visit by 3 goals to nil and with Fleetwood players possible already placing their towels on the sun loungers it could pay to side with Luton.

118Bet go 1.85 giving Luton (0/+0.5) on the Asian Handicap so their the next pick for my treble.

Finally in Scotland Dundee Utd are finishing the season like a train and hunting down Motherwell in search of a coveted Champions League place. Hearts have their foot off the gas and will solely be concentrating on their forthcoming Scottish Cup final against Edinburgh rivals Hibs.

We can squeeze a bit more value if we back United on the handicap (-0.5) at 1.99, which is the same as backing them on the 1X2 market, where they’re just 1.97

Asian Handicap Treble

• Southampton (-1.5) 1.72
• Luton (0/+0.5) 1.85
• Dundee Utd (-0.5) 1.99
• 10 pays £63.32 at 188Bet

It’s the race that everyone has an opinion on. But who do the people in the know, the pundits, the journalists, the jockeys, the previous winners, the owners think will win the 2012 John Smiths’ Grand National?

Here’s a list of the pundit’s Grand National tips for 2012 from all kind of newspapers, magazines, tv shows, websites, blogs and twitter.

We’ll be adding to this list right up until the race goes off so keep checking back to see which horses are favoured most by the pundits.

Selectabet’s Grand National Tips

• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Shakalakaboomboom 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Ian Bartlett’s Grand National Tips (BBC television commentator)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• According to Pete 33/1 (Paddy Power)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)

Clare Balding’s Grand National Tips (BBC television presenter)

• Shakalakaboomboom 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• According To Pete 33/1 (Paddy Power)
• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Black Apalachi 40/1 (Bet365)

Mick Fitzgerald’s Grand National Tips (winner of 1996 National on Rough Quest)

• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Synchronised  9/1 (Blue Sq)
• Seabass 20/1 (William Hill)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)

Luke Harvey’s Grand National Tips (BBC Radio 5 live pundit)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• Shakalakaboomboom 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)

Richard Hoiles’s Grand National Tips (Aintree racecourse commentator)

• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)
• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• State Of Play 50/1 (Bet365)
• Black Apalachi 40/1 (Bet365)

John Hunt’s Grand National Tips (BBC Radio 5 live commentator)

• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)
• Seabass 20/1 (William Hill)
• Neptune Collonges 33/1 (William Hill)
• Arbor Supreme 100/1 (William Hill)

Paul Jones’s Grand National Tips (author of Aintree and Punchestown Festivals Betting Guide)

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Planet of Sound 40/1 (William Hill)
• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Frank Keogh’s Grand National Tips (BBC Sport website)

• Treacle 20/1 (Paddy Power)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)

Cornelius Lysaght’s Grand National Tips (BBC racing correspondent)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Calgary Bay 33/1 (Bet365)
• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)

Jim McGrath’s Grand National Tips (BBC television commentator)

• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)

Gary O’Brien’s Grand National Tips (BBC Radio 5 live commentator)

• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)
• Alfa Beat 40/1 (Bet365)

Rishi Persad’s Grand National Tips (BBC television presenter)

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• Seabass 20/1 (William Hill)
• Weird Al 50/1 (William Hill)

Richard Pitman’s Grand National Tips (BBC television pundit)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)

Simon Holt’s Grand National Tips (Betting Zone)

• Sunnyhillboy 16/1 (Bet365)
• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)

Ian Ogg (stats) Grand National Tips (Betting Zone)

• Rare Bob 40/1 (Totesport)

Richard Horner’s Grand National Tips (Betting Zone)

• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Planet Of Sound 40/1 (William Hill)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Shakalakaboomboom 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Black Apalachi 40/1 (Bet365)

Man On The Spot’s Grand National Tips (Betting Zone)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Ryan McElligott’s Grand National Tips (Betting Zone)

• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)
• Becauseicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)

Gallops Reporter’s Grand National tips (Betting Zone)

• Planet of Sound 40/1 (William Hill)

Hugh Taylor’s Grand National Tips (At The Races)

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)

Barry Geraghty’s Grand National Tips (Winning National Jockey)

• Shakalakaboomboom 20/1 (Blue Sq)

John McCririck’s Grand National Tips (Television pundit)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Peter Thickett’s Grand National Tips (The Star)

• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Becauseicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)

Tania Stevenson’s Grand National Tips (Daily Record)

• Treacle 20/1 (Paddy Power)

Garry Owen’s Grand National Tip (Daily Record)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)

Newsboy’s Grand National Tip (Mirror / Daily Record)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)
• Sunnyhillboy 16/1 (Bet365)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)

Rockavon’s Grand National Tip (Sunday Mail)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Meridian’s Grand National Tip (Daily Record)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)

Value Scope / Dave Mitchell’s Grand National Tip (Mirror)

• According to Pete 33/1 (Paddy Power)

Templegate’s Grand National Tip (The Sun)

• Neptune Collonges 33/1 (William Hill)

Claude Duval’s Grand National Tips (The Sun)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)

Tom Pepper’s Grand National Tip (The Sun)

• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)

Sunratings Grand National Nap

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)

Starform’s Grand National Tip (The Daily Star)

• Calgary Bay 33/1 (Bet365)
• Becausicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)
• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)

Clockform’s Grand National Tips (The Daily Star)

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)
• Weird Al 66/1 (Bet365)
• Planet of Sound 33/1 (Paddy Power)
• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)

Star Tip’s Grand National Tips (The Daily Star)

• Organisedconfusion 28/1 (Bet365)
• On His Own 20/1 (Blue Sq)
• Neptune Equester 150/1 (Bet365)
• Black Apalachi 50/1 (Betfred)

Mark Winstanley’s (The Couch) Grand National Tip – View From the Couch (The Daily Star)

• Giles Cross 18/1 (Bet365)
• Becauseicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)
• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• The Midnight Club 33/1 (Bet365)

George Primarolo’s Grand National Tip (Betfred)

• Sunnyhillboy 16/1 (Bet365)

Victor Chandler’s Grand National Tips

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• Always Right 33/1 (Bet365)

Tony Clavin’s Grand National Tip (Betfair)

• Becausicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)
• Neptunes Collonges 33/1 (William Hill)

David Williams Grand National Tips (Ladbrokes)

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)

Simon Clare’s Grand National Tips (Coral)

• The Midnight Club 33/1 (Bet365)

Paddy Power’s Grand National Tip

• Becasueicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)

Kate Miller’ Grand National Tips (William Hill)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Pricewise / Tom Segal’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Becauseicouldntsee 20/1 (SkyBet)
• Treacle 20/1 (Paddy Power)
• Rare Bob 40/1 (Totesport)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)

Trading Post / Matt William’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Calgary Bay 33/1 (Bet365)
• Junior 18/1 (William Hill)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)

Racing Post Ratings / Steve Mason’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)
• Junior 18/1 (William Hill)
• Sunnyhillboy 16/1 (Bet365)
• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)

Spotlight / Richard Austen’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Cappa Bleu 14/1 (Bet365)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Midnight Haze

Topspeed / Dave Edwards’ Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)
• Planet of Sound 28/1 (Bet365)
• Swing Bill 125/1 (Betfred)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)

Craig Thake’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Chicago Grey 14/1 (Bet365)
• West End Rocker 14/1 (Blue Sq)
• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)
• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)

Irish View / Tony O’Hehir’s Grand National Tips (Racing Post)

• Killyglen 18/1 (SkyBet)
• Planet of Sound 28/1 (Bet365)
• Treacle 20/1 (Paddy Power)
• Neptune Collonges 33/1 (William Hill)

Postdata’s Grand National Tip (Racing Post)

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)

RP Rating’ Grand National Tip (Racing Post)

• Synchronised 9/1 (Blue Sq)

GG-Tips Grand National Tips (GG.com)

• Ballabriggs 14/1 (Paddy Power)

Who are you backing today? Leave your tips in the comments below.

Tips from the newspapers including Mr Fixit, Sam Spread, Jim Delahunt, Tony Cacarino, Dale Tempest, Andy Townsend, Mike Triffitt, Ian Wilkerson, Dan Childs, Kevin Pullein, Derek McGovern and the 3pm Betting Boys are all here.

Don’t forget to post your tips in the comments below.

In the meantime, If you’re looking for some more chat and inspiration pop on over to the Selectabet Forum and see what our members are saying about the weekend’s games and loads of other betting events.

Mr Fixit (Daily Record)

HOMES

• Man City
• Hull
• Crewe
• Swindon
• Dundee Utd
• Queen’s Park
• Perm any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)

TOP TREBLE

• Man City
• Crewe
• Dundee utd

SUPER SINGLE

• Tranmere

BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

• Blackpool v Southampton
• West Ham v Reading
• Carlisle v Huddersfield
• Stirling v Airdrie
• East Stirling v Annan
• Elgin v Stranraer
• Perm any 5 and all 6 (7 bets)

DRAWS

• Wigan v Stoke
• West Ham v Reading
• Chesterfield v Scunthorpe
• St Mirren v Kilmarnock
• Perm any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)

BONKERS BET

• Blackpool 2, Southampton 3

Sam Spread (Daily Record)

• Buy Inverness’s supremacy at 0.6
• Sell Dundee Utd’s supremacy at 1.3

Jim Delahunt (The Scottish Sun)

• Everton
• Reading
• Portsmouth
• Sheff Utd
• Crewe

Andy Townsend

STAR BETS

• Newcastle
• Newcastle to win 2-1
• Demba Ba to score first
• Suarez to score
• Ben Arfa to score
• Spurs
• Spurs to win 2-0
• Van der Vaart to score first
• Defoe to score

Richard Evison (Daily Star)

RICH RETURNS

• Leyton Orient
• Bolton

Dale Tempest (Daily Star)

DALE’S DOUBLE

• Everton
• Fulham
  

Alan Alger (Daily Star)

Blue Sq TREBLE

• Wrexham
• Grimsby
• Mansfield

BET OF THE WEEKEND

• Fleetwood -1

George Primarola (Daily Star)

PRIMAROLA’S PICK

• Newcastle

Tony Cascarino (Racing Post)

TONY’S TIPS

• Everton
• Under 2.5 goals in Villa v Chelsea
• Newcastle

Mark Langdon (Racing Post)

BANKER

• Notts County

BLOWOUT

• Leeds

DOUBLE

• Notts County
• Sheff Utd

HOTSHOT

• E Boyce, Wigan (50/1 Paddy Power)

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Reading
• Walsall
• Sheff Utd

NON-LEAGUE

• Alfreton
• Tamworth draw no bet
• Gateshead (0) on Asian Handicap

Ian Wilkerson

SCOTTISH TIPS

• Ayr
• Over 3.5 in Dumbarton v Forfar

EUROPE

• Catania
• Zaragoza
• PSG

3pm Betting Boys (Daily Mirror)

THE ACCA

• Southampton
• Notts County
• Crewe
• Northampton

6 HOMES

• Hull
• Charlton
• Notts County
• Crewe
• Newcastle
• Tottenham

3 DRAWS

• Bury v Tranmere
• Carlisle v Huddersfield
• St Mirren v Kilmarnock

4 AWAYS

• Bolton
• Southampton
• Colchester
• Walsall

Derek McGovern (Daily Mirror)

MACCA’S ACCA

• Bolton
• Newcastle
• West Brom
• Colchester

BET OF THE DAY

• Norwich

After a testing three week Middle East swing, much of Europe’s big hitting high fliers of the European Tour head for a break.

Those who now play globally, head directly to Arizona for a practice week ahead of the Accenture World Matchplay. So, you could say it is without the usual suspects, but with longer odds, it makes it even more rewarding.

Date: 16th – 19th February 2012
Venue: DLFG&CC, New Delhi, India

The dramatic Aravali range forms a magnificent backdrop for the stretches of lush turf, rolling fairways, meticulously manicured greens and fairways that compliment the flowers and streams that meander through this quiet paradise. It’s Augusta – only in India.

Water is in spectacular abundance – be it in the form of a delightfully cascading waterfall on the 17th or the five lakes that add serenity all their own to the natural beauty of the course so it’s very American.

Yards: 7,156 yards
Par: Par 72

Field

Only ten of the top 60 from the European Tour are competing this weekend and there are 35 Tour winners with 64 event titles between them – the most successful of which is Richard Sterne (but recent return from back injury likely removes his chances of taking the sacred cow come Sunday) (46/1).

However, the most recent is Joost Luiten (18/1 with BetVictor) who having knocked on the door towards the tail end of 2011, succeeded in landing the Iskander Johor Open and looks likely to compete at this new higher level more in 2012.

However, also joining the field are US born one time Major winners in John Daly (79/1) and now European Tour convert and expert from “just off the green with a hybrid” – it’s Todd Hamilton (314/1 – All with Betdaq)!

Consider

The European Tour bridesmaids – who in the absence of the sponsor saturated limelight stealing tweeters stand a great chance of making the breakthrough at events just as this and include Scot Jamieson (42/1), Soren Hansen (49/1), Gareth Maybin (59/1) and Rhys Davis (88/1).

However, if its longer odds you like, look at these three spicy options that may curry favour; Zaw Moe (431/1), Berry Henson (266/1) and the gloriously titled Shanker Das (969/1 – all with Betdaq) – who really should be right down the courts tomorrow to have that changed if he knew what was good for him.

Ones to watch

Shiv Sanker Prasad, known to all as SSP (Chowrasia) (66/1 at Boylesports), used to sneak on to the historic Calcutta Golf Course before starting a career in golf as a caddie. Latterly he was persuaded to plough a furrow on the Asian and European Tours as a golfer with two victories to his name.

SSP won this event in 2011 and is a firm favourite to place highly again this year. His putter is working as well as it ever has, even if length is not his strongest point. SSP is not one to win.

Great Dane Thorbjorn Oleson (33/1 with Bet365) has made the transition from also ran professional to a quality and oft-in-contention golfer – and did so frequently within 2011 en route to a whopping 640,000 Euros salary from just 30 events. Is one of the players expected to be in contention this week and with relatively attractive odds given his status this week, is surely worth an each way flutter?

Ones to win

With six top ten finishes in  32 events and a pay check of just shy of 1 Million Euros in 2011, Aberdeen’s former favourite golfer (now that Paul Lawrie’s is firing on all cylinders!) Richie Ramsay (37/1 with Betdaq) is one stepping into contention this week.

With greater statistics in greens in regulation clear to all, his season is yet to see the rewards from the efforts of all of his off season “work” which includes reducing salt and vinegar condiment use on deep fried pizza and trying not to start a fight with Rangers supporters should they meet. His golf is set to improve even if his waistline isn’t.

Welsh born but Macclesfield surviving, Jamie Donaldson (20/1 at SkyBet) is one of the favourites this week after a career best 38th in the Race to Dubai after seven top ten finishes and a third in 2011.

Shooting lower than ever already this season and with steady and improving results in his few consecutive outings since December last year, the lack of a top quality field should allow the red dragon to add some a significant win to the three challenge wins already on his Pro golfer CV.

Trick shot

Richie Ramsay at 9/1 with Ladbrokes as top finishing GB and Ireland competitor.

Thorbjorn Oleson to be first round leader with 40/1 from Betfred.

Jenks out!

The Bundesliga returns after the international break with a number of teams looking to capitalise on good starts and make up for poor ones.

Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen

Augsburg host Bayer Leverkusen for the only match on Friday under heavy pressure to get a win. The visitors have started the season looking in reasonably good shape while Augsburg look set to scrap for most of the season. Augsburg are 4/1 (Titan Bet) with Leverkusen 3/4 (888 Sport).

Bayern Munich v Frieburg

Bayern Munich host Freiburg for the first listed game on Saturday as the heavy favourites. Bayern Munich have looked very strong through the early matches of the season and will be determined to keep on winning. Freiburg on the other hand have nothing to lose. Bayern are 1/6 (Bet365) with Freiburg a massive 18/1 (Victor Chandler).

Borussia Dortmund v Hertha Berlin

Borussia Dortmund will fancy their chances of securing three points against Hertha Berlin. Dortmund are one of the in form club sides in Germany at the moment and they will want the momentum and confidence to stay high. The home side are 2/5 (Bet365) with Hertha 15/2 (Coral).

Borussia Monchengladbach v Kaiserslautern

Borussia Monchengladbach will not have it easy against Kaiserslautern who are playing with increasing confidence away from home. The home team have struggled defensively and Kaiserslautern will be looking to exploit the smallest gaps which appear. Monchengladbach are evens (William Hill) with Kaiserslautern a tempting 3/1 (Ladbrokes).

Mainz v Hoffenheim

Mainz 05 host Hoffenheim for one of the matches this weekend which is very difficult to call. Mainz have shown that they are capable of playing some good football but Hoffenheim are well known for their fearless attitude away from home. The home team are 6/5 (Blue Sq) with the away team 9/4 (Totesport).

Stuttgart v Hannover

Stuttgart will be looking for three points and a good home performance when they welcome Hannover 96 this Saturday. Stuttgart have always been one of the power houses of German football but they have slipped off the pace in recent years. Stuttgart are 10/11 (Blue Sq) and Hannover are 10/3 (Bet365, William Hill).

Werder Bremen v Hamburg

Werder Bremen take on Hamburg for the late kick off on Saturday. Werder Bremen have started the season well and look as though they could run Bayern Munich close this season. Werder Bremen are odds on at 8/13 (William Hill) with Hamburg 5/1 (Victor Chandler) to cause a big upset.

FC Koln v Nurnberg

The first match on Sunday sees FC Koln take on Nurnberg. Cologne are much better in front of their own fans but Nurnberg have looked like a very useful side so far this season. Koln are the slight favourites at 8/5 (Bet365) with Nurnberg 9/5 (Ladbrokes) to pick up an important three points.

Wolfsburg v Schalke

Wolfsburg play Schalke in the final game on Sunday which wraps up the round of Bundesliga football. Wolfsburg will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Schalke side that does not look as though it will repeat last season’s success. Wolfsburg are 8/5 (Blue Sq, William Hill) with Schalke 7/4 (Bet365).

There are few players of the quality of Numan, Amoruso, Nerlinger, Caniggia or Flo (yes, he scored 2 in Slovenia in 2001) in the Rangers side these days and their humbling Champions League exit at the hands of Malmo has left them desperately looking for financial solace in the Europa League. But their current record of just one win in 23 European matches makes for dreadful reading and means Ally McCoist’s men are impossible to back at 6/4 (Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes).

It’s been an unconvincing start to the season by the light blues and in Maribor they face the current league leaders in Slovenia. It’s been an unbeaten start with 4 wins from five but just 8 goals scored suggests we may not be in for a goalsfest. The Slovenians are 19/10 (888 Sport, Blue Sq) to take a first leg lead to Ibrox next week and on current form it might not be bad shout.

Additionally I’d be on it being a tight affair. McCoist talks of going there to score but make no mistake he’ll be adopting Walter Smith’s default Euro line-up of 4-5-1 with the main aim of keeping the door shut at the other end. A clean sheet would be considered a result and so with that mentality, backing Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Coral looks the bet of the night.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Maribor 19/10 (888 Sport, Blue Sq)
• Under 2.5 goals 4/5 (Coral)

Live on Betfair livestreaming. Kick off Friday 7:30pm

Champions Borussia Dortmund begin their title defence live on Betfair this Friday night at home to Hamburg and going by the bookies they will have a tough time keeping greedy Munich hands off the trophy.

The 22 times winners are odds on to take the Bundesliga and following the captures of Neuer, Boateng and Rafinha it would be a brave man who bet against the Bavarians. Dortmund, however, have finally rekindled some of the form of the 90s through a hard-working collective that has suffered little disruption over the summer, Labrokes are offering 5/1 that the squad can make it back-to-back Bundesligas.

The one notable departure is Nuri Sahin, who will be found jostling for a place on the Real Madrid bench for the new season. The talented playmaker was often the spark in Dortmund’s side but new addition Ilkay Gundogan along with Mario Gotze can cause problems to lumbering Bundesliga defenders. Added to that, Shinji Kagawa, much missed in the second half of last season will be back after recovering from a broken foot before summer.

It should be a fairly comfortable opener for the home side with Hamburg having turned into a Chelsea feeder club over the summer. Underfed and underplayed, Goekhan Toere, Jacopa Sala, Michael Mancienne and Jeffrey Bruma have all swapped London for a bite of Hamburger and whilst Toere and Sala may be mere garnish, Mancienne and Bruma could be a little tastier but should not cause too many problems for Klopp’s side.

Dortmund are settled and strong, particularly at home where they lost just once last year.

Barrios is likely to miss the match with an injury picked up in the Copa America but Kagawa and Lewandowski were both on target in the 3-0 cup win over Sandhausen. Kagawa is the value bet to find the net again; he scored 8 in 18 before his injury at the start of last year and will be well rested for the new season. The Japanese international is an incredible 10/1 to bag the opener and 3/1 to score anytime with Bet365. Given other bookies have him at 4s and evens they are highly generous odds to be taken advantage of.

The Borussians have won the last three at home to Hamburg without conceding and I fancy a repeat performance this time around, especially at odds of 7/4 with Blue Sq.

Victor Chandler also have a great offer where they’ll give you a free £5 correct score bet on any of this weekend’s Bundesliga matches if you place one on Dortmund’s game. A 2-0 home win looks likely at 13/2 with Kagawa to bag one of those.

You can watch the match live on Betfair this Friday at 7.30. If you don’t already have one, simply open an account whilst taking advantage of the welcome bonus ranging from £10 – £1000, log in and access the site’s livestreaming centre.

Recommended:

• Dortmund to win to nil (7/4 Blue Sq)
• Shinji Kagawa to score anytime (3/1 Bet365)*
• Dortmund 2-0 (13/2 Victor Chandler)**

*Victor Chandler will double your first goalscorer odds if the player goes on to score twice. Kagawa is 9/1 to score first and 13/5 anytime there.

**Place a correct score bet of £5 or more and get another free £5 correct score bet on any other Bundesliga match this weekend

Amidst the cheers and processions Big Sam will be watching on as West Ham learn to play the Sam way by jumping on the shoulders, heads and any other body parts of visiting Cardiff. The Hammers are all set to finally live up to their name by spilling some blood and bringing some pain, in the rough and tumble world of the Championship that makes them the bookies favourites at 9/2 with Totesport.

Staying in the realm of fallen Premiership managers, Sven has been building a mini-army at Leicester City and with nine new recruits already, including the likes of Paul Kochesky, David Nugent, Michael Johnson and Kasper Schmeichel world domination can’t be far off.

The bruising backline of Danns, Mills, St. Ledger and Pantsil will give Sam’s boys a run for their money and they are also quoted at 9/2. The foxes have to be favoured over a West Ham side who were so utterly inept at every turn last season but too many new recruits may well spoil the Premiership broth.

Still unable to escape from the ex-Premiership sheepskin wearers, Steve McLaren is at Forest (14/1 Blue Sq), Chris Hughton is set to become Birmingham (16/1 Bet365) boss and Ian Holloway is still banging on about how he was once in the limelight down on Blackpool (20/1 Paddy Power) pier.

Holloway faces a tough job to rekindle the plucky spirit of his seasiders with DJ Campbell set to jump the sunken ship already deserted by Charlie Adam and David Vaughan. Stragglers, Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips from the HMS Birmingham have climbed aboard and by the time Captain Chris Hughton gets on deck only rats and scurvy will be left on that vessel.

Cardiff can give a good indication to their promotion credentials in the opener at Upton Park. With Bothroyd, Burke, Chopra and Bellamy departed along with boss Jones the odds are against new manager Malky Mackay’s side but useful additions in workaholics, Kenny Miller, Craig Conway, Earnshaw and Gunnarsson could make the Scot’s Welsh side the dark horses to defeat the English at 20/1 with Victor Chandler. An each way bet is definitely worth a shot given the club has made the playoffs in the last two years.

Place an each way bet on the Championship, League 1, League 2 or Blue Square Premier and if your selection fails to finish in the top 3 but makes the playoffs Victor Chandler will refund your stake. Given Cardiff’s impressive recent record of making the play-offs that is a very enticing offer.

Recommended:

• Cardiff to win Championship – Each Way (20/1 Victor Chandler) *

Each way bet pays 3 places at 1/4 odds and bet is refunded if club makes the play-offs

Both clubs have done well to get to this stage. Swansea have raised above pre-season predictions from the experts and finished the season in third place, while Reading had a tremendous finish to end the season fifth after fighting against relegation for most of the previous campaign.

Swansea will go into the game as favourites having finished above the Royals. But games like this are very difficult to predict, with so much at stake, and it’s a one-off occasion. It’s all about who performs well on the day who will come out on top.

The Swans are a joy to watch. They play a free-flowing attacking brand of football with boss Brendan Rodgers carrying on the good work of predecessors Roberto Martinez and Paulo Sousa in that aspect. They have two wingers who have pace to burn and plenty of skill to boot in Nathan Dyer, and my nomination for Championship player of the season Scott Sinclair. The former Chelsea man has thrived in his first full season of regular first-team football after several loan spells around a sparing few games at Stamford Bridge. He’ll pose the Reading defence plenty of problems on the big pitch at Wembley.

Reading boss Brian McDermott has done a fantastic job in his 16 months in charge. He took a side struggling at the bottom of the division into this lofty position and a chance to regain a place in the top flight after their relegation from the Premier League back in 2008. They have a striker in tremendous form in the shape of Irishman Shane Long who will be the main danger to the Swans. He’ll be looking to add to his current tally of 25 goals so far this season.

The Welsh side, as I mentioned earlier, are the favourites with the bookmakers. They can be backed at the best price of 17/10 (Paddy Power), with a Reading victory available at 9/5 (William Hill, 888 Sport) and the draw at 23/10 (general).

In the play-off finals so far this weekend, the lower placed team have come out on top, with promotion won by Stevenage and Peterborough in League Two and League One respectively. Is that an omen? Can Reading do it and make a treble for the underdog? They are an incredibly hard-working side and in the way the easily disposed of Cardiff City in the semi-final, there’s no reason why they cannot win this game.

However, they find themselves up against a hugely talented Swansea team who are full of confidence and in great form. Their attacking trio of Sinclair, Dyer and Chelsea loanee Fabio Borini are one of the best you will find at this level and are guaranteed to cause plenty of problems, and I think that this fire-power should edge the game in Swansea’s favour.

Scott Sinclair to bag the opening goal looks a good bet at 13/2 (Bet365), whilst I also fancy a 2-1 Swansea triumph which can be found at 11/1 with Paddy Power. It’s likely to be a tense occasion with so much at stake. But the majority of these clashes in recent years have produced some entertaining action. I expect this one to be no different.

Motherwell v Celtic

Scottish Cup Final. Kick off 3pm

With the English Premier League’s final round of fixtures taking place tomorrow the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park takes centre stage today.

Will it be Motherwell’s first piece of silverware since 1991 or will it be Neil Lennon’s first trophy as boss of the Hoops?

The bookies think there’s only one answer to that question and have Celtic as very short-priced favourites at 4/11 (Betfred, Blue Sq, Boyesports, Ladbrokes, William Hill) and ‘Well as big as 9/1 at VCBet to win in 90 minutes.

To win the cup Celtic are 1/4 (Blue Sq) but I can’t get my head round Motherwell being just 10/3 (Boylesports, Paddy Power, SkyBet). If you think the Steelemen will need extra-time (28/1 VCBet) or penalties (20/1 VCBet) then I’d suggest a split stake on those two outcomes.

Last week Motherwell were on the end of a 4-0 drubbing at Celtic Park but Stuart McCall will be making several changes to that shadow side today. McCall has taken the opportunity to rest much of his first-team as their SPL campaign has wound down in the last few weeks. Today will tell us whether that was the right tactic to employ or whether he should have kept the momentum going. Personally I think the latter.

The Motherwell fans will take confidence from their 2-0 win over Celtic back in February. However that was on their much maligned mudbath of a pitch, on a day where Charlie Mulgrew gift wrapped Motherwell a goal of a start. They’ll need another huge slice of luck if they’re to be victorious today on the expanses of the Hampden pitch.

I think it’ll be tight but Celtic should just edge it. Expect Motherwell to keep things tight for as long as possible. i like the look of more goals being scored in the second half at 11/10 (Coral).

With the firepower of Hooper, Commons Celtic have two likely match winners. Commons especially likes the Hampden pitch and he’s 9/2 (Paddy Power) to open the scoring. Hooper is 3/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes). If you’re looking for an outside bet in this market then consider Daniel Majstorovic. The big Swedish centre half gets himself on the end of corners but so far has looked like his is shaped like a 50p piece but one of these days he’s going to get one on target. He’s 25/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power) to score first and could be a good each-way option.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Highest Scoring Half – Second Half 11/10 (Coral)
• D Majstorovic to score first e/w 25/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)