andypandy23

Watford vs Crystal Palace
The relegation battle is the focus for the second 7:30pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday evening in the Premier League as Watford play Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road. The home side have given themselves a lifeline but they take on a visiting team who may be out of form right now but still pose a real threat with the attacking qualities they boast throughout their entire squad.
Watford ended a winless run of 11 league games with a narrow 1-0 win away to mid-table Aston Villa on the weekend. Head coach Roy Hodgson required the predatory finishing of striker Emmanuel Dennis to dig his team out of a bore draw. The Hornets are now in 18th position and 4 points from safety but that gap could be reduced to just a single point if they manage a win here. The club remains on a club top flight record of 6 straight defeats at home in the league. The team have also equalled the Premier League record of 17 league games without keeping a clean sheet at home. Scoring goals remains a problem for Watford in the league having bagged just 1 goal in their last 5 league games.
Crystal Palace currently sit in 13th place in the league table and even though they are 8 points clear of relegation the threat of dropping into the relegation quagmire hasn't vanished yet. The Eagles have only earned 2 wins in their last 14 league matches and are now on a run of 6 league games without a victory. Has Patrick Vieira been worked out as a head coach? Palace and Leicester are the only two teams in the top flight yet to win a league game during 2022. Away form has been troubling all season with Palace only picking up 1 win from their 12 away league games... bizarrely, that was against league leaders Manchester City.
The last time these two clubs met was back in March 2020 when Crystal Palace pulled off a 1-0 win at home. Before that game, Watford had gone unbeaten in this fixture in the previous 6 meetings. These two sides have already met this season outside of league action with Watford winning 1-0 at this venue in the EFL Cup back in August. I'm not anticipating a goal fest. These two teams have both failed to score in the first half of a league game this season and the last three meetings have seen 2 goals scored in total. I'm backing a bore draw.
Draw @ 3.20 with Bet365
Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.65 with SBK

Liverpool vs Leeds
The third and final game in the Premier League on Wednesday night is the 7:45pm GMT kick-off between title contenders Liverpool and relegation battling Leeds at Anfield. The home side come into this game firmly in a two-horse race title fight now after Manchester City's shock 3-2 loss to Tottenham at home on the weekend but can they add another 3 points to their tally against an away team that might be struggling to get results but who also don't stop fighting until the bitter end.
Liverpool had looked to be dropping off the pace of league leaders Manchester City a few months back but a surge in form and City dropping a few points has seen the title race blow back wide open again. The Reds are now in 2nd and just 6 points behind City with a game in hand. The two teams still play each other this season. Jurgen Klopp has the duo of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota unavailable but he can start with the trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Luis Diaz. Liverpool have now won 8 matches in a row in all competitions. They are also undefeated in 16 Premier League games whilst also boasting the best home defensive record in the top flight having conceded just 7 goals at Anfield in the league this season.
Leeds are still struggling with injuries to their key players as they fight against the drop this season. Despite the team being down in 15th position and just 5 points above the relegation zone after 4 league games without a win including losing 3 of those matches, Marcelo Bielsa still has the full support of the fans. The Whites are set to be without Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, and Robin Koch for this game. Leeds have now earned just 7 points from the last 27 on offer in the league. Defence is clearly an issue right now with the team on the brink of conceding at least 3 goals in 4 league games in a row for the first time since 1960. The 50 league goals they have conceded already this season is just 4 less than the total number they conceded in the league last season.
There appears little hope for Leeds heading into this one. They are without a win in the last 11 meetings with Liverpool with the last victory coming way back in 2001. Liverpool have won their last 3 league meetings with Leeds scoring 10 goals in those matches. Leeds have also only won 1 of their 12 games against teams in the top half of the table. I foresee a solid Liverpool win here.
Liverpool HT/FT @ 1.63 with SBK
Liverpool -1 @ 1.50 with Boylesports

These are my tips for this week, not had time to check prices but as always minimum price to take is mentioned.
Bromley v Solihull Moors
Bromley still seem off the pace at the moment. I didn't think they performed well against Southend in the TV game on Boxing Day and they followed that up with a loss to Maidenhead. There last 3 league games have seen them record lower xG's than their opponents including when they beat Altrincham 1-0 when their xG was 0.83 and Altrincham's was 2.37. They are clearly under performing at the moment and Solihull are more than good enough to take advantage. Although Stockport edged it in their last league game, Solihull certainly played their part and created some good chances themselves. For me there isn't much between these two sides and when you add in Bromley's recent performances then the away win is a clear bet.
 
Chippenham v Slough (National League South)
I am going to continue to back Slough despite the fact they only got a point on Sunday. They outperformed Oxford City again on the xG front getting 1.02 to Oxford's 0.49 and they have every right to fill frustrated by the fact they only picked up 1 point in their two games against Oxford. Chippenham had a very good win over Hungerford, but either side of that they were beaten by Bath and I would have Slough as a better side than Bath. It is also clear that Hungerford just had a bad day at the office especially as they bounced back with an easy win over Hampton in their next game. There is clear value in backing Slough here.
 
Farsley Celtic v Darlington (National League North)
The home side have been struggling having only beaten Bradford Park Avenue in their last 8 league games and I think Darlington can be another opponent who gets 3 points against them. Darlington have also only won once in their last 7 games, but they have drawn 4 of those including both games against Spennymoor over the holiday period. The win was also against Fylde and they certainly have the edge for me over the home side.
 
Potters Bar v Cray (Isthmian Premier)
Since Potters Bar beat Lewes 5-1 they have failed to pick up a point in their next 3 games. Not only that but they have conceded 4 goals each time including against a poor Leatherhead side. They also lost 4-0 to Enfield in their last game, but on Monday Cray played them and drew 4-4 which was slightly unfortunate as they were 4-2 up at one stage. Cray are scoring goals at the moment whilst Potters Bar are letting them in and there is no reason why Cray should be such a big price.
 
Tamworth v Royston (Southern Premier Central)
Tamworth have not had a good season at all and although you couldn't say for certain they are out of the play-off picture given they have games in hand, it is unlikely. They have only picked up 2 points in their last 8 games and I think Royston are just about value to make sure they don't add to that tally here.
 
Gosport v Walton Casuals (Southern Premier South)
Gosport won 5-0 in their last game against Salisbury, but they were decimated by various matters and only had two outfield subs on the bench. Gosport had been struggling prior to that and they face a Walton side who have been in very good form. They have lost just 1 of their last 6 and that includes wins over Hayes and Met Police, 2 of the top 3 sides. They look over priced to me to pick up another 3 points.
 
Solihull 1pt @ 12/5 with Betfred (take up to 7/4)
Slough 2pts @ 19/10 with William Hill (take up to 11/8)
Darlington 1pt @ 15/8 with William Hill, Coral and Ladbrokes (take up to 11/8)
Cray 2pts @ 13/5 with Paddy Power, Betfair and William Hill (take up to 7/4)
Royston 1pt @ 13/8 with Skybet, Paddy Power, Bet365, Betfair and William Hill (take up to 11/8)
Walton Casuals 1pt @ 2/1 with William Hill, Bet365 and Betfred (take up to 13/8 and 85/40 is available with Skybet) 

I think it is going to be hard to be bullish about anything whilst Covid is disrupting football so much. I'm hoping that clubs are more likely to get out of league games than they were FA Trophy matches as there were some teams who kept Covid issues very quiet with Enfield only managed two subs against Eastleigh for example. The other issue we are going to have is that training will have been disrupted with those who have had Covid regardless of how ill they were. 
I have 8 bets over Sunday and Monday.
 
Aldershot v Woking
I'm always slightly wary of getting involved in a derby match especially one that is as big as this, but Woking have been off the boil for a while now and they couldn't even beat an understrength Yeovil side in the FA Trophy last week. Aldershot meanwhile have won 4 out of their last 5 in the league and although they were a bit fortunate to overcome Kingstonian in the Trophy last week it did at least keep the good run going. There isn't a huge amount in the price but I think there is enough to warrant a bet on the home side.
 
Torquay v Yeovil
I still don't really know how Torquay managed to beat Stockport in their last league game, but what I will say is they do seem to have stepped up their performances against the better sides in the division. This was backed up by the fact they went to Tonbridge and lost 2-1 in the FA Trophy despite the fact the victors had a weakened team out. As mentioned above Yeovil came from a goal down to beat Woking, in the league they are unbeaten in 7 and of course they have the FA Cup 3rd Round to look forward to. They haven't always been the best side in those games, but they keep getting results and I certainly think they are too big a price here as there isn't much between these two at all.
 
AFC Telford v Chester (National League North)
Steve Watson was announced as the new Chester manager on Thursday and I think he can get 3 points in his first match in charge. For me they are a better side than their hosts on paper and Telford haven't really improved for their new manager. They had a very winnable game at home to Guiesley on Tuesday and yet they were pretty poor in a 1-0 defeat. I'd make Chester slight favourites here so there is value in the price.
 
Curzon Ashton v Southport (National League North)
To be fair to the home side they are proving hard to beat having drawn 5 of their last 9 league games, but they have only won once in that spell, although it was against Fylde. As I wrote on Tuesday ahead of the called off game against Kettering, Southport are flying at the moment and although not as big value as they were on Tuesday they are value again to pick up another 3 points.
 
Chelmsford v Braintree (National League South)
An Essex derby between two of the poorer sides in the division, but there are certainly more signs of life in the away side at the moment and I don't see why they are such a big price. No league wins in 9 now for the home side and they have only managed to draw against two other sides around them in the table, Tonbridge and Billericay, in their last 2 games. Braintree have only lost to Havant in their last 4 league games, managing a win against Tonbridge and two draws in the time. I suspect it will probably be a game low on quality, but Braintree should certainly be much closer to Chelmsford in the betting and hopefully they can edge it for us.
 
Horsham v Lewes (Isthmian Premier)
The Horsham manager is one of the bosses to have come out and said how badly Covid has affected his side, but they want to play the games as they are desperate for the season not to be null and voided which is completely understandable. He mentioned he might be able to have a training session on Thursday, but that would only have 6 or 7 players and the players haven't kicked a ball since they played a County Cup game against Hastings on the 14th. As good form as they are in that is hardly ideal going into a tough game against a good side. Lewes can throw in the odd stinker as mentioned in the preview below, but they are a side who should end up in the play-offs and they hold the advantage here for me given Horsham's issues.
 
Potters Bar v Hornchurch (Isthmian Premier)
Hornchurch have been in good form in recent weeks having lost just two of their last 8 league games. They were against Worthing and Enfield as well so two of the toughest games in the division. They have crept into the play-off picture and I think they will have too much for their hosts who have mainly struggled of late. Potters Bar did manage to beat Lewes 5-1 recently although that was a game to forget for their opponents and I think their other 3 of their last 4 games shows where they are actually at right now. They lost those 3 games and in their last 2 they have conceded 4 both times. One of those defeats was to bottom side Leatherhead as well so it is the away side who are value to win this.
 
Wimborne v Salisbury (Southern Premier South)
Another example of how hard it is at the moment to fully know what is happening at each club is the fact the Salisbury, who of course was one of the bets last week, only had 12 available players for the game against Poole. The fact they led twice and then drew 2-2 is of great credit, but I also think it shows how Poole aren't in a strong position at the moment. Wimborne did us a huge favourite on the other-hand last week when they beat Gosport and it showed how much they are improving at the moment. This is potentially a tricker game for them, but the bookies have not surprisingly not caught up with the fact that Wimborne have strengthened and they are worth backing again for me.
 
Aldershot 1pt @ 6/4 with Ladbrokes and Coral (take up to 5/4)
Yeovil 1pt @ 13/5 with Bet365 (take up to 15/8)
Chester 1pt @ 8/5 with Betfred (take up to 11/8)
Southport 1pt @ 2/1 with William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair (take up to 6/4)
Braintree 1pt @ 9/4 with William Hill (take up to 7/4)
Lewes 1pt @ 7/5 with William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair and Bet365 (take up to 11/8)
Hornchurch 1pt @ 5/4 with William Hill and Bet365
Wimborne 1pt @ 21/10 with Paddy Power and Betfair

These are the 3 of my original tips that still offer value. I too am on Chorley although they are marginal value now.   Eastleigh v Aldershot On the face of it Aldershot look in good form, but I think a lot of that is down to the fact they have had the right fixtures to see them get points on the board. Their xG hasn't been overly impressive despite the fact they have won 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 games and I think they face their toughest test of this run of fixtures. They blew a 2 goal lead against Altrincham last week and Eastleigh's home form has been very impressive with them winning 5 times and losing just once. The loss came in their opening home game of the season as well and they beat Notts County in their last home game. They also went to Dagenham and won in their last fixture. The slight concern is they haven't played since the 23rd November so they maybe a bit rusty, but that is factored into the price for me and they look a solid bet.   Yeovil v Barnet A good win for Yeovil in the FA Cup last week over Stevenage which continued their strong run of form. They haven't lost in 7 league games now, but they have had a bit of fortune in that time and they did only draw against Dover recently. Barnet have done us a couple of good favours in the last few weeks and they look a big price to me here. They have deserved their last 3 wins over Torquay, Woking and Maidenhead and as I have mentioned Dean Brennan has transformed the sides fortunes. It's still a mystery as to why he hasn't been given the job on a full time basis. They are more than capable of picking up another 3 points here.   Double I am really keen on both Notts County and Stockport County winning on Saturday so I am going to stick them both in a double. Notts County host Southend and they still look way off the pace. Their xG in the win over Altrincham was only 0.49 and Maidenhead had a slightly higher one than them in the draw on Tuesday night. They were pretty poor in the 2nd half and I think they are going to really struggle to get anything from a trip to Meadow Lane. Stockport meanwhile travel to Torquay and if Stockport continue to play as they have been then they will gain another 3 points. They were unlucky to lose to Rotherham in the FA Cup last week and they just look a different side under Challinor. They are creating plenty of chances and scoring goals and Torquay are just nowhere near the levels that they were at last season. They did deserve to beat Weymouth last week, but they have been struggling against the better sides in the division and Stockport are certainly one of those.    Eastleigh 2pts @ 6/5 with William Hill (take up to 5/6) Barnet 1pt @ 5/2 with BetVictor (take up to 2/1) Notts County/Stockport County 2.5pts double @ 2.4/1 with Bet365 and Betfred (take up to 15/8)  

Dulwich Hamlet v Ebbsfleet 4th play 3rd here and I just can't have Dulwich as such big outsiders especially at home. Dulwich have only lost two of their last 10 and played well in a draw against Havant on Wednesday night. Ebbsfleet won 6 on the bounce, but have lost their last two in the league to Maidstone and Oxford City. I'd make Ebbsfleet marginal favourites still, but Dulwich are very much over priced in my view.   Kettering v Boston Boston's away form in the league has been pretty awful, but they managed to win at Brackley in the FA Trophy last week which was a good effort and I am going to give them a chance of beating a Kettering side who have been woeful in their last 2 games. Gloucester beat them easily 3-0 in the Trophy last Saturday and then Hereford beat them by the same score line in the league on Tuesday night. Boston have the better team and I think they should be a bit shorter in the betting.   Biggleswade v Alvechurch Alvechurch are having a great season and have only lost once in their last 10 league games. Last week they beat Peterborough Sports 1-0 and then on Tuesday night they thumped Stourbridge 5-1. They look true play-off contenders and they should be able to pick up another 3 points here. Biggleswade are a solid mid-table side, but they have only won once in their last 7 and I would have the away side shorter in the betting.   Dulwich Hamet 1pt @ 5/2 with Bet365 and William Hill (take up to 15/8) Boston 1pt @ 13/8 with Skybet, Paddy Power and Betfair (take up to 5/4) Alvechurch 3pts @ 7/5 with Bet365, Paddy Power, Betfair and William Hill (take up to 11/10)

Yeah Aldershot could have grabbed a point but it wouldn’t have been deserved as Barnet were the better team overall. A cracking day after some tough results in recent weeks.

Slough v Bath (National League South) I don't really understand the prices here as Bath have been very poor in the league of late and have conceded 20 goals in their last 7 league games having lost 6 of them. Granted Slough have been just as bad and their only victory until Saturday had come on the opening day of the season. That win on Saturday though was a good one against Havant and it was a good performance. They had lost to Billericay in their previous game and they were probably a bit unlucky to do so. With performances on the improve I think that they can beat a Bath side who are really lacking in confidence right now given they are conceding goals for fun and only scored more than 1 goal once in the league. Slough should be favourites.   Biggleswade v Leiston (Southern League Premier Central) You have to wonder how Biggleswade managed to score 7 goals in consecutive games because in the following three games they haven't managed one and in the three games prior they also didn't score one. Leiston are having a very good season and have only lost twice in their last 8 games. One of those was against unbeaten Banbury and they had a very good win over Tamworth on Saturday. I think they should be odds on to win this as they are a much better side.   Harrow v Gosport (Southern League Premier South) I think Harrow are a shade of value here against Gosport. They should have scored more than 2 on Saturday against bottom side Wimborne. They have won 6 of their last 7 and I think they can pick up another victory here. Gosport did win on Saturday at Truro, but they were a bit fortunate and that came on the back of two defeats. I would make the home side clear favourites so there is a spot of value in the price.   Slough 2pts @ 7/5 with Paddy Power, William Hill and Betfair (take up to 5/4) Leiston 2.5pts @ 23/20 with Betfred, William Hill and BetVictor (take up to 4/5) Harrow 1pt @ 9/5 with BetVictor (take up to 5/4)

Apologies for no previews for the games yesterday. I was struck down with a bit of a nasty stomach bug late on Saturday and it wiped me out yesterday.

I have no idea what you're talking about, Andy!  ?

Check out the latest odds and ratings for this weekend's Premier League matches coming our way. Tell us what bets you're placing for these fixtures as we look to bash the bookies! 

This horse is racing today. What an awesome name. Don't know if he is shit or not though, sorry.

Eastbourne v Hampton & Richmond (National League South)   The prices in the NLN/NLS are pretty stingy on the whole this week. I guess I can't blame the bookies on that front and as a punter we are also feeling our way into the season. The one price that did standout was Hampton's who travel to Eastbourne tomorrow. Hampton looked pretty good last season and they certainly looked a play-off side. I think they will be strong again this season and certainly have a better chance than the 21/10 that is on offer. Eastbourne did well last season as well and were above Hampton in the table, but they look weaker this time around in my view so I am happy to take them on for their first game of the season.   Ashton v Matlock (Northern Premier) The home side looked very poor last season in the few games they played and they face a very tough opening game in Matlock. They were basically the opposite to Ashton in that they looked a very good side and they look to be coming into the season with a side capable of mounting a play-off bid. I'm surprised Matlock aren't clear favourites and 6/4 looks very appealing.   Kingstonian v Haringey (Isthmian Premier) I have to back the home side here given how well I think they will go this season. As I said in the ante-post preview they look a very strong squad on paper and really ought to be capable of pushing Worthing for the title. Haringey aren't terrible, but they aren't great either and in a couple of months I reckon the home side would be odds on to win this game. Therefore the odds against is well worth taking.   Nuneaton v Biggleswade (Southern Premier Central Premier) Biggleswade look likely relegation candidates this season so happy to oppose them on the opening day of the season. They travel to a Nuneaton side who weren't great last season, but they look to be a stronger position this time around and I can easily see them mounting a play-off bid. At the very least this looks a nice game for them to get off to a winning start.   Double In the Northern Premier I am putting in Radcliffe to beat Grantham. Grantham have made a very odd choice of Carlton Palmer as manager and he looks like he has a pretty awful squad at his disposal. They have been pretty bad in pre-season and Radcliffe shouldn't have too many worries in getting off to a winning start. The other team in the double is Farnborough in the Southern Premier South to overcome Walton Casuals. If I have got Farnborough right then they really should be beating a poor looking Walton Casuals side.   Hampton & Richmond 1pt @ 21/10 with Paddy Power and Betfair (take up to 6/4) Matlock 1pt @ 31/20 with BetVictor (take up to 5/4) Kingstonian 2pts @ 11/10 with William Hill and BetVictor (take up to 4/5) Nuneaton 2pts @ Evs with William Hill and Bet365 (take up to 8/11) Radcliffe/Farnborough 1pt @ 2.34/1 with William Hill (Oddschecker doesn't have the Farnborough match up so have checked myself with Hills, 365, Betfred and Skybet and Hills were biggest. Take up to 15/8)

I understand all the love for England from their country men, but really...I think there's a lot of wishful thinking there. Best Italian team in easily a decade, beat Spain on the up, Belgium (who I thought might win the tournament). England beat a German team on the wain who barely drew the Czech team. And they needed a dive to win the game against a knackered Danish squad. Playing without Eriksen.
I thought England were poor against Denmark. I thought that the tactics were weak. Bringing Grealish off when they should have been looking to kill the game? Hmmh...
Got a feeling England will be found out in this final. Italy have one more day of rest, so I think that is equal to England's home advantage. 
But really, I see a difference in class between the two teams. England will literally need to step it up tonight and find something in themselves they've not shown in any of the previous games. Which is a World Class edge, and which I have seen in every game Italy have played. The danger they show in the final third is the difference for me.
ITALY TO QUALIFY  -  EVENS
 
 

Not long to go now until the first game for Wales in this group. It's 5 years now since our incredible run to the semi-finals at the 2016 European Championship. I actually think we have a more talented squad now but we have a much more difficult group. Italy are, in my opinion, one of the favourites along with France, Portugal, and England to win the tournament. Turkey boast one of the best defensive records in international football right now. Switzerland are always a tricky opponent at the best of times as well.
I think that opening game against Switzerland is key for Wales. If we can somehow scrape a win then we stand every chance of carrying that momentum into the game with Turkey and grinding out a draw there. Qualification is certainly achievable in this group for the Dragons but a lot will depend on that opening game. I'm also hoping we can see the rare event of Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks, Joe Allen, and Gareth Bale all being fit for Wales at the same time. The last time they all played together we destroyed Republic of Ireland in what was one of the most stunning attacking displays I've ever seen in a Wales squad.

What's so absurd about it is how quickly it's collapsed. Having committed to it you thought they might have tried to brazen it out a bit longer. They all look ridiculous (as well as despicable) now. They've been taken aback by the reaction of the "legacy" fans? Surely you don't plunge headfirst into something like this without having done a bit of market research!
It's like announcing you plan to start sleeping with the wife's sister every other Wednesday and wondering why she's lobbing volleys of crockery at you!

Yeah well done Darran great tipping.
 

In the absence of a pts suggestion, I've just remortgaged and take a loan from the local mafia. Good luck.

In the absence of a pts suggestion, I've just remortgaged and take a loan from the local mafia. Good luck.

almost @Darran     Eastleigh scored 87 minute with Maidenhead ten men, and Torquay scored 93 minutes , the other two games two draws. Bet with great value

From yesterday... 

great tipping @Darragh cheers mate. Also thanks to @Darran as well.

No it is still carrying on, but my intention back in March was to do it until football returned. I carried on because of the Spring Carnival, but with the hunter chase season just around the corner and the football stuff I just needed a break. At the very least I plan on doing the Aussie jumping action when it returns in March and we do have the good flat stuff around that time as well. It just comes down to time and if I can do it justice.