[Group F - Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina > Sunday June 15th]

Re: Group F - Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina > Sunday June 15th I was a bit gutted to see that 3rd go in and ruin my unders bet. In the end was happy to get my money back though as an OG within 3 minutes didn't bode well at all. Well done to overs and BTTS backers. Thought Bosnia looked a very useful team and can see them finishing 2nd

[Group E - Switzerland v Ecuador > Sunday June 15th]

Re: Group E - Switzerland v Ecuador > Sunday June 15th

Nothing like a last minute winner in extra time :ok

Ha well done, think a fair few people on Switzerland win will have enjoyed that one. Even better on a 5/1 to shot though! The goals keep on coming. Bit gutted for Ecuador though personally.

[Group F - Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina > Sunday June 15th]

Re: Group F - Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina > Sunday June 15th Asian Goal Line: Under 3 @ 1.95 Bet365 (3 Points) I appear to be going against the grain here but i don't fancy a high scoring match particularly. In the warm up games Argentina have kept clean sheets in their last 5 matches whilst 4/5 from Bosnia have gone under. These two actually met each other in a friendly towards the end of last year and it finished 2-0 to Argentina. I can see a similar sort of score line tonight. No doubt Argentina have some of the best players in the world in their attack but that doesn't mean they necessarily score huge amount of goals every game. Bosnia will be wary of the huge threat and they would be daft to try and take Argentina on in an attacking contest. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bosnia pack the midfield to try and contain the South Americans. In Asmur Begivic they also have a world class keeper in the sticks. There needs to be 4 goals in the game for this bet to be a loser. With the layers underestimating the amount of goals in this tournament so far, I'm a little surprised to see the odds on the overs being so poor here. In my opinion its an over reaction to the likes if Messi and Aguero lining up for Argentina but personally I envisage a tight game.

[Group E - Switzerland v Ecuador > Sunday June 15th]

Re: Group E - Switzerland v Ecuador > Sunday June 15th Both Teams To Score: 2.00 @ Willhill (3 Points) The price on Switzerland is coming in but I'm not sure I would want to be on them without the draw cover. Instead I prefer to side with the current trend In this tournament and opt for the goals angle. It's true that Switzerland are a well organised outfit and they do keep a number of clean sheets. But Ecuador are a capable enough side in attack. Their main weakness is the defence and it would therefore seem a foolish approach to be defensive in this match. Instead they would be better having a go at Switzerland and it will be Imperative for them to get on the scoresheet. With the early kick off in the hot humid weather, I think the conditions will suit Ecuador much better and will work in their favour. They do look vulnerable at the back though and with some quality in attack, I can definitely see the Swiss getting on the scoresheet. This bet would have paid out in a large number of the matches so far and I'm backing the trend to continue. Both teams to score for me at a generous evens.

[Group C - Colombia v Greece > Saturday June 14th]

Re: Group C - Colombia v Greece > Saturday June 14th Team Cards: Columbia Over 1.5 @ 1.83 Bet 365 (4 Points) Columbia have received 29 cards in their last 10 games making an average of 2.9 cards a game. Greece's opposition have received 30 cards between them in the last 10, an average of 3 cards against them a game. If you look even closer, it's clear that the competitive games have produced more cards than the friendlies as well. I can see this game being a bit of a war of attrition with two defensive teams trying to out do the other. It will be Columbia who are under more pressure to take the game to Greece though. I can see this frustrating the Columbians and it will also lead to Greece playing on the counter. Don't be surprised to see a couple of cynical fouls from Columbia trying to stop any breakaways from the Greeks. In view of the stats and the way I see the game panning out, I think there is a strong chance of Colunbia receiving 2 cards or more.

[Group C - Ivory Coast v Japan > Saturday June 14th]

Re: Group C - Ivory Coast v Japan > Saturday June 14th Both Teams To Score @ 2.00 BoyleSports (3 Points) This bet would have been a winner in 12 out of 15 of Ivory Coasts Last matches and 11 out of 15 for Japan. Both sides have real quality in attacking areas but look a bit more suspect at the back. I can see Japan struggling with the physicality and pace that the likes of Yaya Toure, Drogba, Bony e.t.c will present and for that reason can't see them keeping a clean sheet. The Japanese do have some real quality in attacking areas themselves though and they have got every chance of getting on the score sheet against an Ivory Coast side who rarely keep clean sheets. When you factor in its been such an open start to the tournament and the stats highlighted above, evens on both teams to score looks a very solid bet indeed.

[Group B - Chile v Australia > Friday June 13th]

Re: Group B - Chile v Australia > Friday June 13th Chile -1 (Asian Handicap) @ 1.875 Bet365 (5 Points) Not quite sure why Chile are on the drift but I'm more than happy to take advantage of it. The word on the street is that Vidal could start tonight which only strengthens the case. But with or without him I fancy Chile anyway. They have a strong squad and a well drilled system which really puts pressure on the opposition. I'm not quite sure Australia will be the pushover some expect. Their athleticism alone will make them competitive and I fully expect them to target set pieces as their best chance of taking something from games. A small Chile defence may struggle to deal with the likes of Cahill on corners and free kicks. Ultimately though I expect Chile's quality to shine through and I think they have the attacking capability to breach the Aussies defence. And once the first goes in it will mean Australia will have to go for it creating a more open game which would suit Chile and provide them more chances. With money returned in the event of them winning by just the one goal, there's plenty to like about this bet.

[World Cup 2014 > Qualify from Group Betting]

Re: World Cup 2014 > Qualify from Group Betting To Finish Bottom of The Group: Double on Honduras and Iran @ 2.27 Bet365 (4 Points) Both Honduras and Iran are in tough groups and I think they will struggle to chalk up more than a point each. I think the strategy from both sides will be ultra defensive and to hope for the odd goal on the counter. But when you look at the opposition they are up against its difficult to see them being successful. We saw Honduras frustrate England the other night but they created very little at the other end and on another day would have been punished. They will be up against France, Switzerland and Ecuador who could be their best chance for 3 points. I rate Ecuador as having the better squad though and think they will be a bit more adventurous going forward. They are looking weak at the back but I would fancy them to out score Hondurous who I see as one of the poorest teams in the tournament. Iran look to face an even tougher task up against Argentina, Bosnia and Nigeria. They did brilliantly to qualify and will no doubt try and grind out a couple of draws. But all of the opposition look to have too much firepower and Iran may well do well to pick up a solitary point. Theres a slight danger of Honduras beating Ecuador but overall I'm quite confident that this will be a winning double and see both sides finishing bottom of their respective groups.

[FA Cup > January 4th & 5th]

Re: FA Cup > January 4th & 5th Stoke +0 (draw no bet) @ 1.675 Bet365 Short on time... Full side out for Stoke who have a good home record and the price is too big here. We are being priced as if against a midtable prem team.

[FA Cup > January 4th & 5th]

Re: FA Cup > January 4th & 5th Lay Newcastle @ 1.67 Betfair I think Pardew will be tempted to rest a few in this match and their odds look a bit short regardless. With a new manager at the helm you would think Cardiff will be desperate to get some sort of a result so Solskjaer gets off to a good start. It's a long old journey for the 'bluebirds' up to Newcastle but I fancy their chances of earning a replay.

[FA Cup > January 4th & 5th]

Re: FA Cup > January 4th & 5th Lay Southampton @ 1.56 Betfair After a great start Saints have started to tail off and I think they are a tad short here. In theIr favour they are safely placed in the league so they should take the cup seriously. But Burnley will be no pushovers and this season they are proving a tough nut to crack. You wouldn't think Dyche would be too bothered about the cup but I don't think it's in his or the teams character to just roll over. ObviouslymSouthampton are favourites to win this but I think the Clarets have a better chance of earning some sort of result than the odds suggest.

[FA Cup > January 4th & 5th]

Re: FA Cup > January 4th & 5th A few short price lays are the order of the day for me... Lay Man City @ 1.34 Betfair I just can't justify such a short price for a prem team away at a decent championship club. Yes City have a great squad but Pellegrini is likely to rest a number of players after a busy schedule and you have to wonder how motivated his side will be. They are still in the league cup, champions league and on course for the title. I just can't see their players busting a gut to win this match on what is a cold, wet , windy and miserable day. Blackburn on the other hand should be bang up for it. For what they may lack in quality they should make up for in effort in winning all thosen50/50's. I don't think it's out of the question for Rovers to squeeze a draw here and Man City are worth opposing at a price that is too short in my opinion.

[Sky Bet Championship > Wednesday January 1st]

Re: Sky Bet Championship > Wednesday January 1st Sheff Wed v Blackpool: Both Teams To Score @ 1.90 Bet365 (7 Points) I strongly fancy this bet and it's one that would have banked in 17 of Wednesday's 23 games played so far. Both sides are struggling and will be desperate to bag the 3 points here. Blackpool remain depleted with injuries and suspensions and they are particularly struggling at the back. They have kept just 2 clean sheets in the last 10 games so you have to fancy the Owls to get on the score sheet being at home. Whilst The Tangerines are struggling at the back, they still have good options up front and they have scored in 8 of their last 10 matches. I don't think either side is good enough at the back and with the stats on side I really like the look of this bet.

[Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City > Sunday December 29th]

Re: Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City > Sunday December 29th Tottenham @ 1.53 (3 Points) Bet365 Tottenham -1 Asian Handicap @ 1.775 (3 Points) Bet365 I wouldn't usually take such a short price but in this case I think it's justified despite Spurs' poor form. the Stoke defence is absolutely depleted and I can't see anything but a struggle for us today. Huth is out injured still, Shawcross has been playing with an injury and I know he didn't train yesterday. On top of this, Marc Wilson who has been filling in at centre back is out suspended after his sending off at Newcastle and Asmir Begovic (our best player) is out injured with a broken finger. That makes for a seriously depleted back line and it's going to be a real makeshift job for us at the back today. Glen Whelan is also out suspended and Stoke had the longest away trip in the Premier league on Boxing Day up at Newcastle in which the 2nd half was played with just 9 men. In what is a busy schedule anyway that's going to take it out of the players who now face a trip down to London in another away match. Spurs haven't been great lately but I dont think they will need to be in this match. They are catching Stoke at the best possible time and I can't see past a Spurs win.

[Everton v Southampton > Sunday December 29th]

Re: Everton v Southampton > Sunday December 29th Everton v Southampton @ 1.90 WillHill (5 Points) Everton have simply been fantastic this season and at home they are a match for anyone. They do have Howard and Barry out suspended but their squad is good enough to cope. Bar a top 6 side, I'd be happy to take this price on the Tofees at home to anyone. Southampton had a brilliant start to the season and I think we've now started to see them level out to their true position. That is a decent distance ahead of the bottom 10 but not quite up to the level of top 6 or even top 8 yet. They picked up a great win at Cardiff (albeit not a great side) on the weekend to end a winless streak Of 6 matches. Ultimately I've been massively impressed with Everrton and though Southampton will make it hard, I think the Toffees are still a level above them at them at the moment and will do enough to win. I was expecting to be seeing prices ranging from 1.72 - 1.80 here and as such I'm more than happy to take the 1.90 available.

[Hull City v Fulham > Saturday December 28th]

Re: Hull City v Fulham > Saturday December 28th Hull v Fulham +0.5 @ 1.80 Bet365 (4 Points) Hull haven't won in their last 5 games and against a Fulham side improving under a new manager, I think it's worth opposing the Tigers. Hull do have a decent enough record at home and managed to record a great victory against Liverpool but they have also lost against the likes of Palace. Fulham were terrible under Jol and something clearly wasn't right but their performances have certainly improved since he left. They've still lost against the teams you would expect them to like Man City and Everton but the crucial point is that theyve started to get them against the teams around them. I just remain yet to be fully convinced by Hull and for my money, I would rather side with the double chance on Fulham.

[Aston Villa v Swansea City > Saturday December 28th]

Re: Aston Villa v Swansea City > Saturday December 28th Aston Villa v Swansea +0 @ 1.925 Bet365 (4 Points) Neither side are in good form but Villa particularly are going through a bad patch. They've failed to score in 4 of their last 5 home games picking up just 4 points along the way. With 2 key players in Vlaar and Benteke still injured it makes things even harder. I haven't been impressed with Villa at all lately and appears some of the fans are now starting to get restless too. Swansea aren't in much better form themselves and have some key players such as Vorm and Micu out injured still. But I think they've got a better squad than Villa and though they've lost their last couple of games, they were narrow defeats against Chelsea and Everton. The bottom line is I think Swansea are better side than Villa and they are still reasonably hard to beat. With the draw no bet cover, I would prefer to side with the Swans in what is an important game for both sides.

[Newcastle United v Stoke City > Boxing Day]

Re: Newcastle United v Stoke City > Boxing Day Newcastle v Stoke @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (4 Points) Toon are in good form and I think they look a solid bet here. Stoke have much improved of late but we are Still a work in progress and struggling to score enough goals. Newcastle have won 6 of the last 8 and though they will be without Tiote today, I think they are in good enough form and have enough quality to comfortably win this against an improving but limited Stoke team.

[Sky Bet Championship > Boxing Day]

Re: Sky Bet Championship > Boxing Day Charlton v Brighton +0 @ 1.85 Bet365 (5 Points) Phantom has already given a good write up on this one and i agree with what he has to say. Charlton are in pretty poor form and are up against a Seagulls side who are very difficult to beat. I regularly champion Brighton on here but they didn't get off to the best start. But they have been massively unlucky with injuries. Players are starting to return now and I really expect them to push on and challenge for promotion. Bridcutt is now back and playing which is a massive plus and though it maybe slightly early yet, Ulloa is back on the bench and his return will be crucial for them. The Seagulls have lost just 1 In their last ten and are unbeaten in their last 5 on the road. Things are really starting to take shape for them and up against a poor Charlton with arguably their best player Jackson suspended, I really fancy them to get another victory on the road. With the draw no bet covered, this looks a very appealing bet.

[Sky Bet Championship > Boxing Day]

Re: Sky Bet Championship > Boxing Day Leicester v Reading +0.75 (AH) @ 1.90 Bet365 (5 Points) There's not really too much depth needed here as I think it's simply a case of the price being wrong. I rate the two sides pretty equally so with the home advantage that makes the Foxes favourites but I'd only have them on a -0.25 line or -0.5 at the very most. Both sides have being stuttering at home lately. Leicester got a great smash and grab at QPR whilst Reading have won their last couple on the road. In what could be a tight low scoring game, I think there is plenty of value on the Royals avoiding defeat in a close contest.

[Stoke City v Aston Villa > Saturday December 21st]

Re: Stoke City v Aston Villa > Saturday December 21st Shawcross looks likely to miss this one and with both him and Huth out, that leaves a serious dent in our back line. Jon Walters and Crouch are also both doubts but I suspect they will make it. Stephen Ireland is a definite absentee as he is ineligible against his parent club. That is a definite blow as any of the good stuff we are creating seems to be coming through him. So I really want to oppose Stoke with them having a number of key players out. But I just don't fancy backing Villa either who have Agbonalor out suspended. After them starting to look the part at the end of last season they seemed to have regressed a bit. I'm not sure I can pick a bet out of this but thought the info maybe useful for anyone considering one.

[Crystal Palace v Newcastle United > Saturday December 21st]

Re: Crystal Palace v Newcastle United > Saturday December 21st Phantom, what are your early thoughts on Pulis? He will forever be a legend in my eyes!

[Sky Bet Championship > December 18th - 21st]

Re: Sky Bet Championship > December 18th - 21st Milwall +0 (AH) v Middlesbrough @ 2.05 @ Bet365 (5 Points) I just really don't know how Boro have been made favourites for this one? If anyone wants to enlighten me I'm all ears! Boro sit one place below Milwall in the table yet are being priced up as favourites even thou they are the away side. On top of that, their away form is shocking. It's 10 games since they won on the road and that's going back to the 10th of August in what is their only away victory! Milwall on the other hand have a decent home record and you've got to go back 8 games ago at home to their last defeat which was against a rampant Derby. The likes of Forest, QPR and Wigan have all since gone to the Den and failed to pick up 3 points. The price here simply looks wrong and I would make Milwall much lower and see them on a -0.25 line.

[Sky Bet Championship > December 18th - 21st]

Re: Sky Bet Championship > December 18th - 21st Burnley v Blackpool @ 1.90 Bet365 (4 Points) Ive been opposing Burnley a bit lately and their form has stuttered slightly but I think they represent a good bet in this match. Dyche has said they are at full strength bar long term injuries and that is the complete opposite of Blackpool who have numerous absentees through injury and suspension with Isaiah Osbourne the latest to be ruled out. Fuller serves the last game of his suspension and I think he's a big loss for them. They've lost their last three on the bounce and at a fair price I think high flying Burnley will make it four. Personally I wouldn't make the Clarets any higher than 1.83.

[Capital One Cup > December 17th & 18th]

Re: Capital One Cup > December 17th & 18th Just worth noting that it's blowing a proper gale in Stoke at the moment. In what's one of the windiest stadiums I've been in anyway, it's going to be tough conditions tonight.