Labrador

https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/red-devils-will-field-reserve-team-players-in-opening-super-league-fixture/ Looks like the early punt against Salford should bear fruit. Handicap is now around 50 points. What can possibly go wrong?🙃

Very interesting opener on TV tonight between Wigan and Leigh. With several Leigh departures in the guise of Asiata, Amone, Hardaker etc it's probably best to watch and enjoy. However, for a bit of interest and hoping he features in the second half I think 18/1 (Bet 365) for Leigh replacement hooker, Brad Dwyer, to score is worth a small dabble. Totally agree with Stephen about Hull KR on the handicap v Castleford. I managed to get Hull KR -16.5 at evens during Cas' terrible performance at Bradford in the Cup last weekend. Confidence is boosted by backing Rovers on the handicap now they have metronomic goal kicker Rhyse Martin in their ranks. I can see Rovers putting at least 40 points on the board.

Salford start their season with a difficult away trip to St Helens on 15th February. Given the current travails of Salford, it might be worth an early punt on Saints: https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2025/01/17/salford-city-council-respond-to-red-devils-club-statement-after-being-ordered-to-sell-players/ St Helens (-16) v Salford Red Devils evens (Ladbrokes, Coral)

From The Scarborough News: "Scarborough Athletic are pleased to confirm the signing of Bill Marshall following his release from York City. The 18-year-old midfielder, who is Scarborough-born, impressed as a trialist in the recent NRCFA Senior Cup quarter-final 11-1 win at home to TIBS and is available to play in tomorrow's National League North fixture against Kidderminster Harriers in front of his hometown supporters. The Seadogs have several key players, such as midfielder Lewis Maloney, sidelined with injuries at present so Marshall’s signing is a huge boost for Jono Greening’s team." [My bold emphasis]. I don't see an 18-year-old debutant loanee from another non-league side being so vital or concerning to the visitors. Apart from a major blip at Kings Lynn, Kidderminster's away form has been excellent recently. Whilst odds on for a straight win does not float my boat, I think it's worth taking Kidderminster -1 handicap at 5/2 (Unibet, Skybet).

I am a little surprised to see South Shields as big as 3/1 to win at Curzon Ashton. The home side have only scored 8 goals in their last 8 home games, and 4 of those came against Chester. South Shields are in free-scoring mode (18 in last 4) since losing 4-0 at Kidderminster.

The Springboks prolific try-scoring hooker, Malcolm Marx, is on the bench today and likely to appear around the hour mark. At 11/1 generally available it might be worth a small dabble on Marx to be last tryscorer.

Reportedly 8 changes for Wycombe from their last league game, and Villa include the likes of Duran, Onana, Bailey, Barkley plus their Dutch backs Maatsen and Bogarde with Buendia skippering the side. Those playing will be very motivated to impress Unai Emery. Emi Buendia to score 2 or more goals 20/1 (Bet 365, skybet) Aston Villa (-3 Asian) 6.80 (Bet 365)

I suspect an ear to the front door of Strawberry Studios might be your preferred "live" venue

I think Kings Lynn (13/10 in places) are worth a bet to start their National League North season with a home win against Warrington Town. The visitors sacked their assistant manager at the start of the week, will be without injured club captain Josh Amis and suspended fellow forward Grivosti. There are also injury doubts about centre back Tom Harrington. Kings Lynn have re-signed big Swiss centre forward, Gold Omotayo, who was their top scorer with 25 goals in this league in the penultimate season. Gold has scored a couple of pre-season match hat-tricks so his confidence should be high. Omotayo was not wanted by Phil Brown and was released by Kidderminster - I hope that decision will not be regretted, as I saw enough in his limited opportunities last season to think he can do the business again at this level if he actually gets some service!

Make up of 135 with several other cards for players not on the pitch or dished out after the final whistle during the melee. Definitely more exciting than watching England, although sadly for bookings bets I don't think we shall be seeing Mr Kovacs again.

Despite last night's tepid show from the Serbs I'm tempted into the bookings market again as Istvan Kovacs of Romania takes charge of Czech Republic v Turkey this evening. Kovacs did the business in the Serbia/Slovenia clash last week, and his stats are very encouraging if things get tasty. The Czechs have to win, and that would mean the Turks not achieving a top 2 finish in the group - so presumably they will be very keen to avoid defeat. I have taken over 5.5 match cards at 6/5 (Coral).

Only 2 yellows for Serbia, and amazingly they only committed 5 fouls in the entire game according to official UEFA website! [If I was Ollie Watkins I'd been on the next plane out of Germany and join Jack Grealish on holiday].

I think it's worth looking at bookings again in the Denmark v Serbia clash. The Serbs must win and, if they take the lead, then Denmark's chances of qualifying are severely jeopardized. The referee is not immediately attractive for loads of bookings, yet he dished out a couple of 75 make ups in the qualifiers (Israel v Romania and Hungary v Serbia [although only 2 for the Serbs then]). He is Francois Letexier of France. As I'm not convinced that Denmark will concede a lead, I'm sticking to a bet on Serbia bookings and have gone with Coral at 21/20 for over 2.5 Serbia cards.

Slovenia drew their first game 1-1 with Denmark, but I do like this angle. To avoid the lottery of 3rd place qualification this is one you've got to win. Sorry - VERY senior moment .

There is potential for the bookings market to have a boost when the two ex-Yugoslavia states meet on Thursday. Both Slovenia and Serbia have lost their opening games so this clash has a "must win" feel about it. The referee, Istvan Kovacs of Romania, has given out 4 cards or more in each of his last 14 games in all competitions. His last 5 national matches have seen make ups of 70, 85, 30, 70, 80. The 30 was England's one-sided 7-0 hammering of North Macedonia. The spreads are currently only 39-43, and you can get 21/20 on over 4 cards (Asian) where exactly 40 points returns your stake.