Fernando Torres to score anytime for Liverpool against Tottenham @ 13/10 (Expekt) – 2 points

Correct Score 3-3 @ 66/1 (Totesport, Victor Chandler) – 0.5 points

Correct Score 4-4 @ 300/1 (Bet365) – 0.5 points

We’ve opposed Notts County a couple of times already this season, citing their inconsistency away from home, but have picked the wrong off days. We’re sticking with that here – a shade of odds on is just too short in this division for a side that has lost three of its five games so far.

LAY Notts County @ 2.08 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

Manchester United take on Wolfsburg tonight in what should be an entertaining encounter. Wolfsburg have the prolific strikefore of Dzeko and Grafite and United have looked far from secure at the back so far this season. United’s home CL record is not to be underestimated (they have not lost since February 2005!) but Wolfsburg will be a threat. It’s a choice between both teams to score at evens (Coral) and over 2.5 goals at a best price 4/6. That second price is slightly skewed by United’s favouritism – so we’ll take value on Wolfsburg scoring.

Man Utd and Wolfsburg both sides to score @ Evens (Coral) – 2 points

Nottingham Forest v Scunthorpe

Forest have struggled at home this season, losing three times already, and will be desperate to turn this around. They have tightened up at the back (conceding only four goals in their last five games) and with Rob Earnshaw returning for this one will hope to start scoring at the other end. Scunthorpe are an unpredictable side but have doubts over influential striker Gary Hooper, whose absence will severely blunt them. This could be a tight encounter, with Scunthorpe playing for a draw – and under 2.5 goals looks the bet.

Forest v Scunthorpe under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (widely available) – 2 points

Hodgson admitted before that game he’d rest players in Russia if Fulham were comfortable – and with their very small squad he could just do that, despite that away goal. Another factor is the Russian’s artificial pitch; away sides always struggle when faced with a bouncy, plasticy surface, and the Londoners could get a shock.

Fulham are slight favourites for the tie – but considering their cushion, the possibility they may rest players, the pitch, the Russian determination to progress in European competition, and Fulham’s reputation as a poor travelling side, laying the Cottagers is the way to go. There is some depth on Betfair laying them at up to 2.8, and that should be taken – although more should appear before kick off.

LAY Fulham @ 2.76 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

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There are a raft of midweek games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we will bring our selections for them in plenty of time.

Celtic have been backed into 8/11 from an initial 5/6 – and it is not difficult to see why. Their home form in Europe is excellent, and they come into this game on the back of two encouraging wins in the Wembley Cup (most recently against Spurs, 2-0). Tony Mowbray has re-instilled the attractive football that was gradually being eradicated under Strachan and also brought in a couple of exciting signings – Marc Antoine-Fortune could get a hatful next season. There is a feelgood factor around the club, and a real conviction they can wrestle back the title from Rangers that they should never have lost in the first place.

So to their opponents. Dinamo are in poor form, and subject to terrace abuse after winning only four of their last ten games, including being knocked out of the cup by a lower league side. They are missing a couple of key players to injury also, and have lost the heart of what made them a more fearsome proposition three or four years ago (Danny the most notable).

There are a number of compelling arguments for the Scots, who will be keenly aware they need home advantage due to their poor away form. They are still value at a slightly shortened 8/11.

Celtic @ 8/11 (Boyles, SkyBet, Ladbrokes) – 2 points

What does stand out, is a bet in the bowler market. We are already on Swann to be top bowler in the series, but he also stands out here. The pitch is expected to offer little for the pace bowlers, meaning not only will Swann be potent but also bowl a lot of overs. Panesar is unlikely to play, so the spin burden will be entirely on the Notts man. He took four wickets in the second innings of the last test, finally finding some form, and is worth backing to continue that here.

Lastly, with conditions likely to be gloomy and overcast, spin at times may be the only option for the bowling side.

Graeme Swann top England bowler @ 9/2 (Stan James) – 1 point

Also, considering this, and the decent form he has been in with the bat, he is also worth consideration in the Man of the Match market.

Graeme Swann Man of the Match @ 20/1 (Ladbrokes, William Hill) – 0.5 points

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