Wolfsburg v Man Utd

Wolfsburg have been tipped up in many places for this game – but there looks to be a more obvious bet in this game. They are strong going forward, and weak at the back – and everyone knows about Man United’s defensive problems. With Dzeko and Grafite likely to terrorise Ferguson’s two makeshift centre-backs, yet with United still possessing attacking strength, over 2.5 goals looks the play.

Over 2.5 goals @ 5/6 (Widely Available) – 2 points

The Championship

Ipswich are now 8 unbeaten (albeit with 6 draws) but are steadily rising, and at home against struggling Peterborough look decent value at slight odds on. Boro go into their game with Blackpool on a high after smashing five past QPR at the weekend, and around 7/10 is attractive at the Riverside. Finally, tomorrow, Newcastle are in terrific form with six consecutive wins after a slight wobble. It’s difficult to see beyond them taking 3 points from struggling Coventry.

Combining these in a multiple provides the best odds at 5.52 with both Ladbrokes and 888sport.

Ipswich @ 8/11, Boro @ 4/6 and Newcastle @ 10/11 (Ladbrokes and 888Sport) – 2 points

Blackpool v Barnsley

Mark Robins has done a great job at Barnsley since moving from Rotherham, and they are far from the soft touches they were earlier in the season. Consequently the even money quotes around Blackpool look too short (despite their good home form) and make for an attractive lay.

LAY Blackpool @1.97 (Betfair) – 2 points

Newcastle v Watford

Newcastle are in danger of running away with the Championship, and even at 4/7 look a decent home banker against Watford.

Norwich v Oldham

Norwich are another side on a great run, and come up against an Oldham side that have stopped scoring and started conceding. Again, even at 8/15, there’s value.

Newcastle @ 4/7 and Norwich @ 8/15 (SkyBet) – 2 point double

FA Cup, Premier League and Championship this weekend – and we have delved into all of them…

Northwich Victoria v Lincoln

Northwich will be bang up for this game and that, allied with Lincoln’s poor form and Chris Sutton’s travails, and their long injury list, and the fact this game is televised – stack up to create some value on the home side.

Northwich @ 9/4 (Betfred) – 2 points

Gillingham v Burton

Gillingham look the strongest bet of the round, playing a Burton side who are struggling, and look particularly vulnerable to Gillingham’s pacey forward line. Even at 4/6 there is value.

Gillingham @ 4/6 (Widely Available) – 2 points

Notts Forest v Doncaster

Forest are a difficult team to break down and haven’t gone over 2.5 goals in their last five matches. Doncaster will struggle to penetrate and everything points to this being low scoring.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Widely Available) – 2 points

Newcastle v Swansea

Swansea have kept 8 clean sheets in their last 11 games, and will go to St James’ attempting to add to that tally. Newcastle have ground out their results rather than playing teams off the park and this looks like being a tight game.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Paddy Power, SkyBet) – 2 points

West Ham v Burnley

This game screams ‘goals’. Two sides with porous defences who aren’t afraid to attack suggests an open game with few inhibitions and no clean sheets.

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Widely Available) – 2 points

There are Coca-Cola and Champions League games this midweek, and here are our best selections from them…

Bournemouth v Dagenham and Redbridge

We opposed Bournemouth against Torquay last time out, only for them to get a breakaway clincher with Torquay dominating. Dagenham have been going great guns this season and their recent defeat to Rochdale seems to have inflated their price somewhat – 11/4 seems a little big.

Dagenham @ 11/4 (widely available) – 2 points

Fiorentina v Lyon

A draw suits both of these teams, and in that situation usually represents good value. This is no exception.

Fiorentina v Lyon Draw @ 23/20 (Totesport) – 2 points

Debrecen v Liverpool

In one sense the pressure is off Liverpool here, as they are reliant on a favourable result in the Fiorentina game. However, the number of goals they score in this game directly impacts how many they need in their next game to ensure qualification should it go their way. They will undoubtedly go for it, and if they do, there is a strong possibility they could destroy Debrecen. The prices reflect that unfortunately, the best bet is arguably:

Liverpool -1.5 @ 1.8 (Betfair) – 2 points

Arsenal v Standard Liege

Arsenal’s home record is outstanding, scoring 33 goals in 10 matches so far this season while conceding only seven. Liege are poor away from home, and have only scored three in their last five. This is likely to be a goalfest; we’ll take the same bet as above.

Arsenal – 1.5 @ 1.83 (Betfair) – 2 points

Torquay v Rotherham

League positions are misleading in this one, with Torquay near the bottom and Rotherham near the top. Rotherham are in decline since the departure of Mark Robins, and Torquay are a decent side with a strong home record. They represent excellent value at Plainmoor.

Torquay @ 11/5 (SkyBet) – 2 points

Macclesfield v Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s position is slightly false – with their squad they may well not last the pace. They are always liable to slip up and against a Macclesfield side who aren’t bad at home, opposing them is the way to go.

Macclesfield @ 5/2 (Bet365) – 2 points

Shrewsbury v Bury

Bury are on a great run of form while Shrewsbury are struggling to find the back of the net. On that basis alone around 2/1 looks too big on the away side.

Bury @ 19/10 (Victor Chandler) – 2 points

West Brom v Bristol City

West Brom are a mere five points ahead of Bristol City, which makes the 5/1 on the away side look much too big – especially with their good form and West Brom’s patchiness.

Bristol City @ 5/1 (SkyBet) – 1 point

Apologies for the hiatus… we’re back with selections from this weekend’s football:

Sheffield Wednesday v QPR

Wednesday bounced back well from a humiliating defeat to Watford by claiming a draw against Bristol City with a squad depleted by swine flu. There is now hot competition for places, and with their home record QPR face a tough task to take all three points, and look underpriced at 6/4 – particularly as they have suffered a dip in form and results.

LAY QPR @ 2.62 (2 point liability)

Reading v Ipswich

A basement battle at the Majedski, with both sides coming into this after a rare win – Reading’s being their first in five, and Ipswich (finally) getting their first of the season. Ipswich’s position is somewhat misleading, and they should kick on after getting their first 3 points. Reading are flimsy and struggle to score goals, so the 21/10 quotes from Boyles and Coral have some appeal.

Ipswich @ 21/10 (Boyles, Coral) – 1 point

Chelsea v Man Utd

Arguably the biggest game o the season so far, and with United shakey and unconvincing, a Chelsea victory is on the cards. They are on a great run of form, scoring goals aind winning, and unless United really pull out something special they will be up against it. Although Chelsea look a little short at first glance, all things considered it still represents value.

Chelsea @ 11/10 (Ladbrokes) – 1 point

Password protection removed 16/09 @ 12.05

Champions League and Championship tonight – and it’s the latter where value stands out.

Derby v Barnsley

We backed Barnsley to avoid defeat in Mark Robins’ first game on Saturday, but Watford nicked the odd goal that gave them a narrow win. Now Robins has had more time to work with the players his influence should be felt further, and for a second successive away game we are going to back them to avoid defeat against an out of form home side. Derby have lost their last two matches yet are odds on against the basement boys – Barnsley can overturn those odds and deny Clough a much needed victory.

LAY Derby @ 1.91 (Betfair) 2 point liability

Ipswich v Forest

Ipswich have had a terrible start to the season, with four losses and a draw in their first five. Forest, unbeaten since the opening day, continue to be underrated by the bookies despite an antepost run on them for promotion. They have strengthened significantly and are too long here – more prevalently, Ipswich are far too short.

LAY Ipswich @ 2.3 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

QPR v Palace

Another to finish off a trio of short home lays – QPR are a mediocre side, their only win coming at home to Scunthorpe – and after Neil Warnock laid into his Palace side after their 4-0 defeat to the same side (Scunny) we expect a reaction here.

LAY QPR @ 2.2 (Betfair) – 2 point liability

The mouth watering prospect of a new Premier League season becomes a reality at the weekend, with a full complement of fixtures over the two days. It’s early days and will take a few games for teams to show their true colours – but scouring through the fixtures there’s one we reckon is worth following.

Stoke v Burnley

Stoke’s home record was fearsome last season, bettered only by the Big Four. The Brittannia is an intimidating venue for visiting teams – and Burnley will experience a baptism of fire. It’s one of the toughest opening fixtures they could ask for, and Stoke are rightly favourites. However, they are still slightly odds against – which represents cracking value against a promoted team, and one with a porous defence to boot.

Stoke @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 1 point