Another big game for Liverpool as they take on Spurs, who currently occupy fourth place. It’s a tough game and a difficult one to call. But one stat does stand out – and that is that a fit Fernando Torres has a goal record of 50 in 72 starts, so at home, at 13/10, he represents excellent value. Especially if, as rumoured, he has been put through extra training.

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

Leeds v Accrington

It’s debatable whether Leeds’ heart is really in this competition – having only beaten Darlington and Grimsby so far, we just don’t know. If it’s not, then Accrington are capable of taking advantage. They are 5/1 to qualify which looks a decent price – and there is also some outstanding value in the correct score market, which we’ll also take a tiny interest in.

Accrington to qualify v Leeds @ 5/1 (Stan James) – 1 point

Accrington 3-0 @ 425/1 (Paddy Power) – 0.125 points

Accrington 2-0 @ 80-1 (Paddy Power) – 0.125 points

Accrington 1-0 @ 22-1 (Paddy Power) – 0.25 points

Birmingham v Blackburn

Both of these sides have struggled for goals recently so it’s no surprise to see odds on quotes abut U2.5. However there is some value in the 8/1 about a 0-0 – that result would occur in more than one in eight games between these two sides on current form.

0-0 @ 8/1 (Widely available) – 1 point

Man Utd v Wolves

Of course United are favourites. But they are struggling for goals, and suffered at the hands of Villa last time out. Wolves got a great 1-0 win against Spurs – and both those things will encourage McCarthy’s men that they can hold out at Old Trafford. They probably won’t – but at 18/1 the 0-0 has some appeal.

0-0 @ 18/1 (Widely Available) – 0.5 points

Just one this weekend…

Spurs v Wolves

This is roundly expected to be a comprehensive Spurs victory, and it’s difficult to find reasons why not. But how to profit? Scanning the markets, one stands out – and that is corners. If as expected Spurs batter Wolves they will get plenty of corners (expecially with Lennon terrorising down the wing) and Wolves actually get a surprising amount of corners away from home – 6 against Man City, 7 against United, 9 against Sunderland and 5 against Everton.

Over 11 Corners @ 11/10 (SkyBet) – 2 points

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

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

Four of the ‘Big Six’ have tough away fixtures this weekend, and there are reasons to oppose all of them.

Sunderland v Liverpool

Sunderland will by buoyed by their performance against Man Utd, and Liverpool have injury worries over Torres, Gerrard, and Kuyt. Obviously without those key players they are easier to oppose but even with them, against an impressive Sunderland side, odds on is too short.

LAY Liverpool @ 1.98 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Portsmouth v Spurs

Pompey got their first win of the season last time out, and with the stability brought to the club with new funding, should be on a high. Furthermore, if there is an side they will want a result against, it’s Spurs – several ex-Pompey players are in their ranks (likewise the other way round in fact) and of course there is the ‘Arry factor. The whole club will be set on preventing him taking three point from Fratton Park, and again at odds on there is value opposing them.

LAY Spurs @ 1.91 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Villa have a strong home record against Chelsea over the past few seasons, and have already beaten one of the Big Four this season (Liverpool, at Anfield) proving they have the mettle. After an international break there is always some uncertainty, and another odds on quote about Chelsea again looks too short.

LAY Chelsea @ 1.84 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

Wigan v Man City

Wigan are somewhat of a bogey team for Man City, with Mark Hughes’ men winning only one of the last eight league meetings between the two. Of course Man City are a somewhat different proposition nowadays, but do not merit the heaviest odds on price of all the Premier League teams.

LAY Man City @ 1.82 (Betfair) – 1 point liability

We’ll also have a little play on the multiples market with these four – Betfair’s LAY multiples market offer the following prices:

Liverpool @ 2.04

Spurs @ 1.98

Chelsea @ 1.89

Man City @ 1.88

Four trebles there, we’ll play 0.25 points on each.