Saturday’s match against Hamilton presents Rangers with a prime opportunity to get back on track while on Sunday, Hibs must raise their game against Celtic. The bet of the weekend, however, is on Monday, says John Girvan reports.
It’s quarter-final time in the cup where John Girvan is backing Keane and co to avenge defeat at Rugby Park. Meanwhile, don’t expect a cracker at Ibrox but do back Motherwell to continue their sparkling form in the SPL. “Kilmarnock are 8.8 for a repeat of that sensational win in February which ended a run of 14 consecutive Celtic 1.42 wins at Rugby Park.” Last weekend was a disaster
Tareq Quiroz previews the action as the Republic of Ireland face off against World Cup second-favourites Brazil. “If you don’t fancy being so specific then take a look at the 2.04 on offer about Under 2.5 Goals. There is always this tendency to think Brazil equals goals galore and as a result the odds can be a little skewed.” It has been a good while since our last crop of International fixtures and none of them will live longer in the memory than that involving the Rep of Ireland. They were so cruelly denied the chance of a place in the World Cup by the hand of Thierry Henry
The fact that he scored a crucial goal in a World Cup Final was largely irrelevant; it was the way he celebrated it that truly counts… In recent years, the worthiness of international football has come under increasing scrutiny. With the global popularity of European and domestic club competition soaring and with revenues earned via these streams also increasing, the desire and appreciation for the international game amongst clubs, players and fans alike appears to be on the wane. The multitude of meaningless friendlies, and the tedium of what are often compete mismatches between the ‘haves and have-nots’, is arguably to blame for an era where it has become easy to forget exactly what international football has to offer
Not many fixtures can boast an 87-year run without a goalless draw, an average of three goals a game scored over 20 matches, or six goals per game in recent cup encounters. Bolton v Tottenham can.
John Girvan talks us through an intriguing set of Cup fixtures north of the border where Celtic need to get back to winning ways before Tony Mowbray’s job is at real risk. “A Celtic backlash could be on the cards and the layers are running scared with Dunfermline as big as 12.0 and Celtic as short as 1.28 in the match odds.
Leeds were written off as one hit wonders after their win at Old Trafford but proved otherwise at White Hart Lane. However, Jaymes Monte believes that this is the end of the road for Beckford and co. Best Bet: Back Spurs to win @ 1.85 Recommended Bets; Back Spurs to win @ 1.85 Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.9 Back 9pts an above @ 2.4 (in Bookings Odds market) Has Harry Redknapp finally cracked up or will this prove to be another astute transfer window of wheeling and dealing
Despite being out of form, both Tottenham and Manchester City are still in contention for a top four place. Dan ‘The Betting Man’ Fitch expects a lively encounter, between two sides needing a win. Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.76.
Recommended Bets: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.76; Back the draw @ 3.38; Back Defoe [...]
Frank Lampard missed a late penalty against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon which cost his side at least a point. Frank Gregan wonders whether the blame lay with the England man or the linesman who failed to spot an infringement. “With all the media coverage these days, the statistical analyst at every Premier League club will be able to tell you what percentage of the time Frank Lampard goes low to the ‘keepers right
After Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe came unstuck over the weekend, Ralph Ellis is hoping that England’s World Cup fate doesn’t come down to penalties again. “Liverpool are only two points ahead of Fulham and, after being knocked out of Europe, have been matched as long as 2.28 for a top four finish.” Frank Skinner and David Baddiel are getting together again to do another World Cup song
