Football

The first major silverware of the English season will be decided at Wembley on Sunday as Arsenal take on Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final. It’s been a while since there was any silverware in the Arsenal trophy cabinet and the Gunners should comfortably win this one at 4/9.

Arsenal v Birmingham

Manchester United are a measly 1/2 to win away at Wigan on Saturday – a feat which may not be as easy as it sounds considering the pitch is likely to be a mudbath after Friday night’s rugby league World Club Challenge.

Wigan v Man United

Newcastle are good value at 21/20 to beat Bolton at St James’ Park whilst I fancy Liverpool to continue their good run by winning at West Ham at 21/20.

Premier League Betting

There’s an intriguing match in the Bundesliga this week as runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Dortmund are 3/1 to extend their lead over Louis van Gaal’s side to sixteen points.

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund

Football Betting

Tennis

There’s a strong field in Dubai this week for the ATP Dubai Duty Free Championships and with several seeds falling in the early stages it looks increasingly like being a shootout between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for the title.

The WTA tour is in Doha for the Qatar Ladies Open. Three of the top four players in the world are in attendance, with Dane Caroline Wozniacki the top seed. Victoria Azarenka was an early casualty meaning that Vera Zvonereva or Li Na should have a relatively free path to the semi-finals.

Tennis Betting

Golf

There’s a feat of brilliant golf action this weekend as 64 of the world’s top 65 golfers head to Arizona for the WGC Accenture World Matchplay.

At 7,849 yards the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club is longest course used on the PGA Tour and so the winner will have to come to terms with a long course with fast greens. Last year’s winner Ian Poulter is a 25/1 chance although I prefer Paul Casey at 14/1 who is a specialist at this form of golf. Martin Kaymer is arguably the world’s form player right now and is available at 16/1 and if you are looking for a good value outsider then Ryan Moore – a man who performs well on desert courses – can be backed at 60/1.

Golf Betting

Rugby Union

It’s the third round of matches in the RBS Six Nations this weekend and the top two go head to head in a mouthwatering clash at Twickenham. England crushed Italy last time out but will find it tough against a talented France team who eked out a narrow win over Ireland two weeks ago. England captain Lewis Moody may return for the home team and if Martin Johnson’s side continue to improve then they may just have enough to beat the French. The four point handicap looks about right.

England v France

Saturday’s other game sees Italy take on Wales. After an encouraging start and narrow defeat against Ireland, Italy were completely outclassed by England last time out whilst Wales ended their eight match winless run in Scotland. Wales have lost in this fixture before but name a strong side this weekend and I back them to overcome the ten point handicap at 10/11.

Italy v Wales

Sunday’s match sees Scotland take on Ireland at Murrayfield. Scotland coach Andy Robinson has rung the changes after defeat to Wales a fortnight ago and out go Rory Lawson, Nathan Hines, Dan Parks and Richie Vernon. Ireland have several players returning from injury and I fancy the visitors to make it three losses from three for Scotland. Back Ireland (-5.0) at 10/11.

Scotland v Ireland

Rugby Union Betting

Rugby League

Rugby League’s big match this weekend takes place away from the Superleague as last season’s Grand Final champions Wigan Warriors take on NRL champions St George Illawarra Dragons in the World Club Challenge.

The Australian sides have won the last two Club Challenges and Wigan haven’t won this fixture since beating the Brisbane Broncos back in 1994. It should be a great match.

There’s an attractive looking fixture on Friday in the Superleague as St Helens take on a Warrington team who have made a disappointing start to the campaign. Second plays third as Leeds face Harlequins whilst bottom club Wakefield can follow up their excellent win over Catalans Dragons with victory at Salford.

Rugby League Betting

Horse Racing

The highlight of Saturday’s racing comes at Kempton with the three mile handicap Grade 3 Racing Post Chase. Paul Nicholls’ Fistral Beach is the 5/1 ante post favourite although did unseat at the second last year when well fancied for this event. Nacarat is second favourite at 6/1 whilst Quinz has been backed from 10/1 to 7/1.

The other graded events on the Kempton card are the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, the Pendil Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles and the two-mile Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

Elsewhere there is racing from Newcastle, Chepstow and Lingfield Park.

Racing Betting

A new betting section kicks off this week as we concentrate of providing football tips across the entire European football schedule. There’s plenty of live action on TV this weekend including Lazio v Napoli, Bayern Munich v Nurnberg, Borussia Dortmund v Hamburg, Juventus v Roma, and of coursethe eagerly anticipated ‘Derby della Madonnina’ between Inter Milan and AC Milan which is live on ESPN & Setanta Ireland on Sunday night.

There’s also a decent schedule of Spanish Football live on Sky Sports which includes Atletico Madrid v Osasuna, Barcelona v Villarreal, Valencia v Getafe and Sporting Gijon v Real Madrid.
Let’s take a look at some betting tips ahead of this weekend’s European games:

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Total Goals in Match – 1pt treble 33/1

Inter Milan to score 2 or more goals (8/5)

AC Milan has conceded 11 goals in their last seven games and most notably, 2 or more on four occasions. Inter Milan have scored 2 or more goals against their bitter rivals in their last three meetings in Serie A

Valencia to score 3 or more goals (2/1)

Valencia have score 2 or more goals in the last five games between the two sides at the Mestalla and Getafe have conceded 3 or more goals in their last three games

Villarreal to score 2 or more goals (10/3)

They face Barcelona at the Nou Camp but Villarreal lay only two points behind the current Spanish champions and have scored an impressive 21 goals in La Liga this campaign. They’ve yet to taste defeat at Barcelona in their last three visits (won one) and in that same period they have scored 2 or more goals on two occasions

Anytime Goalscorer Treble – 2pt treble @ 7/1

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) 2/1

The AC Milan striker notched up his 100th league goal in Italian football midweek and will be out to prove his worth against his former club

Fabio Quagliarella (Juventus) 17/10

The Italian international has bagged 6 goals in ten games for Juventus this season and against a Roma side that’s conceded 4 goals in their last three games; he should find opportunities to add to his tally

‘Best value bet of the Weekend’

Barcelona v Villarreal - Villarreal ‘Draw no Bet’ - 17/2 2pt win

Football Betting

Football

Manchester United’s tricky week of fixtures continues on Saturday as they travel to Aston Villa in Saturday’s early kick-off. Whilst they look unlikely to repeat the high finishing spot of recent seasons, Villa Park is a tough place to go, although United look good value at 10/11.

Stoke City have a great chance to put some points on the board in the teatime kick-off as they host an improving Liverpool. Tony Pulis’ side haven’t had the rub of the green lately but they are terrific value at 10/3 to win this one.

Arsenal’s soft centre was once again exposed by Newcastle last weekend and the Gunners won’t be relishing their trip to Everton on Sunday. Everton are yet to fire on all cylinders but the 23/10 about a home win looks tempting. Chelsea are 2/9 to see off Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, it’s the Milan derby on Sunday evening as Inter take on AC whilst Sligo Rovers take on Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Ford Cup Final on Sunday afternoon.

Football Betting

Golf

A huge field of 204 golfers will tee off at the Barclays Singapore Open this week with Ian Poulter a 16/1 chance to retain the title he won in 2009. Competitors will all play a round each over the Serapong Course and the Tanjong Course on Thursday and Friday before the final two rounds are contested solely on the Serapong Course at the weekend.

Last week’s WGC Champions winner Francesco Molinari is also 16/1 whilst the Race to Dubai title battle continues with both Martin Kaymer (14/1) and Graeme McDowell (16/1) in Singapore this week.

There’s plenty of home interest in the JBWere Australian Masters this week with local boy and 9/1 chance Geoff Ogilvy boasting an intimate knowledge of the Victoria club. Tiger Woods is the 13/5 favourite and Greg Chalmers is an interesting 25/1 shot having finished runner up three times in this event.

Golf Betting

Cricket

New Zealand were thwarted in their attempts to win a first rate Test in India last week after a strong partnership between Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman saw the home side home in an entertaining draw.

The two sides meet again this week with India the clear 8/15 favourites to reinforce why they are the world’s top Test side.

Elsewhere, Pakistan continue to grapple with off-field problems. They prepare to face South Africa in the first Test in Dubai without wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider who has quite international cricket after reportedly receiving death threats.

England continue their Ashes preparation with a tour match against South Australia in Adelaide.

Cricket Betting

Rugby League

The two best teams in world rugby league meet in the final of the Four Nations tournament this Saturday. Australia saw off New Zealand 34-20 in last week’s group match and I expect the Kangaroos to prevail again here at 2/7.

Rugby League Betting

Rugby Union

It was first blood to the Southern Hemisphere sides in last weekend’s first Autumn internationals with the Tri-Nations sides winning the three matches by a combined score of 74-53.

The most intriguing tie of this weekend is at Twickenham as England take on old rivals Australia. Martin Johnson’s side won this fixture as recently as June with a gutsy win in Sydney although the Wallabies have clearly improved since then. England once again looked well off the pace as they were beaten by the All Blacks last weekend, despite a stirring second half recovery. It’s a match England should be capable of winning, but I’ll back the visitors to overcome the two point handicap at 10/11.

Despite dominating the scrum, Wales showed precious little creativity in their defeat to the quick, imaginative Australians and face a tough test against South Africa this weekend. The Springboks held on for an ultimately deserved win against Ireland last Saturday and the vital triumph can see Peter de Viliers under pressure side start to recover in time for next year’s World Cup.

Scotland play New Zealand in the final international match with the All Blacks capable of winning this one in first gear. Even with a 19 point start I’m not sure I’d be backing the home side in this one.

Rugby Union Betting

Tennis

A tough year on the ATP tour ends this week with the final event before the ATP Tour Finals in London. The Paris Masters has attracted a strong field with Roger Federer looking to win back to back titles after his victory over Novak Djokovic in the final of the Swiss Indoors event last week.

Rafael Nadal is absent through a shoulder injury, but Andy Murray, Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko are all in Paris this week.

Tennis Betting

Horse Racing

The racing at Cheltenham opens with the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial (12.50pm) but the undoubted highlight of this weekend’s racing action is the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.35pm), a handicap chase over Cheltenham’s extended two and a half mile course. Winners often go on to bigger and better things as proved by recent victors Imperial Commander and Exotic Dancer.

Long Run is the 7/3 favourite from Great Endeavour, Sunnyhillboy and Catch Me with Poquelin available at 12/1.

Elsewhere there is racing from Wetherby, Lingfield Park, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.

Racing Betting

Welcome to our weekly column where we try and seek good value in some longer odds bets.

Review

With 18 months of all sorts of bets resulting in a small loss, it’s time to reset the counter as we revamp this column. A mixture of football and sporting bets from here on in - let’s see if we can make a profit by the end of this season!

Top Tip - 3pts FSV Mainz 05 to beat Hoffenheim at 21/20

We’re off to the Bundesliga this week for a superb value bet featuring the surprise team of the campaign so far. Mainz sit top of the early Bundesliga table with six wins out of six playing an attractive, pressing brand of football and giving some talented youth players a chance to shine. German under 21 captain Lewis Holtby is a key man as is 22 year old Hungarian striker Adam Szalai as die Nullfünfer have already opened up a three point lead at the top of the table.

Mainz play ‘village team’ Hoffenheim at the Stadion am Bruchweg this weekend. Hoffenheim have also had an encouraging start to the season and sit in fourth place in the table. They gave Bayern Munich a scare a fortnight ago before eventually losing 2-1 to an injury time Daniel van Buyten goal and they are unbeaten away from home this season, although draws at Kaiserslauten and Cologne are hardly reaults to shout about.

Whilst the away side may be in good spirits, Mainz are coming off the back of one of their best ever Bundesliga results - a 2-1 triumph at the Allianz Arena over champions Bayern Munich. Thomas Tuchel’s side were well worthy of that win and can continue their terrific run of form with a home win at odds against on Saturday.

Bundesliga Betting

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Premier League Patent - 0.5 pts patent West Bromwich Albion (5/4), Chelsea (3/4), Stoke City (13/10)

West Bromwich Albion’s 3-2 win over Arsenal at the Emirates was one of this season’s most surprising results to date. However, Roberto di Matteo’s side have been improving over recent matches and so perhaps it was a result waiting to happen. The arrival of Peter Odemwingie has added an extra dimension to the Baggies attack and the yo-yo club have a chance to record their fourth consecutive victory with a win over Bolton at the Hawthorns.

Bolton have also made a promising start to the campaign and drew 2-2 with Manchester Utd last time out. However, considering Albion have beaten Manchester City and Birmingham at home this season, the 5/4 on West Brom looks like great value.

Chelsea slumped to their first league defeat of the season last weekend against an organised Manchester City side but have the chance to bounce back with a victory over one of their main title rivals, Arsenal, this weekend. Arsenal have injury and defensive problems to overcome and I can’t see anything other than a Chelsea win in this one at 3/4.

Stoke City are on a four match unbeaten run and face Blackburn Rovers at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The Potters’ home record is excellent and Tony Pulis’ side are also coming into this match off the back of a good win at Newcastle last Sunday. Blackburn are once again tough competitors and difficult to beat, so this might not be a match for the faint-hearted. The home side can prevail, though, at 13/10.

Premier League Betting

Sporting Long Shot - 1 pt Graeme McDowell to top score at Ryder Cup at 14/1

The Ryder Cup is one of the highlights of any sporting calendar and Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin’s teams head to the Celtic Manor Resort this weekend. Europe are the favourites to win (we’ve have already paid out on a European victory!) but I’m more interested in the individual points markets.

My pick is US Open champion Graeme McDowell. The Irishman looks as if he will be paired with the supremely talented Rory McIlroy this weekend and that makes one formidable pairing. Second in the Race to Dubai rankings, McDowell has enjoyed a stunning year, but my main reason for selecting him here is that he is a European Tour winner on this course in 2010. He shot a 64 and 63 to win the Wales Open the weekend before his triumph at the US Open and so has recent experience of low scoring at Celtic Manor.

I fancy Europe to win by 3-4 points and the likeable Irishman can lead the way at 14/1.

Ryder Cup Betting

With both the Premier League and Championship taking a break due to the Euro 2012 qualifiers, many football betting enthusiasts will be concentrating on the lower leagues of English Football this weekend. There’s usually decent money to be made in the Npower League 2, so let’s take a look at some of the matches taking place and try and select some profitable betting tips.

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Torquay 13/10, the only side in Npower League 2 with a 100% record this season, travel to the familiar surroundings of the seaside to face Southend 15/8. Burton Albion 11/10 welcome Hereford United 23/10 to the Pirelli Stadium, Accrington Stanley 6/4 play host to Wycombe 13/8 and Chris Sutton’s Lincoln City 7/2 travel to the b2net staidum to face Chesterfield 8/11.

Betting Tips

Barnet v Cheltenham

Cheltenham to score 2 or more goals (7/5)

Cheltenham have scored 10 goals in 5 games this season. Barnet have conceded 13 goals in the same amount of matches. In the two fixtures between them last season, Cheltenham notched up a total of 6 goals!

Aldershot v Northampton

Aldershot to score 2 or more goals (5/4)

Northampton conceded 4 goals away to Hartlepool midweek and at the same time Aldershot secured a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Oxford. In the two fixtures between them last season, Aldershot bagged a total of 5 goals

Best Bet: 1pt double @ 9/2

Betting Tips: Over/Under 2.5 goals

Chesterfield v Lincoln OVER 2.5 goals (evens)

There has been three or more goals scored in five of the last six matches between the two sides

Shrewsbury v Rotherham UNDER 2.5 goals (4/6)

Only one of the last six meetings between the two sides has gone over 2.5 goals

Maccesfield v Stockport UNDER 2.5 goals (4/6)

The last seven competitive games between the two teams has resulted in all matches going under 2.5 goals.

Best Bet: 1pt treble @ 9/2

Npower League 2 Betting

There’s usually decent money to be made in the Npower League 1, and with the Premiership and Championship taking a break due to International fixtures, let’s take a look at some of the matches taking place and try and select some profitable betting tips.

Betting Odds

Carlisle EVENS v Swindon 12/5 (Draw 12/5)

Preview

Carlisle suffered a huge blow on transfer deadline day, losing their most influential player, Ian Harte. The Irishman, who scored an astonishing 16 league goals last season as a centre-half, joined Npower Championship side Reading on Tuesday on a two-year deal and it remains to be seen whether or not the loss of Harte has a bearing on Carlisle’s performance.

Swindon finally got over their play-off hangover with an impressive 3-0 win away to Southampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night. The Robins made a terrible start to their new campaign, but a confidence-boosting win midweek could spark a welcomed return to form.

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Betting Tips

Team Goals in Match: Swindon to score 2 or more goals (15/8) 1pt win

Swindon scored 2 or more goals in nine away league games last season. They’ve played 2 league games away from home this term and they found the net twice in one of those matches. They banged three past Southampton and midweek and star-striker Charlie Austin is always guaranteed to find the net at least once!

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score YES / NO

Huddersfield v Bournemouth YES 8/11

The Terriers bagged an impressive 52 goals at home last season and they got off the mark at home this time round with 3 goals against Charlton last Tuesday night. Bournemouth have netted 11 goals in their last three league games and the stats are clearly in favour of both teams scoring.

Exeter v Charlton YES 8/11

Both teams scored in both meetings last season. Exeter and Charlton have both scored 9 goals in their last five competitive games and I’ll be surprised if both teams fail to find the back of the net. Lot of ‘boats’ there!

Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday (Sheff Weds to score 2 or more goals 6/5)

Wednesday hammered 5 goals past Hartlepool last weekend and at the same time Brentford conceded 3 at home to Rochdale. Fortunately for Brentford their on-loan goalkeeper, Alex McCarthy, has returned to Reading - he was brutal - and they shouldn’t leak as many goals but Sheffield Wednesday have been impressive in attack this season and I’m expecting them to bag at least 2 goals in this one.

Best Bet: 1pt treble @ 11/2

Npower League 1 Betting

Once dubbed the best domestic league in Europe, Italian football restored itself to some of it’s former glory, following the remarkable Champions League Final win by Inter Milan last season. A new Serie A campaign beckons and it seems change is the keyword this time round - eleven of Serie A’s twenty clubs have new managers! Let’s take a look at the betting for the opening matches taking place this weekend and hopefully select some winning football tips.

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Betting Odds

Bari 5/2 v Juventus evens (Draw 11/5) Sunday 5pm (Setanta Sports)

Preview

Bari exceeded all expectations last season to finish in 10th place. Their defensive pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci were standout performers but unfortunately they’ve been unable to hold on to both players and they go into their new campaign seemingly struggling at the back.

Juve, under new manager Luigi Delneri, have been busy in the transfer market, capturing Serbian international Milos Krasnic. They’ve also nabbed Liverpool’s out-of-favour midfielder Alberto Aquilani on a season-long loan, as well as Italian international Marco Motta.

Betting Tips

Correct Score: Bari 2 Juventus 2 (12/1) 0.5pt win

Number of Goals: 4 or more (5/2) 1pt win

In this corresponding fixture last season Bari ran out 3-1 winners. In their final 11 home games last term, Bari scored 2 or more goals on six occasions and conceded two goals in one match on four occasions. For the new campaign, attack-minded Bari aren’t as strong defensively, so Juventus will be confident of finding the back-of-the-net at least once.

Betting Odds

Bologna 9/2 v Inter Milan 4/7 (Draw 5/2) Monday 7:45pm (Setanta Sports)

Preview

Following a mediocre home record, Bologna narrowly avoided relegation last season. They have recruited some exciting youngsters for the new campaign, including Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin (who is on-loan from Inter Milan), Swedish attacking midfielder Albin Ekdal and Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez, who was snapped up from Urguayan club side Penarol.

Inter Milan, under new manager Rafael Benitez, are yet again title favourites and considering they had the second best away record in Serie A last season, Bologna’s new-look side will fear the worst on the opening day of the new season.

Betting Tips

Draw No Bet: Bologna 7/2 2pt win

This is pretty much a no brainer. Inter Milan do have the superior side on paper, however, big things are expected of Bologna this season and this is a fantastic platform for them to display their credentials to the rest of the Serie A. They have a fantastic goalkeeper in Viviano, great goal-poacher in Di Vaio and some classy youngsters in the middle of the field. I’ll be surprised if Inter Milan come away with all three points.

Betting Odds

Udinese 13/10 v Genoa 19/10 (Draw 21/10)

Betting Tips

Handicap Betting: Udinese -1 (4/1) 1pt win

Udinese finished in 15th place last season but that was solely due to their deplorable away record. At home, they were a completely different outfit, winning 10 games and scoring 38 goals. Genoa also had a desperate record on the road, winning just three games and netting just 15 goals. Udinese beat Genoa 2-0 in this corresponding fixture last season and I can see a similar result this time round.

Serie A Betting

Scottish Football kicks into top gear this weekend as the start of the new SPL season gets underway. 2009/2010 SPL champions Rangers 1/5 entertain Kilmarnock 12/1, while a new-look Celtic 2/5 squad take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle 13/2. Lets take a look at some of the other matches taking place and hopefully select some profitable betting tips.

Motherwell 11/8 v Hibernian 15/8 (Draw 23/10)

The last time these two sides met the scoreline was 6-6!! Both sides had contrasting results in Europa League Qualifying. Hibs failed to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the first-leg away to Maribor while Motherwell ran out convincing winners in their second-leg tie against Norwegian side Aalesunds.

BETTING TIPS

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Win: Hibernian 15/8 2pt win

Hibernian have signed a gem in former NAC Breda midfielder Edwin de Graaf. The Dutchman, who captained Breda for the last few year’s, is a powerful midfielder and with goal-scoring machines Anthony Stokes and Derek Riordan also in the starting eleven, Hibs should prove too strong for Motherwell.

Anytime Goalscorer: Edwin de Graaf (Hibs) 7/2 2pt
First Goalscorer: 10/1 0.5pt win

30-year-old de Graaf made an impressive debut for Hibs last week, scoring both goals in the 3-2 home defeat to Maribor.

Alloa 8/11 v East Fife 3/1 (Draw 5/2)

Despite being 2-0 down within 20 minutes against Livingston last weekend, Alloa fought back to draw 3-3 after they snatched a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute. Having been 3-1 to the good after 60 mins, East Fife also drew 3-3 in their opening Division 2 match last weekend.

Alloa finished second in this division last season and they have pretty much the same team for this campaign. East Fife underperformed last time round but they have made some eye-catching signings during the summer and they shouldn’t be underestimated.

Draw 5/2 2pt win

In the last five matches between the two sides, Alloa remain unbeaten - winning four. Despite drawing, both sides had contrasting performances last weekend and it’s difficult to separate the two teams on recent form and past results.

Elsewhere in the Scottish football league, Aberdeen evens entertain Hamilton 11/4, Raith Rovers 7/4 travel to Queen of the South 6/5, Hearts 5/6 play St Johnstone<10/3 and St Mirren 21/10 welcome Dundee United 6/5. Those in bold look to have decent prospects of success.

0.5pt acca at 21/1!

Total Staked: 7pts

Scottish League and SPL Betting

Leyton Orient v Charlton Athletic

The second weekend of the League One season kicks off on Friday evening with a London derby as Leyton Orient take on Charlton Athletic.

Russell Slade’s side were a tad unlucky to lose their opening match of the season at Yeovil. A fumble from keeper Jamie Jones led to the home side’s winner before half time, although the O’s outplayed their opponents for much of the match. However, Orient did gain a great result in the Carling Cup in midweek, defeating Swindon Town 2-1 at the County Ground.

It could be a make or break season for Phil Parkinson at Charlton Athletic. After their disappointing play-off semi-final defeat in May, hopes of automatic promotion are high, although they have lost two of their better players in Jonjo Shelvey and former captain Nicky Bailey. A few pundits expected them to come an early season cropper at home to Bournemouth last weekend, but a goal from Akpo Sodje was enough to secure a 1-0 win.

Even though it may have been the league cup, losing a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at League Two Shrewsbury in midweek must have done the Addicks’ confidence no good at all. Home striker Alex Revell has opened the season in great form, and I think Leyton Orient can get revenge for their 2-1 defeat in this fixture last season by winning this one at 19/10.

Nottingham Forest v Leeds United

If you believe everything that you read in The Damned United, Brian Clough reserved a special place in his heart – albeit not a kind one – for this fixture. Rivalries have changed much in the intervening thirty years or so, but there is no arguing that, on paper, Nottingham Forest versus Leeds United is a big game.

Both clubs have been in the relative doldrums in recent years, spending time in the third tier and struggling to regain former glories. Nottingham Forest almost made a return to the big time last season, finishing third in the Championship before imploding to Blackpool in the play-off semi-finals. Billy Davies’ side are the second favourites to win the Championship this season.

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Forest are an attractive, passing side but there is unease in the city about the lack of incoming reinforcements for the season ahead. Julian Bennett, Joe Garner and James Perch have left the club with only young Chelsea full-back Ryan Bertrand arriving to date. The club desperately need an assured central midfielder and defensive cover if they are going to seriously challenge for the title.

It looks like being a season of consolidation for Leeds United. Their opening match was a 2-1 defeat at home to Derby County and, although they played well in patches, the lack of a serious attacking threat will worry Simon Grayson. The loss of Jermaine Beckford’s goals will be crucial, and the Yorkshire side could do with one or two attacking reinforcements as soon as possible.

Forest have lost their opening two matches – at Burnley and Bradford City in the Carling Cup – but I still expect them to win this one. I expect Billy Davies to restore talented young Pole Radoslav Mjewski to the starting line-up, and Paul Anderson will also be pushing for a place after his 20 minute cameo at Turf Moor.

Forest’s home form last season was excellent and I really fancy them to put on a show in front of the TV cameras on Sunday lunchtime. Back the home side at 5/6.

Football League Betting

The Dutch domestic campaign kicked off last weekend but we’re onboard this week, so let’s take a look at some of the matches taking place in this weekend’s Eredivisie and hopefully select some profitable football betting tips.

Ajax 1/6 v Vitesse Arnhem 12/1

Ajax were without the suspended Luis Suarez in their opening Eredivisie fixture last weekend and it was his new strike partner Mounir El Hamdaou who stole the plaudits. The former AZ Alkmaar forward netted twice on his league-debut but it wasn’t enough to secure all three points as Groningen bounced back in last third of the match to draw 2-2.

After been awarded two penalties in the second-half, Vitesse Arnhem recorded their first home win of the campaign, running out 3-1 winners against Den Haag.

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BETTING TIP

Ajax 4 Vitesse Arnhem 0 9/1 0.5pt win
Ajax -2 goals 6/5 2pt win

In the last four league matches between the two sides Ajax have scored 16 goals and conceded just 2. They will be without the suspended Luis Suarez but El Hamdaou is also a goal-scoring machine and it’s hard to see Arnhem getting anything from the game.

PSV 1/6 v De Graafschap 11/1

PSV left it late, but in the end ran out impressive 3-1 winners over Heerenveen in their opening Eredivisie match last weekend, while newly-promoted De Graafschap recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over fellow newcomers Excelsior Rotterdam.

BETTING TIP

Draw No Bet: De Graafschap 10/1 0.5pt win

Potential banana skin for PSV. Both sides met in last season’s domestic cup, with PSV running out 2-1 winners. De Graafschap were runaway winners of division one last term and they shouldn’t be underestimated.

Elsewhere in the Dutch Eredivisie this weekend, FC Twente 1/2 entertain Heerenveen 5/1, FC Utrecht 8/11 welcome NAC Breda 16/5 and FC Groningen 4/1 travel to AZ Alkmaar 8/13.

Total Staked: 3pts

Dutch Eredivisie Betting