Exeter best in top of the table Conference clash
After a remarkable weekend in the FA Cup, live football continues with Exeter City taking on Accrington Stanley in a top-of-the-table Nationwide Conference clash.
The visitors have one of the most famous names in football are sitting proudly top of the league in what is shaping up to be a successful season.
Stanley will take an eight-point lead down to St James Park but will find an Exeter side who are strong in front of their own fans.
Second-placed City are 13/10 with Bet Direct and we reckon they will get the home win that will reduce the points deficit and boost their title hopes.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Wolverhampton to match Man U
Sunday’s big FA Cup fourth round tie comes from Molineux where sleeping giants Wolverhampton take on Manchester United.
This is just the sort of high-profile match where Glenn Hoddle’s men can raise their game and give Fergie’s side a torrid afternoon.
United are back on form after reaching the Carling Cup final and scoring a last-minute win over Liverpool in the Premiership but they may find the home side too much to overcome at the first hurdle - after all Burton did in the last round !
Bet Direct will give you 3/1 for the draw which is decent odds. We certainly will put a few bob on it.
Friday, January 27, 2006
More woe for Arsenal
The FA Cup fourth round has thrown up some intriguing ties and the late afternoon kick-off between Bolton and Arsenal is one such game.
The Gunners are out of the Carling Cup and going backwards in the league so you would think that the FA Cup takes on a new significance for them.
Arsene Wenger, however, claims he is resting some of his top stars for what is sure to be a battle and the facts are that Bolton are excellent at home and Arsenal are dreadful away. Moreover, the Lancashire side beat the Gunners 2-0 in the Premiership last month.
Sam Allardyce’s side is weakened through players being away on African Nations Cup duty but they will still be formidable at home.
Bet Direct are offering 13/8 for the home win and although some would say that would be a shock, we suggest that you lump on.
Vote home in Friday night's big match
Championship football as usual occupies the live Friday night slot and Coca Cola League One side Nottingham Forest take on Barnsley. Both are famous old mining towns but only the former can boast two European Cup triumphs, successes that seem hardly credible only a few decades on. Forest, mostly unconvincing this season it has to be said, are unbeaten in three games although the last two ended in draws. Barnsley, for their part, will be buoyed by the confidence a 2-0 win over MK Dons will bring. Bet Direct think the Tricky Trees will have too much and we tend to agree. Take 4/5 for the home win and get what is mainly an FA Cup weekend of to a positive start.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
United to overcome handicap
If there is one team who can travel to Old Trafford with confidence at the moment it’s Blackburn Rovers and Mark Hughes’ men will have no fear in their Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United.
Rovers were worthy of their 1-1 draw in the first game at Eewood Park and will be buoyed by the fact that they have already won away against Fergie’s side this season in the league. United, however, will be massively boosted after that last gasp winner against bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premiership on Sunday. That was a crucial result for the Red Devils who have struggled to find consistency this season and we think it will prove significant going into this cup tie.
Bet Direct are offering 4/9 for the home win which isn’t attractive enough but the 13/10 handicap bet for Manchester United to win starting from a goal down i.e. they have to win by two clear goals - looks good to us.
