Greetings all!  I hope we are all well fed and enjoying some Christmas beverages.

Tomorrow’s choice is Yeovil to beat Wycombe in League One at a chunky 20/19.

Yeovil have had a tough run of late and haven’t won in six.  However these six have included four draws, including the last three games against Charlton (2nd), MK Dons (9th) , Norwich (3rd) and Hartlepool (11th).  These were split by defeats at Gillingham (16th, but 6th best home record) and Walsall (10th).

After such a tough run of games I expect Yeovil to embrace the easier opposition and end their barren run, even though Wycombe have been improving of late with some excellent wins.  The 20/19 available is too big for the home team.

For those looking to round out accumulators,have a look at Middlesborough (4/6) to get back on track or Shrewsbury (5/6) to beat Maccesfield.  However, considering the prices, I have decided to opt out this week, given the unquantified intangible impact of both Christmas and the continuing shocking weather.  They were close calls so if you are a crazy horse, go ahead.

I have decided to take up one further long term position, which I shall explain when I don’t have buffet to eat…

Adios amigos.

BOTW: 2pts on Yeovil to beat Wycombe @ 20/19

10pts on Chelsea to win the Premier League @ 1.76

A break-even weekend, with comfortable victories for main selection Rochdale (4-0) and Norwich (3-0) being offset by Walsall’s failure to complete a fantastic comeback, amongst other things.

The two Blue Square Premier punts were voids as a result of frozen pitches.  The cynics amongst you would even think I had picked so many games due to the high probability of anything League One or lower getting postponed…

Now moving onto the fiasco at Craven Cottage…

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Oh well.  Guess we’ll have to leave that one for another day…

… or am I simply a turkey facing a stuffing?

I was planning on celebrating the site relaunch with a small betting bonanza, however the weather has been particularly unkind to us sensible punters.  Of the handful of lower league games to be cancelled, two of them would have been strong candidates for selection.  Particularly Colchester at home to Carlisle, so that was disappointing.

However, I have still managed to settle on an impressive six selections, which is particularly punchy for someone as dull as me!

I have a mixed bag from across the leagues, including three away wins.

For once I believe there is value to be had in backing SAF’s mighty red and white army.  And as that is such a rare occassion I feel it would be rude of me to not have a little tinkle!

United have had more than enough slip ups already this term and will be on their game at Fulham.  A rare 3pm start will be greeted with a strong line up and a big performance after a relatively routine game against Wolves’ reserves on Tuesday night.

Combining these positives with the fact that Fulham:

a) played on Wednesday night

b) played on Wednesday night in Basle

c) played on Wednesday night in Basle in a crucial game

d) played on Wednesday night in Basle in a crucial game and won

e) played on Wednesday night in Basle in a crucial game and won and then probably had a (small) celebration…

I cannot see Roy Hodgson’s men being 100% on top of there game and ready to deal with Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.

Adding in further intangibles such as United’s loss at Craven Cottage last term (which given the timing after the OT massacre will have left some open wounds, especially with numerous players being sent off!) and Roy Hodgson’s over exaggerated press comments, I believe the 7/10 available to be more than worth backing.

I feel Fulham’s home record, although clearly a strength, is often over sold and has more of an impact against lesser sides than it will against a focussed Man United.

Down in League One, I expect Norwich to be too strong for Huddersfield at Carrow Road.  Norwich at odds against at home in the league should be backed all season long, irrespective of opposition, and Huddersfield have been a somewhat Jekyll & Hyde outfit all season, with some rather ropey away performances.  I won’t linger further on this one as aware this is turning into quite a rant.

I know what your here for… and it wasn’t all this small talk!

I am going to have a small tinkle on an old favourite in Walsall at home to Leyton Orient.  Orient’s struggles are well documented, however it is Walsall’s back to back losses to Southampton (Top 4 side) and Millwall (The Den is worth a goal headstart…) that give me reason to think their increased focus should see them come away with all three points, and more comfortably than your average 5/6 shout at home.

Down in League Two, Rochdale are great value at home at a silly 4/5 against a Shrewsbury team that have been deteriorating gradually since some fantastic form in August and September, with only 2 wins in their last 11 and no wins away from home since September.

Rounding out my tour of the respectable (ooh… only joking!) leagues, I am going to back promotion hopefuls York (won 6 on the spin whilst, more importantly, conceding only 1 goal) away to a struggling Gray’s Athletic (only 1 win in the last 10) to manage to come away with the full spoils at 5/6, and I am also going to back a stupidly priced Kettering (Best away record bar none, all leagues!) at 13/8 to beat Gateshead whom they promisingly beat 4-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Wow.  Quite a day of it that isn’t it?!  And you thought I only ever made a couple of bets a week…

Wrap up warm and enjoy kids!  I’ll even try and post you some little parcels of joy next week ready for the boxing day festivities.

Bonsoir.

BOTW: 2.5pts Rochdale to beat Shrewsbury @ 4/5

2pts Man United to win @ Fulham @ 7/10

2pts Walsall to beat leyton Orient at 5/6

2pts Kettering to win at Gateshead @ 13/8

2pts York to win @ Gray’s @ 5/6

1.5 pts Norwich to beat Huddersfield @ 11/10

and just for banter 0.5pts  on a Rochdale, Kettering & York treble @ 7.7

Well what do we all think of the new site then?!

I paid a bit extra for the shiny black paintwork and leather interior.  Clearly a wise investment and will no doubt attract the ladies…

A small loss midweek with my Blackburn punt, as Birmingham secured their 77th win on the bounce.

Rafa is going to start looking silly pretty soon if he doesn’t get a run of victories together.  Even just solid performances would be a start…

Speaking of Rafa, that leads me to the much brighter part of the mid week games.  One of my other long term positions for the season, Antonio Valencia (+4.5 goals), is now looking a sure fire winner with 4 Premier League goals for the season already.

After taking a few weeks to settle into the United team (if you lTV pundits…) the Ecuadorian Express has now scored 6 goals in his last 11 starts.

Not bad going at all.  And as a result the money should be in the bank inside 2010 for those that backed me.

I know a number of readers are less favourable to such long term positions and some avoid them all together as they due not wish to tie up betting funds for such long periods…

Well hopefully even those are convinced/suitably impressed by season long spreads being met before the turn of the year!

Only a broken leg or similarly awful injury could put a spanner amongst the pigeons now.

Very little value around for these midweek games I like. Avoid all the big boys at the prices available. Could also be a few draws amongst the other games.

However, just like Tiger Woods and nightclub hostesses, I cannot keep my grubby little mitts off Big Sam’s Blackburn Rovers at the moment.

I think yet more dire football awaits those braving the chill at St Andrew’s this evening.

It will be a tight affair and Birmingham are currently massively overrated by the average punter and I think Blackburn’s chances undervalued at a best available 5/2.

BOTW: 1pt on Blackburn double chance at 19/20