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Spurs To Sneak Fourth On Final Day...
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Degsy is backing Newcastle to snatch a draw against Arsenal, meaning Spurs can secure Champions League football with a win against Sunderland...
Van Persie To Give Fergie A Fitting Send-Off
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Degsy is backing Robin van Persie to bag a goal in a United win against Swansea, while he also thinks Wigan will be on the receiving end of a paddlin' in the FA Cup final...
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QPR v Norwich City
QPR toughed it out against Manchester City on Tuesday night, a result which galvanised their effort to avoid the drop while simultaneously ensuring that I won't be drinking or doing anything that costs more than £5.89 this weekend (I was waiting on the Citizens for over £300). I reckon they are worth a bet to record another clean sheet against an average Canaries side. And while we are at it if you have any suggestions about how I might be able to get my kicks for £5.89 this weekend I'd love to hear them.
Betting: QPR to keep a clean sheet at 7/4 (Coral)
Arsenal v Stoke
Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Liverpool typified Arsenal's season thus far. A dodgy start, truly comedic defending, some stern touchline posturing and a few Gallic shrugs from Monsieur Wenger, then a stirring fightback. It was a great match to watch, and Wojciech Szczesny's attempted Cruyff turn in his own six-yard area with his team 1-0 down was worth the admission fee alone. The Gunners are gaining a reputation as comeback kings, so backing them to 'win from behind' might be worth considering at current 7/1 quotes.
Betting: Arsenal to 'win from behind' at 7/1 (totesport)
Everton v Aston Villa
I said on these very pages many weeks ago that I fancied Villa for the drop and nothing I have seen recently has changed my opinion. Chaotic, shambolic and heading for the Championship. Though whether Paul Lambert will still be around by then is another matter entirely. Everton will win this but current 2/5 quotes make no appeal to a man with a net worth of £5.89. Instead punters should save their dough and go in large on Lambert being the next Premier League boss to lose his job.
Betting: Lambert - Next Premier League manager to leave post at evens (Sky Bet)
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Alain Pardou has been rightly ribbed by the media for his fixation with French footballers. And the Gallic influence on Tyneside reminded me this week of one of my favourite ever gags from Viz, when Six the Sexist accosts two foreign sorts in a nightclub and dead-pans "Ey pet. What speaks French, has two thumbs, and lurvs blow jobs?" Cue much mirth and merriment when in the very next caption Tyneside's silver-tongued cavalier drops the two pints he was holding, raises a couple of thumbs to the sky and shouts "Moi!" To business then, both of these teams are struggling just now so I am going to sit firmly on the fence here and back le draw.
Betting: Newcastle and Chelsea to draw at 11/4 (Stan James)
Reading v Sunderland
This Reading side has goals in them and in Adam Le Fondre they have a striker who boss Brian McDermott reckons is good enough to play for England. Le Fondre was playing in League Two last term but has scored 12 goals in the top flight this season, despite starting a lot of games on the bench. He may be forced into another cameo appearance this weekend and if he is 6/1 about him scoring the last goal in this one looks good business.
Betting: Le Fondre to score last at 6/1 (Coral/Paddy Power)
West Ham v Swansea
Swansea, unbeaten in seven matches and unlucky not to win on Wearside in the week, look over-priced at 11/5 to beat an indifferent West Ham side here. The Jacks are playing some sublime stuff under Michael Laudrup and with a Wembley final to look forward to they really are living the dream just now.
Betting: Swansea to beat West Ham at 11/5 (bet365/Boylesports)
Wigan v Southampton
Crucial game for both sides this but despite Southampton's recent good form my gut feeling is that Wigan will win this to leave the ubiquitous Roberto Martinez in good spirits as he does his latest round of TV and radio interviews. The only sportsman on my TV more than Martinez in recent years is Willie Thorne. And this is purely because I have a framed picture of 'Ol Willie nestling atop my big Toshiba flat screen. Sort it out Roberto. I'm literally sick of the sight of you.
Betting: Wigan (-1) to beat Southampton at 100/30 (Coral)
Fulham v Manchester United
The Red Devils were facile 4-1 winners over Fulham in the FA Cup just a week ago and this is reflected in current 8/13 quotes. Both teams to score at 8/11 looks a decent price given ManYoo's 'You score one, We'll score more' attitude this season and I also like the look of Fergie's mob to cover a two-goal handicap here (they won 5-0 at Craven Cottage last season).
Betting: Manchester United (-2) to beat Fulham at 15/4 (Hills)
West Brom v Tottenham
Gareth Bale weighed-in with goal number 12 of the season against Norwich in the week and put simply, the boy is on fire. Are Stan James then taking a risk by going as big as 9/4 that the Welsh wonder scores at any point against the Baggies on the Sunday? Quite possibly boyo.
Betting: Bale to score anytime at 9/4 (Stan James)
Manchester City v Liverpool
English football bade a fond farewell to Mario Balotelli this week as the Italian maverick packed up his trampoline, scalextric and that crazy five-fingered hat of his and sauntered, chest out, back to Milan. Time will tell how Citeh will cope without Super Mario but make no mistake, their stumble against QPR in the week makes this a must win game. It's a game I fancy they can win but I think it will be another tight, cagey affair settled by the odd goal in one (random stat - the champions have kept four consecutive clean sheets in the PL). Finally, if Bobby Mancini is reading this, you really need to invest in a new scarf mush. That blue and white one you have been sporting since arriving in England has clearly seen better days.
Betting: Manchester City to win 1-0 at 9/1 (Bet Victor)
Degsy Bilton
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