Norwich City v Barnsley

Norwich City v Barnsley (17th January 2009 @ 3pm)

Well as predicted last weekend’s weather caused a bit of trouble with the fixtures and our selection failed to make an appearance, lets hope with the warmer weather this week that it won’t be a problem. Looking down this weekend’s list of fixtures, a few jumped out as a bit of value but we’ve plumped for the game that sees Norwich in 21st take on Barnsley currently in 16th position.

A run of 1 win in 7 games including losing their last 3 saw Glenn Roeder lose his job as Norwich manager this week, many names already being touted about but it seems Aidy Boothroyd is quietly fancied to get the job. They say bad things happen in three’s so after Leroy Lita’s recall to Reading, being knocked out of the cup by Charlton and Roeder losing his job many Norwich fans will hope that’s the end of their miserable run. They currently sit one place above the relegation zone and are only out of the drop zone on goals difference, looking at their bare form they have lost their last 3 and only 1 win in 7 games it doesn’t fill you with much confidence but most of their defeats this season have been by the odd goal and this includes their last three league games. At Carrow Road they fare not bad having won 5 drawn 3 and lost 5 and always get a respectable home following including the lovely Delia!

Barnsley lie in 16th and 6 points above the relegation zone. Simon Davey’s side include stalwarts such as Darren Moore, Rob Kozluk and Jon Macken but also includes the likes of De Silva, Diego Leon, Mounis El Haimour and Marciano Van Homoet and I think its safe to say those boys weren’t born in Barnsley. Whilst some of the names in their squad aren’t easily recognisable the tykes are having a steady season and with only 2 defeats in their last 6 games are in pretty steady form, however an away record of 8 defeats in 11 games so far this season scoring only 10 goals in the process doesn’t inspire me with much confidence.

Norwich have this week recalled last season’s top scorer Jamie Cureton from his loan spell at Barnsley and which ever two out of Arturo Lupoli, Jamie Cureton or Carl Cort play against Barnsley it’s fair to say they possess a likely goal threat. Jonathan Grounds has arrived on loan from Middlesbrough and it’s likely that he’ll be paired with Gary Docherty in the heart of the City defence, if he can help shore up the back I would expect Norwich to start climbing the table. Im not at all impressed with Barnsley’s away form and take the Norwich lads to pose a likely goal threat and therefore I take the home team to prevail. Shop around for the best price but Stanjames’s 6/5 about a home win will do for us.

Norwich City to beat Barnsley
1pt win @ 6/5

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Just For Fun: One from each division

Chelsea to beat stoke
Huddersfield to beat swindon
Morecambe to beat Gillingham

Treble pays 5.09/1 with Stanjames

Gillingham v Aldershot Town – Betting Tip

Saturday 10/01/2009- 15.00pm

With many of the lower league fixtures already in doubt  for the forthcoming weekend it could be a similar tale to last weekend with many games postponed due to frozen pitches and with no under-soil heating our selection could be vulnerable. However they have been highlighted as the value and we will keep them crossed the game passes any pitch inspection.

One of the most intriguing games in League Two looks to be Gillingham v Aldershot. The game at Priestfield sees 10th taking on 11th with not a point separating the sides. Gary Waddock’s Aldershot side have adapted to life in League 2 comfortably after running away with last season’s conference and lie only four points off a play off position they look solid through the spine of the team with Nikki Bull in goal, the experienced Chris Blackburn at centre half and Kirk Hudson pulling the strings in midfield, John Grant is a proven scorer at conference level and will be looking to add to his three goals already at this level. Gillingham sit in 10th   position and under the guidance of Mark Stimson are looking for promotion back to League One he’s used his knowledge of the non league’s well and has mixed a good strong side together including bringing players such as John Nutter and Simeon Jackson from non league and recent recruit Andy Barcham from Spurs will add further firepower to the 13 goals already scored by Jackson this season.

A quick look at the stats shows Gillingham to be in fine form at home so far this season having played 11, winning 7 drawing 4 and only the 1 defeat which includes drawing 1-1 with runaway leader Wycombe Wanderers recently. Aldershot have an equally good home record which is in fact identical to Gillingham’s record, however it’s fair to say they don’t travel well having lost 7 out of their 10 away games so far this season and winning just 3- The earlier meeting between these two sides this season finished 2-1 in Aldershot’s favour back in September.

If the game survives the cold weather, I fancy Gillingham to make home advantage pay and whilst the price available with Ladbrokes now looks non to spectacular to the naked eye, I think it represents some solid value.

Gillingham to beat Aldershot
1pt Win @ 11/10 (Ladbrokes)

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Just for fun- One From Each Division

Championship – Birmingham to beat blackpool
League One  – Southend to beat crewe
League Two- Shrewsbury to beat chester

Treble pays 5.65/1 with Ladbrokes

Football Season 2008/2009 – Bet Predictions

Well The Time Has Finally Arrived – The New Season Will Be Underway Weekend Of 9th August 2008 And Here Are Your Free Previews On Each Of The Championship, League 1 & League 2 From Our Tipsters

Championship
A lot of top quality signings in the summer means there are a number of teams that could do well this season, however were quite confident on one selection. Our Selection Will Be Able To Field Players Such As Paddy Kenny, Gary Naysmith, Matthew Killgallon, Michael Tongue Gary Speed, James Beattie And Billy Sharp- That Line Up Says One Word To Me “Class” Mix That In With The Experience Of Keith Gillespie, Ugo Ehiogu, Chris Morgan And Jon Stead And I Think Sheffield Utd Are All Set For A Good Season.

Kevin Blackwell Took Over As Manager From Bryan Robson Last Season And The Blades Ended The Season On A Real High And I Think They Have The Standout Squad On Paper, Although As We Well Know Transferring It Onto The Pitch Is Another Matter! But If The Blades Can Keep James Beattie, Ugo Ehiogu And Gary Speed Fit I Think They Could Prove To Be Standout Players In This Division And Cheered On By 18,700 Season Ticket Holders I Fancy “The Blades” To Gain Promotion Back To The Top Level This Season.

I Also Think That After A Disastrous Season Last Year, Billy Sharp Can Put All That Behind Him And Fire The Blades All The Way To The Premiership, Therefore At 40/1 With A Quarter Of The Odds For The First 4 Places I Feel Sharp Is Worth A Punt To Be Top Scorer In The League This Season

Selections;
Sheffield Utd To Be Promoted 4/1 (Ladbrokes)
Billy Sharp To Be Top Scorer In The Championship- Eachway 40/1
(Quarter The Odds First 4)

League 1
Unlike The Championship Only A Handful Of Clubs Are Being Backed For Glory In League 1. However Were Going To Look Past Leeds, Leicester & Peterborough And Plump For What We Feel Is A Quiet Revolution Taking Place At Prenton Park. Ronnie Moore Is A Manager That Knows This League Inside Out And Is One Who Quite Frankly Should Have Been Given A Club And Resources To Succeed At A Higher Level But Whilst Relatively Unknown Summer Signings Of Gareth Edds, Edrissa Sonko And Loan Signing From Liverpool Godwin Antwi I Feel With A Workmanlike Squad Already Containing Ian Moore, Chris Greenacre, Danny Coyne And Chris Shuker Tranmere Could Be The Value In League 1 This Season.

Selection;
Tranmere To Be Promoted 8/1 (Ladbrokes)

League 2
6,300 Season Ticket Holders In League 2 Should Mean That Vale Park Will Be An Intimidating Place To Go For Many Teams This Season. Whilst Having A Poor Year Last Season Culminating In Relegation It Has Allowed Port Vale To Rid Themselves Of Many Journeymen And Start Again, And Under New Manager Lee Sinnott I Believe They Can Bounce back Into League 1 At The First Attempt. Signings Of John McCombe And Antony Griffiths Add A Solid Look To A Squad That Already Includes Luke Rogers, Marc Richards & Joe Anyon Who In our First Bold Prediction Of The Year Will Not Be Still With Vale After The January Transfer Window (He’s A Keeper Going Places). I Feel Vale Could Make A Real Push To Win This League (14/1 To Win The League) However We’ll Settle For The Security Promotion Betting Brings Us.

Selection;
Port Vale To Be Promoted 4/1 (Ladbrokes)

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