Snow!
FreeYes, England is submerged in snow! So do take care when betting as some of these games, if any, may not go ahead, depending on how bad it is in various different areas of England. In fact, as we speak, Arsenal’s game at home to Cardiff City in the English FA Cup has been postponed due to “adverse weather conditions”. Whereas it’s unlikely that a stadium like the Emirates would be physically affected itself, it’s almost certain that 50% of the fans wouldn’t be able to get to the game. I’ve removed any other games that I know have been postponed – fingers crossed there won’t be any more.
A quick word in regards to the Transfer Deadline today. There were some interesting signings, but not a massive amount so I’ve done a small section below.
Robbie Keane – he’s moved back from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur. This is rather confusing. I’m not the greatest mathematician in the world; far from it, in fact! However, buying someone for 20 mil and then selling them 6 months later for 12 mil doesn’t seem the best business in the world.
James Chester – he’s moved in a Fergusion collaboration from Manchester United to Peterborough United on loan for the remainder of the season. For those of you unaware, Alex Ferguson’s son Darren Ferguson manages Peterborough United. James Chester is one of Manchester United’s latest produce from their prestigious academy.
Henri Camara – he’s moved on loan for the season from Wigan Athletic to Stoke City. I really rate this guy as a striker, it just seems he struggles with injuries. There’s no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this guy has tremendous talent, however.
Angelos Basinas – the experienced holding midfielder has moved from AEK Athens to Portsmouth. A good move? Not in my opinion. He’s getting on a bit, it’s a big league-jump, and he’s not really good enough to play for Portsmouth. He’s just not what they require class-wise at the current time.
Andrey Arshavin – he’s not officially moved yet but supposedly the paperwork is “in the mail” for his transfer between Zenit St Petersburg and Arsenal. This particular saga has gone on for a while but Arsenal are indeed capturing a fabulous player to add to their talented but minimal squad. Now if only Wenger could introduce a little-known football policy entitled “strength in depth” then perhaps they could actually challenge for a trophy once in a while…
Ricardo Quaresma – the hit-and-miss (no pun intended) winger has made a loan move from Internazionale to Chelsea after discovering he was ousted from Internazionale’s European Champions League final squad. This man has plenty of talent but simply can’t take criticism, which is why I think this is a bad move, possibly the worst of the lot today. He’s leaving one club (albeit for a short time) who are winning the league and have a very real chance of winning it and moving to a club who have all but lost the ability to win their domestic league. He’s going to be taking the same type of criticism at Chelsea as he did at Internazionale but this time it’s because the side are actually in danger, as opposed to Internazionale who are some distance ahead of their rivals.
Olivier Dacourt – The experienced French holding midfielder returns to the English Premier League after a lengthy absence. He’s on loan to Fulham from Internazionale. The ability is certainly still there, but has years in Serie A mellowed him as the kind of footballer that the Premier League requires these days? That remains to be seen, but as food for thought – has Roy Hodgson made a bad buy with Fulham yet? Not to my knowledge…
Charles “Insomnia” N’Zogbia – there has been much talk of the midfielder this week and his bust-up with boss Joe Kinnear but today he completed a part-exchange move from Newcastle United to Wigan Athletic. This is a good signing for Steve Bruce, as per usual, as N’Zogbia has a lot of potential. The bad news to that is that the midfielder can be somewhat tempremental but that said, Bruce always seems to have good man management skills so we’ll have to see how that develops.
Ryan Taylor – used in the part-exchange deal, he joins Newcastle United from Wigan Athletic. He’s had his problems with injuries before, but I can’t help but feel that Newcastle United have only signed him because 4 of his 6 career goals have all come against Newcastle…
Jo – the Brazilian striker has moved on loan from Manchester City to Everton. A good deal? In my opinion, an overwhelming yes. Manchester City have certainly not seen the best of him; thus he’s getting bad press. This is the way it always is in the English Premier League. But what Manchester City don’t seem to realise is the vast potential this young striker actually has and I think David Moyes could well expose his ability as he adds a much-needed striker to his injury-ravaged squad. Give this boy time and he will shine. Be impatient and you’ll never see the best of him. This coming from a Manchester United fan too!
Michael Mifsud – the prolific Maltese striker has moved on loan from Coventry City to Barnsley. Verdict? A superb signing, just what the Yorkshiremen need in their fight against relegation.
Christophe Berra – the centre-back has transferred from Hearts to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Berra is very highly thought of and had been linked with a big move to Manchester United, a move that was never confirmed by either party, but it does seem that genuine interest was present, if only from the Championship-leaders. It’ll be interesting to see how he does down here and how badly Hearts struggle without him.
Juan Carlos Menseguez – the winger has moved on loan from San Lorenzo de Almagro to West Bromwich Albion. Verdict? Bargain of transfer deadline day! I rate this midfielder very highly. I remember watching him in River Plate’s squad a few years back and I enjoyed watching him then. He then moved to VFL Wolfsburg where he didn’t really make the impact that he had been expected to make. The guy has masses of ability and I think Tony Mowbray could well add some much-needed flair to The Baggies. You don’t get nobodies rising through the River Plate academy, that I assure you! What situation does this remind me of? Portsmouth when they loaned another former River boy in Andrés D’Alessandro a couple of years back and he lit up the show for them before he decided not to extend his loan period there.
Anyway, onto the picks!
Tuesday’s Picks
My tips:
Providing all the games below go ahead, then there’s quite a good selection of bets to look at, odds-wise. If you want to go Double Dutch, then I’d probably recommend a treble with Willem II, Heerenveen and BV Veendam. Alternatively, if you fancy a punt in South America, then the three home wins containing Cabofriense, Penarol and Deportivo Cuenca is also worth a look in. However, for the best trebles, attention does have to be drawn to the English lower leagues. I’d recommend a choice of three teams out of the following teams:
Cardiff City, Bristol City, Preston North End
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Burnley
Crewe Alexandra, Scunthorpe United, Leicester City
Exeter City, Brentford, Bury
Shrewsbury, Wycombe Wanderers
For the rest of tuesday’s picks, see below!
Brazilian Campeonato Carioca:
Cabofriense vs Americano Campos (8)
Copa Libertadores:
Penarol vs Independiente Medellin (5)
Deportivo Cuenca vs DVO Anzoategui (6)
English Championship:
Bristol City vs Charlton Athletic (7)
Burnley vs Coventry City (7)
Cardiff City vs Watford (8)
Doncaster Rovers vs Reading (6)
Preston North End vs Plymouth Argyle (7)
Sheffield Wednesday vs Barnsley (7)
Southampton vs Sheffield United (8)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Norwich City (8)
English League One:
Cheltenham Town vs Tranmere Rovers (7)
Crewe Alexandra vs Yeovil Town (6)
Huddersfield Town vs Hartlepool United (5)
Northampton Town vs Swindon Town (5)
Southend United vs Scunthorpe United (6)
Stockport County vs Milton Keynes Dons (4)
Walsall vs Leicester City (7)
English League Two:
Chester City vs Rochdale (5)
Exeter City vs Port Vale (7)
Morecambe vs Brentford (7)
Rotherham United vs Bury (7)
Shrewsbury vs Accrington Stanley (8)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Barnet (8)
English FA Cup replays:
Burnley vs West Bromwich Albion (3)
Dutch Eredivisie:
Vitesse Arnhem vs Heerenveen (6)
Willem II vs Volendam (7)
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Heracles (8)
Dutch Eerste Divisie:
Cambuur Leeuwarden vs FC Zwolle (4)
Haarlem vs RBC Roosendaal (6)
BV Veendam vs Omniworld (7)
Northern Irish Premier League:
Coleraine vs Lisburn Distillery (5)
Enjoy your free betting tips!