Weekend Football Fever

Fri, Aug 13, 2010

By Neil Hubbard and Gary Emmerson

Weekend Banker

Bolton v Fulham
The appointment of Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage seems to make sense for both parties but his first game in charge looks a tough one. Fulham struggled on the road last year and a trip to Bolton wouldn’t have been high on their wish list for the first game. Bolton were improving all the time under Owen Coyle at the backend of the last season and with the Cottagers winning only one of their last six visits to the Reebok a home win looks the call.
Bettrends Advice
Bolton – 13/10 (Paddy Power, Stan James)

Arles v Lens
The Ligue 1 newcomers Arles performed well on the opening day of the season last weekend when going down 2-1 away at Sochaux and look a big price in their opening home game against Lens on Saturday evening. The narrow defeat was a positive start to life in the top flight and there was plenty to glean from their performance. Lens were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Nancy last week and, judged on their away form of last season when they lost 11 times and won just three times, they could suffer another reverse.
Bettrends Advice
Arles – 2/1 (general)

Wigan v Blackpool
There have been plenty of column inches written over the summer about the impossible task facing Ian Holloway’s men this year. However, their opening fixture could provide a decent opportunity to get some early points on the board and the Tangerines happily played the underdog role last year which means that you couldn’t safely assume a home win. Wigan’s campaign was riddled with inconsistency last year and they’ve no certainties to take all 3pts here with star man Charles N’Zogbia reportedly handing in a transfer request this week.
Bettrends Advice
Blackpool +0.25 – 7/5 (Paddy Power)

Leicester v Middlesbrough
For a side managed by Paulo Sousa it seems strange to think that Leicester haven’t kept a clean sheet in six games and have scored 15 (his Swansea side last year scored just 40 league goals). This point was highlighted by their 4-3 win over Macclesfield in midweek and goals could be on the cards for the weekend visit of Middlesbrough. The pre-season title favourites started their campaign with a disappointing home defeat to Ipswich but they have plenty of goal scoring options in their side and against a shaky looking Foxes rearguard supporters could be in for an entertaining clash.
Bettrends Advice
Over 2.5 goals – 5/4 (Bet365, Paddy Power)

Swansea v Preston
The jury is still out on Brendan Rogers following his poor reign at Reading but the same can be said of Darren Ferguson when it comes to management in the Championship. His tenure at Peterborough ended on a sour note and he failed to improve the Lillywhites once he moved to Deepdale. His side slumped to a home defeat against Doncaster on the first day and despite a confidence boosting win at Stockport in midweek his side lost 14 games on the road last season. Swansea have won the last two meetings at home between the sides and the hat-trick looks a distinct possibility.
Bettrends Advice
Swansea – 5/6 (general)

Bettrends Treble
Huddersfield
Luton
Bordeaux
Stan James – 2.37/1

Bettrends Four-Fold
Huddersfield
Luton
Bordeaux
Plymouth
Stan James – 5.18/1

Bettrends Five-fold
Huddersfield
Luton
Bordeaux
Plymouth
Notts Forest
Stan James – 10.33/1