Smogs Weekend Picks
Hartlepool v Hereford
Over+2.5 (Total Goals) @ 9/10
Hartlepool are on a shocking run as they slowly but surely get dragged into the relegation fight. Goals though, are not the issue, its stopping them. They were 2-0 up against Millwall and blew it away, but it shows they have the firepower necessary to stay clear of League 2. Hereford are down and to be honest, if they won, it would not surprise me. That\'s why overs is a great call imo. Hartlepool have gone overs in 5 of the last 6 and scoring 56 all season. Conceding 67 shows they love an exciting game. Hereford have conceded 41 in 19 away games and the overs is begging to get slammed here. Having said that, 1-0 hereford really wouldn\'t surprise me given the time of year and the freak results it throws out
Bournemouth v Rochdale
Rochdale (DNB) @ 44/53
Got a mate making the long trip down to the south coast and he will not be happy if they don\'t get something here. This isn\'t a call based on stats, its a situational wager. Rochdale are seeing promotion slip away with 3 defeats in the last 4 but a win at wycombe suggests they can compete with the best. Bournmouth are kicking at the right time and are now well safe of the relagation picture. Rochdale have so much pressure on them they could easily crumble, so i\'m going for the insurance of DNB just in case. I don\'t think i\'ll need it as the \'Dale have a great chance considering B\'mouth just lost to Notts County. Bad result and it could signal a little downturn from them
Arsenal v Man City
Arsenal @ 53/93
We have ourselves a gift from the gambling gods here. Man city face a resurgent Arsenal who are currently 3rd in the form table but who have won their last 3 games very convincingly. Man city on the other hand come into this game with a few problems. While they have won 2 of their last 3, those were at home. The last week has seen Robinho and Elano play half way across the world and away from home, Robinho still has to prove himself as an effective outlet, to take the pressure off of Man City\'s somewhat light and inexperienced attackers. Goals are not a problem at home, however, away, City have chalked up just 15 goals in 15 games. Couple that with Arsenal conceding just 11 and the odds of 4/7 look fantastic, maybe a little bit too good?? Well, Arsenal have won 8/15 home games and man city 1/15 away and losing 9. The odds should be around 1/3 usually so i\'ll be taking advantage of the value. Injury wise Bendtner and Van persie are out, i believe, however, with Arshavin looking amazing and a more balanced midfield, Arsenal look good to continue their upward trend. Man City have, i think, their best player out in Ireland with an ankle injury as well as petrov and bridge, so Arsenal have plenty of options when exploiting these gaps. I see it being under 2.5 due to City\'s inability to score away from home and arsenal\'s problem, albeit small, of losing two strikers for the match.
Bristol City v Preston
Bristol City @ 6/5
Given the news that Preston are in serious financial trouble, the trend follows that on the pitch they start to struggle, as shown by many clubs in the lower reaches of the English leagues. Bristol city are 23rd in the form table but that doesn\'t tell the full story where they have won 4 of their last 6 at home. Preston is a different story, losing 4 of their last 6 and with a mounting injury list that has affected key players. Preston\'s away form is horrible, 3-7-10 and even though City\'s home form is only 7-10-3, they should have too much for preston. A draw is a possible result so big stakes are not advised but given the situation, Bristol city look a cracking bet to get back into the playoff mix
Over+2.5 (Total Goals) @ 9/10
Hartlepool are on a shocking run as they slowly but surely get dragged into the relegation fight. Goals though, are not the issue, its stopping them. They were 2-0 up against Millwall and blew it away, but it shows they have the firepower necessary to stay clear of League 2. Hereford are down and to be honest, if they won, it would not surprise me. That\'s why overs is a great call imo. Hartlepool have gone overs in 5 of the last 6 and scoring 56 all season. Conceding 67 shows they love an exciting game. Hereford have conceded 41 in 19 away games and the overs is begging to get slammed here. Having said that, 1-0 hereford really wouldn\'t surprise me given the time of year and the freak results it throws out
Bournemouth v Rochdale
Rochdale (DNB) @ 44/53
Got a mate making the long trip down to the south coast and he will not be happy if they don\'t get something here. This isn\'t a call based on stats, its a situational wager. Rochdale are seeing promotion slip away with 3 defeats in the last 4 but a win at wycombe suggests they can compete with the best. Bournmouth are kicking at the right time and are now well safe of the relagation picture. Rochdale have so much pressure on them they could easily crumble, so i\'m going for the insurance of DNB just in case. I don\'t think i\'ll need it as the \'Dale have a great chance considering B\'mouth just lost to Notts County. Bad result and it could signal a little downturn from them
Arsenal v Man City
Arsenal @ 53/93
We have ourselves a gift from the gambling gods here. Man city face a resurgent Arsenal who are currently 3rd in the form table but who have won their last 3 games very convincingly. Man city on the other hand come into this game with a few problems. While they have won 2 of their last 3, those were at home. The last week has seen Robinho and Elano play half way across the world and away from home, Robinho still has to prove himself as an effective outlet, to take the pressure off of Man City\'s somewhat light and inexperienced attackers. Goals are not a problem at home, however, away, City have chalked up just 15 goals in 15 games. Couple that with Arsenal conceding just 11 and the odds of 4/7 look fantastic, maybe a little bit too good?? Well, Arsenal have won 8/15 home games and man city 1/15 away and losing 9. The odds should be around 1/3 usually so i\'ll be taking advantage of the value. Injury wise Bendtner and Van persie are out, i believe, however, with Arshavin looking amazing and a more balanced midfield, Arsenal look good to continue their upward trend. Man City have, i think, their best player out in Ireland with an ankle injury as well as petrov and bridge, so Arsenal have plenty of options when exploiting these gaps. I see it being under 2.5 due to City\'s inability to score away from home and arsenal\'s problem, albeit small, of losing two strikers for the match.
Bristol City v Preston
Bristol City @ 6/5
Given the news that Preston are in serious financial trouble, the trend follows that on the pitch they start to struggle, as shown by many clubs in the lower reaches of the English leagues. Bristol city are 23rd in the form table but that doesn\'t tell the full story where they have won 4 of their last 6 at home. Preston is a different story, losing 4 of their last 6 and with a mounting injury list that has affected key players. Preston\'s away form is horrible, 3-7-10 and even though City\'s home form is only 7-10-3, they should have too much for preston. A draw is a possible result so big stakes are not advised but given the situation, Bristol city look a cracking bet to get back into the playoff mix