Betrescue columnist, Bruin Brown from Betfair isexpecting goals at Tottenham and laying Southampton and St Johnstone in this week’s Bruin’s Shoo-Ins
Being about as English as deep-friend can of Irn-Bru, I’m not sure how well received my job application to the FA will be received. But I do at least have a couple of things on the apparent front-runner for the England manager’s job.
You would at least think that the ability to write would be one of the prerequisites for a job often described as the most difficult in the country. While declaring that you were “the most disorganized person in the world” would probably see you struggling to get a job stacking shelves in Tescos, never mind carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation. But hey, maybe I’m just old school.
Tottenham v Newcastle: Barclays Premier League: Saturday: 17:30 Live ON ESPN
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was first to rule himself out of the running. Which reminds me of the time I had to publically declare that I would not like to be considered for the vacant CEO position at Apple upon Steve Jobs’ resignation. I was doing so well in my job as a sales assistant at PC World that I wished to focus all my attentions on that.
Pardew and ‘Arry Redknapp come face to face at White Hart Lane this Saturday afternoon with their sides looking for maximum points in their pursuit of a top-four finish and the Premier League title respectively. When they met on Tyneside earlier in the campaign an entertaining 2-2 draw was the result, and they’ve each continued on their merry way ever since.
We’ve all been waiting for Newcastle’s bubble to burst this season, but with Demba Ba back in the team and Papiss Cisse added to the equation I don’t see it happening. They’ll go into this game, and pretty much all against the top sides from here on in, with a nothing-to-lose attitude, and that should lead to another open game, like the first. Over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.75 (8/11) is a shoo-in on betfair.com
Southampton v Burnley: Championship. Saturday: 15:00
In the Championship, having raced into a commanding lead at the top of the table, Southampton are imploding. They’ve now not won in their last five in all competitions, and haven’t won at home since Boxing Day.
This weekend they host a Burnley side traversing a very different form trend; The Clarets are unbeaten in their last four, have won their last two on the road and are within three points of the play-offs.
Yet the odds don’t reflect this. We’ve not had great luck in shoo-ins involving The Saints in recent weeks, but we’ll stick with it by laying them at odds of 1.9 (10/11) on betfair that are, quite simply, too short.
St Johnstone v Dundee Utd: Scottish Premier. Saturday 15:00
In Scotland, Rangers’ expected problems came to fruition last weekend against Dundee United. But as poor as The Gers were, United were just as impressive, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
Manager Peter Houston has worked wonders on a shoestring budget at Tannadice and in fact has a better win ratio than his predecessor and current Scotland boss Craig Levein. His cheaply assembled young squad may not always get it right, but when they do they play some attractive football.
This weekend they make the short trip to Perthshire to take on highflying St Johnstone. So far this season the two teams have been inseparable, drawing 3-3 and 0-0 in their two previous meetings. Buoyed by their win in Glasgow The Terrors could edge this one, but at odds of 2.6 (8/5) we’ll lay the home team at Betfair.com
Bruin’s Shoo-ins
Back Over 2.5 goals in Tottenham v Newcastle @ 1.75
Lay Southampton to win @ 1.9
Lay St Johnstone to win @ 2.6
Treble pays @ 5.9 at Betfair.com
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