Saturday Betting Tips

FOOTBALL

Manchester United v West Brom

Despite concerns over their performances away from home, they have been impressive at home in the league, winning all three of their games, scoring three in each. Wayne Rooney’s form is still a concern, but Berbatov and Nani are in top form, and both Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez are capable of grabbing goals if necessary. Their defence is boosted by the return of Rio Ferdinand, and they will fancy themselves to keep a clean sheet here.

West Brom have been the surprise team of this season, and find themselves sitting in sixth place. They stunned everyone by winning at the Emirates a few weeks ago, but the loss of Peter Odemwingie for the game today is a huge blow for them. The likes of Bednar, Moore and Fortune are simply not good enough to impress regularly in this division.

United know they need to continue winning at home whilst they search to find some form away from Old Trafford. This should be a comfortable victory against a side missing their main goal threat.

Bet: Manchester United -1.5AH @ 1.83 (7/10)

Fulham v Tottenham

Fulham have been the draw specialists so far this season, drawing six of their first seven games thus far. They will be boosted by the return of Mousa Dembele, but are still without the likes of Zamora, Duff, Senderos and Andrew Johnson.

Tottenham still have injury concerns of their own, with Aaron Lennon joining Dawson, King, Defoe, Gallas, Kaboul and O’Hara on the injury list. However, in Rafael Van der Vaart, they have one of the most in-form players in the Premiership at the moment.

This should be a tight game and Spurs may have one eye on the Champions League match against Inter next week. 1-1 has been the most popular result in the league so far this season, and I can see this being another close draw.

Bet: Draw @ 3.3 (5/10)

Portsmouth v Watford

Portsmouth have improved since the arrivals of Dave Kitson and Liam Lawrence. 11 goals in their last 3 games have lifted them out of the relegation places, and they will be looking to keep the decent run going.

Watford are unbeaten away from home, and are scoring plenty of goals. 3 at Norwich, 2 at Bristol City and 6 at Millwall have seen them become the second highest scorers in the division. They are boosted by the fact that Marvin Sordell has been passed fit – his six goals have been crucial for them.

Both sides are full of goals at the moment, and I expect to see a high-scoring game here.

Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.93 (5/10)

Port Vale v Gillingham

Port Vale sit top of the table, but have faltered recently with a last-gasp defeat to Oxford, followed by a draw with bottom side Hereford. Micky Adams has announced that he will be making a few changes, as he suggests some of the players are cracking under the pressure of being the league leaders. Even so, they have won four on the trot at home.

If Gillingham fail to win today, they will break a club record of 32 games without an away win. Hessenthaler has tried mixing things up, but his decision to take the team on the long trip to the league leaders on the morning of the game is a bit strange. Both strikers are out injured and they have conceded 13 goals in their last 3 away games.

Port Vale should bounce back to winning ways today as the Gillingham away jinx continues.

Bet: Port Vale to win @ 1.83 (5/10)

Mainz v Hamburg

Mainz have been the surprise package of Europe this season, having won their opening seven games in only their second season in the top division. A win today will break the record for the best start of any team in the Bundesliga. Under Thomas Tuchel, the likes of Lewis Holtby, Adam Szalai and Andre Schurrle have been ripping up the division.

Hamburg have ten players out injured for this game, including important players like Elia, Jarolim and Chupo-Moting. With only one win in their last five games, and only two wins in their last nine away games, this will be a huge challenge for Hamburg.

All the focus will be on whether Mainz can continue their record run, and whilst it will undoubtedly come to an end soon, I can’t see it being today.

Bet: Mainz to win @ 2.3 (6/10)

Barcelona v Valencia

David Villa picked up an injury on international duty and is likely to miss the game with his former club. If Xavi is still not fit to play, Barcelona are missing two very important players for them. Barca have not quite got going at home this season, having lost to Hercules, scraped a win against Sporting Gijon and drew with the notoriously poor travellers, Mallorca. They seem to rely too much on Messi to single-handedly win them games at the moment, and whilst he is a quality player, he cannot do it every single week.

Valencia have astounded the critics thus far, and are seemingly not noticing the losses of David Villa, David Silva and Carlos Marchena. Aduriz has been excellent, and they are boosted by the return of Pablo Hernandez from injury. They haven’t won at the Nou Camp since 2003, and the last three visits have resulted in 3-0, 4-0 and 6-0 defeats.

Barcelona have been struggling without Xavi, and the loss of Villa will harm them as well. Valencia are in excellent form, and will fancy their chances of an upset.

Bet: Valencia DNB @ 7 (3/10)

RUGBY UNION

Aironi Rugby v Bath

Aironi Rugby lie bottom of the Magners League, and lost their first pool game 30-6 away to Ulster. Whilst they are still searching for a home win this season, they have managed to keep the matches fairly tight, going down 9-10 to Edinburgh and 15-22 to Ulster.

After losing at home to Biarritz in their first pool game, this is a must win game now for Bath. The pressure is on for the underperforming Aviva Premiership side. Tom Biggs and Ben Williams replace Matt Carraro and Shontayne Hape in the back line as they look to change their recent fortunes.

Whilst Bath should win this, I would fancy Aironi to keep it relatively tight, even if they are unable to do enough to snatch an unlikely victory.

Bet: Aironi Rugby +11.5 @ 1.80 (6/10)

Racing Metro v Clermont Auvergne

Racing Metro sit top of the Top 14 in France, and battled bravely at Leicester before losing 38-22. They have won 4 out of 4 at home domestically, and in Steyn, Hernandez, Fall, Masi amongst others, they have plenty of quality. They beat Clermont 28-17 earlier in the season.

Clermont have lost 3 out of 4 away from home this season domestically, although secured a win in their opening pool game at home to Saracens. It will be difficult for them against a strong Racing Metro outfit.

Whilst both sides have injury concerns, it would be a surprise if Racing Metro do not win this, and I would fancy them to cover the handicap.

Bet: Racing Metro -6 @ 1.91 (5/10)