One of those days...

Predictions and selections, there is a fine line between making a prediction a selection and backing it with your own money. This weekend I had predicted that Russia would beat Slovenia, Portugal to beat Bosnia and Ukraine would draw with Greece 0-0 BUT I only backed Ireland to draw with France. I was very unlucky that in the 72nd minute Anelka had scored a deflected goal as it had looked like a draw up until that point, to be fair to France if anyone deserved to win it would have been them as Ireland offered very little in the way of attack.

I actually watched the playoff games in an underground Czech casino, where it was full of Ukrainians – rammed full of them! I was impressed with Ukraine and they should have won in Greece but as soon as the game finished 0-0 I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days for me. I was still pleased in a way about predicting these results just annoyed with myself at not putting my money where my mouth was.

Let’s hope I can put a stop to these two consecutive losers, which brings me to my next bet and following the game on Saturday I really fancy Ukraine to overcome Greece at home. Ukraine beat England at home most recently in the qualifying group, albeit with the help of a red card and a penalty but they still looked very useful and had several chances. Saturdays performance was also impressive against the Greeks, the only thing missing was a goal but cheered on by their fans on Wednesday night I expect Ukraine to beat Greece. Odds of 1.91 on Betfair are a steal, get on now!

I also fancy a goal fest in Bosnia on Wednesday night, this second leg is delicately poised and I expect it to be end to end stuff. Back over 2.5 goals on Betfair now at a staggering price of 2.12!!

Good Luck All.

The Luck of the Irish?

This weekend sees the first legs of the World Cup Playoffs and the game im concentrating on is Ireland Vs France. It will be a very tight affair and the Irish will not fear the french one bit, Trappatoni has guided this irish team through qualifying group undeafeated with 4 wins and 6 draws and will face the French for a place in this summers World Cup. Ireland will fancy their chances over the two legs but I have a feeling that France will nick it (depsite having the handicap of Raymond Domenech as their manager!), Ireland often shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to the crunch.

For the purpose of this weekends game though im backing draw at 3.20 with Stan James, a great price! First legs are often tight gritty affairs and Ireland have proved already that they tend to draw alot of games with 6 out of the 10 games in qualifying draws. France will be also happy with a draw to take back for the 2nd leg so the odds of 3.20 at Stan James is good value. The other games I expect Russia to see off Slovenia and Portugal to beat Bosnia and a boring 0-0 between Greece and Ukraine, from a personal point of view I would love to see Ireland beat France just to see Michel Platini's reaction.

Backtracking to Wednesday night and the shocking performance from Rochdale against Luton in the FA Cup replay, apologies for those who followed my advice but if Rochdale would have converted one of the 50 million chances they had in the first half then we all would been laughing! Anyway onwards and upwards and lets hope for a tight tense draw in the Ireland V France game tomorrow!

Good Luck All!

Oh just to mention that David Beckhams LA Galaxy take on Houston I believe in MLS playoffs tonight and I will watching the game and will having a small 1-0 punt on the Galaxy.