Betting.Betfair

[u]Aston Villa v Swansea[/u] [i]Back Aston Villa @ 2.37 (137/100)[/i] Aston Villa picked up their first point of the season against Newcastle last time out and I'm taking them to pick up their first win on Saturday. Paul Lambert has endured a tough start to life in the Midlands; a shoestring budget, key injuries and poor results weren't exactly what he was hoping for, but there are causes for optimism. Firstly, the fans aren't on his back yet as they were with his predecessor. Secondly, the performance at the Sports Direct Arena against Newcastle was a vast improvement, and finally, Gabby Agbonlahor has regained fitness. Points one and two are important, but it's point three that could prove the most vital. Star striker, Darren Bent, has been far too isolated, however with Agbonlahor...

[b]Jermain Defoe has made the most of limited opportunities in recent years but, with Tottenham under new management, Ralph Ellis reckons we might see a lot more of the England striker this season...[/b] I never imagined there might come a day when I'd turn down the chance to see the Community Shield and watch women's modern pentathlon instead. But then even footballers went Olympics crazy. Jermain Defoe, for instance, has hardly been on his Twitter account all summer but on Saturday night was suddenly posting pictures of Mo Farah celebrating in front of him on the track at Stratford. "Unreal to witness that live," he said. It has been a tough summer for Defoe. He had to fly home from Euro 2012 when his father lost his battle with throat cancer, and then in July the family ...

The early favourite to succeed Harry Redknapp is Everton's David Moyes at 3.1 and he is followed by Wigan's next manager market ever-present Roberto Martinez at 5.5, with Newcastle's Alan Pardew fifth in line at 11.5. Moyes is one of the most respected coaches in the Premier League for the manner in which he has transformed Everton from regular relegation battlers to constant top-half finishers in a decade at the club, despite often being restricted by a lack of funds in that period. His most impressive achievement was guiding them into the Champions League qualifiers by beating neighbours Liverpool to fourth in 2004/05, a feat made all the more remarkable by the sale of prize asset Wayne Rooney to Manchester United at the start of the campaign. The Scottish tactician - also the...

[u][b]Tottenham v Bolton, 19:30, ESPN[/b][/u] Though Spurs are now without a league win in five, a creditable goalless draw at Stamford Bridge suggests they are the over the worst of their slump. Securing Champions League football might remain their priority but the small matter of a potential Wembley semi-final against Chelsea should help concentrate their minds. In spite of their recent wobble, Tottenham's home form remains very respectable. Spurs have won three of their last five at the Lane, while the two Manchester clubs remain the only teams to have won at Tottenham in domestic football this season. Tottenham are unbeaten against Bolton in eight meetings at White Hart Lane, seven of which they have won. And Bolton's away record is none too impressive. Owen Coyle's side...

Harry Redknapp is everybody's favourite next England manager. He has worked wonders at Tottenham, leading them from bottom of the Premier League to title contenders in the space of three years. He has been cleared of allegations of tax evasion, he is personable and, above all, he is English. These are just some of the reasons the 64-year-old is 1.43 to continue where Fabio Capello left off. But avoid those odds like the plague. Much like the Wolves job, or being the successor to José Mourinho, becoming England manager is the definitive hiding to nothing. Admittedly, it is not without its kudos; the role is a particularly well-remunerated position and it must be immensely flattering to be called to answer the call of leading your country into battle. Redknapp, after all, is a patriot....

[u]Watford v Tottenham, Friday 19:45 BST, ESPN[/u] Despite Tottenham's recent wobbles - if a home draw with Wolves and last-gasp reverse away to Manchester City count as such - it is difficult to make a case for them exiting the FA Cup to Championship strugglers Watford. If the fixture was taking place a few weeks ago, with Watford unbeaten in eight, it might be different, but since putting some breathing space between themselves and the drop zone, they have lost three straight league games. Spurs have a fine record at Vicarage Road, visiting five times without defeat since 1987, the last trip ending in a 2-1 victory in the Carling Cup three seasons ago. Add into the equation that they have won the four FA Cup clashes between the pair, and it is easy to see why they are 1.54 favourites. [u]Over/under...

[u]Tottenham v West Brom, KO 1945 [/u]Tottenham will go into this game ruing the two points they dropped at the weekend in Swansea and anxious to get back to winning ways. They could hardly have picked better opponents, Opta tells us that during the last seven meetings between the two sides Spurs have won five and drawn two against the Baggies at White Hart Lane. Opta also point out that West Brom have only kept one clean sheet in their last 28 Premier League away games and they come into this game just 48 hours after suffering a cruel late home defeat at the hands of Everton. Roy Hodgson may have to do without the services of injured skipper Chris Brunt whilst Scot Parker is a doub for the home team, having limped off with 20 minutes to go against Swansea. You don't need to be Sherlock...

[b]Robin van Persie's scoring record over the past year has been nothing short of exceptional but despite being all the rage in 'first goalscorer' and 'to score' markets, he's still available at value prices. Not to mention as Premier League top goalscorer, according to Andrew Atherley.[/b] Robin van Persie is the hottest striker in the Premier League right now and that's good news for Arsenal fans, Arsenal backers and those who have been putting their money on the flying Dutchman in the goalscorer markets. There is every reason to expect his great scoring run to continue when Arsenal host Fulham on Saturday and the stats indicate he is excellent value as first goalscorer. Since his return from injury late last year, van Persie has been first goalscorer in eight of his 29 Premier...

[b][u]Rubin Kazan v Tottenham, KO: 17:00, live on ITV4[/u] [/b] Two weeks ago I predicted a low-scoring game in the reverse of this fixture with a 1-0 Spurs victory being one of my Correct Score selections. Thankfully I was right, and that result means that Harry Redknapp can afford to lose this game knowing that four points against Shamrock Rovers (away) and PAOK (home) will be enough to see his team qualify for the knock-out stages of this competition. But does that mean we ought to lump on Kazan to win this game? I'm inclined to believe it does with Redknapp himself admitting that he is reluctant to play his star names in Russia ahead of his club's Premier League game with Fulham at the weekend. And after undergoing minor heart surgery on Wednesday the Tottenham boss will also be...