I HAD a bad feeling about Tuesday and when Super Single No.1 went down in eight minutes thanks to Michael Carrick I feared the worst.
Choosing win to nil is risky but maybe bookies will void it since no Bruges star netted! I was even more confident about Super Single No.2 but crisis club Blackpool made Burton work hard before allowing me a 6-4 winner.
That was a 1pt profit over the two bets and for the accas it was two 1pt losers and a 9-2 1pt winner (Boro not to lose, Hartlepool and Coventry) so another 2.5pts in the bank although I advised covering the draw at Coventry late on just in case so will deduct 0.25pts.
There are fewer games to look at on Wednesday with five Champions League games, four in the Championship, two in League One and two in the Petrofac Training Cup. I’ve written a separate preview on Celtic v Malmo and reckon the home men will squeeze out the Swedes to give themselves the best chance possible of making the group stage.
However, Celtic are too short at around 1-2 to consider for the top tips so I’m focusing on the other half of the city and what looks a belter of a special from William Hill. While Celtic bid for Champions League riches Rangers are trying to win the Challenge Cup for the first time and will put out a strong side.
They head for League One Ayr and William Hill are dangling a carrot by asking who’ll score more – Celtic or Rangers? In a mythical match bet they go 4-5 Rangers, 19-10 Celtic (now 11-4) and 7-2 draw. I’d be stunned if Gers scored fewer at Somerset than their rivals against Malmo as long as they go full strength.
Elsewhere in the Champions League I like Basel at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv and both to score at Rapid Vienna v Shakhtar Donestsk. I was going to back Valencia v Monaco but they’ve been weakened after leaving Man City target Nicolas Otamendi out of their squad.
In the Championship best bets could be Hull at home to Fulham while Sheffield Wednesday can edge out Reading. Doncaster have started the season with three draws but could beat Southend at home.
Results didn’t go to plan in the Petrofac Challenge Cup last night but I’ve already mentioned Rangers and they should be comfortable winners at Ayr. Their four games under Mark Warburton have averaged over five and there should be plenty of goals at Somerset Park.
Over 3.5 goals pays 1-1 at Paddy Power while Rangers -2Ah returns 9-10 at BetVictor and McBookie and that could be a second Super Single. The straight -2 handicap pays 6-4 and now it’s been confirmed a full squad will visit Ayr I can advise some of these bets and the mythical match between Celtic and Rangers.
The 4-5 was available in all shops before being cut to 4-7 at 2.30pm. It may be wise to put 0.5pt on the draw at 7-2 (still the same) but I’m not doing so. Another Super Single is Rangers -2 AH at 17-20 with Bet365. That returns stakes if they win by two and that should be their minimum target.
Last season’s beaten Challenge Cup finalists Alloa can see off Elgin but over 2.5 goals or both to score are the bests bet. Elgin’s last six competitive matches have totalled 30 goals with all going over 2.5.
For a goals treble -and I’ll put a post with full reasoning – I’m on btts at Rapid Vienna (they drew 2-2 with Ajax and won 3-2 in the last round) and Alloa and over 2.5 goals at Ayr – this could be swapped for over 3.5 for anyone wanting better odds.
My Top Treble is Hull who have kept the core of the side who came down and should beat a slow-staring Fulham. Add Leeds not to lose at Championship new boys Bristol City who have started with three defeats and complete with Basel.
The Swiss have won all eight competitive games this season and while Maccabi did well to qualify with a 2-0 win at Viktoria Plzen in the last round they earlier lost 2-1 at Hibernians of Malta so they can’t be that good.
I’ve put up a full 10pts worth of bets tonight but most depend on Rangers winning well as they’ve done all season.
4pts Super Single
Rangers to bt Celtic mythical match
(4-5, William Hill)
Note: Cut to 4-7 in all shops at 2.30pm
3pts Super Single
Rangers -2 AH
(17-20, Bet365)
2pts Top Treble
Basel
Hull
Leeds not to lose
(3-1, Ladbrokes)
1pt Goals Treble
Rapid Vienna v Shakhtar Donetsk btts (7.45pm)
Alloa v Elgin btts (7.35pm)
Ayr v Rangers over 2.5 goals (7.45pm)
(3-1, Betway, 10bet)
August Super Single record
17 bets (9 winners, 8 losers)
Profit: 9pts
Advised Accas
29 bets (10 winners, 19 losers)
Profit: 10.15pts
Remember to check out our friends at We Love Betting for their weekend tips and previews.