Manchester Derby and Football preview

Rennes and Celtic drew for a voided recommendation.

An absolutely juicy week-end of football coming up with the Manchester Derby as the main attraction. This is really a 6-point game and whoever draws first blood will seemingly have the mental advantage going forward. Both teams played and won in mid-week so the recuperation time will be about the same for both. I've got to give the edge on the hosts on this one because their form at home is rock-solid. There is no-one better than Sir Alex Ferguson to get them pumped up for such a match against their neighbours. If City were to win this game, it will definitely signal the start of a new world order in English football. But I don't think it will happen for the Citizen on Saturday and I see the Red Devils either winning or drawing this game. I recommend them as draw-no-bet.

Liverpool boasts strong form at Anfield and the visit of Norwich is a great chance for them to bag the 3 points. I have a feeling Suarez will be in his element against the smaller opposition and I cannot see Liverpool losing this game. I recommend them as a strong draw-no-bet.

I mentioned before that Blackburn is a very exposed team that will be losing many games this year. I anticipate another difficult game for them at home against a surging Tottenham team. Spurs will have a decimated defence going to Ewood Park but their offence should prove too potent for the hosts. Harry Redknapp's men might feel from the exertions of the mid-week European game against Rubin Kazan but their big guns were mainly rested, so they should be ready to fire on Sunday. Tottenham is recommended as draw-no-bet.

I am expecting challenging games for Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. Barcelona host Sevilla which have yet to taste defeat this year in 7 games. I don't think the hosts will lose but I anticipate the game to be evenly-contested for most of the 90 minutes. It won't be a walk in the park for Guardiola's men because Sevilla are no push-overs. Still the hosts should prevail or come up with a point, so they are recommended as a draw-no-bet.

Real Madrid face an arguably easier task than Barcelona as they travel to Malaga, a team that has started the campaign quite brightly and sitting in 6th. Their spending on good players like Joaquin and Cazorla are reaping benefits. However, the Los Blancos are in very good form of late and seem to have picked up a notch after having lost 5 points in the early weeks of the campaign. As such, it's very hard to oppose them. They should win this game or at least come up with a point. Mourinho's men are recommended as a draw-no-bet as well.

Draw-no-bet: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd, Liverpool, Tottenham

Friday Ascot

Tottenham scraped through Shamrock while Rubin Kazan could only manage a draw against Saloniki for a voided punt. The Greeks were lucky to survive the Russian onslaught.

On Friday, the 14:55 Classified Stakes at Ascot looks to go to Mundana from the Luca Cumani stable. She's a progressive King Best filly who will be well suited to the mile distance. She's bagged 2 wins out of 3 outings and will receive weight from a group of older horses with exposed form. I definitely see her finishing in the first 3 and I recommend her as a Place.


Place: Mundana

Europa League preview

Barcelona easily won but I don't think anyone would have thought otherwise. The Catalan offence is really in good form, and Messi is just unplayable at the moment.

On Thursday, I have my eyes set on the Group A matches of the Europa League. Tottenham host Shamrock Rovers and I cannot see Spurs losing that one even if they are expected to field a second-tier team. The hosts have admitted to being focused on the week-end match against arch-enemies Arsenal but their reserve team should have too much class for the Irish champions. Tottenham to win it is my recommendation.

In the same group, I like Rubin Kazan's chances as it hosts the Greek team Saloniki. The Russians are a strong team and have gathered considerable experience in Europe in the past few years. I expect them to win or draw this match, so I recommend them as a good draw-no-bet.

Win: Tottenham
Draw-no-bet: Rubin Kazan