Betting Bad Part 4

Well, here we go again. Lord knows I could do with a win this week. It’s been three weeks that I have been writing this series and I am yet to win. On one hand, I am happy, because it would be fairly bizarre to run an ironic betting account giving tips that I am betting on, encouraging you not to bet on them because I have a betting curse. On the other hand, I want to win!! With a full set of English fixtures to be played, along with some Scottish Cup and lower league matches, there is an abundance of games to pick from!

Before we select this week’s accumulation, let us review last week’s failed fourfold. Aston Villa and Mansfield both held up their end of the deal, winning with relative ease against Burton Albion and Barnet. Rangers lost at Ibrox against Neil Lennon’s Hibernian team. Bradford lost to Oldham, their sixth loss on the bounce. This losing streak saw Stuart McCall fired, despite Bradford still sitting in the playoffs. I would be happy at his dismissal if his was the only result to lose my bet, but with Rangers losing too I can’t help but feel a little bad for the poor man.

But, that is football; people get hired, people get fired. The only thing we care about in this series is betting! Fair warning, there are only four Premier League 3pms this Saturday and they are tight mid table picks, therefore I have avoided them.

WOLVES v Queens Park Rangers – 4/9

Nuno Espirito Santos v Ian Holloway. This is really the lower league version of Pep Guardiola v Alan Pardrew. This game should be fairly straightforward. Wolves appear to have their blip out of the way, their blip consisting of a draw and a loss, still sitting first, eleven points clear of second placed Derby County. QPR on the other hand are sitting down in 15th position with fairly erratic form. And, I cannot stress this enough, they are managed by Ian Holloway. Aside from the Blackpool fairytale, he really is a fairly substandard manager. His biggest achievement is almost not getting relegated. Nuno Espirito Santos however has his side playing with a swagger rarely possessed by a lower league side. I predict not only a win for Wolves, but a big one.

SHREWSBURY v Plymouth – 3/4

This is certainly not a sure thing by any means, Plymouth have recovered marvellously after a dismal start to life in League One. They currently sit in 11th place, having picked up 41 points all year under Derek Adams, a 2-0 last weekend against Blackburn being a particular highlight. Shrewsbury sit second place and have been playing some terrific football this year. I envisage this being a tight game, which is reflected by the odds. Shrewsbury are at home though and I am willing to take the punt on them.

Barnet v NOTTS COUNTY – 21/20

This game concerns me. I also say that if the odds appear too good to be true, they probably are. But any side in the top half against Barnet at overs are surely worth a gamble. Notts County are not just in the top half, but sit in the playoffs, in 4th spot. They went through a recent slump in form, but won their last match against a struggling Crewe side. Barnet are having a shocking season and are in poll position to fall out the football league. They will pick up a few more wins before the season is out, but I don’t reckon it’ll come at home to Notts County. These odds are too good to be true, but it might work out this time, maybe…

Cove Rangers v FALKIRK – 8/13

This game is a bit of a head scratcher. On one hand, Falkirk have been shit this season. I mean really shit. They were expected to push for the title, instead finding themselves in a relegation match, having sacked Peter Houston earlier in the season and replaced him with former Hearts and Celtic playmaker Paul Hartley. They are on a decent vein of form at this moment in time, and are facing a non-league side in Cove Rangers. I am hoping Falkirk play a full strength side, looking for a cup run in the absence of a strong league campaign. Alex Jajubiak and Louis Longridge have been brought in on loan from Watford and Hamilton in January and it is hoped that both will continue their recent goalscoring form to fire the Bairns into the next round of the Scottish Cup. 8/13 against a non-league side will prove to be a steal.

Bet slip

WOLVES v Queens Park Rangers – 4/9

SHREWSBURY v Plymouth – 3/4

Barnet v NOTTS COUNTY – 21/20

Cove Rangers v FALKIRK – 8/13

£5 placed at 7.37/1 returns £41.85

I am going for a fourfold again, and I really truly believe that I am on to a winner this week. Shrewsbury could be a banana skin game, but I am certain, CERTAIN that Falkirk and Wolves will do the trick. Therefore I am really holding out for Notts County and Shrewsbury to win their favourable match up. I am breaking some cardinal sins once again, a cup tie, an away team and a team whose odds are remarkably good value. But just because I am breaking my rules doesn’t mean you should. As I say every week, I have a betting curse. Follow my tips and you will lose!

Money spent so far: £15

Winnings: £0

Profit-loss: -£15

PLEASE, GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY!