AC Milan will once again kick Manchester United to the European curb

Back man on right to knock man on left out of Europe

Carlo Ancelotti’s work so far at Chelsea can’t really be faulted but we were always of the opinion that his spell as AC Milan boss was often overrated.

Two Champions League winners’ medals overshadowed a decade as boss of first Juventus and then the Rosseneri in which he only won Serie A once. And whereas his last two seasons at the San Siro saw the club fighting - and failing on one occasion - just to qualify for the Champions League, his rookie

Posted: January 11th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Will this be the year when England finally deliver?

We’re not convinced. Farewell 44 years of hurt, roll on 48!

This could well prove England’s best chance to win the World Cup in 20 years (we’re too scarred to wonder “what if” about the collapse against Brazil in 2002) but it still looks like they will come up short.

There’s no doubt that the Three Lions have the might coach in Fabio Capello, and for a second it looked like the team wasn’t too shabby either, but events so far this season haven’t been great preparation.

In goal, first-choice David James has been permanently crocked, second-choice Robert Green has endured a blip - his first since joining West Ham in 2006 - and third-choice Ben Foster has been awful.

Birmingham loanee Joe Hart has been the star performer but has just one cap, and if he took the number one jersey would be heading for the World

Posted: January 7th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

There’s only one match left standing…and it’s going to be a stalemate

The weather has yet to claim victory over the Britannia Stadium but there’s still no guarantee of goals tonight.

Blackburn and Aston Villa’s match has fallen foul of the weather so hoofball fans will have to look elsewhere for their evening’s entertainment.

The last surviving game involving teams in the top-five tiers of English football is Fulham’s trip to Stoke and there’s plenty of value to be found backing low on the goal front and dismissing the hosts.

Our best bet is the draw at 23/10 on Ladbrokes because the Potters are struggling, having won once in nine league matches, but it’s too risky to back Fulham as they’ve triumphed in just one of their last 13 away.

Stoke are the league’s lowest scorers so a repeat of last season’s 0-0 at 8/1 is also worthy of consideration.

Click here to claim a free £10 bet with Ladbrokes

Posted: January 5th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Back Buchanan to inflict more misery on Morton

What better way is there to mark the first Monday of a new decade than with a bet on a Scottish First Division match?

Upon having a glance at the fixture list and realising that there are no Premier League or Football League games today, most people would accept defeat in their search for something to bet on. Not chickendinner.

Instead, we avert our gaze to the Scottish First Division clash between Partick Thistle and Greenock Morton. The hosts are short-priced favourites having won the last four meetings between the sides.

As the Glasgow-based club didn’t concede any during those encounters, Sky Bet’s 7/4 on them winning to nil looks far better value.

Our best bet though is for Liam Buchanan, Partick’s top-scorer with ten goals from 13 starts to score on his return to the starting line-up from injury.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in Partick’s last two wins over Morton and is 11/8 with Boylesports to do the same again. If you feel confident then back him at 9/2 to fire first.

Click to claim a £20 free bet when opening a Boylesports account

Posted: January 4th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment