After Fernando Torres let us down last week (what were we thinking?) we look to Arsenal, the Green Bay Packers and the England rugby team to make us a few bob.
Ah Fernando. Like many I was convinced that you would find your old self when your old mentor Rafa Benitez arrived into the Chelsea dressing room. The Spaniard’s failure to find the net against Manchester City sunk our bet last week but we carry on undeterred. Christmas is getting closer every week, so our desperation for a few quid grows.
This week’s treble will net you €95 for your tenner, more than enough for a deposit on a turkey and a bottle of whiskey, What more do you need?
Over 3.5 goals, Arsenal v Swansea, 13/8
This has all the makings of a free-wheeling entertaining clash as seventh (Arsenal) play eighth (Swansea) at the Emirates. The Arsenal defence is about as reliable as Joey Barton’s accent and Swansea aren’t much better.
Swansea have won two of their last three away (against Liverpool and Newcastle) and drew the other (1-1 with Southampton) so they have no fears of leaving Wales, especially with Michu and Pablo Hernandez in form.
Nobody bar the two Manchester clubs have scored more at home than Arsenal so this game has goals written all over it.
Green Bay Packers (-7.5) to beat Minnesota Vikings, 10/11
As the Packers look to chase down the Bears at the summit of the NFC North they face divisional rivals Minnesota at Lambeau. Last week they were mauled by the Giants, a result so bad that QB Aaron Rodgers apologised to fans this week.
So a motivated Pack, smarting from a big loss, play a dome team at home in chilly Green Bay. Last year the home team won this clash 45-7. The Vikings are better, and the Packers are probably worse, this year but they should still cover here.
England (+16) to beat New Zealand, 10/11
Okay, England are winless this winter against the big southern hemisphere sides but their defeats to South Africa and Australia were close run things, and they could have been wins but for some very strange decision making by captain Chris Robshawe.
As we have seen this autumn, New Zealand are still, clearly, the best team in the world but after a long tour, and a highly publicised bout of illness striking the squad this week, we think the All Blacks may be a little off colour at Twickenham.
We still expect New Zealand to win but it might be by two converted tries only, which will do us just grand.
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