After last week’s unmitigated disaster, things have to go better this week so we’re looking to Newcastle, Wexford and Barca to do the buisness.
Before we begin, we have to address last week’s catastrophe. For the first time in the short, and to be fair largely inglorious, history of this column none of my three picks landed.
Adam Le Fondre played 45 minutes without troubling the goal for Reading, Ireland and Scotland in the Six Nations was a disaster and way under the points total while Tipperary were schooled by Cork’s youngsters in the hurling. In short, the bookies fleeced me.
But we’re not going to let one, admittedly awful, week get us down. With a feast of sport on offer, here’s three we hope will do much, much better. This treble should net you a very juicy 14/1…
Newcastle to beat Swansea, 12/5
This game is at the Liberty but we’re big believers in the post Coca-Cola/Carling/Capital One Cup hangover theory. Swansea are a very professional outfit, and we’re sure that Michael Laudrup will have gotten his lads back on track very quickly this week, but Newcastle are showing some impressive form of late. An away win, at these odds, against a side who probably had their most relaxed week in a while, is just too tempting.
Wexford to beat Derry, Evs
We’ve been very impressed with Wexford thus far in Division 2. After beating Longford in round 1 they let an 11-point lead slip to draw with Armagh last Sunday. The Athletic Grounds is no easy place to play and while Aidan O’Brien will have been unhappy to let a point slip, he will relish the chance to make amends, at home, to Derry on Sunday.
The Oak Leafers are in decent form too, and this game will be tight, but we see Wexford chalking up another win.
Barcelona to beat Real Madrid, 5/4
The Copa del Rey game in midweek was a bit of a disappointment as Real Madrid steamrolled a disinterested looking Barca. Fast forward to the La Liga game this weekend and we think the tables will be turned.
We expect Jose Mourinho to rest any number of his big names (Modric is rumoured to start!) as he prepares for the Manchester United game and with the La Liga crown virtually resting on Barca’s head already, we expect the Special One won’t be too bothered about this one.
Barca have another week before they face AC Milan so they will be at full strength at the Bernabeu. That should tell in the final scoreline.
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