NEW TEAMtalks Numbers Game

Last updated : 30 September 2011 By Team Talk

With professional football becoming even harder to predict, TEAMtalk's Matty Briggs is here to give you a hand.

We'll be giving you several detailed statistical pointers, views from Sky Bet's trading room, steamers, hot-shots, banker bets, bogey teams, value punts, news from the treatment room and famous last words ahead of all the crucial weekend matches in the Premier League and Football League.

Two of last week's steamers obliged with Tottenham (10/11) and Scunthorpe (8/11) doing the business.

The banker bet was undone late on by a Leyton Orient equaliser at Huddersfield, but the value bet was a sure-fire success as Derby (17/10) beat Millwall and Preston chalked up another win to justify their 'who's hot' tag.

The traders' view saw Manchester United slip up as predicted, but Arsenal grabbed a victory albeit at a very short 2/5.

STEAMER

Tottenham are favourites for the first time against Arsenal in a Premier League game and are now into 11/10 from 5/4.

BANKER

Southampton (8/15) look all set to get back on track against Watford on home soil. Saints have gone two games without a league win, but will fancy their chances against the Hornets.

WHO'S HOT

Preston have now won their last seven League One games and are evens to continue that run at Leyton Orient (12/5).

TRADERS' VIEW

Sky Bet are 'more than happy' to lay Tottenham at 11/10 against neighbours Arsenal. "The price is more than short enough and the Gunners can be backed at an attractive 9/4."

Aston Villa (8/13) are also one to stay well clear of at home to Wigan.

"Our lay of the weekend is Villa at a very skinny looking 8/13 at home to Wigan. Although Wigan have struggled on the road Villa have looked far from convincing and were lucky to still be in the game at half time at Loftus Road last weekend."

Punters are also advised to stay clear of Leicester (2/3). They face last week's value bet, Derby (4/1) in a derby at The King Power Stadium.

"Derby have shown great form this season while Sven's side are struggling to live up to the promotion favourites tag. Goals have been hard to come by for the Foxes and until new signing Jermaine Beckford settles in it is hard to back them with any confidence."

BOGEY TEAMS

Manchester City (4/7) are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against Blackburn (5/1) and they should be too strong at Ewood Park despite their action in the Champions League in midweek.

VALUE BET

Ipswich (7/5) have tightened up considerably in recent weeks and they look good value to roll over high-flying Brighton, who have conceded six goals in their last two games.

Barnsley have become the draw specialists of the Championship with seven successive draws and they are 12/5 to share the spoils with Coventry, who have drawn their last two matches.

HOT-SHOT

Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine has netted six goals in his last four games and he is a 7/4 shot to score anytime at Hartlepool and 6/1 to be the first/last goalscorer.

Leeds frontman Ross McCormack is bang in form and he has also scored six in his last four Championship games. The Scot is a 5/4 shot to score anytime against Portsmouth and he's priced 9/2 to score first/last.

TREATMENT ROOM

Bolton (11/2) look down to the bare bones at home to Chelsea (4/9).

Stuart Holden is still out, Gael Kakuta is ineligible, David Wheater and Ivan Klasnic are suspended, and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is doubtful with a leg knock.

While Chelsea, who have won their last six against the Trotters, are plenty short enough in 90 minutes, they look a decent bet in the half-time/full-time market at 11/10.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

Bristol City boss Keith Millen was distraught after seeing his men throw away at two-goal lead to lose against Reading in midweek and they are 7/2 to redeem themselves at Blackpool.

Millen said: "It's probably the hardest defeat that we've had to accept.

"We had a fantastic 65 minutes and should have been three-up at half-time.

"We've seen Albert's (Adomah) goal and he was two yards onside so the officials have made a bad decision.

"For them to even get back in the game was unbelievable."

Let us know your views on the weekend's football betting action by posting a comment below.

You can follow Matty on Twitter at @mattpbriggs.

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk