By Matt Denney and Phil Scullion

WEEK ONE -

Student loan running low? Need to get some money together to help pay off loan sharks? Well RiverOnline has the answer - gambling. Now we don't want you to end up a sad lonely addict sat playing the fruity in the back of the pub. We plan to show you there is another way. Every week our two tipsters will give you three selections from the world of sport, on which they will stake £10 per bet. Will they end up on a beach somewhere surrounded by beautiful women and toasting their new found wealth? Or will they be left shaking their heads wondering why they bothered to back Murray to win a grand slam? Find out by following their progress on RiverOnline.

Phil

Southampton v Portsmouth (FA Cup. Saturday 13 February, 12.30pm)

£10 on Portsmouth to win 13/8

Barcelona Real Madrid? Newcastle Sunderland? Liverpool Everton? Make no mistake, this derby is every bit as big a rivalry. Portsmouth will be desperate for a win here as a morale boost with all the talk currently of winding up orders and relegation. Southampton have overcome a ten point penalty but are left with not a lot to play for in mid-table League One. Portsmouth will have to be wary of striker Rickie Lambert who has consistently proven his scoring credentials, and creative midfielder Adam Lallana who is a potent goal threat. However, Portsmouth fans would not forgive defeat to their rivals so expect that little bit of Premiership class Portsmouth have left to shine through.
 
France v Ireland (Six Nations Rugby. Saturday February 13, 4.30pm))

£10 on France to win 4/9

The biggest Six Nations game of the weekend comes in Paris. Ireland had an easy start against the Italians, whilst France played well to beat Scotland in Edinburgh. However, this is the big test for both teams and will go a long way to deciding who will go on to win the title. Ireland have traditionally struggled in Paris, their last win was in 2000, and before that 1972. It promises to be an exciting match, but one which France will probably sneak.

Coventry v QPR (Championship, Saturday February 13, 3.00pm)

£10 on Coventry to win 23/20

QPR have really struggled of late, the managerial turmoil of what seems like a new boss every week has started to catch up with them. In contrast Coventry have stuck with their manager Chris Coleman and he is slowly building a decent team. Coventry overcame Nottingham Forest last time out, and should beat a QPR side who are yet to win a game in 2010.

Current running total: £0

Matt

Wales vs. Scotland (Six Nations. Saturday February 13, 2.00pm)

£10 on Lee Byrne anytime try scorer 9/4

The full-back is a class act and will no doubt see a lot of the ball as Wales look to bounce back from the England defeat. Against France, Scotland showed great tenacity and some defiant defending but they will be severely tested by the speed of the Welsh attack and Byrne could be the spark.

Derby v Birmingham (FA Cup. Saturday February 13, 3.00pm)

£10 on draw 9/4

At St. Andrews, Birmingham remain a tough nut to crack but on the road they have suffered back to back defeats at Chelsea and West Ham. Derby have struggled for consistency all season, but on their day they can be very effective. In recent weeks they have beaten both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest at Pride Park and have enough to force a replay.

Southampton v Portsmouth (FA Cup. Saturday February 13, 12.30pm)

£10 on over 3 goals 16/5

Southampton go into the game on a high after booking a place at Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final. In Lambert and Lallana they have goals in abundance. Portsmouth come into the game, after another tumultuous week, probably grateful still to be playing. Defensively they are less than effective so attack would seem like the best option for Grant's men. In a word - goals!

Current running total: £0

WEEK TWO -

It’s Week Two of the Betting Zoo and after a successful first week, the River Online tipsters are once again putting their money where their mouths are and making three selections from the world of sport. Just as last weekend, £10 stake per bet. Will they come out in profit for a second week running or was it simply beginners luck?

Matt

Blackburn v Bolton (Premier League. Sunday 21 February, 12.00pm)

Blackburn to win at 19/20

Blackburn have quietly crept up the table, largely thanks to three wins from their last three home games, and they have now established some breathing space between themselves and the sides at the bottom. Bolton are without a win in six on the road and having played midweek on an awful, energy sapping pitch at Wigan they may struggle against their fresher hosts.

Portsmouth v Stoke City (Premier League. Saturday 20 February, 5.30pm)

Draw at 9/4

Portsmouth go into the game in all kinds of problems off the field but buoyed by their excellent win over neighbours Southampton last weekend. The visitors Stoke City arrive at Fratton Park off the back of a battling midweek draw against Manchester City, one of three draws in their last four games. Pompey have drawn their last two at home and honours even in this encounter would be far from unlikely.

Aston Villa v Burnley (Premier League. Sunday 21 February, 2.00pm)

Aston Villa to win and keep a clean sheet at 17/20

Villa are defensively very solid, especially at home where they have only conceded twice in their last six. Whilst they haven’t won at Villa Park for four matches, they will fancy their chances against a Burnley side that are hopeless on the road. In fact, Burnley have failed to score away from Turf Moor for six games, dating all the way back to November 28^th 2009 at West Ham.

Running total: Up £44.50

Phil

Fulham v Birmingham City (Premier League. Sunday 21 February, 3.00pm)

£10 on Fulham to win at 21/20

 
Fulham come into this game on the back of a tough midweek European match against Shakhtar Donetsk, whilst Birmingham have not played since they snuck past Derby with a late goal in the FA Cup last week (unlucky Matt). However Roy Hodgson is an experienced manager who has addressed the problem of a hangover from midweek European adventures, his side beat Manchester United 3-0 three days after their last Europa League tie. Birmingham have looked out of sorts recently after Chelsea brought their unbeaten run to an abrupt halt. They lost at West Ham and relied on late goals against Tottenham, Wolves, and Derby. Fulham have a good record at Craven Cottage, so 21/20 is generous on a home win.

Manchester City v Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 21 February, 3.00pm)

£10 on Manchester City to win at 6/4

Manchester City are yet to lose a home game in the Premier League this season, and they have tightened up defensively since Roberto Mancini took over. Liverpool have been struggling for goals without Torres and new signing Maxi Rodriguez has not yet looked like he will provide them. Liverpool have only won one of their last six away, while Man City have won their last six home games. This is a huge game for City if their top four aspirations are going to be realised.

Celtic v Dundee United (Scottish Premier League, Saturday 20 February, 3.00pm)

£10 on over 3.5 goals at 2/1

Dundee United's away form has been decent so far this season with only one away defeat in the league. They have scored more goals away from home than table topping Rangers, and netted four times at both Falkirk and Kilmarnock in January. Celtic's defence has been shaky, and they need to beat Dundee United to have any realistic hope of catching Rangers. Since Robbie Keane and Diomansy Kamara arrived Celtic have scored ten goals in three games. Both are a cut above at that level, so all the signs point to a goal fest.

Running total: Up £32.15

WEEK THREE -

After last week's Lawro like predictions, and a number of calls for our resignation, the Tipsters are undeterred and back in action. With Sunday's Carling Cup final and the return, after last weekends absence, of the Six Nations, it promises to be another entertaining weekend of sport.

Phil -

Wales v France (RBS Six Nations. Friday 26 February, 8.00pm)

£10 on France to beat Wales at 2/5

France looked a cut above in their last game, thumping Ireland, and are starting to look absolute certs to win the Six Nations. This should be a winnable game in Cardiff, against a Wales side who have so far beaten Scotland but lost to England. Both teams have scored five tries so far, but the worrying statistic for Wales is that they have conceded five, while France have only conceded one. Expect a France win.

Aston Villa v Manchester United (Carling Cup Final. Sunday 28 February, 3.00pm)

£10 on Aston Villa double chance (win or draw in 90 minutes) at 19/20

Martin O’Neill has slowly built a highly competitive young English squad at Aston Villa, and Sunday’s game, a shot at their first trophy since they won this competition in 1996 could well be the spark which pushes them on to the next level. Manchester United have been there before and are looking to win the Carling Cup for a second year in a row. However, they are extremely reliant on Wayne Rooney, and if Villa can keep him quiet this will be a closer game than the odds reflect. I’m not quite brave enough to go for an outright Villa win, but 19/20 are good odds for two of the three potential outcomes.
 
Rangers v Celtic (Scottish Premier League. Sunday 28 February, 12.30pm)

£10 on Robbie Keane to score anytime at 6/4

Robbie Keane has made a good start at Celtic, and has already scored three in four games. Keane is unlikely to struggle with the atmosphere of a huge derby game and he will be desperate to make an impact here. One of Keane’s main strengths is that his goals tend to be split very evenly between home and away matches, so 6/4 to score anytime is generous on Celtic’s major goal threat.

Running Total: Up £21.65

 

Matt -

Burnley v Portsmouth (Premier League. Saturday 27 February, 3.00pm)

£10 on Burnley to win at 21/20

Of the 23 points Burnley have managed this season, 22 have been earned at home. With that in mind, Brian Laws and his boys will know this game is a must-win if they are to harbour any hopes of avoiding the drop. Portsmouth on the road have been less than impressive, with just one win from 13 games. With the threat of administration and a points deduction that would cast them even further adrift at the bottom of the table, Pompey may struggle to match the motivation and intensity of the home side.

Italy v Scotland (RBS Six Nations. Saturday 27 February, 1.30pm)

£10 on Italy to win at 17/10

Many will see this as the battle to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. Whether that is true or not, one thing that is certain is that this is a match both sides will believe they can win. Scotland were unlucky against Wales and showed real quality at times in that game. Italy will take encouragement from their performance against England and it is worth noting that the last time Italy won a Six Nations game, 7 matchs ago, it was in Rome against the Scots. With such good odds, the Italians should be backed.

England v Ireland (RBS Six Nations. Saturday 27 February, 4.00pm)

£10 on Ireland to win at Evens

This is a big call considering recent results. England have won two out of two and still have the chance to complete an unlikely Grand Slam. Ireland on the other hand, were outplayed and outclassed by the French in the last round of fixtures and they will be hurting. Of that there is no doubt. Defeat marked the end of a 15 month unbeaten run and put pay to the dream of consecutive Slams. So expect the Irish to come out with fire in the belly because nothing would please them more than a win in England’s back yard.

Running Total: Up £34.00

WEEK FOUR -

Oh dear oh dear. There were mixed fortunes for the tipsters last week, some lovely rugby tips were offset by yet another headed Wayne Rooney goal (if only he'd stayed on the bench Villa might have won the Carling Cup) and a lacklustre Robbie Keane performance. But don't worry, neither tipster is deterred, and we are back to make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. Or at least win you enough to buy half a pint in Oceana.

Matt -

Portsmouth v Birmingham (FA Cup. Saturday 6 March, 12.30pm)

£10 on Portsmouth v Birmingham draw at 12/5

Birmingham were more than a little fortunate to avoid a replay in the last round, winning in the final minute at Derby County, and they will face another difficult test in this Quarter Final. After going into administration, and to all intents and purposes facing certain relegation, Portsmouth  were deserved winners at Burnley and they will be treating the cup as a good chance to bring some much needed joy to their beleaguered supporters. Expect a tight game and a potential replay at St. Andrews. 

Arsenal v Burnley (Premier League. Saturday 6 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Arsenal to win to nil at 13/20

With short odds and having previously, unsuccessfully tipped Burnley to lose and not to score in the process, this seems like a strange bet. However, I simply cannot see Burnley scoring at the Emirates. Away from home they are horrific and if Arsenal avoid complacency and play like they did in the second half at Stoke City last week, they will win comfortably and keep a clean sheet in the process.

QPR v West Brom (The Championship. Saturday 6 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on 3 or more goals QPR v West Brom at 5/6

A meeting of two of the Championship’s most entertaining sides. This week it is the turn of the irrepressible Neil Warnock to take to the QPR hot-seat and buoyed by his arrival, the ‘Super Hoops’ are sure to have a spring in their step. West Brom, with 32 goals away from The Hawthorns, are the league’s top scorers on the road and they will be confident of finding the net again on Saturday.

Running Total: Up £51 

Phil -

 West Ham v Bolton (Premier League. Saturday 6 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on West Ham to win at 5/6

Owen Coyle looks to have made a shrewd move from Burnley to Bolton simply because Burnley are sinking without a trace. However Coyle still faces a struggle to keep Bolton up because their away form is a real concern, they have not won on the road since September. On the other hand West Ham are unbeaten in five at home, including two big wins in relegation clashes against Portsmouth and Hull. They will see this as a winnable game and shouldn't have too much trouble beating Bolton.

Fulham v Tottenham (FA Cup. Saturday 6 March, 5.20pm)

£10 on Fulham to win at 11/5

Tottenham have been playing well lately and putting Pavlyuchenko back in, albeit begrudgingly, appears a masterstroke by Redknapp. However, Fulham are decent at home, and unlike Tottenham Roy Hodgson's team do not have the distraction of chasing fourth place in the Premiership. This game will be tight, and could go either way, but 11/5 on Fulham to win at home is too good to pass up.

Sheffield Wednesday v Leicester (The Championship. Saturday 6 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Leicester to win at 13/8

Sheffield Wednesday are in real trouble at the bottom of the Championship, and their five nil defeat at Reading last weekend will have dented their confidence even further. The problem for Wednesday is that their form is faltering at the wrong time, they have now lost three consecutive matches without finding the net. Comparatively Leicester won a real battle against Nottingham Forest last weekend which will fill them with confidence that they can secure a playoff position and maybe sneak into the Premiership. Leicester haven't looked great on the road, but 13/8 against Sheffield Wednesday seems generous.

Running Total: Up £5.65

WEEK FIVE -

It is another massive weekend in the sporting calendar and this week the tipsters give you their selections from the world of football, rugby and Formula One. With Phil currently out of pocket and Matt's profits tumbling, it is crucial the tipsters return to winning ways.

Phil

Coventry v Plymouth (Championship, Saturday 13 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Coventry to win at 8/11

Plymouth have won only one of their last six games, and whilst they have started to look a bit more competitive of late with some hard fought draws they still look to be headed for League One as they are seven points adrift. In comparison Coventry have won five of their last six, losing only to table topping Newcastle at St James' Park. Critics might say Coventry do not play particularly attractive football, however points win prizes, and they sit just three points off the playoffs. Plymouth really need a win here to stay in touch with the rest of the league, but Coventry should beat them comfortably.

Bahrain Grand Prix (Formula One, Sunday 14 March, 12.00pm)

Chelsea v Inter Milan (Champions League, Tuesday 12 March, 7.45pm)

£10 on Chelsea to win at 4/6

I would love to see Chelsea go out to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, but 4/6 is generous considering Chelsea outplayed Inter at the San Siro and were extremely unlucky to lose the match 2-1. Interestingly I do not think the game will be much different at Stamford Bridge, Inter will again set out to defend, but this time Chelsea have a far clearer purpose, they need to score or the tie is over and they are out. Chelsea always score at home, so that will put the pressure back on Inter, allowing Chelsea to hit them on the break. Expect fireworks on the touchline as Jose's European adventure again fizzles out on English shores.

Running total: Down £24.35

 

Matt 

Ireland v Wales (RBS Six Nations, Saturday 13 March, 2.30pm)

£10 on more than 35 points in the match at 9/4

When Ireland and Wales meet in the Six Nations, points are never far away. Possibly with the exception of France, these two sides have the biggest attacking threats and between them they have notched up 12 tries already in the tournament. With the likes of Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Lee Byrne and Shane Williams on show, it will cannot fail to be lively. Ireland are strong favourites and rightly so but its worth pointing out that the Welsh have scored a try in every Five or Six Nations match in Ireland since losing 14-0 in 1970 - a run of 40 years.

Bahrain Grand Prix (Formula One, Sunday 14 March, 12.00pm)

£10 on Mark Webber podium finish at 7/2

As Phil has pointed out, all eyes will be on the returning Michael Schumacher when the F1 season revs up in Bahrain. It promises to be a pulsating campaign with a number of drivers in contention for the championship. One less talked about competitor is Red Bull's Mark Webber. The Australian had an impressive 2009 season, making the podium 8 times and will attractive odds, I've tipped him to make the podium on Sunday.

Manchester United v Fulham (Premier League, Sunday 14 March, 1.30pm)

£10 on Man United to win by more than 2 goals at 9/5

Manchester United are on fire at the moment and at Old Trafford they are simply irresistible. In their last six league home games the defending champions have scored 23 goals without reply. The biggest factor in this incredible run of results is one Wayne Rooney and few would be surprised if he finds the net again on Sunday. Fulham on the road are less than convincing and they will no doubt be suffering a little fatigue after their midweek efforts in Turin. Expect United to win and win well.

Running total: Up £39.33

WEEK SIX -

Welcome back to the tipster. If you've been keeping up you might have noticed that Matt has made a tidy sum but our other tipster is beyond horrific. Don't worry, this hasn't gone unnoticed at River Online Tipster HQ. Another poor week and Phil Brown might not be the only one out of a job. Think you could do any better? Drop us a comment and let us know what you will be betting on over the next couple of weeks.

Phil

Portsmouth v Hull (Premier League, Saturday, 20 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Frederic Piquionne to score anytime 24/13

It is a real shame to see Portsmouth effectively relegated by the deduction of nine points, but unfortunately if you go into administration you face a sanction and the rules should be no different for Premier League clubs. This match will be fascinating considering Phil Brown has been sacked and Hull have replaced him with Iain Dowie. It seems a desperate throw of the dice from Hull, Dowie has not achieved anything since he took Crystal Palace up to the Premier League back in 2003. Frederic Piquionne has been Portsmouth's biggest goal threat this season and he is likely to give the loyal fans at Fratton Park the win which they deserve.

Stoke v Tottenham (Premier League, Saturday, 20 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Roman Pavlyuchenko to score anytime 15/8

It is strange to think that Roman Pavlyuchenko was on the verge of leaving White Hart Lane in the January transfer window. Eight goals in six games, and Pavlyuchenko is now leading Tottenham's charge towards the top four and Champions League football. Stoke are decent at home, but I think Tottenham will sneak a win and if so Pavlyuchenko will almost certainly add to his goal tally.

Middlesbrough v Reading (Championship, Saturday 20 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Reading to win 13/5

When Gareth Southgate left Middlesbrough they were sat a point from the top of the Championship, and looking very competitive. Now, with Gordon Strachan in charge, they are twenty seven points behind the top team Newcastle. Reading on the other hand have made a shrewd managerial switch, getting rid of the hapless Brendan Rogers, and bringing in Brian McDermott. They have won eight of their last nine league games, and look an interesting outside bet to sneak into the playoffs. However to have any chance of doing that, they need to push on and beat Middlesbrough away, and at 13/5 it seems a decent punt.

Running total: Down £54.35

Matt

Wales v Italy (RBS Six Nations, Saturday 20 March, 2.30pm) 

£10 on Jamie Roberts anytime try scorer - 5/2

Wales were disappointing in defeat to Ireland last weekend and will be looking to end the tournament on a high with a win against Italy. The Italians have had a mixed campaign, beating Scotland and impressing against England but also being overwhelmed by the French and Irish. This match is sure to produce a few tries and if it goes to form Wales should be in the ascendency throughout. Roberts is the powerhouse in the centre and given a sight of the try-line he is virtually unstoppable.

Sunderland v Birmingham (Premier League, Saturday 20 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Draw at 23/10 

The timing of Manchester City's equaliser at Sunderland last weekend will have been hard to take on Wearside. In truth the Black Cats had their keeper Craig Gordon to thank for preserving their lead for so long. That said, Sunderland will take heart from the well earned point and look to have turned the corner after a poor set of results. Birmingham have had difficulties of their own in recent weeks, but fought back to grab a point against Everton last time out. The visitors will fancy their chances of leaving the Stadium of Light with another draw.

Manchester United v Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 21 March, 1.30pm)

£10 on Fernando Torres to score anytime at 11/5

Manchester United go into this game as strong favourites after a run of impressive performances. The shining light throughout this period, and indeed the season as a whole, has been Wayne Rooney. How Liverpool would dearly love to have him in their side. Still, in Fernando Torres, the Merseysiders have another of the world's top strikers and the Spaniard is coming into form (and fitness) at a crucial time for the team. Whilst I expect Manchester United to win on Sunday, if Liverpool are to score, Torres will be the man to do so.

Running total: Up £69.83

WEEK SEVEN -

This week, the Betting Zoo introduces the first guest tipster, Jen. Now many of you may be thinking that this is a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the absymal performance to date of tipster Phil. That would be correct.  We also think it will bring some class to the Betting Zoo and provide a refreshing shake up.

Will Jen fly the flag for women everywhere? Or will her presence simply reinvigorate the boys?

Jen (Guest Tipster) -

Hull City v Fulham (Premier League, Saturday 27 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Fulham to win at 21/10

I know about this one!  Fulham may have lost to Spurs in the mid week game but this match might be a good recovery for them.  Fulham don’t always play well away from home but I’m pretty enticed by these odds and they stand a good chance against Hull.

Australian Grand Prix (Formula One, Sunday 28 March, 7.00am)

£10 on Felipe Massa to finish on the podium at 6/4

Ferarris are nice cars, particularly when they’re red ones with convertible tops.  Massa is a safe bet because when I’m forced to watch the grand prix, he is mentioned by the commentators pretty much every other sentence which means he must be doing really well, or really badly...
I like the odds on this one as it suggests, at the moment, he might be doing well. 

VBC Volero Zurich Women v Volley Koniz Women (Womens Swiss NLA, 3.00pm)

£10 on Volley Koniz Women to win at 11/5

This week, as I’ve managed to scoot in on Phil’s poor betting judgement, I’m placing a lucky random bet to tide me through.  I know nothing about the teams, I don’t know much about volleyball but with 11/5 odds, Volley Koniz Women are my team to watch in this weekend’s European matches. 

Running total: £0

Phil

Burnley v Blackburn (Premier League, Sunday 28 March, 12.00pm)

£10 on Blackburn to win 15/8

Tipping Burnley to lose feels a little bit like cheating because they look absolutely inept, even at home where they were so good earlier in the season. Blackburn have played well in recent weeks, and for all the praise of Fulham and Roy Hodgson it should be noted Blackburn and Fulham are level on points in the Premier League. Sam Allardyce is a top manager, and he should have his players up for this big Lancashire derby.

Peterborough v Bristol (Championship, Saturday, 27 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Bristol City to win 7/4

Gary Johnson is entitled to feel rather hard done by about the ‘mutual termination’ of his contract at Bristol City. He took them up from League One and was unlucky to lose out to Hull in the Championship playoff final. However, his team had started to stagnate, and they have looked far more positive in their last two games since Johnson left. Peterborough have struggled to compete in the Championship and there will almost certainly be no late revival from them. The odds are decent as Bristol City haven’t looked great on the road, but they should win here.

Australian Grand Prix (Formula One, Sunday 28 March, 7.00am)

£10 on Sebastian Vettel to finish on the podium 2/1

Red Bull looked very good in Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, and Vettel was unlucky to miss out on a first race win of the season due to a fault with his car. However, such problems should be ironed out for the Australian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton has already said that: “The Red Bull is ridiculously faster than anyone else’s car. It’s insane.” Most bookmakers put Vettel as favourite to win the race, but oddschecker.com shows some have him as long as 2-1 to finish on the podium.

Running total: Down £84.35

Matt -  

Australian Grand Prix (Formula One, Sunday 28 March, 7.00am)

£10 on Robert Kubica top six finish at 5/2

This is very much an outside bet. Kubica failed to finish in the top 10, let alone the top six, in Bahrain and Renault trail the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull for speed. However, Kubica claimed fourth place in this race last year and with a successful qualifying performance, he has a chance of finishing in the points.

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers (Premier League, Sunday 28 March, 3.00pm)

£10 on Burnley to beat Blackburn at 17/10

You will notice that in tipping Burnley, I am going head to head with tipster Phil’s selection and as a result the draw now looks nailed on. Picking Burnley, currently on a run of seven games without victory, may seem rather foolish. Indeed, the Clarets are in danger of sinking without a trace and promising home form earlier in the season has deserted them. However, this tipster thinks there is life in them yet.  A local derby against Blackburn could be just the occasion for Brian Law’s men to once again embrace that winning feeling.

Manchester City v Wigan Athletic (Premier League, Monday 28 March, 8.00pm)

£10 on Manchester City to win by 2 or more goals at 12/5

After losing to Everton in mid-week and surrending their unbeaten home record in the process, the pressure is on Manchester City to roll over Wigan. In their pursuit of a fourth placed finish this is a must win match for the home team.Wigan are a baffling team. One week wonderful. The next woeful. One thing that is certain, if they are woeful at the City of Manchester they will be beaten and beaten comfortably.

Running total: Up £71.83

WEEK EIGHT -
 
Poor Jen. She steps up to the plate as our first guest tipster and ends up losing a fiver! Don't worry though, we've got plenty more guest tipsters en-route before the end of the football season, along with some special coverage of the Grand National next week. Who will you be backing? Let us know, especially if you've got an insider on a 100-1. Anyway without further ado - this week's tips.

Phil

Bolton v Aston Villa (Premier League, Saturday 3 April, 3.00pm)

£10 on John Carew anytime goalscorer 2/1

Bolton play host to a Villa side who must really be hurting after a 7-1 mauling at the hands of Chelsea. However despite that defeat, big Norwegian John Carew still managed to get himself on the scoresheet, his ninth goal in the last eight games. Bolton lost 4-0 to Manchester United in their last game, but that was not a tie they would have expected to take anything from. Martin O'Neill will have taken his Villa side to Stamford Bridge thinking he could come away with at least a point, and will have let his players know exactly how embarrassed they should be to lose so comprehensively. Expect a backlash against Bolton, and Carew is likely to be in amongst the goals.

Leeds v Swindon (League One, Saturday 3 April, 3.00pm)

£10 on Swindon to win 10/3

Leeds United are really struggling of late, and go into this top of the table clash just a point ahead of Swindon and on the back of three defeats. Swindon have been decent on the road this year, and in Charlie Austin they have a lethal striker at this level. Swindon are a long shot to win this one, however they did beat Southampton away from home a couple of weeks ago, and beat Leeds 3-0 in the reverse fixture. The odds seems very generous considering only a point separates the teams and Leeds are in dire form.

£10 on Bristol City to win 15/8

Bristol City v Nottingham Forest (Championship, Saturday 3 April, 3.00pm)

Incredibly promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest have lost their last eight away games since beating West Brom 3-1 at the Hawthorns back at the start of January. Make no mistake, they have blown their chance of automatic promotion, and the players will certainly be aware of that. That may take some of the pressure off, but I think the problems run a little deeper than that. Since losing loan player Nicky Shorey they have struggled, and are now without influential captain Paul McKenna, who is out injured for the rest of the season. Bristol City look rejuvenated since Gary Johnson left, so expect them to win here.

Running total: Down £58.05


Matt

Manchester United v Chelsea (Premier League, Saturday 3 April, 12.45pm) 

£10 on Manchester United to win at 13/8

Chelsea come into the game flying after their 7-1 thrashing of Aston Villa. United are reeling from defeat in Munich and face four weeks without a certain Wayne Rooney. All factors point to a Chelsea victory but history has shown us, you can never rule out United. In the absence of Rooney, Ferguson will call upon the services of Dimitar Berbatov. Could this be the moment the Bulgarian really proves his worth? It’ll be typically tight but United still have the class and the know-how to win this clash.  

Bristol City v Nottingham Forest (Championship, Saturday 3 April, 3.00pm)
 
£10 on Nicky Maynard anytime goal scorer at 15/8

Under caretaker manager Keith Millen, Bristol City have seven points from a possible nine. Their home form is impressive, goals have flowed regularly from all areas and in Nicky Maynard, they have a striker on top of his game. With five in his last four games and 15 for the season, Maynard will fancy his chances of scoring against a Nottingham Forest side, who despite their third place position, have struggled away from home.  

Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa (Premier League, Saturday 3 April, 3.00pm)

£10 on a draw at 23/10

Aston Villa will be desperate to banish the memory of their humiliating defeat at Chelsea last week. However, an away trip to Bolton would not have been high on Martin O’Neill’s list of preferred opponents. Last week’s defeat to Man United aside, Bolton have been much improved at home under Owen Coyle, losing just one out of six at the Reebok. Not only has Coyle got them winning at home, he has also got the side keeping clean-sheets and if they can continue to be tight at the back, they have every chance of claiming another valuable point in the bid to escape relegation.  

Running total: Up £110.83

Guest tipsters:

Jen - Down £5