My first non league match Harrogate Town

On Tuesday night, I attended Harrogate Town vs Southport for my first non-league football experience. These 2 teams are at opposite ends of the spectrum currently, with Southport having time in the league and the conference. Harrogate Town however have never been better than they are right now.

282 real football fans turned up to see Southport win 3-0 convincingly (a slightly flattering scoreline I thought) with the home team struggling to keep with the ex-Conference side particularly in midfield.

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For more information visit www.harrogatetown.com

Champions League latest odds and fixtures

Tough games ahead this week in the Champions League for all of the English clubs, the big one being Mourinho's return to Old Trafford with it all to play for at 0-0 going into this second leg of the knockout stages. Manchester United looked immense in the first half at the San Siro but Inter were well organised and will be well up for nicking a goal against the reigning European Cup champions. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all have 1-0 leads - lets hope that all 3 progress.

In terms of odds, Chelsea are 9/4 to get a draw at Juventus...the Gunners are 12/5, I'm having a go at both as well as an away win for Inter at Old Trafford at 9/2.

Champions League fixtures 10th and 11th March
Juventus v Chelsea (1st leg aggregate score 0-1)
Liverpool v Real Madrid (1st leg aggregate score 1-0)
Man Utd v Inter Milan (1st leg aggregate score 0-0)
Roma v Arsenal (1st leg aggregate score 0-1)

For all UEFA Champions League odds from Sky Bet, click here and register for your free £10 bet!

FA Cup semi final betting odds

FA Cup Semi-Final Draw 2009 18th April

In terms of FA Cup winner odds, its no surprise that Manchester United are the favourites. Currently I think Arsenal are the best bet in terms of value. Assuming that the Tigers will be beaten by Arsenal at the Emirates, Arsenal vs Chelsea would be a fantastic footballing spectacle in this year's FA Cup. Manchester United versus Everton will be a great semi final match, it will be a tight one. Tricky one to call, I've just listened to a talksport phone in with many people tipping Everton for the FA Cup but betting against Manchester United is obviously a high risk strategy!

Arsenal/Hull vs Chelsea
Manchester United vs Everton

I think that at 4/1 Arsenal are worth a punt. Eduardo is showing good form after his lay-off and I believe that they are one of the few sides that can on their day beat an in-form Man Utd side. You can get this 4/1 price at Sky Bet - click here for your £10 bet.

The FA Cup is fantastic, may be not the competition it used to be pre-Champions League but it is something that the English game should be proud of in my opinion. This year it could really climax into a dog fight as Chelsea and Arsenal seek to console themselves with their dissapointing League campaigns. Chelsea and Man U double perhaps.

Anyway, enough gambling chat, this was my favourite FA Cup moment, even as a Spurs fan I had to marvel at the technique of Eduardo as he volleyed the ball almost with the outside of his heel to send it crashing into the Burnley net.





PREVIOUS FA CUP BLOG ...

In the Premier League there is only one game - the might Spurs are away at Sunderland. A draw is my prediction.

Premier League
Sunderland v Tottenham 15:00

FA Cup
Coventry v Chelsea 12:30
Fulham v Man Utd 17:15




Latest FA Cup 2009 Winner odds - click here!

Latest Champions League 2009 Winner odds - click here!

Premier League Football Results 4th March 2009

As the Premier League gets closer to the conclusion, Liverpool and Chelsea both won last night to bring them both within 4 points of reigning champions Manchester United who are in pole position. Newcastle managed to take an early lead but Rooney and Berbatov managed to secure an away victory that surely puts the Premier League out of anyone's reach. Great night for Man City, apaarently looking fitter and sharper than the currently off form Villa. At the other end, good home wins for Stoke, Hull and Tottenham Hotspur will ease their worries of relegation as well as a great away win for West Ham at the JJB Athletic Stadium against Wigan. Hull's goal was a really late one, big 3 points for them as the second half of the Premier League season has been rough on them. Zola's really pulled things round for the Hammers, I'm sure the majority of football fans are delighted for him as we can all remember the magician that he was on the pitch.

Blackburn 0-0 Everton
Fulham 0-1 Hull
Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 1-2 Manchester United
Stoke 2-0 Bolton
Spurs 4-0 Middlesboro
Wigan 0-1 West Ham

Tempted to beat the bookie? Visit Sky Bet today and register for your free £10 bet!

Carling Cup Result : Manchester United 4 Spurs 1 (after penalties)

Well, call me a fair weather Spurs fan but this weekend I was away in Switzerland and missed the game as I was flying during it. Great chance for my Totteham Hotspur player of the season, Aaron Lennon - and Ronaldo hit the post in injury time which could have finished the lily whites off.

As I got to my car in the East Midlands Airport I reached for the 'AM' button on the radio to get Five Live going. Damn, I missed the game completely. I then listened to a phone in on Talksport with Stan Collymore which criticised the Spurs strikers for not taking the first penalties in order to try and build some momentum in this dramatic conclusion. I could only agree with this criticism, feeling sorry for midfielder Jamie O'Hara who is not natural in front of goal but also proved that he wouldn't shirk this responsibilty.

Concentrate on league time, whilst Fergie calms talks of winning more Cups. You wouldn't bet against it I guess...but then be careful on cup final betting because they are notoriously tense (and quite boring) affairs. Many fans get stung on betting on a conclusion within the 90 minute period.

Tempted to bet the bookie? Visit Sky Bet today and register for your free £10 bet!

FA Cup 2009 - who's odds on to win it? Football Betting odds provided by Sky Bet

So who's going to win the Cup? As Pompey proved last season under Harry Redknapp, the FA Cup doesn't always have one of the big Premier League team's names on it. However Arsenal and Chelsea are licking their wounds now that their title hopes have dissapeared after inconsistent league form. At 4/1, Arsenal is not a bad bet. Well it is obvious that the favourites are Manchester United. The Red Devils looked formidable in the first half against Inter last night and its always possible that Fereguson may prioritise the League and the Champions League over the FA Cup but Man U have the strength in their squad potentially to get another treble. Here are the latest odds for the teams still in the FA Cup:

Man Utd - 7/4
Chelsea - 3/1
Arsenal - 4/1
Everton - 5/1
Fulham - 16/1
Middlesboro - 18/1

Not a bad stage to have a flutter before the odds narrow further. To put a bet on, visit Sky Bet by clicking here.

Champions League Results 25th February 2009

Inter Milan 0 Manchester United 0
Arsenal 1 Roma 0
Lyon 1 Barcelona 1
Atletico Madrid 2-2 FC Porto

Hull City 1 Tottenham 2

Tottenham Hotspur managed to scrape a victory last night at the KC stadium against fellow Premier League strugglers Hull City. This was my first trip to this ground, first impressions of Hull City was that this club suffers from a similarly poor infrastructure as my club Tottenham; however they're well rewarded with a fantastic 25,000 football stadium. The Hull City fans were great in their support for the Tigers and in the first half Hull had the better periods of possession. Aaron Lennon opened the scoring with a fierce drive from outside the box that seemed to swerve a bit with the power on the shot. This was slightly against the run of play, however minutes later Hull equalised with a goalkeeping blunder from new recruit Carlo Cuddicini who completely didn't need to come for a corner when there were 2 Spurs defenders ready to head away. In the second half, both teams started brightly, Spurs ended the stronger and scored with 10 minutes to go with a decent cross headed home by Jonathan Woodgate. A fortunate but vital 3 points for the lily whites. Come On You Spurs.

Diego Maradona kick ups - HOW GOOD WAS THIS MAN?

Hull City dissapointment with Jimmy Bullard injury

Hull City's record signing Jimmy Bullard is travelling to Denver for a knee cartilage operation, after only playing once since his move from Fulham in January 2009.

Bullard had a scan early February which highlighted the torn cartilage. With the right type of attention, this type of injury can only take a player 3 years to recover from. Bullard's fitness could be key to Hull's season which ultimately is all about Premier League survival. Despite a rocketing start, Hull have dropped to 12th position and are by no means safe with 29 points.

Jimmy Bullard was Hull's latest transfer by boss Phil Brown for £5m after he had decided to not renew his contract at Fulham.