Weekend Soccer Picks

Hey Hardcore Country! As promised, the crew from The Hardcore Footy Show will continue to put weekly picks up for your gambling pleasure. Gone are the rules of choosing just two favorites laying money. These are the plays that we are laying it down on this weekend. Post your plays below.

DUNLOP
EPL
Blackburn vs. Newcastle
Saturday, 10am EST
A match-up featuring the 19th placed club in the Premier League at home to the 11th place squad usually isn't a match to get excited about. Until of course you see that Newcastle pay a visit to Ewood Park, therefore paying a visit to their former gaffer in Big Sam Alardyce. Newcastle canned Big Sam just 24 games into the 07/08 season, and things haven't been too peaceful for the Magpies since. Newcastle have snagged just one win away from home, but Rovers have only grabbed two wins at Ewood. Newcastle are in search of their 50th win over Blackburn, but they won't get it tomorrow. Roque Sante Cruz will make his 50th Premier League start for Blackburn (who knows how many more he'll get after this) as they look to keep Big Sam's record perfect. Rovers have one win and a couple of draws since he took over after the firing of Paul Ince. Blackburn beat Newcastle at Ewood last season and considering the 'Big Sam' factor, I like them to take another. PICK: Blackburn (+100)

Bolton vs. Manchester United
Saturday, 10am EST
I know I am going to raise a few eyebrows with this pick, but I think Man Utd take a slight step back this week. The Red Devils have been red hot lately and being a man that strategizes around streaks, it's time to put a dent in this one. I also expect Bolton to score, which is something they haven't done in three games. Man U have won four straight league games and can take over first place with a win tomorrow (top seeded Liverpool play Monday afternoon). This will be Gary Megson's 50th league game as boss of Bolton which is why I expect his boys to come out and play. They were able to beat the big money giants last season for the first time in nine trys, while Man Utd have taken seven of their last eight from the Trotters. It's also worth noting that the lines have changed a lot this week, in favor of the home side. PICK: Draw (+280)

Serie A
AC Milan vs. Fiorentina
Saturday, 2:30pm EST
David Beckham will make his San Siro debut. In his first game as the new member of the Rossinieri's aging midfield, Beckham was rather ineffective, but he did not look out of place. All the talk over the last few days though has been about Man City's interest in Kaka. The Brazilian playmaker has come out to the press saying he is committed to Milan, and would only leave if they wanted him to. Let's say you run an office, and the rival office across the hall wants to hire your hot secretary. You're immediately reluctant to part ways, but then they tell you they'll pay around $160 million to hire her, and still pay her salary. Eventually your relectance would disappear wouldn't it? Whether the record breaking transfer goes through or not is another story, but the one true thing out of all this is that the soccer world will never be the same. As for Saturday's game however, Fiorentina's form will be interesting to watch.  They finished 2008 on a really nice roll, but looked awful last week against bottom feeding Lecce. This will be a big game for Alberto Gilardino who will be looking to impress against his former employer, although he might have to generate all the offense by himself. Adrian Mutu is injured and that will hurt La Viola's chances. Watch for Milan's young Alex Pato to be the one finding the back of the net. The 19 year-old has scored five goals in his last three games! This kid is a stud, and he'll score at least one more to help his side get the points. PICK: AC Milan (-162)

Lazio vs. Juventus
Sunday, 2:30pm EST
PICK: Juventus (+138)

La Liga
Almeria vs. ATLETICO MADRID (+130)
Sunday, 3pm EST

James Sharman
EPL - CHELSEA (-500) vs. Stoke City
EPL - Sunderland vs. ASTON VILLA (+125)
EPL - LIVERPOOL (-162) vs. Everton
La Liga - SEVILLA (-300) vs. Numancia
La Liga - REAL MADRID (-400) vs. Osasuna

Kristian Jack
EPL - MAN CITY (+100) vs. Wigan
EPL - WEST BROM (+138) vs. Middlesbrough
EPL - Hull City vs. Arsenal (DRAW +300)
EPL - TOTTENHAM (-138) vs. Portsmouth
La Liga - Recreativo de Huelva vs. SPORTING GIJON (+250)

Travis Payne
EPL - LIVERPOOL (-162) vs. Everton
CCC - Bristol City vs. WOLVERHAMPTON (+130)
La Liga - Barcelona vs. Deportivo La Coruna (DRAW +450)
French Ligue 1 - Grenoble vs. LYON (-133)
Portuguese League Cup - GUIMARAES (-162) vs. Olhanense

Peanut
EPL - Sunderland vs. ASTON VILLA (+125)
EPL - Hull City vs. Arsenal (DRAW +300)
Serie A - Lazio vs. Juventus (DRAW +200)

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2009-01-15-setanta-issues-ioss-statement