Friday night's live football encompasses the romance of the FA Cup when Kings Lynn welcome Oldham Athletic in their second round tie.

The home side will be playing in what is arguably the biggest game in their history when they take on the Football League Division One side.

Lynn's record, unbeaten since the start of the season, should provide them with confidence and with 5,000 fans roaring them they might fancy their chances if they catch the visitors cold.

However, there is a noticeable gap in class. Oldham beat Huddersfield 3-0 in the league last week and are pushing strongly for a promotion place.

The Latics are looking to win their sixth consecutive game in League and FA Cup and we think they will do it.

Betterbet.com will give you 6/5 for Oldham to be winning at half-time and full time. If you are looking for a correct score, take Oldham to win 2-0 at 11/2.

Midweek Premiership football throws up an interesting tussle at the Reebok between Bolton and Chelsea.

The Trotters' 3-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend bust a lot of coupons even though Sam Allardyce's men have a good record against the big boys in the league.

Bolton again showed that they are not cowed by big-name opposition and finished the Gunners' title challenge off in spectacular fashion.

Chelsea though, will be another proposition. Their second-half performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday indicated the Blues have got plenty in their locker yet to be seen. And they could unleash it all tonight.

Bolton could pay the price as Jose Mourinho's men look to step up the pressure on United at the top of the table.

Chelsea have won 2-0 on each of their last three appearances at the Reebok and that's the score we think they will come away with tonight.

Betterbet.com offer 11/2 for 2-0 and as a side bet, perhaps invest at 9/1 on the visitors to win 3-0.

One day it's Manchester United versus Chelsea in the Premiership, the next it's Burton Albion versus Exeter in the Conference.

The Pirelli Stadium, with the SKY cameras present, should provide a perfect setting for an entertaining encounter between two closely-matched teams who are poised to push for a play-off place.

However, Exeter can be forgiven for being slightly apprehensive ahead of this fixture. In 12 attempts in front of the cameras dating back to December 1996, they have yet to win when appearing on live television.

Big-spending Burton, under the tutelage of Nigel Clough, all but ended City's promotion hopes last season with a 2-0 win but we reckon the visitors can get their own back this evening and will take the 7/4 that Betterbet.com is offering for a visiting win.

No doubt where the game of the weekend is and that is Old Trafford where Chelsea travel to take on Premiership leaders Manchester United.

With Arsenal dropping out of the title race on Saturday with a defeat at Bolton, this match has taken on even greater significance.

The home side were dumped at Celtic Park in midweek in the Champions League primarily due to their arrogance and Sir Alex Ferguson will stress the need to cut out the pussy-footing around and get the goals against the Blues.

But there should be no worries on that score in terms of the title. The Reds have won 34 points out of a possible 39 and have a three-point lead over the reigning champions. They look genuine contenders this season.

Chelsea, beaten by Spurs and Middlesbrough on their travels this season, usually do better when they play United at Stamford Bridge.

It is that fact that leads us to tip the Red Devils to come through and strengthen their grip on the Premiership trophy.

Take Betterbet.com's offer 13/2 for 1-0 United with a side bet of 8/1 for 2-0.

On the face of it there should be no real problems for the artisans of Arsenal at Saturday tea time when they travel to the Reebok to face industrial Bolton Wandererers.

But for some reason Sam Allardyce's men seem to know how to deal with Arsene Wenger and his Gunners.

The pair met three times last season with Bolton surprisingly winning two and drawing the other and you have to go back to March 2003 for the Londoners' last victory over the Trotters in the league.

Arsenal have already lost twice away from home in the Premiership to fired-up Manchester City and West Ham - will this be the third?.

Given Bolton's form - four defeats and a draw in their last five games - we think not.

Like Manchester United the other week, Arsenal's class will show and we will take Betterbet's 12/5 for the visitors to be winning at the interval and at full-time.

Will it be Irish Blarney of Irish Barney at Molineux on Friday when Wolves welcome Sunderland?

Two fallen giants of English football will be trying to make their way back to the top flight but most of the attention in this encounter will be on the dugout where home boss Mick McCarthy will meet up against with Black Cats manager Roy Keane for the first time since their infamous pre-2002 World Cup finals bust-up in Saipan.

The highly-publicised spat, which kept the media busy for weeks, saw the former Manchester United skipper sent home from the Republic of Ireland squad after an irrevocable split with then Irish boss McCarthy.

Keane insists their feud is at an end but we are sure that a tense game may open old wounds and certainly the visitors won't be travelling with any great confidence.

The Black Country side are 10th in the table with Sunderland, despite a 3-1 win over Colchester last week, struggling in mid-table.

But no matter what happens off the pitch, we think it will be an honourable draw on it and will take the 11/5 that Betterbet.com have on offer.

After an astonishing Champions League clash between Celtic and Manchester United which resulted in the Hoops qualifying through with a 1-0 win, two of Britain's other side are in action tonight.

Chelsea are in Germany to take on Werder Bremen while Liverpool welcome PSV with both sides already through.

The Blues need just a point against Werder Bremen to top the group but defeat for Chelsea, strangely, would put Barcelona under pressure with regards the Catalans qualifying, which would no doubt please Jose Mourinho.

Bremen, with 33 goals in the Bundesliga, are no mugs so we veer towards the draw which Betterbet.com are offering at 2/1.

A win for Liverpool over PSV Eindhoven will ensure they win Group C and there is no real pressure on the Redswho have won nine out of ten games at home this season.

But the Dutch side have only lost once away from home this season so again, we think a draw is likely in this match and will take Betterbet.com's 9/4 for that outcome.

Battle of Britain Part Two will have all the country looking on to see who comes out on top between Celtic and Manchester United in their eagerly-awaited Champions League clash.

This Group F game is crucial to both sides' hopes of qualifying through to the knockout stages and Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who slipped up when they lost in Copenhagen in their last European tie, hold the upper hand after their 3-2 victory at Old Trafford earlier in the section.

However, that win was not as close as the scoreline suggests and apart from a surfeit of class, the Red Devils will have several other factors in their favour in Glasgow.

Hoops defender Gary Caldwell is out with a knee injury, replaced by the erratic Bobo Balde who will be making only his second start in seven months.

That should be good news for Louis Saha whose pace will be far too much for the African and his central defensive partner Stephen McManus to cope with.

Betterbet.com offers 11/2 for Saha to score the first goal - the same price for Wayne Rooney - and we will hedge our bets by going heavier on the Frenchman with a side-bet on the scouser who returned to form with a double against Sheffield United at the weekend.

We came close on Sunday afternoon when the second part of our double - Blackburn to draw with Spurs - was let down by Wigan's failure to beat Aston Villa at home.

So we still go into tonight's FA Cup replay between Hartlepool and Rochdale at Victoria Park with some confidence.

The first match was tied 1-1 and the winners have the prospect of facing either Macclesfield or Walsall in the next round.

Significantly, Hartlepool warmed up with a win over Accrington in League Two at the weekend while Rochdale went down 3-2 at Barnet.

However, Pools will definitely be without on-loan striker Darryl Duffy after Hull City once more refused permission for him to play in this cup tie so they will have to reshuffle again.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin will have the same side available to him but we don't think that will be good enough to see them through.

We reckon Hartlepool will make full use of their home advantage with a bit to spare so we will take Betterbet.com's 9/5 for the home side to be winning at half-time and full-time.

Hodson was injured shortly before the break against South Africa
Charlie Hodgson and Andrew Sheridan will miss the rest of the season after suffering knee and ankle injuries in England's win over South Africa.
The Sale duo were carried off in Saturday's 23-21 victory at Twickenham.

And further analysis showed fly-half Hodgson has ruptured his cruciate knee ligament, while prop Sheridan has a broken left ankle and ligament damage.

They will both be operated on in the next week but are certain to miss England's Six Nations campaign.

Hodgson's injury ends a miserable autumn series for the Sale fly-half after he struggled to reproduce his outstanding Guinness Premiership form on the international stage.

Their absence will be a real blow to England and Sale Sharks

England head coach Andy Robinson

And with Jonny Wilkinson sidelined until the new year while he recovers from kidney damage, England's number 10 shirt is now likely to be contested by Andy Goode - Hodgson's probable replacement against South Africa again next Saturday - Toby Flood and Olly Barkley.

Hodgson's injury is a repeat of the problem he suffered, albeit in his other knee, in 2003, which ruled him out of England's World Cup campaign.

Sheridan, like Hodgson, now faces a long rehabilitation period after undergoing surgery.


Sheridan missed a large chunk of last season due to injury

England coach Andy Robinson said: "Everyone feels for Charlie and Andrew, and we wish them all the best for their recovery.

"Charlie and Andrew are key members of the squad and they have contributed massively this autumn. Their absence will be a real blow to England and Sale Sharks."

While England contemplate a Six Nations season without Hodgson and Sheridan, Sale's hopes of defending their Premiership title has taken another major hit.

They have also revealed that Scottish international flanker Jason White has also been laid low by a season-ending injury.

Who will replace Hodgson for the Six Nations?

"This is a terrible blow for the players, for England and for Sale Sharks," said rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre.

"Our thoughts are with the players at this moment but we know that they will receive the very best treatment available to ensure that they return, for club and country, as soon as is possible.

"Of course, their loss is a blow to our aspirations to retain our title, and also to our chances in the EDF Energy and Heineken Cup competitions."

Cardiff's surprise defeat to QPR on Friday night was a stark reminder of how difficult it is to tip these days although the 11/5 for the draw between Middlesbrough and Liverpool - which we predicted - put a little shine on our Saturday.

Now to the Wigan v Aston Villa encounter. Wigan have again surprised many pundits this season, moving from a relegation battle up into the top half of the table thanks to four straight wins over Man City, Fulham, Bolton and Charlton respectively.

But those aforementioned clubs are hardly blue-chip sides so can they stop the rejuvenated Aston Villa?

Well, if Wigan's renaissance has an artificial look about it then the same could be said about Villa.

Martin O'Neill's side have only won one game away from Villa Park this season - against Everton - and will be there for the taking on this occasion.

Betterbet.com will give you 7/5 for the Wigan win which we will take onto the later Premiership match between Blackburn and Tottenham at Ewood Park.

Spurs continue to frustrate, exemplified by them beating Chelsea then losing to Reading which doesn't make it easy with regards predictions.

Blackburn, for their part, are struggling big time after four successive league defeats during which time they've managed to score just one goal.

However, neither side convinces us enough at the moment so we think this game is set to end in a share of the spoils and will double our Wigan victory up with Betterbet.com's 11/5 for the draw at Ewood Park.

The punters' arch enemy - Liverpool - are sure to test the nerves when they travel to Middlesbrough on Premiership duty.

The Reds are one of the most frustrating sides in the country who can be brilliant or brutal, mostly depending on where they are playing and in what competition.

Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield which they have turned into something of the fortress it was in their late 70's and 80's hey-day.

However, it is when they board the coach that the fun begins and they have lost five out of six on their travels and now trail arch-rivals Manchester United by a daunting 14 points with the title all but conceded.

Optimists would point out that this is the kind of fixture where Liverpool should win. But optimists have paid in hard cash for being wrong in the past.

The Teessiders are hardly a model of consistency either but they have secured maximum points from their last three home league fixtures and boast a solid recent record against Liverpool in their last four encounters at the Riverside.

So what's it to be?

Betterbet.com offer 2/1 the draw and that's about as confident as we can be in this fixture.

Surprise Coca-Cola Championship leaders Cardiff continue their audacious bid to play top flight football in the Premiership.

The Welsh side are leading a host of big name clubs at the top of thae table and will be hoping to strengthen their title bid when QPR come calling.

Cardiff were made to battle for a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Burnley in a match decided by a superbly-taken Riccardo Scimeca goal in the 23rd minute but it is that tenacity that augurs well for the rest of the season.

In their last outing, QPR claimed their second away win of the season thanks to Dexter Blackstock's winner at Luton.

Rangers welcome back midfielder Steve Lomas, who was suspended for the Luton match after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the previous match against Crystal Palace, but even that boost will not be enough for the Londoners.

We will be having some of Betterbet.com's offer of 11/2 for Cardiff to win 2-0 with a side bet of 10/1 for 3-0.

In the League Two match, take Chester at 6/5 to dispose of Stockport at home. Then sit back and enjoy.

England limp into Wednesday's tricky friendly match against Holland in the Amsterdam Arena with the usual call-offs that accompany challenge matches.

However, boss Steve McClaren knows he has plenty to prove to the England fans and pundits who have been unconvinced since he took over from the much-maligned Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

The Dutch are not the superstars of old but then again neither are England and by naming his side 24 hours before the game, McClaren has left himself open to more criticism.

His revamped side, which sees the inclusion of teenage defender Micah Richards and Everton striker Andrew Johnson are under pressure to perform and they will come up against a Holland side who will be formidable in front of their own demanding supporters.

But Betterbet.com's 11/10 for the home win is tempting enough for us to back on more misery for McClaren. Prepare to put the tin hat on after this game Steve.

The FA Cup first round weekend concludes this Monday with an intriguing tie between Macclesfield and Walsall at the Moss Rose.

The length of League Two separates these two clubs and midlanders won the earlier encounter in the league at their Bescot Stadium by two goals to nil.

However, the Silkmen have undergone changes since then and most notably the high-profile former England midfielder Paul Ince has taken over as manager - and that rather surprising appointment is where most of the interest around this tie is focused.

But despite the boost that Ince's appointment has brought to the club, we can't see Richard Money's men tripping up in this tie.

Betterbet.com offer 10/11 for the away win which we will grab with some optimism.

Arsenal versus Liverpool is Sunday's keenly-awaited showdown at the Emirates and we are struggling to see past the home side in this one even though both sides have been unconvincing in recent weeks.

Liverpool don't look to good away from Anfield shown by defeats at Everton, Chelsea, Bolton and Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger seems to be finding the pressure a bit much to bear this season and losing to West Ham brought that highly-publicised spat with Alan Pardew last week.

But the home advantage sways us towards the Gunners who have won this fixture for the last three seasons, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Thierry Henry could be the man. The Frenchman has also scored in three of Arsenal's last four Premiership games at the Emirates so the omens are there.

Betterbet.com offer even money for an Arsenal victory which we will take with a nice little side bet for Henry to score the first goal at 9/2.

The FA Cup dominates this weekend but we will be looking for a return from Ewood Park in the late Saturday Premiership game.

The way things are going for Manchester United in the league it would take a brave man to ignore them as a safe bet this week.

United have been in cracking form away from Old Trafford this season, scoring 13 goals on their way to four wins and a draw in the Premiership, the victories coming at Charlton, Watford, Wigan and Bolton.

Blackburn, on the face of it, are no great shakes in front of their own support with only two wins from five at home.

However, significantly, Rovers traditionally play some of their best football and achieve some of their best results at home against their Lancashire neighbours.

They are unbeaten against United in their last six games at Ewood Park, and they have won three of their last four and Old Trafford legend Mark Hughes is sure to look to continue that form.

However, the best we reckon his side can get is a draw - although that in itself will dent United's title hopes - and so we will take Betterbet.com's offer 9/4 for the stalemate.

The first round of the FA Cup takes place this weekend and the first game to focus on involves struggling Cheltenham who welcome Scunthorpe for this Friday night encounter.

The new Wembley seems a long way off but both sides will be dreaming of a final appearance at the state-of-the-art stadium next May.

Cheltenham lost to Oldham in their last outing but have been boosted by the news that on-loan duo Keith Lowe and Andy Smith are eligible.

Wolves defender Lowe and Preston striker Smith have been granted permission to play by their respective clubs, despite the fact they will be cup-tied when Championship clubs join the competition at the third-round stage.

A big gamble? Who knows but Cheltenham hope to take full advantage against a Scunny side who were held to a draw in the league the last time the two sides met in September.

However, the visitors are now manager-less after Brian Laws left for Sheffield Wednesday.

The 45-year-old signed a three-year contract at Hillsborough leaving the club in the lurch ahead of this important match and it is this development which sways our thinking towards the home side despite the fact that high-flying Scunthorpe are favourites with many bookmakers.

Betterbet.com offers 7/4 for a Cheltenham win - and we think we will see one of the first FA Cup shocks of the round.

Again we tipped you the winner of Monday night's Championship match between Stoke City and Coventry City - the Potters won 1-0 - and we will take our winnings into Wednesday's Carling Cup games.

Liverpool travel to St Andrews to take on a Birmingham and although there a division now separates the two sides, it won't be easy for the erratic Reds.

However, we still think the Merseysiders can scrape through and will take Betterbet.com's 4/6 and carry it on to Everton versus Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Davie Moyes' men carved out a draw in the Premiership the other week against the Gunners and we think they will have to settle for the same situation over 90 minutes on this occasion.

Take Betterbet.com's 9/4 for the draw and then go for the banker of the night - Spurs to beat Port Vale at home.

The White Hart Lane men are only 2/9 but after a famous, if rather fortuitous, victory over Chelsea on Sunday there seems no way the club from the Potteries can upset the Tottenham bandwagon.

Monday night's Championship football comes from the Britannia Stadium where Stoke City welcome Coventry City.

The Potters go into the game unbeaten in three games at home but after a 5-0 win over Norwich last week, a 2-1 defeat in their next game against Leicester saw them take a step backwards, in much the same way their season has gone so far.

But all is not well at Coventry either these days. Manager Micky Adams has threatened to walk out on the club if supporters repeat the abuse aimed at him in last weekend's win at Barnsley - and that was before the home defeat in midweek to midland rivals Birmingham.

City are still not at full-strength and must wait to see whether Stephen Hughes and Dele Adebola recover from head injuries in time.

So with the uncertainty of that team news in mind, and Stoke's home record to consider, we will take Betterbet.com's 6/5 for the Potters to beat the Sky Blues.

Dear punters - if you lot aren't raking in the cash these days then you can't blame us!

Once again we came up trumps and our tip for Sheffield United to win at Newcastle on Saturday paid out at 3/1 with Betterbet.com.

So, do you want to make more cash before the bookmakers come together and ban me from giving my advice out?

Then take heed of our tips on Sunday's Premiership matches between Aston Villa and Blackburn and Tottenham versus Chelsea.

Despite a defeat at Liverpool last week, Martin O'Neill has revitalised Villa who have a good record in this fixture. They've won it four times in the last five seasons and kept clean sheets in all of those victories.

Add in the tiredness factor from Rovers' UEFA Cup game on Thursday then we struggle to see past home win. Take Betterbet.com's 10/11 for a midlands win and add it to the later televised match at White Hart Lane if you are feeling especially lucky.

Spurs' record against the Stamford Bridge men is deplorable - they haven't managed to beat Chelsea in the last 32 league meetings!

But there is a steel about the home side which leads us to think they will snatch a point against the Blues who may still be mentally fatigued after their Champions League exploits against Barcelona in midweek. Take 11/5 the draw in this one.

Our advice for Wednesday's Champions League clash between Benfica and Celtic was quite clear and we hope you cleaned up by taking it.

We said: "The Parkhead side have never won away from home in the Champions League which gives us the confidence to take Betterbet.com's 8/11 on a Benfica win."

Saturday's Premiership match between Newcastle United and Sheffield United at St James Park provides an opportunity for us to make an even bigger killing when we go for one of our fancied long-shots.

The Geordies stayed a day over in Sicily after their terrific UEFA Cup result against Palermo but, with several injury worries, they must still be struggling to be at their peak for a game less than 48 hours later.

On top of that, Newcastle's home form has been unusually poor this season with just one win in five and that came back in August.

The Blades have been on the cusp of getting a win in the last few weeks and we think this could be the day their enthusiasm and effort are rewarded - so take Betterbet.com's 3/1 for the away win.

Drogba scored a last-gasp equaliser against Barcelona in midweekChelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed a new four-year deal running until 2010.
The 28-year-old joined the club for £24m in July 2004 and has been in fine form this season with 10 goals in 15 games to his credit.
The Ivory Coast international told Chelsea's television station: "I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract.
"I'm playing well as I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends."
There were doubts cast over Drogba's first-team chances at Chelsea when manager Jose Mourinho landed striker Andriy Shevchenko in the summer.
But Drogba has risen to the challenge while Shevchenko has struggled for form.
I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me
Didier Drogba
Drogba scored a last-gasp equaliser against Barcelona in a Champions League match on Tuesday as well as netting the winner when the two clubs met in the reverse group game.
His collection of goals so far during the campaign also saw him grab an exquisite winner when Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge.
Drogba added: "I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. The best period of my career I think.
"I am happy because when I came here it wasn't easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea, because everybody knows the first year was difficult.
"The second one was okay but I knew I could do better."
Drogba has been linked with possible moves to either Italian side AC Milan and Lyon of France but Mourinho believes the signing of a new deal will put any speculation to bed.
"It is good for Chelsea, Didier deserves a big contract.
"Now he can go to Milan for shopping and no-one can say he goes to sign a contract.
"His friend from Lyon can call and people don't say he is calling to sign him. It's fantastic."