It only takes one

Weekly Review

Three of my selections were, as my hero Roy Walker would say, “good but not right”, however my significant lack of faith in Wolverhampton Wanderers ensured an overall profit of £80 was had this week.

Benfica 0-1 Chelsea (Tip: Benfica to win -£10)

The Portuguese side looked the better side over 90 minutes and created the majority of the chances (17 shots compared to Chelsea’s 11), however they lacked the cutting edge in the attacking third and the Blues nicked it late on. Chelsea will now surely progress.

Apoel Nicosia 0-3 Real Madrid (Tip: Madrid to make the first substitution -£10)

I thought this was one of my most sophisticated bets of all time. However, such is fate, it anticlimactically failed after just 16 minutes when the Cypriot team were forced to replace Portuguese defender Kaka Da Silva because of injury.

Wigan Athletic 2-0 Stoke City (Tip: 0-0 draw -£5)

Stoke were as impotent as I had expected and only had one shot on target in the entire match. However, Wigan were very good and it would seem, for the second week running, I underestimated them.

Wolves 2-3 Bolton Wanderers (Tip: Bolton to win +£105)

I made a big call making this my banker and it was justified. Wolves rallied in the second half and were perhaps a little unfortunate at times, especially with the controversial penalty they conceded.

Nevertheless, eight consecutive home losses speak for themselves and I am sorry, Dan Lloyd, Wolves are now down.

Thank you Mr Banker.

Make change if Mourinho makes changes

Anorak’s bet – £10 on 10/11 at Bet Victor

Apoel Nicosia V Real Madrid (Tuesday 19.45) – Real Madrid to make the first substitution

I am very surprised that both teams are equally priced at 10/11 in this market, as Jose Mourinho, who let’s not forget has a reputation for being a bit of a maverick subber, has a much better squad at his disposal and will therefore be more willing to call on replacements sooner.

History also backs up my logic. In Madrid‘s last four Champions League games, they have made four changes at, or before, half time.

Meanwhile, their Cypriot opponents have only made two changes before the second half in their last eight games in European competition.

Notorious switcher.