A very stiff task for Hull

Both of last week’s selections came up to add another winning week to what has been a successful punting season. There is even a chance that Newcastle will still top the Championship table following their easy win at Cardiff on Friday night, although Brighton can deny them by beating Bristol City in their final home match of the season.

City are a funny side who fought back to beat Barnsley last weekend, thus virtually assuring themselves of survival. A full house will be willing Brighton on but I think this will be close with the visitors nicking a point and sending the title race to the final day.

Most neutrals (if they still exist in football) will be more concerned with the position at the top of the Premier League, where Tottenham, still playing delightful football, have a chance of catching Chelsea. I see no value bets here but I suspect Chelsea will do enough to take the points at Everton with the North London derby possibly ending all square. True, Spurs are playing better than Arsenal at present but derby matches are different, with tension and temper sometimes calling the shots. The fact is that you would often fare very well by backing derby games to end all square – generally 1-1 – and that may be the way of it here. Not that I feel confident enough about either match to risk hard cash.

On the other hand SOUTHAMPTON should beat Hull and 4/6 looks fair enough. The Saints will have been hurt by the scorelines against Manchester City, who were superb, and Chelsea but this is a very different task and one where they may well turn it on from the word go. The problem, of course, is that they are totally safe whereas Hull desperately need the points but that is seldom enough to balance up a gap in class. Southampton have been patchy this season but the best of their football is a long way removed from Hull’s honest endeavours and I expect them to win.

I’m not keen on the matches involving the teams pushing for the Championship play-offs but in Sheffield Wednesday’s position I’d want everything to stay the same so that they meet Reading. If it turns out that way I’d make them a major bet over two legs to reach the final.

Brighton v Bristol City 10 units THE DRAW at 100/30

SOUTHAMPTON 30 units at 4/6 to beat Hull