Blackburn a short-priced nap

We made money last week with Aston Villa and Fulham winning easily. Fulham put six past Burton and are up and running now but the league game at Barnsley will not be easy. They can still make the top six but the Championship suddenly looks a hot competition with Wolves, Villa and Derby going well. Bristol City are in that class but have faced a demanding schedule and QPR at home is another tricky assignment against an unpredictable outfit.

This is a much quieter week for me and I am not a fan of FA Cup matches when it comes to betting. Sometimes the bookmakers think along the same lines as I do (always worrying), which is why MIDDLESBROUGH are only 10/7 or thereabouts to beat Premier League Brighton.

Brighton, hovering dangerously above the relegation places, face a very awkward trip to Southampton on Wednesday and they simply do not need Saturday’s game. Boro, on the other hand, have everything to play for and Tony Pulis will want a good Cup run to kick-start his new position. I can’t see that 10/7 is great value but I’d be with the home team here to modest stakes.

If Southampton were going to change managers they wouldn’t have spent 19m on a striker who has already played under Mauricio Pellegrino. Of course, they don’t really need a cup-tie either, but nor do Watford, who look poor at present. I suspect the Saints will be up for this.

For some reason they recalled striker Sam Gallagher from Blackburn and offered him a handsome new deal, only to let him go on loan again to Birmingham. Sam knocked in ten for Blackburn last term and the team looked unlucky to go down on goal difference on the final day. They should bounce straight back to the Championship and, if you don’t mind a short (but fair value) price, they should comfortably account for Northampton at Ewood Park.

MIDDLESBROUGH 15 units at 10/7 to beat Brighton

SOUTHAMPTON 15 units at 8/11 to beat Watford

BLACKBURN 30 units at 5/12 to beat Northampton