Sport
El Clasico features in our £800,000 Pick 15
Join James’ Pick 15 Syndicate here. 18+
Every week I will be previewing the weekend Pick 15.
The associated syndicate reference is: 254CFCWC
We will always be going for the Jackpot of £800,000 with a maximum of 64 lines (£128 stake).
We will not Cash Out – we will not fold to pressure – we will win this thing!
Last week was looking pretty decent until a run of 4 draws in a row towards the end truly killed us off. I hold my hands up as well and declare Hull my worst pick since the beginning of time.
Each week I will be highlighting some fixtures as bankers – games that I have maximum faith in, but you should remain cautious as they don’t always come in.
Last week’s banker was Newcastle, who duly obliged and obliterated Huddersfield.
Bankers so far: 26 out of 54 (genius)
Bankers this week: Brighton, Sevilla and of course Atalanta
Anyway, onto the fixtures…
Brighton vs Huddersfield
Brighton are going to smash Huddersfield into next week, or into the Championship at least. Huddersfield’s win against Wolves was just a blip in an otherwise disappointing season. Home banker.
Selection: Home
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
Who knows what’s going on at Burnley. They beat Spurs, draw at Old Trafford, and smash Brighton away. Clearly this is within their grasp. Crystal Palace ended Puel’s career with a sound thrashing of Leicester so they are not to be underestimated either.
Selection: Home / Away
Rotherham vs Blackburn
The Championship is as predictable as the weather and I have a slight fancy here for a draw, but Blackburn are due a win and this looks like a good opportunity.
Selection: Away
Ipswich vs Reading
Ipswich still have both eyes firmly fixed on League 1 with Paul Lambert finding just as difficult as his predecessor. Reading are beatable, but I feel they have slight advantage, even at Portman Road.
Selection: Draw / Away
Wigan vs Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are still battling hard for promotion and showing some decent form of late. Should get all three points at Wigan and keep the momentum going.
Selection: Away
Stoke vs Nottingham Forest
Can’t decide. It really depends if Lewis Grabban is fit to play or not and that’s a bit up in the air which is why I’m covering home and away.
Selection: Home / Away
Aston Villa vs Derby
Even at this bleak stage – 8 points adrift of a playoff position – I still believe there’s a slim chance Villa can turn this season into a successful one and get back into the Prem. Derby have failed to score in their last 2 matches and have looked pretty dire of late, but I think a draw is still likely.
Selection: Home / Draw
West Ham vs Newcastle
West Ham have decent home form despite their awful ground and Newcastle have only won 2 away games this season. Newcastle’s form is picking up but I think West Ham will take this.
Selection: Home
Huesca vs Sevilla
Will Sevilla – who spanked Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and sit comfortably in 5th in La Liga beat bottom of the table, newly promoted Huesca? Are you kidding me?
Selection: Away
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Real Madrid always beat Barcelona, except of course when they don’t. This particular fixture at the Bernabeu in the last 5 games goes: Away, Home, Away, Home, Away… So we’re due a home win. But better cover away too just in case.
Selection: Home / Away
Eibar vs Celta Vigo
Eibar will beat Celta Vigo without even breaking a sweat. Probably.
Selection: Home
Udinese vs Bologna
If Udinese are capable of winning a game, then this is one of those games.
Selection: Home
SPAL 2013 vs Sampdoria
Sampdoria are a lot stronger at home, with only 3 of their 10 wins achieved away. It’s this that’s making me lean towards a draw in what will probably be a cagey game, likely 1-1.
Selection: Draw
Atalanta vs Fiorentina
Bet against my favourite Italian side? Not likely sunshine.
Selection: Home
Napoli vs Juventus
And finally we have an undecidable fixture in which hopefully £800,000 hangs in the balance. Napoli are the favourites, despite facing a team that have only lost a grand total of zero times this season. When I have a pick still and we’re down to the last fixture, I can’t help but choose home and away, because that way the win is only ever a goal away right up until the final whistle.
Selection: Home / Away
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