Shirleyswonderracing Football Tips

Port Vale scored 3 and conceded 15 in all competitions over their last 6 games and are rock bottom. Rotherham scored 2 and conceded 9 over the same number of games and are 2 places and 6 points above them. Rotherham lost 4 and drew 2 of their last 6. Vale have 4 losses, 1 win and 1 draw. Thus it will be an edgy, tight affair. I'm envisaging a low-scoring draw.

Both sides have struggled this term and look likely to go down despite games in hand. Each side kept only 2 clean sheets in their last 7 games. I'd be amazed if this ends with anything less than a goal apiece. Both defenses are shocking, conceding 54 and 58 goals respectively.

Doubt surrounds Harry Kane's participation. If he is an absentee, I can see Real Madrid's odds plummeting. That said, 19/10 in a place is too big for the hosts. Both sides have looked vulnerable in the last fortnight in their domestic leagues. The value lies with the Spanish side.

Arsenal were abject against City's in the League Cup final and were not much better in their 1/4 final loss to Southampton in the FA Cup. But despite their injuries, they should have the edge in quality and, in front of goal, can nick this by the odd goal in 3. Value at the odds lies with 90 minutes rather than on the AH.

Both sides are fighting for a play-off place, with the Saints one point behind the hosts and a game in hand. Wrexham drew 2-2 with the Baggies, while Saints beat Arsenal in the cup. I envisage a home win 2-1 or 3-2. Expect plenty of goals.

This price looks big, certainly more generous than the 1/2 I envisaged. Taking into account each team's averages, both home and away, this points strongly to over 2.5 goals.

Both sides scored in each of their last 6 games in all competitions, and I fully expect that to continue this evening.

Bromley have proved expensive to follow, losing at home to bottom club Barrow and drawing away to Barnet at the weekend. They can get over their mini wobble with a win at home to Shrewsbury, who have won 2 and lost 4 of their last 6. They look safe from relegation and have nothing to play for. Envisaged Bromley would be a banker at 1/2. Despite dropping points recently, they can get back on track.

Liverpool were abysmal once again against the Citizens on Saturday. They looked tired, disjointed, and lacked passion and fight. In my view, they gave up midway through the game. Defensively, they are making far too many errors against both good and poor sides. PSG could well put this tie to bed in the first leg. Liverpool started off in the doldrums in this tournament, but in recent weeks have started to peak. I envisage the Reds getting a real thumping.

Chelsea have yet to beat City in 12 recent league games. Both sides come into this in differing league form. Yes, Chelsea beat Port Vale 7-0, but such is the gulf in league position that they should have done it ??' not even by more. City, on the other hand, invariably come good at this time of year. They clinically took the Gunners apart in the League Cup final and dismantled Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final tie 4-0. A repeat of either of those efforts would be good enough to see off a Chelsea side short on discipline and whose defence must have Haaland licking his lips in anticipation. In view of each side's form and City’s excellent league record, it's surprising to see odds against for the visitors.

There's history between these two sides. I'm expecting to see a fair few yellows, and a red would not be an overwhelming surprise. A draw is no good to either side. The Blues need 3 points in each for CL football. If, as expected, the Gunners beat Bournemouth, City will be 12 points behind them going into this and cannot afford to drop points. I fully envisage an entertaining goal fest with real physical commitment with so much at stake. The two recent meetings between these two sides have seen 4 cards surpassed comfortably.

Averages of the hosts at home in this market plus visitors' away averages suggest 10 is about right. But with the other side benefiting from a draw, I'm expecting plenty of action at either end and both teams to go for the 3 points. This points to over 10. A bit surprised to see evens slightly bigger in the odd place, and I envisaged these odds shortening over the next 5 days.

Since coming to City, Antoine Semenyo has soon fitted into the City set-up, being both scorer and provider. Against a Chelsea side who look vulnerable at the back, he could well get on the scoresheet.

Manchester City HT/FT double result at 5/2 looks the way to go here. Chelsea have struggled in both discipline and consistency all season. They meet a City side who they have not beaten in the league in four seasons. City come into this after their own wobble, with a narrow win over Arsenal in the League Cup final and the complete dismantling of Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday. They will be full of confidence after those two showings. They've certainly got their mojo back.