Roker Riches: Tough To Tip Our Trip To Old Trafford?

Week Sixteen Recap

After weeks of self-deprecation Simon Walsh came good, correctly calling Sunderland's 3-0 win on Tuesday night, a selection that brought with it fantastic odds of 16/1 and a nice profit of just over fifty quid - nicely played sir! Dan was just one goal short of his prediction of four goals which would have further increased his lead at the head of the table, luckily for the rest of us he remains still within sight, just.

Onto our predictions

Karl Jones

The bookies have laid Sunderland so far out that we're beginning to look like an island of our own, but when you see how Fergie's men have defended, it poses the question just how much longer Robin van Persie can keep digging them out of bother. United are currently conceding over a goal per game on average at Old Trafford (their 14 goals against away from home is on par with Reading), and Tuesday's win will see Sunderland go into the game with some confidence. I'm on the draw.

Elsewhere, I'm going to opt for an away team double on warmer shores. Marseille remain in the title race even after two straight three-goal defeats. Toulouse have lost four of their last six - the one saving grace a 3-0 home win over Lyon. Despite that, l'OM should keep pace at the top of Ligue 1 with a win.

On Monday night, Champions League-chasing Real Betis travel to Celta Vigo on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona. Prior to that, the green and whites had won three straight, whilst Celta have lost four of out the last six in the league.

• Sunderland to draw with Manchester United - £4 @ 13/2 (BetVictor)
• Marseille to beat Toulouse, Real Betis to beat Celta Vigo - £4 @ 12/1 (BetVictor)

David Boyle

I must have been staring at the multitude of betting options on oddschecker for over half an hour now scratching my head with what bet to go for. The bookies have made the home side such overwhelming favourites that the odds have been drastically affected. I mean at the time of writing Manchester United were a staggering 9/2 to win the game, absolutely no value there. However one market where I do believe there is a little bit of value to be found for our game is the anytime goalscorer market. Manchester United have struggled defensively this season, often having to come from behind to win games. With this in mind I believe that Steven Fletcher is a decent anytime goal scorer shout following his deft finish midweek.

Away from Old Trafford I am going to opt for a Championship and League Two double, starting off with Barnsley who take on the hapless Sheffield Wednesday. On paper this may look like a fixture to avoid but Barnsley will take heart from their draw with Leicester last time out and Sheffield Wednesday, well, they're just awful. To complete the double I'm playing it a little more safe by backing the table toppers Gillingham who should be able to see off Fleetwood who are without a win in three now.

• Steven Fletcher to score anytime - 6/1 - £2 Stake
• Barnsley and Gillingham to win - 5/1 - £3 Stake

Simon Walsh

A winner! I bloody well won. Now of course my tactical masterplan can come to fruition... Small bets and hold a lead as others around me lose regularly. I kid, it will be back to losing ways this week one thinks.

In our game against Manchester United I can't see us getting anything, and that's before they've even bothered with their daft "revenge mission". I'm looking at us getting beat. According to the stats sheet, they haven't scored more than twice against us in the last six encounters, so a 2-0 win for them looks about the best thing in a very poor market.

Elsewhere around the country I'm looking at Norwich to continue their exceptional form at home to Wigan, QPR to finally get over the hump against Fulham and Notts County to beat Brentford.

• Manchester United to win 2-0 - 11/2 - £2 Stake
• Norwich City, QPR and Notts County to win - 12/1 - £1 Stake