Monte's Multiple: High flying Fulham can stifle Stoke

Monte's Multiple / Jaymes Monte / 04 January 2010 /

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Zamora now has 11 goals to his name this season, and can provide the fire power to ensure Fulham take something from the Britannia.

Lay Stoke to beat Fulham @ 2.9
Back Brian Woods to beat Robert Wagner @ 2.0
Back India to beat Sri Lanka @ 1.7
Treble pays @ 5.2

After 2009 ended on a high for Monte's Multiple, Jaymes Monte hopes to kick off 2010 just where he left off....

Bet 1: Football - Premier League

This midweek is catch up time for four of the teams who are lagging behind in the games played column. Arsenal can move up to second and within a point of leaders Chelsea with a win over Bolton, but it is Fulham's trip to the Britannia which interests me as a betting prospect.

Not so long ago it was an extremely daunting prospect for those facing a trip to Stoke, but recent results mean they are starting to lose elements of that intimidation that they once possessed. They have now won just one league game since beating Tottenham way back in October and Roy Hodgson's men will feel they can definitely take something from this game.

They have lost just once in their last 12 games in all competitions, and have an in form striker in Bobby Zamora who is knocking on the door for an England call-up. Andy Johnson is now returning to fitness and they really are a force to be reckoned with this season. The only concern is that their away from hasn't been great so I'll take the cautious approach in the betting and lay Stoke in the match odds market.

Selection: Lay Stoke to beat Fulham @ [2.9]

Bet 2: Darts - BDO World Championships

2010 may have begun in familiar fashion over at the PDC with Phil Taylor being crowned champion once again, but at the BDO World Championships it's all up for grabs. The quality may not be quite up to the same high standards but excitement and drama are rarely lacking.

Brian Woods threw his name into the hat by posting a three-dart average of 95.73 in his first round win over Joey ten Berge. It wasn't just the notable average - the highest of the early first round games - which impressed, but by beating a player of the calibre of the Dutchman and winning a number of legs in 13 and 14 darts he really flexed his muscles.

His second round opponent will be Robert Wagner who also won his opening match by a 3-2 score line, but just wasn't as impressive in doing so. The 86.25 average which he posted is nothing to write home about and almost a whole 10 points behind Woods, available at [2.0] he has to be the standout bet of the round.

Selection: Back Brian Woods to beat Robert Wagner @ [2.0]

Bet 3: Cricket - Tri-Nation Tournament

Sri Lanka have made sweeping changes to their squad from the one that was, in the end, comprehensively beaten by India recently. Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasath Malinga and Ajantha Mendis have all been dropped whilst Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan all miss out through injury.

In the long run this may prove to be the sort of shake up that the Sri Lankans need but there is a fear that the short-term future may be difficult. They renew their rivalries with India in their second game, and although Sachin Tendulkar sits out the series the return of captain M.S. Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh will help to fill the void left.

I sided with the Sri Lankans on these pages in the recent series in India, but those losses have convinced me to switch allegiances. Even without the overhaul of their squad I don't think I could back Sri Lanka at [2.3] but when taking that into account I have to conclude that backing India at [1.7] is the best play.

Selection: Back India to beat Sri Lanka @ [1.7]