Football Tips 01/01/2014

Man City rested a few key players against Crystal Palace a few days ago so will go into this one a littler fresher. Swansea have not won in five Premier League games largely due to injuries for key forward Michu and Vorm in goal who will still be missing for this game along with Dyer. City failed to win on their last two visits to the Liberty Stadium, but they should be well prepared for this one and finally grab a win there. Joe Hart also looked impressive in City’s last game despite needing 5 stitches to his face after a clash with Cameron Jerome, he’s available for the Swansea game. City will be without Silva (suspended), Aguero (still), Demichellis (good!), Jovetic and Richards. They still have the likes of Negrado (Beast!), Navas, Kompany and many more quality players available for the game.

Arsenal sit top of the league after winning a tactical battle at Newcastle as we predicted. We tipped against Cardiff winning last week and to be fair they put up more of a fight than we expected. At the end of the game controversial owner Vincent Tan booed the players off, incredible for an owner to do that! We think Arsenal will win this one and if Walcott passes a late fitness test (90% sure he will) then he should be set to shine along with Podolski as Giroud misses the game through injury.

Port Talbot just won this one 5-1 at home on boxing day and now they meet up again. Afan Lido ended up with 2 last minute red cards in that game after Port Talbot put the fifth goal away. Port Talbot also won this fixture 6-1 the time before that and 3-0 the last time they played away. Not much has changed in the last few days for these teams other than Afan Lido having 2 players suspended for this one. Port Talbot are unbeaten in their last four league games (lost to TNS before that) while Afan Lido have lost their last three. This is a derby game and Port Talbot are now 6 points off 5th and could make it into the top group before the mid-season split, but they will need to keep up their recent form if they are to make that happen so don’t expect them to be taking this one lightly.

You can get Port Talbot to win either half if you would like to bet on something little safer.

Wolves could of been ’28-0’ up at half time on Saturday according to a Leyton Orient blogging site. Wolves really did shoot themselves in the foot and ended up drawing the game. With the transfer window open and Wolves already stating they are looking for a striker the current lot up front should be looking to impress to keep their first team spots and convince Kenny Jackett (Wolves manager) that they aren’t in need of a striker as much as he thinks they are. Tranmere have conceded 23 goals in 10 at home, can’t see them keeping a clean sheet here. Tranmere have lost 4 of their last 5 and have kept just one home clean sheet this season, they also have an injury crisis at the back with key players missing. Wolves have 2 away games in three days, so could rotate but if they do they have Kevin Doyle and Leigh Griffiths just chomping at the bit to get back in the team. If he starts then 20-year old Jake Cassidy could score against a team he played for on loan, he’s due a goal and hit back at his critics via Twitter this week – point to be proven.

Looking for something a little more safe? Go for Wolves straight win.