From the smallest of margins last weekend to an abundance of options this:
that's just how the Tenner Bet rolls. That is, like a slurry spreader with hand-brake failure at the top end of a farmer's field.
At the risk of repeating myself, this columnist is becoming increasingly agitated by the narrow margins at which selections are falling down. Last month, it was QPR conceding a 90th-minute equaliser at Millwall, while last weekend, it was the Kansas City Chiefs putting a few arras through a 6/1 treble, when they managed to lose against the spread by half a point. Yes, half a point. Just for clarification, while the rules of American Football might seem a tad convoluted, you can't even score half a point but hey that's how this particularly mouldy cookie crumbles.
That's the moaning out of the way, now to the good news. Having circumnavigated the Olympic ring-like stains deposited on my fixed-odds coupon by Wee Fiver's milk cup, it's clear that there is gold to be won. A number of favourable home match-ups, coupled by some attractive prices, mean we can pick out two trebles.
THE TEAMS
Terry Butcher begins his third managerial job in Scottish football with a trip to St Mirren Park where Hibernian will face a team who have won their last two at home. The Tenner Bet tends to steer clear of betting against teams who have just appointed a new manager. Often, said team has been struggling and what one thought was a banker is undone by the kick-on effect of fresh ideas and players feeling the need to impress. The situation in this morning's early kick-off is somewhat different in that Hibs aren't that bad and need fine-tuning rather than an overhaul - something Butcher has indicated himself.
It helps that the Edinburgh club have won three of six on their travels and that St Mirren have lost four of six at home (notwithstanding those two recent successive wins). Hibs claims are further bolstered by their record of four wins from five against today's opponents and at 2/1 are hard to resist.
Elsewhere, Dundee United have solid claims at home to a Partick Thistle side whom they have hammered already this season in the League Cup and who have lost four of their last five. Manchester City at home to Tottenham makes sense given the latter side's struggles in recent weeks (admittedly at White Hart Lane) but also because their record since achieving Champions League qualification at the Etihad in 2010 has been poor - losing three from three at a venue that had previously been kind to them. There are also strong claims for QPR (seven wins from eight at home) against Charlton, Coventry (six from seven at their temporary Northamptonshire 'home') who host Tranmere and a draw between Preston and Colchester, who have found parity in four and five games respectively when measured against home/away form.
THE BET
If you take best price with Oddschecker.com, a Hibernian/Dundee United/Manchester City treble pays 7.67/1 while a mixed bet of wins for QPR/Coventry and Preston to draw is 9.55/1.
SEASON'S TOTAL
The Tenner Bet has steered its way out of worse scenarios than this one, although similarly there have been two occasions when the total has continued to plummet. Which way will the total go. For now, though, is there any chance I could borrow a tenner? Total: -£86.60
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