Writing pithy intros for the Tenner bet is something of an occupational hazard.

Writing pithy intros for the Tenner bet is something of an occupational hazard. My stunted musings and half-thought-out intellectual witterings are often nothing to do with gambling and usually just a laboured way into a column, and for what?

Let's face it, no-one reads this column for a discourse on the human condition or, no matter what I might tell myself, to solve their financial woes, so it always comes as a great relief when a theme drops into my lap (many thanks to reader Mike Flinn of Ayr for the heads up - details of your payment can be found at the foot of the page, Mike).

One man who does read the Tenner bet is Garry Taylor-Fletcher. Who is Garry Taylor-Fletcher I hear you ask? Who indeed. Taylor-Fletcher is the Blackpool striker who scored the only goal of the game as Birmingham's unbeaten home record was ended at St Andrews; the significance of that result will not be lost on anyone who read last weekend's column.

For now, I'll let the Blackpool Evening Telegraph set the scene. The paper reported: "Birmingham to beat Blackpool was a banker on paper, but Taylor-Fletcher's second-half strike saw Pool pull off one of the biggest shocks of the season against their previously undefeated hosts."

To which Taylor-Fletcher added: "There are people who have had bets probably not even bothering to check the outcome of this one - they'll just assume Birmingham won. So I'm sorry if I've cost people money!"

Not as sorry as we were, Garry. The lesson? It's quite simple, really: don't touch games involving Blackpool with a barge pole. That Birmingham City result aside, the Championship is providing pretty good value presently and, with just the barest minimum of research, strong cases can be made for a number of teams.

I have settled on Sheffield United at home to Watford. Aidy Boothroyd's side will find themselves grossly unlucky to have been on the wrong side of the worst refereeing decision (Graham Poll et al) of all time last weekend but they have been struggling to find rhythm away from home. Sheffield United are normally a banker at Bramall Lane but have started sluggishly this time around. Nevertheless they spanked QPR 3-0 there a few weeks back and should have too much for Watford. Crucially, the outcome of the game could be settled on who scores first: United have the second-best record in the league when doing so, while Watford have one of the worst away records.

Having been in attendance at St James's Park on Wednesday night, I can vouch for how poor Newcastle are in their current guise. The appointment of Joe Kinnear smacks of total desperation and Newcastle's players look devoid of ideas, passion and inspiration - something that Kinnear is unlikely to instil after one day in the job. Blackburn, who have started the season with mixed fortunes, are not as impressive under Paul Ince as they were Mark Hughes but they should still have far too much savvy for today's opponents.

In Scotland, Dunfermline will be looking to build on their defeat of St Mirren in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup with victory against Morton at Cappielow. Davie Irons' side have one of the worst score-first and clean-sheet records in division one and their in-form visitors can make them pay today.

Now, what price Garry Taylor-Fletcher for first goal at home to Coventry?

n Selection Sheffield United (10/11, general), Blackburn (19/10, canbet), Dunfermline (5/4, bet365) Treble 11.5/1 Season's profit £37.00