First and foremost, a happy new year to you all, full of punting goodness and bookie bashing brilliance. After a self-enforced winter break over the festive period, it’s time to get this punter back to the land of profit.
There’s some excellent football to come in the second half of the season with both of the domestic cups, all the European action and the climax to the Premier League. 
Manchester United are running away with the Premier League at the moment yet I can’t help but feel that it’s the weakness of the other sides rather than their prowess which is the major factor in their seven point lead.
If any of the top theee or four put a solid run together, you could see the league get much tighter but at the moment, no one can.
Looking ahead to this weekend, there’s a cracking Sunday in store with Liverpool heading to Manchester United and Manchester City heading to the Emirates to play Arsenal.
Brendan Rodgers will be looking to avenge the Anfield defeat earlier in the season; a game they dominated with 11 men, controlled with 10 men (once Shelvey got sent off) but still conspired to lose.
Double: QPR v Tottenham (Both Teams to Score) and Manchester United v Liverpool (Both Teams to Score)
This week, I’m going to slip back into the betting side of things nice and easily with just the one bet. It features two of the weekend’s TV fixtures, Spurs' visit to QPR and the aforementioned Manchester United v Liverpool game.
The bet is a both teams to score double and is priced up with Paddy Power at odds of 7/5 (2.43) and I will be having £30 of my bankroll on this.
QPR v Tottenham
Spurs have been really solid of late and have climbed to third in the table whilst QPR are still rooted to the bottom of the League despite Harry Redknapp’s appointment. The former Spurs manager will be keen to get one over on his old club though and should have them fired up for this.
In 70 per cent of QPR’s 10 home games this season, both teams have been on the scoresheet, whilst if you look at Tottenham’s away form, the percentage is even higher – 80% of the 10 away games this season have resulted in both teams scoring.
Manchester United v Liverpool
In Manchester United and Liverpool games, there always seems to be a trend of goals. In eight of the last 10 head-to-heads between the two, both teams have got on the score sheet.
If you look at this season’s form then 70% of United’s home games have seen both teams score, whilst Liverpool’s away fixtures have also seen the same percentage with both teams getting on the score sheet.
Between them, they also have the two highest domestic goalscorers to date; Robin van Persie has 16 goals, whilst Luis Suarez is chasing him down with 15.
Steven Gerrard is the Premier League’s top assist maker with eight so far, whilst van Persie and Rooney are high on the table too with six and seven respectively. That's enough to convince me to place a maximum stake bet this weekend.
Enjoy your football and your betting this weekend and don’t forget to get involved with our free £20 bet giveaway from Paddy Power.
Free £20 Bet Competition
Mark Rothwell was the latest winner of our competition as he tipped up Gareth Barry to score first against Reading. We've got another £20 free bet from Paddy Power to give away this week so don't miss out.
If you'd like to enter this week's competition just email betting@goal.com with your best weekend tip and price and use "FreeBet" in the subject line to enter.
Entry is open to residents of the UK and Ireland and is limited to one entry per person, the winner must have a valid Paddy Power account to claim the prize and the editor's decision is final. Good luck!
Entry is open until midday on Saturday so get your emails in early to ensure your tip is counted.
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Diary of a Punter: Simon's Selections this week |
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Balance at the start of the week: £380.30
Profit for the season: -£119.70 |
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Double: QPR v Tottenham (Both Teams to Score) and Manchester United v Liverpool (Both Teams to Score): £30 at 7/5 (2.43) with Paddy Power |
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| Total staked this week: £30 |
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Simon Pilkington is a sports writer, an avid supporter of Liverpool and has been betting on sports for the past 13 years. Follow Simon on
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