Manchester City's loss to Tottenham cost us at the weekend but we did tip up a 6/4 winner as Lazio romped to a 5-1 win over SPAL. There are some big games in the FA Cup this week as Newcastle and Liverpool try again against lower league opposition.
Running total: -£46.92
The Banker
Newcastle are odds against when they travel south to meet Oxford in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday. The two sides played out a goalless draw at St James' Park last time out, with the winner facing a trip to Championship leaders West Brom. The Toon have a lamentable recent record in the world's oldest knockout competition but boss Steve Bruce said when he took over last summer he will be taking the competition seriously.
Bruce was unusually critical of his team's display on Tyneside after that 0-0 draw, saying bluntly to the assembled media afterwards: "We'll be better a week on Tuesday, because I don't think we could be any worse." Talk of a Saudi Arabian-led consortium to buy the club from Mike Ashley has given the supporters fresh hope of a new beginning, but a failure to bring in a striker during the recent transfer window seems a huge gamble.
That said, Newcastle still should have enough quality to negotiate a path past a team that currently sit outside the League One playoffs, and are the pick here to win a low-scoring encounter.
Selection: £4 on Newcastle to win & Under 2.5 goals at 4/1 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
We never thought we would see Liverpool priced up at a shade under even money to beat Shrewsbury at Anfield in a major competition but that's the reality this week, with the Reds 10/11 with bet365 to win on Tuesday night.
This has everything to do, of course, with Jurgen Klopp refusing to manage the replay and ensuring no senior players are involved due to their winter break. One point needs making here. Shrewsbury have played 36 games so far this season. Liverpool 38. We know who has the deeper, vastly superior squad. No matter, we fancy both teams to score to land without much fuss at 4/7.
Elsewhere, Birmingham City can land odds of 11/10 by beating Midlands rivals Coventry City. The first clash at St Andrew's was a bizarre occasion -- the ground's tenants hosting their landlords with a place in the fifth round at stake. That finished 0-0 but the Blues can squeeze through here at the second time of asking.
Finally, add in Tottenham at 4/6 to beat Southampton. Saints' revival under Ralph Hasenhuttl is turning into one of the stories of the season but they were hammered 4-0 by Liverpool at the weekend, while Spurs scored that impressive 2-0 win over champions Manchester City. The FA Cup treble is paying 9/2 with bet365 and looks worth a go.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 4.5/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Real Madrid (4/9) and Barcelona (8/11) are in Copa del Rey action this week against Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao respectively. Both teams are involved in an engrossing title race in Spain and will be keen to maintain momentum. New Barca boss Quique Setién has done OK so far and we expect both teams to win on Thursday night with the Barca - Madrid double paying almost 6/4.
Selection: £4 on the double at 1.49/1 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Inter Milan host Napoli in the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg on Wednesday night and the Nerazzurri look good at the San Siro. Antonio Conte's side are pushing Juventus hard in Serie A and their home form has been excellent. In contrast, Napoli have struggled despite bringing in new boss Gennaro Gattuso. A 2-0 home win for Inter can be backed at 17/2 with bet365.
Selection: £2 on Inter to win 2-0 at 17/2 with bet365.