HAPPY NEW YEAR !

EPL
WBA - MANCHESTER UNITED

Sill just the single clean cheet for Albion all season and another five goals conceded in two holiday games. They only score one themselves, but created 15 attempts on goal at Bolton ( with 9 on target) and 21 at home to Blackburn, again with a large percentage on target and with big defensive concerns today, Roberto Di Matteo seems both unlikely and unable to abandon his attacking principles just yet. United will be greedily eyeing up the three points on offer and will be looking to open up a lead over their rivals at the top of the table in this early lunchtime kick off. The two points United threw away in the reverse fixture, after leading 2-0 at the break at Old Trafford ( which happens about as often as a full moon falls on Christmas Day) still rankle and a spot of revenge will be on Sir Alex's agenda, especially on his 70th birthday. Wayne Rooney has to come good soon, he is yet to score from open play in over nine months.

"over " 2.75 goals 1.99

WALSALL - NOTTS COUNTY

Last season I discussed the problems Walsall had creating chances many times and how they had overachieved considerably by staying out of the drop zone. Those problems have continued this season and to be honest, they are fortunate to have even the 17 points they have collected, which see them firmly entrenched in the bottom four. Therefore, they have underperformed for 18 months now and it is difficult to argue that they are in a false poistion in the table. They do have a recent win at Charlton to their name, but the home side were dire and neither created an attempt on goal worthy of the name in the opening 45 minutes and the Saddlers had only previously won once in eight and have had a degree of good fortune in all their wins this season, perhaps the Charlton game aside, I will give them that one !

We have talked about County twice this month, they are very much heading in the right direction under Paul Ince and are now unbeaten in four and as discussed before the Bournemouth match, were playing well before that. The defence now looks solid and even going a goal down early, were never in danger of losing at Plymouth on Boxing Day, creating 15 good attempts and enjoying 62% possession,now just 7 points off the playoffs and with a game in hand, they can look forward to 2011 and a win today will put them in post season contention in a very tight division. So much more potential in the visiting squad and off level ball I make them my best bet of the day.

Notts County level ball 1.84 .

Good Luck.