BLUE SUNDAY FOR UTD

RIGHT folks let’s get this New Year off to a winning start if we can.
Over the festive period I bumped into a few PG readers. One guy told me I was anti-Man Utd. But I refer to them as champions every time I mention them, now would you call that anti-Utd?
I didn’t know the PG had such a big fanbase. On New Year’s Day I found out the young guys in Gortnamona love the Guide and are big fans. Pity me and my mate took a few quid off them at pool. Sorry, lads.
Punters GUIDE XXX
Let’s start with the weekend selections and we begin with our draw treble.
The Premiership title race is hotting up and second-placed Chelsea travel to third placed Man Utd in the match of the weekend. The sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and we think it could be another even game on Sunday – the draw appeals at 11/5.
Staying with the Sunday football and the opening match between Wigan and Spurs looks another nailed-on draw, again at 11/5.
Making the XXX up is the Scottish fourth round match at Easter Road where Hearts and Hibs meet in the Edinburgh derby for the second successive week.
Punters GUIDE FIVEHIT
On to our odds-on FIVEHIT and we start in the Championship with the leaders WOLVES (8/13) who look the part and should put another three points on the board at the expense of Preston.
SHEFFIELD UTD (8/13) rarely lose at Bramall Land and we are taking them to take all points at home to Norwich.
LEEDS (8/13) have been a bit of a bookies team this season but expect things to change under Simon Grayson and a valuable three points beckon at home to Carlisle.
On to the Scottish Cup and we expect KILMARNOCK (8/11) to win at Ayr and Falkirk (4/7) to win at home to Queen of the South.
Punters GUIDE QUAD
On finally to the PG Quad and we start in the Scottish Cup. We have made HAMILTON (11/10) our weekend banker – the SPL side travel to Ross County and should progress to the fifth round.
NEWCASTLE (6/5) need points on the board and quick, and we are banking on them taking all three against West Ham on Saturday.
BIRMIMGHAM (11/10) are chasing automatic promotion and another three points at Blackpool should help their cause.
Making the weekend PG Quad up are IPSWICH (1/1) who take on Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road – Jim Magilton’s side look too strong for the Owls who struggle on their travels
The rest folks is up to you, as always!

Horse Racing
What a meeting we have at Leopardstown on Sunday with the Pierse Hurdle the main feature.
I have been raving about jockey Paul Townend to people who will listen – he takes the ride on the Willie Mullins-trained IMPERIAL HILLS and the 8/1 on offer looks a solid bet for a horse that comes from a very much in-form stable.
He convincingly beat a field of 19 over course and distance at the Christmas meeting and a hat-trick of wins looks on for Sunday.
MERCHANT PADDY (4/1) ran a great race at Naas on Sunday winning with a bit of ease and if he turns up on Sunday in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase he will take all the beating.