Roker Riches - Blackpool (A) Betting Preview

This week in Roker Riches, our man Gavin Callaghan not only looks back at the previous weekends derby, but tells you how to win big this weekend!

I left the North East last June after three years and when I say it was a wrench to leave I mean it. For anyone wanting to enter into sports broadcasting or journalism, it is the best place in the land to start. Not only is it the home to County Cricket’s finest team and a top Aviva Premiership Rugby Union side. Not only is it home to two giants of the top flight and passionate support that rivals any in the world. Not only is it home to Cheryl Cole lookalikes and girls with a general ‘can do’ attitude, it is also home to drama and controversy. As Dance of the Knights echoed around the Stadium of Light last Sunday and 47,000 fans rose to their feet to create a sea of Red & White stripes, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, as I’m sure they did on yours too. It was a special moment that renewed, (as if it needed to!) my affinity for the North East and its love of football.

This week’s Wearside escapades have had the whole country talking. Isn’t it great, however, to have a manager who is willing to speak so candidly about a player’s greed and clubs unprofessionalism? Isn’t it great to have a chairman who knows the game and knows what is going on before a handwritten transfer request is handed to him, littered, we can only assume with spelling mistakes and poor grammar?

In the strangest of ways, I was more proud than ever to be a Sunderland supporter this week. The chance to be associated with a club that is passionate, going places and frankly rid of a player that gives the game we know and love a bad name.

And so in keeping with that tone, I want you to win as much money as Darren Bent’s signing on fee alone this weekend. And here is how it can be done...

The Barclays Premier League has been a rollercoaster ride this season and there have been plenty of coupon busters to keep the bookies happy. In recent weeks, the shocks and surprises have started to, by and large, level out. As a result I am going to put forward an accumulator that I think has real potential and value.

I fancy the following teams to win: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool. This acca would give you just over 16/1 in shops and online just over 22/1.

As for Sunderland’s trip to Bloomfield Road, it is a tough one to call. Just how distracted Bruce has been all week worries me and as a result the form of the players. Welbeck’s injury makes for sore reading following the loss of Bent. Sunderland have responded to defeats this season however, not losing back-to-back games which gives cause for optimism. I can see Bruce’s boys getting beat comfortably and never having been at the races or I can see a hammering, the likes of which we should have dished out to this lot last time out. Ironically enough, our last away trip saw us take all three points...at ASTON VILLA.

Don’t forget Goals Galore is available – not just on ALL Premier League, Championship, League 1, League 2 and SPL games, but also on European games too. We also have two more BRAND NEW fixed odds guaranteed coupons; QuikPix and Bundles. Check them out in your local Betfred shops and with any luck, come 4.45pm on Saturday, it will be the Sunderland fans whom have the last laugh.

Callaghan's Best Bet: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool all to win - 22/1

Roker Report's Best Bet: Malbranque scores any time in an SAFC win - 16/1

Get all these bets and more at www.betfred.com where new customers can also get a free £50 bet!