Football pundit and analyst Andy Gray gives his thoughts to the Paddy Power Blog Team ahead of the crucial play-off finals at Wembley this weekend.

Bradford v Northampton, Live Saturday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1

League Two Play-off Final

Bradford have lost just three games since Swansea beat them in the Capital One Cup Final and have the chance to cap a memorable season this afternoon at Wembley.

They’ve been there and done that already against the Swans and that might just make it ‘advantage Bradford’ in the final. Phil Parkinson’s side have that added experience but Northampton are hitting form at just the right time too. It’s a tough one to call but I can’t help feeling that maybe the Bantams have one or two more match-winners in their side.

That might just swing it for them and I’ll go for the Bradford to get some play-off compensation at 13/10 today.

• Betting: Bradford v Northampton  

Brentford v Yeovil, Live Sunday 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1

League One Play-off Final

Brentford are  zero wins from five and that’s not ideal in a match of this importance. But they’ve not got a good record against Yeovil in the head-to-head games and that should count for something for Yeovil. But Brentford have done well to recover from what happened at Doncaster and they’ve got a second chance and Uwe Rosler won’t want to let that slip by the wayside.

The only German manager in England’s four divisions is someone I’ve plenty of time for and he’s very ambitious.  But Yeovil are no pushovers and both sides will feel they can win this. It could go all the way and it might even take extra-time and even penalties to separate them.

I’m just going to give the nod to Brentford at 6/5.

• Betting: Brentford v Yeovil 

‘And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain’. We can’t bring you Frank Sinatra but expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray is joining Paddy Power for one last time as the Premier League season draws to a close. Don’t worry too much though, he could well be making a spectacular return next year and he is looking to finish on a high.

Here are his tips on the last day of Premier League action.

Andy Gray’s double:
Spurs to win & Arsenal to draw: 4/1

Newcastle v Arsenal, Sky Sports 1, 4.00pm

Arsene Wenger will want to make sure his team concentrate on the job they have to do and not get caught up in what’s going on at White Hart Lane. Alan Pardew made a strange statement last week along the lines that ‘now that we’re safe we can lose the last game 4-0′.

But I don’t believe that. I think Pardew will ask for a really big effort from his players against the Gunners and the Geordie fans will certainly demand it.

If there’s going to be an upset in either of these games then I think this could be it. Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Wigan mid-week sounded convincing – but it wasn’t. They were nervy and anxious. Their results speak for themselves though and the Gunners have won seven and drawn two of the last nine league games since March – but I think they’ll slip up against the Magpies.

I fancy a 1-1 draw at 17/2 with Paddy Power which – depending on the result at White Hart Lane – might not be good enough for the Gunners.

• Betting: Newcastle v Arsenal

Tottenham v Sunderland, Sky Sports 2, 4.00pm

Unless Tottenham collapse or freeze on the day I can’t see them not taking all three points to heap the pressure on Arsenal to get a result at Newcastle.

They’re really driving towards the finishing line this year and Gareth Bale has been in terrific form with three goals in his last five league games. I think Spurs will win this comfortably at 3/10 with a 2-0 home win trading at 11/2.

Paulo Di Canio has laid down the law at Sunderland and just this week was fining players and is bringing some in for training on Monday! The Italian is making his mark but I don’t think the Black Cats are good enough to get a result against Spurs.

• Betting: Tottenham v Sunderland

• Betting: Premier League coupon

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray has joined Paddy Power to give his insight on Super Sunday’s crunch Premier League fixtures. There’s plenty to fight for with top four places up for grabs and the relegation battle heating up. Luckily Mr Gray is here to try to help us win a few pennies on a jam-packed Sunday of footy.

Andy Gray’s double
Manchester United and Tottenham to win: 6/4

Stoke v Tottenham, Sky Sports 1, 1.30pm

Tottenham weren’t at their best against Chelsea, certainly Gareth Bale was nowhere near it, but they stuck in there. In the last 15-20 minutes of that game they could have gone onto win it. That says a lot about them.

Spurs should beat Stoke and keep up the pressure for fourth. Unlike Chelsea’s game with Villa where there could be a few goals, don’t expect that with Tottenham v Stoke. It will be a tight and uncompromising match. Tottenham should shade this one and win at 10/11, the best bet is Spurs to win by one goal at 5/2.

They will want to finish the season strongly. They don’t want to give Arsenal or Chelsea a spot by losing a game. They need to make them work it. That’s the kind of message Andre Villas-Boas will be giving his team, make the other clubs earn their Champions League spot. To do that Tottenham have to beat Stoke and the smart money is on them doing just that.

• Betting: Stoke v Tottenham

Manchester Utd v Swansea, Sky Sports 1, 4.00pm

Would you want to be a Manchester United player selected in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last home game and went and lost it. No-one would want that on their CV as a footballer and no United player would want to be part of that. This will be a cup final-like attitude from the Manchester United players to send their manager away because I’m not so sure Sir Alex will take charge of his team against West Brom in the final week.

The emotion on Sunday, there will be tears, a celebration, a farewell and huge emotion. It will be everything people want it to be and a coronation of a team winning the Premier League again, and the coronation of a new man coming in. It will have every kind of emotion you can think of and the players will have to detach themselves from that for 90 minutes and get the job done.

The odds of 3/10 are generous and you’d expect United to win in style.

The man who has done the most to win the title this season, the man who Fergie took a chance on, the one that the boss spent £24 million on because he knew he’d make the difference. Robin van Persie is nailed on to score the first goal at 5/2.

• Betting: Manchester Utd v Swansea

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray is hoping to earn a few pennies for Saturday night and he’s using the FA Cup Final to fund his disco dancing. He’s joined the Paddy Power Blog team to give his verdict on the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Wigan.

Manchester City v Wigan, ITV, 5.15pm

Everyone will expect Manchester City to win this well – but I’m not so sure. Roberto Mancini’s side have had much the better of it in the Barclays Premier League meetings and haven’t lost to Wigan in their last nine games.

I’ve delved into the form book and these sides have met 25 times since 1971. Nearly half of those games – 12 to be precise – have finished 1-0 to either side with four ending in 1-1 draws.

So almost two-thirds of these games have been that close so we’ll have to consider that although I fancy Manchester City to win given their squad, flair players and ability to get results when they really need them.

I was at Goodison Park when Roberto Martinez’s side beat a good Everton in the quarter-final and if they can repeat that kind of performance they’ll surprise a few.

But I expect City to win – but it won’t be by much. A 1-0 scoreline is 13/2 with Paddy Power and that looks about right to me.

• Jump in to all the betting for the FA Cup Final here

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray is all geared up for Super Sunday and hasn’t pulled any punches regarding the Merseyside Derby. He’s joined the Paddy Power Blog team to give his insight on Sunday’s games.

Andy Gray’s Super Sunday double
Both games to finish 1-1: 48/1

Liverpool v Everton, Sky Sports 1, 1.30pm

Even money on Liverpool is a pretty good bet and plenty of fans will fancy getting on that. But a draw might be a smarter bet at 5/2.

Although Liverpool knocked six past Newcastle last week without Luis Suarez, Newcastle were a very very poor side. Everton are much better than that. Defensively they are sound, difficult to play against, and without Suarez, Liverpool will find it hard to break the Toffees down.

Everton’s sole aim at the moment is to stay above Liverpool and the best thing they can do at the weekend is to avoid getting beat. If you asked David Moyes right now would you take a draw at Anfield, he’ll snap your hand off. It will be a tough game, a classic derby game, but it won’t provide four or five goals. It will be a tight Merseyside derby.

A low scoring draw like 1-1 at 6/1 is a decent shout.

•  Betting: Liverpool v Everton

Manchester United v Chelsea, 4.00pm

When Manchester United went to the Emirates last week everyone wanted to know what shape the Champions would be in. If there was ever going to be a surprise that was going to be it. Sir Alex Ferguson would have had his players back training this week, the celebrations are over and Ferguson will want to finish the season strongly. They won’t want to get beaten at home by Chelsea, the rivalry is too strong for that. Chelsea’s home form is very good at the moment, their away form is not fantastic but it is alright.

The cup tie was a fabulous cup tie. United looked like they were going to blow Chelsea away in the first half but then Rafa Benitez made a few changes and brought some of his talented players on. They could have won it in the end. That was a wonderful tie and gives us a barometer to measure this game on.

Like the Merseyside Derby they could share the points in this one. Manchester United won’t consider a draw that bad a result having won the league and Chelsea taking a point from Old Trafford is a pretty good return. Another 1-1 at 6/1 could be the way to go.

• Betting: Manchester United v Chelsea

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray is hoping to make a few bob for a summer holiday before the season ends. He’s joined the Paddy Power Blog team to give his insight on Saturday’s crunch Premier League fixtures on the box with the race for fourth hotting up.

QPR v Arsenal, ESPN, 5.15pm

People say when you are relegated your team will be more relaxed but you’re not. You’re flat more than anything. Because you know the following season you won’t be playing these teams, you’ll be playing teams in the Championship and having to watch the top-flight from afar. It’s very difficult to get yourself up for the game.

Arsenal aren’t in great form and blowing teams away but they are getting great results. The result at Fulham, against 10 men, they really chiselled it out. It wasn’t a brilliant performance but they did what they needed to in order to get three points. That is what they have done since beating Bayern Munich. They haven’t lost a game and only dropped points twice. This might not be a classic performance from Arsenal but they are good enough to beat QPR. They could keep them out and knock two or three past Rangers.

The Gunners to win by two or more goals at 11/10 is the bet.

• Betting: QPR v Arsenal

• See who Andy Gray is tipping on Super Sunday here

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins the Paddy Power Blog to give his insight the weekend’s Premier League action as Arsenal face champions Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday while others fight for a  top-four spot or try to avoid the drop.

Manchester City v West Ham, Live SS1, Saturday, 12.45

There’s a lot to play for still for Roberto Mancini’s side and I think they’ll want to end the season on a high. West Ham have nothing to lose as they’re safe. Sam Allardyce may use this game as a stepping stone for next season and give one or two fringe players a chance. City should win this comfortably at 2/7.

• Betting: Manchester City v West Ham 

Wigan Athletic v Tottenham, Saturday, 3pm

Spurs are in a really good place and I fancied them last week against City after their 10-day break. Their biggest players are fresh and ready to go. This will be a difficult game for them but I think they’re going to finish strongly this season and I’ll take them at 21/20 to beat Roberto Martinez’s side.

• Betting: Wigan v Spurs 

Newcastle v Liverpool, Live ESPN, Saturday, 5.30pm

I thought Newcastle bounced back well against West Brom last weekend and this should be a good test for them.  If Luis Suarez was playing I would have fancied Liverpool to come away with at least and point. But with him missing I’m not so sure who’ll get the goals and stretch the Magpies defence. Alan Pardew’s side to win by a one-goal margin appeals at 7/2 and maybe the 2-1 scoreline at 17/2.

• Betting: Newcastle v Liverpool 

Reading v QPR, Live SS1, Sunday, 1.30pm

Wigan or Villa may collapse but I can’t see both of them falling away. One if not both of these side are going to go down. I think both are gone. Nigel Adkins will want to get a win at home but a score draw looks the play to me. 1-1 at 11/2 looks good to me.

• Betting: Reading v QPR

Arsenal v Manchester United, Live SS1, Sunday, 4pm

This should be a very good game and Arsenal will be pleased that United have the title in the bag. Robin Van Persie will be desperate to do well against his old club. Both of these sides like to attack and I think both teams will score. The Gunners are in good form so I don’t think they’ll lose this game. My money is on the draw at 12/5.

• Betting: Arsenal v Manchester United 

Manchester United v Aston Villa, SS1, Monday 8pm

After 74 minutes of Spurs v Manchester City yesterday this didn’t look like the game where Manchester United would clinch their 20th league title. But Tottenham’s extraordinary comeback from a goal down to win 3-1 has given this game extra significance.

If United win – they’re the champions. Simple as. But if Villa nick the three points it’s bad news for Reading and QPR who will be relegated.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games against Villa and have won 14 of their 16 home games at Old Trafford this season. Paul Lambert’s & Co. have won only four – but drawn five – of their 16 away games.

This is a home banker for me and I’d fancy United to win 3-1 at 17/2. Ferguson and the United faithful will want to get this title done and dusted in front of their home fans after the agony of last year’s final-game defeat.

Christian Benteke will be a threat for Villa whose form has improved in recent weeks and is 3/1 to be an anytime goalscorer in a match where Paddy Power go 8/11 that both teams will score.

Robin Van Persie is back among the goals – two in his last two games  - and is 13/5 to score the opener.  Don’t be surprised if he caps a fine debut season by opening the scoring in what promises to be the red half of Manchester’s crowning glory.

• Betting: Manchester United v Aston Villa 

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins the Paddy Power Blog to give his insight into today’s Premier League action as Manchester City try to close the gap on league leaders Manchester United while Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool chase European places.

Tottenham v Manchester City, Live SS1, Sunday, 1.30pm

I know a lot of people will be tempted by the draw but if Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe  start for Spurs – they can take all three points. Andre Villas-Boas’ side have had 10 days and can come into this game raring to go and how important it is they don’t fall away in the league  now. I’ll take Tottenham to win at 2/1 and by a one-goal margin that’s trading at 7/2 with Paddy Power.

• Betting: Spurs v Manchester City 

Liverpool v Chelsea, Live Sky Sports 1, Sunday, 4pm

This is a tough game to call. Liverpool will need to show that they are improving and try to beat a top 4 side like Chelsea. The Blues know they have a toughy run-in and won’t want to lose this game. They’ll be difficult to beat. A low-scoring draw for me and maybe 1-1 at 11/2 but I think both teams will score at 8/13. If Luis Suarez scores the last goal in this match, we will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match. (T&C’s apply)

• Betting: Liverpool v Chelsea 

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins the Paddy Power Blog to give his insight the weekend’s Premier League action as teams battle to keep their top 4 place and steer clear of the  relegation dog-fight.

Andy Gray’s treble: West Ham, Swansea and Spurs @ 14/1  [click to tweet]

Tottenham v Manchester City, Live SS1, Sunday, 1.30pm

I know a lot of people will be tempted by the draw but if Gareth Bale and Jermaine Defoe  start for Spurs – they can take all three points. Andre Villas-Boas’ side have had 10 days and can come into this game raring to go and how important it is they don’t fall away in the league  now. I’ll take Tottenham to win at 2/1 and by a one-goal margin that’s trading at 7/2 with Paddy Power.

• Betting: Spurs v Manchester City 

Liverpool v Chelsea, Live Sky Sports 1, Sunday, 4pm

This is a tough game to call. Liverpool will need to show that they are improving and try to beat a top 4 side like Chelsea. The Blues know they have a toughy run-in and won’t want to lose this game. They’ll be difficult to beat. A low-scoring draw for me and maybe 1-1 at 11/2 but I think both teams will score at 8/13. If Luis Suarez scores the last goal in this match, we will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match. (T&C’s apply)

• Betting: Liverpool v Chelsea 

Manchester United v Aston Villa, SS1, Monday 8pm

A home banker for me and United to win 3-1. Villa very rarely come away with more than the half time cup of tea from this tie but Alex Ferguson won’t want to give Manchester City any encouragement by dropping points.  Christian Benteke will be a threat for Villa who have improved in recent weeks but I expect United to win and I think Robin Van Persie will score the opening goal. Two goals in his last two games will have been a huge relief to him and don’t be surprised if he’s the first goalscorer again on Monday night at 13/5. United

• Betting: Manchester United v Aston Villa 

Fulham v Arsenal, Live Setanta Sports, Saturday, 3pm

The home side played better than their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea mid-week suggests while Arsenal were involved in a really competitive 0-0 draw against Everton. Arsene Wenger’s side have the bit between their teeth now and will want to stay in the top-four reckoning. Martin Jol’s side are safe on 40 points and for me the Gunners have more to play for and I think they’ll win.

• Betting: Fulham v Arsenal 

Norwich v Reading, Saturday, 3pm

I can see Reading getting something from this game. They had a decent 0-0 draw against Liverpool last weekend and I can see them getting a point at Norwich who are nervy at the moment. A 1-1 draw at 6/1 appeals to me.

• Betting: Norwich v Reading 

QPR v Stoke, Saturday, 3pm

In a way QPR players can start to play with the pressure off and that may help them. Even if they win four of their last five games they’re unlikely to survive now. Stoke though can’t afford to make any mistakes and are playing ‘fear’ football at the moment. I’ll take Harry Redknapp’s side to win today at 5/4 and put Stoke in more trouble.

Sunderland v Everton, Saturday, 3pm

Nobody could have predicted Sunderland’s 3-0 win at Newcastle last week. The Black Cats will be bouncing and whether they have another performance like that in them we’ll have to see. If Everton don’t win today that will be their chance of a top-four finish gone. I fancy Everton to win and Ross Barclay looks a real prospect for them. I think both teams will score at 8/11 but Everton to shade it by a winning margin of one goal at 11/4.

• Betting: Sunderland v Everton 

Swansea v Southampton, Saturday, 3pm

This should be a really good game for the neutral. The Saints will try to play high up the pitch and that will allow Swansea to play through them a bit and can make home advantage count. Michael Laudrup’s side have waned a little since their Capital One Cup win so he’ll want to put down a marker for next season. I fancy over 3.5 goals at 2/1 and can see the Swans running out 3-1 winners at 16/1.

• Betting: Swansea v Southampton 

West Brom v Newcastle, Saturday, 3pm

This has draw written all over it. Newcastle’s 3-0 loss last week was a shocker and leaves them back in the relegation mix. I think Romelu Lukaku can cause the Magpies trouble if he plays but Alan Pardew’s side should get a draw at 23/10 with both sides scoring at 4/7.

• Betting: West Brom v Newcastle 

West Ham v Wigan, Saturday, 3pm

The Hammers were very good for 70- minutes in their 2-2 draw against Manchester United mid-week and their goals were very impressive.  Sam Allardyce knows one more win should confirm their place in the top flight and they’ll target Wigan today to get it done and dusted. West Ham to win for me at 5/4. A 1-0 win looks likely and West Ham are 3/1 to win to nil with Paddy Power.

• Betting: West Ham v Wigan  

Chelsea v Manchester City, Live ITV1, Sunday 4pm

The glamour game of the weekend is the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City.  Roberto Mancini’s side will be well up for this after beating Manchester United last Monday. They’ve secured second place – at worst in the league – and they’ll be too strong for Chelsea.

The Blues have a phenomenal record in the FA Cup – going for the fifth outright win in seven seasons – but the 3-2 defeat in Moscow on Thursday won’t have helped their preparations. They’re through to the Europa League semi-finals – against Basel and are outright favourites to win that competition with Paddy Power – so the Cup double is still on.

But I really fancy City as Chelsea make too many changes and struggle with their consistency.  Yaya Toure is a big-game goalscorer and I’d be looking outside the more obvious choices in a game like this.  He’s 9/1 to get the first goal or 11/2 to score first for his team.

• Betting: Chelsea v Manchester City 

Newcastle v Sunderland, Sunday, Live SS1, noon

This is a massive game for Sunderland and new manager Paolo di Canio and the stats aren’t good. Of the last six Mackem managers who tried to win a Tyne-Wear derby for the first time – not one has succeeded. Sunderland are playing will little confidence – they’re short of goals, their top goalscorer Steven Fletcher is out injured and they’ve gone nine games without a win.

Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend (90th minute winner) was a big result for the Magpies and with home advantage I’ll take Alan Pardew’s side at 19/20 to collect all three points.

A 3-1 scoreline at 13/1 appeals and with Papiss Cisse having scored three goals in his last three games he looks a solid bet to be the first goalscorer at 9/2. A 3-1 result with Cisse getting the opener is 45/1 in Paddy Power’s Scorecast betting.

• Betting: Newcastle v Sunderland

Stoke v Manchester United, Live SS1, Sunday 2pm

Manchester United will not want to give Manchester City any glimmer of hope by dropping points in this game. The last thing Sir Alex Ferguson wants is a 15-point lead being whittled down to nine points over two games. That’s when players start to get twitchy.

But Stoke aren’t having a good time of things and are hovering just above the relegation zone with just one win – against Reading in February – since the turn of the year.

It should be a good game for United to reassert their supremacy in the top flight and Stoke don’t have the firepower to trouble United up front. This is probably Robin Van Persie’s worst run of form as a professional footballer. He hasn’t scored in 715 minutes of football for United in all competitions and would dearly love to break that hoodoo soon. I expect United to win this by a goal or two.

• Betting: Stoke v Manchester United

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins The Paddy Power Blog to give his insight on the weekend’s Premier League action and the FA Cup semi finals at Wembley.

Andy Gray’s exclusive 13/8 Saturday treble: Arsenal, Liverpool & Everton all to win  [Tweet this tip]

Reading v Liverpool, Saturday, Live Setanta, 3pm

Not the kind of game Reading’s new manager Nigel Adkins will want after losing his first game in charge last weekend against his old side Southampton. But the Royals are a side that Liverpool will like playing against. Brendan Rodgers’ side like to get the ball down and knock it about and will severely test Reading at the back.

The visitors should have too much firepower up front with Luis Suarez and can dismantle Reading although I think both teams can score – which is a at 4/6 shot. I fancy Liverpool to run out 3-1 winners which is trading at 9/1. If you go with Luis Suarez to score first in a 3-1 win that’s 22/1 on the Scorecast betting.

• Betting: Reading v Liverpool

Arsenal v Norwich, Saturday, 3pm

Arsene Wenger’s side are probably playing as well as they have all season and their confidence has returned. A comfortable home win for the Gunners.

• Betting: Arsenal v Norwich 

Aston Villa v Fulham, Saturday, 3pm

Aston Villa are putting some results together and playing well. More to the point they’re not conceding bags of goals as they try to claw their way up the table. They can just about edge this given Fulham’s record on the road and it wouldn’t surprise me if Paul Lambert’s side won by a single goal and that’s an 11/4 shot with Paddy Power.

• Betting: Aston Villa v Fulham

Everton v QPR, Saturday, 3pm

This looks like all three points for Everton – maybe by the odd goal in three.  On paper it looks a home banker given the Toffees home form this season – only lost once against Chelsea in the league. The home side are chasing the end-of-season incentive of European football but Harry Redknapp’s QPR are fighting for their Premier League lives and will make the Toffees work for their win.

• Betting: Everton v QPR

Southampton v West Ham, Saturday, 3pm

Mauricio Pochettino has done a fantastic job with the Saints who are now 11th in the table after three wins on the bounce and will finish in the top 10 comfortably if they continue this vein of form. The home side are playing nice, attacking football and they should beat a West Ham side who are staring at their 11th defeat from 17 games on the road.

• Betting: Southampton v West Ham

Wigan v Millwall, Live Saturday, 5.15pm 

The Championship side’s support could outnumber Wigan’s so that’s a big bonus for the London side. The Lions will feel they’ve dodged a bullet by avoiding Chelsea and Manchester City and really have nothing to lose. I think Wigan though have more match-winners in their team like their striker Arouna Kone. It won’t be a walkover but I’ll take Roberto Martinez’s side at 5/4.

• Betting: Wigan v Millwall 

Chelsea v Manchester City, Live ITV1, Sunday 4pm

The glamour game of the weekend is the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and City.  Roberto Mancini’s side will be well up for this after beating United last Monday. They’ve secured second place – at worst in the league – and I think they’ll be too strong for Chelsea.

The Blues have a phenomenal record in the FA Cup – going for the fifth outright win in seven seasons – but the 3-2 defeat in Moscow on Thursday won’t have helped their preparations. They’re through to the Europa League semi-finals – against Basel and are outright favourites to win that competition with Paddy Power – so the Cup double is still on.

But I really fancy City as Chelsea make too many changes and struggle with their consistency.  Yaya Toure is a big-game goalscorer and I’d be looking outside the more obvious choices in a game like this.  He’s 9/1 to get the first goal or 11/2 to score first for his team and if Yaya Toure or Juan Mata score the last goal in this match, Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match.

• Betting: Chelsea v Manchester City 

Newcastle v Sunderland, Sunday, Live SS1, noon

This is a massive game for Sunderland and new manager Paolo di Canio and the stats aren’t good. Of the last six Mackem managers who tried to win a Tyne Wear derby for the first time – not one has succeeded. Sunderland are playing will little confidence – they’re short of goals, their top goalscorer Steven Fletcher is out injured and they’ve gone nine games without a win.

Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend (90th minute winner) was a big result for the Magpies and with home advantage I’ll take Alan Pardew’s side at 19/20 to collect all three points.

A 3-1 scoreline at 13/1 appeals and with Papiss Cisse having scored three goals in his last three games he looks a solid bet to be the first goalscorer at 9/2. A 3-1 result with Cisse getting the opener is 45/1 in Paddy Power’s Scorecast betting.

• Betting: Newcastle v Sunderland

Stoke v Manchester United, Live SS1, Sunday 2pm

Manchester United will not want to give City any glimmer of hope by dropping points in this game. The last thing Sir Alex Ferguson wants is a 15-point lead being whittled down to nine points over two games. That’s when players start to get twitchy.

But Stoke aren’t having a good time of things and are hovering just above the relegation zone with just one win – against Reading in February – since the turn of the year.

It should be a good game for United to reassert their supremacy in the top flight and Stoke don’t have the firepower to trouble United up front. This is probably Robin Van Persie’s worst run of form as a professional footballer. He hasn’t scored in 715 minutes of football for United in all competitions and would dearly love to break that hoodoo soon. I expect United to win this by a goal or two.

• Betting: Stoke v Manchester United

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray speaks to the Paddy Power Blog ahead of Manchester City’s trip across town to face Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men already have the title sewn up and can stretch the gap over their closest rivals to 18 points.

‘Manchester City will turn up. This is an important game for the Champions to make a statement because they haven’t done this season. Their away form has let them down, that has been the difference between these two sides and that is where City have fallen down. But they will turn up at Old Trafford on Monday night.’

‘They will be fired up and determined. If they are going to lose their title, Manchester United are the Champions elect, then they will want to beat them on their own patch. This is a game that is screaming draw. Manchester City will show up and get something and it is good value to end all square at 23/10‘

• Betting: Manchester United v Manchester City 

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins The Paddy Power Blog to give his insight on the weekend’s Barclays Premier League games as Manchester United look to go 18 points clear in the title race before Manchester City face Newcastle at home at 3pm.

Andy Gray’s exclusive treble
Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton to win: 2/1

Sunderland v Manchester United, Live Sky Sports 2, Saturday, 12.45pm

It doesn’t get any worse for Martin O’Neill. His team are on a terrible run. They’ve got just three points form the last 21 in the league. They’re struggling for form, struggling for goals, they’ve just lost Steven Fletcher their top goalscorer and one of their best players and who is upcoming? The team that are about to be crowned Champions in the next few weeks. So for Martin O’Neill it doesn’t get any worse. But sometimes it takes a game like this to turn your fortunes around. They’ll have to dig in and dig deep but this is a big ask to get something from this game. This is a Manchester United side that know they have won the title and it is just a question of what day. They are playing with confidence, playing with freedom and that makes them even more dangerous than normal.

There is not an ounce of danger that they’ll get complacent. Sir Alex Ferguson will very quickly remind his team of what happened last season if there’s any of that. United were clear, everyone thought they would win it, but then they went to Wigan and lost, they drew to Everton at home and all of a sudden Manchester City caught them. Ferguson will not allow complacency to slip in.

This looks a comfortable win for United on paper. Sunderland don’t look like they can score goals and United can keep a clean sheet every weekend. United to win to nil is 8/5.

Robin Van Persie is a due a goal for Manchester United. He has just scored back-to-back in the two games for the Netherlands last week. When that happens to a goalscorer you very quickly find the net again and he can be the first goalscorer at 3/1.

• Betting: Sunderland v Manchester United

Manchester City v Newcastle, Live Setanata Sports, Saturday, 3pm

Since January when Newcastle bought four or five players in they look more like themselves, more like they did last year. For Manchester City they have probably conceded that the title is over but they have to be careful. Like United they can’t afford to coast, they can’t afford to be complacent. Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal will feel that if City slip up then they’ll be waiting to pounce. Roberto Mancini will have to keep his side focused. They will be despite that bad result against Everton when Everton beat them easily at Goodison Park, even with 10 men. Mancini has to re-focus his players and at the Etihad Stadium they are a tough team to beat. They should win this game but it won’t be easy.

Roberto Mancini has to get second. He has to start picking Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez up front. If the two lads were fit and willing to play they have to start. They are the best combination; they know each other, they like each other and they play internationally together. Roberto Mancini likes to rotate though and he could give Edin Dzeko a game.

Both teams can score at 5/6. Newcastle are showing enough goal threat to find the back of the net at City. Yaya Toure can get the City goal and score at any time at 9/5.

• Betting: Manchester City v Newcastle 

Arsenal v Reading, Saturday, 3pm

This is a home banker. Arsenal are focused on finishing in the top four, they’ve picked up some form since beating Bayern Munich away. They should win this goal and cover the -1 handicap at 4/6.

• Betting: Arsenal v Reading 

Southampton v Chelsea, Saturday, 3pm

If Southampton find the form they had against Liverpool they’ll be really difficult to beat but Chelsea can win this by exactly one goal at 11/4.

• Betting: Southampton v Chelsea 

Swansea v Tottenham, Saturday, 3pm

The International break came at a great time for Tottenham. This game looks like a draw at 23/10 and the correct score of 2-2 might be worth a nibble at 11/1.

• Betting: Swansea v Tottenham 

West Ham v West Brom, Saturday, 3pm

There won’t be many goals in this game. West Ham don’t score many and West Brom certainly don’t away from home. The Hammers can edge this one narrowly at 13/10.

• Betting: West Ham v West Brom 

Wigan v Norwich, Live Saturday, 3pm

This is a must-win game for Wigan but there won’t be many goals. Wigan have to win and they will, just about, at 10/11.

• Betting: Wigan v Norwich 

Everton v Stoke, Live ESPN, Saturday, 5.30pm

Everton have recovered from the Wigan game in the FA Cup. They were really poor that day but showed an excellent response by beating Manchester City at home. The thing David Moyes would have wanted after the City game is another game very quickly, but he has to wait two weeks.

This is a tough side to play against. Stoke don’t give you anything cheaply and you have to earn every little bit against them. Stoke’s away form is really poor. Only one win away from the Britannia in the Premier League this season shows you how difficult they find it. But they do draw a lot of games and so do Everton. People don’t often back the draw but you’d do a lot worse in this case at 14/5.

Nikica Jelavic got a goal against Manchester City and he’d been struggling for goals. But look at van Persie, he hadn’t scored for ages and then got back-to-back goals for his country. Don’t be surprised if Jelavic opens the scoring at 5/1.

There won’t be many goals in this, and there should be fewer than 2.5 goals at 4/6, but Everton can just nick it at 8/15.

• Betting: Everton v Stoke 

Aston Villa v Liverpool, Live Sky Sports 1, Sunday 1.30pm

This is a massive game for Aston Villa but Liverpool have an incentive. They want to catch Everton for the bragging rights on Merseyside. Liverpool are very close to Everton so they won’t want to slip up. They’ll want to respond to that really poor performance against Southampton last time out. They were really awful and Southampton beat them easily. Aston Villa have won back-to-back games for the first time since Gerard Houllier was there so that was a huge couple of weeks for Paul Lambert.

This will be a really exciting game with plenty of goals. It is the type of game that could be a high-scoring draw. Villa winning three games on the spin is very difficult but it is hard to see them losing this match either. This game will be open, attractive, with plenty of chances. It could be a very entertaining high-scoring draw. The correct score of 2-2 is worth a pop at 11/1.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Cristian Benteke scoring first at 6/1 or Luis Suarez opening the scoring at 4/1.

• Betting: Aston Villa v Liverpool 

Fulham v QPR, Live Sky Sports 1, Monday, 8pm

Both sides will fancy themselves here so it could have plenty of goals again. The two teams could score at Craven Cottage at 4/6. Harry Redknapp’s side have done alright, but they have done alright getting draws and this could be another one at 5/2. Fulham are not strong enough at the moment to think they can win all of their games, even at home, but they should still get a point. A point is fine for Fulham but it might not be good enough for QPR. This looks like a score draw.

• Betting: Fulham v QPR

Expert football pundit and analyst Andy Gray joins the Paddy Power Blog to give his insight on Arsenal’s last 16 Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The Gunners are the last remaining English team in the Champions League but that might not last too long according to Mr Gray.

Bayern Munich v Arsenal, Sky Sports 2
Wednesday March 13

Arsenal will need an ‘Istanbul 2005′ moment. Bayern Munich are just too good at the moment. They are a top side who don’t give goals away and nobody scores against them at home. It is a tough ask for Arsenal to get through.

Fan’s hearts will say that there will be a shock but the footballing brain should be screaming a comfortable Bayern Munich win at 2/5. They can win and cover the one goal handicap as well at 5/6

• Betting: Bayern Munich v Arsenal