The Big Wednesday Multiple: Back Rafa to get one over on Neil

19Dec 2012

After a very near miss last time, it's that time of the week for the big Wednesday multiple as Paul Robinson selects a home win, an away win, a match to go over 2.5 goals and a match to go under 2.5 goals.

Here are his selections:

Bet 1: Chester (HOME) @ 1.5 (1/2)

We kick off the multiple in the north west of England as Conference North leaders, Chester take on 12th placed, Harrogate Town.

Chester are romping their way to the league title even at this relatively early stage of proceedings. Neil Young has got all his players singing to the same tune and it's resulted in them picking up 52 points from a possible 57. At the Deva Stadium, The Blues have won every game bar one and they've put four goals past each of their last two visitors.

Harrogate Town are a decent outfit in their own right and while they may only be 12th, they have plenty of games in hand over their rivals. They've struggled a bit on the road recently though, winning just one of their last four, losing two of them. They should make a push for promotion now that their FA Cup run has come to an end, however they aren't in Chester's class and I can't see anything other than a home victory tonight.

Bet 2: Chelsea (AWAY) @ 1.66 (4/6)

We stay in the north west for our away victory as Chelsea travel to Leeds in the Capital One Cup.

This has been hyped up as a proper old school English fixture but Leeds are a shadow of their former selves and I just can't see how they're going to stop Chelsea.

Neil Warnock's men are mid table in the Championship and while they may have won four of their last five, they haven't faced a side of Chelsea's class. Warnock has an on-going beef with Rafa Benitez and many think he will have that little bit of extra motivation to beat him, but let's not forget that he had quite a public spat with El-Hadji Diouf, before promptly signing him a couple of years later.

Chelsea have had to endure a long haul flight due to their commitments in the World Club Cup, but let's not kid ourselves, the players will have travelled in comfort. I wouldn't expect Rafa to play his strongest side this evening, but it will still feature plenty of household names and the League Cup is probably his best chance of delivering a trophy this season.

Bet 3: Napoli v Bologna (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.61 (8/13)

Our goal fest of the week comes from Italy as Napoli take on Bologna in the Coppa Italia. This is a repeat of Sunday's league fixture and that delivered five goals.

Napoli are in fifth place in Serie A as they bid to try and earn qualification to the Champions League. Walter Mazzarri's side have now lost their last three in all competitions though and the defence have been leaking left, right and centre. The Azzurri conceded eight goals in that period and they've kept just one clean sheet in their last 11. In the league their matches are averaging 2.82 goals each time and all of their last five at home have gone over 3.5.

Bologna are 13th in the table with 18 points and that surprise victory at the weekend gave them some much needed breathing space from the relegation zone. As far as the goals go, Stefano Pioli's men have scored 20 so far this campaign and their fixtures have been averaging 2.47 per match.

Bet 4: Bochum v 1860 Munich (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.72 (8/11)

We finish off with what will hopefully be a low scoring affair as Bochum host 1860 Munich in the German Cup.

Bochum are down in 15th place in Bundesliga Two having picked up just 20 points from their opening 19 fixtures. They are on somewhat of a roll at present though having won their last two. The club from North Rhine-Westphalia netted seven goals in those two victories, but before that they were averaging just one per 90 minutes.

1860 Munich are sixth in the same division as their opponents. While they are riding high in terms of points scored, they are second bottom of the goals per game table, as their matches have averaged only two goals each time. Their last four have all gone under 2.5 and if we extend that back further, eight of their last nine have followed suit.

Recommended Multiple

Back Chester @ 1.5 (1/2); Back Chelsea @ 1.66 (4/6); Back Over 2.5 Goals in Napoli v Bologna @ 1.61 (8/13); Back Under 2.5 Goals in Bochum v 1860 Munich @ 1.72 (8/11)

The Multiple pays approximately 6.98 (6/1)