The game was hardly worth shifting Emmerdale for.

So let’s forget that “fancy” European stuff and get back to the blood and thunder of the Premier League where Bolton look a good bet to get the better of Newcastle.

Owen Coyle’s men have come back into form in the last week with a couple of hard-earned 1-0 away wins.

They’ve got a decent change of a similar result at St James’ Park where Newcastle are gloriously unpredictable.

The only constants are a passionate crowd containing a row of fat men with their shirts off.

The team oscillate between exciting attacking football and pure slapstick.

And unfortunately for Alan Pardew’s men Bolton look in the mood to capitalise on the inevitable mistakes then keep it tight at the back.

Bolton are available at 13/5 and that looks a very generous price for the Trotters to leave Tyneside with all three points.

It’s a great weekend on the rugby front with England entertaining the enigmatic French at Twickenham.

Will it be the all-conquering Les Blues who turn up or the sulking, skulking version of the French Team who have stunk-out HQ so many times in the past?

From a punting point of view the match is a nightmare so we’ll give it a major body swerve and hope Chris Ashton does the same a few times en route to the try line.

Scotland v Ireland looks an easier call after the inept performance put in by Scotland in their Welsh drubbing.

This is all about making a fast start and I can see Ireland rattling-up a decent points haul if they get in front early.

It’s 15/8 against the Irish giving Scotland an 11 point handicap start and I’m keen to get involved in that.

I’ve booked a table at one of London’s nicest French restaurants for Saturday night.

Let’s hope the bookies are paying for my planned menu of slaughtered cockerel then finest Rosbif washed down with a large glass of sour grapes.

Running Total for all bets to a £10 stake: +£45.75

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