It’s been a tough time recently for Betting Spy with our fancies falling faster than the Russian rouble.

But you have to get back on the horse quickly – like most of the jockeys on my National tips.

So let’s shake this air of pessimism and embrace the punters’ friends – hope, optimism and blind faith.

And if those three fail there’s always alcohol.

I’m convinced lady luck has been against us during the last month rather than poor picking.

And a scan of this weekend’s fixtures throws up one price begging to be lumped on.

Everton are the visitors on Saturday to a Southampton side who are in a rotten run of form.

The Saints started the season like a red-and-white striped train but have slowed down alarmingly in recent weeks.

Ronald Koeman’s men last won a game way back on November 8 when they managed to beat bottom club Leicester at home.

Since then their form line reads DLLLLL which is an uninspiring as it is unpronounceable.

Southampton’s two latest defeats were at the hands of Burnley in the league and Sheffield United in the Capital One Cup.

The Saints don’t ship many goals. But scoring is the real problem with only two in the last six at the right end.

Everton have had their own wobbly patch of unconvincing performances but Monday’s 3-1 win over QPR had some encouraging signs.

The return of Steven Naismith adds some much needed variety up front while Ross Barkley is getting better by the week.

It looks like the perfect time to be visiting St Mary’s so 9/4 looks like a decent price.

Of course I can’t make our Christmas punt that simple so we’ll double Everton up with West Ham to take care of Leicester at Upton Park.

The Foxes are struggling all over the park and Sam Allardyce’s high-fliers should have too much for them.

The double pays a shade over 4/1 which should make a dent in our rolling deficit.

If not it will be KFC and coke at Betting Spy towers on Christmas Day rather than the usual blowout.

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Running Total for all bets this season to a £10 stake: £-52.50