I like going to the cinema and very occasionally have frequented the GFT and whilst I like a film with a good story and character development, I can still get excited by a good blockbuster.  Friends of mine are really big cinema goers and have a slightly patronising attitude to big Hollywood movies.  I keep pointing out to them it’s just entertainment, you either like it or you don’t.  And so onto football.

I’ve never liked Arsenal or Arsen Wenger and I am especially fed up being told how great Arsenal play football and how all “real” fans would love them and their style of play.  I don’t and believe that they are English media created over hyped side without the guts to win anything.  How pleasing it was therefore to see them completely outplayed by a proper football side.  Pity Barca then thought they were playing a diddy team and took the foot off the gas.  I’d have loved to have seen 4 or 5 put past the Gunners.  But enough of discussing the worlds elite, it’s Punters Corner so we will look at all the odds and stats starting with our game at Easter Road.

We travel to Hibs, a team starting the season playing sexy football but now many Hibees are phoning radio stations saying their club are on a downward spiral to be on a par with Falkirk.  They’re still 4^th so how bad are the rest?  Above us and Rangers are at home to Hamilton.  Despite the midweek thumping I don’t think the wobbles are on: unless the Accies get a most unlikely result.

SPL ODDS

Away from Scotland this week’s Paddy Power Bulletin looks toward the weekend’s Easter E P L action and in particular the big clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Paddy Power specials for the big game include when Wayne Rooney will play again, which team’s free-falling player, Drogba or Nani, will receive most on pitch visits from the physio during the game and a look at penalty-happy, card-waving ref Mike Dean.

And for Easter weekend Paddy Power have resurrected some old and new themed specials including, amongst others, Resurrection of the Saviour (which world Cup hopeful will return from injury first), Second Coming (how many teams come from behind to win) and Defending the Cross (first team to score from a corner).

SPL PREDICTIONS

The long awaited return of Tiger Woods to professional golf starts at The Masters next week. Paddy Power quotes him as the clear 7/2 favourite to be victorious in his first tournament since his self enforced break from the game following his recent misdemeanours.

After so much attention off the course Tiger will be under huge pressure on his return to competition. The crowd and media follow Tiger incessantly at all tournaments he plays and the focus on the World number one will surely be greater than ever. If he can cope with the hype then he is in with a good chance of adding to his haul of majors.

Tiger’s indiscretions with barmaids to porn stars have made global news on the front and back pages but the question on golf fans’ lips is how many birdies he’ll hole…on the golf course that is. Despite the treacherous greens at Augusta, Paddy Power has Tiger at 5/2 to score more then 16 birdies across the tournament. What is for sure he can’t cheat on golf fans if they bet with Paddy Power, they’re offering money back if Tiger leads at the end of any completed round but then fails to win.

Tiger is currently 8/11 to finish in the top 5 but with every round critical at Augusta, none more so than his opening round, and he is 11/4 to shoot his lowest score on his first round back.

The other players will be doing everything they can to stay focused and Wood’s great rival Mickleson is second favourite at 8/1 and Ernie Els close behind at 12/1. Europe’s best hopes lie with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington at 14/1, Casey 22/1 and McIlroy and Westwood at 25/1.

Roberto Coladangelo spokesman for Paddy Power said, “The golf world waits for the return of its prodigal son Tiger Woods and all eyes will be on his behaviour, swing but most of all his birdies. If he can keep his cool he could be one step closer to Nicklaus’s all time record.”

PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIALS

US Masters – Tiger Won’t Cheat You

Paddy Power will refund all losing bets on Tiger Woods to win the Masters, if he leads the tournament at the end of any completed round and fails to win.

Terms & Conditions: Applies to bets placed before start of the tournament, applies to win bets and win part of each-way bets only. Refund applies if Tiger Woods leads or has share of the lead at the end of any completed round. Max Refund €200/£200 per customer/bet. Paddy Power golf rules apply

How many birdies will Tiger hole at The Masters?

12/1 0-6

5/1 7-9

9/4 10-12

7/4 13-15

5/2 16 or more

Tiger v The Field

7/2 Tiger

1/6 The Field

Tiger to make the Cut

1/14 Yes

6/1 No

Tiger Woods finishing position

8/11 1st – 5th incl

7/2 6th – 10th incl

15/2 11th – 20th incl

7/2 21st or worse

What will Tiger’s best round be?

11/4 Round 1

5/2 Round 2

9/4 Round 3

5/2 Round 4

Must play all 4 rounds for bets to stand

How many majors for Tiger in 2010?

11/10 None

13/8 Exactly One

4/1 Exactly Two

12/1 Exactly Three

33/1 All Four

Outright Masters Winner:

7/2 Woods

8/1 Mickelson

12/1 Els

14/1 Harrington

18/1 Stricker

22/1 Casey

25/1 Westwood

25/1 McIlroy

25/1 Goosen

30/1 Ogilvy

So there are the odds and my useless predictions as we wait to see whether it will be Lenny next year or A N Other.  Also don’t forget if you missed any of Eddies twitter updates over the past year, they’ll be summarised in a well known supplement.  And if you missed any articles about our new manager you can read them again when plagiarised by the Evening Times or Herald.