The Football Jackpot: Venables’ Verdict

Nottingham Forest v Bolton
Another two with play-off potential and both sides will fancy their chances of making it back into the top flight. Forest have made the perfect start but Wanderers are yet to be beaten, so there will be little to choose here.
Venables’ Verdict: Draw

QPR v Ipswich
Rangers have had a good start under Harry Redknapp and need to keep driving forward if they want to bounce back this year. I think they will be too strong for the Tractor Boys.
Vernables’ Verdict: Home Win

Reading v Watford
The Championship is so tight, again, this could go either way. Reading relish being at home but the Hornets are a very good side under Gianfranco Zola and narrowly lost out in the play-offs last season.
Venables’ Verdict: Draw

Hibernian v Dundee United
It’s difficult for teams in such a small league where they keep playing each other time and again. United finished a place above Hibs last year and I can see them winning this.
Venables’ Verdict: Away Win

Inverness v Motherwell
Motherwell had a strong season in finishing runners-up to Celtic but I like the look of Inverness, who have a great team spirit and also had a good campaign.
Venables’ Verdict: Home Win

Swansea v Man Utd
Swansea will give them problems but United will look in-form from the word go. The Rooney situation has gone on so long people get are getting fed up with it. The players will be thinking: “We’d love to have you back but if you don’t want to be here, we’ve got to get on with it.”
Venables’ Verdict: Away Win

Crystal Palace v Tottenham
I’m going for Spurs. Palace had a good year and have got a lot going for them. They have a good spirit and a manager doing a terrific job who always puts 100 per cent into it. Spurs won’t find it easy but I think they will just squeak through.
Venables’ Verdict: Away Win

Chelsea v Hull
Chelsea still need a striker, even more so if they don’t sign Rooney, and I also think they need a centre-half. The Tigers will be fighting but if the Blues don’t win this, they’ll be really upset with themselves as it’s three points for the taking.
Venables’ Verdict: Home Win

Man City v Newcastle
City are going to have a really good year and they will be delighted to play at home in the first fixture. I like Pellegrini’s style. He’s a good manager who plays a cool hand and has done a lot of good work over years. Newcastle know where they went wrong last year and will set out to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Venables’ Verdict: Home Win