NEW COLUMN Lee Honeyball's top five football bets

Pies is delighted (look at our Steve McClarenesque grin) to welcome Lee Honeyball, former tipster for the Racing Post, Observer Sport Monthly and Guardian Unlimited, into its fold. Lee will be writing a betting column for Pies every Friday, laying out his top five tips for the weekend. Then, on Monday, we'll see how he got on. Away you go, Mr Honeyball:

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TO BEAT WALES
Forget the infighting, playing in front of 72,000 at Croke Park should be more than enough to inspire Stan’s men to victory in the banker bet of the weekend. The only consistent thing about Wales is poor away form. 4-5 (Boylesports)

STEVE McCLAREN NOT TO BE ENGLAND MANAGER BEFORE 2010 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION BEGINS Qualifying for Euro 2008 is already precarious and even if England make it, the gaffer whose hairline resembles the Isle of Wight has done nothing to suggest he can stay longer than one tournament. He could even be gone by Wednesday night. 6-5 (William Hill)

ENGLAND TO DRAW 0-0 WITH ISRAEL
One goal in four games and just one win in three away from home. Can you confidently back England at odds-on? McClaren’s men simply can’t afford to lose and if there is no early goal it could easily become a turgid affair. 11-2 (Bet365)

GERMANY TO BEAT CZECH REPUBLIC
Few teams win away to the Czechs but Germany have continued to be the ultimate results nation since finishing third at the World Cup. Seven wins in eight makes them the value call. 2-1 (Bet365)

KRIS BOYD TO SCORE FIRST FOR SCOTLAND AGAINST GEORGIA
Eight goals in his last eight games for Rangers (including two hat-tricks), and Boyd is due one for his country. His old Gers boss Alex McCleish, whose first game this is in charge, knows how to get the best from him. Boyd is down to take spot-kicks, too. 4-1 (Ladbrokes, Blue Square)


All odds correct at time of posting