Betting is a multi-faceted business, and it is quite possible to pay for tips and forecasts. Luckily for the novice -  like-minded amateurs happy to pass on their tips and strategies for free abound on the internet. Those that are hosted by true devotees of football and of the extraordinary vagaries among the results to merge each week are the best bet!

Sometimes by reading bloggers on the web such as ‘English Football’ blog, ‘Footieblogblog’ and ‘Caughtoffside’, to name but a few, you can pick up helpful nuggets of information. Most such sites are primarily the personal blogs of straightforward diehard football fans.

Of course, what betting is about is probability. The mathematical mind is the best one when it comes to weighing up just how likely a specified outcome is. It is bookmakers who calculate what odd to offer, and these, naturally enough, are slanted to benefit the bookies.  As a punter it is not your job to work out odds, but it helps greatly if you can read them intelligently in order to spot the more favourable ones. Many online sports betting websites offer free help with this.

The exciting thing of course is the fact that odds alter over time (as the match approaches) with the fluctuating behaviour of punters as they put on their bets, which is why the timing of bets is so crucial, and nail-biting! Never lose sight of luck’s part in the nerve-racking process and try hard to keep the fun factor in focus – and don’t lose your shirt!

The podcast includes Huddersfield Town boss Lee Clarke discussing his sides flying start in League One and the input Clarke has made into modernising the clubs scouting system.

BBC Pundit Steve Claridge is in the studio discussing the importance of mental preparation, how best to settle at a club (he’s had a few) and the effect of Lactic acid on his 43 year old legs.

Iffy Onuora and Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman also join on the phone.

This season Mark Clemmit will be visiting grounds across the country uncovering the latest news and views from all 72 Football League clubs. The podcast will be available to download FREE every Wednesday from The Football League website, iTunes and Coke Zone.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have launched a new website refworld.com to bring football fans closer to the men in the middle. It has been developed to provide referee information to everyone involved in football, the supporters, the managers, the referees and of course the players themselves – at all levels of the game.

PGMOL are challenging fans to sign up to the site to play their Refworld Quiz game – can you make the correct decision at the crucial moment? A whole host of prizes are on offer, and players can set up mini-leagues to compete with their mates, and demonstrate their expert knowledge for bragging rights.

Try it for yourselves at RefWorld quiz, It is not as easy as you might imagine!

As well as showing the latest news, the site includes up to date and detailed referee profiles, details of official appointments and professional verdicts, detailed directives and the full written Laws of the Game.

The Football League Cup

To celebrate the competition’s Golden Anniversary, The Football League is asking fans to nominate their favourite League Cup moments, with 50 pairs of tickets up for grabs for this season’s Carling Cup Final. The League will reveal the all-time Top 50 League Cup moments in the lead-up to the match at Wembley Stadium on February 28.

Whether its Ben Foster’s iPod inspired penalty heroics in last season’s final, Ronnie Whelan’s glorious curling winner for Liverpool in 1983, Dennis Tueart’s stunning overhead kick for Manchester City in 1976 or Division Three Swindon Town’s famous win over Arsenal in the Don Rogers Final of 1969, The League wants to hear your views.

So get your thinking caps on, I am going for the classic 1967 final when QPR came back from two down to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in the first league cup to be held at Wembley.

Send your nominations for your special League Cup moments to;  leaguecup@football-league.co.uk

Texaco Fantasy Football

Texaco Fantasy Football returns for it’s second season following the great success of last year’s competition which saw over 40,000 managers take part. With the game now enjoying a number of improvements, 20,000 players have already signed up for this year season.

Texaco Fantasy Football is now live and is absolutely free to play. Budding managers will be given a budget of £10 million to select their best team; including being able to choose a Texaco Captain whose points score is doubled throughout their games. You decide whether to play 4-4-2 or 5-3-2, and have the chance to regularly make transfers throughout the season.

There are some fantastic ‘money can’t buy’ prizes on offer; prizes include a £500 free fuel voucher, free tickets to the Coca-Cola Championship Play-Off Final and the chance to meet the Club Manager of the team you support! You can also win a behind the scenes tour of a Championship Club, as well as other monthly prizes. Players get the chance to challenge their mates in their own Private League as well so take part today and get in on the action!

You can sign-up and select a Texaco Fantasy Football  Championship Dream Team now.

Be careful, it’s great fun but very addictive!

You can also enter a free competition to win free tickets to the UEFA Euro 2008 football tournament next month.