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Simon hopes the International break could help turn his punting fortunes around and he's backing goals from Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Sunderland this weekend

After a solid first few weeks, the last four have been relatively disastrous on the betting front and I have fallen from grace at a rate that only Lance Armstrong could possibly be aware of.

My bankroll had started to plummet so fast that even Felix Baumgartner was concerned for its safety. Much like Felix though, I have used the International break to apply my parachute and am looking to get this betting lark back on steady ground.

"My bankroll had started to plummet so fast that even Felix Baumgartner was concerned for its safety" - Simon's punting form has been in freefall of late

There’s nothing better than an international break for me as I genuinely don’t enjoy betting on it, so instead of ploughing cash into something I’m not going to enjoy, I took my own International break and recharged the betting batteries.

Whilst a few of you went close, there were no winners of the £20 Paddy Power free bet, however there is another chance to win this week so make sure you get involved and send us your best bets! Full details are below.

Both Teams to Score double - Tottenham v Chelsea and Sunderland v Newcastle

This week, the Premier League has two huge games in the London derby between Spurs and Chelsea along with Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle. There’s going to be plenty of fire in these games with Andre Villas-Boas hosting the club that made his first spell in the Premier League a largely embarrassing one.

The players didn't take to a younger, more dynamic manager with different methods of working, whilst his assistant and eventual replacement at the helm of Chelsea, Roberto Di Matteo, will certainly be looking to make sure he's reminded of the talent within the Blues' ranks.

Sunderland and Newcastle need no introduction, having seen red cards (multiple) shown at 50 per cent of the last six Premier League clashes; if Lee Cattermole wasn’t already suspended then this would, no doubt, be one of his seasonal red card guarantees.

Interestingly, if you were to back both teams to score in both of these fixtures over the past six encounters, then you would have collected winnings an impressive five times.

Considering the attacking threat on offer in the London derby and the fact that two of the Premier League’s current top scorers are playing in the Tyne-Wear derby, then you can understand why £20 of my bankroll is going on this particular double at a price of 9/5 (2.80) with Paddy Power.

Arouna Kone to score first - Swansea v Wigan

My second bet is only for a £5 stake as it’s a first scorer bet. Swansea host Wigan at the Liberty stadium and have been on almost as bad a run of form as I have.

Wigan, on the other hand have been typically Wigan-esque, putting in stunning performances yet failing to win some games and then playing pretty abject football, yet scraping victories.

However, the away side have been able to score this year thanks to a slightly surprising partnership of Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo, who have six goals between them.

With Di Santo usually playing the role of the creator, I’m going to plump for Kone at a very decent 7/1 (8.0) with Paddy Power to break the deadlock and £5 of my bankroll goes onto this.

Win a £20 free bet thanks to Paddy Power

Wherever you are this weekend, enjoy your football and your betting and remember that we have got a £20 free bet to give away each week thanks to Paddy Power. To win just email your best tip for the weekend with the word "Free20" in the subject line.

Be it a well-priced single, an ambitious multiple or any other bet available in all of Paddy Power's football markets around the world for games taking place on October 6 or 7; surely you can find a winning tip! Just send in your selection, the price available at Paddy Power, and include "PPTwenty" in the subject line before midday on Saturday to enter. Good luck!

Diary of a Punter: Simon's Selections this week

Balance at the start of the week: £385.50

Profit on the season: -£114.50

Both Teams to Score double - Tottenham v Chelsea & Sunderland v Newcastle: £15 at 9/5 (2.80) with Paddy Power

Arouna Kone to score first: £5 at 7/1 (8.0) with Paddy Power

Total staked this week: £20

Sign up with Paddy Power for up to £250 in free bets

Simon Pilkington is a sports writer, an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and has been betting on sports for the past 13 years. Follow Simon on

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