Lays of the Weekend: Barnsley to tame Tigers at the KC

The Tigers have been poor since the start of the new year

Christian Crowther scours the weekend's action to find three tempting lays...

Lay Hull to beat Barnsley @ 1.84/5
Before the turn of the year, Steve Bruce's Tigers were in irresistible form, winning five from six games in a hectic December schedule, resulting in a season-high second position as Old Lang Syne was rolled out. However, the start of a new year has seemingly robbed the Tigers of any bite. Hull have lost one and drawn two of their three league outings in 2013 and required a replay and extra time just to get past League One side Leyton Orient in the third round of the FA Cup. Their opponents Barnsley may be at the other end of the Championship table, but they have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in their last three fixtures, accounting for Leeds in the league and Burnley in the last round before drawing at Ipswich.

Lay QPR to beat MK Dons @ 1.75/7
With Premier League survival the only currency Harry Redknapp wishes to deal in this season, you'd imagine the R's boss will make a host of changes for this FA Cup tie. Reading's recent awakening has left Harry's side bottom of the table once again and, with a visit from champions Manchester City to follow just three days after this game, you'd imagine QPR will have at least one eye on that fixture. MK Dons in contrast have nothing to lose and arrive on the back of a four-game unbeaten streak in which they've only let in two goals. The Dons accounted for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the third round and, although Rangers have improved, they haven't won a game at Loftus Road since December 15.

Lay Algeria to beat Togo @ 2.111/10
Relative small fry Togo put on a great performance in their first African Cup of Nations Group D game against overwhelming tournament favourites Ivory Coast. Drawing at half time, they nearly secured a memorable point against the star-studded Ivorians only for Arsenal's Gervinho to pounce in the closing minutes to earn the Elephants victory. Far less impressive were group D rivals Algeria, who succumbed 1-0 to Tunisia in their first game, leaving themselves with it all to do. Togo have kept two clean sheets in three prior meetings with Algeria and, in Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, they have the one player of outstanding quality among the two teams. Eight draws already in the tournament after 14 games suggest that Togo could easily get something against Algeria.