MY FRIEND, Ronnie, is weird. Well, not him, really. But his betting strategy.

We were talking about the Champions League show which kicks off tomorrow when he surprised me with this bombshell.

He said: 'I'm fanatical about the English game, but I don't really follow the happenings in Europe.

'Sure, I'm interested in what goes on at Real Madrid or Barcelona. But, other than that, I am not too concerned.

'So, when it comes to Champions League or Uefa Cup football, I go with the teams I know. Meaning, of course, the English and Scottish sides.

'I don't bet on teams whose names I cannot pronounce.'

He said there are many like him.

Then, we ran through the midweek fixtures.

Immediately, his fingers stopped at Panathinaikos and Anorthosis.

He asked: 'How to bet on these two teams? One sounds like an aspirin. 'Take two Panathinaikos and call me in the morning'. And the other could be a more serious form of arthritis.

'Either way, both don't look like something you would put your money on. How to bet on a sick person and one who can't move his limbs?'

So, his reasoning is flawed. But for tomorrow morning, I'm going to take his advice and bet against Panathinaikos and Anorthosis.

But it's not because of the team names. I can pronounce both.

I'm betting against them simply because their opponents Inter-Milan and Werder Bremen look too strong.

Bremen, in particular, should waltz through this one - although they have a history of losing their opening matches. Last season they lost to Real Madrid and, the year before, were beaten by Chelsea.

MAKING HISTORY

However, they shouldn't have any problems against Anorthosis who are making history by becoming the first Cypriot side to reach the group stages.

They did well to beat Olympiakos late last month but when they take to the pitch tomorrow morning (Singapore time) they will be carrying the sins of their past teams who haven't beaten a German side in six meetings - not to mention a 10-0 bashing they suffered from Bayern Munich some 20 years ago.

As for Panathinaikos, they will have to overcome an Inter side who will have a 12th man in 'The Special One', as in Jose Mourinho.

Inter only just beat Calcio Cantania 2-1 while playing with 10 men. While this could be just as tough, I expect the Italian club to have something in reserve.

It is not going to be a runaway victory. But, when push comes to shove, you can bet on Mourinho squeezing something extra from his men.

I reckon it'll be 1-0 to Inter - with a late goal settling it. So, take the $1.90 that the bookie has posted on the 1x2 and have a small bet on Draw-Inter on the Half-time/Full-time ticket where there's a payout of $1.70.

And, like I told my friend: 'Don't worry. Singapore Pools doesn't accept verbal bets, so you won't have to mouth the name 'Panathinaikos' - as in Inter to beat Panathinaikos - to the teller taking your bet.

On more familiar ground, Chelsea look a solid bet when they entertain Bordeaux at Stamford Bridge.

The English club comes into this on the back of a good win over Manchester City while their opponents have had a shaky start to their league, with two wins and two defeats. They are now in seventh spot.

SOLID PUNT

I suggest you have a solid punt on Chelsea winning this on the 1x2 and the 1/2 Goal.

As for Liverpool, the other English side in action, you might want to go easy on the wallet.

Marseille have been in rattling form at home and while it is said that Liverpool will gladly settle for a draw, I don't think they will get it.

But you can get something out of it. Just bet on the home side winning this.

Can my friend Ronnie pronounce 'Marseille'?

Yes, he can - just like he can pronounce 'money', which means he too will be having a bet on the French club.