77765

An effective strategy is to back all the top 30 teams, i.e. those in the premiership and top 10 of the Championship, against sides from outside the top 30. This obvious approach of backing the stronger teams in the country against weaker opponents has produced a win rate in excess of 70%.

This equates to odds of approximately 2/5 and there is added value in this strategy if that average is exceeded by the coupon odds on all the top 30 teams with a home tie against opposition from outside the top 30.

In the Cup, many of the big teams are offered at much shorter odds than 2/5, so this is a high staking strategy which will appeal to the "big hitters" more than the average punter, but it is a strategy that works.

In the 2003/04 season, the top 30 sides had a total of 15 home matches against teams from outside the top 30 during the FA Cup. They were as follows:

Third Round
Millwall @ 1.91 vs Walsall. result: 2-1
Portsmouth @ 1.32 vs Blackpool. result: 2-1
Tottenham Hotspur @ 1.51 vs Crystal Palace. result: 3-0
Sunderland @ 1.42 vs Hartlepool. result: 1-0
Middlesbrough @ 1.23 vs Notts county. result: 2-0
Ipswich @ 1.56 vs Derby county. result: 3-0
Fulham @ 1.15 vs Cheltenham. result: 2-1

Replays:
Bolton @ 1.36 vs Tranmere. result: 1-2 AET
Wolves @ 1.23 vs Kidderminster. result: 2-0
chelsea @ 1.15 vs Watford. result: 4-0

Fourth Round
Portsmouth @ 1.23 vs Scunthorpe. result: 2-1
Birmingham @ 1.33 vs Milton Keynes. result: 1-0

Fifth Round
Millwall @ 1.79 vs Burnley. result: 1-0
Sheffield Utd @ 1.41 vs Colchester. result: 1-0

Quarter final
Millwall @ 1.56 vs Tranmere. result: 0-0

As you can see, 13 of the 15 matches produced wins for the higher positioned teams with two matches ending as a draw after 90 minutes. Using the above odds as a guide and 10 level stakes, a profit of 32.40 would have been achieved using this strategy.

The figures suggest the gap between the top 30 and the rest is widening and if you don't mind backing teams at short prices, then this strategy could prove profitable for the third round this season where 10 matches have been identified as follows:

Fulham @ 1.28 vs Leyton Orient
Sunderland @ 1.28 vs Northwich
Blackburn @ 1.44 vs QPR
chelsea @ 1.05 vs Huddersfield
Manchester City @ 1.20 vs Scunthorpe
newcastle @ 1.12 vs Mansfield
Preston @ 1.57 vs Crewe
Sheff Utd @ 1.44 vs Colchester
Stoke @ 1.30 vs Tamworth
Wolves @ 1.72 vs Plymouth

Another way to look at this is it is rarely worth opposing the top 30 teams at home if you are looking for "shock results", as even the chances of a draw are quite slim.

Back Massage is one of the best ways through which you can relive yourself from back pain.You can use various back massage techniques for benefits, such as relaxation, increased body awareness, better blood circulation and improved lymphatic drainage for release of toxins.

Selecting a right back massage technique is important for receiving maximum benefits. Typically, during the back massage, a masseur uses massage oil to decrease friction created on the skin and to prevent the pulling of skin hair.

According to the back massage techniques propogated by the experts, less the quantity of oil applied, the greater is the friction and deeper will be the pressure. Use light stroking movements throughout your massage to move from one area to another, to soothe an area of localized deep tissue or to make a transition to another stroke.

Step By Step guide for Back Massage

Mentioned below are few steps, which detail back massage techniques for relieving back pain.

The person receiving the massage for back pain should lie down on his/her belly on a firm, comfortable surface, such as a floor mat or firm bed. Make sure that you the whole back of the massage receiver is comfortably within reach. Stand by the side of the person and place one hand on the lower back and teh other between the shoulder blades, over the heart.

Warm up the back by applying thumb pressure along both sides of the spine simultaneously: start from the lower back and knead gently with your thumbs up to the neck area. This will also promote relaxation.

Use a smooth, delicate stroke, called "effleurage", to apply massage oil. In one long stroke, slide your palms down either side of the spine to the pelvis; scoop out around the hips and back up the sides to the shoulders. Maintain contact with the back. Move your hands over the back to start a new area. Continue up both sides of the neck to the base of the head.

Starting at the spine, slide your palms in opposite directions outward to the sides of the back, starting with the lower back area, and moving up to the shoulders.

Knead the fleshy muscular areas at the top of the shoulders, the mid-back area and the buttocks to loosen any tight muscles and fascia, which is a connective tissue.

paul Osborne is the executive editor of http://backpain-resources-online.com & http://lowerbackpainrelief.org Both sites offer a host of information, tips and advice for lower back pain relief.