Category: Featured

Europa League Betting Preview: Atletico Madrid v Valencia

Richard Aikman believes we could see goals galore in the second leg of this hotly contested quarter-final between two Spanish teams. “Over 2.5 goals is a miserly 1.66 but over 3.5 is a more appealing 2.64 ; when you consider that Valencia hit four in their last away match in this competition a goal fiesta is not out of the question.” As the 2-2 first leg at Mestalla proved there is little to separate these two exciting sides, but we can at least rely on the goals to flow Thursday’s eagerly awaited Spanish derby. The last three UEFA Europa League matches involving these attacking outfits have produced an impressive 16 goals, and the 3-0 home victories for each at the weekend underlined their attacking nature. Valencia strengthened their hold on third place in La Liga by overcoming Osasuna thanks to second-half strikes by Joaquin and David Villa (twice), while Atlético saw off Deportivo La Coruña after Juanito, Diego Forlan and Tiago each scored for the hosts.

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Apr 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Europa League Betting Preview: Standard Liege v Hamburg

The German side travel to Belgium with a narrow advantage on Thursday night but are they overly reliant on their classy Dutch striker? Richard Aikman selects the best bets for what should be an absorbing clash. “Both sides have nothing else to play so each are expected to throw caution to the wind. That makes over 2.5 goals an appealing bet at 1.92 .” Hamburg hold a slender advantage from the first leg but Standard’s away goal and strong home record in Europe will leave them full of confidence for the return leg in Belgium. Dieudonné Mbokani gave the visitors the lead last week with a powerful header before two quick-fire replies nudged Hamburg ahead.

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Apr 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Europa League Betting Preview: Wolfsburg v Fulham

They may have been formidable at the Cottage this season but Fulham have a terrible away record and they will have to be at their best if they are to keep the German champions at bay. Richard Aikman selects the best bets. “How Fulham can be expected to beat the resurgent Germans is a mystery. Fortunately, they don’t have to and a draw 4.0 would appear to be their best chance of progressing.” Life would be a great deal easier for Fulham had they not conceded a last-minute goal against Wolfsburg and their abysmal away record suggests a draw 4.0 is the best they can hope for in the return leg. Goals by Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff put the Cottagers in the box seat last week, but Alexander Madlung’s late effort has left the tie hanging in the balance. It’s not that Wolfsburg should hold any particular fear for Fulham, even if they did hammer Hoffenheim 4-0 at home on Saturday with Edin Dzeko scoring twice, but their woeful travel sickness is their greatest enemy. Fulham have not won on the road in eight attempts, and that victory came against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup back in January. Worse still, the Londoners’ other away scalps this season number just three: Basle, Vetra and Portsmouth

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Apr 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

IPL Betting: Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers

Tobias Gourlay sees new arrivals helping Bangalore get stronger and stronger as the tournament goes on. Venue and Conditions Thursday’s only IPL game takes place at the M

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Apr 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: Manchester United v Bayern Munich

James Eastham explains why the absence of a certain Manchester United striker is arguably a bigger factor than the involvement of 22 other players in the game. Best bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.16 . Recommended bets: Manchester Utd v Bayern Munich under 2.5 goals @ 2.16 ; Manchester United to win 1-0 and 2-0 @ 9.2 and 10.0 respectively.

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Apr 07, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Monte’s Multiple: Location, Location, Location

The Barney Army is never more vocal than in Scotland and that can be enough to inspire Raymond van Barneveld to victory over Adrian Lewis this week… Back Manchester United to beat Bayern Munich @ 1.8 Back van Barneveld to beat Lewis @ 2.6 Back Kolkata Knight Riders to beat Delhi Daredevils @ 2.4 Treble pays @ 11.2 Bet 1: Football – Champions League Bouncebackability may have only been officially recognised as a word of the English language since 2004, but its literal definition – the ability to bounce back – is a trait which Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United sides have been practising for over two decades.

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Apr 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: Bordeaux v Lyon

Tobias Gourlay expects Lyon to down a less-than-vintage Bordeaux. Recommended Bet: Back the Draw at 3.5 Wednesday’s quarter final between Bordeaux and Lyon is guaranteed to give France its first Champions League semi-finalist since Monaco six years ago. Lyon , who lost at this stage in 2004, 2005 and 2006, are 1.26 favourites to progress as they take a 3-1 lead to Bordeaux’s Stade Chaban-Delmas. After a seven-year reign, Bordeaux deposed Lyon as French champions last season. Their lack of European experience was expected to count against them in this competition, but they were prepared well by Laurent Blanc and thus far have won all four of their home matches. They do not, however, have very good recent form, losing matches in three different competitions in the last 10 days. Captain Alou Diarra has recognised that, ‘The team is affected morally,’ which doesn’t sound good. Certainly, they have been weakened by the absence of central-defender Marc Planus .

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Apr 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

T20 World Cup Betting: Heart says England, head says Australia, wallet says Windies

The T20 World Cup gets under way later this month and England have announced a new-look side for the tournament, says Frank Gregan. But can they produce the goods at the crease? “England are 11.5 to win the tournament and given their current vein of form that looks a big price.” Twenty20 World Cups seem to come around more often than tax returns, insurance renewals and the MOT. It’s just over nine months since the last one but England named their squad for this year’s tournament, which gets underway on the 30th April, a week ago. It promises to be a wham bam, thank you Ma’am affair, 17 days from flash to bang and it should be a corker.

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Apr 05, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting Preview: Barcelona v Arsenal

Some have argued that Barca’s failure to kill-off this tie in London gives the momentum to Arsenal but Dave Farrar disagrees and expect the defending champions to sweep aside the Gunners at the Nou Camp.

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Apr 05, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: CSKA Moscow v Internazionale

Tobias Gourlay isn’t entirely convinced that Tuesday’s early Champions League quarter-final is worth an afternoon off work. Recommended Bets: Back 0-0 Correct Score at 9.2 ; back the Draw at 3.3 Internazionale take a 1-0 lead to the Luzhniki Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League tie with CSKA Moscow. The Italian champions had enough possession last week to have garnered more of an advantage, but now need to be extra careful of a long journey (so long that this match will kick-off early at 1730 BST on Tuesday), a synthetic pitch and well-rested opponents (CSKA’s weekend league match with Zenit St Petersburg was called off for security reasons). Even though CSKA defender Aleksei Berezutski puts his team’s chance of qualification at 45%, the market makes Jose Mourinho’s team 1.16 to qualify for a semi final with Arsenal or Barcelona. A goal in Russia would leave the hosts needing three and one wonders if the Special One won’t make like he did at Stamford Bridge in the last round, when he sent out three strikers and won 1-0. The Nerazzurri have scored fewer goals than any of the other teams still in the competition though and their Portuguese leader has been known to err on the side of caution

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Apr 05, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
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