Author: Online Betting Pro

I am a punter that loves to follow the horse both in Australia and the United Kingdom. I enjoy writing about sports betting and also casino, poker and bingo. In my spare time I like to keep fit by playing football and going for long bike rides. I also like to travel the world and see amazing place s and meet wonderful people along the way.

Manchester United vs West Ham: Two Bosses under Pressure

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Manchester United take on West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League. Both managers are under pressure and need a win. After the successes of last season, Slaven Bilic and the West Ham fans would not have expected to be just one place above the drop zone in November.

In fact, a defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday could see them in the bottom three. A large part of their current situation can be blamed on the move to the new stadium. Their results in the impressive Olympic Stadium have been patchy, to say the least.

Any team in the Premier League is going to struggle if they are continually getting mediocre results at home. West Ham played with such energy and passion last season that you tend to wonder where it has all gone wrong. Injuries to key players haven’t helped. Andy Carroll is still some way off being fully fit, and he has only played once all season. West Ham certainly misses his potent threat up front.

Misfiring Reds

The question needs to be asked if Manchester United’s title chances have already vanished this season. Some people argue that it’s too early to say that. Consider the facts. They trail Chelsea by 9pts, and they are behind three teams that are playing much better than them in Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. All of their big name acquisitions have been misfiring this season. Wayne Rooney has been well below his best.

These are four big reasons why the 9pt gap will likely grow larger rather than contract. You simply cannot underperform for half a season and expect to win the league. The big test for United is to finish in the top four. Jose Mourinho is certainly under pressure, but then again why shouldn’t he be?

United are Still No Better

We can argue about the merits of style but the league position and the stats don’t lie. United are no better off under Mourinho than they were under Moyes and Van Gaal. The bookies now have United at 25/1 for the title. Those odds are not too far short of bookmaker spiel for “no chance”.

As for their game with the Hammers on Sunday, they will start as favourites and rightly so. One negative point for United could be their Europa League tie against Feyenoord on Thursday. What will their energy levels be like against West Ham? Mourinho has openly stated that he is taking the Europa League very seriously this season.

He may need to if they miss out on the top four in the league. Winning the Europa League would then be United’s only chance of playing in the Champions League next season. You can get odds of 1-2 with Stan James for a Man United win. You can also get 7-2 with SkyBet for the draw and a tasty 15-2 with BetFred for a West Ham upset.

Arsenal vs. Bournemouth: Will Wilshere Make the Difference?

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Could Jack Wilshere be the missing link on November 27 when Bournemouth travel to Arsenal? The Arsenal midfielder is currently on loan at Bournemouth following a spell of injuries and poor form, but he’ll have to sit this game out under the rules governing players on a temporary contract.

Since moving to Bournemouth, Wilshere has played nine games and looks to be returning to the sort of form that saw him hailed as one of Arsenal’s next great hopes. In fact, with injuries now a distant memory and his link-up plays starting to find their mark, Wilshere recently received an England call-up from Gareth Southgate.

Wilshere In Form but Out of Action

While it might be a little early to hail the “return” of the 24-year-old talent, he’s certainly looked comfortable in a Bournemouth shirt. Unfortunately, with the FA’s rules preventing him from playing, it looks as though Bournemouth will be up against it at the Emirates.

To date, Arsenal has faced Bournemouth three times and haven’t lost on any occasion. To heap more pressure on Eddie Howe, Arsenal has lost just once this season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth has lost five. In any other match, Howe would be looking to Wilshere for some inspiration in the middle of the park, but this Sunday he won’t have the luxury.

Fortunately, however, he does have Harry Arter. The feisty midfielder has been a powerhouse in the centre this season and often comes in with a crunch challenge when it really matters. According to the stats, Arter has won 25 tackles this season, which is the fifth-best total in the league so far this season.

Midfield Strength is Bournemouth’s Best Hope

With Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez often dropping deep from the frontline, a crunch battle between these two could define much of the match. If Arter can slow down Sanchez and prevent him from feeding into the likes of Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil, then it could stifle Arsenal’s attacks and give Bournemouth a chance to sneak a win.

However, even if Bournemouth can contain Sanchez, Arsenal are still a threat, and more importantly, the Cherries haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders this season. With more conceded (16) than scored (14), Bournemouth is struggling for goals and that could be the deciding factor on Sunday.

The current betting line at Sun Bets has Arsenal as the 2/5 favourites and the visitors way out at 13/2. Although Ladbrokes and Paddy Power are both offering 4/1 on a draw, the market is clearly split between the two opposites of wins and losses. Of course, for a bit more value, Sun Bets will give you 8/1 on the familiar one nil to the Arsenal, but this game looks to have more goals in it.

If There Are Goals, They’ll Probably be Arsenal’s

Bournemouth is vulnerable at the back and Arsenal has netted 25 in 12. That would suggest we’re in for two or more goals from the Gunners, which makes 2-0 at 7/1 and 3-0 at 15/2 look highly attractive. For those that want to take advantage of a timely betting offer, Paddy Power is currently offering an instant payout if your team goes two goals up at any stage in the game.

Valid for all pre-match singles in the Win-Draw-Win market, this offer will see you paid out in full as a winner if your selection nets a two-goal lead. Given Arsenal’s current form and goals-per-game average just over the 2.0 mark, this looks like an offer that’s worth taking advantage of.

That deal aside, Arsenal certainly look like the clear favourites heading into this game and it could well be Wilshere’s absence that’s helped this fact. The Arsenal player might not be contributing to his team’s current run, but he may still end up earning three points when Bournemouth travel to London on Sunday.

Honours To Be Shared On Koeman’s Return

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SOUTHAMPTON have got to improve massively on their midweek Europa League performance if they are to have any chance of a win when former manager Ronald Koeman returns to St Mary’s on Sunday with Everton.

The Saints were woeful in Prague on Thursday night in their 1-0 Europa League defeat against Sparta and if they perform anywhere like that again, it will be a long afternoon for the home side.

The bookies make Southampton a very short 2.20 favourite for the win which is available with most firms and although they are expected to make wholesale changes from the European defeat, that is still a price that does nothing for me.

After a decent little run of form Claude Puel’s side have now failed to win in their last four Premier League fixtures, and with them up against their former manager, I can’t see them winning this one either.

Acrimony surrounded Koeman’s departure in June and he did a magnificent job for Southampton – but could face a very hostile reception at the weekend.

After a bright start to life on Merseyside, the Dutchman has seen his team also struggle for consistency in recent weeks, and the Toffees’ have come unstuck recently after just one win in their last eight matches. That puts me off having a bet on them even at the tempting 3.75, despite them winning this fixture comfortably last season.

In three of their last six matches, Everton has been held to a draw, and draws have been popular on the south coast as with stalemates in four of their last 11.

We saw last week in the dire 0-0 with Liverpool when a lot of Saints’ old boys returned to St Mary’s, it’s very hard to raise your game at a former club, and the draw looks a decent bet in this one again at 3.50 with BoyleSports and Betfred.

All of those Everton draws have ended 1-1 at the final whistle. With both sides featuring strikers that are bang in form in Charlie Austin and Romelu Lukaku, I like both teams to score “yes” at 1.95 with Betfair Sportsbook in what looks likely to be another 1-1 draw, at 7.00 with William Hills, which was the scoreline when the two teams met last at Goodison Park in April.

Sprinters Take Centre Stage of Day 2 of Perth Carnival

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The racing spotlight remains in Australia’s west this weekend with day 2 of the inaugural TABTouch Masters at Perth’s Ascot racecourse. The day’s feature is the AUD $1 million Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes, which is run under weight-for-age conditions over 1200 metres. On-pace runners dominated last Saturday’s Railway Stakes meeting but it’s hoped that, with the rail out six metres, this will be alleviated to some extent. WA’s premier sprint race was run over 1400m from 1937 until 1994 when it was cut to 1200m. Magnifisio and Buffering aim to join multiple winners La Trive (1970-71), Belinda’s Star (1975-76), Hardrada (2002-03) and Ortensia (2009, 11) and an honour roll that includes Takeover Target (2008), Miss Andretti (2005) and Placid Ark (1987).

East holding cards over west

The Winterbottom field is a fascinating mix of eastern states raiders, the bulk of which are deep into their spring campaigns, and the local contenders who’ve mostly been set for this specific race. The field of 12 is headed by the Joe Pride-trained Terravista which is coming off a last-start second to Redzel at Flemington. Darley Classic winner Malaguerra joins Terravista along with Takedown and the Lindsay Park pair of Keen Array and Sheidel in trying to claim a Group 1 for the visitors after local galloper Scales Of Justice won the Group 1 Railway Stakes last Saturday. The Chris Gangemi-trained Rock Magic is the highest-rated local galloper having won two of his past three starts while leading local hope State Solicitor will have to overcome barrier 11.

Sydney speedster the one to beat

The top two in the market are so difficult to split with Malaguerra ($3.30 with Ladbrokes) slightly shading Terravista ($3.60 with Ladbrokes). Favourites have won eight of the past 12 editions while just four winners in the past 20 years have jumped from a double-digit gate, so it’s reasonable to expect that this year’s Winterbottom winner will be wearing either saddlecloth #1 or #2. But the upside is clearly with Joe Pride’s sometimes frustrating 7yo gelding. Opening at $15 when the all-in market was released, that quote was slashed when Terravista returned in top order in the Listed Mumm Stakes on Crown Oaks Day. Carrying 60.5kg, Terravista was able to get within a head of winner Redzel. His record over six furlongs is an imposing 11:5-0-3.

Mare’s form out of this world

It’s an otherwise relatively thin day of black-type racing around the nation so for the next best of the day, check out the Roadwork Solutions Handicap (race 8) at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens for the benchmark 78 fillies & mares over 1200 metres. It’s surprising to find #8 Interstellar at a 5-2 quote (with William Hill) with her form faultless since joining the Hawkes stake from New Zealand during the winter. She won first-up in Australia on July 30 and was barely tested in a trial at Rosehill just over a fortnight ago. This lightly raced 4yo mare has three wins from six career starts including two of three first-up and she looks a clear top pick over this fairly middling bunch.

Pakistan Braced for Another Chilly Reception

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More seam and swing is expected in Hamilton for the second test between New Zealand and Pakistan starting today. Green pitches that offer support to the bowlers was once a tried and tested formula for matches hosted in New Zealand as the home side looked to utilise their home advantage to put touring batsman under pressure. After a brief departure from the formula, NZ Cricket has returned to seaming conditions. And it worked excellently in game one of this series.

Will it work again? Or will Pakistan win a crucial toss and flip the script?

Find out our prediction and betting tips below:

The Last Time These Two Met

The rain affected first test in Christchurch threw up little by way of surprises. The Pakistan batsmen were always expected to struggle in swinging conditions, and debutant Colin de Grandhomme took full advantage to take the game away from Pakistan on the second morning. New Zealand ended up taking the spoils by a comfortable eight wickets.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely):

1 Jeet Raval, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Colin de Grandhomme, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Matt Henry

For the Black Caps, Trent Boult has been ruled out, paving the way for impressive seamer Matt Henry to resume his stop-start test career. Mitchell Santner also returns to the side after breaking a hand in the nets. He replaces Todd Astle. There were some concerns over an eye problem for Ross Taylor, but he will play and have surgery after the test series.

Pakistan (likely):

1 Sami Aslam, 2 Azhar Ali (capt.), 3 Babar Azam, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Mohammad Rizwan, 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Mohammad Amir, 11 Sohail Khan

Pakistan may opt for Mohammad Rizwan instead of Sharjeel Khan. While What Riaz could replace Rahat Ali. The two bowling changes will help the side to take twenty wickets on a surface expected to give plenty of assistance, but they don’t fix an already long tail.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Tim Southee – A slightly odd highlight for a bowler that has been without his best for some time. The former spearhead has lost speed, swing and rhythm since Alan Donald and then Shane Bond left the NZ coaching group. However, in this test, without Trent Would, he’s needed more than ever. He’s the main swing bowler in the group (Wagner and Henry are much more into the pitch bowlers) and in favourable conditions needs to take charge and make the batsmen uncomfortable.

Pakistan

Azhar Ali – The Pakistani captain was solid in Christchurch without being spectacular. He batted for 173 balls in the second innings to blunt the NZ bowling group at the start of the second dig, but a better approach to turning over the strike is now required. Bowlers get too comfortable bowling to one player and not conceding runs, the pressure goes on the batsman and not the bowler. Ali should be looking to help out his fellow batsman and keep the scoreboard ticking over, because once he falls, the team has a penchant to collapse. He’s especially crucial given Misbah will miss the match.

The Match Odds

New Zealand – $2.40 at Unibet.

Pakistan – $5.10 at Unibet.

Draw – $2.54 at Unibet.

The Prediction

It’s hard to see Pakistan putting up more of a fight than they did in Christchurch. That’s not implying their not good enough or mentally prepared to tough it out, it’s simply an indication of the unfamiliarity of the cold, bowler friendly conditions. Without Misbah the challenge looks too great. New Zealand by five wickets or 150 runs.

The Best Bets

If you believe in batsmen being “due” to score runs, then the money on Ross Taylor is attractive. He’s paying $5 to be New Zealand best batsman. He’s had his recent struggles but has traditionally been pretty consistent against Pakistan.

London Calling: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Preview

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Take two London clubs, one that’s yet to lose and another sitting top of the Premier League and what have you got? That’s right, you’ve got a recipe for something truly special. Chelsea vs. Tottenham has always been a battle of attrition, but this season’s inaugural derby on November 26 could be so much more.

Spurs are yet to sample the bitter taste of defeat in the Premier League this season; however, despite this unblemished record, Mauricio Pochettino’s men are still sitting fifth in the table after 12 games. In contrast, even with two defeats already under their belts, Chelsea’s finest are now riding high on 28 points.

Drawing the Short Straw

The difference, in this instance, is draws. While Chelsea has drawn just once and won nine times, Tottenham has a 50/50 win/draw split. This ability to shut down teams but simultaneously fail to punish them has made Spurs something of a unique proposition this season. In some respects, they’re the most impressive team in the league thanks to a lack of losses and only eight goals conceded.

However, on the flipside, they’re one of the most disappointing sides in the top five. As impressive as it is to remain unbeaten, the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son haven’t exactly been emphatic up front. With only 18 goals overall, Tottenham appears to lack the firepower necessary to compete with the Premier League’s big boys.

Indeed, if you contrast that strike rate to league leader’s Chelsea, Diego Costa and co have notched up 27 goals. In fact, when you bore down into the individual stats, Tottenham’s leading light, Harry Kane has only scored once this season. Yes, he’s only played 90 minutes and is far from his best, but it’s setbacks like this that have stopped Spurs from becoming an unstoppable force.

Smooth Sailing for Chelsea

For Chelsea, the lack of injury worries and dips in form has seen the blues slip past their rivals and quietly assume control of the league. Fortunately, for those in the south-west of the capital, Antonio Conte won’t have any such worries heading into the Tottenham match. Everyone appears to be present and correct ahead of the clash, and that could be the difference this time around.

According to the odds makers at Sun Bets, Chelsea are the comfortable favourites to take all three points with a betting line currently sitting at 8/11. This confidence is echoed at Coral (7/10) and William Hill (3/4), which would suggest we’ll see Chelsea continue to tighten their grip on the league.

For Tottenham manager Pochettino, injury issues and suspensions will continue to be a problem. Just as Conte has enjoyed a relatively smooth ride this season, Pochettino will have to do without full-back Danny Rose (suspended) and Toby Alderweireld (injury). These missing links could result in a formation change to 3-4-3, which would essentially see Spurs mimicking Chelsea.

Identical Tactics Could Cancel Each Other Out

Now, if Tottenham were firing on all cylinders, going kick-for-kick with Chelsea wouldn’t be a bad idea. However, as we’ve already seen, there has been a distinct lack of attacking prowess from Tottenham and that could be problematic on Sunday. Of course, if you’re in the market for some value or you’re simply a diehard fan of the Lilywhites, Sun Bets will give you 15/4 on a Tottenham win.

For those with an eye on some actual value, the draw could be the most promising betting option for this game. Given Tottenham’s ability to shut down teams but fail to score, 11/4 on a draw with Coral looks to be too good a price to turn down. Naturally, with home advantage, no injury worries and the weight of momentum on their side, Chelsea will be tough to stop. However, if Spurs can dig in and display some flashes of genius as they have at times this season, a draw is more than possible.