Online Betting Pro, Author at Free Bets And Sports News.

Premier League Betting: Can Chelsea Stake Their Claim

Posted on 2016-11-182016-12-06 by Online Betting Pro

Last season was an absolute disaster for Chelsea. They were responsible for what was the worst title defence in the last 20 years. On top of all that they had to part company with Jose Mourinho, a manager that had not only delivered them three league titles but had also become the most successful manager in their history. It seemed to be asking too much back in August to expect the blues to mount a serious title challenge this season.

Just too Many Problems

The so-called “experts” had the two Manchester clubs as clear favourites for the title. So did the bookies. Chelsea had just signed a new manager in Antonio Conte. Although he had been hugely successful with Juventus, the Premier League was a step into unknown territory for him. Add to that the disastrous previous season and Chelsea just had too many problems coming into the 2016-17 season to fight for the title…..or so we thought.

Except the “experts” were wrong. Not only are Chelsea now serious title contenders, but Conte has imposed his system and style very rapidly, and the players at Stamford Bridge are responding to it very well. Their 5-0 hammering of Everton before the international break was the most complete performance by any team in the league so far this season.

Down by the Riverside

Chelsea travels to meet Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Sunday. Middlesbrough has made a solid if unspectacular start to the season. They stand only a point above the relegation zone. However, they have had several good results of late. They have drawn away to Arsenal and Manchester City while defeating Bournemouth 2-0 at home. It will be interesting to see how they handle Chelsea so soon after their games against the Gunners and City. Will this give us any clues as to who the champions will be?

It is often said that defences win titles. If that is the case then you have to make a serious case for Chelsea to not only challenge for the title but to actually win it. They have the offensive capability to match teams like City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Where Chelsea has the edge is in defence, and in the fact that Conte has given the entire team an identity. It will be a hard game away to Middlesbrough, but Chelsea over ninety minutes will be tough to stop.

So Place Your Bets

William Hill quotes Chelsea at only 1-2 to come out on top while a home win for Boro is a tempting 6-1. They also quote the draw at 4/1. So it’s time to make a bet. Betting on a team playing away from home in the Premier League at 1-2 never seems an attractive proposition. The league is too tough and volatile as Manchester City have found out recently. If you fancy Chelsea to win but don’t like the short odds, then how about a punt on the correct score? William Hill quotes 6-1 for a 2-0 Chelsea win, while you could get 15/2 if Chelsea wins 2-1.

Tottenham vs. West Ham: Transfers, Injuries and Very Few Goals

Posted on 2016-11-17 by Online Betting Pro

The latest London derby between Tottenham and West Ham looks set to be defined by future desires and current injuries. Although the stats currently favour Spurs, it seems as though the action off the pitch might influence the game when the game kicks off on November 19.

Indeed, heading into the match, the two teams look set to be on a transfer collision course for Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge. With the striker failing to find his mark with the Reds this season, a January transfer could be on the horizon, but where will he go? According to an article by Bleacher Report, Tottenham is eager to sign the goal-getter after failing to secure a deal at the start of the season.

The Sturridge Effect Could Impact Both Teams

Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly had his eye on Sturridge for some time, and the man himself has said he is willing to move to London if he gets the chance. With 57 goals in 102 games for Liverpool, Sturridge would certainly boost a Tottenham front line that’s only managed 15 goals this season (the lowest strike rate in the top five).

However, if the bookies have it right, Sturridge will be West Ham bound in January. Ladbrokes is currently offering 7/2 on a move to the Hammers, which may mean we see the striker in claret and blue this season. Of course, the odds are merely speculative at this point, but the current situation does seem to suggest that Tottenham and West Ham are vying for Sturridge, and that could create an interesting dynamic on Saturday.

Although Sturridge will be watching his Liverpool teammates take on Southampton, there’s a chance he’ll have one eye on Tottenham vs. West Ham. In fact, both managers probably know that their performances in the lead-up to Christmas could very well play a part in Sturridge’s decision-making process. With this in mind, neither side will want to give an inch when they clash at White Hart Lane.

Holes in Both Sides Could Shift the Dynamics

Of course, transfer speculation can only have so much effect on a game, and the real issue for both clubs this time around appears to be injuries. With West Ham currently languishing in 17th place after 11 games, manager Slaven Bilic certainly won’t be happy that he could be without nine players on Saturday.

Jamie Collins, Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho are just four of the players doubtful through injury. To make matters worse, Mark Noble won’t be eligible because of a ban, which means West Ham could be lacking in all areas of the park when they travel across London to Tottenham.

That fact will come as a blow to Hammers fans as they have yet to see their side gain any real momentum this season. Three wins from 11, and just six-goal strikes of a side that could easily slip into a regulation dogfight in the post-Christmas run.

However, if there was ever a glimmer of hope, then it’s the news that Pochettino has his own injury crisis to worry about. With Christian Eriksen injuring his foot for Denmark, Tottenham may now be without seven key players. Indeed, with Mousa Dembele and Vincent Janssen also suffering knocks while away on international duty, the Spurs side that’s currently gone unbeaten in 11 could look decidedly shaky on Saturday.

Odds Are We Won’t See Many Goals

Spurs’ injury worries don’t seem to have affected the odds, however. Scanning through the Premier League betting options at Sun Bets this week shows Tottenham as heavy favourites for the game. 8/15 is the current price on a home win, while a draw and away win are 16/5 and 5/1 respectively.

Given the current state of both team’s seasons, the form does suggest that a Tottenham win is on the cards. However, with transfer issues and injuries shifting the goalposts, this one might not be as cut-and-dry as the bookmakers believe. In fact, with the added pressure of it being a London derby, we could see West Ham’s finest raise their games and eke out a result.

In reality, the result is most likely to be a draw, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any betting value in this match. Perhaps the most alluring bets are those involving a lack of goals. With a combined 21 goals between them so far this season (that’s nine less than Liverpool have scored on their own), this game probably won’t be a goal-fest.

7/10 on under 2.5 goals at Bet365 looks to be a good price, as does 19/20 on both teams not to score. However, if you’re looking for some real value, 0-0 or 1-1 are currently priced at 12/1 and 13/2 respectively at Stan James.

Although Tottenham remains the clear favourites for the game, there is a chance that external factors could play a part in the result. If West Ham can retrieve a point from White Hart Lane, then it’s likely to be because they ground out a goalless draw. Yes, there’s a chance both teams could surprise us and bang in goals for fun, but the chances are this one will be a goal or two either way.

An Exciting Clash On The South Coast Expected

Posted on 2016-11-17 by Online Betting Pro

JURGEN Klopp’s table toppers Liverpool face a tricky fixture on Saturday when they make the tough trip south to take on Southampton at St Mary’s.

The Reds have stormed to the top of the Premier League table after a run of nine wins in their last ten matches; the bookies expect maximum points again for the Merseysider’s, who quoted at just a general price of 2.05 to get another win at a ground that has proven problematic over recent years.

The Saints’ have won four of their last six home matches against Liverpool, and Claude Puel’s side are in decent form themselves, so the 3.60 on the home side might appeal to a lot of punters.

This game sees a return to St Mary’s for Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovern and Sadio Mane, and it’s always very difficult for players to go back to their former club with their new employees and perform well. With so many old boys returning, that would be a big concern if taking the short odds.

This match really does look a tricky one to call and a lot closer than the layers suggest, and match betting markets should be left alone.

The UK betting public are passionately in love with Liverpool and Klopp, and they are always the subject of a significant gamble with their odds always far too short come kick-off time, but their punters keep winning, and until they get their fingers burnt it’s not going to stop.

Whenever these two sides meet we normally see goals, and that is the angle to get involved in at the weekend to make a profit.

These two met three times last season and 14 goals were scored in those games. Both teams scored in every meeting, and although it’s short, the 1.66 with Bet365 on both teams scoring on Saturday is a bet for high staking punters, or a must for smaller multiple backers.

Liverpool has certainly been the entertainers in the Premier League this season, with both teams scoring in their last four matches, and in eight of their last ten.

In the last two Liverpool Premier League games 13 goals have featured, and with over 2.5 goals resulting in a winning wager in NINE of those ten, the general 1.75 on over 2.5 goals also looks a nice bet for the neutrals to enjoy.

With goals firmly on the agenda, this could turn into a real classic, and with it proving very difficult for me to find a winner, I am going to have a cheeky £1 on the match to end 3-3 at a huge 56.00 with BetVictor.

Premier League Betting: Can City Hang Tough at Selhurst Park

Posted on 2016-11-162016-12-06 by Online Betting Pro

Manchester City faces a real fight if they are to win the Premier League in Pep Guardiola’s’ first season. The bookies made City and neighbours United strong favourites in the football betting markets back in August. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have all made strong starts to the season. This has increased the pressure on Guardiola. Their recent 3-1 win against Barcelona will have done wonders for the teams’ morale.

City Need to Bounce Back

Only five points separate the top five teams. This season is shaping up to be the most exciting season for years. Six teams are in with a shout of taking the title. The dramatic win against Barcelona may have been a great result for City, but that didn’t prevent them from tumbling back down to earth several days later.

The 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough was yet another game where the Sky Blues have dropped valuable points this season. They now trail Liverpool by two points after leading the division by four points just a few weeks ago. Another defeat would not go down too well at the Etihad, especially when they face a tough trip next week to Germany in the Champions League.

Can Pardew hang with Pep

Alan Pardew is one of the longest serving Premier League managers. He has a history of beating the big teams on the big occasions. Selhurst Park is a tight little ground that no away team likes. Their supporters generate a terrific atmosphere, and very few teams come away from Palace with an easy win.

Palace is certainly a team that can rough up their opponents. Guardiola still seems to be having problems with the City defence. Players like John Stones seem to be caught between the two objectives of needing to be expansive and eliminating mistakes. City is as short as 1-2 with Bet365, while they also quote Palace at 5-1 for the home win.

The Value isn’t with City

The Premier League is a tough uncompromising division. Any team in the league can go on a run of negative results at any time. So the question is, are the bookies reading too much into the fact that Palace has lost their last four games, and only have one win in six? City recently went on a similar winless run, but then beat West Brom 4-0 away, and Barcelona 3-1 within a matter of days.

If you fancy City to be denied and be held to a draw yet again, then BetVictor offer an attractive 19/5. It’s difficult to be overly confident in any team that can beat Barcelona 3-1, and then be held 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough several days later.

Manchester United v Arsenal: Bitter Rivalries Resumed At Old Trafford

Posted on 2016-11-16 by Online Betting Pro

With the (mostly) tedious round of international fixtures thankfully over and done with, a welcome return to the Premier League beckons as Manchester United and Arsenal kick off the bill in fine style on Saturday.

Formerly the bitterest of enemies in their annual tussle for top division supremacy, it is fair to say that this once-fierce rivalry has gone off the boil in recent seasons – but that looks set to change this weekend as old hostilities are resumed between Arsene Wenger and newly-appointed Red Devils manager, Jose Mourinho.

There’s certainly no love lost between the pair, with Mourinho memorably branding his opposite number a “voyeur” after the Frenchman’s comments on what he perceived to be a negative Chelsea side in the 2005 season. Wenger allegedly considered legal action before responding with a withering put-down of his own.

“He’s out of order, disconnected with reality and disrespectful,” the long-standing Arsenal manager said in riposte to what he deemed to be one personal attack too many from his venomous Portuguese opponent. “When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes and not more intelligent.”

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Although there have been numerous other flare-ups between the pair over the years, both Mourinho and Wenger will surely prefer that their teams do the talking for them on the pitch this Saturday – and the bad news for the visitors is that the statistics make for grim reading as far as an away win is concerned.

Not only do the Gunners have an abysmal record at Old Trafford in recent years, but Wenger is also winless against his opposite number in 13 attempts; with Mourinho drawing six of the pair’s competitive meetings and winning the remaining seven, including a notable 6-0 demolition at Stamford Bridge in March 2014.

That being said, a stuttering start to life as Manchester United boss means that the bookmakers think there is little to choose between the two teams on this occasion, with United seen as narrow favourites at 31/20 by William Hill, and Arsenal not far behind at 23/10 with Sky Bet. The draw, meanwhile, is available at a best price of 19/10 with Bet Victor, meaning no one is entirely sure what to expect from Saturday’s early kick-off.

No PL Audition For Ibrahimovic

One thing that is for certain, however, is that Mourinho’s men will be without the services of talismanic centre-forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who misses the match due to suspension. With the big Swede being responsible for six of United’s 16 Premier League goals so far, this naturally leaves something of a void in the first scorer market, with Olivier Giroud surprisingly seen as the man most likely at 11/2 with Sky Bet.

With the French striker being mostly confined to the role of substitute this season, it seems an erroneous price when you consider that Alexis Sanchez is likely to retain his position up front for the Gunners. The Chilean returned from injury to score twice against Uruguay during the international break and is seen as a 13/2 shot with William Hill to break the deadlock here, with teammate Theo Walcott also available at 8/1.

For the home side, meanwhile, Marcus Rashford is the 6/1 favourite with Coral, but there might be more value to be had in Unibet’s 7/1 quote on Wayne Rooney doubling his tally for the season. True, the United skipper has been far from convincing in recent months, but with 14 career goals against Arsenal to date, it would certainly be fitting if an old constant decided the latest meeting between these two evolving teams.

Spieth Faces Scott Challenge in Australian Open

Posted on 2016-11-15 by Online Betting Pro

The Triple Crown is a big deal in Australian golf. A trio of tournaments so difficult to win individually, and nigh on impossible to own all at the same time. The first leg is the Australian Open. Hosted this year by the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Take a look at our preview of the course, the contenders and the odds below:

The Course

Royal Sydney Golf Club – The Championship Course at Royal Sydney is a traditional golf course without tricks or gimmicks. Heavily bunkering and undulating fairways make it a tricky prospect, especially in strong winds. The set-up favours ball strikers, where fairways and greens are the order of the day. The course doesn’t play overly long, as evidenced by past wins from Tim Clark and John Senden, but the greens will make up for the length and provide an appropriate challenge (having in 2003 undergone an extensive rebuilding phase).

The Defending Champion

Last year, Matt Jones snuck into the clubhouse ahead of the fast finishing Adam Scott and heavily backed favourite Jordan Spieth. Spieth was defending his 2014 title and was poised to go back-to-back before a disappointing even-par final round curtailed his chances. Jones will not defend his title, opting to concentrate on his PGA Tour commitments at the RSM Classic. Jones has actually shown some nice form in the States this year – a tie for 15th at the Shriners giving him much needed early FedEx Cup points – so it’s a shame he won’t defend here.

The Contenders*

Jordan Spieth $4 – The winner of the Australian Open in 2014, and along with the man below, one of the overwhelming favourites for this year’s tournament. Despite a minor lull in his output ever since the Masters meltdown, Spieth is still an unbelievably good golfer and one of the best mid-range putters in the game. He’s a certainty to be near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday even though he hasn’t played since the Ryder Cup.

Adam Scott $4.5 – The best ball striker in the business is expected to do well on a course well suited to pure ball strikers. A winner here in 2009, just down the road at the NSW Golf Club and runner-up last year. Scott performed well on the PGA Tour in 2015, putting together a season that featured: two wins, two seconds and a fourth place finish in the FedEx Cup. The odds on a Scott win look very attractive.

John Senden $23 – Sendo’s been grinding for the past few years, but should still be competitive back on home soil. A previous winner of the tournament – Royal Sydney in 2006 – Senden’s strengths include a creative short game and an accurate long game. While on paper that sounds ideal this week, there are question marks over his ability to close out a tournament, given he hasn’t competed in tournaments for some time.

Geoff Ogilvy $26 – The evergreen Ogilvy is possibly the nicest man in golf. Humble, intelligent and spiritual too. Having enjoyed success the world over, including major titles, Ogilvy still has the drive to succeed. Matching that drive is a game that’s holding up to the younger generation too; Ogilvy finished tied for 4th at the recent Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. A former champion, Ogilvy is a good chance this week.

Cameron Smith $26 – The young Australian has made an excellent start to the 2016/17 PGA Tour season. After four events, he’s ranked 37th in the FedEx Cup, with a scoring average of 70.

Curtis Luck $41 – An outsider, but one with real promise. The US Amateur Champion and recent Eisenhower Trophy winner with the Australian team makes his Australian Open debut at Royal Sydney.

Adam Blyth $67 – The Queenslander won the recent NSW Open despite a horrible stumble midway through his round that featured six dropped shots in six holes. If form is an indication as to success in Sydney, Blyth’s an attractive prospect.

*Odds from Bet365

The Winner

There’s a lot of talent in the list above, and we didn’t even get to recent PGA Tour winner Rod Pampling. Picking one is like choosing what to watch on Netflix – far too hard to narrow. However, we like Adam Scott. The course suits him, and he’ll have fond memories of his 62 (achieved in 2014).

Author: Online Betting Pro