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.

Can the Sharks Weather the Storm in 2016 NRL Grand Final?

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Sunday may well be a day of rest for many, but certainly not in Sydney this Sunday October 2nd. All of Australia will be tuning in to watch the NRL Grand Final, and thousands of fans will pack the impressive ANZ Stadium in Sydney to witness the clash between Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks unfold.

So what chances have each team got in this NRL Grand Final match? Where should your money go? Where will the decisive battles be fought? These are the vital questions that need to be answered before you wager your hard earned money on the result.

Previous Meetings

So what can we make of the two previous encounters between these two teams this season? Well actually we can base very little on them, except for the fact that each team utilised home advantage very well. The Sharks came out ahead in round 4 at their Southern Cross home 14-6. However the Storm reversed that in impressive style in round 26 when they cruised to a 26-6 victory.

All of the major betting firms have Melbourne Storm as the clear favourite to win this match. In part that is based on their long winning streak of 15 matches on the spin during the 2016 season. On top of this we can add the following impressive stats, and we all love stats when we are about to wager our valuable money, don’t we?

A Team for the Big Occasion

The Sharks are playing in their first Grand Final since 1997 while Melbourne Storm are appearing in their sixth in the past ten years. So it is clear which team is the most consistent. William Hill have Melbourne Storm at 8/11 favourites, with the Sharks at 6/5.

If those odds don’t get your juices flowing, then how about a bet on the first try scorer? First though, let’s examine where the key battles will be fought. The Storm may have the big game finals experience and history but is that enough? Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will be using their vast experience to dictate the game for the Storm. They are both incredibly adept at getting into key positions for field goals and that could prove decisive.

First Try Scorer Odds

This game looks set to be a tight affair. That’s why the higher odds of first try scorer may appeal more. So what value can be found in these markets? Well William Hill have Suliasi Vunivalu as the clear favourite at 7/1. If you want bigger odds and a better payoff then how about the Sharks taking the lead, and Valentine Holmes touching down first? That pays 9/1, and if you fancy the Sharks to prevail anyway then this bet makes a lot of sense.

Winning Margin Odds

As we have already stated, this game looks set to be tight. There is too much at stake for a huge winning margin to be expected, and the 26-6 victory by Melbourne Storm in round 26 looks unlikely to be repeated. However, if you fancy Melbourne to overrun the Sharks by the same margin, then check these odds out!

William Hill go 11/1 on a winning margin of 16-20 points for the Storm. If you’re leaning towards Melbourne for the win, but with less than a 10pt margin, then why not place two bets? You can get 9/2 on a 5pt margin or less for Melbourne. Couple that with odds of 5/1 for the Storm to win by 6-10pts and you have the makings of a tasty bet.

The fact remains though that whoever starts out stronger in this Sunday’s NRL Grand Final will hold a key advantage. It seems to favour Melbourne simply based on the fact that they have been there before and bought the t-shirt so to speak.

 

 

Can the “Doggies” Break their 55 Year AFL Grand Final Drought?

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2016 AFL Grand Final – Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs

As sporting events go, Aussie Rules is as tough as they come. It is certainly no sport for weaklings or sensitive souls. So here we are once again at AFL Grand Final time, that “One day in September”, which ironically falls on October 1 this year. The venue is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the most iconic of all sporting venues.

You could be forgiven for thinking that this will be just like any other AFL final…except it isn’t! For a start, the Western Bulldogs are taking part. So what’s so special about that? The record books show they haven’t participated in an AFL Grand Final since 1961, and that has been far too long between drinks for “Doggies” fans; they’re desperate to end the drought.

No Certainty for Sydney

The Swans have been finalists on a regular basis and they really seem to perform well in the big pressure games. So what can we expect? Firstly, the Sydney Swans have plenty of Grand Final experience. On the flip side they have also been known to blow up on the big occasions too. This season’s stats seem to suggest that this game could be close.

Sydney’s win over Geelong in last week’s preliminary final is an instructive game to take into consideration when looking for a winner in this match. Sure, Sydney won, but they failed in a couple of key areas. One being the inside 50’s. Geelong came out on top in that one 72-40.

Preferred Defence

What this does however is give the “Dogs” an insight into how Sydney are looking to defend. The big question is can they exploit that? The Swans have been one of the top teams this season when it comes to clearances. In fact, only the Greater Western Sydney Giants have bettered them. The Bulldogs have also performed well in this area. So what we have in this final is a battle in the midfield.

Who Will Win the Midfield?

The midfield is going to be the key. The experts, pundits and ex-players all seem to agree. Whoever wins the midfield on Saturday will win the game. Sydney has a formidable line up. Kennedy, Jack, Parker and Hannebery are as tough as they come. However the Dogs won the clearance battle last time out. Many believe they will do it again.

All this makes for one thing. An absolutely enthralling AFL Grand Final. So where is your money going, and where will the value be? Sun Bets have the Swans as clear favourites at 4/7. Do they deserve to be so short?

Time to Place a Wager

With the Dogs at 11/8 and showing some good game stats this season then many people will fancy those odds!

If these potential wagers don’t get you excited, then try these. You could get 6/1 with Sun Bets on Western Bulldogs overturning a half-time deficit and going on to win the game. If you fancy the Swans to win and be ahead at half time, then you may want to take a punt on the 4/5 being offered. So come on, are you a man or a mouse?

Do you go for the safer option and take odds on? Experience shows that favourites don’t always win these games. All it takes is for one player to underperform. This means that the underdog stands a great chance as long as they are not outclassed.

One thing is sure, the Western Bulldogs may be the underdogs in this clash, but they are certainly not outclassed. They have the personnel to win this match and upset the odds, and the stats back that up.

 

 

Europe’s Rookies Give USA the Edge in 2016 Ryder Cup

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The Ryder Cup is without a doubt the greatest team event in world golf, and one of the greatest team events in international sport. It pits the entire continent of Europe against the USA. This year’s event will be staged at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota from September 30th to October 2nd, 2016.

Europe has been dominant in this golf event in recent years winning the past three tournaments; in fact, it has taken home the Cup in six out of the last seven meetings against rival USA.

So, you could be mistaken for thinking that team Europe would start as a huge favourite at Hazeltine. However, Sun Bets have the USA as short as 4/7 with Darren Clarke’s European side at 15/8 to win the matchup outright and 11/8 to retain it; the defending champions keep the Cup in the event of a tied match.

The Year of the Rookie

Lending the US team the edge is how many well established European stars have either struggled this year, or have just missed the team. Stalwarts like Ian Poulter will be sorely missed, and past greats like Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie have not been easy to replace.

Europe has no fewer than six first time rookies this year in Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan, Thomas Pieters, Matt Fitzpatrick and Rafa Cabrera Bello. The atmosphere will be white hot at Hazeltine, and big names like Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson will have a lot riding on their shoulders.

Should these guys underperform, the USA could win this event comfortably buoyed by a passionate homegrown crowd. So what of the USA team, and why do the betting firms favour them so heavily?

Big Tournament Experience

The top end of the order for the USA is looking formidable and even at 46 years of age, Phil Mickelson can still cut it with the young guns just missing out on this year’s Open Championship. Plus, we have Jordan Spieth who is a double major winner and currently ranked top five in the world.

Add to the equation major winners like Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson and recent USPGA Champion Jimmy Walker all bringing big tournament experience to the fray. Plus, this year the US team has the celebrated Tiger Woods as Vice-Captain, along with Steve Stricker, Tom Lehman and Jim Furyk.

The Value Bet

If you don’t much relish the thought of backing the USA and fancy Europe to win the Ryder Cup yet again, then you can get various odds from numerous betting firms like SkyBet, William Hill and Coral, but the consensus is that the USA will emerge with the trophy in hand this year.

You can also take a wager on other markets, such as the leading European player and points scorer. In this market your best bet is to go with the in-form players, who will be expected to tee off in at least four if not all five matches across the three-day event. So, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia should factor in your thought process before you throw your money down.

If you fancy a long shot and bigger odds SkyBet have some juicy ones on offer with their hole-in-one odds. For example, Ryder Cup rookie Thomas Pieters is 200/1 to make a hole-in-one along with Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood and Rafael Cabrera Bello. Contrast that with the 80/1 for Rory McIlroy to do the same thing, and it’s clear where the value lies.

Manchester Derby Betting Preview: Three Hidden Wagers

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The first Manchester derby of the season is set to take place on September 10 and this time around the tension is palpable.

With Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola about to square off for the first time under the bright lights of Old Trafford, fans, pundits and neutrals are all licking their lips in anticipation of this tactical master class.

Options Galore for Fans and Punters Alike

Will Guardiola invert his wing-backs and go with a 4-1-4-1 system and if he does, how will Mourinho counter City’s attacking flow? What if Mourinho floods the middle of the park with players in a bid to shut out City and counter on the break?

The tactical possibilities for both sides are enough to get football fans around the world salivating, but what about those who sense a chance to make a few extra quid during this Manchester derby? What do all these possibilities mean for the pre-game betting markets?

From a general perspective, United are the betting favourites with Sun Bets. 13/10 is the current price on Mourinho’s men to do the business, while 11/5 says City will take three points back across Manchester.

However, with so much potential on the pitch, there’s a lot more value out there then a simple outright bet. In fact, with Paddy Power offering some off-the-wall bets, the canny punter could pick up a pretty penny when the tackles start to fly this Saturday.

Manchester United vs. Manchester City Best Bets

So, with this in mind, we’ve cherry picked some of Paddy Power’s more interesting bets you might have missed ahead of the big showdown:

Jose Mourinho to be sent to the stands – 10/1

If there’s anyone with more passion on the touchline than Mr. Mourinho then we’re yet to see him. While the likes of Rooney or Ibrahimovic are more likely to score a caution than Mourinho, he’s never been one for shying away from a tense situation. If the score line is tight and things aren’t going his way, Mourinho could easily find himself watching from the stands which makes 10/1 a price you can’t ignore.

Ibrahimovic and Iheanacho to both score in 90 minutes – 13/2

With United and City both firing on all cylinders this season, goals will certainly be on the cards this Saturday. If that’s the case, then Ibrahimovic and Iheanacho are likely to be in the mix, and that makes 13/2 a hugely attractive proposition. In fact, if you’re looking for slightly more value from this intriguing head-to-head, then one player to outscore the other could also be a solid bet. 2/1 says Ibrahimovic will reign supreme while 4/1 says his counterpart will bang in the most goals. Either way the odds make these wagers worth a punt.

Goal to be scored between the 86th minute and fulltime – 25/1

A Manchester derby at Old Trafford just wouldn’t be the same if there wasn’t some late drama. While the days of the Ferguson 94th minute winner might have gone, there’s no denying that United have a knack of stealing games at the death. Of course, nothing is certain in a game of this magnitude, but given United’s history of late goals there’s no reason this bet couldn’t materialise. Indeed, if you treat it as one of those small stake/high return propositions, then 25/1 is a price you should be more than willing to take.

Whichever way you slice it and however you ante-up, Manchester United vs. Manchester City looks set to be a barnstormer. Whether you take advantage of the bets outlined above or you visit Paddy Power for the latest live odds, there’s plenty of potential this weekend if you’re willing to look for it.

Doncaster Racing: Will Idaho Deliver in the 2016 St Leger?

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Doncaster Racing’s St Leger has long since been considered by horse racing aficionados and betting enthusiasts as one of the “Jewels in the Crown” of the flat season. This Group 1 encounter at Doncaster will be watched by thousands trackside, millions more around the UK and indeed around the globe. It is one of the most popular races with punters in September and this years’ race will be no different. Some of the finest three-year-old fillies and colts will be on show and the key word for all punters will be “value”.

In the past few seasons it has been tough to find Derby winners in contention when it came to the St Leger, with the one notable exception being Camelot in 2012 that finished runner-up to Encke. So just where is the value in this race, and where should you be putting your money?

Where is the Value?

Well value is subjective with punters, but if you are looking for a strong short priced contender then the 2016 St Leger at Doncaster will not disappoint you. Idaho looks set to not only start as favourite this Saturday but looks likely to be at least Evens and possibly odds on currently standing at around 4/5 with most firms, with Skybet and Betfair currently being a standout 5/6.

As it stands the fifteen runner field looks really competitive should Idaho start to struggle, but seeing as the horse looked so impressive last time out at York in the Great Voltigeur stakes then that is hard to see happening. What was so impressive about that performance was how the race was run. Idaho was held up early on and entered the final 2 furlongs with plenty to do.

However, if there is one thing an Aidan O’Brien horse is noted for when it comes to major races, it’s being well prepared! Idaho travelled well throughout that race and won by a length and a half. The market for the St Leger reacted accordingly, and the odds for Idaho to land the “double” were immediately cut to 6/4, and they have steadily fallen since as more and more punters view this horse as being the one to beat.

The Muntahaa Threat

This years’ race is not just about one horse though, and there are a few other contenders that will attract attention as the race grows near. It will be interesting to see what happens to horses like Muntahaa, for example, who currently stands second favourite and is a best priced 11/2 with several firms including 888sport, Betfred and William Hill.

So what of Muntahaa’s chances and can he repeat his recent good performance at Chester where he won from a handicap of 108? Many people seem to think that he has a great chance and the market seems to think so too. The American horse Red Verdon and Housesofparliament are two other contenders with the latter coming a close second to Idaho in the Betway Great Voltigeur last month.

Once again trained by Aidan O’Brien, this is a mount that could well come up trumps on Saturday at Doncaster. So what of Red Verdon? Recent handicap wins at Chester and Haydock and a creditable performance in the Derby seem to give the horse a decent shot here. On the minus side though is the fact that the St Leger is 1 mile 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres), and that could prove to be a stiff test for Red Verdon, plus trainer Ed Dunlop has been cautious about the horses’ chances.

He stated that the horse had been suffering with health issues of late and that it has been difficult to get the horse ready for the Doncaster race. How much do we read into that? Well one thing is for sure come Saturday, when they come under orders he will certainly be in it to win it!

Can Middlesbrough Earn a Place in Football History?

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When Middlesbrough Football Club’s men take to the pitch this weekend it won’t just be a potential three points on the line. Despite being relative minnows in the context of the Premier League, the Riverside team have enjoyed a fruitful start to the 2016/2017 football season and now they have a chance to go down in history.

For Boro, promotion from the Championship last season was a defining moment in the club’s history and Aitor Karanka’s side has a chance to add some more sparkle to their résumé with a victory over Crystal Palace.

With a win and two draws already under their belt, Middlesbrough are placed sixth in the Premier League’s three games. That sort of form means that Middlesbrough are already the most successful newly promoted side of the football season, but a win against Palace could take things a step further.

The Stats Favour Boro

According to the stats, a win on September 10 would make Middlesbrough the third most successful newly promoted Premier League side in history. What does that mean in reality? Well, in short, it means Middlesbrough are playing way beyond expectations so far this football season.

Of course, three points is clearly more important than a place in the history books, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with a little added incentive. In fact, a look through the current matrix of odds seems to suggest that Boro being on the cusp of something special has swayed the market. Bet365 and Unibet both have Boro as the 6/5 favourites, while BetVictor has as slightly better price at 13/10.

For those that like to rely on something more concrete than fate when they’re anteing up, it’s worth noting that Palace have only managed two League wins in 24 matches against Middlesbrough. Compounding that dismal record is the fact that Alan Pardew’s men have lost their opening trio of Premier League matches this season.

A Palace Win Could Raise a Few Smiles

Of course, we all know that football is a funny old game and you could be laughing all the way to the bank if Palace pull off an upset. Odds of 5/2 at Paddy Power and 13/5 at Betfred show some signs of value, while a slightly less lucrative 2/1 on a draw with William Hill appears to be something of a happy medium.

While the stats would suggest that Boro will clinch another three points on Saturday, there’s very little chance it will be a walkover. The pressure of a positive start can often hamper a newly promoted side and if this manifests itself over the weekend then Boro could quickly crumble. A single goal either way could easily determine the outcome of this game which makes Sky Bet’s markets an attractive proposition.

A Win Won’t Come Easy

8/11 on under 2.5 goals won’t pique the interests of many serious bettors, but 9/2 on a 1-0 Middlesbrough victory is certainly nothing to sniff at. Moreover, if you fancy the other side of the equation, a successful bet on a 1-0 victory for Palace will get a 13/2 return on your money, which by all accounts, appears to be one of the game’s best bets.

History might not be on Palace’s side, but a place in the history books could cause Boro to falter. Pressure can often turn strong sides into quivering wrecks, and if that happens on Saturday then Karanka’s men could find themselves in all sorts of trouble. However, if Middlesbrough’s players can block this fact out of their minds, another three points is certainly well within reach.

For more Middlesbrough vs. Crystal Palace betting odds, make sure you check out our top partner sites, including Sun Bets, today.