Category: Football

Who Will Win the Top Midlands Derby?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Leicester City may have been crowned champions last season but that is well and truly in the past now. There is little doubt as to who the current top two teams are in the midlands. That honour belongs to West Brom and Stoke City. Once again they are showing the rest of the league how to survive comfortably in what is the toughest league in Europe. Their respective managers Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes must take a lot of credit for that.

The balance of power in the midlands has swung away from Aston Villa and Birmingham City in recent seasons. West Brom is best-priced 11-8 with BetVictor and as the home team are rightly the clear favourites. Tony Pulis spent several successful seasons at Stoke and was the guiding force behind their transition into being a regular Premier League club.

Simply Nothing to Choose

The fact of the matter is that there is simply nothing to choose between these two clubs. This has been the case for the past several seasons. Clubs like West Brom and Stoke never seem to fire the imagination but both of them play entertaining football when they need to and are a match for any top club on their day.

Stoke are a best-priced 12-5 with Bet365 while the draw is an interesting 11-5. If you fancy these two teams to battle out a draw but you don’t fancy the 11-5 then why not take the better odds of 4-1 on the score being level at half-time and full-time? That seems to be better value given the fact that there is so little to choose between these teams.

Stoke have the Flair Players

Stoke City do seem to have the better of it when it comes to talent. Players like Marko Arnautovic, Charlie Adam and Xerdan Shaqiri are players who can turn a game and excite the crowd. West Brom, on the other hand, have grit and that reflects their “no nonsense” manager Tony Pulis. Games like these are often decided by singular moments of brilliance or a big decision by the referee or possibly by pure luck. There are rarely comfortable wins for either team and that especially applies to the away team.

So we can expect a close encounter with the winning margin being no more than two goals at best. Stoke and West Brom are renowned for grinding results out with their solid approaches and that is why they are where they are in the league table.

Man United vs. Hull: Could Mourinho’s Denial Prove Fatal?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Hull might have edged out Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side in their recent EFL Cup semi-final, but it was the Red Devils that ultimately progressed to the final.

However, although United are now one step closer to winning their first trophy under Mourinho, their route to finale was less than impressive. What’s more, with Hull set to reappear like a bad dream on February 1 for United’s next Premier League clash, it could be another long night for the Old Trafford faithful.

Of course, if you’ve read or heard anything from Mr Mourinho following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Hull in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, you’ll know that he has a slightly different take on reality. Yes, we know he’s been prone to self-absorbed, fantasy-filled rants in his time, but his latest comments suggest he may be losing touch with reality.

Has Mourinho Lost the Plot?

Speaking after the match, Mourinho insisted that he “only saw two goals” and “it was 1-1”. Now, for anyone with two eyes on the match, it was clearly a 2-1 for Hull. Not only that, but Hull actually had control of the game for large periods of play. Some tactical changes by Marco Silva, plus a goal from loan striker Oumar Niasse, meant Hull looked stronger than they have for much of the season.

In fact, it was some canny substitutions just after half-time that really produced some inspiring performances. Abel Hernandez didn’t get too much time to shine in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch, but his presence certainly gave Hull more attacking impetus. Similarly, Evandro Goebel was able to show some flashes of brilliance, especially with his deliveries into the box. Although Hull still has a lot of work to do if they’re going to pull themselves out the relegation zone, the fact Silva was able to change things up and get a result against United is encouraging.

Teams Can Drown Living in Denial

Now, back to Mourinho. Maybe it was the fact he’d had a few drinks to celebrate his birthday before the match or maybe he just couldn’t believe it was Hull that snapped a 17-game unbeaten streak, either way, his reaction was strange (even by his standards). While it’s fair to say his comments may have been manufactured for the media, denial is a slippery slope. If the man in charge of Man United’s fortunes isn’t willing to acknowledge his team weren’t good enough to beat Hull, then it could lead to issues in the future.

Failing to plug leaks or change tactics just because you “think” they’re good enough is a recipe for disaster. Of course, we all know Mourinho is an accomplished manager. However, if he’s unable to separate his personal pride from any sort of objective reason then United could easily find themselves in trouble. Indeed, when Hull comes to town on February 1 the players will certainly take some confidence from their recent 2-1 win.

Naturally, if United want to play the “past results” game, then there will only be one winner. Of the 11 meetings between the two clubs, United have won nine, drawn once and lost once. With that sort of record, the home side should be practically brimming with confidence. However, we all know that football can be fickle and if the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic fall into Mourinho’s trap, things could easily turn sour on Wednesday.

United are Still the Favourites

OK, so what does all this mean? Well, in reality, it might not mean very much. If we look at the facts, United are clearly the better side and they’ve proved that numerous times this season. Subscribing to this philosophy should, therefore, lead us towards a United win. If that’s the case then we have to be prepared to take some fairly uninspiring odds from the top bookies. Sun Bets currently has a win for Mourinho’s men priced at 2/13, while 888sport has a slightly more attractive 2/11.

Of course, if you want slightly more bang for your buck as a United fan, 1-0 or 2-0 with William Hill can be had for 7/1 and 5/1 respectively. However, for our money, there’s a lot of value in backing Hull on this occasion. Does this mean we’re telling you Hull will definitely win? No, what we mean is that the current prices don’t seem to reflect the team’s actual chances of winning.

Don’t be Afraid to Take a Punt

For example, Sun Bets currently has Hull priced at 16/1 for the win. Even under normal circumstances, this is a huge price for a two-team match. So, when you factor in the recent result and a possible mental meltdown from Mourinho, this betting line starts to look even more attractive.

If you like to be a little more cautious, 11/2 (William Hill) on a draw still has a healthy amount of value to it. However, we’ll repeat it again: this doesn’t mean Hull will realistically start the match as favourites. Sports betting is all about finding situations where the odds don’t necessarily reflect reality.

In this situation, it’s clear Silva’s men will be buoyed by their recent success and up for the match in a way they otherwise might not have been. With this being the case, it could pay dividends to go against the grain and take a punt on the underdog when Hull travel to United on Wednesday.

Can Stoke Tame the Toffees?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

There are some matches in the Premier League that are tough to call. Stoke City versus Everton is one of them. The Stoke manager Mark Hughes must be one of the most underrated managers in the top division. For several seasons he has guided Stoke well clear of the drop zone and into mid-table safety. That kind of record doesn’t get talked about, but keeping a club at that level in what is the most competitive league in world football is no mean feat.

His Stoke team host Everton and both teams are going into this match on the back of impressive results. Stoke was seconds away from beating Manchester United before Wayne Rooney scored a spectacular stoppage time equaliser. Stoke City have 28pts from 22 games and are currently 16pts clear of the drop zone. So once again, they are well clear of any potential relegation threat.

Koeman has Transformed Everton

Everton will prove to be very tough opposition for Stoke despite having home advantage at the Bet365 Stadium. Since the beginning of December, Everton has lost twice in the league. They were unlucky to lose 3-2 at Watford and the Merseyside derby at home to Liverpool. They gained a creditable draw against Manchester United but have recorded some positive wins since then.

This includes beating Arsenal and Leicester away in December while also beating Southampton and Crystal Palace in January. The “jewel in the crown” with regards to their recent results was their 4-0 hammering of Manchester City. This has left Everton in seventh place just five points behind Manchester United.

Backing Stoke is Clear Value

There is very little to choose between these two teams. Everton clearly has a slight edge but with Stoke having home advantage then value should be easy to find. Once again it is worth repeating that Stoke was seconds away from beating Manchester United. The gap between Stoke and Everton is a mere eight points. You can get almost 2-1 on a Stoke City victory as Betfred quote odds of 15-8.

You can also get odds of 12-5 on the draw with BetVictor who also quote 8-5 on an Everton victory. Both of these teams lack a top class proven finisher. So the odds of 6-5 from BetVictor that both teams will not score may be of interest. If you expect either team to win by the odd goal then PaddyPower quote 17-2 for a 1-0 win for Everton while Bet365 quote odds of 9-1 for a 1-0 win for Stoke.

West Ham v Man City: Hammers out for revenge

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Just three weeks ago West Ham United endured the worst night of their season to date when Manchester City rolled into town and clobbered them 5-0.

The destruction they faced at the London Stadium that night resulted in an early and embarrassing exit from the FA Cup for Slaven Bilic’s men at the third round stage of the competition. However, they haven’t had to wait too long for their opportunity to exact revenge.

Revenge the order of the day

This coming Tuesday evening, Pep Guardiola’s stuttering City return once again to East London looking for another decisive victory to give a semblance of still being title challengers in the wake of their recent patchy form. The Hammers, on the other hand, will be hoping to make amends for that painful five-goal mauling in early January by putting a major dent in City’s fading title aspirations.

In the continued absence of want-away French star Dimitri Payet, who has been upsetting the applecart with his desire to move back to former club Marseille, Bilic will be hoping that the fit and rejuvenated Andy Carroll can continue his recent impressive form and fire West Ham to a third league victory in succession.

City favourites but Hammers better value for money

Guardiola’s men will enter the match on Tuesday as the overriding favourites with the bookmakers for another victory, Bet365 quoting them as low as 4/7 to prevail. However, if you’re looking for value for money when contemplating your next betting fix, it’s difficult to look past a wager on a home win, with massive odds of 21/4 still available at BetVictor. Given City’s recent iffy away form, with away defeats at Leicester, Liverpool and a 4-0 drubbing at Everton fresh in the mind, coupled with West Ham’s improving results of late, a small flutter on a home win has to be worth some serious consideration.

Carroll to continue recent hot streak?

Many punters will undoubtedly look at the first goalscorer market as a source of potential winnings as always. And while it’s difficult at 5/2 with Paddy Power to look past City’s top goalscorer Sergio Aguero to bring home the bacon, serious thought should be afforded to the big man Carroll, who has notched three goals in his last two outings and is great value at 8/1 also with Paddy Power. Aside from the big guns, a significant alternative in the first goalscorer stakes could be West Ham’s man of the season so far, Michail Antonio, who has top-scored with eight goals and is a huge 11/1 with everybody’s favourite Irish bookmaker.

Lightning to strike twice?

City will be reticent to drop any further points with the club already an intimidating 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea. Anything less than a win would surely signal the end of any realistic title-winning hopes. And for anybody with a few quid burning a hole in their pocket and looking for a long odds special, how about a wager on another 5-0 whitewash in City’s favour? Aha, but lightning doesn’t strike twice you say. Well, although unlikely, think Liverpool 4 Newcastle 3 at Anfield two seasons on the bounce in the nineties. Impossible is nothing. Sky Bet will give odds of 50/1 for City to repeat the trick. I might just have a fiver on that myself.

Elsewhere, for any Hammers fans looking for more than just retribution on the pitch and instead some reprisal in the shape of cold hard cash in the pocket, how about a tempting 6/1 with Bet365 for the Hammers to go five better than last time and completely shut out City’s attack? It should be an interesting contest.

Liverpool To Breathe New Life Into The Title Race

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

WHAT a match to welcome back the Premier League this midweek when Liverpool host table toppers Chelsea at Anfield.

It’s been a contrasting few weeks for both of these footballing giants with Liverpool struggling for any form after just one win in their last six matches, and Chelsea pulling NINE points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 13 wins from their last 14 matches.

This is a mini crisis for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his side have to win this to stand any chance of winning their first English title in 25 years; and although their form is shocking at present, their record against the top teams is very good and they can’t be overlooked.

The Reds’ have no problem when they are up against the best, it’s the lower sides that they can’t find a way past as they’ve let odds-on punters down FIVE times now in their last six matches.

Liverpool isn’t odds-on to win this one, which means they stand a good chance; you can get 2.50 on them for the win and in a game where it arguably means more to them than the visitors, that looks a decent bet.

Earlier on in the season Liverpool went to Stamford Bridge and came away with three points in a 2-1 win, and despite Chelsea’s excellent form, the 3.00 on the Blues’ isn’t a price that I would want to take against a side that they’ve had problems beating recently,

Recent History not Good for the Favourites

In the last six meetings between these two rivals, Chelsea has just one win and it will be interesting to see the tactics that Antonio Conte goes with at Anfield, as a point is a good result for the Londoners’ and Liverpool have struggled this season when teams have come to Merseyside to defend.

In six of the last seven meetings, both teams have scored and that will be a popular bet with punters at 1.66, but in a game that means so much for both sides, I am expecting this one to be tight. I would rather swim against the tide and play “no” at 2.25 with BetVictor, and also get involved in the under 2.5 goal market which is 2.00 with William Hill, which has been a regular winner in Liverpool’s recent matches.

I always like to take Liverpool when they are not expected to perform and on big nights like this under the Anfield lights, the “Kop” can inspire them to a slender 1-0 win, which is a general 9.50, to get their title hopes back on track and a result that will be cheered on by all the other title contenders.

Can Arsenal Stay in Title Contention?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Arsenal are just about in the title race….just! They trail leaders Chelsea by eight points. Whilst that lead is far from insurmountable, it does look increasingly likely that Arsenal will drop more points than Chelsea between now and the climax of the season. Arsenal almost blew it at home to Burnley in their previous home fixture. It took a penalty seven minutes into stoppage time from Alexis Sanchez to rescue all three points for the Gunners.

This story has a familiar ring to it from previous seasons. Arsenal is simply too error-prone when it comes to dropping points in games where they shouldn’t.

Arsenal Can Close the Gap

On Tuesday, Arsenal entertains Watford on the same evening that leaders Chelsea travel to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp has seen his Liverpool side suffer a dip in form since the start of the year but they are still tough to beat at home. This is a great chance for Arsenal to show their fans that they have what it takes to win the title.

The pundits and experts don’t rate Arsenal’s chances when it comes to winning the league. They let a huge opportunity slip last season when Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all had mediocre seasons by their standards. Yet Arsenal still couldn’t land the title, which is proving to be more and more elusive season by season. While the Gunners have been picking up points of late, their Achilles Heel is in defence.

Papering Over the Cracks

Arsenal came from three goals down to draw 3-3 away at Bournemouth which was a great fight back and showed tremendous spirit and grit. The main problem was that they were three goals down in the first place. Arsene Wenger will be serving a touchline ban after being punished for his outburst at the fourth official during their home game with Burnley.

That shouldn’t prevent Arsenal from taking the game to Watford who are resilient but nothing special. Arsenal can be backed at 1-4 with Stan James but there appears to be little value in those odds. Watford is a best-priced 14-1 with BetVictor while you can get 6-1 for the draw also with BetVictor.

Given that Arsenal is likely to score at home coupled with how dodgy they are in defence, the odds for both teams to score may prove better value. You can get even money with Stan James for both Arsenal and Watford to find the net. Having a bet on the correct score may also be a good choice. BetVictor offer odds of 9-1 on a 2-1 Arsenal victory and that bet may be worth a flutter as is the 13-1 on offer for a 1-1 draw.