Tag: football betting

Close on Paper but Watford Holds the Value against Middlesbrough

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Middlesbrough takes on Watford at the Riverside on Sunday in what is a game that both sides believe equally they can win, but what’s the word in football betting circles? Both teams have had decent starts to the campaign but Boro has lagged of late. They have slipped to only two points above the drop zone and haven’t won in their last three league games.

Watford, on the other hand, has 8pts from their opening seven games which isn’t a bad return. They will travel to the Riverside fully believing that they can win this match and pick up all three points. This term, Middlesbrough have had something of a problem in finding the net. Just seven goals in seven games aren’t going to cut it at this level.

A Potent Threat

Watford on the other hand, seem to carry a much more potent threat going forward. The key question is where is the value? Do you think each team will cancel each other out? If so then back the draw! On paper, there isn’t really much to choose between these two teams. William Hill goes 23/20 on a home Middlesbrough win, while other firms like Stan James and BetVictor are 5/4.

We think the value though is in opposing Middlesbrough. They just don’t seem consistent and don’t seem to have the traditional home side edge. Watford is a good price 27/10 with Unibet as an away win. We feel that this bet perhaps linked with a draw could be the value.

Betbright is a best priced 12/5 for the draw. So a multiple bet on the draw and a Watford win should produce a nice profit.

Head to Head Stats

Watford just may have the psychological edge against Middlesbrough. This could be a key factor. Take into account the vital head-to-head stats for a minute. In the past five encounters, Middlesbrough has yet to beat The Hornets.

This even includes three matches at home where they have either drawn (twice) or been beaten. Also, Middlesbrough has only scored four times in those five games. They seem to be somewhat of a goal per game type of team. So if Watford scores, it is difficult to see Middlesbrough scoring twice, even at home.

The key to getting consistent results in the Premier League is in the chance conversion strike rate. Middlesbrough has a history of not scoring enough goals and this type of stat always puts the away team in with a shout.

Watford Always Score

Now here is a great stat for you. Watford always score! Yes, that’s right because in 15 out of the past 16 games vs Middlesbrough…..Watford has found the net! This all points to opposing Middlesbrough on Sunday. They do seem to be perhaps the most vulnerable of all the teams that are at home this weekend in the Premier League.

Only die hard Middlesbrough fans will be fancying their chances. The keen punters though will be looking at Watford and seeing them as one of the weekend’s value bets.

WBA vs. Tottenham: Will the Baggies Rise to the Challenge?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Saturday, October 15 at The Hawthorns it’s all set to go down between West Brom and Tottenham. Despite being separated by seven places in the league, both teams will know that even the slightest misstep could prove costly when the action gets underway at 15:00 local time.

As ever, the Internet’s top bookmakers are dusting off their record books, surveying the latest form and coming up with hundreds of betting markets for the match. However, before we get into the best Premier League bets this weekend, let’s first take a look at the footballing prospect in front of us.

The Momentum Lies with Tottenham

On first inspection, this should prove to be a routine win for Tottenham. Fresh off a 2-0 whitewash of Man City, Spurs are currently enjoying a rich vein of form that’s seen them climb to second in the table. Indeed, with Son Heung-min taking everyone by surprise with his goal scoring prowess (he scored two of the best goals in September) and the backline only conceding three in seven, things are certainly looking rosy for the Lilywhites.

But, as is often the case in the Premier League, nothing is ever certain and West Brom could easily cause an upset. Listening to Captain Darren Fletcher talk ahead of the game, this is easy to believe. Pointing to his side’s impressive draw against Tottenham last season (the draw which virtually ended Spurs’ dreams of winning the league), Fletcher believes his players rise to the occasion.

Being in front of a home crowd and with a place in the top five still very much a possibility, West Brom won’t want to give anything away in this match, and that could inspire everyone to up their effort. Another positive for The Baggies is that Craig Gardner recently signed a new two-year contract.

The 29-year-old midfielder might not be a marquee name who’s capable of setting the pitch alight, but his solid frame and experience make him a valuable asset to the team. In fact, in big games against big sides, it’s often the elder statesmen like Gardener who can come on and make the difference. Whether that’s putting in some crunch tackles when the team is on a low or whether it’s a cool head when the side is protecting a narrow lead, a senior player like Gardner is also worth having in the squad.

Do the Stats Tell a Scary Story?

However, if you move away from emotions and personalities, there’s one fact that could prove problematic for West Brom: goals against. Heading into the game, West Brom have conceded seven goals which, ironically, is the same number of goals Tottenham have scored away. If you believe in omens then this could be a signal that suggests West Brom will be penetrated at every opportunity. However, if you’re slightly less superstitious but still like to rely on the numbers, it does appear that West Brom’s resolve might be tested on Saturday.

Since we know that Spurs don’t seem to have a problem scoring away from home, it’s fair to say that the over on 2.5 goals at even money with Sun Bets isn’t a bad wager. If you wanted to take this idea a step further, Sky Bets’ exactly 1 goal at 7/2 or exactly 2 goals at 9/4 could be worth a shout.

If you want to move away from the specifics and be a bit more general, bet365 is currently offering 4/1 on a home win, 14/5 on a draw and 13/20 on an away win. Given what we’ve said about West Brom rising to the occasion against top teams (as they did last season), this seems like a massive price. Of course, if you wanted to hedge your bets, 13/10 on a West Brom win or draw seems like a fair price. Indeed, despite Tottenham’s propensity to score away from home this season, West Brom haven’t exactly been shy of goals either (eight in total) which may mean a 1-1 draw will be the order of the day on Saturday.

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Can Swansea City Deny the Gunners at Emirates Stadium?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

After finishing second last season in the Premier League to Leicester City, Arsenal fans will be looking for another strong season this term. They currently stand third in the league, and Wenger’s lads are only 2pts behind a Manchester City team that have kicked off the season like a house on fire.

The Emirates Stadium seems to be a challenging place to visit. The lesser teams struggle there, even though Liverpool did a seriously good job at pulling Arsenal’s teeth, when they scraped through with a 4-3 win. Swansea City is a team in crisis. They never really recovered after losing managers Brendan Rodgers and then Garry Monk, plus the Swans eventually decided not to appoint Ryan Giggs after dispensing with Francesco Guidolin.

Can Swansea deny The Gunners?

It is really tough to state a case for Swansea on Saturday, and new manager Bob Bradley is walking straight into a baptism of fire in this fixture. Swansea has only picked up 4pts all season and is currently fourth from bottom of the league on goal difference from West Ham.

It seems certain that this fixture will arouse the attention of all those punters that fancy having Arsenal as part of their accumulator. So where is the value? Most betting firms have Arsenal as short as 2/7 with both Stan James and Sky Bet offering those odds. Many people may even think that price represents value and will give Swansea no chance.

What Price the Swans?

BetVictor offers a best priced 12/1 on a Swansea City victory. That’s not a bad price considering that Southampton only lost 2-1 at The Emirates a short while ago. Arsenal can be notoriously inconsistent and a better wager could come from one of the other markets.

For example, do you fancy Arsenal to dominate possession? Do you also fancy Arsenal to be frustrated? If so then why not back the draw at 5/1? Once again BetVictor is the best price in that market as it stands.

Will Bradley get his tactics right?

There couldn’t be a stiffer test for US coach Bob Bradley to have in the Premier League for his opening game. Swansea will hardly touch the ball for long periods of the game. They are many peoples’ pick to be relegated this season. Turbulent seasons tend not to make for consistency, and this is what is required in order to stay in the league.

Added Incentives

Any negative result on Saturday could see Swansea drop into the bottom three. From that position, it is difficult to see them anywhere else but in the bottom six for the rest of the season. The key will be the first twenty minutes. If Arsenal scores quickly, then this result could become embarrassing for Swansea.

However, should Swansea get to half-time nil-nil, then they’re in with a chance. A big added incentive for Arsenal in this game is the chance to go top of the league. If Manchester City slips up at home to Everton, this is precisely what could happen.

If you think that Arsenal at home to Swansea is a home banker then place your bet. You may find it difficult this season to get a bigger gap between the home and away side than in this fixture. This is both in terms of league position and player confidence. However, Swansea City have absolutely nothing to lose and they may just cause a shock……just don’t count on it!

Manchester Derby Betting Preview: Three Hidden Wagers

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

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.

Can Middlesbrough Earn a Place in Football History?

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

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.

 

Man City to keep the pressure on Blues

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It was business as usual for the top teams on Boxing Day with victories for Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Southampton, Tottenham and Arsenal. Punters will be eager to re-invest their winnings on Sunday with the action getting under way with the lunchtime clash between Spurs and United at White Hart Lane.

Wayne Rooney has been instrumental in United’s surge up the table into third place, albeit ten points off the leaders Chelsea. He has now scored five in his last seven following a double against Newcastle on Friday.  The England skipper has a fine record against Spurs with nine goals in thirteen games so he will be a popular choice to score for the visitors here.

United’s away form has been moderate but they have only lost one of their last 18 league games in the capital. Tottenham have been battling to beat minor opposition recently and are enjoying a decent run themselves. United may just have too much firepower for them here and Rooney to score in an away win is the bet.

The Newcastle defeat apart, Chelsea have been rolling over teams like a well-oiled machine and now travel to Southampton. The Saints hit the buffers recently with five straight losses but a confidence-boosting win over Everton was followed by three points at Palace on Boxing Day. They have struggled against the top teams and it is difficult to seem doing any better against a full-strength Chelsea team. Eden Hazard has been superb in recent games and could be worth a bet to score at any time, especially considering that he is first choice penalty taker.

Manchester City are set to break a club record that has stood for over a century when they welcome Burnley to the Etihad. They are still without Aguero and Dzeko while Jovetic could play a part in their injury-stricken front-line. You would hardly have known they were lacking a striker when they went 2-0 up in 13 minutes at West Brom with David Silva in fine from. They should have too much flair for a hard-working Burnley side and are worth backing on the handicap markets. I am not convinced that City can hit them for six without a leading striker but they can take the three points to keep them in touch with Chelsea.

There was a distinct lack of festive spirit at Crystal Palace with the yuletide departure of Neil Warnock after just four months in charge. He was unable to pick up where Tony Pulis left off and the bookmakers believe that Tim Sherwood could be the man to fill his shoes. In the meantime, the Eagles face a tricky game at QPR who are having a real Jeckyl and Hyde season. Incredibly, they have yet to take a single point away from Loftus Road but have moved out of the bottom three. Charlie Austin is the man in form and he can score in another home victory.

If there is to be a shock for the top clubs it could come at Upton Park where West Ham face Arsenal. The Hammers were outclassed by Chelsea but will line up differently with home advantage against an Arsenal team that still looks strangely vulnerable in defence. Backing Diafra Sakho to score earlier in the season was a licence to print money and he is back in the side for this London derby. An entertaining draw could be on the cards here and 2-2 might be worth a punt.

Newcastle face Everton in the late kick-off and I favour the home side in view of Everton’s injury list. They are expected to start without Tim Howard or Phil Jagielka and the Magpies must surely fancy their chances. Since beating Chelsea, Alan Pardew’s team have gone into freefall and have shipped 12 goals in four successive defeats. That is hardly inspiring but Everton have been stumbling badly, losing at home to Stoke on Friday.

Tips

Wayne Rooney to score and Man United win @7-2 BWin

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea win @3-1 BWin

Man City (-2.0 handicap) to win @6-5 Paddy Power

Charlie Austin to score and QPR win @11-4 BWin

West Ham 2 Arsenal 2 @12-1 Bet365

Newcastle to beat Everton @19-10 BetVictor