Tag: football odds

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.

Man City to Edge a Close One

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

PEP Guardiola faces his first major test in his Manchester City tenure this weekend when his star studded squad host Everton at the Ethihad.

City, lost their unbeaten start to the new season last time out with a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. That defeat came on the back of a very disappointing 3-3 Champions League draw with Celtic, and now the pressure is on for the Premier League leaders to show what they are all about and bounce back with a win.

Despite the loss at White Hart Lane, City are still the bookies odds-on favourites to win the Premier League title; they are just 1.50 across the board to win at the weekend and it certainly won’t be easy, but they should have enough quality to get back to winning ways.

The major concern for me if you’re considering having a serious wager on City is that they have a huge Champions League match with Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night. That might be on Pep’s mind with his team selection ahead of this one, and I am expecting a whole-host of key players to be rested.

Everton haven’t got the best of records in the blue half of Manchester, with no wins in their last seven visits, but they did hold City to a 0-0 draw last year. With City expected to make changes to their lineup, this looks as though it might be another close one.

Ronald Koeman has had a great start to life at Goodison Park. His side arrive at what is their toughest challenge of the new season not in the best of form. After three matches without a win, it’s hard to make any case for them to win this one even at the 7.00 that is available with most firms in their Premier League betting.

Despite all the attacking players that will be on show, goals will be hard to come by, and under 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in the last three Everton matches, plus City might decide to rest their main man Sergio Aguero with Barcelona in midweek.

Four of the last five meetings between these two sides have also seen under 2.5 goals come in, so you may be tempted by the 2.62 with Betfred on under 2.5 goals again.

The evidence edges towards City to snatch a win here, and if they are struggling, they can always call on the big guns to come off the bench and steal the three points for a a 1-0 City win at 10.0 with BetVictor.

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.

Champions League Preview 24th February

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Chelsea managed to cling on to a 1-1 draw at PSG last week in the Champions League and it is now the turn of Premiership rivals Man City to re-start their European campaign.

City’s inexperience in Europe has cost them dearly in previous seasons but they managed to qualify from the group stages despite a miserable start to their campaign. Manuel Pellegrini will have emphasised the need for discipline to his players after City finished both legs of last season’s clash with Barcelona a man short.

A 5-0 win over Newcastle helped City close to within five points of Chelsea in the title race and will have given them the perfect tonic for Tuesday night’s game.  The return of Yaya Toure from the African Cup of Nations was a key factor in Saturday’s impressive victory but he is suspended from this match. They do at least have a fit front-line with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko both on the mark against Newcastle and new signing Wilfried Bony waiting in the wings.

Barcelona are obviously not short of talent themselves with the daunting prospect of Messi, Neymar and Suarez in a side that has scored 22 goals in their last five away games. A shock 1-0 defeat to Malaga at the weekend dented their La Liga hopes but it was surely no more than a blip.

In Tuesday’s other game, Juventus meet Borussia Dortmund in Turin, a repeat of the 1997 UEFA Champions League final. Massimiliano Allegri’s team are unbeaten in ten home games in Europe and 45 in all competitions. Paul Pogba has been in outstanding form and they look a good bet to take a decisive advantage from the first leg.

Dortmund finished above Arsenal in Group D but got off to a terrible start in the Bundesliga. Two successive victories have helped them out of the relegation zone but it is hardly Champions League form.

There are plenty of special offers floating about on this one. Bet365 are a free in-play bet of up to £50 on the game for anyone betting pre-match. This is only available to customers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

New customers to Betfair can have odds of 5-1 about a Barcelona victory or 9-1 if you fancy Man City to triumph in the first leg. This applies up to a maximum stake of £10. New Unibet customers can have 6-1 against a City victory up to £10.

Best Bet

Juventus to beat Dortmund @11-10 Paddy Power

Socceroos set for historic victory in Asian Cup

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It isn’t often that soccer steals the limelight in Australia but that will certainly be the case on Saturday if the national team beat South Korea in the final of the Asian Cup.

A sell-out crowd is expected at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney to watch Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos bid for a first ever Asian Cup triumph. There is some debate about where the Asian Cup ranks in terms of world soccer and many would argue that qualifying for the World Cup is a far bigger achievement. Be that as it may, there is no substitute for lifting a trophy and the Aussies will be desperate to go one step further than they did in 2011. They were beaten in extra-time by Japan that year but their toughest rivals fell by the wayside at the quarter-final stage this year.

Postecoglou had come under pressure in the build-up to the competition with his side putting in some dire performances in friendlies. The goals had dried up since their brave efforts in the World Cup in Brazil but any doubts were quashed in the first group games. Australia usually rely on Tim Cahill to provide the cutting edge but ten of their players have scored at this tournament. The latest additions were Sainsbury and Davidson who each hit the target in a 2-0 semi-final win over the UAE.

Cahill is as dangerous as ever but now has the support of Leckie and Kruse as they look to break down a side that is yet to concede in the competition. The South Koreans are coached by German Uli Stieleke who made over 200 appearances for Real Madrid and represented Germany in a World Cup final. He seems to have built his side with a German mentality, proving formidable in defence and looking to hit the opposition on the counter-attack.

They employed these tactics to perfection to beat Australia in the group stages and there will be no prizes for guessing how they will line up on Saturday. Sportsbet are refunding first bets up to $100 on correct score, first goalscorer and win/score combination bets if the match goes into extra-time. With the South Koreans setting out to defend, that is perfectly possible and is well worth taking up.

Australia 1 South Korea 0 @5.50 Sportsbet

Tim Cahill to score first @5.50 Sportsbet

Tim Cahill to score and Australia win in 90 minutes @4.00 Sportsbet

Premier League Preview Oct 25th – 27th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The highlight of this weekend’s Premier League action has to be Sunday’s game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Blues start the weekend five points clear at the top of the table but United are potentially dangerous rivals with their summer influx of stars. They have improved offensively but their defence is another matter and Jose Mourinho will be looking to exploit this with the pace of Hazard and Willian.

At the time of writing, Costa’s availability is unknown but Loic Remy is definitely out. That could leave Didier Drogba as the only realistic option at centre-forward. He has looked a long way short of his best but Hazard was brilliant against Maribor in midweek and Chelsea can create goals from almost anywhere on the pitch. Take Hazard to score in another victory for the Blues.

Man City blew a two-goal lead in Moscow and that will have made it a miserable journey home. They now play a confident West Ham who have found a new scoring machine in Diafra Sakho. He gave us a 5-1 winner last week when scoring for his sixth consecutive game. Sam Allardyce patted himself on the back for working out how to beat Everton after their Europa League match and will have a similar plan for the champions. The Hammers might be worth supporting on the handicap.

Southampton were superb last week in demolishing Sunderland 8-0 and will be full of confidence for the visit of Stoke. You can’t help but think that Ronald Koeman’s side have to slip up sooner or later but I would be surprised if it is on Saturday. Take Pelle to score in a Saints win.

Another man in form is Wilfried Bony of Swansea and he can get on the score sheet at home to Leicester. The Swans were hard done by at Stoke last week and should be able to grab all three points here. Arsenal are not the ideal opponents for Sunderland after last week’s humiliation at St Mary’s and it is difficult to see any other result than a win for the Gunners. It should be routine win for Everton at struggling Burnley and Tottenham can put the pressure back on Alan Pardew by defeating Newcastle.

Monday night’s game is QPR versus Aston Villa. Harry Redknapp’s side fought manfully at home to Liverpool last week but somehow managed to lose 3-2 after twice appearing to have salvaged a point. Villa are not the most reliable of teams but this game could be draw material along with Saturday’s game between West Brom and Crystal Palace.

West Ham (+1 handicap) to beat Man City @6-4 Bet365

Graziano Pelle to score and Southampton to win @17-10 Ladbrokes

Arsenal to beat Sunderland @4-5 Stan James

Wilfried Bony to score and Swansea win @9-4 Paddy Power

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea win @5-1 Coral

QPR v Aston Villa DRAW @9-4 Bet365