Tag: football odds

Tottenham To Keep Their Slim Champions League Hopes Alive

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

IT’S a must win match for Tottenham on Tuesday when they travel to the south of France to face Monaco in Champions League Group E.

Despite the Londoners’ still being the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, their Champions League campaign has been truly shocking.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won just once in their four group E matches, which leaves their qualifications hopes hanging by a thread, but despite that poor from I am very confident that they will get something from this tough trip.

When the two met in the reverse fixture back in September Monaco came away with a 2-1 win, but Spurs’ home Champions League matches are being played at Wembley and with two defeats in their two matches at the national stadium, they aren’t coping well with the unfamiliar surroundings and other sides raise there game at the iconic venue and they do look a much better side away from home.

On their two European road trips they remain unbeaten with a win and a draw, and the best defence in the Premier League has been unblemished on their travels without conceding in those two games and another close one looks on the cards.

Tottenham are a general 2.85 for the win and they will be full of confidence after their last gasp 3-2 success against West Ham at the weekend, and a big boost for the hopes of success is the return of striker Harry Kane.

Last season’s Premier League top goalscorer scored two late goals in the West Ham win, and with three goals in his two matches since returning from a long injury he will be a very popular pick to score the opener at 6.50 with William Hills.

Monaco are in great form at present, unbeaten in their last ten matches and scoring 31 in those games, and Leonardo Jardim’s side are 2.60 with Paddy Power for the win to do the double over Spurs.

The quality of the Ligue 1 isn’t great so you can’t look too much into those results, as a home clash with Spurs will be one of their toughest, if not their toughest challenge of the season.

Despite their recent high scoring matches I expect this one to be very close, and under 2.5 goals at 1.83 with BetStars looks a safe bet; and with a draw a good result for the home side and not a complete disaster for the visitors at the biggest price of all three match outcomes, 3.50 with Bet365, it looks the most likely result.

Premier League Betting: Can Chelsea Stake Their Claim

Posted on 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

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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.

Manchester United v Arsenal: Bitter Rivalries Resumed At Old Trafford

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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.

Portugal Expected to Run Riot on the Algarve

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EUROPEAN champions Portugal host minnows Latvia at the Estadio do Algarve on Sunday night in World Cup qualifying Group B, and this could get very messy for the visitors.

The Portuguese are a very warm favourite for the win at general 1.07 which will give them their third successive international win and in the last two they’ve been banging in the goals for fun with 12 scored in two 6-0 wins over Andorra and The Faroe Islands.

Latvia arrive in the Algarve after back-to-back home defeats and even though some might be tempted by the massive 51.0 on the visitors to win this with Bet365, a $10 on them at the 50s means that you will LOSE $10.

The Latvians struggled to get past one of the worst sides in Europe, Andorra 1-0, in their only win in this campaign, and up against a Portugal side that is buzzing after their success in the summer, this is expected to be very, very one-sided.

The Asian handicap line is pitched at -2.75 for Portugal, which is 1.84 with Ladbrokes, and I can see them covering that line very easily and maybe before half-time.

In their previous meeting in 2005 Portugal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners and against a side that’s only scored just ONCE in qualification so far; for bigger hitting clients a Portugal win to nil looks like finding the cash on the street at the 1.45 that is being offered by BetVictor.

In recent Portugal matches, they’ve raced into early leads. I can see them flying out of the traps yet again in this one, and Portugal half-time/Portugal full-time will also appeal to money buyers at the 1.40 with Coral.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the star-man for the Portuguese, but the Real Madrid superstar is a very short 2.75 favourite to open the floodgates with the first goal.

Porto’s Andre Silva has scored four goals in four matches, and the 21-year-old striker is flying for both club and country at present with seven goals already in the Portuguese league; he makes much better appeal in the first goalscorer markets at the general 4.50, and in a match which could turn into a rout, I also like the 21.0 with Betfair Sportsbook on him to score his first international hat-trick.

Southampton vs. Chelsea: Can the Saints Pull off a Miracle?

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To say Southampton have over performed so far this season would be an understatement. The Saints are currently sitting eighth in the Premier League after nine matches with three wins and four draws. Add to that record just two losses and eight goals against, and Southampton are nipping at the heels of Manchester United.

However, with another tough match against Chelsea set to take place this Sunday, the question is: can Claude Puel’s men upset the odds?

Peruse the current betting markets for Southampton vs. Chelsea and you’ll see the odds are firmly in favour of the visitors. Heading into the game, Chelsea are priced at 11/8 for the win at Paddy Power and 7/5 with Sun Bets. Although not overwhelming odds, especially since you can find betting lines around the 19/10 mark, the current state of play would suggest that Chelsea are the betting favourites at the very least.

Chelsea Scoring Goals for Fun

Antonio Conte certainly hasn’t had it all his own way at Chelsea this season. Indeed, the Blues’ recent cup defeat to West Ham won’t exactly go down as a glittering moment in his career. However, with three straight wins in the Premier League, including a 4-0 drubbing of Manchester United, he certainly appears to be doing something right.

Perhaps the biggest threat Chelsea pose a lot of teams at the moment is their firepower. 19 goals for and just nine against in their first nine games is an impressive figure. Diego Costa has already bagged seven this season, and with his presence being felt on the training pitch this week, there’s every chance he’ll find the mark on October 30. According to Coral’s odds makers, Costa is 6/4 to score at anytime during the match and 4/1 to score in either half. Given his form so far this season, 4/1 for him to score in the first half looks a great bet.

However, if there’s one thing we know about Southampton this season, it’s that they know how to draw. Much like an artist knows how to draw a straight line, Southampton has managed to stifle teams with a strong defensive line. Cedric, Maya Yoshida and Jordy Clasie have all held strong at crucial times this season, and that’s allowed the Saints to pick up a point against Manchester City. Of course, holding a team to a draw isn’t quite the same as out-playing them and getting the win, but given the club’s relative size (metaphorically), a draw with the league leaders isn’t a bad result.

A Strong Saints Side Could Score a Draw

23/10 on the draw is the current price at Sun Bets, but if you want to take that a step further and start predicting the scoreline, 11/2 on a 1-1 draw is a fair price at Paddy Power. If you stick to this assumption that Southampton will be able to fend off Chelsea’s attacks long enough to secure a point, then 6/1 on the Blues to come from behind to draw is great value.

Southampton took the lead against Man City early but couldn’t stay strong long enough to get the win. The same could certainly happen again on Sunday. An early goal for the Saints would certainly settle the nerves, but there’s little chance it would be enough against a Chelsea side seemingly capable of scoring at will this season.

From an objective perspective, this game looks to have a Chelsea win written all over it. However, Southampton’s players have shown they’re more than capable of thwarting the ambitions of bigger clubs and there’s no reason they couldn’t do the same over the weekend. Indeed, while the majority of the money will be on an away win, the smart money is likely to be on a draw in all its forms.

Make sure you check out our betting partners for the latest Southampton vs. Chelsea betting odds.