Tag: Football

Premiership Preview 19th May

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The final day of the Premiership does not have the title or relegation drama of 12 months ago but that was always going to be a tough act to follow. In truth, Manchester United were given an easy ride to the title as their main rivals dropped tamely away. Manchester City failed to build on last season’s title success and were strangely inactive in the summer transfer market. The signing of Van Persie was sufficient to make the difference between the two teams whilst the London clubs battled it out for minor honours.

It is the battle for Champions League places that remains the only significant issue to be decided on Sunday. Tottenham will miss out again if Arsenal take all three points at Newcastle, regardless of Chelsea’s result at home to Everton. Spurs must defeat Sunderland to keep their hopes alive and rely on results elsewhere allowing them to sneak into the top four.

Chelsea v Everton

This game will have a distinct end-of-season feel about it after Chelsea virtually guaranteed their Champions League spot last weekend at Aston Villa. The question has been raised this week of a possible third-place playoff between Chelsea and Arsenal should they finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored. This scenario can only come about if Chelsea draw 0-0 and Arsenal win 2-1. Whether this will be enough to spur the Blues on to one last effort this season is another matter. Several of their players looked dead on their feet on Wednesday night as they won the Europa League with a last-gasp header from Ivanovic.

Everton meanwhile are saying farewell to David Moyes after eleven years at the helm. He was given an emotional send off by the Goodison fans last week in their 2-0 victory over West Ham and the teams look evenly matched. Rafael Benitez will also be packing his bags shortly but will surely send out a re-shuffled side for this finale. I can see Everton upsetting Chelsea’s victory parade by grabbing at least a point and a 1-1 draw might be the way to go. Kevin Mirallas looks overpriced at 11-1 to open the scoring after his two against the Hammers last week.

1-1 draw 8-1 Bet Victor

Kevin Mirallas first goalscorer 11-1 Bet365

Newcastle v Arsenal

Arsenal wavered slightly against Wigan in midweek before producing a second-half blitz to send the Latics down to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight. Arsene Wenger will be calling on them to produce a similar effort against a Newcastle side that must be breathing a collective sigh of relief now that their Premiership status is secure. The Magpies have put in some desperate displays this season, none more so than their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of a moderate Liverpool side. Anything like that on Sunday will result in another embarrassing defeat but Alan Pardew faces an uphill task rallying his troops for this match. I can only see one winner here and it might be worth taking a risk on the 100-30 about the Gunners winning by three or more goals with Skybet. Theo Walcott is in flying form and 11-2 represents fair value in the first goalscorer market.

Arsenal to win by 3 or more goals 100-30 Skybet

Theo Walcott to score first 11-2 Coral

Tottenham v Sunderland

Tottenham were denied a place in the Champions League by Chelsea’s win in the competition last May and now look poised to miss out, possibly only on goal difference to their London rivals. They are only in contention thanks to Gareth Bale who has dug them out of many a hole this season. There is speculation that he may leave White Hart Lane if he does not get Champions League football next season but it is difficult to see them achieving that. Even so, it is worth taking the 11-4 about Bale scoring first here. Tottenham will have one eye on the Arsenal match and if that starts to go against them it is possible that their heads may drop. With the exception of their mauling at Villa Park, Sunderland have shown a lot more fight since Paolo Di Canio arrived and they could poach a point here.

Draw 19-4 Bet Victor

Gareth Bale to score first 11-4 Ladbrokes

Europa League Final – Chelsea v Benfica Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Chelsea take the field for the 68th time this season when they meet Benfica in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday night. Having started the season with so many opportunities for silverware they now find themselves at the last chance saloon. Ironically it is the one competition that they did not want to be in that could provide them with something to celebrate after seven trophies have slipped through their grasp.

Rafael Benitez has few friends at Stamford Bridge but has at least salvaged a little pride by sealing a Champions League spot with a 2-1 win at Villa Park last weekend. Chelsea were grateful to their much-maligned skipper Frank Lampard for his two goals and it was fitting that he should break the record as Chelsea’s leading goalscorer in the process. Lampard may not be finished for the season just yet as an injury to Eden Hazard has reduced the midfield options for Benitez against a Benfica side that are certainly worthy of respect.

In the absence of Hazard, a leg-weary Juan Mata will once again be expected to pull the strings for the Blues. He has been Chelsea’s best player this season despite having been on international duty throughout the summer for his country. He admitted that he and the squad were feeling the strain after a laboured performance at Old Trafford, albeit a crucial winning one. Their attacking options are also limited with Demba Ba cup-tied. Fernando Torres has led the attack in Europe this season but has been well supported by Victor Moses in this competition and Benitez may elect to start with both.

One player who should never be overlooked on the big occasions is Ramires. It was his sensational solo goal that breathed new life into Chelsea’s Champions League hopes in Barcelona last season and he also fired the Blues ahead in the FA Cup final against Liverpool. His most recent action was less distinguished as he was dismissed for a high challenge at Aston Villa but he had previously scored against Tottenham and will be keen to score against his former club. Moses and Ramires are relatively fresh players and could be worth having on your side at 5-1 and 7-1 respectively to find the net at some point in the game.

Benfica will be competing in their ninth major European final but their last success came in the European Cup back in 1962. Chelsea defeated them by a single goal both at home and away in the Champions League last season and a similar result could be on the cards here. Chelsea never seem to make it easy for themselves so I can see Benfica making a game of it without quite having the firepower to beat the Blues. Odds of 3-1 about a narrow Chelsea victory seem fair.

Curiously, Paddy Power are offering to refund all losing bets on the first goalscorer and correct score markets should Oscar find the target at any time during the game. He will have plenty of supporters after the first goal goes in!

Ramires to score at any time 7-1 William Hill

Moses to score at any time 5-1 William Hill

Chelsea to win by a single goal 3-1 Skybet

Football Preview May 11th and 12th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

FA Cup Final – Manchester City v Wigan

It is a sign of the times that the FA Cup final is almost a sideshow to the Premier League action this weekend. Gone are the days when the Cup final was the grand finale to the season and dominated the sports pages. This year’s final also has a one-sided look to it as Manchester City seek some consolation for losing their Premiership title to archrivals United against a Wigan side staring down the barrel of relegation.

City look assured of second place but grateful for the opportunity of pocketing a bit of silverware at the end of a slightly disappointing season. There is no doubt that they have the firepower to beat Wigan, although they only scrambled past them by a single goal in their recent league clash. Roberto Martinez approached the FA Cup in the same manor as most Premiership managers these days, using it as a platform for his youngsters to gain valuable experience. By virtue of a favourable draw and an impressive 3-0 victory at Goodison, the Latics have found themselves in the final for the first time in their history. Had they managed to perform their usual Houdini act and escaped the drop, this would be a momentous occasion. Unfortunately, a 3-2 defeat at home to Swansea in midweek has left them in deep trouble.

I would love to be able to tip Wigan here but it is looking increasingly bleak for them. The most likely scenario is defeat on Saturday, relegation and even the loss of their manager in the summer. They have simply failed to find the consistency needed this season and I don’t think City will pass up this golden opportunity for a trophy. I take City to win by 2 goals at odds of 3-1 and City to be winning at half-time and full-time at 10-11 with Skybet.

Manchester City to win by 2 goals 3-1 Paddy Power
Manchester City to be winning at half-time and full-time 10-11 Skybet

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off sees Chelsea going in search of the win they require to secure a top four finish and a Champions League spot. That looked to be within their grasp on Wednesday night before a late Tottenham goal forced them to settle for a 2-2 draw. Chelsea supporters will not have been at all surprised to see the agony prolonged after a hectic but, as yet, unproductive season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea may have thumped Villa 8-0 earlier in the season but it is a very different side they are facing on Saturday. Villa dished out a 6-1 thrashing to Sunderland to put themselves within reach of Premiership survival and received a further boost when Wigan were defeated in midweek. Another complication for the Blues is the prospect of the Europa League final next Wednesday. They do not have the strength in depth of previous seasons and have suffered when fielding a weakened side. They rely heavily on Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to provide the spark in their attacking play and both have been showing signs of a long season recently. Chelsea may again be frustrated and have to settle for a draw, putting their supporters through the agony of going to the last match against Everton in the process.

Draw 14-5 Bet Victor

Stoke v Tottenham

Spurs managed to hold Chelsea to a draw on Wednesday and will be hoping that Aston Villa can do them a huge favour on Saturday. They were not at their best at Stamford Bridge but it is to their credit that they managed to get a result and they will need the same sort of determination to get all three points at Stoke on Sunday. Gareth Bale has been largely responsible for keeping them in the hunt for a Champions League spot and they will look to him again this weekend. I think they can grab a vital win and Bale to score at any time looks a fair bet at 6-5.

Tottenham to win 10-11 William Hill
Gareth Bale to score 6-5 Bet Victor

FA Cup Semi-Finals Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Wigan v Millwall

Saturday 13th April, 5.15pm kick-off

Wigan started out in the competition determined to blood some of their younger players but have made steady progress through to the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. A comprehensive 3-0 win over Everton ignited the belief that they can go all the way to the final this year and only Championship side Millwall now stand in their way.

Wigan’s annual struggle with relegation is the stuff of legend and they appear to have turned the corner on another dismal season with some improved performances. Millwall have also left behind some moderate league form to book their place in the last four with Aston Villa among their victims. A home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in midweek has left them with a little work to do in order to cement their place in the Championship for next season.

The two sides have met once before at Wembley in the 1999 Football League Trophy with Wigan securing a 1-0 victory and a similar result on Saturday would do nicely for Roberto Martinez’s side. They were not at their best when scrambling a draw at 10-man QPR last weekend but they are unbeaten in their last four matches. I think they are a good bet to win in ninety minutes at 20-23 with BetVictor and the same firm offers 7-1 about a 1-0 Wigan victory.

Wigan to win 20-23 BetVictor
Wigan to win 1-0 7-1 BetVictor

Chelsea v Manchester City

Sunday 14th April 4.00pm kick-off

Chelsea have virtually made this competition their own in recent seasons and came back bravely from 2-0 down to eventually overcome Manchester United in the quarter-finals. A superb goal by Demba Ba proved decisive in the replay and he is likely to lead the attack again here. Fernando Torres scored in the away defeat in Moscow on Thursday but will almost certainly have to be content with starting on the bench.

Chelsea fans have endured a roller-coaster ride with the Blues this season so will not have been surprised to see them lose 3-2 to Rubin Kazan. They started the game without the star trio of Oscar, Mata and Hazard and all three will probably be in action on Sunday. City will go into the game in good spirits after toppling Champions-elect Manchester United on Monday. With the title race long since given up by Mancini, there will be no shortage of motivation as they go in search of a piece of silverware this season.

Previous encounters between these two sides have been closely fought with City just having the edge in recent times. Chelsea won’t want to give up their trophy without a fight and this could develop into a very cagey affair. This looks a particularly tough one to call and the 9-4 about a draw might be the safest option. BetVictor offer a top price of 13-2 about a 1-1 outcome to this one. Juan Mata has been easily Chelsea’s best player this season and he looks overpriced at 9-1 with William Hill to open the scoring.

Draw 9-4 BetVictor
1-1 scoreline 13-2 BetVictor
Juan Mata to open the scoring 9-1 William Hill

Premiership Football Tips – April 6th 2013

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Whilst most of the weekend’s best games take place tomorrow, we’ve still got 4 Premiership games today to get our teeth stuck into, with the betting interest coming in the 3pm kick-offs. If you aren’t watching and getting stuck into the lottery of the Grand National, then hopefuly we should have some more likely but slightly less glamorous returns for you.

Only Manchester United have a better record than Arsenal in their past 8 games, who have won 5 of their last 6. The Gunners will be desperate to retain their Champions League spot and won’t be letting up against a West Brom side who have gone off the boil recently. We’ll add an Arsenal victory into our accumulator of the 3pm kickoffs.

The second team we’ll add into our accumulator is Aston Villa. Stoke have been on a poor run of form taking only 1 point from their past 5 games and relegation is a danger for a side which is finding it hard to get on the scoresheet. Goals aren’t a problem for Villa but their leaky defence is, but this is a game where Stoke’s one-dimensional play-style will be less complicated for Villa to counter than the flair of Liverpool. They showed a lot of early promise in that game, and if things go their way today, the 29/10 with Bet365 will look a big price.

We’ll round things off with Swansea. They’ve had a tough run of fixtures recently and will want to get back on track with a victory here. They’re unlikely to make it into Europe and with the pressure off, could find themselves getting back on track. The return of Angel Rangel and Chico will bolster their defence, and with Norwich only scoring 5 Premiership goals in 2013, from 11 games, it could be hard for them to break down Swansea.

The treble of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Swansea pays a juicy 20.60/1 with Bet365, so we’ll be cheering the away sides on this afternoon.

FA Cup Preview – Chelsea V Man United 1st April 2013

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

After Chelsea’s phenomenal comeback at Old Trafford to earn an FA Cup Quarter Final replay, you’d have expected the Blues to come into this game in a top form, facing three opponents which should have provided easy victories. Saturday’s defeat at Southampton however has thrown a spanner in the works, whilst Man Utd earned a comfortable 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

Both teams can be expected to make a number of changes for this game, with the return of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba expected to bolster Chelsea’s firepower, whilst Alex Ferguson has Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez fresh and ready to choose between.

With the game being played at Stamford Bridge, you’d usually expect the home advantage built into Chelsea’s price to be justified. However, if you look at this season’s results when Man Utd are playing away at the top 5 clubs, or in Europe, you see that they’ve beaten Manchester City and Chelsea, and drawn with Real Madrid and Tottenham.

They also haven’t lost in any of their past 10 away matches. Meanwhile, at home, Chelsea have beaten Arsenal, drawn with Man City and lost to today’s opponents in the Premier League 3-2. We think that they’ll be a repeat of the outcome from the league and recommend backing Manchester United to win in normal time at 2-1 with Bet365.