Champions League

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

November 8, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

RB Leipzig Are The Bankers In The Europa League

If football was an exact science and form from one match was related to form from another you would conclude that Derby County are one of the best teams in Europe. They eliminated Manchester United from the EFL Cup in the tie at Old Trafford and United beat Juventus in the Champions League. That would suggest if the logic held that Derby are better than Juventus. Of course football doesn’t work like that but Jose Mourinho had one of his great victories in Turin last night. MANCHESTER UNITED are now 33/1 with bet365 to win the Champions League.

Even during the halcyon days during the Arsene Wenger era Arsenal did not win a European trophy and they have never won one in their history. The new boss, Unai Emery, was the manager of Sevilla when they won the Europa three seasons in a row so he takes the competition seriously. Arsenal lost to Manchester City and Chelsea at the start of the season but are now unbeaten in 14 matches. They can extend that run against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates tonight and secure qualification for the knockout rounds. ARSENAL are 7/1 to win the Europa League.

There are 24 ties in the Europa League tonight in all four corners of Europe. The winners of the competition qualify for the Champions League so there is a meaningful prize at the end of the long-winded journey to the end of the rainbow. Celtic are flat track bullies in Scotland and then come up short when they meet anyone decent in Europe. RB LEIPZIG are fourth in the Bundesliga and have won some tough away matches so are one of the bankers to win at Celtic tonight at Evens with Ladbrokes.

The principle meeting today is the jumps fixture at Newbury but the racing is fairly average. There is a half decent mares’ novices’ hurdle over two miles at 2.25. Sula Island has some fair form on the Flat and made a good start to her career over hurdles. However, if the horse had shown a great deal at home the connections alone would be reflected in the betting market. A more solid proposition on ratings is POSH TRISH as the horse sets the form standard so is the nap at 9/4.

Live TV Matches – By Ian Hudson

November 8, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

The highlight of the weekend schedule of live televised matches is the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. The days of being the noisy neighbours in the words of Sir Alex Ferguson have now gone and City are now the top dogs in Manchester. While United are making hard work of beating mid-table opponents City are yet again scoring goals for fun and are on track for new scoring and conceding records.

City lost just once at home in the Premier League last season buy it was to their great local rivals, United. Overall City scored 61 goals in 19 fixtures at the Etihad and conceded 14. The champions have conceded just four goals in the league this season to date. United have picked up 10 points from 12 and will be motivated to at least draw with City and they can achieve that outcome.

Liverpool are one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League after 11 matches. At five home matches they have scored 12 goals and conceded just one. The 2-0 loss away to Red Star Belgrade has made life difficult regards qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Fulham are now bottom of the Premier League after the damaging defeat at Huddersfield on Monday. Their manager is the favourite in the next manager to lose his job market. Stranger things have happened but Fulham won’t beat Liverpool at Anfield and damage limitation could be the order of the day.

Cardiff looked in trouble from the start of the season and now seem out of their depth in the Premier League. The club have not invested in the quality required to become established in the top tier of English football. Cardiff have lost four of their last five matches and have already lost four times at home.

Conversely, Brighton have lost four away matches from six outings. The club survived in the Premier League last season due to solid home form but they are a less effective outfit in away matches. With just over a quarter of the season played it looks like any three from seven facing the nightmare scenario of relegation. If Cardiff are to maintain their status they should be winning home matches against mid-table opponents but Brighton can avoid defeat.

Crystal Palace have the worst home record in the division and are one of just two teams (Southampton is the other) to have not win a fixture at their own stadium. It’s a much reported fact but Palace don’t win when Wilfried Zaha is missing but he should be in the starting 11 for the home match against Tottenham.

Tottenham are just about surviving in the Champions League and Real Madrid have shown interest in the manager, Mauricio Pochettino. There have been delays in the move to the redeveloped White Hart Lane but results on the pitch have been good. In fact Tottenham have won their last five matches in all competitions and are good enough to beat Palace on the road.

Chelsea have not lost in their opening 11 fixtures in the Premier League and only Manchester City have a better goal difference. Defensively Chelsea are better away from home than at Stamford Bridge. Everton have just one of five road trips but they have won four of their last five fixtures in the Premier League. A win for Chelsea and both teams to score could be the outcome of this meeting.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

November 7, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

United Can Draw In Turin Tonight

Apparently Manchester United have 659 million online followers which isn’t bad for the club everybody is supposed to love to hate. The vast majority of those have never been near Old Trafford and enjoyed the delights of Streford. A tiny proportion of that fan base will be in Turin tonight to see United’s Champions League fixture against Juventus, the Old Lady of Italian football. The club also have fans around the world and in Italy they are either loved or hated, just like United in England.

Even in the internet and social media age its still results on the field that matter most so which group of fans around the world will be celebrating most? As one of those 659 million fans the heart says United but the head can’t get away from Juventus. The Italian champions are unbeaten in their last nine matches against teams from the Premier League. A point for Juventus takes them through to the last 16 and there is no benefit from finishing first or second in the group. Everybody can be happy with a DRAW and that outcome is 3/1 with Betfair.

The champions of England play the champions of Ukraine at home in the Champions League tonight. Manchester City meet Shakhtar Donetsk and bookmakers can only see one result which is a home win. City lost to Lyon at the Etihad Stadium on match day 1 but have since won two matches, including by three goals without reply in the reverse match in the Ukraine. Recent form suggests a City win by a wide margin.

The home team have the squad and resources not to miss the quality of Kevin de Bruyne who will be absent for six weeks following a new injury. City’s last six matches in the Champions League have all produced three goals and Shakhtar have lost six of their last seven fixtures in England. Correct score betting is fraught with danger but 3-0 TO MANCHESTER CITY is 11/2 with Ladbrokes.

The racing today in Britain and Ireland today is more about quantity than quality. We are embarking on that part of the season when there is a major jumps race every Saturday but the midweek fare can be average. On the Flat Nottingham honours the wife of the late Sir Henry Cecil with a Class 2 handicap over five furlongs (2.15). GRACIOUS JOHN won the same race in 2016 off nine pounds higher and the horse is 14/1 with William Hill to prevail again today.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

November 6, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Tottenham To Secure A Scoring Win Against PSV

Tottenham must beat PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League at Wembley tonight to maintain the small chance of qualifying for the last 16. Even if the home team secure three points they may still have to beat Barcelona on the road and Inter Milan at home to progress. Playing PSV on their own patch is the easiest match of the Champions League group campaign and Tottenham should win the fixture.

The visitors have won maximum points from 11 matches in the Dutch League but Spurs dominated the reverse tie which ended in a draw. However, PSV have scored in their last 10 matches so the bet of the night is BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 7/10 with Coral.

Red Star Belgrade look nailed on to win the wooden spoon in their group which could work in Liverpool’s favour in tonight’s meeting in Serbia. Liverpool beat Red Star 4-0 at Anfield two weeks ago and can complete the double in this evening’s Champions League fixture away from home. Red Star did not have a single shot on target in the first match and Liverpool are by far the better team but that is reflected in the match odds.

Taking short prices about an away team in the Champions League is not recommended and the bookmakers have overestimated the gulf in class. Since the start of last season Liverpool have played 18 times in the Champions League and not scored two goals or more on just four occasions. LIVERPOOL -1 on the handicap can be backed at 6/10 with Ladbrokes.

Godolphin and a British trained horse finally won the Melbourne Cup when Cross Counter delivered in the race that stops a nation overnight. The winning owners picked up a prize of more than £2.3 million and there is only a fraction of that up for grabs in the racing in Britain today. However, the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter (2.05) is a decent Grade 2 limited handicap chase 2 miles, one furlong and a bit. SAN BENEDETO is the form pick at 9/2 with bet365.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

November 3, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Goals Almost Guaranteed At The Emirates

Three teams are unbeaten after 10 matches for just the third time in the history of top flight football in England. Manchester City and Chelsea have not suffered a defeat yet and Liverpool are the third club who have picked up points from all their fixtures in the Premier League. Arsenal lost their first two league matches but have since won the last eight.

That means something has to give when Liverpool play them at the Emirates today. There have been at least four goals in the last five meetings but Arsenal score most of their goals after the break. Liverpool are league leaders for results before half-time so a decent bet is the LIVERPOOL/ARSENAL double result at 33/1 with Ladbrokes.

The early live televised match is Bournemouth’s home fixture against Manchester United. The league table does not lie and the hosts are above their illustrious opponents after just over one quarter of the season. Jose Mourinho targets competitions and as United cannot win the league the Champions League becomes more important. BOURNEMOUTH are unbeaten in the league at home this season and can extend that run with threw points today which is the bet at 14/5 with bet365.

Tottenham have been in the news for several wrong reasons but a win at West Ham in the EFL Cup could be a turning point. The club are now regular Champions League qualifiers and opponents Wolves in an evening fixture were promoted from the Championship last season. Tottenham have not lost to a newly-promoted club in 38 meetings. The visitors are still not at their best so the DRAW is the tip and that outcome is 12/5 with Coral.

It’s the second night of the Breeders’ Cup and there are nine Grade 1 races on the card this evening. Roaring Lion is on the drift for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 9.44 due to the nature of the dirt surface and an unfavourable draw. The horse has won four Group 1 races in Britain this season but has only raced on turf. ACCELERATE has been drawn on the outside but can win a Breeders’ Cup contest for a third year and is best priced at 4/1 with William Hill.

Rick’s Sports Betting: Champions League And Europa League Latest News – 0y Rick Elliott

November 3, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Madrid is the only city that has been represented by both Champions League finalists but Manchester could emulate the capital of Spain this season. United and City have never met in European competition but both clubs could progress to the match that determines the champions of Europe. The last English team to win the Champions League was Chelsea in 2013. Bayern Munich won the competition in 2014 and since the five winners have been clubs from Spain.

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in the finals of the Champions League in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons. They were the only finals of the competition and the European Cup that preceded it that involved two teams from the same city. The two Milan clubs have never met in the final and Liverpool and Everton have not contested the deciding match. It’s a massive sore point with Evertonians that they were denied a chance to play in the European Cup due to the ban on English clubs playing in Europe There is a fair chance that Liverpool and Everton could have met in a European final at the end of the 1980’s but sadly that is only speculation.

Consequently Madrid is the only city that has provided the two finalists in the Champions League. If Manchester match that achievement two players from Spain will play a big part. David de Gea (United) is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and David Silva (City) has played a massive part in his club’s success in recent years. The draw has to work out to keep the sides apart in earlier rounds but Manchester City and Manchester United could meet in the final of the Champions League next June, ironically at the home stadium of Atletico Madrid. It is usually the biggest betting match of any season when there is not a World Cup or European Championships.

Clubs from Spain and England have been the winners of the Europa League in the last seven seasons. Sevilla won the final three times in succession from 2014 to 2016. The manager during that spell was Unai Emery who now manages Arsenal. He clearly takes the Europa League seriously so this season may see Arsenal go all the way to the final at the Olympic Stadium in Baku. Their opponents could be Chelsea which means London would be represented by both finalists thus becoming the first city to provide both clubs for the final of the Europa League.

Manchester City have won the Premier League three times in the last seven seasons. Chelsea are the only other multiple champions since 2011-12. Even though the big city clubs will always have most money and should win the league every year Leicester City defied the odds three seasons ago. In fact it was the biggest upset in the history of team sport and is unlikely to be repeated for many years. City had so much in hand last season that another title is on the cards and meeting United in the final of the Champions League is a distinct possibility.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

October 28, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Today’s match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Everton is a mid-table six pointer. Whatever the outcome both teams will be from eighth to tenth position in the Premier League table this evening. For Everton that is about level par but United are seriously underachieving and a defeat today will hasten the departure of Jose Mourinho. However, he may already be targeting the Champions League.

The home team have conceded at least one goal in all but one of nine league matches this season but Everton have a poor record in this fixture. However, they have won their last three matches and United were outclassed by Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday. At the relative odds EVERTON are the bet at 4/1 with bet365.

A win for Arsenal at Crystal Palace will take the club into second place in the Premier League and they have won their last 11 matches in all competitions. However, if you back the Gunners you might have to be patient as they have scored 11 of 14 goals in the second half in the Premier League this season. Palace have not scored a league goal at Selhurst Park this season and their five goals tally to date is the lowest in the division. ARSENAL are the obvious winners at 4/5.

Aintree stages its first meeting of the season which will culminate in the Grand National. A gloomy Saturday in October hardly compares with the track’s biggest fixture during the spring in April. The Old Roan Chase (3.00) would not look out of place at the Gran National meeting as it’s a Grade 2 chase over two miles and four furlongs on the Mildmay Course. Top weight FRODON will benefit from Bryony Frost’s three pounds allowance and is the horse to back at 11/2 with Ladbrokes.

Arsenal Can Go Marching On – By Ian Hudson

October 25, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

The only team with a perfect five match record in the Premier League is Arsenal and before Thursday’s Europa League match against Sporting in Lisbon they had won ten matches in succession in all competitions. Crystal Palace have lost their last three fixtures in the Premier League so on form will struggle to avoid defeat against Arsenal in the early match on Saturday. Arsenal can still be backed at 33/1 to win the title and despite some relatively easy fixtures in the run of wins that looks a big price.

The odds-on favourites to be champions of England this season are Manchester City. The defending champions have dropped just four points in nine matches and have scored 26 goals and conceded three. City have the best goal difference in the Premier League by 10 goals but Liverpool are still level on points and are still unbeaten after a quarter of the season. A home match against Cardiff should provide three points which will take them to the top of the table at least until Monday night.

Next week’s Monday Night Football is City’s match away from home against Tottenham. If the building had gone to schedule this match would have been played at the new White Hart Lane. However, there have been delays which means Tottenham are still playing their home matches at Wembley. It will be interesting to see the state of the pitch after the NFL match last Sunday. It is unsatisfactory that a key Premier League fixture could be played on a poor surface due to another sport using the pitch.

The delayed move to the new stadium is one of a number of issues at Tottenham. Its one thing to be satisfied with your squad and not buy new players in the summer but leaving yourself short is another matter. Dele Alli is one of a number of injury absentees which have revealed a thin squad. Tottenham played a crucial match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday after losing on both the first two match days. Real Madrid may be in the market for a new manager and Mauricio Pochettino could be in the frame. With all this going on the last team you want to meet is Manchester City.

The current league leaders have scored eight goals in their last two matches without conceding. The 5-0 home win against Burnley last Saturday is typical of last season. City never looked in any danger and once a couple of marginal decisions went their way it was just a question of how many goals. The champions are averaging almost three goals per match in the league and have let in just one goal in four matches on the road. Tottenham could be facing a crisis because City can win the meeting at Wembley which would leave them five points adrift of leaders.

Jose Mourinho seems to be surviving as the manager of Manchester United on a game-by-game basis. However, they were close to beating Chelsea in the league and were not disgraced against Juventus in the Champions League. A number of ex-players are having their say but a home win against Everton could steady the ship. The league title has now gone but Mourinho may target the Champions League and winning that would justify his appointment. United can beat Everton at Old Trafford.

Leicester gave Arsenal a game in the first half but were eventually outclassed. However, there was no shame in being beaten by a team in great form. West Ham had the chances to share the points against Tottenham. Hugo Lloris was in inspired form and Tottenham kept a clean sheet and scored the only goal. Leicester can make home advantage count and beat West Ham at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

October 24, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Tottenham In Trouble Against PSV

This was supposed to be the season in which Tottenham get settled into their new home and build on the progress of the last few years and be genuine contenders for the Premier League and make an impact in the Champions League. The redeveloped White Hart Lane has had delays, the club spent next to nothing in the summer and Real Madrid could be interested in poaching Mauricio Pochettino.

Defeats to Inter Milan and Barcelona mean Tottenham can’t afford to slip up tonight away to PSV Eindhoven on match day 3 of the Champions League. Tottenham have some key absentees including Dele Alli while PSV are virtually at full strength. Despite winning at West Ham last weekend the lack of spending could come home to roost. Something is not quite right at the club and PSV EINDHOVEN can make things worse by beating Tottenham tonight and that outcome is 14/5 with Betfair.

Liverpool are the home bankers in the Champions League tonight but only the money buyers will be interested in backing them at 1/18 to beat Red Star Belgrade at Anfield. In 1973 Liverpool lost at home in the European Cup to the club then from Yugoslavia. RSB are the champions of the since formed Serbia but history won’t be repeating itself. Past crowd problems can be compounded by a loss but not by a cricket score.

Liverpool have not lost in 17 home European matches but need a win tonight after losing in Napoli to a late goal. They won at Huddersfield on Saturday with the only goal of the match but had not won in their previous four fixtures. Red Star are seven points clear in the Serbian League after 12 matches and can keep the margin of defeat down. RED STAR +3 on the handicap at 13/10 with William Hill is the best bet.

Newmarket stages one of a number of ordinary autumn fixtures today. The highlight is a Class 2 nursery over one mile and two furlongs (3.45). Nurseries are handicaps for horses aged two and most of these races are won by runners who were placed on their last start. However, NAYEF ROAD finished out of the frame on his last outing but has the form and rating to win this race at 7/1.

Tottenham In Trouble Against PSV

his Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

October 22, 2018 By admin Leave a Comment

Huge Champions League Match For Manchester United

It’s match day 3 in the Champions League and Jose Mourinho will take great delight in saying that of the four Premier League teams involved Manchester United are the only ones unbeaten. That record comes under threat when Juventus visit Old Trafford on Tuesday. The Serie A leaders have won all their away games this season and only lost once in 12 away matches in the Champions League. JUVENTUS are 7/5 with bet365 to win this fixture.

The following night Liverpool are at home to a Red Star Belgrade side that have lost once since March. MANCHESTER CITY, 5/1 with Coral to win the Champions League, and Tottenham have tough away matches in their groups. Arsenal visit Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday. That follows tonight’s home match in the Premier League against Leicester. ARSENAL are 11/20 with Betfair to win their tenth successive match in all competitions.

This weekend sees the final Group 1 race on the Flat and the first meeting of the jumps season at Aintree. The Racing Post Trophy is for horses aged two while the Old Roan Chase is the first significant race at the track that hosts the Grand National. The Aintree race is run over two miles and four furlongs of the Mildmay Course and is named after the three-time winner Monet’s Garden who is the only horse to win the race more than once.

Red Rum is the last horse to win more than one Grand National and TIGER ROLL is 20/1 with William Hill to add to last season’s win. Today’s nap is I’LL HAVE ANOTHER at 13/8 with Ladbrokes to win the Class 1 Listed contest at Pontefract (3.30) which is the richest race of the day in Britain and Ireland.

England’s badly timed tour of Sri Lanka continues this week with the fifth One Day International and a Twenty20 fixture. The matches are being played during the monsoon season and the first four ODI’s have been affected by rain. There has been one No Result, one England win in a shortened match and two wins by the Duckworth-Lewis Method. ENGLAND are 11/20 to score the most runs in the first 15 overs in tomorrow’s Fifth ODI but the weather could interven