My blog

Just another WordPress site

This Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott 

By Leave a Comment

England Favourites To Be Champions League Winning Nation

The first knockout ties in the Champions League take place this week and two English clubs are involved in fixtures. The last 16 is spread over four match days and Liverpool and Manchester City play next week. Manchester United play PSG at home and Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund to Wembley this Tuesday and Wednesday and both teams will be hoping to establish a first leg lead. ENGLAND are 13/8 with Betfair and favourites to be the winning nationality. 

Wolves are emerging as the best of the rest and can consolidate seventh place in the Premier League with a win over Newcastle at home tonight. The hosts are on a decent run and playing with confidence. A win would take them four points clear of Watford in eighth position and in good shape to qualify for the Europa League pending the outcome of other competitions. Even though Newcastle have not lost the previous four corresponding fixtures WOLVES are tipped to win this one at 7/10 with bet365.  

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will make an announcement this evening about the resumption of racing. Four new cases of equine flu were identified last night but at one stable in Newmarket which could be isolated. Odds on the action resuming increased with the news and it’s now 10/11 with Paddy Power that racing will take place in the UK before this Saturday. The Grand National should not be under threat and last year’s winner TIGER ROLL is 25/1 with Betfair to win the race again. 

England are trying to avoid a 3-0 drubbing in the Third Test against West Indies. They put together their first 100 partnership of the series in the first innings and now lead by 142 runs. However, England have managed batting collapses in the previous four matches and in a relatively low scoring game things could change. With the match well in advance after two days and the weather not an issue there should be a definite result. WEST INDIES are 14/1 with bet365 to win this match.

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Could A Championship Team Win The FA Cup?

There are five replays in the fourth round of the FA Cup this week. Potentially the number of teams from the Premier League in the last 16 could be the lowest since Wigan won the trophy in 2012/13 when they were relegated. A team from the top flight has always won the Cup in the Premier League era and that is likely again. An interest and speculative bet is the 18/1 with Paddy Power which is the combined price for the teams from the CHAMPIONSHIP who could still win the FA Cup.

Manchester City are just two points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title having played one more match. Liverpool’s game in hand is tonight’s visit to the London Stadium to meet West Ham. The visitors have not conceded in four of their last six matches on the road. The Hammers have lost three matches on the bounce and are there for the taking but Liverpool are not at their best so the DRAW is the bet at 4/1 with Coral.

England are now 5/6 to win the Six Nations after the brilliant win against Ireland in Dublin last weekend. Wales produced a stunning comeback to beat France on their own patch. Scotland did not cover the handicap in beating Italy at home. Wales begin their campaign with two away fixtures and the expected win in Italy will mean maximum points from those trips. The remaining schedule means WALES are the value at 11/4 with Paddy Power to win the Six Nations.

England have not only lost the series in the West Indies, currently at 2-0 down with one to play, they were embarrassed. On form and world rankings heading into the three Test series England had the potential to win each five day meeting. The margins of defeat have been 381 runs and 10 wickets. Two swallows don’t make a summer but WEST INDIES can complete the clean sweep and that outcome is 13/8 with Coral.

The Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday is one of the last prep races for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 39 days. Native River has won the race in the last two years and won the Gold Cup last season. Four of the last seven winners have also won the steeplechase that matters most so this is a key trial. Running plans have not been confirmed but the winner should be noted. In the richest race of the day at Wolverhampton (5.55) the nap is ARCANDA at 15/8 with Paddy Power.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Tottenham Can Confirm The Form Against Newcastle

Tottenham departed from two Cup competitions last week while Newcastle’s confidence must be sky high after being Manchester City at home in their last match. However, overall form over the rest of the season suggests Tottenham can win this fixture at Wembley Stadium. Newcastle have won just two of 11 away matches in the league this season, scoring nine goals and conceding 22. Tottenham have the best home record in the Premier League in 2018/19. The tip is TOTTENHAM HALF TIME/FULL TIME is 6/5 with Coral. 

Wales kicked of the Six Nations with a comeback win against France in Paris last night. The home sides are the favourites in today’s two fixtures and both should prevail but are the handicaps right? Scotland have to beat Italy at Murrayfield by 23 points to cover the spread. Italy are winless in three campaigns but the Scottish pack is weakened by injuries so ITALY +23 at Evens with bet365 is the bet. 

The Ireland coach must be happy with the shape of his squad and the defending champions begin the 2019 campaign with a home match against England who were only fifth in the tournament last season. Ireland won the Grand Slam in the Six Nations last year and won a series in Australia over the summer. England’s injury crisis has abated but not sufficiently for them to beat the handicap so IRELAND -8 at Evens with Coral is the outcome we expect. 

With doubts over today’s remaining turf meetings the race in focus is at Lingfield on the All Weather. The Class 1 listed stakes race over six furlongs (13.45) is the best race of the day on an artificial surface. On form Kachy is an obvious contender and the course and distance winner has won at this level. However, at the relative odds the smart performer CENOTAPH will benefit from a strong gallop and can beat the odd-on favourite and get the job done at 7/2 with bet365.  

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

It Could Be Liverpool Again At Last For Their Fans

In a busy week for international sport the Premier League reconvenes with a full programme of fixtures this week and over the weekend. It’s now dawning on Everton and Manchester United fans that Liverpool could be the champions of England for the first time since 1990. It’s too soon to write off Manchester City but this is a two-horse race. The defending champions have marginally more difficult fixtures overt the next seven days and Liverpool’s four point lead is unlikely to be reduced. LIVERPOOL cannot be opposed at 8/11 with Betfair.

England suffered the nightmare scenario of a defeat to the West Indies in the First Test by 381 runs. That came after a declaration by the match winners in their second innings so it could have been an even bigger drubbing. The consensus amongst the pundits is that England selected the wrong team and played rubbish cricket which was obvious. It’s difficult to see how they can reverse the form for the second match which begins on Thursday. WEST INDIES are 5/2 with Ladbrokes to go two-nil up in the three Test series.

Justin Rose returns to the European Tour to play in the Saudi International this week. The world number one recorded a hugely impressive win in the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday. The 2013 US Open winner has a team in place that supports his ambition to win more majors. He has a good record at Augusta so JUSTIN ROSE is the ante post tip to win the 2019 US Masters at 11/1 with Betfair.

This weekend sees the start of the Six Nations in rugby union. The three home teams are handicap favourites including Ireland against England. The handicap has been set at 9 points which seems somewhat excessive. Ireland have won the last two meetings by a total of 13 points and England won the previous two fixtures. Recent results suggest ENGLAND +9 is the bet at 10/11 with Ladbrokes.

The highlight of the racing week is the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday and Saturday. The timing is deal for Cheltenham Festival bound horses and there will be some key trials. Running plans for the weekend have not been confirmed so the graded races and handicaps could have a different shape to the state of affairs today. At this early stage the banker is FOOTPAD at 11/8 with Betfair in the Dublin Steeplechase.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Burton Can Keep The Score Down Against City 

Burton Albion are playing in League One so the club’s achievement in reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup should be applauded. However, the team playing in the third tier of English football had a reality check when Manchester City beat them 9-0 in the first leg of their last four tie at the Etihad Stadium. 

There is an expression that stranger things have happened at sea but there is more chance of Elvis being seen playing golf on the moon than Burton qualifying for the final. Despite only preventing a double figure drubbing by one goal in the first match Burton maintained a good attitude as City just kept on scoring. 

If that approach is replicated in the second match at home tonight Burton can keep the score down. They kept their defensive shape and maintained energy levels as City scored goals for fun. You can bet on BURTON +3 at 4/5 with Ladbrokes which is a winning bet if the margin of defeat is two goals or less, Burton win or the match ends in a draw. City are a million to one on to qualify for the final.  

England embark on a three Test series in the West indies today at Bridgetown where the home team have won just three of their last 10 five day matches. Scoring averages are remarkably close for both the hosts and visitors on the ground over that spell. The statistics suggest a closer encounter than the betting would suggest but England can confirm their world ranking status with a win. In fact West Indies have lost their last four test matches and England have won their last five so there is no doubting the side in better form. For a bet on history you can’t ignore JIMMY ANDERSON as the top England bowler at 5/2 with bet365.   

When Hereford racecourse closed in December 2012 there was a great deal of doom and gloom about the demise of the small track. However, the course reopened for jumps racing in October 2016 and a new reservoir will aid watering and provide better ground.  The highlight of today’s meeting is the Class 3 limited handicap chase at 2.50. On form and ratings CESAR COLLONGES is the tip at 2/1 with Ladbrokes.  

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Tottenham Could Be The Odd Team Out

It’s a Champions League week and although the two Manchester clubs are through to the knockout rounds Tottenham and Liverpool have their backs against the wall. Liverpool have the easier task as a win against Napoli at home by 1-0 or by two clear goals will be enough to progress and that objective can be achieved.

Tottenham must match or better Inter Milan’s result at home to PSV Eindhoven in their final match of the group stage which just happens to be against Barcelona in Spain. Both matches begin at the same time on Tuesday so there could be some tactical implications as the scoring develops. Sadly this looks like a task beyond Tottenham but Liverpool should be fine. ENGLAND is 9/4 to be the nationality of the Champions League winners.

Tonight’s Premier League fixture between the home team in Everton and Watford is a crunch match due to a feud between the clubs. The Watford owners were unhappy with the way Everton expressed an interest in their then manager Marco Silva. The Portuguese coach moved north and former Watford star man Richarlison made the same journey. Watford could have their noses put out of more joint because EVERTON are fancied to win the fixture and that outcome is 4/5 with Betfair.

Cheltenham stages its last meeting of the year which brings the track a step closer to the festival next March. The four days that matter most dominate National Hunt racing like no other event in any sport. However, the supporting meetings are well attended and the racing at the weekend should attract a big crowd. The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is the highlight and the main contenders ran in the BetVictor Trophy Chase last month. Baron Alco won that race but RATHER BE was going well when brought down and can prevail this time and the best ante post price is 7/1.

The best race today is the Class 2 juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (2.15) over a distance of just less than two miles. In the context of jumps racing the runners are babies and no horse has run more than twice. In fact there are no winners in the field but LIVA has the best form from one start and can prevail at 11/10 with Betfair for wealthy owners who deal at the top end of the market.

Rick’s Sports Betting: Who Is Your Sports Personality of the Year? – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

In the last 10 years cyclists and one tennis player have accounted for six winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. This year’s award appears to be a four way battle and the only contender from those sports is Geraint Thomas who won the Tour de France. However, his prospects won’t be helped by the perception that the sport has a doping problem. That may or may not be true but Thomas is also at a disadvantage as the Tour was shown on ITV4 which is a minority channel compared to the ITV main channel and the BBC. 

The last decade has also seen winners from Formula 1, athletics, football and horse racing. Ryan Giggs and Sir Anthony McCoy were subject to campaigns within their sport to get them the honour. Last year’s winner, Mo Farah, was a big outsider and an interview on the night which was gate crashed by one of his young children could have been the decisive factor. A year ago Anthony Joshua was the sixth odds-on favourite in 12 years not to win SPOTY. The market is more open this time and there are four names with a genuine chance of picking up the award.

Thomas also suffers from the theory of recency. It takes a special performance in July that resonates with the voting public in December. The Welshman rode into Paris at the end of the seventh month wearing the Yellow Jersey. The scarcity value of a British rider winning the most famous bike race in the world has gone due to the wins for Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. Until there is evidence to the contrary cycling has an image problem which makes Thomas the most unlikely winner of the four. The late announcement of the nominees makes campaigns from a sport difficult.  

Lewis Hamilton won the award in 2014 which was a World Cup year. England were dismal in that tournament in Brazil and Rory McIlroy finished second behind Hamilton after winning two major championships, including the British Open. I’m sure it takes great skill and commitment to win the F1 Driver’s Championship but the sport is predictable and Hamilton did not produce a SPOTY winning year. Five championships should not be sniffed at but the other contenders are preferred.

Harry Kane won the Golden Boot at the World Cup and England reached the last four for the first time since 1990. They look nailed on for the Team of the Year but I have a sneaking feeling that the honour will go to Leicester City for non-sporting reasons. Kane started the World Cup well but did not score in England’s last three matches. His sporting achievement was in June and July and something happened last weekend that could trump anything else. 

Love him or hate him you can’t deny that Tyson Fury has made a stunning return to boxing. Many judges thought he beat Detonay Wilder is Los Angeles but the fight was declared a draw. Tyson has come back from the brink and proved all his doubters wrong. Boxing has a history of winning the BBC award with Henry Cooper and Lennox Lewis. Fury actually showed some dignity in reacting to the perceived injustice of the Detonay fight and that could give him an edge when the public vote for the Sports Personality of the Year.     

              

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

Three More Points For City At Chelsea

Chelsea have not been able to beat Everton or Manchester United at home this season so avoiding defeat against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge today looks beyond them. If it’s possible City are looking an even slicker outfit after their record breaking Premier League campaign in 2017/18. The champions are unbeaten in 14 matches on the road in the Premiere League and all but three of those road trips have resulted in winning three points. MANCHESTER CITY are the bet at Evens.

Liverpool could have overhauled City at the top of the league by kick-off time. Their match at Bournemouth is the early live TV fixture while Chelsea and City lock horns at 5.30. Liverpool were fortunate to beat Everton and the win at a struggling Burnley midweek was expected. They have kept winning without impressing and just like Arsenal most of the damage is done in the second half. However, Bournemouth are unlikely to fold so the DRAW at 7/2 with bet365 is the prediction.     

There is a third televised match in the Premier League this evening which is Tottenham’s match at Leicester. The visitors are third in the Premier League despite not buying any players in the summer and still having to play home matches at Wembley. Crowd numbers are plummeting at the national stadium but the club’s travels continue to bring rewards. In fact Tottenham have scored in all but one of 22 Premier League matches and Leicester are unbeaten in six matches. It’s tricky to call the outcome but BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 4/6 with Ladbrokes is on. 

Blaklion was unseated at the first fence in the Grand National this April after finishing fourth the previous year when looking like the most likely winner for most of the race. The plan to hold up the horse this year never materialised due to that very early mishap. BLAKLION is back at Aintree today for the Becher Chase over three miles and two furlongs of the National course and distance and is the tip at 4/1 with Coral.   

This Weeks Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Crazy Goal Keeps Liverpool In Touch

One of the most bizarre goals in the history of the Premier League completed the derby day home treble and kept things tight at the top of the table. If you believe in the concept of name on the trophy Liverpool’s 96th minute winner against Everton will have confirmed this view. In a serious of freak events Divick Origi was on hand to take advantage of a Jordan Pickford clanger and the ball bouncing off the bar to break the hearts of Evertonians with the winner. With luck like that LIVERPOOL can keep on the coattails of Manchester City and are now 4/1 with William Hill to win the Premier League. There is a full programme of matches this week.

If you can’t be a good manager then being a lucky manager is important. Gareth Southgate got the rub of the green with England in the World Cup and he has now been dealt a good hand from the draw for qualification for Euro 2020. The semi-finals and final are being played at Wembley and England should progress to the tournament. They will play what looks like a list of budget airline destinations in the group stages and there is nobody to fear. ENGLAND are 8/1 to be the champions of Europe for the first time. Their next fixture is in February.

There are two big chases this Saturday which are often a form guide to future races. The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown is often the starting point for the best horses over two miles. That is certainly the case this year because Altior is the odds-on favourite and the horse’s season–long target is the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. ALTIOR is 11/8 with Ladbrokes to win that race for the second successive year.

The Becher Chase is run over the last three miles and one and a half furlongs of the Grand National distance and is a major trial for the big one next April. Any race over the big fences is a spectacle and course form is important. BLAKLION was brought down at the first and finished fourth when looking like the winner in the last two Nationals and is 10/1 to win the Becher Chase.

There are two jumps meetings today and they race on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton. Plumpton is a funny little track where experience of the course is vital. Horses often show better form than at other venues so we should focus on course winners. SNIPPETYDOODAH has won two races at Plumpton, the latest on heavy ground so the soft going today should not be an issue. The horse is the nap in the handicap hurdle over three miles and one furlong (1.30) at 9/1 with bet365.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

By Leave a Comment

Chelsea Can Win Today’s London Derby 

It’s rare that you get six 3 o’clock kick-offs and a mainly traditional Saturday football fixture list but that is the case today because there is only one live match. In the olden days every match began at the same time and all you got on television was the highlights of selected matches. Its now wall-to-wall live football but all there is today in the Premier League is Tottenham’s home match against Chelsea at Wembley which is hard to call but a London club could win or the match is a draw.

Chelsea have won seven of their last away matches and beat Tottenham at Wembley in the semi-finals of the 2016-17 FA Cup. They are one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League after 12 matches which has never happened before in the top division of English football. However, Chelsea have not had an away game against one of the top six so this is a huge test. Tottenham are just one point behind Chelsea but have a poor record against the better opposition. CHELSEA are the bet at 13/8 with Betfair.

  

Any fixture between England and Australia in any sport is never a friendly and today they meet in a rugby union international at Twickenham. It’s the end of a grueling tour for the visitors who now don’t have the advantage of match fitness. In fact injuries have caught up with the camp while England have found able stand-ins when a key player is not fit to play. England have won their last five matches against Australia and the last two at Twichenham by 24 and 16 points so ENGLAND -8 on the handicap is the recommendation at Evens with bet365.    

The Betfair Chase at Haydock has attracted a small but select field of just five runners. The horses that finished first and second in the Cheltenham Gold are in the race. Native River came out on top in that race but there could be a different outcome today. The ground and track will favour MIGHT BITE who is the banker of the day at Evens with Ladbrokes to win the race at 3pm when the football starts. 

Chelsea Are A Big Price For The Top 3 But It’s Win Only Betting – By Ian Hudson

By Leave a Comment

Chelsea Are A Big Price For The Top 3 But It’s Win Only Betting – By Ian Hudson

We have a rare Premier League weekend programme because six of the fixtures kick-off at 3pm on Saturday. Personally that’s a good thing as a football fan from the Division One era used to matches beginning at the same time. The staggered match times are at the behest of television but the broadcaster’s money has paid for safer and more comfortable grounds and better pitches. As a supporter from a bygone age I will enjoy taking my seat at Old Trafford just before 3 o’clock on Saturday. The first live match which brings together Tottenham and Chelsea starts after the final whistle in the afternoon fixtures so we have the best of both worlds.

Chelsea are one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League after 12 fixtures. Liverpool and Manchester City have also not lost a league fixture and that’s the first time in the history of top flight football in England that three teams have got to this stage without suffering a defeat. It could be how the fixtures have panned out and a one-off or an indication of how the best teams are so much better than the rest. Liverpool and Manchester City have drawn at Anfield and Liverpool picked up a point at Chelsea. If the other four meetings of the superpowers are drawn it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for three teams not to lose a league match this season. 

The latest outright betting for the Premier League suggests Manchester City are home and hosed. The cunning bookmakers are now only allowing win only bets and the reasoning needs explaining. They offer place terms which are generally one fifth the odds for the first three places. Chelsea are 20/1 to win the Premier League but in reality less than 4/1 to finish in the top three. Shrewd traders could lay the win element of the bet and be left with a very generous place only bet that could be offset with a lay at a lower price on a betting exchange. In effect careful manipulation of the back and lay markets would create a win/no lose situation.     

Tottenham are an enigma and it wouldn’t be a huge shock if they ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run at Wembley at tea-time on Saturday. Despite not making any significant signings in the summer and problems in moving into the new stadium they are just five points off the pace and have won four of their last five league fixtures. Real Madrid have appointed a new manager and Mauricio Pochettino is off their radar so he can continue the good work. Harry Kane will be buzzing after scoring the winner for England against Croatia and his Tottenham side can beat their London rivals.

Arsenal lost their first two Premier League fixtures and are now unbeaten in 10. Their last five matches have produced three draws and two wins but most of the crucial goals have been scored in the second half. They play at Bournemouth on Sunday and that side are riding high in sixth place. Arsenal’s class and ability should prevail but not before the break. The logical bet is Draw/Arsenal in the HT/FT double result market. Bournemouth have won three of their six home league fixtures this season to date but a second defeat at home is on the cards against Arsenal.     

The other two live TV matches involve teams in the bottom half of the table. Wolves have had a dip in results after a great start but a home win against Huddersfield should get their season back on track. Burnley have not picked up three points in five matches and look vulnerable to a visiting Newcastle side unbeaten in three fixtures in the Monday Night Football match. Its one of just four matches not starting at 3pm on Saturday so it’s almost like the old days.