Bookies Blog

As the world has reeled at the enormous sum of money paid for Christiano Ronaldo by Real Madrid, the betting markets have followed suit. It seems that bookies have been shifting their ante post premiership prices in response to the winger’s transfer all day and if you’re quick, their may still be some value.

Manchester United’s odds for winning the Premier League next season have drifted out to 9/4 on Betfair, having previously been backed as low as 11/8. Their rivals meanwhile have all had their prices slashed, with Chelsea now as short as 2/1 and Liverpool 11/4. Bet 365, however, are still going 10/3 on the Reds bringing the Premier League trophy back to the Kop for the first time.

If you’re looking for an each way bet on the premiership, then Arsenal, who are still available at 9/1 or Manchester City at 33/1 could potentially offer some value. Both these bets would offer better value than and therefore the potential to arbitrage the market is always present.

The Red Devils have not only drifted in the Premiership markets but also markets for the Champions League, where they have drifted to 13/2. Real Madrid, meanwhile, having now spent over £130 million on Kaka and Ronaldo have been backed into 11/2 for the tournament, which has made them second favourites behind Barcelona who are currently 9/2.

However, before you join the hordes of punters laying United, I would first think about what Ferguson is going to do with his newly acquired transfer funds. There has been talk of acquiring players such as Frank Ribery who will bring new strength to the United Squad. So I for one, rather than laying United, will be getting on them before the price drops back down as Fergie starts spending.

Click here to see the Premier League Market.

Click here to see the Champions League Market

The second round of Queens continues today in the build up to the main grass event of the year at Wimbledon. Andy Murray, who is the first British player to be seeded number one at the tournament, is continuing his campaign against Italy’s Andreas Seppi and he is well favoured by the bookies who are offering 1/14 for the Scot to win the tie.

Murray will be hoping to add a championship win at queens to his ever expanding CV but he faces some tough competition in the form of Andy Roddick. Historically Roddick has an impressive record at Queens and has won the tournament four times in the previous six years.

However Murray, who is ranked third in the world, is still favourite to win the tournament at 11/8. Whilst Roddick can be backed at 3/1 with Paddy Power, offering better value than betfair who are currently trading at 13/5 on the outcome.

Elsewhere in the tournament, a few other players preparing for Wimbledon might also offer some value. Lleyton Hewitt and James Blake are 20/1 and 25/1 respectively, they would not meet Murray until the final and therefore might be worth backing each way.

Keep up to date with the latest match odds here and for the winners market click here.

The second Twenty 20 World Cup has begun and the first group stages are coming to a close. Australia suffered a shock knock out from the tournament after poor displays against both Sri Lanka and The West Indies, whilst Ireland, after an emphatic win against Bangladesh, are through to the Super Eight group stages.

South Africa stand as firm favourites at 12/5 with betfair to win the tournament whilst the reigning champions India are a close second at 4/1. Short prices such as these are often dangerous bets to make. Both India and South Africa have been drawn in Group E, the tougher of the two super eight groups, and there is the potential for error. England and West Indies will provide formidable opposition to the two favourites and an upset can’t be ruled out.

Therefore, it seems that the value might be found within the other super eight group, Group F, which is far weaker. Pakistan have looked weak, losing to England and showing a few weaknesses against the Netherlands, whilst Ireland’s inexperienced side are rank outsiders at 100/1. Therefore Sri Lanka and New Zealand look safe bets for the semi final. At 5/1 and 6/1 respectively they have higher odds to win the tournament than the likely top two of Group E.

Both South Africa and India should reach the semi finals and it seems that if they do then they will meet again in the final, which, on the day, could go either way. In that sense I feel that the 4/1 for India is far better value than the 12/5 of South Africa. However, betting on Twenty20 is incredibly tough and a few shock results could see the betting markets thrown into turmoil, so it is worth regularly checking the latest prices.

Betting is also taking place on the tournaments top bowler and top batsmen. At present Chris Gayle can be backed at 8/1 and De Villiers at 7/1 to score the most runs in the tournament, whilst the bookies seem to think Malinga will be crowned as the tournaments top bowler with him currently priced at 5/1.

Check the winners market here.

Check the top bowler market here.

Check the top batsmen market here.

Check the match index here.