Bookies Blog

What a weekend of racing! Admittedly the only Kentucky Derby challenger that we fully wrote off was 100/1 Mine That Bird, but we did tip you the 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars, albeit in the wrong market.

Let’s just hope that John Oxx takes his chance in the Irish 2000 Guineas before he wins the Derby, because 20/1 will be a very attractive price indeed.

In the 1000 Guineas, Rainbow View was a massive dissapointment but we tipped the second, 12/1 Cuis Ghaire. Perhaps our lovely picture of Richard Hills persuaded you to get on 20/1 Ghanaati.

The ‘Big Four’ all won this weekend for the fourth time in a row, but the accumulator still paid out a generous 6/1 with Victor Chandler.

Liverpool obliged against Newcastle (3-0) to maintain the pressure on Manchester United, but they can still be backed at 9/1 with Sky Bet for the title.

The relegation betting looks a lot tighter, but even 1/100 West Brom still have an outside chance at survival if they win their remaining fixtures.

Before Hull take on Aston Villa tonight, the bottom end of the table looks like this:

Middlesbrough can be backed at 1/4, but are far from certainties. They have been in woeful form, and haven’t scored in the last three games. Having said that, a victory against Newcastle on May 11 would be a great help for Gareth Southgate‘s side. Their other two fixtures are perfectly winnable.

The bookies also expect to see Alan Shearer‘s Newcastle get sent down a division at 1/2. The Magpies lack confidence and Joey Barton’s red card comes just at the wrong time. His season must surely be over. They have only scored once in the last five games.

Blackburn look safe at 33/1, but I think that 15/8 Hull City could soon find themselves in deep trouble.

Hull have lost their last three and finish at home to Man U at the end of the season. They should lose at Villa Park tonight (4/7) and have a shocking record away to Bolton.

To their credit they did very well to stay up in the Championship two seasons ago.

10/3 Sunderland have tricky fixtures, but have the bonus of a four point cushion.

Fulham are 9/4 favourites to grab the last available European spot.

Remember to scan the markets available on bookies.com before placing a bet:

Premier League Winner Betting

Relegation 08/09 Odds

Yesterday saw Roy Keane backed into 1/3 from 14/1 with Sky Bet for the Ipswich job. He held his first press conference as the new coach, and the bookies are already taking bets on how he fares in the Championship next season.

Totesport go 4/1 that Ipswich are promoted next season, something which Jim Magilton failed to acheive in his three years at the club.

Victor Chandler are taking on Roy Keane’s new side, offering 18/1 for Ipswich Town to win the Championship Title in 2010.

If you think that Keane’s mission will take longer than a season, you can take totesport’s 6/4 that Ipswich are promoted by the start of the 2011/2012 season. That’s if you don’t lose your betting slip down the side of the sofa by then.

Sky Bet go just 1/4 that Ipswich finish in the top half next year, but offer a generous 25/1 about them being relegated.

Keane is just 4/9 to see out his contract with Totesport.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Next QPR Manager Betting

Championship Promotion 2009 Betting

Championship Relegation 2009 Betting

Championship To Reach Playoffs 2009 Betting

Last night was the second time in a week that Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool have been involved in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Who’d have thought that lightening would strike twice? A Paddy Power punter in Leicester.

The Liverpool fan had already netted £12,500 last week, having put £25 on the correct score at 500/1. 

Paddy Power typically offer huge odds on the crazy scorelines, but they are reeling from the two results. In total they have lost a staggering £750,000.

The Leicester punter could’ve checked bookies.com beforehand to see that Paddy Power were best priced again last night for the 4-4 draw.

This time he had £57.64 at 500/1 for the Liverpool – Arsenal clash, which paid out £28,887.

Tonight’s FA Cup Final taster between Chelsea and Everton offers the home side a great chance to catch up in the title race. Chelsea are currently 16/1 with Sky Bet.

Paddy Power have cut the odds on another 4-4 draw from 500/1 into 250/1, meaning that Bet365 are best-priced at 300/1.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Chelsea v Everton Match Betting

Chelsea v Everton Correct Score Betting

FA Cup Winner 2009 Betting

It’s a bit early to talk about the 128th FA Cup Final between Everton and Chelsea, but there is no better time to find a value bet.

I’m not referring the the FA Cup Winner market, which is unattractive from a betting point of view. If you had a wager before Manchester United were knocked out, then hats off.

Everton were 33/1 shots at the beginning of the year to crash the Big Four party, but are now generally available at 7/4 to lift the trophy on 30 May.

Toffees supporters would probably get a better run for their money with 4/1 in the 90 minutes betting, but 17/2 for Everton/Everton in the HT/FT market is a good trade if Everton open the scoring – a 7/4 chance.

Chelsea are a stand-out 10/11 to win in 90 minutes with Sky Bet, but the treble could be a better value bet at 66/1 with William Hill. 

At this early stage, the betting value lies with the 0-0 scoreline. The bore draw is 17/2 with Victor Chandler, which simply must be backed.

The last two Wembley finals have finished 1-0, but the surface has been criticised for being ‘spongy and dead’. The surface and the pressure of the occasion make the 0-0 quite a likely result.

Sir Alex Ferguson wants the FA to improve the surface, but thankfully we won’t have to put up with his ranting before the Final. In the week preceding the FA Cup Final there are three Play-Off Finals.

We recommended the bore draw in the Carling Cup Final at 10/1, as it tends to be under-bet.

I’d still consider the scoreline if the best price available was 5/1, but when you compare odds online, the punter can find better value.

Following Man U’s exit from the competition, they are now 5/2 to win a quadruple.

bookies.com is the best place to go to compare FA Cup odds:

FA Cup Winner 2009 Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Match Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Over/Under Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton HT/FT Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Correct Score Betting

Manchester United have an astonishing 5 out of the 6 players nominated for the PFA Player of the Year - hardly surprising in the season where they could win a famous quintuple (8/1).

That said, Steven Gerrard is Paddy Power’s 11/8 co-favourite and the Liverpool skipper is currently shading favouritism on Betfair.

David Ginola was the last player from outside the Big Four to last win the PFA Trophy in 1999, whilst 8/1 Cristiano Ronaldo has won Player of the Year for the last two seasons.

Ronaldo was the first Portuguese player to ever win the trophy, but no player has won it three times.

We don’t know how bad Gerrard’s injury is, but 13 Premiership goals is a remarkable achievement at this stage of the year. Liverpool’s comeback in the title race can be largely put down to Stevie, who deserves to be favourite.

Gerrard commands enormous respect from his fellow players, so much so that he won the award in 2006.

Nemanja Vidic has been key part of Manchester United’s defense this season. The Serbian been well supported with Paddy Power, but at 11/8, surely his value has gone.

Man U’s record 14 straight clean sheets could also be put down to Van Der Sar and Rio Ferdinand, both 28/1 chances. Their presence in the shortlist could split up the Vidic vote.

Vidic’s disciplinary record shouldn’t count against him, and on the plus side he has scored 12 goals in 142 appearances.

GERRARD is the pick, but offers no value at the price. 7/1 is a tempting price in the Top Goalscorer market, but we don’t know the extent of his injury.

**Update 23/4/09**

Ryan Giggs has been backed into 1/3 on Betfair, having traded at a high of 159/1 earlier this season.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

PFA Player of the Year 2009 Betting

Premier League Winner 2009 Betting

Premier League Top Goalscorer Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea. Champions League. Again. 

Should be an easy one betting-wise; they met in the semis last year and both play in the Premier League.

A handful of bookies are undecided as to who’ll progress through this tie, offering 5/6 about both teams.

Corals report that they’ve seen equal amounts of money for both sides, although Chelsea are odds-against to qualify on Betfair.

Backing a team at 5/6 isn’t going to make you rich, and Wednesday’s match betting doesn’t look particularly rewarding. Liverpool are best priced at 11/8 with Paddy Power to beat Chelsea at Anfield, the draw is available at 11/5 and an away victory at 11/4.

Liverpool are 11/4 with Skybet to make the final and 11/5 to get knocked out in the semis like last year.

The sides last met at the same venue in February, with Liverpool winning in the last few minutes thanks to a Torres double. Florent Malouda thinks Chelsea are better, but the same correct score can be backed at 9/1. 

Torres is 10/1 with Paddy Power to score 2 goals or more.

In such a tight encounter, my preference is with the 0-0 scoreline, which usually offers cracking value. Boylesports are the only firm going 7/1 about No Goalscorer, which gives you room for the own goal nightmare.

Remember that Riise scored one in the 94th minute last year. He is no longer with the Reds.

I fancy under 2.5 goals, but 8/15 is a shocking price. Liverpool have scored in each of their last 18 CL matches, so preference would be for the 1-0 home win at 6/1 with Blue Square.

Another juicy price is 4/1 for the draw/draw outcome in the half-time/full-time market.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Liverpool v Chelsea Match Betting 

Liverpool v Chelsea Asian Handicap Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea Correct Score Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea First Goalscorer Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea Half-time/Full-time Betting

Nicholas Anelka is out injured for 3 weeks, yet is still the 7/4 market leader in the Top Goalscorer market for the English Premier League. He is currently at the top with 15 goals to his name, but hasn’t been finding the target lately now that Hiddink plays him on the wing.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerrard are both on 13 goals, but I prefer Skybet’s 5/1 about Gerrard to 11/4 Ronaldo.

Gerrard scored a hat-trick yesterday and is the set-piece taker for the form team in the Premier League – Liverpool, who are now into 11/4 to win.

Liverpool have some tough fixtures, but Gerrard is always a goal threat. Get on him each way at 5/1 before the price shortens!

Recommendation:

3pts each way @ 5/1 S. Gerrard Top Goalscorer (1,2 – 1/3 odds Skybet)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Premier League odds:

Top Goalscorer Betting

Outright Winner Betting

Winner w/o Man U Betting

Relegation Betting

We are already having a stunning weekend after 7/2 tip Ireland claimed the Grand Slam. Even though we swerved 14/1 Cavendish in the Milan – San Remo, our 20/1 each way selection came home in 3rd. Our pick of the long-shots, 40/1 Allan Davis, finished 4th.

Sunday’s value bet is Sochaux to beat Lyon at the Stade Gerland, at 9/1 with Stan James. Sochaux are gradually escaping from the relegation zone, whilst Lyon are in a crisis.

They were poor last Sunday at home to Auxerre (0-2), but to make matters worse, they won’t have their usual central defence today. Cris is suspended and Jean Alain Boumsong is injured.

That means that Jérémy Toulalan will start in defence, who looked woefully slow last weekend. Star striker Karim Benzema has been out of form, prompting talk of the home side starting with 2 strikers.

There have been over 2.5 goals in 6 of Sochaux’s last 7 games, which must be bet today at 23/20.

Sochaux should be more like a 4/1 chance, and I for one won’t be surprised to see them win at Lyon.

Another good punt is Sochaux to be leading at half time and full time, a 22/1 chance with Sky Bet.

OK, we don’t want to get too carried away, because Lyon are the most likely winners at 2/5.

Recommendation:

1pt @ 9/1 Sochaux to beat Lyon (Stan James)

1pt @ 22/1 Sochaux/Sochaux HT/FT (Skybet)

5pts @ 23/20 Over 2.5 Goals (bet365)

Handicap Betting With Paddy Power:

1/2pt @ 35/1 Sochaux -1

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Liverpool v Aston Villa Match Betting

Lyon v Sochaux Match Betting

Lyon v Sochaux HT/FT Betting

Lyon v Sochaux Over/Under Betting

Sunday’s Carling Cup Final at Wembley is between Man U and Spurs, with kick-off at 3pm.

Manchester United are 4/5 with Paddy Power to win inside 90 minutes, which you’d think would be a popular bet on the high street. In fact, Spurs have been supported into 9/2.

Spurs beat Chelsea in last year’s Carling Cup Final in extra time, which is an 18/1 chance with Blue Square. They are 12/1 to win on penalties.

Man U have been in awesome form recently, although they were criticised after their 0-0 at Inter. If Sir Alex decides to rest a few players, I think that Spurs have every chance of lifting the trophy.

The Carling Cup won’t be priority No.1 for Man U, whilst it is the game of Spurs’ season, who have nothnig else to play for. They crashed out of the UEFA Cup last week with a 1-1 draw at home to Shakhtar.

Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo and Rooney are the 11/2 co-favourites in the first goalscorer market, but I much prefer bet365′s 10/1 about no goalscorer (i.e. 0-0 but with own goals on your side).

Man U’s League Cup Final record reads P6 W2, so I’d be wary about backing them on Sunday. Yes they are the likely winners, but the price is unappealing. Equally, I don’t like the look of 7/4 for Man U to be winning at half time and full time.

If I was to have a punt, I’d go for Centrebet’s 3/1 for Spurs Draw No Bet (i.e. stake refunded if draw).

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Carling Cup Final Match Betting

Man U v Spurs First Goalscorer Betting

Man U v Spurs Correct Score Betting

Man U v Spurs HT/FT Betting

AC Milan crashed out the UEFA Cup last night, meaning that 13/2 Man City are the new favourites.

Rafael Benitez was the subject of an enormous gamble this week in the Next Manager to Leave market, backed down from 20/1 to evens (1/1). Skybet went 1/4 that he would no longer be in charge of Liverpool next season.

Kenny Dalglish was well supported in Paddy Power’s Next Liverpool Manager market, but José Mourinho was the 9/2 favourite.

Things change quickly in the betting world, which is why you should keep an eye on bookies.com.

Rick Parry is now leaving his position as Liverpool chief executive at the end of the season, meaning that the power struggle should be over. Benitez is now 1/2 with William Hill to still be in charge next season.

With the title race seemingly over, Liverpool will concentrate on the Champions League, which they are 9/1 to win with Victor Chandler.

Last Sunday, West Brom manager Tony Mowbray was 20/1 in the sack race, but has been very well backed following the 2-0 defeat at Fulham. He is now Sky Bet’s 9/4 favourite.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Next Manager to Leave Betting

UEFA Cup Winner Betting
Champions League Winner Betting