Weekend Betting Preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, July 12, 2007)

A Ruck and a Charred Plaice We all do things in life that we later regret. More often than not; it involves pairing off with a tubster after a heavy night on the ale; or 'Lenny Henry syndrome' as it?s known on the street. I am particularly ashamed of my behaviour while on a family holiday in Greece. The hotel manager struggled to understand the wife's thick Glaswegian accent, and jumped to the conclusion that she was mentally challenged. I should really have set him straight, but a good parking space is hard to find. Being married to a Sweaty does have its drawbacks though, as an outbreak of violence is always just around the corner. I remember when I foolishly overcooked her fish supper: she dropped the nut more than a KP rep with Parkinson's. Her family are all of a similar ilk. Her older brother used to fight professionally until he lost both legs in a tragic caber-tossing accident. Boxing aficionados will probably be familiar with the name of Willy Nick McCrack; he went 16 fights without defeat. As a result of seeing a multitude of scraps, i now consider myself a leading expert in the fight game. Amir Khan is an absolute stone-cold certainly at 1/12 against Willie Limond. At that price, i'd happily get on Jemima. Limond has only fought a quality opponent on one previous occasion; and it ended in a one-sided defeat. Alex Arthur literally took him to school that day; the headmistress had to have them both escorted off the premises. I'll take 5/1 for the referee stopping the fight in the seventh or eighth round. The Yanks could find themselves in all sorts of bother when the Open Championship tees off on Thursday. Carnoustie is known as 'the beast', and needless to say, I've been on it on quite a few occasions. I found it a thoroughly unpleasant experience; I got myself in all sorts of trouble on the approach to the second hole. It's definitely worth opposing the Tiger as the unfavourable conditions will prove a real leveller. It wouldn't surprise me if a complete no-hoper won, even Montgomerie can not be ruled out at this stage. I'll be having a little each-way tickle on the in form Justin Rose at 30/1. It's been reported that Frank Lampard spent two hours alone with a 'female friend' in a Las Vegas hotel suite. Frank was quick to deny accusations of any wrongdoing, and personally I believe him, it must take at least 90 minutes for his dinner to be delivered. When confronted by the news that Lampard is a high profile sportsman with a fiancé at home, Frank's 'acquaintance' moaned, "This is terrible. I don?t know what to do. This is a nightmare." Lenny Henry syndrome respects no borders. I'll be truly devastated if I miss Argentina at 6/5 in the Copa America finale. Labels: Betting, boxing, Copa America, Golf Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 2:41 PM

Betting Weekend Preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, July 05, 2007)

Hate Days are Weak Smarter people than me, if such a group actually exist, have struggled to find a solution to the threat of terror. Islamic fundamentalists are often berated, but I have a certain amount of sympathy for their plight: if I couldn't have a bet or a bacon sandwich, I'd probably be suicidal myself. I don't want to ram my own theories down anyone's throat (if I was to ram anything down somebody's throat, it wouldn't be a theory), but the only way we can move forward as a multicultural society is to embrace the concept of secularism. The only church I would ever enter is the tubby Welsh one, and I'd need a good few ales beforehand to warm the goggles up. To hate your fellow man because of the way he lives is absurd, but to hate because of the way a person looks is the height of stupidity. The make-up of skin colour is merely a solitary letter out of the 3.1 billion letters of human DNA. You don't have to be Stephen Hawking to realise the idiocy of racism, even Mrs Hawking could work that one out; if she wasn't down the gym working the bags. The world looked on in disgust as little as 50 years ago in Alabama, when a group of Caucasians chased after anyone with a darker skin. Yet somewhat ironically, the whole of Britain will cheer a repeat in the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly the natural heir to German cheating-machine Michael Schumacher. Bookmakers are offering odds of 11/4 about Lewis winning at Silverstone, that's a racing certainty. I was overjoyed to read that the Ferrari had caught up with McLaren, but my happiness subsided as I realised this had nothing to do with football. As a result of Raikkonen's win in Paris, Hamilton can now be backed at 8/13 to win the world championship. It's time to top up. Tennis is a sport that absolutely refuses to segregate; they'll happily accept any middle-class youngster into their ranks. This year's Wimbledon has been ruined by the atrocious weather. It's been confirmed that we endured the wettest June for 50 years; only Terry can be happy about that. I blame the rain for Mauresmo making an early exit from the tournament; you can't produce your best tennis if your balls are all soggy. I've decided to now get on Justine Henin at 4/9, she's a lucky girl. Sexism is another one of my pet-hates. I honestly believe that a woman can do anything that a man tells her to. I can't see any of the girls winning Big Brother though; if I had to point to a winner from any of the original housemates, I could only raise my finger to Amanda. Liam has to be supported at 7/2 for outright glory; it's one of the best bets ever. The great thing about cycling is the multinational nature of the sport. A person of any race, religion or sexual orientation can succeed, as long as they're prepared to put in the years of hard graft needed to find a quality chemist. Riding a bike in treacherous surroundings may sound unappealing, yet you never hear a word of complaint from Peter Andre. My sources tell me that Alejandro Valverde is a live runner in the Tour De France; I'll be getting on at 6/1. Homophobia remains prevalent in today's society. Personally, I can't see the problem with Prince Edward bringing up a baby. The 4/6 for England winning their one-day rubber-match against the West Indies is incredibly cute. Smokers are another group who are unfairly discriminated against. I just hope there's no truth in the rumour that a young Glaswegian will be prosecuted for lighting up in an airport. The 10/3 for Chile holding Brazil to a draw in their Copa America quarter-final will help recoup any draconian fine. Labels: Betting, Big Brother, Copa America, Cricket, Formula 1, Tennis Betting, Wimbledon Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 3:03 PM

Bet365's Live Tennis Betting Wimbledon (Thursday, June 28, 2007)

ANYONE FOR BET365'S LIVE TENNIS BETTING? For the next two weeks, we can look forward to some top quality tennis action from Wimbledon. - weather permitting! Roger Federer is a red-hot favourite with bet365 for a fifth consecutive men's title, while Justine Henin is a warm outright favourite for the ladies' singles. But the real betting action at bet365 will take place once the matches get under way. This is when bet365 will be serving the majority of the aces (excuse the pun!) with their live In-Play betting service. From the opening serve to the match winning shot, you can bet on the following 5 exciting markets: * Match Winner ... * Next Game Score ... * Next Set Winner ... * Set Betting ... * Current Set Winner The action gets under way at around 12 noon each day and you can check out the day's live In-Play matches by clicking on the "In-Play Diary" link on the bet365 homepage. To start betting, go back to the homepage and click on the "In-Play Console" link. Labels: Betting, Live Betting, Tennis Betting, Wimbledon Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 1:48 PM

Betting Weekend Preview by Gerry McDonnell ()

A Small Murphy's ... Maybe I have nothing but admiration for the reunited Spice Girls. Their music may have been atrocious, and you'd struggle to find a greater collection of dogs outside of Battersea, but their trailblazing work in the field of ginger acceptance remains unsurpassed. The minging quintet penetrated the public consciousness to such an unprecedented degree that the entire English language evolved as a result. The bints were slightly embarrassed when the meaningless soundbite 'Girl Power' made it into the dictionary, but the moth-eaten, passé, semi-fossilised has-beens are rightfully proud of their place in the official betting glossary. The 'Baby' bet is the absolute certainty: it only goes down on rare occasions. The 'Sporty' is the one that looked good in the beginning, but on closer reflection; it could really go either way. The 'Ginger' is the loose punt you only consider after a few pints. The 'Posh' is the all-in mug's bet, where you end up living on bread and water for a week, and the 'Scary' is a complete guess, like when Mel B reached the 'father's section' on her daughter's birth certificate. I like to think that my ante-post football bets are straight out of the 'Baby' drawer. Manchester United won the league last season with Darren Fletcher, Park Ji Sung and John O'Shea all playing a prominent role. The deadwood will now be replaced by Hargreaves, Anderson and Wayne Rooney's personal favourite, Nani. The 13/8 for the champions retaining their title is an exquisite piece of business. In the relegation market, I will be going in hard on Wigan. The appointment of Chris Hutchings is probably reason enough, but the signing of Titus Bramble is an absolute clincher. Get on now at 11/8, or face a level of disappointment unseen since Eddie Murphy last opened his mail. I used to really enjoy playing cricket at school, but my dreams of becoming a fast bowler were shattered by a particularly cruel PE teacher. I still remember the day he pulled me to one side and told me I had a disappointing length. The whole set up of the sport is fundamentally flawed though; if I wanted a game to last five days I'd challenge the wife to noughts and crosses. The one-day international is a far more entertaining spectacle. England have been priced up at 4/7 to see off the ineffectual Windies in Sunday's opener; I'd be considering getting on if KP was playing on his own. Big Brother's Tracey remains a surprisingly popular figure outside of the house. Celebrities to have spoken up on her behalf include Eddie Izzard, Dana International and Hayley from Coronation Street. Nice guy Liam can still be backed at 9/2 for outright glory: that's an old fashioned shoo-in. I find playing darts quite frustrating; there's nothing more embarrassing than suffering a bounce-out when you're on top. Paul McCartney refuses to watch an entire match; he's just happy to see a couple of legs. Phil Taylor is a clear favourite for the Las Vegas Desert Classic that kicks off on Monday, probably because of his years of experience at trying to get three in a bed. Barney is the new power; get on at 5/2. Labels: Ante-Post Betting, Betting, Big Brother, Cricket, Darts Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 1:27 PM

Royal Ascot Offer by Bet365 (£200 free bet) (Thursday, June 21, 2007)

£200 SAYS - YOU'LL OPEN A BET365 ACCOUNT FOR ROYAL ASCOT! Talk about rolling out the red carpet, new bet365 customers will be made to feel very special indeed during Royal Ascot, courtesy of our account opening offer ? a £200 free matched bet on a market of their choice. No, we haven't been drinking the bubbly stuff already and made a mistake. This Royal Ascot offer is the real deal. Simply open a new account between Tuesday 19th June and Saturday 23rd June inclusive, and we'll match the first bet you place with a free bet up to £200. That's £200 to place on a market of your choice, including this Saturday's big Wokingham Handicap (off around 4.25pm). A £200 bet on bet365's current 9/2 favourite Zidane would return you a massive £900 ? for free! What's more, new and existing customers alike can enjoy Best Odds Guaranteed on all Royal Ascot races. Take a price on your selection and, if the starting price is bigger, we'll pay you out at the bigger odds. This fantastic offer applies to both early prices and board prices. You won't get these offers anywhere else, so make sure you enjoy the red-carpet treatment at bet365 throughout Royal Ascot. Labels: Bet365, Betting, Royal Ascot Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 1:11 PM

Betting Weekend Preview by Gerry McDonnell ()

A Chick with a Pick I'm unwilling to pigeon hole myself politically, but if forced, I would happily place myself in the 'frustrated feminist' box. If I was around in the early part of the twentieth century I'd have been more than happy to burn bras with the Suffragettes, as it's a literally evil contraption. The bra-burning remains a point of contention amongst the modern day collection of men-haters, but the fact that these freedom-fighters went on hunger strike to promote their cause is a recorded fact; although they may have just wanted to lose a bit of weight in order to catch a husband. Lefty troublemaker Emmeline Pankhurst would have got her reinforced knickers in a twist over Wimbledon's antiquated policy of paying the men more than the bints. In the All England Club's defence, they probably had to insure against a cushion dispute escalating into violence, or a mouse stopping play. This year, the lovely ladies will receive identical restitution to their completely equal in every way male counterparts. Amelie Mauresmo will be ecstatic with this development. The reigning ladies champion looks a great shout at 12/1 to get her shovel-hands on the improved wedge. Grass courts always suit the big hitters, and they don't get any bigger than the gigantic Frenchman. In the men's draw, big things are expected of rising star Andy Murray. A good run may well lead to the injury- prone Sweaty being promoted to a Brit. Roger Federer is the man they all have to beat. The Swiss genius has a backhand so strong; Lee Chapman can only look on in envy. The Fed Express is a good thing at 4/9. Organisers expect to sell 60,000 pounds of strawberries and 1,500 gallons of cream during the Wimbledon fortnight, although that figure will collapse if Frank Lampard fails to show. Tim Henman will definitely turn up, but he'll be lucky to see the second round. The Copa America kicks off on Tuesday and it's a straight two horse war between the Brazilians and the Argentineans. The Samba Boys will be without a tired Kaka and Ronaldinho has also withdrawn following advice from his dental hygienist. I'm getting my teeth into the Argies at a delightful 17/10. Controversy surrounds Wayne Rooney's involvement in Ricky Hatton's super-fight against Jose Luis Castillo. Wayne is a now so nervous about his role, there's a real chance that he may drop his belt in Las Vegas. Castillo has looked jaded following his wars with Corrales, the 4/7 for the Hitman is particularly striking. The final of the Under-21 Championships will pit the total football of the Dutch against the thuggish Serbs. I'll be on Holland at 11/10 as beauty will always beat the beast in the end. You should really follow me in on this one: I'm a leading expert in the field of beast- beating. Labels: Betting, Copa America, Wimbledon Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 1:03 PM

Betting Weekend Preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, June 14, 2007)

We have to stop the Blubber Ring Call me a non-conforming malcontent, but I wholeheartedly disagree with the concept of marriage. When at Alton Towers, I absolutely love it on the log flume, but after a few rides, I should be free to have a go on the black hole. It's a statistical fact that if a couple of a similar age marry, the male has the shorter life expectancy. I haven't read up on the reason behind this, but my hunch would be the 'until death do us part' line in the ceremony. There are occasionally extenuating circumstances for staying with the same partner for a significant number of years, but there aren't that many blonde, mute, orphaned, former gymnast cleaners wandering the streets. Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, John Terry and Gary Neville are all making a huge rick by taking their partners up the aisle this weekend. I don't wish to scaremonger, but if my marriage is anything to go by, the bride's libido is replaced by an appetite for cake the moment the ring makes contact with the finger. Gary Neville would love for David Beckham to show up on his big day, but Becks will be busy training for Real Madrid's title decider. Few would argue with the fact that Beckham deserves a medal; if only for his quick thinking in getting out of the Neville do. The slow-witted bint-beaten former golden boy of English football will finally get his hands on something other than Rebecca Loos; Real Madrid are absolute bankers at 2/13 at home to Mallorca. Steven Gerrard's marriage to orange pancake-eater Alex Curran will undoubtedly be the glitziest affair. The couple originally wanted Gary Barlow to perform at the reception, but decided to go for a more upmarket feel and order a karaoke machine instead. The 11/4 for the red-hot Villarreal to snatch a point off Seville is enough to make me burst into a quality rendition of 'the size of a cow'. I'm really enjoying the Under-21 tournament in Holland. To be honest, after five years of marriage, I'd be interested in anything under 21 stone. Portugal are the pick of the weekend punts at 2/5 against the underwhelming Israelis. Once again, Big Brother has managed to completely hook me in. Tracey is probably the most interesting character in the series; I'm sure the mad raver would look a picture on her wedding day; as would her lovely bride. Tracey is now second favourite behind 'any other' in the outright market, but I'd rather be on Gerry at 5/1. So to speak. I'm like any other young male who's visited London, we've all done Charley a couple of times. It's not easy to win the title of the most annoying member of the Richardson clan, but Charley has romped home practically unchallenged. The mouthy nause is an absolute certainty to be the next housemate evicted after the maladroit Shabnam. Is Lewis Hamilton a flash in the pan or the real deal? This may well be the easiest question to answer since 'Will John Terry have a bouncer at his wedding reception.' The even money for Hamilton to take the title is shining like a doorman's eye after a meeting with Jody Morris. Just because I'm anti-marriage, it doesn't make me a misogynist; that's purely a coincidence. Espanyol, Valencia, Real Madrid and a Seville draw form a 14/1 weekend accer that I can really commit to. Labels: Betting, Big Brother, Formula 1, La Liga Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 3:45 PM

Betting Weekend Preview by Gerry McDonnell (Monday, June 11, 2007)

I've got my Bouncer down to a Tea No matter how bad things may appear, there is always somebody in a considerably worse position. Unfortunately, that person is me. The old man's Alzheimer's has deteriorated; I just wish I had the inclination to help out. To add to my woes, i'm almost certain that the wife is cheating on me with 'Mad Mark', the huge doorman from our local boozer. It's not her infidelity that grates me; it's the fact that I have to make his breakfast every morning. The kids do offer the occasional moment of light relief in an otherwise miserable existence, but when you break down the costs involved in bringing them up, you can only class them as poor value for money. Yet throughout all these tribulations, I remain a happy man. All I need to raise a smile is to see a small group of people kicking an inflated piece of pigskin around. I'd be just as happy to see an actual pig being knocked about, but the judge has ordered me to cut that out. The Premiership remains my true love, but I've occasionally strayed into the arms of the football league, the SPL, the conference and the Paralympics. I'm a little bit uncomfortable watching football at such a poor level though, but Celtic did make it into the knockout stages of the Champions League. This weekend, I'll be getting involved with the European Under 21 Championships. Bookmakers are as short as 11/5 for an England win, while the technically superior Dutch (reigning champions and hosts) are available at 5/1. Something is afoot, and just like the wife, that's around the 12 inch mark. My old man used to always say, "Be careful what you wish for." Obviously this was before he began to aimlessly roam the streets, thrilling passers-by with his thoughts on the 1950's country music scene. A lone male sharing a house with a group of women may appear a blessing, but on further reflection, it's closer to a living nightmare. If you pluck a lady at random, there's a conservative 10% chance that she'll be on the evils. When you throw 11 bints into the equation, you're now looking at a probability of 68% that at least one of them will be currently receiving a visit from the angry painter. Ziggy may appear a level headed bloke, but you just can't ague with the math; he's going to be eaten alive at any minute. He's already showing signs of cracking; he tearfully announced that he was missing his dog, and he'd only been away from Chanelle for 10 minutes. None of the original housemates look appealing in the Big Brother outright winner market; 'any other' is a strong player at 10/11. The press have been quick to condemn Emily for her moment of madness, but I think it's more of an education issue; the decision to let Big Ron teach a class was flawed from the very beginning. Betting is up on the next housemate to be evicted, 10/1 for miserable old trout Lesley looks a reasonable shout. I'm a great lover of golf, there's nothing I enjoy more than playing a round on the weekend. I find it a frustrating pastime though; I don't think i've ever made a hole in one. The US Open kicks off on Thursday and I'll stick to my proven strategy of backing the Tiger at inflated prices; I can't see past the Woods at the threes. Footballers may have a poor reputation, but the 'May Day for nurses' campaign has proved a real eye-opener. The often maligned Joey Barton was more than happy to help out, but then again, he's been throwing work their way for many years. The 19/1 weekend accer of Barcelona, Levante and Real Zaragoza is my little donation to the cause; I'll give a little more on Saturday night. Labels: Betting, Big Brother, Golf Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 7:48 AM

Euro Qualifiers midweek preview by pinnaclesports (Monday, June 04, 2007)

The second instalment of a Euro 2008 double-bill takes place on Wednesday night, with crucial games right across Europe. None could be more significant than Group E game in Tallinn, where England face Estonia desperately needing a win. Of course there is no room for sentiment in gambling, so bettors should be wary of the emotive headlines surrounding the game and instead focus on getting the best odds, usually found at PinnacleSports.com - offering up to 60% better Euro 2008 odds. Will Becks Come to McLaren's Rescue? One of the first decisions Steve McLaren took when installed as England manager was a bold one. Having earned 94 caps, he dropped the Three Lions captain, David Beckham, by phone, following a poor showing at the World Cup. The media saw this as a bold statement of intent, and the country looked forward to a fresh new era for the national side, with a smooth Euro 2008 qualification campaign anticipated. Things haven't quite gone to plan for McLaren. England are currently fourth in Group E after a bitterly disappointing sequence of results including goalless draws at home to Macedonia and away to Israel, and defeat to Croatia in Zagreb. The new England manager's stock has plummeted and he recently performed a humiliating U-turn over Beckham, welcoming him back into the England fold, hoping Becks might save his skin in Tallinn on Wednesday night. Worst still for McLaren, he is without Wayne Rooney through suspension, and cannot call on striker, Andy Johnson or winger Aaron Lennon, part of a growing number of other key absentees. Owen Hargreaves - one of the only players to come away from the 2006 World Cup with any credit - misses out with a knee injury. Hargreaves' new team-mates, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand are also crocked, part of a defensive crisis which accounts for Ashley Cole, Micah Richards and Jonathan Woodgate. PinnacleSports.com price England 2.06 (-2) with Estonia 1.87 (+2) suggesting the Three Lions should prevail against a side devoid of recognisable talent, yet to score in this campaign. The visitors will however face a difficult playing surface, and a side with nothing to lose who only lost to group leaders Croatia by a single goal on Saturday. Croatia Defending Lengthy Unbeaten Run in Zagreb The stakes will be high when the two remaining unbeaten sides in Euro 2008 Group E meet in Zagreb on Wednesday night. Victory for either Croatia or Russia would take them within touching distance of next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland. Though the sides are well matched, PinnacleSports.com make the Croats slight favourites 2.09 (-0.5) against Russia 1.84 (+0.5) on the strength of a 31 game unbeaten run at the Maksimir Stadium. It was at the same venue that early group favourites England were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Slaven Bilic's improving side. Both teams recorded victories on Saturday, with Russia enjoying a comfortable 4-0 win over Andorra, three goals coming from Sevilla striker, Aleksandr Kerzhakov who will carry the greatest Russian threat. Croatia laboured to a 1-0 win away to Estonia, where Brazilian born, Eduardo, scored his six goal in qualification, keeping his adopted country on top of the group. Get the Best Euro 2008 Odds at PinnacleSports.com! 1.96/1.96 style pricing (c.102%) on the major European events gives gamblers up to 60% better Euro 2008 odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web's highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts. Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on US horse bets and the best odds on all major sports. Find a Smarter Way To Bet at PinnacleSports.com Labels: Betting, Euro, Pinnacle Sports, Qualifiers Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 11:06 PM

Euro Qualifiers weekend preview by Gerry McDonnell (Friday, June 01, 2007)

Should Have Gone To Becks, Save Us The domestic football season is now the equivalent of Princess Di; it was a great ride for a while, but it's time to let go. Luckily, we now have the 'Camilla', the ugly nine-pinter that is the European Championship qualifiers. England's participation is hanging by a thread and fingers are pointing at the manager. Danny Mills, Massimo Maccarone, Fleet Street journalists and fans of attractive football have all been quick to put the boot in; but for once, the grinning buffoon deserves a little credit. It takes a big man to admit when he's made a mistake, I know I've made two of the little buggers. McClaren has finally realised that the decision to dump Beckham like a Scottish girlfriend was extremely short-sighted. Goldenballs remains an archetypal, if extremely camp, match-winner in the big game scenario. I can't accept the argument that selecting Beckham is a step backwards as he's taking the place of a youngster with a long-term future. The less experienced players won't learn much from watching the finals on television. McClaren's groundbreaking policy of selecting his best players is possibly the first correct decision of a woeful tenure. One swallow does not make a summer though, but it does practically guarantee an enjoyable evening. England will leave Estonia with the win on Wednesday night at a pleasant 2/9. Ryan Giggs has shocked Welsh football by deciding to hang up his boots. His team-mates will undoubtedly miss his presence in one out of every five Internationals. The Czech Republic are the pick of the weekend punts at 8/11 against a moribund Welsh side. The Danes and the Swedes once landed a betting coup so great; Harry Redknapp could only look on in earnest admiration. Another draw wouldn't be the end of the world for either team; the 9/4 looks a reasonable shout. There's a widespread belief that Spain hack up in the qualifiers before collapsing like Lindsay Lohan in the finals. The Spanish are currently four points shy of Northern Ireland this time around, so that theory has fewer legs than Heather Mills. Only a win in Latvia will do for our siesta-sneaking brothers, I'll be on at 4/11. The French are lovers, not fighters; I'm not particularly skilled at either. I can spot a value punt when I see one though, France are overpriced at a colossal 8/13 against Ukraine. Greece are still in a state of shock from the most unlikely result in European football history; they somehow managed to survive the Scouse invasion. The Greeks can practically guarantee qualification by seeing off Hungary at a tragic 8/15. Last week's accumulator couldn't have gone in any quicker without being assisted by Henri Paul. This week's acc is also in the bag; France, Spain, Czech Republic, Greece and a Denmark draw will all oblige at an explosive 16/1. Labels: 2008, Betting, Euro, Football, Qualifiers, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 3:11 PM

Championship Play-off final preview by Bet365 (Sunday, May 27, 2007)

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL - DERBY CAN NICK GOAL-FEST! There's not a great deal between the two teams (they shared a win apiece in the league), but Derby are fancied to nick it, and expect plenty of goals too! Granted, the Rams' form has been a bit hit and miss recently, but it's worth remembering that West Brom had only won four of their last 12 going into the Play-Offs. So, at a tasty bet with bet365 (13/10 West Brom, 9/4 the Draw), back the Rams to win and hope they can outscore their opponents. And goals shouldn't be too much of a problem with the likes of Steve Howard and a fully fit Giles Barnes leading the attack for Derby. They are 13/2 and 9/1 respectively to score the first goal with bet365, and anyone taking those prices should seriously consider backing them each way as they will get paid out if they score at ANYTIME in the game, at 1/3 odds. At the other end of the field, don't be surprised to see Kevin Phillips make his mark too. The West Brom striker has netted six in his last three and could contribute to a goal-fest at Wembley - 9/4 to score anytime with bet365. In that case, a bet on the 'overs' looks a must bet also at 21/20. Don't forget, bet365 will be covering this game live In-Play, so you can login and place a bet after kick off on up to 30 markets. Hot picks: Derby to win in 90 minutes @ 3/1 Derby to win 3-2 @ 33/1 West Brom to win 3-2 @ 28/1 (saver) Over 2.5 Goals @ 21/20 - maximum bet! Giles Barnes to score first @ 9/1 (each way 1/3 odds, unlimited places with bet365!) Kevin Phillips to score anytime @ 9/4 Click here to bet on the game Labels: Bet365, Betting, Championship, Football, Play-Off Final, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 2:40 PM

Footbal weekend preview by Gerry McDonnell (Friday, May 25, 2007)

You Do Thumb Thing To Me In order to improve, we have to evolve. Way back in 1782, a Judge decreed that a husband may continue to beat his wife, as long as the stick with which he administers the castigation is not thicker than his thumb. Some called this political correctness gone mad, but I prefer to think of Judge Buller as a progressive idealist. Football has also had its fair share of forward thinkers. In 1987, the football league introduced the antidote to dull end-of-season match-ups. It wasn't a time-machine to talk Mrs Mourinho out of that extra glass of wine; but it was the next best thing; the play-offs literally revolutionalised the beautiful game. With the possible exception of a stag-party in Amsterdam, or a minor operation for the wife, watching the play-off finals is as close to a perfect weekend as you're likely to find. The only way to improve the experience is if a little profit can be made, and as luck would have it, a pearl of a punt has brazenly presented itself in the Championship finale. If somebody offered you 7/5 on the outcome of a coin-toss, you'd rip their arm off; that's why Jackiey Goody flopped as a bookmaker. Derby are trading at 2.40 on the exchanges to win promotion, even though they're facing a West Brom side who finished a distant eight points behind them in the league. It's time to stand up and bet like a man; I'm asking the wife for a few quid to get on. Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams should both start for Blackpool against Yeovil; the league one play-off will either be a thriller or a camp useless sorry excuse for entertainment. The red-hot Seasiders are on a nine match winning streak; I'll be getting involved at a balcony-dangling 13/10. Saying goodbye to the Gay Meadow may sound like a sequel to Brokeback Mountain, but it's a reality for fans of Shrewsbury Town. All Bristol Rovers are interested in is the taming of the Shrews, the Pirates will land the spoils at 7/5. It's 1/100 that the Scottish FA cup final proves a more entertaining spectacle than the dross served up in the English showpiece. A young lady actually fell asleep in the boozer where I watched the ?action', although that was my fault. I normally avoid taking an interest in a match with a heavy Scottish contingent; you just can't trust a footballer whose idea of lean cuisine is to lightly dip a Mars bar in a deep-fat fryer. Celtic have lost three of their four matches though, the 10/1 for a Dunfermline upset is sitting on the verge of appealing. The Republic of Ireland look a great bet in their International friendly. It's been alleged that the Bolivian team are dismayed with this fixture; they were hoping to meet Scotland to get a little bit of business done on the side. Get your green on the Irish at 5/4. The Welsh are also in action against New Zealand, and somewhat surprisingly, there's not a rugby ball or a nervous farm animal to be seen. The following few words are rarer than a Robbie Savage appearance on QI; Wales should win this match. The 1/2 for a Welsh win is the prize lamb in the paddock. I asked the wife if there was anything she would change about my body; she said there was just one little thing. Personally, I just want wider thumbs. This week's accer is the actual definition of perfection; Derby, Blackpool, Real Madrid and Seville will all oblige at an impeccable 12/1. Labels: Betting, Football, Play-Off Final, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 12:18 AM

Champions League final preview by Pinnacle Sports (Tuesday, May 22, 2007)

Champions League - Milan Seek Revenge Over Rafa's Reds AC Milan and Liverpool meet in Wednesday night's Champions League showdown for a re-run of the 2005 final. The encounter in Athens will struggle to live up to its predecessor, which saw Liverpool amaze Milan by overturning a 3-0 halftime deficit, eventually winning on penalties. The desire for retribution spurred the Rossoneri to knock out premiership Champions Man Utd in their semi-final second leg with a master class of soccer at the San Siro led by Brazilian, Kaka, dashing hopes of a first ever all Premiership final. Milan are now favourites with PinnacleSports.com to lift the trophy priced 1.658, but can Liverpool at 2.420 repeat the Italian job? Both managers know what it takes to lift the European Cup. Rafa Benitez was of course in charge of Liverpool on that fateful night in Istanbul in 2005, when his opposite number, Carlo Ancelotti, watched in amazement as his side relinquished a three goal half-time lead to a Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool come-back. Ancelotti will have better memories of Old Trafford in 2003 when Milan won an all-Italian Champions League final against Juventus, also on spot-kicks, and of 1990 when he was part of the winning Rossoneri side that beat Benfica 1-0 in Vienna. Were Milan to succeed in the final it would mark an amazing turnaround in fortunes for the Italian giants. The original judgements of last summer's Italian match-fixing scandal handed AC a 15 point Serie A deduction and banned them from participation in this competition. After an appeal the points handicap was reduced to eight and their Champions League exclusion was lifted, opening the road to the final. Despite the reprieve, the 2003 winners began both their domestic and European campaigns poorly, but have improved immeasurably since the turn of the year. The form of Kaka has been integral, the Brazilian leads the Champions League scoring charts with 10 goals, while Ancelotti's deployment of Dutch midfielder, Clarence Seedorf, in a much more advanced position has been paying real dividends. Milan have lost just once in 13 games are now exuding the kind of confidence that has taken the club to ten previous European Cup finals. Liverpool's challenge is to match Milan's desire for revenge with their own conviction to repeat the success in Istanbul. Their travelling fans played a huge role that night and will again inspire their heroes to greater efforts. Benitez will have paid close attention to the speed with which Milan attacked United at the San Siro, and guard against a similar onslaught. One common criticism of the Reds is that at times their build-up play can be deliberate, particularly if Gerrard is muted. The Liverpool captain will have to shake of the attention of the bearded Gennaro Gattuso who will be his shadow for 90 minutes, just one element of what promises to be a fascinating final. *(Please note that all odds are subject to change) 60% better Champions League odds at PinnacleSports.com! 1.96/1.96 style pricing (c.102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better Champions League odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web's highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts. Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on US horse bets and the best odds on all major sports. Find a Smarter Way To Bet at PinnacleSports.com Labels: Betting, Champions League, Pinnacle Sports Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 2:49 PM

Paddy Power's Champions League Final Money-Back Special ()

Too Close To Call Paddy Power have a very good Money-Back Special for the Champions League Final between Milan and Liverpool. AC Milan v Liverpool Champions League Final - Wed 7.45pm ITV1/RTE2/SS1 Money-Back Special If you back a team to win in 90 minutes and they fail to win in normal time but lose on a penalty shootout, then Paddy Power will refund all win-draw-win bets on that team only. Labels: Betting, Champions League, Paddy Power Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 2:34 PM

Champions League final preview by Bet365 (Sunday, May 20, 2007)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL - LIVERPOOL TO BE GREEK HEROES? Two years on from the drama of Istanbul, AC Milan and Liverpool meet again in the Champions League final in Athens, with revenge very much on Milanese minds. Carlo Ancetti's side are favourites with bet365 to lift the trophy at 8/11, with Liverpool at 11/10 to repeat their 2005 victory. If anyone needed reminding of that amazing meeting in Istanbul, Milan surrendered a 3-0 half time lead as Liverpool fought back to claim a 3-3 draw before winning on penalties. While this game promises to be keenly contested, we are unlikely to see such an open affair (bet365 make a repeat scoreline an 80/1 shot!). The Italians are a durable defensive unit, while Liverpool, under Rafael Benitez, have made a reputation for denying their opponents room to breathe. With chances likely to be limited, the draw at 15/8 is sure to be popular, although Liverpool at 11/5 also makes plenty of appeal given their record in this competition (won five of their previous six finals!). Milan can be backed at 13/10 with bet365 to win in 90 minutes. As top scorer in the competition with 10 goals, Kaka will be a popular choice in bet365's first goalscorer market at 13/2, although he is unlikely to be afforded anything like the space he enjoyed in the semi final meeting with Man United. With the suspicion that Milan are vulnerable at the back, there could be plenty of opportunities for Steven Gerrard to star (as he did two years ago!), especially as he's likely to be utilised in a more offensive role for this game. He's our hot each way pick to score first at 9/1 and, remember, bet365 are offering unlimited places (at 1/3 odds) on this market, so you'll get paid out if he scores at anytime in the game! Of course, we'll also be having a few bets after kick off (7.45pm), and that's never a problem with bet365, who will have up to 30 In-Play markets available at the click of a mouse (the In-Play Console link on their homepage). Our Predictions: Liverpool to win in 90 minutes @ 11/5 Liverpool to win 1-0 @ 7/1 Steven Gerrard to score first @ 9/1 (each way at 1/3 odds, unlimited places available!) Steven Gerrard to score first and Liverpool to win 1-0 at 50/1 - money back if he scores first but the correct score is a loser! Enjoy the game with bet365! Labels: Bet365, Betting, Champions League, Final, Football, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 2:16 PM

FA Cup final preview by Bet365 (Friday, May 18, 2007)

FA Cup final - Red Devils to Make it a Blue Day for Chelsea? The FA Cup final is back at Wembley this year and bet365 can't separate Manchester United and Chelsea in the betting, making both teams a 2.62 chance to win in 90 minutes. The draw will be a popular at 3.00 with many customers expecting the two teams to cancel one another out as they did in a recent league match. The Red Devils got the upper hand over Chelsea in the Premiership and are 9.50 with bet365 to win the match by a correct score of 2-1. If you fancy the Blues to instead gain revenge, a bet on them winning 3-0 is 29.00. Premiership top scorer Didier Drogba is 7.00 to score the first goal, as is United superstar Wayne Rooney. Chelsea captain John Terry likes to come forward for set pieces and is 23.00 to get his name on the scoresheet first. Either way, it's set to be a great spectacle and bet365 are providing a massive range of pre-match and In-Play markets for each and every customer. Labels: Bet365, Betting, FA Cup, FA Cup Final, Football, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 5:44 AM

FA CUP Final preview by Gerry McDonnell (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)

My French is just Shocking The FA cup final is a great British tradition, like a one shot tennis rally or stitching up the Irish. This year, the top two teams in the country will go head to head in the greatest exhibition since Lady Godiva whipped out her milk dispensers in a brave bid to flee Coventry on the back of one on the Van Nistelrooy clan. Most bookmakers are treating this years showpiece as a 'Wolverhampton brother and sister match', they just can't separate them. For my money, Manchester United have a definite edge. The Red Devils have looked hotter than a vindaloo-eating, three sweater-wearing, fever-riddled Anna Kournikova all season long; the 10/11 for United to lift the trophy is practically unmissable. I refuse to shy away from the difficult questions. Why is it that Jose Mourinho can be arrested for harbouring a potentially dangerous dog, yet Lenny Henry roams the streets with impunity? There is no greater lover of dogs than Mourinho, with the possible exception of Park Ji-Sung. I find the 9/5 for a Manchester United win in 90 minutes completely barking. Chelsea will have their supporters at 9/5, but the vibes emanating from the Bridge are far from positive. Uncertainty surrounds the future of Lampard, and John Terry's contract talks break down more often than my old escort. I sometimes wish that Wayne Rooney had never given me her number. Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs are all match-winners on their day, but Paul Scholes holds the key to a United victory. Gattuso recently suggested that Scholes likes to take his little matter into his own hands; in fairness to Gattuso, it was an educated guess from the ginger evidence. The 14/1 for a Scholes opener is my best attempt at finding value in the first goalscorer market. Chelsea's injury crisis may well be a blessing in disguise. As Carvalho knows only too well, Wayne Rooney has previous for walking all over a Ballack. Correct score betting is always a tough nut to crack; I'll take a small interest in a 3-1 win for Man U at 25/1. Gary Neville looks likely to miss the match, so referee Steve Bennett may well be the busiest person on the pitch. Bennett once sent off Tim Cahill for lifting his shirt when celebrating a goal, Ashley Cole is said to be seething with the appointment. This match will be fiery; backing a red card to be shown may pay dividends at 3/1. The new Wembley may well be pleasing top the eye, but their prices are an absolute disgrace. Cheeseburgers are £5 and a hot dog is £4; maybe Ashley was right all along. Bookies are offering odds on the first player to be carded; Ashley Cole is worth a small punt at 14/1. The Scottish Premier league is not so different from its English counterpart, apart from the blood alcohol level of the supporters. The in form Hearts have peaked at the business end of the season; they look a great punt at even money to see off Kilmarnock. I've promised the wife a curry if the weekend accer obliges, as long as she sits opposite Chris Tarrant. Manchester United, Hearts, Rangers and Real Madrid are the selections, the payout is a spicy 22/1. Labels: Betting, FA Cup, FA Cup Final, Football, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 4:21 PM

Premier League weekend preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, May 10, 2007)

64 Seconds in Paris I'm not one of those parents who wrap their children up in cotton wool; I refuse to even pay for pyjamas. I do try my best to keep little Goliath away from television that he may find disturbing though, which normally involves avoiding programmes with Noel Edmonds. Manchester United's title winning celebrations at Eastlands caught me completely off-guard. The sight of a topless Rio Ferdinand should have set alarm bells ringing, but as he was next to a bare-chested Ronaldo; all I could think of was grabbing a can of Tango from the fridge. Before I could reach the kitchen, the camera switched to widescreen to show Wayne Rooney with his hands gently caressing the bottom of his shirt. As Rooney's intentions became clear, i lurched for the remote control in a desperate yet futile attempt to save Goliath from the grisly spectacle. The wee man was left traumatised by the ensuing pictures, and he's visited the sea-life centre on many occasions. Manchester United were in a similar state in '95 when the Hammers cost United the title; the Red Devils will finally take revenge at 3/5. Jose Mourinho has rightly apologised for his over-the-top personal attack on Ronaldo. Judging a man as a result of his background is completely out of order; that's the kind of thing a Frenchman would do. I'm surrendering to the 8/13 for a Chelsea win over Everton. Reporting a crime to the filth has a certain stigma attached to it, like being seen in public with a Sweaty, but few would argue with Dabo's decision to tuck up Joey Barton. Michael Ball's stamp on Ronaldo would suggest that Barton has been a real influence on his team-mates; I'm putting my foot down, get on Spurs at 1/2 to see off Man City. Charlton may have suffered the ignominy of relegation, but like Arnold Schwarzenegger, they'll be back, probably harassing women. I'm getting my hands on the 2/5 for a Liverpool win over the Addicks. I'm not one to point fingers, unless I see an overweight ginger-haired kid with glasses, but Freddie Shepherd should shoulder the blame for Newcastle's awful season. A draw between the disappointing Watford and Newcastle will come as no surprise at 12/5. Paris Hilton has found herself looking at a prison sentence, or to use the correct term; she's gone for a Barton. (It's heartbreaking when your favourite movie stars let themselves down.) That young lady needs to be scared straight; it would take me just over a minute. I'm currently getting stuck into the 11/10 for a Blackburn win over Reading. Cesc Fabregas is a quality footballer, but I suspect that he may also lead a secret life as a superhero. Fabman's noble quest is to mildly annoy tubby midfielders. An Arsenal win over Pompey is the call at an absolutely fabulous 6/4. I have to take my hat off to Neil Warnock. The Sheffield United manager has only found himself in one touchline ruck this season; that's a remarkable show of restraint from the combustible northerner. Sheffield United can put the nail in Wigan's Premiership coffin at a placid 13/10. Sammy Lee has always been a winner. The Bolton manager once played a starring role in Liverpool's FA youth cup winning team; but he was 37 at the time. The wife is also a little person, but it doesn't hold her back; I just put a chair by the sink. There's nothing small about the 3/1 for an Aston Villa win over Bolton. I'll try anything once, except enter a pie-eating contest with Mark Viduka. I must have a go on Middlesbrough at 10/11 against Fulham. Paris Hilton and I have a lot in common, we're both reluctant to do a little bird. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd and Middlesbrough form a weekend accer that I am genuinely excited about; the payout is a salacious 18/1. Weekend Betting: Blackburn v Reading Sunday 13th May 15:00 Blackburn 11/10 Draw 12/5 Reading 13/5 Get on: Blackburn Match Special: McCarthy to score two or more goals 13/2 Bolton v Aston Villa Sunday 13th May 15:00 Bolton 10/11 Draw 13/5 Aston Villa 3/1 Get on: Aston Villa Match Special: Carew to score the only goal of the game 55/1 Chelsea v Everton Sunday 13th May 15:00 Chelsea 8/13 Draw 14/5 Everton 6/1 Get on: Chelsea Match Special: John Terry to score with a header 9/1 Liverpool v Charlton Sunday 13th May 15:00 Liverpool 2/5 Draw 7/2 Charlton 8/1 Get on: Liverpool Match Special: Liverpool to keep a clean sheet 10/11 Man Utd v West Ham Sunday 13th May 15:00 Live on Sky Man Utd 3/5 Draw 11/4 West Ham 5/1 Get on: Man Utd Match Special: Rooney to score from outside the penalty area 5/1 Middlesbrough v Fulham Sunday 13th May 15:00 Middlesbrough 10/11 Draw 12/5 Fulham 10/3 Get on: Middlesbrough Match Special: Viduka to score the first goal 11/2 Portsmouth v Arsenal Sunday 13th May 15:00 Portsmouth 15/8 Draw 5/2 Arsenal 6/4 Get on: Arsenal Match Special: Fabregas to score at any time 13/2 Sheff Utd v Wigan Sunday 13th May 15:00 Live on Sky Sheff Utd 13/10 Draw 12/5 Wigan 23/10 Get on: Sheff Utd Match Special: Sheff Utd to score three or more goals 5/1 Tottenham v Man City Sunday 13th May 15:00 Tottenham 1/2 Draw 16/5 Man City 6/1 Get on: Tottenham Match Special: Berbatov to score a hat-trick 20/1 Watford v Newcastle Sunday 13th May 15:00 Watford 9/5 Draw 12/5 Newcastle 7/4 Get on: Draw Match Special: No goal scorer in the match 8/1 Labels: Betting, Football, Premier League, Premiership, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 10:03 AM

Premier League weekend preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, May 03, 2007)

McCaffrey's Gone Flat You have to admire the Chinese. Their ability to knock up a wall and eat with sticks is impressive enough, but it's their work in the field of insightful proverb creation where they truly excel. 'Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach him how to fish and he'll bore you in conversation' is one of theirs, and never a truer word was spoken. Personally, the phrase i use most often is 'good things come in little packages', but it is a blatant lie. Good things do come to those who wait though; and after a four year hiatus, the Premiership trophy is on its way back to Old Trafford. United can wrap up the title at Eastlands against a Manchester City side who have only scored 10 goals at home all season. Another blank for Psycho's mob will leave them with the worst record since the latest offering from the sexually ambiguous Robbie Williams. I'm only going one way in this match; United will see off a Barton-less City at 8/15. It's been another fantastic season for Sam Allardyce, if we choose to disregard the odd episode of Panorama. The threat of a Glasgow kiss has forced the big man to walk away from the Reebok; West Ham can take full advantage at 5/4. The press believe that the Hammers were only spared a points deduction for rule-breaking as they pleaded guilty at the last minute. I guess throwing your hands up to a mistake is always the right course of action; I await a statement from Mr and Mrs McCaffrey. I'm admitting to a little interest in Tevez to score at any time at 15/8. Arsenal and Chelsea meet for the first time since the Snarling Cup final where Adedayor saw red for looking like Eboue. An Arsenal win over a deflated Chelsea resembles value at 19/10. I would hate to see anyone lose their job, with the possible exception of Tim Lovejoy, but the omens do not look good for Glenn Roeder. Fat Freddie has allegedly been courting Sven Goran Eriksson (It's a step up for Sven after Ulrika) and Big Sam is also in the frame. A Newcastle win over Blackburn at 13/10 will keep Roeder in his position, for now. Gareth Southgate is better than Pele; the Middlesbrough manager can keep Wood on a permanent basis. I'm getting up early to back Boro at 5/2 to beat Wigan. A few members of the betting community are still sore with Harry Redknapp. It's not a result of the great 'next Pompey manager' sting of 2005; it's the fact that he's almost certainly partly responsible for Jamie. All will be forgiven if Pompey leave Goodison Park with a point at 12/5. The Villa have a 100% record at home to Sheffield United in the Premiership, but admittedly, that form is older than Helen Chamberlain. History is against the Blades, recent form is also against them, but perhaps most tellingly of all, the G man is against them. The Villa will turn it on at 11/10. Lefty lunatic Michael Moore made the point that soldiers on the front line are rarely sons of influential people, but Prince Harry's decision to toil for the oil has bucked that trend. His old man is understandably anxious though; keep your chin up Major. It'll be a major surprise if Spurs fail to beat Charlton; I'm getting involved at a slick 7/5. The last three matches between Reading and Watford may have finished goalless, but the Hornets are now easier to beat than a Frenchman in Manchester. The Royals can consolidate their UEFA Cup spot at a fighting 4/9. Appointing a boss on a temporary basis can occasionally pay dividends, but Lawrie Sanchez is the worst caretaker since Ian Huntley. Liverpool have won their last two meets with Fulham by four clear goals, a great week for the Reds is about to get better at 13/10. Banking the cash from last week's winning accer may appeal to some, but I plan to roll over the profit like it was Kate Moss. Newcastle, Reading, West Ham and Aston Villa are the four good-things, the payout is a titillating 14/1. Weekend Betting: Man City v Man Utd Saturday 5th May 12:45 Live on Sky Man City 6/1 Draw 3/1 Man Utd 8/15 Get on: Man Utd Match Special: Ronaldo to score direct from a free kick 8/1 Everton v Portsmouth Saturday 5th May 15:00 Everton Evs Draw 12/5 Portsmouth 3/1 Get on: Draw Match Special: No goal scorer in the match 17/2 Fulham v Liverpool Saturday 5th May 15:00 Fulham 12/5 Draw 12/5 Liverpool 13/10 Get on: Liverpool Match Special: Liverpool to score three or more goals 9/2 Newcastle v Blackburn Saturday 5th May 15:00 Newcastle 13/10 Draw 12/5 Blackburn 21/10 Get on: Newcastle Match Special: Michael Owen to score the first goal 11/2 Reading v Watford Saturday 5th May 15:00 Reading 4/9 Draw 7/2 Watford 15/2 Get on: Reading Match Special: Reading to win and keep a clean sheet 13/10 West Ham v Bolton Saturday 5th May 15:00 West Ham 5/4 Draw 12/5 Bolton 12/5 Get on: West Ham Match Special: Tevez to score two or more goals 13/2 Wigan v Middlesbrough Saturday 5th May 15:00 Wigan 5/4 Draw 12/5 Middlesbrough 5/2 Get on: Middlesbrough Match Special: Viduka to score at any time 5/2 Aston Villa v Sheff Utd Saturday 5th May 17:15 Live on Premiership Plus Aston Villa 11/10 Draw 12/5 Sheff Utd 11/4 Get on: Aston Villa Match Special: Aston Villa to win by two or more goals 3/1 Arsenal v Chelsea Sunday 6th May 16:00 Live on Sky Arsenal 19/10 Draw 23/10 Chelsea 13/8 Get on: Arsenal Match Special: Adebayor to score the only goal of the game 40/1 Charlton v Tottenham Monday 7th May 20:00 Live on Sky Charlton 21/10 Draw 5/2 Tottenham 7/5 Get on: Tottenham Match Special: Berbatov and Keane both to score 13/2 Labels: Betting, Football, Premier League, Premiership, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 9:23 AM

Premier League weekend preview by Gerry McDonnell (Thursday, April 26, 2007)

A Little Wayne Never Hurt Anyone As much as I enjoy my position as the country's leading football betting scribe, I occasionally yearn for the more glamorous world of investigative journalism. When news broke that David Moyes had initiated legal proceedings against Wayne Rooney for alleging that his ex-boss leaked tales of his 'cash for a rash' habit; I sensed my opportunity. To get to the bottom of the story, I knew I had to do everything that young Rooney did, with the exception of the old trout. After conducting my initial enquiries, I can confirm that there are establishments that offer this kind of tawdry service, and they open on a Friday night, a Saturday morning and a Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure if these places are open in midweek, but my investigation is ongoing. At this early stage, I wouldn't like to put money on Moyes being successful in his action, as my overheads have left me virtually potless. I'll try to recoup a little by backing Rooney's United to see off the Moyes boys at 8/11. It may sound ridiculous to claim that Watford have enjoyed their spell in the top flight, but some people welcome a spanking on a weekly basis. The Hornets will be getting tonked at Bramall Lane this week, 4/7 is lying on the table. Manchester City haven't scored a Premiership goal in front of their own supporters since New Years Day. Luckily for the Psycho, Aston Villa are the next visitors to Eastlands so Vassell is guaranteed a goal. The Villa are unbeaten in their last six matches; a draw looks the call at 9/4. Jose Mourinho believes that Manchester United's opponents are denied penalties as a result of a 'new rule'. The Special One is completely wrong on this one; that directive was introduced several years ago. I only have one rule this weekend, get on Chelsea at 1/3 to see off Bolton. If i had to pick Wigan's most consistent performer, I'd probably plump for the chairman; he's been consistently wrong in every interview this season. West Ham can drag Wigan into the relegation battle at 12/5. Charlton have one major advantage over their backdoor threatened rivals, they have the Bent lad up front. The classy hitman can help Charlton leave Ewood Park with a point at 5/2. I was surprised that the tabloids found it newsworthy to reveal that the royal family are Arsenal fans. I'm pretty sure that Prince Philip supported the Gunners in last season's Champions League final; I heard he wrote a note saying 'Get it done in Paris.' The Queen's favourite team will put one over her favourite shopkeeper at 4/9. Stevie Gerrard swapped shirts with Frank Lampard after Liverpool's first leg defeat in their Champions League semi; he's always had a soft spot for camping. The Reds will have one eye on the second leg; Portsmouth can land the upset at 11/4. Reading were absolutely devastated when Newcastle won from behind at St James' earlier in the season; nobody has regretted losing a lead in such a fashion since Helen Chamberlain's ex-boyfriend. The Royals can gain revenge at 21/20. Middlesbrough are having to plan for next season without Mark Viduka. Gareth Southgate is said to be quite disappointed; but it's Christmas come early for the catering department. Backing the draw between Boro and Spurs at 12/5 will make us all feel that little bit happier. Portsmouth, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Reading form a 14/1 weekend accer that is so liberating, I've finally realised that the female of the species is not a commodity that can be bought and sold. Renting remains a viable alternative. Weekend Betting: Chelsea v Bolton Saturday 28th April 12:45 Live on Sky Chelsea 1/3 Draw 4/1 Bolton 10/1 Get on: Chelsea Match Special: Lampard to score from outside the penalty area 7/2 Everton v Man Utd Saturday 28th April 12:45 Live on Sky Everton 4/1 Draw 13/5 Man Utd 8/11 Get on: Man Utd Match Special: Rooney to score the first goal 5/1 Blackburn v Charlton Saturday 28th April 15:00 Blackburn 5/4 Draw 5/2 Charlton 11/4 Get on: Draw Match Special: Darren Bent to score in a 1-1 draw 17/1 Man City v Aston Villa Saturday 28th April 15:00 Man City 13/10 Draw 9/4 Aston Villa 23/10 Get on: Draw Match Special: Vassell and Carew both to score 9/1 Middlesbrough v Tottenham Saturday 28th April 15:00 Middlesbrough 17/10 Draw 12/5 Tottenham 8/5 Get on: Draw Match Special: Match to finish either 1-1 or 2-2 4/1 Portsmouth v Liverpool Saturday 28th April 15:00 Portsmouth 11/4 Draw 12/5 Liverpool 5/4 Get on: Portsmouth Match Special: Taylor to score the only goal of the game 105/1 Sheff Utd v Watford Saturday 28th April 15:00 Sheff Utd 4/7 Draw 3/1 Watford 5/1 Get on: Sheff Utd Match Special: Sheffield United to keep a clean sheet 10/11 Wigan v West Ham Saturday 28th April 15:00 Wigan 13/10 Draw 12/5 West Ham 12/5 Get on: West Ham Match Special: Tevez to score at any time 12/5 Arsenal v Fulham Sunday 29th April 16:00 Live on Sky Arsenal 4/9 Draw 7/2 Fulham 9/1 Get on: Arsenal Match Special: Arsenal to win by two or more goals 6/5 Reading v Newcastle Monday 30th April 20:00 Live on Sky Reading 21/20 Draw 12/5 Newcastle 3/1 Get on: Reading Match Special: Doyle to score two or more goals 11/2 Labels: Betting, Football, Premier League, Premiership, Soccer Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 9:18 AM

Premier League weekend preview by Bet365 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)

PREMIERSHIP PROPHECY ? SPURS TO NICK NORTH LONDON GOAL FEST! We're getting down to the business-end of the season, and Spurs are fancied to get the job done against Arsenal in Saturday's north London derby at generous odds of 17/10 with bet365, who are once again betting every Premiership game to 107%. All the recent signs suggest that the two teams are closer in quality now than they have been at any time since Arsene Wenger's arrival, and the time looks right for Spurs to beat their local rivals for the first time this millennium, but have a bigger bet on the 'overs' at bet365's 4/7. Spurs have scored in every league game this year, except against Chelsea and Man United, and the three previous encounters between these two this season have all gone 'over'. Down at the other end of the table, things are getting very interesting, although Wigan fans won't thank you for reminding them. Wigan face a nigh impossible task against the mighty reds at Anfield, with a bet on a 3-0 or 4-0 scoreline at 8/1 and 16/1 respectively a value alternative to the short match odds of 4/11. It mig