Premier League Betting

After the international break the hurly-burly of domestic football returns this weekend in two intriguing Liverpool versus Manchester match-ups.

Much has been made of Liverpool’s recent form with only an ill-deserved penalty rescuing the Reds from yet another embarrassing defeat against Birmingham City last time out. Rafa Benitez’s side host Manchester City on Saturday who have stumbled in recent weeks after a promising start. Even though their form is ‘awful’ (so says Glen Johnson) they should be able to do enough to beat City at 4/5. (more…)

Posted in Championship, Football, La Liga, Other Leagues, Premier League, Scottish Premier

World Cup Betting

At teatime on Saturday evening, after England had spent ninety minutes vainly chasing a talented Brazilian XI around the Doha pitch, it would be fair to say we all got a bit of a reality check about Rooney and Co’s World Cup chances. With the tournament just seven months away, Fabio Capello still has work to do as on the evidence of Saturday’s display, England don’t look much like World Cup finalists to me.

England are clearly a better side than they were when the Italian took the job. Saying that, the qualifying group for South Africa couldn’t have been much more straightforward and you’d have backed even Steve McLaren to get England through a group where the Ukraine were their closest rivals. (more…)

Posted in Football, World Cup

Football Betting

North West derbies abound in the Premier League this weekend as sides from either end of the East Lancs Road face up in two mouthwatering televised fixtures.

Manchester City travel west to a horribly out of form Liverpool side looking to arrest their unexpected decline. One win in the last nine games, an exit from the Champions League beckoning and a squad that suddenly looks paper thin have left Rafa Benitez looking vulnerable although the Liverpool boss believes victory on Saturday will kick-start the Reds season. (more…)

Posted in Cricket, Football, Golf, Horse Racing, Premier League, Rugby, Tennis, Weekly Previews

World Cup Betting

It is crunch time in the international arena this week as nerve-racking playoffs will determine the teams that take the final qualifying places for the World Cup Finals next summer.

The Republic of Ireland are 11/5 to qualify ahead of France and I think that is terrific value. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are unbeaten in qualifying and drew home and away with Italy in their group. Confidence is high and the Irish can see off France who might then finally get round to sacking Raymond Domenech.

Bosnia are 5/1 to qualify at the expense of Portugal which is also terrific value. Whilst they may not have Portugal’s household names they are a much better unit and in Edin Dzeko they have a genuine international class forward. It’s slightly speculative but they could follow neighbours Serbia to South Africa at long odds. (more…)

Posted in Championship, Football, Other Leagues, World Cup

Football Betting

Whilst France might start as favourites against the Republic of Ireland, the Irish are unbeaten in qualifying so far and are terrific value at 11/5 to see off Raymond Domenech’s struggling side and qualify for South Africa.

Elsewhere, I expect Bosnia and Slovenia to make life more difficult for Portugal and Russia than many imagine, and Greece should see off Ukraine. (more…)

Posted in Cricket, Football, Golf, Horse Racing, Rugby, Tennis, Weekly Previews, World Cup