Best Of Bets

Author: Best Of Bets

  • Champions League Matchday 3 Specials

    Champions League Matchday 3 Specials

    As the Champions League reaches Matchday 3, four remaining rounds will be squeezed in between now and November 2nd. With Europe’s finest preparing to play each other away home and away in the next eight days, the shape of each Group will look a lot clearer by the end of the month and MD4. In the meantime, MD3 once again serves up more tasty footballing treats.

    Beginning at Anfield on Tuesday night, Liverpool host the latest edition of the ‘The Battle of Britain’ as Rangers make the trip from Glasgow. As both sides go in pursuit of Group A leaders Napoli, the Reds were narrow winners at home last time out courtesy of Fabio Carvalho’s last-gasp winner versus Ajax, whilst Gio van Bronckhorst’s charges recorded back-to-back losses, also yet to score a goal in season’s competition. A trip to Merseyside may not alter their current predicament, despite thrashing Hearts at the weekend.

    With that said however, after Liverpool shipped three to Brighton on Saturday, the ‘Gers will fancy their chances of at least scoring and for both teams to do just that, BetUK.com’s better-than-evens 27/25 is worth a look.

    Arguably, the tie of MD3 takes place in Milan as Inter entertain Barcelona at San Siro. With the hosts sitting a lowly ninth in Serie A after their latest league defeat, La Blaugrana arrive in Lombardy with both sides locked on three points apiece. Barca have won six of the last seven games, but their only defeat in that time did come on the road to Bayern Munich in MD2. On current form against a much-improved Barca side to last season, it is hard to back the Nerazzurri right now but Simone Inzaghi needs a response from his side. Backing the draw at 16/5 with Betfred may be the tonic for punters.

    Chelsea and AC Milan go head-to-head in London on Wednesday meanwhile, with Olivier Giroud set to be reunited with his former employers. For the Frenchman to net at Stamford Bridge, a very decent 3/1 price can be fetched with UniBet.

    Eintracht Frankfurt’s home clash with Tottenham looks fascinating. As Spurs lick their wounds from defeat in the north London derby, Antonio Conte looks to improve his side’s European lot. That may be a tough ask though. In fact, with the Lilywhites’ only win away from home this term at Nottingham Forest, not only do they come into this after a loss to Sporting Clube De Portugal last month, but the hosting Eagles have won three on the bounce in all comps. Two sides capable of scoring a hatful, odds of 16/5 with Betway for both to score in the first half catches the eye.

    A game that could fly under the radar and steal the show, Benfica’s home game with Paris Saint-Germain could be quite special. Both on six points, back-to-back games in a week will likely go a long way to determining who will progress from the Group H as top seeds. Though PSG are 7/9 favourites with SBK for the win, the Portuguese leaders cannot be underestimated given the fact they have won every game played this term, including impressively in Turin last time out. There is excellent value in the hosts here. Rafa Silva has been a constant threat in the opening two months of the campaign and is 7/2 to score anytime, whilst for Benfica to score over 1.5 goals, 13/8 odds with both Bet365 and SpreadEx has every chance of coming in.

    Finally in Belgium, perhaps the biggest story of the opening games have been Club Brugge. After thrashing Porto in their own back yard to follow-up beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in MD1, next up come Atletico Madrid. A win over the former finalists would go a long way to securing their path into the last 16 and given the wave of success Carl Hoefkens has his side riding, a Brugge win at 13/4 with UniBet must be a consideration.

  • Premier League Gameweek 9

    Premier League Gameweek 9

    With the final international break before the World Cup concluded, the Premier League roars back into action this weekend for Gameweek 9, with a derby weekend theme.

    Opening the slate on Saturday lunchtime, the season’s first North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur has bigger stakes on the line than for some considerable time as the Gunners lead the standings, with Spurs just a point behind.

    Though the gap between the duo is now closer than ever, this fixture does not favour the away side. Indeed, in the last five NLDs, the hosts have taken the win. Antonio Conte’s men have not beaten Arsenal in the league at the Emirates since 2010 and the bookies reflect this statistic. Backing the Gunners to remain top and extend their lead temporarily to four points can be done at a 23/20.

    That should not rule out Harry Kane from the equation though. Arsenal’s kryptonite having scored in N5 on four of the last six outings, Kane can back up his emphatic spot kick against Germany in midweek and add to his season tally here at boosted odds of 7/4 (both prices with SpreadEx.)

    On Sunday, attentions move to the Manchester derby. Aside from the blip defeat to Real Sociedad, Manchester United have won five of the last six games but this is a different test altogether obviously. Intriguingly, however, unlike with the NLD, this particularly derby contest has more recently favoured the visiting side. Seven of the last 10 meetings in all comps have seen an away win, although City were handsome 4-1 winners back in March at the Etihad.

    Given the early-season form of Pep Guardiola’s men, 3/8 odds will give us short shrift, so where can we look for value? Though Erling Haaland drew a rare blank for Norway in midweek, the Norwegian should be in the mix again and for the City hitman to score, City themselves to win and over 2.5 goals to be scored, a 9/4 price with William Hill appeals.

    The second all-London encounter of GW9 sees Crystal Palace host Chelsea. This will be Graham Potter’s first league game in charge of the Blues, adding a fascinating layer to proceedings. The only side to beat Palace on their own turf since February are Arsenal, however, the team to do so beforehand were in fact Chelsea via Hakim Ziyech’s 89th minute decider. The visitors’ record against the Eagles in recent times is exemplary having won the last nine league meetings on the bounce. As such, it might be a good time to back Raheem Sterling to net in Potter’s first two games in charge at 3/1 with Betfair and for Sterling to score and Chelsea to win also at 4/1 with BoyleSports.

    Casting our punters’ eye elsewhere, West Ham United’s game with Wolves has all the hallmarks of a gritty affair with both sides struggling for goals and an under 1.5 goals punt at 11/5 with Bet365 could come in. On the south coast meanwhile, Southampton and Everton could see an aerially-dominated contest. The Saints have had 5+ corners in their last two home games and with the Toffees also equalling or surpassing that in their last two, 11+ corners at evens with SkyBet suits.

    Wrapping up GW9, somewhat of an early relegation six-pointer awaits as Nottingham Forest travel to Leicester City. The Foxes have just a single point from seven games and the onus is surely on them to attack here. That might just leave further issues at the back and Neco Williams could profit. The Forest wing-back has quietly gone under the radar since his move from Liverpool and with one assist this term so far, will be a threat this weekend. The Welshman will fancy his chances of finding space to operate and to grab 1+ assist in the East Midlands can be snapped up at 5/1 with SkyBet.

  • The ‘Arc 2022: The Contenders: Le Prétendants

    The ‘Arc 2022: The Contenders: Le Prétendants

    As the first weekend of October arrives, for racing fans that only mean one thing: A trip to Paris and to Longchamp for the Qatar Prix De L’ arc De Triomphe on Sunday.
    This year’s edition of the second-richest turf race and a thoroughbred classic is poised to be a close affair. As we look at both the form guide and race history for clues in the French capital, who then are the contenders for Europe’s most prestigious all-aged horse race?

    Luxembourg – 7/2

    For the moment at least, Luxembourg looks the favourite at the off and for good reason.
    Now in his sophomore season, the 3yo colt has failed to win on just one occasion in six outings since debuting at Killarney last July – coming third at Newmarket to eventual St. James’s Palace winner Coroebus and Native Trail back in April.
    Back on home turf in his last two trips, Luxembourg won at both the Curragh and more recently in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown where he beat 9/1 shot here, Onesto, by half a length.
    Ridden once more by Ryan Moore, a first contest on European soil might still prove a test, but this starlet will want to prove his credentials on the big stage once more after falling short at Royal Ascot this summer.

    Alpinista – 11/2

    The Irish colt will, however, be sorely tested by the currently unbeatable Alpinista.
    Having won seven on the trot, Sir Mark Prescott’s 5yo may have only run twice this season but was hugely impressive in her last win in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor meeting, has already proved the mare’s notable Group 1 class.
    A winner on French soil in July over 1m4f at Saint-Cloud, Alpinista is arguably more comfortable on foreign turf than native British going and that makes the mare an excellent punt at a very handy price with a jockey in Luke Morris, who is yet to taste defeat with his steed. Could be a blanket finisher.

    *both Luxembourg and Alpinista are currently boosted at 4/1 and 6/1 respectively with SkyBet.

    Torquator Tasso – 15/2

    A horse beginning to shorten in the markets is the defending champion Torquator Tasso.
    Having been on the receiving end of a sound beating from Alpinista by close to 3L on home turf at Hoppegarten, the German raider of the same age may only have the one win this term but has come runner-up on the last two occasions.
    The latter of which – the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth back in June – saw the mount of Rene Piechulek come home behind a romping-home Pyledriver at a big 16/1 price. Preferring good to soft conditions, the French weather may play ball here.
    There are three further omens for punters to consider also: The first of which being that in the past three years, a continental-bred horse has claimed the prize, whilst for further persuasion for Torquator Tasso to reach the winning post, in the past decade alone, both Treve and the magical Enable have retained their Arc crowns.
    The third omen, perhaps most interestingly of all, Frankie Dettori will be on board. The leading jockey in this race and a six-time winner of the Arc, the veteran seeks number seven this weekend; his last two came with, none other, than Enable. Even with omens put to one side, do not write off the chances of another back-to-back Arc winner being etched.

    Mishriff – 25/1

    Looking further afield in the longer-priced names meanwhile, Mishriff looks a huge price to do well.
    Trained by the three-time winning Gosdens – victorious with the documented Enable and also in 2015 with Golden Horn to go with his Derby win at Epsom the same year – despite going winless since last August and after coming flat last in the February’s Saudi Cup on the dirt, Mishriff’s form has been a general upward curve with a second, a third and another runners-up spot behind the indomitable Baaeed in the Juddmonte.
    In his last outing at Leopardstown, the 5yo took fourth behind Luxembourg, Onesto and Vadeni – all rivals here – but has a finish in the locker. Will his flat speed be a factor here? Perhaps, but at a fairly hefty e/w price and with Will Buick at the reins, Mishriff could yet surprise.

  • Bellew “To be honest… it was pretty clear from the start that Fury didn’t really want this fight to happen

    Bellew “To be honest… it was pretty clear from the start that Fury didn’t really want this fight to happen

    Neil Leverett spoke to Tony Bellew on Fury-Joshua and also in regard to Oleksandr Usyk and where the heavyweight division will go next.

    In your opinion, why do you think Fury all of a sudden introduced a deadline that he knew AJ’s team wouldn’t be able to meet? 

    Tony: “To be honest… it was pretty clear from the start that [Tyson] Fury didn’t really want this fight to happen; and I don’t think he thought that AJ would agree to all the terms and dates put in front of him. But he did. So the last-minute deadline felt like a final way for Fury to stop the fight from happening – and the only way to prevent it from taking place seeing that both promoters were keen for it to take place – and still are.

    “Furthermore, the fact that it’s the end of September already and a fight like this needs a lot more than a couple of months build up – in fact, much more!

    “Something of this magnitude needs to be built up slowly and gradually, giving boxing fans a proper insight in the run-up to the fight – from press conferences to behind-the-scenes footage in training camps and other stories. And even though we know a lot about these two fighters already, it does need a big, big build up. And it’s impossible to get that done between now and then.

    “These two fighters are the legends of our country, the heavyweight division of this era, so it will be great to see it built to a place in the right kind of stadium; and that can’t be rushed.

    “Joshua was ready to go ahead – he has all to prove and nothing to lose so there’s little point for him to back down. Furthermore, fitness wise, AJ is a machine. He doesn’t need any warmup fights, he’s good to do whenever; he’s always in shape and he always wants the next best and biggest possible challenge.

    “And when the next biggest possible challenge is Tyson Fury, he’s not going to shy away from that. But for some reason, Fury never truly wanted this fight; so whether it was a way to create headlines or something else, I don’t know. But it was always a bit strange that Fury went for AJ, seeing that apart from his popularity, AJ hasn’t got anything that Fury wants – if anything it’s the other way around. So this was purely about money and a big pay cheque.

    “But the fact that Fury was making a big song and dance about AJ purposely delayed signing the contract is questionable seeing that AJ agreed to every single part of it; yes verbally, but everyone knows, including Fury, that AJ and his team wouldn’t go back on that…and for Fury, that’s a dangerous game to play and it’s not the first time Fury puts Joshua and his camp in this situation.

    “I doubt this fight will ever happen – not this year, not next and not the year after that.”

    When the announcement of the negotiations for Fury and Joshua were made, fairly soon after, Usyk called out [Deontay] Wilder essentially. Do you think he’s trying to dodge Fury? Is he looking for an easy opponent? Does he want to hold the title for longer?

    Tony: “Fury is the greatest heavyweight of his generation right now. However, for him to really truly define an era and a generation, he has to defeat Oleksandr Usyk. And considering Usyk is just a middleweight, I don’t see a problem really. But for some reason, Fury is worried, which is why he’s not taking the fight and instead, at that point he opted for AJ, which is a strange move.

    “But anyone he beats next, whether it’s [Manuel] Charr or AJ or anyone else, he has to beat Usyk so technically, any other fight is pointless and would simply be a cash grab. And if it’s all about cash, the wisest move would to have gone ahead with the AJ fight.”

    Usyk, he is an incredible fighter, everyone knows it and everyone can see it. So, do you think Tyson Fury is the only man that could beat Usyk at the moment?

    Tony: “Of course, if Deontay Wilder lands that punch, he’s going to win. You can never write him off. As I say, I give him a very even chance, because Usyk is that good, and he will see the punches coming from that far away. Tyson, in retrospect and reality, no one should beat Tyson Fury. If I was six foot nine and weighed 20 stone, I’d invade Russia, never mind f***ing box. So, when you’re that big and that heavy, you should not be beaten.

    “It’s a very true saying, a good big man will always beat a good little man, it’s just how good can the little man be. I believe Oleksandr Usyk is the only person right now who’s got a thoroughbred chance of defeating Tyson Fury. I believe Fury can lose, because I’ve seen him on the floor and hurt too many times to weaker fighters and lesser fighters than himself. I’ve seen him pushed all the way. So, I do believe other people could beat Tyson Fury, but I do think there’s only one person that could beat Oleksandr Usyk.”

  • Bellew backs himself in betting against Parker

    Bellew backs himself in betting against Parker

    In the first part of our exclusive interview, former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Tony Bellew, reckons on Joe Joyce having too much for Joseph Parker in Manchester this weekend.

    Tomorrow’s fight is for the interim WBO title, so the winner will get a title shot guaranteed. From what you’ve seen of Joe Joyce – do you think he has got what it takes to be the future heavyweight champion?

    Tony: “As long as that durability lasts, he’ll be a champion of some note. Without a doubt, Joyce’s greatest asset is his durability. He’s the human Terminator. In the heavyweight division, I haven’t seen a fighter absorb what he absorbs since Oliver McCall. I just haven’t seen it.

    “It’s phenomenal what he can absorb but I don’t know when that bubble’s going to burst. I don’t know who will burst it but once it does burst, he will never be the same again. As long as he’s going right now, he will outlast almost every heavyweight because he will just still be there when you are throwing everything at him, and you will exhaust yourself… It’s inevitable. That’s what he is. He’s inevitable. I don’t care who he faces. Yes, he’s robotic. Yes, he’s slow on the movements sometimes, but he has durability that no other heavyweight in the world has and that makes him a problem alone.

    “I believe that he’ll be in a close hard fight with Joseph Parker for about five or six rounds, and then I think Joseph Parker will go. He won’t be able to fight back after that.

    “Joyce isn’t the biggest puncher and not the quickest puncher; he’s fairly easy to evade, but you’ve got to be hitting him, and to be hitting him, you’ve got to be in range because he’s a big guy. He’s a big lump. So to be in range and to be hitting him, he’s going to hit back, and hit back hard. I just feel his fitness and his durability are his greatest assets and he’ll outlast heavyweight. He’s an absolute machine and Parker is so far off that.”

     

    Joesph Parker has fought some pretty big names. He’s fought Joshua. He’s fought Chisora.

    He’s spoken about the greater motivation from being a family man, and how he feels for this fight and the training camp as well because he feels like he’s got more of a purpose now. He’s got more of a direction. Can you relate to that?

    Tony: “You can never have more direction than chasing to become a world champion. He’s been a world champion, and I’ve been where he’s been. Once you’ve achieved your lifelong goal in boxing, after becoming a world champion, following that, it’s purely about financial gain.

    “I think we’ve been quite clear that every fight Joseph Parker has taken since becoming world champion has been to financially benefit himself, which he’s well entitled to do and which he should do and deserves to do. For him, it’s not about legacy. It’s just purely about who’s paying the most. And is this scenario, as in tomorrow’s fight, it’s obvious that the fight is the biggest paying fight by far, simply because Joyce is paying, and that’s why he’s facing him; there’s no way he’d take on Joyce unless the money was so good that he couldn’t say no.

    “Because in all honesty, is Parker really going to defeat Joyce…most likely not!

    “Should he, for some magical reason beat Joyce, I mean, it’d close him in on the world title fight, but let’s be totally honest. Is he really bothered about the titles? No, because he’s been a world champion. He’s bothered about what generates the most money. That’s why he was on standby for Tyson Fury if Dillian Whyte didn’t follow through with the plan. We are originally prize fighters and the prize is cash.

    “You have to understand when you’ve been a world champion, you’ve fulfilled your lifelong goal. My lifelong dream and goal was to become a WBC world champion. It’s fulfilled. After that, what are you chasing? Are you fighting because you like to fight? Because that’s what Derek Chisora does. He loves just to fight. For myself, financial gains. Purely, that’s what it was about. My body could take no more. That’s how it works out.

    “Joyce and Parker are both really nice lads and I wish them a safe and speedy fight. I think it’ll be really good to watch for about four or five rounds. Then I think Joe will start trying to take it up a notch and force that positioning of the fight and where he’s going with the fight on Joseph Parker.

    “The positioning of the feet will be a massive factor in that fight. If Joyce takes centre ring from five onwards, it’s going to be a long night for Joseph Parker. He has to do as much damage as he possibly can in the first half of the fight and then look to boxing move for the second half because I don’t think anyone’s stopping Joe Joyce at the minute. I mean, I think the only person capable of stopping Joe Joyce in World Boxing at the moment is probably Deontay Wilder because of his massive punch. But that is it!

    “But I think it’ll be a decent fight to watch. I think Joseph Parker will go in with the mentality of I’m going to box and score my shot at early doors, and at some point, he’s going to nail Joyce really, really hard but Joyce’s reaction when he gets punched is just let’s carry on fighting, and that is mind-boggling, especially in the heavyweight division because you hit a heavyweight clean, and he’s still fighting. It just takes your soul. It’s not nice. That’s what is likely to happen in this fight.

    “To be brutally honest. Daniel Dubois is a bigger puncher than Joseph Parker. Dubois can really punch. The fact is he spewed it when he was in the ring with Joyce. He couldn’t take anymore, and they weren’t even the hardest punches in the world nor were they the most damaging punches, but yet, he drained the life out of him. Meanwhile, Joyce had been hit clean multiple times but he just kept on going and going and that’s when Dubois went down, he couldn’t take it. The pressure got to him, and he had enough. I think you could be looking at something similar in his fight.

    “I will however say that Joseph Parker is a much better boxer than Daniel Dubois. He’s a lot more fluid. He’s shown massive improvements under Andy Lee. So if Joseph Parker can box and hold a good pace for 12 rounds, there’s a 30% chance in this fight that he’ll just outbox Joe Joyce. I say that with a 70% chance the other way of Joe Joyce is just going to get him; and get him hard.

    “Joseph Parker is durable though but I can see in round six or seven that Parker gives up as he knows he’s not going to win and will go on safety.

    “So I go 70/30 percentage rate that Joyce will get Parker.”

  • Cambridgeshire Meeting 2022: Weekend ones to watch

    Cambridgeshire Meeting 2022: Weekend ones to watch

    Cambridgeshire Meeting 2022: Weekend ones to watch

    With autumn now dawned, the final weeks on the Flat season are upon us and Newmarket is this week’s centre of attention, with the Cambridgeshire Meet on the Rowley Mile.

    After opening day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s races are stacked, with some very well-backed favourites and some rather longer but intriguing horses that could do very well. Who might you consider backing across the remaining two days in Suffolk? Here are our tips.

    Crystal Caprice, Rosemary Stakes – 7/4 (Friday, 13:50)

    We start off with Friday’s opener, the Rosemary Stakes and look to the set favourite Crystal Caprice. A horse we backed at Glorious Goodwood, the 3yo seeks a fourth win on the spin. 

    Again a comfortable winner at Ascot last time out, Sir Michael Stoute’s ride has been a dominant figure of late and we cannot see a reason not to back Caprice again, comfortable as she is with the favourites’ tag. Could be pushed by Jim Crowley and Zanbaq but electric over 1m, should be a very able winner with Ryan Moore in tow at 7/4.

    Voodoo Queen, Dubai Stakes – 11/1 (Friday, 14:25) 

    The Dubai Stakes that follow will see Sea Silk Road and Eternal Pearl likely go off as favourites – the latter having won the last three also – but our fancy might just go with Voodoo Queen. 

    Though fifth last time out, has won at Newmarket already this season and a bigger sell is the scintillating form of trainer Roger Varian who had a stunning time at Ayr last weekend. Will need good ground – always a lottery at this stage of the season – but an 11/1 shot, the 3yo looks good.

    Lezoo, Cheveley Park Stakes – 6/1 (Saturday, 14:25)

    The Cheveley Park on Saturday also catches the eye, not least Lezoo. Winner of the Keeneland Stakes over Kinta at Ascot in July, the filly has been beaten into second only once. That was here at Newmarket, but that itself was on the back of a win on the same course only weeks earlier. 

    With Will Buick on board for the first time here, though the Norwegian-Brit has had a rather chequered season, Lezoo and Buick is a team enough to back at a decent 6/1 price.

    Totally Charming, Cambridgeshire Handicap – 10/1 (Saturday, 15:40)

    With 22 runners set to go in the main event of the meet, this will be a big betting race but its outcome is not such the lottery over 1m1f. So who to back? Mujtaab? Protagonist?

    Totally Charming is our punt. Winner on Derby weekend at Epsom in early June, has put together two other winners this year. A chastening ninth at Royal Ascot, a first outing here for three months could see some rust and will need to make a late dash to feature. With that said, Buick can get the best from the gelding at a solid 10/1 value.

  • Nations League Matchday 5 Bets

    Nations League Matchday 5 Bets

    As the World Cup hurtles toward us in just two months’ time, the final international break beforehand sees the Nations League conclude, with two Matchdays to come in the next week.

    As MD5 kicks off on Thursday, Group A4 takes centre stage as leaders The Netherlands travel to Poland. With the hosts holding Oranje 2-2 in MD3, Poland will be keen to almost guarantee avoiding relegation with a game to spare; even a point – results pending elsewhere – should achieve that aim. 

    Poland’s attack is in fine fettle. Not only with the continued prolific form of Robert Lewandowski in his new Catalan surroundings, but Arkadiusz Milik for Juventus also. This looks a tricky test for the unbeaten Dutch but remarkably, Poland have not beaten Holland since 1979. Time to hedge? Doubts remain whether the duo can play together, but if they start here, a double acca build for both Milik and Lewandowski to score looks well worth a look at 8/1 with SkyBet, 10Bet and SportNation.   

    On the results side, given the host’s history we may be considering backing another draw at 52/19 with VBet, and even a repeat 2-2 scoreline from MD1 at a fairly steep 14/1 with William Hill.

    Belgium and Wales lock horns at the same time that evening, with the Red Devils still not giving up hope of top spot. Rob Page’s men earned a point in the reverse fixture during MD3 but as the Welsh sit bottom with just a point, getting any result here looks tough. Belgium will, however, be without talisman Romelu Lukaku, so the onus may fall at the feet of Kevin De Bruyne. In scintillating form for Manchester City – somewhat disguised in the wake of Erling Haaland’s explosive start to life in the same Club colours – a De Bruyne goal can treble your stake at 2/1 with LiveScoreBet, or, for the midfield to net first a boosted 6/1 price with Betway awaits.  

    In Group A1 also on Thursday, France find themselves in a precarious position sitting bottom, two points off third spot and Austria, their opponents here. Still flushed with riches in attack but without Karim Benzema, having fallen to both their other Group opponents, Austria might not be such a far-fetched punt. Indeed, a 15/2 shot for an Austrian win with Coral shouldn’t be dismissed. Playing things a bit safer, a BTTS bet at 11/10 with BetUK.com is surely not foolhardy.

    On Friday night meanwhile, Group A3 takes the baton with England staring down a similar barrel to that of the French and a first drop-down to Group B. With a three-point deficit on Italy, the Three Lions travel to Lombardy to face the Azzurri at San Siro for the first time. Without a win in four, the chance for revenge in the manner Italy beat England in their own back yard in the Euro 2020 final 14 months back, glows and now in full-season mode a more competitive Three Lions should be present here. Given Roberto Mancini’s men have also been distinctly average since that night at Wembley, England’s odds of 18/11 with SBK to pick up a famous victory in Milan, are appealing.

    At the opposite end of the table, Germany welcome surprise package Hungary with the opportunity to leapfrog into top spot in the table. But will they? The Mighty Magyars are in the best form for some considerable time and having thrashed England at Molineux last time out, will be carrying confidence to Lower Saxony. A Draw no Bet flutter at 9/1 with SkyBet could be rewarded.

    Finally, outside of the top tier, Saturday night’s second Celtic Group B1 clash between Scotland and the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park stands out. After beating Ukraine on Wednesday night, the buoyant Scots now sit top but with the reverse fixture to come next Tuesday, three points are vital here. Seeking to remedy their 3-0 loss in Dublin also, our money will be on Steve Clarke’s men at 11/10 with QuinnBet.

  • Europa League & Europa Conference League – Matchday 2

    Europa League & Europa Conference League – Matchday 2

    As the Champions League moves aside for the week, Thursday sees the Europa League and Europa Conference League swing into action. Arsenal’s trip to PSV Eindhoven has been postponed due to policing issues, but West Ham United and Manchester United will be in play.

    Firstly, in the case of the United, the Red Devils travel to the Moldovan capital Chisinau to face Sheriff Tiraspol. Last season’s surprise package in the Champions League, the hosts opened their campaign with a win at likely Group E whipping boys Omonia Nicosia last time out and sit level on points with Real Sociedad – United’s conquerors at Old Trafford in MD1.

    Though the visitors have won four in five games, Sheriff themselves have won three on the bounce and whilst significantly sterner opposition here, the Moldovans will still fancy their chances of getting some sort of result against Erik ten Hag’s side who remain in transition. The draw at 11/2 with Unibet might garner some action, but if that punt does not suit, surely a 21/17 shot with SBK for BTTS to score is worth a flutter?

    In the Europa Conference League over in Denmark, after a comfortable if ill-tempered victory over FCSB, West Ham look to consolidate their position as Group B leaders against Silkeborg. Two teams with chequered form of late, this could be tight contest on paper, indeed, the hosts’ last three games have ended 1-0.

    Always a risky ploy, the under goals market could yet be lucrative, therefore. Playing it safe for under 2.5 goals at 5/4 with BetUK.com has every chance of landing, whilst for the slightly braver punter, SkyBet’s price of 7/2 for under 1.5 goals could reward the plucky.

    On the flip side, the game that could provide them in abundance may be in Portugal as Braga entertain a Union Berlin that have made an electric start to the Bundesliga campaign and sit top in Germany. Despite defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in MD1, the Berliners will be keen to show their true side.

    Braga, however, have scored at least three goals in five of the last seven and keeping the goals out will be an issue. That makes this clash all the more appealing. For Braga to net over 2.5 goals, both Betfair and PaddyPower are offering 5/1 odds. It might be more prudent however, to back a total goals tally of over 2.5 widely at 11/10, or to go one more at over 3.5 goals for a more than attainable 3/1 with PariMatch.

    Of the other bets to catch the eye, Lazio travel to Midtjylland and Ciro Immobile will be looking to build momentum in front of goal after – by his standards – a relatively quiet spell in the goals. Netting at home to Verona in Serie A this past weekend, for the Italian to score first for the Biancocelesti, William Hill carry the best boosted price of 4/1.

    Finally, in the Eternal City, AS Roma could be on the goal hunt against Finnish side HJK and whilst Andrea Belotti will be looking to net his first goals in Rome since his switch from Torino in the summer, it might just be Leonardo Spinazzola who steals the show.

    Part of Italy’s European Championship-winning side, the full-back has recently returned from injury once more and will be bombing down the flanks here. For Spinazzola to grab an assist, 11/4 odds with Betfair dangle invitingly.

  • Champions League – Matchday 2

    Champions League – Matchday 2

    With successive weeks of Champions League action on tap, this season’s campaign feels like a vintage edition, albeit now tinged with poignancy with the passing of Queen Elizabeth on Friday.

    Despite a weekend of postponements in the Premier League, all four English top-flight sides will be in action and only Rangers’ tie with Napoli on Tuesday has been moved back 24 hours. So what is on the midweek menu for Matchday 2 and where should your money be?

    Tottenham Hotspur kick off the action in Lisbon away to Sporting Clube to Portugal, looking to pick up back-to-back wins after victory at home to Marseille last week. The hosts themselves though, are in good shape and have won their last three games by an aggregate of 9-0, impressively beating Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany last time out. The Lilywhites struggled to break down their French opposition in north London and this, coupled with a trip to the south of France later on looks to be their toughest group-game assignment.

    For Marcus Edwards, Tuesday evening will be a special night. A Spurs youth player for nine years, the Englishman faces his former side having blossomed in Portugal with SC Vitoria and now with Sporting after a summer move. Netting in two of his last three games, Edwards to score is 7/2 with BetUK.com.

    At Anfield, Liverpool face Ajax in what looks to be a tricky tie to bounce back from defeat in. Having been thumped in Naples during GW1, the Reds face the reigning Dutch champions who themselves put four past Rangers in Amsterdam last week. Despite having won just two games this season in all comps, the misfiring hosts are still assumed the strong favourites here, but Ajax look good value to get a result. Indeed, the draw at 4/1 with Unibetcould be a smart play, or even a 9/2 away win with Betfred. The bookies may have got this one wrong.

    Bayern Munich’s clash with Barcelona is unquestionably the heavyweight tie of MD2, and Robert Lewandowski will be front and centre. Set for a rapid reunion with his former side in Bavaria, the Pole smashed almost every goalscoring record there was in the Bundesliga and now, in his short time in Catalonia, Lewandowski has been typically prolific. Scoring in the last four games – with a tally of seven in that time – in MD1’s opener against Viktoria Plzen he scored a hat-trick. With Bayern having been held 2-2 by Stuttgart on Saturday, an out-of-form Die Roten will have to watch their former man like a hawk here. For Lewandowski to score anytime is best priced at 5/4 with SpreadEx, or, to score another brace, is a 7/1 shot with SkyBet.

    Like Lewandowski, another of the Bundesliga’s former prolific hitmen in Erling Haaland also faces his former employers, as Manchester City welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad on Wednesday. The Norwegian hitman has, if anything, exceeded early expectations in English football and scoring in six of nine this term, has found the net in his last four games. In three of those outings, the striker has notched first, and for Haaland to score first again against BVB can be grabbed at very decent 5/2 price with William Hill.

    Finally at Stamford Bridge, Graham Potter takes charge of his first game as Chelsea boss, as the Blues welcome RB Salzburg to the capital. On paper this looks like a good introductory game in the dugout but we anticipate an awkward game against the dangerous Austrian champions. Winning every league game this term, Benjamin Sesko and Noah Okafor will be a threat and could get in. In those terms, for BTTS and Chelsea to win, 7/4 with Bet365 might be a fairly safe bet.

  • Brighton Manager Odds

    Brighton Manager Odds

    Graham Potter left the Amex on Thursday after being appointed Chelsea manager.

    Potter forged his reputation during a hugely successful spell with Swedish team Östersund but had experience of the English game both as a player, with various clubs in the ’90s and early 2000s, and as a head coach of Swansea – the role he held when Albion recruited him in 2019.

    Having achieved minor miracles in Norwegian football, Knutsen is expected to move to an established European club in the near future – it’s simply a matter of time.

    He has led Bodo/Glimt to back-to-back titles and the quarter-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League – a competition in which they trashed potential winner Roma 6-1 in the group stage.

    Whilst the hunt for Brighton’s new manager continues, Andrew Crofts, the under-21 coach, is currently in interim charge alongside various others, including former England and Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, none of whom are priced up for the vacancy.

    Instead, leading the market for the Albion job has seen Knutsen drift in the betting for another Premier League vacancy and he’s currently 2/1, closely followed by Roberto De Zerbi and Nottingham Forrest Steve Cooper at 4/1 and 6/1 respectively.

    Ange Postecoglou has also been mentioned as an ideal fit for Brighton but it might be difficult to tempt him away from Celtic; Ange is priced at 8/1.

    Interestingly, ex-Manchester United and fellow Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjær is a late addition to the party but a number of bookmakers have started to shorten his odds; and although still an outsider, he’s currently 14/1 for a move to Brighton.

    Next Brighton Manager Odds:

    • Kjetil Knutsen 2/1
    • Roberto De Zerbi – 4/1
    • Steve Cooper – 6/1
    • Ange Postecoglou – 8/1
    • Bruno – 10/1
    • Nathan Jones 10/1
    • Russell Martin – 12/1
    • Ole Gunnar Solskjær – 14/1

    Safer gambling

    We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

    If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

    Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.