Author: Best Of Bets

As the Premier League returns this weekend, the footballing landscape on Tyneside has changed dramatically after Newcastle United’s long-protracted takeover was finally completed last week.

With the new Saudi Government investment consortium having brought the club for £300m, the Magpies are now the richest club in the Premier League and one of the wealthiest in football. Exciting times could lay in store for the long-suffering Toon Army then, but as it stands who might become the man to lead Newcastle into a new era?

The early and intense speculation has centred on the future of current boss Steve Bruce, a man who was under fire well before the club’s blockbuster takeover news. The St. James’ Park steward will be in charge for their home game versus Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, but nevertheless, Bruce is now a staggering 1/16 with SkyBet to be the first Premier League manager to leave his post.

The hunt for his replacement seems a certain thing, and right now Frank Lampard is the bookies’ favourite to take the reins. With BestofBets sources suggesting stakes of £10k have now been individually placed on the former Chelsea boss, Lampard’s odds have tumbled in recent days, now at a best price of 3/1 with Betfair, William Hill and PaddyPower.
Another man who has his own connections to Chelsea, Antonio Conte, might however, be the man to back. Having won the league crown with the Blues, the Italian also led Inter Milan to their first Scudetto title in a decade last season in Serie A, whilst of course, retaining his own history with another club of famed black and white stripes, Juventus.
Having left the Nerazzurri last summer due to financial disagreements, Conte will have no shortage of spending power at Newcastle, although the club’s lack of European involvement could be a major stumbling block. That said, this could be the start of a major project, and one that suits Conte as being part of. At 8/1 with BetVictor, Conte’s odds could yet be slashed.

Though Newcastle have been sold, much is still to be done to paint the club in the same way to future employers, so perhaps a move for another homegrown boss could tick the managerial boxes? Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has shortened to 9/1 but is still available at 12s with William Hill, but might be considered too untested for Saudi likes, whereas Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has now tumbled out to 14/1 – again with ‘William Hill.

Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, is a name who has been linked with a return to the Premier League for some time. Having guided Belgium to the top of the ranks, the Spaniard is still to claim silverware for the nation’s golden era of talent though and may be looking to flex his muscles elsewhere. The big draw of Martinez could be his proximity to players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who his prospective bosses may be looking at as a bargaining chip to help sway any player deals. As still only fifth favourite for the job, Martinez’ odds of 12s with William Hill, PaddyPower and Betfair could stand up well.

Of the other big names being mentioned, Zinedine Zidane looks a generous long shot widely at 25/1, whilst a return for Rafa Benitez might become interesting at 33s. Finally, perhaps an outsider in the running could be Eddie Howe. Still a free agent after leaving Bournemouth, the new owners may be looking for a stop-gap manager, ala Mark Hughes in the early days of Manchester City’s reversal in fortunes. Howe is young and exciting enough to draw the eyes of attention and a 16/1 with most bookies but a full 20/1 – again with William Hill – might not be as fanciful as it seems.

After sweeping aside Andorra 5-0 on Saturday, England return home to play their eighth World Cup Qualifying game against Hungary on Tuesday evening.

With a four-point lead in Group I, the Three Lions can mathematically guarantee their place in Qatar as Group winners with victory at Wembley, coupled with a draw between Albania and Poland in Tirana.

A win versus the Mighty Magyars alone however, will surely still leave topping the group academic, England then needing just three more points from a home game against the Albanians themselves, before a trip to San Marino to conclude qualifying next month.

The overwhelming favourites to take their tally to 22 points, Gareth Southgate’s men are best priced at 1/7 with SkyBet, Bet365and UniBet. Hungary meanwhile, fetch a staggering 28/1 odds with SBK and BetVictor. The draw? 8/1 with Betfair. But let’s delve deeper into where the true value might lie.

Impressive 4-0 victors in Budapest back in September, England have netted at least four times in three of the last four qualifiers, and are 5/2 with UniBet, PaddyPower and Betfair for a repeat scoreline. For those a little braver and – potentially – canny, Betfaircould lure punters in the direction of a five-star performance at 13/2.

A Both Teams to Score scenario perhaps looks unlikely in north London given the fact England have conceded just one goal at home since their odyssey toward Qatar began. Hungary do, however, possess the players to cause problems for the hosts and to score just once are a very reasonable 21/10 with MansionBet.

Across the scorers market meanwhile, both Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling continued their summer exploits in front of goal when the two sides last met and for the duo to both net again, SkyBet’s 12/5 might be worth investment. One of the other players to find the target that night was Declan Rice and for the West Ham man to sew the grains of profit again, 13/2 with Bet365 could be a smart punt.

As the international break moves into gear, the delayed Nations League finals begin in Italy on Wednesday evening in Milan.

Switched from the summer to accommodate Euro 2020, the second edition of the tournament’s finals take place over three days, with the final on Sunday at San Siro. As the four teams to finish top of their respective League A Groups, Italy, Belgium, France and Spain will face off to determine the 2021 champions after Portugal become the inaugural winners three years’ ago on home turf.

To begin, Italy and Spain meet in a rematch of their Euro 2020 semi-final meeting at Wembley back in July. The Azzurri, as European Champions are currently sitting on a pedestal but since beating England in the final, have been in a bit of a haze in terms of form.

Despite putting five past Lithuania, Roberto Mancini’s men were held by both Switzerland in Basel and rather more surprisingly, at home to Bulgaria in Florence during World Cup Qualifying last month. Similarly, Spain have begun their route to Qatar in mixed fashion with wins over Kosovo and Georgia coupled with defeat to Sweden.

To reach Sunday’s final in their own back yard, Italy are reasonably priced favourites at 6/5 with PaddyPower, MansionBet and Bet365. La Furia Roja meanwhile are longer valued, again with Bet365 at 11/4. As Luis Enrique’s charges lock horns with the Italians again, Spain do so in the knowledge they pushed familiar foes all the way to spot kicks the last time they met, and with another finale spot at stake, could history repeat itself? For either team to win via a potential shootout, SkyBet are carrying 5/1 odds.

With a 1-1 scoreline after extra time at Wembley back in the summer, Federico Chiesa continued his hot streak in front of goal during the Euros. Now holding a tally of three goals in seven games, should the Juventus forward start against Spain, for Chiesa to score alone in 90mins, SkyBet’s 9/1 boost is surely worth a small lay.

It the second semi, France meet Belgium in Turin. Of the four to reach the climax of the Nations League, only the latter have won all three of their games since the Euros, whilst France have beaten only Finland after draws to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine. As World Champions however, Les Bleus will be tough to unseat and of the two, this particular clash looks the more difficult to call.

The bookies have little to separate the two on paper with 19/12 the longest price for the French, whilst for Roberto Martinez’ men to progress to the final – after losing in the last four in 2018 – 21/10 value is on the table, both with SBK. This one could be close then and if we consider that in four of the last seven meetings between these two nations just one goal has been scored, for their latest chapter to result in under 1.5 goals, 15/8 odds with Betfair and UniBet might be worth pursuing.

As the international break approaches once more, before the Premier League goes into early hibernation for a fortnight, Gameweek 7 signs out with bang.

Headlined at Anfield as Liverpool welcome the champions Manchester City, the last two winners of the league title meet again as the early pace-setting top two. The Reds were held last time out after a thorough examination by Brentford, but nevertheless have netted three goals in all of their last four outings across the board, hitting five in Porto on Tuesday night. City meanwhile, lost against PSG on the same evening in midweek and after an early-season goal glut have now only netted twice in their last three league games, albeit including an impressive win at Chelsea last Sunday.

For that result, Betfair have the visitors at 29/20 favourites, whilst Liverpool are 2/1 with Betfred. A draw here looks quite favourable however, and at 13/5 with SBK, punters firmly on the fence could be the winners this weekend.

Down At the AMEX, a resurgent Arsenal take their three-game winning streak to high-flying Brighton, with the Seagulls just a point off the top of the standings. In their last home league game, Graeme Potter’s men lost to Everton and against the Gunners’ potent counter-attacking line could be up against it once more. William Hill, MansionBet and UniBet are offering 6/4 for an Arsenal win. The hosts are 23/10 with SkyBet, but could two in-form teams share the spoils? 2/1 with most bookies across the board looks fair value.

Another interesting clash at Stamford Bridge sees Chelsea host Southampton, with Thomas Tuchel’s men having lost their last two games. The visiting Saints look a viable candidate for a first win in four then, but it should be remembered that Southampton held City to a goalless draw in their own back yard during GW5. So, could Ralph Hasenhuttl spring another cat from the bag here? The South coast outfit have drawn four of their last five Premier League games and to record another are priced at a rather appealing 4/1 with Betfair. Could we see another 0-0 scoreline meanwhile? Of their four draws, two have been stalemates, which makes a full 15/1 shot perhaps look not so unlikely. Could be worth a small outlay.

For a GW7 banker, Burnley look the most likely choice welcoming a still point-less Norwich City to Turf Moor, at 5/6 with SkyBet. On the flip side, where could you look for a potential on-paper upset? Newcastle could supply that ammunition. A long shot away at Wolves, perhaps, but considering Bruno Lage’s men have lost all three of their league games at Molineux so far, the Magpies could be real coupon buster, and carrying odds of 9/2 with Betfred might become the steal of the weekend.

If we’re looking for the game that could supply the most goals meanwhile, GW5’s opening offering might be worth consideration as Manchester United host Everton. Rafa Benitez will be fully motivated on his return to Old Trafford and is unlikely to be on the defensive. Neither also will be United as they look to go into the hiatus on a high. For both teams to put on 3.5 goals this Saturday lunchtime, both UniBet and BetVictor have odds of 21/10.