Best Of Bets

Author: Best Of Bets

  • Next Permanent Arsenal manager

    After three games of the Premier League season, for Arsenal, the picture is a gloomy one.

    Without a league goal in 270 minutes, the Gunners sit rock bottom of the table – their worst start for 67 years. Worse still, fierce north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, sit in polar-opposite position, at the top of the table. That is a first in top-flight history also, that Arsenal have sat bottom, whilst the Lilywhites stand at the top of English football’s pyramid, simultaneously.

    The pressure has been heaped on boss Mikel Arteta after a 5-0 thumping to the champions Manchester City, with little evidence the Spaniard is in any position to steer his side out of the biggest crisis the Club has seen since the 1950s. So much so, bookies are currently offering 4/9 odds on Arteta being the first Premier League manager to depart. But who might replace the beleaguered Basque native, sooner or later?

    Interestingly, a man who came close to Emirates’ hotseat a few seasons ago in Brendan Rodgers, has currently been reinstalled as the name in the frame.

    Having led Leicester City to FA Cup glory last season, the Northern Irishman has returned an attacking flair to the Foxes’ games, whilst also making the former Premier League champions a more solid unit in defence. Rodgers is the bookies’ favourite for the moment at 3/1 with SkyBet but is shorter elsewhere.

    The name on the lips of most Arsenal fans however, is Antonio Conte. Currently unattached despite guiding Inter Milan to their first Scudetto title in Italy in a decade last term, the Italian has of course enjoyed success in London before, leading Chelsea to the league crown in 2017. Conte would be a popular appointment and he himself would likely jump at the chance of resurrecting a fallen giant.

    However, having left the Nerrazurri due to financial cuts in the summer however, Conte will want assurances his demands will be met in the transfer market, and that could be the biggest stumbling block in persuading the 52-year-old to take the Gunners’ helm, with Arsenal having spent the most of any club in Europe this summer, but with little sign of improvement. Nevertheless, Conte is 4/1 with both PaddyPower and Betfair to get the job.

    Should Arsenal look to recruit from home shores meanwhile, Eddie Howe appears the most likely having been out of a job since departing Bournemouth last August. A manager who won many fans during his time on the South coast and a manager tipped to be England steward in the future, Howe could be the right man at 6/1 with SkyBet but is beginning to shorten.

    For a slighter longer shot, Arsenal’s recent success has of course been French driven under Arsene Wenger, so could a man making waves in managerial circles in compatriot Christophe Galtier be the man to finally fill his shoes in north London?

    Masterminding Lille’s triumph in Ligue 1 last season, Galtier won plaudits for bringing young talent through just as Wenger did. Though appointed Nice coach only in June, Galtier may find the lure of managing Arsenal too strong to resist should the call come. On the face of it, 16/1 value with SkyBet may look long odds, but given his reputation, Galtier could be more likely than it first appears.   

  • Best of Bets – Deadline Day transfers

    Best of Bets – Deadline Day transfers

    With just a week to go until the summer transfer window slams shut on September 3rd, clubs across Europe have until Friday to conclude their business until January. So where is the money for the big moves to occur before the weekend?

    After Lionel Messi’s headline-busting move to PSG from Barcelona only weeks ago, a good deal of transfer speculation remains centred on the Parc des Princes.

    The Argentine’s arrival in the Parisian capital has sparked wild conjecture that Kylian Mbappe could make a move away before deadline day, with Real Madrid the most likely destination. Indeed, despite drifting out to 9/2 with SkyBet, the Frenchman forward could yet make a blockbuster switch from one capital to another.

    The outcome of that could set quite the domino effect off across the continent, and Everton’s Richarlison is rumoured to be a big player in that process.

    Having never quite reached his top level in the Premier League, the chance to reunite with his Brazilian teammate Neymar in Paris would be a significant pull, and PSG believe they could get their man should Mbappe make way. Again, SkyBet value any switch at 11/2.

    Staying with the Toffees, James Rodriguez has predictably fallen down the pecking order at Goodison Park since the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the arrival of Rafa Benitez.

    The Colombian now looks certain to leave Merseyside in the coming days, and his odds of making a return to former club Porto now are now as short as 4/5, however AC Milan have become a late contender for his signature at 3/1, both again with SkyBet.

    Another Premier League switch that could happen before Friday is that of Bernardo Silva. Having lined up in Manchester City’s 5-0 thrashing of Arsenal at the weekend, the Portuguese still appears to be a peripheral figure at the Etihad, not least when Kevin De Bruyne returns to the fold. For the moment his most likely destination appears to be Turin, with Juventus hurriedly looking to fill their attacking line with bodies in the light of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock departure to Manchester United last week. Unibet are touting this move at 7/1.

    Looking at switches between English top-flight clubs meanwhile, Liverpool could see a busy final few days of the window in terms of outgoings.

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rather become lost in the shake-up at Anfield in the last two seasons, and a return to Southampton has been mooted. In the case of West Ham also, though the Irons have begun the season in sparkling form with Michail Antonio hitting four goals in three to begin the new term, doubts linger over his long-term fitness. As such a loan moan for Divock Origi makes sense. Both moves to be made before Friday are priced at 5/1 and for Origi, at as short as 4/6 respectively, both with SkyBet.

  • BestofBets – Belgian GP betting

    After a chaotic and wet qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, who looks best poised to take the win on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps?

    With Max Verstappen looking to take not only his first win in three but also his first in Belgium, the Red Bull driver claimed his sixth pole of the season on native soil in qualifying and is now firm favourite to take the chequered flag on Sunday, priced at 4/6 with SkyBet. But could surprise front-row companion George Russell yet upset the odds?

    Making a supremely timed dash at the end of an elongated Q3, the Williams man came within three tenths of a remarkable P1. The King’s Lynn driver will have few obstacles in his way at the start of the race, but Russell’s bigger problem will be his straight-line speed, which could see a sobering start at lights out and his position at the head of the field may slip away dramatically. With that said however, another wet ride is expected for race time and almost anything can happen as we have already seen this term. Whilst a Russell win at 45/1 with SBK looks a little too much of a stretch, a podium finish at 5s with William Hill looks more than attainable.

    In terms of Lewis Hamilton’s chances meanwhile, Mercedes were forced to claw their way into Q3 alone initially, so perhaps the second row of the grid does not look so bad for the Briton. Winner of the Belgian GP last season, Hamilton has won here now on four occasions, and as a man capable of scrapping in the wet at Spa before, his value of 5/2 for the win still looks equally worth a ponder or two.

    Another man to perhaps consider a punt on in the rain is Sergio Perez. The Mexican is adept in the same greasy conditions he almost mastered in Istanbul last season, and now with the Honda engine at his disposal, Perez still can challenge for the top three at least, even from P7. For the less likely of Red Bulls to claim top honours in Belgium, Unibet have you covered at 16/1, however, a double-your-money 2/1 for a podium finish with all three of SkyBet, PaddyPower and William Hill, could also be worth your money, and which should be the far safer bet.

    Finally, how about a flutter on Daniel Ricciardo? Achieving his best Q3 classification for McLaren so far, the Australian will sit next to Hamilton on the starting grid come Sunday in fourth. Whilst Lando Norris’ participation in the race remains in doubt due to his heavy shunt and spin, Ricciardo may be forced to carry the McLaren burden on his shoulders alone but will know the power his car possesses and could spring a surprise. The Perth driver stands at 4/1 with BetVictor for a top-three placement. Could he win it? The Betfair Exchange will oblige you a Ricciardo outright win at an eye-bulging 56/1 should you be inclined.

  • GW3 Premier League bets

    With the first international break of the season almost upon us – sigh – before that, the third weekend of Premier League action brings another helping of heavyweight fixtures.

    Not least at Anfield, as Liverpool host a Chelsea side fresh from a resounding away victory against an increasingly hapless Arsenal.

    A trip to Merseyside however, looks a distinctly tougher examination for Thomas Tuchel’s side, with both teams yet to concede a goal in their opening two games. Whilst Liverpool are 13/8 for the win, the travelling Blues are 2/1 – both with SBK – and after Romelu Lukaku hit the ground running on his latest top-flight return, Chelsea could treble your money with a win. The draw at 5/2 with Betway meanwhile, looks a decent punt given what could be a tight encounter on Saturday evening.

    Before we get to that however, Manchester City open the weekend’s action at home to the Gunners, who find themselves in an uncomfortable 19th spot in the standings.

    After putting five past Norwich last weekend, the Cityzens will look to flex their offensive muscles here versus the visitors, who are still seeking their first league goal of the season. Arsenal themselves hit West Brom for six in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but this test will of course be different gravy for Mikel Arteta’s men. Indeed, it’s hard to remember a time when Arsenal were so long odds for a win at the Etihad, at an astonishing 12/1 with Bet365, Betfredand UniBet, but for a reason. City meanwhile, are 1/4 with MansionBet so can we look to the goals market for value instead?

    In seven of their last 11 meetings with Arsenal, City have hit three goals and to do that again, MansionBet is the place to go, with odds of 23/20. If you feel a little more adventurous, the same bookie will offer 10/3 for the hosts to hit four goals, or a lusty five at a sizeable 12/1 value, for Pep Guardiola’s charges to repeat last weekend’s exerts.

    Over at the London Stadium, West Ham United play their second home game on the bounce, sitting in a rather unfamiliar position at the top of the English football pyramid. Ahead of Chelsea on GD at the top of the table, the Irons have the chance to open up their advantage to points against south London opposition in Crystal Palace, who have not scored in all competitions so far this term. Accordingly, West Ham are strong favourites to make it three from three at 8/13 with SpreadEx.

    Of the other games to stand out this weekend, a classic War of the Roses encounter between Burnley and Leeds will play out at Turf Moor, with the hosting Clarets keen for their first points of the new campaign. The Whites are marginal favourites to take the full spoils back across the Yorkshire divide, however Burnley proved they can make a fast start against Brighton on home soil and with a bit more Lancashire grit could make short shrift of UniBet’s 11/5 odds.

    For Manchester United, a second away-day on the spin looms, with Molineux next on the agenda. On the heels of successive back-to-back 1-0 losses to begin the Bruno Lage era, Wolves are up against it to right the tide of defeat this weekend at 17/4, but as Southampton proved, the Red Devils can be frustrated and the draw therefore at 5/2 with Bet365, 888Sport and Betway could yet bring rewards.

  • JOHN BARNES HAS HIS SAY ON NEW CELTIC MANAGER ANGE POSTECOGLOU

    As the 125th season of competitive football in Scotland gets underway, we caught up with former Liverpool star and Hoops manager John Barnes to talk about Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic revolution, new forward Kyogo Furuhashi, and the Rangers’ performance this season.

    – Ange Postecoglou looks like he’s fitting right in. Thoughts on his philosophy?

    JB – “I mean, it’s a tricky one to comment on as it’s so early on in the season and at the moment, it’s all about giving him time and you have to believe in him and that he can find that important togetherness that Celtic was lacking last season.

    “As I’ve said about Liverpool with Klopp and with Gerrard at Rangers last year, it’s all about getting behind the manager, believe in him, and the team, and for the players to start taking responsibility for their performances rather than the fans blaming the manager. It comes down to teamwork and working together.

    “Yes Ange Postecoglou isn’t a famous manager and very few people have heard of him until now but that shouldn’t matter and perhaps it’s better this way as it’ll be less of a comparison. At the end of the day, if they want Celtic to do well, they have to get behind the manager. And if they get behind him, I really believe they can push Rangers.

    “From what I gather he’s a tough manager, yet a fair manager, and after losing out to Ranger last season, having some actual fresh blood coming in – someone who doesn’t know, or experienced, the Celtic vs Ranger rivalry before, perhaps this is just what they need. Time will tell but I’m hopeful.”

    – How close do you think the title race will be this season?

    JB: “I’ll think it’ll be a lot closer than last year. Of course, Rangers ran away with it, and I think that’s probably a little bit of complacency from Celtic as when last season kicked off, they were pretty certain that they’d nail the 10 in a row and Rangers then used that to their advantage.

    So while Rangers were improving, Celtic probably, from a complacency point of view, stood still and everything was a perfect storm for Rangers last year. This year, the boot’s on the other foot. Not that Rangers are now going to be complacent, however having the luxury of stopping 10 in a role probably means that they’ve taken their foot off the gas a little bit, and Celtic are now pushing forward, so it’ll be a much tighter title race, for sure.

    – Thoughts on Kyogo Furuhashi? He has hit the ground running at Celtic.

    JB: “Kyogo’s quality clearly speaks for itself. Again, it’s early in the season but so far he’s been nothing but great. I also think that he’ll provide some much needed fresh blood and furthermore, he seems to have a great attitude and as we’ve seen, he knows how to score! He’s so on it, and almost a step ahead, that he must be an absolute nightmare to play against.”

    – Where do you see the most necessary position for Celtic to strengthen this window?

    JB: “I don’t think they necessarily need to strengthen the team to challenge Rangers because, of course, both teams are similar.

    “They’ll be first and second. But yes, if they’re looking to qualify for the Champions League and win the Champions League, the yes but in terms of challenging Rangers, they’ve got a good enough team. I also think that signing James McCarthy was a good move as he’ll bring some much needed positivity to the team.

    “But realistically, from a financial point of view, neither Celtic nor Rangers can’t compete with the English teams or European teams when it comes to sign the best players; therefore, to sign someone like Kyogo is a fantastic move, and a really smart move.”

    – As for Rangers, they’ve not done well in front of a crowd so far this season – did that benefit them last year?

    JB: “Not necessarily, no. I do think that because they put in such a fantastic effort last year to go unbeaten and stop 10 in a row, they’ve probably just relaxed a little bit this year, which is understandable. So I don’t think it’s the fact that the fans were actually back, I think it’s the fact that they’ve probably taken a sharp intake of breath that we stopped the 10 in a row, we went unbeaten, how are we going to put that effort in again to actually recreate that?

    “And that’s what makes great teams, actually going to do it again, and again, and again. So obviously Steven will have that on his plate to try and get them to play with the same intensity that they did last year. It’s not impossible, but most definitely easier said than done.”

  • GW2 PREMIER LEAGUE BETS

    After an opening weekend of Premier League action that saw no less than 34 goals, thrashings and surprises aplenty, what will Gameweek 2 have in store?

    The big game of the weekend sees Arsenal host Chelsea in a London derby, with the hosts already rocking from a damaging 2-0 defeat away to Brentford. Playing south-west capital opponents for the second game on the bounce, the Gunners are already under pressure from the off, and another defeat for Arsenal, with the champions Manchester City to come in a week’s time, could see the knives sharpen further for Mikel Arteta.

    Chelsea remain 4/5 favourites for the win at the Emirates with Romelu Lukaku set for his debut, however, given Arsenal’s home record to Chelsea of late, the draw at 14/5 with SBK or 11/4 with MansionBet and Bet365 looks a little more enticing.

    Arsenal’s conquerors on opening day, the Bees meanwhile, travel across south London to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. After the Eagles shipped three goals last time out – coincidentally against Arsenal’s opponents this weekend Chelsea – Brentford arrive in Croydon with the chance of back-to-back wins against London opposition. For an away win this weekend, BetFred and UniBet are offering a price of 15/8 to make it maximum points to start Premier League life.

    At Molineux, Nuno Espirito Santo takes his Tottenham Hotspur side back to former club Wolves looking to begin his Spurs tenure with a 100% record. After pulling off another Nuno masterclass against the champions City, the north Londoners bucked 9/2 odds to pick up three points last weekend.

    One week on, all major bookies including SBK, MansionBet, and UniBet carry 7/5 odds for an away win. However, Bruno Lage’s men were unfortunate not to take a point at Leicester and in his and Wolves’ first home outing of the campaign, the draw at 11/5 with Bet365 and SkyBet, perhaps looks a little more fruitful.

    If we turn to Saturday evening, the clash at the AMEX between Brighton and Watford meanwhile, looks an in intriguing prospect after both sides claimed three points to begin their season.

    As the Seagulls came from behind at Burnley, conversely, the Hornets held on after taking a 3-0 lead against Southampton. Graeme Potter’s men are 3/4 with SBK for the win here, but as Watford face South coast foes once more to continue their start to the campaign, possessing a rather potent looking attack to boot, the away win is an interesting one to check out.

    Holding firm at 19/4 with UniBet and MansionBet, Watford look a strong candidate although in truth, the draw at 13/5 with SkyBet could be the one to lay your cash on.

    Rounding off the weekend in style, Monday’s evening’s encounter between West Ham and Leicester City stands out as a potentially attractive game.

    The Hammers look to have lost none of their vim from last term having put four past Newcastle last time out, and with the London Stadium again filled to the rafters in east London, David Moyes will be keen to make it six points from six. The Foxes however, will have other ideas. A West Ham win is priced at 13/8 with SkyBet, or 8/5 with MansionBet, whilst for Leicester to prosper, Betfair and Betway are offering 7/4 for the away win.

  • MANNY PACQUIAO-YORDENIS UGAS BETS

    MANNY PACQUIAO-YORDENIS UGAS BETS

    On Saturday night, ring legend Manny Pacquiao will look to reclaim his WBA Super welterweight crown as he faces Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

    Stripped of the title he won 13 months ago at the MGM Grand due to inactivity, Pacquiao, now 42, will face the Cuban in his first title defence after he himself won the vacant belt last September against Abel Ramos.

    In what will be PacMan’s 72nd professional bout this weekend, the Filipino fighter is strong favourite despite now being more used to the political arena than a sporting one, having served as Senator of the Philippines since 2016.

    For Ugas meanwhile, an Olympic bronze medallist from Beijing 2008, the orthodox 35-year-old from Santiago de Cuba faces the biggest challenge of his career, ranked only seventh by Ring magazine and having lost four times in 30 fights.

    Best priced at 3/8 with SBK or 2/7 with William Hill or Bet365 the Pacquiao win looks a sure thing, however, better value could be had with a Pacquiao decision of any kind, offered at 6/5 with BetVictor or VBet. For a KO or TKO win meanwhile, 7/4 value, again with Bet365, or 13/8 with SkyBet is on offer. For an early Pacquiao win inside six rounds also, you can fetch 11/2 with William Hill and PaddyPower, which might look a little more worthy of investment.

    But could Pacquiao show off any ring rust? A man once regarded as one the best boxers of all time, though his hand speed is yet to fail him, his overall agility is not what it once was now in his forties. For Ugas to pull off a shock win therefore, SpreadEx is the best place to visit, at full odds of 9/2 for the Cuban to take the fight via any decision.

    More widely, for the fight not to go the distance, BetVictor’s 11/8 price looks quite appealing for a welterweight contest, whilst for the draw, 3/1 value can be found with Betfred.

  • JOHN BARNES BACKS RUTHLESS LIVERPOOL DECISION TO HELP MOHAMED SALAH

    JOHN BARNES BACKS RUTHLESS LIVERPOOL DECISION TO HELP MOHAMED SALAH

    Following Liverpool’s first game of the season last weekend against newly promoted Norwich City, we spoke to Anfield hero, John Barnes, to discuss the decision faced by Jurgen Klopp on Diogo Jota, Van Dijk’s return to competitive action, and his thoughts on Liverpool’s prospects in their bid for the Premier League title.

    – Do you think Diogo Jota should keep his place in the team ahead of Roberto Firmino, or should Jurgen Klopp find a way of starting them both?

    JB – “Well, I’ve always said Firmino is my favorite player of the front three. Salah scores goals and Mané does what he does, but Firmino’s the one for me who makes the team tick, so I would always have him. So to say that Jota should play instead of the front three, I don’t necessarily feel that’s the case. You could actually put him in one of the midfield three, because there are times when, depending on the other two midfield players, that Jota could really add some great strength and he’s played attacking midfield in the past.

    “But I don’t feel that Jota should play instead of Firmino. In fact, I think Firmino is one of our most important players and the reason why Salah scores as many goals as he is; as a withdrawn center forward, between himself andMané, it give them those inward running angles to score goals. So I don’t necessarily feel that the fact that he doesn’t score as many goals is not a beneficial deliverable as he’s providing so much more than that.”

    – How did Virgil van Dijk perform on his return to competitive action?

    JB – “I think van Dijk had a fantastic game over the weekend and it’s great to see him back in action; to be honest, it looked like he’s never been away, which is incredible after such a serious injury. But also, Liverpool, as a team, played really well and it was great to see. And although Norwich may not be the best of teams, to get that win in means a lot for the team and hopefully it’ll set them up for the season ahead.

    “Having said that, just because van Dijk is back on the pitch, and is looking great, it doesn’t mean he’s fully recovered. He’ll most likely need some more time to get back to his absolute best – but he will!”

    “But also, from a center-back position, Matip is also back, and Joe Gomez is around, they signed Konaté, which means that the full-backs can play in their proper positions and we have a full strength squad, means that the team looks much more comfortable than it did probably the whole of last season and they’re ready to fight it out.”

    – Do you think Joel Matip could be his partner this season over Joe Gomez or Ibrahima Konate?

    JB -“Not necessarily – whether it’s going to be Matip, Gomez or Konaté is yet to be seen. It’s worth remembering that Gomez was ahead of Matip until he got injured, and then, following the signing of Konaté, who we paid a lot for, perhaps it’s Konaté who will play alongside van Dijk.

    “However, it doesn’t make a huge difference as the signs are really good from a center-back position so whoever will fill that role would do so very adequately. But the important thing is van Dijk, because we’ve seen in the past when you had Matip and Gomez, or maybe if you have Konaté and Gomez, as much as individually they’re good players, I think any one of them playing alongside van Dijk would be worth their place in the team and be very competent. Matip, Gomez and Konaté have very similar profiles – all three of them are big, strong, quick, and with a composed van Dijk, with his leadership qualities alongside them, they would be equally as good as each other. As a manager, it’s a nice problem to have!”

    – Where do you think Liverpool could finish based on their performance against Norwich, and who are their main rivals?

    JB – “They absolutely do have it in them to win the league, but so do Manchester City. Manchester United are also looking strong, as do Chelsea, especially after signing Lukaku.

    “My guess is that Liverpool and Man City will grab the two top spots followed by Man United and Chelsea – not necessarily in that order.

    “I think as long as Liverpool can keep everybody fit, or at least the main players, that in itself should go along way. Also, they don’t have to integrate a number of new players this season as Jota and Thiago were really the only two new signings and they came towards the end of last season, and then it’s just Konaté. So as much as they haven’t made signings this year, we made our signings last year and one important signing this year and that is actually great set up for the season ahead as the players already know each other.

    “And even if we get a couple of injuries at the back now, we can still fill in, get a couple of injuries up front, with Jota being there we can cope with that, so I don’t think we necessarily need to sign anyone. We’ve got the harmony, we’ve got the togetherness. We don’t need to get used to the way each other plays because the team has been together for a long while, where I suppose Man City has to get used to Jack Grealish and if Harry Kane comes, to try and fit them into a team, which may take time. So yeah, I think we definitely will be there or thereabout.”

    “The main issue last season was that we lacked the quality because of the number of players that were injured. So if you look at the players that actually came into the team, the young players who did a great job in terms of what they had to do, under different circumstances they wouldn’t have been anywhere near the squad, so for us to finish third, was a really great achievement.”

    – Alisson showed his value to Liverpool again in the win over Norwich, is he the best goalkeeper in the world for you?

    JB: “Yes – I’d definitely say so. Of course Ederson at Manchester City is right up there too. But Alisson is a fantastic goalkeeper and apart from being great he also brings a much needed calmness to the team and I think that we saw it when himself and van Dijk came to the club, how everything just settled down and calmed down.

    “And we’ve seen even with van Dijk playing, but when Alisson doesn’t play, then maybe the belief isn’t necessarily there. So I think that over the last three years, himself and van Dijk have been the two most important signings. Yes, Salah’s been scoring goals, but in terms of the way he plays with those two has been fantastic.

    “And I’d definitely say he can be up there with Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar as Liverpool’s ever best goalkeeper; however, if he leaves the club next year, then things would be different. At the end of the day, you judge people in terms of the legacy and what they leave behind and the impact they’ve had on the team at the end of their careers. Allison has only been with Liverpool for two and a half years and he’s done fantastically well so if he stays and continues to play as well as he has to date, then I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes Liverpool’s best-ever goalkeeper.”

  • WHO COULD REPLACE HARRY KANE AT SPURS?

    For Harry Kane, the start of the new Premier League season continues to be plagued by huge uncertainty. With his future still up in the air, it does look however, as though his time as a Tottenham Hotspur player could be coming to an end.

    So, who could Spurs turn to in looking to fill the sizeable boots of their talismanic skipper, before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 3rd?

    As a player linked strongly with the Lilywhites in the past, Danny Ings’ somewhat surprising move to Aston Villa earlier this week, has rather put a spanner in any plans towards a move the former Southampton striker. Perhaps then, Spurs might turn to someone new boss Nuno Espirito Santo is no stranger to?

    Should Kane depart, the Portuguese steward will be looking to stamp his mark with his new club and as such, a much more likely target lies in the shape of Raul Jimenez. A major part of the Nuno revolution at Wolves, Jimenez has already proved his Premier League credentials and as a scourge of Tottenham in the past also, the Mexican fits the bill.

    There remain concerns however, over whether Jimenez will ever get back to his best as he continues his way back to full fitness following last season’s horrific head injury. Nevertheless, 6/1 odds with SkyBet could yet considerably shorten.

    Of the other Premier League contenders in the frame for now, Wilfried Zaha has been keen to move away from Crystal Palace for some time, and with a chance to become a figurehead of pastures new, the Ivorian international is a possibility for a move again. Though Spurs fans will perhaps not meet any such speculation with immediate joy, Unibet are offering the switch at 6/1.

    Gareth Bale is another name that has been bounced around for a permanent return to north London after his loan spell from Real Madrid last term.  Keen to move away from the Spanish capital, Bale showed glimpses of his best during his temporary spell and though a shadow of the player he once was, Nuno could reinvigorate the Welshman. Accordingly, Betfair and PaddyPower are touting a move at 6/1.

    Perhaps a name from further afield in Dusan Vlahovic though, could fit the bill for Daniel Levy.  Having enjoyed a stellar campaign in Serie A for Fiorentina last term, the physical and aerially dominant Serbian number nine has been on Juventus’ radar of late, but the Lilywhites also are rumoured to be interested, with a potential move at a price of 4/1 with SkyBet.

    If we glance back to La Liga again finally, a name that caught the eye during the Euros was Alexander Isak. Fans of Real Sociedad will know the Swedish striker’s enormous potential, as do apparently Liverpool also, with the Reds tentatively linked with a move.   A player not currently in the category labelled ‘top drawer’ yet, a Spurs move could suit both parties, although currently, any movement on the part of Isak in the direction of the capital, is priced at 12/1, again with SkyBet.

  • EARLY SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (SPOTY) BETTING

    As Tokyo 2020 concludes this weekend and with August now with us, the contenders for Sports Personality of the Year 2021 are starting to take shape.

    An Olympic year usually features prominently on the annual shortlist for December, in fact, in every edition of SPOTY with a Summer Games in the same year, an Olympian has scooped the coveted prize since Sydney 2000. With the gold medal tally again mounting up for Team GB in Tokyo, its stars could feature heavily come the end of year gala.

    After winning an emotional and unexpected Olympic title at his fourth attempt, Tom Daley is currently favourite and can be found at the best price with Betfair at 11/2, but at 5/2 with SkyBet is for some, an even surer bet.

    Though the Plymouth diver will carry a sizeable share of the public vote, depending on how GB’s other hopes fair in the remaining days of the Games, Daley’s odds however, could drift.  Laura Kenny now has five Olympic medals after taking a silver in the women’s team pursuit, but her best chance to win gold in Tokyo for a third-successive Games remain in both the omnium and the returning madison events to come.

    Still a lofty 14/1 with MansionBet, perhaps though it is the other half of the Kenny dynasty, Jason Kenny, with the better chance and whose value is beginning to shorten with some bookmakers.  At one point holding a value of 25/1 with SkyBet only days ago, his own silver in the team sprint has seen his price cut to 16s with the same bookie and 9/1 on the Betfair Exchange. It should be noted however, that Bet365 retain his original market value from last week of 25s.

    Now level with Sir Bradley Wiggins on eight Olympic medals, a ninth for Kenny in either the men’s sprint or keirin, will surely slice his odds further in the races left in the Izu Velodrome. Should the colour of said medal(s) be gold, we could then be looking at odds in single digits very soon. It may well already be worth a punt on the Farnworth flyer.

    Adam Peaty’s chances cannot be ruled out either, as part of GB swimming’s most successful Olympics ever. After the Uttoxeter man became the first Brit in the pool to retain his title, Peaty still looks a decent shot at as long as 16/1 with MansionBet, but as short as 5/1 with BetVictor.

    In the football arena meanwhile, despite England reaching the final of Euro 2020, the Three Lions’ failure to beat Italy in the final will surely harm both Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling’s chances at 14s and 16s respectively – both with PaddyPower – so might it be another man on two wheels that could yet feature?

    Having already won SPOTY back in 2011, Mark Cavendish equalled Eddie Merckx’s Tour de France record of 34 stage wins this summer. With four cyclists having scooped SPOTY since 2008, Cav, at a best price of 10/1 with Betfair, perhaps looks the best candidate outside of the Olympic contenders so far.