In the last 24 hours, an impressive 28% of all bets have backed Frenchman Paul Pogba to be named Best Player of Euro 2020.
His impressive display against Germany last night forced bookmakers to slash his odds to as low as 16/1 – from 40/1, and although there are plenty other competitors in the market, it appears that the Manchester United midfielder has a fair chance to pick up the trophy. If France do reach the final, or even lift the trophy, there’s a very good chance that Pogba played a significant part in it.
Since 1996, UEFA has rewarded the player they believe has had the biggest impact by naming them the Player of the Tournament. It’s also an award that tends to go to those who don’t necessarily sit high in the goals or assists charts – that makes this market one with plenty of value on offer.
Forwards tend to be battling it out for the Golden Boot award, but history tells us that the Best Player of the Tournament accolade is one for the midfielders. Antoine Griezmann’s place at the top of this category in 2016 broke a long run of midfielders taking the prize.
- 2016: Antoine Griezmann (France – Striker)
- 2012: Andres Iniesta (Spain – Midfielder)
- 2008: Xavi (Spain – Midfielder)
- 2004: Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece – Midfielder)
- 2000: Zinedine Zidane (France – Midfielder)
- 1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany – Midfielder)
Although not the favourite, Pogba has become a popular contenders in this market and his all-round game, which he showed off last night, has put him towards the top of the list.
Pogba is no stranger to awards at international tournaments too. He was named in the Team of the Tournament at both the under-17s and under-19s European Championships while picking up the Golden Ball at the under-20s World Cup in 2013. He was also named in the Europa League Team of the Season for 2020/21 and has been in numerous Team of the Year XIs. Pogba is a world class midfielder and contributed for Manchester United in the second-half of the season despite injury keeping him sidelined at times.
There is the potential for the flair moments with Pogba too. It’s the eye-catching and memorable moments that may throw him ahead of everyone else when it comes to deciding a Player of the Tournament. Glory for France will likely see him battling teammates for the award.
Expert sports-specific betting guides and tips
How to choose smart bets across major sports
Smart betting starts with understanding how each sport’s markets behave, where prices move, and which statistics genuinely predict results. Our expert, sport-by-sport guides below show you how to turn insight into consistent, responsible decision-making.
Use these strategies alongside our in-depth bookmaker reviews, odds comparisons and bonus round-ups to find fair prices and suitable offers. Always bet within a budget, keep records, and prioritise enjoyment over profit.
Football betting markets, tips and strategies
Football offers unmatched market depth, from match odds and totals to player props and tournament awards. Success comes from balancing data with context, and spotting mispriced lines before they move.
Focus on line-ups, tactical match-ups and schedule congestion, because small shifts in team strength can swing both odds and totals. Combine that with historical performance and motivation to refine selections.
Match odds, totals and handicaps explained
Match odds typically price the 1X2 home, draw or away outcomes, where late team news can trigger sharp moves. Totals (over/under goals) respond to tactics, injuries and refereeing styles, while both teams to score adds another layer to goal expectation.
Handicaps and Asian lines help reduce draw risk or compress price, and they’re ideal when you want a stake protected by half wins or pushes. Use your goal model or expected goals data to judge fair numbers before the market tightens.
Tournament outrights and player awards value
Outrights reward early, well-reasoned positions when you understand the bracket, rest days and squad depth. Player markets like top scorer or Player of the Tournament can offer value on standout midfielders who influence games beyond goals, as seen in past European Championships.
If a side is likely to go deep, consider their creators and controllers for awards shortlists. The combination of team progression, media narrative and high-impact moments often determines the final vote.
In-play football betting tactics and timing
Live betting lets you react to tempo, pressing intensity and in-game injuries faster than static pre-match numbers. Favourites drifting after an early setback can become value if their chance quality and territory remain strong.
Track expected goals, shot maps and dangerous entries rather than possession alone, because pressure without penetration is often mispriced. Late-game overs can also be attractive in open matches with fresh attacking substitutions.
Tennis betting guide for tournaments and tours
Tennis is a duel of match-ups, surfaces and schedules, where player fitness and travel matter as much as ranking. Understanding serve and return metrics, break-point conversion and surface-specific hold percentages is essential.
Markets react quickly to headlines, yet often lag on subtle factors like fatigue from late-night finishes or a tight turnaround between continents. Your edge comes from combining numbers with practical tour knowledge.
Set, game and match markets explained simply
Match winner markets are driven by surface form, serve reliability and second-serve points won. Set betting, total games and handicaps suit matches where styles suggest tiebreaks or streaky momentum swings.
Use hold/break profiles to target overs in serve-dominant clashes or handicaps when a big favourite faces a poor returner. In women’s tennis, volatility can make cautious handicaps or staggered staking more sensible.
Assessing player form, surfaces and scheduling
Track recent matches on the same surface, because clay, grass and hard courts reward very different skill sets. Player success often hinges on movement and defence on clay, low-bouncing aggression on grass, and first-strike tennis on fast hard courts.
Scheduling matters when players come from deep runs the previous week or carry niggles from marathon matches. Monitor travel and rest days to anticipate performance dips before the market does.
Live tennis trading, momentum and hedging tips
In-play, watch for drops in first-serve percentage, rising unforced errors, or heavy legs after long deuce games. Momentum can shift quickly in return games, and prices often overreact to one bad service game.
Consider partial hedges after winning the first set with an underdog or when a favourite starts cramping. Laddering exits helps bank returns while keeping upside alive in the key momentum phases.
Cricket betting strategies for Tests and T20s
Cricket markets are shaped by format, pitch and weather, with huge variance between Tests, ODIs and T20s. Specialist stats and local knowledge beat generic trends, especially in domestic leagues with unique conditions.
Powerplay tactics, death overs economy, and strike rates by phase are critical in T20 analysis. In Tests, time lost to rain and pitch deterioration dictate both match odds and draw prices.
Top markets: match winner, runs and wickets
Match winner odds hinge on toss and pitch behaviour, while team totals require realistic par scores adjusted for ground size. Batsman and bowler props demand venue-specific splits and recent form, not just averages.
In T20s, identify hitters with high boundary percentages on short square boundaries or bowlers with death-over yorker skill. In Tests, lean into specialists who thrive on either early swing or late spin as conditions evolve.
Reading pitch reports, weather and toss bias
Pitches that crack and turn late favour teams batting first, while green tops can collapse early under cloud cover. Local curators’ habits and historical venue data will beat guesswork every time.
The toss can swing win probability several points in either direction, especially on deteriorating surfaces. Check weather radars and light forecasts to anticipate shortened matches and altered declarations.
Horse racing betting for flat and National Hunt
Racing success comes from decoding form, pace shape and trainer intent across flat, jumps and all-weather. Small edges stack when you understand the class move, sectional times and the impact of going changes.
Build shortlists with horses suited to the track’s configuration, distance and likely pace scenario. Add trainer-jockey partnerships and seasonal patterns to confirm or question the price.
Decoding form, ground, draw and trainer stats
Ground can transform a race, turning speed into stamina tests or favouring proven mudlarks. Draw bias influences early positioning, particularly on turning tracks and sprints with short runs to the bend.
Trainer and yard form matters more than many admit, with hot yards outperforming in clusters. Use sectional times to find horses finishing fast in defeat who are well placed next time out.
Win, each-way, forecasts and place market tips
Win bets suit strong favourites with clear advantages, while each-way can reduce variance on big-field handicaps. Place markets can offer fair value when you expect a horse to run on into minor money without the perfect setup to win.
Forecasts and tricasts are advanced tools for races with predictable pace and a clear class gap. Keep stakes modest and price sensitive, because these markets can be thin and volatile.
Basketball betting across NBA and EuroLeague
Basketball is data-rich, but the best edges combine numbers with schedule and rotation insight. Look at offensive rating, pace, shot quality and bench minutes rather than raw points per game.
Bookmakers adjust quickly to headlines but often underweight travel, altitude and back-to-back fatigue. Monitor injury reports and beat writers for rotation changes that move totals and spreads.
Totals, spreads, threes and pace-of-play angles
Totals live and die by pace and shot profile, not the last week’s scorelines. Teams with high three-point volume and weak defensive rebounding can drive overs through extra possessions.
Spreads favour disciplined teams who minimise turnovers and get to the line consistently. Player threes and PRA props can be mispriced after role changes, so always check usage rates and touch maps.
Back-to-backs, travel and rest advantage tips
Back-to-backs and long road trips erode shot legs and defensive intensity, especially late in games. Favour deeper rotations or teams that protect minutes ahead of tough schedules.
Altitude and time zone shifts can quietly depress efficiency for road teams. Watch for totals moving down on the second night and consider unders when both teams arrive fatigued.
Golf betting guide for Majors and weekly tours
Golf betting is about course fit, long-term ball-striking and recent putting variance. Outrights are high variance, so smart staking and each-way structure are vital for bankroll health.
Weekly edges come from identifying players whose skill sets align with layout demands, weather patterns and green speeds. Use strokes gained breakdowns to target top finishes and head-to-heads.
Outrights, top finishes and group betting value
Outrights reward early reads on course fit and drifting prices after quiet weeks. Top 5, Top 10 and Top 20 markets smooth volatility and suit steady ball-strikers who regularly contend.
Groups and match-ups let you fade mispriced names in unfavourable conditions without needing a win. Build cards with a mix of small outrights, top finishes and a few targeted match bets.
Course fit, strokes gained and weather impact
Courses that reward accuracy and wedges suit fairway finders, while bomber-friendly setups demand elite tee-to-green power. Strokes gained off the tee and approach are more stable than putting and should anchor your analysis.
Wind and wave splits can create big edges when one tee time block faces harsher conditions. Track forecast updates and consider partial hedges if your card is heavily skewed to one wave.
Bankroll, odds formats and responsible wagering
Convert and compare odds formats to ensure you’re getting a fair price, and shop lines across our reviewed bookmakers. Apply a staking plan, such as flat stakes or proportional bets, to control risk and avoid chasing losses.
Set deposit, time and loss limits with your chosen operator, and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling is for adults aged 18+ only, and help is available if betting stops being fun.
Claim bookmaker bonuses with safer play guidance
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Click through our affiliate links and advertising banners to access promotions from trusted brands we recommend, then read T&Cs before you opt in. Keep your play responsible, and use tools like reality checks and self-exclusion where needed.
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How do I choose smart bets across major sports?
Prioritise how each sport’s markets move, use predictive stats, compare odds and bonuses across our reviewed UK bookmakers, and stake within a set budget.
What’s the difference between football match odds, totals and handicaps?
Match odds price 1X2 outcomes, totals reflect goal expectation from tactics and team news, and handicaps/Asian lines adjust draw risk and price with push or half‑win protection.
When is in‑play football betting most effective?
Look for favourites drifting after early setbacks but sustaining xG and territory, monitor tempo and injuries, and target late overs in open games with attacking subs.
Which tennis stats matter most for pre‑match betting?
Serve/return metrics, second‑serve points won, surface‑specific hold/break rates, and travel or rest patterns are the key drivers of fair prices.
What are practical tips for live tennis trading and hedging?
React to drops in first‑serve percentage or rising errors, take partial hedges after an underdog wins set one, and ladder exits to bank profit while keeping upside.
What should I analyse before betting on cricket in Tests and T20s?
Weigh format, pitch behaviour, weather, and toss bias, then use venue splits plus powerplay/death‑overs data for props and realistic par scores.
In horse racing, how do ground, draw and trainer form influence selections?
Going changes, draw bias on track configuration, recent yard form and sectional times can transform a horse’s chance and the suitability of win, place or each‑way bets.
For basketball (NBA and EuroLeague), what moves totals and spreads?
Pace, shot quality and three‑point volume drive totals while travel, altitude, back‑to‑backs, rotations and usage shifts move spreads and player props.
What’s a sensible way to bet golf outrights versus top finishes and match‑ups?
Use course fit and strokes‑gained profiles for small‑stake outrights, smooth variance with Top 5/10/20 markets, and target match‑ups to fade mispriced players.
Are the bonuses and bookmakers on Best Of Bets UK‑licensed, and how should I claim safely?
Yes—follow links on www.BestOfBets.com to vetted, UK‑licensed operators, read T&Cs, set deposit/time limits, and only claim offers you’ll actually use (18+).
