Best Of Bets

Tag: Wembley Stadium

  • UEFA Champions League Final | Real Madrid primed to regain European crown

    UEFA Champions League Final | Real Madrid primed to regain European crown

    Real Madrid look to win a 15th European Cup on Saturday evening, as they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in the UEFA Champions League final.

    A first final in London since 2013, the finale also sees BVB make their way to the Home of Football, 11 years on from their last visit against Bayern Munich.

    Repeatedly confounding the bookies this term, Marco Rose’s men look for their first trophy since the 2021 DFB-Pokal and their second European Cup since that famous Munich night in 1997, beating Juventus 3-1.

    Can Dortmund once again defy the odds and claim a second Champions League trophy, or will Real Madrid continue their grip on ‘Ol Big Ears’?

    Real Madrid dominance

    For Real Madrid, though a first final in London it may be, Saturday will be the 19th time Los Blancos have played in a European finale.

    Holding a win-loss tally of 14-5, Madrid boast a stunning percentage win of just under 74% of finals.

    Having surrendered their crown to Manchester City last season, Madrid look to get back what has been almost their own since 2014 – it would be their sixth European Cup in a decade.

    The story of their campaign has been the remarkable form of Jude Bellingham, linking up with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr to form a potent offense.

    Yet it took a late, late brace from substitute Joselu to stun Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and book their final spot.

    For Bellingham, just days before he heads off to the England camp ahead of Euro 2024, this will be a special night on home soil.

    And for certain, the Birmingham boy will be a central figure on Saturday night.

    Surprise package

    Their opponents Dortmund have been produced something of a turn up this season, not least reaching this year’s finale.

    Punters would have fetched a tidy price placing their faith in the Germans, after being in the same side of the draw as Inter, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.

    However, despite facing tall odds, BVB eliminated them all.

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    Knocking out the reigning Italians champions on penalties, a narrow aggregate victory over Los Rojiblancos followed.

    Then in the last four, PSG stood before them, but courtesy of Niclas Fullkrug and Mats Hummels goals, Dortmund progressed, impressively without conceding.

    Having proved they can mix it both in attack and defense when needed, Marco Rose’s men have been a revelation.

    Alas, they now face the sternest task of all, against the greatest Club side in the history of European football.

    Betting

    Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are pretty hot favourites to come out on top, at a best price of 13/20 with William Hill, with Dortmund 5/2 with 888sport to lift the trophy.

    In terms of value punts, Dortmund’s defence has shone in Europe this term and after shutting PSG out, can they do the same to Los Blancos?

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    Therefore, we might ponder a small punt on UNDER 2.5 goals at a better-than-evens 59/50, whilst the braver bettors can go for an unlikely UNDER 1.5 goals at 17/5 both with Unibet.

    On the flip side, and to cover the goal angle, William Hill’s price boost of 5s from 4/1 for Bellingham to score in 90 mins, Real Madrid to win and both teams to score, looks pretty inviting.

    Borussia Dortmund face Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday evening, kick-off 8pm UK time.

  • Sky Bet Championship Playoff final | Leeds and Saints to rack up shots

    Sky Bet Championship Playoff final | Leeds and Saints to rack up shots

    So here we are, the Sky Bet Championship playoff final as Leeds United and Southampton face off.

    The second stop during Wembley’s huge week, Sunday sees the battle for the final spot in next season’s Premier League.

    The stakes are high in what is still the most valuable single game in all of football.

    Often a struggle in the post-season, it is perhaps fitting after such a thrilling season that the teams finishing third and fourth have reached this stage.

    Indeed, after sweeping aside Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion respectively, this is the showdown all fans would have hoped for.

    So who will be heading back to the promised land?

     

    Emphatic

    Nerves? What nerves?

    That was the resounding response from Leeds in dispatching Norwich in the semi-final second leg.

    Given the Canaries’ all-round capitulation, it is hard to know how impressive the 4-0 win was, but it would have cleared a lot of post-season cobwebs.

    Not least for Ilia Gruev, whose tricky set-piece caught West Brom off-guard and triggered the Leeds cruise.

    With both misfiring Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville on the score-sheet also, Daniel Farke would have beaming against his former side.

    However, against the Saints, Leeds must buck the trend of this season.

     

    Measured

    Southampton’s progress was somewhat more thoughtful, but largely, still as comprehensive over West Brom.

    It was again Adam Armstrong the difference at St. Mary’s as the number nine notched a pivotal brace against the Baggies.

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    Armstrong has three goals against the Whites this term, with Will Smallbone also scoring on occasions.

    Russell Martin’s men may not be offered as much of the ball against superior opposition this weekend, but their recent record will give them huge confidence at Wembley.

     

    Betting

    For both these teams this term, goals have been no issue.

    Southampton have won both meetings this season, both games seeing over 2.5 goals.

    However, in a final, there is always the chance punters can be undone with so much riding on the game.

    With that in mind, shots on target will be our prime consideration on Sunday and we’re looking to William Hill for some price specials.

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    Rutter and Summerville both returned to the goals last time out, and both should feature in any plays.

    Meanwhile, the Saints have been given a huge fillip with Che Adams being passed fit for the final, after missing both semi-final legs.

    Together, for Rutter, Gnonto and Adams all to have 1+ shot on target, a 5/2 dash looks promising.

    A longer shot, both Summerville and Armstrong will be key, and an 11/2 punt for both to have OVER 1 shot on target might appeal.

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    Finally, as documented, Smallbone scored both home and away to Leeds this term, but also notched against West Brom in the semi-finals.

    As an anytime scorer, a 21/4 price looks lofty with BetUK, whilst for the midfielder to have just one shot on target, a 5.0 stake will return double profits. Again with ‘Hills.

     

    Leeds United and Southampton meet in the Sky Bet Championship Playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, kick-off 3pm UK time.

  • Emirates FA Cup Final | Haaland poised for Wembley goal-show

    Emirates FA Cup Final | Haaland poised for Wembley goal-show

    Manchester City look to repeat a league and cup double this weekend, in the second-successive all-Manchester Emirates FA Cup final.

    After close to 150 years of tournament history, before last year, City and Manchester had never met. Now in 2024 they do it all again.

    And the Cityzens are sizeable 1/3 favourites to win an 18th trophy under Pep Guardiola, and so completing successive domestic doubles for the first time.

    With a gap of five FA Cup trophies between them, can United level with Arsenal on 13 or will City keep the crown firmly locked up in the cabinet?

     

    Relentless

    City’s final step toward a record fourth-successive Premier League crown was by-and-large, smooth sailing.

    Aside from Mohammed Kudus giving Arsenal brief hope last Sunday, City’s eventual crowning was inevitable.

    Unbeaten in all comps since back in December, the Guardiola juggernaut rolls on unabated, and United are next in the crosshairs.

     

    Swansong?

    In the opposing dugout, the FA Cup final is likely to be final game in charge of Manchester United for Erik ten Hag.

    As reshaping continues behind the scenes, after a season wracked with inconsistencies, the Old Trafford hierarchy reportedly see no future under the Dutchman.

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    United fans remain split down the middle on Ten Hag, but an unlikely win this weekend will at the very least see him silence his doubters and leave the club on a significant high.

    But toppling this City side is just that. Unlikely. In fact as long as 17/2 with Unibet for United to win in 90 mins.

     

    Betting

    As one might expect, the money will be on Erling Haaland to shine on the big stage.

    Having scored three times against the Red Devils this term, it is worth nothing however, City’s viking hitman blanked in the final 12 months ago.

    Haaland is 14/5 with BoyleSports to grab a brace, or for the punter who can only see United pain on Saturday, 12s with Betfred to score a hat-trick.

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    United are not without hopes however, and both Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes will be central to them.

    For both to have 1+ shot on target in 90 mins, 4/1 odds boosted from 3/1 with William Hill are inviting.

     

    Manchester City and Manchester United clash in the Emirates FA Cup final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium, kick-off 3pm.

  • Emirates FA Cup final 2023 | Man City vs Man United | Preview, BestBets

    Emirates FA Cup final 2023 | Man City vs Man United | Preview, BestBets

    After almost 150 years of competition, history will be made in Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final.

    Manchester United and Manchester City have never met in the showpiece Wembley finale; that all changes this weekend.

    With a combined 33 final appearances and nine meetings, the two city rivals meet for the oldest prize in football.

    As potentially half the population of Manchester descends on the capital, who takes home ultimate bragging rights?

     

    City hunt treble

    For City, next weekend’s UEFA Champions League final against Inter will be on their minds.

    Before the chance to finally seal European Cup glory however, The Cityzens first look to complete the second part of their season triple.

    Having overhauled Arsenal to retain their Premier League crown, Wembley is the next stop for Pep Guardiola‘s men.

    Though having last won the FA Cup back in 2019 via a 6-0 drubbing of Watford, City have painful FA Cup memories of Wembley more recently.

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    During the pandemic season the following year, City suffered semi-final defeat to Arsenal.

    But it was seven years before, that they were stunned by Wigan Athletic in the 2013 final.

    This is a very different side but notwithstanding, City have only won the trophy twice since the 1970s.

    However, if Pep wins once more it will be his 11th major domestic trophy in England.

     

    Red Devilry?

    Meanwhile, The Red Devils are looking to seal their own cup double.

    After toppling Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup, Erik Ten Hag can complete an impressive debut season.

    Having taken down the champions back in their last meeting in January also, the Dutchman knows how to get it done.

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    The two sides have met at Wembley in an FA Cup tie before, when a Yaya Toure goal saw City edge a semi-final win in April 2011.

    Only second to Arsenal in the all-time winners list in this tournament, United are looking to close in on The Gunners’ record.

    United will be classed the underdog this weekend but just like the Nerazzurri, Ten Hag can mastermind a upset.

    Eyeing the trophy for a 13th time, will it be unlucky for Man City?

     

    Cup final betting

    Goals look on the cards this weekend and Erling Haaland will be in most betslips.

    Having netted 36 league goals this term, the Norwegian looks primed to add to his tally in the final.

    Scoring a hat-trick against United at the Etihad back in October, Haaland remains in red-hot form.

    A repeat of that looks a task, but for he and Marcus Rashford to have over 1 SOT each, a 4/1 punt with William Hill interests.

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    United have lost three of the last four FA Cup finals, however games versus City often see the form book tossed away.

    If we also consider the more recent Wembley playoff finals, the draw can be backed at 18/5 with QuinnBet.

    A United win with Betfred is long, but are the same 11/2 price with BoyleSports to score in both halves.

  • SkyBet Championship playoff final: Morris 2/1 to score

    SkyBet Championship playoff final: Morris 2/1 to score

    The SkyBet Championship playoff final.

    Quite simply, the most lucrative game anywhere on Planet Football, worth an estimated £265million.

    To the winner the spoils of the Premier League; to the loser, burning disappointment.

    As Coventry City and Luton Town take their turn in the spotlight at Wembley, two sides look to end extensive periods of absence from the top-flight.

    So will there be Sky Blue heaven or Mad Hatter mayhem this Saturday evening in North London?

     

    Hatters looking at history

     

    For Luton Town, for the top-flight now to be within reach for the first time in over three decades is somewhat surreal.

    So to complete the job on Saturday and achieve promotion to the Premier League would be quite the fairytale.

    Some might also say closure, after a rollercoaster period for the club.

    Having dropped out of Division One in 1992 season, the Hatters bore the misfortune of missing out on being a Premier League original by some three months.

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    But that was a mere drop in the ocean for what was to come for the Bedfordshire outfit.

    Having lurked in the Championship until 2006, the following years saw utter turmoil.

    Luton dropped from the second to the fifth tier in two seasons after financial troubles.

    With the club shipping money, The Hatters were then plunged into non-league football where they licked their wounds until 2014.

    Victory on Saturday would be the ultimate sporting tale.

    Indeed, Luton would become the first team in English football history to go from outside the Football League to the Premier League.

     

    Coventry’s similar fable

     

    The story for Coventry is not far off that of their opponents this weekend.

    Having endured their own share of tribulations within the EFL pyramid, its was only six years ago that The Sky Blues were in League Two.

    Having immediately bounced back from relegation however, Coventry have been on a run of momentum ever since and look primed to return to the Premier League after 22 years away.

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    Still under the guidance of former Manchester United midfielder, Mark Robins, some might suggest they are the form team of the moment in the Championship.

    Luton will be a tough nut to crack built on their defence that saw them finish third in the standings, but Coventry might be the punters’ choice at 9/4 with BetUK.

     

    Morris to net

    In the scoring stakes, for Luton, Carlton Morris has been the club’s star forward this term.

    Though its was Elijah Adebayo that fired them to the final, Morris netted in four of the last six league games this term and looks the big man for the part.

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    For Morris to score anytime, a price of 2/1 can be snapped up, or to score first as a 9/2 shot, both with William Hill.

    For other options, there are a number of boosts to catch the eye, including for Luton to be leading at half-time with a price of 5/2 from 9/4 with BoyleSports.