betting

English Premier League

Saturday 16th May 12.45

Manchester United v Arsenal

Man United know that if they win on Saturday, they will secure their 3^rd league title in a row, and their 11^th English Premiership since the league’s formation in 1992. Their opponents are a side who were their closest rivals for the best part of the last decade.

United may not have been as fluent as they were in the preceding couple of seasons, but they have been equally, if not more, effective. This year’s success has been built around a steely determination which has seen them all but fight off the fierce challenge of North West neighbours, Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has had a solid spine right through their season. Veteran goalkeeper, Edwin Van de Saar, has been ably supported by central defenders, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. This trio of players have been excellent when together, and are essential to any future successes. The central midfield has been more varied and the likes of Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher have all excelled, as has Anderson, who having missed much of the season through injury, has injected a little bit more energy and creativity in the last couple of months. Wayne Rooney has been consistently brilliant whilst Cristiano Ronaldo, despite not being fit for the first 3 months of the season, sits on top of the goalscoring chart with 18 EPL goals to his name.

For Arsenal, Arsene Wenger especially, the end of the season cannot come quick enough after a dismal last month. Everything looked rosy for the North London club when they knocked out Villareal to reach the semi finals of the Champions League to go along with reaching the last four of the FA Cup and having secured the 4^th Champions League spot. However, defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively, have quickly ended any hope of securing their first piece of silverware since 2005. Their misery was further compounded last weekend, when their FA Cup conquerors, Chelsea, powered past them, triumphing 4-1 at the Emirates. The fans are beginning to grow restless with Wenger’s refusal to spend big money on established players, preferring to nurture and develop a group of youngsters instead.

It was only 10 days ago when these two last met in the 2^nd leg of the Champions League. That game was virtually over in the first 10 minutes when United went 2-0 up on the night, and 3-0 on aggregate. Over the two legs, the gap in quality and power between the two sides was as big as it’s been for over a decade. The United players looked dominant all over the park and thoroughly deserved their impressive victory.

United will want to win the title as soon as possible and it would be extra special for Ferguson and his players to win it against their old foes, Arsenal. With the Champions League final coming up in less than a fortnight, winning the title at the first opportunity will be of paramount importance in order to allow the manager to rest some key players. The fans will also expect them to do it in style so tuck into the 4/6/

My selections: Manchester United to beat Arsenal

Best odds available: 4/6 withCoral

For those of you preferring a bit more value, there are a couple of other bets which appeal.

Due to the noticeable gap between the two sides in the Champions league and the fact United can win the league tomorrow, they look rather big with StanJames at 2/1 minus a goal on the Handicap.

Also, Cristiano Ronaldo is going for his 2^nd top goalscorer award in consecutive seasons. He is currently tied on 18 with Nicholas Anelka of Chelsea. Ronaldo has a good record against Arsenal, he notched 2 at the Emirates in the Champions League, whilst he also scored in the same fixture last season. The 11/10 with William Hill looks well worth taking for him to score at anytime during the game.

Other selections:

Manchester United -1 at 2/1 with Stanjames

C. Ronaldo to score anytime at 11/10 withWilliamHill

Sports betting week 11 - 17 March

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
12-13 May		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
13 May		FIGC	Rom	Cup Final
13 May		RFEF	Valencia	Cup Final
13 May		FFF	France	Ligue 1
16-18 May		FA	England	Premier League
16-17 May		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
16-17 May		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
16-17 May		FFF	France	Ligue 1
16-17 May		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
9-15 May		WTA	Madrid	Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open
10-16 May		ATP	Madrid	Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open

Saturday 9^th May

Scottish Premier League

Kilmarnock v Falkirk

Just concentrating on one game again this week and that game takes place at Rugby Park where Kilmarnock entertain a Falkirk side in a match that should go some way to determining both sides end of season fate.

Kilmarnock come into this match just 3 points ahead of bottom club Falkirk having lost to Hamilton last weekend whilst today’s visitors collected maximum points at home to Motherwell, despite going down to ten men late on. Killie are in turmoil off the park; the club are around £15m in debt and their chairman has previously stated that if they were to be relegated, there is a good chance that they may not even survive. There have also been rumours this week that even if the club do survive, any player that they can get a fee for will be sold on. This is clearly not good for morale and last week’s showing at Hamilton illustrates that. It was a very poor performance and the score flattered the Ayrshire club.

Falkirk have had a very poor season considering they finished in 7^th position the previous year and the quality of player they signed in the summer. Falkirk’s quality of squad is not in question; the Bairns have made it through to the Scottish Cup final which proves they are a good side. The pressure of the league has obviously gotten to the team and it has affected performances and results. John Hughes side know that they cannot lose this match today if they are to play in the SPL next year. Kilmarnock, along with St Mirren, are their nearest rivals which leaves no margin of error today.

There may be mitigating circumstances for such a poor performance by Kilmarnock last week, with players such as Kevin Kyle, Manuel Pascali and David Fernandez all missing. They are big players for them and will add some much needed quality tomorrow. That being said, there was no heart, commitment or desire last Saturday, and a lot will need to change, quickly, for the visit of a Falkirk side who have won back to back matches, rather convincingly. They also welcome back a couple of players, although Hughes may decide to go with the players who performed so well last weekend.

Both sides met, at Rugby Park, a month ago, a game which saw a Kyle hat-trick earn the home side all 3 points. Falkirk, however, had won 2 of their last 3 visits to the ground before then. The last fixture will give hope to Jim Jefferies and his side, which proves they are able to get the better of the Bairns. They also know that if they do win, they will extend their 3 point advantage to 6 with another 2 home games left to play. Falkirk are the form team and that goes for a lot in these matches where confidence is everything.

Football’s a funny old game and I’m taking Falkirk to avenge their 3-0 defeat on their last visit to Ayrshire.

My selection: Falkirk to beat Kilmarnock

Best odds available: 13/5 available atBet365

Good luck and Happy punting

Sports betting week 27 April - 3 March

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
28-29 Apr		UEFA	Europe	CL-Cup half-finals - 1st leg
30 Apr		UEFA	Europe	UEFA-Cup half-finals - 1st lege
2-4 May		FA	England	Premier League
1-3 May		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
2-3 May		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
2-3 May		FFF	France	Ligue 1
3 May		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
27 Apr-2 May		WTA	Stuttgart	Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
27 Apr-2 May		WTA	Fes	Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem
27 Apr-3 May		ATP	Rome	Internazionali BNL d'Italia

Sports betting week 20 - 26 April

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
21-23 Apr		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
25-27 Apr		FA	England	Premier League
25-26 Apr		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
24-26 Apr		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
25-26 Apr		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
24-26 Apr		FFF	France	Ligue 1
25-26 Apr		WTA	worldwide	Fed Cup Semi-finals
20-26 Apr		ATP	Barcelona	Open Sabadell Atl?ntico 2008
26 Apr		FIA	Sakhir	Grand Prix of Bahrain

Saturday 18^th April

English Championship

Swansea v Bristol City

Both sides can still reach the play-offs mathematically, but only one can do so realistically. Swansea are 5 points behind Burnley whilst City are a further 4 points behind. Ipswich’s equalizer on Monday should prove fatal for Gary Johnson’s promotion bid and another season in the England’s 2^nd tier beckons.

I’ve tipped Swansea enough for everyone to know their home record (only two defeats all season) so I won’t repeat myself further. They are unbeaten in their last 4 matches but more importantly, have won their last two. A battling win over Norwich at home, was followed by an excellent away victory at Barnsley on Easter Monday. Roberto Martinez’s side are benefiting from the end of season parks by continuing to play their quick passing game whilst other teams are struggling to deal with the fiery playing surfaces.

Bristol City are on a poor run of form just at the wrong stage of the season. After a strong run from January onwards, they have slipped of late and failed to win in their last 6. City have also lost their last 4 on the road which does not bode well for tomorrow’s match.

The Swans have won 2 of their last 3 and have continued to make the Liberty stadium a fortress. A win tomorrow will strengthen their hope of reaching the play-offs. I think that there is an air of acceptance around Bristol City’s supporters and players which was illustrated on Monday when they conceded the equalizer. A Swansea win tomorrow will definitely end City’s season and I expect that to be the case.

My selection: Swansea to beat Bristol City

Best odd’s available: 4/5 with Betfred

English League 1

Leeds United v Tranmere Rovers

Another tussle involving sides seeking promotion, this time in League 1 with a match between 5^th placed Leeds up against 6^th placed Tranmere.

Leeds suffered their first defeat in 12 matches after conceding a goal 2 minutes into injury time against league leaders, Leicester on Monday. They were desperately unlucky to come away with nothing and tomorrow’s match is sure to be a test of character. Their home record is exceptional however, especially recently. United have only won their last 8 at Elland Road, defeating the likes of MK Dons, Peterborough and Millwall on their way.

Tranmere have had a very good season thus far and seem to be coming with a good run of form at exactly the right time. Unbeaten in 5 (winning four of them), they have won two of their last 3, drawing the other match. Ronnie Moore’s side have built their season on their impressive home record but are now beginning to pick up more points on the road. Their recent away wins however, have tended to come against sides below them in the league (Walsall and Oldham) whilst struggling to gain points against sides directly above them, losing away to MK Dons, Millwall and Leicester.

Tomorrow’s match is sure to be an enthralling encounter and both sides will no doubt be looking to win to cement their place within the play-offs. I just feel that Leeds have an extra bit of quality with the likes of Jermaine Beckford and Fabian Delph in their ranks. A passionate and noisy Leeds faithful can roar their side on to another home win and make it 9 in a row.

My selection: Leeds to beat Tranmere

Best odds available: 4/5 with Coral

English Premier

Sunderland v Hull City

A real relegation 6 points takes place on Saturday at the Stadium of Light when 17^th placed Sunderland play host to 15^th placed Hull City.

Both sides know that they can ill-afford to lose this match tomorrow as teams around them face games where they will expect to pick up points. With that in mind, tomorrow’s match is sure to be a nervous one with experience and proven Premiership quality going to be extremely important.

Sunderland were narrowly defeated by Man United at home last weekend, the difference being a fortunate deflection off Frederico Macheda. Their manager, players and supporters know that it is not those matches which will save them, it is the games against teams in and around them that will ultimately determine their fate. They can take great heart from their performance last Saturday and know that if they can deliver a similar one tomorrow, they will be well placed to pick up a vital 3 points.

After an excellent first half of the season, Hull have slipped back and are now in a position that most people expected them to be in when they won promotion last season. Phil Brown has done an excellent job this term and whatever happens from now until the end of the season, City fans will have had a memorable first year in the Premiership. Losing last week to Middlesborough was a sore one as they themselves had not won in an age.

Sunderland are at the foot of the form table with no wins in 6 whilst Hull have the solitary success in that time. I just feel that the home side have proven Premiership experience and quality in the likes of Richardson, Cisse and Jones which should just see them collect 3 points in a nervy and pressure soaked atmosphere.

My selection: Sunderland to beat Hull

Best odds available: 10/11 with bet365

Sports betting week 13 - 19 April

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
14-15 Apr		UEFA	Europe	CL-Cup quarter-finals - 2nd leg
16 Apr		UEFA	Europe	UEFA-Cup quater-finals - 2nd leg
18-19 Apr		FA	England	Premier League
18-19 Apr		FA	England	FA Cup Semi Finals
17-19 Apr		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
18-19 Apr		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
18-18 Apr		FFF	France	Ligue 1
18-19 Apr		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
12-17 Apr		WTA	Barcelona	Barcelona Ladies Open
13-18 Apr		WTA	Charleston, SC	Family Circle Cup
13-19 Apr		ATP	Monte Carlo	Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters
19 Apr		FIA	Shanghai	Grand Prix of China

Sports betting week 6 - 12 April

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
7-8 Apr		UEFA	Europe	CL-Cup quarter-finals - 1st leg
9 Apr		UEFA	Europe	UEFA-Cup quarter-finals - 1st leg
11-12 Apr		FA	England	Premier League
11-12 Apr		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
11-12 Apr		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
11-12 Apr		FFF	France	Ligue 1
11-12 Apr		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
6-11 Apr		WTA	Ponte Vedra Beach, FL	MPS Group Championships
6-12 Apr		ATP	Casablanca	Grand Prix Hassan II
6-12 Apr		ATP	Houston	U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships
9-12 Apr		PGA	Augusta	Masters Tournament

Sports betting week 30 March - 5 April

Date	Sport	Org.	Venue	Event
28 Mar-1 Apr		FIFA	worldwide	WC-Qualification matches
4-5 Apr		FA	England	Premier League
3-5 Apr		DFB	Germany	Bundesliga
5 Apr		RFEF	Spain	Primera Division
5 Apr		FIGC	Italy	Serie A
4-5 Apr		FFF	France	Ligue 1
25-30 Mar		WTA	Miami, FL	Sony Ericsson Open
25-31 Mar		ATP	Miami, FL	Sony Ericsson Open
5 Apr		FIA	Kuala Lumpur	Grand Prix of Malaysia
2-4 Apr		AR	Aintree	John Smith's Grand National