online sports betting news

Forget about Christmas shopping, putting up those shelves or visiting the relatives this Sunday, there is a feast of football and tennis action taking place, with the betting opportunities being endless!

On the football front, they don’t come any bigger than Barcelona v Real Madrid, with the bookmakers going 10/11 (Stan James) that Pep Guardiola’s team regain top spot in the Primera Liga. However, some of the more recent El Clasico matches have shown that the form book goes out of the window, and that these are the ideal sort of matches for In-Play betting. Bet365 will be offering over 50 live markets for the clash of the Spanish giants through a dynamic In-Play console which is created by their own technology. With Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka all likely to feature, this could be an explosive encounter.

Meanwhile, the English Premier League has some humdingers of its own, and we’re not just talking about Wolves v Birmingham at midday. After the Midlands derby, we have the prospect of a Merseyside derby and then a very hot London derby in the form of Arsenal v Chelsea. Interestingly, Boylesports have created a promotion called ‘ A Perfect Match’ where bets on either derby are refunded if the games finish by the same scoreline. We like the idea of both matches finishing 1-0 to both away teams.

In addition, Paddy Power have created a money-back special for the game at the Emirates. Didier Drogba has regularly been a thorn in Arsenal’s side over the past few seasons and the Irish bookmaker will refund losing 1st / last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets if the Ivorian scores the last goal of the game. Something to keep every punter interested throughout the course of the match.

Naturally, there will be a stack of pre-match betting opportunities for the three Premier League matches on Sunday, with William Hill offering a breathtaking 98 markets for the games. For the Everton v Liverpool game, the scorer market incorporates first goal, last goal, anytime, to score two and hat-trick. However, it’s with their Goal Markets that Hills really go to town, offering 65 markets. These includes odds on Race to 2 Goals, Goal in Last 10 Minutes and the intriguing Timecast bet. Sometimes it’s worth digging around for extra value.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget the climax of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, where we might well witness Andy Murray playing Roger Federer in the final. Bookmakers such as bet365 and Ladbrokes will be streaming this match on Sunday, as they have with every other match that’s comprised the tournament. You can bet on markets like match winner, along with who will take the next set, game and even point!

Just where will your money be going on Sunday?

Bet on this Weekend’s Sport

Goodison Park is the scene for the first Merseyside derby of the season with the red half of the city already dreaming of a first Premiership title following an excellent start to the season. They will be looking to overhaul current leaders Arsenal, who will want to continue their recent goal spree when they welcome Hull to the Emirates on Saturday. Two sides looking to break into the top four meet at Fratton Park on Sunday when Spurs visit Portsmouth, although the top four is a distant dream to Spurs at the moment as they are bottom of the Premiership. In the final Premiership game of the weekend Manchester City travel the short distance to Wigan as they look to put recent their cup woes behind them and continue their good start to the league at the JJB stadium on Sunday.

Everton v Liverpool, Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 12:45pm

Although it may no longer be the "friendly derby" of days gone by, the Merseyside derby still has a special atmosphere compared to other derby’s across the country. It still splits families down the middle between Red and Blue, and there is still mixing of fans in the stands, something unheard of in any other derby. The atmosphere has always been white hot, however, and that will no doubt be the situation when the two sides of Liverpool meet for the 208th time on Saturday afternoon. Last season’s corresponding fixture at Goodison was a fiery affair with both Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville both being sent off for Everton, and Dirk Kuyt lucky not to follow them following a horrific two footed tackle on Neville. Liverpool won 2-1 thanks to Kuyt penalty; a decision which infuriated Everton fans denied a spot kick after Jamie Carragher wrestled Joleon Lescott to the floor.

Everton are 11/4 with VC Bet to gain early bragging rights on Merseyside this season, while Liverpool are 11/10 with Centrebet to take the points back across Stanley Park.

If Ryan Babel scores at anytime during Everton v Liverpool, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

Arsenal v Hull City, Saturday, Setanta Sports 1, 5:30pm

Hull will be hopeful of continuing their impressive start to the season when they take their unbeaten away record to North London on Saturday tea time. They will face a Arsenal side defending a 100% home record, and who have scored 21 goals in their last six games. That included six in midweek against Sheff Utd when Arsene Wenger decided to introduce some exciting new youngster. Nineteen year old Mexican Carlos Vela led the way with a hat trick, and he was supported by 16 year old Jack Wilshere and Nicklas Bendtner. Wilshire scored his first senior goal while Bendtner, a relative old head at 20, also got in on the act with two goals. Hull have made an impressive start to their Premiership life, losing only one of their opening six games. Last weeks 2-2 draw with Everton actually came as a disappointment for the Tigers, as they had been leading the game 2-0 with twenty minutes to go. Michael Turner and a Phil Neville own goal put them in a commanding position, but two quick fire goals form Cahill and Leon Osman salvaged a point for the Toffees.

Arsenal are big favourites with BGbet at 1/5, with Hull City big outsiders with Pagebet at 9/1.

If Carlos Vela scores at anytime during Arsenal v Hull City, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur, Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 1:30pm

Portsmouth entertain Tottenham at Fratton Park on Sunday as they search for their first Premier League win since August. Defence is the main area Pompey will be focusing on in the build up to this game, having shipped 10 goals in their last two games. Six of those came in their last Premiership outing at Manchester City, although up until Robinho’s goal on 57 minutes that put City 3-0 up, the game was finely poised. However in the final 30 minutes Portsmouth capitulated under constant City pressure, and were grateful for the final whistle. Tottenham have endured a tough start to the new season, although recent cup results may have restored some much needed confidence. 2-1 wins in both the UEFA and Carling Cup in the last week has lifted some of the gloom surrounding White Hart Lane, and they will look to re-start their Premiership campaign on the back of those wins.

Portsmouth are 5/4 with Pagebet to make home advantage count, and BetWithRed make Spurs the 7/4 slight outsiders to record their first Premiership win of the campaign.

If Nwanko Kanu scores at anytime during Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

If Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur finishes 0-0 BGbet will refund all losing correct score bets on that game.¹

Wigan Athletic v Manchester City, Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 4:00pm

Wigan were one of the few Premiership sides to come through their midweek Carling Cup games comfortable, as they strolled to a 4-1 win over Ipswich at Portman Road. There seems to be a new found sense of confidence among Steve Bruce’s side as they have started the new campaign well, with just one defeat so far. Since a defeat to Chelsea in the second week of the season they have recorded some big wins over Hull and Notts. County in the Cup, as well as some hard fought draws to Sunderland and Spurs. They face an Manchester City side still coming to terms to being dumped out of the Carling Cup this week by Brighton. After drawing 1-1 in the 90 minutes, and 2-2 after extra time, they were eventually beaten 5-3 on penalties. City had been looking to seal the win in 90 minutes thanks to Gelson Fernandes 64th minute strike, but Glenn Murray equalised a minute from time to force the extra thirty minutes. The League One side then took the lead five minutes into extra time and looked to be heading for victory themselves until Steven Ireland, temporarily, spared City’s blushes in the 107th minute. They will be looking to bounce back here and continue their good start to the league.

Wigan are 2/1 outsiders at Centrebet, as VC Bet make Manchester City favourites at 11/8.

If Ched Evans scores at anytime during Wigan Athletic v Manchester City, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

Place a Correct Score bet on any Premier League match this weekend, and if it gets beat by an Injury time goal, BGbet will refund your losing correct score stakes on that game.¹

1st SCORER 2nd CHANCE
Applies to all Premier League matches this weekend

Place a First Goal scorer bet and if your player fails to score the first goal but scores at any other time in the match VC Bet will refund your stake as a free bet on any future match.²

Can you beat Victor?

A return to the Premier League for Beat Victor this week – simply make your predictions on four of the weekend’s matches. You will receive a mythical £1 win on each selection and the tipster with the largest overall return wins a £500 free bet!

Every tipster that Beats Victor’s return wins a £5 free bet!

Victor’s selections are…
Everton v Liverpool: 1-1
Arsenal v Hull: 4-0
Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur: 2-1
Wigan v Manchester City: 2-2

Entry is free, simply register and open an account to take on Victor today!3

Weekend Racing from Ascot, Live on BBC 1, Saturday

The Queen Elizabeth II stakes tops an impressive card at Ascot this Saturday, with seven runners lining up at 4:15pm. Henrythenavigator is the favourite at 11/8 with BGbet, although Tamayuz and Raven’s Pass are also heavily fancied. Having won four races in succession till his last outing at Longchamp in France, Aidan O’Brian’s charge is in an impressive run of form that has rightly seen him installed as favourite here. Jockey Johnny Murtagh has ridden all of those winners since May this year, and is onboard again here. Tamayuz travels to Ascot on the back of its first Group One win in Deauville, France a month ago. That was his third win form four starts this year, and has led to VC Bet installing him as 13/8 second favourite here at Ascot. Raven’s Pass was also a winner last time out at Goodwood following a string of second places, and with jockey Jimmy Fortune in the saddle again BetWithRed make them 7/2 for a repeat performance.

Like favourite Henrythenavigator, Honoured Guest is from the Aidan O’Brian stables, who will be looking to repeat their 2006 success when George Washington came home as the 13/8 favourite. Although Honoured Guest has been out of sorts recently, it had two impressive wins in the early part of last season, can it find its form again to bring home another winner to the O’Brian stables. It will have to upset all the form to do so, and as such is a huge 200/1 outsider at VC Bet .

Pagebet and BGbet are both running great refund offers at Ascot this weekend.

Place a win bet on any horse at Ascot this Saturday and if your selection loses in a PHOTO FINISH in ANY race at Ascot on Saturday, Pagebet will refund your losing stake.4

If your horse gets beaten by a short-head or nose in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday (4:15pm), BGbet will refund your stake in the form of free bets.5

Racing fans get better odds than the SP every time guaranteed with Centrebet. SP+ offers you one roll over the official SP and is available on every meeting from the UK and South Africa, round the clock, 7 days a week.

Open an account with any of the following bookmakers and receive a free bet:
Pagebet     £25 Free Bet     VC Bet     £100 in Free Bets
Centrebet     £20 Free Bet     BGbet     £100 Free Bet
BetWithRed     £100 in Free Bets            

Odds subject to fluctuation – Odds taken at 12.00pm on 26/09/2008

1. Refunds will be in the form of free bets. Maximum stake £50. Singles only. Web customers only.

2. Maximum refund £100 per person per match. Applies to singles only, placed via telephone, internet or mobile. Does not apply to in-running bets. Free bets credited within 48 hours.

3. Visit www.beatvictor.com for full terms & conditions

4. .Max refund £50. Must be a winning single bet only .There must be an official racecourse photo finish as called by the judges .Winning/losing distance must be either a ‘nose’ or a ‘short-head’ .Losing stakes that qualify will be refunded within 24 hours

5. T&C’s

    * Min Stake £5, Max Stake £50
    * Bets must be placed after 10am Saturday
    * Singles only
    * Win or Each Way
    * Web Customers only
    * Free bets will be available from Monday 10am