specials betting

With Liverpool’s exit from the FA Cup to struggling Championship side Reading, Reds boss Rafa Benitez must now be fearing the moment when his name is taken off the door his Anfield office. This latest disaster follows an early exit from the Champions League and the Carling Cup. From their current league position, it looks as if they will struggle to take fourth place in the Premier League, meaning that they could miss out on the Champions League completely next season. The board have been patient with Benitez, and the players have rallied around him before, but is this now the final nail in the coffin of his Anfield tenure? If not, is the hammer hovering? The people filtering out of the Kop on Wedneday night, after Reading deservedly won the match in Extra Time, will probably want to see him gone sooner rather than later. Fan pressure counts for a lot.

It has been a tough season for Liverpool, and quite a fall from grace from recent times. Just over a year ago they were serious challengers for the Premier League title, and they were a side to be reckoned with in the Champions League. All that has changed though, with directionless performances from what looks like a sub-standard team in terms of quality. Now to compound their woes, star striker Fernando Torres is out for six weeks as he needs to undergo a knee operation, and captain Steven Gerrard is also going to be in the treatment room for a couple of weeks after picking up an injury. Lack of full fitness to their two star peformers has caused them problems all season, primarily highlighting the fact that there is lack of quality in depth at the club.

So how long now will Benitez be at Anfield? Naturally the betting world is jumping all over this, but a statement from Managing Director Christian Purslow, has said that his position is safe. Is that merely the dreaded vote of confidence? Liverpool’s next game is on the weekend at Stoke, and could be a real minefield if they fail to come away with a win. Following that, they have to take on the high flying Tottenham at home. With these games on the horizon, the new and improved Ladbrokes have a very particular bet, which is “Liverpoool not to beat Stoke and Benitez to leave job before midnight Sunday, January 17th” all for the price of 7/1.

Expekt are offering 9/10 on him to go between 19/01/2010 and 22/05/2010 inclusive.
BetFred offer 10/1 on Benitez to leave before the match against Tottenham on January 20th.

Stan James are offering 13/8 on Benitez being the manager on the 1st Day of Next Season, while offering 12/5 on “Any Other Manger”. Kenny Dalglish incidentally is 7/2 with Stan James to be Manager on 1st Day of Season (same price as Jose Mourinho). The real big question though, maybe not when Spaniard Benitez goes, but if he does, who will replace him? This is where the fun really starts, with Victor Chandler offering a list of potential next managers. Jose Mourhino and Kenny Dalgish are at 3/1, while Guus Hiddink is offered at 10/3. Fancy Gerard Houllier coming back? He is at 10/1. The list goes on, including names such as Martin O’Neill, David Moyes, Harry Redknapp and Alex McLeish, who, to be fair, it is hard to see them leaving their current positions. For some reason, the name that caught my eye was Didier Deschamps at 33/1, as he would probably bring some of the good passing football that is associated with Liverpool. Or maybe Sven Goran Eriksson at 50/1 would be the man to fill the hot-seat? Check out Victor Chandler for a comprehensive list.

Boylesports are taking a slightly different approach to the whole situation, by offering odds on “What Will Happen First?” for Liverpool specials:
Liverpool to win major trophy with another manager – 4/7
Liverpool win major trophy with Rafa Benitez – 11/4
Rafa Benitez wins major trophy with another team – 7/2

The miserable season of course though, doesn’t just affect the manager. One way Benitez would probably be able to invest in some new players, would be to sell off his star striker, Fernando Torres. He would command millions all across Europe, and Boylesports offer 1/6 for Torres to be playing in the English Premier League next season, and 7/2 on him being in the Spanish Primera Liga.

Sol Campbell is looking likely to step back into an Arsenal shirt. He has been hanging around the footballing wilderness as a free agent after being released from his five year contract at Notts County after just a month or so. League Two football clearly wasn’t right for the big man, and after eating up column inches in the back pages of the tabloids about where he will end up, it looks as if he will sign with his old team Arsenal, at club at which he spent 5 years. This is something of a surprise, as age is not on Campbell’s side, but he turned out for the Gunners reserves, playing 45 minutes, and now the speculation is that he will be signed as cover for the Arsenal defence.

Clearly this would be no long term signing, but can his experience add something to the Gunner’s charge for the title. Campbell won the Premier League twice in his spell at the North London side, and Championship leaders Newcastle looked favourite to sign him at one point. But it seems as if he is going back to the scene of some of his most successful football. Arsene Wenger is still full of praise for Campbell, especially about his commitment and passion for the beautiful game. Whether he is fit enough to play 90 minutes in the Premier League will be Wenger’s call of course, but that is not a role for which he will be signed.

Campbell will be a stop gap in covering for the main core of the Arsenal back four, which is William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen. Philippe Senderos has been sending out not-too-subtle signs that he wants to leave the Emirates, so Campbell will add some cover if that is happen during the January transfer window. Campbell, on a short term contract, would probably be cheaper than Wenger going shopping for a starting centre-half, which is something the Frenchman is not too keen on doing. He doesn’t often go flashing the cash around. It buys him time to let some of  his youngsters develop further.

But it is with the Arsenal coaching team that Campbell has been training, since his short lived tenure at Notts County. He is undoubtedly a presence and can bring some valuable international experience, and a winning attitude to the Gunners. Arsenal’s next Premier League match is on Sunday at Bolton. Just how much difference will Campbell make if he does sign? Arsenal have a tie against FC Porto in the First Knockout Stage of the Champions League and sit third in the Premier League, just three points behind leaders Chelsea. This is a great opportunity to look at Arsenal now, and some special bets that you can pick up on them from around the many online bookmakers. How much could the presence of Campbell affect these outcomes?

Premier League January 17th
Bolton to win: 11/2 at Paddy Power
Draw: 3/1 at Bet365
Arsenal to win: 4/7 at SkyBet

Arsenal to Win Premier League:
9/2 at BetFred

Arsenal to Win Champions League:
10/1 at Coral

Next Arsenal Permanent Manager (at Victor Chandler)
Martin O’Neill – 10/1
Guus Hiddink -12/1
Jose Mourinho – 12/1
Boro Primorac – 16/1

Trophy Multiples
No Trophies – 4/9 at Paddy Power
Win a Major Trophy – 7/4 at Coral

The world of betting does not have to revolve solely around sporting events. Bookmakers give you the opportunity to make money in all aspects of life, and therefore cruising the “Specials” section of an Online Bookmaker, can throw up some interesting betting markets to have a punt on. The “Specials” section of Online Bookmakers, will usually run with opportunities from Reality TV, special awards such as the Sports Personality of the Year and Oscars, down to Politics and which parties will win what seats in which constituency. They may not be visited very often, but there can be some real gems in there, and most of all, these are the types of bets upon which you can have a bit of fun flutter. Most online bookmakers will have this section, and it may just be worthwhile dipping in to it.

With betting touching upon most aspects of life, let us take a look over the Special type of bet which can be found at your Online Bookmaker:

TV Reality: With the era of reality television shows, you can follow an entire series both voting on which people to eliminate from whichever competition it is, as well as backing up your choices by putting your money where your phone vote is. Simon Cowell’s X-Factor continues to be one of the most sought after betting markets in Reality TV, and this year it is all down to the final three. The favourite of the trio is Joe McElderry who is at the short odds of 1/2 at Stan James. The other two competitors are the oddly named Olly Murs 9/2 at Totesport, and Stacey Solomon is bringing up the rear in terms of betting at 5/1 at SkyBet. There are also plenty of other X Factor betting options, like winning manager, and the Final Two.
Another popular Reality TV show is Strictly Come Dancing, which again gives you a chance to pick up a "Brucie Bonus" as celebrities try and dance their way to success. Like X-Factor, this competition is down to the final three. Sports newscaster Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan are the favourites for this year’s event, at a price of 8/11 at BetFred. Ex-Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian and partner Brian Fortuna can be taken at 9/4 with Bet365, and other Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle with Natalie Lowe are best priced at 5/1 at PaddyPower.

Miss World 2009
This takes place on December 12, so there is still some time to get some betting done. This showcase of feminine beauty is the biggest ever in terms of competitors, but the sports books still have a pretty good idea who is going to win out. After all, in a field of runners, there has to be a favourite. So what we have this year, is a flood of backing for Miss Puerto Rico 15/8 at BetFred and Miss Mexico 9/4 at Blue Square, who are the favourites to take the title. The UK in the market, is best represented by Miss Scotland, Katharine Brown 25/1 at Boylesports. Miss England, Katrina Hodge, a former member of the army is a long way out at 80/1 with Paddy Power. She is a replacement for Rachel Christie who was crowned Miss England, but had to step down after a host of allegations about her getting into a punch up. With a bevy of 112 women to chose from, narrowing the field is going to be somewhat difficult. Best bet would be try and find some live in running betting if possible for the competition, which is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Alternatively look for each-way bets, or top three fnishes. Miss Costa Rica is an extremely nice outside bet at 40/1 at Bet365, and Miss France is a stunning 14/1 at Boylesports.

Christmas
There is always the popular bet of whether it will be a White Christmas or not. Paddy Power offers 7/2 on a White Christmas in London, and an amusing 1/6 at Paddy Power for Moscow to have one. For this White Christmas market, you bet for or against it happening in a host of cities across the world. One other famous Christmas betting market, is of course, the coveted spot of having the Christmas Number One Single. The frightening list as far as music connoisseurs go, is this: X Factor Winner 2/7 at BetFred, Rage Against the Machine – 10/3 at SkyBet, Miley Cyrus – 20/1 at William Hill, The Muppets – 33/1 at SkyBet and Susan Boyle – 33/1 at BetFred. Other Christmas markets available are things such as What The Queen Will Say First, Top Christmas TV Special, Number One Album, Number One DVD, Number One Toy and Number One Sports Autobiography. There is also a field for the first Eligible Bachelor to Get Engaged, which is Colin Farrell 11/8 at Paddy Power.

Sports Personality of the Year
This happens on the weekend as well, as the general British populous get to vote on who exactly who they perceive to be the best British Athlete to capture the imagination of the public. Jenson Button 10/11 at 888Sport is the clear favourite, after winning the Formula One Driver’s World Championship. One nominee to watch out for though is Heptathlon star Jessica Ennis 11/2 at 888Sport. She has taken on the world in tough sport and has triumphed, and is a good bet to at least get in the top three. The same can be said of Manchester United’s footballer Ryan Giggs 3/1 at BetFred, as he will probably get in the top three at least.

Eurovision
Yes it is early as the 2010 Eurovision does not take place until next May. But, if a bit of Terry Wogan and Eurovision is your thing, you can get on the track early. Both the UK and Ireland can be taken to win at 33/1 at Boylesports