For the final time in 2011 our three wise men of betting put their head together and hunt for value in the weekend sporting markets ahead of QPR’s home game with Manchester United.
A tough first half of the season for our pundits, but as the Betting Column draws to a close for 2011 both seem to finally be heading in the right direction. Another tenner won by Andy last week reduces his losses for the season so far to £95.92 while Brian pulled in more than £100 on his accumulator and trebles bet which, once other losses were deducted, left him on £99.75 for the season.
The pro meanwhile was right to recommend his Asian Handicap bet on QPR at Liverpool.
Another £10 profit last week thanks to Super Robin Van Persie scoring the first (and only goal) for Arsenal against Everton. Both my goal scorer bets in the Liverpool game were void as they didn’t play any part at all, and my accumulator was double busted by Valencia conceding two goals in the 92nd minute, and Olympic Gold Medal Cyclist Chris Foy ruining the Stoke vs. Spurs game.
Last Betting Preview of the year, and it features the Champions of the Championship vs. the Champions of the Premiership. Seeing as I won’t have a chance to lose any money until next year, I’m going to splash some cash around. We’re as high as 7/1 for the win, but alas I can’t see it happening. In fact, I reluctantly agree with one of Clive’s predictions (which means it’s DEFINITELY not going to happen…) that after a spirited early resistance we will end up caving in and losing either 3-0 or 3-1. Those scorelines are available at 23/2 or 13/1 respectively with Unibet.
In terms of first goal scorer, it’s impossible to look beyond Rooney at 3/1 with Bodog, and their anytime goal scorer promotion which has worked so well for me so far. But I’m going to stick a bit of cash on super Heidar Helguson at 10/1 with Bodog as well, as I’m hoping that with Vidic out for the season, and Man United struggling a bit defensively our star striker can bag himself a goal.
Elsewhere, and this is the bit where I normally back Van Persie to score first. However, Van Persie is about to play Man City at the Ethiad stadium, and I don’t fancy his chances much this week. So instead, I’m going to back everyone’s favourite nutter Balotelli to score first in the same game @ 5/1 still with Bodog.
For my accumulator, and a simple fivefold this time, with Chelsea, West Ham, Charlton, Rangers and Real Madrid all to win @ 7/1 with Victor Chandler.
Finally, there are four Premiership games on the Sunday afternoon, and three of them look like possible draws (ours is the obvious exception there…) so I’m going to do a Lucky 15 on the results all being draws. It worked for us both last season, where Brian and myself both won the thick end of £300…
Merry Christmas all of you, and see you in the New Year!
For the Weekend:
Man U to win 3-0 - £5.00 @ 23/2 (unibet)
Man U to win 3-1 - £5.00 @ 13/1 (unibet)
Rooney to score first £5.00 @ 3/1 (bodog)
Helguson to score first - £5.00 @ 10/1 (bodog)
Man City vs. Arsenal - Balotelli to score first - £10 @ 5/1 (bodog)
Fivefold - Chelsea, West Ham, Charlton, Rangers and Real Madrid all to win £10 @ 7/1 (Victor Chandler)
Lucky 15 - QPR vs. Man U, Villa vs. Liverpol, Spurs vs. Sunderland & Man City vs. Arsenal all draws - £15 @ various odds (Victor Chandler)
Is there ever a good time to play Man Utd in the Premier League, well Sunday could be the day. The champions have been grinding out results but the loss of Vidic at the back could cause them problems and we could take advantage I think we will get a point and will have a bet on Heidar to take advantage and score first at 11/1 and the correct score of 2-2 at 22/1.
The big race on Saturday is the Long Run at Ascot and Big Bucks is 1/3 favourite but we won't get rich at those prices so in the 3.05 Reve de Sivola should go well for the Nick Williams yard. In the 3.35 The Ladbroke hurdle top weight Brampour is the Paul Nicholls second string and is worth an each way chance. Looking forward on the 27th the Welsh National takes place and I will put ip Carruthers at 12/1.
I'll finish with the normal four team treble and acca and throw a tenner and four decent homes in the lower league.
Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2012.
For the weekend:
£7.50 Helgusson score first at 11/1
£2.50 correct score 2-2 at 22/1.
£10 win Reve de sivola 305 Ascot 11/2
£2.50 each way Brampour 3.35 Ascot
£5 Welsh National Carruthers at 12/1.
£2 trebles and a £2 acca
Bristol City 11/8
Sheff wed 6/4
Torquay 15/8
Luton 5/4
£10 acca
Charlton 4/7
Oxford 8/11
Shrewsbury 4/6
Swindon 4/5
Previously Advised: £5 double on Dean Winstanley to BDO World Championship 7/1 and Phil Taylor to win PDC Evs
Sunday brings with it one of the games Loftus Road has been waiting to host for some time now. And from a betting point of view, what better time to face Man Utd? Vidic and Hernandez (among others) missing. I would say the loss of Vidic could be huge, but this depends on Helguson being fit and putting in a performance similar to that against the other Manchester based team. Johnny Evans is the likely replacement and he certainly makes Man Utd more vulnerable defensively. In fact the Reds have only kept a clean sheet in one of their last six games. Unfortunately for QPR, the hoops haven't kept a single clean sheet since the infamous win against Chelsea. Therefore, I struggle to see the logic in some betting firms being favourite that both teams DON'T score. Therefore my bet recommendation for the big game is 'BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE' at Evens with Skybet.
Elsewhere, a cracking price on the coupon seems to be Plymouth to beat Hereford at 7/5 with Will Hill. Plymouth have turned a corner - this tends to happen once you get rid of Ridsdale from anywhere near your club!! - and Hereford are on a downward spiral, coinciding with the loss of Stefan Stam at centre-half. With no sign of his return and a rapidly improving Pilgrim team to contend with, Plymouth to beat Hereford at 7/5 is my bet of the weekend.
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