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Best Bets of the Day – Sunday December 2nd 2018

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Arsenal v Spurs
Premier League – 2.05 pm
Sky Sports

When Arsenal upped sticks and moved from Plumstead into North London back in 1913, it created one of the greatest rivalries in football. They had encroached on Tottenham territory with their move and thankfully they did because it leaves us with mouth-watering rivalry showdowns in the North London derby. It’s on on Sunday once again and the Gunners will be looking to make it back to back home wins over their rivals.

Unai Emery’s men are a general 13/8 at top bookmakers to achieve that victory. Arsenal are actually unbeaten in their last seven home games against Tottenham so have a bit of wind in their sails on home soil in the North London derby. But then again it is so hard to write off Spurs and a glance at their away form in the Premier League this season is a clear testament to that. The Lilywhites have posted a W7 L1 record in their eight away games this season, in what is a stunning record. Will they be able to improve upon that as they head to the Emirates where they are at 7/4 to pull off the win?

Liverpool v Everton
Premier League – 4:15 pm
Sky Sports

If once fierce rivalry for a day isn’t enough then following the North London derby in the Premier League attention shifts north for the Merseyside derby. It’s going to be a lot to absorb in the Best Bets of the Day! Liverpool, who lost in the UEFA Champions League at PSG in midweek will be looking to defend their unbeaten record in this season’s Premier League. Their form at Anfield has seen them drop just the two points in six fixtures (a draw against leaders Man City) and the defence of the Reds has seen them concede just the once on home soil.

Everton have made clear improvements under new boss Marco Silva and they are ten points better off than they were at this stage of last season’s campaign. So credit where credit is due but they are looking to end a massive 17 match winless streak in the Merseyside derby against their rivals. It’s been a long wait. Are the Toffees overdue one? Who is the one club in the league that Liverpool would least like to lose their unbeaten record to? Their neighbours from across Stanley Park. The Toffees are going to have to overcome massive 8/1 underdog odds though in opposition to the Reds who are odds on favourites.

Cleveland @ Houston
NFL 6.30 pm
Sky Sports

You can while away the hours on Sunday evening by dipping into a bit of NFL action from across the pond. Sky Sports have AFC action with the Texans playing host to the Cleveland Browns. Houston are in control of the AFC East with an 8-3 record on the board and after their slow start to the season have strung together eight straight victories. With home soil advantage for the weekend, it’s little surprise on the back of that they are going as a general odds-on price of 2/5 for the win with the top bookmakers.

The Browns had a big day out last weekend as they snapped a 25 match losing streak away from home with a victory in Cincinnati. Now that they have put that miserable record behind them, can they go and pull out back to back road wins? The odds may be against them but this season, they are already four wins better off than they were after eleven games of last season. That is the joint-biggest increase (alongside Houston) this term. Cleveland have lost their last four against the Texans and have been outscored 102-42 in those games, but just as last week proved, streaks can easily be snapped.

Don’t forget to follow the best of the live bets of the day right here with us.

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Best Bets of the Day – Saturday December 1st, 2018

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Sheffield United v Leeds
Championship – 12.30 pm
SkySports

The Championship gets off to a cracking start on Saturday lunchtime because there is a game for all of the marbles going down. Well, at least what could be temporary marbles. The winner of Sheffield United v Leeds game early on Saturday will jump to the top of the Championship, which is a good way for someone to start the weekend. Leeds will actually get up to the top with a point while Sheffield United would have to win by three goals. The Blades are unbeaten in their last eight at Bramall Lane.

Leeds have won three of their last four league games and have not been too shabby on the road at all with a W4 D3 L2 record on their travels this season. Those two defeats have both come in their last three away games though which is worth noting. Leeds have won away at two of the current top-seven so far and this looks like being an even duel. Both have scored 32 league goals each this season (bettered only by West Brom and Aston Villa) while Leeds shade the defensive record between the two. Both sides are at odds-against prices with the top bookmakers for the game. It should be a rousing occasion up north in this Yorkshire derby, and it is a big spotlight feature in the Best Bets of the Day.

Saracens v Wasps
Premiership Rugby – 3.00 pm
BTSport

Saracens have been the only ones who have been able to match the power of the Exeter Chiefs in this season’s Premiership. They get a chance at home on Saturday to keep up the pressure as they welcome Wasps to the Allianz Park. Saracens are eight wins from eight so far and heading into the weekend of action on match day nine, they are the top scorers in the entire division. Will that immense attacking power that they have, notably through the finishing power of Alex Eglinton and Liam Williams along with the kicking accuracy of Owen Farrell, be able to keep up the winning momentum?

This is actually a top-three clash with Wasps sitting third in the table. However, there is a gulf in points between the two clubs with Saracens holding a fourteen point lead over Saturday’s opponents. But four points (plus any bonus) for Wasps in such a difficult away game would, of course, be a win of great magnitude for them. It would also keep them strong in the top four, the race for a European Rugby Champions Cup place next season. It’s an uphill task for them as 6/1 underdogs at leading bookmakers, but Wasps won that epic game against the Men in Black on the final day of the 2016/17 season.

Southampton v Man Utd
Premier League – 5.30 pm
BTSport

Manchester United are now closer to the bottom of the league in terms of points than they are to the top of it. Last weekend they disappointed once again in front of their home support as they played out a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. They can’t quite seem to find their feet and consistency. Away from home overall this term in the top flight United have posted a W3 D1 L3 record. But will the Red Devils get a reprieve on the weekend as they make the journey south to take on Southampton who are in heaps of trouble?

Boss Mark Hughes could well be heading out of the door if no points are gained in this home fixture. The Saints are winless in nine league outings now and start the weekend down in the relegation zone. With bottom side Fulham have made a managerial change and gotten immediate rewards in beating the Saints last weekend, extra pressure is on Southampton to do something. Can they respond? Can they pull together a huge home effort against a Manchester United side who are still looking out of sorts? Or can the Red Devils who are just into the odds-on territory at 19/20 odds at top bookmakers, give themselves a much-needed lift? There’s pressure on both sides, which can handle it the best?

Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat
Women’s Big Bash Cricket – 11.40 pm
BTSport

The top cricket action just isn’t letting up. Hot off the back of the Women’s World T20 Championship (which Australia won against England), it is domestic action from Down Under up next in the Women’s Big Bash League which starts on December 1st. So if you are looking for some late night action on Friday night from the WBBL then you can enjoy the Strikers against the Heat. The Strikers, who are captained by superstar Ellyse Perry fell in the semifinals of last season’s campaign against the Sydney Sixers. They are expected to be in the mix again at the business end of the season but can they open on a positive note? Melbourne have the exciting Chamari Atapattu as one of their main weapons and will be looking to improve on their 5th place finish last season. The exciting aspect is that this is the first game of the new season for both and nerves and unpredictability are bound to be flying around the Adelaide Oval. Which of them will make a big opening statement? The odds-on favourite Strikers on home soil or can the likes of Atapattu raise the temperature for the Heat?

Along with your sports betting this weekend stop and take a look at some of the best bonuses around on offer from the top bookmakers.

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Championship Update: English FA Cup Prediction Report

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The FA Cup is one of the most sought-after pieces of silverware in sport and it takes place on annual basis. Teams from the top two tiers enter the competition at the third round stage (January) but the tournament begins several months earlier with a number of semi-professional and Football League sides battling for their place in the next round throughout the early stages of the season.

Over the years, a number of unfancied sides have made it all the way through to the latter stages of competition but the FA Cup is generally won by one of the top six sides in the Premier League and the implied probability of the betting odds suggests that this pattern is likely to continue in 2018/19.

Understandably, Manchester City have been priced up as the favourites for success for this year’s event with Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side looking to add yet more silverware to their trophy cabinet. The Citizens begin as favourites and the betting odds have not changed. The probability of any of the top teams winning this season’s FA Cup tends to be shaped by their third round. Occasionally, top six Premier Leagues will draw one another during the early stages and this will affect the market substantially.

Last season, Manchester City were humbled by Wigan Athletic, losing 1-0 at the DW Stadium and despite starting as the favourites for the FA Cup, they exited in the fifth round.

Liverpool are joint second favourites to win this season’s FA Cup and the Reds’ probability has increased in recent months. They started as fourth favourites but their unbeaten start to the season and Jurgen Klopp’s squad depth will have helped their cause and their price has been shortened as a result. The Reds clearly enjoy cup football and made it to last season’s Champions League football and September’s victory at Wembley against Spurs saw the bookmakers taking a cautious approach with the Merseysiders.

Chelsea are joint second favourites alongside Liverpool with the Blues barely budging in the betting over the last three months. Last season’s victory in this competition was always going to see them installed amongst the top three but with Maurizio Sarri replacing Antonio Conte, it could be a season in which they choose to concentrate on the Premier League.

The Blues beat Manchester United at Wembley to clinch the FA Cup and Jose Mourinho’s side have had a troubled start to the Premier League. Despite their inconsistent form, they have remained steady in the FA Cup betting and the betting odds from the top sportsbooks suggests they have a good chance of reaching the latter stages for a second successive season. Last season, they were installed as the favourites following Manchester City’s exit from the competition.

Spurs are the other side who feature in BigBetBookmakers’ list of probable winners and they chances have also increased according to the latest odds. They may not have won the FA Cup since 1961 but they’ve start well in the UEFA Champions League and with a number of the key players returning from injury, it’s easy to see why they are attracting some support in the market.

 

Last Season

Chelsea were victorious in last season’s FA Cup with an Eden Hazard penalty proving enough to secure yet more silverware for the Blues. It was the fifth time that they have won the competition since the 2006/7 season.

Unsurprisingly, the Blues are amongst the frontrunners once again and after remaining unbeaten in the Premier League until late November, they will be difficult to knock-out of this competition.

Arsenal are a side who aren’t featured in the top five teams for the FA Cup this season and their implied probability is relatively low compared to previous years. The Gunners are under new management but they’ve won three of the last five staging’s of the FA Cup.

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Best Bets of the Day – Friday November 30th 2018

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Solihull Moors v Blackpool
FA Cup – 7.55 pm
BBC Two

I am starting the weekend action off in the West Midlands where National League side Solihull Moors will be hoping to claim a pretty big FA Cup upset. The Moors, who are coached by former Premier League winner Tim Flowers will welcome League One side Blackpool to Damson Park. It looks like a good old fashioned FA Cup tie with the underdogs, of course, having nothing to lose in this first meeting ever against the Seasiders. They are 16/5 odds outsiders in general at the leading bookmakers. So that’s some big odds for them to overcome.

Solihull, a top-six side in the fifth tier of English football found their way past fellow non-league side Hitchin in the last round, taking a 2-0 away win thanks to two second-half goals. That actually was part of a run which has seen them go five goals without conceding a goal. The Moors are W8 D3 L1 in their last 12 fixtures in all competitions home and away. Of course, this is a step up in the level of opposition as they take on the Seasiders. Former FA Cup winners Blackpool got through a tricky away game against League Two side Exeter, banking a 3-2 win against the Grecians at St James’ Park. Away games like this are never easy. It’s going to be a cold night in the West Midlands, can the higher-ranked Pool handle themselves? This should be a great opening to a big weekend of sport. Check out more of the weekend action in our Best Bets of the Day section.

Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs
Premiership Rugby – 7.45 pm
BT Sport 1

I’ll probably never know the thrills of hunkering down and getting clattered around on a cold night on the rugby field. That doesn’t mean I don’t know the thrills of sitting back and watching two teams slam into each other under such conditions. It is more Friday night action for Quins who couldn’t get the better of a resilient Worcester defence at Sixways seven days ago. They get back to home comforts at The Stoop on Friday and are seriously looking for a boost. Harlequins now have just the three wins this season, with three wins in their last nine Premiership home games.

Exeter meanwhile shows up in great form and will be putting their eight-match winning streak against the Quins on the line. The Chiefs are top of the Premiership with eight wins from eight and haven’t lost on the road since February in the top flight. Their try-scoring power is only matched by Saracens, but head and shoulders the Chiefs boast the best defence in the league and are 4/6 to humble the Quins once again. But records, of course, are there to be beaten and a home win at the Stoop could give Harlequins the perfect lift that they need.

Cardiff v Wolves
Premier League – 8.00 pm
SkySports

It will be all eyes on South Wales on Friday night as Cardiff look to boost their fortunes and get out of the relegation zone in the English top flight. If they could scrape out a win then they would jump up to 16th and it would also heap massive pressure on those around them ahead of the rest of the weekend’s Premier League action. Cardiff have only claimed the two wins all season but those two wins have both happened inside their last three home games. In their four games at home this season against sides currently located in the bottom half of the table, the Bluebirds are W2 D0 L1. They will be playing host to a Wolves side who have claimed only the one point in their last five leagues. Wolves suffered a blow at home in a defeat against another of the key relegation candidates Huddersfield last weekend. But Wolves have been so good defensively on the road, will they be able to handle themselves against the low-scoring Welsh outfit? It may well be a long war of attrition at the Cardiff City Stadium in such an important game for both. Cardiff needs the salvation points, Wolves need to snap their slump. The leading bookmakers generally agree on giving Wolves a 44.4% implied probability (5/4 odds) in getting an away win, leaving the home side as the underdogs.

Fabio Tuchi v Tony Conquest
Boxing – 10.00 pm
Sky Sports

If you are looking for warm-up ahead of the massive Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury showdown on the weekend, then there is an interesting boxing match happening on Friday night being shown on Sky Sports. Italy’s Fabio Turchi is a man on a mission and that is to become the most famous Italian boxer since um, Rocky. Not the Sylvester Stallone one, Rocky Marciano. The 25-year-old takes his unbeaten career record into a scrap with Tony Conquest on Friday. Tuchi defended the WBC International Silver Cruiserweight title against Dario German Balmaceda in his last fight, the second defence of the title. Britain’s Conquest is getting his shot at a title since losing the Commonwealth Cruiserweight back in 2014. The 34-year-old has experience on his side but is the big 9/2 underdog with the leading bookmakers.

For more of the best bets from the weekend, check out the thoughts of Big Bets Bobby!

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Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury – A level playing field for LA duel

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Wilder v Fury

BTSport Box Office – PPV

Often the weekend can get a little bit crowded in terms of picking out the real highlight. This weekend, however, even though still busy, I have had little trouble honing in, with laser-beam focus on what should be the pick of the bunch. You may have to break out the matchsticks to prop up those eyelids for a late start of Saturday night/Sunday morning but the upcoming Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury boxing clash is one worth staying up for.

This is the top bout on Saturday’s card from LA and it should be the real highlight of the sporting weekend and that’s saying something when you have both the North London derby and the Merseyside derby happening in the Premier League on Sunday.

Fury fuels an upset

It is now over three years ago that Fury caused a huge shock in the boxing world by taking out Wladimir Klitschko at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. Fury had gone into the bout as the underdog against the reigning champion and in a bout of little offence from either fighter, Fury teased and tormented the Urkanian, took the fight the distance and got the victory for a unanimous decision.

It will long live on as one of the most memorable nights in boxing and it should have been the platform for Fury to push himself to newer, greater heights. A rematch the following year failed to happen due to an injury to Fury and then his world went backwards as he had to vacate his heavyweight title in 2016 because of pending invitation on both anti-doping and medical issues. He stepped away from voluntary suffering depression.

Comeback Gypsy King

Fury has shed ten-stone in weight over the last year as he has worked his way back to get a shot at something big again. This time it is a shot at the WBC heavyweight title. Effortless wins over Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta in his two matches on his comeback trail this year really give no clue or indication of what to expect from the Gypsy King in LA on the weekend. They have merely been exercises in getting out a bit of ring-rust and nothing more.

The question is, can Fury cause an upset again? As soon as the fight was announced, leading bookmakers had Fury as the underdog. He has though been well backed into a relatively short 6/4 price at most of the leading bookmakers for this bout as the weekend closes in. That will just make him even more appealing in the eyes of the punters. Fury will take a 27-0 career record into the bout.

Wilder Power

Wilder, of course, is one of the top fighters in the game and his undefeated career record is a testament to that. Wilder will take a 40-0 career record into this. But he is a fighter who garners a lot of criticism and it is easy to see why. You can look back through his list of fights and struggle to find an opponent of any real note that he has duelled with in the ring. Realistically his last fight, against Cuba’s Luis Ortiz back in March, is the only serious high-quality opponent he has met.

Ortiz hurt him in that fight as well. The only one to really have done so since Eric Molina got under his skin a little bit back in the summer of 2015. It was the fight against Ortiz really which pinpointed some grit that Wilder has though and it is an element of his skillset that isn’t often seen. He got hurt, but he had the nous to survive and tenacity to come back and win.

It seems to be a trait of the modern boxer that you can have a strong chin and resilience as well as a heavy punch. Think Klitschko, think Anthony Johnson. Wilder has the power behind him, but still, that niggling fact about him not having had as many serious tests as purists would have liked for him to have faced, sticks with him.

Wilder does lean more on the slugger side than the boxing side. The American is the odds-on favourite at 4/7 to take out Fury which is a 63.6% implied probability.

Where it could be won and lost

Wilder has a powerful overhand right shot, which could be the key weapon in breaking through the defence of Fury. Twice in his career Fury has been sent to the canvas badly by such a strike, both tumbles coming earlier on in his career. It really not too arguable that it is the American who has the great hitting power. All but one of his 40 career victories have been by a knockout. It is a wild, ferocious untamed beast of uncontrolled power that Wilder has.

In terms of boxing skill and savviness in the ring, Fury’s performance against Klitschko was one of the most focused that you will see from a fighter. Yes, there was the showboating, the goading, the taunting but at the same time, he never let his guard down when it mattered. Fury picked his moments to rattle his opponent. He will likely risk less against Wilder and won’t care about the fight dragging on. Wilder has generally stopped his fights early (three of his last four have gone eight or fewer rounds) so endurance questions will rise about him too.

The fight is a general 4/6 odds across the board at leading bookmakers to NOT go the distance.

Overall, the British fighter may have a tactical edge, which he needs to in order to stay out of trouble, as well as being able to needle the temperament of his opponent. If Wilder has nothing to hit, then advantage swings to Fury. Fury avoided Klitschko so very well.

It has been much-talked-about, but ring-rust really isn’t going to come into this to the point that it yields an advantage. Wilder last fought back in March, Fury has fought twice since then. In his last two fights, Fury has faced fourteen rounds, Wilder eleven. It could be argued that Fury’s preparation in those two fights was against opponents who weren’t going to prepare him for Wilder. Frankly no-one he could have faced would have.

But then the veteran skills of Ortiz will be vastly different to what Wilder will face in Fury. But Wilder will clearly have the advantage of having had five fights since Fury’s win over Klitschko in November 2015, Fury having had just the two. When it comes to conditioning, Wilder’s could be that little bit better, but the work that Fury has done to drop so much weight in twelve months is staggering and shows how committed and how badly he wants to get back to the top of the game.

The playing field looks level. Will Fury be able to thrive once more from his position as the underdog in such a massive title fight?

Which comes first?

When the dust settles on what should be a fantastic spectacle it will be so interesting to see what follows? Will it first be a rematch between Fury and Wilder? Will the victor get what every fighter in the division wants right now, a shot at Anthony Joshua?

Looking for some more of the best bets for the weeekend? Look no further than Bobby’s Big Weekend Bets!

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Big Betting Sporting Events: The Stanley Cup

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The Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize in Ice Hockey and is awarded annually to the winning play-off side in the NHL. It is one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, particularly in the USA and Canada and it brings the curtain down on a long-hard season for two sides. It is a big betting event for myself and many others also enjoy a season-long punt on this hugely competitive event

Where and When?

The Stanley Cup final is played annually following the end-of-season play-offs. There is no set date but it roughly takes place at the end of May. The venue will be pre-determined and tends to change each year. In 2018, it took place at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

Why is the Stanley Cup so Popular?

Like the culmination of any sporting season, millions of fans have invested in their favourite teams throughout the campaign and the Stanley Cup is the match which determines which side will come out on top. Even if their side has been eliminated in the play-offs, NHL fans will often tune in to see which side will collect the silverware.

The league is extremely competitive and there are plenty of talking points throughout the season which keep hockey fans returning for more. Familiar names are another reason that sports enthusiasts tune into the Stanley Cup final. With so much at stake, it is always a cracking watch and neutrals such as myself always ensure we’re able to tune in!

There is also a huge amount of history and prestige to lifting the Stanley Cup as the first championship was held all the way back in 1893 and for many fans, it is a chance to sit down and enjoy the action with a few beers.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

Most online sportsbooks will have odds available throughout the year and punters can choose to wager on the Stanley Cup winner at the beginning of the regular season or wait until the field has been whittled down to just two.

Longer odds will be available at the beginning of the campaign and although many of these prices are hugely tempting, most punters will opt to wait until they’ve seen each team perform at least once during the course of the regular season. With 82 games to be played throughout the campaign, the odds can fluctuate wildly and it’s a good opportunity for NHL aficionados to hedge their bets.

As well as long-term betting, specific match-odds will become available once the two participants have been decided. These markets include Under/Over points, Puck Line Handicaps, Winning Margin as well as individual player markets. The latter will include each team member and their odds of scoring once, twice or the first point of the game. Another market that I like is the Stanley Cup MVP (Most Valuable Player) and this is awarded after the Stanley Cup Final. It is awarded to the player who has performed in an outstanding manner throughout the entire season. Typically it will be given to a player who has competed in the final. This market tends to be available throughout the post-season and I always look for players who are catching the eye from January onwards.

Popular Betting Markets 

Stanley Cup Winner – This market is available throughout the season and requires your chosen team to make it all the way to the final and be victorious in the showpiece event. The odds are often based on performances throughout the previous season and off-season trades.

To Reach the Stanley Cup Final – Another hugely popular market which allows a little more flexibility. Your chosen team will need to reach the final two and be competing in the Stanley Cup Final in order for this bet to land. This market is often very popular once the post-season play-off line-up has been decided.

To Reach the Play-Offs – The Play-Offs comprise of the top three sides in each conference plus two additional wildcards. It is always suitably competitive and is hugely entertaining to watch. Although time difference can cause problems for bettor in Europe, like myself, NHL fans will battle through the tiredness in order to watch each and every match. At the start of the season, markets are available on each side to make it beyond the regular season. Some teams are always involved and rarely fail to qualify and these are often short prices. I always look for sides who finished the previous season strongly or who are extremely consistent without being showy.

Winning Conference – Bookmakers often have odds on which conference the winning team will have been competing in throughout the season. These are usually roughly 50/50 markets and it simply a case of backing East or West.

Winning Division – Same as above but with more options available to punters. If you believe that the Atlantic Division looks particularly strong then this might be an opportunity to place a bet on the winner coming from that particular section. With four different options, the odds are slightly less prohibitive on this market.

 

Play-Off Accumulators

Play-off accumulators are extremely popular leading up to the Stanley Cup final. Most of the matches will be played at a similar time (dependent on time difference) and this is perfect for punters to assess each team’s chances of success. In order to land an accumulator, every side must win their match. Sides who have experiences players can often prevail at this stage of the season are more likely to be included in multiple bets.

 

Bobby’s Betting Tips for the Stanley Cup

  • Momentum plays a huge part in sport. Always look to back a side who have ended the regular season in decent form and also look for those who have a strong winning mentality
  • Check each teams roster and make a note of players who have played in the Stanley Cup final previously. It is a big occasion and some younger players can often be overawed so having experienced heads around them will undoubtedly help
  • Just because it’s a game between the two best teams in the NHL, don’t naturally assume that it is going to be a high-scoring contest. Sides often reach this stage due to having an effective defence and with so much at stakes, coaches are less likely to take unnecessary risks.
  • Take advantage of additional markets. Bookmakers will want people to bet on the Stanley Cup and as a result, they will price up numerous markets which aren’t ordinarily available throughout the season. Don’t discount these extra betting opportunities.

 

Where to Watch the Stanley Cup Final in the UK?

Premier Sports will show highlights of the Stanley Cup Final 24 hours after the game however if you wish to watch it live, UK viewers can subscribe to nhl.tv for a small fee.

Premier Sports will also show NHL games throughout the regular season.

 

Betting on the Stanley Cup

If you’re thinking of having a wager on the Stanley Cup ahead of the 2019 event, make sure you take advantage of the many betting bonuses currently available including Acca Insurance, which is handy for daily accumulators on the tournament!

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BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 1ST – 2ND DECEMBER

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Soccer – Scottish Premiership – Hearts vs Rangers

My big betting events take a rare trip to Scotland to get things underway. Scottish football often gets overlooked but as a result, it can often throw up some wonderful betting opportunities. This particular tie is eye-catching because both teams have made decent starts to the season but they now seem to be travelling in opposite directions form-wise.

Steven Gerrard has improved Rangers significantly and it’s great to see one of the games greatest players enjoying success in the dugout. They have become incredibly hard to beat and that is always something to look for when placing a bet. Only Celtic and Livingston have beaten the Gers this campaign and both of those defeats were by the narrowest or margins. They’ve conceded just a single goal in their last three matches but they’ve netted twelve times and I’m looking forward to seeing whether they can continue that fine run of form. They will also be coming off the back of a Europa League tie and that can often affect results.

I enjoyed watching Hearts earlier this season and they have a good young dynamic side but maybe it’s time to start opposing them on a weekly basis. They’ve dropped down to third and I think they are struggled to sustain their early season momentum. They’ve scored 16 fewer goals than their opponents and haven’t found the net since October 23rd. I’m intrigued to find out whether they can put that wretched run behind them this weekend.

UK viewers can enjoy this game on BT Sports 1 on Sunday lunchtime

 

American Football – NFL – Falcons @ the Ravens

As the play-offs edge nearer, there are plenty of exciting NFL games taking place this weekend. I’ve made this particular game one of my best betting events of the weekend as I’m interested to see whether the Ravens have enough offensive power to continue their late push for the play-offs.

The Falcons won’t be competing in the end of season shake-up for the first time in the Dan Quinn era and it’s a shame for Falcons fans that their side haven’t been able to show more consistency this season. They must play for pride and continue to look towards next year but that isn’t always enough to inspire a squad who have lost three straight matches.

The Ravens have one of the tightest defences in the NFL and they run a tight ship. They aren’t always the most entertaining side to watch but their games usually follow a set pattern and that’s why they are a great side to wager on. What they lack going forward, they make up for in defence and they will be expected to continue their mini-revival here.

Instead of sulking about their last-gasp defeat to the Saints, they started to make tweaks to their play and have responded in the perfect way with back-to-back victories. Last week, they picked up a confidence-boosting victory over the Raiders, who are comfortably the worst side in the Conference.

It’s going to be a battle and I can’t wait to find out whether the Ravens can continue to push their way into the play-off picture.

Sky Sports in the home of NFL in the UK and viewers can enjoy this game on their various channels.

 

Football – Premier League – Crystal Palace vs Burnley

This game at Selhurst might not be a natural pick for neutrals but from a betting perspective, I think it will be a great match. Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park are always slightly underrated by the bookmakers and Roy Hodgson’s men should never be written off in South London.

With the top four looking imperious this season, I often look further down the table for my betting opportunities and I can’t help but find myself attracted to Palace matches this year. The Eagles are still flirting with relegation but they were the better side against Manchester United last weekend and deserved to take all three points from the game. They’ve also had some incredibly difficult fixtures so far.

I always look for sides who sit in the bottom half after being dealt a difficult fixture list and Palace certainly fit the bill. They’ve faced five of the top nine away from home and have already faced Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal here. This should be much easier.

Burnley have lost four of their last five games and last year, I continually backed them to get something from their matches as they were always overpriced but that steeliness seems to have disappeared and with so few shots on target this season, they could easily be heading back to the Championship.

This is a match-up between two sides who desperately need the points and that makes it a fascinating betting heat in the Premier League.

Extended highlights of this game can be viewed with Sky’s Match Choice on Saturday evening. 

 

Boxing – World Heavyweight – Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury

My final big betting event of the weekend could be one of the best fights of 2018 and I can’t wait for the action to get underway in Los Angeles. It is one of the most talked-about and one of the most heavily anticipated sporting events this month and it will also be a great betting proposition.

They are both unbeaten and there doesn’t appear to be much between the pair. Deontay Wilder has been crying out for a tougher match-up and it’ll be interesting to see whether he can cope with Fury at the Staples Center.

The way Wilder dispatched of Luis Ortiz earlier this year was exceptional and if we see a similar performance here, it will be a great spectacle for all. He will be priced up as the favourite and I can understand the reasons for this however I think it will be closely fought and it might be one for punters to get involved with in-play.

Wilder’s 10th round victory showed tremendous stamina and he means business here. He will not give up and this could go the distance giving those fans who have travelled to the venue plenty of value for money.

Fury comes off the back of a hiatus but he appears to have been preparing for this bout for quite some time and he will make it tough for this opponent. His last couple of victories have been clinched on decision and it may be another busy evening for the judges. This is all set up to be a great spectacle and a terrific betting event between two hugely talented fighters.

The fight will be shown live on BT Sport Box Office on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning in the UK. 

 

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