The Sports Bookie Blog

English Premiership Betting Previews for Matchday 15

Here’s the latest EPL game previews and pricing for the weekend’s football betting action courtesy of top Asian Handicap bookie, PinnacleSports.com. 

Two new Premiership managers were unveiled this week at Derby and Birmingham, while rumours are circulating that Rafa Benitez may have over-stepped the mark with his criticism of Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. These drastic moves reflect the fact that the Premiership season is reaching a tipping point for those clubs serious about making a title challenge, as well those struggling at the foot of the table. Bettors should make careful note of the managerial activity before taking advantage of up to 60% better Premier League betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.

Liverpool Staying Focused Despite Boardroom Battle

Following the mass show of support at Anfield on Wednesday night, Rafa Benitez will be in bullish move for the visit of Bolton Wanderers on Sunday. With better finishing from Fernando Torres, the Reds could have beaten Newcastle by far more than three goals last weekend. Ringing the changes again, Benitez gave the first league starts of the season to young Brazilian, Lucas Leiva, and injury prone, Harry Kewell. Leiva was effectively employed in front of the back four, while Kewell formed part of an attacking formation along with Dirk Kuyt and the wasteful Torres.

If the young Spaniard has his shooting boots on against the Trotters, it could be a busy day for goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen. Bolton will be boosted by last weekend’s home win over Champions, Manchester United, which lifted them out of the relegation places, but Gary Megson’s side are still searching for their first away win. They have taken just two points from six games on the road, scoring only four times, and have one less day than Liverpool to prepare after midweek European action. Bolton have lost on their last five visits to Anfield, failing to score in four of those games. PinnacleSports.com make Liverpool favourites 2.080 (-1.5) with Bolton 1.855 (+1.5).

Gunners Take Unbeaten Record to Villa Park

Unbeaten in the Premiership, Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Saturday looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premiership table. Arsene Wenger shouldn’t be too disappointed that his young side experience their first loss of the season away to Sevilla on Wednesday. He fielded an experienced side, safe in the knowledge that they will make the knock-out stages. He used Cesc Fabregas for only 56 minutes, and given the young Spaniard missed last weekend’s win over Wigan due to suspension, he should be fresh and raring to go for the game against the Villans.

The absence of Fabregas was telling, as the Gunners struggled to break down a resolute Wigan side. His creativity is critically important to the side, and will be needed against a very well organized Aston Villa side who have recorded three straight Premiership victories, conceding just once. Martin O’Neill has John Carew fit again, and the big Norwegian provides a perfect foil for the pacey Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor. These are exciting times for the Midlands’ club, who have real European ambitions, but they still have someway to go to bridge the club with the Premiership’s elite. Aston Villa have not beaten Arsenal in seventeen meetings and PinnacleSports.com price the game Arsenal 1.980 (-0.5) with Aston Villa 1.943 (+0.5) – a market priced to under 102%.

For the latest independent bookmaker review of PinnacleSports.com check out BookieLabRat.com.

Add comment November 29th, 2007

Today’s bookie headline news

Here’s a quick summary of headlines from today’s news that involve some of our top recommended bookies.

First up we have Paddy Power, our favourite Irish bookie courting controvesy yet again.

Paddy Power backs gay rugby tournament
Irish bookmaker PaddyPower.com has given €100,000 to sponsor an international gay rugby tournament, being held at Dublin University next June. Paddy Power’s marketing director Ken Robertson said the event was highly appropriate for their brand, before adding this was not the type of company that does what people might expect a bookmaker to do.

“This might raise a few eyebrows when it comes to town, but we’re not scared of that.” He also highlighted the fact that the gay and lesbian market represented an important sector of consumer society.

Richie Whyte, the Bingham Cup’s tournament director, said he was delighted at the deal. “Paddy Power has an innovative and risk taking approach to the market.

“Having an international brand throwing their weight behind it represents a huge development for the tournament particularly in terms of developing mainstream interest. We expect our partnership to enhance an already great tournament and help to make it the biggest and best tournament yet.”  

Then we see more signs of the ongoing expansion programme Ladbrokes Bookmaker is undertaking.

Ladbrokes begins Italian online betting
Bookmaker Ladbrokes revealed that it had started taking online bets from Italian customers. Mattia Nicelli, Ladbrokes’ head of Italian business, said the company now had around 800 people from the country placing wagers online.

…and finally PartyGaming, the company that owns Gamebookers (historically one of the more innovative European online sportsbooks) is ducking and weaving a bit in the open markets.

Garber cancels share sale
Mitch Garber, PartyGaming’s chief executive, has cancelled a planned sale of his company. Over the past six months Garber has sold over nine million shares in the gaming firm, and currently holds 8.75 million shares.

Add comment November 29th, 2007