Archive for January 24th, 2008
Though we haven’t even reached the halfway stage in Italy’s Serie A, Inter Milan are long odds-on favourites to retain the Scudetto. Roberto Mancini’s side are seven points clear of Roma, and yet to be beaten. If a one-sided title race is something of a turn-off, at least Asian Handicaps can keep bettors interested. Check out PinnacleSports.com leaders in the field, offering up to 60% better Serie A betting odds.
Inter Still Refusing to Be Beaten
Showing the traits of true champions, Inter Milan seemingly never know when they are beaten. Last weekend the Nerazzurri came closest to losing their unbeaten Serie A record, trailing Parma 2-1 at home until the 88th minute. Step up their leading goal-scorer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with two goals in two minutes, and the score was turned on its head – admittedly with more than a little help from the referee. They stuttered again in midweek drawing their midweek Coppa Italia game at the San Siro drawing with Juve 2-2, though many big names were rested. Inter will need to be at full strength and maximum focus visiting Udinese this Sunday.
The Little Zebras have lost just once in their last nine home games, but that was last weekend against Milan’s other Serie A side. Looking to consolidate a top five position, Udinese would consider avoiding defeat against Inter a great result, and they have managed a drew in each of the last four meetings. The current champions have been boosted by the return of captain, Patrick Viera, after several months on the sidelines, though he may take some time to get back to his best. PinnacleSports.com make Inter Milan favourites 1.820 (-0.5)* with Udinese 2.120 (+0.5)*.
Roma Trying to Keep Pressure on Runaway Leaders
Going into the weekend of Serie A fixtures, Roma remain seven points behind leaders Inter Milan, having played the same number of games. It may seem unthinkable, but should Inter lose their unbeaten record, what at present looks like a sizeable lead could quickly shrink, and Roma’s coach, Luciano Spalletti, must be urging his players to maintain this positive outlook. Inter have recently shown signs of vulnerability, which will encourage the Giallorossi, and all they must do is to keep winning, and hope their rivals slip up.
The only home defeat Roma have suffered was at the hands of Inter, so with captain, Francesco Totti, firing on all cylinders, they should at least be fancied to overcome Palermo this weekend. The Sicilians have lost three on the bounce, and are without a win in five games, so this isn’t a great time for them to be visiting the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have won the last three meetings by an 8-1 aggregate score-line and PinnacleSports.com make them favourites. Roma 2.05 (-1 & -1.5)* with Palermo 1.877 (+1 & +1.5)*.
*All odds subject to change.
Compare the latest Serie A odds LIVE across the most popular sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com
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January 24th, 2008
The end of the January transfer window is rapidly approaching, and though there is still enough time for deals to be done, Real Madrid have conceded that they cannot tempt Cesc Fabregas or Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain. Likewise it appears that Ronaldinho will be staying put with Barcelona, and that the Catalans won’t be making any significant additions to their squad. Keep one eye on the transfer tickers until the window shuts, but fully focus on getting up to 60% better La Liga betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.
First Plays Third in La Liga Table-Top Clash
Saturday’s game at the Bernabeu between La Liga leaders, Real Madrid, and third-placed Villarreal looks like a mouth-watering tie. However, though only two places separate the sides, Los Blancos have a massive twelve point lead over the Yellow Submarine, thanks in part to a 100% home record. The visitors are black and white on the road, winning five and losing four, with no draws. The more worrying statistic for coach, Manuel Pellegrini, is that his side of conceded just two goals less on the road than rock-bottom, Levante, losing their last away game 3-0 to Espanyol.
Real Madrid recently suffered a shock exit from the Copa Del Rey, but means they will be fresher than Villarreal who remain in the tournament. They faced Barcelona in a quarter-final first leg at home on Thursday night, three days before this key game. Both teams were boosted by key wins last weekend, Villarreal thrashing Valencia 3-0, while Real won the Madrid Derby. The bad news for the Galacticos is that Brazilian full back, Pepe, was lost to injury, joining defenders Gabriel Heinze and Christoph Metzelder on the sidelines. Los Merengues hammered Villarreal 5-0 earlier in the season, but the last two meetings at the Bernabeu ended drawn. PinnacleSports.com make Real Madrid favourites 2.190 (-1 & -1.5)* with Villarreal 1.775 (+1 & +1.5)* – a market priced to less than 102%.
Multinational Catalans Face All Basque Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao are unique in Spanish football in operating a policy to select players drawn only from the team’s Basque heartland. The side have suffered in recent years under this Cantera policy, being embroiled in relegation battles in recent seasons. This year looks like being a similar story with the Lions hovering above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference only. On Sunday they host Barcelona at San Mames, who in contrast feature nine different nationalities.
Two of Barca’s key imports – Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure – are absent, playing in the African Nations Cup, while Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have recently recovered from injury. The Catalans may be unbeaten in six games, but they have lacked fluency and confidence, and have the additional burden of having played three days earlier against Villarreal in a Cope Del Rey quarter-final. PinnacleSports.com make Barcelona favourites 1.813 (-0.5 & -1)* with Athletic Bilbao 2.130 (+0.5 & +1)*.
Compare the latest live Serie A odds across the most popular sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com
NOTE ON PINNACLE SPORTS:
1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap pricing (c.102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better Serie A betting odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts.1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap pricing (c.102%) on the major European Football Leagues gives gamblers up to 60% better Serie A betting odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts.Get a 10% sign-up bonus, 7% cash back on horse bets and the best odds on all major sports. Find the Smarter Way To Bet at PinnacleSports.com. (Sorry, no US bettors).
January 24th, 2008
The fourth round of this year’s FA Cup kicks-off at Field Mill, when League One side Mansfield Town welcome their more illustrious opponents, Middlesbrough, on Saturday lunchtime. Mansfield survived a scare in round two before just scraping by Harrogate Railway Athletic and will look on this as a “no lose situation” against the Premier League strugglers.
Here are the latest specials and money back offers from some of the UK’s top online sportsbooks:
“Stag Party”
Mansfield v Middlesbrough – FA Cup – Saturday 12.30pm
If Mansfield score in both halves of this game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Applies to singles only – maximum refund of €300 (or Currency Equiv) per customer. Does not apply to singles in multiple bets or in-play live betting. 90 minutes only.
Saturday evening televised match is an all Premier League tie when Chelsea face Wigan at the JJB stadium. Chelsea players may find it strange to be playing FA Cup tie away from Stamford Bridge as this is the first time since 2005/06 season that the Blues have been drawn away from home. Steve Bruce’s side will welcome a weekend away from the distraction of the relegation fight for a change.
“Brucie Bonus”
Wigan v Chelsea – FA Cup – Saturday 5.15pm
If Chelsea are leading at half time but fail to win the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Applies to singles only – maximum refund of €300 (or Currency Equiv) per customer. Does not apply to singles in multiple bets or in-play live betting. 90 minutes only.
Not to miss an opportunity, the other hugely popular Irish bookie PaddyPower has this offer on the cards for this FA Cup tie:
“Never Mind the Ballacks”
Wigan V Chelsea – FA Cup 4th round – Saturday 5:15pm Live on BBC1
If Michael Ballack scores the last goal of the game, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and scorecast singles on that match. Max Refund €300/£200 per customer. Applies to 90 min betting only. Own goals do not count.
Victor Chandler has taken a more generic approach with their FA Cup Cash Backs (presumably to save space on their fairly clunky web site?) Here’s their all in one offer :
“FA Cup Special Offer”
Mansfield Town v Middlesbrough , Wigan v Chelsea, Man Utd v Spurs, Sheff Utd v Man City
If TUNCAY, ANELKA, RONALDO or ELANO score the last goal in any of the above matches Victor Chandler will refund all losing First Goalscorer & Correct Score bets on that match as a free bet. Max refund £100 (€150) per person per match.
Fred Done of BetFred has taken a more conservative approach this week linking the refund on the outcome of two FA Cup games:
“Won on the Wing”
FA Cup – Man Utd v Tottenham AND Sheffield Utd v Man City
If Ronaldo scores and Man Utd win AND Petrov scores and Man City win, BetFred will refund all losing correct score, first/last goalscorer or scorecast win single bets on this match as a free bet. Offer only counts if both players score and both teams win. – Own goals don’t count – Max refund £100 (or currency equivalent) per customer
Sunday lunchtime sees potentially the tie of the round when Man United welcome League Cup finalists, Tottenham, to Old Trafford. The Red Devil stars should be fresh from their midweek excursion to Dubai as they look for their 12th FA Cup title. Spurs, on the other hand, will look to build on their fantastic result against rivals Arsenal on Tuesday night.
“Spur Of The Moment”
Man United v Tottenham – FA Cup – Sunday 2.00pm.
If Dimitar Berbatov scores the last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Applies to singles only – maximum refund of €300 (or Currency Equiv) per customer. Does not apply to singles in multiple bets or in-play live betting. 90 minutes only.
Paddy Power’s offer on this match depends on a goal fest. Fancy it?
“Fifth Amendment”
Man Utd v Tottenham – Sunday 2:00pm Live on BBC1.
If there are five or more goals in this game, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and scorecast singles on that match. Max Refund €300/£200 per customer. Applies to 90 min betting only. Own goals do not count.
The final tie of the weekend involves Sheffield United and Man City at Bramall Lane. Sven Goran Eriksson’s side needed two attempts to get passed West Ham in round three and will be hoping for an easier time against the Championship side still smarting from their Steel City Derby defeat.
“A Tonge Lashing”
Sheff Utd v Man City – FA Cup – Sunday 4.00pm
If Michael Tonge scores either the first or last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Applies to singles only – maximum refund of €300 (or Currency Equiv) per customer. Does not apply to singles in multiple bets or in-play live betting. 90 minutes only.
January 24th, 2008