Archive for January, 2008
So this is the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup eh? Instead of a potential Merseyside derby in the 4th round albeit unlikely, we were secretly hoping to see Luton Town versus Oldham Athletic. Whoop dee doo.
No offence to Luton or Oldham (even though I’m only words away from effectively insulting them both), but it’s not exactly a mouth-watering prospect is it? Apart from their respective fans, who can honestly say that they would care who won? Who would tune in to watch the match on TV?
Yes, everyone likes a bit of giant-killing now and then. If Tinytown United manage to scrape a few unlikely wins against Premiership opponents, then we, the English public, love it. Of course we do. The plucky underdogs, strength in the face of adversity and all that malarkey. But do we really want to see so many Premiership clubs being knocked out so early? I don’t think so.
It’s devaluing the competition, and this weekend’s lacklustre performances from the country’s top teams are a sign of a growing FA Cup apathy. Simply put, we shouldn’t be seeing a host of top quality Premiership clubs losing to lower league opposition. And let’s face it, nobody wants another Millwall versus Manchester United final. If this is magic, it’s less Penn and Teller, more crap magic trick that you get inside your Christmas cracker.
This item was posted by the team at Bodog Sports (so please could the Tinytown United fans not send us hate mail at BookieLabRat.com!).
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January 7th, 2008
Paddy Power plays down German ban effect
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power reported that losses incurred by the ban on internet gambling imposed by Germany’s Federal States would be immaterial in the context of overall group profits, which are expected to be in the region of €60 million for the current financial year. A spokesperson said that the betting firm fully expected the EU Commission to overturn the decision.
US Presidential race exciting political punters
Political gamblers in the UK are expected to place £10 million on the outcome of the next US elections. A spokesperson for the company said the figure would be a record for non-domestic political betting.
Whether you’re German or just wanting great odds for political or novelty bets check out the latest Paddy Power sports bookmaker review here at BookieLabRat.com.
January 7th, 2008
Although there were no total shocks in the FA Cup on Sunday we still saw Liverpool, Newcastle, Derby and Fulham were all held by lower league opposition.
Liverpool are now 7.00 (6/1) (BetFred) for the trophy, while Newcastle are 29.00 (28/1) with Bet365 for Wembley glory.
Arsenal obliged with a good result as they beat Burnley 2-0 and covered the asian handicap bet too. The Gooners are now a 5.00 (4/1) chance at Ladbrokes to lift the cup.
On Saturday Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-0 to book their place in the last 32. They are now 4.33 (10/3) favourites at BoyleSports to win the FA Cup.
Chelsea were also among the winners – they beat QPR 1-0 – and Avram Grant’s side are now joint-second favourites to lift the trophy in May, as they are 4/1 with BoyleSports.
RELATED LINKS :
You can get all the latest FA Cup Outright prices at out special FA CUP Betting Odds page which features live updates from over a dozen of the best European bookmakers.
And read English Football Match previews over at GoonersGuide.com
January 7th, 2008
An eventful transfer Window is likely according to Avram Grant after watching his side sneak through just 1-0 against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup 3rd Round.
Chelsea, the Cup holders, were thinned by injuries and suspensions for the third round clash, but still came away winners thanks to a moment some have dubbed “outrageous good fortune”.
Claudio Pizarro, the Peru striker, saw his 29th-minute shot hit QPR’s left-hand goalpost only to spin up and rebound in off the outstreched arm of unlucky goalkeeper Lee Camp.
In reality, this was ultimately a relatively comfortable afternoon for the Blues, even if the slender scoreline made for a few anxious moments.
Indeed, Chelsea could have won by a greater margin. Shaun Wright-Phillips clattered the crossbar and Steve Sidwell saw an effort rebound off the left-hand post as Grant’s team threatened to overwhelm QPR at the tail-end of the first half.
The Israeli shored up his side in Saturday’s second period by introducing Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Didier Drogba – making his last appearance before the African Nations – and the final 25 minutes passed largely without incident.
“It was a difficult cup game but we did our job, which was important for me,” Grant added. “They were tactically very good and they closed the space very well. It was the game we expected.”
TRANSFER WINDOW
Grant will be spending heavily this month as he needs to deepen his squad during the African Nations Cup, which will rob him of four key players.
France international Nicolas Anelka is apparently top of his shopping list. Moves are already afoot for this transfer with Bolton omitting Anelka from the Bolton Wanderers’ squad for their third round defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday. This ensures he will not be cup-tied should he complete an anticipated 15 million pounds move to Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Grant refused to discuss individual targets, although he did admit new purchases were likely.
“Because of the injuries and the African Nations, we are thinking about all the possibilities,” he said. We are always thinking about this situation but there is nothing new to say about that. “I won’t speak about any individual players until they are joining: I am responsible for things only when they definitely happen. Lots of names are being talked about but that is natural.”
>>Check out the top 3 online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com.
January 6th, 2008
Here’s the latest selection of money back specials from top rated UK and European sports bookmakers that give you some betting insurance on the FA Cup Third Round games (January 5 and January 6, 2008).
Stolen by the Villains!
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED
FA Cup 3rd Round – Saturday 5:15pm BBC1
If the Manchester United lead at anytime and fail to win, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast single bets on this match. [Max refund is €300/£200 per customer].
Play It Again Sam!
STOKE V NEWCASTLE
FA Cup 3rd Round – Sun 6pm – Live on BBC1
If this match finishes goalless then Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match! [Max refund is €300/£200 per customer].
Nil All?
BET365 BORE DRAW OFFER
Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.
Have an each-way First Goalscorer bet on any match, and if your player scores at any time during the game Bet365 will pay you out. Each-way bets are now settled on all goalscorers, at 1/3 odds for unlimited places in 90 minutes play.
FA-mous Five
FA CUP CASH BACKS 5th and 6th January
Aston Villa v Man United, Burnley v Arsenal
Luton v Liverpool, Stoke v Newcastle
Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on a given match if five or more goals are scored in any of these FA Cup matches. Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.
Fairy Tale Free Bet
FA Cup 3rd Round Matches 5 and 6 January 2008
If you place a losing correct score single bet on a 3rd Round FA Cup tie and a Premier League side is beaten by lower league opposition in that game (in 90 minutes), BetFred will refund your losing stake as a free bet. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer
FA Cup Special Offer
Villa v Man Utd, Burnley v Arsenal
Luton v Liverpool, Stoke v Newcastle
If RONALDO, EDUARDO, TORRES or VIDUKA 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. Singles only. Free bets credited Monday morning.
January 3rd, 2008
FA Cup Third Round Preview from the team at Bodog Sportsbook
Big Sam Faces the gallows at Fortress Britannia
It will be a case of close up and personal as the meaty jowls of big Sam Allardyce are the focus of the television cameras at the Britannia Stadium when his Newcastle side takes on Stoke City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
A normally half empty press box at the Staffordshire ground will be at bursting point as the nation´s media gathers to administer Sam´s last rites as his struggling side fall to Championship opponents.
And the headline writers might just get what they are waiting for. In-form Stoke are unbeaten in their last 10 matches and are currently in fourth spot in the Championship table. Eric Cantona probably had it about right with his famous seagulls and sardines quote:
“When zee seagulls follow zee trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into zee sea”.
Newcastle go into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats and another failure will have the Toon Army supporters baying for Allardyce to get the sack. All this after just a matter of months in charge of club that hasn´t won a trophy since the 1969 Fairs Cup!
The Newcastle fans need to take a reality check and exhibit some much needed patience if big Sam is to turn things around.
For the latest and best FA Cup odds on Stoke City Vs Newcastle United FC (plays 06/01/08 18:00) or any of the FA Cup matches check out the Live Odds comparison at BookieLabRat.com. All the top UK and European sports bookmakers compared live.
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January 3rd, 2008
Manchester City added to Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce’s stress levels with a 2-0 Premier League away win at St James’ Park on Wednesday and in the process leapfrogged Liverpool into fourth place.
Defeat meant Newcastle have taken just one point from a possible 12 as high-flyers City, managed by former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, went fourth after their first away league win since the opening day of the season.
Liverpool, who had been fourth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan.
The result was a huge blow to Liverpool’s title hopes as it left them 12 points behind leaders Arsenal but saw Wigan move out of the relegation zone.
Allardyce, who recently received backing from United chairman Chris Mort amidst reports he was about to be replaced by former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer, brought on injury-prone striker Michael Owen at half-time.
England international Owen had been on the field for less than a minute when he had a shot saved by Joe Hart. Instead it was City substitute Fernandes Gelson, who made an immediate impact when, moments after coming on, he made it 2-0 in the 76th minute.
Liverpool were kept waiting until the 49th minute to break down a determined Wigan at Anfield before in-form striker Fernando Torres scored his 16th goal of the season. Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, then saw a 20-yard shot parried by Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. But Liverpool were made to pay for their failure to dominate this match when Wigan defender Titus Bramble scored his second goal in as many games to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes left. Kirkland – who had an injury-marred spell at Liverpool – then made a brilliant double-save from Gerrard as the England midfielder followed up his own long-range strike.
>>Back to BookieLabRat.com for the latest online sports bookmaker reviews, ratings and odds comparision
January 3rd, 2008
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