The Sports Bookie Blog

The first televised match of another busy weekend of Premier League football comes from Eastlands as Man City look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at home to Everton last Monday night. City face a Wigan side hoping to put further distance between them and the bottom three.

King of the Road - Man City V Wigan - Sunday 5:15pm

If Marlon King scores the last goal of the game Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Max refund is €300/£200 per customer. Own goals don’t count.

Sunday lunchtime’s game sees two sides hoping to transfer their European form to domestic action as Bolton entertain Liverpool. With continued stories about takeover in the boardroom and Steven Gerrard publicly expressing his disappointment of this season, three points will go some way of improving the morale at Anfield. Bolton will be desperate to get points themselves as they seek to avoid relegation to the Championship.

There’ll be El to Pay! - Bolton V Liverpool - Sunday 1:30pm

If El Hadji Diouf scores the last goal of the game Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Max refund is €300/£200 per customer. Own goals don’t count.
Everton and Portsmouth clash in the final game of the weekend with Yakubu looking to continue his excellent recent scoring streak against one of his former sides. The Toffees showed their intent on Champions League qualification last Monday night with an excellent win over Man City while Pompey will look to their impressive away record this season to take all the points.

Big Yak Paddy Whack! - Everton v Portsmouth - Sun 4pm Live on SS 1

If Yakubu scores the last goal of the above match then Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets on this match. Max refund per punter is €300/£200. Own goals don’t count.

Return of the Yak! - Everton v Portsmouth  - Sun 4pm Live on SS 1

BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on the Everton v Portsmouth game as a free bet - if Yakubu scores the last goal. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer. Own goals don’t count.

Dirty Harry! - Everton  v Portsmouth  - Premier League Sunday 4.00pm
If any Portsmouth player is sent off in this game Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this 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.

The first silverware of the English season was settled last weekend, as Spurs ended a nine year trophy drought, winning the League Cup. Tottenham’s players partied hard after the extra-time win over Chelsea, but then it was back to work, as the Premiership is far from over. There are eleven more weeks of Premiership action for punters to bet on, which means elven more reasons to ensure you bet with the right sportsbook for best value betting!

Gunners to Win Title for Eduardo

Arsenal players have vowed to maintain their position at the top of the Premiership table, and win the title for striker, Eduardo, who suffered a horrible broken leg on Saturday at St.Andrews. The Gunners made that objective a little bit harder for themselves, by conceding in the 90th minute to draw 2-2 with Birmingham. The home side had played 86 minutes with ten men, following Martin Taylor’s red card for the tackle on Eduardo, who now faces nine months on the sidelines.

Arsene Wenger now goes into Saturday’s home game with Aston Villa, one striker down, and with Tuesday’s visit to the San Siro to consider. Arsenal are unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium this season, but Villa have lost just once in eleven league games. The concern for the Villans is that their run without a clean sheet stretches back even further – over 13 games. With Arsenal scoring 31 times at home so far this term, this should be an entertaining game, but Villa haven’t beaten the Londoners in 19 attempts.

PinnacleSports.com make Arsenal favourites 1.826 (-0.5 & -1)* with Aston Villa 2.110 (+0.5 & +1)* - a market priced to only 102%.

United Look for Five More Against Fulham

Manchester United coasted to victory last weekend, beating sorry Newcastle 5-1 at St.James’ Park. Rooney and Ronaldo grabbed two goals each, as the Red Devils returned to winning ways after the disappointment of their defeat in the Manchester Derby. United are now just three points behind Arsenal, and will expect to maintain the pressure with a win over struggling Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Fulham, second from bottom, are struggling badly for form, winning just one of their last seventeen games, despite changing manager at the very end of last year. Roy Hodgson is a vastly experienced coach, but he has his work cut out with the Cottagers. Despite the return of influential midfielder, Jimmy Bullard, from injury, Fulham are struggling for goals, drawing blanks in five of their last six games. Brian McBride comes back into the reckoning for this game, and though he will add aerial threat, it is hard to see the West Londoners getting anything out of this game, though United may be distracted by Tuesday’s Champions League tie.

PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd favourites 1.901 (-1 & -1.5)* with Fulham 2.030 (+1 & +1.5)*.

*Odds are subject to change so check out the latest live odds compared across the top online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com.

The bookies have already started the countdown to the March 14 2008 Cheltenham Festival and here are the latest online sportsbook money back offers on this amazing event:

For starters, ‘no runner no bet’ payouts are on offer on all Cheltenham Festival races at present at BetFred, PaddyPower and BoyleSports

BetFred is also running A ‘Happy Hour…well, 2′ promotion”

Don’t miss BetFred’s Happy Hour promotions each day until the Cheltenham Festival (March 14).
Each day they’ll be running special offers between 12 noon and 2pm.

Bet365’s ‘Racing Value’ Promotion factors in a range of nice-to-haves confirming their status as our top rated online sportsbook:

-Best odds guarantee (take the price on your selection – and if the SP is bigger they’ll pay you out at the bigger odds)
- Early Prices on every race
- Enhanced Place Terms
- Pay out on Disqualified horses
- Showcasts (fixed price straight forecasts and tricasts)
- No 5p Rule 4 deductions

Popular European sportsbook, Interwetten, has ramped up its promotional efforts in 2008 and is now promising punters a new promotion each week in addition to its already credible odds and 50 EUR join bonus.

In this week’s sportsbook promotional offer, every 2008th bet wins - and that could be you. NO, really!…and it’s not hard to enter. Dust off your Interwetten Account if you’re already a member or join up today.

In eager anticipation of Euro 2008 100 days away, if you place a minimum bet of 20,08 EUR on February 28th you could be a lucky winner. Every 2.008th bet of 20,08 EUR or more placed will win 2008 EUR (or currency equivalent).

This competition is only live on Thursday, February 28th 2008, between 08:08 CET and 23:59 CET.

Here’s the currency equivalent info (as Interwetten accepts punters from all across Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the UK) 

Every 2008th bet with a stake of more than EUR 20,08, 32 CHF, 507 CZK, 149 DKK, 5.233 HUF, 159 NOK, 15 PDS, 72 PLN, 73 RON, 187 SEK, 41 SGD, 35 TRY, 29 USD will win 2008 EUR - that’s a prize of EUR 2008, 3.245 CHF, 50.860 CZK, 14.965 DKK, 525.380 HUF, 15.990 NOK, 1.490 PDS, 7.190 PLN, 7.310 RON, 18.730 SEK, 4.160 SGD, 3.520 TRY, 2.940 USD.

>>For more information on Interwetten and how they compare to other top European sports bookmakers, visit our latest Interwetten sportsbook review at BookieLabRat.com.

 Visit Interwetten

After a seven year gap, the League Cup final returns to Wembley with a London derby to welcome it home. The year might not end in one but, nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur will go to the new Wembley in high hopes of landing the first domestic trophy of the season. Standing in their way is the modern day League Cup specialists, Chelsea, who will bid to win their third Carling Cup title in four years.
       
“Berba King”
Chelsea v Tottenham - Carling Cup - Sunday 3.00pm       
If Dimitar Berbatov scores the last goal of the game (in 90 minutes),Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Maximum refund per customer is €300 (or Currency Equivalent).
       
“Spot on!”
BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on the Chelsea v Tottenham match as a free bet - if the game goes to penalties. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer

“Penalty Points!”
If you back a team to win in 90 minutes and they lose on a penalty shootout Paddy Power will refund all losing win-draw-win bets on the match. Max refund per punter is €300/£200.

 
League leaders Arsenal will look for revenge when they face a Birmingham side who took two points off the Gunners six weeks ago. Birmingham themselves know they will have to start picking up points very quickly if they are to avoid a return to the Championship.
 
“Cesc And The City”
Birmingham City v Arsenal - Premier League - Saturday 12.45pm       
If Cesc Fabregas scores the last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Maximum refund per customer is €300 (or Currency Equivalent).       

“Bore Draw”
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.

It’s been 12 years since Geordie fans celebrated their memorable 5-0 win over Man United and current form suggests it’ll be an eternity before they see it again as the two clash again on Saturday evening. Newcastle are still in search for Kevin Keegan’s first win since his arrival last month whereas the Red Devils know they can’t afford anymore slip-ups in the title race.
 
“A League Of His Owen”
Newcastle v Man United - Premier League - Saturday 5.15pm       
If Michael Owen scores the last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Maximum refund per customer is €300 (or Currency Equivalent).
       

Sunday lunchtime sees Aston Villa try to stay in touch of Champions League qualification as they travel to relegation threatened Reading. The Royals have lost their last seven Premier League games which has left them deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table.
 
“Treasure Hunt”
Reading v Aston Villa - Premier League - Sunday 12.30pm       
If Stephen Hunt scores the last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. Maximum refund per customer is €300 (or Currency Equivalent).
       
      

Monday night football sees in-form Everton travel to Eastlands to face a Man City side still on a high from their Manchester derby win. The Toffees hit six in UEFA Cup action on Thursday night but will be in for a much tougher test against Sven Goran Eriksson’s men.
       
“Sven Is The Menace”
Man City v Everton - Premier League - Monday 8.00pm       
If Man City win this game from behind Boylesports will refund all losing single bets
on this match.Maximum refund per customer is €300 (or Currency Equivalent).
       
“Bore Draw”
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.

Popular Australian Bookie, Canbet, has a great promotion running in March that really is worth a look. One lucky punter will win a free £20,000 (€25,000) betting bankroll and as the winner you get to place 7 Win-only bets of £2,857 on Grand National Day at Aintree. That’s one selection per race and you keep the profit of the day!

The Grand National - the worlds most famous steeplechase - is always fun for punters, but Canbet’s free betting bankroll will really add to the excitement - and, if you’re on a roll it could prove extremely profitable too!

OK, so who can enter?

New and existing Canbet customers are eligible to enter the lucky draw for a chance to win a £20,000 (€25,000) Betting Bank. Whether you consider yourself to be a casual punter or take your betting more seriously with every stake consdiered an investment - you’re stll eligble to have a stab at this great contest.

How do I enter?

As a member at Canbet you earn tickets into the Big Bet Blast lucky draw by collecting Canbet points. Wagers and play across the any of Canbet’s betting and gaming services (Sports, Racing, Casino and Poker) count. You get 1 ticket for every 1,000 points earned and as long as your account is “active” (ie has placed a minimum of one settled bet in March) you get 1000 points and at least one entry into the draw!

You can earn more points/entries by placing bets (Every £1.25 (€1.75) in Sports, Racing or Casino bets gives you a point), raked poker hands also count. Canbet are also running a series of daily promotions in March that will offer extra points and Lucky Draw entries.

Register for the Big Blast promotion now by entering the Promotional code BIGBETBLAST on the “my account” page online at Canbet before March 31.

Not got a Canbet account yet?

Check out our detailed reviews:
>>Canbet Sportsbook Review at BookieLabRat.com
>>Canbet Casino Review at CasinoLabRat.com
>>Canbet Poker Room Review at PokerLabRat.com

… or just visit any of these sites and register…
>>Go to Canbet Sportsbook
>>Go to Canbet Casino (A full suite of the latest Microgaming powered online casino games)
>>Go to Canbet Poker Room (A member of the popular Microgaming Poker Network)

Sorry, no US bettors can join Canbet.

Rafa Benitez openly admitted that Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday was critical to his future at the club. The Reds were helped by the harsh sending off of Marco Materazzi with just half an hour gone, but it is the result that counts. Liverpool & Benitez, must now carry the positive momentum into the Premiership starting with Saturday’s home fixture against Middlesbrough. The Pool have slipped out of the automatic Champions League qualification spots, at the expense of city neighbours, Everton.

Gareth Southgate has made really progress with Boro after a shaky start, remaining unbeaten in their last seven games in all competition, and tightening up markedly in defence, despite the loss of Jonathan Woodgate. They have an excellent chance of progressing in the FA Cup, so morale at the club is high. The sides met at the Riverside in mid-January, drawing 1-1, one of three identical stalemates in their last five Premiership games. History is however, against a win for the Teessiders, as they last silenced the kop in 1976.

PinnacleSports.com make Liverpool favourites 1.862 (-1 & -1.5)* with Middlesbrough 2.070 (+1 & +1.5)*.

*All odds subject to change - check out the latest best prices across top online sports bookmakers.

Those Premiership clubs still involved in European competition, and the FA Cup, will have fallen victim to their own success, facing their third game in seven days this weekend. Conversely, those sides with just the Premiership to consider, will have enjoyed a 14 day break, which is an important point to note ahead of this weekend’s English top flight action.

Red Devils Set to Heap Further Pressure on King Kevin

The return of Kevin Keegan as manager of Newcastle United football club was greeted with euphoria, bordering on hysteria. Unfortunately for King Kev, he has been unable to make any positive impact on the pitch, still searching for his first victory after five games in charge, which have produced an aggregate deficit of 11-2. The visit of Man Utd on Saturday evening is the start of a tough spell of fixtures (including a visit to Anfield) that could conceivably push the Magpies into the relegation zone, and prompt mass suicides on Tyneside.

The Red Devils’ derby defeat, two weeks ago, allowed Arsenal to slip five points clear at the top of the table. Having been distracted by an easy FA Cup win and hard-earned Champions League draw, coach, Alex Ferguson, can now turn his attention back to the Premiership, while Newcastle will have benefited from 14 days rest. There is history between Fergie and Keegan, going back to 1995/96 when the Geordies under Keegan let a 12 point lead slip, allowing Man Utd to pip them to the title. That rivalry may lift the home side, but is unlikely to bridge the gulf in class between the sides.

PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd favourites 1.826 (-1)*, with Newcastle 2.110 (+1)* - a market priced to less than 102%.

*All odds subject to change - compare the latest bookie prices live across top online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com.

The Premiership’s three representatives in the UEFA Cup all hold the advantage going into the second legs of the first stage of the knock-out phase on Thursday night. Bolton have the toughest task taking a slim 1-0 lead to the Vicente Calderon Stadium, where Atletico Madrid have won all five European ties this season. The Spaniards lie fourth in La Liga, but lost on Sunday at home to Atheltico Bilbao, while the Trotters had a free weekend to prepare because of the FA Cup. The Indios are handicapped by the suspension to star Argentine striker, Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero, after a red card in the heated first leg at the Rebbok.

There are likely to be plenty more cards in the return leg, where PinnacleSports.com make Atletico Madrid favourites 1.877 (-1)* with Bolton 2.050 (+1)*.

Everton and Tottenham should have straight forward tasks having won their first legs on the road. The Toffees hold a two goal advantage over SK Brann, and Spurs should really have beaten Slavia Prague by the same scoreline, but for a dreadful error by goalkeeper, Radek Cerny.

Both Premiership sides are strong favourites with PinnacleSports.com, pricing UEFA Cup fixtures to under 102%.

* All prices subject to change - check out the latest odds at the top online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com.

UEFA Cup Betting Preview - Round of 32 Knockout Phase: Second Legs (Feb 21)

The chance of a British UEFA Cup winner, for the first time since Liverpool in 2001, remains a strong possibility with all five Scottish and English sides unbeaten after the first leg of the UEFA Cup knockout phase. All the return legs conclude this Thursday, giving punters a third day of European action, following on from the excitement of the midweek Champions League fixtures.

Scottish Sides Need Strong Away Performances 

Both Aberdeen and Rangers may rue the opportunities lost in their first leg UEFA Cup home fixtures. The Dons twice led Bayern Munich at Pittodrie, but were pegged back to 2-2, and now face an uphill struggle at the Allianz Arena. Aberdeen’s battling performance was against disappointing recent domestic form, which continued on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat at Hibernian. They now need to produce a real shock without several key players as coach, Jimmy Calderwood, is missing Jamie Smith, Derek Young, Jackie McNamara and Richie Byrne. In contrast Bayern Munich produced an impressive 3-0 away win at Hannover on Saturday, cementing their place at the top of the Bundesliga, with all goals from Italian international, Luca Toni.

PinnacleSports.com make Bayern Munich favourites 2.010 (-2 & -2.5)* with Aberdeen 1.917 (+2 & +2.5)*.

Rangers maintained their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League winning 2-0 at Kilmarnock on Sunday, but coach, Walter Smith, was disappointed the win wasn’t more comfortable. “We need extra sharpness up front, and hopefully we can start to show more of a killer instinct in front of goal.” The Gers were unable to find the net at Ibrox in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie against, Panathinaikos, despite creating plenty of chances. At least they prevented the Greek league leaders from gaining a valuable away goal but the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium is a tough place for any team to get a result. Their aggregate score in three home games for this UEFA Cup campaign totals 8-0, including against another SPL side, Aberdeen. 

PinnacleSports.com make Panathinaikos favourites 1.980 (-0.5)* with Rangers 1.943 (+0.5)*.

* All Odds subject to change so check out the latest prices online live across all the top rated bookies at BookieLabRat.com.