The Sports Bookie Blog

OK - there’s a heap of Champions League betting offers that probably should be considered before you decide which bookie to honour with your punt. We’ve summarised the latest Cash Back/Money Back/Free bet specials from some of our better rated online sportsbooks. These offers pay our suprisingly often and do offer a form of “insurance” if your luck is not quite with you on the day!

Head Start! - ALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHES 19th & 20 Feb

Paddy Power will refund all losing correct score, 1st/last goal scorer and scorecast bets on this weeks eight Champions League matches if the last goal in that match is a header. Max refund per punter is €300/£200.

Hot Shots! - LIVERPOOL V INTER MILAN and ARSENAL V AC MILAN

BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on Liverpool v Inter Milan AND the Arsenal v AC Milan as a free bet - If Torres scores anytime AND Adebayor scores anytime. Max refund is £100 per customer (or currency equivalent).

Tevez-stating! - LYON V MAN UTD Wednesday 7:45pm

If Carlos Tevez scores the last goal in this game Boyle Sports will refund all losing first/last goal scorer, correct score and half time/full time single bets on this match.
Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.

Champions League - LIVERPOOL V INTER MILAN 19 Feb 19:45

If Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores the last goal in this game Boyle Sports will refund all losing first/last/anytime goal scorer, correct score and half time/full time single bets on this match. Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.

Champions League - All this week’s Champions League matches.

SECOND CHANCE - Have a bet on the First Goalscorer and if your selection fails to score the first goal but scores at any other time VCBet will refund your stake as a free bet.

MONEY FOR NOTHING - Have a Correct Score bet and if the match finishes 0-0 VCBet will refund your losing stake as a free bet.

Bore Draw - ALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHES 19th & 20 Feb

BORE-DRAW - If you Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0 in 90 minutes.

Last Chance Saloon - Place a bet on any Champions League game this Tuesday and, if one of Ladbrokes’ selected stars, including Steven Gerrard, Nicolas Anelka, Francesco Totti or Kevin Kuranyi, scores last in their respective match, Ladbrokes will refund all losing first and last goal scorer bets for that game!

Here’s the latest commentary on the FA Cup progress from the team at top online sportsbook, Bodog:

The FA Cup fifth round is over and you would think the wheat has been sorted from the chaff.

Think again because after the weekend’s antics between Liverpool and Barnsley there must certainly be some wind in those minnow sails. It’s like the plot of a Pixar movie, all the little leaguers getting excited at the thought of bringing down the big boys on their home turf.

Maybe, maybe not but there is still probably going to be a Manchester United v Chelsea showdown! Sorry to rain on the parade, but isn’t that always how it goes? Barnsley will play host to Chelsea up north and for the first time in eons the Blues will have to get their hands dirty for the trek too - no more cosy home ties for them!

Portsmouth might have stood a chance as the third best prospect in the competition but they were also drawn against Manchester United at home and aren’t likely to beat them at Old Trafford. That would be a first since the 50s! Sorry Harry!

Here’s how the rest of the sixth round draw shaped up:

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City

Manchester Utd v Portsmouth

Bristol Rovers v West Bromwich Albion

Barnsley v Chelsea

Ties to be played on March 8-9

PS: Bodog Sportsbook has really revved up its efforts in 2008 to expand into UK and European betting markets and now offers a huge range of surprisingly competitive football odds. We suggest you have a look - their web site is geotargeted so US punters get presented with US Sports betting and UK/Europeans get a cool digitial entertainment site focussed on UK/European sports betting. No harm in looking?

A couple of the better weekend cash back offers are paying out handsomely to losing punters this week with two Irish bookies no doubt smarting a tad.

Paddy Power’s ‘Red-dy For War Refund’ is cheering losing punters - As Emmanuel Eboue got sent off in the Man Utd v Arsenal match. Paddy is refunding over £120,000 in losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the game.

BoyleSports, the other great Irish bookie that we recommend (and bet with regularly ourselves) is also coughing up refunds. The ‘Sweet FA’ promo is paying refunds to €300 on all losing Sheffield Utd and Middlesbrough single bets, as the game resulted in a nil all draw.

No cash back offers are on site as yet at BoyleSports for Champions League action, but you can take some betting insurance on the Champions League second round, first leg fixtures at PaddyPower:

‘Head Start!’ PaddyPower.com will refund all losing correct score, 1st/last goal scorer and scorecast bets on the eight Champions League matches this week (19th and 20th February) if the last goal in that match is a header. Max refund per punter is €300/£200.

Check it out on site at PaddyPower.com. Bets placed on any of the eight games are eligible for this offer. (Sorry no US bettors)

The three top online sportsbooks for money back offers, Paddy Power, BetFred and BoyleSports have some great offers on the FA Cup games this weekend.

Paddy’s Latest Money Back Special:
Red-dy for War! Manchester United v Arsenal - FA CUP FOOTBALL, Sat 5:15pm BBC1. All losing correct score, 1st/last goal scorer and scorecast bets on this match refunded by PaddyPower.com if any player is shown a red card in the match. Max refund per punter is €300/£200.

BetFred’s latest Freebet deal:
Heading for a Free Bet! Man Utd V Arsenal - FA Cup Qualifier - Saturday 16 Feb.
If the last goal scored in the game is a header BetFred.com will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on this match. Max refund is £100 per customer (or currency equivalent). Own goals do not count.

And, not to be out done, BoyleSports.com offers punters 4 different Cash backs on the FA Cup matches this weekend: 

A Perfect 10 - MAN UTD V ARSENAL - FA Cup Saturday 5:15pm
If Emmanuel Adebayor 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.

All Saints - BISTOL ROVERS V SOUTHAMPTON - FA Cup Saturday 12:30pm
If Southampton wins this game from behind Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this match.
Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.

Sweet FA - I - SHEFFIELD UTD V MIDDLESBROUGH - FA Cup Sunday 2:00pm
If this game finishes a 0-0 draw (90 minutes) Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this match.
Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.

Sweet FA - II - PRESTON V PORTSMOUTH - FA Cup Sunday 4:00pm
If this game finishes a 0-0 draw (90 minutes) Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets on this match.
Max refund is €300/£200 per customer.

Check out the latest reviews and ratings for these 3 bookies onsite at BookieLabRat.com (what’s hot and not and how they compare to other online sportsbooks)

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to come through Fifth round FA Cup ties against lower division opposition this weekend. The Reds entertain Barnsley on Saturday, which on paper is a more testing fixture than Chelsea’s game at home to Division One Huddersfield. The Tykes are mid-table just one division below Liverpool, but there is a gulf of class between the sides. Barnsley have no pedigree for Cup upsets, have overcome only mediocre FA Cup opponents en route and are without a first-team goalkeeper. Their away league form is atrocious, failing to win in twelve straight fixtures on the road, drawing a blank in eight of those. Liverpool were given an early scare by minnows in the last round, so expect a more professional performance.

PinnacleSports.com price Liverpool 1.952 (-2)* with Barnsley 1.971 (+2)*.

Chelsea’s home tie with Huddersfield is a repeat of their 2005 FA Cup encounter. At that time riding high under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were expected to sweep the Terriers aside, but the game was 1-1 until up until the 82nd minute, when Eidur Gudjohnsen settled it. That result is symptomatic of Chelsea’s cup performances at home to lower class teams, where the anticipated cricket scores rarely materialise; nevertheless Chelsea usually come out on top. Avram Grant can welcome back Drogba, Kalou, Essien and Obi Mikel from Ghana, but in company with Rafa Benitez, will be thinking ahead to next week Champions League fixtures when making his team selections.

PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea 2.10 (-2 & -2.5)* with Huddersfield 1.833 (+2 & +2.5)*.

*All odds subject to change - check out the latest best prices live across all the top rated sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com.

This weekend than main English soccer betting action is in the FA Cup, where the field has been whittled down to just sixteen teams. It is at this stage that pressure really starts to come into play as the remaining teams realise they are just three games from a Wembley FA Cup final. The Big Four are all still in the hat, but we will definitely loose Man Utd or Arsenal, as they face each other at Old Trafford, while Huddersfield and Bristol Rovers fly the flag for the lower divisions.
Arsenal & Man Utd Set For Another FA Cup Classic

When Arsenal and Man Utd where drawn together for the fifth round of 2008 FA Cup, pundits immediately anticipated a classic encounter. Statistics show that these two teams are the most successful in the competition’s 136 year history, between them winning the FA Cup 21 times and appearing in 35 finals. They have met each other 11 times, winning five times each, though their most recent was in the final of 2005, which was an anti-climactic goalless draw which the Gunners won on penalties. Most meetings have however been hugely memorable games, none more-so than the 1999 semi-final.

That game at Villa Park featured a superb Beckham free-kick, a Schmeichel penalty save from Bergkamp, and one of the greatest FA Cup goals ever, scored by Ryan Giggs. Giggs and Paul Scholes are the only survivors of that fixture likely to play on Saturday when the Red Devils will look to bounce back from the crushing disappointment of a Derby defeat to Man City last Sunday in front of a packed and expectant home crowd. United blamed that poor show on the effect of friendly internationals, so with a week to prepare for this game, there can be no excuses. Arsenal will be boosted by their win over Blackburn, which took them five points clear of United, while Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue return from the African Cup of Nations. Both managers will however, have an eye on the midweek Champions League commitments which will impact their selections.

With home advantage PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd favourites 1.813 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Arsenal 2.130 (0/scratch & +0.5)* - a market priced to just 102%.

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

Here’s a link to the latest sportsbook review on PinnacleSports.com. What’s hot and not about this Asian Handicap betting specialist.

It’s back to European action for two of England’s top teams this week with both Everton and Tottenham facing tricky away fixtures in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. Everton travel to Norway on Wednesday night to face a SK Brann side who finished third in their qualifying group knocking out the likes of Dinamo Zagreb and French side, Rennes. Everton went unbeaten in the group stages and have their sights on a first ever UEFA Cup.

Here are the latest cash back offers from top Irish online sportsbook Boyle Sports. (Sorry, no US bettors).
 
“All Brann”
Brann v Everton - UEFA Cup - Wednesday 7.00pm
       
If Brann are leading at half time and full time in this game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match. 
        
On Thursday evening, UEFA Cup specialist, Juande Ramos, brings his in-form Tottenham side to the Czech Republic to face Slavia Prague. This will be the third time this season Slavia have had to face North London opposition after twice battling with Arsenal in the Champions League. Spurs will look to go the distance this season following last year’s quarter final defeat at the hands of eventual winners Sevilla.
       
“Bouncing Czechs”
Slavia Prague v Tottenham - UEFA Cup - Thursday 8.00pm
       
If Slavia Prague are leading at half time and full time in this game, Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on this match.
       
Here’s a few terms and conditions for these Money Back Special offers:

- Applies to Internet Bets only
- Applies to singles only
- Maximum refund is €300 (or currency equivalent) per customer
- Doesn’t apply to singles in multiple bets
- Applies only to bets placed prior to kick-off
- 90 minutes only

For the latest Bookmaker Review on BoyleSports and how they rate compared to other top bookies - check out BookieLabRat.com.

Aberdeen Must Bounce Back from Heavy Defeats

Aberdeen’s home tie against Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, on Thursday is one fixture that certainly catches the eye. The Dons scored a famous 3-2 victory over the Germans at Pittodrie in 1983 on their way to winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. However, a repeat victory seems unlikely based on Aberdeen’s recent form. On Sunday they were hammered 5-1 by Celtic at home, following on from a 4-1 League Cup semi-final defeat by Dundee United in front of their own fans. Coach, Jimmy Calderwood, employed two new signings in defence against Celtic - Dave Bus and Alan Maybury – and that pair will have to quickly find their feet facing Bayern Munich on Thursday.

Though Munich were not emphatic in the group phase, they topped their section, remaining unbeaten, while Aberdeen scrapped through with just four points. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side may have only managed a draw in their table-top clash with Werder Bremen on Sunday, but they still top the German league and come into the game in much better form. Their midfield playmaker, Franck Ribery, is a big doubt, but they have plenty of strength in depth.

PinnacleSports.com make Bayern Munich favourites 1.694 (-1)* with Aberdeen 2.34 (+1)*.

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

After a two month break, the UEFA Cup resumes on Wednesday night, as 32 remaining teams enter the excitement of the knock-out phase. A quick glance at the first-leg fixture list shows such a roll-call of top quality European sides, that UEFA Cup bettors are spoiled for choice. Five British sides will be hoping to make the short journey to the City of Manchester Stadium for the UEFA Cup final on May 14th, but there is a lot of football to be played between now and then.

Villarreal Face Tough First Leg Away to Russian Champions

The Yellow Submarine must negotiate a safe passage back from Russia on Wednesday night, as La Liga side, Villarreal visit 2007 Russian Champions, Zenit St. Petersburg. Zenit may not have excelled in the group phase, finishing third in their section, but they are exceedingly hard to beat at home. Dick Advocaat’s side haven’t lost in their last 21 home games in European competition, and there will definitely be a frosty reception for the Spaniards at the Petrovsky Stadium. However, Zenit are at the disadvantage of being outside of their regular season which runs from March until November, which may explain some of their results in the group phase.

Villarreal are riding high in La Liga, in third position behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. They may have won just one of their last five fixtures in all competition but they faced both they faced Barca twice – losing 1-0 over two legs of the Spanish Cup – and Madrid once – going down 3-2 at the Bernabeu. Those hard fixtures will have tuned them up for this game, and Manuel Pelligrini’s side should be confident having topped Group C ahead of Fiorentina, dropping just two points.

PinnacleSports.com make Villarreal marginal favourites off a level handicap 1.826 (1/scratch)* with Zenit St.Petersburg 2.110 (0/scratch)* - a market priced to 102%.

* Odds subject to change - check out the latest prices on UEFA Cup Betting across the top online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com

New Jersey General Assembly passed a measure paving the way for sports betting in Atlantic City with a 58-17 vote.  The bill could be on the states ballot during the Presidential Election in November 2008, which is anticipated to have record turn out.

New Jersey Legislation Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, Louis Greenwald, Nelson Albano and John Burzichelli were the sponsors of the bill that could pave the way for Atlantic City casinos to start take bets on professional sporting events. 

Co-sponsor Louis Greenwald commented “Ever since its inception, Atlantic City’s casinos have scored big for taxpayers, senior citizens, and residents with disabilities.  Now, aggressive marketing campaigns from out-of-state gaming interests have become a real and present danger to Atlantic City. With one of the state’s most important industries in the crosshairs, it is imperative that we seize this unique opportunity.”

Atlantic City casinos have been under mounting pressure from rival casinos owned by Native American tribes north of New York City specifically Foxwoods Hotel & Casino in Connecticut.  The move would boost the entire New Jersey economy.

“Sports betting already exists in New Jersey, but only the criminals are enjoying the profits,” said John Burzichelli . “Legal, carefully regulated sports wagering would bolster both Atlantic City and the state. New Jersey should go all-in.”

“Sports fans put billions of dollars on the line every year, regardless of its legality,” said Moriarty.  “A legal Atlantic City-based sports book would ensure bettors are not fleeced or put in harm’s way.”

If approved by New Jersey voters already tolerant to gambling, Atlantic City casinos would be regulated by the states Casino Control Commission and able to accept walk up sports wagers solely on professional sports.

The casinos would not be able to offer wagering on collegiate sports.