The Sports Bookie Blog

Fancy playing at Old Trafford and enjoying a day’s hospitality?

Betfred Bookmaker has teamed up with Manchester United to offer a fantastic prize to ten lucky BetFred.com punters. To enter this free competition you just need to click the link on the BetFred web site and answer an easy question (a “who scored this goal?” photo quiz - below).

If you’re one of BetFred’s 10 lucky winners, you and a friend will be invited to Old Trafford on Friday 9 May to take part in a dream event for any United fan!

Change in the player dressing rooms! Make your way down the tunnel and out onto the pitch. Show off your skills and learn some new ones with the coaches from Manchester United Soccer Schools.

You’ll also meet some United legends, go on a tour of the stadium and enjoy a post match meal before you head home.

All you need to do to win this fantastic prize is take a look at the picture above and answer the following question:

Who scored the winning goal for Manchester United in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999? (If you’re a real Man Yoo fan you probably won’t even need the photo!)

   A. David Beckham
   B. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
   C. Ronny Johnsen

- The winners will be drawn at random from all correct entries received
- Winners will be notified by phone before Wednesday 23rd April
- The event takes place on Friday 9th May, therefore winners must be be able to attend on this day
- Travel and/or accomodation will not be provided (so non UK and non Manchester residents need to think about this!)

PS: The Gooner (of www.GoonersGuide.com fame, flew from New Zealand to take part in a similar Arsenal occasion a few years back… so it can be done if you’re committed - or should be…:-) )

Here’s a round up of cash back offers that may help you decide where to invest that tenner.

First up is popular Irish bookie BoyleSports.com:

“Bhoy Wonder” - Celtic v Rangers - Scottish Premier League - Wednesday 7.45pm
       
If Scott McDonald scores the last goal of the game, Boylesports will refund losing first/last/anytime goalscorer, scorecast, correct score & half time/full time single bets on this match. Maximum refund is €300 or currency equivalent.

“They Think It’s All Over…” - Everton v Chelsea - Premier League - Thursday 8.00pm
       
If Chelsea win this game from behind, Boyle Sports will refund losing first/last/anytime goalscorer, scorecast, correct score & half time/full time single bets on this match. Maximum refund is €300 or currency equivalent.

Paddy Power, another great sportsbook based out of Ireland has:

“Chewing up the Toffees!”  - Everton v Chelsea - Premier League - Thurs 17th April KO 8pm

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

Don’t forget the excellent cash back at Bet365:

” Bore Draw!” - All midweek and Weekend Football.  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.

Fred Done Bookmaker has come to the party again this week too:

“First Scorer Cash Back” - All English Premiership Football 
If you back a player to score first in any Premier League game this weekend and your selection fails to score the first goal but scores last, BetFred will refund your stake to £100 max.

“Scorecast Cash Back” - All English Premiership Football 
If you place a scorecast bet on any Premier League game this weekend and you only get one half of your selection correct, BetFred will refund your total stake to £100 max.

With a sense of déjà vu, the online Champions League betting market at PinnacleSports.com for the semi-final stage of the 2008 competition, features three Premiership teams, mirroring the situation a year ago. The big question is whether Barcelona can spoil the Premier League party, by beating Man Utd to the final, where they would face either Liverpool or Chelsea, who meet at this stage for third time in four years.

Dream Premiership Final Gets Another Step Closer

For the second successive year, three Premiership teams have reached the semi-final stage of the Champions League, bringing the possibility of an all Premiership final tantalisingly close. However, the might of Barcelona stand in the way of that dream for English football fans, facing Manchester United over two legs in late April. It was at this stage last year that the Red Devils were beaten by AC Milan, who went on to beat Liverpool in the final.

The Reds once again line up in the final four of Europe’s premier domestic competition, having eliminated Arsenal in a dramatic all or nothing game at Anfield. Liverpool face Chelsea at the semi-final stage of the Champions League for the third time in four years, with the Blues looking to avenge defeat on both previous occasions. The Londoners have had a miserable time in the latter stages of this competition also missing out on the final in 2004, beaten by Monaco. John Terry, Wayne Bridge, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard - all survivors of that trio of heart-breaking defeats - will be desperate to break the Hoodoo. It should be to their advantage playing the second leg in London, though the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge can never rival the Anfield amphitheatre.

Despite Liverpool making the final in both 2007 and 2005, PinnacleSports.com price Chelsea favourites to progress 1.893 (0/scratch)* with Liverpool 2.030 (0/scratch)* – a market priced to only 102%.

Man Utd Chasing League & European Double

Manchester United are chasing a European and domestic double which would emulate (in part) the club’s achievements in 1999, when they landed a historic treble. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs are survivors from that memorable night at the Nou Camp when United scored twice in injury time to defeat Bayern Munich. Wes Brown watched from the bench, while Paul Scholes was suspended, giving him a huge motivation at the age of 33 to appear in a Champions League final. Inevitably Cristiano Ronaldo will grab most of the pre-match headlines, having already scored over 30 goals this season, and on course for World Player of the Year.

If Lionel Messi recovers fitness in time, the two best players in the world should share the limelight. Barcelona may be struggling in La Liga, but they have looked confident in the Champions League, looking to emulate their success in 2006. Ronaldinho won’t be playing, ruled out for the season, but there will be enough talent on show to make this an exquisite encounter, though captain Carles Puyol is suspended for the first leg.

Perhaps on the basis of their performances in Europe PinnacleSports.com price Barcelona favourites to progress 2.080 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Manchester United 1.855 (0/scratch & +0.5)*.
* Odds subject to change so check out the latest Champions League odds LIVE at BookieLabRat.com - best odds at top online sportsbooks compared live.

Popular online sportsbook PaddyPower.com is letting punters share their views on the Premier League season.

The good, the bad, the truly ugly - the best comment received at Irish bookie Paddy Power will win a £/€50 Free Bet.

Nominations have closed (if indeed Paddy’s marketing team ever opened them - they’re good like that!) and now it’s your chance to vote for:
- The Flop of the Season
- Video Nasty of the Season
- Moaner of the Year
- Least Insightful Pundit
- Most Baffling Decision… and more. 

Visit the Paddy Power BLOG and get your comments in to win.

The closing date for consideration in this competition is 4pm Friday April 18th. The winner will be chosen as usual in a totally subjective manner by Paddy Power   so no whinging.

These images are examples only: click through to VOTE ONSITE AT PADDYPOWER.COM

For more about Paddy Power read our latest sportsbook review here at BookieLabRat.com.

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his Manchester United side’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford as a decisive moment in this season’s Premier League title race.

Victory moved United six points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who can reduce that gap to three points with a home win over Wigan on Monday. But with just four league games remaining, Ferguson is convinced his men have now taken a massive step towards the successful defence of their title.

Next up for United are Blackburn and victory at Ewood Park will mean United can all but take the title if they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 26.

“I said if we win our next three games we would be champions,” said Ferguson after seeing United come from 1-0 down to win thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s coolly-taken penalty and Owen Hargreaves’s superbly struck free-kick. “We have got over a nervous day today (Sunday),” Ferguson added. “We’ve got a week’s rest now, get them freshened up before Blackburn away.

“The players knew this was a massive game today. Arsenal and ourselves have been competing for trophies for 15 or 16 years and the games are always so emotionally tight and this was another one.”

Ferguson agreed his team had been fortunate to beat an Arsenal side who had gone ahead in the 48th minute through Emmanuel Adebayor as they tried to keep their season alive after last week’s Champions League exit against Liverpool. “The quality of this game was outstanding,” Ferguson said as he reflected on another compelling United-Arsenal clash .

“There won’t be a better game this year. They were the better team in the first-half. I thought we were very nervous and our passing was poor and I couldn’t wait to get to half-time. “When Arsenal scored they forced my hand, and I had to bring on Anderson and Carlos Tevez. That was a pivotal moment and we were fantastic after that, played some good football, and it was just an incredible game.”

Victory would have hauled Arsenal back into the title race, moving them to within three points of United. Instead, Arsene Wenger and his players were forced to admit that, at nine points adrift of top spot, they were out of the race having been five points in front as recently as February.  Arsenal have been criticised for an inability to turn impressive performances into wins but their French manager insisted there would be no compromising when it came to the Gunners’ approach next season.

“I believe the gap between success and failure is very thin and I didn’t feel that today we were inferior technically speaking and in terms of quality,” he said. “I feel we have done a lot to promote the Premier League all over the world this season. I’m not an idealist, I want to win trophies and I am sad we haven’t won a trophy,” Wenger insisted. “We want to win trophies by playing the way we do but we want to do it better. That will come.

“But we have to go beyond the situation we have now where the praise given to winners is beyond reason while those who don’t win are slaughtered beyond reason,” he added. “We feel there is not a big difference between ourselves and the other teams. We play quality football because we think that is the way to win trophies. We have lacked maturity defensively at times this season but that will come.”
Check out the latest sportsbook and online bookmaker reviews for April online at BookieLabRat.com. Does your bookie make the grade?

Here are our sportsbook assessment criteria - how do you choose a sportsbook?

Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard says Barcelona need to start killing teams off if they are to have any chance of lifting the Spanish title this season.

Barcelona twice threw away the lead in a 2-2 draw with Recreativo Huelva on Saturday and trail leaders Real Madrid by nine points after the champions defeated Real Murcia 1-0 on Sunday.

“The team always fights but sometimes we fail to kill off the game at key stages,” said Rijkaard. “We have to analyse the goals. The second goal was our fault as we allowed the cross to come in too easily. We let two points get away. We started well but then let our guard down. “I expected us to win it at 2-1 as we had the chances. It is a blow.”

With six games left it is asking a lot for Barca to catch Real but Rijkaard - whose job is under real threat - refuses to wave the white flag. “It is still mathematically possible to win the league but we have to start collecting more points to do it,” said Rijkaard.
 
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, who scored both Barca’s goals against Recreatico, backed his manager’s words. “We will continue fighting because there are games left and because the teams ahead of us are not mathematic champions,” Eto’o said. “I don’t think we dropped our rhythm. They scored an invalid goal and the second goal was a team mistake. We have games to fight for in the league and the Champions League where we want to reach the final.”

Barcelona face Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League - with the first leg on April 23 - and one positive from the Recreativo match was the return of Argentine winger Lionel Messi.  Messi, 20, had been sidelined since tearing a muscle in his left leg on March 5 but returned to action coming on a substitute on 64 minutes.

“It’s his first game back after injury and he’s worked hard to get ready to play again,” Rijkaard added. “We hope he’ll get up to speed soon and get back to performing like he can.”  Consistency is Barcelona’s problem at the moment and Barcelona defender Carles Puyol admits it is a concern. “We can’t give up but it is getting tougher all the time. We’re finding it increasingly hard to win,” explained Puyol. “We are unlikely to win the League if we can’t win two games in a row.  “We do need to think hard about this. We do the hard part, getting a lead, and then we stop creating chances. We have to get better in this respect because when we take the lead our opponents ought to open up. “There are a lot of experienced players in the dressing room and we have to improve.”

Check out the latest sportsbook and online bookmaker reviews for April online at BookieLabRat.com. Does your bookie make the grade?

Here are our sportsbook assessment criteria - how do you choose a sportsbook?

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has demanded showdown talks with the club’s warring American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett following weekend revelations.

It has been claimed by Hicks that Anfield chief executive Rick Parry played a part in attempts to offer the Spaniard’s job to Jurgen Klinsmann. Benitez, speaking after Liverpool’s 3-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Sunday, claimed he felt ‘undermined’ by Hicks’s allegations in several British Sunday newspapers which related to talks with former Germany striker and manager Klinsmann in California in November. Hicks last week called for Parry to resign as chief executive as the bitter boardroom war at Anfield escalated. And the chances of Liverpool’s co-owners, Benitez and Parry all being involved at Anfield come the start of next season appear slim, judging by the manager’s latest comments.

“It was a surprise to read about some meetings (with Klinsmann),” Benitez said. “I need to talk with the board and clarify the situation and I want to do that as soon as possible. I was surprised with the people that were in the meeting,” the Spanish boss added.

“It’s not the first time I knew about the meeting, but about the people that were in the meeting. I feel my position is being undermined by it and that is why I want to clarify the situation. I need to speak to all of them, preferably all at the same time. They were in a meeting together, so I need to know something more. I will ask some questions. I will talk about the meeting (before Christmas) and clarify it. It’s important to stop all the talking and concentrate on the games. We are professionals and we know we need to be focused on the football.

“We will try to do this,” the former Valencia manager, who has again led Liverpool into the semi-finals of the Champions League, added. “The situation is not getting to the players, though. They know we need to finish in the top four and go forward in the Champions League. We must stay focused on the football.”

Victory against Blackburn, earned by goals from Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin, with Roque Santa Cruz scoring late on for Rovers, moved Liverpool five points clear of Everton in the race for fourth spot in the Premier League and the Champions League spot that goes with it.

Benitez admitted his team must now quickly seal their position in order to boost their chances of winning this season’s Champions League. “The Champions League is always a distraction so it’s important to win the league games as soon as possible,” Benitez explained. “We have a five-point lead over Everton and that’s really important. “Our job is to go to Fulham on Saturday and get the three points because that will mean it is almost done for us.”

Blackburn posed Liverpool little threat and manager Mark Hughes, previously in charge of Wales, conceded his team were beaten by the better side. “I was impressed by Liverpool’s work-rate and the amount of work that individuals put in for the team cause,” said the former Manchester United and Wales striker. “We didn’t quite have enough but Liverpool at this moment in time are a very good team, working hard for each other and playing with confidence so it was always a big ask.”

Check out the latest sportsbook and online bookmaker reviews for April online at BookieLabRat.com. Does your bookie make the grade? Here are our bookie assessment criteria - how do you choose a sportsbook?

Sportsbooks across the UK and Europe have had a busy month paying out on special offers giving punters their stakes back. This ‘bookie betting insurance’ basically gives you three possible outcomes on a flutter on the football… win, lose, money back… rather than just the two. And if you;re trying to build your betting bankroll and be a profitable sports bettor these offers should be considered when weighing up which bookie to place your bets with for a given event.

Goals on Sunday! - Manchester United V Arsenal - PREMIER LEAGUE, Sunday 13th 4:00pm Live on SS1.  If 5 or more goals are scored in this match Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets on that match. Max refund per punter €300/£200

Bore Draw! 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.

On Your Marks! Portsmouth V Newcastle - PREMIER LEAGUE, Saturday 5:15pm. Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets if Mark Viduka scores the first goal of this game.  Max Refund is €300 or Currency equivalent per customer.

The Dirk Destroyer! Liverpool V Blackburn - PREMIER LEAGUE, Sunday 1:30pm. Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets if Dirk Kuyt scores the last goal of this game. Max Refund is €300 or Currency equivalent per customer

Top Gun! Man United V Arsenal - PREMIER LEAGUE, Sunday 4pm. Boyle Sports will refund all losing single bets if Emmanuel Adebayor scores the last goal of this game.  Max Refund is €300 or Currency equivalent per customer

He can do no Ron… Liverpool v Blackburn & Man Utd v Arsenal, Sunday, live on Sky Sports. If Fernando Torres or Cristiano Ronaldo score the last goal in any of the above matches Victor Chandler (VCBet) 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. Does not include in-running bets. Free bets credited Monday morning.

First Scorer Cash Back. If you back a player to score first in any Premier League game this weekend and your selection fails to score the first goal but scores last, BetFred will refund your stake to £100 max.

Scorecast Cash Back. If you place a scorecast bet on any Premier League game this weekend and you only get one half of your selection correct, BetFred will refund your total stake to £100 max. 

Premiership Online Betting Preview - Matchday 34 Preview (Apr 12-14)

As the season builds to a climax, the online Premiership betting market is looking like a re-run of last year’s campaign, when Chelsea tried in vain to chase down Man Utd. The Red Devils’ draw last weekend at the Riverside certainly gives the Blues hope, and should Arsenal get a result at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Premier League online betting market could be turned on its head.

Gunners’ Visit to Old Trafford Last Chance to Catch United

Arsenal go to Old Trafford on Sunday looking to bridge the six point gap that separates them from the Premiership leaders. With only five games remaining, the Gunners simply have to win at the Theatre of Dreams to retain any realistic chance of catching Man Utd. The Londoners inflicted one of just two defeats the Red Devils experienced at home last season, courtesy of a late Emmanuel Adebayor strike, but their recent league form doesn’t suggest they are capable of a similar result. Arsenal have won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures, including five stalemates, and their heads will down after dramatic Champions League exit at Anfield on Tuesday night.

In such low spirits they are unlikely to overturn a Man Utd side who in stark contrast, are peaking at the right time, winning their last three home Premiership games by aggregate of 9-0. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire, scoring his 27th league goal at the Riverside, and though the 2-2 draw against Boro should be considered a slip-up, they cruised through to the last four of the Champions League on Wednesday resting Ronaldo, Rooney, and Scholes leaving them fresh for this key game.

PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd favourites 1.893 (-0.5)* with Arsenal 2.040 (+0.5)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

Chelsea Must Maintain Pressure on Red Devils

By the time Chelsea run out at Stamford Bridge on Monday to face Wigan, they’ll know by how much they are playing catch-up to Premiership leaders, Man Utd, who entertain Arsenal on Sunday. Blues’ coach, Avram Grant, will be hoping for a favour from their London rivals. Should Arsenal win at Old Trafford, then a Chelsea win over the ‘Latics would bring the sides level on points, with the Red Devils still to visit the Bridge. This game is one of four home games among Chelsea’s five remaining fixtures, which is certainly in their favour, given their amazing 79 game unbeaten league record at Stamford Bridge.

Wigan’s record against the ‘big four’ underlines PinnacleSports.com’s heavy favouritism toward Chelsea. In three Premiership seasons they have taken just two points from all meetings with Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea (who have a 100% record in encounters). Wigan’s relegation struggle was given a huge boost last weekend with a 2-0 home win over Birmingham, but boss, Steve Bruce, may be pragmatic enough to see upcoming games against Spurs and Reading, as providing much more realistic chances for ensuring survival than here. After Chelsea’s Champions League win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday night, they can fully focus on the Premiership, with their European dreams still alive.

PinnacleSports.com price Chelsea favourites 1.826 (-1.5)* with Wigan 2.110 (+1.5)*.

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

The La Liga online betting market has changed little despite Real Madrid dropping two points away to Mallorca last weekend. Barcelona’s home draw with Getafe was enough to take the Catalans back into second after Villarreal lost, but it was another opportunity missed to put pressure on their arch rivals, who are still seven points clear.

Pressure Mounting on Catalans as Title Challenge Fades

Despite progressing to the last four of the Champions League, the pressure is still building on the shoulders of Barcelona’s manager, Frank Rijkaard, as well a number of his under-performing stars. Last weekend Barca again spurned an opportunity to close on Real Madrid, with Thierry Henry bearing the brunt of fans’ frustrations during the goalless draw with Getafe at the Nou Camp. The Frenchman is now a likely transfer casualty in the summer, along with Ronaldinho, out for the season through injury and unlikely to kick another ball for the Catalans, adding to a negative atmosphere at the club.

Rijkaard may be relieved to get away from the pressure of playing at home, travelling to struggling Recreativo Huelva this weekend, but the Dutchman should expect a battle. Huelva are just three points above the drop zone, but have been showing a fighting spirit at the Nuevo Colombino winning three of the last four home games, narrowly losing 3-2 to leaders, Real Madrid at the beginning of March. Barca are likely to be without Deco and Lionel Messi, who are still short of match fitness.

Top Asian Handicap Sportsbook, PinnacleSports.com, price Barcelona 2.10 (-0.5 & -1)* with Recreativo Huelva 1.917 (+0.5 & +1)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

No Mercy Expected for Murcia at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Mallorca on the weekend would be considered a slip-up by the league leaders, but this aberration went unpunished by the Galacticos’ main rivals. This weekend the league leaders have a more comfortable home fixture against struggling Murcia, where it would be considered a much greater surprise should they fail to take maximum points. Though Los Blancos are seven points clear at the top of table, their form of late has been patchy, failing to keep a single clean sheet in their last ten games. They were clinging on in the final stages at home to Mallorca, handicapped by the dismissal of Sergio Ramos, who will be suspended here, while Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Christoph Metzelder are injury absentees.

Murcia have the joint-worse defensive record on the road, and have won just once away from home, which was way back at the end of September. The Paprika-Men have conceded eleven goals, losing three consecutive away games, which is the kind of form likely to send them back down to the Segunda Division from where they emerged last season. Though Murcia held Real Madrid at home earlier in the campaign, their away form is positively anaemic in comparison to their performances at the Nueva Condomina Stadium, so they are expected to wilt in front of 80,000 partisan fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

PinnacleSports.com price Real Madrid favourites 1.781 (-1.5)* with Murcia 2.180 (+1.5)*.

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

For more information on Pinnacle Sports online bookie read the latest PinnacleSports Bookmaker Review that includes payment methods, payouts, financial security, sports coverage, etc.