The big one is here. The Second City derby takes place on Sunday afternoon and Blues fans will be hoping that a first league win over Aston Villa since 2005 could be on the cards.
On current form, Birmingham (33/20) must stand a decent chance of beating their fierce rivals.
This game means more to BCFC supporters than any other – St Andrew’s will be rocking if the Blues can get the job done on Sunday.
Che Adams has failed to score in his last two Championship matches but he relishes the big stage and this could be his time to shine
The BCFC forward is a solid pick at 33/20 to get his name on the scoresheet and Birmingham fans will hope that he can make the difference.
Aston Villa are winless in their last five league games and 12/25 for Blues to win OR draw is appealing with that record in mind.
Sports betting odds with 888sport cannot split the two teams this weekend and it could be another topsy-turvy Second City derby encounter.
The 29/20 for Blues to score two or more goals on Sunday is well worth considering.
Villa have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 matches in all competitions and a high-scoring contest looks likely. This is going to go right down to the wire.
33/20 is a decent price for Birmingham to claim three points given their St Andrew’s form this season. Monk knows how much this means to Blues fans and he will have a plan to combat Villa’s attacking threat.
Only time will tell but BCFC have what it takes to snap that long run without a Second City derby win.
Prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Aston Villa (17/2)
Bet of the day: Birmingham to score in the first half (21/20)
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
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As proud Principal Partners of Birmingham City, we’re giving three lucky winners (plus a guest each) the chance for an amazing derby day prize. They’ll win:
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We’ll be supporting Garry Monk and the boys all the way, and with our competition, you can too. Come on you Blues!
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A week of European action gives us a proper Premier League Super Sunday. There are three matches with the first two under the spotlight in this piece. Title-chasing Liverpool host Burnley in the lunchtime kick-off before high-flying Wolves visit Chelsea.
There is a midday start at Anfield, while Chelsea and Wolves will get underway at 2:05. Arsenal and Manchester United are also in action, kicking off at 4:30 at the Emirates Stadium.
LIVERPOOL vs Burnley (12pm)
Liverpool could be four points behind Manchester City by the time this match kicks off. Playing after your rivals heaps extra pressure on at this time of the season.
It is now 35 home league matches since they tasted defeat. Avoiding a loss is not enough for Liverpool at this stage of the campaign, though. Unconvincing performances of late will have plenty of the Anfield faithful feeling nervous ahead of this clash.
Burnley put together a good run, but consecutive defeats have put an end to it. Sean Dyche’s side are five points above the relegation zone, though the gap could be down to two if Cardiff beat West Ham on Saturday and Southampton avoid defeat against Spurs.
Dyche has been given a reminder of where is team are. Losses to Newcastle and Crystal Palace were no fluke, the Clarets were the inferior side on both occasions against who, until recently, were at threat of relegation.
To say they’re up against it as they head to Anfield is an understatement. A victory would be one of the biggest upsets in European football this season. Dyche’s men are 17/1 to pick up all three points.
Liverpool will no doubt be buoyed by the return of Brazil international Roberto Firmino to the starting line-up.
The relentless forward was only fit enough for the bench in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, but will join his frontline accomplices Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah from the opening whistle on Sunday. Firmino is a decent bet at 21/5 to score anytime.
For all of the concern about dropped points, Liverpool have won their last two home matches 3-0 and 5-0. Jurgen Klopp’s side haven’t conceded a Premier League goal since February 4th.
Anything other than a resounding home win would be a shock. Hesitancy has perhaps cost Klopp points against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United and Everton, but that’s not going to be an issue here. It’s a simple must-win.
TIP: Liverpool to win (-2) @ 59/50
PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 3-0 Burnley (Priced at 11/2 with 888sport)
CHELSEA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (2:05pm)
Weird is probably the best word to describe Chelsea’s 2019. Embarrassing defeats have been mixed with all the usual drama, including a spectacular on-field argument between Maurizio Sarri and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
There have been reports that Sarri is a defeat away from the sack, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eden Hazard flirt with other teams. Jorginho has been booed by his own fans.
Even after all that, the Blues’ top four fate is in their own hands. A win this weekend could put them back into fourth as Arsenal and Manchester United play one another.
Winning all their remaining fixtures (they have a game in hand against Brighton) will guarantee a Champions League berth. Sarri’s side are 13/25 to win on Sunday.
Everything’s been serener at Molineux. Wolves are having the archetypal well-run-club-with-good-players campaign, often looking lightyears ahead of their mid-table contemporaries.
Raul Jimenez might be the best forward outside the top six. Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho have been excellent, and the supporting cast are impressing under the expert stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Midlands club are no strangers to upsetting a top six club either (as Chelsea know well having lost the reverse fixture). Wolves’ 8/5 price to avoid defeat will definitely get a lot of backing.
Chelsea’s January arrival Gonzalo Higuain is showing flashes of his best form. His movement was excellent against Fulham last weekend, and he took his goal superbly. Higuain is well priced at 3/1 to open the scoring in 888sport’s Premier League Odds.
No player outside the top six has scored more Premier League goals than Jimenez this term. Chelsea’s defence has been inconsistent of late – the Mexican is the most likely player to take advantage of that. He’s 14/5 to score anytime.
We don’t know which Chelsea side will turn up, though it feels like they might have turned a corner. There’s enough uncertainty to make both teams to score at 9/10 the best bet.
TIP: Both teams to score @ 9/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Chelsea 2-1 Wolves (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Manchester United are back; there’s no doubt about it. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done an outstanding job since taking over at the helm and it is time for the Old Trafford board to reward his efforts.
All Solskjaer has ever wanted is the permanent position and it looks like he's going to get it. If United decide to look elsewhere, there will be uproar.
The change in mindset under Solskjaer is clear for all to see. No team in Champions League history had gone through after losing 2-0 at home in the first leg but United, buoyed by Ole’s spirit and enthusiasm, got off to the perfect start through Romelu Lukaku.
It didn’t feel like the tie was necessarily shifting at that stage but the early goal certainly helped to settle a few nerves - the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay really stepping up in the absence of Paul Pogba.
The penalty decision was fortuitous yes but most would argue that United deserved a stroke of luck after an excellent display. With 10 first team players ruled out through suspension or injury, the Red Devils were up against it.
888sport Champions League betting had Solskjaer’s men as rank outsiders to progress but United didn’t care about upsetting the odds.
United ended the game with 19-year-old Tahith Chong and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood on the pitch. This was the latest in an array of fantastic results under Solskjaer; FA Cup wins at Arsenal and Chelsea were special but this is United’s greatest win yet.
Everything had gone against the Red Devils in the build-up but the Premier League side continued to believe.
Confidence and belief are flowing through the squad right now and every player has raised their game since Solskjaer’s arrival.
The difference in standard of performance compared to just four months ago is staggering – it goes some way to showing how Jose Mourinho was allowing his egotistical nature to impact his players.
Paul Pogba is case and point. Under Mourinho, the Frenchman was unable to impact games at the right end of the pitch. Mourinho’s style severely hindered Pogba’s ability to shine.
Under Solskjaer, it has been a different story. Pogba has been directly involved in 16 goals in 12 games since Solskjaer’s arrival compared to nine goals in 20 games under Mourinho.
But it isn’t just about Pogba. Solskjaer has injected new life into this United side across the board.
Ander Herrera is playing some of his best football in a United shirt whilst Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been granted the freedom to attack. Solskaer’s style and approach is much more in line with United’s ethos.
“It’s never mission impossible” – Solskjaer said that himself in the PSG pre-match press conference earlier in the week. Supporters took note but might not have necessarily bought into his view.
But his United team did. It is far too early to label Solskjaer as Sir Alex Ferguson 2.0 but you can certainly see the similarities between the two. Solskjaer is learning from "The Boss" and that can only be positive for his development.
Solskjaer has formed a strong bond in the dressing room; it may not be the most talented United side of all-time but there is a proper team mentality at Old Trafford.
Nobody is bigger than the club – individual ego has disappeared. It is more about the collective than the sum of its parts these days and Solskjaer is the commodore, steering the Manchester United ship to greatness.
The United fans partied late into the Parisian night like it was 1999 – most inside the Parc des Princes were in shock but the away supporters were jubilant.
Love them or hate them, you have to admire United’s never say die attitude. I spoke about channeling the spirit of 1999 in my Champions League preview this week and United did just that on Wednesday night.
United have forgotten how to lose under Solskjaer and the Red Devils are in it to win it. And on current form, it is difficult to back against them.
Any doubts over whether United should give Solskjaer the full-time job have been answered and he is almost guaranteed that role at the end of the campaign.
Attention now turns back to the Premier League and a massive clash at Arsenal awaits. The Red Devils cannot afford to ponder too much on the PSG result; winning at the Emirates will take United four points clear of the Gunners in the top four battle.
888sport have Solskjaer’s side as underdogs again, odds of 43/20 for an away win represents value in my book.
The turnaround has been rather remarkable. Solskjaer’s side have dropped just four points in their last 12 Premier League games, drawing against Burnley and Liverpool.
United were 11 points outside the top four when Solskjaer arrived at the helm and they now have the chance to potentially move level on points with third placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Solskjaer has United fans dreaming of Champions League glory – and who can blame them? Now 10/1 with 888sport, the Red Devils have a real chance now they have found their mojo again. Write Solskjaer’s side off at your peril; this is not just a phase – Manchester United are back and they’re back for good.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Join host Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson and the panel, which features top trainers Kim Bailey and Ian Williams, jockey Brian Hughes and Irish expert Richard Pugh.
The evening includes a delicious balti curry supper, a free bottle of Heineken, a £20 Free Bet and a host of special betting offers throughout.
In addition, new 888sport customers who sign up on the night will get the bet £10 get £30 welcome offer.
Free Bet terms and conditions:
1. This offer is strictly intended for guests of the 2019 Cheltenham preview night and cannot be forwarded.
2. Promotion Period is 6th March 2019.
3. Members can receive a Free Bet Token by making an approved deposit of £20.00 or greater during the promotion period.
4. For new 888sport members, this promotion is in addition to the standard Welcome Offer for which separate terms apply.
5. Free Bet Tokens will be credited to qualifying accounts on the 7th March 2019. Please allow up to 72 hours in the event of extenuating circumstances.
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Each Premier League weekend has inflated importance in the spring months. The Saturday 3pm kick-offs get our attention for this piece, with several fixtures that could change the shape of the relegation battle.
Cardiff, who are currently 18th, are nearing must-win territory as they host West Ham. Fulham are beyond must-win, requiring a miracle to avoid the drop. They visit Leicester.
Newcastle, who are still a result or two from securing safety, host an Everton team feeling a renewed sense of positivity after drawing with Liverpool. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton revival has hit a blip of late, and they could fall into the bottom three if they lose to Spurs.
Cardiff City vs WEST HAM UNITED
Cardiff have lost their last three, conceding 10 goals in the process. The away defeat to Wolves last time out was expected.
The two losses at home prior to that are the glaring concern for Neil Warnock, though. If Cardiff are to defy the odds and stay up, they need to win at least two of their remaining home matches.
West Ham have recovered from a poor run, putting in three straight good performances. Victory against Newcastle was not the flashiest of displays, but the defence was solid and made it a relatively comfortable 2-0 win.
Back in the top half, the Hammers are looking to chase down Watford and Wolves for the seventh and eighth spots.
PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-1 West Ham (Priced at 21/4 with 888sport)
LEICESTER CITY vs Fulham
Both clubs started new eras at the weekend. Brendan Rodgers and Scott Parker’s managerial tenures ended in 2-1 defeats. That is where the similarities end.
Leicester are disappointed with supposed underachievement but could yet finish in the top half and have plenty to be excited about with their squad.
Fulham are as good as relegated and are set to have huge player turnover again this summer. The Cottagers have played at less than the sum of their parts all campaign.
They have lost 13 of their 15 away matches, picking up just two points. Slight improvements against Chelsea are not enough to suggest they can improve their road form at the King Power.
The hosts have struggled in front of their own fans this season but will be confident of beating this Fulham team. With Youri Tielemans pinging the ball from midfield and an electric attack, Leicester could win this comfortably.
TIP: Leicester to win @ 11/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Leicester 3-1 Fulham (Priced at 21/2 with 888sport)
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs Everton
Newcastle lost at West Ham last weekend, though defeats for fellow relegation candidates saw their six-point cushion remain.
With nine matches to play, the Magpies will be safe with just a couple of victories. The Geordie faithful will be in good voice on Saturday afternoon on the back of four straight home league wins and the arrival of the exciting Miguel Almiron.
There’s renewed positivity amongst Everton fans right now, too. A comfortable win away to Cardiff ended a three-match losing run before a hard-fought draw with Liverpool put a dent in their fiercest rivals’ Premier League title hopes.
Away performances have been patchy this term, though, making it hard to tell which Everton we will see in the northeast.
St James’ Park is a difficult away day. Newcastle will be determined to prove last weekend’s loss was no more than a blip.
TIP: Newcastle to win OR draw @ 12/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Newcastle 2-1 Everton (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
SOUTHAMPTON vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
A pair of stunning strikes gave Southampton a sniff of an upset at Old Trafford last weekend. Eventual defeat will have hurt, and it leaves them just two points above Cardiff, who occupy the final relegation spot.
A win here would be a huge boost for Saints, particularly considered their favourable remaining fixtures. Furthermore, Premier League form suggests this is an ideal time to face Spurs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were lucky to draw with Arsenal last weekend and lost their two league matches before that.
The backs-to-the-wall win in Dortmund in midweek to book a place in the Champions League quarter-finals helped to rebuild some confidence, though fatigue may be an issue.
Southampton have struggled at home all year, winning just three times in the league. Despite consecutive away defeats, Spurs boast a strong away record. Facing Dortmund on Tuesday rather than Wednesday will make a difference for Pochettino’s side here.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 10/13
PREDICTED SCORE: Southampton 1-3 Tottenham (Priced at 12/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The Europa League returns this week for the last 16. There’s a blend of established names and some comparative underdogs.
Arsenal and Chelsea remain, as they balance Premier League demands with the promise of a Champions League spot from Europa League glory. The headline of the round, though, may be the tie between Eintracht Frankfurt and Inter Milan.
Struggling Villarreal have a distraction from their La Liga woes with a challenging trip to Russia to face Zenit. Ahead of Thursday’s action, here are a few thoughts and tips:
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs Inter Milan (5:55pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt won a thriller 3-2 against Hoffenheim at the weekend. The Bundesliga side cruised past Shakhtar Donetsk in the last round, winning 4-1 in the home leg.
The gifted front pair of Luka Jovic and Sebastien Haller will fancy their chances against an Inter team who have failed to win their last two.
The Mauro Icardi mess looms over Inter as they head to Germany. Icardi has not played since 9th February. A loss to Cagliari at the weekend was less than ideal preparation for this tie, adding to a really poor run of away form.
The hosts are great value to win this at 27/20. Frankfurt have been a dominant force in the Europa League this season and this is the perfect time to face Inter.
TIP: Eintracht Frankfurt to win @ 27/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 Inter (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
Rennes vs ARSENAL (5:55pm)
Inconsistency has been an issue for Rennes all season. Hopes of entering the European race domestically have faded, though a 1-1 home draw with Marseille in their last league outing was far from disastrous.
Their clash with Nimes was postponed at the weekend to give more time to prepare for a huge clash with Arsenal.
Arsenal have staged a revival of sorts after a difficult spell earlier in the year. A good north London derby performance at the weekend was soured by a late penalty miss from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however.
The Gabonese forward has a chance to make up for his error when he starts on Thursday evening. Unai Emery is expected to name a very strong side. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan should start. The Gunners will have too much for their hosts.
TIP: Arsenal to win @ Evens
PREDICTED SCORE: Rennes 1-2 Arsenal (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
ZENIT ST PETERSBURG vs Villarreal (5:55pm)
Zenit ended four straight defeats (stretching to before the winter break) when they beat Fenerbahce in the second leg of the last round.
They put an end to a poor domestic run with a 1-0 win away to Ural at the weekend. It was not their best performance, but it should have helped rebuild some confidence as they return to Europa League action.
Villarreal are in dire form in La Liga, having won four matches all season, leaving them in the relegation zone. A red card in each leg helped them past Sporting in the last round, but few will be expecting them to get a positive result in Russia on Thursday.
We know how formidable Zenit are at home. They have won all six of their Europa League home matches this season. It’s very likely they make it seven this week.
TIP: Zenit to win @ 10/11
PREDICTED SCORE: Zenit 2-0 Villarreal (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
CHELSEA vs Dynamo Kyiv (8:00pm)
Chelsea have improved of late, winning two London derbies last week. The Blues are one of the best options in 888sport’s football betting odds this week on the -1 handicap.
Maurizio Sarri will rotate, but is expected to name a very strong side, just as he did for the first leg against Malmo in the last round. Eden Hazard will likely be left on the bench alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Dynamo Kyiv are yet to lose in 2019 (they’ve only played four matches) and have been very hard to beat in the Europa League. Their away record is impressive - the Ukrainian side will look to nick a goal through a set piece or counter-attack.
Chelsea should have too much. The west London club are 1/5 to go through over the two legs. Sarri will be eyeing a comfortable victory to avoid too much stress in the return leg.
TIP: Chelsea to win (-1) @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Chelsea 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Who’s excited for a Premier League double header on Saturday then? The weekend kicks off with the M23 derby between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. It might not be the most glamorous early game on paper but a feisty atmosphere awaits at the Amex Stadium.
Manchester City can go four points clear at the top of the table with a victory over Watford on Saturday evening. The Hornets conceded five to Liverpool less than two weeks ago and Pep Guardiola’s side will be quietly confident of extending their advantage in the title race.
Let’s get down to the tipping then. We’ve found a tasty 7/2 double ahead of Saturday’s two televised matches and Premier League fans will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at both ends of the table. Without further ado, scroll down to check out my best bets…
CRYSTAL PALACE vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (12:30pm)
Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last eight games in all competitions – and that was against an in-form Manchester United. Roy Hodgson has the Eagles on the cusp of safety and a win here might be enough to keep Palace in the Premier League for another season.
The 4/5 for a home success offers value. Palace edged a five-goal thriller against Brighton back in April and it could be another nail biter for the hosts. Hodgson’s side are a tough nut to crack at Selhurst Park, with just one home defeat against a bottom-half side in 2018/19.
A win for Brighton will see them draw level on 33 points with Palace in the battle to avoid relegation. On paper, the Seagulls are stronger than most of their rivals but Chris Hughton’s side will be wary of getting sucked into the bottom three.
Punters fancying an away win may be tempted by the EVENS for Brighton to avoid defeat on Saturday afternoon. A 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town last weekend has lifted the mood somewhat and back-to-back wins would go a long way to cementing their top flight status.
The selection has landed in each of the last three meetings between these two sides – that makes the 59/50 in 888sport's Premier League Odds odds very appealing indeed. Neutrals could be in for a Selhurst Park treat on Saturday lunchtime.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 59/50
PREDICTED SCORE: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)
MANCHESTER CITY vs Watford (5:30pm)
Manchester City were seven points behind Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at one stage but the Blues are back on top after an incredible run. Victory at Bournemouth was enough to take City to the summit and the defending champions are well placed to retain the crown.
The injury to Kevin de Bruyne won’t help their chances but City have had to play most of the 2018/19 campaign without the talismanic Belgian. Expect David Silva to pull the strings and he is well priced at 11/5 to record an assist on Saturday evening.
Watford got back to winning ways at the first time of asking after that 5-0 drubbing against Liverpool. The Hornets were below their best against Leicester City but Javi Gracia’s men snatched an injury-time winner, much to the delight of the Vicarage Road faithful.
Their record in this fixture is poor though; City have won the last nine meetings between the two sides. A repeat of the 3-1 result from January 2018 could be on the cards – there is some value in backing both teams to score at 19/20.
I’m expecting City to get the job done but they might not have everything their own way. Watford are inconsistent but that makes predicting results difficult. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Gracia’s men nick a goal – that brings the 33/20 for the selection into play.
TIP: Manchester City to win & both teams to score @ 33/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Man City 3-1 Watford (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
Pigs bladders were used; as a result, their dimensions were incredibly inconsistent. These could often determined by the shape and size of the animal itself.
Many of these footballs were closer in shape to rugby balls.
This resulted in unpredictable outcomes.
Introduction of rubber inner-tubes in 1972 enabled footballs to become increasingly spherical. This led to greater consistency and fairer games.
1930 World Cup:
In the first ever World Cup final, Uruguay and Argentina could not agree on which ball should be used for the match. As a result, an impasse was reached and they agreed to use both.
The Argentinian ball was used in the 1st half - Argentina led 2-1 at the break.
The Uruguayan ball was used in the 2nd half - Uruguay won the game 4-2.
Uruguay's choice of ball was larger and heavier and was known as the T-Model.
It was a very entertaining 90 minutes, but many football historians believe that the outcome was determined by the choice of ball.
Every ball was sewn by hand and, therefore, was unique.
1960s Onwards - Synthetic Footballs:
The Buckminster's black and white design is one of the most famous footballs worldwide
It consisted of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.
Synthetic material absorbed far less moisture than previous incarnations.
It was used as the first official World Cup ball in 1970.
Some players claimed that it was harder to control than the older leather footballs, and it wasn't universally welcomed at first.
It was credited with helping to create one of the most exciting tournaments in the history of the game and producing some of the greatest World Cup goals of all time.
1994 World Cup:
Adidas introduced the Questra following a low-scoring tournament.
FIFA were hoping it would lead to more excitement after Italia '90, which averaged just 2.21 goals per match.
The ball was easier to control, faster, and far more responsive than previous models.
There were 26 more goals than at the previous World Cup, making it the highest-scoring tournament since 1982.
It was later used in La Liga during the mid-to-late 1990s.
2006 World Cup:
The Teamgeist ball was introduced for the tournament in Germany.
It was the first ball to be personalised with the date, time, and venue of the game in question.
It has an unpredictable flight when airbourne, and many goalkeepers were reportedly unhappy with the new design.
It resulted in speculative strikes as it had the tendency to swerve and dip in mid-air. Germany benefitted on a couple of occasions from this.
Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said it was "built in favour of strikers".
Who are you backing to win the Champions League this season? Paris Saint-Germain, one of the leading contenders for European glory in 2018/19, have a two-goal cushion to defend against Manchester United in Paris on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils will be without the suspended Paul Pogba for that game but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains positive. If the Norwegian can mastermind a come-from-behind win here, the club may decide to give him a 25-year contract.
Meanwhile, Porto take on AS Roma in Wednesday’s second Champions League clash. Much of the focus has been on United’s trip to Paris but this may turn out to be the better contest – Roma will take a slender 2-1 lead to Portugal ahead of the second leg.
Enough chitchat, let’s look at Wednesday’s Champions League odds. Tuesday’s European double worked out at 9/2 – Wednesday’s double is a tad shorter at 5/2 but it looks tasty. Scroll down for my best bets ahead of March 6th.
FC PORTO vs AS Roma
Recent form suggests that Porto may struggle on Wednesday night. The hosts have won just three of their previous seven matches in all competitions and Roma will be wary of Porto’s recent struggles.
Saturday’s defeat to Benfica has handed the initiative to their rivals in the Primeira Liga title race. However, they have won five of their last six Champions League home games – scoring 16 goals in those victories.
Roma had won four on the spin prior to Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Lazio. The Serie A outfit were involved at the quarter-final stage last season and punters will fancy Roma at 11/20 to move on to the next round.
The visitors will know that an away goal might be enough to secure safe passage to the last eight. Roma’s defence will be quietly confident of keeping Porto at bay on Wednesday night – the first goal in this contest will be crucial.
Yes, Porto have struggled in recent fixtures but EVS for the hosts to win is a huge price. The Portuguese outfit have given themselves a chance of progression with that away goal and Roma will be wary of an early onslaught.
I’m expecting a low-scoring affair. 23/20 for under 2.5 goals could turn out to be one of the bets of the tournament.
TIP: Porto to win @ EVS
PREDICTED SCORE: Porto 1-0 Roma (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs MANCHESTER UNITED
It has been a case of ‘no Neymar, no problem’ for PSG in recent weeks. The Ligue 1 giants have won their last eight games in all competitions and another victory could be on the cards at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
United are up against it here – even the most pro-Solskjaer fan can admit that. For the Red Devils to advance to the next round, they will need a minor miracle. Channeling the spirit of 1998/99 could prove useful ahead of the trip to Paris.
Despite their injury woes, United are still a very good team. Confidence is sky high and the visitors will fancy their chances of nicking a goal.
Should the Red Devils score first, they will stand an outside chance of upsetting the odds. Both teams to score looks like the way to go here.
3/4for a goal at both ends offers punters value – especially considering United’s recent prowess in the final third. The Red Devils may fall short in their pursuit of qualification but they will give it a good go.
The 33/20 for over 3.5 goals is well worth considering here. Even with the likes of Neymar and Pogba ruled out, there is still enough offensive talent for this one to be a thriller.
TIP: Both teams to score @ 3/4
PREDICTED SCORE: PSG 2-1 Man United (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.
He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.
As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.
