Betting on football can add an extra level of excitement to the game you are watching. But unless you win on a regular basis, the novelty can soon wear off.

 

That’s why the most successful sports gamblers develop clear strategies for their betting activities. Our in-depth guide reveals the top ten things you must consider to be a successful sports bettor.

Do Your Homework

The first thing you need to be a successful sports bettor is knowledge. Wagers should never be placed purely on instinct or gut feeling.

Every bet you place should be a result of solid research and strong knowledge of the game. So if the Premier League or Bundesliga are your areas of expertise, you should start there.

Betting with your head instead of your heart is a golden rule which should never be broken. Always do your research and look at as many statistics as possible.

And bookmark your favourite football tips and stats websites and use the information to look for trends in certain markets.

After a while, you will know which teams win lots of corners, which receive the most bookings and which concede in a high percentage of games.

You will know which goal scorers usually score first, which players get the most assists and which referees are the most card happy. All of this knowledge can be used to identify betting opportunities.

 

Always Keep A Betting Log

To find out if your strategy is working, and to identify areas where you could improve your performance, you should keep a betting log from day one.

Even if your bookkeeping skills are not great, you should still keep a basic log of your bets.

A betting log can provide you with a wealth of information such as what type of bets bring you the best return and which bets you need to avoid or research more thoroughly.

Your Betting Log Should Include:

• Bookmaker: Who did you place your bet with?
• Match details: Teams, venue, competition, referee etc.
• Match date: When did the event occur?
• Bet market: Type of bet placed and details.
• Odds: The best price that was offered.
• Amount staked: How much did you place?
• Result: Did the bet win or lose?
• Return: Did you make a profit or a loss?

In addition, you should also leave a space to make other notes that may be relevant such as your reason for choosing the bet backed up by any statistics you used and the sources for your data.

This may sound like a lot of effort, but you will be thankful to have this information available for future reference. And it will help you to develop your own successful strategy.

If you are good with numbers and spreadsheets, you might even take this practice to a new level by compiling your own statistical database. You could apply formulas to identify if a bet offers good value or not based on previous wagers.

If you are contemplating skipping this step, remember that every successful sports bettor keeps a log of their bets. Learning from your mistakes and building on your successes is essential if you are to produce a positive long-term yield.

 

Open More Than One Account

If you are planning on betting on a regular basis, having only one betting account could cost you money week in, week out.

Football betting is all about margins. Therefore, you need to maximise the return on every single bet. And that means having multiple betting accounts.

If you invest your time researching statistics to find the best betting opportunities it makes sense to place your bets with the bookie that offers the best odds. Otherwise, you are just throwing money away.

You could increase your potential returns by 10% or more by finding the best price for every bet you place. That could make the difference between a profit and a loss over the long-term.

 

Find Value Bets

This is a slightly harder skill to master, but it becomes easier over time. A value bet is one where the odds offered are high in proportion to the probability of the outcome.

The difficult part is calculating the probability of the outcome. By looking at historical results and considering form, injuries and other factors that may affect the result, experienced punters can arrive at a benchmark figure.

The more statistical research you do the more accurate you can be with your predictions.

Simple Formula To Find Value

If you calculate that a bet has a 60% chance of happening and the odds are Evens (2.00) then we can use the calculation 0.60 x 2.00 = 1.20 to find the perceived value. As a rule, if the result is higher than 1.00, the bet offers good value.

 

Manage Your Bankroll

Before you start betting, you should put aside an amount of money that you can afford to lose without putting extra strain on your finances. Then you must manage the money as if it were invested in a business.

This means betting small amounts until you get your strategy right. Even then, you should spread your money sensibly across a range of bets.

And remember, there is no guarantee you will make a profit, so it is important that you never bet more than you can afford. Even the most successful bettors follow a strict bankroll management regime.

 

Know Your Strengths

As you become more experienced, you will start to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You need to be honest, self-critical and be prepared to change your strategy if necessary.

If something is not working and there is not an obvious reason, stay focused on what is working. Don’t waste your time on failed strategies.

 

Look Out For Bonuses And Promotions

Bookmakers will sometimes offer bonuses, promotions and enhanced odds on certain betting markets. You might find that a bet you are considering is covered by one of these offers.

In which case, you could boost your potential returns by taking advantage.

 

Avoid 'In The Know' Accounts

If you receive a horse racing or football tip from a man in your local pub or a friend at work, don’t assume they know what they are talking about.

Always run the numbers yourself and make an informed decision regardless of the source of the information.

 

Know When Not To Bet

Sometimes you might struggle to find a bet that fulfils your own strict criteria. In this situation, you might be tempted to have a bet anyway and pick a wager you would not normally back.

This habit should be avoided. If a bet doesn't offer the right balance of probability and value, then it is better to not bet at all.

 

Don't Spend All Your Winnings!

When you do win, you should treat the cash as part of your bankroll. Remember, you need to think like a businessman and any winnings should be reinvested in your enterprise.

By all means, treat yourself to a small bonus but try to avoid withdrawing all your winnings if you are planning to bet on a regular basis.

Managerial sackings have been part of the long history of football, and in the modern era, they are particularly commonplace, especially at the highest level.

The fear factor of relegation prompts nervous owners into the change in the hope of sparking a revival in their side’s season. Sometimes, it can be effective, but it can also lead to further problems down the road and another potential firing.

A dismal run of results can leave chairmen with no alternative but to sack their manager. However, there are times when the decision is harsh or baffling in the context of the team. We’ll now break down some of the toughest calls that have occurred.

Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)

Ranieri was appointed as Foxes manager in the summer of 2015 on a three-year contract. His predecessor Nigel Pearson had guided the club to a miraculous run to safety the previous season, winning seven out of their last nine matches to beat the drop.

However, an off-the-field incident led to his departure, paving the way for Ranieri’s return to the Premier League. The Italian was considered one of the favourites to be the first manager sacked due to Leicester’s struggles in the previous campaign.

However, the Foxes and Ranieri defied their critics to produce the most memorable season in Premier League history. Leicester stunned the footballing world with an incredible run to the title, securing the club’s first English top-flight crown.

Leicester finished ahead of Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, who boasted far larger budgets.

The team spirit created by the Italian, along with simple tactics, were able to accomplish the feat through the goals of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and solid defensive strategy led by N’Golo Kante.

The season following the feat was always going to be a difficult proposition, with Kante leaving the club, along with additional matches in the Champions League.

The extra matches put stress on a small Leicester squad, whose new additions failed to adjust to life in England. Although they finished top of their Champions League group, the Foxes’ Premier League form proved to be too much of a concern for the club’s owners.

A run of five-straight defeats ended Ranieri's tenure in February 2017, even though Leicester were outside of the relegation zone. Leicester avoided relegation under Craig Shakespeare, but have failed to conjure the magic on the field since Ranieri’s exit.

 

Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea and Real Madrid)

The Italian is one of the finest managers to grace the modern game, although his attributes have not been fully appreciated at least two of his former employers.

Ancelotti arrived at Chelsea in 2009 to replace Avram Grant, who was harshly cast aside after the Blues’ defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final.

Ancelotti used the experience of his squad to great effect in his first campaign in England. His team were dominant, utilising Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda to great effect in the final third.

Chelsea scored 103 goals in their 38 matches and were able to edge out an equally talented Manchester United team to the Premier League title by a point, beating Wigan Athletic 8-0 on the final day.

The Italian secured a double when his team defeated Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final thanks to a Drogba strike, ending a truly successful first term.

The following campaign, Chelsea endured a mid-season slump after a bright start to the campaign. It knocked them off the pace of Manchester United, resulting in a second-place finish behind the Red Devils.

Being runners-up and being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League was enough to end Ancelotti's reign after just two years at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti took the reins at Real Madrid in 2013. He inherited a team from Jose Mourinho that finished second in La Liga behind Barcelona and were knocked out of the semi-finals of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund.

Ancelotti was not able to turn around their form domestically, but he was able to lead them to their first Champions League crown in 12 years by defeating Atletico Madrid in the final.

Sergio Ramos’ equaliser in stoppage time kept the game alive before strikes from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and five-time Ballon d'or winner Cristiano Ronaldo secured the victory.

Madrid fought tooth and nail for the La Liga crown in the following season with Barca, but their form on the road against their rivals would cost them the title, losing out by two points.

Ancelotti was sacked despite winning the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, along with reaching the UCL semi-finals. Rafael Benitez, Ancelotti's replacement also struggled before Zinedine Zidane enjoyed his imperious run in the Champions League.

 

Sam Allardyce (Blackburn Rovers)

The previous two managers were harshly sacked by their clubs, although the long-term ramifications have not been costly. In terms of Allardyce and Rovers, his dismissal sent the Lancashire-based outfit on a downward spiral towards League One.

Allardyce arrived at Ewood Park in 2008 with Rovers in deep trouble in the relegation zone after Paul Ince’s disastrous tenure.

Big Sam, as proven in his spells with other clubs in the top flight since, saved Blackburn from relegation before stabilising them in his second season at the club with the security of mid-table on a modest budget.

His eye for a bargain brought Steven N’Zonzi to Lancashire for £500,000, among other savvy veterans. Rovers were then bought out in the summer of 2010 by Venky’s.

Blackburn were in a steady position of 13th under Allardyce after a good run of form in November 2010. However, an away defeat to Bolton Wanderers saw the axe brought down on Allardyce, with Steve Kean thrust into the role as his replacement.

Although relegation was avoided in the term, Kean took Rovers down the following season and they have not returned to the Premier League since.

 

Roberto Mancini (Inter Milan)

Roberto Mancini was appointed as Inter boss in 2004, tasked with winning the Serie A title for the Nerazzurri. The club had not won the title for 15 years, highlighting the challenge at hand given the dominance of their city rivals AC Milan and Juventus.

In his first term, Inter finished third in the table, making progress from the previous campaign along with a triumph in the Coppa Italia for the first time since 1982.

Juventus’ embroilment in the Italian Football scandal paved the way for Inter to take the crown in 2005/06 after finishing behind the Bianconeri.

Mancini turned his side into a force in the league the following season, enjoying their most successful term in terms of their points on their way to the title, although the Champions League evaded Inter with a defeat on away goals to Valencia.

Even though Mancini guided Inter to their third Serie A crown on the bounce – the most successful run in the history of the team – their Champions League woes continued with a defeat to Liverpool in the round of 16.

Owner Massimo Moratti felt justified in sacking Mancini after his side almost allowed the title to slip through the grasp along with their failings in Europe.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The last 15 years of the ATP Tour have produced countless memorable tennis betting moments and created numerous headlines around the world.

The game has been dominated by the so-called "Big Four" which comprises of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Many challengers have threatened to break the dominance of this all-conquering quartet but they've been unable to dethrone this fantastic foursome. 

However, after years of being at the top of their game, tennis betting punters and fans are now wondering if we're finally witnessing the changing of the guard.

Injuries, inconsistency and the ageing process have slowly begun to take their toll on these iconic athletes and 2019 could be the year that tennis begins to usher in a new generation of future stars.

 

The Big Four

At least two of these four players have occupied the top two spots in the rankings continuously since July 2005 and between them, they've amassed an unprecedented 295 titles.

They've won 50 of the last 55 men's grand slam titles and all four of them have reached number one at some stage during this period.

Roger Federer

The Swiss maestro was the first of the "big four" to break through and the 37-year old has a dedicated fanbase who have enjoyed watching him dominate the game over the past decade.

Boasting a career record of 1180-260 and clocking up 199 career titles, he's enjoyed the most success of the quartet and is still going strong despite his advancing years.

He's dropped several hints about the possibility of retiring but he still reached the semi-finals at the O2 in November 2018 and looks set to continue playing at the highest level for at least another season.

Federer has enjoyed terrific success at the Australian Open in recent years. He's been priced up as the third favourite at 6/1 for the first Grand Slam of the season and will be returning to Melbourne to defend his title.

Rafael Nadal

The "King of Clay" has been arguably less consistent throughout his career owing to a number of injury setbacks but if the affable Mallorcan manages to keep himself fit, he is a joy to watch.

He thrives at certain tournaments, with the 11-time French Open winner enjoying success in Paris, Rome, Cincinnati and Monte Carlo.

He is one of the youngest Grand Slam winners  in the history of the game, bursting onto the scene at the age of 19 and securing his first French Open title in 2005.

Novak Djokovic

The Serbian has 14 major titles to his name and is admired for his consistency. He is able to perform on all surfaces and his accuracy and ruthlessness have helped him become one of the sport's most decorated competitors.

He broke into the top 100 for the first time in 2005 and was the first player to break the duopoly of Federer and Nadal.

He's ended the year as the number one ranked player on five different occasions and despite some injury lay-offs in 2018, he still managed to end the year strongly.

He's 13/10 for the 2019 Australian Open and has won in Melbourne on five occasions since 2013.

Andy Murray

There are some fans who object to the inclusion of Andy Murray in the "big four" but the Scot has enjoyed enormous success over the past decade and has spent plenty of time at the top of the rankings.

He may not have won the French or Australian Open but his success at Wimbledon, in the US Open and at the Olympics should not be overlooked.

Murray is the only one of the quartet not to have completed a career Grand Slam but does have 45 career titles to his name and remains the only tennis player in the history of the game to have secured two Olympic single titles.

 

How Will They Fare In 2019?

At the age of 31, Andy Murray still has plenty of time to recapture the form that saw him top the ATP rankings but he must overcome a long injury lay-off and that won't be easy.

He played just 12 matches in 2018 and getting up to speed in time for the Australian Open will be far from straightforward. He's 14/1 in the 2019 Wimbledon betting and he may have to set his sights on a successful grass court campaign instead.

Murray's injury record may just see him feature sporadically throughout the year and he is susceptible to younger, fitter players, who may just have the edge on the Scot. 

2019 could be Roger Federer's swansong and he'll be 38-years old at the US Open.

He still managed to win 46 times during the 2018 season and the Swiss star is likely to retire before the going gets tough. Federer may shortly choose to hand the baton over to the next generation.

Rafa Nadal hasn't played since the US Open and missed the ATP Finals through injury. He still enjoyed a great season, however, being defeated on just four occasions.

He's got to manage his body carefully over the next twelve months and there's no guarantee he will feature during the early part of the season. 

It's been a long time since Novak Djokovic lost ten times in a calendar year but 2018 was a struggle for the Serbian and we may see his influence fade over the next twelve months.

Djokovic still has the class to win smaller tournaments but his ability to succeed in Grand Slams may be a thing of the past.

 

Who Are The Next Generation?

Alexander Zverev

Zverev is the highest ranked player outside of the "Big Four" and was triumphant at the ATP Tour Finals in November.

He won 47 times in 2018 and although there are still question marks about his consistency, he showed his ability to manage the occasion when beating both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the O2.

The German is just 20-years old and appears to have a bright future ahead of him and may be the next player to reach number one in the rankings.

Dominic Thiem

It may feel like the Austrian has been around forever but, at just 25-years-old, his best years are surely ahead of him.

His lack of nous on grass courts may count against him in the long run but he will certainly give any player a run for his money and is likely to be lurking around the top five for many years to come.

Stefanos Tsipitas

After losing ten of his 14 tour matches last season, 2018 has been a breakout year for the Greek and there should be plenty more to come.

He beat Novak Djokovic at the Canadian Masters and also saw off the aforementioned duo of Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem. He's the youngest of the trio and should be able to make a name for himself in 2019.

 

Gradual Shift In Dynamics?

The changing of the guard isn't likely to happen overnight but 2019 looks set to be a significant year for the sport.

Tennis fans have become accustomed to the success of the all-conquering foursome but their influence is starting to wane and younger players are beginning to take their place.

Staying at the top of your game is far from straightforward and Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray should all be commended for remaining incredibly consistent throughout their respective careers.

However, they can't stick around forever and the next generation of players are slowly starting to chip away at the quartet and it is a very exciting time to be a tennis fan.

 

Discover sliced odds on 888sport

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Might Bite pulled off a fine run at Kempton Park last season to claim the King George VI Chase crown.

The Irish horse was the leading contender to win the event, but he was pushed all the way down the stretch. Double Shuffle was an outsider for the contest, although he proved more than a match for Nicky Henderson’s charge in the clutch moments.

However, Might Bite had the edge of pace at the decisive stage, kicking away from his rival to take the title by a length.

It was the second major honour of 2017 for the Irish horse, although, like other horses that went on from the King George VI Chase, he was unable to secure the Cheltenham Gold Cup later in the season.

The race remained a thrilling contest and Might Bite will have the opportunity to defend his crown when he returns to Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Henderson’s charge will face a challenge to retain his crown and the race has proven down the years to have thrown up fascinating duels and moments to remember.

We’ll now break down the best of those races at Kempton Park...

Kauto Star

The most talented horse in the history of the King George VI Chase. No competitor has enjoyed greater success at the event than Kauto Star.

He made his bow at the event in 2006 and quickly emerged as a dominant force in the National Hunt. Paul Nicholls’ charge had previously won the Tingle Creek Chase and the Betfair Chase before entering Kempton Park in 2006.

He was the leading contender for the contest and duly delivered with a brilliant performance to take the first of his titles by eight lengths.

Kauto Star used the momentum of the event with his jockey Ruby Walsh to then claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup later in the campaign.

He would add another Gold Cup in 2009, but his true brilliance lay at Kempton Park and the King George VI Chase. Nicholls’ charge matched the accomplishment of Desert Orchid to win four races on the bounce between 2006 and 2009.

However, his run was ended in January 2011 by Long Run, although Walsh was absent from the saddle as Tony McCoy in relief could not guide the horse to victory, placing off the pace in third.

Kauto Star would not bow out on a low note and returned for a final race at Kempton Park in December 2011 at the age of 11. Long Run was given the edge over the veteran in the odds before the race.

However, with Walsh restored to the saddle, the old stager produced one last great effort to create history, beating out the French horse by one-and-a-quarter lengths to claim the win.

As a result of his win, Kauto Star became the first horse to win the King George VI Chase five times – a record that could stand for a long time indeed.

 

Desert Orchid

Before the legend of Kauto Star, there was Desert Orchid, who enjoyed a run of dominance at the event during the late 1980s. He made his first appearance with Simon Sherwood in the saddle and secured his first triumph at Kempton Park as a seven-year-old.

However, a repeat performance was not in the offing the following year as he was forced to settle for second place as Francois Doumen-trained Nupsala snatched away the crown with an emphatic performance.

David Elsworth’s charge was to bounce back in his best season, beginning with his second victory at the King George VI Chase.

He was the leading contender for the crown, and was on the spot with a four-length triumph over Kidimo. Desert Orchid maintained his form into 1989 when he with Sherwood in the saddle were able to triumph at Cheltenham to take the only Gold Cup of his career.

At the start of the new National Hunt season, Elsworth’s charge joined elite company with Wayward Lad to win the King George VI Chase three times.

On this occasion, it was Richard Dunwoody in the saddle, but the performance of the horse was unaffected over the three miles of the race.

Desert Orchid secured his third title, cantering to an eight-length victory ahead of his stablemate Barnbrook Again. A second Cheltenham crown evaded Desert Orchid, although he was able to make history in 1990.

He became the first horse in the history of the King George VI Chase to win three consecutive races.

At the age of 11, Elsworth’s charge became the second-oldest competitor to win the meet, delivering his best performance and finishing well ahead of the rest of the field. His record stood for a time before Kauto Star came along 16 years later.

 

Kicking King

Kicking King is among a small group of horses at the other end of the spectrum from Desert Orchid. Manicou was the youngest competitor in the history of the King George VI Chase to win the event in 1950 at the age of only five.

There have been eight horses to have claimed the crown at the age of six, including five in the modern era of racing. Kicking King had been a winner at Leopardstown in the Arkle Novice Chase before his first appearance at Kempton Park in the meet.

He made his bow in 2004 and was considered the leading runner among the bookies. The six-year-old did not disappoint, as he put forward an accomplished performance.

Tom Taaffe’s charge almost allowed his compatriot Kingscliff to snatch the crown away from him, but he managed to recover from a mistake over the final fence and used his speed to canter to a two-and-a-half length triumph.

Like many other winners, he used the momentum to capture the Cheltenham Gold Cup and then returned for his crack at the King George VI Chase, albeit at Sandown Park rather than Kempton.

With Barry Geraghty once again in the saddle, Kicking King was forced to dig deep to retain his crown. Monkerhostin provided pressure late on after the Irish horse had made his surge into the lead.

His rival almost had the pace to beat him out on the line, but Taaffe’s charge claimed the title by a neck in a thrilling battle.

 

Long Run

Long Run was the horse to break Kauto Star’s dominance of the King George VI Chase in 2011. Nicky Henderson’s charge was a slight outsider for the race given the imperious run of Kauto Star.

However, with Sam Waley-Cohen in the saddle, he put forward a dominant display to take the crown away from the legendary horse. The French competitor strengthened as the meet progressed as Naracat fell by the wayside after a decent outing.

Waley-Cohen urged his charge on to claim the crown by 12 lengths ahead of his stablemate Riverside Theatre, handing Henderson the one-two finish. The theme of results continued as Long Run notched the Cheltenham Gold Cup with another accomplished outing.

However, Kauto Star hit back with a vengeance in the 2011/12 campaign, as, for the first time, the French horse lacked the pace compared to his rival in the crucial moments of the contest.

It proved to be an unsuccessful season as he also fell short at the Gold Cup. Redemption was on hand at Cheltenham as he managed to regain his form.

Henderson’s charge was considered the favourite for the race, but had a tough challenge as he made a couple of mistakes that allowed Captain Chris to close.

Long Run had the stamina to hold off his challenger by the finest of margins to claim his second victory at the event. A truly memorable outing from the French horse.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

For most people, Christmas Day is primarily a time for family, for exchanging presents and for indulging in a Christmas feast.

For others, that feast comes in sporting form. American audiences have long been treated to NBA and NFL fixtures on Christmas Day, while football and cricket have also made it happy holidays for sports fans in the past.

That is, of course, unless your side loses on Christmas Day...

NBA

For many Europeans, the notion of sport on Christmas Day sounds bizarre. For Americans, the idea of no sport on Christmas Day is equally jarring.

The NBA remains the world’s foremost basketball league by some distance, with the leading players well accustomed to Christmas matches.

The first NBA match to be screened on television took place in 1947, a staggering statistic that reflects Americans’ long-running love affair with both basketball and televised sports.

This will be the eleventh consecutive Christmas to host five NBA matches, and some may suggest that players have grounds for complaint.

While most people can cherish time spent with family, these sports stars are expected to maintain their incredibly high professional standards.

Fortunately, many NBA players are appreciative rather than resentful towards the Christmas Day fixture.

Last year, Golden State shooting guard Klay Thompson spoke of the honour of playing such a match, while reminiscing of happy Christmases spent watching the NBA.

LeBron James has been somewhat less grateful of the NBA Christmas schedule.

In 2015, the legendary player voiced his disapproval at having to play for a tenth Christmas in his then 13-year career, citing the disappointment at missing out on family time.

If a player of James’ stature can’t force a change to the schedule, then it would have to take a Christmas miracle to move fixtures away from December 25th.

For James, the equivalent of opening new socks each Christmas is playing a match against the Golden State Warriors. With the Cavaliers, James lost to the Warriors on Christmas Day in both 2015 and 2017, while prevailing in 2016.

The LA Lakers offer no escape for James, with the Lakers scheduled on Christmas Day every year this century and set to do battle with the Warriors this year.

With the Warriors 1/2 favourites to win the NBA crown once again, it could be a doubly disappointing Christmas for James this year.

 

NFL

The NFL doesn’t have as rich a tradition of Christmas Day matches as its American sporting cousin, the NBA.

The Super Bowl is still the definitive American sporting event, so the NFL is happy enough to concede Christmas to the NBA.

The NFL has become synonymous with Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States, but Christmas is one special day that it is largely left alone.

In 1971, two playoff fixtures took place on December 25th as an anomaly rather than the beginning of a trend.

The second of those matches, Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs, became the longest game in NFL history, featuring almost 23 minutes of sudden death play as the Dolphins triumphed 27-24.

This extreme length exacerbated pre-existing concerns about Christmas sport detracting from the joys of the holiday, with many complaining that the protracted match ruined many a Christmas dinner.

This outrage ensured that there were no more NFL matches on Christmas until 1989. Since then, NFL matches have been held on Christmas sporadically, dependent on the day of the week on which Christmas falls.

The past two Christmas Days have both hosted two NFL fixtures, but 2018 will instead see the Denver Broncos take on the Oakland Raiders on Christmas Eve.

 

Football

Premier League matches have now become an established part of many Monday nights, while they even throw in a Friday night game on occasion to catch out fantasy football managers.

One day that does appear to be safe from English football is Christmas Day, but it wasn’t always the case. There was a long-running tradition of Christmas Day fixtures, with a full schedule of matches being played as late as 1957.

Blackpool and Blackburn contested the last English league match to be played on Christmas Day in 1965.

Blackpool won 4-2 in a match that was played without festive fanfare. Christmas Day now seems untouchable, but players from that match recalled how festivities barely made an impact on the important pursuit of league points.

Another tradition from that time was for clubs to play the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, a stark contrast to the questions now over whether players should play on both Saturday and Tuesday.

Players' fitness has increased since the 1960s, while defences may have got slightly better, too; the top-flight Boxing Day fixtures in 1963 yielding a staggering 66 goals across 10 matches.

The tradition of Boxing Day football remains strong, with nine Premier League matches scheduled for December 26th in 2018.

Southampton vs West Ham has been saved for 27th December to drag out that festive feeling for an extra day.

Hopefully, Southampton fans receive nice presents from friends and family to soften the blow of a tough season; at 14/1 to finish in the Premier League top 10, the Saints will still be embroiled in a relegation battle by the time St Nick has visited.

 

Cricket

Cricket may be coming back to Christmas Day in Australia in the coming years, with cricketers rumoured to be receptive to the idea of playing a Big Bash League match on December 25th.

The BBL boss Kim McConnie has stated that some afternoon/evening cricket could provide the perfect antidote for that Christmas Day lull that comes after dinner.

Cricket on Christmas Day is not a new concept in Australia, with the Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground a popular part of Australian festivities.

It is particularly popular as Australia generally prevail, unbeaten since an English victory in December 2010.

In 1926, South Australia and Queensland began a tradition of competing in a Sheffield Shield match that required play on Christmas Day, a tradition that lasted until 1969.

There are also instances of Test matches breaching December 25th, with Australia taking on India in a match that you might think lives long in the players' memories.

In fact, many of the Australians barely recall how the match that started on December 23rd carried on right through Christmas Day.

The drama and popularity of the Big Bash League might be enough to bring cricket back to Christmas, with casual fans being drawn to the sport in its more streamlined forms.

The league is fiercely contested, reflected in competition favourites Perth Scorchers barely being ahead of the chasing pack at a price of 4/1.

While the joy of your preferred team winning on Christmas can make the day even more memorable, a defeat could potentially dampen spirits.

For some people, watching sport in the Christmas period is as much of a tradition as sitting down to watch a festive film.

If a sport has no matches on Christmas Day, then there will likely be many fixtures on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day.

Those two days are widely considered as special, so perhaps sport on December 25th shouldn't be an issue as long as the players are content.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Players nominated for the Ballon d’Or tend to boast a lot of longevity, being able to stay at the very top of the game for many years.

But, looking at the more recent years of the award, some of these former stars have fallen by the wayside...

Mario Balotelli (2012)

In the 2011/12 season, Mario Balotelli continued to emerge as a top talent for Manchester City but was making the headlines for his antics off of the field.

After winning the Premier League in 2012, the club moved him on to AC Milan during the following campaign. Since 2013, Balotelli has bounced from AC Milan to Liverpool, back to AC Milan on loan, and then to OGC Nice on a free transfer in 2016.

He has since put up his best numbers for a club with 43 goals in 72 games for Nice, earning a return to his national team, Italy, earlier this year. Nice are currently at 40/1 to win the Coupe de France and 20/1 to finish in the top three in Ligue 1 this season.

 

Franck Ribery (2013)

After winning the Champions League, German Cup, and Bundesliga, Franck Ribery came third in the overall voting of the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Now 35 years old, Ribery has seen a steady decline in his stats lines from that season, with the 2014/15 season onward yielding many injuries and far fewer goals and assists.

Bayern Munich have continued to win the Bundesliga in every season since 2012/13 and are at 33/100 to do so again this season.

 

James Rodriguez (2014)

The Colombian’s showing in the 2014 World Cup earned him a move to Real Madrid and the coveted FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.

While he was able to get goals and assists with Real Madrid, James Rodriguez struggled for a consistent starting role, has been loaned out to Bayern Munich for the last two seasons, but has been unable to play full games with regular occurrence.

 

Yaya Toure (2015)

Yaya Toure was one of the stars of Manchester City’s rise to becoming legitimate Premier League contenders.

But, once his former manager Pep Guardiola arrived at the club, he struggled for first-team football.

Having been nominated for the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Ballon d’Or awards, the Ivorian is now trying to work his way into the Olympiacos starting eleven, who are at 5/2 to make it into the top two of their Europa League group.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Mark Edmondson's Australian Open triumph is widely considered to be the greatest Grand Slam shock of all time.

Edmondson defeated legend Ken Rosewall in the semi-final and reigning champion John Newcombe in the final to become the lowest-ranked Grand Slam winner, a record that remains today.

It would be seven-time Slam winner Newcombe's last final and Edmondson's only final. Surprisingly, Edmondson remains the last Australian to win their domestic Slam.

At 25/1 in 888sport tennis betting odds, it would be a shock if Nick Kyrgios could win in 2019, but not quite on the level of Edmondson's victory.

Goran Ivanisevic had only entered the 2001 Wimbledon tournament courtesy of a wildcard, a slump in form seeing him plummet down the rankings.

That wildcard was given because Ivanisevic had made the final on three occasions. The Croatian made the most of his opportunity, denying Tim Henman in an epic semi-final before battling past Pat Rafter to seal an overdue Slam title.

It's one thing for a 16-year-old qualifier to hold their own against the No. 1 seed in the first round of a Grand Slam. It's another thing entirely to dispatch of them with consummate ease, and yet this is what Jelena Dokic achieved against Martina Hingis in 1999.

Dokic only secured one Grand Slam semi-final in her career in comparison to Hingis' five titles but, for one day, in 1999 she was completely superior to the best player in the world.

Rafael Nadal's defeat to Dustin Brown in 2014 continued an unlikely trend for the two-time Wimbledon champion, losing to a player ranked outside the top 100 for the fourth consecutive year.

Being the fourth shock perhaps makes this match the least surprising, but Brown's style of play makes it the most memorable.

The maverick German plays like no other, a combination of ludicrous artistry and athleticism. Nadal's run of shock defeats makes him relatively unfancied to win his third Wimbledon title in 2019.

Kuerten began the 1997 French Open ranked 66 in the world, so few were backing him to win the tournament.

A more likely candidate was reigning champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov triumphing again, but Kuerten saw him off in a topsy-turvy quarter-final that was the Brazilian's third consecutive five-setter.

Kuerten then beat qualifier Filip Dewulf in the most unlikely of semi-final match-ups before taking down 16th-seed Sergi Bruguera to win his first of three French Opens.

Nadal's > domination of the French Open market in recent years has been curtains for those seeking to emulate Kuerten.

 

Secure a smash on the most up to date tennis markets with 888sport

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Betting on the result of a football match is the simplest and oldest way to have a punt, but the gambling industry has come a long way over the years and there are now various ways to stake on a game.

Simply picking the winning team rarely yields high returns on investment, so bettors have had to look elsewhere for value. This has resulted in the emergence of betting on match events, along with in-play betting.

This in-depth guide will tell you everything you need to know about football match events, which can be applied to almost any league across the globe.

It will also provide some detailed tips on how to make the most informed decisions about betting on match events.

What Is A Football Match Event?

For someone who doesn’t bet much, simply picky the winning team in a football match can be enough.

But for bettors who are on the hunt for value and like to make things more interesting, going for something other than a win or a draw can be more exciting.

Match events cover pretty much anything that goes on in a match.

Bettors can stake on a correct scoreline, first team to score, which player will score at any time, how many fouls, how many corners, whether a team will keep a clean sheet, the time a goal is scored, whether a side will win after falling behind, next player to score, the list goes on.

Nowadays, you can bet on nearly anything you can think of in a football match. An amusing example of this was the fact that some bookmakers were offering odds on Luis Suarez biting someone or Cristiano Ronaldo crying at the 2018 World Cup.

Staking on match events can make a football match a whole lot more thrilling, and it can also make you seem like an oracle if you predict something correctly.

In addition to those things, the odds on a lot of match events are likely to pay out much higher returns than simply betting on a winner.

 

What Type Of Match Events Are Best To Bet On?

Defining which the best match events to bet on are is a tricky question, as different things appeal to different bettors.

Some bettors like to go for events which provide the highest returns on investment, while others will stake on happenings which they can attempt to logically predict.

Betting on a correct scoreline is one of the hardest things to do in football, as the game is notoriously unpredictable. If you do manage to get it right, though, you can reap excellent rewards.

Typical scorelines such as 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, and 2-1 usually have fairly short odds, but if you have a feeling that a game could throw up a crazy scoreline, you can get some serious odds.

Take the Premier League as an example. From time to time there are some cricket scores come the final whistle. And a lot of the time, these aren’t totally surprising.

For instance, when Manchester City beat Stoke City 7-2 in October of the 2017-18 campaign, Pep Guardiola’s charges were flying high while Mark Hughes’ men were in freefall.

The Citizens ultimately won the title while the Potters were relegated. It would have been hard to predict 7-2 precisely, but betting on a few different high scorelines in that fixture could have resulted in picking the correct one.

For some bettors, it’s best to make decisions based on an analysis of players and teams in the lead up to the next match. An example of this could be to look at a referee adjudicating a match and find out how often he gives penalties.

Combine this with looking at team sheets that managers are frequently rolling out and studying who the penalty takers are.

If one side has pacey players like Raheem Sterling who often get pulled down in the box, it could be a shrewd bet to stake on City winning a penalty and Sergio Aguero slotting it home.

 

Making Informed Decisions Before Match Event Betting

As noted above, assessing a combination of different factors is the best way to make an informed decision about a match event. Fortunately, all the information needed is available online for bettors to access instantly.

Opta Sports is a great source of data for football bettors. The site covers the world of football in greater depth than anywhere else.

It covers over 1000 leagues and is the official partner of top leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, and the MLS. The data provided by the statisticians is exactly the kind of information that bettors need to stake on match events.

Let’s take a look at the match event “first goalscorer” as an example. If someone wanted to stake on this event, they would be wise to look at the main goal scorers from each team.

From there, they can check stats for shots on goal, shots on target, and penalty area touches of those players from the previous four games.

Bettors can also check heat maps to see which players are frequently getting into dangerous positions, while also looking at which players are more likely to score early or late on in games.

Taking that one step further, a bettor could also look into where a team’s biggest defensive weaknesses are. If one team is allowing more attacks down a certain flank, betting on the attacking player in that position against them could be shrewd.

 

Conclusion - More Lucrative Than Match Result Betting?

Staking on certain match events could prove to be more lucrative than betting on a football match result, as they usually offer longer odds for higher returns.

If bettors spend enough time researching their bets and checking the statistics thoroughly, they can find themselves in a strong position to make logical bets about what will happen in any given game.

For casual bettors, it is probably wisest to stick to simple things such as who will score or what the final result will be.

But for people with more time on their hands to delve deeply into the data, combination bets of different match events would prove to be the best way to maximise the chances of getting some good returns.

It’s hard to say that any form of betting is more lucrative than another, because the events being staked on are out of the bettors’ hands.

However, for people who like to have the chance of a higher return on investment, staking on match events is the way forward. The other benefit to betting on match events is the fact that it can provide extra excitement.

 

Learn About Other Betting Strategies

There are plenty of other betting strategies to learn about in the 888sport blog. Check out these articles focusing on other sports for some top tips and how to bet:

Rugby Betting Guide – Top Tips for Betting on Both Codes

Horse Racing Betting – QEII and Champion Stakes

Tennis Betting – Youngest Grand Slam Winners

Baroness Dido Harding was walking the walk after her horse, Walk In The Mill, was the brave winner of the Becher Chase at Aintree.

Owner and former amateur rider Dido Harding, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Cool Dawn in 1998, was totally elated:

"We were hoping to run him in the National in April, and he went lame overnight. So actually, from that day, this has been the target.

"Rob and Louisa (Robert Walford's wife) have done the most amazing job getting him here - and stopping me riding him as well, which is a big part of the training job, I fear.

"I think it will be hard to say no (to the National this time), after watching that. But I have to say the temptation to get the riding permit out would be really very strong."

Trained by Robert Walford and ridden by James Best, the eight-year-old powered away from his rivals around the Aintree elbow to get the better of the running-on Vieux Lion Rouge, with Ultragold, another Aintree fences “veteran”, back in third.

Walford said of his winner: "We knew he was in good form. He jumped great, and James gave him a great ride as well.

"We know the plan - there's only one way to go, the Grand National. He'll get a run now - that's the main thing - so we probably won't see him a huge amount (before the race)."

Jockey James Best is already relishing the return trip to Merseyside next April, saying: “I know this isn't the National - but what a thrill. He's just incredible, jumps from fence to fence.

"Midway through, I thought; 'We could run a big race'. I thought; 'Just throw him at the last', land running - and away we've gone.

"April can't come soon enough."

Another Pipe Dream?

Pond House trainer, David Pipe, was clearly very happy with the performance from Vieux Lion Rouge on the day: "He's a run a cracker and galloped all the way to the line," said Pipe.

"It was fast and furious - even in these conditions - and he would need to keep up with the pace a little more in the National on better ground, but he's got a great record round these fences."  

Although the nine-year-old has struggled to quite see out the 4 miles in the Grand National on his three previous attempts, Pipe believes that on this latest Becher Case evidence, he looks like he may need every single yard of it now.

The Professor Caroline Tisdall and Mr John Gent owned gelding will be back in April to run in the Grand National once again, should everything go to plan with him.

 

Golden Ticket

The two-time Topham hero Ultragold, who finished in third place, clearly handled the step up in trip and there are plenty of positives for him going forward.

Assistant trainer, Joe Tizzard said after the race:  "He's brilliant around here; he just gets into that lovely rhythm. The trip wasn't a problem today, which was always in the back of my mind, and it's a big plus for him looking forward to the Grand National."

 

Could It Be Magic?

Fourth placed Call It Magic will have a Grand National entry but will probably head towards the Topham instead.

Trained by Ross O’Sullivan, the eight-year-old made a bold bid to make all of the running, but faded back into fourth after his early exertions. 

County Kildare trainer O’Sullivan said: “We’re thinking of the Topham. We’ll enter for the National, but he’ll have to go up a few pounds to get in.”

“The way he took to those fences, the long-term plan has to be to go back there. We got a great thrill out of it and we can’t wait to take him back.”

 

Arthur's Theme

A mistake at just the third fence in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree brought about an abrupt end to One For Arthur’s return to the track, his first run since his 2017 Grand National victory at the same venue.

The Lucinda Russell-trained nine-year-old may now head to either Haydock for the Tommy Whittle Chase on December 22nd or the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day, with plans for the National hero remaining fluid at this stage.

“He’s fine, perfect. We’ll just have to find out what we’re going to do with him now. We’ll probably go to either Haydock or Wetherby, but he’s in good form.

"He was a bit fresh and he just wasn’t concentrating. He took off too soon.” said Russell’s training assistant Peter Scudamore, the morning after the race.

Lucinda added: “He came home fine – he is very fresh and we are happy with him. We have plenty of options over the Christmas period, but definite long-term aim would be the 2019 Grand National.”

 

Grand National Prices for all the aforementioned runners at 888sport:

• Walk In The Mill (33/1)
• Vieux Lion Rouge (33/1)
• Ultragold (33/1)
• Call It Magic (33/1)
• One For Arthur (25/1)

 

 *Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup was first run in 1963. It was originally sponsored by Massey Ferguson and known as the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup.

The race continued with this name until 1980, but since then it has had various sponsors and consequently several title changes. For simplicity, the race has become commonly known in the racing media as the December Gold Cup.

The prestigious Grade Three handicap chase is run over two miles, four furlongs and 166 yards at Cheltenham and this year it has attracted a quality field of fifteen runners.

Here is a runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s showpiece with a verdict in italics after each horse:

 

Frodon (P. Nicholls)

Winner of the Old Roan on his reappearance, Frodon then chased home Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup last time out.

He took this race two years ago and confirmed his liking for the New Course in January when humping 11st7lb to victory.

He should be on the premises again.

 

Baron Alco (G. Moore)

Raised 6lbs for his win in the BetVictor Gold Cup where he jumped his rivals into submission.

His runner-up finish to Charbel at the start of the season reads extremely well now, given that the Kim Bailey horse recently demolished the field in the Peterborough Chase.

Definitely one for the short list.

 

Rather Be (N. Henderson)

Brought down in the BetVictor Gold Cup whilst going really well and certainly looked like being the shake-up.

He was a narrow margin second to Mister Whitaker in the Close Brothers’ Novices’ Handicap Chase at The Festival last season and is understandably the market favourite.

Nicky Henderson has won this race three times so he is a horse to keep onside.

 

War Sound (P. Hobbs)

War Sound was an impressive win in a two and a half-mile handicap chase at Aintree last month. Trainer Philip Hobbs has twice landed the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with Monkerhostin (2004) and Village Vic (2015).

A new form line with Warrior’s Tale reads well so ignore him at your peril.

 

Cobra De Mai (D. Skelton)

Ran fourth behind Mr Medic at Ascot last time and will probably struggle to reverse that form here. He did however finish second in a Grade 2 at Ayr at the end of last season, so does have ability.

A placed finish at best.

 

Mr Medic (R. Walford)

He picked up a good handicap chase at Ascot on his last outing and has been raised 9lb for that victory putting him into Saturday’s race on 10st 5lb.

With improvement very likely, he could just be what the doctor ordered.

 

Cepage (V. Williams)

Cepage ran well here on his final start of last season and appears to be completely at home on the New Course.

Charlie Deutsch has been popping them out from the front for Venetia of late and could quite easily emulate her 2014 victor, Niceonefrankie.

Decent each-way contender.

 

Casablanca Mix (N. Henderson)

She tends to have a tendency to throw away her races at the business end of things and is untested in a big field like this.

She definitely has talent but will probably have to play second fiddle to her stablemate Rather Be.

Too many risks involved.

 

Full Glass (A. King)

Hails from the powerful ownership dou of Munir and Souede and was a revelation in France.  Ran well on his British debut at Ayr and unfortunately unseated at Haydock Park last time out.

Any rain will be a positive for the highly regarded five -year-old.

Double figure odds look generous.

 

Catamaran Du Seuil (Dr R. Newland)

Fell at the sixth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last week and will need to be running up to the form of his Wetherby success on his seasonal debut to get competitive here.

There’s more that one doctor in this race.

 

Splash Of Ginge (N. Twiston-Davies)

A Cheltenham stalwart at the age of ten, with all of his greatest days coming at this racecourse.

The suspicion is the ground will not be tacky enough on Saturday for him to be seen at his best, but he does continue to surprise.

Sentimental each-way bet for old times’ sake perhaps?

 

Casse Tete (G. Moore)

He tends to run an absolute shocker or tends to hose up, so is a very difficult runner to gauge. He unseated at Ascot on his last outing but could easily bounce back and is on an attractive weight.

Another selection headache?

 

Romain De Senam (P. Nicholls)

Unseated at the first fence in the BetVictor and is becoming somewhat frustrating to follow given the potential he previously showed. He ran well for some way in this last year but faded back into fifth place.

Leave alone until he shows some renewed vigour.

 

Foxtail Hill (N. Twiston-Davies)

A front-runner who has enjoyed several Cheltenham victories by adopting a “catch me if you can” style. It’s worked for him in the past but he is likely to be hustled for that lead spot by Baron Alco or Cepage in this renewal which may result in him downing tools.

His handicap mark has plummeted and this would be the ideal time to make the most of it.

More Saturday success for father and son at their local track?

 

Guitar Pete (N. Richards)

Winner of this race last year and he was tipped up by this very column. As was alluded to last year, Guitar Pete is in here once again off a very handy weight and his third place run behind Baron Alco and Frodon was also a piece of great form.

Nicky Richards is boasting similar statistics to this time last season and is very much on the hot trainer list.

There is every chance he can go back-to-back on Saturday.

 

SUMMARY

The three literal heavyweights in the market look very susceptible to another runner who is in form and is running off a really low weight.

Guitar Pete has a very similar profile to the one he had going into last year’s renewal and he should be on the premises once again.

The Venetia Williams-trained Cepage is likely to be passed over by many in the betting but has plenty of unlocked potential given a clear round.

888sport suggests: Guitar Pete and Cepage (e/w).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*