As you might expect, the most popular forms of motorsport are subject to constant comparison. We've already looked at how MotoGP could potentially become F1's commercial equal, and now it's NASCAR's turn to be put in the spotlight.

On the one hand, NASCAR is the all-muscular, no-nonsense test of brute speed, and the perfect foil to an afternoon spent watching a Formula One event embodied by precision engineering and calculated turns.

With outlaw roots, a fanbase that is mainly fervent in the southern states, and the idea of anything other than an American champion unthinkable, NASCAR has a lot of catching up to do with F1 where marketing itself as a brand is concerned.

Away from the States, many people will simply see NASCAR as a sport in which cars go around in an oval, ad nauseam, until the chequered flag drops for the final time.

While this is not untrue at face value, there are in fact many innate qualities required of a title-winning NASCAR driver.

More often than not, the pit teams involved will need to think of strategies not unlike those seen in NFL playbooks, and focus on disabling certain rival drivers rather than simply winning the race.

 

NASCAR vs Formula One

Although F1 is not entirely without strategy, the era of Mercedes and Ferrari dominance means that the clear favourites to win are known even a year in advance.

Beyond that, it becomes a matter of personnel, and which driver should be given priority, in order for a constructor to gain as many points as possible.

While NASCAR also has strong characters with a habit of winning, the difference between constructors is far less prominent and there is a wider range of realistic options when it comes to betting.

For instance, drivers under Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske and Stewart-Haas are seen on the podium – and in Group A fantasy NASCAR squads – quite regularly.

NASCAR is also different from F1 in that certain drivers and constructors favour course types.

Until such a time as fair-play legislation is brought into F1, a Mercedes car driven by Lewis Hamilton will almost always beat, say, a Haas car driven by Romain Grosjean – even if Grosjean would be a better driver on a particular circuit in an equally powerful car.

That is not to say certain drivers prefer some courses over others, but in NASCAR, history and form at circuits count for much more when making those all-important picks.

Given the varying distance of laps on standard NASCAR circuits that are practically identical in shape, a greater range of surfaces, and the (abolished) presence of restrictor plates on some to moderate the speed, there are still some distinct variables at play.

So for instance, Joe Gibbs Racing’s reputation for brute speed in the mid-2010s made the likes of Kyle Busch hot favourites on ‘Super Speedway’ tracks, but their fuel efficiency was occasionally found wanting on the short circuits.

The protocol behind tyre changes also provides a striking difference between the two motorsport forms, with the timing of them in NASCAR being even more important than they are in F1.

This is due to the comparatively high regularity with which cars pass over the surface of a NASCAR track, and wear out its integrity.

While many F1 fans see NASCAR as brutish and full of bravado, safety is still a massive consideration. People often get frustrated when a safety car is deployed in F1, but it is a relatively infrequent event compared to its occurrence in NASCAR races.

Full contact is inevitable in any NASCAR race, but even if there is just one shard of metal on the circuit, race officials seemingly have full license to issue a yellow flag, which will slow the cars down to a predetermined pace until the green flag 'restarts' the race.

 

Defection: For Better Or Worse?

There are a select few who have made the transition from F1 to NASCAR. In the 2000s, current WeatherTech SportsCar Championship driver Juan Pablo Montoya flew the flag for Colombia in both F1 and NASCAR, and stands as a particularly memorable example.

He made his F1 debut in 2001, getting his first win at the speedy Monza circuit, in a foreshadowing of his defection to come. A respectable sixth-place finish in the drivers' championship was followed by two consecutive years of finishing third.

Montoya would have two more top-five finishes, but Michael Schumacher was enjoying untold dominance at the same time, making a finish at the top of the standings a practical impossibility for the man from Bogota.

His defection to NASCAR in 2006 was a good move, if longevity is the means by which his motorsport career in the 2000s is judged. He earned ‘rookie of the year’ in 2007, after a first full season that saw him sneak into the Nextel Cup's final top 20.

Despite this early success, the only wins of his NASCAR career unsurprisingly came in the F1-esque road races at Sonoma (2007) and Watkins Glen (2010), and he could finish no higher than sixth on any other circuit.

While it is theoretically possible to win a NASCAR title without winning a race, it is clear evidence that modern NASCAR is no place for a defecting F1 driver – even for a driver as versatile as Montoya.

A number of other notable F1 drivers, such as Nelson Piquet Jr and Jacques Villeneuve have tried – and failed completely – to make an impact on NASCAR in recent times.

 

One-Way Traffic?

And what of NASCAR drivers joining the ranks of F1 drivers? In truth, it is a process that is practically unheard of unless they are destined to be reserve or test drivers. With F1 driver academies also growing, the F1 seats of the future seem spoken for.

Hypothetically, though, how might a NASCAR driver fare if placed inside the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton?

Firstly, a NASCAR driver would be shocked at the lightweight frame of the F1 car. Technologically and in terms of design, it is light years ahead of the muscular, study stock car used in NASCAR.

As such, NASCAR drivers would be unable to so consistently pull off the manoeuvres that F1 drivers could do blindfolded.

That alone would be enough to make a defection from NASCAR to F1 pointless, unless there was some existing experience at sub-F1 level, and the driver in question was exceptional.

If there was to be any success in defection from NASCAR to F1, it would be that of a construction team, not a driver. For instance, they could beat a mid-table F1 constructor on tyre and fuel strategy alone, and occasionally bring an original plan into play.

However, doing so to a consistently positive effect would also require superior engineering, and the main players in that department are already well-known.

As a very topical example, American constructor Haas has made an encouraging start to life as an F1 team.

Over in America, Stewart-Haas is a respected NASCAR team, with 2014 champion Kevin Harvick its ace in the pack, and they are essentially trailblazers in what is an intriguing and untested route for NASCAR teams to consider.

In England, the Football League ladder has been in place for decades. The system of securing promotion throughout the various tiers of the Football League works well – with the opportunity for smaller clubs to progress all the way up to the Premier League.

You only need to look at the work Eddie Howe has done with AFC Bournemouth to see just how successful this system can be for certain clubs. It works in the same way with relegation.

Some of England’s biggest and most successful teams, such as Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, have all slipped out of the top flight despite their European success in the past.

However, other major leagues around the world follow a ‘closed shop’ franchise system. In essence, that means there is no relegation or promotion but organisations are invited to join based on various factors.

First and foremost, the logistics of playing in a league such as the A-League and Major League Soccer are not simple. Teams need to have access to a suitable stadium, have the required funds to pay staff and players and there must be a platform for future development.

If a club isn’t going to enhance that particular league in any way, shape or form, the league may decline entry.

In some nations, particularly those where football isn’t quite as prominent, this system works well. Football fans in the United States and Australia seem to enjoy their domestic experience on the whole, so why change a working formula?

Major League Soccer viewers saw a record goal-scoring spree earlier this season; franchises were averaging 3.22 goals per game – the highest recorded tally since the formation of the league on the other side of the Atlantic.

In addition, the A-League is still one of the most entertaining and exciting divisions to watch, with a lack of defensive competency mixed in with an improving attacking philosophy.

 

Quality Of Play Is Important

Attacking football is usually the order of the day in these two divisions. Major League Soccer has always been like that; emphasis has been placed on making the sport fun and attractive to watch in the United States.

The Designated Player rule, otherwise known as the Beckham rule after David Beckham made the switch to LA Galaxy, is useful these days in helping clubs offer lucrative contracts to big-name players whilst still adhering to salary cup rules for the rest of the squad.

As long as this system is in place, the MLS will continue to grow and it is now on the cusp of breaking into the second tier of elite domestic divisions.

Meanwhile, the A-League is also getting bigger. Australian organisations haven’t been able to attract that same brand of footballer but a few former Premier League stars are plying their trade in Australia’s top flight these days.

Adam Le Fondre, now playing for Sydney FC, set a new Premier League record for top-flight goals in a single season as a substitute.

At the time of writing, he has bagged six goals in six A-League games so far this season and punters can back Sydney FC at 3/1 to go on and lift the title for the second time in three years.

Playoffs Format Works Well In Both Leagues

With no relegation or promotion, there is a particular onus on the playoff format in both of these divisions. Major League Soccer has followed a certain format since its inaugural year and it has been a roaring success with fans across the globe.

Certain clubs tend to turn on the style in the postseason and that can affect betting markets – punters should keep an eye on any noticeable shifts.

In addition, home advantage, as is the case in most American sports competitions, is huge in the playoffs. Take that into account when considering a wager on the upcoming MLS Cup clash between Atlanta United and Portland Timbers.

In Australia, the route to the final is simpler than it is in the United States. The top six clubs advance to the postseason but those teams finishing in the top two spots receive a bye into the semi-finals.

Whilst this allows organisations to stay fresh, some teams prefer to play in order to stay sharp and match fit – finding that balance can be tough.

Sydney have been the dominant force in the regular season but they fell short in the playoffs last year as the Melbourne Victory went on to lift the crown. 888sport are going 7/2 in their A-League odds for the defending champions to repeat this campaign.

 

Betting On These Leagues - How Does It Work?

Punters must be wary of the differences between these divisions and the Premier League over in English football.

With no betting markets available for relegation, bettors on the A-League and MLS can find odds on a specific team to finish bottom instead. Major League Soccer is trickier to predict, mainly because the league is split into two conferences.

At the beginning of the campaign, many bookmakers offer prices on clubs to reach the playoffs; this is popular with NFL and NHL punters as predicting American sports can be difficult.

Over in the A-League, it is the same old story. With a plethora of A-League betting odds on offer to 888sport customers, Australia’s top flight is growing and it is only going to get bigger as interest grows overseas.

Punters can bet on various markets, including but not limited to: top club from a specific city, team to finish in bottom place, head-to-head matchup betting against rival clubs and more.

More betting markets will become available on the A-League and Major League Soccer in due course, as these leagues are now more prominent than ever with television coverage increasing on a seasonal basis.

 

Predicting A Winner

Again, predicting a winner is harder in the MLS. As a league, Major League Soccer have been proactive with encouraging teams to join.

Soccer is quickly developing into one of America’s biggest sports and the addition of the new Los Angeles team, along with David Beckham’s organisation in the future, will only help to gauge interest.

Betting on the MLS Cup winner is something of a lottery, though, as 15 of the 23 teams to compete in America’s top flight have featured in the MLS Cup – which is testament to the strength of the league and its competing clubs.

Atlanta are the 2/9 favourites to become the 13th team to lift the trophy when they take on the Portland Timbers in the 2018 showpiece.

The A-League has been slightly more predictable; the same clubs tend to reach the playoffs on a yearly basis. There have been some anomalies, though, and that isn’t to suggest in any way that Australia’s top flight is boring and easy to call.

Far from it, in fact. Six organisations have been fortunate enough to claim the A-League premier title, with Melbourne Victory coming out on top with four triumphs.

However, fans should remember Adelaide United’s shock success in 2016 and that should serve as a reminder to A-League viewers that anything can happen in Australia’s elite soccer division.

 

Future Growth - Any Changes?

Bettors enjoy placing a wager on Major League Soccer and the A-League due to its exciting nature.

Changing things up too much in these divisions would be detrimental; they are two of the most exciting leagues to watch and punters will opt for the over goals line more often than not.

Major League Soccer is maturing into one of the biggest divisions on the planet and the A-League can follow their blueprint for success.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see these divisions take centre stage as two of the greatest and most entertaining soccer leagues in the coming years.

 

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

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.

 

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*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