The Premier League is entering the home straight. We are at that point where teams begin to see doors close, and it’s bordering on last-chance saloon for a few teams. In some cases, that has passed and they are requiring divine intervention.

As is now tradition in these parts, we are looking at the Premier League’s 3pm kick-offs…

Everton vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

There’s unrest again at Goodison Park. Sam Allardyce has almost squeaked his side over the line to safety, but several dire performances have seen the former England manager criticised.

The football has been bleak, and failure to win this match could see Allardyce edge towards the door.

Brighton, meanwhile, have been the story of the league recently.

A five-match unbeaten run featuring three victories has pulled the Seagulls level on points with the Toffees, and Chris Hughton might finally be about to receive the acclaim he has deserved for so long.

I like the 7/10 price on Brighton to avoid defeat. Hughton’s side are secure at the back, having conceded just 38 goals this season, and have a knack for scoring goals at the right time.

TIP: Brighton to win OR draw @ 7/10

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN vs SWANSEA CITY

Swansea’s Carlos Carvalhal revival recovered from an awayday hiccup at Brighton to smash West Ham last weekend.

Home form continues for the Swans, but their road troubles are still prevalent, though they have lost just once in four away matches.

Huddersfield’s home form is not great either. Their 4-1 win over Bournemouth was a needed relief from relegation pressure, but they had conceded seven goals in their two home matches prior to that.

Last time out they were ineffective, and calmly seen off by Tottenham at Wembley.

The visitors have been hard to beat away from the Liberty Stadium, even if results have not been fantastic. The onus is on the Terriers to push for a win here, but I think Swansea will frustrate them and this could eke into a low-scoring draw.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 13/25

NEWCASTLE UNITED vs SOUTHAMPTON

One point and one place separate these two in the league at the moment. The Magpies are marginally ahead of their Saturday afternoon visitors, but could be in the bottom three by Monday.

Rafa Benitez’s side have won just one match in seven in the league, but have lost only two in that span.

Southampton are no strangers to a draw themselves. The south coast club have tied a league-high 13 matches thus far, including their last two.

Saints have won once in their last 16 in the league, but will likely head to the northeast with avoiding defeat as the priority once again.

Like so many of the matches this weekend, this will be cagey rather than expansive. Pragmatism from Benitez and Mauricio Pellegrino could make this a tough watch.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/5

West Bromwich Albion vs LEICESTER CITY

West Brom’s defeat last weekend was the final nail in their Premier League coffin. Alan Pardew’s calamitous spell at the Hawthorns has left the Baggies playing for nothing but pride in early March.

The visiting Leicester are winless in five league matches, and have not won in their last five away from home.

Claude Puel’s side have little to play for either this season other than chasing Burnley for seventh. The Foxes have not been as poor as results suggest, however. They are deserved favourites to win this one.

Barring a shock performance from the hosts, I fancy Leicester to win this comfortably. West Brom are in freefall. It’s surprising Pardew has lasted this long, but a heavy defeat here could provoke managerial change.

TIP: Leicester to win @ 31/20

WEST HAM UNITED vs Burnley

Burnley are without a win in seven straight Premier League away matches, having failed to score in five of those fixtures.

Sean Dyche’s side returned to form of sorts with their win over Everton, but are still my underdogs for this one.

David Moyes’ side were dismantled by Swansea last weekend, just as they were by Liverpool the week before.

The Hammers are deep in relegation trouble. Moyes still has to deal with a lengthy injury list, and will likely stick with a 3-4-3.

I think the hosts will get back on track in this one. There isn’t great value to be found anywhere, so I’m siding with West Ham to avoid defeat as they aim to rebuild their cushion from the bottom three.

TIP: West Ham to win OR draw @ 3/10

 

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

Statistics and trends (based on the last 15 renewals)

15/15 – Had won no more than twice over hurdles before
14/15 – Had won between 1-2 times over hurdles before
14/15 – Had raced within the last 6 weeks
13/15 – Carried 10-13 or less
12/15 – Aged 6 or younger
12/15 – Rated 124 or higher

The weight trends for this race are particularly interesting as based on those facts alone you would be tempted to discount Call Me Lord, Chti Balko, Whatswrongwithyou, Le Patriote, Huntsman Son and Fidux.

Age would also be a negative for the well fancied Whatswringwithyou.

The last five winners

2017 – LONDON PRIZE 10/1
2016 – FLYING ANGEL 9/1
2015 – EBONY EXPRESS 33/1
2014 – BALTIMORE ROCK  7/1
2013 – FIRST AVENUE 20/1

Some of the contenders

Call Me Lord tops the 17 runners still declared for Saturday’s Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, a 2 mile handicap hurdle regarded as the last big hoorah before the Cheltenham Festival.

The five-year-old is one of two runners for Nicky Henderson, who also fields ante-post favourite Whatswrongwithyou in the contest, which offers the winner a rather tasty £100,000 bonus if they can follow up in any race at The Festival next week.

Whatswrongwithyou certainly looks like a candidate who could push the bonus incentive close. He is entered in both the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe next week and he could easily figure even with an extra penalty incurred on Saturday.

He was beaten a length by Ainchea over course and distance in December and the form of that race has looked strong since. He is currently sitting on a mark of 139 after recording back-to-back Newbury wins with a nine-length verdict over Rockpoint last time out.

Dr Richard Newland, who won this contest 2015 with Ebony Express, immediately earmarked this race for Le Patriote (nap) after his win at Ascot last month.

Le Patriote won with a lot more in hand than the official distance of a length in last month's Ascot race and he should confirm superiority over runner-up Friday Night Light.

David Pipe is the trainer of Friday Night Light and the Pipe name is synonymous with trying to land this double, with Gaspara being the last horse to do so in 2007.

Silver Streak should enter into calculations based on the form of his good second to Hunters Call in the Grade Three Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Christmas. He was unable to show his obvious potential in the Betfair Hurdle when unseating his pilot at the second.

Another horse chasing the Sandown-Cheltenham double is the John Quinn trained Master Of Irony, who has been given a break since finishing fourth in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury in December. 

Alan King’s Fidux has run all his best races at Sandown and looks the obvious each-way type. Fidux won twice as a juvenile hurdler before going to Cheltenham for The Festival, where he ran in the Fred Winter. Although not making the frame on that occasion, he finished third to Call Me Lord and Dolos in his next race on Jumps Finale day at Sandown.

Kerry Lee’s Gassin Golf would have to defy the no horse older than 8-y-o winning since 1984 hoodoo but the gelding does appear to reserve some of his best races for the Esher track finishing in the frame four times from five attempts.

Jockey Richard Patrick’s 5lb claim could prove to be more than useful and there will certainly be a lot worse 20/1 shots around on Saturday.

Harry Whittington is seeking a fourth win in as many starts this season with Octagon, a horse who has worked his way up from sellers. Whittington reports the eight-year-old to be in “great shape”.

Highway One O One has not been seen since Boxing Day at Fontwell and has the option of running in either this race or the EBF final on the same card. Chris Gordon is not the type to shirk away from a challenge and he may well chance his hand here with the six-year-old. The gelding has certainly been supported well in the betting.

Huntsman Son has been holding his form pretty well this season and his second place to Remiluc in the desperate ground at Cheltenham last time showed he is an out-and-out battler.

Chti Balko was once considered good enough to run in the Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree but has never quite hit those heights. He could however get his ground this weekend and we could see a different horse here.  The handicapper hasn’t still got him on a mark of 140 for nothing.

888sport suggests: Le Patriote (each way)

 

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

All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium for Wednesday’s clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus – can Mauricio Pochettino’s men get the job done? Only time will tell.

Spurs showed plenty of mental strength and resilience to bounce back after going two goals down in Turin and punters will fancy the north London outfit to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester City have one foot in the next round and Pep Guardiola’s side will be difficult to beat on home soil. The Blues have been sensational at the Etihad Stadium this season and another win looks likely here.

This is the ideal chance for Pep to rest a few of City’s star men as the Blues edge closer to the title. Check out our top tips on Wednesday’s action below…

Manchester City vs FC BASEL

Wholesale changes are expected; City ran out 4-0 winners in the first leg in Switzerland. The Blues have been untouchable in recent months – Guardiola’s side have scored 18 goals in seven Champions League games.

The Premier League champions-elect will be confident of snatching another convincing triumph in this fixture. City are a 7/10 chance to put three or more goals past Basel once again.

The visitors have struggled since the turn of the year. Basel have lost four of their previous five competitive fixtures and another defeat looks likely here.

Despite their struggles, it will be a much-changed City lining up at the Etihad and the visitors will be confident of testing the hosts. City are a class above most of their opponents but it would be foolish to write Basel off just yet.

Basel’s away record in this competition isn't great but City may took their foot off the gas – they have important fixtures approaching. I’m expecting Pep’s men to win but 11/8 for an away goal is a good price when you take everything into account.

TIP: Over 0.5 away goals @ 11/8

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs Juventus

Spurs are unbeaten in 17 competitive matches and it is difficult to back against the north London side on that form.

Pochettino has matured into one of the finest managers in world football and his stock will rise rapidly if Tottenham reach the quarter-finals. Harry Kane will receive plenty of betting attention as per usual – he is 49/50 to score in 90 minutes.

The Serie A champions will be quietly confident of glory here – Massimiliano Allegri’s men are certainly capable of turning things around.

A solid defensive performance is required for Juventus to advance to the final eight; Spurs will need to be fully focused on stopping the Italian side. An early Juve goal will do nothing for the nerves…

Spurs’ Wembley woes are well and truly over. The Premier League side have enough quality to cope with Juventus and an early goal for Tottenham could set the tone for the rest of the evening. 6/5 is well worth taking for a home victory.

TIP: Tottenham to win @ 6/5

 

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

Predicting the results of Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures may be tough – but for very different reasons. Punters will be excited to see how both matches pan out.

Liverpool, currently 5-0 up on aggregate and with a trip to Old Trafford this weekend, may rest a few big names for the visit of Porto; the away side may also decide to write this one off. England's top clubs are shining this season but this is a tough one to predict.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are in charge ahead of their second leg with Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital. Los Blancos have a 3-1 lead to defend in the Parc des Princes - although that is easier said than done.

The hosts, now without Neymar for the rest of the season, will need to be at their brilliant best to stand any chance of knocking Zinedine Zidane’s side out of the competition. Read below for our top tips on Tuesday’s European fixtures...

LIVERPOOL vs FC PORTO

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been sensational at Anfield this season; Liverpool have lost just one of their last 22 competitive fixtures on home soil.

Even with a few regulars rested, the Reds should have enough quality to maintain that record here. Over 1.5 home goals is well worth considering at 1/2 – especially if Klopp plays his big guns.

Porto had scored in six successive European matches before that 5-0 defeat and it would take a brave man to back against the visitors scoring on Tuesday night.

The Portuguese outfit, involved in a battle with Benfica at the top of the table, will be focusing primarily on winning the title. It would be foolish to expect another one-sided win for the Reds.

For that reason, opting for both teams to score may prove prudent. 10/13 is a decent price considering the wholesale changes that could occur and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a few goals in this contest.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 10/13

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs REAL MADRID

The French side are clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table but European success continues to elude PSG – that has to change sooner rather than later.

Unai Emery’s side are priced at EVS to win in 90 minutes on Tuesday evening and the often-hostile Parisian crowd will expect a huge effort. A slip up here could be detrimental for Emery’s future at the club.

Zidane’s men have struggled for large parts of the 2017/18 campaign but have been simply sublime in the Champions League; the European Cup is Real's main priority and backing Los Blancos in mid-season betting markets may be wise.

via GIPHY

Cristiano Ronaldo, criticised by some this season, is clear at the top of the goal scoring charts for this competition and the Portugal star could be very influential here. He is a 5/4 shot to score during Tuesday’s clash.

It could be a fantastic contest on paper but Neymar’s absence has put a bit of a dampener on the clash. With that in mind, under 3.5 goals is worth a second glance at 19/20 – the visitors will want to protect their lead.

TIP: Under 3.5 goals @ 19/20

 

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

In the world of football, the very best are often considered to be attackers who rack up loads of goals, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the years.

Their skill on the ball, willingness to take on the opposition, and fire it past any goalkeeper is what makes fans jump out of their seats and cheer. However, to create the perfect footballer, one who could perform in any area of the field or facet of the game, you need to combine strengths from players skilled in other positions.

The very best have honed their craft, but if you were to combine the best body parts of some of the current top performing players, you could forge the perfect footballer...

Cristhian Stuani’s Head

It is said that scoring a goal is the most difficult thing to do in football, so scoring a goal with one’s head must be the epitome of scoring given that a player has only one touch on the ball to put it into the back of the net.

He may not be the most recognisable player in world football, but the former Middlesbrough striker has proven to know how to use his head this season.

For Girona FC, Cristhian Stuani has scored six headed goals and pulls off an average of 1.1 headed shots on goal per La Liga game.

Neymar’s Eyes

Having an eye for goal is one thing, but goals don’t come about without a very talented playmaker seeing the spread of the pitch and picking that perfect pass to set up a goal.

There are many incredible playmakers in world football, such as Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne, but Neymar has risen above them all so far.

via GIPHY

Enjoying his first season in France and his first season as the world’s most expensive player, Neymar has been phenomenal for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazilian superstar has 16 assists so far, while averaging 3.5 key passes per game – all on top of the 26-year-old’s impressive tally of 27 goals in all competitions.

Salif Sane’s Upper Body

While the players more commonly associated with skill on the ball are wingers who are slight of frame, they manage to show strength when on the ball.

Everywhere else on the park, strength is even more important. Being stronger than an opponent in one on one situations and when defending in your half can make all of the difference in the world.

Salif Sane often plays at centre-back but is a perfectly capable central midfielder, and has proven to be a monstrous presence wherever he stands.

The Senegalese international was much sought after in the last transfer window, with his frame that exceeds 6’4’’ proving to be able to stifle many opponents.

This season for Hannover 96, Sane has won 83% of his 129 aerial duals, averages 1.7 tackles, 7.4 clearances, and 1.0 blocks per game, and has scored a goal with his head in the Bundesliga.

David de Gea’s Hands

In football, the only player who gets to use their hands to full effect is the goalkeeper.

Sure, there were the likes of Rory Delap who could tally assists from his throw-ins, but the work that goalies do in every game often keeps their teams going.

Through the struggles that Manchester United have toiled with since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, David de Gea has remained as their best player, keeping them in games that they don’t deserve to be in.

The Spaniard’s rapid reactions and incredible positioning have made him as one of the best – if not the very best – goalies in the world.

De Gea’s proving that again this season with his average of 2.85 saves per game, 2.37 successful claims at a 97% success rate, and a tally of 15 clean sheets in the Premier League.

Casemiro’s Legs

Every footballer needs strong and durable legs to keep them moving for 90 minutes, as well as deal out strong tackles, cut out passes, move around the pitch with the ball, and pass the ball.

Ultimately, a player who can do all of that at the highest level makes a team even stronger.

Real Madrid have always been known for their flair-filled attackers and ability to acquire the most exciting players around the world, but the core of their team for the last few seasons has been Brazilian Casemiro.

Now 25-years-old, the stocky 25-year-old is an expert at protecting the defence, and despite Real’s lax season so far, he’s put up strong numbers.

Casemiro averages 4.4 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1.6 clearances, 1.3 dribbles, 1.0 key pass, 89.1% pass accuracy, and a distance of 11.09 kilometres per game in La Liga and the Champions League.

Harry Kane’s Feet

When it comes to scoring goals, the final efforts all come down to the player’s footwork. They need to be able to make space, move beyond defenders, and put the ball past the goalie.

Despite the top footballing honours all but ignoring the Tottenham Hotspur striker, he has been phenomenal for the past few years.

Still only 24-years-old, he’s already got 23 goals in the most competitive top division in Europe this season as well as another six in the Champions League to add to a tally of 32 goals in 33 games so far.

What’s most impressive is while other top scorers distinctly favour a certain foot, Harry Kane can put it away with either – or his head for that matter.

Of the 32 goals, 13 have been from his left foot, 13 have been via his right, and a further six have come from the Englishman’s head. The ambipedal striker will continue to set the league on fire with his scoring.

 

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

The NBA, which stands for the US National Basketball Association, is one of the longest-running and most spectacular sports championships to watch. The league routinely attracts top players from across the globe and attracts a worldwide viewership and a variety of sponsors.

All this attention makes it one of the most popular competitions to bet on, with fans and seasoned punters alike engaging in placing wagers in various ways: from game-to-game predictions all the way to betting on the NBA championship winners in the finals that will take place this coming June.

How Betting On The NBA Works

The NBA consists of 30 teams, 29 from the USA and one from Canada, half of which compete in the Eastern Conference and the other half in the Western Conference – each of which is further divided into three divisions of five teams.

The top eight teams from each Conference compete in the playoffs in a series of seven games within the Conference, before the respective winners move on to the Conference Finals and then the NBA Finals. With each team playing more than 80 games in regular season, there are plenty of opportunities to place a bet.

There are also a variety of ways to bet on NBA games. One that punters regularly prefer is the spread, where the bet is marked by a number of points on a minus (–) sign – which denotes that the team you bet on must win by at least so many points for the wager to be successful.

As teams in NBA games tend to score several points, this type of betting is very popular. Another type of popular bet is a moneyline, where the odds are based on predictions about who will win – which comes in handy when stronger teams compete against outsiders.

Another favourite option among more experienced punters is the total bet, which is based on the combined score of both competing teams.

Lastly, a first-half bet is a good type of wager for starting out in NBA betting, as it allows you to place bets during halftime – which means that you get to gauge a team’s performance and how the game will unfold before deciding. But you have to keep in mind that there are teams that are known for performing well in the start and others that tend to finish strong.

How To Identify Great Chances To Bet: Momentum And Psychology

Although there is no foolproof way to bet on the NBA, there are tricks on what to look for that could make your game-to-game strategy very successful. Historically, one of the biggest factors in NBA performance is momentum.

Teams that suddenly find themselves in a losing streak tend to linger there and underdogs that have scored an unexpected win against a better team tend to perform better at their next game, too.

For example, the Milwaukee Bucks are not really considered a contender for this season’s finals and when the season started they found themselves in the middle in terms of odds.

But their performance during regular season gravitated upwards, including beating the Boston Celtics in the Boston team’s home opener and a series of scoring six wins in seven games prior to Christmas.

That run led them to their December 19th win against the Cleveland Cavaliers – last year’s finalists and generally considered the natural fit (13/10) to win the Eastern Conference while the Bucks’ better-than-expected performance raised their odds to 14/1.

Whether a team plays at home or away is also sometimes influencing how a game unfolds, as psychology plays a big part in NBA games and fans tend to be quite vocal and united in their support for their home team and their disapproval of the other team’s players.

Trouble on the horizon is also an indicator of a team’s performance. The Cleveland Cavaliers for example, although they started the season strong, they have lately been suffering from internal strife and nagging about who is to blame for the team's streak of unexpected losses.

This is why they have lost their second place in odds to win the NBA championship to the Houston Rockets, standing at 6/1 behind reigning champions Golden State Warriors at 1/2. Doing some research on players’ and coaches’ comments as well as the winning or losing streaks of particular teams may point you in the right direction of who to back in their next game.

How Trading Can Make Or Break A Team

One of the aspects that attract the most attention and the most speculation in NBA is trading players. Every year after season – but also sometimes during the season – teams and players will agree on transfers that can significantly boost one roster and disrupt another, providing some indication for a team’s upcoming performances.

But predictions based on trades should be done carefully, as things might not always turn out as they seem. This year’s most-talked-about trade was Kyrie Irving transferring from the Cavs to the Celtics, who gave up Isaiah Thomas in return.

With four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James leading the team with the help of Kevin Love and Dwayne Wade joining, it seemed that the Cavaliers would again go strong.

However, the trade of Kyrie Irving proved to be the most important of all, as he shone in Boston Celtics and leading them to several wins after a rough start – no wonder that Irving features third in terms of odds to win the NBA MVP title at 16/1, leaving Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant of current champions Golden State Warriors behind at 18/1.

By contrast, Isaiah Thomas injuries’ prevented him from actually contributing in games, which made the trade not particularly fruitful for the Cavaliers and led them to recently trading him off to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Strategic Decisions: Injuries, Resting And Tanking

Injuries are also a big part of NBA losses and a major reason why trades do not always go as planned. Even the most meticulous predictions might be disrupted by an unexpected injury, but accounting for such unforeseen circumstances may give you an advantage when placing bets about live or upcoming games.

At the start of this season, the Celtics saw superstar and recent addition to their roster, Gordon Hayward, being inevitably benched for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, after playing for his new team for just six minutes.

The Celtics struggled to find their pace again in the next day game, suffering a surprising loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Recently, New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis also suffered a torn knee – and the Knicks lost the next two games as well.

via GIPHY

Purely practical concerns can affect a team’s strategy – and their performance. NBA is no stranger to tactics like coaches benching their big stars for specific games in order to allow them to rest in a strained schedule or avoid injuries – which means that on that day a team’s roster is less powerful, more disrupted, and less likely to win.

The fact that the NBA schedule is very heavy also means that teams often play back-to-back, competing in two games within two days, which decreased their chances of winning due to fatigue.

Finally, the unique drafting pattern and playoff format of the NBA, which usually pits the winner of each round against the worst-performing team, has led to the phenomenon of tanking – meaning that a team plays to lose on purpose, so that they can retain some advantage in the long run. So investigating what a team stand to lose by winning, can go a long way towards predicting their chances at their next game.

Whether you are just dipping your toes in NBA betting or looking to improve your strategy, getting a hang of everything that goes on in the NBA can seem daunting. Yet simple tips that focus on often overlooked practical aspects like coaching approaches or back-to-back fatigue might actually help you go that extra mile with your predictions.

Despite Storm Emma’s best attempts, it looks like we’re going to have a full slate of Premier League action this weekend. The worst of the weather will have been and gone by Sunday and football fans will be looking forward to settling down for this top flight double header.

Arsenal, playing in front of the television cameras for the third time in just seven days, travel to Brighton for a huge clash at the Amex Stadium. And in Sunday’s later fixture, Manchester City host Chelsea – it could be a pivotal day in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign. Read on for our top tips; we’ve got a tasty 5/2 double to get stuck into…

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs Arsenal

Brighton are in decent form; Chris Hughton’s men are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions. 34-year-old Glenn Murray has been outstanding in recent weeks, bagging seven goals in his last 10 games. The Seagulls striker is worth backing at 2/1 to get his name on the scoresheet this weekend.

Arsene Wenger’s side are in BIG trouble. The Gunners were poor against Manchester City at Wembley last weekend and there wasn’t much of an improvement against Pep Guardiola’s side on Thursday night. A third successive defeat could be on the cards if Brighton, buoyant after thrashing Swansea City 4-1 last weekend are at their brilliant best.

The Seagulls have lost just three home games this season – only Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have managed to win at the Amex. When you take that statistic – and Arsenal’s woeful away record – into account, Brighton to win OR draw looks like a great price at EVS.

TIP: Brighton to win OR draw @ EVS

CORRECT SCORE: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal @ 13/2

MANCHESTER CITY vs CHELSEA

Imagine ever doubting Pep Guardiola. City are playing some fantastic football and it came as little surprise to see the Blues thrash Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley last weekend. As bad as the Gunners were, City took their chances in devastating fashion and more goals could follow here; Pep’s men are 13/25 to score over 1.5 goals on Sunday afternoon.

via GIPHY

Chelsea were in control against Manchester United last time out but stumbled in the second half – that cannot happen again. A heavy defeat could signal the end for Antonio Conte; you always feel like he is one poor result away from losing his job. He is 4/1 to be the next Premier League boss sacked for anyone wondering…

City are unstoppable right now and Pep’s men are within touching distance of the title. A win here will keep their dream of winning the crown at Old Trafford alive – something that the fans would love. Both teams to score is well priced at 7/10 but I fancy City to come out on top.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 7/10

CORRECT SCORE: Man City 2-1 Chelsea @ 7/1

 

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

Grand Slam tennis betting tournaments are the four pillars of the tennis calendar and understandably, attract the majority of attention from the media.

The Australian Open gets things underway in January with the French Open following four months later. Wimbledon, the oldest of the Grand Slams, is seen as the pinnacle of the sport and tends to signify summer and long nights with the US Open capping things off at the end of September.

For Tennis fans and punters, all four of these tend to evoke excitement and anticipation with many glued to the screen throughout the competition but the season doesn't just revolve around this high-profile foursome.

A number of competitive events are priced up and take place on a daily basis and they offer a great chance to find value and bet on familiar players as they partake in tournaments all around the world.

ATP World Tour - 1000 Masters Events

The ATP and WTA ranking systems aren't solely compiled on results in Grand Slams and there are nine tournaments which have been spread out across the course of the season which can earn the players useful points as they bid to move up the standings.

These can also be useful for players who are hoping to avoid entering Grand Slam tournaments unseeded which can often result in picking up a difficult first-round opponent.

The 1000 Masters Events include the Indian Wells, Miami Open, Italian Open, Shanghai Masters and the Monte-Carlo Masters. They run from March through to November and they are both hugely enjoyable spectacles and fascinating betting propositions.

High-ranked players enter these competitions as they cannot afford to lose ground on those around them and in 2017, French Open favourite Rafa Nadal clinched the Madrid Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters, whilst the ageless Roger Federer was successful at Indian Wells and in Miami.

Despite this, bettors are generally advised to look beyond the top players as this can often be a profitable way to play with Jack Sock, Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev all wrapping up titles in 2017.

Some players thrive at these tournaments but routinely fall short at Grand Slams and these are the kind of competitors to have on your side in Miami, Shanghai and Toronto. 1000 Masters Events have served up some top class matches over the years and with many of the top ten involved, they are a great way of enjoying the sport outside of the Grand Slams.

ATP World Tour - 500 Series

The 500 Series are also extremely popular with many household names taking part, and they are a great way to earn ranking points as well as work on fitness and match-sharpness.

There are 13 of these on the calendar including the Barcelona Open, Queens and the Dubai Tennis Championships with the latter a particular favourite of Andy Murray. The Rotterdam Open gets things underway in early February and tennis bettors always enjoy these tournaments as there are plenty of matches to enjoy on a daily basis and they come around fairly often.

500 ranking points will be awarded to the winner of each Championship and that can make a huge difference to any player vying for a place at the ATP Finals and can significantly boosting confidence ahead of Grand Slams.

It is mandatory for leading players to enter at least four of these tournaments each year and that results in some top-class action on the court. Crowds of up to 15,000 turn out for these events and it's the perfect opportunity for punters to assess how many of the top players are adapting to the climate and court conditions.

For example, players who prevail at the Queen's Club Championship are generally acclimatised to the British weather and fast-playing grass courts by the time they arrive at Wimbledon. In 2008, Rafa Nadal won both tournaments, with Lleyton Hewitt also managing the double five years previous.

End-of-Season Finals

Both the ATP and WTA have an end-of-season event, which brings the curtain down on another enjoyable and prosperous year of tennis.

The ATP Finals, which are held at the O2 in London always provide plenty of entertainment and involve the top eight players in the rankings, unless injury or illness dictates otherwise. Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic in a memorable 2016 Final and there have been some truly terrific matches played at the event during its short history.

Some players are suffering from fatigue by this stage of the season, especially after the aforementioned ATP 1000 series events and the US Open, and this allows punters to find value backing against players who don't quite have the stamina to make it through to the final.

The Road to Singapore is the WTA equivalent, with the top eight players competing in a round-robin format. It is considered the fifth most prestigious and valuable event on the calendar after the Grand Slams and throughout the year, competitors strive to accumulate enough points in order to secure their participation.

Players must also have competed in 53 tournaments throughout the year to gain qualification for the event which results in some of the finest female tennis players travelling the world and attending competitions which ordinarily, they may have been tempted to overlook. 

WTA Premier Tournaments

Valuable points are also on offer at the WTA Premier Mandatory Tournaments which take place throughout the season.

There are four in total and these offer a staggering 1000 ranking points to the winner and always attract a top calibre of competitor. They include Indian Wells, Miami and Beijing, where prize money can exceed $4 million for the winner.

Every player is desperate to succeed at these events and back in 2013, Serena Williams won three of the four with Maria Sharapova denying her a full house.

Team Events

Tennis is regarded as a solo sport but team events such as the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup take place throughout the year and offer a different angle.

They are also thoroughly entertaining. Not every player opts to represent their country but the majority of competitors are patriotic and endeavour to perform for their home nation. In March 2016, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori went to five sets when playing for over four hours and this was perfect for both in-play bettors and captivated viewers.

The Davis Cup truly mattered to both players. This premier team event is always mightily competitive and as it is regularly staged over the course of a weekend consisting of five different match-ups resulting in plenty of opportunities to enjoy and bet on the games.

via GIPHY

The Fed Cup is the zenith of international team tennis for WTA players and with just 16 nations qualifying for the elite World Group, it can become extremely competitive and many memorable encounters have been played out over the years.

Ties are staged over the course of two days offering viewers and bettors even more tennis to enjoy. The USA are the most successful team of all time in this competition and very few players have historically opted out of competing for their country unless injury prevents them from taking part.

Tennis is a sport that thrives all year round and there are an incredible number of tournaments to enjoy. Players are required to travel around the world to compete in these events and this can occasionally be draining both physically and emotionally but those who are focussed and determined to move up the standings can benefit from having the option of playing every week.

Following all of the action is hugely beneficial, especially when it comes to betting on Grand Slams, as it is essential to know which players are lacking fitness and who is likely to arrive in peak condition.

It is not just a sport that should be enjoyed four times a year, there are top-class matches being contested on an almost daily basis with players aiming to clock up as many points as possible across various continents. There are always betting opportunities available and with the big events evenly spread out across the calendar, there is rarely a dull moment in the world of tennis.

 

Ace your next tennis bet with the huge selection from 888 Sport

 

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

At the beginning of August, it is almost impossible to escape pundits, experts and friends reeling off their list of predictions for the forthcoming football season.

Ante-post betting is extremely popular and there are an abundance of markets such as 'To Finish in the Top Half' and 'Top Goalscorer' available and these all provide excellent alternatives to the more traditional offerings such as 'Outright Betting' and 'To Be Relegated' and the number of options continues to grow each and every year.

Some ante-post selections have unfortunately already been scuppered by the time Christmas rolls around but there are many others that will give punters a decent run for their money.

Whilst pre-season betting is a great way of keeping a long-term interest across various divisions, it may be increasingly profitable to wait for the season to get underway or some big-money signings to arrive in the January transfer window before placing an outright bet...

Managerial Appointments

The Premier League isn't renowned for its low-turnover of managers and whilst the constant chopping and changing of figureheads isn't necessarily good for the game's reputation, it can aid outright bettors in their quest to unearth value.

Managers such as Sam Allardyce are drafted in by clubs on a regular basis and the former Bolton boss has saved numerous teams from the dreaded drop by implementing his pragmatic, hard-to-beat style on a previously struggling outfit.

Relegation markets can be extremely volatile and can swing on one or two results. If a club are sitting rock bottom of the table, hire a manager such as Allardyce or Tony Pulis, then backing them to survive and avoid dropping into the Championship as soon as the appointment is made keeps you a step ahead of fellow punters.

If they manage to put together one or two positive results, beat a fellow relegation rival or hold a top-six side to a battling draw, that price will immediately begin to shorten as the market slowly begins to react to these improved displays.

Some appointments do have the opposite effect, however, and are not quite as positive for the club. Historic examples include the mid-season announcement of Brian Law's taking over at Burnley, which should have set alarm bells ringing and the price on the Clarets to be relegated plummeted as a result, whilst any club that sack a manager yet don't appear to have a contingency plan in place could also be worth backing for relegation.

Terry Connor and Steve Agnew remaining in the dugouts at both Wolves and Middlesbrough are relatively recent examples of this. The key is acting fast and placing a bet before the rot begins to set in. You'd much rather have a 4/1 shot on your betting slip than an 11/20 chance.

A decent manager has the ability to completely change the mindset of a club and if this appointment is made mid-season, an upturn in form is almost inevitable.

The 'new manager bounce' may be one of many footballing cliches that are commonly used by pundits, but players genuinely respond to a new face in the dugout and sides can veer from nervously glancing over their shoulder to eyeing up the top-ten positions in a matter of weeks. Markets such as 'To Finish in the Top Half' are extremely popular mid-season bets and having the patience to wait until January or February can pay dividends.

Premier League teams such as Everton are always a short-price to fill these spots at the beginning of the campaign, but if they suffer a disastrous start to the season and find themselves hovering over the relegation zone, their price will noticeably increase and value could be found on the Toffees to eventually clamber their way out of trouble and return to the top ten.

Not all clubs can buy themselves out of trouble, but these kind of outfits usually have the spending power to spend big and ensure they return to their rightful position in the table sooner rather than later. These markets are highly recommended for slow-starters and looking at the opening five fixtures can often be a useful indicator of the kind of teams to keep an eye on.

Expected Goals Statistics

Expected Goals is a relatively new phenomenon that has completely enhanced the betting experience and has even been used on shows such as Match of the Day. This is a great tool for finding underperforming sides and predicting an upturn in their fortunes.

In the Championship, Brentford are often considered dark horses for the playoffs but they regularly find themselves towards the bottom of the table during the early stages of the season.

The expected goals statistics routinely highlights that the Bees are creating enough chances to win each game by a clear margin and indicate that they are competing with top-six sides when it came to fashioning opportunities.

This should prompt savvy bettors to back Dean Smith's side to finish in the top half or to avoid relegation and a noticeable upturn in results usually follows. Some teams are traditional slow-starters or are handed a tough opening set of fixtures and whilst that can be hugely frustrating for the fans, it is seen as a golden opportunity for mid-season outright punters to invest.

Momentum

Blackpool were promoted to the Premier League unexpectedly in 2010 and despite having a small squad, Ian Holloway's side made the perfect start as they thumped Wigan 4-0 at the DW on the opening day of the campaign.

The Seasiders spent the majority of September, October and November in the top half of the table, with the Tangerine Army playing some scintillating football and regularly being described as "a breath of fresh air". Injuries kicked in shortly before Christmas and a hugely underwhelming January transfer window followed and inevitably, the Fylde Coast club started to slip down the standings.

Their momentum had disappeared, the feel-good factor slowly ebbed away and the cracks started to show. This was the perfect opportunity for punters to back the Seasiders to be relegated straight back to the Championship and many bettors didn't need asking twice.

They were relegated on goal difference after losing 4-2 to Manchester United on the final day of the season. Momentum is such a powerful tool in football and it is absolutely key to mid-season outright betting. It's often hard to shake off a losing run and get back to winning ways and this is a trend that is best spotted early. If the signs aren't looking good, this is generally the time to invest.

Transfers

The January transfer window is another factor that can have a huge influence on the market. Manchester City have plenty of spending power and are always expected to strengthen whilst Liverpool and Chelsea are not afraid to dip in and make improvements to their squads.

Some teams will lose key players during this period and this can often derail their campaign whilst others can recruit sensibly and enjoy a positive second half of the season. Alexis Sanchez's move from Arsenal to Manchester United in January 2018 was one of the most protracted transfers in recent history but the Chilean's defection has seen the Gunners' price for a top-four finish increase.

via GIPHY

It added strength in depth to the Red Devil's squad and their price in the Champions League outright market reduced shortly after the signing was confirmed.

Mid-season betting on outright markets isn't universally popular but it does offer the perfect opportunity to unearth value and snap up some tempting looking prices. If you can spot the signs of a revival or a decline early enough, this can result in big profits come the end of the season.

New managers, marquee transfers and a shift in momentum are all major factors which can cause a change in fortunes and with more mid-season market than ever before, there's never been a better time to get involved.

 

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

The Cheltenham Festival is the most special week of the year in National Hunt racing and it is a meeting that has produced so many great stories in the horse racing over the years.

Every year, racing fans from the UK and Ireland flock to the Gloucestershire racecourse to see 27 races across a wide range of divisions and that will be the same in 2018.

Here is a look back through Cheltenham Festival history at ten of the most memorable moments from the meeting.

Arkle Wins The 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup

The 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup saw the best two chasers in Great Britain and Ireland take each other on in one of the most highly anticipated duals the sport has ever seen.

Mill House from Great Britain was the defending champion and had dominated the division for quite some time, however, he met his match in the 1964 Blue Riband event of the meeting as Arkle was magnificent and lived up to all the hype which was coming out of Ireland about the chaser.

Arkle went on to cement his place in history with three Gold Cups, a King George and an Irish Grand National victory but this was the race where a star was born in the sport.

Michael Dickinson Has First Five Horses Home In 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Trainer Michael Dickinson produced arguably the most impressive moment in Cheltenham Festival history in 1983 as he was responsible for the first five horses home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The race was won by Bregawn, but it continues to be known more for Dickinson’s feat, which is unlikely to ever be equalled ever again.

Dawn Run Wins The 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Dawn Run is the only mare in Cheltenham Festival history to complete the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup double. The latter was achieved following a thrilling finish in the 1986 Gold Cup where she was ridden to success by Jonjo O’Neill.

The popular Irish mare was cheered back into the winner’s enclosure, which was packed with supporters of the horse, who gave the winner a hero's reception as she returned. The scenes after the race have never been seen since at Cheltenham which shows how popular the mare was.

Desert Orchid Wins The 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Desert Orchid, or Dessie, as he was affectionately known, was one of the most popular national chase horses in the history of the sport.

The talented grey had so much success at Kempton in the King George VI Chase but as a former 2m chase winner, the 3m2f distance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup proved a little too far for him on so many occasions.

On the day of the 1989 race, the heavens opened which made for testing conditions. Connections of the horse almost pulled him out earlier in the morning, however, they ended up taking their chance and Dessie delighted his supporters with his first and only Gold Cup success following a brilliant finish with Yahoo.

The crowd roared Dessie on up the hill which seemed to lift the horse over the line in a fantastic finish to the race.

100/1 Norton’s Coin Upsets The Odds To Win 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Norton’s Coin produced the biggest upset in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1990 when he came out on top at odds of 100/1.

Desert Orchid opened as the odds-on favourite at 10/11 but he could only finish third in his defence of his crown, which went the way of the underdog.

Trained by Sirrel Griffiths in Wales and ridden by jockey Graham McCourt, there was very little market confidence behind the nine-year-old, who many thought was only making up in the numbers in the field.

Not only did he come out on top, he also produced a record time of six minutes and 30 seconds in a brilliant performance from the outsider.

Istabraq Wins His Third Champion Hurdle in 2000

Before the 2000 Champion Hurdle, only four horses had won the premier hurdle contest at the Festival three times; however, Aidan O’Brien’s runner added his name to the history books with his third consecutive win in the 2m contest.

Winning a Champion Hurdle is not easy, however, to do it on three occasions is something special and those who were at the course that day were fully aware that they had witnessed a piece of history with this talented hurdler, who retired after the 2012 Cheltenham Festival.

Connections of last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Buveur Dair will be hoping their horse can make it two wins on the spin in the race in March where he is odds-on at 4/9 to do so with 888sport.

Best Mate Wins His Third Cheltenham Gold Cup In 2004

Best Mate was a hugely popular chaser which was trained in the UK by Henrietta Knight, therefore, his third straight Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 2004 meant so much to many racing fans.

No horse since Arkle in 1966 had been victorious on three occasions in the Blue Riband event, therefore, it was a special achievement.

Sadly, he was denied from running in the 2001 Festival as the meeting was abandoned due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, while in 2005 he burst a blood vessel before the Festival so he was unable to defend his crown and go for win number four in the 3m2f contest.

Kauto Star Retains His Crown In The 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he scored by 13 lengths in 2009, two years after his opening success in the race in 2007.

This was the latest renewal of the fantastic rivalry between Kauto Star and Denman, the latter of which has won the battle in the 2008 Gold Cup. Kauto Star ensured this was to be his day as he was right at his very best to dismantle the field in emphatic style.

Conreygree will be the latest horse to try and regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown this year where he is 33/1 with 888sport in their ante-post markets for the race, three years after he was victorious in 2015.

Big Buck’s Wins His Fourth Straight World Hurdle In 2012

Big Buck’s is generally considered as the greatest staying hurdler of all time and that view was reinforced in 2012 with his fourth straight World Hurdle win at the Festival, something which had never been done before.

Unlike many of his other successes, Big Buck’s was made to work hard in this race as he was pushed all the way to the line by Voler La Vedette.

Paul Nicholls’ hurdler also matched the record of Sir Ken’s with his 16th consecutive hurdle win in the 2012 World Hurdle. He later went on to break that record as he had 18 wins before he was beaten in the 2013 Cleeve Hurdle.

Sprinter Sacre Returns to His Best To Win the 2016 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Sprinter Sacre won his second ever Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2016 and it was a victory connections of the horse probably never thought would never happen when their runner was suffering with an irregular heartbeat which almost ended his career.

Nicky Henderson’s chaser has been one of the most dominant two-mile chasers of the last 20 years but it looked like his time had gone heading into the 2016 Queen Mother Champion Chase where Un De Sceaux was odds-on to claim the title.

The two market leaders were both travelling well in the early stages of the race but when push came to shove, Sprinter Sacre had too much pace for his rival and completed an extraordinary comeback with the win.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins will be hoping Douvan can follow in the footsteps of Sprinter Sacre by regaining his crown in the 2m chase this season as he is 4/1 to return to the winner’s enclosure after his disappointing run in 2017 race where he could only finish down the field despite going off as the 2/9 favourite.

Enjoy the action at Cheltenham this year and best of luck if you are having a punter. For more on horse racing betting read the jargon buster for punters article which can help you break down all the markets which will be available to bet on at the meeting. Let’s hope there are many more memorable moments we will look back on with pleasure in years to come.

 

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