Enhanced odds have been around for a while but they are becoming more popular than ever. This can apply to single bets, double bets and accumulators but are they worth backing?

In this article, we focus on enhanced accumulators and analyse when and why you should consider wagering on them.

 

Enhanced Odds Explained

The term ‘enhanced odds’ refers to a short-term offer on a particular bet where the odds have been increased to a level not usually available.

A bet that would normally be available at 2/1 might be available at 5 or even 10/1. This extra payout on a popular market is a great way for punters to get good value out of a bet that they'd maybe not usually consider.

Restrictions On Enhanced Odds

Sometimes there might be restrictions on enhanced odds. For example, they might only be available to new customers, or the amount you can wager might be limited more than usual.

Therefore, it is important to understand the terms and conditions before you place your bet. Otherwise, you might not qualify for the enhanced odds that are advertised.

 

Accumulators Explained

An accumulator is a collection of bets (typically four or more) combined into one single bet. The stake is placed on the first pick in the sequence and if successful, the winnings are wagered on the next pick and so on.

If all the selections are predicted correctly, the winnings can be claimed. However, if one selection fails, the whole bet fails.

Accumulator Example

• Bet 1: Arsenal to beat West Ham at odds of 1/2
• Bet 2: Chelsea Draw no Bet at Burnley at odds of 2/5
• Bet 3: Leicester City to beat Southampton at odds of 2/1
• Bet 4: Everton to Beat Newcastle and Both Teams to Score at 4/1

If a £10 stake is placed and all the selections are correct, the accumulator would work as follows (odds have been converted into decimals to make calculation easier):

• £5 x 1.5 x 1.4 x 3 x 5 = £315 total return
• Total profit (total return - initial stake) = £305

 

Enhanced Accumulators

As you can imagine, an enhanced accumulator offers a much better return than a standard accumulator that you have chosen yourself. And they are often available on the top markets such as the English Premier League.

If you are looking for a bet that offers a higher return than normal but are not so concerned about choosing the selections, and enhanced accumulator represents good value.

If you are signing up to a new account, you might find that you are offered more than one bonus option. For example, an enhanced accumulator or a matched deposit bonus. In this case, you should choose the option that suits you best.

 

Ongoing Offers

Some new offers are also made available to existing customers. They are advertised in the lead up to an event and are only available for a specific time period. As fast as one offer expires, there is often another one to take its place.

 

When To Use Enhanced Accumulators?

These offers are tempting because they offer big payouts but they might contain selections that are unlikely to occur. As with any bet, you should look at the whole picture and decide if the bet really does offer great value.

After all, a 1000/1 bet boosted to 1500/1 is still unlikely to happen, so, is it really worth betting your hard-earned cash just because of the price boost? This is when you need to apply your knowledge of the sport and decide if the odds are worth taking.

So, however good an offer looks, you should always apply some rational thinking before placing your bet. You should consider each selection within the bet, and compare it with your own assessment of that event.

You should also look at data and trends to see if any part of the bet appears to be too unlikely to make it worth taking.

If there is sufficient doubt that an enhanced accumulator does not offer a good ratio of probability to value then you might be better building your own accumulator based on your own knowledge and research.

The potential winnings might not be as high but the chances of winning at all could be vastly increased. And achieving a return is all that counts in the end.

 

Building Your Own Accumulator

Building your own accumulator can allow you to put your own methods into practice. You can include events and markets that you have thoroughly researched using data that is widely available.

The ultimate goal is to make a profit, so every bet you place, even free or bonus bets should be calculated with this in mind.

Building your own accumulator also gives you the flexibility to pick and choose your markets, the number of selections and the amount you want to wager.

Accumulators are very popular with punters who like to place very small stake for fun in the hope that they will win big. If that sounds like you, then you might want to start learning how to place accumulator bets.

 

Have Fun, Be Responsible

Remember, betting should be fun, and winning is always more fun than losing. A 2/1 bet enhanced to 5/1 gives you more chance of winning than a 100/1 shot boosted to 500/1 even though the second bet has better potential returns.

However, you might want to go for the first option as your main bet and place a smaller stake on the second option for some added fun.

 

Enhanced Odds Summary

Whatever you decide to do, you will need a little bit of luck as well as some sporting knowledge if you are going to identify those value bets.

Enhanced odds are usually offered for a valid reason but don’t expect the bookmaker to tell you why. Make sure you can spot a good offer from a poor one and learn to identify value.

You will find enhanced odds across a range of sports including football, tennis, golf and horseracing. However, not all enhanced offers are accumulators.

They all offer enhanced singles, double and trebles in many different markets. Keep an eye on the bookies' websites in the days leading up the events, and always remember to check the terms and conditions to ensure that you qualify and will get paid out at the odds advertised.

And remember to check the stake limits. You might see a brilliant offer but if the stake limit is small, you might not be able to win very much.

Depending on the terms and condition, and the market you are backing, you might also be able to cash out of your enhanced bet.

However, there are some markets which are never eligible for cash-outs. This is another reason why you should check all the information before you place your wager.

Manager

Janne Andersson. The Halmstad-born coach is known for getting his sides to dig in and produce workmanlike performances and he's injected plenty of steel and determination since taking over in 2016.

He's won nine of his 16 games in charge and helped his side qualify for the World Cup at the expense of Italy.

Since the retirement of the iconic of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden have welcomed in a new era and Andersson has been tasked with helping his younger players get some much-needed game time.

Method Of Qualification

Sweden were drawn in a tough-looking Group A and proved no match for France but they did finish above the Netherlands on goal difference to secure a potentially tricky two-legged play-off with Italy.

Andersson's side came away with a slender lead from the first leg at the Friends Arena surviving a number of scares throughout the 90 minutes

They rolled up their sleeves, dug in and secured a goalless draw in Milan to book their place in Russia and send shock-waves through the sporting world.

They were the highest scoring team in Group A netting 26 times and ending with a goal difference of +17.

 

Star Player Of Qualifying

Compared to many of his significantly younger teammates, Marcus Berg is a grizzled veteran but the 31-year-old has been excellent over the past couple of years.

He netted eight times throughout the qualifying campaign including four against Luxembourg and he also fired in a crucial opening goal against the Netherlands.

He has teamed up with the lively Emil Forsberg and the pair have more than adequately replaced the talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

There has been much speculation about the Manchester United striker coming out of retirement and he's been priced 7/4 to play at least a minute at the 2018 tournament.

 

Most Memorable World Cup Moment

Although they progressed nicely in the 1994 tournament, the 1958 World Cup, which was staged in Sweden, is arguably their greatest triumph in this competition.

They finished above Wales in the group stage before impressively beating the Soviet Union and West Germany. Winger Kurt Hamrin scored in both games as the Swedish player poured forward at every opportunity.

Having reached the final for the first time in their history, they bumped into a ruthless Brazil outfit and, despite Nils Liedholm giving them a 4th minute lead, they were comprehensively beaten 5-2.

 

Predicted Finish

Sweden look a decent side and they have already denied Italy and the Netherlands a place in Russia.

Although drawn alongside Germany, they will be confident of progressing from the group stage and they look a decent outside bet to reach the quarter-finals.

They have the firepower and they can also defend doggedly and are likely to cause a few more upsets along the way.

 

Recommended Bet

5/4 for Sweden to finish in the top 2 positions of Group F looks outstanding.

A small each way play on Marcus Berg to finish as the top goalscorer at 200/1 is also a possibility, whilst they are 6/5 to beat South Korea in their opening encounter.

 

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

The second instalment in the rivalry between Tony Bellew and David Haye will take place on Saturday evening and punters have been piling into the Hayemaker this week.

Now valued at 11/25 in 888sport’s boxing odds, Haye could overpower his opponent. In the initial bout, Haye weighed in almost a stone heavier than Bellew and he will almost certainly be bigger on the scales at Friday’s weigh-in.

Heading into the first fight, Haye was a red-hot favourite to silence Bellew after a heated build-up. Unfortunately for the former heavyweight champion of the world, Haye tore his Achilles tendon in the sixth round of that bout and soldiered on until the 11^th round before Bellew got the better of his opponent.

Haye will be determined to settle the score after that result – he is a 4/5 shot to record victory by KO, TKO or disqualification. There is an element of bad blood in this rivalry and Haye will be desperate to come out on top.

The exchanges continued on Thursday afternoon, with Bellew pushing Haye at the last pre-bout press conference before Saturday night. Most of the build-up has seen both fighters engage in verbal sparring but Fight Night is drawing closer – it is now time for focus rather than confrontation.

Boxing followers from all over the United Kingdom will be tuning in for this one; it could be one of the biggest fights of the year. Haye fans may like the 2/1 available for the 37-year-old to win in the first half of the fight; he will be looking to start quickly.

With 26 of his 28 wins coming by way of knockout, Haye is better placed to win this one in the early rounds. Carrying that extra weight could help the Londoner in his pursuit of a quick knockout. For more helpful tips and boxing betting advice for future fights, check out our latest boxing betting guide!

Joe Joyce, late to boxing’s professional stage at 32 years old, will feature on the undercard and you won’t find many fans backing against him. Jamaican Lenroy Thomas is a 12/1 shot to prevail with Joyce at 1/50.

He looks destined to win the Commonwealth heavyweight title and plenty of punters will fancy a quick stoppage. Joyce has recorded first round victories in each of his last two fights and another early win looks likely.

Should we expect fireworks at the O2? Possibly. Both men will be desperate to secure the win and the two fighters will leave everything in the ring. The 47/20 for the fight to go the distance is worth considering; backing a winner is difficult.

Bellew’s speed and agility should cancel out Haye’s power and that makes for an intriguing battle. Backing the Liverpudlian at 13/2 to win in the second half of the fight might be the best bet…

 

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

The traditional 3pm kick-off is dying in the Premier League, thanks to television blackouts and other external factors. Of course, that causes arguments aplenty, just as everything does in football.

This weekend, we have a depleted 3pm schedule with matches dotted around Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The 3pm matches could yet have some importance, however, so here a few thoughts on the four fixtures that will be getting screamed about on Soccer Saturday…

AFC Bournemouth vs SWANSEA CITY

Bournemouth are one of those sides in the middle of the table. Everything is done and dusted, has been for a while, and form has dropped off as a result. The Cherries have had a challenging fixture list of late, taking just two points from 15 available.

Swansea’s form has declined, too. Carlos Carvalhal’s side have really struggled over their six-match winless streak, creating a meagre 2.79 expected goals with over 10 expected goals against. The troubles of the Paul Clement era are resurfacing.

The Welsh club still have three matches to play but sit a solitary point above the bottom three. Bournemouth are the better team, but I think Swansea will get something. The hosts’ defensive issues will aid the blunt Swans’ attack, which might be enough to squeak a result.

TIP: Swansea to win OR draw @ 3/4

 

LEICESTER CITY vs WEST HAM UNITED

Claude Puel reportedly needs a win here to save his job. The Foxes have picked up one point from four league games but Puel has done a solid job; Leicester are on course for a top half finish. Misfortune, rather than coaching failure, has been the centre of their recent problems.

Literally no one on the planet was surprised that West Ham were thumped by Manchester City last weekend. The Hammers, though, are still short of safety, sitting on 35 points.

One more win should do it for David Moyes, who has done a decent job in tricky circumstances. I think there will be goals in this one, as much because of each team’s failings as their strengths.

TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 5/6

 

WATFORD vs NEWCASTLE UNITED

This match is everything we normally see at the end of the season. Two teams with nothing to play for, which has become clear in their recent performances. Watford briefly flirted with the bottom three but have been pretty comfortable since their flying start. Newcastle have lost consecutive matches after a winning streak.

Either side could yet finish in the top half of the table. That might be worth something to the accountants and club hierarchies. It’s hard to tell if players have relaxed a bit in these closing matches of the season, and it can make for some bizarre games.

Recent numbers suggest this will be a low-scoring one. Neither team creates a great deal of chances, while Newcastle’s defence is usually relatively secure.

TIP: Both teams to score (NO) @ 10/11

 

West Bromwich Albion vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren Moore’s heroics as West Brom manager have allowed to Baggies to retain their Premier League status into May. That looked improbable under Alan Pardew, and the Hawthorns faithful must be wondering why Moore wasn’t given a chance at the job earlier in the season.

Tottenham’s victory over Watford last time out put them within touching distance of securing a top four berth. Their lead over Chelsea can be stretched to eight points if they win here, with the Blues facing third-placed Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts have avoided the inevitable for a few weeks. They will likely be relegated by other results anyway, but I expect Spurs to confirm it.

TIP: Tottenham to win @ 2/5

 

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