SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
This betting preview focuses on the Premier League and the Championship. All the prices have been sourced from McBookie, a progressive Dundee-based sportsbook. McBookie are offering new customers a sign up bonus where it will match the value of your the first bet with a Promo Cash free bet up to a maximum of £25. T&C’s apply.
Crystal Palace v QPR – Saturday 14th March
At a glance QPR are on a rather dismal run, three consecutive defeats in the league, and seven in their last ten. Take a closer look however, and you’ll see that they’ve lost by just a one goal margin in five of these, and their opponents have included Southampton, Arsenal, Spurs and Man Utd. Time to re-think your betting strategy for this London derby? The draw is available at 13/5 with McBookie.
High scoring games are something Hoops fans are used to this season; they’ve witnessed a total of 78 league goals (scoring 29, and conceding 49) which is the fifth highest in the Premiership. Over 2.5 goals is very worthwhile at 21/20. Main man Charlie Austin has 15 league goals to his name, and will be looking to impress with a potential England call-up around the /corner. Austin is at 2/1 to score in the match.
Palace are still ten points from the supposed safe haven that is the 40 points barrier, yet they are sitting pretty in 12th. They will continue to miss Mile Jedinak in midfield this weekend, after the Australian received a four match ban for his elbow on West Ham’s Diafra Sakho. Jedinak has been integral to Warnock’s side this season, and they are most definitely more vulnerable without their skipper. QPR to score a total of two goals is well priced at 5/1.
Current manager Chris Ramsey and Director of Football Les Ferdinand are in charge and will be looking to get their second win, and to move out of the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon. QPR will also be fully aware that they must yet face Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea before the end of this campaign, meaning this match takes on yet more importance.
SBC Prediction: Both teams to score at 19/20 at McBookie
Norwich City v Derby County – Saturday 14th March
If you’re one for bad omens then cast your eyes away from the top of the Championship table; the top four sides are all on 66 points. A huge Championship six pointer this weekend as promotion chasers, and the league’s current dangerous side, Norwich City, host Steve McClaren’s Derby County. Norwich, who’ve won seven of their last eight, are at 11/10 to take all three points.
At present Bournemouth are ahead in the league on goal difference, whilst Derby are in second with Norwich just behind on 65 points. This means that if either side wins this one they have the opportunity to move into top spot.
Norwich have not just been winning of late but winning impressively; they’ve hit 20 goals in their last eight games, including a notable 3-0 win over promotion hopefuls Watford, and a 2-0 win against Ipswich. Derby themselves are not shy in front of goal with a total of 68 goals in 36 games. Over 1.5 goals in the first half is available at 9/5.
A draw in the first half, with the home side to clinch the game in the second has some value at 9/2. Lewis Grabban will sit this one out, as the striker recovers from ankle surgery, meaning the likes of Cameron Jerome (17/10 anytime) or Gary Hooper (19/10 anytime) will be the men Alex Neil hopes will convert chances.
With these sides so close in the table, and Norwich closing in, Derby will be looking to ‘stop the rot’ after three games without a win. Derby are 11/10 to lead at any point in the match.
McClaren’s men have conceded ten goals in their past five incidentally, and with the likes of Redmond, Hoolahan, and Jonny Howson in the side, Norwich are dangerous on the break. Norwich City Total Goals being over 1.5 is attractive at 39/40.
SBC Prediction: A draw with Norwich City (-1) is at 14/5
Man Utd v Spurs – Sunday 15th March
It’s been exciting to be a Spurs fan this season, and especially lately, the team have scored 14 goals in their past 6 games. Moreover they’ve conceded 9 in this time. Twenty-three goals in six games is pretty good value for money, as is a total of 2-3 goals here at 23/20.
Tottenham to score two goals has significant potential at 15/4. In the form table of the past ten games Spurs are two places above Van Gaal’s side, though it’s true that a look at United’s home record is another matter with nine wins in ten league games. Their defence looked shaky in their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup however, and Spurs pair Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen are just the men to exploit it. At present it often seems more foolish betting against him, and Kane to open the scoring is at 6/1.
Both halves to end in a draw is at 5/1. Southampton took all three points at Old Trafford back in January, and Pochettino’s side are more than capable of doing the same. A respectable loss, but a loss all the same, in the Capital One Cup final, in addition to being knocked out of the Europa League will mean there’s even more emphasis on finishing in the top four. A win on Sunday will be a huge step towards achieving this goal.
Tottenham to win is at 33/10.
SBC Prediction: Tottenham to score over 1.5 goals 2/1
