November 2008

You're The One For Me, Faty: Ligue 1 starlets heading for England?

James Eastham / 30 November 2008 / Leave a comment

With the January transfer window fast approaching, French football expert James Eastham profiles the players who could make the journey across the English channel....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting Preview: Bayern face tough test at Leverkusen

Razhan Miran / 29 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Six wins out of seven have catapulted Jurgen Klinsmann's men up the table but their clash with Bayer Leverkusen is a tough one to call, says Razhan Miran....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Roma v Fiorentina

Dan Fitch / 29 November 2008 / Leave a comment

After being tipped for honours pre-season, these two have so far under-achieved. But Luciano Spalleti's men are improving and could well be about to stretch their unbeaten run to six, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Madrid chase third bonus win

Dan Fitch / 28 November 2008 / Leave a comment

The Spanish champions must put their striker desperation on hold as they face a tricky trip to Getafe, writes Dan Fitch....Read more »

Serie A Preview: Onwards and upwards for Roma

Dave Farrar / 28 November 2008 / Leave a comment

On a fascinating matchday in Italy, Dave Farrar previews three top clashes which he believes could yield value....Read more »

Obscure Betting Column: Value from around the globe

Ben Lyttleton / 28 November 2008 / Leave a comment

If you think managers come under excessive pressure in the Premier League then have a look at how they do things in Bulgaria. Meanwhile, unpaid players pick up results in Portugal and free scoring Frenchman flourish in Switzerland....Read more »

Tommy Mooney: I'm a typical English centre-forward but I must adapt

Tommy Mooney / 28 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Our man in Marbella discusses the difficulties of adapting to a new country on and off the field and admits that his children are learning the language quicker than him. But things are looking up as he gets ready to...Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: Valenciennes enter the Lyon's Den

James Eastham / 27 November 2008 / Leave a comment

French Champions Lyon are in imperious form and high on confidence after their midweek win at Fiorentina. This weekend Valenciennes have the unenviable task of getting in their way, an encounter which according to James Easthem, will provide only one...Read more »

La Liga Betting: Expect goals as swashbuckling Barca head to Sevilla.

Tobias Gourlay / 27 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Without doubt Barcelona are playing the best football around at the moment and their trip to Sevilla is certainly one to make the mouth water. Tobias Gourlay eagerly looks forward to another exciting week in La Liga.......Read more »

Eredivisie Betting: McClaren winning his fight to lay the England ghost to rest.

Jonathan Wilson / 27 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Steve McClaren's short time in charge of FC Twente has already seen both highs and lows yet as Jonathan Wilson explains, the former England Manager is making steady progress in his task of rebuilding a reputation which was ruthlessly dismantled...Read more »

Football Betting: The Ballon D'Or is about more than goals and trophies

Dave Farrar / 26 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar is so uncomfortable with the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo's impending coronation as European Footballer of the Year that he is already looking forward to next year's award and the events which will determine its winner....Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Dutch masters do battle while Jewel sparkles in Itlay

Richard Aikman / 26 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Marco Van Basten may be finding his feet at Ajax but Martin Jol can still outwit his legendary countrymen in the dugout, says Richard Aikman. And can the reborn wild child carry his goalscoring form into Sampdoria's UEFA Cup clash...Read more »

Football Betting: Who's up for the UEFA Cup?

Matthew Walton / 25 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Clubs, players and supporters may have given up on the UEFA Cup but, with its disregard for the formbook, it might well pay backers to keep the faith, says Matthew Walton....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Inter v Panathanaikos

Dave Farrar / 25 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Inter have not been convincing of late and Dave Farrar sees no reason why a confident Panathanaikos side cannot get something from their trip to the San Siro....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Schuster embattled by wounded knees

Alsy / 25 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Real Madrid have clawed their way back into the La Liga title race but the manager remains on a tight-rope. Alister Morgan wonders whether knee injuries to key players will prove decisive in determining his fate....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Tips galore from four of the week's top matches

Ben Lyttleton / 25 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton has the pick of the bets across the Champions League fixtures....Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Zenit looking to set up a nervy night in the Bernabeu

Dave Farrar / 25 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Juventus go into Matchday 5 with qualification assured and with an ever growing injury list. This makes good reading for hosts Zenit St Petersburg who according to David Farrar should be confident of beating Real Madrid to the second qualification...Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Bordeaux aim to avenge 'unsporting' Chelsea

James Eastham / 24 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Don't be fooled by Lyon's defeat at the weekend, says James Eastham. With only a point needed for qualification for the knock-out stages, Claude Puel's side should prevail against Fiorentina. Meanwhile, Marseille will struggle to emulate last season's Anfield heroics......Read more »

World Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 24 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Mourinho smiles after seeing off an old foe, Ronaldino's strike is not enough for Milan, Schuster breathes a sigh of relief as Real win and Barca fail to hang on, Lyon suffer a rare win in the capital and old...Read more »

The Obscure Betting Column: Three bets, one apiece from Austria, Romania and Ukraine

Dave Farrar / 22 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar gets the formbooks out for a betting preview of the little-known league of Europe....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Barcelona v Getafe

Dan Fitch / 22 November 2008 / Leave a comment

All-conquering Barca versus faltering Getafe? Surely, that is the dfeinition of a no-brainer? Dan Fitch previews the La Liga clash....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Battle of the former Chelsea bosses as Juve meet Inter

Dave Farrar / 22 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar previews Inter v Juventus, Fiorentina and Udinese's battle for fourth spot and Sampdoria's trip to Catania....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Iashvili set to start as Karlsruhe try to stay off bottom

Razhan Miran / 21 November 2008 / Leave a comment

After defeat to England, it may be time to recall Michael Ballack to the Germany squad, says Razhan Miran as he looks ahead to the weekend's Bundesliga action....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Status quo restored as title race takes shape

Dan Fitch / 21 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Plucky outsiders have had their moment in the Serie A sun, according to Dan Fitch, and now the three biggest teams in Italian football are ready to dominate for the remainder of the season....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Villarreal are value while Sevilla welcome an old face

Tobias Gourlay / 20 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Tobias Gourlay looks at the weekend to come in the Primera División and lays out what he thinks will be winning bets....Read more »

Barcelona Players: The obsession of Eto'o and the importance of luck

Jonathan Wilson / 20 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson gives us first-hand insight into the mind of Samuel Eto'o and tells us how close the free-scoring Cameroonian came to not being at the Nou Camp at all this season.......Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: A very rare opportunity to oppose Lyon

James Eastham / 20 November 2008 / Leave a comment

James Eastham tells us why upcoming Champions League commitments and a seven point lead at the top of the table may result in Lyon giving less than 100% at the Parc Des Princes against a fired-up PSG. Plus the best...Read more »

Federico Marchetti: Remember the name as he's Buffon's most likely successor

Dave Farrar / 19 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar tells us about the crucial role played by a certain Federico Marchetti in Cagliaris' recent revival of fortunes in Serie A. And with limited options amongst Italy's goalkeepers and question marks over Buffon's long-term fitness, you may be...Read more »

International Football Betting: You'd be nuts not to lay Brazil against Portugal

Ben Lyttleton / 18 November 2008 / 1 Comments

Ben Lyttleton on why a near full-strength Portugal side can add to their superb recent record against Brazil plus the best bets from Netherlands v Sweden, Serbia v Bulgaria and Austria v Turkey....Read more »

Cash has shifted the balance of power in European football but how long before it leads to success?

Alsy / 18 November 2008 / Leave a comment

In the 80s and 90s we saw the world's best flock to Spain and Italy and later England but these days it's not unusual to see a former World Cup winner and World Player Of The Year play in Uzbekistan...Read more »

World Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 17 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton on a really bad week for Bernd Schuster, Milan's unstoppable run over in Serie A, Lyon's dominance in Ligue 1 and the main results from the major South American leagues....Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: Why bettors should listen to managers

James Eastham / 16 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Don't write off managers' quotes - they can provide an insight which proves vital in your betting, writes James Eastham...Read more »

La Liga Betting Preview: Will Valladolid bring down Schuster?

Dan Fitch / 15 November 2008 / Leave a comment

A number of Real Madrid players have gone public with their greviances about their manager's tactis and, despite senior players coming forward to back him, Bernd Schuster is in desperate need of a win....Read more »

Serie A Betfair Live Video Preview: 'Derby della Capitale' a must win for Roma

Dan Fitch / 15 November 2008 / Leave a comment

A reversal of fortunes is a wonderful thing to behold and for a rivalry to be truly great, the balance of power has to switch back and forth between the protagonists. That has definitely been the case in Rome, says...Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Historically magical fixture between Bayern and Monchengladbach has an obvious winner

Razhan Miran / 14 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran briefs us on Leverkusen's suicidal second-half last week, Bayern Munich's continued revival and where to put your monry on in this weekend's fixtures....Read more »

The Obscure Betting Column: Aragones' Fenerbahce to bite back and obscure bets from Greece and the Czech Republic

Dave Farrar / 14 November 2008 / Leave a comment

The Obscure Betting Boys continue their relentless quest for obscure bets from around the world and come across three from Greece, Turkey and the Czech Republic....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Mutu injury can open the door for Cagliari

Dave Farrar / 14 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Eurosport's Dave Farrar talks us through the best betting opportunities in Serie A this weekend where Napoli are a decent bet to win again and a Fiorentina side missing skipper Adrian Mutu may miss the Romanian a little too much...Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: Back Marseille to win comfortably

James Eastham / 13 November 2008 / 1 Comments

James Eastham has made 5.18pts profit (minus 5% commission) from staking 33.5pts (15.5% ROI) on Ligue 1 clubs in all competitions this season. Here are his three big selections for the weekend......Read more »

La Liga Betting: Iniesta loss a big handicap but Barca can still overcome the 1.5 goal handicap away to Recreativo

Tobias Gourlay / 13 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Tobias Gourlay gives us the best bets from the La Liga matches involving a trio of title contenders in Villarreal, Valencia and an Iniesta-less Barcelona....Read more »

"Barcelona is a meritocracy and players must prove that they deserve to play," says "Maldini"

Julio Maldonado / 13 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Julio Maldonado, the man they call "Maldini", is back with his thoughts on the hot topics of Spanish football including Xavi's form, the race between Higuain and Eto'o to be "pichichi" and the secret to Sevilla's success....Read more »

I've always taken penalties in order to add another goal to my tally, says Tommy Mooney

Tommy Mooney / 13 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Former Watford favourite Tommy Mooney on dealing with injuries, penalty-taking techniques and why despite being past his best, Real Madrid's Raul is still better than most....Read more »

New manager Mihajlovic may not be the man everyone thinks he is...

Jonathan Wilson / 13 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson makes a case for revising the popular opinion of the snarling, spitting Serb....Read more »

Serie A Betting: A pretty average Inter Milan where Mourinho isn't so special any more

Dave Farrar / 12 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Eurosport's Dave Farrar tells us why he's not the only one who thinks Inter are a three-man team, why Mourinho isn't the darling of the blue side of Milan and who can clinch the Serie A title from under Inter's...Read more »

Coupe De La Ligue Betting: Plenty of chances of upsets

James Eastham / 11 November 2008 / Leave a comment

It's Coupe de la Ligue week in France - which means excellent betting opportunities for eagled-eyed followers of French football, writes James Eastham....Read more »

MLS Betting: America is bursting with "soccer" talent

Editor / 11 November 2008 / Leave a comment

From inauspicious beginnings the MLS is starting to find its feet, exporting and importing talent as well as drawing the interest of Premier League clubs and fans, says Richard Douglas....Read more »

World Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 10 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton on two four-goal heroes in Spain this weekend, Mourinho's latest problems, Ronaldinho's superb goalscoring form and why Argentine legends Juan Riquelme and Diego Simeone had rather different weekends....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Getafe v Valencia

Dan Fitch / 08 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Faltering Valencia face tough trip as they seek to get back on track, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Can Inter get over the 'ex-factor'?

Dan Fitch / 08 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Jose Mourinho is struggling to get Inter firing and second-placed Udinese will look to exploit that, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Eagerly-awaited clash of pre-season favourites Bayern and Schalke

Razhan Miran / 07 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran tells us why Bayern Munich on the 0 handicap are the bet as they meet Schalke and why there will be goals, goals, goals as Hamburg meet Dortmund....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Yellow Submarine to sink Almeria and a question of just how many Real Madrid will score

Tobias Gourlay / 07 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Tobias Gourlay talks us through this weekend's fixtures in La Liga that include a Real Madrid team that have taken the concept of entertaining to an extreme and a Marcos Senna-led Villarreal that are a little too hot to handle...Read more »

Obscure Betting Column: Value from around the world

Ben Lyttleton / 07 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar and Ben Lyttleton on a possible league and cup double in Norway, some free-flowing Dutchmen and a top of the table clash in Ireland....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Udinese can add to Inter Milan's woes

Dave Farrar / 07 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Eurosport's Dave Farrar on why a bad couple of weeks for Inter may get even worse and how Roma's momentum from their midweek Champions League win should carry through to Serie A....Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting Preview: Savidan to star in Normandy derby?

James Eastham / 06 November 2008 / Leave a comment

James Eastham has made a 7.82pt profit (after 5% commission) from 29pts staked on Ligue 1 teams in all competitions this season. Here are his three selections for the weekend's fixtures......Read more »

Tommy Mooney: Great goalscorers can adapt to any league

Tommy Mooney / 06 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Our man in Marbella offers his take on the end of the Boothrooyd era at Watford as he prepares for his own "clear the air" talks. He's also looking to recover his golden-eye for tipping......Read more »

Good players do not always make bad managers

Jonathan Wilson / 06 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Half of Argentina has celebrated the appointment of Maradona as manager of the national side while the other half has cringed. What does Jonathan Wilson make of it?...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Milan chase only Euro honour to elude them

Richard Aikman / 05 November 2008 / Leave a comment

With Ronaldinho almost back to his best, the favourite's low price comes as no surprise, says Richard Aikman. But their opponents have excelled so far and, as Ancelotti rests players, could force a close contest. Meanwhile, can Benfica weave their...Read more »

Take a leap of faith with three bets from the leftfield of European football betting

Dave Farrar / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar preaches a special sermon from the pulpit of value betting....Read more »

Champions League Betting: When is a sending off .. not a sending off?

Matthew Walton / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

"Magical" Mathew Walton discusses the issue of different standards of leniency when it comes to refereeing across the different leagues to help us bet on the "sending off" market when the Champions League comes around....Read more »

Strong bets out there involving the French trio in the Champions League

James Eastham / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Nobody knows the form and fortunes of Marseille, Bordeaux and Lyon like betting.betfair.com's resident French football expert James Eastham. So who better to talk us through the best bets involving the French trio in this midweek's Champions League action......Read more »

Champions League: Goals at the Emirates, Sporting Lisbon to qualify from Group and a possible shock win for Juve at the Bernabeu

Ben Lyttleton / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton talks us through the "best of the rest" from the Champions League midweek matches including an expected goal-fest as Arsenal host Fenerbahce, why Sporting Lisbon should prove too strong for Fenerbahce and how in-form Juventus can repeat their...Read more »

Champions League Matches: Fiorentina v Bayern Munich

Dave Farrar / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Fiorentina were desperately unlucky not to get anything out of their trip to Munich tweo weeks ago but Bayern have since improved and Fiorentina have struggled without the inspirational Adrian Mutu. His fitness on the night may well be the...Read more »

Champions League Football: Anorthosis v Inter Milan

Dave Farrar / 04 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Anorthosis are no longer the unknown quantity they were a couple of months ago and as the secret has been unrevealed, so the value has gone. But tonight's match will still be a tough test for Inter Milan and there...Read more »

La Liga Betting: Spanish title likely to be a tussle between these two but who should we backing to come third?

Matthew Walton / 03 November 2008 / Leave a comment

"Magical" Matthew Walton crunches the stats to give us valuable insight into the La Liga long-term markets on Betfair....Read more »

International Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 03 November 2008 / Leave a comment

It's pretty competitive at the top of Serie A after both Milan clubs left it late before winning whilst Real Madrid dropped two points away to Almeria. Ben Lyttleton guides us through the main talking points in the major European...Read more »

Serie A Betting: Betfair Live Video - AC Milan v Napoli

Dan Fitch / 01 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch talks Italian North/South divides, why Pirlo is likely to miss out on free-kick taking duties to Beckham and Ronaldinho and what we can expect from high-flying Napoli's trip to AC Milan....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Almeria v Real Madrid - Higuain the key man for Los Merengues

Dan Fitch / 01 November 2008 / Leave a comment

After a week where Real Madrid's players' minds have been busy worrying about the well-being of their team mate Ruben De La Red, it's back to business in La Liga with a trip to Almeria that should mean three points...Read more »