December 2008

Ronaldo sulks while Messi is disappointed on behalf of humankind

Jonathan Wilson / 31 December 2008 / 1 Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo is only 23 and has plenty of time, but he does have to put in a couple of defining performances at some stage in the next ten years or so if he is to be regarded as one...Read more »

Where next for £40 million Benzema?

James Eastham / 28 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Karim Benzema will be the subject of the biggest transfer of 2009. OK, there's no guarantee he'll leave Lyon, but even if he doesn't, you can be sure he'll be the biggest transfer story of the year, says James Eastham....Read more »

January Transfer Window: Where will Arshavin end up and who else will be on the move?

Dave Farrar / 27 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Keen shoppers aren't the only people looking for sales in January, it's also the opening of the football January transfer window, Dave Farrar tells us. Which will lead to such questions as: how will Huntelaar and Diarra settle in at...Read more »

Champions League Last 16: Bah humbug! Get Christmas out the way, I want February

Dave Farrar / 24 December 2008 / Leave a comment

A superb draw has pitted some of Europe's biggest names and left intrigue and mystery to the Champions League last 16 stage. In fact, so good was the draw, that Eurosport's Dave Farrar has even got over the absence of...Read more »

Champions League Betting: Why Raul and co are the "Real" deal when it comes to this competition

Matthew Walton / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The name of Real Madrid isn't to be found amongst this year's favourites for the Champions League but Juande Ramos' men could very well provide at worst a very decent trading opportunity, says "Magical" Matthew Walton....Read more »

International Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It was business as usual for Barcelona who just can't stop winning and there were further victories for the "Big Three" in Italy comprising Inter, Juventus and AC Milan. Ben Lyttleton talks us through all the action across the major...Read more »

Football Betting Briefing: December 22 - 28

James Eastham / 21 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Mince pies, anyone? Not if you're a Premier League footballer - while most of the rest of the world puts its feet up over the next 10 days, the richest league on earth faces its busiest time of the year,...Read more »

La Liga Betting: Villareal v Barcelona

Dan Fitch / 20 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Free-scoring, stylish and top of the league; It's hard to see what more Pep Guardiola could have achieve in his first six months as manager of Barcelona, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Siena v Inter Milan

Dan Fitch / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch looks for the best bets in the league leaders' trip to Siena and awards the Special One a B+ for his half-term report....Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Spurs and Villa faces tough trips East

Richard Aikman / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Aston Villa and Tottenham have been dealt difficult ties in the Uefa Cup Round of 32 after being drawn to meet CSKA Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk in the first of the knockout stages, while Manchester City take on Copenhagen. Richard...Read more »

UEFA Champions League Draw: Tricky Italian jobs for Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea

Richard Aikman / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Richard Aikman talks us through this afternoon's Champions League draw where three out of the four English teams have drawn Serie A teams and favourites Barcelona will be locking horns against perennial dark horses Lyon....Read more »

The Obscure Betting Column: Remember this guy? Back his team...

Ben Lyttleton / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

In the last Obscure Betting Column (at least for this season), the Obscure Betting Boys go to Belgium, Holland and Turkey in search of value where you didn't know it existed....Read more »

Serie A: Evens on Juve is an early Christmas gift

Dave Farrar / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Juve's 4-2 defeat of AC Milan last weekend was as much an indication of Juve's superb form as it was of AC Milan's inconsistent displays. Juve are worth backing again this weekend, AC Milan are not, says Dave Farrar....Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: Four-pronged betting attack on this weekend's fixtures before the Xmas break

James Eastham / 18 December 2008 / Leave a comment

There are four cracking bets available in Ligue 1 this weekend as the teams play their final fixtures before putting their feet up for Christmas, writes James Eastham....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Maxi to inspire Atletico Madrid to maximum points

Tobias Gourlay / 18 December 2008 / Leave a comment

This week Atletico Madrid's Kun Aguero was eager to talk up his side's La Liga-winning credentials but their good form has been as much down to captain Maxi Rodriguez's performances as the goals of Aguero and Forlan. And they can...Read more »

Serie A Betting: Getting to the bottom of Serie A 's obscenely high home win ratio

Jonathan Wilson / 18 December 2008 / 1 Comments

Jonathan Wilson has discovered an anomaly in Serie A this season that is useful for football punters to know about and this triggered his own Poirot-like investigation as to why it's happening....Read more »

Football Betting: Rage against the dying of the light

Dave Farrar / 17 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Watching Riddick Bowe struggle to keep his head above water inspires hopeless sporting romantic Dave Farrar to consider some of sport's saddest stories. But, amongst the wreckage, he also finds examples of glory and redemption for all fans to revel...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Last-chance saloon for PSG and Samp

Richard Aikman / 16 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It's the last round of the UEFA Cup group stages and there's plenty still to play for. PSG need not only a win but also goals whereas Sampdoria are also fighting for their UEFA cup lives. Richard Aikman talks us...Read more »

Ramos appointment an indication Real are solely focussed on the Champions League, says "Maldini"

Julio Maldonado / 16 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The man they call "Maldini" - Julio Maldonado - gives us his take on the big news stories in Spanish football from the last few weeks... and the betting consequences of them....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: The time is right to make a profit

Matthew Walton / 16 December 2008 / Leave a comment

If only it was possible to stop the action whilst you make your play... Never going to happen though, is it? Unless, of course, you look to Germany where the Bundesliga is taking a month off to allow us the...Read more »

French Football Betting: Is Pablo Correa the most negative man in European football?

James Eastham / 15 December 2008 / Leave a comment

James Eastham introduces us to the man who after a recent 4-3 loss in the UEFA Cup said "There was nothing satisfactory about tonight's game". Meet Pablo Correa, manager of Nancy and a living endorsement for everything that is wrong...Read more »

World football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 15 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It was a weekend littered with big matches from around the world as Real Madrid visited Barcelona, Lyon hosted Marseille and Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan locked horns at the dell'Alpi. Ben Lyttleton talks us through all the results...Read more »

Betfair Live Video Preview: Juventus v AC Milan

Dan Fitch / 13 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It's the battle for second place in Serie A and you can watch it free on Betfair Live Video. So who will come out on top? Let Dan Fitch lead you through the odds......Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Back this man to make French toast out of Stuttgart

Razhan Miran / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Franck Ribery is back to his best and ready to punish Stuttgart and the Bayern layers in an exciting weekend of Bundesliga football, says Razhan Miran....Read more »

Tommy Mooney: Family time is fine but it's all about the matchday for me

Tommy Mooney / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Our man in Marbella talks fatherly pride, winter-breaks and why he expects a Barcelona triumph in this weekend's El Classico......Read more »

La Liga Betting: "El Clasico" Barcelona v Real Madrid

Dan Fitch / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It's been a normal week by Real Madrid's standards: Schuster's sacking and Ramos' arrival took place in between a home league defeat at the weekend and a midweek Champions League win. Next up Barca, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

Obscure Betting Column: Value from around the world

Ben Lyttleton / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Is an upset on the cards in a Cypriot derby? Benfica to march on? Should you back the men in the blue stripes and red hearts? Dave Farrar and Ben Lyttleton scour to the globe to find the answers......Read more »

Serie A Betting Preview: Mazzari feels the heat at Sampdoria

Dave Farrar / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Two strugglers offer the value bet of the weekend, Sampdoria boss badly needs a win and Juventus look the more likely in the battle for second place, writes Dave Farrar....Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: Forget Lyon v Marseille, it's Valenciennes that can make us money

James Eastham / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The clash between Lyon and Marseille may be grabbing all the headlines across the channel this weekend, but there's a much more enticing prospect out there for punters who are serious about making money, writes James Eastham....Read more »

La Liga Betting: It's not solely about El Clasico this weekend...

Tobias Gourlay / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch will be doing the honours on betting.betfair.com at a later date as regards Barcelona v Real Madrid on Saturday night. But in the meanwhile Tobias Gourlay wil be talking us through the other strong betting options in another...Read more »

Argentinean Football: Boca Juniors' success will depend on Riquelme...as usual

Jonathan Wilson / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

As the Argentinean Apertura comes to its climax, Jonathan Wilson celebrates the role played by Juan Roman Riquelme in Boca Juniors' season and gives us some insight into the permanent expectation that club and country place on his shoulders....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Giovinco will be one of the world's best

Dave Farrar / 10 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Just as Alessandro Del Piero succeeded Roberto Baggio, Sebastian Giovinco is finally coming of age as the heir to the Juventus number 10 shirt. Dave Farrar believes he can become one of the best footballers on the planet....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Real Madrid v Zenit St Petersburg

Dave Farrar / 09 December 2008 / 1 Comments

They might not be able to qualify for the next round but Dick Advocaat says his players want to end their Champions League campaign on a high....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Roma v Bordeaux

Dave Farrar / 09 December 2008 / Leave a comment

With a lot riding on this one, Dave Farrar is expecting an open game and goals....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Best of the rest of the midweek betting

Ben Lyttleton / 09 December 2008 / Leave a comment

A somewhat second-string Liverpoool side can beat PSV away to secure top spot in their group, Panathinaikos can book their place in the next round and don't expect a goal-glut as Japan-bound Man Utd host Aab, says Ben Lyttleton....Read more »

Football Betting: Juve to pull off Champions League job?

Matthew Walton / 08 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Don't write off the Italian clubs in this year's Champions League, says Matthew Walton as he provides a timely reminder that while form is temporary, class is permanent....Read more »

Champions League Betting: French clubs in focus

James Eastham / 08 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Which Lyon will turn up? Claude Puel's side lost 2-1 at struggling Nantes in Ligue 1 on Saturday, so James Eastham won't be backing them to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night....Read more »

Football Betting: Around the world in 600 words

Ben Lyttleton / 08 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Barca pull away as Henry hits the heights and Real crash, Juventus remain over-priced despite victory and Lyon drop more points. Ben Lyttleton rounds up the weekend's action from across the globe....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Real Madrid v Sevilla - Life is anything but sweet for "Los Merengues"

Dan Fitch / 06 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch tells us about Real Madrid's woes which include a lengthy injury list, a must-win match against Zenit St Petersrburg midweek and El Clasico against arguably the world's most in-form team just round the corner. First...Read more »

Obscure Betting Column: Value from around the world

Ben Lyttleton / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton and Dave Farrar scour the globe for the best prices from some of the unlikliest corners....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Ice cool Bayern can overcome Hoffenheim en route to becoming Winter champions

Razhan Miran / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran talks us through the tie everyone has been waiting for as "little" Hoffenheim, the league leaders, visit Bayern Munich, who are on a real roll.......Read more »

Betfair Live Video: Lazio v Inter Milan

Dan Fitch / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch is happy to dismiss the Cristiano Ronaldo-transfer-to-Inter saga as time-wasting speculation and prefers to focus on the reality of a tricky trip to Lazio for Mourinho's Inter which, should yield them threee points in the end....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Keep Roma on your side whilst they're red-hot Totti

Dave Farrar / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar tells us why Inter Milan may not have it all their own way against Lazio and why a Totti-inspired Roma can keep on winning again this weekend....Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting Preview: Too good to go down?

James Eastham / 04 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The theory that some sides are "too good to go down" has been confounded often enough to render it virtually meaningless, but if there's one team struggling near the foot of the Ligue 1 table to which it might legitimately...Read more »

La Liga Betting Preview: Can Barca fire without Eto'o?

Tobias Gourlay / 04 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Psychological adroitness has been a hallmark of Pep Guardiola's reign so far, says Tobias Gourlay. So how will the Barcelona boss solve the selection puzzle created by his top-scorer's absence?...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: 'Reverse' season could play into the hands of Russian and Ukrainian teams

Jonathan Wilson / 04 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson finds reasons to get excited about CSKA Moscow's European bid......Read more »

Tommy Mooney: Crowds really can influence a game

Tommy Mooney / 04 December 2008 / Leave a comment

After a trip to the division's top club leaves his team-mates a little wide-eyed, our man in Marbella discusses the impact that fans can have on a game. And yes, it seems that all that stuff about the 12th man...Read more »

'Hangovers, guilt, misery': The perils of party season betting

Dave Farrar / 03 December 2008 / Leave a comment

"A unique route to self-knowledge and self-realisation," was how Kingsley Amis described a hangover. Dave Farrar may disagree as he offers some salient words to prevent your Betfair account from dying a December death. And let's hope the people he's...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Belgians to set the standard against travel-sick Sampdoria

Richard Aikman / 03 December 2008 / Leave a comment

With Udinese stuttering and Zagreb flourishing under new management, the Italians are too short, says Richard Aikman. Meanwhile, Standard Liege should qualify against Sampdoria but can their fellow Belgians get anything in Spain?...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: English Sides - The European Paradox

Matthew Walton / 02 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Thinking of backing an English club to win the UEFA Cup? Perhaps it's time to think again for as Mathew Walton explains, when it comes to European Football's 2nd Cup competition, English sides often struggle....Read more »

World Review: Schuster & Sao Paulo on the brink as Barca, Bayern and Inter win again.

Ben Lyttleton / 01 December 2008 / Leave a comment

There's never a dull moment on the world football scene and Ben Lyttleton is on hand to run through the results making headlines across the globe this weekend....Read more »