March 2009

World Cup Qualifiers: Asia and North & Central America

Robert Hughes / 31 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Robert Hughes explains why teams from Asia and North & Central America could play a significant role at South Africa 2010 as he looks forward to a round of qualifiers which includes a potentially volatile fixture in South Korea....Read more »

World Cup Qualifying: Shock on the cards in 'Group of Death'

Ben Lyttleton / 31 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttelton expects Hungary and Denmark to edge closer to South Africa on Wednesday night but can the Czech Republic find a creative spark against their neighbours? Best Bet: Hungary to beat Malta 2-0 @ [6.4]....Read more »

World Cup Bets: Where's the World Cup value?

Matthew Walton / 31 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The World Cup is more than a year away but there's already a pretty active market on Betfair as to who will win it, says "Magical" Matthew Walton. And a few interesting questions on the back of it, such as...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Tuesday March 31

The Joker / 31 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way....Read more »

World Cup Qualifying: Spain v Turkey

Richard Aikman / 30 March 2009 / 1 Comments

Spain struggled at home to Turkey but the away fixture could suit the European champions' play, says Richard Aikman, making the [2.22] for the away win the best bet....Read more »

World Cup Qualifying: Greece v Israel

Richard Aikman / 30 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel may put too much faith in his old men, but a Yossi Benayoun-less Israel should be opposed on Wednesday night, says Richard Aikman. Best Bet: Greece to beat Israel @ [1.82]....Read more »

World Cup Qualifiers round-up: Cryptic Queiroz moos missed chances

Ben Lyttleton / 30 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Bovine Portugal fail again, Ribery makes the difference for France, Spain march on, Tevez on target for Maradona's shorties and Mexico ease pressure on Eriksson. Ben Lyttleton rounds up the weekend's World Cup qualifiers....Read more »

Football Betting Briefing 30th March - 3rd April: Crucial World Cup qualifiers

James Eastham / 29 March 2009 / Leave a comment

There are a couple of Under-21 matches this week and some Bundesliga action on Friday night, but let's face it, it's all about the World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday night, says James Eastham....Read more »

World Cup Betting: Why international football has become redundant

Feizal Rahman / 29 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Feizal Rahman likes to watch the world's best players as much as anyone but argues that these days they don't need to be representing their country for us to enjoy them in action....Read more »

World Cup Betting: Netherlands v Scotland

John Girvan / 27 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The last time Scotland played the Netherlands away it resulted in a 6-0 defeat and Tartan Army member John Girvan isn't expecting a massive improvement this time round. Best bet: Back Netherlands in the -1.5 handicap at [1.96]....Read more »

World Cup Bets: Italy v Rep Ireland

Dave Farrar / 27 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Betting.betfair.com's Serie A correspondent Dave Farrar gives us a brief insight into what we can expect of Italy's match against the Republic of Ireland....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Friday 27 March

The Joker / 27 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

International Football Betting: Lithuania v France

James Eastham / 26 March 2009 / Leave a comment

James Eastham ponders the poor state of the French national team and advises against backing Les Bleus in their World Cup qualifier in Vilnius. Best Bet: Lithuania +0.75 Asian handicap @ [2.06]....Read more »

International Football Betting: Spain v Turkey

Tobias Gourlay / 26 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Betting.Betfair's resident Spanish football authority turns his attention to the best team in the world's encounter with Turkey this weekend. Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ [1.90]...Read more »

African World Cup Qualifiers: Big boys warm up for their first 'home' World Cup

Jonathan Wilson / 26 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson rounds up the scene in Africa as the continent starts qualification proper....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Thursday March 26

The Joker / 26 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

World Cup Qualifying: When is backing an odds-on shot away from home value?

Matthew Walton / 25 March 2009 / Leave a comment

What do Denmark, Switzerland, Latvia, France and Italy all have in common? They're all odds-on to win away from home this weekend. But which of them are worth backing and which are worth laying at their current prices, asks "Magical"...Read more »

World Cup Qualifier: Portugal need Ronaldo to step up

Ben Lyttleton / 25 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton looks ahead to the weekend's World Cup qualifiers and discusses a familiar Portuguese affliction. Best Bet: Portugal v Sweden - Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.68]....Read more »

World Cup Betting: Could this lot really miss out on World Cup qualification?

Robert Hughes / 25 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Robert Hughes considers South America the toughest of all the qualifying zones for the World Cup and tells us how it works. So competitive are all the teams that even the mighty Argentina can't take qualifying for granted......Read more »

World Cup Betting: Next seven days will give us real clues as to who can win the World Cup

Dave Farrar / 25 March 2009 / Leave a comment

We're reaching make-or-break time in the World Cup Qualifiers and the next seven days could go a long way to determining if the likes of France will miss the cut and whether Israel could book their place for South Africa....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Wednesday 25 March

The Joker / 25 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.......Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Tuesday 24 March

The Joker / 24 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.......Read more »

Round The World in 600 Words: Iniesta injury could be turning point in La Liga

Ben Lyttleton / 23 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton talks us through the main results and talking points from across the world's major leagues, including why it's anyone's to win in Germany and France and how Iniesta is the last player Barca wanted to lose through injury....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Monday 23 March

The Joker / 23 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

Football Betting Briefing March 22 - 28: Value from around the world

James Eastham / 22 March 2009 / Leave a comment

In a quiet week for football, James Eastham crosses continents to bring you the best bets....Read more »

Serie A Betting Preview: Napoli v AC Milan

Dan Fitch / 21 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch believes that Roberto Donadoni would love to make his mark at Napoli against the club where he was so successful as a player. Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ [2.04]....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting Preview: Bayern find consistency at the right time

Razhan Miran / 20 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran selects his picks from a weekend of Bundesliga action. Best Bet: Bayern Munich v Karlsruhe - Over 2.5 goals @ [1.5]....Read more »

La Liga Betting Preview: Villareal v Athletic Bilbao

Dan Fitch / 20 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Dan Fitch believes that Giuseppe Rossi and co will sink Athletic Bilbao further into the mire on Saturday night. Best Bet: Villarreal to win @ [1.76]....Read more »

Champions League Draw: United the winners as Reds meet Blues again

Richard Aikman / 20 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted with the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League but Richard Aikman believes that with Didier Drogba firing and Michael Essien back, Chelsea can negotiate familiar foes and go all the way......Read more »

Serie A Betting Preview: Double up for Juventus?

Dave Farrar / 20 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Injuries are hitting Roma hard as they strive for fourth place in the league, and that will play into Juve's hands says Dave Farrar....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Friday March 20

The Joker / 20 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting: A rare opportunity to back Lyon to lose

James Eastham / 19 March 2009 / Leave a comment

James Eastham looks at the importance of motivation at this stage of the season and the role it will play as Lille host Grenoble. And why the concept of betting value makes Sochaux an unlikely bet to beat Lyon this...Read more »

La Liga Betting: "Spanish Zidane" Valeron can inspire Depor

Tobias Gourlay / 19 March 2009 / Leave a comment

With Real and Barca short-priced favs this weekend and rightly so, Tobias Gourlay goes in search of betting opportunities elsewhere. Such as Deportivo La Coruna where Valeron is still a major part of the team; but the best bet is...Read more »

Football Bets: Unpredictable and passionate - we give you the Copa Libertadores

Jonathan Wilson / 19 March 2009 / Leave a comment

As we approach the half-way phase of the group stages, Jonathan Wilson tells us why this is a competition worth watching and one which Martin Palermo's Boca Juniors, are desperate to win....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Thursday 19 March

The Joker / 19 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: AaB v Manchester City

Alsy / 18 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Unlike other English clubs, Manchester City have shown the UEFA Cup the respect it deserves and now they are about to reap the rewards, say Alister Morgan. Best Bests: The Draw @ [4.3]...Read more »

European Football Betting: Most of the major leagues still up for grabs

Dave Farrar / 18 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar concedes that Inter Milan and Manchester United should wrap up their respective leagues sooner or later but the winner in Germany, France and Spain is no foregone conclusion. Let's look for the betting value then....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Wednesday 18 March

The Joker / 18 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.......Read more »

MLS Betting: Beckham-less start to the season but plenty to look forward to

Robert Hughes / 17 March 2009 / Leave a comment

All the news over the MLS off-season was about whether David Beckham would or wouldn't return from Milan in time for the start of the campaign. But it's not a one-player league, says Robert Hughes, and the likes of Ljungberg,...Read more »

UEFA Cup Bets: French trio to offer little "Resistance"

Ben Lyttleton / 17 March 2009 / Leave a comment

As we reach the business end of the UEFA Cup, Ben Lyttleton tells us why the French trio of PSG, Marseille and Saint Etienne have bigger fish to fry than this competition and how the latter's opponents Werder Bremen, may...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Tuesday 17 March

The Joker / 17 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.......Read more »

UEFA Cup Bets: Don't take anything for granted at this stage of proceedings

Matthew Walton / 16 March 2009 / 1 Comments

As the likes of Manchester City and Udinese take 2-0 leads into the second legs against Aalborg and Zenit respectively, "Magical" Matthew Walton looks at the stats to assess how important it is to take advantages and play at home...Read more »

Round The World in 600 Words: Dumped Champions League teams bounce back domestically

Ben Lyttleton / 16 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The likes of Sporting Lisbon, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid may have said goodbye to the Champions League for the year but they went some way to rectifying that on the domestic front with convincing wins. Ben Lyttleton talks...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Monday 16 March

The Joker / 16 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.........Read more »

Football Betting Briefing March 16-20: All the top domestic and European action to come

James Eastham / 15 March 2009 / Leave a comment

James Eastham on the forthcoming action to get your betting teeth into this week....Read more »

Betfair Live Video Preview: Inter Milan v Fiorentina

Dan Fitch / 14 March 2009 / Leave a comment

That man Mourinho has once again been hogging the headlines but his presence shows no signs of throwing Inter off their Scudetto hunt, says Dan Fitch....Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Schalke and Wolfsburg to share the spoils

Razhan Miran / 13 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran ponders whether Hertha Berlin can really go on and win the Bundesliga and looks at Schalke's visit to Werder Bremen where the away side's under-pressure manager can't afford to lose. Best bet: Wolfsburg v Schalke DRAW @ [3.45]....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid

Editor / 13 March 2009 / Leave a comment

It's not been a good week for Real Madrid with a draw to city rivals Atletico followed by "that defeat" to Liverpool. They will need Klass-Jan Huntelaar to be at his very best when they travel to Bilbao, says Dan...Read more »

Serie A Betting: A motivated Cassano spells bad news for Roma

Dave Farrar / 13 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus all suffered heartbreak at the hands of English clubs during the week and are all featured in Dave Farrar's weekend preview. But who will still be feeling the effects and who will bounce back? Best...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Friday 13 March

The Joker / 13 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

La Liga Betting: "The Choirboy" Iniesta's form is music to "overs" backers' ears

Tobias Gourlay / 12 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Tobias Gourlay is full of praise for Andres Iniesta and predicts a Barca win with the over 2.5 goals barrier being broken with him around, against Almeria. Plus the best of the rest of the weekend La Liga action. Best...Read more »

Ligue 1 Betting Preview: Expect goals at Stade Auguste Bonal

James Eastham / 12 March 2009 / 1 Comments

Despite a shock defeat last week, James Eastham remains a fan of Sochaux's strikers and expects them to get back on the score sheet against a defensively weak Nancy side this weekend. Best bet: Sochaux v Nancy over 2.5 goals...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: A tale of two Brazilians...

Alsy / 12 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Alister Morgan looks at the careers of two Brazilian attackers, both successful, but maybe not playing for the clubs they expected to be......Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Thursday 12 March

The Joker / 12 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way....Read more »

Russian Football Betting: CSKA, Zenit and Spartak will benefit from financial crisis

Jonathan Wilson / 12 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Jonathan Wilson believes that the combination of an unstable economy, an ageing squad and the new burden of Champions League football means that Rubin Kazan will struggle to repeat their heroics of last season....Read more »

The Betfair Contrarian: Why Inter Milan wont win Serie A

The Betfair Contrarian / 11 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Sorry Jose - you may be winning over the Italian media and nerazzuri fans but the Betfair Contrarian is not impressed and reckons Inter Milan are about to surrender their Serie A title......Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting: Man City v AaB

Dan Fitch / 11 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Manchester City are now the only English team left in the competition and if that wasn't pressure enough, they're also the new tournament favourites. Dan Fitch looks at their first leg encounter against AaB where he suggests you go with...Read more »

UEFA Cup Betting Preview: Zenit know what it takes to win

Richard Aikman / 11 March 2009 / Leave a comment

They may be yet to start their domestic season but Dick Advocaat's side know what it takes to win the UEFA Cup. Richard Aikman is backing them to end Udinese's unbeaten run. Best bet: Back Galatasaray to beat Hamburg @...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day - Wednesday 11 March

The Joker / 11 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

Champions League Bets: Just how good a result is 0-0 away from home in the first leg?

Matthew Walton / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Manchester United's 0-0 draw away to Inter Milan was the sole first leg tie that ended goalless this year but there have been plenty of instances of this happening over the years. "Magical" Matthew Walton went out to study the...Read more »

Champions League Betting: How to play this week's matches in-running

Andrew Atherley / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment

With the first legs out of the way, Andrew Atherley went out to do some proper number-crunching based on first leg Champions League results from the last fifteen years to see how we, as punters, should approach the second legs...Read more »

Champions League Betting: Manchester United v Inter Milan

Dave Farrar / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The mind games between Mourinho and Ferguson have already started but it's the football we're really interested in, says Dave Farrar. United should progress and they could do so without conceding. Best bet: Manchester United to win 1-0 @ [6.4]....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Roma v Arsenal

Dave Farrar / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment

We never know which Roma is going to show up and that's what makes them so exciting, says Dave Farrar. If the likes of Totti and Aquilani can recover from injury, they have a real chance of progressing but the...Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Panathinaikos v Villarreal

Ben Lyttleton / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton believes that Panathinaikos will "park the bus" in order to repel the Yellow Submarine. Best Bet: 0-0 Half-Time Score @ [2.4]....Read more »

Champions League Betting: Barcelona v Lyon

James Eastham / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

It's easy to assume a 1-1 draw from the first leg virtually guarantees Bareclona will go through against Lyon. But James Eastham isn't so sure and points to Barca's tendency to concede goals and Lyon's superb away record. Best bet:...Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Bayern Munich v Sporting Lisbon

Razhan Miran / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

With Bayern Munich all but through to the Champions League quarter-finals, Sporting Lisbon travel to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday in the hope of regaining a little pride, following their five-nil hammering at the hands of Franck Ribery and Co,...Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Liverpool v Real Madrid

Tobias Gourlay / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Tobias Gourlay believes that Liverpool's current price of [1.34] is a little generous. However, he does see one ray of hope for Real. Best Bet: Back the half-time draw @ [2.00]...Read more »

Champions League Betting Preview: Porto v Atletico Madrid

Ben Lyttleton / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A couple of Atletico players may have reason to expect a particularly uncomfortable evening in Portugal on Tuesday night but Ben Lyttleton believes their team-mates are in for a tough time too. Best Bet: Porto to win @ [2.08]....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Monday 9 March

The Joker / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

Around The World In 600 Words: Emotional Ronaldo scores for Corinthians

Ben Lyttleton / 09 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Ben Lyttleton reports on a weekend of unlikely hat-trick heroics and title-chasing drama across Europe which saw Marco di Vaio and Pippo Inzaghi hit the high spots in Italy while Hamburg and Lyon both slipped to surprise defeats in Germany...Read more »

Football Betting Briefing: The business end of the Champions League and UEFA Cup

James Eastham / 08 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Champions League second-legs, the return of the UEFA Cup and a single Premier League match are amongst this week's football offering. James Eastham talks us through the eye-catchers and the early betting....Read more »

La Liga Betting: Sevilla v Almeria

Dan Fitch / 07 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A midweek defeat in the Copa Del Rey has put pressure on Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez. Good thing then that Sevilla are hosting a side with one of the worst away records in the league, says Dan Fitch. Best bet:...Read more »

Bundesliga Betting: Plenty of goals in the match but little joy for Bremen

Razhan Miran / 06 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran talks us through the best bets in the Bundesliga this weekend where Werder Bremen's midweek German Cup exertions may cost them as they visit Hoffenheim. Best bet: Hoffenheim +0&+0.5 at [1.9] in the Asian Handicap....Read more »

Serie A Betting: Torino v Juventus

Dan Fitch / 06 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Juventus may have a midweek must-win Champions League match but try telling their fans that they should rest key players for the local derby against Torino. Expect blood and thunder but not many goals, says Dan Fitch. Best bet: under...Read more »

Serie A Betting: Back Genoa to floor Mour

Dave Farrar / 06 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Champions League commitments midweek for the likes of Roma and Inter Milan may lead to some interesting team selections and a chance for us to make some money. Inter could well be beaten, says Dave Farrar, but the best bet...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Friday 6th March

The Joker / 06 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way.......Read more »

La Liga Betting: Real look beyond capital bragging

Tobias Gourlay / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Atletico have a poor record at the Bernabeu and, with Juande Ramos' men hot on the heels of Barca, Tobias Gourlay doesn't see the away side getting anything from this weekend's Madrid derby. Best Bet: Osasuna @ [1.85] to beat...Read more »

La Liga Betting: The Madrid derby - will the goals rain in Spain?

Matthew Walton / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Matthew Walton focuses on the under/over 2.5 goals market for Atletico's visit to white-hot Real this weekend....Read more »

Ligue One Betting: Stylish Parisians breeze into Brittany

James Eastham / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

PSG's attacking approach will be too much for Lorient and Sochaux will give Le Havre another unsentimental football lesson in Normandy, says James Eastham. Best Bet: Back Sochaux to win at Le Havre @ [2.7]....Read more »

Champions League Betting: History shows English clubs in strong position

Andrew Atherley / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Everybody was doing the maths after the first legs of the Champions League last 16 ties. Just what did those first-leg results mean for each team's chance of progressing to the quarter-finals? Andrew Atherley consults the history books and the...Read more »

195 and counting for the Martin Palermo, king of the Bombonera

Jonathan Wilson / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

Boca Juniors' much loved targetman has a very special record in sight and a recall to the national squad could be on too. It would be fitting reward for this much-loved player, says Jonathan Wilson....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Thursday 5th March

The Joker / 05 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A tip from the joker to get your betting day under way....Read more »

Football Betting: Give the UEFA Cup a chance

Dave Farrar / 04 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The UEFA Cup is under attack from all quarters but, in a spirited defence of the competition, Dave Farrar explains why sporting gourmands are the death of variety....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Wednesday 4th March

The Joker / 04 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A joke and a tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way.........Read more »

The Betfair Contrarian: Why Barcelona won't win La Liga

The Betfair Contrarian / 04 March 2009 / Leave a comment

The champions-elect are wobbling in Spain and Real Madrid are fast closing a once enormous gap. The Betfair Contrarian says get on Los Blancos at once!...Read more »

Creation of Europa Cup can't disguise the fact that all everyone wants is the Champions League

Dan Fitch / 03 March 2009 / Leave a comment

This is the last year of UEFA Cup football in its current format and it's re-branding as the Europa Cup next year was an opportunity for UEFA to amend some mistakes but they've messed it up, as usual, says Dan...Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day - Tuesday 3rd March

The Joker / 03 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A joke and a tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way.........Read more »

European Football Bets: Scrap the away-goals rule and let the best team win

Tareq Quiroz / 02 March 2009 / 1 Comments

Tareq Quiroz questions why scoring more goals away from home is necessarily an achievement and calls for extra-time and penalties to split teams when scores are level after two legs....Read more »

Round The World in 600 Words: League leaders Inter and Barca stopped in their tracks

Ben Lyttleton / 02 March 2009 / Leave a comment

What do Barca, Inter Milan, FC Porto, Lyon and Hamburg have in common? Ben Lyttleton reveals all as he talks us through the main results and stories across the world's major leagues....Read more »

The Joker's Bet Of The Day: Monday 2nd March

The Joker / 02 March 2009 / Leave a comment

A joke and a tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way......Read more »

Football Betting Briefing: March 1 - 7

James Eastham / 01 March 2009 / Leave a comment

James Eastham looks ahead to a week of football which includes a full mid-week Premier League programme as well as intriguing cup clashes from around Europe....Read more »