Saturday Night’s Alright… For Betting (So is Sunday!)
Welcome to our second column where we'll look at a few things to watch out for when betting on football and horse racing at the weekend.
Last week’s column was successful in the same way that you’re lucky if you survive a crocodile attack by only losing a limb. England ladies didn’t get it done, and the United States ladies team proved its credentials on the biggest stage yet again. Argentina and Brazil did as expected, and there were a few hidings in the German amateur friendlies.
So, what’s in store this week?
The Footy
1 – More Money Than Sense
Old school football fans will tell you ‘the game’s gone.’ When you look at the crazy fees on the transfer market, and daft wages for mediocre players, it is hard to escape the notion that football at the elite level is doomed in the long-term.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford earned a £200,000+ per week contract despite not building on his early promise. Harry Maguire looks like becoming the most expensive defender ever soon, while Atletico Madrid paid well over £100 million for a teenager! One dreads to think of the madness that lies ahead.
2 – Making Profits Down Under
Bettors starved of a decent early morning weekend bet can do worse than check out the Australian leagues. Outside of the A-League, every other team appears to be amateur. As always, the gap in quality is sometimes stunning.
If you’re stuck for time, Queensland football is a decent place to research. This weekend, Peninsula Power could maul Western Pride in the Queensland NPL at 8 am on Saturday, although the odds may reflect that. It might be worth looking at Holland Park Hawks in the Queensland Premier League at 10 am. The Hawks love a goal; their seven home games have seen 44 goals so far.
3 – Estonian Cup Maulings
Saturday sees further Estonian Cup action as several more ‘last 64’ games take place. I am reluctant to include this information; primarily because bookmakers may not bother putting them in play. There is one game at 2 pm and five more at 5 pm.
These games are often fun for complete and utter annihilations; there was a 31-0 scoreline a couple of years back, and double-figure beatings are common. In the round of 64 so far, there has been 13-2, 15-0, and 10-0 drubbings. On Saturday, there are a few first division sides up against lower league teams. Check the Betfair Exchange and perhaps Marathon Bet (if you can stand the awful design) to see if any of these games pop up.
4 – America’s Footy Fans Don’t Like Trump
Greg Palkot is an experienced foreign affairs correspondent, but even he was a little shocked at what happened in Lyon. He visited a sports bar there to gauge the reaction of fans after the U.S. ladies team won its fourth World Cup. Palkot was greeted with excited chants of “F**k Trump!”
The mango commander in chief earned the ire of football fans in his homeland by getting embroiled in a Twitter spat with the female team’s co-captain, Megan Rapinoe. She said she wasn’t going to the f***ing White House” if the team won. Instead of keeping his mouth shut, Trump responded, as the thin-skinned troglodyte is wont to do.
5 – Friendlies… Yay!
Saturday will see the usual selection of mismatch friendlies. Aside from the German selection, you may notice a few Premier League teams in action. The likes of Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea all take to the field at the weekend.
However, be very wary of Premier league sides in early friendlies. Chelsea drew with Bohemians of Ireland this week, and Everton lost to a Kenyan side on penalties. There will be the odd hiding, but sides at the top level often take it easy early on.
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The Horses
1 – Could It Be Doomsday For The Bookies?
Dettori could likely take centre stage, again today with six mounts at the July meeting at Newmarket. He's got six-rides booked and saddles the favourite in the “big one” the July Cup. It's a race that has so far eluded the Italian showman but with the credentials of Advertise, his mount, it could be another string to his bow. He'll be a jockey to keep an eye on today and could he make history, yet again?
Dettori Primed For A Dust-Up With The Bookies
2 – There's No Speedy Start To F1-Style Racing
There was some big news earlier this year, as the BHA announced F1-style racing would be coming to the UK, with eight racecourses taking part. The project would involve a racing manager, four jockeys and a squad of 30 horses. Racing would take part on consecutive Thursday evenings, between July and September and courses such as Ayr, Epsom and Haydock would host. Rumours were, that the event, worth £100,000 over 48 races could start as early as this year, but the plans have been halted until 2020.
New F1-Style Racing Delayed Until 2020
3 – We Love A Stat
Whilst all eyes will be on Dettori at the Newmarket meeting today, a trainer to keep an eye on is Mark Johnston. He's got a 21% strike rate at the course and is showing an impressive 26% strike rate over the last 2 weeks. His runners are running to form to the tune of around 62% and he has four runners today, that will warrant further investigation –
1.50 – Frankel's Storm
2.20 – Victory Command
3.30 – Vale Of Kent (which Dettori rides!) & Lake Volta
I'll be backing them to win and place 😉
We'll be back next week with more insights into the footy and the horse's world and let us know what you're backing in the comments 🙂
Patrick & Eddie for the Football Advisor
