Saturday Column – The Footy and The Horses
The Footy
Last weekend threw up a few surprises in the Premier League. Not many would have predicted a 4-0 win for Manchester United over Chelsea while Brighton’s 3-0 win at Watford was shocking in its own way. The easy wins for Manchester City and Liverpool were par for the course.
In the German Cup, it was a case of one good, one bad as Werder Bremen did the business while Fortuna Dusseldorf did not. As a change of pace, since I have just written an article on top goalscorers (coming soon), I have decided to focus on possible AGS (anytime goalscorer) markets for this weekend. Remember, team news is crucial! Don’t make any goalscorer bets until you know he is in the team.
I’ve also thrown in some Dutch Cup information as well.
Goalscorers #1 – Premier League
Aubameyang for Arsenal is the most obvious bet to score at the weekend as Arsenal are at home to Burnley. However, AGS odds of 1.66 are not too appealing. For more value, perhaps look at first goal by the prolific forward at odds of 3.75, or even first goal and scored inside the opening 20 minutes at 8.00.
Raheem Sterling will tempt many punters at odds of almost Evens to net against Spurs. If you believe the London side will cause the hosts problems at the Etihad, Harry Kane is another standout selection at AGS odds of 3.00. Lucas Moura isn’t shy of a goal and could offer value at 5.00 to score.
Norwich showed attacking intent at Anfield to go along with shoddy defending! They play a less than impressive Newcastle at home. AGS odds of 2.25 for main man Teemu Pukki may seem short, but he did take his goal brilliantly against Liverpool and is sure to have better service on Saturday.
For those looking at a longer odds AGS bet, Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk has been on target a few times in recent months. AGS odds of 7.50 could appeal, especially as he returns to his old club, Southampton, on Saturday.
Goalscorers #2 – English Football League
In the Championship, Said Benrahma is a player bursting with potential. His side, Brentford, will fancy their chances at home to Hull City, and he could provide a goal at odds of 2.50.
In League 1, Fleetwood Town forward Ched Evans is probably used to abuse from away fans by now and might make Doncaster supporters pay at odds of 2.87 to score. The controversial striker is 12.00 to score 2+ and 6.50 to get the first goal of the game.
In League 2, Mathew Stevens is a player I wrote about in the topscorer outright market preview. Forest Green host Grimsby and Stevens is worth a look at odds of 2.75 to score.
Please note, the above are all suggestions in case you think I’m making too many recommendations! Take a look at try to pick out the 2-3 you believe are the most likely scorers. Optimistic punters often try a goalscorer accumulator. They seldom win but picking three AGS winners often yields a win at odds of 14.00 or more.
Dutch Cup Weekend
It is actually the preliminary round of the Dutch KNVB Beker competition which means: Amateurs! This part of the Dutch Cup features teams from the fourth division downward. Ideal matchups will involve teams with at least three divisions between them.
However, the game between DVS’33 and HV & CV Quick could be interesting if both sides continue their free-scoring ways. They are both fourth-tier sides. DVS’ last five matches had a combined total of 27 goals while HV’s last five have had 31 goals!
The biggest issue, as usual, is finding bookmakers that offer odds. There are none available at the time of writing.
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The Horses
1. A 5000% Hike In Complaints
The number of gamblers complaining about British betting firms has risen almost 5,000% in the past five years.
There were a record 8,266 complaints last year, according to Gambling Commission figures obtained by BBC Panorama.
That compares to just 169 in 2013
2. Enabling A Magical Clash At The Ebor
Enable and Magical look set to clash for the fourth time after Aidan O'Brien supplemented the latter for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday.
Seven fillies remain in contention for the mile-and-a-half contest, with the prospect of taking on Enable not appealing to many, but not putting off Ballydoyle.
John Gosden has left his superstar in the Juddmonte International on Wednesday, but nominated the Yorkshire Oaks as his preferred route towards Enable's bid for an unprecedented third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe success.
3. The Stats
It's worth looking at the favourite in the first at Donny, today. James Fanshawe trains Pamper, who looks like he could go well and the stats back this up.
Our trainer to keep an eye on at Newmarket is Mark Johnston. He's got a 21% strike rate both at the course and over the last 14 days.
He's got three runners and I'll be having a few quid each-way on them all –
2.10 – Robert Guiscard
4.30 – I'll Have Another
5.05 – Winged Spur
