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BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 16TH-17TH FEBRUARY

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Soccer – Serie A – Atalanta vs AC Milan

Serie A has been thoroughly entertaining this season and every single weekend seems to produce a highly entertaining clash. A decent contest in Bergamo looks to be the highlight of this weekend’s fixture list with AC Milan travelling to face Atalanta and this game is the first of our big betting events for the 16th/17th February.

The hosts start the day just a point off their visitors and they are currently sat in fifth place on 38 points. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have hit top form recently and they’ve been a joy to watch in recent weeks. They’ve netted 19 times in their last six matches and they’ve been playing some very entertaining and enterprising stuff along the way.

This is a real contrast in styles and that’s what makes it a superb betting event. AC Milan have been defending solidly in recent weeks and kept yet another clean sheet at the weekend as they easily dispatched of Cagliari. Gattusso’s men have been keeping things tight at the back and their new signing Krzysztof Piatek has hit the ground running. The Pole is likely to find the net in this contest once again.

With Milan keeping clean sheets by the dozen and Atalanta scoring goals for fun, it makes for an interesting clash. I can’t wait to watch this tactical battle unfold and it could be a game to enjoy in-play as a result. Can AC Milan nulify Atalanta’s significant threat? They’ve conceded just three times since December 2nd, but surely this is their toughest test in a number of weeks?

I’m also looking forward to seeing Piatek in action and he is likely to be subject of many anytime goalscorer bets this weekend. He looks sharp and AC Milan have needed a player of his calibre all season.

This is a fascinating match-up and undoubtedly the highlight of this weekend’s Serie A fixture list.

This game will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 2 on Saturday evening. This is the new home of Serie A football in the UK. 

Basketball – NBL – Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats

As i’ve already admitted numerous times this year, I love watching Australian sport. There is something about the effort and intensity that I enjoy and I know how much it means to the players involved. Whilst I wait patiently for the AFL season to get underway in mid-March, I have been dipping into the NBL and there’s a top-of-the-table clash this weekend that has caught my eye. Melbourne United take on the Perth Wildcats and it’s the second of my big betting events. 

Coming into this weekend’s game, the pair have virtually identical records this season and it’s been a fascinating tussle at the summit.

The NBL’s MVP Bryce Cotton has enjoyed a terrific few months and he looks unplayable at the moment. The 26-year old does miss shots but he gets numerous opportunities throughout the game and he will likely put a large percentage of them away. His late show against Sydney was stunning and he could continue his momentum here.

A settled roster has certainly helped Melbourne’s form this season and it’s the consistency in their game which has seen them rise up the standings. The returning Casey Panther has helped give the squad more depth and they’ve managed to remain largely injury-free.

This game is likely to decide who will finish on top and it’s a mouth-watering contest between this pair of frontrunners. Home-court advantage is likely to be key in the play-offs and both sides will be hoping that they can achieve that here.

For European fans, this game gets underway earlier but it should be worth tuning in for. It’s set to be a cracker and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. The play-offs await and this game could give us plenty of clues about the season’s finale.

Basketball fans can stream the NBL can stream the game online through NBL TV or via one of many online bookmakers. 

Soccer – FA Cup – Newport County vs Manchester City

The romance of the FA Cup has helped throw up this superbly intriguing tie at Rodney Parade. League Two Newport are formidable at home and although they may still miss out on the play-offs, they’ve made a name for themselves in this competition and there are further headlines to be written this weekend. This match-up is the third of our big betting events.

The Exiles have already beaten Premier League Leicester this season and they’ve also seen off second tier Middlesbrough. Last season, they kept Spurs at bay for 86 mins here in South Wales but were defeated in the replay at Wembley. They work hard for one another and they battle throughout and they won’t make this easy for the Champions.

City were at their free-flowing best at the weekend as they pummeled Chelsea at the Etihad but this is a different kettle of fish. Can they cope with the pitch? There’s something charming about Rodney Parade, it’s a bit of a throwback to the 70s and 80s and I love seeing top flight sides trying to play decent football on it.

It’s a real test for Pep Guardiola and his side, who have already swept aside Burton and Rotherham in cup competitions this season.

It will be a great occasion for Newport and their fans and it will also help significantly boost the coffers. I can’t wait to see how long they can contain Manchester City for. Can they take it to a money-spinning replay?

Like all cup ties, I’ll be checking team selections before this match before placing my bets but with the visitors likely to be heavily favoured in the outright markets, there could be ways to extract value from this contest.

It’s going to be a fascinating contest and I can’t wait for another cracking FA Cup tie at Rodney Parade.

This game is available on BT Sport 2 and UK viewers can enjoy all of this weekend’s FA Cup games across the network.

Boxing – WBA Featherweight – Leo Santa Cruz vs Rafael Rivera

Every weekend throws up another fascinating bout and on Saturday night, I’ll be watching Leo Santa Cruz take on Rafael Rivera. It is the fourth of my big betting events for this weekend.

This is being held in LA and although there are far greater clashes approaching, I find this featherweight match-up an interesting one.

The Mexican is the heavy favourite to win this bout but he knows it won’t be easy and despite the odds being prohibitive, there are many different markets to explore. Rivera is a tough cookie and he won’t go down easily.

Santa Cruz has been enjoying his training camps and he feels in decent shape ahead of this fight. He was originally pencilled in to face Miguel Flores but Rivera has stepped in and will give him a decent test.

It is the second time that Rivera has acted as a late stand-in and his last-minute fight against Joseph Diaz went the distance. Viewers should certainly get value for money in this one and I can’t wait to settle down and see how the pair approach this contest.

Rivera will be no pushover and he will be ready for this and although the bookmakers are expecting a one-sided contest, I think they may be closer than we think. We can certainly guarantee entertainment.

Many bookmakers will be streaming this fight for viewers in the UK

See the LATEST ODDS now for the above FEATURED BETS at BOBBY’S WEEKEND BETS!

 

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Week 2 of Premier League Darts Betting Options

Mensur Suljovic Darts

Last week’s opening night in Newcastle was one to savour in the 2019 Premier League Darts. The standout performance was of the opening ‘Contender’ Chris Dobey, with the Geordie stealing a point from Mensur Suljovic in a 6-6 draw. He led 5-1 at one stage, so the Austrian will be pleased to escape with something to show for on the opening night.

A repeat of the World Championship final saw Michael van Gerwen get the better of Michael Smith once again. Averaging at an impressive 104.98, the reigning champion showed no remorse against ‘Bully Boy’ with some well timed out-shots, killing the momentum of the youngster.

We managed to bag the 6-6 draw between Peter Wright and Rob Cross; a result that always looked likely coming into the opening week between the world’s second and third best players. Neither looked completely on their A-games, but when you notice that both averaged above 100, it’s a testament to their doubling accuracy.

Wins for Wade and Price by a score of 7-4 sees them reside at the top of the league at this early stage. Both managed to thrive off the boos inside the Utilita Arena, playing the pantomime ‘baddie’ to good effect.

So, week two is upon us at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow. Let’s look at the line up:

Peter Wright vs Michael Smith

Wright is turning into a real match-player. When ‘Snakebite’ isn’t performing well, he is able to craft out positive results against some of the sports best players. Smith is one of them, and despite playing Wright in his ‘native’ Scotland, ‘Bully Boy’ will fancy his form is good enough to take both points home. Smith still struggles when the pressure mounts, but has a good chance of blowing Wright away early.

Michael Smith to win @ 11/10 (BetVictor)

Rob Cross vs James Wade

Cross blows hot and cold, especially in the Premier League. His scoring tends to show more consistencies than his doubling; he can often be over-reliant on hitting the double 18. Wade is back in the Premier League and looking to make a statement. You could argue that ‘The Machine’ is one of the form players on the PDC at the moment. Wade should win the 180 race at a fantastic price, but may struggle to get over the line.

Most 180s James Wade @ 2/1 (BetVictor)
Rob Cross 6-6 James Wade @ 10/3 (BetVictor)

Raymond van Barneveld vs Gerwyn Price

Barney’s loss on the opening night may snowball into a run of poor results in the Premier League. We know he isn’t at the top of his game, and may prove overly reliant on nostalgic support and adrenaline fuelled purple patches. Price seems to be revelling in his new status as the bad boy of darts; the Welshman would enjoy nothing better than taking two points off of the Dutch darting legend.

Gerwyn Price to win @ 11/10 (BetVictor)

Daryl Gurney vs Glen Durrant

Glen Durrant is the second of the ‘Contenders’, and is arguably the best of the nine. Gurney will feel aggrieved to be drawn against the three-time BDO World Champion, but will no doubt prefer facing him than Gary Anderson. Durrant is a heavy scorer and has shown how clinical he can be on pressure doubles; the crowd will surely get behind the ‘Contender’. Gurney looked out of sorts in week one and will be in danger of drifting out of contention with some tricky fixtures early on. Durrant will be looking to prove a point in Glasgow.

Glen Durant to win @ 11/8 (BetVictor)
Over 6.5 180s in the match @ 11/10 (BetVictor)

Mensur Suljovic vs Michael van Gerwen

‘Gentle’ Mensur Suljovic is looking to shake off the ‘cannon-fodder’ tag in the Premier League. His unorthodox style looks set to always leave him short against some of the bigger fish in the PDC. His doubling can’t be questioned – especially on D14 – but against the heavy-scoring Michael van Gerwen, Suljovic is likely to become exposed. It was 7-4 to ‘Mighty Mike’ when these two met last season, but expect a more emphatic victory for the champion this time around.

Mensur Suljovic 2-7 Michael van Gerwen @ 9/2 (BetVictor)

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Big Betting Sporting Events: 2019 MLS Cup

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The MLS is the top tier of soccer in the USA and is an abbreviation of Major League Soccer. The campaign culminates in the MLS Play-Offs with the final two teams competing in the end-of-season MLS Cup Final. This post-season showpiece event is watched by millions of fans each year and is staged at various locations around the country. The regular season begins in March and concludes at the end of October. 

There are currently 24 teams who compete in the MLS with FC Cincinnati becoming the latest franchise to join the division at the beginning of 2019. The sides are split into the Eastern and Western Conference and this helps avoid unneccessary travel for both players and fans. Three of the teams are based in Canada: Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and the Montreal Impact.

Each team will play 34 times during the course of the regular campaign and they will combine this with participation in the US Open Cup. Games are staged at weekends and occasionally, midweek.

The team with the overall best record is awarded the Supporters Shield and although it is possible to win this accolade as well as the MLS Cup, it isn’t uncommon for two different franchises to secure silverware in the same season.

Unusually for a top flight division, there is no relegation system and teams can only be thrown out of Major League Soccer due to financial irregularities or if they can no longer afford to compete. 14 of the 24 teams will enter the end-of-season play-offs and this is the ultimate goal.

Although the majority of teams now compete at soccer-specific stadiums, there are still a handful of teams who groundshare with other sporting franchises.

LA Galaxy are the most successful team in the history of Major League Soccer having won the MLS Cup on five different occasions whilst DC United have accumulated four Supporters Shield.

Many European players have competed in the MLS over the years with big names including David Beckham and Thierry Henry having played in the US top flight. Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andrea Pirlo have also sampled Major League Soccer.

The division has grown in appeal over the last ten years and is currently televised by Sky Sports in the UK. Although the time difference prevents many matches from being screened at sociable hours, it is not uncommon for Eastern Conference games to kick off at 8pm or 10pm UK time.

When and Where

The MLS Cup final is played a pre-selected venue each season and is staged at the end of the regular season. Previously, this showpiece event has been played at the beginning of December however in 2019, it has been brought forward to mid-November. In 2018, Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the host of the MLS Cup Final.

Why is the MLS so Popular?

In the US, Soccer is a growing market with an increasing amount of fans turning out to support their local side. It is given plenty of TV coverage in the USA and therefore interest has begun to increase.

In the UK, we are a football-mad country and the division is often high-scoring and full of excitement and drama.

Many household names also choose to ply their trade in the MLS and that is another reason for UK soccer fans to tune in on a regular basis.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

Plenty! The MLS Cup winners market is always priced up pre-season and many bookmakers will also update the odds at various intervals throughout the season. It is also possible to wager on sides to reach the MLS Play-Offs.

During the regular season, every match will be priced up days in advance and there are numerous markets available for each game including 1X2, Under/Overs and Anytime Goalscorers.

Popular Betting Markets

MLS Cup Winner – This is a pre-season wager and is a fun way of keeping an interest across the entire campaign. Bettors are able to choose from any of the 24 teams available although there are many franchises who are unlikely to challenge at any point. Teams such as the NY Red Bulls and 2018 winners Atlanta United are always likely to be towards the top of the betting. Your chosen side must progress all the way to the MLS Cup final and be victorious match of the season in order to receive a payout.

To Reach the Play-Offs – This market is more uncommon but many bookmakers will offer odds on sides to reach the end-of-season play-offs. There are plenty of short prices available in this market so it pays to look for an outsider who comes off the back of an underwhelming season.

Golden Boot Winner – Again, not every bookmaker will have this market priced up but it’s a decent opportunity to predict which player will end up scoring the highest amount of goals during the regular season. Always check the small-print as some online betting sites will pay-out prior to the play-offs whilst other will wait until the MLS Cup Final has been played.

Match Winner – Each individual game will be priced up days in advance. The match-winner market is ideal for having overnight MLS accumulators as some prices can be fairly prohibitive. Like most US Sports, home sides have a huge advantage and the hosts tend to win more often than not. If you can find an away winner, this can be a good way of getting decent value in Major League Soccer.

Under/Over Goals – This is very popular with MLS bettors as the league is often full of high-scoring games. Many sides do not prioritise defence and therefore it can lead to a very open 90 mins. Over 2.5 Goals is often a short price although accumulators are a very popular way of approaching this market.

Anytime Goalscorer – There are many players who struggle elsewhere, who often thrive in the MLS. The likes of Bradley Wright-Phillips have taken the league by storm and it can pay to back him on a regular basis. With plenty of goals expected, it can often be more profitable to wager on specific players to find the net.

Handicaps – Handicap markets are very popular with MLS punters and they provide an opportunity to get a better price on dominant home teams. In order for this to pay-out, your chosen side must overcome a handicap (-1 for example). Underdogs can also be given a head-start (+1) and this is a good way of betting if you’re not expecting a drubbing.

Correct Score – Greater odds are available for punters who correctly predict the correct score. High-scoring games are incredibly common so big prices are available for score-lines such as 0-0 and 1-0 either way.

Draw No Bet – This is a safer way of playing the 1X2 market. Lower odds are available in this market and bookies will payout if at this price if your chosen side is a winner. If the match ends all-square, the stake will be returned.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the MLS

Home Advantage is Common but isn’t a Given – Many home teams prevail in the MLS and this is down to a number of different factors. Travel is a huge part of this and the likes of Orlando travelling to face Vancouver Whitecaps will result in the visitors having to endure hours of commuting ahead of the fixture. As a result, there aren’t many away fans travelling to games either and this can have a negative effect on teams. However, don’t be lazy with your betting and just assume that the hosts will win. If the home team have endured a punishing schedule or undergoing an injury crisis, this could favour the opposition. Big prices can be unearthed in the MLS, particularly when backing the away side. Always check travel distances and match schedules as this can have a huge say in the outcome.

Players in Form Must be Followed – Teams go through purple patches and so do individual players. In the MLS, certain striker will go through a run of scoring in virtually every game for several weeks. If a player finds their stride, it can often be worth backing them for the next few games at least. It is not uncommon for players to find the net in consecutive games.

High Scoring Games are Likely – The bookmakers have cottoned onto the fact that the majority of games in the MLS will contain plenty of goals and the Over 2.5 Goals market is suitably short. There are better ways of getting involved – Over 2.5 Goals/Both Teams to Score will stretch out the value whilst Over 3.5 Goals is also a good way of betting. In 2018, 63% of games contained three or more goals whilst 40% went Over 3.5. The 2-3 Goals exactly market could be a better way to go for many games as this is always likely to pay-out at decent odds.

Weather Can Play a Part – Always check the forecasts in the MLS. The climate is incredibly variable at many of the grounds and although it is largely a summer sport, downpours, high-winds and fog are not uncommon. High temperatures can also play their part. For example, Houston Dynamo home games in July and August can often be played in sweltering temperatures and this does not lend itself to teams such as Montreal Impact and Toronto FC, who are generally used to more moderate climes.

Where Can I Watch the MLS in the UK?

As of February 2019, Sky Sports are the rightsholders to the MLS in the UK. The broadcaster will show 3-4 live games each weekend and they have a weekly highlights show which will roundup all of the games. Goals can also be viewed on Sky Sports News and through the Sky Sports App.

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Best Bets of the Day – Sunday February 10th 2019

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Norwich v Ipswich
Championship – 12.00 noon
Sky Sports

There’s no love lost between these two. This is the East Anglian derby which kicks off my Sunday action. There is always a great atmosphere when these two meet. Earlier this season Ispwich and Norwich played out a 1-1 draw at Portman Road. But now it is home advantage to Norwich who moved to the top of the Championship table last weekend.

The Canaries have won only two of their last six though. But the bigger factor is that have only lost one game since early October. They also have a terrific W9 D2 L4 home record in the league this season. The Canaries are huge 4/11 odds-on favourites for this one. Adding weight to the favouritism of Norwich has been the demise of Ipswich this season.

The Tractor Boys are bottom of the table and they are eight points from safety. Their form has been so desperate with six defeats in their last seven. Overall this season home and away they have only won three matches. Ipswich have lost twelve of their fifteen road games (W1 D2). But this is a derby match. Form can be thrown out of the window on days like this. Team talks are easy. Can the visitors cause a massive upset as 15/2 underdogs?

Tottenham v Leicester
Premier League – 1.30 pm
Sky Sports

Just when Tottenham looked as if they were going to fall apart with team selections becoming a problem, they have risen again. They have actually done tremendously well lately in having put together a three-match winning streak in the top flight. All without Harry whatshisname? Granted they have won each of their last three league games all by a one-goal margin. But that doesn’t matter. Wins are wins and Spurs have managed to keep themselves in the title race. The Lilywhites start the weekend only five points off the top two of Man City and Liverpool.

Spurs get a chance to extend their streak in what is their third home game on the bounce. They face up to Leicester who they took a 2-0 away win against earlier this season. The Foxes are just one of those hit and miss teams. They have taken just one point from their last four league games and have won just one of their last six. But they are capable of big performances as seen in their recent 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Last weekend they were terribly unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Man Utd. The Foxes are 9/2 underdogs for the trip to Wembley, but they know how to frustrate sides.

England v France
Six nations – 3.00 pm
ITV

England made a huge splash in their first outing in this season’s Six Nations. They fought their way, as underdogs, to victory out in Dublin against reigning champions Ireland. It was a mightily impressive performance all around from England who had a miserable 2018 by their high standards. Now it will be a question of them trying to repeat the levels of energy and intensity when they host France on Saturday at Twickenham. No doubt the home crowd will be fired up after the Red Rose’s big win last weekend.

France were beaten by Wales in Paris on the opening weekend of action. They threw away a huge 16 points advantage in the game as well. France though pulled off a win against England in last season’s Six Nations and are 9/2 with leading bookmakers to get one on the weekend in London. However, England are on a six-match winning streak at home against France in the tournament and it is they who are odds-on favourites. The bookmakers have a big -13 handicap on them at even money odds.

Manchester City v Chelsea
Premier League – 4.00 pm
Sky Sports

Here it is then. The headline act in my best bets of the day preview. Probably the highlight of the sporting weekend that many will be looking forward to. Earlier this season Chelsea collected a pretty comprehensive 2-0 home victory over Manchester City. That made the Blues the first ones to get a victory in the EPL over the reigning champions this season. What that also did at the time, is send Manchester City spiralling to a run of W1 L3 in four league matches.

Now the two meet again and once more it is City who are favourites, this time at 4/9 with leading bookies. But will the outcome be different? Manchester City have not found Chelsea the easiest of opponents over the past few seasons, but then they are back on home soil for this one. The Citizens have won all but one of their league home games at the Etihad this term, the only exception a shock defeat against Crystal Palace.

But now with six wins in their last seven league games, they are carrying form. Man City have scored at least two goals in every home game played. Chelsea have lost back to back league away games without scoring and this looks as if it may be an uphill struggle for them. But with them having handled City well this season, a new striker in Gonzalo Higuain, the Blues may have their appeal as 11/2 underdogs on the road.

Some days are just so full of top sporting action, that you may want to check out the live bets section to keep up with the top options

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Best Bets of the Day – Saturday February 9th 2019

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Fulham v Man Utd
Premier League – 12.30 pm
Sky Sports

It’s going to be tough to be pulled away from the TV on Saturday judging by fantastic action that’s filling up my best bets of the day roundup. In the early Premier League action on Saturday, it will be Fulham trying to pull off a hefty 9/2 underdog success against Manchester United. How badly the home side needs something out of this fixture.

Fulham are eight points from safety ahead of this game. They have won two of their last three home games though in the EPL. So can they take hope from that? Well, the Cottagers have lost all eight games played against current top six sides this season, so it’s going to be tough.

Manchester United have won seven of their last eight Premier League games (D1) and have put together a four-match winning streak on their travels. The Red Devils have averaged over two goals per game in that four-match road sequence. They have also scored in all away games this season. In this they are taking on a Fulham side who have earned just one home clean sheet all term. The Red Devils are running as a 4/7 favourite with the leading bookmakers.

Scotland v Ireland
Six Nations – 2.15 pm
BBC One

There should be a thunderous afternoon up at Murrayfield. The start of the second round of Six Nations action brings us this top clash. Reigning champions Ireland were humbled on home soil last weekend by England in emphatic style. So this becomes a must-win game for them now to reignite any chance of a potential title defence. It’s not going to be easy though because they haven’t had the easiest of times at Murrayfield against Scotland in recent times.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Ireland have won five of their last six games against Scotland. However, the Scots have won two of their last three Six Nations home games against the Irish. The Scots opened up a huge lead over Italy last weekend on home soil, but then let the visitors back into the game as the Scots finished the game a man short. That defensive collapse at the end will have been a worry. Everything else, great.

The Scots are underdogs at home here but the top bookmakers recognise that this could be close with a +/- 6 point handicap at even money in favour of the Irish.

West Indies v England
Cricket – 2.00 pm
Sky Sports

Uh oh. With the Ashes Series coming up against Australia, the last thing England needed was to hit some choppy waters. They most certainly have done so, particularly with the bat, out in the West Indies. England have lost the opening two matches of this three-match series. It’s not been good from the tourists at all, but maybe these setbacks are something that are going to help them pull themselves together for the challenge of Australia.

England fans will be hoping to see some kind of fight back from them. Actually, any players in the England team for this one have a great chance to put on a show and play themselves into the Test side for the Ashes. England’s defeats so far against the West Indies in this series have been heavy ones. A 381 run crushing defeat in the first, a 10 wicket defeat in the second. Despite that, the bookmakers have England at 8/11 favourites to land the victory with the Windies at 7/4.

Italy v Wales
Six Nations – 4.45 pm
ITV

Wales make the trip to Rome on Saturday looking to make it two wins from two in this season’s Championship. It was a fantastic win that the Dragons collected in Paris last week. They managed to somehow claw their way back from a 16-0 half time deficit against Les Bleus to run out 24-19 winners. That was the biggest ever comeback win that Wales have produced in their history.

This should be a much easier game on paper and the top bookmarks have a -18 handicap on Wales at even money. Wales have won each of their last four Six Nations matches against Italy by at least a margin of 24 points. Italy suffered a loss in Scotland last weekend, despite running in three late tries to make the scoreline more respectable. The Italians have lost all of their previous Six Nations matches against the Welsh. They are massive 15/2 underdogs in the outright winner market to change that.

Brighton v Burnley
Premier League – 5.30 pm
BT Sport

The action from the Amex on Saturday evening in the Premier League is well worth a look. The Seagulls have managed just the one win in their last ten league outings now, but they aren’t playing badly. Last weekend for example they earned a 0-0 draw against Watford, creating plenty of chances but just not being able to stick the ball in the onion bag.

There’s am interesting thing about Brighton’s home record of W5 D4 L3.  Each of those three losses have been against sides currently in the top four. The leading bookmakers have even money on the home side getting the win. The Clarets are unbeaten in six now, drawing each of the last three. It’s been enough to just get them out of the drop zone, but there’s plenty more to do.

Three points out of this would be huge for them, but they have only won twice on their travels. Those two away wins were against sides currently in the bottom three.

There are always plenty of bookmaker bonuses that punters can explore and here you can see some of the best of them.

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India the Favourites for the World Cup Cricket Festival

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The 2019 ICC World Cup promises to be a spectacular festival of top quality fifty-over cricket, and India are likely to go into the event as narrow favourites.

According to the implied probabilities available on the bigbetbookmakers.com site, India are favoured by a small margin, over host nation England, with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand ranked in that order, and Afghanistan estimated to be the tournament outsiders.

This year will see the twelfth edition of a tournament that began in England back in 1975. Along the way, it has seen a number of format changes, not all of which have been welcomed and the alterations made for 2019 have been more controversial than most. Only ten teams will be taking part, in a single Group stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. As there are now officially twelve Test playing nations, this will be the first World Cup in which not all Test nations are taking part. It will also be the first not to feature any Associate Members.

But while the absence of the likes of Ireland, Zimbabwe, UAE, the Netherlands and others have made the tournament arguably less diverse, the fact that all ten teams will play one another should ensure a higher standard of cricket than is often the case in the early stages of the World Cup.

India have won the tournament twice: in 1983 and in 2011, and they are once again likely to go into the World Cup with a batting-heavy line-up that features an array of breath-taking stroke players, led by Virat Kohli, and including the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. But they can also boast a battery of dangerous seam bowlers, as well as plenty of depth in the spin bowling department, making them perhaps the most complete team in the tournament.

Having seen what the Indian bowlers can do in English conditions last summer, few people will risk writing them off this time round, despite the fact that their batsmen can struggle in the seam and swing-favouring climate. Of course, home advantage will be in England’s favour, as will the fact that they have been one of the best fifty over teams in the world for the last four years, with Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and others playing a brand of dynamic cricket. While their bowling can sometimes let them down, this is an England team capable of chasing almost any target.

Of the other principle challengers, South Africa appear to be heading in the right direction in this format, though they will badly miss A B De Villiers, one of the greatest ever limited overs batsmen, who retired last year. New Zealand are still a force in this format, although not as strong as when they reached the final of the 2015 World Cup, while Australia go into this tournament at a low ebb, after struggling in fifty over cricket for the last year or so.

Further down the list of contenders, Pakistan, who have a history of upsetting the odds in limited overs cricket, and who have twice won major tournaments in England, shouldn’t be written off, and neither should a resurgent West Indies team, which is likely to be packed with hard-hitting batsmen who have made their names in Twenty20 cricket. It promises to be a thrilling tournament, and a real treat for cricket fans all over the world.

Follow the hottest Cricket Bets here at BigBetBookmakers.com ! Go to the BIGGEST BETS OF THE DAY and BIG LIVE BETS NOW web pages and you will find Cricket Odds 24 Hours a day. 

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Best Bets of the Day – Friday February 8th 2019

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Aston Villa v Sheffield United
Championship – 7.45pm
Sky Sports

The Championship action this weekend kicks off with a bang and the first feature of our best bets of the day is Aston Villa v Sheffield United.  The Villains have drawn four of their last six league outings now and seven of their last twelve. On Friday at Villa Park they will be looking for three points to move up on the top seven. They are starting four points outside of the play off places.

Villa have only lost two league games since the start of last November, so haven’t been in bad form. It’s those drawn games which has been holding them back. Villa have also suffered at the hands of the Blades this season, losing 4-1 at Bramall Lane in September. Actually Villa have lost all three games played against the current top three this season. So they have fallen a bit short there, but they are such a free-scoring side they can trouble anyone.

Villa go as 9/5 underdogs on home soil though with the leading bookies here. The Blades have been in terrific form with five wins in their last seven. The big incentive for them is that they could go back to the top of the table with three points from this game and they are 8/5 to get the victory. Each of Sheffield United’s last four wins in the league have been with a clean sheet. But with a chance to go top, even temporarily until Saturday, a win of any nature will do for Chris Wilder’s men.

Mainz v Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga – 7.30 pm
BT Sport

It never seems to matter what Bundesliga game I tune into, there is always a fantastic atmosphere happening. It’s a big feature of the league so we’ll take a peek at this one from the Opel Arena for our next feature of best bets of the day. There’s some good Friday night action here with Mainz looking to improve on some decent form. They are W3 D3 L2 in their last eight games in the German top flight, winning two of their last three. They will be defending an unbeaten run of three matches on home soil as well in the fixture. Mainz may be starting down in eleventh but are actually only four points off sixth-place, the European entry zone for next term.

Bayer Leverkusen have been backed as 10/11 odds-on favourites at leading bookmakers for this one. That is because they have shown a pretty hot hand of form lately with wins in five of their last seven. That’s a healthy return but they have only won the four games on their travels this season. That’s perhaps the things which may cast a little shadow of doubt on the short price. Leverkusen have won their last two on the road, scoring in each of their last four top flight away games. Leverkusen are looking for the league double over Mainz this season having taken a 1-0 home win over them earlier this term.

Wigan v Leeds
Super League – 7.45 pm
Sky Sports

It is the second round of Super League action and both Wigan and Leeds will be looking for their respective first wins of this season. Wigan, last season’s Grand Final winners, stepped out against their old rivals St Helens in the season opener. The Warriors went down heavily 22-12 against the Merseysiders. That wasn’t the start that they would have wanted. But it is back to the DW Stadium for them where they will be keen to make home advantage count. Wigan took a 9-8 away win and then a 46-8 home win over the Rhinos last season.

Leeds went down heavily against Warrington last weekend, losing 26-6 against last year’s Grand Final runners-up. After such a terrible 2018 campaign, in which they started as defending champions but failed to make the Super 8’s, the Rhinos would have been hoping to have put a bit of early cheer on the board. But they couldn’t. Not even close. It was a top opponent that they were facing and it be will interesting to see how they handle another, in the form of Wigan this weekend. Giving the hiding that they took last weekend, the leading bookmakers have placed Leeds as 13/5 underdogs against the odds-on strong favouritism of 3/10 of the Warriors.

Ready for the weekend? Check out what insights Big Bobby has for his best bets on some of the top action going down!