Hi Everyone,
First up I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas have an excellent one and get to spend some time with the family (not a lot of sport to distract you at any rate)
Looking ahead to Boxing Day there is plenty of action though with the second test starting at the MCG and a full program of English Premier League fixtures.
The cricket has me stumped because I originally liked the draw but have been put off by the stats at the MCG with no draws this century (7 matches) and only 15% stalemates since the first test match was played. Although my wallet still suggests I want the drawn series (you may enjoy this weeks Citizen piece “Stuff the money – Go South Africa”) but on the prices available I am suggesting in my preview “Kallis the key to Boxing Day profits” that the South Africans may be worth a punt at 22/10 – I also suggest a couple of bets in the top batsmen markets.
Premier League previews will be posted on
www.sportingweb.co.za
later tonight but as I am sure very few will access e-mails and the internet tomorrow here are my suggested bets. None of them fall into the best bet class so think of them as a selection of value bets instead.
BOXING DAY VALUE BETS
3 units less then 2.5 goals Stoke v Man United at 12/10 with Betting World
Stoke have good home record (5th in home league table)
They have the narrowest pitch in the top flight so can cut down their opponents space
Last 7 games at home have averaged 1.7 goals per game
United have not conceded in 5 Premier League matches but also have not freely on their travels (not more than 2 goals all season)
United may be weary after their World Club Cup exploits
2 units less than 2.5 goals Middlesbrough v Everton at 8/10 with Pearl Betting
2 units more than 2.5 goals Sunderland v Blackburn at 1/1 with Betting World
You can check out Chris Sturdy’s weekly piece “A Boxing Day reward for Super hero Dad” if you want to the see the logic behind these final 2 bets
1 unit Villa v Arsenal 0-0 draw at 10/1 with Betting World
2 of last 3 Villa home games have been 0-0 and one of them against a big 4 side (Man United)
Villa would probably settle for a point
I will be in touch next week with my final bets for the year and a wrap of 2008 and look out for me on Betting World if you are watching Telly Track (ch 232) over the coming days.
Cheers
Brent Graham
