Blog - latest sports betting opportunities

Keep up to date with all that is new at successful-sports-betting.com. My thoughts on past and upcoming sporting events. Performances worth noting for future bets. Amusing observations from sporting events that i have attended. Comments on facilities and travel. Enthusiastic comment as my favourite events appear on the horizon. Antepost bets. Value situations as they arise. Click the orange RSS feed button to subscribe to my comments.

Aug 25, 2010, Congratulations Spurs

Not since i was born in 1960 have Spurs had a team challenging for the top trophy in european football, the Champions League. After being 3 down after half an hour in the opener they scored 6 unanswered goals over the remaining legs and went through quite comfortably in the end. Phew !!

Now, if they are truely to cement their place in the EPL top four two top quality signings will be needed before the transfer window ends. We wait with anticipation !!

Aug 15, 2010, Man Turk Lady

Milan Mare Man Turk Lady finished Seventh of twenty one on her racecourse debut and the Jockey (JT Mcnamara) was very complimentary about her. She still neads to mature into her massive 17 hand frame so progress will be slow and we may need to wait for her to fill out before she starts to win. The next step in her education could be a race at Listowel. She is really a 3 mile chaser in the making so her future is long term !!

Jul 21, 2010, C'mon you beauty - Man Turk Lady

Finally, after months of waiting the eight owners of Man Turk Lady will have the thrill of watching her run in a National Hunt flat race over 2 and a half miles at Limerick at 8.55 on Thursday 22nd July.

I couldnt be more excited. Lets hope she shows some promise. The top ameteur JT Mcnamara takes the ride !

Jun 15, 2010, Royal Ascot

The Royal meeting starts today and there is a fantastic feast of top class racing to look forward to. >br

Goldikova takes on Rip Van Winkle and Paco Boy in the first. I am a Paco Boy fan and will be cheering him on along with Canford Cliffs a little later on. If pushed on one bet with a bit of value then i go for Kingsgate Native at 7/2. Good Luck !

Jun 4, 2010, The Derby

Having backed Cape Blanco last September at big odds i had been rubbing my hands after he bolted up in the Dante. However, he does not run and goes to Chantilly for the Prix Du Jockey Club on Sunday!

So with St Nicholas Abbey a non runner the Derby is wide open. I am always a Sir Henry Cecil fan and Bullet Train has a live chance but if pushed i will side with Workforce for Sir Michael Stoute who has a wonderful record in the race.

May 7, 2010, Bet365 Bookmaker Offers

Bet365 Bookmaker Offers

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May 6, 2010, Football Predictor

Football predictor - free betting tips for Premiership games and football score suggestions

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May 6, 2010, Final Premiership Weekend

This weekend sees the final Premiership matches and the Title still up for grabs. It would seem a formality that Chelsea will beat Wigan and Man Utd will beat Stoke therefore handing the spoils to Chelsea. But, pressure is a funny thing and with the rest of the division already sorted with regard to Europe and Relegation, some funny results could occur as teams wind down for the summer !

There are some fixtures where value exists with some massive prices on unexpected results !

Arsenal v Fulham:
14/1 about Fulham is huge considering that the Arsenal goalkeeper is having a mare and is dodgy under pressure. The 7/1 about the draw is big too. However, Fulham have injuries and the Europa cup final to think about.

Aston Villa v Blackburn:
11/2 about an in form Blackburn against a Villa side with nothing to play for is tempting !

Bolton v Birmingham:
Priced about right.

Burnley v Tottenham:
Priced about right !

Chelsea v Wigan:
28/1 about Wigan and 9/1 the draw is huge for a premiership game especially as the title depends on the result and if the game goes on without Chelsea scoring the pressure will be immense. Wigan have surprised with a few results this season !

Everton v Portsmouth:
Portsmouth at 11/1 and 5/1 the draw are big prices considering there is nothing to play fo for either club and Pompey have continued to play well after being relegated !

Hull v Liverpool:
Priced about right.

Man Utd v Stoke:
Stoke at 22/1 and 17/2 for the draw are massive especially if Chelsea score early against Wigan and Utd take their foot off the peddle.

West Ham v Man City:
West ham offer a little value at 7/2 at home as City have nothing to play for.

Wolves v Sunderland:
Priced about right !

Good luck if you take the plunge on any of these !

Apr 29, 2010, Squeeky Bum Time !

The Premiership is coming to an end! Many footballers with nothing left to play for will have mentally 'gone to the beach' so this is not a time to get stuck into meaningless games where you are guessing who is sill 'up for it !'.

Birmingham v Burnley:
priced about right and probably one of those games described above!

Manchester City v Aston Villa: A game that has a bearing on Europe and the fourth Champions league place. City are without their top class keeper and have been vulnerable at the back all season but going forward they have some awesome firepower. A case for some value at 10/3 can be made for Aston Villa but City are priced about right.

Portsmouth v Wolves:
priced about right.

Stoke v Everton.
Everton still with European hopes come up against a Stoke side who will be smarting after a drubbing and who normally perform well at home. At 11/4 Stoke offer some value.

Spurs v Bolton:
Spurs with everthing to play for against Bolton who are safe. 12/1 Bolton is huge as Spurs have struggled at home against lesser sides this season but will Bolton be mentally up for it?

Liverpool v Chelsea: This could well be the Premiersip decider with Chelsea desperate for a win. Liverpool will want a victory at home in front of the Kop after a poor season in the league but have striker problems. However, at 41/13 they are too big to ignore at home!

Fulham v West Ham:
priced about right.

Sunderland v Manchester Utd:
Utd should win and probably will but 2/5 away is short priced against a team and manger who usually give them a good game. 17/2 Sunderland is a bit of value.

Wigan v Hull:
priced about right.

Blackburn v Arsenal
not a game i would like to predict although Arsenal at 15/13 is a bit of value.

My selections: Villa 10/3, Stoke 11/4, Liverpool 41/13 and Arsenal 15/13.

Apr 23, 2010, Premiership Football weekend 24/25 April

Man Utd 1/2 v Spurs 13/2 draw 7/2:
Spurs in great form but have never won away against the top 4 in the premiership. Utd priced about right, ther is value in the draw and a Spurs win if you think they can defy history!

Bolton 4/7 v Portsmouth 6/1 draw 31/10:
difficult to predict an end of season game with little riding on it. Bolton will probably win but the price reflects this.

Hull 6/4 v Sunderland 11/5 draw 5/2:
Priced about right!

West Ham 11/13 v Wigan (7/2) draw 13/5:
7/2 about Wigan offers some value as they must have had a huge lift after coming from behind against Arsenal last week.

Wolves 13/10 v Blackburn 12/5 draw 23/10:
Priced about right!

Arsenal 1/1 v Man City 3/1 draw 13/5:
City offer a bit of value at 3/1 considering Arsenal's form and injury problems although City away are unpredictable!

Villa 4/6 v Birmingham 21/4 draw 29/10:
Birmingham offer a little value at 21/4 in what will be an intense derby!

Burnley 5/1 v Liverpool 8/13 draw 3/1:
Priced about right!

Everton 2/5 v Fulham 9/1 draw 15/4:
Priced about right considering Fulham had a lot of travelling this week in Europe!

Chelsea 1/6 v Stoke 20/1 draw 29/4:
Some value with Stoke at 20/1 and the draw at 29/4 considering that it was Stoke who put Chelsea out of the cup and the blues have suspension and injury worries.

Apr 23, 2010, Premiership Football weekend 24/25 April

Man Utd 1/2 v Spurs 13/2 draw 7/2:
Spurs in great form but have never won away against the top 4 in the premiership. Utd priced about right, ther is value in the draw and a Spurs win if you think they can defy history!

Bolton 4/7 v Portsmouth 6/1 draw 31/10:
difficult to predict an end of season game with little riding on it. Bolton will probably win but the price reflects this.

Hull 6/4 v Sunderland 11/5 draw 5/2:
Priced about right!

West Ham 11/13 v Wigan (7/2) draw 13/5:
7/2 about Wigan offers some value as they must have had a huge lift after coming from behind against Arsenal last week.

Wolves 13/10 v Blackburn 12/5 draw 23/10:
Priced about right!

Arsenal 1/1 v Man City 3/1 draw 13/5:
City offer a bit of value at 3/1 considering Arsenal's form and injury problems although City away are unpredictable!

Villa 4/6 v Birmingham 21/4 draw 29/10:
Birmingham offer a little value at 21/4 in what will be an intense derby!

Burnley 5/1 v Liverpool 8/13 draw 3/1:
Priced about right!

Everton 2/5 v Fulham 9/1 draw 15/4:
Priced about right considering Fulham had a lot of travelling this week in Europe!

Chelsea 1/6 v Stoke 20/1 draw 29/4:
Some value with Stoke at 20/1 and the draw at 29/4 considering that it was Stoke who put Chelsea out of the cup and the blues have suspension and injury worries.

Apr 16, 2010, Horse ownership

Horse Ownership - Horses i have syndicate shares in

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Apr 16, 2010, Premiership football weekend 17/18/19 April

Birmingham v Hull:
Birmingham at 4/5 offer some value here as they should despatch Hull with some ease. Hull look like relegation certainties and will need a huge performance after the dissapointment of last week against Burnley and the 4/1 is too skinny.

Blackburn v Everton:
A difficult result to call as Blackburn are hard to beat at home and Everton are a useful outfit. 7/4 Blackburn does offer a bit of value.

Fulham v Wolves
Wolves are the most improved team since xmas. They look like they will be around next season and they now have confidence to go with their work ethic. Fulham have been brilliant under the guidance of their manager. 3/1 Wolves could represent a little value.

Liverpool v West Ham:
Liverpool look to have blown fourth place and are struggling. However, at home they are improving all the time and even if Torres does not play they should win against a West Ham side that has woken up and started to battle in the last couple of weeks. 10/1 abouth the Hammers does offer a little value if you think they can go to Anfield and win!

Man City v Man Utd
What a game in prospect. Both teams with something to play for and a Manchester derby to boot. City at 15/8 offer some value especially at home. probably the one bet i fancy on the football this weekend!

Portsmouth v Aston Villa:
Portsmouth continue to show plenty of hart but Villa should have too much for them. This one is priced about right.

Stoke v Bolton:
Even though Bolton are playing more football under Owen Coyle this will still be a game that will not be for shrinking violets! 10/3 about Bolton does offer a bit of value as Bolton are fighting for survival and could pull off a shock.

Sunderland v Burnley:
Sunderland still need a couple of points to be totally safe and surely this will the game for them to guarantee premiership footy next year. Burnley were not good away from home until last week! Priced about right.

Spurs v Chelsea
Another cracking game with plenty riding on it! Chelsea should win but if Spurs reproduce their performance from last Wednesday then this will be another classic. Again priced about right.

Wigan v Arsenal:
Surely an easy win for Arsenal unless they have given up after being knocked out of the premiership race this week in all except mathematics. Priced about right.

Apr 14, 2010, Punchestown Festival

The Punchestown Festival - Information, advice, tips and betting Guide

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Apr 13, 2010, A P MCcoy

A huge congratulations to Tony MCcoy on winning the 2010 Grand National on Dont Push It for JP MCmanus and trainer Jonjo O'Neil.

It is about time that Tony MCcoy won sports personality of the year as he has been Mr Jumps racing for a very long time. There isnt a more dedicated sportsman anywhere. He is about to be crowned champion jump jockey for the 15th time. A great rider, true champion and a great person. Well Done!

Apr 7, 2010, The Grand National

The Grand National - The runners, betting tips, race advice and how to place a bet

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Apr 7, 2010, Man Utd v Bayern Munich

Man Utd have not been playing well. Their normal fuency and passing has not been in evidence. They probably scored too early against Bayern last week and thought they could play out the game. It all went wrong Rooney, got injured and Bayern scored twice in the closing minutes.

Against Chelsea ta the weekend they again played below par ans were beaten. A vastly improved performance is needed tonight if they are going to go through. Bayern have pace and Robben and Ribery can break quickly on the counter attack. For that reason i think that 4/1 against Bayern is a value price. If Bayern were to score first it may be worth laying the bet off and creating an arbitrage situation (a no lose bet!).

Apr 2, 2010, Easter Football

Man Utd v Chelsea
A great game in prospect but now that chelsea have been backed below 2/1 i do not think that there is any edge in the price so a no bet game!

Arsenal V Wolverhampton
Looks an easy victory for Arsenal on paper until you realise that half the Arsenal team are out injured! Wolves have hit form and will not lie down. Yesterday they were 18/1 but have been backed into 14/1 with 11/2 for the draw. i would have suggested a bet at 18/1, fourteens is still an overprice but perhaps the way to play this is to lay Arsenal at 1/4.

Bolton V Aston Villa
Difficult game to call. Bolton fighting for survival and Villa not in form. Priced about right so no bet.

Portsmouth V Blackburn
Game Portsmouth have been devastated by injuries and Blackburn have been grinding out reslts. Priced about right - no bet!

Stoke V Hull
Stoke are menacing at home whilst Hull are fighting hard for their lives. 4/1 about Hull does offer a little bit of value and i think that they may spring a surprise.

Sunderland V Tottenham
Sunderland are indifferent but have a very good strike partnership. Spurs have improved away this season. 14/5 for Sunderland has some appeal as they are at home.

Burnley V Man City
Sureley a City win against a spirited but not very good side. Priced about right.

Birmingham V Liverpool
Birmingham are vastly improved this season. Liverpool are showing signs of coming back tgo form at the right time. A difficult game to call as Liverpool have a poor away record. Priced about right, no bet.

Fulham V Wigan
Fulham are showing signs of fatigue and Wigan are totally unprdictable. Priced about right, no bet.

Everton V West Ham
Everton are a good side who have had injuries this season. West Ham look appalling and are in terrible form with no confidence. 5/11 looks big for Everton as i would be backing against the Hammers until their losing streak ends.

Mar 29, 2010, Man City V Wigan

Man City are in with a great chance of making fourth spot in the premiership and tonight they must put the pressure on their rivals by winning at home against Wigan. City are 4/11, the draw is 4/1 and Wigan are 10/1.

Although Wigan are a big price to win it is difficult to see past City at home. I think that this game is priced about right and dosnt offer bettors an edge so i will be giving this game a miss on the betting front tonight !

Mar 26, 2010, The Lincoln and Spring Mile

Saturday sees the start of the flat season proper and the Lincoln handicap will set the season rolling. William Haggas trains the hot favourite Penitent who is measily best priced 7/2. The trainer has a very good record in the race and the horse has a good draw!

I was looking at a horse for the Lincoln called Ben Chorley, who i used to have an interest in at Diamond Racing, but the horse was balloted out of the handicap and now goes for the Spring Mile 2.00 Doncaster instead.

Ben is a game horse who tries his heart out. He has been transferred to trainer David Evans who is a master in getting improvement out of horses and will have him fit for the run. Last season was a disaster where Ben was run too often on unsuitable ground. On saturday he will have conditions to suit and at best odds of 10/1 eachway for 4 places i think he is a value bet.

Mar 26, 2010, Top 4 Finish

Spurs head the top 4 finish market at 5/4 but they have a difficult run in. Man City are the second favourites but i fancy Liverpool to come through at odds of 7/2 because they have what looks a very easy run in!

If Torres and Gerrard stay fit then they just may get out of trouble and the odds represent some value!

Mar 24, 2010, Wednesday Night Football

Firstly i do not feel confident about any results tonight so i will not be having a bet. However, there are a number of games where i think that there is some value in the prices.

Sunderland at 11/2 do represent some value as Villa are not firing on all cylinders and havent won a Premiership game in March since Martin O'Neill arrived. It may pay to lay Villa at 8/13 instead.

Everton at 3/1 offer a little value although i saw them at 7/2 yesterday and this has been snapped up!

There is no more dangerous animal in sport than a team with nothing to lose and Portsmouth at 12/1 at home do offer some value. Even the draw at 9/2 is appealing as Chelsea seem to have lost something over the last couple of games. Perhaps again it may pay to lay Chelsea at 3/10 if you feel that the blues woes will continue!

Birmingham at 3/1 also offer a little value as they have been playing well this season and after a poor start against Sunderland on Saturday they will not want that to happen again.

In the FA Cup Spurs look to progress against a very good Fulham side fresh from dumping Juve out of Europe. I do not like betting on cup games as there is not an incentive to finish the game in 90 minutes !

Conclusion: some tempting prices but i am not confident enough in any of the teams to have a punt! You may feel differently. Good Luck!

Mar 23, 2010, West Ham v Wolves

West Ham are on a dismal run and some of their players look to be struggling with the pressure. Scott Parker though is playing out of his skin. I think the odds of 5/6 on the Hammers are too skinny. Wolverhampton Wanderers on the other hand are best priced 4/1. They are not a great team but they have produced some good battling performances. They beat Spurs away in London by giving 110% for 90 minutes in an epic effort and at the odds represent some value. I would have them in at 11/4 or 3/1. The draw is best priced at 13/5 and a number of these pressure relegation battles will end in stalemate so i also think that there is some value in the price here.

Conclusion:
If you fancy West Ham i would discourage a bet because of the price but if you fancy the draw or an away win then i think there is value to be had in the prices. Good Luck!

Mar 15, 2010, Cheltenham 2010 - The Greatest Show on Turf

We are about to embark on the best week of Racing in the sporting calendar. This year promises to be as good, if not better, than most ! Here are some tips to get you through what can be a betting nightmare:

Look for the best prices. The odd point here and there can make all the difference.

Open accounts with bookmakers if necessary. There are some great deals about (see the adverts on this website). The matched bets for new accounts can help ease the financial burden.

Look for Best odds guaranteed. This can help in our quest for the best price.

Only bet when you have a price greater than what you believe to be a fair price for a horse. Remember value is the key to making a profit in the long run.

Back eachway. This will help you minimise losses and maximise profits.

Look for bookmakers who give extra places in handicaps. The more places the greater your chances.

Be careful with the handicaps as they are very competitive and notoriously hard to solve. The championship races are hard enough.

Only bet with money you can afford to lose.

Do not chase losses.

Have a great week and good luck !

Mar 12, 2010, Weekend Football

This is a weekend where i will be keeping the powder dry!

I think that this weekends games are either difficult to read or the prices offer little value and are therefore not worth a bet.

Spurs have midfield problems and could come a cropper at home to a Blackburn side who will be very physical and 15/2 is a little bit of value but Spurs have the firepower upfront so it is a difficult call! Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool should all win easily and are priced accordingly. Yes, even Liverpool they are at home and even though they are struggling this year surely they cant fail at home to Portsmouth! Birmingham/Everton, Burnley/Wolves, Bolton/Wigan and Stoke/Villa are hard to call. Chelsea should win but the Hammers are a funny team and might get a draw or be beaten out of sight! Sunderland have had their first win for a while and City are unpredictable away. All in all a no bet weekend on the footy front!

Mar 12, 2010, Cheltenham Friday 2010

Cheltenham Friday 2010 - Betting advice and tips for the Gold Cup, Triumph Hurdle, Albert Bartlet, Christies Foxhunters, Johnny Henderson, Martin Pipe etc

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Mar 12, 2010, Cheltenham Thursday 2010

Cheltenham Thursday 2010 - Betting advice and tips for the ladbrokes world hurdle, ryanair chase, the jewson and pertemps etc

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Mar 12, 2010, Cheltenham Wednesday 2010

Cheltenham Wednesday 2010 - Betting advice and tips for the Queen mother champion chase, champion bumper, RSA chase, neptune novice hurdle etc

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Mar 12, 2010, Cheltenham Tuesday 2010

Cheltenham Tuesday 2010 - betting advice and tips for the Champion Hurdl, Arkle and Supreme Novices Hurdle etc

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Mar 12, 2010, Cheltenham Festival 2010

Cheltenham Festival 2010 - Betting advice and tips for the greatest show on turf.

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