Betting Tips for Round 1 (15/08/2009 and 16/08/2009) 15 August, 2009

In this series, I will be making virtual bets on selected matches - selected matches because not all games may be worth having a go. I will also be keeping track of my cumulative winnings/losses (hopefully winnings!). For this purpose, i will be using odds offered by Ladbrokes.

Some of my betting tips may even contradict the predictions that I gave in the earlier post (or so it will seem). That is because when betting, I consider the odds offered and not simply plump for the favourites. I may predict that a team will scrap past their opponents, but the odds offered for the other team may make them a more valuable proposition.

Here's this weekend's tips for a start.

Aston Villa - Wigan Athletic
Home: 1.72 | Draw: 3.50 | Away: 5.00
Bet: £50 on Home Win
Pretty decent odds of 1.72 in a match which should not pose major problems for the home team.

Portsmouth - Fulham
Home: 2.62 | Draw: 3.30 | Away: 2.62
Bet: £20 on Away Win
I feel that Fulham are slight favourites in this match even after discounting for home advantage. Worth a small bet given the odds of 2.62.

Everton - Arsenal
Home: 3.00 | Draw: 3.20 | Away: 2.37
Bet: £10 on Draw
The away team is the stronger team, but not by much, and the home team is good enough to spring a surprise or two. A small flutter on a likely outcome.

Tottenham Hotspur - Liverpool
Home: 3.00 | Draw: 3.30 | Away: 2.30
Bet: £10 on Draw
Same reasoning as the match up between Everton and Arsenal. An away win is not a foregone conclusion even though Liverpool will rightly be the favourites.