If you agree that Euroodds.co.uk is the best site for Euro 2012 betting, then you should note how the Republic of Ireland football team will be spending this summer’s European Championships in the luxury seaside resort that is the Sheraton Sopot Hotel, just a stone’s throw away from Gdansk where they will be playing one of their group games.

It is the first time that Ireland have featured in a major football Championship finals since the debacle that was the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

After many failed attempts to qualify, they finally made it through by beating Estonia in a play-off last year.

No doubt many Irish fans will be hoping to book tickets at the hotel now so that they can rub shoulders with heroes such as Robbie Keane and Shay Given.

However, they will be disappointed to find that the hotel is now fully booked for the duration of Euro 2012.

At the exclusive resort, a standard room at the start of June will cost visitors anything from £240 a night to £265 for a club room.

Sopot is renowned for its spas and has been a tourist destination since the beginning of the 19th century. It is located between Gdansk and the beach resort of Gdynia and has been dubbed the “summer capital” of Poland such is its popularity.

The mayor of Sopot, Jacek Karnowski met Irish ambassador Eugene Hutchinson last week and said the resort was doing everything to ensure a warm welcome for the Irish.

He is hoping that the Town can be turned emerald green by the hundreds of travelling Ireland fans at the tournament, and is encouraging as many as possible to stay in Sopot.

Ireland have been drawn in one of the toughest groups in the competition, and will face the likes of Spain, Italy and Croatia.

Should they defy the odds and qualify from their group, they could then find themselves up against France or even England.

But for many Irish fans, just being at such a prestigious tournament will be enough.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Ireland set to enjoy Euro 2012

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Those looking at mobile betting note how the Italian striker was given his marching orders after receiving two bookings just 18 minutes after coming off the bench and Mancini believes that the Liverpool players were influential in the decision.

He said: “I do not agree with this second yellow. The referee didn’t want to get a yellow card out. I think the referee gave a free-kick but didn’t want to give a yellow until all the Liverpool players complained.”

“I watched the replay and, for me, it is nothing. This situation in the Premier League – there are a lot of yellow cards in every game.”

“I don’t think all the fouls are yellow cards. Mario should pay attention because he knows many players provoke him and this is not correct.”

It is indeed true that Balotelli’s reputation as a trouble maker didn’t do him any favours in this situation, although Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish had a different view to Mancini on the incident.

He said: “I think Balotelli got himself sent off. His actions spoke louder than anybody else’s didn’t they? Sometimes, if you look in the mirror, you get the answer.”

“Sometimes he doesn’t help himself, other times he doesn’t get as much leeway as anyone else gets. But, if you help yourself, you don’t get in that situation in the first place.”

Following his sending-off, there were reports that the former Inter Milan striker smashed a door in frustration after Mancini told him to go straight down the tunnel after being dismissed.

The Manchester City boss denied any knowledge of this though, saying it if Balotelli did cause damage, he would need to pay for it. Life is certainly never dull when the 21-year-old is involved that’s for sure!

As for the game as a whole, it was a very entertaining match with both teams having their chances to claim the three points. Mancini said that he was pleased with the character his team showed.

“We showed strong character because it is very difficult to play here against Liverpool and also because we tried to win, we played well and only in the last 10 minutes we conceded three or four chances but Joe Hart saved well.”

“We conceded two or three chances when we were down to 10 men but we had a good result.”

Manchester City’s intentions now turn to the Carling Cup. They face Arsenal in a quarter-final clash on Tuesday evening.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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The Spanish midfielder has been flirting with a return to Barcelona, his home-town club that he left as a 16-year-old to join Arsenal , for the past three year’s, and it is beginning to look increasingly likely that this could be the year that it finally happens.

Last summer Arsenal rejected a £30 million bid for the playmaker as they went in search of the trophy that has now alluded them for six years.

But things have now moved on. Gone are the statements of defiance from the North London club to be replaced only by silence. No longer is there public outrage each time Barca speak fondly of their player.

In fact, whisper it quietly, but Arsenal are rumoured to be willing to sell. The BBC quote a member of the Arsenal board in their report, who suggest if the £27 million offer they received earlier this month is upped, Fabregas could be on his way.

“if it’s enough, then I expect we’ll have to sell.” He is quoted as saying.

So is this the end of the road for Fabregas at Arsenal. Sadly for the Gunners, it is looking increasingly likely. The Spaniard will be desperate to compete for trophies and that is something that Arsenal simply cannot offer at the moment – couple that with the fact that Xavi, Barcelona’s midfield maestro, isn’t exactly getting any younger, and the pull of Barcelona is stronger than ever.

Of course Fabregas has stated that he is loyal to Wenger and owes the Frenchman a debt of gratitude, but how far can that possibly stretch?

And what if the player’s desire to leave is matched by the club’s desire to call it quits and maximise the transfer fee they receive?

With Fabregas it has always been a case of when rather than if, and while the timing isn’t ideal (Wenger is still trying to prove he has what it takes to make Arsenal a force again) there will come a time where the balance is tipped and Fabregas’s value dips significantly.

On major sticking point could in fact be the financial troubles that worry the Catalan club. Their money woes are well documented, and authorising a transfer that is likely to cost in excess of £30 million may prove to be too much for them.

Fabregas could still stay at Arsenal for one more season, and if they fail once more, then move on.

But it is looking increasingly likely that a player plus cash deal, with green adiZero rugby boots wearer Thiago Alcantara being used as a make-weight to soften the blow.

They say the best way to rip of a plaster is to do it quick and ruthlessly; the same logic may about to be applied with Fabregas at Arsenal.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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Of course, as with most commonly held opinions this is only partially true. Yes, there are times when the side have pumped it long and hoped a big man up front can knock it down and create a chance, but then it’s hard to find any Premier League team that hasn’t resorted to knocking it long at some point this season. Those looking at the FA Cup betting odds shouldn’t forget how effective this tactic can be.

Nor should Stoke’s tough tackling approach be singled out as a cause for criticism – after all it would be ridiculous to praise a “soft tackling” side. Obviously Stoke players have caused some high-profile injuries in recent years but then Manchester City and Manchester United players have hardly been angels on that front – it seems that the Potter’s reputation, although not totally unjustified, means they are wrongly branded as thugs by neutral fans.

After all, anyone who watched Stoke take apart the “technically gifted” Arsenal side which until recently had been challenging for the title would be hard pressed to argue the victory was down to hard tackling and long balls.

Although Stoke’s initial Premier League success may have been built on these things, but manager Tony Pulis is clever enough to realise that in order to progress, flair and skill need to be added to the mix.

With players like Jermaine Pennant and Mathew Etherington this is exactly what Pulis has done. An FA Cup victory over a Manchester City side which has won few fans may mean people start to look at Stoke in a new light.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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Following injury to Carlos Tevez – a hamstring tear which has rendered the Argentinean a real doubt for the FA Cup final against Stoke City later this month – Balotelli has played an increasingly prominent role in City’s first team. When the news broke that Tevez would not be available to face his former club in the semi final, doubts were raised as to City’s ability to compete with their neighbours, such is United’s strength in depth. However, given the trickery and tenacity of their replacement, no such concerns materialised and the blue half of Manchester prospered despite their mercurial captain’s forced absence.

Since then, Balotelli has started both Premier League matches – which have also resulted in six points – and all the indications are that Mancini would have no qualms about throwing him into the Wembley showpiece on the 14th May. Question marks remain about his temperament – highlighted in the furore surrounding the aftermath of City’s semi final win against United in which Balotelli was accused of intentionally aggravating the travelling Man United fans – but this only seems to add to the hype surrounding this extraordinary young man. City seem almost certain to feature in the Champions League Euro betting next season, and players like Balotelli need to prove they can cut it on the biggest stage.

Already this season he has to his name a debut goal; a Premier League hat-trick, and has also won the coveted “Golden Boy” award – which is given out to the top under-21-year-old playing in Europe. But should he score the winning goal at Wembley in an FA Cup final to bring City’s 35-year wait for a trophy, then that really would be the icing on the cake.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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With the age old goal of 40 points securing safety well and truly out of the window, six teams are in immediate danger of the drop with up four teams in dangers of being dragged back into contention for the drop if their results start to slip in the final seven games of the season.

The omens didn’t bode well for bigfreebet relegation candidates West Brom before the arrival of Roy Hodgson. Three relegations from the top tier of English football since the 2001/02 season and one of the greatest escapes from demotion to the Championship in recent history have helped the club earn a reputation as a “yo-yo” club, and when Roberto di Matteo left was sacked in February, their fourth relegation since the turn of the century looked likely.

However the former Liverpool boss has transformed the club and helped them move up to 10th in the league and away from immediate danger, but what of their former relegation rivals?

Only one of the six threatened clubs (West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool, Wolves, Birmingham, and Blackburn) have managed to secure three points this month. Birmingham’s 2-1 over Bolton at the very start of April represents the sole win for all six clubs so far in this traditionally crucial time of the season, but for both Wolves and Blackpool, their loss of form stretches back further than April.

Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side began the season with a bang but look to ending it with a whimper as they flirt dangerously with relegation. Currently one point above the drop, Blackpool have only picked up one win since January, a run that stretches back an astonishing 12 games. Combined with a defence that has conceded the most goals in the Premier League, they will not be surprised to find themselves as one of the favourites for the drop.

Mick McCarthy will also be a worried man as his Wolves side look to be suffering from a serious case of “second-season syndrome”. Despite easily avoiding the drop last year, his side have become engulfed by the teams around them and are currently a point from safety. Their defence has been woeful recently, shipping 11 goals in their last four games. Their final run-in includes games against Birmingham, Blackburn, Sunderland and West Brom, so they will have plenty of opportunities to haul themselves to safety at the expense of those around them.

Recent “6 pointers” have ended in draws which benefits neither of the sides currently contesting the relegation dogfight; Birmingham and Blackburn’s 1-1 draw on Saturday represented a missed opportunity for both managers to pull their side clear of the drop at the expense of their rivals, while the recent 2-2 between Steve Kean’s side and Blackpool was equally as inconclusive.

Of the outsiders, Sunderland represent perhaps the club most in danger of being drawn into a relegation scrap, according to big free bet. In a sump that can only be bettered by Blackpool, Steve Bruce’s side have gone eight games without a win, and could well find themselves drawn into the heart of a fierce relegation battle.

Despite their bottom placed position, Wigan have shown shoots of life as they look to claw their way from the foot of the table. A close-run 1-0 defeat against Chelsea and a 0-0 draw against Tottenham show they still have the heart for the battle, but whether they can comeback from the bottom of the table with so few games left remains to be seen.

The curse of the “W” looks to have struck again, even if West Brom look likely to maintain their Premier League status for next season. Six times since the 2000/01 season a club beginning with W have been relegated, not a good omen with West Ham, Wigan and Wolves all currently occupying the drop zone. Expect two of these three teams plus Blackpool to be playing Championship football next season, with West Ham looking most likely to put together a run of form that will haul them clear of danger.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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You know your football – you know the players, you know the coaches, and you know the matchups and now you have to determine where and how to make a bet on your favorite football matchup. Almost all league and cup games in England are able to be wagered upon. Before your bet is placed, the odds on who will win the matchup, how many goals will be scored, and who will score the goals are all fixed for you to bet on with UK bookmakers such as 888sport. 888sport offer a free introductory bet for new customers. See their site for full details.

Finding the right online bookmaker to go with can be a more arduous task than determining who is going to win the game and which individual is going to score the most goals. Preferably, an experience, reputable bookmaker will be chosen. Books like Pinnacle Sports and William Hill have longstanding relationships with numerous players and many have voiced that these books will pay you on time every time you make a pay out request. If you are making your first deposit, you are going to also want to look at the initial sign-up bonuses that these online books will be able to offer you, as your initial fixed odds football bets could be covered strictly by your bonus money.

Once you place your bet with your favourite bookmaker, online or otherwise, you want to make sure that the ticket they provide you with has the correct information on it regarding your bet. Check to make sure that the odds that you initially wagered on are correctly reflected as such on the printed ticket.

Fixed odds football betting can be a highly lucrative business proposition if you know the teams playing and you know how to shop around to different bookmakers looking for the best odds available. By placing your fixed odds football bets with reputable bookmakers and double checking your information, you will be well on your way to a potentially profitable endeavor

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Fixed Odds Football Betting

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Betting on football matches is the same as other sports. You need to examine the numbers to find the trends that produces the edge. Of course the most obvious of these is injuries and suspensions. Is each side putting their best onto the pitch? The problem with just betting on that information is the club may rally around the replacement and a suspended player may have been a negative influence. Morale is such a huge factor that good players tend to give up and ride out the season. Click here to get football betting tips sent direct to your mobile phone, or click here to get tips about who NOT to back.

Do some research and see how the club has performed the last five matches and throughout the season. Manchester United and Arsenal are in the mix for the title for a reason. Let’s examine Hull City and find out why the club may be relegated next season. Overall, Hull has six wins and nine draws against sixteen defeats. The club has amassed only 27 points and has a goal differential of -33. Indeed, Hull has conceded 64 goals while scoring 31 goals and has allowed 6.65 shots on goal while only taking 3.3 shots. Opponents average 7.5 corner kicks per contest while Hull Manages only 4 corners. The initial examination would indicate that betting on anything but a defeat for Hull is hopeless.

However, Hull City has a respectable record at home with a goal differential of -1. When away from their home pitch, Hull has managed only 10 goals while conceding 42 for a goal differential of -32. On the road, Hull manages a meager 0.63 goals per contest while surrendering 2.63. In the last five road contests, Hull has secured one point in the standings and has averaged surrendering three goals per contest. On the road, a bet against Hull would be a good investment. Knowing this kind of information can be the key to a successful bet.

Note: This article was written in March 2010, and whilst the stats refer to the form of Hull City, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League at the time, the overall ideal behind the reasoning remains regardless of the teams involved, and you should always study the current form in order to make predictions.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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Watching football live on the Internet has never been easier for Sky Sports customers thanks to Sky Bet! With Sky Bet’s current promotional campaign, all you have to do is sign up for a Sky Bet account, log in and then fill in your bet the promo code: SPORTS. From there it’s as easy as waiting to receive your log in info, and then watching your favorite football teams play against each other. This live football coverage can’t be beat, and Sky Bet provides not only the game right to your computer screen, but also a large variety of betting options.

How to watch live football on Sky Sports online for free:

Step 1: – Join skybet via this link entering the promo code “SPORTS” when prompted.

Step 2: Place any bet.

Step 3: Check in ‘My Preferences’ that your account is marked as contactable and that skybet have your correct email details as they’ll need to send you log in details via email.

Step 4: After 5 days you will receive an email containing a Username and Password that will give you free online access to Sky Sports.

Step 5: As long as your account remains active, you will continue to have access to the streaming.

See here for full terms and conditions.

Again, just to reiterate, all it takes to enjoy this wonderful promotion is to go to www.skybet.com. From there, it’s just as simple as registering your account, placing your bets on your favorite teams, and then inputting the code: SPORTS to get access to all of the great football games. You can’t beat Sky Bet on this deal, but that shouldn’t stop you from betting with them!

Who wants to refresh the same site over and over again for the scores to all of their games, when you can actually enjoy them from the comfort of your computer? Tired of endlessly droning away at the computer? Go to Sky Bet and watch a game. Worried about your favorite team, and there isn’t a television nearby? Go to Sky Bet and watch the game. With Sky Bet, everywhere you go, football will only be a click away. Aside from physically being at every game, every time, this is the best deal you are going to get. Sky Bet is the safe bet, just type SPORTS.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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Chelsea’s Community Shield win over Manchester United has seen the London club leap-frog the champions in Paddy Power’s latest betting to win this year’s Premier League.

Chelsea are now the 2/1 favourites to win their first league title since 2006 with United slipping back from 15/8 to 21/10.

Liverpool and Arsenal continue to make up the Big Four with Liverpool slipping back to 10/3 from 3s and Arsenal at 8/1. Man City are seen as the team most likely to break the Big Four monopoly, being 12/1 for the title and 6/4 for a Top Four finish.

Fergie 9/1 To Be First To Feel FA Wrath

The Wembley match also showed Sir Alex Ferguson is as up for a new season as ever, berating ref Chris Foy on the pitch. Fergie is Paddy Power’s 9/1 second favourite to be the first manager charged by the FA this season behind Hull City’s Phil Brown. Although the betting starts from the first day of the Premier League season only, the fiery Scot is clearly showing no signs of calming down as United chase a fourth league title in a row.

Essien New Player of the Year Favourite

Meanwhile Steven Gerrard has been usurped by Michael Essien as the favourite to be crowned PFA Player of the Year. The Chelsea midfielder is 6/1 with Gerrard slipping back to 7/1. Andrei Arshavin has been the big punters move from 14/1 to 10/1 third favourite.

Paddy Power’s many other betting markets on the season ahead include Golden Boot winner, what trophies the big boys will win, doubles on the teams to finish top and bottom, Michael Owen’s first injury at new club Man Utd and which player will commit the most fouls this season.

Paddy Power PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW BETTING

Trebles All Round!!

If you back a team to win the Premier League and they win the double (Premier League and FA Cup) Paddy Power will DOUBLE the odds, if they win the treble (League, FA Cup and Champions League) we will TREBLE the odds!

Premier League Champions

2 Chelsea; 21-10 Man Utd; 10-3 Liverpool; 8 Arsenal; 12 Man City; 80 Spurs; 150 Everton, Aston Villa; 750 Portsmouth, West Ham; 1000 Fulham, Sunderland; 1500 Blackburn; 2000 Bolton, Wigan, Wolves; 3000 Stoke; 4000 Hull, Birmingham; 5000 Burnley

First Manager Charged By The FA

8 Brown; 9 Ferguson, Hughes, Moyes; 10 Allardyce, Benitez; 12 Redknapp; 14 O’Neill; 16 McLeish, Megson, Bruce, Wenger, McCarthy; 18 Pulis; 20 Hart, Hodgson, Coyle; 22 Martinez, Ancelotti; 25 Zola

Incidents from Aug 15 onwards only

Sack Race

7-2 Hart; 9-2 Hughes; 11-2 McLeish; 15-2 Brown; 11 Megson; 14 Martinez; 18 McCarthy, Coyle; 20 Allardyce, Redknapp, Bruce, Ancelotti, Zola; 22 Pulis; 25 Benitez, Hodgson; 33 Wenger, ONeill; 40 Moyes; 50 Ferguson

PFA Player of the Year (selected)

6 Essien; 7 Gerrard; 10 Arshavin; 11 Torres, Lampard, Rooney; 14 Fabregas; 20 Robinho, Drogba, Terry; 22 Van Persie; 25 Tevez, R Ferdinand, Vidic; 33 Owen, Barry

Others available

Golden Boot – Top Goalscorer (selected)

11-4 Torres; 10 Drogba, Owen; 12 Rooney; 14 Anelka; 16 Van Persie; 20 Gerrard, Berbatov; 22 Adebayor, Robinho, Arshavin; 25 Defoe; 28 Tevez, Lampard; 33 Bent; 40 Santa Cruz; 66 Yakubu, Crouch, Keane, Agbonlahor, 66 Beattie

e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3, 4

See here for tables on What Trophies Will The Big Boys Win This Season?

Who Will Finish Top & Bottom?

9/1 Man Utd Top – Burnley Bottom

14/1 Man Utd Top – Hull Bottom

15/1 Man Utd Top – Birmingham Bottom

15/1 Man Utd Top – Wolves Bottom

50/1 Man Utd Top – Wigan Bottom

60/1 Man Utd Top – Bolton Bottom

66/1 Man Utd Top – Sunderland Bottom

10/1 Chelsea Top – Burnley Bottom

15/1 Chelsea Top – Hull Bottom

17/1 Chelsea Top – Birmingham Bottom

17/1 Chelsea Top – Wolves Bottom

55/1 Chelsea Top – Wigan Bottom

66/1 Chelsea Top – Bolton Bottom

75/1 Chelsea Top – Sunderland Bottom

12/1 Liverpool Top – Burnley Bottom

20/1 Liverpool Top – Hull Bottom

22/1 Liverpool Top – Birmingham Bottom

22/1 Liverpool Top – Wolves Bottom

70/1 Liverpool Top – Wigan Bottom

85/1 Liverpool Top – Bolton Bottom

95/1 Liverpool Top – Sunderland Bottom

33/1 Arsenal Top – Burnley Bottom

50/1 Arsenal Top – Hull Bottom

55/1 Arsenal Top – Birmingham Bottom

55/1 Arsenal Top – Wolves Bottom

175/1 Arsenal Top – Wigan Bottom

210/1 Arsenal Top – Bolton Bottom

230/1 Arsenal Top – Sunderland Bottom

PLAYER PUNTS

Lucky 7? Michael Owen’s First United Injury

4/1 Knee

7/2 Hamstring

4/1 Groin/hernia

9/2 Thigh

11/2 Ankle

7/1 Metatarsal

8/1 Calf

9/1 Back

66/1 Trodden on by a horse

When Will Michael Owen Next Play For England

5/4 Before 1st Jan 2010

10/3 Jan 1st – May 30th 2010

9/1 June 1st – July 11th 2010

9/1 July 12th – End of 2010

2/1 Not to have played for England by end of 2010

1st Player Booked For Diving
5/1 Drogba

11/2 Diouf

6/1 Nani

6/1 Robinho

13/2 Bellamy

15/2 Rooney

11/1 Gamst Pedersen

11/1 A Johnson

12/1 Owen

12/1 Torres

12/1 Keane

16/1 Gerrard

Most Fouls

10/3 Fellaini

4/1 K Davies

6/1 Palacios

13/2 L Cattermole

10/1 Kompany

11/1 Zamora

12/1 Cahill

12/1 C Cole

12/1 G McCann

14/1 Bowyer

14/1 M Taylor

16/1 J Roberts

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

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