World Superbikes - Latest betting news from Monza, Italy
May 11, 2008
WORLD SUPERBIKES – MONZA, ITALY
You can bet on the Italian Superbikes from Monza at Blue Square and Bet 365.
Troy Bayliss only needs one more Superpole win to equal Carl Fogarty’s record of 21 career starts from the number one slot on the grid. Bayliss has confirmed that he retire from World Superbikes at the end of this season. He has managed to amass a 70 point lead in the Championship, winning 5 of 8 races and finishing runner-up twice. Carlos Checa is Bayliss’ closest rival in his first season in World Superbikes. The 35-year-old, from Barcelona, has twice taken the second step on the podium, but a win is elusive. Troy Corser has made the podium on three times occasions, but the dual World Champion has not won since 2006. Fonsi Nieto and Ruben Xaus, another two Spaniards, occupy fourth and fifth places in this season’s standings. In sixth place is Noriyuki Haga, who seems to be returning to form. The Japanese rider had a win and a second place at Valencia and Assen. Max Neukirchner has been racing in World Superbikes since 2005 and had a podium finish at the Netherlands round. Max Biaggi has had some disappointing results so far this season, although breaking his wrist hasn’t help his campaign.
Calzaghe v Hopkins betting preview
April 14, 2008
On Saturday 19th April the welsh legend that is Joe Calzaghe will take on Bernard Hopkins in a Boxing match which is going to be very tough for either to win. The fight which takes place in Las Vegas will be screened on Setanta Sports, the premium satellite sports channel commencing at 2230hrs UK time.
If you are looking to place a bet on the Calzaghe v Hopkins boxing match, then read on for our analysis of the betting markets and for the best odds for Calzaghe v Hopkins. We also have a special half price offer on the Setanta sports package for our readers.
Betting markets on the Calzaghe v Hopkins include Outright Winner, Fight Outcome, Number of Rounds and End Round betting. We will look at these in turn:
Outright Winner
The Calzaghe v Hopkins fight proves to be a very close battle. Commentators have provided analysis which suggests that for most areas, the two boxers are deemed evens, some however place Calzaghe at an advantage. Credit has to be given to Calzaghe for his speed, there are very few boxers who can match the speed and number of punches that he can throw in a round, which famously totals over 1000! To counter this Hopkins is blessed with greater accuracy, but will this win against the sheer number of blows, only the match will tell. If we take a look at the best odds for the Calzaghe v Hopkins fight,we can see that the bookmakers put Calzaghe in the frame to win this fight. As you can see below, the difference is only marginal - but I guess a lead is a lead.
How did the bookies arrive at their odds for this match? Well like us they have to trawl through all they can about each boxer and make an informed choice as to the odds on each fighter winning. Another indicator of how they set their odds are the way that other punters are making their bets. Until now this has been the priviledged knowledge held closely by the bookmakers. We are able to see this information ourselves now thanks to our partners at Searchum. We can see from the chart below how punters are placing their bets, and at the time of writing, the split between Calzaghe and Hopkins is marginal, as it has remained over the past month.
If you’re after more statistics to help you with your bet, then Searchum has a number of other charts and graphs relating to the likelihood of the outcome of this match. Needless to say, this one looks (although with some caution) as if Calzaghe is going to win, the only questions left to answer are based on a couple more markets available for this boxing match.
How will it end?
The bookmakers are favouring the fight will go through to the last round, this holds some weight when you consider the fact that both men have strong stamina, are evenly placed and short of a freak punch knocking out their opponent, they are likely to be able to last the distance. The table below lists the possible outcomes, and as you can see, they are expecting Calzaghe to walk away with the title based on the judges decision.
As to which round the fight will be over, there are a variety of options available from the different bookmakers. skybet are offering 2/7 over 10 rounds and 5/2 under 10 rounds; Totesport are offering 1/4 on rounds 10.5 and over and 11/4 10.5 an under; Bet365 offer 1/3 on rounds 11.5 an over, with odds of 5/2 uner 11.5 rounds. All these odds are pointing to the boxing match reaching the final round, and towards a judges decision.
This is our interpretation of how things stand with regards to betting on the Calzaghe v Hopkins fight this Saturday, remember the odds are constantly changing so make sure you check your betting slip before placing the bet. To get the latest odds on this Calzaghe v Hopkins fight check out the tables above or our partners at Searchum Odds.
Useful Links:
Match Analysis by Sporting Life
Buy Ringside Tickets from Seatwave
Order Setanta Sports
Joe Calzaghe Official Site
Check latest Calzaghe v Hopkins Odds
London Marathon 2008 Betting
February 21, 2008
LONDON MARATHON BETTING
For charitable fundraising purposes, the Flora London Marathon is the world’s leading marathon by some distance. One of the foremost images of the race is that of the many thousands of “fun runners” in fancy dress, tramping the cobbles in support of charitable causes dressed as rhinos, football team mascots and the like.
MEN’S ELITE RACE
As of 10th February 2008, the men’s elite field (including personal best times) for the London Marathon is currently as follows:
Paul Tergat (KEN) 2:04:55, Felix Limo (KEN) 2:06:14, Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2:06:29, Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) 2:06:39, Martin Lel (KEN) 2:06:41, Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 2:06:55, Jaouad Gharib (MAR) 2:07:02, Stefano Baldini (ITA) 2:07:22, Yonas Kifle (ERI) 2:07:34, Abderrahim Goumri (MAR) 2:07:44, Ryan Hall (USA) 2:08:24, Luke Kibet (KEN) 2:08:52, Aleksey Sokolov (RUS) 2:09:07, Meb Keflezighi (USA) 2:09:53.
Martin Lel of Kenya, the defending champion, will bid to claim his third Flora London Marathon title in four years. The winner in 2005 and 2007, he will become only the third man to win in London three times. However, his task has been made no easier by the addition to the men’s elite field of two of the world’s new marathon stars. The field was already considered to be one of the best ever assembled. The holder of the record for half marathon, Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and US champion Ryan Hall made superb marathon debuts in 2007. Both men have chosen London as the first major race in their preparations for the Beijing Olympics in August. Twenty-one-year-old Wanjiru finished second to Martin Lel in the 2007 Great North Run and subsequently won the Fukuoka Marathon, with a course record time of 2:06:39. He has stated that he hopes to run inside 2 hours and 5 minutes in London, as he believes this is the standard required for selection to the Kenyan team for the Olympics. Ryan Hall’s place in Beijing is already secure. He won the US Olympic Marathon Trials in New York beating Meb Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, and former world record holder Khalid Khannouchi. Hall finished seventh on his marathon debut in London last year, with a time of 2:08:24. He subsequently smashed the long-standing (21 years) American half marathon record in Houston, posting a time of 59 minutes 43 seconds.
Other contenders for the men’s race are:
- World Champion Luke Kibet.
- Olympic Champion Stefano Baldini.
- Former World record holder, Paul Tergat.
- Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai, the world’s second fastest in 2007.
- Abderrahim Goumri, last year’s runner-up.
- South Africa’s Hendrick Ramaala, the 2004 New York champion who’ll be making his seventh London appearance.
- Meb Keflezighi, USA’s Olympic silver medallist.
- Aleksey Sokolov, winner of the 2007 Dublin Marathon in October, setting a new Russian record.
Yonas Kifle, the Eritrean record holder.
WOMEN’S ELITE RACE
World record holder Paula Radcliffe bids to win her fourth Flora London Marathon title on 13th April, facing a rematch against Gete Wami, the Ethiopian she beat in dramatic style to win in New York last November. Radcliffe, victorious in 2002, 2003 and 2005 attempts to become only the second woman to claim four London victories. The feat was achieved by her mentor Ingrid Kristiansen, who won four times in five years, between 1984 and 1988. Radcliffe, will face stiff competition from Wami, an athlete likely to be one of her closest challengers for Olympic gold. Wami was runner-up in New York only a month after winning in Berlin. Wami mad her London debut in 2007, finishing second with a time of 2:21:45. On paper, at least, it is certainly no “two-horse” race. Berhane Adere, the Ethiopian record holder, is the second quickest in the field. She was expected to perform well last year but finished a disappointing 10th.
Radcliffe and Wami will also be challenged by:
- Romania’s Constantina Tomescu-Dita, who was second to Radcliffe in 2005 and third last year.
- Svetlana Zakharova of Russia, a former Chicago Marathon champion.
- Australia’s Benita Johnson, the Oceania record holder.
- Kenya’s Salina Kosgei, who was fourth last year.
- Germany’s Irina Mikitenko, who finished second to Wami in Berlin.
As of 10th February, the Women’s elite field for the London Marathon (including personal best times) is currently:
Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2:15:25, Berhane Adere (ETH) 2:20:42, Constantina Tomescu-Dita (ROM) 2:21:30, Gete Wami (ETH) 2:21:34, Svetlana Zakharova (RUS) 2:21:31, Benita Johnson (AUS) 2:22:36, Salina Kosgei (KEN) 2:23:22, Irina Mikitenko (GER) 2:24:51
The 2008 Flora London Marathon takes place on Sunday 13th April.
BETTING ON THE LONDON MARATHON
Online betting opportunities on the London Marathon are limited. The only prices available at 10th February are outright prices on the women’s elite race (see below). Doubtless, in due course, prices will be available on the men’s race.
Elite Men’s Race
No prices available yet.
Elite Women’s Race
Paddy Power is the only online bookmaker currently offering prices:
5/6 P. Radcliffe, 13/8 G. Wami, 6/1 B. Adere, 12/1 S. Zakharova, 16/1 C. Tomersca-Dita.
However, other than betting on the winner of each race, most online sites offer no other markets. Some may offer prices on a new course or world record being set, but sadly little else.
France v England 26th March 2008
February 5, 2008
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY: FRANCE v. ENGLAND
HISTORY
Previous Results
World Cup
20th July 1966 England 2-0 France
16th June 1982 England 3-1 France
European Championships
20th October 1962 England 1-1 France
27th February 1963 France 5-2 England
14th June 1992 England 0-0 France
13th June 2004 France 2-1 England
Other Competitive Matches
7th June 1997 France 0-1 England (Tournoi de France).
International Friendlies
10th May 1923 France 1-4 England
17th May 1924 France 1-3 England
21st May 1925 France 2-3 England
26th May 1927 France 0-6 England
17th May 1928 France 1-5 England
9th May 1929 France 1-4 England
14th May 1931 France 5-2 England
6th December 1933 England 4-1 France
26th April 1938 France 2-4 England
3rd May 1947 England 3-0 France
22nd May 1949 France 1-3 England
3rd October 1951 England 2-2 France
15th May 1955 France 1-0 England
27th November 1957 England 4-0 France
12th March 1969 England 5-0 France
29th February 1984 France 2-0 England
19th February 1992 England 2-0 France
10th February 1999 England 0-2 France
2nd September 2000 France 1-1 England
The inaugural friendly international match between France and England took place in Paris, in 1923, with the English team running out 4-1 winners. The same fixture was played annually, in the May of each year, in Paris, until 1929. England won six times in succession, scoring twenty-five goals and conceding just six. However, when the match was next played, again in Paris, France shocked England with a 5-2 victory. English pride was soon restored, winning 4-1 at Tottenham in 1933 and 4-2, again in Paris, in 1938. The fixture was resumed, following the Second World War, in 1947. In the six friendlies that took place between 1947 and 1969, England won four, losing 1-0 in 1955, with a 2-2 draw at Highbury in 1951.
FRANCE v. ENGLAND TODAY
Despite their superiority in friendly games, England’s competitive record against the French has only been fair. In seven competitive games, between 1962 and 2004, the record of the English team reads, Played 7, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 3, Goals For 10, Goals Against 9. In recent years, the balance has been redressed in friendly internationals. The last four matches, as detailed above, have resulted in two French wins and one English, with a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France, Paris, in 2000. The latest encounter between the two sides will take place on 26th March. With Fabio Capello only recently installed as England manager, and the captaincy undecided, the French game could be very interesting indeed.
BETTING ON FRANCE v. ENGLAND
In the run-up to the France v. England friendly, online bookmakers are likely to be offering prices relating to the England team. These might include “speciality” bets relating to David Beckham, given the uncertainty about him gaining a 100th England cap, and the fate of the England captaincy.
Outright Betting
Online bookmakers will be offering prices for the France v. England friendly international, although as of 1st February, apparently none are available. At home, France seems certain to start favourites, especially given the unrest in the England camp. Three prices will be offered on the match, Home win, Away win and Draw.
As the match is certain to be televised, several other online markets will be offered:
1. Correct Score
Predict the final score after 90 minutes play.
2. First / Last Goal scorer
Correctly name the first or last scorer in the match. Own goals do not count.
3. “Double Result”
Predict the results of the match at half-time and full-time (9 possible outcomes).
4. Time of First Goal
Presented as a “before / after” bet, usually before / after 27 minutes.
“In-running” Betting
Several in-running markets are also likely to be offered by the online bookmakers, including:
- Outright betting: Fluctuating prices will be available up to the 80th minute.
- Next Goal scorer
- Correct Score
Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race 2008
February 4, 2008
THE OXFORD – CAMBRIDGE BOAT RACE
HISTORY
Members of both teams are traditionally known as “blues,” with Cambridge in light blue and Oxford dark blue. The Boat Race has become an esteemed event on the British amateur sporting calendar, but started in 1829 as a challenge between former schoolmates. Charles Merivale of Cambridge challenged Charles Wordsworth (nephew of poet William) of Oxford to a rowing race. The inaugural Boat Race, won by Oxford, took place at Henley-on-Thames. By 1839, the Boat Race had become an annual contest, taking place in London, between Westminster and Putney. It soon became extremely popular, and in order to accommodate the large numbers of spectators, the race took place between Putney and Mortlake (the current course) for the first time in 1845. From its inception up to 1861, Cambridge led 10-7, including successive victories in 1836, 1839, 1840 and 1841. From 1861 to 1869, Oxford ran up a nine-year unbeaten run. The 1877 race was declared a dead heat for the first and only time. It is alleged that the judge, one “Honest” John Phelps, was asleep when the boats crossed the line. In 1912, both boats sank, Oxford winning the subsequent re-run. On its 1920 resumption (following the Great War), Cambridge won successively thirteen times, the longest “hot streak” in Boat Race history. Sue Brown became the first woman to contest the Boat Race, coxing Oxford to success in 1981. The “Light Blues” suffered a number of hard luck stories in the 1980s, including damaging their boat (making it unraceable) prior to the 1984 event. However, Cambridge pride was restored in 1993. A further six victories followed, from 1994 to 1999, including smashing the course record in ‘98. The overall score is Cambridge 79, Oxford 73, with the controversial dead-heat in 1877.
THE BOAT RACE TODAY
There is such competition between the teams that Olympic standard rowers have been included in Boat Race teams, notably four times Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent (Oxford 1990, 1991 and 1993). Other Olympians have competed, including Tim Foster (Oxford 1997), Luka Grubor (Oxford 1997), Kieran West (Cambridge 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007) and Ed Coode (Oxford 1998).The modern Boat Race has become a major international sporting occasion, drawing millions of viewers from around the world. Some quarter of a million spectators crowd the banks of the Thames to watch the action. Cambridge won the most recent encounter (2007) but Oxford won the previous two (2005 and 2006). The 154th Boat Race takes place on Saturday, March 29th at 5.15p.m.
BETTING ON THE BOAT RACE
Available Bets
Outright Winner
Online bookmakers offer prices on:
1. An Oxford Win.
2. A Cambridge Win.
3. A Dead-Heat.
Special Bets
A number of special markets are available from online sites. These include:
Winning Margin
Prices are available online for the distance by which the Boat Race will be won. Dependent on the bookmaker in question, this bet may be presented in one of two forms:
1. Predict the Winning Distance
To win this bet, a successful prediction of the winning distance by either team is required, e.g. under 1 length, 2 to 4 lengths, etc.
2. Predict the Winning Distance and Winning Team
Winning this bet is dependent on successfully predicting the winning team and the distance by which they win, e.g. Oxford by under 1 length, Cambridge by 2 to 4 lengths, etc.
Both bets are notoriously difficult to win, but some value may be found if ignoring the bookmakers’ favourite selections and keeping stakes to a minimum.
New Course Record
Prices are offered on either team setting a completing the course in record time. Dependent on the conditions on the day of the race (late March not being renowned for its balmy weather), there may be some value in this market. Punters taking a price before race day are gambling on the weather as well as the abilities of the crews. However, this should be compensated for by a longer price. Such a bet is certainly “pushing the boat out,” but Cambridge did shave nearly half a minute off the course record in 1998.
Both Boats to Sink
The price offered by online bookmakers for both boats sinking during the Boat Race is usually in the region of 8/1 to 10/1. For punters seeking a small financial interest, this bet is not without hope. Both boats inevitably take on water during the course of the race, and its removal by an onboard pump keeps the boat afloat. 10/1 about two mechanical failures seems reasonable value.
