RBS Six Nations Betting Preview
January 30, 2008
The Rugby Union RBS Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) is the Northern Hemisphere’s premier international rugby union event. It is an annual competition involving six European sides, namely England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The winners of the RBS 6 Nations are seen as being (unofficial) European Champions.
History of the Six Nations Championship
The first Home International Championship, between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was played in 1883. England won the first Championship and along with Scotland dominated the first decade, with Wales first winning in 1893 and Ireland in 1894. In 1910, the French officially joined the competition and coined the phrase “Five Nations.” England won the first championship of the new era, with the Welsh achieving the first Grand Slam the following year. France won a shared title in 1954 and their first outright title in 1959. The 1970s marked the golden age for Welsh rugby, winning three Grand Slams and a Triple Crown during the decade. The Five Nations Championship Trophy was first presented, to France, in 1993. Italy joined the competition in 2000 and the tournament became known as the “Six Nations Championship.” England was the first nation to win the new trophy. The rise of the Rugby World Cup has somewhat diminished the importance of the Six Nations Championship, but enduring rivalries between teams mean that it remains an ardently contested event.
The Six Nations Championship Today
In 2005 Wales won the Grand Slam, becoming the first team ever to win a Grand Slam playing more games away than at home. This was the last Grand Slam to date. In 2006, France won the competition on points difference over Ireland. Ireland received the consolation prize of the Triple Crown Trophy, presented for the first time that year. Italy were recipients of the “Wooden Spoon” but at least improved over previous years, gaining a point away from home in a draw against Wales. In 2007, France again won on points difference, after four teams had at least a mathematical chance of winning, with one game to play. The Italians had their first away win of the tournament beating Scotland in Edinburgh. It was also the first time they won two of their matches as they subsequently beat Wales in Rome. Scotland won the wooden spoon and Ireland won the Triple Crown for the second straight year and third time in four years.
Betting on the Six Nations Championship
N.B. Prices as at 29th January 2008.
Available Online Betting
Outright Championship Winner
Online betting is available on the winners of the Six Nations Championship. Current best prices:
7/4 France, 5/2 England, 11/2 Ireland, 9/1 Wales, 14/1 Scotland, 100/1 Italy.
Grand Slam Winner
A “Grand Slam” is achieved when a team wins all its five games. Current best prices are:
4/5 No Winner, 3/1 France, 6/1 England, 18/1 Ireland, 33/1 Wales, 100/1 Scotland, 1000/1 Italy.
Triple Crown Winner
The “Triple Crown” is confined to the “home” nations (England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland). It is achieved when a team beats the other three “home” nations. Current best prices are: 11/8 England, 2/1 No Winner, 4/1 Ireland, 14/1 Wales, 20/1 Scotland.
Wooden Spoon Winner
The “Wooden Spoon” winner is the team finishing last in the Six Nations Championship. Current best online prices are: 8/15 Italy, 11/4 Scotland, 17/2 Wales, 16/1 Ireland, 50/1 England, 66/1 France.
Tournament Match Bets
Some online bookmakers (including tote sport) are offering prices on tournament “matches” between pairs of teams, the winner being the team that finishes highest in the Six Nations Championship.
England v. France
4/6 France, 11/10 England.
England v. Ireland
2/7 England, 5/2 Ireland.
Ireland v. Wales
4/7 Ireland, 5/4 Wales
Scotland v. Wales
8/13 Wales, 6/5 Scotland
Top Try scorer
A number of online bettors are also offering prices on:
Top Overall Try scorer
Top England Try scorer
Top Wales Try scorer
Top Ireland Try scorer
Top Scotland Try scorer
Individual Matches
Online betting sites provide prices for all the individual games in the Six Nations Championship. In keeping with football, three prices are offered on each game, including the draw. For the opening round of matches, to be played on the 2nd / 3rd February, prices are:
1/ 10 Ireland, 21/2 Italy, 59/1 Draw.
1/4 England, 5/1 Wales, 33/1 Draw.
47/25 Scotland, 3/5 France, 26/1 Draw.
“Handicap” Betting
Unless the teams are considered to be exactly equally matched, some form of handicap betting is available on all Six Nations matches. For the above, the handicap betting is:
10/11 Ireland (-16 points), 10/11 Italy (+16 points), 16/1 Handicap tie.
10/11 England (-13 points), 10/11 Wales (+13 points), 16/1 Handicap tie.
10/11 Scotland (+6 points), 10/11 France (-6 points), 16/1 Handicap tie.
Along with outright and handicap betting on each match, online bookmakers also offer the following markets:
- First Team to Score
- First Team to Score a Try
- First / Last Try scorer
- Double Result
- Winning Margin
Premiership Betting Preview 30th January
January 29, 2008
Chelsea v Reading
It will be a depleted Chelsea side that face Reading at Stamford Bridge, with John Terry, Andriy Shevchenko and Frank Lampard out through injury, and four others missing due to African Cup duties. Michael Ballack also faces a fitness test on a calf strain. Reading have several players out themselves, including 3 at the African Cup of Nations.
Chelsea are unbeaten in six, whilst Steve Coppells side are looking for their first win in six. If Chelsea avoid defeat, they will extend their unbeaten home record to 75 matches. skybet have the Blues at 1/4 strong favourites, with Reading at 14/1 with Boylesports.
Derby v Man City
Derby County appear to have passed the point of no return at the bottom of the Premiership - Just one win from their 23 Premiership games has left them with an almost vertical struggle to stay up, and no doubt Paul Jewell is already preparing for life back in the championship next season.
Man city will be looking to get a win under their belts, knowing that their next two games bring the Premiership’s top two teams, Arsenal and Manchester United. A rare win for Derby will get you 9/2 courtesy of VC Bet, with Man City at 8/11 with Boyle Sports.
Everton v Spurs
Everton are on a roll at the moment, knowing a win over Spurs will give David Moyes’ men their forth successive Premiership victory, whilst Tottenham have lost their last three away from home. So far this season, Everton have scored more goals in stoppage time than any other team, whilst Spurs have conceded more late goals than anyone else - A 92nd minute winner for the toffeemen then?
Bet365 have Everton at 11/8 and Tottenham at 21/10. Totesport are offering the draw at 23/10.
Man United v Portsmouth
Milan Baros makes his debut for Pompey, who were fortunate to have squeezed past naval rivals Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup at the weekend courtesy of an extremely short-sighted referee who missed Sylvain Distin’s blatent handball in the Pilgims penalty area. Paul Scholes hopes to return for United after spending three months on the sidelines following a knee operation. This game should be David James 500th Premier League game.
Ladbrokes have United as strong favourites with odds of just 2/7, whilst Paddy Power have a Portsmouth win at an attractive 14/1.
West Ham v Liverpool
West Ham welcome Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington back to the match-day squad following injury, whilst Liverpool offer returns to Steven Gerrard, Reina, Carragher, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso who were rested for the FA Cup match against Havant and Waterlooville.
Bet365 have the Hammers home win at odds of 3/1, whilst Boyle Sports have Liverpool at Evens. Liverpool haven’t exactly been rampant of late, so the draw might have been attractive, although the odds (5/2 with Bet365) are a little short.
All odds correct at time of writing, but subject to change. Please check Latest Odds from Searchum Odds
Premiership Betting Preview 29th January
January 28, 2008
Arsenal v Newcastle
Arsenal face Newcastle just three short days after convincingly beating them 3-0 in the FA Cup, knowing that a win will put them three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premiership (Well, until tomorrow night at least), whilst the Magpies first game since the arrival of Denis Wise from Leeds sees them looking for both their first win, and first goal since the return of King Kev.
Arsenal are unbeaten in seven games, whilst Newcastle have failed to win in any of their last seven premiership matches, and haven’t scored in over 5 hours of football. On paper at least, a banked home win, with Boylesports offering just 1/3 for the home win, whilst Bet365 will give you 12/1 for a Toon Army victory.
Bolton v Fulham
Fulham have only won two premiership games all season - and one of them was against Bolton Wanderers, so the cottagers will be looking to complete the double over the trotters if they are going to stand any chance of closing the gap on their relegation rivals.
Fulham have yet to win in 11 games in the premiership (and are without a win in 28 games away from home), whilst Bolton’s only win in the last five came against the Premiership’s whipping boys Derby County, and they have only scored a solitary goal since selling their top scorer Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea.
Don’t expect a goalfest - Bet365 have Bolton as the favourites to win t 10/11, whilst Ladbrokes are offering 10/3 on the Cottagers finally picking up that crucial away win. With so much at stake though, the draw at 5/2 looks attractive.
Middlesbrough v Wigan
Wigan’s new £5m signing Marlon King should make his debut in another crucial game at the wrong end of the table. Bet365 have the former Watford hitman at 3/1 to score at anytime during the match. Steve Bruce’s Lactics are desperate for points, and would be happy to take anything away from the Riverside. Boro are favourites at 10/11 with Boyle Sports, whilst Bet365 have the best odds for both the draw (23/10) and for a Wigan victory (10/3)
Sunderland v Birmingham
It’s yet another six-pointer at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland face Birmingham City. The crucial match that could play a huge factor in the relegation battle come May should see Rade Prica and Phil Bardsley make their debuts for Roy Keane’s Black Cats, whilst James McFadden should make his first start for the Blues (Bet365 have him at 7/2 to score at any time during the match).
There’s no clear favourite in this tight encounter, so the draw looks the best bet at 9/4 with Boyle Sports, who also have a City win at 11/5, whilst Bet365 have the best odds for a home win (currently 13/10)
All odds correct at time of writing, but subject to fluctuation. Check the bookmaker’s sites for latest odds.
FA Cup Fourth Round betting preview
January 24, 2008
Saturday’s FA Cup Football
Mansfield Town v Middlesbrough – Live on BBC 1, k/o 12:30pm
The weekend’s FA Cup action kicks off with League Two minnowers Mansfield taking on Middlesbrough at the Field Mill stadium. Mansfield have had a great run in the FA Cup this season following wins over Lewes, Harrogate and Brighton to set up this exciting fourth round tie. Saturday’s clash will be the first meeting between the two clubs for more than 20 years and only their second encounter in the FA Cup. Middlesbrough were victorious in their last league meeting in 1987 at Ayresome Park in the old third division, while Mansfield ran out winners in their only FA Cup meeting to date 2-0 at Field Mill back in 1966. With no less than 78 places between these two sides, the gulf in class should be too much to handle for Mansfield, however, the magic of the FA Cup can always spring a few surprises. As you would expect, Boro have been priced as favourites for this match, with VC Bet offering 2/5 on a win for the Premiership side, while bookies have given Mansfield an outside chance of 6/1 (Better) to make it through to the next round.
BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Mansfield v Middlesbrough if Stewart Downing scores at anytime in this match.
Wigan v Chelsea – Live on BBC 1, k/o 5:15pm
Clearly the FA Cup will not rate highly on the list of priorities for the Latics this season with the relegation battle more important for the club. However, Chelsea are a big obstacle to face, especially considering that Blues boss Avram Grant is likely to rate the FA Cup as a very worthwhile competition given his desire to bring trophies to Stamford Bridge. Wigan have not got so much as a draw against Chelsea in recent years but matches against the Blues are always entertaining and keep supporters on the edges of their seats. Considering Chelsea’s consistency this season, bookmakers have priced them as favourites, with Centrebet offering 8/15 on an away win for the Blues, whereas Wigan have been given odds of 4/1 (Better) to produce a big shock and progress to the next round.
| Wigan to Win | 5/1 | vcbet |
| Draw | 11/4 | Centrebet |
| Chelsea to Win | 5/4 | Better |
BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Wigan v Chelsea if Joe Cole scores at anytime in this match.
Sunday’s FA Cup Football
Man Utd v Tottenham – Live on BBC 1, k/o 2:00pm
Tottenham go into this match with confidence riding high after the 5-1 drubbing of fierce rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup, a display that shows all the positives of Juande Ramos’ revitalised side. However, travelling to Old Trafford is never a desired trip, especially when United are in their current form. With the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez in red-hot form this season, the Tottenham defence are in for a torrid time. With both sides in winning form, expect this to be a highly contested and entertaining game of football. Considering United’s consistency this season, bookmakers have priced them as favourites, with Better offering 2/5 on an home win, whereas Tottenham have been given odds of 13/2 (vcbet) to get all 3 points.
BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Man Utd v Tottenham if Ryan Giggs scores at anytime in this match.
Sheffield Utd v Man City– Live on Sky Sports 1, k/o 4:00pm
Since being relegated on the final game of last season, Sheffield Utd have been a massive disappointment, languishing at 14th place in the Championship. Bryan Robson’s team desperately need a result to not only boost morale, but also to quell supporter discontent; however this will be extremely difficult against an impressive Man City. Sven’s City side have been fantastic this season, having surprised both supporters and critics with their exciting and attacking football during the campaign. The FA Cup is of major significance to City as this presents their only meaningful chance of silverware this season. As such, bookmakers have placed Man City as favourites, pricing them at 11/10 (vcbet) to win, while Centrebet have priced Sheffield Utd at 3/1 to reinstall some pride for the Blades.
BGbet are offering to refund all losing correct score bets on Sheffield Utd v Man City match if the game finishes 0-0.
Free Bingo at Gala - Today
January 24, 2008
Gala Bingo online have a special day planned today with free bingo available all day. Yes that was Free bingo all day. Simply log on at Gala Bingo, and play in any of the scheduled free games, you will need to be quick though as the clubs are bound to fill up.
The schedule for free bingo games is as following:
