Euro 2012 Qualifier: England v Switzerland Betting

After another hectic end of season finale England’s superstars would be forgiven for packing their bags and jetting off abroad for a deserved holiday. However, they cannot afford to relax just yet as there is the small matter of an important Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at 4:45pm on Saturday 4^th June.

The Three Lions are currently locked on 10 points with surprise contenders Montenegro at the top of Group G, with their superior goal difference all that separates the two teams. In contrast, the much fancied Swiss side have had a woeful campaign, where they have picked up just four points from four games. Their Head Coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, knows that they need to come away with an unlikely victory at Wembley in order to ignite their slim qualification chances. Whereas a win for Fabio Capello’s men could extend England’s lead to three points at the top of the table as they edge closer to automatic qualification for Euro 2012 next summer.

England were convincing 3-1 winners aginst Switzerland back in September when the teams met in Basel. England are firm favourites at 4/11 to come away with the three points on Saturday, whilst Switzerland are outsiders at 8/1 to record what would be a shock win. However, the Swiss cannot be taken for granted as this is the same team who upset the eventual champions Spain 1-0 in their opening group game of the 2010 World Cup. If England can play to their full potential we fancy a convincing win, with a scoreline of 3-1 looking good value at 11/1 with Victor Chandler.

With Wayne Rooney suspended and Jermaine Defoe injured, England face a mini-striker crisis. This could be a blessing in disguise as it gives fringe forwards such as Darren Bent, Bobby Zamora and Peter Crouch a chance to shine and really prove themselves on an international level. Victor Chandler have given Bent odds of 18/5 to open the scoring and 4/1 to grab a brace, whilst Zamora and Crouch are both available at 17/4 to score the game’s opening goal.

England v Switzerland Match Odds

4/11 – England

8/1 – Switzerland

18/5 – Draw

England v Switzerland Specials

6/1 – Theo Walcott to open the scoring

18/1 – Darren Bent to score a hat-trick

33/1 – England 5-0 Switzerland

All odds are courtesy of Victor Chandler

Ronan Parke Odds On In Britains Got Talent Betting

It is that time of year again with Britains Got Talent now at the live stage and there is only one contestant on every one’s mind at the moment ahead of the final on Saturday, and that is 12 year-old singing sensation Ronan Parke. The young singer wowed the judges and the bookmakers alike during the audition stage and he did exactly the same in the live Semi-Final to book his place in the Grand Final on Saturday night. Parke was clearly the star attraction of the first live Semi-Final and Paddy Power have slashed his price all the way into 4/7 to win the whole competition and at this stage he is the one to beat.

The British public love a young singer and Parke could be a boy to watch over the next few years with Simon Cowell no doubt waiting in the wings ready to snap him up to a big money record deal over the next few weeks. Punters wanting to find some value elsewhere in the Outright Winner market might want to look closely at Razy Gogonea who impressed the judges during his audition recently. The Romanian body popper is full of talent and punters can get a price of 5/1 with Paddy Power about him going all the way and winning the competition, dancers are always popular and he could yet pull it out of the bag.

Outside of the major contenders there are one or two who may have a chance if their act translates well to a live stage and the exciting Circus of Horrors could be one that falls into that category. They were exciting and unique during their audition and at the moment their price of 25/1 with Paddy Power could prove tempting in the outright winner market. At the moment though it looks as though Ronan Parke has the competition in the bag and any other result will be a big surprise for both the bookmakers and the viewing public.

Outright Britains Got Talent Winner Odds 2011 with Paddy Power

• 4/7 – Ronan Parke
• 5/1 – Razy Gogonea
• 10/1 – Jai McDowell
• 14/1 – Michael Collings
• 16/1 – James Hobley
• 20/1 – New Bounce
• 25/1 – Edward Reid
• 25/1 – The Circus Of Horrors
• 25/1 – Jessica Hobson
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power

Monaco Grand Prix Betting Specials

The most glamorous and dangerous race on the circuit is upon us this Sunday as the racers prepare for a frantic battle in the streets of Monaco. The eye-catching Monaco Grand Prix is always one of the highlights on the racing calendar due to its spectacular setting, tight corners, elevation changes and unpredictability. Drivers most show an array of skills in order to finish first, with immense bravery and impeccable precision high on that list. Betfred are themselves providing punters with an eye-popping race special, whereby if your chosen selection finishes second to Lewis Hamilton then they will refund all your losing outright bets as free bets!

Sebastian Vettel stormed to his fourth win in five races last week when he held off a spirited challenge from Lewis Hamilton to win the Spanish Grand Prix. The German thus extended his lead at the top of the standings to a now seemingly uncatchable 41 points, and is unsurprisingly the clear favourite in Monaco, with Betfred putting him at evens to win the race. It was his Red Bull team mate Mark Webber who tasted success here last year and could be a good bet at 5/1 to finaly get his season started and win here in 2011.

Fernando Alonso has told his Ferrari team that they desperately need to take some risks in Monaco if he is to have any chance of catapulting himself back into contention in the Drivers World Championship standings. The Spaniard has impressed in practice in Monaco and has the experience of knowing what it takes to win here having done so in 2006 and 2007. The fiery 29-year-old will also be determined to make amends for last weekend when, despite making an exceptional start  where he led the first 18 laps, he eventually lost momentum and slumped to a disappointing fifth place finish. Betfred have Alonso available at 6/1 to win here for the first time in four years.

This tight street circuit could favour the McLaren duo, who will both be equally determined to prevent Vettel from recording yet another victory. Betfred have Hamilton at 4/1 to win, while Button has longer odds of 14/1.

Monaco Grand Prix Winner Odds

Sebastian Vettel – Evens

Lewis Hamilton – 4/1

Mark Webber – 5/1

Fernando Alonso – 6/1

Jenson Button – 14/1

Nico Rosberg – 25/1

Nick Heidfeld – 33/1

Felipe Massa – 50/1

Vitaly Petrov – 66/1

Michael Schumacher – 66/1

Pole Position Odds

Sebastian Vettel – 8/11

Mark Webber – 7/2

Fernando Alonso – 6/1

Lewis Hamilton – 7/1

Jenson Button – 20/1

Nico Rosberg – 33/1

Nick Heidfeld – 33/1

Felipe Massa – 50/1

Vitaly Petrov – 100/1

Michael Schumacher – 100/1

Fastest Lap Odds

Sebastian Vettel – 9/4

Mark Webber – 9/4

Lewis Hamilton – 5/1

Fernando Alonso – 8/1

Jenson Button – 10/1

Nick Heidfeld – 20/1

Nico Rosberg – 25/1

Felipe Massa – 25/1

Vitaly Petrov – 25/1

Michael Schumacher – 33/1

All odds are courtesy of Betfred

Miami Heat and Lebron James Odds On In NBA Championship Betting

We are at the business end of the NBA Season in America with the play-offs reaching a climax and all attention continues to be on the big spending Miami Heat, who according  to the latest show of betting are set to claim their second NBA Championship this year. The Heat have been in form all season following their capture of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James in the off season and those three in particular have been instrumental in their success so far in the play-offs. James is of course the biggest name in the NBA at the moment and with his help the bookmakers believe the Heat are a sure thing with Boylesports pricing them at 1/2 to win the Championship this season.

The Heat are already on the verge of claiming the Eastern Conference with a series win over the Chicago Bulls looking like a certainty at the moment, they will then go through to take on the impressive Dallas Mavericks who have claimed the win in the West. The Mavericks swept aside the challenge from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Finals and should match up well against the Heat despite being the underdogs. Punters wanting to back Dallas to win the 2011 NBA Championship get get a price of 13/8 currently with Boylesports and that could prove nice value.

There is no doubt that The Heat will be the team to beat in the finals when they make their way past the Chicago Bulls but in the Dallas Mavericks they will be facing a tough team who will fancy their chances of an upset. Miami will be looking to Lebron James to lead them to victory and he will of course be the favourite to pick up the coveted MVP ring if the Heat are successful in the upcoming best-of-seven final series.

NBA Championship Outright Win Betting – 26/05/11

• 1/2 – Miami Heat
• 13/8 – Dallas Mavericks
• 20/1 – Chocago Bulls

All markets supplied by Boylesports.com

Pippa Middleton the early favourite to be crowned FHM’s Sexiest Woman in 2012

Pippa Middleton, who shot to fame in April at the Royal Wedding, has been installed as the bookmakers favourite to win FHM’s Sexiest Woman in the World award in 2012, with odds of 13/8 at Paddy Power. The 27-year-old instantly become a global phenomenon after she wowed the world in her stunning bridesmaid dress. As a result she is also the odds on favourite at 1/7 with Paddy Power to win the prestigious Rear of the Year award, a title we are sure she secretly craves. Next year’s FHM list has a distinctively royal feel to it, with Pippa’s sister Kate, or the ‘Duchess of Cambridge’ as she is now known, at 10/1 and Prince Harry’s on-and-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy at 40/1.

After narrowly missing out on the award this year, finishing second and third respectively, Pop babes Katy Perry and Rihanna are both available at 6/1 to clinch it in 2012. The woman who beat the Americans to this year’s accolade was 24-year-old Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley, a Victoria Secret model and Megan Fox’s replacement in the upcoming Transformers movie. The British scorcher has been given odds of 8/1 to retain her title.

Cheryl Cole, who was going for the hat-trick this year after winning in 2008 and 2009, will be hoping to bounce back from her ‘blip’ this year (she finished way down in 12th)  and is 8/1 to do so. The Saturday’s stunner Frankie Sandford is also in the mix at 16/1. Elsewhere fellow British babes Kelly Brook and Emma Watson are priced at 33/1, while pop extrovert Lady Gaga is an outsider at 200/1 with Paddy Power.

FHM’s 2012 Sexiest Woman in the World Winner Betting Odds

• Pippa Middleton – 13/8
• Rihanna – 6/1
• Katy Perry – 6/1
• Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley – 8/1
• Irina Shayk – 8/1
• Cheryl Cole – 8/1
• Megan Fox – 9/1
• Kate Middleton – 10/1
• Frankie Sandford – 16/1
• Olivia Wilde – 20/1
• Mila Kunis – 25/1
• Candice Swanepoel – 25/1
• Marisa Miller – 33/1
• Daisy Lowe – 33/1
• Kelly Brook – 33/1
• Emma Watson – 33/1
• Lady GaGa – 200/1

All odds courtesy of Paddy Power

In Form Luke Donald The Favourite In Race To Dubai 2011 Betting

The Race To Dubai maybe a relatively new concept for the European tour but already it is becoming an important part of the year for the top players in the world. The Majors are of course the main focus for the best players but behind that is the lucrative Race To Dubai which runs through the season and is based on the amount of money that the players earn through the campaign. The top 60 players in the Race To Dubai will go to the Dubai World Championships at the end of the season, the top 15 after that then share a massive bonus pool with the winner earning a massive pay day, at the moment the man to beat according to the betting is Luke Donald who has been in great form so far in 2011.

As mentioned it is Luke Donald who leads the Race To Dubai at the moment and that is reflected in his price of 15/8 with Paddy Power to claim the overall prize, Donald has been in scintillating form and his current lead is based on only a handful of European Tour events. Donald plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour in America so he will need to be at his very best every time he plays in Europe if he is to maintain his lead at the top, so far he has managed that and there is no doubting he is the in-form player in the world at the moment.

Punters wanting to look elsewhere in the Race To Dubai Betting may want to consider the chances of Martin Kaymer who as well as winning the USPGA Championship last season has had a spell at World Number 1 recently making him one to watch again in 2011. Kaymer has committed himself to the European tour this season and with that in mind his price of 3/1 with Paddy Power may prove to be the value here after winning the Race in 2010. Another one who of course cannot be ruled out is Lee Westwood who is always a force to be reckoned with, at the time of writing he sits at the top of the World rankings and having won the Race To Dubai in 2009 he clearly knows how to maintain his form through a long season.

Race To Dubai 2011 Betting with Paddy Power

• 15/8 – Luke Donald
• 3/1 – Marrtin Kaymer
• 5/1 – Lee Westwood
• 13/2 – Charl Schwartzel
• 7/1 – Rory McIlroy
• 16/1 – Ian Poulter
• 25/1 – Alvaro Quiros
• 28/1 – Francesco Molinari
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Morgan 7/1 To Finish As England Top Batsman

The heroic England test team return to our screens for the first time since their historic Ashes win last Christmas. In a largely unchanged side, Andy Flowers has chosen to bring in the exciting young batsman Eoin Morgan for England’s openng test match against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Thursday 26th May. Ladbrokes have Morgan available at good odds of 7/1 to finish as England’s Top Series Run Scorer as England look to justify their status as 4/9 favourites to win the series.

The opening match provides Morgan with an ideal opportunity to cement his place as an England regular after he failed to make an appearance during the Ashes. Morgan has been in fine form for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2011 IPL and will be looking to take his performances into Thursday’s match. Another batsman desperate to make an impression is Kevin Pietersen, who has been out of action since leaving Australia with a back injury. The charismatic 30-year-old is 4/1 with Ladbrokes to finish as England’s Top Series Run Scorer.

Jimmy Anderson will lead the bowling attack, and is priced at 9/4 with Ladbrokes to finish the series as England’s Top Wicket-Taker, while Graeme Swann is available at 2/1 the new national Twenty20 captain, Stuart Broad, is at 4/1.

England v Sri Lanka 1^st Test Odds

4/5 – England

4/1 – Sri Lanka

15/8 – Draw

England v Sri Lanka Series Winner

4/9 – England

5/1 – Sri Lanka

10/3 – Draw

England v Sri Lanka Specials

9/2 – England win series 3-0

7/2/ – Andrew Strauss Top England Series Run Scorer

7/1 – Steven Finn Top England Series Wicket-Taker

9/4 – Kumar Sangakkara Top Sri Lanka Run Scorer

7/2 – Ajantha Mendis Top Sri-Lanka Series Wicket-Taker

All odds courtesy of Ladbrokes

Champions League Specials – Barcelona v Manchester United

The mouth-watering match all football fans craved is now open us as the Spanish giants Barcelona take on the English Champions Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday 28^th May. The eagerly anticipated encounter between the two European heavyweights is a repeat of the 2009 Final, in which Barcelona won 2-0, and to celebrate the occasion Paddy Power have some corking money-back specials on offer: If Barcelona win the match in normal time, Paddy Power will refund all losing correct score, first/last goalscorer and scorecast singles on the match, so go on get involved in the biggest betting fixture of the season.

Both teams wrapped up their respective domestic leagues with games to spare, and have been equally as impressive throughout the duration of the Champions League this season. The match will be played at the spectacular Wembley Stadium, the perfect venue for this spicy encounter. Barcelona go into the match as the odds-on 1/2 favourites to lift what would be their second Champions League trophy in three years, while Man Utd are available at 6/4 to win the Champions League for the second time in four years.

An abundance of top quality players will be gracing the Wembley pitch this weekend, so expect a match of the highest quality. For Man Utd, Wayne Rooney has hit form at the right time, while Javier Hernandez has been a sensation since arriving last summer. The Red Devils also have the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner Dimitar Berbatov in their ranks as well as the reliable Michael Owen. Paddy Power have Rooney at 6/1 to open the scoring in 90 minutes and 5/1 for Rooney to score and Utd to win in 90 minutes. Hernandez is at 13/2, Berbatov at 7/1 and Owen at 9/1 to score first in 90 minutes.

Barcelona too have a plethora of options in attack, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Pedro and David Villa. Messi has been in sensational form this season, and is the Champions League top scorer with an impressive 11 goals in 12 apperances in the competition. However, the Argentine has never scored a goal in England, but what better stage to open your account then in the Final at Wembley. Paddy Power have Messi priced at 4/1 to open the scoring and 28/1 to score first and Barcelona win the match 2-0 in 90 minutes play. Other first goal scorer odds include Villa at 11/2, Pedro at 13/2, Andres Iniesta at 8/1 and Xavi at 12/1 – all within 90 minutes.

In 1998 United won the Champions League in dramatic fashion, scoring two goals in stoppage time to record a stunning win over Bayern Munich. Paddy Power are offering long odds of 75/1 for Barcelona to be winning 1-0 at half-time and Man Utd to come back and win 2-1 after 90 minutes. Similarly to Peter Schmeichel in that historic win, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will be playing his final game for United, and could we witness yet another heroic performance from the Dutchman as he looks to draw on every ounce of experience in order to keep the Barcelona attack at bay. Paddy Power have the 40-year-old at 11/4 to keep a clean sheet in 90 minutes.

Barcelona v Manchester United Odds To Lift Cup

1/2 – Barcelona

6/4 – Man Utd

Barcelona v Manchester United Match Odds (90 minutes)

Evens – Barcelona

11/4 – Man Utd

12/5 – Draw

Match Specials (90 minutes)

13/5 – Barcelona win by exactly one goal

23/10 – Penalty awarded

4/1 – Both teams to score in the first-half

22/1 – First goal to be an own goal

25/1 – Lionel Messi Hat-trick

All odds courtesy of Paddy Power

Hamilton 7/1 to win Spanish Grand Prix

The fifth race of the season roars into action this Sunday in the Spanish city of Barcelona. In the previous race in Turkey Sebastian Vettel won his third race of the season, extending his lead at the top of the F1 Drivers Championship to a staggering 34 points. If Lewis Hamilton and co have any chance of catching the prolific German they desperately need to put pedal to the metal in Spain.

As in every race to date in 2011 Vettel has been installed as the odds-on favourite for the win, with Boylesports pricing the 23-year-old at 8/11 to come away with all 25 points. Hamilton, who looked good in qualifying, is available at good odds of 7/1 to win his second race of the season, while his McLaren team mate Jenson Button is 16/1. Mark Webber was successful in Spain last year and is 11/4 to put in a repeat performance and win there this year and spark his season into life.

The Barcelona track is well known for being very difficult to overtake, with this in mind you would think that it will be hard to beat the driver who starts in pole position. Fernando Alonso, who finished second on this course in 2010, is 10/1 to start the race in pole position and 8/1 to win the race. The Spaniard is lagging back in fifth in the standings and needs a win to get himself back in contention for the Championship, and what better way to kick-start his season then winning on his home patch.

Spanish Grand Prix Outright Winner Odds

• 8/11 – Sebastian Vettel
• 11/4 – Mark Webber
• 7/1 – Lewis Hamilton
• 8/1 – Fernando Alonso
• 16/1 – Jenson Button
• 25/1 – Nico Rosberg
• 50/1 – Felipe Massa
• 80/1 – Michael Schumacher
• 100/1 – Nick Heidfeld
• 100/1 – Vitaly Petrov

All odds courtesy of Boylesports

Survival Sunday Specials – Who will get relegated?

Five teams will be scraping for their Premier League lives on the final day of the 2010/11 season this Sunday in what promises to be one of the most exciting end of season finales of all time. The day is sure to be high in drama as Wolves, Blackburn, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan fight for their Premier League survival.

Who will be joining West Ham in the Championship next season?

Blackpool have arguably the hardest task as they face a trip to Old Trafford against the newly crowned Premier League Champions Manchester United. Although the odds are against them, the Tangerines will most likely be facing a second string United side as Sir Alex Ferguson looks to rest key players ahead of United’s titanic clash with Barcelona in the Champions League Final. However, Ian Holloway will know that whatever team Fergie opts to play against his side they will be in for a tough afternoon. ­­­Similarly Birmingham face a difficult challenge as they travel to Tottenham looking for three points. The Midlands club will need a dramatic improvement on last weekend’s dismal defeat to Fulham if they are to have any hope of clinging onto their Premier league status.

Wigan and Wolves go into the final day as the most in form teams out of the five relegation threatened clubs. Wigan are currently riding high on a wave of confidence after their thrilling 3-2 win against West Ham last week but, this Sunday they must get a result at Stoke, which is by no means easy. Roberto Martinez will be hoping that the Potters will still be feeling the effects of their FA Cup Final defeat and following Premier League thrashing last week– both at the hands of Manchester City. Wolves host Blackburn in what will no doubt be a nervy affair at Molineux. You would think that a draw would be just enough to ensure safety for both teams but both managers will be drilling into their players that three points will ensure safety, so expect end-to-end action.

Relegation Outright Odds

1/3 – Blackpool

4/6 – Birmingham

8/11 – Wigan Athletic

6/1 – Wolves

12/1 – Blackburn

Relegated at Half-time & Stay up at Full-time

11/4 – Wigan

10/1 – Birmingham

6/1 – Blackpool

50/1 – Wolves

Relegation Doubles Odds

15/8 – Blackpool/Birmingham/West Ham

23/10 – Blackpool/Wigan/West Ham

10/3 – Wigan/Birmingham/West Ham

12/1 – Blackpool/Wolverhampton/West Ham

14/1 – Birmingham/Wolverhampton/West Ham

16/1 – Wigan/Wolverhampton/West Ham

18/1 – Blackpool/Blackburn/West Ham

25/1 – Birmingham/Blackburn/West Ham

30/1 – Wigan/Blackburn/West Ham

200/1 – Wolverhampton/Blackburn/West Ham

Premier League Specials

12/1 – Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City & Arsenal all to win

17/1 – Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle & Tottenham all to win

90/1 – Birmingham, Blackpool & Wigan all to win

All odds courtesy of Paddy Power

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