Expert Bet

Football betting: Stupid bets before transfer window closed

How stupid should a punter be in order to risk 100 units to win 3 units? Well, such punters do exist, to the delight of the bookmakers.

Some Betfair punters placed their bets on Robbie Keane to stay at Liverpool. The Republic of Ireland captain was backed as low as 1.03 to remain a Liverpool player and was still odds-on to remain a red on Monday morning.

But Robbie Keane’s sensational and unexpected return to Spurs has left some Betfair customers in a state of shock.

The Irish striker has been backed as low as 1.03 (risking £100 to win £3) to stay at Anfield on the exchange’s “Keane To Stay?” market on the transfer window.

Despite those market-low odds, the Irishman was backed for small amounts, on Betfair on January 22nd, with more than £500 matched on him at odds of 1.06 or less.

Keane was odds-on to remain at Liverpool as late as Tuesday morning, only going odds-against just after 10 am.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said: “A good Christmas period for Keane had some Betfair customers taking it ‘as Red’ that he would still be a Liverpool player after the transfer window.”

Horseracing betting: Record win, record odds

On the other hand, there are also smart punters who know something about betting strategies. Betting on the underdogs might be considered a successful strategy that can bring punters some profit on the long term.

Forever’s Girl was successfully backed at huge odds of 1000 on Betfair.

Southwell runner Forever’s Girl overcame an awful start to land victory by a head, netting one punter £8,991 (minus commission!).

The latest addition to the select band of successful maximum-price winning punters on Betfair came in the 2.10 pm at Southwell on Tuesday, when Forever’s Girl was backed at odds of 1000.0 to be placed on the exchange.

Forever’s Girl won at the 10th attempt at Wolverhampton last month and did not run badly there in defeat next time.

Forever’s Girl had a hood on to go into the stalls for that five-furlong handicap but then, when Duran Fentiman reached up to whip it off her, she started bucking and rearing. As the stalls opened, Fentiman was still desperately tugging at the hood while his mount threw her head around. By the time the hood came off and the pair started their race, the others had had at least a 10-length start. She was laid at 1000.0 in-running to be placed.

One punter, a smart one “we might add” stepped in at that point and had £9 on Forever’s Girl at the maximum price.

And he was handsomely rewarded less than a minute later with a £8,991 return, minus commission.

Anyone would have thought that was £9 made but Forever’s Girl took off like a rocket and ran on strongly into third place behind the winner, Bold Rose.

And that was all it took for the punter to join one of the most exclusive clubs in racing - namely the one that consists of punters to have backed a 1000-1 winner on Betfair.

The British bookmakers have priced up betting on who will host the 2018 World Cup.

According to William Hill bookmakers, the World Cup in 2018 is likely to be hosted by England, William Hill’s red hot favourites.

England Favorites to host first Tournament in 22 Years

England can be backed at 11/8 with William Hill to be picked to host the World Cup. The rotation policy used by FIFA means that it will more than likely be held in Europe. As England have narrowly missed out on the 2006 World Cup which was eventually held in Germany, it is thought that England are capable of landing the World Cup.

Australia might be an interesting choice

There are joint second favourites, a joint bid from Portugal and Spain and a bid from Australia. Portugal and Spain looks a real possibility with the country likely to be held in Europe.

How about Australia’s possible bid? It would be a bit like when USA landed the World Cup in 2004. Punters can back both bids at 4/1 with William Hill.

Mexico set to host yet another World Cup

Other possible hosts that are prominent in the betting include Russia, who are 6/1 with William Hill and Mexico who are matched at 16/1 with William Hill.

Mexico hosted the World Cup in both 1970 and 1986 so they don’t look too likely, but Russia could be a good outside bet.

Here is a full list of proposition bets offered by William Hill on World Cup 2018 Host:

England 11/8
Australia 4/1
Spain/Portugal 4/1
Russia 6/1
Holland/Belgium 14/1
Mexico 16/1
USA 20/1
Japan 20/1
Qatar 33/1
Indonesia 50/1

Punters who enjoy betting long-shots can place their money on the absolute underdogs, Indonesia, matched at 50/1.

AC Milan are main favourites to win the UEFA Cup, heading the betting at a top 5/1 with Paddy Power, Betfred and Boylesports.

The Italians meet Werder Bremem in the last 32 and, if successful, will take on either Olympiacos or St Etienne.

Manchester City are second favourites to win the UEFA Cup after being drawn with FC Copenhagen in the last 32.

If City see off the Danes, they’ll play the winner of AaB Aalborg and Deportivo La Coruna in the last 16.

Mark Hughes’ men are as short as 7/1 with Sky Bet and a top 10s at Ladbrokes as the layers brace themselves for a flood of bets on the Manchester men if they spend big in the transfer window.

Aston Villa and Spurs, the other two English sides left in, are 2/1 with Stan James to meet in the last 16.

To do so, Villa must get past CSKA Moscow while Spurs will have to overcome Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk.

Villa seems to have the harder task as CSKA won this tournament in 2005 and were the only team in the group phase to win all four of their matches.

That’s reflected in the odds with Spurs at 16/1 and Villa being pushed out to 20s by Stan James.

However, Ladbrokes still seem to be pinning plenty of faith in Martin O’Neill’s men and have them as 10/1 joint second favorites alongside City and Valencia.

The last 32 ties will be played on February 18 and 19 with the return legs on February 26.

The final of the tournament takes place at Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on May 20.