AVB Can’t Ponder what Might have Been

May 21st, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Over the course of an entire season, it is still incredible to see that for all that time on pitch, major outcomes can come right down to the final half of the final game of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur boss, Andre Villas-Boas, will know all too well how small the margins are for success and failure in the Premier League, as Spurs just missed out on Champions League football to their bitter north London rivals, Arsenal.

The fallout of missing the top tier tournament in European football is still to be felt at The Lane, with doubts over Spurs star Gareth Bales and who the club will be able to bring in over the summer without the lure of Champions League action.

The end of season report for Tottenham notes that they secured their highest ever Premier League points tally with 72 this season but that has been little consolation for Villas-Boas, who knows his side will have to raise their game even further if they are to make that extra step next season.

He said: “To manage so many points and not make it means the level has come up, and it serves a reference for next season. Others have pushed on a level and next year we have to improve, so it is a good lesson to take into next season. It is a pity we missed it this season, because normally it would be enough to qualify.”

The Premier League looks set to be wide open next season with so many changes going on at the biggest clubs in England. If Spurs can keep hold of Bale and bring some extra quality to the club, they will certainly be in the mix for Champions League qualification next term.

Place a Champions League bet on Arsenal or Spurs, and take advantage of the best odds for European competition available online.

Di Canio not even thinking about next year

May 15th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio says he will only start planning for next season once his side’s Premier League status is confirmed.

The Italian took over at the Stadium of Light in April following the Black Cats’ dismal run under Martin O’Neill and had an immediate impact, beating local rivals Newcastle 3-0 in the Tyne-Wear derby before guiding his team to a 1-0 win over Everton.

However, they’ve lost some of their momentum in recent weeks, first going down 6-1 at fellow strugglers Aston Villa but did show some resolve when despite going down to 10 men against Stoke, they battled back to earn a draw.

The result left them sitting 15th in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone with two games left.

Sunday sees the Wearsiders face the team directly above them in the league Southampton in a game that both teams will go into knowing that victory will almost certainly guarantee their survival.

A win would be huge for Di Canio’s men as they are due to face Champions League Tottenham on the final day in a game that very few would tip them to win.

Although there is still plenty to plat for at the bottom, Monday’s point has left many Black Cats’ fans feeling as if they are safe.

However, their manager is taking nothing for granted and says will only start thinking about next season when his side are guaranteed their Premier League survival.

“I haven’t thought about transfers yet – absolutely nothing,” the outspoken boss said to premier league betting news http://www.bet365.com/news/en/betting/football reporters. “Everything can change at the moment, you can feel safe and then – boom – you can be hit like a hammer.

“So we have to make sure that we are safe first – I can’t think about transfers until then.”

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Dzeko Could be in with a Wembley Chance

May 10th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has hinted that striker Edin Dzeko could be in line for a starting berth in the FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic on Saturday after his winner against West Bromwich Albion secured Champions League football for City next season.

When asked if Dzeko was in his thoughts for the FA Cup final Mancini suggested that if the Bosnian was not too fatigued from the game against Albion, then he would certainly be in with a shout. “Yes, (he) could be,” the Italian said. “I am happy because he scored an important goal. With his goal we are in the Champions League and probably in second position. We have four days to recover from this game, so could be.”

Despite the departure of Mario Balotelli earlier in the season, Dzeko has found it hard to secure regular first team football, with Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero above him in the pecking order, and he has started only 17 games this term. Having gained something of a reputation as a super-sub, the former Wolfsburg man has, however, managed to bag himself 14 goals this season and his contribution is not lost on Mancini. “In the end he has scored important goals this season,” the City boss said, “I think he is one of the best in Europe for me.”

Having missed out retaining the league title this season the City players will be desperate to regain the FA Cup that they won back in 2011 and begin the game as heavy FA Cup favourites. Dzeko, who has appeared only twice in their cup run so far, will be more keen than most to show his worth. If given the chance by Mancini, Dzeko will undoubtedly cause problems for the Wigan defence and, given his scoring record scoring in crucial games, there will be plenty of activity in UK Betting markets backing him to hit the back of the net.

Is Jose Coming Home?

May 8th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a massive hint that former Blues boss Jose Mourinho is set to replace him in the summer.

The Portuguese coach stormed out of the club in typically robust style six years ago, but despite massive success at Inter Milan and a strong spell at Real Madrid, the rumours of a possible return have continued to hang over all of the West Londoners’ subsequent managers.

However, after a difficult season in Spain, it now looks almost certain that he will leave the Bernabeu in the summer, following a series of cryptic statements from both himself and the Los Blancos board.

Following his arrival in November, Benitez’s contract is due to expire at the end of the campaign and after guiding them to the Europa League final, he is certain to have a number of offers.

With Chelsea also looking set to finish in the Champions League places, you’d think that the club would be keen to keep hold of the Spaniard but the fans have never taken to him and always pined for their former manager.

Benitez knows his time is set to run out at Stamford Bridge and although nothing has been made official yet, he has dropped a massive hint that the “Special One” is about to return.

“We know next year there will be a new manager here, so it is very clear. I think everyone knows who will be here,” he said to the football betting news. “I have to concentrate on my job, it is not my concern what will happen here next year. I am doing a good job and I’m sure most of the fans appreciate that.

“What I find every day is a very good group of players, keen to learn. You could see a lot of improvement this year.”

Think you know who will take over at Chelsea? Put your money where your mouth is with a bet on football on the Bet365 website.

The treble is on

April 30th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Two months ago the majority of English football fans would have answered Manchester United if asked: “who could win the treble this season?”

United were in full flow in early February and had the FA Cup and Champions League to play for alongside a relatively easy domestic campaign. As we steer towards May, however, the two cup competitions are long forgotten and Sir Alex Ferguson must content himself with a league title for his troubles.

Yet the treble is still on, only not in England.

Bayern Munich are on course for a historic achievement after sweeping aside Wolfsburg 6-1 to reach the German Cup final. The Bundesliga giants have already wrapped up their 23rd top-flight title in record time this season and having beaten Juventus 4-0 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals, thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of their semi-final.

Life has never looked so good as it does now for Bayern, who are set to appoint former Barca boss Pep Guardiola as their new head coach this summer.

Having reached and lost two of the last three Champions League finals, seen the Bundesliga title twice snatched from their hands by Dortmund and been kept apart from the DFB Cup since 2010, recent years have proven tortuous for Bayern fans who like to bet on football but now the good times are set to come back.

Their squad boasts some of the best players in the world with Xherdan Shaqiri, Arjen Robben and Mario Mandzukic proving their world-class credentials with dominating displays while Germany’s Mario Gomez recently netted a six-minute hat-trick.

Thomas Muller is possibly the most in-form midfielder on the continent right now and has the productive Bastian Schweinsteiger always alongside for comfort.

Bayern’s performance on Tuesday epitomised their dominance in Germany – they’ve won their last 12 games – and most football betting news writers think that stranglehold is set to get tighter when Guardiola and the focus of European football turns towards Munich this summer.

Pulis believes in Stoke’s survival bid

April 26th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is confident that his side are good enough to stay in the Premier League despite their recent poor form.

After earning promotion from the Championship in 2008, Pulis has enjoyed plenty of success with the Potters, guiding them to a string of comfortable mid-table finishes, as well as Europa League football in 2011 after losing that year’s FA Cup final.

However, things haven’t exactly gone to plan in recent months and the Staffordshire outfit have now won just once in their last 14 league games, a run that has seen them drop to sixteenth in the table, just three points above the relegation places with five games left and leaves punters who bet on football tipping them to go down.

Saturday sees them travel to fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers, for a game that both sides will be desperate to win as the three points could turn out be the difference between relegation and survival.
It won’t be easy though as the R’s will go into the clash knowing defeat would almost end their chances of staying up, meaning it’s sure to be a fantastic occasion at Loftus Road.

Pulis admits that his side are in big trouble but remains upbeat and is looking forward to going head-to-head with his old friend Harry Redknapp.

“We’re having a difficult run but our supporters have been brilliant – they’ve got behind the team,” he told Premier League betting news reporters. “The players look bright and we’ve got to keep them bright, positive and focussed. We’ve struggled in both boxes of late. We’ve given poor goals away and at the other end, we’ve not taken chances.

“Harry Redknapp has always been a fighter – he’s a bit like Sir Alex, I can see him going on and on.”

Taylor out until 2014/15 Season

April 18th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Newcastle United fans must be wondering if they’ll ever see Ryan Taylor in a Magpies shirt again after the defender suffered a further cruciate knee ligament injury this week.

The 28-year-old first injured his knee during Newcastle’s Europe League match with Atromitos in August – a hurt that effectively ruled him out for the rest of this season.

Sadly, despite surgery, rehabilitation and a return to training Taylor has suffered a repeat injury and is now likely to be out until August 2014.

To miss the majority of one season is bad for a career but to go almost 24 months without kicking a competitive football is practically disastrous. For Taylor is a defender who wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t the kind of man to pull out of defensive duties – yet he may have to change his game when he returns.

He will definitely lose some of his reaction speed and instead must rely more on his footballing brain to drop off strikers when necessary and give him that extra yard. He was a boisterous, rough force in the Newcastle back line but sadly he cannot play to such a level of physical commitment with a reconstructed knee.

Another high profile case is Ledley King, who was forced to retire last season after suffering recurrent knee problems. Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi, meanwhile, has only just recovered from an 18-month knee problem and it is unknown how he will cope with Serie A action for Fiorentina.

The news is both disheartening and disappointing for fans on Betfair Football, as Taylor is well liked at St James’ Park and respected throughout the Premier League. At 28 his career might not be over just yet but a two-year absence is not something one easily bounces back from.

Newcastle play Liverpool this weekend, in a game that could help inch them back towards safety.

Mancini Ready for Important Summer

April 16th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, has made it clear that he is determined to use this summer as a chance to assemble a squad capable of reclaiming a Premier League title that appears to be heading back to Old Trafford.

The Italian has made no secret for a number of weeks that this year’s title race has been won by Manchester United, blaming a lack of strength in depth as the main reason for this season’s failure in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Despite bringing in Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia, Matija Nastasic, Scott Sinclair, and Maicon, Mancini has insisted he needed more options if City were going to be able to build on last year’s achievements and move forward this season.

“We know we can win the title next season but this year we made some mistakes,” admitted Mancini to Betfair Football.

“We would probably be at the top… probably also in a Champions League quarter-final. We had a chance to get three or four players that would have improved our team but now it is finished with. We have got three months where we can work well and improve our team.”

But despite Mancini’s comments, there is still more than a splash of doubt regarding whether or not the Italian will still be in charge of City by the start of next season.

Even if the club manage to win the FA Cup for the second season running, City’s failure to defend their Premier League title, as well as continuing to make little impact in the Champions League, Mancini could find himself out of a job this summer.

Jose Mourinho, anyone?

Chelsea Will Bounce Back- Luiz

April 15th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Chelsea defender David Luiz is confident that his side can bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City and can end their season in style by winning the Europa League.

City were good value for their 2-1 win at Wembley but, having gone 2-0 down just after half-time, Chelsea showed great spirit and heart to come back into the game and this was encouraging for Luiz. “It’s not difficult (to overcome),” the Brazilian said to football betting news.

“You need to take positive things. For us it was a great game. In the second half we controlled the game, we controlled one big team and created a lot of opportunities. In the future we have confidence. I’m always positive.”

Having failed in their bid to retain the FA Cup, Chelsea’s focus now switches back to Premier League and Europa League matters and Luiz is confident that Sunday’s loss can galvanise his team as they aim to win a second European trophy in two seasons. “We have important games in the future,” the 25-year old said. “We need to win. We need to be in the best position in the league and win the Europa League.”

Chelsea face Fulham in the West London derby on Wednesday night and, having slipped below Arsenal in the league table, they will be desperate to make amends for Sunday’s defeat. The Blues’ can certainly take heart from the way that they held Manchester City in the second half at Wembley but they will need to maintain their focus right up until the end of the season if Rafa Benitez’s reign is to end in success.

Fulham have little left to play for this season and with no more than local pride at stake for them on Wednesday, plenty of punters who bet on premier league games think that Luiz and his team should be confident of a comfortable victory at Craven Cottage.

Hughton wants Norwich Stars to show Belief

April 10th, 2013 by bet365 No comments »

Norwich boss, Chris Hughton, says his side need to show “belief and confidence” as they continue their fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

After a bright start to the campaign, the Canaries previously looked safe, but a run of just one win in 15 league matches has seen them drop down the table and they are now just five points clear of the drop zone.

The Norfolk side’s poor run has coincided with the form of a number of the teams below them massively improving and Saturday’s draw with Swansea came on the same day that Aston Villa continued their resurgence with a win away at Stoke.

They now have six games left to ensure their survival and the run-in certainly has not been kind to them, with Arsenal next time out and Manchester City on the final day, although they do have winnable games against the likes of Reading and Villa.

This is the point in the season when managers really learn about their players and the former Newcastle boss could do with some of his underperforming stars to stand up and be counted.

Hughton recognises that his side are now well and truly in a relegation battle but is refusing to panic and has called on his players use “belief and confidence” to ensure they do not drop into the Championship.

“It is getting tough,” he told Premier League betting news reporters. “But we know all the teams around where we are are all capable of winning football matches.

“We have to make sure that in this final six games of the season, of which three are at home, we get enough points.

“And if we show enough belief and confidence, like we did today in good phases, then we will have done enough.”

Do you think that Norwich can avoid relegation? Put your money where your mouth is with a bet on football.

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  • Monthly Stats – December

    Sean
    Betfair - Bet: €1349.12 - Balance €202.07
    PaddyPower - Bet: €1.00 - Balance: €5.12
    Total - Bet: €1350.12 - Balance: €207.19

    Enda
    Betfair - Bet: €55.98 - Balance: €8.95
    PaddyPower - Bet: €0.00 - Balance: €0.00
    Total - Bet: €0.00 - Balance: €8.95

  • Monthly Stats – November

    Sean
    Betfair - Bet: €136.05 - Balance: €0.00
    PaddyPower - Bet: €5.00 - Balance: €0.00
    Total - Bet: €141.05 - Balance: €0.00

    Enda
    Betfair - Bet: €31.88 - Balance: €20.11
    PaddyPower - Bet: €3.72 - Balance: €1.18
    Total - Bet: €35.60 - Balance: €21.29

  • Monthly Stats – October

    Sean
    Betfair - Bet: €20.00 - Balance: €0.00
    PaddyPower - Bet: €6.00 - Balance: €17.16
    Total - Bet: €26.00 - Balance: €17.16

    Enda
    Betfair - Bet: €25.68 - Balance: €19.28
    PaddyPower - Bet: €1.28 - Balance: €3.72
    Total - Bet: €26.96 - Balance: €23.00

  • Monthly Stats – September

    Sean
    Betfair - Bet: €141.50 - Balance: €71.91
    PaddyPower - Bet: €5.00 - Balance: €1.17
    Total - Bet: €146.50 - Balance: €72.91

    Enda
    Betfair - Bet: €30.71 - Balance: €62.54
    PaddyPower - Bet: €10.73 - Balance: €11.62
    Total - Bet: €41.44 - Balance: €74.16

  • Monthly Stats – August

    Sean - Bet: €901.57 - Balance: €50.58 Sean Wins!
    Enda - Bet: €89.86 - Balance: €49.95

  • Polls

    Who'll win in December?

    • Sean (100%, 3 Votes)
    • Enda (0%, 0 Votes)

    Total Voters: 3

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