Thursday, December 20, 2012

Punters tipping City goal fest - Betting Zone - Sportal Australia - Sportal.com.au


It is shaping as one of the mismatches of the EPL campaign with reigning champions Manchester City set to start one of the shortest-priced favourites of the season at home to last-placed Reading on Saturday.


City sit in second place and have lost just one game all season while Reading are in last place and have won just one game all season.


Reading are the $1.14 favourites with Betfair to be relegated this season while City are the $3.20 second favourites to win the title behind arch rivals Manchester United at $1.58 with the Red Devils currently enjoying a six-point lead at the top of the table.



And the odds certainly reflect what is shaping as either one of the most lopsided games of the season with City as short as $1.10 at TAB Sportsbet - where Reading are paying $17 - while at Betfair it's $1.16 for City and an incredible $24 in a two-horse race for the Royals.


Reading have lost their past six matches and conceded five goals at home last week against Arsenal and it is in correct score betting where the massive gulf between the teams becomes truly apparent.


In most football matches, a 1-1 draw or a single goal win either way are usually the favoured options for punters but not in this one.


A 0-0 draw is paying the huge odds of $40 at Betfair while a 1-1 draw is priced at $21 with a 1-0 win for Reading paying $60 and 2-0 an incredible $210.


In contrast, City to win 3-0 is the favoured option at $8.20 while a 2-0 win is paying $8.40 and 1-0 $14.


But while the main interest in the City-Reading clash lies in just how much Roberto Mancini's team will win by, there are several closer games for punters to bet on in the EPL on Saturday.


The hardest game to pick on Saturday and therefore the one offering the best value to punters is 11th-placed West Ham at home to sixth-placed Everton.


The Hammers have won just two of their past nine while Everton have won just two of their past 11 although it should be noted the Toffees have also lost just one game in that period with eight matches ending in a draw.


And the draw looks the way to go again in this one at the great odds of $3.35 at Betfair with Everton favourites at $2.60 and West Ham at $3.10.


Arsenal should chalk up three straight wins in the EPL for the first time this season away to a Wigan side now in the relegation zone and without a win in their past four games.


The Gunners are $1.65 at TAB Sportsbet and $1.77 at Betfair to win on the road with Wigan at $5 and $5.20 respectively while the draw is paying $3.65 at TAB Sportsbet and $4.10 with Betfair.


Arsenal remain in fifth spot, two points behind local rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in the race for a top-four finish and a Champions League spot.


But Spurs are favourites to maintain their slim lead over the Gunners this week at home to Stoke, with Tottenham paying $1.60 at TAB Sportsbet and $1.64 at Betfair against a Stoke side that have won away from home just once all season and are at $5.25 with TAB Sportsbet and $6.60 with Betfair.


In the other four Saturday games, Liverpool (Betfair, $1.56) should win at home against out-of-form Fulham (one win in nine) at $7.20, Newcastle at $2.12 are favoured to win at home against struggling QPR at $3.85 while in an early season relegation battle we fancy Southampton at home at $2.06 against Sunderland at $4.


But West Brom, winless in four matches, look a huge risk as the $2.04 favourites at Betfair against a Norwich side that have won their past three EPL matches with the Canaries great value at $4.20.


*Note prices subject to change


Bet of the day: City, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal are all short but all should win while Southampton are a good bet at $2.06 at Betfair to beat Sunderland.


Value bet of the day: Back the draw in the West Ham-Everton match at $3.35 and have a saver on Norwich to upset West Brom at $4.20.



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