Football betting tips

 Weekend Sports Betting Preview

Bet on this Weekend’s Sport

We have some fantastic sport this weekend, with the FA Cup Quarter Finals featuring Man Utd v Portsmouth and Barnsley v Chelsea and Premiership action featuring Wigan v Arsenal. We also have more Six Nations action with Scotland v England and the 2:40pm at Sandown on Saturday.

Saturday’s FA Cup Football

Man Utd v Portsmouth – Live on Sky Sports 1, k/o 12:45pm

To kick off the FA Cup quarter finals, we have the only all Premiership fixture with Man Utd v Portsmouth at Old Trafford. These two sides have played each other twice this season, and both times Ronaldo has been the centre of attention; being sent off in the first meeting and scoring two fantastic goals in the second game at Old Trafford. Don’t bet against Ronaldo running this game either. United really stated their intent in this competition in the last round, where they demolished arch rivals Arsenal 4-0. The African Cup of Nations has really affected Portsmouth, as they had key squad players missing, their top 6 rivals have been able to capitalise, leading to Portsmouth dropping away from the coveted European place. Harry Redknapp will view the FA Cup as a realistic route into Europe, so you can bet that Portsmouth will go all out at Old Trafford. With United at home and in devastating form this season, bookies have priced them as favourites for this match, with Better offering 4/11 on a home win, while Portsmouth have been priced at 10/1 (VC Bet) to upset the rulebook and progress to the semis.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Man Utd v Portsmouth if Nani scores at anytime in this match.*

Barnsley v Chelsea – Live on BBC 1, k/o 5:30pm

This match has a real David vs. Goliath feel to it, with Championship side Barnsley’s entire squad costing £10m less then Michael Essien alone. However, Barnsley have already defied the odds once in this competition, having beaten European champions Liverpool at Anfield, a tremendous achievement for any team. Although Chelsea are still in contention for all competitions, Avram Grant will view the FA Cup as Chelsea most ‘winnable’ trophy, especially in atoning for their Carling Cup Final defeat to Tottenham. Chelsea also come off two impressive performances, where they have score seven goals and conceded none. On paper Barnsley look to have little chance of progression, but with the magic of the FA Cup, anything can happen. Considering the gulf in class between these two teams, bookmakers have placed Chelsea as favourites, pricing them at 4/11 (Centrebet) to get the away win, while Better have priced Barnsley at 8/1 to beat the odds and pull off a tremendous victory.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Barnsley v Chelsea if Frank Lampard scores at anytime in this match.*

Sunday’s FA Cup Football

Middlesbrough v Cardiff – Live on BBC 1, k/o 2:00pm

Middlesbrough may count themselves lucky to be still involved in the FA Cup after their fortunate win against Sheffield Utd in the last round. In that match, a freak Paddy Kenny own goal deep into extra time gifted Middlesbrough the result in a drab affair. Middlesbrough have been enjoying some good form of late, having won five matches since the turn of the year. This match represents Cardiff’s first FA Cup quarter final in 81 years, and the occasion won’t be lost on them. With their domestic form deserting them and leaving them in 14th place in the Championship, the FA Cup provides a welcomed distraction. Bookmakers have placed Middlesbrough as favourites, pricing them at 4/7 (Better) to get the home win, while VC Bet have priced Cardiff at 4/1 to reinstall some pride at the Riverside Stadium.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Middlesbrough v Cardiff if Stewart Downing scores at anytime in this match.*

Bristol Rovers v West Brom – Live on BBC 1, k/o 6:00pm

This match sees a clash between two Football League teams, League One Bristol Rovers v Championship highfliers West Brom. Similar to Cardiff, Bristol Rovers have been disappointing in League One. Having been considered one of the favourites for promotion, they find themselves languishing in 14th. Having already produced one fantastic performance to knock out Fulham in the third round, the magic of the Cup and the atmosphere of their home ground could easily inspire them to reach their first FA Cup semi-final. West Brom have been one of the best performing teams in the Championship this season, as they are still realistic contenders to win the league. With players such as Championship Player of the Year Kevin Phillips and Zoltan Gera bringing Premiership experience and real quality, don’t bet against West Brom hounding the Bristol Rovers defence. Whatever the end result should be, this promises to be a fantastic game of football. West Brom have been priced as favourites at 11/10 (Centrebet), meanwhile Bristol Rovers have been priced at 12/5 by Better to claim another big team scalp.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Bristol Rovers v West Brom if Kevin Phillips scores at anytime in this match.*

Sunday’s Premiership Football

Wigan v Arsenal– Live on Sky Sports 1, k/o 4:00pm

The big Premiership match this weekend sees Wigan host league leaders Arsenal at the JJB Stadium. Steve Bruce has pulled off some surprising victories since taking the helm at Wigan back in November. He has led the Latics to wins over Blackburn, Newcastle, Derby (twice) and West Ham but a win over the League leaders is another matter entirely. After all, Wigan have enjoyed no Premier League success over the Gunners in the past and the North Londoners will be buoyed by their heroics in Milan. Wenger’s young guns may have been misfiring of late but they still have lost just one Premier League match all season. They’ve gone 12 matches unbeaten since they surprisingly lost at Middlesbrough back in early December. They’ve also been boosted by the return to fitness of the Dutch maestro Robin Van Persie. The Gunners should have too much confidence and firepower for the lowly Latics. Arsenal have been priced as favourites at 8/13 (VC Bet), meanwhile Wigan have been priced at 11/2 by Centrebet to take all 3 points.

BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Bristol Rovers v West Brom if Kevin Phillips scores at anytime in this match.*

Rugby Six Nations Tournament

This Saturday sees the annual Calcutta Cup between Scotland and England at Murrayfield. After England’s heroics against titans France, where England ran out 13-24 winners, England have a real chance of winning the competition. All the focus will be on England to retain the Cup. England have been priced as favourites for this match, with Better offering 2/9 to capitalise on Scotland’s underwhelming form, while Scotland have been priced at 2/1 (VC Bet) to bounce back and give a solid performance.

BGbet are running a fantastic 6 Nations special - Place a bet on the first or last tryscorer for any of the following 6 Nations matches this weekend and if the player listed below scores a try at anytime in the 80 minutes BGbet will refund all losing first and last tryscorer stakes on that match.*

Ireland v Wales – R O’Gara
Scotland v England – T Flood
France v Italy – A Floch

Weekend Racing

This Saturday sees the exciting Sunderlands.co.uk Handicap Chase at Sandown, with 17 top runners in this event, you can be sure this will be a fantastic race. With the Cheltenham Festival only a few days away, this Handicap Chase is an excellent trial for those horse hopeful of making an impression at the 2008 gala.

BGbet are running a great refund offer on this race. If your horse falls during the 2.40pm at Sandown on Saturday, BGbet will refund your stakes in the form of free bets.**

With the 2008 Cheltenham Festival just days away, VC Bet are offering fantastic deals ranging from ¼ odds for places for every race at the festival, happy hour each day from 11am with enhanced odds & enhanced place terms and VC Bet’s renowned Free Fall offer. Check the VC website for some of the best Cheltenham offers online!

Better are now betting “Non Runner No Bet” on all Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham Festival – 1/4 odds 1,2,3. So if your horse doesn’t end up running in the chosen event, Better will refund your stake!***

Open an account with any of the following bookmakers and receive a free bet:

 Hairy Plotter and the Half-Blood Prince

 By Gerry McDonnell

 FA Cup Betting - United & Chelsea Edge Toward Repeat Final

FA Cup Betting - Man Utd & Chelsea Edge Closer to Repeat Final (Mar 8-9)

This weekend punters who favour English football have the choice of Premier League and FA Cup action, with top quality action in both competitions. The FA Cup - the world’s oldest cup competition - has reached the quarter-final stage, which includes last year’s finalists, Man Utd and Chelsea, but among the six other hopefuls are teams from the two tiers below the Premier League looking to create an upset. Be part of the action with up to 60% better FA Cup betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.

Eight Hopefuls Just Two Games From Wembley

The FA Cup reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend which means the eight remaining teams are just two games from the gleaming arch of Wembley. With the way the draw has panned out it we could easily see a repeat of last year’s final where Chelsea beat Manchester United in extra time. Having cruised past Arsenal with a 4-0 demolition at Old Trafford in the previous round, the Red Devils are favourites with PinnacleSports.com to overcome Portsmouth with home advantage. Manchester United are 2.040 (-1.5)* with Portsmouth 1.893 (+1.5)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

Chelsea face a trip to Oakwell taking on Championship side, Barnsley, who pulled off the biggest giant-killing for some years by beating Liverpool at Anfield in the last sixteen. Having performed such heroics in the previous round, the Tykes will fear no-one with home advantage, especially if goalkeeper Lee Steele is in the same unbeatable form. Chelsea will be looking to avenge the recent League Cup final defeat inflicted at the hands of Spurs, by successfully defending the FA Cup trophy. PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea favourites 1.781 (-1 & -1.5)* with Barnsley 2.180 (+1 & +1.5)*.

On Sunday Middlesbrough have a great opportunity to make the semi-finals, facing Championship side Cardiff at home. Boro last silverware was the League Cup in 2004, while they last made the FA Cup final in 1997. Bristol Rovers fly the flag for Division One looking to defeat West Brom at home, having reached the last eight for the first time since 1958. Check PinnacleSports.com for full prices.

*All odds subject to change

Best FA Cup Odds at PinnacleSports.com!