England’s Ashes price drifts despite drawing the First Test

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The price of England regaining the Ashes has dropped despite the fact they managed to hold on for a draw in the First Test in Cardiff.

The hosts are 3.75 to win the series having been 3.35 when we wrote a preview on July 1. However, if anything the result should cause great encouragement, as Australia had won 29 of their previous 34 series openers.

Posted: July 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five stats about the first ever Ashes Test to be held in Wales

Click here for all the latest odds on the 2009 Ashes opener

The first ever Ashes test to be held in Wales kicks off on Wednesday at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium but it’s hard to tell who - besides Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell - is happy about it. Andrew Strauss says his men will be walking into the unknown, Ricky Ponting thinks England have “got a bigger advantage there than anywhere else in the country” while Shane Warne thinks playing the first test there is “a disgrace”. Here are five stats to help you bet on this unpopular opener:

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1. Australia tend to kick off Test series spectacularly. They have won the opener in 29 of their last 34 series, drawing four and losing just one.

2. England also get off to spectacular starts in Test series, although more of than not they are spectacularly bad. Over the last four years, Andy Flower’s men have contested 15 series, winning the opener in just one.

Posted: July 6th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Sheff Utd are 3.1 on Betfair to maintain their great away run

Burnley/Sheff Utd, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Since January 31, Sheffield United and Burnley have averaged more points per game than any other teams in the Championship, making this match a clash between the division’s two form sides. It’s a massively important one too as Burnley need three points to extend their advantage over Swansea and Preston while Sheffield United need at least a point to realistically maintain their chances of automatic promotion. Here are five stats about tonight’s huge Championship match:

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1. Sheffield United are unbeaten in fifteen away league games.

2. However, Burnley are yet to lose a home game against a fellow top six side, having held Birmingham and Cardiff and beaten Reading and Wolves.

3. The Blades have the best away defence in the league, having conceded just 16 goals in 21 games on the road. They have conceded two or more on just three occasions.

Posted: April 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The Heineken Cup quarter-finals take place this weekend

Our pals at spread betting firm extrabet.com preview the rugby

“It’s Easter weekend and the egg-chasing gets serious as the Heineken Cup enters its quarter-final stage.  Holders Munster remain in the competition and are strongest favourites in the four weekend games with a supremacy quote of 6-9 over the Ospreys with extrabet.com ahead of the Welsh side’s visit to Thomond Park.

Tie of the weekend however threatens to be Cardiff against Toulouse, a repeat of the inaugural tournament final played out at Cardiff Arms Park in January 1996 when a tightly fought contest saw Toulouse come away with the honours after extra-time had been played.  Another close game is expected this weekend although home advantage and a six-from-six strike rate in the pool stages means Cardiff get the nod as far as extrabet.com are concerned with the Welsh outfit 1-4  point favourites for the clash.  Elsewhere Leicester are 3-6 favourites over Bath and Harlequins 1-4 over Leinster.  Could be a happy Easter come Sunday – Quins no. 8 Nick that is!“

Posted: April 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Past meetings: There’s good news for Scotland and Wales

However the Republic of Ireland always lose away to Italy

chickendinner have put the records of all the home nations against their midweek opponents into a handy table to help you decide where there is money to be made betting on the World Cup qualifiers.

Scotland’s 100% record against Iceland makes the general 4/7 being offered on the home win look less stingy but hopes of the Republic of Ireland taking a point against Italy in Bari at 3/1with Bet365 are damaged by the fact the sides have never drawn in eight meetings. Does the fact Wales have won half of their meetings with Germany in Cardiff tempt you to back an unlikely home win at 7/1 with Boylesports?

Check out all the information in the table below before making your mind up:

Posted: March 31st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Ireland should lose the Welsh battle but win the war

IG Sport expect Ireland to lose tomorrow but win the Six Nations

Our friends at spread betting firm IG Sport are here to tell us all about the markets on offer for the final weekend of the 2009 Six Nations:

“Saturday’s rugby union encounter between Ireland and Wales in Cardiff will not only decide the winner of the 2009 Six Nations but could also determine the destination of the ultimate Wooden Spoon. Between 1910 and 1953 France went 24 Championships without winning the competition. That’s the longest period a team has gone without success in the competition.  Ireland’s current run is 23 - even Scotland have won since them!

Posted: March 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment