Will Ronnie O’Sullivan be on his best form at the Crucible?

Our friends at spread betting firm extrabet.com preview the WSC

“Even the most ardent of channel-hoppers will struggle to resist the urge to linger a little longer on the BBC over the next fortnight or so as the World Snooker Championship gets underway this weekend. Like it or not there is something mesmeric about snooker. Indeed baize-watch draws you in much like Baywatch did in the 90s - must be something to do with the colour red!

Once again this year it’s all about Ronnie. Will he turn up? Does he care anymore? Will he concede a frame after missing an easy red with 147 still available on the table?  Despite all the question-marks he is of course the jolly with extrabet.com, who price him at 39-42 on their 80 Index, (80 win, 60 runner-up, 40 losing semi-finalist, 20 losing quarter finalist, 10 lose last 16).

Stephen Maguire is second favourite at 28-31.  For those who just like watching the break builders and aren’t that fussed who wins, extrabet.com have a ‘total tournament centuries’ quote of 67-69.”

Posted: April 16th, 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

Grand National index: All the links you need for the big race

Click here for all the latest odds on the biggest race of the year

OUR FAVOURITE FREE BET OFFER (more information here)
Boylesports are paying out six places each-way on the Grand National and are offering a no-strings-attached £20 free bet if you open an account and stake £10 on something.

THE BEST OF THE REST
£20 worth of free bets with Paddy Power, the kings of the money-back special!
£25 free bet with Betfair, who offer the biggest odds on almost everything!
£200 Free Bet Basket with Bet365, who pay out the SP if you take shorter odds!

THE ELIMINATOR
We used a five-step process of elimination to whittle down the contenders until there was just one horse standing: Darkness.

PROFILING THE FIELD
» chickendinner’s preview of this year’s frontrunners (Part One).
» chickendinner’s preview of this year’s frontrunners (Part Two).
» chickendinner’s guide to separating outsiders from no-hopers.

EVERYTHING ELSE
» How to best take advantage of Boylesport’s amazing offer.
» Extrabet.com’s preview of the Grand National spread markets.
» History dictates you should back Irish and avoid the French.
» Betfair make organising a Grand National sweepstake easy.

Posted: April 3rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Check out the spread markets for this year’s Grand National

A preview from our friends at spread betting firm Extrabet.com

“There will be more bets struck on Grand National day than strawberries eaten in South East England over the entire English summer. No there won’t- but it is April Fools week! There will however be a lot! Bearing in mind it’s the most competitive event in the racing calendar, run over four and a half miles with 30 fences to negotiate and loose horses all over the place to avoid, some folk just seem to have the knack of finding the winner.

If you’re not one of these lucky folk there is another way. Extrabet.com have gone up with a host of spread special markets on the race including the winning length of the race (priced at 7.5-8.5 lengths) the starting price of the winner (19-20) and the total number of race finishers (15.5-16.5). If you win any cash on these markets you might want to put the funds in your Offshore Account which incidentally is a big price at on the fixed-odds at 33-1 with extrabet.com to win the race.”

Posted: April 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Spread betting advice for Scotland’s trip to Holland

extrabet.com preview a big weekend for Scottish football fans

Our favourite spread betting firm recently changed their name from IG Sport to extrabet.com but the excitement hasn’t been enough to stop them from providing us with a preview of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier in Holland:

“It’s been a tough old 55 years for Scottish football fans. Since 1954, the Scottish national side have failed to qualify for the World Cup on six occasions - including each of the last two. Even when they’ve qualified they have never progressed beyond the first round, winning just four of their 23 matches! It’s still early days but Scotland currently sit second in World Cup Qualifying Group 9 ahead of their trip to leaders Holland this Saturday so it’s a massive weekend for those who dare to dream.

Posted: March 25th, 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