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

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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 comment

Five reasons why England can regain the Ashes this summer

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Despite being whitewashed in Australia, England are just 3.35 on Betfair to regain the Ashes. The reason for the rather short price, beyond patriotic punting, is that Australia have lost some big names while Andrew Strauss’ men are much harder to beat at home. Here are five reasons to be optimistic:

1. Since Australia last won the Ashes away from home in 2001, England have contested 15 home series. Of those they have won ten, drawn three and lost just two, boasting an aggregate test score of 30-8.

2. That contrasts with England’s poor form prior to Australia’s last win here in 2001. Ahead of that, England had won just six of the last 15 series they had hosted and had a negative aggregate test score of 18-20.

3. Prior to the last six Ashes series, Australia had won at least four of their previous five test series. This year they arrive in nowhere near as convincing

Posted: July 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments comment

Why Andrew Strauss’ England may struggle in the Caribbean

The first test against the West Indies starts tomorrow in Jamaica

Despite a turbulent few weeks, England travel to the Caribbean as 4/7 favourites to win the four-test series. Here are a few reasons why Andrew Strauss’ side will struggle:

» England have only won away to the West Indies once in the last 41 years.

» The visitors overall record from fourteen trips to the Caribbean reads: Played 14, Won 3, Tied 3 and Lost 3, giving them a win percentage of 21%.

» The West Indies have lost successive home test series on just one occasion in the last 38 years, which is a good omen for them as they lost their last one to Australia last year.

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment comment

Five reasons why England won’t lose to India in Chennai

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England bravely decided to travel back to India for the two-test series against India and the players will kindly donate half of their match fees to victims of the Mumbai terror attacks. Here are five reasons why England will receive good karma from that gesture and will avoid defeat in the opening test:

1. India have won the opening test in just one of their last seven series and have failed to open with victory in any of their last four.

2. England have lost the first test in just two of their last six series and are unbeaten in their last three openers against India, losing just two of the last seven.

3. England have lost just one of the four tests they have contested in Chennai since 1977. India’s last three tests in Chennai have all finished as draws.

Posted: December 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment comment