EVERYONE loves a bit of the old football don’t they – and vast swaths of the population just love having a punt.
But what’s the best way to turn yourself from an amateur punter into a calculated killer of the bookies.
1 Always check the team news
This might sound obvious but it’s important to know who you’re backing.
Pre-match betting is a good way to secure some attractive odds – but if you wait an hour before kick-off you’ll get a better steer on things.
Have Spurs decided to play a novel 2-2-2-2-2 formation? Are Germany playing a different side during their dead-rubber against Cameroon? Etc, etc, etc…
This will allow you the best chance to judge accordingly.
2 Look for low-scoring teams
Correct score markets are a tasty way to get in on the action.
Some teams are clinical in their style of play – and are normally happy to take a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline.
Often the markets are judged by the quality of the team (and differential between them and the opposition) rather than the team’s previous scorelines.
So look out for those teams which consistently keep a clean sheet – and aren’t that adventuours going forward after going ahead.
Think George Graham’s Arsenal in the early 90s.
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The Gunners have looked mighty fine in pre-season – winning both the Emirates Cup and Community Shield in recent weeks.
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Sun Bets have a 33/1 special that Arsenal can see off the Foxes in their first match of the season.
3 Home v away performance
It’s a home-banker, right?
Wrong.
While some statistics show a home side is roughly a +0.74 goals better at their own ground than away, that doesn’t tell the whole picture.
‘Home advantage’ shouldn’t be be taken as gospel and it’s worth considering whether the side playing in their own stadium is just in good form.
Sunderland at home last season were still unlikely to beat Chelsea – even adding on the +0.74 goals.
4 Beware over 2.5 goals
We all love a five goal thriller don’t we?
But it’s always wise to bet with your head, rather than your heart.
The Over / Under 2.5 goals market has become huge in the last few years – but you must be careful.
Just because you’re desperate to watch a 6-3 between Shrewsbury and Macclesfield on a wet Tuesday in November – doesn’t mean it’#s actually going to pan out that way.
In fact, the Under 2.5 goals market is one place to spot excellent value.
5 The Half-time/Full-time conundrum
The first goal in a game often sets the tempo for the whole occasion.
But did you know how important having the lead at half-time is?
In the Premier League alone just under 4% of matches see the lead change hands in the second-half.
So, if the away side is leading at the half-time break, lump on them to maintain the lead – and maybe have a saver on the draw.
Whatever you do though – don’t back the home side to turn it around.
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