Besart Berisha ($3.75) is tipped to score more goals than Shane Smeltz ($4) when they clash on Sunday in the A-League Grand Final.

Berisha, the winner of the golden boot award, has scored 19 goals this season. Given his outstanding record this year and the being Roar warm favourites, he is the logical favourite. The Albanian striker is the most likely player on the park to score a goal at $2.50.

Betting on the Grand Final has been one way traffic for the reigning premiers, but they are unchanged at $1.72 since betting opened on Monday.

TAB Sportsbet will open a market at halftime involving Shane Smeltz. Live betting will be available on the game.

RESULT Betting
$1.72 BRISBANE
$3.55 DRAW
$4.50 PERTH

WINNER betting
$1.30 BRISBANE
$3.25 PERTH

GOLDEN BOOT CLASH
$3.75 BESART BERISHA
$1.75 TIE
$4.00 SHANE SMELTZ
(Most Goals)

A League Grand Final Big Bets

BETS ON RESULT
$6,000 @ $1.72 Brisbane
$3,000 @ $1.72 Brisbane

OTHER BETS
$10,000 @ $1.28 Brisbane/Draw (Normal Time)

BETS ON BRISBANE:
$20,000 at $5.00 (Oct 10)
$15,000 at $2.40 (Mar 28)
$8,000 at $2.25 (Mar 31)
$10,000 at $1.65 (Apr 8)

BETS ON PERTH:
$500 at $13 (Aug 26)
$800 at $13 (Oct 4)
$500 at $8.50 (Apr 15)

One TAB Sportsbet customer has been waiting six months to watch Brisbane Roar win the A-League Grand Final.

In October last year they placed $20,000 at $5 on the Roar to win back-to-back titles. They will pocket $100,000 if they are successful.

That is the result most are expecting with the Roar overwhelming favourites at $1.30. They are $1.72 to win the game in normal time.

Perth has struggled in recent times against the Roar; they have not won in their past six meetings. In those six games, they only managed to share the points on two occasions.

The Glory were not expected to be playing in the Grand Final, during the season they reached $26 to be crowned champions.

Shortly after opening markets on Sunday’s Grand Final we took $10,000 at $1.28 on Brisbane or a draw at the end of normal time.

A League Grand Final Betting

$1.72 Brisbane
$3.55 Draw
$4.50 Perth

A-LEAGUE WINNER

$1.30 Brisbane
$3.25 Perth

BETS ON BRISBANE:
$20,000 at $5.00 (Oct 10)
$15,000 at $2.40 (Mar 28)
$8,000 at $2.25 (Mar 31)
$10,000 at $1.65 (Apr 8)

BETS ON PERTH:
$500 at $13 (Aug 26)
$800 at $13 (Oct 4)
$500 at $8.50 (Apr 15)

Little separates the Melbourne clubs ahead of their A-League derby at AAMI Park on Saturday night with online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au opening the Melbourne Heart at $2.50 and the Melbourne Victory at $2.75.

“Punters have been split down the middle to this point,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said. “It’s been a while between drinks for both sides so the draw at $3.35 could be an appealing option.”

The Central Coast Mariners will start as the $2.10 favourites in their Grand Final replay clash against Brisbane with the Roar the $3.40 outsiders while Sydney FC are overwhelming favourites to beat Newcastle, priced at $1.91 and the Jets at $4.00.

“With news Vitezslav Lavicka is leaving at seasons end we expect the Sydney players to make a statement and we’re very confident they’ll account for Newcastle at home,” Hawes said.

In Monday night’s match, Perth Glory are $1.80 favourites and Gold Coast United the $4.25 outsiders.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Melbourne Heart v Melbourne Victory Betting – Saturday, 4 February

$2.50 Melbourne Heart
$3.35 Draw
$2.75 Melbourne Victory

Central Coast v Brisbane Roar Betting – Saturday, 4 February

$2.10 Central Coast
$3.35 Draw
$3.40 Brisbane Roar

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets Betting – Sunday, 5 February

$1.91 Sydney FC
$3.40 Draw
$4.00 Newcastle Jets

Perth Glory v Gold Coast United Betting – Monday, 6 February

$1.80 Perth Glory
$3.40 Draw
$4.25 Gold Coast United

A-League Grand Final Winner Betting

(prices from Thursday, 2 February 2012 in brackets)
$2.87 Central Coast Mariners (steady)
$3.10 Brisbane Roar (out from $2.87)
$9.50 Perth Glory (in from $12)
$9.50 Wellington Phoenix (in from $10)
$12 Sydney FC (steady)
$14 Melbourne Heart (out from $10)
$18 Melbourne Victory (out from $15)
$19 Adelaide United (out from $14)
$23 Newcastle Jets (in from $41)
$61 Gold Coast United (steady)

Sydney FC are overwhelming favourites to heap more pain on Adelaide tomorrow night despite the return of John Kosmina as Reds coach, with online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au installing the Sky Blues as $1.62 favourites and the United as $5.40 outsiders.

A 1-0 Sydney FC win is the favoured correct score result at $6.00, followed by a 1-1 draw ($6.50), a 2-0 Sydney FC win ($7.00) and a 2-1 Sydney FC win ($8.00), while a trio of Sky Blues’ strikers – Bruno Cazarine, Juho Makela and Mark Bridge – will start the clash as $5.50 first goal scorer favourites.

“The script writer couldn’t have got it any better with Kosmina’s return being at the SFS, but at the end of the day it comes down to what happens on the pitch and Sydney FC are performing far better than United at the minute and clearly deserve favouritism,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

After starting the week as new A-League Championship favourites, the Central Coast Mariners have drifted from $3.30 out to $3.50 with the Brisbane Roar returning to the top of the pecking order, in from $3.40 to $3.20. Sydney FC remain on the third line of betting at $6.00.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Sydney FC v Adelaide United Betting

$1.62 Sydney FC
$3.60 Draw
$5.40 Adelaide United

First goal scorer Betting

$5.50 Bruno Cazarine, Juho Makela, Mark Bridge
$6.00 Dimi Petratos
$8.50 Brett Emerton, Terry Antonis
Others quoted

Correct score Betting

$6.00 1-0 Sydney FC
$6.50 1-1 Draw
$7.00 2-0 Sydney FC
$8.00 2-1 Sydney FC
$13 1-0 Adelaide
Others quoted

A-League Grand Final Winner Betting

(prices from Monday, 19 December in brackets)
$3.20 Brisbane Roar (in from $3.40)
$3.50 Central Coast Mariners (out from $3.30)
$6.00 Sydney FC (steady)
$7.00 Melbourne Victory (steady)
$8.50 Melbourne Heart (in from $10)
$23 Perth Glory (out from $18)
$23 Newcastle Jets (out from $18)
$26 Wellington Phoenix (out from $18)
$34 Adelaide United (out from $23)
$36 Gold Coast United (in from $46)

Brisbane Roar’s latest streak of back-to-back losses will end when they take on Wellington on Wednesday night says online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au, installing the last year’s champions as $2.05 favourites and the Phoenix as $3.40 outsiders.

“Brisbane are in the unfamiliar spot of coming off consecutive losses so it will be interesting to see how they respond,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

“Punters are thinking it will be an even affair with most of the early money being for the Draw.”

In A-League Grand Final betting, the Central Coast Mariners continue to firm after moving into equal first on the table, from $5.50 into $4.50, while the Roar have drifted from $2.25 out to $2.60.

“Graham Arnold is a bit upset about his team not getting enough plaudits in the media but punters are clearly well aware of them with a steady stream of money coming in for the Mariners in recent weeks,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

“Sydney FC also continue to shorten and are now into $6.00 while the biggest mover has been the Melbourne Heart who, after being a $23 chance only a fortnight ago, are now at $11.”

Wellington v Brisbane Odds @ sportsbet.com.au

$2.05 Brisbane
$3.25 Draw
$3.40 Wellington

First goal scorer Odds @ sportsbet.com.au

$6.00 Besart Berisha
$7.00 Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Henrique, James Meyer
$7.50 Issey Nakajima-Ferran
$8.00 Thomas Broich, No goalscorer
Others quoted

Correct score Odds @ sportsbet.com.au

$6.50 1-0 Brisbane, 1-1 Draw
$8.50 2-1 Brisbane, 0-0 Draw
$9.00 2-0 Brisbane, 1-0 Wellington
$12 2-2 Draw
Others quoted

A-League Grand Final Winner Odds @ sportsbet.com.au

$2.60 Brisbane Roar (out from $2.25)
$4.50 Central Coast Mariners (in from $5.50)
$6.00 Sydney FC (in from $6.50)
$8.50 Melbourne Victory (steady)
$11 Melbourne Heart (in from $19)
$15 Perth Glory (out from $13)
$19 Newcastle Jets (out from $17)
$21 Adelaide United (steady)
$34 Wellington Phoenix (in from $36)
$46 Gold Coast United (in from $56)

Yet to score in the English Premier League this season, the question for Tim Cahill is when will the drought end?

At home against Norwich is most likely says online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au, installing the match as the $2.50 favourite to be the game Cahill finally finds the back of the net.

Second in the betting at $3.75 is any game after 2 January 2012 followed by Swansea ($4.50), who Everton face on Wednesday 21 December, and Arsenal ($5.00) on Saturday 10 December.

“Cahill usually knows how to find the back of the net and we expect his barren run to end within the next few weeks,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

“We just hope for David Moyes and the Toffees’ sake that he bags one soon.”

You can see all Sportsbet’s betting markets here: Sportbet Betting Odds

When will Tim Cahill score in the EPL? Odds @ sportsbet.com.au

$5.00 Arsenal (Saturday 10 December)
$2.50 Norwich (Saturday 17 December)
$4.50 Swansea (Wednesday 21 December)
$8.00 Sunderland (Monday 26 December)
$13 West Bromwich (Sunday 1 January 2012)
$3.75 Any game from 2 January 2012 onwards

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the $1.12 favourite with leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au to win the 2011 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

Now narrowed down to three players, the Argentinian’s nearest rival is Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid at $6.00, with his Barcelona teammate Xavi the outsider at $17.

“Messi never puts a foot wrong, gives 100 percent every game and has scored goals for fun in 2011. He looks to be across the line for the award,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

2011 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award Betting Market @ sportsbet.com.au

$1.12 Lionel Messi
$6.00 Ronaldo
$17 Xavi

Fresh from ending Brisbane Roar’s record unbeaten streak, Sydney FC are tipped to make light work of Perth at Campbelltown Oval on Wednesday night with leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au installing the Sky Blues as $1.73 favourites with the Glory distinct outsiders at $4.75.

“Sydney were outstanding from start to finish against Brisbane and if they can replicate even half of that performance against Perth they will be far too strong,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

Sydney FC have also been the biggest movers in A-League Grand Final winner betting, firming sharply from $8.50 into $6.50 to take out the title with their locals rivals the Central Coast Mariners also shortening from $6.00 into $5.50 following their recent strong form.

“After their recent hiccup, Brisbane have eased out from $2.00 to $2.25 but are still the clear favourites to win the big one,” Hawes said.

“Sydney FC have attracted a lot of interest since their win over the Roar, while a steady stream of money continues for the Mariners to go one better this time around.

“Although the Victory are struggling right now, their star power sees them remain as fourth favourite at $8.50.”

You can see all Sportsbet’s betting markets here: Sportsbet Betting

Sydney FC v Perth Glory Betting Markets @ sportsbet.com.au

$1.73 Sydney FC
$3.50 Draw
$4.75 Perth Glory

First Goal Scorer Betting Markets @ sportsbet.com.au

$5.50 Bruno Cazarine, Chris Coyne
$6.00 Dimi Petratos, Juho Makela
$7.50 Shane Smeltz, Nicky Carle
$8.50 Brett Emerton
$9.00 Billy Mehmet
Others quoted

Correct Score Betting Markets @ sportsbet.com.au

$6.00 1-0 Sydney FC
$6.50 1-1 Draw
$7.50 2-1 Sydney FC
$8.00 2-0 Sydney FC
$9.50 0-0 Draw
Others quoted

A-League Grand Final Winner Betting Markets @ sportsbet.com.au

$2.25 Brisbane Roar (out from $2.00)
$5.50 Central Coast Mariners (in from $6.00)
$6.50 Sydney FC (in from $8.50)
$8.50 Melbourne Victory (out from $7.50)
$13 Perth Glory (in from $15)
$17 Newcastle Jets (in from $21)
$19 Melbourne Heart (in from $23)
$21 Adelaide United (out from $14)
$36 Wellington Phoenix (out from $26)
$56 Gold Coast United (out from $41)

The English Premier League (EPL) is now around six full games into their 2011 season, and there have been quite a few interesting and exciting matches.  On top of that though, there has been some very interesting betting that has occurred as well on the EPL.  Soccer betting is quickly becoming more and more popular all around the world, and the English Premier League is popular in many different countries as well.  When you take a look at the top of the standings for this season, you’ll see some familiar names up top, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea sitting in the top three positions.  One team that has surprised a few people this season is Newcastle United, who had betting odds to win the EPL of 1000 to 1 to start the season.  Newcastle is currently sitting in fourth place with 12 points, and has yet to lose a game.

Betting on the EPL early in the season can be tough, as you’ll see that quite a few teams are still in the process of figuring out their lineups and their identities before they get into the heat of the season.  One example of a team who is attempting to figure out who they really are would be Arsenal.  They are sitting with two wins, three losses, and one draw, but they have been very disappointing with a -5 goal differential.  Arsenal was an 8 to 1 favorite to win the entire league at online gambling sites before this season kicked off, and they have been a major disappointment in terms of English Premier League betting as well.

We now move ahead to the upcoming soccer betting for the weekend.  Two games that stand out in terms of online betting for this weekend are the Everton vs. Liverpool game, as well as the Blackburn vs. Manchester City.  In these two match-ups you’ll find that the team who is favored will give you some good betting odds, and you should also feel confident about how they’ve played this season.  The Manchester City game features Man-City with odds of 1.57 to win outright against Blackburn, who has odds of 5.57 to win outright.  It wouldn’t surprise many if Manchester City took this one down by a score of two or three to zero.  The Liverpool game on the other hand features a team near the top of the standings, and a team who is near the middle.  While the stats aren’t incredible for either side, and Liverpool is coming off of a tough loss to Tottenham 4-0 on the road.  Liverpool’s odds to take down Everton are currently 2.35, and their offensive firepower should be back and ready to go for the upcoming week.

The English Premier League has been exciting so far this season, and the betting should continue to feature some excellent betting options throughout the 2011-2012 season.  Keep an eye out for more excellent betting options out of the EPL in the upcoming weeks, and don’t sleep on these teams who are sitting atop the standings early in the season, as they’re on top for a reason!

 

We are down to the final two matches in the FIFA World Cup – 2011 in Germany. The women have played many hard fought matches, and we are down to the Final Four, with a Bronze medal game, and a Gold medal game. The Bronze medal game features Sweden against France, while the Gold Medal game pits the United States against Japan.

The Bronze medal game will take place early Sunday morning. France comes into this match after winning 2 games in pool play, and losing to Germany. Once tournament play got here they beat England in penalty kicks, and then fell to the United States of America 3-1. The French team has seen Marie-Laure Delie and Gaetane Thiney lead the way with two goals a piece. France is looking to speed the game up, as they feel they have a quickness advantage over the Swedish team.

Sweden beat the United States, Korea and Colombia in pool play, and then beat Australia in tournament play. Japan then downed them 3-1 to put them in the bronze medal game. The Swedish team has scored three more goals than their opponents coming into the affair. Lisa Dahlkvist is the lone player on the Swedish team with two goals in World Cup play.

Sweden seems to have more skilled players than France, but lacking a little bit on the quickness portion of the game. We look for Sweden to grab an early goal with great ball skill, and then defend like crazy the rest of the way out.

Our pick: Sweden 3.20 over France to win the Bronze Medal of the FIFA World Cup – 2011. Be sure to take the Swedish team at Centrebet.

The United States of America is back in the gold medal game for the first time since 1999. USA has been the bronze winner the past two World Cups. After going 2-1 in pool play, the US team pulled off an upset of Brazil in penalty kicks, and then knocked off France to get here. Hope Solo has continued to be one of the top goaltenders in the world coming up with fantastic saves all World Cup long.

Japan went 2-1-0 during pool play, falling to England 2-0. Once the tournament got here, team Japan stunned the host team Germany, and then played a great game in beating Sweden. Japan has seen Homare Sawa lead all World Cup participants with three goals.

This should be an excellent game with the skill of the United States, matched with the smarts of Team Japan. Look for this game to go deep into the game with a tie score. The United States will come up with a late goal to find a way to win the World Cup. We like a 2-1 score in the Gold Medal game.

Our pick: United States 1.91 over Japan to capture the Gold Medal of the 2011 FIFA World Cup. Bet the United States at Centrebet.

Best of luck with the rest of your 2011 World Cup betting. Be sure to check back for more betting!