Special Bets Can Give Good Returns
As well as the usual bets on winning a title or trophy, lots of bookmakers offer odds on more unusual bets and these specials can provide some decent betting opportunities. We’ve listed some of the more unusual bets and give our thoughts on them.
Season Match Ups
This type of bet involves which of two teams will finish higher in the league and is available at Bodog. We like the Spurs v Aston Villa bet here. Spurs are 4/7 to finish ahead of Villa next season but we think the 27/20 on offer for Villa is worth taking. There is always a lot of money placed on Spurs pre-season, but they’ve flattered to deceive too many times for our liking and while a decent showing is expected we believe Villa could be in the top six and that looks beyond Spurs.
Blackburn Rovers 5/4 to finish above Newcastle at 4/7 looks another good bet in this match up special.
Top North East Club
Skybet are offering this special with Newcastle, Middlesboro and Sunderland the teams involved. We think Middlesboro 5/2 might struggle this year and so are discounting them. That just leaves Newcastle and Sunderland in our opinion and with Newcastle at odds on at 8/11 we’re going to side with Roy Keane’s Sunderland who after surviving in their first season back in the Premiership could push on and have a respectable season.
There won’t be a lot in this but the odds on Sunderland look too good to miss.
To Finish Bottom
As expected the newly promoted teams feature at the head of the market. Stoke are 15/8 (Bet365), Hull 11/8 (Coral) and West Brom are 42/5 (Betfair). While Stoke and Hull will probably find themselves near the foot of the table there are a few other teams who could have difficult seasons and might be worth a bet at bigger odds.
We don’t expect any of the promoted teams to be a Derby County and come adrift at the bottom, so the battle at the bottom could be a lot closer this season and could involve a lot more clubs.
Fulham just escaped relegation last year and at 14/1 (Coral) they look quite an interesting proposition. We think they are worth considering along with Bolton 26/1 (Betfair) and Wigan at 20/1 (Coral).
To Finish in Top Half of Table
The three teams that catch our eye here are West Ham 11/8, West Brom 6/1 and Sunderland 3/1. West Brom looked well equipped to give a good account of themselves in the Premiership and although they are unproven at this level they could be the surprise team this year and we think they are value. Sunderland look as if they can improve as well and are worth considering.
West Ham were decimated by injury last season but still managed to finish in the top half in 10th position. An improvement on that looks more than likely if they can keep everyone fit and we think they are a banker bet at this price and shouldn’t be missed.
The prices quoted above are all available at Bet365.