Soccer Betting » Betting

Check Your Fridge. Bruce Grobbelar Might Be in There.

Daryl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:55:20 +0000

Here’s a nice little gambling commercial from PaddyPower, with former Liverpool keeper Bruce Grobbelar jumping out of a guy’s fridge to refund a losing bet.

I like the nice little spaghetti legs touch, a reference to Grobbelar’s 1984 European Cup Final penalty save vs Roma:

Though I’m sure the irony of Grobbelar handing money to a punter won’t be lost on anyone who was watching the English Premier League back in 1994, when The Sun newspaper accused the keeper of taking bribe money to fix matches for a betting syndicate.

He was charged twice, but the jury couldn’t agree on a verdict in either case, and he was cleared in 1997.

However… when Grobbelar sued The Sun for libel he eventually lost the case in the House of Lords, who ruled that Grobbelar “had in fact acted in a way in which no decent or honest footballer would act”.

Grobbelar had to pay his own legal costs and was declared bankrupt as a result. Which may explain why he’s now doing commercials for PaddyPower.

2009 Confederations Cup Odds via PaddyPower

Daryl — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:41:29 +0000

Here are PaddyPower’s odds for the 2009 Confederations Cup. They’re making Spain favourites at 6/4, with Brazil second at 9/5. Or if you fancy flushing money straight down the toilet, put it on New Zealand to lift the tropy at 250/1…

More Confederations Cup odds at PaddyPower

Offshore Oscar’s picks May 30, 31 – Bombs away

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:49:46 +0000

This is the last official weekend of the season for this series, but don’t be surprised if I pop up during the summer with some crazy plays or stories about that one time I got really drunk and wound up in a CIA holding cell for 3 months.

We’ve guaranteed a winning season, which aint easy, folks. In spite of our recent slide (including being totally wrong about the big game Wednesday), we have managed to stay profitable almost the whole season, and definitely at the end, when it really counts.

You might expect me to play it safe to try to preserve most of our profit, and that would be the sane thing to do. Instead, here are a couple longshot-ish plays for fun and profit.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,382.7 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units Barcelona-Manchester United draw at 3.20 – Final 2-0 – LOSS

Profit/loss = (-50 units)
New bankroll: 1,332.7 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – FA Cup Upset special. In what should be a cracking FA Cup final, Chelsea and Everton square off at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. Under Gus Hiddink and David Moyes, both squads had fine seasons and made Europe next year. On paper Chelsea are stronger, but we’ll go with the Toffees for the upset. The trio of Fellaini, Osman and Cahill are clicking at the right time and if the Everton defense hold up, they can pull it off.

30 units on Everton to win at 5.50 (so a win gets us back 165 units)

2 – It’s the final weekend of La Liga in Spain and we’ll make a last ditch attempt to hit one of our “city” themed parlays. Real Betis aren’t out of the woods yet, sitting one point out of relegation. They should complete the double at home versus Valladolid. Sevilla FC need one more point to get an automatic Champions League spot and should fire from the opening kickoff at already relegated Numancia.

50-unit win parlay on Real Betis at 1.73 into Sevilla FC at 1.83 (so if both win we get back 50 x 1.73 x 1.83 = 158.3 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s pick May 27 – We are going to try something here

Offshore Oscar — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:34:34 +0000

The season is quickly winding down, and from the looks of our recent results, it can’t happen soon enough. Last weekend we were very close on everything but didn’t connect on anything.

Now with the one huge game on Wednesday in Rome, and a few more decent matches this coming weekend, we are almost done for a while, but of course we can’t let this one go by without trying something creative that could work out well, or not.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,532.7 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Blackburn to win at 1.85 – Final 0-0 – LOSS
2 – 50 units on West Ham-Middlesbrough draw at 3.50 – Final 2-1 LOSS
3 – 50 units on FC Koln to win at 1.91 – Final 1-1 LOSS

Profit/loss = (-150 units)
New bankroll: 1,382.7 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar play:

1 – The big one, Manchester United-Barcelona is finally here and 300 million people worldwide will be watching, after they read the Offside.com, of course.

The two best players in the world, Messi and Ronaldo go head to head in the Eternal City. The big question for both teams is how well the defenses hold up. If Rio Ferdinand is fit, he and Vidic are arguably the best center combination in the Europe. Abidal and Alves are both out for Barca and a lot of pressure will be on YaYa Toure and Gerard Pique. Hopefully there will be nonstop end-to-end action and someone will win 3-2 after 90 minutes. In order to insure that, since we’ve been ice cold lately, we’ll play a draw.

50 units Barcelona-Manchester United draw at 3.20 (so if the game is tied after the 90-minute whistle, we’ll get back 160 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks May 23, 24 – Splashing on some Köln

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:11:52 +0000

Last weekend was another somewhat disappointing one at the betting windows, but that was tempered by the fact that I found what looked like a quarter on the ground. It wasn’t, but how lucky is that anyway? Now I have a perfectly good washer for the next time I need one of that specific size.

The football season is winding down and good games are hard to find, but we’ve got some solid plays in spite of that, so do yourself a favor and play along.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,591.2 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Newcastle to win at 1.91 – Final 0-1 – LOSS
2 – 50 units on VL Bochum to win at 1.83 – Final 2-0 WIN
3 – 50 units on Deportivo to win at 1.80 – Final 1-1 LOSS

Profit/loss = (-58.5 units)
New bankroll: 1,532.7 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – Let’s start out the final weekend of EPL action with a match that means absolutely nothing. Blackburn Rovers are safe from relegation and would like no more than to give their loyal home fans a win in their last match against West Brom, who had the wind taken out of their sails last week at Anfield.

50 units on Blackburn to win at 1.85 (so a win gets us back 92.5 units)

2 – Middlesbrough are really up against it, they need to win big and Newcastle and Hull City must lose. They will try hard but it is difficult seeing them winning with their recent form, especially at Upton Park. The Hammers have had a fine season under Gianfranco Zola and will play the visitors tough.

50 units on West Ham-Middlesbrough draw at 3.50 (so a draw gets us back 175 units)

3 – FC Koln have some confidence after winning at Hamburg last weekend and look to close out their season in style at home and complete the double against VL Bochum. Bochum did what they had to do last weekend and secured another season in the Bundesliga.

50 units on FC Koln to win at 1.91 (so a win gets us back 95.5 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks May 16, 17 – Putting the fun back into the fundamentals

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:14:41 +0000

Our two plays last weekend didn’t get us anywhere, but that’s why they call it gambling, except in Las Vegas where they call it “gaming” so it sounds like you had fun even when you inevitably lose. Whatever.

In the final weeks of the season we have a healthy profit guaranteed for anyone who’s been wisely following along, so take that, gambling conglomerates, Russian mobsters, and the Triads!

This weekend we are back to what has built our bankroll, namely solid favorites at square prices. Play along with us, won’t you?

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,691.2 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Hull City to win at 2.10 – Final 1-2 – LOSS
2 – 50 units Bilbao-Betis draw at 3.10 – Final 1-0 LOSS

Profit/loss = (-100 units)
New bankroll: 1,591.2 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – More relegation fun this weekend as Newcastle host Fulham. Kudos to the Cottagers for a fine season, but this match does not mean much to them, they are going to finish just outside the European bubble, and they only have two away wins. The Toon Army will be out in full force at Saint James Park in one last push to keep Newcastle in the EPL.

50 units on Newcastle to win at 1.91 (so a win gets us back 95.5 units)

2 – The VL Bochum fans have been all over us for not using them at all this season, now they get a shot at the title. VL Bochum sit just outside the relegation zone and are eyeing 6 points with a home match against Frankfurt and away at FC Koln. They were embarrassed 4-0 at Frankfurt and are looking for some payback.

50 units on VL Bochum to win at 1.83 (so a win gets us back 91.5 units)

3 – El Riazor has been good to us this season and we’ll go there one more time. Deportivo La Coruna have a small shot at Europe and should win handily this Saturday against visiting Getafe.

50 units on Deportivo to win at 1.80 (so a win gets us back 90 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks May 9, 10 – Well, that didn’t work

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:09:07 +0000

My midweek Champion’s League London home-teams parlay went over just about as well as a right-wing radio talk show guy trying to host the Oscars or enter the UK. Late money poured in on ManU and Barcelona, and instead of that being an ominous sign, it looked like value. Whatever. This whole game might be fixed anyway.

This weekend we have only two picks as the end of the season is in sight, and we don’t want to piss away our hard-earned units on some unpredictable matches where motivations are unclear.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,741.2 units

Last time:
1 – 50-unit win parlay on Arsenal at 2.62 and Chelsea at 2.70 – Final 1-3 and 1-1 – LOSS

Profit/loss = (-50 units)
New bankroll: 1,691.2 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – Hull City need separation from the bottom three and they are looking for all six points in their next two matches before they host Manchester United on the weekend before the Champions League Final. ManU will probably have the EPL sewn up by then and play a reserve like squad, which will still be pretty good. Nevertheless, the Tigers should focus on Stoke City this weekend, they could leapfrog Sunderland if they win and Sunderland ties or loses at the Reebok. Phil Brown is one of our favorite managers and he will have them motivated.

50 units on Hull City to win at 2.10 (so a win gets us back 105 units)

2 – Normally we would play Athletic Bilbao to win this weekend at home versus Real Betis, but with the Copa Del Ray final looming next week versus Barcelona, we’ll go for the draw. In La Liga, Bilbao have had a fine mid table season, while Betis are almost safe, but not quite yet and think they will be satisfied getting a point in Basque country.

50 units on the Bilbao-Betis draw at 3.10 (so a draw gets us back 155 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks for May 5, 6 – London Locks

Offshore Oscar — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:52:52 +0000

Even as I typed that this last weekend was “easy money” I thought it would be funny if my picks went 0 for 3, but to everyone’s surprise we swept the board and now have so much profit for the season that I’ve had to hire extra security, or at least I would have if these weren’t just “units.”

With only a few more weeks in the regular season, we are running out of opportunities, so this looks like a great week to roll the dice on the London teams in the Champions League. They are both very square prices at home, and the late money coming in on ManU and Barcelona doesn’t scare us a bit, probably.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,535.7 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Arsenal at win at 2.15 – Final 0-3 – WIN
2 – 50 units on Barcelona to win at 2.70 – Final 2-6 – WIN
3 – 50-unit win parlay on Inter Milan at 1.44 into AC Milan at 1.57 – Final 2-0 into 0-2 WIN

Profit/loss = +205.5 units
New bankroll: 1,741.2 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar play:

1 – Champions League London parlay – Both London teams return home after their first leg matches abroad last week. Arsenal has to overcome a 0-1 deficit and they should be full of confidence, especially with the return of Robin van Persie. Look for the young Gunners, with Cesc Fabregas distributing the ball, to run the ManU defense ragged and prevail.

Barcelona has to adjust back to the Blues back four, having made mincemeat of the Real defense. After being cautious at the CampNou, Gus Hiddink should give Frank Lampard orders to open the offense up and attack the Barca defense. Look for the overrated Puyol to make a few mistakes that Didier Drogba can take advantage of.

50-unit win parlay on Arsenal at 2.62 and Chelsea at 2.70 (so if both London sides win we get back 353.7 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks May 2, 3 – Easy money will be ours

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:42:35 +0000

Last weekend was tough with two frustrating draws on games that could easily have been wins, but that happens all the time so you’d think I’d be used to it. Fiorentina came through big though, so we only had a small loss.

If the swine flu doesn’t end up killing all the fans and players before the weekend begins, we’ve got some great plays on tap. The season is quickly winding down and we’d love to get over 2,000 units by the time we go on hiatus.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,535.7 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Fiorentina to win at 2.37 – Final 4-1 – WIN
2 – 50 units on Borussia Monchengladbach to win at 1.83 – Final 1-1 – LOSS
3 – 50 units on Newcastle to win at 2.00 – Final 0-0 LOSS

Profit/loss = (-32.5 units)
New bankroll: 1,503.2 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – The Gunners travel to the South coast this weekend to face struggling Pompey. They didn’t play that bad in the Champions League vs ManU on Wednesday and while they might have one eye on the return leg at the Emirates, they still should come away with all three points.

50 units on Arsenal at win at 2.15 (so a victory gets us back 107.5 units)

2 – All eyes in Europe will be on the Santiago Bernabeu Saturday night when second place Real Madrid hosts first place Barcelona, with both teams in top form. With 5 matches to go, the Catalonians hold a four point lead and it will be “game on” in La Liga if Real wins, but we don’t think that will happen. Pep Guardiola seemed to be frustrated will the lock down defense that Chelsea played last Tuesday, Real’s back four are not as strong as the Blues, so look for the Barca strikers and midfielders to come out firing.

50 units on Barcelona to win at 2.70 (so a win gets us 135 units)

3 – Milan chalk “easy” money parlay (famous last words) – Inter and AC Milan sit one-two in Serie A and should have no trouble with their matches this weekend. Inter hosts out of form Lazio, while AC Milan travel to Sicily to face a seemingly safe from relegation Catania.

50-unit win parlay on Inter Milan at 1.44 into AC Milan at 1.57 (so if both win we get back 50 x 1.44 x 1.57 = 113 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks April 25, 26 – Newcastle celebrates a future WAG

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:33:27 +0000

We proved once again last week that it’s better to be lucky than good, and had another smashing weekend at the windows. Chris Hamburg helpfully pointed out in the comments that Berlin’s striker Voronin had been suspended for 3 games for kicking a ball at another guy, which got past us before we locked in the bet. Fortunately, the rest of them managed a Cinderella comeback win in spite of his absence, so we’ll take it. Cha-ching!

We split the other two bets, and are on cruise control again with a bulging account full of units. This weekend I couldn’t find anything worthwhile in the early matches, so I’ll have to amuse myself with scratch-off lottery tickets until the late games start. Ooh, this ticket has a Price is Right theme!

Let’s celebrate with this photo of Maxim covergirl and Newcastle supporter and future WAG Francoise Boufhal.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,468.2 units

Last time:
1 – 50 units on Sunderland to win at 1.85 – Final 1-0 – WIN
2 – 50-unit win parlay on Aston Villa at 1.67 into Birmingham City at 1.95 – Final 1-1 into 1-0 – LOSS
3 – 50 units Hertha Berlin to win at 2.50 – Final 2-1 WIN

Profit/loss = +67.5 units
New bankroll: 1,535.7 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – In what should be a cracker of a match with possible Europe implications, Fiorentina host AS Roma. The Violets are only two points behind Genoa and could put all the pressure on them with a win. Genoa travels to relegation-threatened Bologna on Sunday. Roma, on the other hand, are three points behind Fiorentina and will look to complete the double versus them, winning 1-0 at Stadio Olympico in Rome. It’s Gilardino against Totti, and were looking for Alberto to come out on top.

50 units on Fiorentina to win at 2.37 (so a win gets us back 118.5 units)

2 – An interesting relegation match is on tap at Borussia Park on Sunday when Borussia Monchengladbach host Arminia Bielefeld. Borussia is in the relegation zone, one point behind the visitors. Look for BM to come out gunning with American Micheal Bradley and get into safety for at least one more week.

50 units on Borussia Monchengladbach to win at 1.83 (so a win gets us back 91.5 units)

3 – With a trip to Anfield looming next week, Newcastle United MUST secure all three points this Monday when they host Portsmouth. Newcastle in the Coca Cola Championship, does that sound right to you? Pompey are not out of the woods yet, with three teams separating them from relegation, so they will probably be defensive minded and go for the tie. Look for the hosts to be on the attack from the outset and get a much needed win.

50 units on Newcastle to win at 2.00 (so this win gets us back an even 100 units)

Odds from willhill.com