Soccer Betting » La Liga

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 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 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 Mar-14, 15 – Attention Groundskeeper Willie

Offshore Oscar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:00:17 +0000

We had a great weekend so we were finally able to hit the “overcharge” button on that nasty losing streak and we are swimming in units again. Those stubborn Germans were all that kept us from sweeping, since the EPL parlay came through nicely, as did the draw in the Madrid Derby.

This weekend we’ll finally pay some attention to the Scots and splash some units around in England and Spain again as well.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,316.9 units

Last time:
1 – 40 units on Werder Bremen to win at 2.40 – Final 0-0 – LOSS
2 – 40 unit win parlay Birmingham City at 1.67 into Wolverhampton at 2.37 – Final 1-0 into 1-0 – WIN
3 – 40 units Real Madrid-Athletico Madrid draw at 3.40 – Final 1-1 – WIN
Profit/loss = +174.3 units
New bankroll: 1,491.2 units

This weekend’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – Both Sunderland and Wigan have been playing some pretty bad football lately. Sunderland gave up a late Robbie Keane equalizer last Saturday and should be more prepared for the visiting Latics.

40 units on Sunderland to win at 2.20 (so a win gets us back 88 units)

2 – What an embarrassing performance by Real Madrid on Tuesday at Anfield, probably a very quiet plane ride home, and their Derby draw last week didn’t help either. They should come out with all guns blazing at Bilbao on Saturday and complete the season double versus Athletic.

40 units Real Madrid to win at 2.00 (so a win gets us back 80 units)

3 – I don’t know why did we waited so long to make our foray in to the SPL, but “bettor” late than never, and why not start with the Edinburgh derby. Hearts and Hibs have met twice so far this season and both matches have ended in draws, hopefully this one won’t. It does not look like Hibernian can catch Hearts in the standings, but they will want to put a dent in their rivals European hopes at Easter Road on Saturday.

40 units Hibernian to win at 2.50 (so a victory gets us back 100 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks Mar-7, 8 – Madrid Derby and soft drink action

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:21:44 +0000

The next time I attempt a 4-team London parlay of favorites, I’d appreciate if someone would slap me around a bit to bring me back to reality. As usually happens, the first three did the job, and then the last one, Fulham in this case, couldn’t even manage a draw.

The week even started out bad, as some humiliating 911 calls I placed somehow made national news. Look, I’d like to see YOU pay for your beloved Chicken McNuggets and then sit back idly as they substitute a deluxe burger and won’t offer you a refund! It honestly felt like an emergency to me at the time.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,396.9 units

Last time:
1 – 40-unit win parley on Chelsea at 1.57 into Arsenal at 1.61 into Fulham at 1.70 into Tottenham at 1.70 – Final 3 wins, but Fulham lost – LOSS
2 – 40 units on Aston Villa to win at 2.62 – Final 2-0 – LOSS
Profit/loss = (-80 units)
New bankroll: 1,316.9 units

This week’s Offshore Oscar play’s:

1 – TSG Hoffenheim were cruising on the lead in the Bundesliga until striker Vedad Ibisevic was sidelined for the year. It still would have been a battle with him, but they have no shot without him and are falling back to reality, so they should finish about mid table. Werder Bremen had a season to forget about until their elimination of AC Milan in the UEFA Cup and gritty draw last week at home against Bayern Munich, They are playing with some confidence and look for them to come out flying at Hoffenheim on Saturday.

40 units on Werder Bremen to win at 2.40 (so a win gets us back 96 units)

2 – With only one EPL match this weekend, let’s see what is going on in the Coca-Cola Championship. Wolves have been in first place most of the season and they had a nice pick me up win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, look for them to care of business when they travel to Sheffield to face the Owls on Saturday. One of the best rivalries in English football is the Birmingham derby, Birmingham City versus Aston Villa. Hopefully we’ll see it again next year, with the Blues sitting in second place in the Championship. They host an improving Southhampton side on Saturday, but should bag the three points.

40-unit win parlay on Birmingham City at 1.67 into Wolverhampton at 2.37 (so if both win we get back 40 x 1.67 x 2.37 = 158.3 units)

3 – The Madrid derby on Saturday should be a competitive struggle. Both Althletico and Real face uphill battles in their upcoming Champions League matches and might be thinking ahead.

40 units on a Real Madrid-Athletico Madrid draw at 3.40 (so a draw here gets us back 136 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks Feb-14 and 15 – Italian and French WAGs special

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:30:49 +0000

That USA win during the week seemed so easy that it’s amazing we more than doubled our money on that bet, but that was offset by my big bet that satellites would collide in orbit last week instead of this week. Where the hell were you when I needed you, disused Russian satellite Cosmos 2251?

And fans of WAGs photos (AKA straight men whose own W or G isn’t hovering over their shoulder) will be happy to “read” about Hot Italian women attached to footballers part two, and Hot French WAGs as well. Who wins the WAGs showdown?

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,658.9 units

Last time:
1 – 40 units on USA to win at 2.05 – Final 2-0 – WIN

Profit/loss = +42 units
New bankroll: 1,700.9 units

This weekend’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – Deportivo had a long trip to Mallorca last week and were able to get a hard fought point. They should be able to get all three points at home against visiting Osasuna on Saturday.

50 units Deportivo La Coruna to win at 2.00 (so a win gets us back an even 100 units)

2 – Bundesliga North Rhine-Westphalia parlay. FC Koln are doing better than expected this year, sitting mid-table and have played well at home. Borussia Dortmund were blasted by Bayern last Sunday and they should find Energie Cottbus a lot easier.

40-unit win parlay FC Koln at 1.80 into Borussia Dortmund at 1.44 (so if both win we get back 40 x 1.80 x 1.44 = 103.6 units)

3 – Does Carlo Ancelotti believe that his AC Milan squad can pick up ANY points this Sunday after their dismal 1-1 draw against last place Reggina last week? First place Inter will be difficult to catch, regardless of this Sunday’s outcome. Milan defender Alessandro Nesta might return, they need him to go up against the two, big physical Inter strikers, Adriano and Ibrahimovic. Kaka is also questionable. Inter might have one eye on their upcoming Champions League match versus Manchester United on February 24, therefore allowing the Rossoneri to split the points with them.

30 units on the draw in the Milan Derby at 2.87 (so a draw gets us back 86.1 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscars picks Jan-31 and Feb-1 – EPL, Bundesliga, and La Liga locks

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:43:52 +0000

If FIFA had raised the crossbars a bit (like I’ve suggested to them so many times!) before that Wigan-Liverpool match on Wednesday, I’d probably be moving to that palm-shaped island in Dubai already, but hitting the even-longer-shot Udinese over Juve more than made up for it. If I hadn’t lost that Texas high school basketball bet last week where I laid 102 points and that lazy team only won 100-0, I’d be even happier.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Last time’s bankroll: 1,483.2 units

Last time:
1 – 25 units Wigan to win at 4.60 – Final 1-1 – LOSS
2 – 25 units Udinese to win at 5.25 – Final 2-1 WIN

Profit/loss = +81.25 units
New bankroll: 1,564.45 units

This weekend’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – If you had a picture dictionary, the word “mess” would be accompanied by a photo of the current Portsmouth Football Club. Ever since losing Jermaine Defoe, they have been in a freefall, with Tony Adams making all the wrong moves. Fulham have been a different team at home and they should take advantage of out of form Pompey.

50 units on Fulham to win at 1.95 (so a win gets us back 97.5 units)

2 – The Bundesliga is back from winter break and the title race should go down to the wire. Schalke have a bad taste in their mouth from their last match at leaders TSG Hoffenheim, where two players were red carded in the 1-1 draw. Winning the league is a long-shot possibility, but Europe is within their reach, and they should come out strong at Hannover on Saturday.

40 units on Schalke to win at 2.30 (so a win gets us 92 units)

3 – Northern Spain parlay – Althletic Bilbao and Deportivo La Coruna are both coming off one-goal away losses. Maybe they can regroup and get victories at home.

30-unit win parlay Bilbao at 1.91 into Deportivo at 2.40 (so if both win we get back 30 x 1.91 x 2.40 = 137.5 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks for January 24 and 25, 2009

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:20:04 +0000

Aston Villa and Genoa each came through exactly as hoped, which more than made up for the Madrid parlay debacle. We are now so solidly into positive territory that FIFA is probably looking into the situation. At this rate it shouldn’t be long before football handicappers have their own WAGs who are featured in tabloid stories around the globe. Until then, I’ll have to keep making due with this stack of Penthouses that I picked up at a garage sale a few years back.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Current bankroll: 1,381.2 units

This weekend’s Offshore Oscar plays:

Betting on draws can be heartbreaking and also make matches hard to watch, so let’s string 3 of them together to see what happens.

1 – England is back to FA Cup action this weekend with two Premiership strugglers meeting in the Northeast. Sunderland-Blackburn should be a ho-hum match with both teams thinking more about how to stay out of the relegation zone.

30 units on a Sunderland-Blackburn draw at 3.30 (so a draw will get us back 99 units)

2 – Looks like the most competitive match in Serie A this weekend is in Naples, where the red-hot Blues host AS Roma. It should be a tight match and it could be a 1-1 tie, with Roma scoring early and Napoli getting a late equalizer.

30 units on a Napoli-Roma draw at 2.90 (so a draw gets us back 87 units)

3 – On to Spain and La Liga where Malaga hosts Althletico Madrid. Malaga absolutely crushed Espanyol, while Althletico drew at Almeria. Althletico coach Javier Aguirre is not a happy man so far in 2009 and he should have his team prepared for this match.

30 units on a Malaga-Althletico Madrid draw at 3.10 (so a draw gets us back 93 units)

Odds from willhill.com

Offshore Oscar’s picks for January 17 and 18, 2009

Offshore Oscar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:02:43 +0000

More of those ridiculous frozen-pitch match cancellations took their toll on our action again last weekend, but thanks to a Wigan victory we came out ahead in spite of it all. I’ve now officially gone from ‘global warming skeptic’ to ‘global warming fan,’ or at least I would if it existed. Madrid is the place to be this weekend, and things look good for a major score with our craziest parlay yet.

Original bankroll: 1,000 units
Current bankroll: 1,288.4 units

This weekend’s Offshore Oscar plays:

1 – Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 5 with 4 wins. They want to stay in the top four and they should with a strong win Saturday at the Stadium of Light against a banged-up Sunderland.

40 units on Aston Villa to win at 2.20 (so a win gets us back 88 units)

2 – Genoa has to travel far this week, to the heel of Italy, to face Lecce. Nevertheless, they are a better team, still fighting for a place in Europe, while Lecce might be a bit overconfident after winning last week in Tuscany.

40 units on Genoa to win at 2.62 (so a victory returns 104.8 units)

3 – MADRID QUAD PLAY – Three out of four Madrid teams are home this weekend and should all be victorious, including second-division Rayo Vallecano. Athletico Madrid is slumping and should be extra prepared for their visit to Almeria.

20-unit win parlay – Getafe at 2.10 into Real Madrid at 1.28 into Rayo Vallecano at 1.95 into Athletico Madrid at 2.30 (So if all four win we’ll get back 20 x 2.10 x 1.28 x 1.95 x 2.30 = 241.1 units)

Odds from willhill.com