(expired)Weekend Betting Preview 17 May
Bet on this Weekend’s Sport
This weekend sees the showpiece of the English football season at Wembley, as Cardiff face Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final. After a season full of upsets in this year’s FA Cup, Cardiff will be looking to create one final shock this Saturday, as both teams aim for their first piece of silverware in nearly 100 years. The last of this season’s play-off finalists will also be revealed on Saturday, as Rochdale face Darlington, while Stockport also host Wycombe for a place at Wembley.Saturday’s Football
FA Cup Final, Portsmouth v Cardiff-Live on BBC1 & Sky Sports 1, k/o 15:00pm
Few people would have chosen either of these teams to be walking out onto the famous Wembley turf at the beginning of the season, and fewer still as the competition progressed. Although they are favourites to win their first trophy since 1939, Portsmouth were amongst the shock winners this year when they beat 11 time winners Man Utd in the quarter finals. They managed to squeeze past West Brom in the semis 1-0 to book their place in the final, but go into the game on their worst run of the season with one draw and four defeats their last six, including a season ending 1-0 home defeat to relegation threatened Fulham. They will also be without cup tied Jermain Defoe, who has scored 8 goals in 12 games since joining Pompey, although they are boosted by the return of in form keeper David James.
Cardiff will be sweating on the fitness of former England international Robbie Fowler as they look forward to their first Wembley final since 1927, the last time the FA Cup left England thanks to their
1-0 win over Arsenal. City were also amongst the shock winners this year, beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the quarter finals to set up a semi final with fellow giant killers Barnsley. An early Joe Ledley goal was enough to send the Bluebirds to Wembley, although they come into the final with just two wins from their last six league games, including a season ending 3-0 win over the team they beat in the semis, Barnsley. If boss Dave Jones decides Fowler is not fit for the weekend, he can still call on Premiership experience in the shape of Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, whose previous FA Cup final appearance, with Chelsea in 2002, ended in defeat to Arsenal.
VC Bet make Portsmouth favourites at 8/11, but can Cardiff complete the season of FA Cup upsets by gaining an unlikely victory? VC Bet don’t think so as they price a Cardiff victory at 22/5.
BGbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer bets on Portsmouth v Cardiff match if John Utaka scores at anytime in this match. 1
BGbet will refund all losing correct score bets on the FA Cup final if your bet gets beat by an injury time goal. 1
Betterbet are offering to refund all losing first goalscorer stakes if your player scores the LAST goal, or the match ends 0-0.*
League Two Playoffs, Rochdale v Darlington – Live on Sky Sports 1, k/o 12:00pm
The first of the days League Two playoff games sees Darlington take a 2-1 lead to Rochdale’s Spotland Stadium at noon on Saturday. Ian Miller’s 91st minute winner ensured Darlington made the most of home advantage after Jason Kennedy had opened the scoring in the 28th minute. A fantastic right foot curler, which had followed a brilliant piece of control from the on-loan Middlesbrough youngster, gave Darlington the lead but Rochdale looked to have secured a draw thanks to Chris Dagnall’s 70th minute equaliser. Darlington will be looking to do a better job defensively than they did in the league this year, as Rochdale cruised to a 3-1 win at Spotlands in a game that Darlington finished with ten men after Alan White received two yellow cards
Betterbet think Rochdale can repeat the result from earlier in the season and make them Evens to win in the 90 minutes. However they believe Darlington can hold their one goal advantage on aggregate and progress to the final, and price them at 8/13 to do just that
League Two Playoffs, Stockport v Wycombe – Live on Sky Sports 1, k/o 18:00pm
The evening’s game takes us to Edgeley Park where Stockport will be looking to make the most of home advantage. The first leg saw Stephen Gleeson’s late strike earn County a 1-1 draw at Adams Park, after Delory Facey’s first half opener had given Wycombe the lead. Both teams will be on edge following last weeks first leg, and will be aware of the possibility that the tie could be decided in extra time, or even through the dreaded lottery of penalties. An exciting clash is expected as both teams will be looking to win the tie in the 90 minutes and give themselves a chance of promotion.
BGbet think Gleesons late strike has given Stockport the momentum and makes them Evens favourites to win in the 90 minutes and secure their place at Wembley. Wycombe are 9/4 with BGbet to overcome last week’s disappointment with a win at Edgeley Park and start preparing for a trip to Wembley.
This weekend’s racing action comes from Newbury and the 1 mile Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes.
Cesare and Haradasun are narrowly separated at the top of the betting, with Cesare’s jockey Jamie Spencer aiming to repeat his win in last year’s running, when he was aboard Red Evie.
BGbet and Centrebet are both running great refund offers at Newbury.
If your horse is beaten by a Short Head or Nose in the 14:45pm Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this Saturday, BGbet will refund your stakes in the form of free bets. 2
Racing fans, get better odds than the SP every time guaranteed with Centrebet. SP+ offers you one roll over the official SP and is available on every meeting from the UK and South Africa, round the clock, 7 days a week.
Open an account with any of the following bookmakers and receive a free bet:
BGbet – £100 Free Bet
Odds subject to fluctuation – Odds taken at 9.00am 16/05/2008
1 Refunds will be in the form of free bets. Maximum Stake £50. Singles Only, Web Customers Only.
2 T&C’s
- Also applies if your horse was brought down, unseated or refused
- Min Stake £5 Max Stake £50
- Bets must be placed after 10am Saturday
- Singles only
- Win Or Each Way
- Web Customers only
- Free bets will be available from Monday 10am
*Max refund £50 per person
Leave a Reply