The Drugs Don’t Work!

Tour de France, July 5th - 27th

Back any rider to win the Tour De France with Paddy Power and get your Money-Back if he is banned during the tour for a failed drug test.

“Too Klose For Comfort” - Germany v Turkey
Euro 2008 Semi-Final, Wednesday 7.45pm - If Miroslav Klose scores the last goal of the game (90 mins play only), Boylesports will refund losing First/Last/Anytime Goalscorer, Correct score & Scorecast single bets on this match.

“Smart Arsh” - Russia v Spain
Euro 2008 Semi-Final, Thursday 7.45pm - If Andrei Arshavin scores either the first or last goal of the game (90 mins play only) Boylesports will refund losing First/Last/Anytime Goalscorer, Correct score & Scorecast single bets on this match.

Turkey’s first two games were far from convincing, despite beating Switzerland 2-1 in their second clash, but on Sunday in Geneva Terim’s men came of age.

After a poor first half and trailing 1-0 at the interval Turkey went 2-0 behind against the run of play, but the Turks kept their composure and delivered when it mattered. Three goals in the final 15 minutes is no mean feat but Turkey were full value for the win after pinning the Czechs on the backfoot with crisp and accurate passing.

Turkey teams of the past would have lost their discipline at 2-0 down, just look at the debacle against Switzerland in the World Cup play-off in 2005 when a mass brawl erupted, but Terim seems to have instilled a strength and self-belief in his squad.

Croatia will be tough quarter-final opponents having racked up three straight wins en route to winning Group A, but they are not invincible and may well be surprised by Turkey’s techical ability.

Slaven Bilic’s men are many pundits’ dark horses for the tournament and they are the 2.04 favourites on Betfair to dispose of Turkey in 90 minutes.

But Turkey are a resilient bunch and will prove tricky opposition for a Croatia team which may now start to miss the goalscoring prowess of Eduardo.

Ivica Olic, Ivan Klasnic and Mladen Petric have all played up front for Croatia so far and although they work hard, especially Olic, none of the trio look top class.

Their midfield has been cruising through the tournament, while the back four have yet to be tested.

Turkey this time around have forward players with undoubted ability and Arda Turan, Tuncay Sanli and two-goal hero Nihat Kahveci can cause Croatia problems.

At 27.0 to win the title Turkey look decent value but the safer bet for football betting professionals is to back the Turks to qualify - the equivalent of a two-horse race - at a tasty-looking 2.8.

By Phil Tomlinson

This week, Euro 2008 enters the knockout stages, with some attractive looking showdowns. There have been some slightly unexpected results in group games, which means some big names will be squaring up.

My two picks, Spain and Holland are both performing well, but Croatia might be worth a punt at this stage as well.

We’ll also preview the rugby at the weekend, with England’s much-changed side facing New Zealand in the second test. There are a few new names, and the bookies won’t know what to expect so there should be some opportunities for us.

He had knee surgery 2 months ago and hasn’t played in a competition since - do the bookies really think a one-legged Tiger is more likely to win than a player like Phil Mickelson?

Regardless, the bookies’ collective naivety means there is betting value to be enjoyed by the sports punter, and Mickelson is my pick.

He’s come close so many times, only to be foiled at the eleventh hour, but this year it’s his turn. He lives just 15 minutes from the club, and he is desperate to win this major on his home course - you can back him at 8/1 with Ladbrokes (Tiger is a ridiculous 7/2).

Jim Furyk is also worth an each-way bet. Few people remember that he has finished second in the last two editions of this competition, and is available at an attractive 35/1 with Bet365.

Tonight sees my other tipped team in action as Spain take on Russia. The bet tonight is on Fernando Torres to score first, available at 9/2 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes.

An Anytime Goalscorer bet on Cesc Fabregas might also be worth a small investment as he looks to impress on the international stage - the best odds are 13/2 with Paddy Power.

Despite being sadly bereft of any UK representatives, Euro 2008 will take centre stage this month and it’s time to adopt a team to follow. Perhaps Greece can do it again, and you’ll get good odds on that, but Germany are currently among the favourites unfortunately!

Here’s a run down of some special betting offers - the Boylesports one looks particularly attractive.

Boylesports:

“A League of their Own”
If the last goal of any group stage game is scored by a Premier League player, Boylesports will refund losing single first, last & anytime goalscorer, correct score & scorecast bets on that particular match.

“Fallen at the Last”
If your team is beaten in the Euro 2008 Final, Boylesports will refund your losing win single stake on the tournament outright market.

Paddy Power:

If a player is shown a red card in any of the group matches, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on that match.

Europe is about to go football crazy once again as the continent-wide party resumes in Austria and Switzerland.

However, everyone knows it’s not quite all-inclusive, since none of the UK countries will be represented. That doesn’t stop it being a thrilling competition to follow and bet on, so it’s time to adopt a team to follow all the way through.

After the initial disappointment of England’s failure to qualify, we can start to see the up-side - we can choose from any of the competing teams, without being constrained by patriotism, and perhaps our side will actually lift the trophy rather than suffer a painful defeat in a quarter-final penalty shootout.

We have provided an overview of each competing nation and the best odds available to allow you to make up your mind.

Group A

The Czech Republic could be the beer-drinkers team of choice - a few pints of Staropramen and Budvar will go nicely whilst watching a team that ought to progress from the group stages. The Czechs are available at 22/1 with SkyBet.

If you are a Manchester United fan, Portugal could be the team for you and you’ll enjoy seeing Cristiano Ronaldo terrorising the hosts. He’s not the only one with a touch of flair in this side, which also features Deco and Ricardo Quaresma, and that should be enough to see them through. They are 7/1 with Boylesports.

Perhaps you would like to side with the co-hosts, Switzerland? They are notoriously uncontroversial, and that’s exactly why they might be the ideal team for the neutral! Personally, I can’t see them progressing too far, but if you fancy cheering them on, you’ll get odds of 33/1 with totesport.

If the inert Swiss aren’t your cup of tea, maybe you should take on the fiery Turks. Never far from the troublesome action, Turkey are bound to ruffle a few feathers and their team isn’t too bad either. You’ll get around 50/1 on Turkey with Paddy Power.

Group B

It gets a bit political in Group B as a number of central European neighbours square off against a backdrop of turbulent histories. If you are a glory supporter, Germany could be your adopted team as favourites at 4/1 with BetFred and Ladbrokes.

If you prefer a team slightly less straight-laced and more of a crowd favourite, the Austrian side might be for you. As co-hosts they will have a lot of support, but the lack of ability on the pitch probably won’t work in their favour - they are 150-1 outstiders with BetFred.

There may be one or two Polish fans living in the UK, so perhaps you’ll join forces with them as you watch the action. Poland probably won’t play the most exciting attacking football as their strategy seems to be based around defence, but they have a decent chance from emerging from their group - you can back them at 50-1 with Bet365.

Croatia make up a tough group, and although they mightn’t have too much support having sealed England’s fate in qualifying (or not), but the East Europeans could be the surprise team of the tournament. They normally score a few goals, and could be good value at 14/1 with totesport.

Group C

The group of death sees France, Italy, Holland and Romania vying for just two places, and the French will probably be many people’s adopted nation. They have a host of names well-known to followers of the Premiership as well as a guy that looks like a character from Road Trip. You know who I mean - back the French at 9/1 with Bet365.

World Champions Italy will probably fancy their chances should they escape from this group. The Italians have a reputation for fiery tempers, falling out with each other and most importantly beingalmost impenetrable in defence. They are 7/1 with Blue Square.

Holland are also in with a shout of lifting the cup, with the great Marco Van Basten at the helm. You won’t miss them in their bright orange strip, and they will have to play some decent football to reach the knock-out stages - as one of the less-fancied teams in the group, they might just surprise a few people at 7/1 with Coral.

If you are going to pick a team from Group C, will it really be Romania? Can they really emulate Greece’s efforts last time around and completely stun the football world? I doubt it to be honest, and the 50/1 with VCBet probably isn’t worth taking!

Group D

Are you a glory supporter? Well, Greece are the defending champions so why not back them? They will always be the underdogs, written off and ignored, but maybe just maybe Otto Rehhagel’s side can be kings of Europe again and make SkyBet regret their odds of 40/1.

Maybe you are a Chelsea fan and Russia is the team for you. You might win the affections of Roman Abramovich by donning the Russian colours, and you might be interested to see Guus Hiddink (Russia’s manager) in action in case he comes to Stamford Bridge one day. They are 28/1 with Extrabet, among others.

Sweden is always worth a look, and if they win it’s worth considering a move to a country that boasts 50 stunning blonde women to every 1 man (estimated). Henrik Larsson has returned to the squad and there are a few other familiar names such as Olof Mellberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - they are a relatively attractive 40/1 with William Hill.

Finally, and here’s my tip for the tournament, Spain - perennial underachievers like England, they probably won’t disappoint those looking for highly paid stars and appalling penalty displays. With Cesc Fabregas, David Vilaa and Fernando Torres in their ranks, this might just be their year - I’m sure I’ve heard that before, but that’s where my pesetas are going. 11/2 with Extrabet - come on!

If you don’t want to adopt a team, but are just looking for some betting value, get onto Betfair and back Holland - I reckon they’ll get through their group (remember it wasn’t long ago that Italy and France nearly didn’t qualify at all) and then you can lay them off again before the quarters.

England certainly appear to have the momentum after the amazing turnaround in the second Test, when they overcame a 170 first innings deficit to win in style on the fourth day.

The home side touched 17.5 during that clash at Old Trafford, so punters should be alert to the value offered by Betfair’s in-play markets, especially as these inconsistent teams regularly veer between being good and bad in the same match.

The five recent meetings between these two have produced three England wins, one for New Zealand and one rain-affected draw. Michael Vaughan’s men were not convincing in any of those victories and punters following the Black Caps will be relieved to see them back in their underdog role, as they looked uncomfortable front-runners at Manchester.

England have lost their last two Tests at Trent Bridge in relatively low-scoring encounters and the wicket continues to offer assistance to the bowlers. This will suit the Black Caps, as England’s batsmen – apart from Andrew Strauss – have looked all at sea against the tourists’ attack when conditions are favourable.

The Kiwis also have more batsmen in good form than England do, with Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram all profiting from England’s often wayward attack.

Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Tim Ambrose have all had limited time in the middle and punters might find value in selecting the Black Caps batsmen in Betfair’s wide range of batting markets.

England are always expected to come out on top in every clash between these two sides, but this Test series has been closely-fought and characterised by bad sessions for both teams. We could be in store for another rollercoaster encounter, so punters should be ready to change position as the action unfolds at Trent Bridge.

On Wednesday night, England will look to bounce back from their defeat to France last time out as their welcome the USA to Wembley. The American’s have included nine British-based players in their squad for the match whereas Fabio Capello has yet to confirm how many of his stars will feature after a long season.

For the Rep. of Ireland, new boss Giovanni Trapattoni will be looking for somewhat of an improved performance after their “mixed bag” display against Serbia when his Irish side take on Colombia at Craven Cottage on Thursday night.

Boylesports are offering a money-back special for these games - if a goal is scored in 2nd half injury time in either match, they will refund all losing first, last and anytime goalscorer bets and any scorecasts on that match.

Enjoy.