A straightforward enough start to our latest attempt at the £10 to £1000 Challenge, and after the travails of the past few weeks that was very welcome indeed.
Here’s a recap of last week’s selections:
- Bet 1: Manchester United vs Celta Vigo: Man Utd/Draw Double Chance – This was a no-brainer on paper….although the 1-1 scoreline was a little close for comfort.
- Bet 2: Everton vs Watford: Everton/Draw Double Chance – An easy enough 1-0 win for the Toffees.
- Bet 3: Schalke vs Hamburg: Schalke +1.25 Asian Handicap – A second 1-1 scoreline of the weekend ensured our handicap selection landed with ease.
- Bet 4: Sampdoria vs Chievo: Over 1.5 Goals – This game wasn’t as goal-heavy as we expected, but yet another 1-1 result meant we were still in the money.
So we take forward £16.25 into Week 2, and let’s hope for another successful outing in what is the final round of fixtures for many of Europe’s top divisions.
Bet 5: Granada vs Espanyol: Espanyol +1.25 Asian Handicap – £16.25 at 1/10
Friday May 19, 19:45
It would be just our luck that after a run of 11 defeats in 12, and no win since March 1, Granada will end their campaign with a win.
The good news for us is that they have five players who have played in 20 or more games this season suffering with injuries – Gaston, Ponce, Kravets, Cuenca and Carcela – so Espanyol are worthy favourites.
Indeed, if you take a 0-3 defeat to Barcelona out of the equation their form is pretty good: W5 D2 L3, and they have only lost by more than one goal in one of their last ten outings. Surely Granada won’t end that run, will they?
Bet 6: Frankfurt vs RB Leipzig: Leipzig +1.00 Asian Handicap – £17.88 at 1/9
Saturday May 20, 14:30
This £10 to £1000 Challenge is all about playing the percentages, and having won one of their last fourteen matches the stats suggest that Frankfurt will struggle against second-placed Leipzig.
The hosts’ demise is hard to put a handle on, although a lengthy injury list certainly hasn’t helped: they will once again be without five first team regulars here.
Leipzig’s campaign has been unbelievable: second in the Bundesliga, they only got promoted to the top flight last season, and contrary to popular belief they haven’t bought themselves success.
The visitors have only lost one of their last eight, and that was a 4-5 reverse at the hands of Bayern after leading 4-2 with six minutes left to play.
Bet 7: Rennes vs Monaco: Monaco +1.25 Asian Handicap – £19.87 at 1/10
Saturday May 20, 19:00
Remarkably, Rennes have scored one goal or fewer in 30/37 Ligue 1 games this season – conservatism has been their best friend. That means in order to beat champions Monaco here they will need to a) break the habit they have displayed for approximately ninth months of the season, or b) keep a clean sheet and score once themselves.
If we look at option B, we note that Monaco average 2.80 goals per game this term and have only failed to score once in 37 outings – way back in September.
Incidentally, Monaco are priced at 10/11 with the bookmakers to win this game….that is outstanding value.
Bet 8: Arsenal vs Everton: Arsenal +1 Handicap – £21.86 at 1/8
Sunday May 21, 15:00
In what could be Arsene Wenger’s swansong as Arsenal manager, you would expect the Gunners to capitalise on their recent excellent form and prey upon Everton’s lethargic end to the campaign.
Everything has clicked rather nicely at Arsenal with six wins in their last seven, and whether that has convinced Wenger to stay for another year – or otherwise – remains to be seen. Either way, they will want to end the campaign on a high with victory in front of their own supporters.
Everton’s campaign has all but ended. They can’t finish any higher or lower than their current seventh place, have scored just one goal in 360 minutes of Premier League football and haven’t won away since January. The numbers stack up.