Betting Picks

Archive for March, 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 14:45 EST

As March winds down and spring heats up, the Sportsbook is full of exciting match up for every sports fan.  Hockey heads towards the playoffs with plenty of NHL betting options, and baseball spring training comes to a close. As well, the NCAA tourney is close to determining a champion and those final four odds are available.

What’s more, English League soccer and the UEFA Cup near exciting finishes.  Only eight teams remain in the UEFA Cup as the first leg of the quarterfinals get under way this week.  Arsenal hosts powerhouse Barcelona in the opening tilt at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Arsenal enters the match coming off a poor outing against Birmingham.  The Gunners allowed a late goal, squandering a victory and earning a mere point.  They have lost a bit of ground in the top of the League table, as they currently sit in third position, four points behind Manchester United, and three behind Chelsea.

The Gunners received more disappoint in the match as Captain Cesc Fabregas sustained a deep bruise on his leg and may be sidelined for the match against Barca.  Manager Arsene Wenger has made very clear that unless the Spanish midfielder is completely healthy, they will not take any chances of reinjuring the leg, and thus the Gunners will likely be without one of their top performers. “The medical staff tell me there is still a chance he will be available, but that will decided in the warm up tomorrow night, which tells you how late we will leave it,” said Wenger.

While Fabregas may be out of the match, centre William Gallas will be in uniform returning from injury.

Barcelona, meanwhile, has significant injury concerns of its own. Midfielder Andres Iniesta will not play, but manager Pep Guardiola says the club will not change its intense attack style of play, led by Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi.

The second leg of the match will take place in a week’s time in Barcelona, where ground will be very tough to make up for the Gunners should they fall behind. 

Betting:  Barcelona is the favourite coming into the match against a very good Arsenal squad, despite being on the road. Arsenal being at home gives them a very good shot at an upset, however.  Since they are playing in Emirates Stadium, it is important for them to not only win, but make sure to play well and keep Barca from netting too many away goals which carry weight in the second leg. Despite what the Arsenal manager has been saying, if Fabregas is close to healthy he will likely play in this important match. The Gunners have been playing well of late, and look for them to upset Barca and snatch a close and vital win at home. The over/under is at 2.5, and with these two clubs being able to put up lots of points, take the over.

Spring is one of the more exciting times for sports betting, with so many leagues in the playoffs or just getting started. There are a lot of matches to choose from, so stay organized and enjoy one of the best times of year in the sports calendar.

PICK LOST

Sampdoria is maybe too high on table, who will say that they will be at 5th place after 30 rounds. They never lost against Cagliari and last match with them at home finished 3-3. Sampdoria at home is defensive, 49% over. Cagliari on road is more offensive, they have 55% over. Cagliari is in bad shape lately, they cant win, but they are scoring goals but conceding even more. Sampdoria is in good shape, winning, but maximum they score is 2 goals, 3 goals in one match they scored before 2 months. Some key defenders are out and this could have good impact on scoring more goals.
Head to head:
26.04.2009 Sun     Italian Serie A     Sampdoria     –     Cagliari    3-3
08.11.2009 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari     –     Sampdoria    2-0
22.03.2008 Sat     Italian Serie A     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    1-1
30.11.2008 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-0
16.01.2008 Wed Italian Cup     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    4-0
12.12.2007 Wed Italian Cup     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-0
10.03.2007 Sat     Italian Serie A     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    1-1
04.11.2007 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    0-3
02.04.2006 Sun     Italian Serie A     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    1-1
29.10.2006 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-0
11.01.2006 Wed Italian Cup     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    2-1
08.12.2005 Thu     Italian Cup     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-1
17.03.2005 Thu     Italian Cup     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    3-2
27.11.2005 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    2-0
10.11.2004 Wed Italian Serie A     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    0-0
10.04.2005 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    0-0
17.05.2003 Sat     Italian Serie B     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    3-1
27.01.2005 Thu     Italian Cup     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    2-0
17.02.2002 Sun     Italian Serie B     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    3-3
13.12.2002 Fri     Italian Serie B     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-0
29.10.2000 Sun     Italian Serie B     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    2-1
24.09.2001 Mon Italian Serie B     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    0-2
07.02.1999 Sun     Italian Serie A     Sampdoria    -     Cagliari    0-0
18.03.2001 Sun     Italian Serie B     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    1-1
27.09.1998 Sun     Italian Serie A     Cagliari    -     Sampdoria    5-0

STATISTIC FOR: Italy – Serie A

20/35 57,1%

PICK LOST

Livorno is at the bottom of table, but yet they have a chance to fight against relegation if they beat Bari. They need a win, draw wont help them much. Bari played 3 times at Livorno and all 3 times it was draw, once was 2-2. Bari scores a lot on road, 52% its over, but Livorno is under team, defending team with 40% over at home, but today they will not have defenders ready for match, Knezevic and Diniz are maybe ready but they will sure not be at full 100%. livorno is in bad shape, in last 3 they got 9 goals and manage to score against Roma 3 goals, Bari is as well in good shape with last 4 matches every time they score at least 1 goal. As we think that Livorno will win and Bari will score, good bet is over, odds are good and if this scenario fails, there is still chance for Bari to score 3 goals, or Livorno.
Head to head:
17.02.2009 Tue Italian Serie B Livorno – Bari 1-1
08.11.2009 Sun Italian Serie A Bari – Livorno 1-0
15.10.2003 Wed Italian Serie B Livorno - Bari 1-1
23.09.2008 Tue Italian Serie B Bari - Livorno 0-0
24.05.2003 Sat Italian Serie B Livorno - Bari 2-2
14.03.2004 Sun Italian Serie B Bari - Livorno 3-2
22.12.2002 Sun Italian Serie B Bari - Livorno 0-3

STATISTIC FOR: Italy – Serie A

20/34 58,8%

PICK WON

Fiorentina is hosting a Udinese who is in need of points to stay clear of relegation zone. Last 2 matches when Udinese visit Fiorentina finished over. Fiorentina is over team at home and they play 56% over, as well Udinese on road plays over 2.5 51%. Fiorentina didn’t score in last match but before that they score in last 3 matches 9 goals. Udinese as well didn’t score nor conceded in last match but 2 before they got 6 goals. Some defenders are not fully fit and this only gives boost to pick. Mutu is still not ready for Fiorentina but they have great Gilardinho.
Head to head:
22.11.2008 Sat Italian Serie A Fiorentina – Udinese 4-2
08.11.2009 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese – Fiorentina 0-1
11.11.2007 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 1-2
19.04.2009 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 3-1
11.02.2007 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 2-0
30.03.2008 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 3-1
18.09.2005 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 4-2
24.09.2006 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 1-0
26.02.2005 Sat Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 2-2
29.01.2006 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 0-0
10.03.2002 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 0-0
24.10.2004 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 2-2
29.04.2001 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 2-1
28.10.2001 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 1-2
13.02.2000 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 1-1
17.12.2000 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 1-3
04.10.1998 Sun Italian Serie A Fiorentina - Udinese 1-0
26.09.1999 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 1-1
14.02.1999 Sun Italian Serie A Udinese - Fiorentina 1-0

STATISTIC FOR: Italy – Serie A

20/33 60,6%