Betting Picks

As summer nears, sports betting is in full force with a variety of events offered to all kinds of fans. Hockey betting is available as the playoffs head into the third round, while NBA championship betting is open as well as the Celtics and Cavaliers battle for the fourth and final spot in the conference series. And with a month left til the big event, World Cup predictions are available for the biggest sporting event this year.

Hockey and basketball aren’t the only sports winding down—so too is European soccer, as the UEFA Europa Leauge Final takes place this week between Fulham and Atletico Madrid.

Fulham looks to get a couple key players back from injury as top scorer Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff returned to practice this week. Zamora has six goals in Europe and has been out for two weeks after suffering in the semi final match.  Manager Roy Hodgson is optimistic that both players will return for the big match.

The play of captain Zoltan Gera is a big reason Fulham has made it this far.  If Zamora is able to play, Gera will benefit greatly as he had all year. “”I love this position, just behind Bobby Zamora,” said Gera.”I enjoy it – I get a lot of the ball, lots of touches, I get chances, I can score goals.”

Gera has scored six goals in 13 games in the tournament, including two in a victory over Juventus and the goal that propelled them into the final.

John Pantsil and Bjorn Helge Riise look to also return to play after getting injured in Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal.  While Fulham lost the game 4-0, Hodgson rested many of his top players in preparation for the final, though Pantsil and Riise both gave the team a scare.

Atletico Madrid too rested many players this past week, as coach Quique Sanchez is confident in his teams health. Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Raul Garcia, and Simao Sabrosa were among some of the stars who were rested on Saturday.

Madrid has confidence too, but it borders on over-confidence. History and statistics demonstrate than they are superior to Fulham, as pointed out by star Sergio Aguero prior to the match, but there is a reason they play the game.  The match looks to be very hotly contested, with both teams having a real chance at a championship.

Betting lines: Atletico Madrid is the favourite in this match as Fulham looks to continue their fairy tale run.  The match takes place in neutral field in Hamburg, giving neither team a particular home field advantage. Fulham has extremely high confidence, spurred on my manager of the year Roy Hodgson. They are playing as a team, and have been in the underdog position much of the way through the tournament.  Look for Fulham to complete their amazing run and cap the best season in the team’s 100  year plus history.