European Championship Qualifying Group G – Bulgaria vs England 2011

England must be strong in September or face being gone by November. England haven’t played in a European Championships for eight years, and should they fail to win in Sofia on Friday night, that could swiftly become a twelve year lapse. The dangers England are in have not been sufficiently documented. Assuming both England and Montenegro smash Wales (as what else is Wales for) and that Montenegro defeat an already-out Switzerland in their final match, England could have to win a tough match in Podgrenica to secure automatic qualification. One way around this problem would be to win on Friday night, against a Bulgarian side England trounced last September. A Jermaine Defoe hat-trick saw to Bulgaria that night, and there... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Premier League Weekend

4 Bets to Watch. It is one big Premier League weekend ahead of us, and not just for the soppy BBC man trusted to put anodyne questions to Sir Alex. Here are our four tips: Arsenal have amassed a pitiful five points from the last 27 available to them at Old Trafford. Additionally, they’ve struggled for goals away to United – scoring just once during their last five visits. The Red Devils meanwhile have won 21 of their last 22 home league games and should be too strong again. Back Fergie’s men at 1/2 with Ladbrokes. Bolton travel to Liverpool on Saturday for the late kick off, but history suggests they’ll return empty handed. They’ve picked up just one point... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, August 26th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Premier League Football

Four bets for the Weekend. Riots may have dominated the news last week, but with Alex Song now suspended, we’re all free to focus on the football. Here are 4 bets to boost your bunce over the weekend: 1) Having seen their match postponed last Saturday, Spurs opted to run riot in midweek, taking out their frustrations on the poor old Jambos. Tottenham however, haven’t won at Old Trafford since Gary Lineker scored the winner in December 1989, and failed to score home or away against the Champions last year. Back United to win the game at 8/13 with BlueSquare. 2) It is over a decade since Liverpool won away at Arsenal in the League (Titi Camara anyone) and we... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, August 19th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

4 Bets for the Premiership Weekend

13-15th August. Hurrah – it’s back! Here are a few tips for the opening weekend just in case you didn’t cash in during the riots. 1) Fulham kicked off their 2011/12 campaign back on June 30th, and six games later are still without defeat, having conceded just one goal. Their opposition on Saturday, finished just behind them last year, but Villa have since lost three of their best players from the last campaign; Brad Friedel, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. The claret n blue won just four times on the road last year and we think Fulham will open with a victory at 6/5 with Bet365. 2) Swansea will arrive at Manchester City on Monday evening as the first Welsh... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, August 12th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Premier League Golden Boot 2011/12

Looters need not apply. In the current financial crisis, it appears gold is just about the only commodity still retaining its value. Even your average Premier League footballer would be keen to have a boot made of the stuff. And here is our lowdown on who will snaffle this year’s version. Amazingly, no English striker has top-scored in the top league for over a decade (Kevin Phillips did it in 1999/00). That is surely bad news for current favourite Wayne Rooney. Lay him at 9.6. In addition, no striker from a club finishing outside the top four at the end of the season has been top scorer for a decade either, so unless you’re mentally deficient, or a close relative... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

5 things to watch for – Premier League 2011/12 Preview

Strap yourselves in for the ride ahead. The Emirates Cup last weekend saw Arsenal fail to land a trophy. And although not everything can be quite as predictable as that these days, don’t be surprised to get a sense of déjà vu when the following happens in the Premier League this season. 1) One of the promoted teams will ‘catch everyone by surprise’ by winning a few games before the end of October. A reporter on Match of The Day will chuckle heartily when asking the manager if he is dreaming of Europe. They will then go 18 games without a win from January and get relegated. Swansea are the most likely candidates. Back them to go down at 1.62... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Two Guays, One Cup

Copa America Final. Not since Homer Simpson pronounced it U r gay, have Uruguay caused such confusion on the global stage. The 2011 Copa America final was meant to be Argentina-Brazil of course – the entire tournament structure was virtually rigged to that effect. Yet Sunday night will see the battle of the Guays, as Para attempt to topple Uru, and possibly become the first side ever to win a tournament without winning a single match in it. For the first time since 1987 (when both have entered), the Copa America final is lacking a Brazilian or an Argie. Judging from Paraguay’s semi-final however, there should be no shortage of argie-bargie at least. But even a hearty dose of mindless... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 24th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Trannys

Premier League big boys kick off their own debt crisis. Given the tabloid press don’t have much actual football to discuss over the summer, it has always struck us as somewhat of a stroke of fortune that the back pages can be filled with the potential comings and goings at all the top Premier League clubs. These days, football transfers are all about making money, so it is little surprise the big betting companies are keen to take their slice of the pie. Here are four markets to watch for: Cesc Fabregas: Rivalling only the T20 in annual tedium, the ‘Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona’ transfer, is back once more this year. And this time it appears to be happening. However,... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, July 18th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

Copa America 2011

Talented Brazilians keeping you up all night again… The Copa America, South America’s version of the European Championships begins early Saturday morning, with a fixture between the hosts Argentina and underdogs Bolivia. This tournament is normally a cracking watch, and given the fact that from 2012, the Euros will have 24 teams in it (thanks Michel,) it may now be the best non-World Cup competition around. Here are three things to bear in mind if you fancy a punt: 1) Be wary of the group stages: Since 8 teams out of the 12 progress to the Quarter Finals, it is effectively harder to go out at the group stage than it is to stay in it. Defensive football is thus... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, July 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)

2 to Watch – Womens World Cup 2011

And not a shirt-swapping joke in sight. Guten Abend to Karla Kick, mascot of the 2011 Womens World Cup which begins on Sunday in Germany. 16 teams, 4 groups of 4 and not a vuvuzela in sight – what’s not to enjoy? Whilst there will no doubt be many men tuning in eager to knock the laboured play and embarrassingly awful goalkeepers, this is all grossly unfair. To fully appreciate women’s football, one must watch it as a different sport, and not simplistically compare it to men’s. And here are two star players who may catch your eye over the next three weeks if you can put prejudice to one side. Kelly Smith – England Having overcome alcoholism and depression,... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, June 27th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Football, Oggsblog)