Nearly 30 goals were scored in this weekend’s fixtures, an average of 2.9 scored in each one, but the problem for the bookmaker is that the majority were scored by the favourites which led to a bad weekend for the poor old bookmaker.
First game had Aaron Ramsey return to Cardiff for the first time in the premier league with high flying Arsenal. The league leaders, although away, were given favourable odds of 4/6 to take down Cardiff. Aaron Ramsey’s two goals helped increase Arsenal’s league position with a 3-0 win over Cardiff.
Everton then took on Stoke in a very one sided affair. Everton, definitely the better performers this season, were placed odds of 4/6 to beat Stoke City. Stoke, who haven’t won away yet this season, were placed at odds of 11/2. The game finished a very flattering 4-0 to Everton.
Last game of the early kick off had Aston Villa entertain Sunderland for the first time this season. Aston Villa were given EVENS to win, with Sunderland outsiders at 10/3. The game produced a boring display from both sides and the 31/10 odds on a draw proved victorious here when it ended 0-0.
Sunday began with a huge game between Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United.
Next game saw the only major upset of the weekend when classy Liverpool visited Hull City. Hull weren’t exactly enjoying the best form, losing 4 out of their last 5 games before this game. Due to this, they were given odds of 23/4 to take down Liverpool, despite being the home side. Liverpool, on the other hand, had been enjoying quite good form going into this game, with their odds placed at 8/13 to take all 3 points. Many accumulators must have been broken as Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat to Hull City to make the shock of the weekend.
Last game of the weekend had Manchester City face Swansea City. Swansea seem like a team who are facing troubles balancing the Europa League with Premier League as they look nothing of last year’s team. They were given the task of facing the only team in the premier league who have a 100% record in home fixtures with odds of 12/1 to do so. Manchester City though, placed at 3/10, recorded their 7th home win of the season with a sublime 3-0 victory over Swansea.
This weekend was very weak for the bookmaker. Only two draws and one upset and one of the draws, Tottenham v Manchester United, seemed like a game which most neutral bettors would have avoided. Disregarding the Liverpool game, the teams most people expected to win, won, which closes a miserable weekend for the bookmaker.