Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Wolves was enough to land our banker bet but not enough to win the Premier League title as Manchester City came through an early scare to beat Brighton 4-1. The season is not over yet of course with two crucial Championship playoff second legs coming up this week plus the Coppa Italia final.
Running total: -£40.20
The Banker
After claiming a precious 1-0 win at the iPro Stadium, Leeds United are big favourites to make it to the Championship playoff final. It’s been a strange campaign for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who were tearing it up before Christmas but whose form since January has been mediocre at best. However, the wily old Argentinian knows Leeds are now just two games away from the Premier League and with home advantage they look a fair price at 8/11 for the win on Wednesday. Leeds have beaten the Rams three times already this season and, roared on by a full house at Elland Road, can book their place at Wembley with another win.
Selection: £5.50 on Leeds United to win at 8/11 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
West Brom suffered a body blow when they had Dwight Gayle sent off late on during their playoff first leg with Aston Villa. At 2-1 the tie is very much alive but with Jack Grealish pulling the strings in midfield it would take a brave punter to bet against Villa getting to Wembley from here. Tammy Abraham has hit five goals in his last six matches for the Villains and can be backed at 4/1 with bet365 to score first at the Hawthorns.
Selection: £2 on Abraham to score first at 4/1 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Feyenoord are trying to nail down third place in the Dutch Eredivisie and can be trusted at 2/5 when they travel to Fortuna Sittard on Wednesday evening. As stated, we feel Leeds are a lock at 8/11 to beat Derby County in the playoffs at Elland Road, while both teams to score (8/13) should land when West Brom face Aston Villa. The Baggies have to go for it but risk being mugged on the counter by this slick Villa side. The first leg was a great game and we can expect more thrills and spills at the Hawthorns. The treble with bet365 is paying just short of 3/1 and should land.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 2.9/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Lazio are favourites to land the 2019 Coppa Italia but Atalanta could be worth siding with at 27/10. The Orobici have enjoyed a fine season and are third in Serie A. Juventus were the defending Coppa Italia champions having won the last four editions but were eliminated by Atalanta in the quarterfinals. The free-scoring Duvan Zapata has been magnificent for Atalanta and can help them to victory in Rome.
Selection: £4 on Atalanta to win at 27/10 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
PSV’s title charge has lost momentum in recent weeks and, with Ajax on the brink of the title, they look very short at 1/7 to beat Heracles on Wednesday. The latter can still finish among the European places and it could be worth a small punt on the draw in Eindhoven at 13/2.
Selection: £2 on the draw at 13/2 with bet365.