In today’s world of elaborate statistical analysis, football is one of many fields to have grown exponentially since the rise of the internet, with organisations such as Opta and Prozone providing valuable information for professional managers and betting punters alike. It was refreshing this week to hear the Tottenham Hotspur manager, Andre Villas-Boas, say that he did not swear by the total application of Prozone (contrary to his studious and thorough image) and that he used it sparingly, so as not to confuse players with too much pointless data.
Some things in football cannot be analysed with pure stats; the current World class displays of talent from Spurs’ Gareth Bale for one.
The betting industry has certainly adapted and capitalised well on this fairly modern and nerdy approach to studying possible patterns and outcomes in football matches. The sheer number of options we now have when betting on football is staggering. For this weekend, all the bookmakers are offering a range of specials on Gareth Bale, in order to squeeze as much money as possible out of the fans appreciation and interest in the Welshman’s exciting form on the pitch.
Do not fall into the trap of betting on any amount of these 15 different scoring options e.g. “to score with his left foot from outside the penalty area in the first half”. Although, it is hard to deny the brilliance of Bale at the moment and I would simply go for the Anytime Goal-scorer option (2.38 euro odds or 7/5 normal odds), as I can see him continuing his run of 8 goals in his last 6 games when Spurs and Arsenal meet this Sunday in the North London Derby at White Hart Lane.
The confidence and belief of Tottenham’s players and supporters is the highest it has been since the induction of the Premier League in 1992. Spurs Boss, Andre Villas-Boas, has given them a more compact and organised looking team (something Spurs fans did not initially warm to) which has helped Bale to play a more fluid game where he can change positions more freely, and therefore find the space he needs to hurt the opposition, wherever that may be.
These tactics have meant that Bale is Spurs’ top scorer with 15 goals, and it has also galvanised the team with an unshakable confidence because they know that even if they are playing poorly, Bale can rescue them with a sublime free-kick/show of speed/thunderous shot that will win them the game – this never say die belief in winning has been the major difference in Tottenham this season, and it’s the reason they’ll beat Arsenal on Sunday afternoon at 2.4 euro odds or 7/5 normal odds.
Recommended Bets
English Premier League
Tottenham v Arsenal, Sunday, 03 Mar 2013, 16:00
25 points on Tottenham to win, best odds 2.4 @ StanJames
25 points on Gareth Bale, Anytime Goalscorer, best odds 2.38 @ StanJames
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