August 2020
FULHAM EVEN MONEY TO SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL NEXT SEASON
Wednesday 5th August 2020 – Newly promoted Fulham are even money to stay in the Premier League next season with betting firm Sporting Index.
Scott Parker’s side defeated Brentford 2-1 in extra time of the Championship play-off final to confirm their place in the top-flight next season, and they will be out to maintain their Premier League status after going straight back down to the Championship in 2018/2019.
The Cottagers know they will face an uphill task as they join Leeds and West Bromwich Albion as the Premier League’s new boys, and they are 8/11 to be relegated for a second time in three years.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Everyone at Fulham will know the task at hand to survive in the Premier League after failing to beat the drop a couple of seasons ago, but that experience could arguably prepare them well for a tough season ahead. We make them even money to stay in the Premier League next season.
“Teams such as Norwich, Cardiff and Fulham themselves are all too familiar with heading straight back to the Championship after finding the jump to the top-flight too much, which is why we’ve priced Scott Parker’s side at 8/11 to be relegated in the upcoming campaign.“
WORLD NO.1 SPOT IS POISONED CHALICE FOR GOLF'S ELITE
Sporting Index research reveals only Rory McIlroy has won Major during No.1 tenure over past decade
Thursday 6th August 2020 – Research from Sporting Index has revealed that the world No.1 spot has been a poisoned chalice for the world’s top golfers, with only Rory McIlroy securing a Major while holding that position over the last decade.
Justin Thomas returned as the world No.1 earlier this week ahead of the first Major of the year – the PGA Championship - but if the statistics are anything to go by the American will miss out in North Carolina.
The world No.1 in golf has changed hands 41 times over the last 10 years, since Tiger Woods first relinquished the position in October 2010 after a record five-year stint (281 weeks). Golfers in the top spot have also only recorded 21 tournament wins outside of Majors while top of the rankings.
During this time, top spot has been held for an average of 19 weeks, with Americans dominating more than any other nation. Woods, Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth have all been No.1 at various points over the last decade.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has been No.1 on eight occasions – more than any other British golfer during this time.
And Sporting Index have placed current world No.1 Thomas as the joint 11/4 favourite alongside John Rahm to be in top spot by the end of the year. McIlroy is 3/1, while on form Bryson Dechambeau is 7/1 to be top of the pile.
Woods, who holds the record for consecutive number of days as world no.1 is 50/1 to be the top golfer at the end of the year.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “The world No.1 spot in golf isn’t what it used to be, and our research shows that it’s been somewhat of a poisoned chalice over the past 10 years with only Rory McIlroy winning a Major – the PGA Championship – while top of the world rankings.
“After Tiger Woods dominated the top position for over five years from June 2005 to October 2010, the No.1 spot has changed hands 41 times. During this time, 12 players have won 21 tournaments while in that position and held the spot for an average of 19 weeks at a time.”
“It’s been five years since McIlroy secured the PGA Championship while top of the rankings, so Justin Thomas will hope he can break the mould this week at Harding Park in North Carolina and become the first No.1 since Rory to win a Major while he’s at the top.”
Golf - world no.1 on 1st January 2021:
Justin Thomas - 11/4, Jon Rahm - 11/4, Rory McIlory - 3/1, Bryson Dechambeau - 7/1, Brooks Koepka - 9/1, Dustin Johnson - 20/1, Webb Simpson - 25/1, Xander Schauffele - 50/1, Tiger Woods - 50/1
OLDER HEADS TO RULE THE CRUCIBLE ACCORDING TO BOOKIES
Sporting Index predict runs galore as rules banning the use if saliva come into effect at Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Wednesday 12th August, 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan lambasted the quality of younger snooker players this week and Sporting Index believes one of the older guard will win this year’s World Snooker Championship by pricing the age of the winner at 38.
The Rocket – the oldest player left in the competition at 44 – takes on 37-year-old Mark Selby in the semi-finals with the winner set to face one of the younger duo of Kyren Wilson (28) or Anthony McGill (29) in the final.
And Sporting Index’s traders are pricing the age of the winner at the Crucible at 38 – with three-time world champion Selby fitting that profile the most of the remaining quartet.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Ronnie O’Sullivan is no stranger to a controversial statement, and the outspoken snooker star’s comments that the older, more experienced players continue to dominate the baize rings true with our traders, who have priced the age of this year’s World Snooker Championship winner at 38.
“Mark Selby is closest to that number, with the Jester from Leicester one of the sport’s more experienced players at 38. The Rocket himself is a few years away from that at 44, but closer to the prediction than the remaining players in the mix, 28-year old Kyren Wilson and 29-year old Anthony McGill.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER TO HAIL 975 MILES FROM LISBON
Sporting Index price the mileage of winning club’s city from Portuguese capital - where final will be held
Wednesday 12th August, 2020 – This year’s Champions League winner will come from a distance of 975 miles from Lisbon, according to betting firm Sporting Index.
The latter stages of the tournament, which will be one-off matches for each tie – all held in Lisbon – starts tonight through to the final on 23rd August, and Sporting Index have priced up the distance of the winning city’s airport to Lisbon’s.”.
Sporting Index believe the victors will be close to 975 miles from Lisbon – with PSG’s home city of Paris closest to this figure at 914 miles, with Manchester City next at 1,058.
With eight sides remaining, the club with the least distance to travel is Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish capital 320 miles from Lisbon, while RB Leipzig have the furthest journey at 1,353 miles.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “The latter stages of this season’s Champions League will be remembered for many years to come, and with teams travelling from a range of distances, our traders have priced the mileage of the winning club’s city from Lisbon at 975 – which bodes well for French giants PSG.
“The Parisian outfit are 915 miles from Lisbon, and are fancied to claim their first Champions League title ahead of their quarter-final tie against Atalanta. But Manchester City fans will feel comfortable with that figure too, as their city stands at 1,058 miles from the Portuguese capital.”
LEEDS 12/1 TO MARCH INTO PREMEIR LEAGUE'S TOP SIX
Marcelo Bielsa’s side 25/1 to secure Champions League place in top four and 4/1 to face the drop
Friday 14th August, 2020 Sporting Index ambassador and leading Flat jockey Frankie Dettori discusses his decision to ride in France this weekend and miss next week’s Ebor Festival at York.
Friday 14th August 2020 – Leeds are 12/1 with betting firm Sporting Index to secure a place in the top six next season when they return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
It’s been 18 years since the Elland Road side have secured a top six place in England’s top-flight, when they finished fifth in 2001/2002, while Sporting Index are also offering 25/1 for the Whites to finish in the top four.
Local rivals Sheffield United finished in the top half of the table in the recent campaign, and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side are 5/2 to replicate that next season.
The Yorkshire giants are 4/1 to be relegated and 14/1 to finish bottom of the table.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “The excitement for the new season is at an all-time high in Yorkshire as Leeds prepare for life back in the Premier League, and under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, anything is possible at Elland Road. We make them 12/1 to break into the top six, while it’s 25/1 they secure a top four spot and mark their return in the Champions League.
“Leeds fans have had to endure watching Sheffield United mix it with the Premier League’s big boys this season where the Blades secured a top half position, and Whites supporters will fancy that they can do the same. They are 5/2 to finish in the top half of the table, while they are 4/1 to face the drop.“
DETTORI BLOG: PRIZE MONEY DEAUVILLE IS UNBELIEVEABLE
Friday 14th August, 2020 Sporting Index ambassador and leading Flat jockey Frankie Dettori discusses his decision to ride in France this weekend and miss next week’s Ebor Festival at York.
Please credit and link to Sporting Index when using this copy.
I was watching the news come in on Thursday night about the new quarantine restrictions for France and then spoke to John [Gosden] at great length this morning.
He was happy for me to make up my mind and I think he’s very pleased that I’m going to be riding Palace Pier in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.
With no Enable or Stradivarius, my York rides were looking a little bit light. Lord North is still a big ride to miss and he was the one that was tempting me to stay.
He was a good winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and the Juddmonte International looks a cracking race, but both Mishriff and Palace Pier are exciting Group 1 winners too and the prize money for the races at Deauville is unbelievable.
Two weeks of staying at home afterwards isn’t ideal, but we’re racing for an incredible amount of money at Deauville and I thought it was worth taking the chance.”
It’s going to be very tough staying at home and watching the Ebor Festival, but after that the fixture list is quite quiet and on the balance of things I think going to France is a good choice.”
Even Saturday’s Group 2, the Prix Guillaume D'Ornano (1:35pm), is worth about the same amount as the Juddmonte this year and Mishriff will have a great chance in that.”
He’s a Group 1 winner that’s going up against the same horses he beat last time and is probably still improving. We’re a worthy favourite for the race and I’m looking forward to riding him.”
As for the Prix Jacques le Marois (Sunday 2:50pm), it’s obviously a brilliant field with half a million pounds up for grabs.”
That’s what you get when you put that kind of money on the table and Palace Pier will have to run a big race to see off the likes of Alpine Star, Circus Maximus and Persian King.”
It was a very hard decision to make, but hopefully it will be the right one and Palace Pier can show us why.”
LIVERPOOL TO BE 13 POINTS WORSE OFF NEXT SEASON
Sporting Index traders reveal predicted Premier League 2020/21 points
Monday 17th August, 2020 - The results are in at Sporting Index and it’s Liverpool who look like being next season’s big losers, as the champions are predicted to reach 86 points, down from 99 this campaign, and surrender the title to Manchester City.
Monday 17th August, 2020 - The results are in at Sporting Index and it’s Liverpool who look like being next season’s big losers, as the champions are predicted to reach 86 points, down from 99 this campaign, and surrender the title to Manchester City.
The Reds will still pull 14 points clear of rivals Manchester United, though, who will have to settle for third spot ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Arsenal will regain bragging rights over bitter north London rivals, Tottenham, while newly-promoted Leeds are fancied to fire themselves up to 11th position on their return to the top-flight.
Down at the bottom, play-off winners Fulham, Championship runners up West Brom and midlands rivals Aston Villa have been locked into the relegation places, with Newcastle set to escape the drop by just two points.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Take nothing away from Liverpool’s achievements this season. They’ve been one of the most dominant winners of the title we’ve ever seen and anyone who bought their predicted points total at the start of last season at 87 is laughing all the way the way to the bank!
“We can’t see Jurgen Klopp’s men getting it as easy this coming season, though, and think Manchester City can nick back the title on 89 points. They’ve already splashed over £60m in the transfer market and their intent to wrestle back the title is clear for all to see, while Manchester United are on an upward curve and Chelsea will be better for their first season under Frank Lampard.“
“Everyone’s looking forward to seeing how Leeds get on and we think they’ll make the most of their Premier League return and finish 11th on 44 points, while the other two promoted clubs, Fulham and West Brom, could struggle down and end up back in the Championship.“
BAYERN 7/2 TO BREAK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALSCORING RECORD
Star striker Robert Lewandowski 11/2 to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s individual record of 17 goals in a single Champions League campaign
Wednesday 19th August, 2020 - Champions League favourites Bayern Munich are 7/2 with Sporting Index to break Barcelona’s record of goals scored in one season in the tournament.
Wednesday 19th August, 2020 - Champions League favourites Bayern Munich are 7/2 with Sporting Index to break Barcelona’s record of goals scored in one season in the tournament.
The Spanish club notched 45 goals in the 1999/2000 campaign, but that number could be overhauled by Hansi Flick’s side who have already scored 39 goals in the tournament so far, despite having only played nine games.
Flick has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal when it comes to options in attack, which is spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski who has scored 14 goals in the competition already.
The Polish striker will be hoping for more as he seeks to break the record for most goals by one player in a single season in Europe’s elite competition.
That record is held by Cristiano Ronaldo who scored 17 times in the 2013/14 season and Lewandowski is 11/2 with Sporting Index to surpass him.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Bayern Munich have been superb in the Champions League this season as shown by their 8-2 drubbing of Barcelona in the quarter-finals and they are rightfully the favourites for a sixth victory in the competition.“
“Barcelona weren’t the first team to be blown away by the German side and Hansi Flick’s side have already notched up 39 goals in the competition this season, even though they’ve played less games than usual and they’ll have their eyes firmly set on breaking Barca’s record of 45 goals in one campaign.“
“We make them 7/2 to surpass that figure, while their talisman Robert Lewandowski is 11/2 to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s individual record of 17 goals in one Champions League season.“
MESSI 4/6 TO JOIN MANCHESTER CITY THIS SUMMER
Citizens red hot favourites to sign Barcelona legend after shock transfer request
Wednesday 26th August, 2020 - Manchester City are the odds-on 4/6 favourite with Sporting Index to be the club Lionel Messi joins next.
Wednesday 26th August, 2020 - Manchester City are the odds-on 4/6 favourite with Sporting Index to be the club Lionel Messi joins next.
The Barcelona icon shocked the world by handing in a transfer request and he’s fancied to reunite with his old boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
Europa League finalists Inter Milan are next best at 7/1, while Paris St Germain are 9/1 to bring Messi to the French capital.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “There had been plenty of rumours around that Lionel Messi was considering his future at Barcelona but few thought he’d go to the lengths he’s gone to orchestrate a move.“
“Having handed in a transfer request at the club he’s been at since 2001, speculation is rife on where Messi will be playing his football next season and it’s Manchester City and his old boss Pep Guardiola who appear to be heading the chase for his signature.
“The citizens are the clear favourites at 4/6 to sign the 33-year-old, with Inter Milan (7/1) and PSG (9/1) their closest pursuers in the betting.“
ANDERSON 3/1 TO REACH 700 TEST WICKETS
Leading paceman could become just third man to achieve feat
Wednesday 26th August, 2020 - After becoming the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets, James Anderson is 3/1 with Sporting Index to reach another milestone by taking 700.
Wednesday 26th August, 2020 - After becoming the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets, James Anderson is 3/1 with Sporting Index to reach another milestone by taking 700.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali became the Lancastrian’s 600th scalp in the Test arena on Tuesday and with the 38-year-old showing no signs of retiring anytime soon, the betting firm aren’t ruling out England’s greatest ever bowling taking another 100 wickets before he calls it a day.
Toby Campbell, Head of Cricket at Sporting Index, said: “Age really doesn’t seem to be an issue for James Anderson as he continues to lead England’s bowling attack and after becoming just the fourth man to reach 600 Test wickets, we’re not ruling out the idea that he might reach 700 before he retires.“
“We make the 38-year-old a 3/1 chance to join Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in being the only cricketers to record 700 Test scalps and given the way he’s currently bowling, it looks a real possibility!“