The Premier League season might be over, but there is plenty of football on which to bet between now and the World Cup, not least this weekend’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull City. We’re also throwing the Scottish Cup final into the mix along with the title decider from La Liga and the Conference play-off final.
So tuck into this veritable and varied feast of football tips as we try to pick out some winning bets to help you make a tidy profit.
Saturday 17th May 2014
St Johnstone v Dundee United (15:00) – St Johnstone to win (5/4 with Sky Bet)
The Scottish Cup final looks a little different what we would usually expect in that neither Rangers nor Celtic will be present. Instead we have an interesting-looking encounter between Scottish Premiership mid-table sides St Johnstone and Dundee United. Of the four league matches between them this season the Saints have had the better of things, winning three to United’s one. But form could well go out the window for this one.
The Terrors have won the Scottish Cup twice before (in 1994 and 2010) while this will be St Johnstone’s first ever Scottish Cup final. The bookies are pricing the more experienced cup side as the odds-on favourites, but we think the value lies with backing the Saints as they’ve had the beating of Dundee this season. Backing St Johnstone outright looks a decent bet to us.
Arsenal v Hull City (17:00) – Arsenal to win by a two-goal margin (10/3 with Bet365)
Another final, this time south of the border, as Arsenal play Hull at Wembley in the FA Cup final and – like St Johnstone in Scotland – this will be Hull’s first cup final. Arsenal, of course, have been there and done it many a time (this will be their 18th FA Cup final) and Arsene Wenger’s men are the odds-on favourites to get the victory.
Of course, Man City were priced at similarly short odds last season when they faced Wigan in the final, but on that occasion it was the Latics who triumphed despite being massive underdogs. We can’t see Hull having enough to win this one though, especially given they lost four and drew one of their last five league games while Arsenal won their last five at a canter. With the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil hitting top form after returning from injury, a comfortable win for the Gunners looks on the cards and we’ll be backing them to win by a two-goal margin.
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid (17:00) – Atletico Madrid to win (16/5 with BetVictor)
La Liga has been more exciting than usual this season thanks to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid joining the title-chasing party along with usual suspects Barcelona and Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelottti’s Real are out of contention for the La Liga crown after losing 2-0 at Celta Viga last time out, leaving Barcelona and the other Madrid side to battle it out for glory.
As things stand Barcelona are three points behind Atletico, but if the home side wins they will be crowned champions on the basis that they have a better head to head record, while a draw would be enough for Simeone’s men. When they met in the capital in January the game ended 0-0, and clearly Atletico fans would be more than happy with the same again here. But actually we think the visitors could have enough to win this one and win their first La Liga title since the 1995-96 season. Backing Madrid to win the match is our main tip here at very nice odds that are far longer than they should be for a side who have impressed all season.
Sunday 18th May 2014
Cambridge United v Gateshead (16:00) – Gateshead to win (85/40 with BetVictor)
The Conference Premier play-off final might not have quite the glamour of some of the aforementioned matches, but for fans of Cambridge and Gateshead it is as big as the FA Cup final as their side try to get into the Football League. Cambridge finished second in the Conference behind champions Luton, while Gateshead were just three points behind in third, and there is really very little between the sides.
Whilst it could very well go either way, we think the value lies with Gateshead. Cambridge lost five of their last six league matches in the regular season, and despite getting past Halifax in their play-off semi, they weren’t overly convincing. Gateshead, meanwhile, looked assured and confident when beating Grimsby 4-2 in their semi and they are now on a 12-game unbeaten run. As such we think that backing the Tynesiders to win in 90 minutes looks like the way to go here in what should be an intriguing encounter.