William Hill News | mtaylor

Saturday’s Divisional Playoffs previews

2011-01-14T14:35:10+00:00

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The two regular season games between these big AFC North rivals told us little that we didn't already know.

Back in October the Ravens took advantage of Ben Roethlisberger's suspension as they limited fill-in quarterback Charlie Batch to just 141 yards, while Rashard Mendenhall didn't get much out of Ray Lewis and big defensive end Hagoti Ngata.

Baltimore scraped through that one by three points, 17-14, thanks to a late drive that saw Joe Flacco find TJ Houshmandzadeh for a 18-yard touchdown reception with just 32 seconds left on the clock.

The Steelers gained revenge though when they visited Baltimore in a brutal week 13 match-up.

Big Ben was back but it was his defensive line that took the plaudits after limiting Ray Rice to and Willis McGahee to 39 rushing yards between them.

Isaac Redman did his best Houshmandzadeh impression, scoring the winning points with a nine yard reception with 22 seconds left in the fourth - good enough for a 13-10 win.

So, surprise, surprise two sides known for tough defence produced two breathtaking defensive showings - the chances of a third in three look highly likely, this the 37.0 total points spread.

Even with the smallest total points spread of the divisional round I think you'd be mad to take the over considering neither regular season clash even came close to toppling that, so under at 10/11 is where my money would be heading.

The money line is a much tougher one to call.

There was no home-field advantage in evidence with both going to the road team, for me though the edge has to go with Pittsburgh, and for just one reason - Ben Roethlisberger.

If neither side can get the rush going then it'll come down to which quarterback can throw the ball the best, a battle Flacco has yet to prove he can win when it comes to the crunch.

It's probably the closest one to call this week but I have to take the 10/17 about the Steelers progressing while evens about the Ravens +3 on the spread might be worth a punt.

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

It's been several years of growing for the Falcons but it seems Mike Smith finally has himself a legitimate Super Bowl contender in Atlanta.

The NFC's number one seed had a few shaky moments on the way to compiling a 13-3 record, including a week 17 loss to South rivals New Orleans, but they did enough to suggest a playoff run isn't beyond them.

Michael Turner has been the star of the show but if it wasn't for Matt Ryan's big play threat then the Pro Bowl starter would have come nowhere near his haul of 12 touchdowns.

The secret behind their success is balance and while they don't rank particularly highly in many areas, they're good to solid in every area, including stopping the aerial bombardment that the Packers are likely to come at them with.

Aaron Rodgers is the poster boy for a stylish Green Bay offence but without the injured Ryan Grant it hasn't always clicked for them, in a season where expectations were sky high.

Expectation is on the rise after last week's culling of the highly fancied Philadelphia Eagles but I can see them coming unstuck against the more reliable and solid offence and defence on offer from Atlanta.

The best news is the Falcons are still under-rated, in my opinion, so should be snapped up 20/29 to win this and 10/11 with a small -2.5 handicap on the spread.

I also really like them at 11/2 to win the Vince Lombardi with the hard hitters in the AFC likely to bang each other up while the weaker NFC winner should have far easier passage.

Get your money back for coming second

2011-01-07T17:34:24+00:00

For every UK and Irish race run between 2.00pm and 3.00pm this Saturday punters have the opportunity to get their stake back, even if their horse doesn't win.

If your horse comes second to the favourite in any race from either Chepstow, Lingfield, Punchestown, Sandown or Wincanton within the alloted hour you receive your stake back in the form of a free bet.

This offer only applies to win only singles bets and on named horses e.g. the offer won't apply for unnamed 2nd favourites.

The free bet limit is capped at £25 and in the event of joint favourites, the nominated favourite will be the horse with the lowest racecard number.

The free bet can only be used on Saturday 8th January and must be redeemed on another horse racing bet. There is no restriction to when the qualifying bet is placed and free bet tokens should appear in your account within 30 minutes of race settlement.

Below is a list of qualifying races:

2:00 Lingfield - Handicap	BET NOW
2:05 Sandown - Handicap Chase	BET NOW
2:20 Chepstow - Handicap Chase	BET NOW
2:25 Wincanton - Novices' Chase	BET NOW
2:30 Punchestown - Handicap Hurdle	BET NOW
2:35 Lingfield - Handicap	BET NOW
2:40 Sandown - Hurdle	BET NOW
2:50 Chepstow - Maiden Hurdle	BET NOW
3:00 Wincanton - Handicap Hurdle	BET NOW

Top Price every team in the Scottish FA Cup

2011-01-07T13:36:21+00:00

The big boys join the Scottish FA Cup this weekend but it's not just about Rangers and Celtic with William Hill.

Thanks to our January Sale we are top price* on every team to win the Scottish FA Cup, so whether you want to back one of the favourites or pray for giant killings you know the place to come.

Last year Dundee United were the latest to show Scottish football isn't just a two horse race as Peter Houston guided the Terrors to a first Cup win since 1994.

If you believe they can repeat this year then we're currently offering them at 12/1 - two points better than the 10/1 on offer at Ladbrokes** - while the team United beat in last season's final, Ross County, are available at 100/1 compared with the 66/1 Coral** are offering.

And if you are looking to back either of the Glaswegian giants then rest assured we're top price on those too.

We can't separate them, just like the SPL table seemingly can't, so they're a blanket 21/10 - our nearest rival in the betting are giving their customers a paltry 15/8.

So if you're contemplating a Scottish FA Cup outright bet this weekend, make sure you choose William Hill for guaranteed top prices

*Includes highstreet bookmakers Ladbrokes, Coral, Totesport, Betfred and Paddy Power
**Prices correct at time of writing
Top prices are guaranteed up until 3pm, Saturday 8 January

Hodgson’s job prospects? Not two grand

2011-01-06T13:37:54+00:00

A William Hill customer from Wales has staked £2000 on Roy Hodgson to be the next Premier League manager to leave his club at odds of 4/7.

'This is the beiggest bet we have taken so far on this market' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.Hills have now slashed Hodgson from 4/7 to 1/3 and make Avram Grant 9/4 second favourite with Ancelotti 6/1, Houllier 10/1.

HILLS make Frank Rijkaard 13/8 favourite to be the next permanent Liverpool manager and also offer 4/1 Dider Deschamps; 9/2 Kenny Dalglish; 5/1 Martin O'Neill and Ralf Rangnick; 8/1 Guus Hidiink; 10/1Manuel Pellegrini and Rafa Benitez; 11/1 Owen Coyle. Others on request.

HILLS....HOW MANY OF THE FOUR UNDER PRESSURE BOSSES WILL BE IN CHARGE WHEN THEIR CLUBS PLAY THEIR NEXT PREMIER LEAGUE GAME?

ALL FOUR - 7/4; ONE GONE - 13/8; TWO GONE - 10/3; THREE GONE - 6/1; ALL FOUR GONE - 16/1

(Bet concerns Ancelotti,Grant,Hodgson,Houllier)

Hills- Next Prem boss to go:

HODGSON - 1/3
GRANT - 9/4
ANCELOTTI - 6/1
HOULLIER - 10/1
HUGHES - 12/1

Dancing On Ice: Katona back to her best

2011-01-05T11:31:45+00:00

William Hill make Sam Attwater their 9/4 favourite to win Dancing on ice, but perhaps surprisingly it is Kerry Katona that is attracting the most bets and she is now 10/1.

"Dancing On Ice has been very quite so far as the line-up is a bit short of big names, but we hope that once the public get to know them they will get involved," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

William Hill Dancing On Ice: 9/4 Sam Attwater, 3/1 Laura Hamilton, 6/1 Jennifer Metcalfe, 9/1 Jeff Brazier, 10/1 Kerry Katona, 12/1 Johnson Beharry,15/1 Vanilla Ice, 20/1 Chloe Madeley, 20/1 Dave Vitty, 25/1 Denise Welch, 28/1 Angela Rippon, 33/1 Steven Arnold, 33/1 Elen Rives, 33/1 Dominic Cork, 33/1 Nadia Sawalha, 33/1 Craig McLachlan

88% bet Jordan and Alex Reid are first to split

2011-01-04T13:22:15+00:00

William Hill have seen further money for Katie Price & Alex Reid to be the first celebrity couple to split in 2011 with 88% of bets on the market placed on the unhappy couple.

Hills have already opened up the betting on what profession Katie's next victim works in, making a footballer the 4/6 favourite & a League Two footballer at that.

"Jordan & Alex always looked like they had a shelf life but our punters thing they are about to exceed their best before date," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

FIRST CELEBRITY SPLIT OF 2011*: 5/4 Katie Price & Alex Reid, 5/1 Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel, 6/1 Demi Moore & Aston Kuchar , 6/1 Vernon Kay & Tess Daly, 8/1 Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev, 10/1 Lewis Hamilton & Nicole Scherzinger, 14/1 Gordon & Tara Ramsay, 14/1 Frank Lampard & Christine Bleakley, 16/1 Brad & Angelina, 16/1 Peter Crouch & Abby Clancy, 20/1 Beyonce & Jay Z, 20/1 Wayne & Coleen Rooney, 33/1 Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes, 66/1 Prince William & Kate Middleton, 66/1 David & Victoria Beckham; 66/1 Elton John & David Furnish

*Only These Couples Count For The Purpose Of This Bet

William Hill What Sport Will Jordan's Next Boyfriend Compete in: 4/6 Football, 3/1 Boxer/UFC, 8/1 Polo, 10/1 3 Day Eventer, 14/1 Rugby Player, 16/1 WWE Superstar, 25/1 Cricketer, 33/1 Tennis, 33/1 Golfer, 100/1 Jockey.

Division of Jordan's next footballer boyfriend: 5/2 League Two; 11/4 Non-League; 3/1 League One; 7/2 Championship; 5/1 Premiership

I Will… bag a free In-Play bet

2011-01-03T18:54:19+00:00

Tuesday 4 January

Today's January Sale football offer gives you the chance to experience our fantastic range of in-play markets - for free.

Simply place a £10 single bet on the correct score or double result market in the Fulham v West Brom match on 4th January and we will give you a £2 free bet to use on any in-play market in the same match.

PLEASE NOTE: Free bets will only become available once the match has started and In-Play betting is available. Qualifying bets must be placed before the match has started on the Correct Score or Double result market and the free bet is valid until the start of second half.

You cannot use this free bet offer in conjunction with any other. Normal William Hill football rules apply.

QUALIFYING BET		Qualifying bet to be placed before 20:00 \| 4th January
Min. Stake	Market	Event	Date
£10	Correct Score or Double Result	Fulham v West Brom	4th January
FREE BET		£2 free bet to be placed on any Fulham v West Brom In-Play market before 21:00 \| 4th January
Max. Free Bet	Market	Event	Date
£2 single	In-Play	Fulham v West Brom	4th January
Currency equivalents apply

How to claim your free bet:

Place your qualifying bet detailed in the table above prior to the start of the event
Once the match has started and In-Play betting is available, make your selection and add it to your bet slip.
Below the bet slip you will see the option of the free bet available to you. Select the appropriate offer.
Enter the total value of the free bet in the stake box and place the bet as normal.
Free bet must be placed within the time and date stated above.

Standard Free Bet Rules Apply:

One free bet per customer/account/household.
Only a single bet of at least the minimum stake as stated above will qualify. This offer is not based on cumulative stakes.
Free bet tokens are non-refundable. The free bet stake is not included in any returns. The Estimated Return on the Bet Slip and the Bet Receipt indicate returns with stake.
If your free bet selection is a non-runner then the free bet is void but the free bet token will not be re-credited to your account.
A free bet token cannot be partially redeemed. If you attempt to place a bet for lesser total stake than the value of the free bet token, you will not receive any cash change or further free bet tokens.
Free bet offer is available online via the sportsbook only. Bets struck on our mobile/WAP or telephone betting service will not qualify.

Currency	AUD	CAD	CHF	DKK	EUR	GBP	HKD	JPY	SEK	SGD	USD
Minimum Stake	20	20	15	80	10	10	115	1300	120	20	10
Maximum Free Bet	4	4	3	16	2	2	23	260	24	4	2

Premier League Opta Facts - 4-5 January

2011-01-03T13:12:23+00:00

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at William Hill courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Blackpool v Birmingham City

Only one of the last 14 meetings in all competitions between Blackpool and Birmingham has ended as an away win.
Blackpool have won 11 and lost none of their last 15 home games against Birmingham City in all competitions.
Birmingham have won none and lost nine of their last 14 Premier League away matches.
Alex McLeish's side have kept only two clean sheets in their last 18 Premier League away games.
Blackpool haven't kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League, but no visiting side has stopped them from scoring.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Fulham v West Bromwich Albion

None of the nine Premier League meetings between Fulham and West Brom have ended as an away win.
Fulham have won all four Premier League home meetings with West Brom
West Brom have only won three out of 26 Premier league games away from home in London.
West Brom have won just one of their last seven Premier league away matches.
The Baggies have gone 10 away games without a clean sheet in the Premier League.
West Brom are the only Premier League side not to have picked up a point since Christmas.
Fulham have conceded the fewest goals in the second half of Premier League matches this season (eight) but have scored the fewest as well (nine).

View our full range of Premier League betting

Manchester United v Stoke City

Man Utd have won all five Premier League games against Stoke City.
No opposition player has scored more goals at Old Trafford than Eidur Gudjohnsen (3).
Stoke have won none and lost nine of their last 10 trips to Old Trafford in all competitions.
There have been six goals scored in the last 10 minutes in the last five Premier League matches between Stoke and Man Utd.
Man Utd have won 19 and lost just one of their last 21 Premier League matches at Old Trafford.
Man Utd haven't conceded a first half goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Joe Cole scored in April for Chelsea.
Stoke have never won back to back away games in the Premier League.
Five of Javier Hernandez's eight goals for Man Utd in all competitions have come as a substitute.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Arsenal v Manchester City

City have only scored five goals in 13 Premier League away games against Arsenal and none in their last three visits to the Emirates.
City have won none of their last 27 away games against Arsenal in all competitions - their last win a 3-2 league win in October 1975.
City have won four and lost none of their last five Premier League away matches.
Man City have conceded exactly one goal in their last four Premier League away matches.
Arsenal have won back-to-back home matches for the third time in the league this season, but are yet to win three on the bounce.
No side has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Manchester City (10).
The Gunners are the only team not to have conceded a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League match this season.
Arsenal (21) are the only team to have more points away from home than Man City (20).

View our full range of Premier League betting

Aston Villa v Sunderland

John Carew has scored in the last two home matches against Sunderland for Villa.
There have been seven goals scored in the opening 30 minutes of games in the last five Premier League meetings between Villa and Sunderland.
Sunderland have won just three of their last 39 Premier league away matches, but the Black Cats have only lost three of the last nine road trips.
Sunderland have won just one of the last 14 Premier League away games against teams from the Midlands.
The Villans have shipped three or more goals in four of their last six Premier League matches.
The last 13 Premier League penalties against Brad Friedel have been scored.
Aston Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League matches.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Newcastle United v West Ham United

West Ham scored from their only shot on target in the reverse fixture at Upton Park.
There have been exactly four goals scored in each of the last three Premier League games between West Ham and Newcastle at St James Park, and in five of the last six games between the sides overall.
Carlton Cole has scored three goals in six Premier League appearances against Newcastle including the last two.
Newcastle have only won two of their last nine Premier League matches at St James Park.
The Magpies have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home Premier League games.
The Hammers have gone 18 consecutive Premier League games on the road without a clean sheet, their longest ever run without a shut-out in the competition.
The Magpies have failed to score more than once in nine of their last 10 Premier League matches.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

Petr Cech has never had to save as many shots (9) in a Premier League game since joining Chelsea in 2004/05 as he did against Wolves in the reverse game back in October.
Chelsea have won the last six meetings with Wolves in all competitions.
Frank Lampard has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Wolves.
Arsenal are the only team to prevent Wolves from scoring against them in their last 12 Premier League matches at Molineux.
Wolves have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League matches on home soil.
The Blues have picked up only one win in their last eight league games.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have scored only five goals in their last eight Premier League games on the road combined.
Wolves have picked up as many points in their last six league games (nine) as they had in the previous 14 combined.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool

Blackburn have won none and lost five of their last seven Premier League games against Liverpool.
Rovers have won just one of their last 20 matches in all competitions against Liverpool and just one of the last 24 in the Premier League.
Fernando Torres has scored five goals in four Premier League appearances against Blackburn.
Liverpool have scored only six goals in their last 10 Premier League away games and not more than once in any of those fixtures.
Roy Hodgson has won just one of his last 27 games away from home as a manager in the Premier League.
Rovers' defenders have netted six Premier League goals this season, more than any other side's.
If only the first half of matches counted in the Premier League this season, Blackburn would be 6^th.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic

The last six Premier League games between these sides have produced only eight goals in total.
Wigan have scored only nine goals in 11 games against Bolton in the Premier League.
Bolton have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League matches at the Reebok Stadium.
A clean sheet last time out against West Brom ended a run of eight Premier League home games without a clean sheet for the Trotters.
Wigan's win away at Wolves ended a run of seven matches without a victory on the road for the Latics.
Bolton have netted six goals via substitutes this season, more than any other Premier League side.
The Latics are the lowest scoring side in the Premier League this season (17).

View our full range of Premier League betting

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

Everton have only won two of their 18 Premier league games against Spurs at Goodison Park and have drawn the last three in a row.
Four of the last six Premier League matches between Everton and Spurs have ended as draws, while the other two in that run have been won by a single-goal margin.
Everton have only won two of their last nine Premier League home games.
Spurs haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League away matches.
Tottenham have only won back to back away games twice in the Premier League under Harry Redknapp.
Everton have won only one of their last 10 Premier League games.
Gareth Bale has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.

View our full range of Premier League betting

Back Anderson to win the Jackpot

2011-01-03T12:05:06+00:00

What a World Championship it's been at the Ally Pally this year, and a very welcome change to see two new faces lining up for the Bank Holiday final.

Phil Taylor's former protégé Adrian Lewis has long been touted to have the ability to land a World Championship, the real surprise though comes in the shape of former BDO number one Gary Anderson.

The Flying Scotsman never went further than the semi-finals back at Lakeside yet his performances over the past two weeks have been nothing short of magnificent, dominating the leaderboard in terms of three dart averages.

You can look and say Taylor, James Wade, van Barneveld etc. weren't at the top of their games this year - you can also say that even on top form any player in the world would struggle to beat Anderson.

He romped past Dennis Preistley, made the Pie Man Andy Smith look like a pudding before seeing off Barney and Terry Jenkins without breaking sweat - all the time having a three dart average in excess of 100 and rising as high as 108.

His opponent in the final, Adrian Lewis, certainly won't be scared of the high averages, however he might be a little worried about the accuracy and percentage Anderson is checking out with.

For a while now Lewis has had the talent to win multiple televised events but even he must be in disbelief at the opportunity coming his way today.

His path to the final has been relatively trouble free apart from yesterday's mammoth encounter with Mark Webster but a little issue his fans and backers must have is his lack of concentration.

The last sixteen was perhaps the best example as he gave a badly out of sorts Robert Thornton a glimmer of hope, letting the Scotsman take a set despite dominating every leg up to that wayward set.

If he opens the door just a fraction for Gary Anderson then he could be in big, and I mean big trouble.

Lewis is a quick starter and if he comes out nervous, or loses concentration in the opening legs then a one sided final might not be out of the question with 7-2 to the favourite great value at 9/1.

However, I think nerves will be jangling for both men on what is easily the biggest day of their careers, so high scores and big checkouts might be out of the question at the start of proceedings - with 4/6 about less than 29.5 total match 180s looking good.

In terms of the big prize though, for me there's only one way for my money to be heading and that's on the 8/15 about Anderson.

He might have hated the nickname, 'Dreamboy' during his tenure in the BDO but this looks like the night that the 40-year-old's dreams will come true.

I Will… bag a midweek total goals bonus

2011-01-02T16:36:59+00:00

Monday 3 January

The January sales continue this Monday as we give you the chance to win big with our Under/Exactly/Over 2 goals blockbuster sections coupon.

You have the option to back either over, exactly or under 2 goals on any game in the Championship, League 1 or League 2

It will definitely be a great day of football and if you think the midweek football will be a goal-fest, then you back total goals on various matches in our special midweek blockbuster sections coupon.

What better way is there to pass the day than with an accumulator that promises even bigger winnings if all your selections come in?

There are three ways to boost your account today:

Make one selection from each of our three sections and get rewarded with a 10% bonus
Make two selections from each of our three sections and receive a 20% bonus
Make three selections or more from each of our three sections and receive a 30% bonus

The first section is made up of matches from the Championship, the second section is League 1 games and the third section is full of League 2 matches.

Why not try your luck? What are you waiting for, get involved on the latest of our offers now.

Make sure you use the following coupon to make your selections, you will not receive your Bonus if you make your selections in the match markets!