Weekend Review: Bookies rejoice at Chelsea’s blip
BetVictor hails a “big weekend for the books” as a host of well-backed favourites in the football fail to win
Bookmakers were left celebrating after four out of the five best-backed football teams, including Chelsea, surprised punters by failing to record victories this weekend.
Chelsea witnessed its first defeat in nine Premier League games following a shock London derby defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Manchester United could only get a draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.
“Despite a winning start with Liverpool’s win and BTTS, things went downhill for [punters],” Ladbrokes’ Alex Donohue said.
Unibet also reported an “excellent margin” following Crystal Palace’s victory, with the Eagles down at 12/1 before kick-off.
And following draws in three of the four televised matches, BetVictor hailed it “a big weekend for the books” but pledged punters will be out for revenge with a full set of mid-week Premier League fixtures.
In the racing, Stan James reported favourable results across the weekend. “Horseracing turnover has continued on an upwards trajectory which is fantastic to see,” Alex Gyftokostas, of the brand’s owner Kindred, adds.
The world-famous Grand National is back again this Saturday and is expected to break turnover records once again for bookmakers.
BetVictor said it was “absolutely delighted” with the number of bets taken on the upcoming National Hunt race after announcing it is paying six places each way at ¼ odds. “We are also Non Runner No Bet from 11 am this morning,” McCann added.
Elsewhere, the Boat Race 2017 didn’t cause much of a stir yesterday, with BetVictor reporting that twice as many bets were placed on WrestleMania 33 on pay-per-view in the middle of the night.