Fancy a flutter?
September 05 2008
Think you know your rugby? Well, with the Guinness Premiership season on the brink of having its curtain lifted, there's no better time to lay a long-term punt on what you envisage could occur come May 2009.
Last year's memorable and thrilling campaign saw young England wing Tom Varndell claim the tournament's top try-scoring accolade with fourteen crossings - and at the price of 7/1 this time around his backers may be swayed once again. Add to that the late, late surge of Wasps post-Christmas that propelled them to eventual title glory also demonstrates that anything's possible.
So, if that sort of action sounds attractive and you're that way inclined then sit back and take heed as Planet Rugby have teamed up with Sky Bet to guide you through their exhaustive range of markets - but beware that shouting at the television screen may be one side effect.
All in all, there's a whopping 22 markets on offer ranging from 'Top Four Finish' to 'Top Points Scorer' with odds varying and to cap things off 'Specials' come in the shape of GP and European trophy doubles so they really are catering for the masses!
Surely the big questions on punters' lips though are...What markets are on offer? And why is it a likely option to come good?
No need to fear as PR's Adam Kyriacou takes you through our 'Banker', 'Likely Lad' and 'Hail Mary' sections following an extensive study of statistics which enables him to accrue the reasons for taking respective plunges.
Banker:
Once again the under-achieving brush-tarred Saracens have been bigged up ahead of a season. But this time there's actually some serious weight behind their claims for silverware - and not just Middlesex Sevens Plate lifting.
The hefty acquisitions of Steve Borthwick, Ben Jacobs, Bradley Barritt and Wikus van Heerden will aid Eddie Jones' efforts no end and with the former Bath skipper already instilling a winning attitude in the Vicarage Road air they look a tempting bet.
Add to that the fact the Men in Black being deprived of dining at Europe's top table in 2008/09 and all roads point to the play-offs .
The other major players expected to compete for the Twickenham showpiece are, of course, Gloucester, Wasps, Leicester and Bath, who may find Elite Squad absentees and Heineken Cup distractions a domestic burden.
That is why I've plumped for Saracens (Evens) to land a 'Top Four Finish'!
Likely Lad:
Many plaudits were lavished on a pair of relatively unknown rugby union faces last year and much is expected again from both in 2008/09. Coaches Steve Meehan and Jim Mallinder will be keeping their fingers crossed that there's no second-season syndrome at the Rec and Franklin's Gardens respectively, but I can see that life may be markedly tougher for one more than the other this time around. The two men in question are wings Matt Banahan (Bath) and league-convert Chris Ashton (Northampton).
And Sky Bet is offering a nice price of 5/6 on their 'Try-Scorer Match Betting' section that the former lock will come up trumps against his newly-promoted competition, who could find his way to the whitewash a far tougher proposition than life in National One.
Hail Mary:
Not one to shirk backing the underdog bet, I've decided to plump for one of Sky Bet's larger priced 'Special' market options. On offer are double trophy bets that, although didn't transpire last season, may come to fruition closer to the crunch...and here they are:
Guinness Premiership (Regular Season) & Heineken Cup Double
Wasps 33/1, Leicester 40/1, Gloucester 50/1, Bath 80/1, Sale 200/1, Harlequins 500/1
Guinness Premiership (Regular Season) & European Challenge Cup Double
Saracens 20/1, London Irish 40/1, Worcester 400/1, Newcastle 500/1, Northampton 500/1, Bristol 750/1
Let's have a shot at Gloucester to show the mettle that's been lacking from recent seasons with Olly Barkley and Greg Somerville - adding to the return from injury of Gareth Delve and Akapusi Qera - calming the nerves of their younger chaps on the big occasion.