Future Bright For Hodgson And When Will He Lose?

England defeated Italy although neither side were at their strongest a fact highlighted by the 11/8 offered by William Hill that only four or five of Wednesday’s starting XI line up for England’s first WC qualifying game. Roy Hodgson’s unbeaten record remains intact and William Hill offer 5/4 that he does not taste defeat until after 2012 has finished.

“The match against Italy showed us that the future is bright for England but the odds would suggest a return to a more traditional starting XI once qualifiers start,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Jack Butland became England’s youngest ever goalkeeper and he is 2/1 to play Premier League football this season for any side (4/11 he does not).

Jack Butland to play in a Premier League match this season: 4/11 no; 2/1 yes

How many of tonight’s starting XI will start England’s first qualifier: 8/1 0-3; 11/8 4-5; 13/8 6-7; 7/2 8-9; 14/1 10-11

England next defeat: 9/1 Moldova (a); 9/2 Ukraine (h); 150/1 San Marino (h); 5/2 Poland (a); 11/4 Sweden (a); 5/4 unbeaten at the end of 2012

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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Glasgow University Set For A Tough Examination In The William Hill Scottish Cup

School may be out for the summer, but some of the students at Glasgow University are gearing up for the biggest football examination of their lives.

Glasgow University FC will face Selkirk in the first round of the 2012/13 William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday, and the big prize for whoever graduates into the second round is a potential meeting against Rangers.

Midfielder Marc Hunter, stepping up a grade from GU’s U21 side, is already dreaming of a potential clash against the ‘Old Firm’ giants’ in the second round.

“This is the biggest game I’ve had in my career and made all the bigger with the chance that we can get Rangers in the next round! The thought of playing at Ibrox, getting some money for the club, and playing against international players would be amazing!. It’s a great incentive to get through Saturday’s tie and then hopefully look forward to the draw.”

“I have a pretty good record in the Scottish Cup, albeit in School but we won it when I was in first year so hopefully that success can continue with a win on Saturday. I’d love to grab a goal to take us through and see my name up on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday!”

The potential game against Rangers is a huge carrot for GU, but the students coach Gary Rodgers is keen to keep the players focused on Saturday’s game.

“The players may all be thinking about potentially playing Rangers in the next round but it is the old cliché of taking one game at a time and it is up to us (coaches) to keep the players focused on Saturday as it is going to be a tough match so early in the season. Normally we would have an extra 3 or 4 weeks to prepare for the Scottish Cup ties but we have managed to get a few friendlies in and have played 3 league games so the guys are looking sharp and they all want to play a part on Saturday.”

“It would be amazing for the players, the University and the coaches if we were able to get through and then get drawn against Rangers but that is a long way off yet, we just need to make sure we play to our best on Saturday and get through what is a tricky tie and I have no doubt Selkirk will be thinking along the same lines that they can potentially face Rangers in the next round so it is going to be tough but we’ll be ready.”

The 2010-11 season saw Glasgow University F.C. qualify for the Scottish Cup Second Round for the first time since 1975 after a 1-0 victory at Garscube Sports Complex against Burntisland.

The Cup sponsors, William Hill make the students 3/1 outsiders to win the game, Selkirk are 4/7 – with the draw available at 16/5.

Tony Kenny
Head of sponsorship PR

T: 020 8918 3627
M: 07714138698
E: tkenny@williamhill.co.uk
William Hill, Greenside House, 50 Station Road,
Wood Green, London, N22 7TP.

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7/2 For More Penalty Woes For Home Nations In 2014

Team GB caught the missed penalty bug, losing to South Korea and William Hill offer 7/2 that any of England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland exit World Cup 2014 on penalties. Hills also go 1/3 that Team GB make no appearance in the Olympic 2016 tournament.

“As soon as Saturday’s match went to penalties, there was only really going to be one outcome such is the resignation with which British players now view shootouts,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Will any of England, Wales, Scotland or NI be knocked out of World Cup 2014 on penalties: 7/2 yes; 1/6 no
*includes qualification play offs

Team GB to take part in Olympics tournament in Brazil: 1/3 no; 9/4 yes
*does not include qualifying

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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Soccer Betting Tip For Sunday

Some of you I know believe soccer ends with the end of the Premier League. Not quite true. Certainly as a punter one does not want to stop earning in the early summer. There are in fact many foreign leagues providing profitable sports betting turnover opportunities over the summer months. One such league is the […]

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Spain 20/1 To Win Next Two Tournaments At Least

Spain became double European Champions and all eyes will turn to the World Cup in Brazil. William Hill make Spain 2/7 to win their qualifying group and 6/4 to do so without losing a game. Once they touch down in Brazil, the Spaniards are 11/2 joint second favourites to win. Spain have now won three major tournaments in a row and are 20/1 to carry on winning tournaments until at least the World Cup in 2018.

As the match kicked off, the focus was on Mario Balotelli, but as the game finished, he had been overshadowed by Fernando Torres who came on and scored one and set one up. Hills offer 1/2 that Torres scores more goals than Balotelli in next season’s Premier League (6/4 that he does not).

“Spain were simply unplayable tonight and have now won the right to be called the best European side ever,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly. “They are 20/1 to win the next two tournaments at least and the way they have played over the last eight years, it would take a brave man to be against them doing it.”

William Hill Spain Odds:

World Cup 2014 qualifying group I: 2/7 Spain; 5/2 France; 50/1 Belarus; 150/1 Finland; 200/1 Georgia

6/4 Spain to qualify for World Cup 2014 without losing

World Cup 2014 winner: 11/4 Brazil; 11/2 Argentina; 11/2 Spain; 8/1 Germany; 14/1 Holland; 14/1 Uruguay; 16/1 Italy; 20/1 England; 20/1 Portugal; 25/1 BAR

When will Spain next lose an international tournament: 1/8 World Cup 2014; 5/1 Euro 2016; 20/1 World Cup 2018 or later

Balotelli and Torres 2012/13 season match bet: 1/2 Torres; 6/4 Balotelli

*NOTE* Hills are settling top goalscorer as a six man dead heat. Double tournament winner/top goalscorer will be settled on Monday

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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Spain To Make History In Biggest Match Since World Cup Final?

UP TO 500 BETS PER MINUTE TO BE PLACED

Up to £25 million is set to be bet on this year’s Euros Final with Spain the 6/5 favourites with William Hill and Italy 13/5. Over the course of the two semi finals, 82,209 bets were staked in-play (while the match is being played), equating to 391 bets per minute and 7 bets per second, but Hills are expecting this to increase to around 500 bets per minute at some points during the Final.

“Despite England being nowhere near this game, we are still expecting turnover to be huge on this game,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly. “We think that the game itself will approach the £25 million mark industry wide, which would place it at a similar level to the 2010 World Cup Final and would far exceed any game of football that has been played since then.”

The match is expected to be a relatively close affair and is 21/10 to end level at 90 minutes and is 4/1 to go to penalties. Spain are 8/15 to lift the trophy while Italy are 6/4 to do so. Spain could become the first European side to win back to back major tournaments and it is 4/6 that the next tournament that they fail to win is the World Cup in Brazil, although they are 25/1 to not lose a tournament until at least the 2018 World Cup.

“Over the last four years or so, Spain have become the model that every other international side wants to emulate and they are a once in a lifetime side,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly. “By winning the Final on Saturday, they could cement their place as the best European side to ever play the game.”

Mario Balotelli was the architect of Italy’s victory against Germany in the Semi Final and he is 7/1 to score the first goal, while Hills are also offering the same price for Super Mario to score and Italy to win.

Spain’s performances in this tournament have been highlighted by patient, possession football and William Hill are 9/4 that they have between 60% and 65% of the match possession and 5/2 that they have 66% or more. Spain could become the first European side to win three back to back tournaments

Euro 2012 Final:

90 minutes: 6/5 Spain; 13/5 Italy; 21/10 Draw

To lift the trophy: 8/15 Spain; 6/4 Italy

Match to go to penalties: 4/1

First scorer: 6/1 Fernando Llorente; 6/1 Fernando Torres; 7/1 Mario Balotelli; 7/1 Cesc Fabregas; 7/1 Alvaro Negredo; 9/1 Pedro; 9/1 Antonio Di Natale; 10/1 BAR

When will Spain fail to win a major tournament: 6/4 Euro 2012; 4/6 World Cup 2014; 8/1 Euro 2016; 25/1 World Cup 2018 or later

How much possession will Spain have during the game: 12/1 50% or less; 5/2 51-55%; 7/4 56-60%; 9/4 60-65%; 5/2 66% or more

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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Bookies Bashed By Blatter? Goal Line Tech Looks A Certainty

After Sepp Blatter’s comments regarding the use of goal line technology William Hill have slashed the price for it to be in place for the first match of the 2014 World Cup from 7/4 to 1/1 but it is 8/11 that it won’t be ready in time.
The more likely stage for introduction could be for the first match of the 2016 European Championships. William Hill are odds on at 5/6 that goal line technology to be used that summer in France.

“Goal line technology looks a certainty, it is just a question of when rather than if it is introduced,” said William Hill spokesman Mark Young.

Goal Line Technology to be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil: 8/11 No, 1/1 Yes

Goal Line Technology to be used at the 2016 European Championships in France: 5/6 Yes

Rupert Adams
Media Relations

T: 020 8918 3858
M: 0784 1011 584
E: radams@williamhill.co.uk
William Hill, Greenside House, 50 Station Road,
Wood Green, London, N22 7TP.

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Euros Group A: Punters Have Made Their Minds Up Already

2004 winners of the Euros, Greece are 10/3 to qualify for the knockout stages of the event with Russsia (1/10) and Czech Republic (4/5) the two favourites to make it through. Greece will have to defeat Russia and are 4/1 to do so, while also hoping for a draw in the Poland/Czech Republic game – offered at 9/4.

Punters do not hold out much hope for the Greeks, however, with Russia backed, at this early stage, to the tune of over 90% of all bets staked on the match. Russia represent one of Hill’s biggest liabilities to win the tournament as well, with a six figure sum to be paid out if they manage to upset the pre tournament odds of 20/1.

“Going into the final round of games in Group A, there is still so much to play for, but our punters certainly seem to have made their minds up already,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Poland have also been very well backed by punters ahead of their game against Czech Republic, with 82% of all early bets staked on them to win.

Group A

4/1 Greece; 8/11 Russia; 5/2 Draw
23/10 Czech Republic; 5/4 Poland; 9/4 Draw

Winner: 3/10 Russia; 4/1 Czech Republic; 7/1 Poland; 33/1 Greece

To qualify (not to): 1/10 Russia (11/2); 4/5 Czech Republic (10/11); 11/10 Poland (4/6); 10/3 Greece (1/5)

Joe Crilly
Press Officer
Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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Roy’s Dilemma: Carroll And Welbeck Both 5/6 To Start…england 10/1 For Euros Glory

Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll both got onto the scoresheet in Kiev and William Hill cannot decide who will partner Wayne Rooney of the pair in England’s next match. Carroll is 5/6 to start against the Ukraine with Danny Welbeck the same price. Wayne Rooney is 1/20 to start England’s next match.

“Both Welbeck and Carroll did their chances of starting against Ukraine no harm, grabbing a goal apiece but with the top dog returning it seems likely that it will be either/or rather than both who start,”said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

England’s starting XI went in at half time one goal up but 15 minutes later found themselves 2-1 down. With Wayne Rooney to return vs Ukraine, Hills offer 12/1 that Hodgson sticks with the same starting XI. After his superb cameo, Theo Walcott is 6/4 to start against Ukraine although a potential injury picked up against Sweden may prevent him from taking part

England are now 2/7 to qualify from Group D, 2/1 to win it and 10/1 to win Euro 2012.

To start vs Ukraine: 1/20 Rooney; 5/6 Carroll; 5/6 Welbeck

6/4 Walcott to start vs Ukraine (opposite not offered due to potential injury)
*bets void if announced he won’t play any part vs Ukraine due to injury

12/1 Starting XI to start vs Ukraine

Group D outright: 8/15 France; 2/1 England; 6/1 Ukraine

Group D to qualify (not to): 1/200 France (25/1); 2/7 England (5/2); 5/2 Ukraine (2/7)

Euro 2012 outright: 9/4 Spain; 5/2 Germany; 7/1 France; 10/1 England; 12/1 Italy; 12/1 Rusia; 14/1 Portugal; 33/1 Holland; 33/1 Croatia; 50/1 Poland; 66/1 Czech Republic; 66/1 Denmark; 100/1 Ukraine; 200/1 Greece

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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8/1 Rooney To Have Luscious Locks Shorn For Ukraine

Much has been made in the media of Wayne Rooney’s new look (not all positive) and William Hill are offering 8/1 that he will line up for England’s last group game with the excess hair on top of his head lopped off to match the sides.

“Rooney has gone for the not quite so traditional (extremely) short back and sides and, given the nature of football banter, he may well be forced to do the same to the tuft on the top of his head,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly. “It is nice to see the hair transplant has worked so well, however.”

8/1 Rooney to start Ukraine match with top of hair matching the sides.

Joe Crilly
Press Officer
Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk

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