Fantastic Finale To Football Season Sparks £15million Betting Bonanza

William Hill are predicting a massive betting bonanza in what will be an epic finale to the football season. Saturday sees the Champions League Final, Championship Playoff Final and the William Hill Scottish Cup Final and football fans will be looking forward to having their last punts of what has been a fantastic season at home and abroad.

Chelsea take on Bayern Munich on the German side’s home turf and are underdogs to lift Europe’s biggest trophy. Given the home advantage, Hills are expecting a comfortable victory for Bayern and make them 4/5 to win in 90 minutes and 2/5 to lift the trophy. Chelsea are 7/2 to win in 90 minutes and 15/8 to lift the trophy.

“Chelsea had a bit of luck, a bit of quality and a lot of guts in their victory Barca last time out and we think they will need more of the same in order to get anything out of this game,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Hills are predicting that around £10million will be wagered industry wide on the game which would make it one of the largest turnover matches in history.

Arjen Robben is going to coming up against his former club and William Hill make him the 5/1 favourite to be named Man of the Match in the Champions League Final, ahead of his teammates, Mario Gomez at 6/1 and Frank Ribery at 7/1. Those three players are clearly Bayern’s danger men and Hills are offering 12/1 that all three of them score on Saturday evening.

“Chelsea successfully subdued the triple threat of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in their last Champions League match although Bayern Munich offer a completely different and some would say more potent threat,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Chelsea had to rely on a bit of luck to grab the draw they needed in the Nou Camp and Leo Messi missed a penalty as Chelsea inched into the final. Hills are offering 20/1 that Bayern Munich are awarded a penalty in 90 minutes and miss it.

Didier Drogba was on fine form against Barcelona and he will need to be at his best to help Chelsea lift the trophy. He is 8/1 to open the scoring in the match and the same price to win man of the match. Despite the massive influence that he has had in his time at Chelsea, he s just 8/11 to have left the club by the start of next season (Even money to still be there).

“Drogba has been a fantastic servant to Chelsea and there would be no better way for him to sign off than put in a performance that helped Chelsea lift the trophy,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

PLAYOFF FINAL

Blackpool are taking on West Ham in the Championship playoff final and Hills make the Hammers the 19/20 favourites to win the match in 90 minutes and 8/13 to win promotion. Blackpool are quite big priced outsiders and are 14/5 to win the match in 90 minutes, although are only 5/4 to win promotion.

“There will be a lot of people who will be saying that the Champions League Final will be the showpiece event on Saturday, but given the way that both sides play, the match in Munich may have competition,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

With both sides favouring attack to defence, there is the chance that there could be a few goals and Hills are offering 4/1 that four or more goals are scored and West Ham win in normal time.

Some might say that Big Sam Needs a win in order to keep hold of his job and Hills go 13/8 that he is no longer West Ham boss on the first day of next season (4/9 he is still there).

WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP

The William Hill Scottish Cup reaches its climax on Saturday and the tournament sponsors make Hearts the favourites to lift the trophy in a match that is expected to attract up to £2 million turnover industry wide. The Jambos are 4/7 to win the tournament outright and 6/5 to so in 90 minutes. Hibs are 11/8 to win the trophy and 2/1 to do so in 90 minutes, with the draw also 2/1. Of the £2 million expected to be wagered, Hills predict that 3/4 of that will be from north of the border as Scottish football fans embrace the last match of the season.

“These three games are fully expected to draw in at least £15 million industry wide between them as football fans ready themselves for one last hurrah this season,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly

William Hill Champions League Prices:

90 minutes: 4/5 Bayern Munich; 7/2 Chelsea; 5/2 Draw

To lift the trophy: 2/5 Bayern Munich; 15/8 Chelsea

Man of the match: 5/1 Arjen Robben; 6/1 Mario Gomez; 7/1 Frank Ribery; 8/1 Didier Drogba; 8/1 Bastian Schweinsteiger; 9/1 Juan Mata; 11/1 Fernando Torres; 11/1 Frank Lampard; 12/1 Petr Cech; 14/1 Thonmas Muller; 16/1 BAR

Ribery, Robben & Gomez to all score: 12/1

Bayern to miss a penalty in 90 minutes: 20/1

Drogba to be at Chelsea on the first day of next season: 1/1 yes; 8/11 no

Playoff prices:

90 minutes winner: 14/5 Blackpool; 19/20 West Ham; 5/2 Draw

Win promotion: 5/4 Blackpool; 8/13 West Ham

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

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

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Barca Still Favourites For Cl Despite Defeat…rdm Favourite To Permanently Take Over From Avb

Chelsea held on for a famous victory against Barcelona at the same time landing odds of 4/1. William Hill make the Blues 6/1 (from 8/1) to win the Champions League although Barcelona remain the favourites at 11/10. Barcelona are 1/4 to win at the Nou Camp in the return leg with Chelsea 10/1 and the draw 4/1.

“Barca just could not find the net tonight but we cannot imagine them squandering such chances in the second leg and we fancy them to be eliminated after the next match,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Didier Drogba scored the winner and he is 4/7 to start ahead of Torres for the second leg. Roberto Di Matteo has overseen just one defeat and he is the 7/4 favourite to get the job on a permanent basis ahead of Rafa Benitez at 9/4 and Jose Mourinho at 11/4.

Barca Goals in the second leg: 4/6 none; 7/2 one; 5/1 two; 9/1 three; 16/1 four; 33/1 five; 50/1 six or more

Champions League winner: 11/10 Barca; 5/2 Real Madrid; 7/2 Bayern Munich; 6/1 Chelsea

Second leg 90 minute prices: 1/4 Barcelona; 10/1 Chelsea; 4/1 Draw

Qualify: 2/5 Barcelona; 10/1 Chelsea

Chelsea CL and FA Cup double: 10/1

To start the second leg: 5/4 Torres; 4/7 Drogba

Next Permanent Chelsea boss: 7/4 Roberto Di Matteo; 9/4 Rafael Benitez; 11/4 Jose Mourinho; 8/1 Pep Guardiola; 9/1 Laurent Blanc; 14/1 Joachim Low; 14/1 Moyes; 25/1 BAR

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

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

William Hill Press Office; Greenside House; 50 Station Road; Wood Green; London; N22 7TP

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8/1 Chelsea Hold Firm At The Bridge… Are Newcastle The Most Entertaining Premier League Side Ever?

CHELSEA are up against it in their Champions League semi final with William Hill making the home side 4/1 to win the match and Barcelona odds on at 8/11 to return to the Nou Camp with the advantage. Chelsea‘s back line will have to stand firm against the predicted barrage and Hills are offering 8/1 that Roberto Di Matteo’s men win to nil.

“Punters are backing Barcelona as if they cannot lose but Chelsea have been waiting a few years for revenge and it could come on Wednesday night,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

If any Barcelona player has to be stopped, it is Lionel Messi and William Hill are offering odds on who will be the first to foul him, making Michael Essien and Raul Meireles the 6/1 joint favourites with John Terry and John Obi Mikel both 7/1. Messi is 12/5 to outscore the entire Chelsea team on Wednesday night.

To celebrate 20 years of the Premier League, the FA are doing a ’20 Seasons Of Premier League Awards’ and amongst the categories are best goal, best match and best celebration. Bookmakers, William Hill make Dennis Bergkamp (vs Newcastle 2001/02) and Paolo Di Canio (vs Wimbledon 1999/2000) the joint 9/2 favourites to win the award while Matt Le Tissier (vs Blackburn 1994/95) and Thierry Henry (vs Manchester Utd 2000/01) are 11/2 joint third favourites.

It is not just the strikers getting recognised at the awards however, as the men between the sticks are also represented by the ‘Best Save of the 20 Seasons’ Awards. Possibly the greatest ever Premier League goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, shares 4/1 favouritism for the award with his effort against Newcastle in the 1997/98 season, with Joe Hart (vs Liverpool 2007/08) the same price. Craig Gordon (vs Bolton Wanderers 2010/11) is the 5/1 third favourite.

Newcastle are involved in the three favourites for the ‘Match of the 20 Years’ award with their 3-4 defeat to Liverpool in 1995/96 offered at 8/15 (having originally opened at 4/1). Their thrilling 4-4 comeback against Arsenal in 2010/11 is offered at 8/1 and their 5-0 victory over Manchester United in 1996/97 9/1.

“There have been some fantastic performances throughout the 20 years of the Premier League, although perhaps none as entertaining as the Liverpool win that effectively ended Newcastle’s title aspirations in 1995/96 and that match is clear favourite to win,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

20 Years Of The Premier League Awards:

Best Goal: 9/2 Dennis Bergkamp; 9/2 Paolo Di Canio; 11/2 Matt Le Tissier (vs Blackburn 94/95); 11/2 Thierry Henry; 7/1 Eric Cantona; 8/1 Alan Shearer; 8/1 Tony Yeboah; 9/1 Wayne Roney; 10/1 Matt Le Tissier (vs Newcastle 93/94); 10/1 David Beckham

Best Save: 4/1 Joe Hart; 4/1 Peter Schmeichel (vs Newcastle); 5/1 Craig Gordon; 11/2 Jussi Jaskelainen; 11/2 Peter Schmeichel (vs Liverpool); 7/1 Tomasz Kuszczak (vs Wigan); 8/1 Carlo Cudicini; 12/1 Brad Friedel; 12/1 Tomasz Kuszczak (vs Birmingham); 14/1 Shay Given

Best Match: 8/15 Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle 95/96; 8/1 Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal 10/11; 9/1 Newcastle 5-0 Man Utd 96/97; 10/1 Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham 08/09; 10/1 anchester United 4-3 Manchester City 09/10; 10/1 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal 08/09; 11/1 Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United 01/02; 11/1 Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal 11/12; 16/1 Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City 11/12; 20/1 Portsmouth 7-4 Reading 07/08

Champions League:

First Player to foul Messi: 6/1 Michael Essien; 6/1 Raul Meireles; 7/1 John Terry; 7/1 John Obi Mikel; 8/1 Ramires; 8/1 David Luiz; 8/1 Gary Cahill; 9/1 Branislav Ivanovic; 10/1 Frank Lampard; 10/1 Juan Mata; 10/1 Oriol Romeu; 11/1 Jose Bosingwa; 12/1 Salomon Kalou; 12/1 Ashley Cole; 12/1 Paulo Ferreira; 16/1 Didier Drogba; 16/1 Daniel Sturridge; 16/1 Florent Malouda; 20/1 Fernando Torres

Goalscorer match bet: 2/1 Chelsea; 12/5 Lionel Messi; 1/1 Tie

Gareth Bale to join Barca before end of summer transfer window: 9/2 yes; 1/8 no

4/1 Chelsea; 8/11 Barcelona; 5/2 draw

8/1 Chelsea to win to nil

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

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

William Hill Press Office; Greenside House; 50 Station Road; Wood Green; London; N22 7TP

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Dominant Barca 2/1 To Win At Least Next Three La Liga Titles

Barcelona secured their third successive La Liga title with a draw against Levante and William Hill are offering 2/1 that they continue their impressive streak by winning at least the next three. They are 11/4 to win next year’s title and then relinquish their dominant grip. Barcelona are 1/2 to win La Liga next year, while Real Madrid are 13/8.

“Barcelona have dominated La Liga for the last three years and odds of 2/1 suggest that their dominance will continue for some time yet,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Real Madrid have been notoriously cut-throat with their managers over recent years although Hills offer 4/6 that Mourinho is still manager of Real on the first day of next season, while his Barca counterpart, Pep Guardiola, is 1/12 to still be at the Nou Camp next season.

William Hill Odds:

Barcelona Consecutive La Liga Wins*: 13/8 Three; 11/4 Four; 9/2 Five; 2/1 Six or more
*Currently 3 consecutive

La Liga 2011/12: 1/2 Barcelona; 13/8 Real Madrid; others on request

Jose Mourinho To Be At Real Madrid On First Day Of Next Season: 4.6 Yes; 11/10 No

Pep Guardiola to be at Barcelona on first day of next season: 1/12 Yes; 6/1 No

Further Information…Joe Crilly…0208 918 3746 / 07850 518 164

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