Bookies dodge worst Premier League weekend so far thanks to late Watford winner
Acca backers denied at final hurdle by Watford’s win over Spurs as racing punters see three favourites romp home at Sandown
Bookmakers were made to sweat on the last Premier League match of the weekend between Watford and Tottenham but it was the punters who ultimately were stung by the Hornets’ 2-1 win.
The layers were worried when Tottenham took the lead through an own goal in the second half, especially after wins for Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
But Watford fought back to win thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart, ruining Spurs’ unbeaten start to the season and thousands of accumulator slips in the process.
🎬 | The run continues. 🔥#watfordfc pic.twitter.com/TaDEVhwM1F
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 2, 2018
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “The shock of the round was saved for last with Watford coming from behind to beat Spurs.
“No goal for Kane, or any Spurs player, helped even more. Once Spurs went ahead, the money for more away goals came flooding in – unlike the goals themselves.”
Kindred enjoyed a strong weekend with nine of the 10 Premier League matches ending in the black, but for other operators, including Betway, Watford’s win was absolutely crucial.
Betway’s Alan Alger said: “To say we were staring down the barrel when Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure put the ball into his own net in the second half against Tottenham is a massive understatement.
“Wins for Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, followed by Sunday’s victories for Celtic, Arsenal and Man United, meant a Spurs win would have been catastrophic.
“Deeney and Cathcart came to our rescue and thankfully we have dodged the worst Premier League weekend of the year so far.
Watford are the surprise package in the Premier League this season with a 100% winning record after four matches and Betway slashed the odds on an unlikely title win for Javi Gracia’s side, from 750/1 in to 200/1.
It was a similar story at BetVictor, where Charlie McCann said: “Premier League football was great for the books although it didn’t look as if that would be the case when Spurs took the lead at Vicarage Road yesterday.
“Watford’s comeback was pivotal with Arsenal and United both winning on the road,” he added.
Too Darn Hot too hot to handle in the Solario Stakes at @Sandownpark
Watch the action LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/jSbl2j4nzN
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 1, 2018
Away from the football, horse racing punters had a successful weekend after Too Darn Hot lived up to expectations with a four-length defeat of a Royal Ascot winner in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown.
McCann said: “Too Darn Hot (7/1 favourite from 14s for the 2019 Derby) was one of three very well backed short-priced favourites that obliged in the feature races on ITV on Saturday.”
Kindred’s Gill added: The racing wasn’t quite as kind as the football, at Sandown especially where four favourites justified their price, including the very well back Veracious and Too Darn Hot.”