Weekend Review: Bookies in debt to VAR after Premier League draws
Bookies hail the new technology but honours even in the second Ashes test proved more damaging
The bookies were delighted with the Premier League action this weekend after the two most high-profile matches ended in a draw.
Champions Manchester City drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur after some late VAR drama, while Leicester City came from behind to draw 1-1 at Chelsea on Super Sunday.
when this thing pops up on the screen.. pic.twitter.com/dCtdaNPrzc
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) August 17, 2019
Bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “Unlike the first weekend, we saw a couple of the big boys come unstuck this time, with Leicester’s draw at Stamford Bridge being the highlight.
“The draw at the Etihad was far from a skinner with four goals on the menu, but it was a good weekend for us on the football front,” he added.
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “It was a much better week this week in the Premier League as our two biggest matches, Man City and Chelsea, ended in bookie friendly draws.
“These two were also very popular in accas to further push the weekend in our direction and while Liverpool’s win over Southampton was our biggest loser of the weekend, Liverpool only scoring two probably saved us a bit more pain.
Gill also revealed that the start of the football season in Europe turned into a dream scenario for Kindred Group, as PSG and Barcelona lost their opening matches, while Bayern Munich drew.
“All three were up there as some of the most popular teams in the big weekend accas, which when added to the PL draws, left us in a very healthy position come Sunday evening,” Gill added.
It was a similar story for Betway. The operator had VAR to thank for ensuring City’s clash with Spurs ended in a draw after a late winner from Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for handball.
“Another weekend in the Premier League and it’s VAR that makes the headlines again,” said Betway’s Chad Yeomans. “A controversial ending to the Man City v Tottenham game saw the game end equal, which was a good result for us, as lots of punters backed Man City in their accumulators.
“Frank Lampard’s Chelsea looked a bit deflated in the second half against a very enthusiastic Leicester City, who looked as if they were going to go on and win the game.
“The match ending in a draw was another favourable result for us,” he added.
One draw which did not help the bookies however came at Lord’s, where England frustrated Australia in the Ashes series, with the Aussies now 1-0 up going into the third test.
Me getting out of bed tomorrow morning pic.twitter.com/dQ6FK91EWr
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) August 18, 2019
Bet365’s Freeth said: “It did not go our way on the cricket with weather watchers backing the Lord’s draw from 6/1 into odds-on before a ball was bowled.
“The stalemate meant we also did our money In-Play,” he added.
Kindred’s Gill said: “With the well-publicised rain due for the duration of the Ashes test, the draw was extremely popular, and so it proved as England came up just short leaving many punters happy for the wallet, if not for their team, and us in the red overall.”