Weekend Review: Champions League-chasing clubs collapse to leave bettors bemused

The layers rejoiced over the weekend as Premier League favourites faltered to leave accumulators busted for the bettors.

Top-four hopefuls Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton all failed to secure victories on an unpredictable weekend of top-flight action.

Liverpool capitulated during a seven-minute spell against Leicester, conceding three goals from James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes after initially taking the lead through Mo Salah.

Full-time at the King Power. #LEILIV | #LFC

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 13, 2021

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly West Brom, while Everton fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened Fulham.

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “A great weekend for layers in the Premier League as the top teams continue, on the whole, to make things difficult for themselves.

“Everton’s defeat to Fulham gave our best result of the weekend, but Liverpool’s loss to Leicester and Manchester United being held by West Brom were both close behind. All three did a job in taking a selection of accas along with them too,” he added.

Betway’s Chad Yeomans added: “You’d have to say that there were a few surprise results this weekend and that all started with the opening match between Leicester and Liverpool. Liverpool were well-backed on Saturday morning, but their capitulation in the league continues.

“West Brom holding Manchester United to a draw at The Hawthorns was a very good result with United being well-backed and also very popular in accas and multiples across the weekend,” he added.

UNREAL ???@samjohnstone50 | #WBA https://t.co/lqRkcFCKzY

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 14, 2021

Elsewhere, Manchester City continued their imperious march towards the title with a 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Yeomans revealed several specials on the match, including one that had Betway traders biting their nails.

He said: “Manchester City extended their position at the top of the league, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Spurs. Our ‘Superboost’ copped for many Betway punters who had backed ‘Gündoğan to score anytime at 2/1’.

“We offered a special for ‘Ederson to save a penalty and Ederson to score a penalty’ at 250/1, which proved popular. When City won a penalty and Ederson showed his interest in stepping up there were a few nerves floating around the trading room floor,” he added.

Away from the Premier League, flat racing jockey Ryan Moore secured four winners at Lingfield for four different trainers while Mark Walsh’s Elimay earned her spot at Cheltenham.

Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “Plenty of Betfred customers were involved in the 26.5/1 Ryan Moore four-timer at Lingfield in one way or another, and Elimay was cut to 5/2 from 7/2 for the Mares’ Chase on Festival Friday, after a smooth performance at Naas.”

WARRINGTON KNOCKED OUT! ???

Josh Warrington was sensationally stopped in the ninth round ⚡ pic.twitter.com/eTRrkUirk0

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 13, 2021

Finally, in boxing, Josh Warrington suffered a fractured jaw in his shock defeat to Mexican challenger Mauricio Lara.

The 30-year-old, who was as short as 1/25 before the fight, hit the canvas in the fourth round at Wembley Arena before being knocked out in the ninth as he suffered his first-ever professional defeat.

Firkins said: “Josh Warrington’s sensational defeat was also a seismic shock, in another fantastic weekend of irresistible sport.”