Weekend Review: Man United misfire leaves bookies buzzing as Peter Wright secures darts crown
A disappointing defeat to Wolves, along with a Chelsea versus Liverpool score draw meant it was a positive weekend for the layers
A scintillating draw between two title challengers in the Premier League and Manchester United’s prolonged woes meant it was a weekend to remember for the bookies.
Chelsea (6/4) and Liverpool (17/10) played out a 2-2 at Stamford Bridge which saw the Merseysiders rush into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from AFCON-bound Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
Thomas Tuchel’s men rallied back, without star striker Romelu Lukaku following his unfortunate interview professing his love for former club Inter, with goals from Mateo Kovačić and Christian Pulisic ensuring the points were shared.
Manchester United (13/20) fell to a 1-0 defeat to Wolves (5/1) thanks to a fantastic finish from João Moutinho to hand Ralf Rangnick his first defeat as the Red Devils’ manager.
United looked laboured under the Old Trafford lights as Wolves secured their first victory on the famous ground since the 1980s.
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We've got just the thing…
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 4, 2022
Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati said: “From a football perspective, the Chelsea versus Liverpool result was obviously a favourable one for us – especially given that Liverpool threw away their two-goal lead, as was Manchester United’s defeat on Monday night.”
Bet365’s Steve Freeth explained how Manchester United’s poor performance threw a spanner in the works for their hopes of a top-four finish.
Freeth told EGR: “There weren’t many goals at Old Trafford and we ended with a great result as Wolves dominated an average looking Manchester United who went out to 15/8 to finish the season in the top four.”
Elsewhere, Manchester City (3/5) extended their lead at the top of the table after a scrappy Rodri finish in stoppage time secured a 2-1 win against Arsenal (17/4).
Betfred’s Alan Firkins added: “The pulsating Chelsea versus Liverpool draw at Stamford Bridge was a decent result for us, but an even better one for Manchester City.
“Betfred had already paid out on Pep’s men winning the Premier League last week, before events at the Emirates and in South West London put them in an even stronger position.”
A proper penalty! ?#ManCity pic.twitter.com/3mwfrWvHoj
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 2, 2022
In north London, a thrilling William Hill World Darts Championship came to a conclusion with Peter Wright securing his second world title after defeating Michael Smith 7-5 in front of a packed crowd at Alexandra Palace.
Smith was distraught after the match but had a hugely impressive tournament after knocking out the likes of Gerwyn Price and James Wade, results which put him in the layers’ good books.
Apati said: “Michael Smith would have been a massive loser for us; he was well-backed at 25/1 pre-tournament so we were hoping for a Wright victory in the final.
“In losing the final, Smith ended up doing us a massive favour as he took out Wade, Price and Clayton along the way, all of whom were also well-backed not only to win the tournament, but in their individual matches against him,” he added.
Freeth detailed how Wright’s odds changed throughout the tournament as Snakebite took home the £500,000 top prize.
Freeth said: “A belting World Championship has come to a close with Peter Wright being a fair result for us having refunded on the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Dave Chisnall. Our biggest price on Wright last year was 11/1, with him starting the tournament at 13/2 – his biggest price in-play in the final was 9/2.
Meanwhile, Star Sports boss Ken Keith tweeted that betting volumes on this year’s World Championships had been “astronomical”.
Betting turnover on The Darts, both match by match & Ante-Post has been astronomical! Thank you & very well done @BarryHearn !!
— Ben Keith (@BenStarSports) January 3, 2022
Finally, in horseracing, Ginto asserted himself as a Cheltenham front-runner after securing victory in Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, emulating the previous success of Cheltenham victors Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger.
Firkins concluded: “On the racing front, Ginto advertised his Cheltenham credentials with a powerful Grade 1 Naas success. It looks like the Ballymore or the Albert Bartlett in March for Gordon Elliott’s progressive six-year-old gelding, as the Irish begin to ominously flex their Festival muscles.”