Football action is heating up all over Europe…just at the same time a lot of the drama we’ve come to expect in the Premiership come April is subsiding.  That being said our EPL insider James Kempton is back to share his thoughts on all the big matches this weekend while offering up some strong investments Norwich City v Sunderland Norwich -0.25 and 2.25 goals Norwich won 3-1 in the north east back in August and they’re undefeated against the Mackems in the last five EPL meets between the clubs. This is a real leave alone game for me as although Norwich have won two and drawn one of their last four games you cannot trust them to beat a Sunderland side who’ve not lost to a bottom half placed team since mid December. I’m not sure Sunderland would view a point as a good result though so I’m wary of taking them with a quarter goal on the handicap. If the game is tight late into the game the away team may leave themselves open as they search for the winning goal. Everton v Southampton Everton -0.25 and 2.25 goals Internal turmoil has beset Everton for the first time in a very long time. The Goodison Park crowd have turned on Martinez and to be honest I’m just surprised it’s not happened sooner. Everton won 3-0 at St Marys earlier this season and they’ve won the last three EPL meetings of the teams at Goodison Park since the Saints returned to the top flight. However, the atmosphere is not great on Merseyside and Everton are 3-6-8 against the top half placed sides so it’s a brave man who backs the Toffees here despite that convincing win at Southampton. Give me the Saints to at...

Tonight the NBA sends a legend off into retirement.  Whether you believe that Kobe should have hung up his sneakers years ago is neither here nor there.  However the proper tribute for any great is to immortalize him with some unique betting props for his final game.  Thanks to Dave Mason at BetOnLine there are plenty of ways to get your money in action for the final act of his illustrious career. Utah @ LA Lakers Crying Kobe 10:35 PM 2501 Kobe Bryant Cries During Game +350 2502 Kobe Bryant Doesn’t Cry During Game -500 Utah @ LA Lakers Dunk Made by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2555 Yes +400 2556 No -600 Utah @ LA Lakers Exact Pts by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2409 0 to 10 Pts +800 2410 11 to 15 Pts +500 2411 16 to 20 Pts +325 2412 21 to 25 Pts +275 2413 26 to 30 Pts +325 2414 31 Pts or More +350 Utah @ LA Lakers Fadeaway Shot Made by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2553 Yes -175 2554 No +145 Utah @ LA Lakers First 3pt field goal attempt by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2423 Make +175 2424 Miss -220 Utah @ LA Lakers First Field Goal Attempt by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2401 Make +130 2402 Miss -160 Utah @ LA Lakers First Points Scored by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2415 2 Point Field Goal +100 2416 3 Point Field Goal +450 2417 Free Throw +150 Utah @ LA Lakers Last 3pt field goal attempt by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2425 Make +190 2426 Miss -240 Utah @ LA Lakers Last Field Goal Attempt by Kobe Bryant (LAL) 10:35 PM 2421 Make +130 2422 Miss -160 Utah @ LA...

Another round of fixtures are in the books and Leicester City is one step closer to doing the unthinkable.  City is now an overwhelming favorite to go from after thought to champion in just one season.  However there are other opportunities to make a few bucks on the pitch this weekend and James Kempton is here, like always, to offer his complete thoughts. West Ham United v Arsenal Arsenal -0.5 and 2.5 goals It was that opening day win at The Emirates that put us on notice about the ability of this Hammers side as before that they had lost nine straight to the Gunners. West Ham are 5-2-2 against the top third so I should take the Hammers here but I just get the feeling that Arsenal will tease their fans once more by winning this game to ultimately fall short in the title race. It’s only history and my guys that makes me lean to Arsenal here as all sane reasoning suggests the home side are a good bet. Aston Villa v Bournemouth Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.25 goals This game intrigues me from a pricing perspective as if ever there should be a value spot to back Villa in then this should be it after that 4-0 TV loss to Chelsea last week. The home crowd have turned on their players though and it’s a poisonous atmosphere at Villa Park for the home team to play in. Opening day seems a very long time ago now as on that day Villa won 1-0 away to Bournemouth and since then Villa have gained just thirteen points in thirty one games. If it’s a tight game I’m sure the home team will find a way to lose and Eddie Howe will be looking for...

Villanova is still basking in the glory of their historic victory last evening.  However oddsmakers have already hung prices on teams to win the 2017 Mens College basketball Championship.  Here are the opening lines courtesy of the Westgate Superbook 2016-17 MENS NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM — GLENDALE, AZ MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017  DUKE 9-2 KENTUCKY 6 VILLANOVA 8 LOUISVILLE 10 KANSAS 10 MICHIGAN ST 12 NORTH CAROLINA 15 INDIANA 20 VIRGINIA 20 XAVIER 20 OREGON 20 ARIZONA 20 WISCONSIN 30 WEST VIRGINIA 30 MARYLAND 40 PURDUE 40 U CONN 40 IOWA ST 50 MIAMI FL 50 SETON HALL 50 TEXAS 60 GONZAGA 80 SYRACUSE 80 UCLA 80 TEXAS A&M 80 BAYLOR 80 OKLAHOMA 80 UTAH 80 BUTLER 100 IOWA 100 MICHIGAN 100 WICHITA ST 100 FLORIDA  100 ARIZONA ST 100 MISSISSIPPI ST 100 SMU 100 CINCINNATI 100 VCU 200 NOTRE DAME 200 FLORIDA ST 200 CREIGHTON 200 GEORGETOWN 200 OHIO ST 200 COLORADO 200 USC 200 DAYTON 200 SAN DIEGO ST 200 SOUTH CAROLINA 200 ST MARY’S  200 VANDY 200 TENNESSEE 200 HARVARD 200 CALIFORNIA 200 AUBURN 300 OREGON ST 300 BYU 300 RHODE ISLAND 300 CLEMSON 300 PITTSBURGH 300 PROVIDENCE 300 TEXAS TECH 300 ILLINOIS 300 UNLV 300 NC STATE 300 NORTHWESTERN 300 NEBRASKA 300 COLORADO ST 300 LSU 300 OLE MISS 300 GEORGIA 300 ARKANSAS 300 ALABAMA 300 VIRGINIA TECH 300 GEORGIA TECH 300 WAKE FOREST 300 MINNESOTA 300 FRESNO ST 300 MEMPHIS 300 MARQUETTE 300 KANSAS ST 300 OKLAHOMA ST 300 PRINCETON 300 BOISE ST 300 HOUSTON 300 TULSA 300 DAVIDSON 300 OAKLAND 500 WASHINGTON 500 TEMPLE 500 ST BONNY’S 500 DEPAUL 500 ST JOHN’S  500 PENN ST 500 NEW MEXICO 500 MISSOURI 500 STANFORD 500 VALPO 1000 GEO WASH 1000 RICHMOND 1000 ST JOE’S 1000 U MASS 1000 RUTGERS 1000...

The international break has come and gone (thankfully) so Jimmy’s hiatus covering the EPL came to a screeching halt.  Here are all his thoughts on the weekend’s fixtures Listen to his podcast here Aston Villa v Chelsea Chelsea -1 and 2.5 goals None of the last six meetings of the sides in the EPL have seen more than three goals. It was 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and I see a similar outcome here despite the midweek departure of coach Garde from Villa Park. Villa are 0-4-12 against the top half and have scored just nine goals whilst conceding thirty four goals. The fact that this is a live TV game should help focus the Chelsea players’ attention and we’ve seen all season long this type of exposure makes no difference to the shameful performance levels of Villa. Chelsea or pass for me. Arsenal v Watford Arsenal -1.5 and 2.75 goals Arsenal won 3-0 at Vicarage Road in October but the Hornets frustrated them for an hour in that game and Watford knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup just three weeks ago. Watford struggle in this spot as they are 2-0-9 against the top third but they’ve only conceded sixteen goals in those eleven matches. Watford have lost by more than one goal just three times this season and tactically I can see them frustrating the Gunners once more. You can’t back Arsenal on this -1.5 line but these are the games they tend to win. I like the unders in this spot as Watford are sure to set up in a manner that the home team will have to work hard to break down. Bournemouth v Manchester City Man City -0.5 and 2.5 goals City hammered Bournemouth...

Inspiration for story ideas is drawn from unusual places.  While I won’t call myself a writer by any stretch (blogger probably a reach as well) I was hit by a creative bolt of lightning while watching the FIFA Interactive World Championships last week. My first thought was “holy shit, when did video games get so damn complicated and intricate?”  I know this makes me sound like an old man since I played plenty of PS2 in my college days but that truly feels like an eternity ago especially when all your friends are getting married and popping out kids.  Let’s be real; you’re still looking at a guy whose most cherished video game possession is a $20 Sega Genesis Plug and Play that allows me to stay crisp in NHL 95 (For the record anyone out there that would like to challenge me on that platform just let me know) just in case my prowess ever gets questioned.  Yet, I digress from my main focus here… The goal? Determine the undisputed single greatest sports game ever made on the original Nintendo Entertainment System My plan was to hearken back to a simpler time; one where 8 bit video games were the norm and we all lived in neighborhoods with front doors permanently unlocked.  To spare you the nostalgia, Ferne Dr in suburban Wheeling was a hot bed for video game activity…almost like a silicon valley for Nintendo.  The amount of anger, animosity, and pressure felt in those basements playing Little League Baseball and Tecmo Bowl rivals the intensity you’ll see on the biggest of sports stages.  Broken controllers, battered fingers, and the occasional black eye were par for the course if you sought video game glory. Thanks to some pretty passionate please from the...

The college hockey world descends on Amalie Arena in Tampa (yes Tampa) on Saturday, April 9th to crown a national champion.  However before we get there games need to be played to see what four programs will punch their ticket to the Frozen Four.  Here are the brand spanking new odds on the 2016 NCAA hockey champion highlighted by a quartet of familiar names installed as co-favorites. (Lines courtesy of Westgate Superbook) BOSTON COLLEGE Eagles   4/1 QUINNIPIAC Bobcats 4/1 NORTH DAKOTA Fighting Hawks 4/1 ST CLOUD STATE Huskies 5/1 PROVIDENCE Friars 10/1 DENVER Pioneers 10/1 MICHIGAN Wolverines 15/1 YALE Bulldogs 20/1 MASS-LOWELL River Hawks 20/1 NOTRE DAME Fighting Irish 20/1 HARVARD Crimson 20/1 NORTHEASTERN Huskies 20/1 BOSTON Terriers 20/1 MINNESOTA-DULUTH Bulldogs 20/1 FERRIS STATE Bulldogs 300/1 RIT Tigers...

UFC FN85 Mir vs. Hunt: Bitzers* barking in Brisbane All fight analysis provided by GambLou Welcome fight Enthusiasts to UFC 185. This week’s fight card is taking place down under in Australia and the international flavor of these fights has us hankering for hounds. Our early release for UFC FN85 is a “styles make fights’ confrontation that will be featured on the Fox Sports 1 segment of the preliminary bouts. Smith -160 vs. Nakai +140 Leslie Smith is a journeyman fighter at best. She beat up on a mannequin in Jessamyn Duke before getting her ear blown off in her last bout against Jessica Eye which was over a year ago. Smith is limited in every fighting factor except for the fact that she will own a more complete stand up arsenal than her opponent in this bout. She faces an anvil in Nakai that is a full 8” shorter that she as well Nakai’s first name is not Jess. Smith will do all she can to stick and move, feint and pepper the shorter Nakai with tapping strikes in order to allow the accumulation of persistent pops and fifteen minutes of fighting wear down the grappler and eventually send her to stupid street. Smith will own advantage as long as this fight stays standing. If Nakai was 2” taller she’d be a square. The Japanese fighter must utilize her sawed-off physique to allow her to work her way in close, smother Smith and take this fight to the floor. Limiting Smith’s length, striking advantage and space is mandatory for Nakai. Crowding the longer thinner Smith is certain to be the plan for Nakai for she and her corner understand that they must effectively forge their way inside the taller opponent, force her to...

He’s back for all your EPL wagering needs…James Kempton with his complete thoughts on the weekend slate including the Manchester Derby Everton v Arsenal PK and 2.75 goals Everton are in the FA Cup Semi Final and that should help the focus of Martinez’s players as not many of them are guaranteed starters in the team. This game should be played at a million miles an hour and will be a great viewing spectacle. I far prefer the overs on the goal line though as who knows what type of performance Arsenal will put in under the pressure they’re under and also on the back of that Barcelona trip. Chelsea v West Ham United Chelsea -0.75 and 2.75 goals West Ham won 2-1 at Upton Park earlier this season but prior to that they had won just one of the previous nineteen meetings of the sides. Will the Hammers have one eye on that upcoming FA Cup Replay against Manchester United? Coach Bilic has already stated that winning the FA Cup is far more important to him than the prospect of Champions League football. The logical bet here is West Ham plus three quarters but given their admitted concentration on the FA Cup make it for small stakes. Crystal Palace v Leicester City Leicester -0.25 and 2.25 goals Leicester won 1-0 when the sides met earlier this season and all three EPL meetings of the sides over this season and last have gone under 2.5 goals. Leicester are now 10-3-0 against the bottom third and have kept seven clean sheets in those matches whilst Palace are 1-1-8 against the top third and have only scored six goals in that spot. An away win to nil could offer some value whilst if Palace set up...

The NCAA tournament is a time to celebrate college sports…wagering. Opening weekend is a two day unofficial holiday where work productivity bottoms out with employees from coast to coast streaming games, checking scores, and monitoring their bracket standings as each game goes final. For a select few, making a pilgrimage to the gambling epicenter is a rite of passage that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. Here are 5 things to make you look like a betting professional even if it happens to be your maiden voyage when heading to the sportsbook. Know your betting index number Bettors accustomed to playing online or with a local bookie may not know what this terminology means. The betting index number is a three (or four digit) code attached to each team on the big board. Each three betting index number remains the same no matter if you’re looking to place your bets at a MGM, Cantor Technology, or a William Hill sportsbook. Halftime numbers can vary depending on the establishment but they’ll almost always be listed as a four digit number making it easy to tell the difference between full game prices. These individual codes are what you’ll see to the left of every team on LED boards and sportsbook sheets and become the only pieces of relevant information you need when walking to the window. Knowing the team name doesn’t help a ticket writer; it’s these identifying codes that insure the accuracy of your ticket on every wager.  Don’t be that guy looking at the board trying to find these numbers when your at the teller window. Check your ticket If I had a dollar every time some drunk idiot came up to me after a game was over while I worked behind the...

The race for Premiership supremacy continues to heat up but has LC distanced themselves from the competition?  Relegation appears to be a four horse race and James Kempton is here to talk about it all for the upcoming weekend Norwich City v Manchester City Man City -1 and 2.75 goals The seven EPL games between the sides since December 2011 have seen a total of thirty eight goals. Those games even included a goalless draw as over 2.5 goals has continually hit, going 6-1. Man City are an incredible 11-1-0 against the bottom third of the EPL and have out scored those opponents 33-6. Please tell me why this line is only City -1?  I’m happy to go in big on City in this spot. Bournemouth v Swansea City Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.25 goals It was two apiece in Wales back in November and this game is also trending to a stalemate. The strong draw bias here is derived from the fact that Bournemouth are 5-6-3 and Swansea 6-6-3 against fellow bottom half placed sides. A point will suit both sides’ survival ambitions so I lean to the draw outright and under. Stoke City v Southampton PK and 2.25 goals Historical stats are mixed here as the Saints have won two, Stoke have won two, and there have been four draws in the eight meetings of the teams since December 2012. Neither side excel in this spot as Southampton are 3-2-3 and Stoke 3-1-4 against fellow mid third placed sides. Those combined sixteen games have seen just thirty six total goals and interestingly seven of those were in Stoke’s 4-3 win at Everton. On this PK line I favour the home team but would rather take a piece of the outright draw and trust...

Online sportsbook, BookMaker.eu, has opened odds to win Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. You’ll notice NFL players strongly represented for the upcoming season highlighted by Mr Boston College himself, Doug Flutie, listed as a longshot to win with +1400 odds (risk $100 to win $1,400) while do everything wide receiver Antonio Brown finds himself among the favorites at +600.  You can only imagine the trash talking that would ensue between him and former Hines Ward should another Steel City wideout take home the coveted mirror ball.  Super Bowl MVP Von Miller carries +825 odds to win; we can only hope he outs forth a worthy effort capable of sacking the field.  UFC star Paige Vanzant is also listed in the field at 8-1 creating a strong cross section of professional athletes in the 12 contestant field. ODDS TO WIN DANCING WITH THE STARS (US SEASON 22) JODIE SWEETIN +450 GINGER ZE +550 ANTONIO BROWN +600 NYLE DIMARCO +600 WANYA MORRIS +660 MISCHA BARTON +770 PAIGE VANZANT +800 VON MILLER +825 KIM FIELDS +1100 DOUG FLUTIE +1400 MARLA MAPLES +2200 GERALDO RIVERA...