BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 29TH-30TH DECEMBER

Ice Hockey – KHL – Slovan Bratislava vs Jokerit

The first of my big betting events comes from the KHL and it’s a division that I’ve dipped into numerous times and it always provides plenty of entertainment and crucially, plenty of betting opportunities.

Slovan Bratislava are a side that I try and oppose as often as possible this season and they’ve been on a woeful run of form recently. They currently sit bottom of the Western Conference and haven’t won a match since November 15th. However, they are much better going forward at home and I expect a better performance here today.

They’ve lost 14 of their 20 home matches this season and that will be music to the ears of Jokerit who are today’s visitors. The Finnish side have a long journey on their hands and have won just one of their last four visits to this stadium. It will be interesting to see whether they can overcome their patchy away form which has seen them lose ground to the top two sides in the Western Conference.

Slovan Bratislava may be unable to win a game at the moment but they should run Jokerit close here and they will certainly get on the scoresheet. It makes it a very interesting betting prospect and this is definitely a game which will offer plenty of in-play betting opportunities.

Only three sides have conceded more goals on the road in the Western Conference this season than Jokerit and they could be in a tough afternoon in Bratislava. It could go either way and I can’t wait to watch this KHL match-up.

You can follow all of the KHL action on FreeSports throughout the weekend

Soccer – Premier League – Liverpool vs Arsenal

How could I not include this superb Premier League clash in my best betting events this weekend. Liverpool went into Christmas top of the table and Jurgen Klopp’s side have been superb to watch and Mo Salah has once again begun to impress.

The Egyptian is a real threat and he’s suddenly found his shooting boots and he could be another good propsect for first goalscorer in this one. I’ve enjoyed betting on him in recent weeks and he could pay dividends in this one.

Unai Emery’s Arsenal looked tired against Burnley as they struggled to a 3-1 success. They don’t have a great recent record at this stadium and haven’t beaten Liverpool at Anfield since September 2012. The jury is still out on the Gunners and I believe that the Spaniard still needs another transfer window to overhaul his squad.

I can’t wait to sit down post-Christmas and enjoy this game. It’s always a fascinating encounter and I’m expecting plenty of goals. Again, it is another match which could be good for betting in-play and all of the best bookmakers will provide up-to-date odds throughout the game.

Arsenal always score late goals so don’t assume that this game will be settled by the 80 minute mark. However, I love Liverpool’s swashbuckling style and they are an excellent team to watch. These matches are always fascinating betting markets and it should be another cracker on Saturday night.

This game will be broadcast live at 5:30pm on BT Sport 1 for UK viewers

Tennis – Hopman Cup – Ashleigh Barty vs Alize Cornet

The tennis season is starting to return and I’m extremely excited for it to get started. The Hopman Cup sees Australia take on France in the Southern Hemisphere sunshine and I’ve included this match between Ashleigh Barty and Alize Cornet as one of my best betting events of the weekend.

Barty is a home favourite and has enjoyed a superb year. She will be hoping to continue her upward momentum at the 2019 Australian Open. She acheived her career best in 2018 and climbed to number 15 in the rankings. She admits she loves this time of year with the sport taking in various tournaments in Australia and New Zealand and she’ll be aiming for a quick start.

I find this Perth tournament a great betting event because the bookmakers don’t always know how fit and determined players are following their two-month break. It can often throw up some interesting prices and I always look to take advantage.

Cornet had a terrible end to 2018 but she traditionally starts the season quickly and I would expect her to be very competitive here, especially representing her country. She lost 2-0 to Barty in August 2018 but I don’t think she’ll be a pushover here.

There can often be some rustiness about players when they return at the end of December and I expect both players to make unforced errors. This should lead to some swings in the betting in-play and I would encourage tennis punters to take full advantage.

The Hopman Cup will be live streamed through a number of bookmaker’s websites this week.

Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers vs Celtic

The second Old Firm derby of the season is my fourth big betting event of the weekend and it should be another fiercely contested battle between the Glasgow pair.

Celtic ran out 1-0 winners in Steven Gerrard’s first Old Firm clash of the season back in September but the tables have turned since that match and it’s the Ibrox men who massively improved since that defeat. There is now just a point between this pair and neither side can afford to drop points in this one.

There is so much at stake in this match and it could be a tense 90 minutes, particularly for those fans watching this one. It’s a lunchtime kick-off and there should be a tremendous atmosphere around the ground.

At the time of writing, the bookies have made the leaders Celtic the favourites but it’s unlikley to be that simple. Rangers have conceded just five times at home and it could be another game which is settled by a single goal.

I can’t wait to explore the various markets available for this Old Firm clash and there should be plenty of cards and corners. It’s never a dull watch when these two sides face one another and I’m looking to having a lunchtime bet and sitting back to enjoy the game.

Scottish Premiership fans can enjoy this game on Sky Sports Football on Saturday lunchtime