BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 30TH-31ST MARCH

Soccer – Premier League – Burnley vs Wolves

The first of this weekend’s big betting events comes from the Premier League, and it’s a must-win encounter for Sean Dyche’s side. It seems a while since we enjoyed a full Premier League fixture list, and this should be an entertaining 90 minutes in East Lancashire.

It’s been a poor season for Burnley, and for the first time, some fans are beginning to get on the back of manager Sean Dyche. The gravelling-voiced tactician came under fire after his side failed to capitalise on Leicester going down to ten men after just four minutes a fortnight ago. The Clarets lost 2-1 despite their man-advantage, and the fans registered their displeasure at the final whistle.

They are outside of the relegation zone, but there is a crucial home encounter with Cardiff on the horizon, and taking something from this game would just help ease the nerves ahead of that crucial clash on April 13th.

Wolves are an odd side, who always raise their game against the bigger opponents, but sometimes take their foot off the pedal against the league’s lesser lights, and Burnley will be hoping that Nuno’s side have an off-day this weekend. The Molineux outfit play some decent football, and Burnley could restrict them here. The hosts have netted in every single home match since October 28th, so they’re always competitive here, but they often make silly mistakes at the back.

The bookies have made Wolves favourites for this game, and I think that is sensible, but I wouldn’t write Burnley off in this fixture, and we should see plenty of goalmouth action at Turf Moor!

There is plenty on the line for Burnley, and Sean Dyche can not afford too many more poor results. The fans are losing patience, and their Premier League status is one the line. With that crucial home match coming up in two weeks time, Burnley must get something from this clash with their high-flying opponents.

UK viewers can enjoy this game and all other PL clashes on Sky Sports Match Choice on Saturday evening.

Basketball – ACB – Ibostar Tenerife vs Real Madrid

We’re dipping into the ACB for our second big betting events this weekend. It’s week 25, and we’re heading towards the business end of the season. With the play-offs on the horizon, Ibostar Tenerife have hit a bad patch at exactly the wrong time, and they’ll be desperate to bounce back.

However, they face second place Real Madrid, who will be hurting from their El Classico defeat in round 24. They still have a tremendous record in the league, but they trail Barcelona by four points, and will be desperate to bridge that gap here. They will see this as the perfect opportunity to bounce back against an out-of-form opponent.

Ibostar Tenerife are clinging onto that final play-off spot, but Zaragoza and MoraBanc Andorra both picked up victories at the weekend, and they are breathing down their necks. They will be feeling the pressure.

Disappointingly, they were defeated by bottom club Gipuzkoa, who have suddenly started picking up points. It was a game that they should have been winning easily.

Having said that, this game is interesting because Tenerife’s last victory came against leaders Barcelona back in February. They have shown a propensity to upset the bigger sides, and therefore, they will be quietly confident of going toe-to-toe with Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are overwhelming favourites here, but anything can happen on the night, and Ibostar Tenerife could be dangerous opponents. With play-offs on the line, they may up the ante in this game.

It’s an intriguing clash which will have implications at the top of the table, and I can’t wait to see how it pans out.

Basketball fans can tune into every single ACB match through UK bookmakers streaming services.

Soccer – Premier League – Brighton vs Southampton

The third of my big betting events is another Premier League clash which affects the bottom of the table. Brighton, who have been spiralling down the standings will face Southampton, who are slowly steering themselves away from the drop zone.

It’s been 21 days since Southampton were last in action, and they should be well-rested ahead of this clash. Ralph Hasenhuttl has made a terrific impact since arriving at the club, and the Austrian is slowly changing the culture at St.Marys. He’s making the most of the younger players in the squad, and its helping them slowly climb away from the bottom three. They’ve won each of their last two home games, and they gave Manchester United a scare at Old Trafford inbetween.

They have a number of talented players such as Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong, but it’s the form of James Ward Prowse which has been catching the eye recently. The academy graduate could have a big say in this tie, and I expect him to be stood over any set-piece situations.

Brighton are five points clear of the drop zone, and they’ve probably done enough to save themselves, but they can’t afford to get complacent. Chris Hughton’s side have picked up six points from a possible six, including a popular victory (with their fans) against Brighton.

The Seagulls have some decent players in their squad, and shouldn’t be anywhere near the bottom three. They’re always stronger at home, and they will be determined to make it tough for their fellow-South Coast rivals. Understandably, they are the favourites for this clash. However, they’ve failed to beat Southampton in each of the last two meetings at the AMEX, and they’ll be determined to put that right this weekend.

It’s an intriguing clash between two sides who should be comfortably mid-table, and whichever side slips up here will be nervously glancing over their shoulders for the next couple of weeks.

UK viewers can enjoy this Premier League match on Sky Sports with Saturday evening’s Match Choice allowing viewers to choose their preferred game.

Aussie Rules – AFL – Geelong Cats vs Melbourne

The new AFL season got underway last weekend, and it’s great to have it back! Geelong Cats were expected to be involved in the play-off race once again, and they got off to the perfect start against Collingwood. Their round 2 match against Melbourne is the fourth of my big betting events for this weekend.

The Cats have a terrific squad, and it was the veteran Tom Hawkins who helped turn the game on its head last week. He clocked up yet another milestone by kicking his 500th goal, and it won’t be the last time we see the forward as the star of the show. Patrick Dangerfield was excellent as always whilst Gary Ablett, at 34-years of age used his year’s of experience to good effect. Debutantes Jordan Clark and Tom Atkins impressed enough to continue their tenure in the side.

There is plenty of expectation surrounding Geelong this season, and the fans will be expecting their side to clock up back-to-back wins. They always tend to start well and have won 11 of their last 14 opening day fixtures, but they don’t tend to be able to sustain their winning sequences. Twelve months ago, they followed up their opening win with back-to-back defeats in rounds 2 and 3, and fans will be hoping to see some consistency this time around.

They are odds-on favourites for this clash, understandably so. But some punters may wonder whether they can be trusted?

Melbourne Demons got off to a poor start with a low-key defeat against Port Adelaide Power, and they will be keen to make amends. After losing both games in the JLT Community Series, it’s been a woeful opening few weeks, and they look there for the taking. However, they did beat this opposition in September.

They do have a poor record when visiting Geelong, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the Cats can make it successive victories at the start of the season.

BT Sport will have coverage throughout the AFL season, and UK viewers can enjoy highlights of this game at the weekend.