BOBBY’S BEST WEEKEND BETTING EVENTS – 8TH - 9TH DECEMBER

Soccer – Valencia vs Sevilla – La Liga

The first of my big betting events this weekend comes from La Liga. I’ve been really enjoying the Spanish top flight this season as it’s provided some fantastic entertainment. Many of the top tiers around Europe are extremely one-sided but this is anyone’s game!

Barcelona and Real Madrid are both stuttering and it could be a chance for either Atletico or Sevilla to nip in and steal top spot. One of those high-flying sides travels to the Mestalla this weekend and their match against Valencia looks set to be a fascinating betting heat.

Sevilla have lost just three times this campaign with their last defeat arriving at the Nou Camp back in October. They’ve not won any of their last three away games but they’re creating plenty of chances and won the shot count 12-8 against Alaves last weekend.

Valencia sit 14th and they don’t look like title contenders just yet but they are incredibly difficult to beat. They drew eight of their first ten games this season but have since managed two wins from their last four and finally look like a side capable of scoring goals again. Los Che have the second best defence in the division and they won’t make it easy for their potent visitors.

This could be a thrilling contest and it’s intriguingly poised. Valencia, the draw specialists will be hoping to nullify the Sevilla threat but the away side can’t afford to drop anymore points in their quest for the title. I can’t wait for the action to get underway and It’s a wonderful head-scratcher of a betting heat for me to get to the bottom of.

UK viewers can follow all of the action from La Liga on Eleven Sports this weekend

Hockey – HC Slovan Bratislava vs AK Bars Kazan – KHL

I’ve recently been enjoying watching the KHL and the fast-paced competitive nature of the league is right up my street! I’ve picked out this clash as a big betting event this weekend as it sees two sides desperate for the points meeting on Saturday.

Slovan Bratislava are struggling and come off the back of a 3-0 defeat Jokerit. Their opponents never let them into the game and they should find this home game more to their liking. They’ve won just five times in front of their own fans however and the crowd has been a little hostile in recent weeks.

They will face a Kazan side who have enjoyed some road success in recent months. They’ve won four on the bounce on their travels and five on the spin overall and will be full of confidence coming into this encounter with their struggling hosts. They are the in-form side in the KHL and they won’t fear this trip.

This isn’t the most high profile match of the weekend but I love studying the psychology of the teams and I can’t imagine that Slovan Bratislava is a happy camp at the moment. They need to bounce back and this far from the ideal fixture for them to get back on track.

However, the home side came out in January and will be hoping for a similar scenario here. The visitors have won here before and will take some stopping.

KHL fans in the UK can view this game via bookmaker’s live streaming services and a number of games are also shown on Freesports.

Soccer – Bournemouth vs Liverpool – Premier League

It’s a busy time of year for Premier League clubs and there are yet more fascinating fixtures taking place this weekend. I’ve selected Liverpool’s trip to the Vitality as one of my big betting events this weekend.

The Reds needed a Jordan Pickford howler to secure three points in the Merseyside derby and they remain on the tails of Manchester City. They weren’t at their free-flowing best but Everton’s style of play didn’t allow them to be.

Matches between these two teams are always hugely entertaining and both sides enjoy playing fast, attractive football and as well as a great betting event, this should be a watch for the neutral. There have been 21 goals in the last five meetings between these sides and another end-to-end 90 minutes is expected.

Bournemouth’s recent form is a little concerning but they have faced a number of top teams with games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal and they competed admirably in each of those encounters. They managed to pick up three points on Tuesday night against Huddersfield yet still managed to concede.

This match-up is interested because Liverpool have endured a punishing schedule and this is exactly the kind of game in which they could make changes and potentially take their foot off the gas. Jurgen Klopp’s side have plenty of squad depth but with back-to-back away defeats in the Champions League, there are a few signs that fatigue is starting to creep in. Can Bournemouth take advantage of that?

I’m really pleased that this game has been chosen for television coverage and it is set up perfectly. A good game and a great betting event which will keep me entertained on Saturday lunchtime.

This Premier League game will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

American Football – Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts – NFL

We’ve somehow reached week 14 of the NFL season already and there’s a terrific match-up between the Texans and the Colts taking place at the NRG Stadium.

I’ve selected this game as one of my big betting events because it pitches together two in-form sides who will be both desperately hoping to continue their winning runs. The Colts may have lost to the Jaguars but they have recently seen off the Bills, the Raiders, the Titans and the Dolphins. The Texans are 9-3 for the season and have already beaten the Colts, albeit in overtime.

DeShaun Watson has been excellent so far this season and grabbed a touchdown against the Browns recently. The Texans look a cohesive unit and they are going to be hard to beat this season. I wouldn’t fancy any side who came up against them in the play-offs. The 23rd of September was the last time that they were defeated when the Giants nicked a narrow victory.

Until last week, the Colts’ offence would be deemed good enough to trouble the Texans but their insipid display last week would worry me if I was a fan. It was a bit of a mess and one to quickly draw a line under. They will be angry about the controversial out-of-bounds call which may have helped them get something from the game and they may use that as inspiration ahead of this clash.

The Texans are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and the Colts must stop them in their tracks here. It’s set up perfectly and should be a great watch. It may also be a match that is ideal for in-play betting this weekend.

UK NFL fans can enjoy this game on Sky Sports Action on Sunday night.