Sports betting preview & £200 free bets from Sporting Index

Premiership Football Betting Preview
There are three key Premiership fixtures on the box this weekend, as well as an Old Firm match, followed by the North London derby on Monday evening. With the race for European places and the relegation battle reaching an exciting climax, you may be thinking of having a punt on the action. If so, it’s well worth checking out the spread betting markets offered by Sporting Index. They offer a choice of free bets, including a £200 per goal football bet (detailed below).

Chelsea v Fulham (12.45 Saturday, Sky Sports 2)
“Although it’s a local derby, this fixture rarely throws up surprising results. The visitors have not won at Stamford Bridge since being promoted to the Premiership, and Chelsea will be strong favourites to take three points again on Saturday. Although Fulham played well at Boro in mid-week and were unlucky to leave with just a draw, it was the first point earned from their last six matches on the road. Even though Chelsea are expected to rest players ahead of next week’s Champions League Semi-Final, they should have far too much quality for the Cottagers. Forssell is one to watch; he’s fully fit and expected to get a run out, having scored twice in mid-week for the reserves.

Man Utd v Newcastle Utd (16.05 Sunday, Sky Sports 1)
“Last weekend’s FA Cup Semi-Final was a one-sided affair, but with Bowyer and Dyer back from suspension it’s hard to see Newcastle playing as poorly this time. United must be clear favourites at Old Trafford, the mid-week defeat at Everton will make them all the more desperate for points as they fight Arsenal for second place. With Van Nistelrooy getting sharper by the game, I’m expecting to see a few goals in this match. Newcastle keeper Shay Given is carrying an injury, and I’m far from convinced by the Bramble/Boumsong partnership at the back. I expect another comfortable win for the FA Cup finalists.

Portsmouth v Southampton (12.00 Sunday, Prem Plus)
“With both teams fighting for survival Harry Redknapp’s return to Fratton Park should mean plenty of fireworks. The Saints were lucky to get a point at Bolton this week, and apart from their recent win at Boro, they have been very poor away from home. However, with the red hot atmosphere and unpredictability of such derbies, they do have a chance of grabbing at least a draw here. Jamie Redknapp is expected to return after a mid-week rest and Quashie should be fit to face his old side. Portsmouth go into this game as slight favourites, due to home advantage and the confidence that the new manager has instilled. It’s going to be tight, but I expect some punters will fancy Saints to nick a point.

Arsenal v Spurs (20.00 Monday, Sky Sports 1)
“Arsenal were crowned Champions after the corresponding fixture last season. This time around, there is much more than North London pride at stake for both sides. Arsenal are in very good form, and despite major doubts over the fitness of Henry, Campbell and Ljungberg, they are favourites to win this one and continue to stake their claim for second place. It should be a tough match though, as Spurs have put together a decent run over the past few games and are now contenders for the last UEFA Cup spot. Defoe will be a handful for Senderos and Toure, but if Vieira carries on his recent form the Gunners should control the match. It won’t be like the nine goal thriller we saw at White Hart Lane in November, but a derby double for the Gunners is on the cards.”

Rangers v Celtic (12.30 Sunday, Setanta)
There is much at stake at Ibrox Park, but I think it’s too soon to be called a ‘title decider’. Both teams have been slipping up recently and still have to play Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen in the run-in. We’ve made Rangers favourites to win this one, partly due to home advantage and partly because they seem to find an extra gear against Celtic. Although the Bhoys have a stronger, more experienced midfield, the return of Barry Ferguson makes Rangers a much tougher proposition these days. However, much will depend on the ability of the home side’s back line to keep Craig Bellamy at bay. Although the return of Marvin Andrews would normally be a boost, he is carrying an injury which could mean he struggles against the Welshman’s explosive pace. Recent derbies have produced few goals and plenty of bookings, but I think we may see the opposite this time. Stuart Dougal is a lenient referee, and I hope we see the kind of open free scoring game that the end of the season can produce.”

Formula 1: San Marino Grand Prix Preview
We are three races into the season and the Constructor’s Championship has a very unfamiliar look about it. Can Renault and Toyota maintain their impressive starts? Will Ferrari bounce back at Imola? Can the F1 Market Maker at spread betting bookmaker Sporting Index predict correct podium finishers for the fourth time in a row? If you’re thinking about having a bet on the qualifying sessions or the race itself, read on for some wise words from their man in the know:

“Due to the narrow track and high kerbs, Imola is not renowned for its overtaking opportunities. So expect to see highly competitive qualifying sessions - none of the winners at this track over the last five years have qualified worse than third on the grid.

“After a disastrous start to the season, there are signs that Ferrari will be competitive again this weekend. They should have resolved some of the problems that plagued the debut of the F2005, and the cooler climes of Europe will suit their Bridgestone tyres - expect a much stronger showing from the red cars.

“Since Bahrain, the teams have been testing at both Barcelona and Paul Ricard in France. Some very interesting results have emerged; BAR have taken a huge step forward - their drivers are on top of the testing times in France and Button set an unofficial lap record at the Catalan track. Both Button and Sato were lapping quicker than Toyota, Ferrari, Renault, McLaren and Williams, a remarkable achievement. There are still doubts over the reliability of the BAR (both drivers have retired from all 3 races this season), but I expect them to be on the pace this weekend, with a podium finish by no means out of the question.

“I’ve made winning predictions on all three Grand Prix this season, so surely my run of luck is going to come to an end soon! I won’t recommend any bets, but personally I’m going to follow the form of those strong testing times, and back the BARs of Button and Sato. Button finished 2nd at Imola in 2004, and Sato was in a good points scoring position until a late problem 6 laps from the finish. Their new aerodynamics package appears to be the real deal.”

£100 Cash for New Clients
If you haven’t got a Sporting Index spread betting account yet, it’s a good time to take advantage of the cash on offer for new clients. Open an account and place ten bets (risking £20 per bet) to claim a free £100 straight into your account.

Formula 1 Promotion for All Clients
Buy (bet ‘high’ on) any driver in Sporting Index’s main Race Index before a race starts, and if he fails to complete the first lap of the race, they’ll refund your losses!

To qualify all bets must be placed before the race starts. If a driver changes to the spare car after a race is stopped in the first lap, then the original bet stands and no refunds will be made.

Free £200 Football Bet with Sporting Index spread betting firm
Open an account and place ten bets (risking £20 per bet) to claim a free £200 per goal bet. If that doesn’t grab you, then you can always claim £100 cash after 10 bets.

For full details of this offer, and to open your Sporting Index Spread Betting account Click here

JustBookies.com has spoken to Sporting Index's chief football & Formula One traders for the low-down on this weekend's football action and Formula 1 spectacular from Imola.