Weekend Review: Bookies blessed by the luck of the draw 

It was a weekend for the operators across the Premier League’s latest round of fixtures, as half of the games played ended in a draw.  

The most notable of the stalemates was Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, which ended 1-1.  

Erling Haaland continued his bright start to the season to put the away side in front at the Emirates Stadium, before substitute Gabriel Martinelli rescued a point for Mikel Arteta’s side in second half stoppage time.  

Sunday’s earlier fixtures also ended in draws, with Bournemouth’s game against Newcastle ending 0-0, while 10-man Sunderland drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.  

On Saturday, Spurs came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw away at Brighton, while Burnley and Nottingham Forest’s Turf Moor clash ended 1-1.  

In terms of victories, Bruno Fernandes scored his 100th goal for Manchester United (31/20) as the Red Devils held on to a 2-1 win at home to Chelsea.  

Both sides ended the game with 10-men following first-half red cards to both Robert Sanchez and Casemiro.  

In the Merseyside Derby, goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike secured the win for Liverpool (1/2), who maintained their 100% start to the season.  

FDJ UNITED’s Ali Gill said: “A good weekend in the Premier League overall, certainly helped by a late late Arsenal equaliser at the Emirates as Arsenal versus City finished 1-1. That goal was loudly cheered in the trading room and meant the game was a great result in the book, taking a fair few accas with it along the way as well.  

“Man Utd’s 2-1 win over Chelsea was another good result, while Newcastle’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth was at least a positive for the book, given how terrible the game was. However, Liverpool coming out on top in the Merseyside derby was to nobodies surprise, the result leaving us in the red to kick the weekend off.” 

Reflecting on Martinelli’s equaliser in the dying minutes of the game, Midnite senior trade Alex Firth added: “Sunday’s Premier League matches ended in three draws but it wasn’t until late on that Arsenal clinched a point against Man City, Gabriel Martinelli with a great finish in the 93rd minute. The draw was 6/1 before his equaliser.”

Bet365’s Steve Freeth said the bookmaker had been heading into the weekend’s action after a tough Champions League round, but the litany of draws were the perfect medicine.

He said: “Newcastle on their travels are quickly becoming the bookmakers’ pals with their third consecutive 0-0, breaking BTTS backers’ hearts in the process, while Aston Villa may have finally managed to score a goal, but they squandered a 1-0 lead to 10-man Sunderland much to our delight.”

On the title race, Betfred’s Alan Firkins added: “Liverpool keep winning without necessarily taking our breath away, doing similar at home in the face of a decent Everton challenge, and establishing a handy five-point break on the chasing pack into the bargain. 

“They’re even money shots to retain their title, with Arsenal 15/8, it’s 13/2 City, 25/1 Chelsea (surprising casualties at Old Trafford against Manchester United), and 50/1 bar.”

Across Europe, Kylian Mbappé once again found himself on the scoresheet in Real Madrid’s (9/50) 2-0 win at home against Espanyol, as Xabi Alonso’s side made it five wins from five to start the season.  

Barcelona (1/4) emerged 3-0 winners at home to Getafe, while 10-man Atlético Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw away at Mallorca. 

In Germany, a Harry Kane hat-trick helped Bayern Munich (9/25) to a 4-1 win away at Hoffenheim.  

Borussia Dortmund (1 /2) won 1-0 at home to Wolfsburg, while Bayer Leverkusen were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach thanks to a last-minute equaliser.

Freeth noted: “In the Bundesliga, we had 525 pre-game wagers on 11/1 Harry Kane bagging another hat-trick as 4/11 Bayern Munich saw off Hoffenheim.

“But we didn’t suffer anywhere near as much pain with Oliver Burke’s treble for 15/4 Union Berlin at Eintracht Frankfurt and Haris Tabakavic injury-time equaliser for Borussia Monchengladbach at 1/2 Leverkusen rounded off our weekend in Germany. 

“1/2 Juventus dropped their first points of the season when drawing at Verona, but there were good away wins for 8/13 Milan, Evens Atalanta and 15/8 Roma and the shortest price on the coupon, 2/7 Inter, held on against Sassuolo. 

“Real Madrid maintained their perfect start in La Liga with a 2-0 win over Espanyol, but even though Kylian Mbappé added to his tally, we didn’t suffer too much, with the hosts having just five shots on target. 1/4 Barcelona also recorded a comfortable victory against Getafe, but we were once again aided by 4/5 Atletico Madrid letting down punters.” 

In horseracing, Run Boy Run (12/1) romped home in the Ayr Gold Cup, beating out Desert Falcon and Jubilee Falcon (both 8/1) and 5/1 favourite Purosangue.  

It was a double for jockey George Wood and trainer Richard Spencer as Candy (8/1) claimed victory in the Silver Cup.  

Candy took first place ahead of Sondad (14/1), Eye of Dubai (16/1) and Aberama Gold (10/1).  

Gill said: “On Saturday, the Ayr Gold Cup went the way of 12/1 shot Run Boy Run who won gamely from the front under George Wood.  

“Despite some well supported horses in the places behind, that result was a good one for us, as was Candy winning the Silver Cup an hour earlier.”