Weekend Review: Liam runs De-lap around City in bookie-friendly weekend

Manchester City lost their third Premier League game in a row after falling to a 3-1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest (4/1) in a pretty positive weekend for the bookies.

Former City youth player Liam Delap got a brace on the Trent to heap pressure on Enzo Maresca and his side.

In the early kick-off on Saturday, Tottenham lost 1-0 to Leeds (7/4) in a feisty game that could have seen Jayden Bogle sent off for a rash challenge on Mathys Tel.

Sunderland (2/1) squeaking out a 1-0 home win against Chelsea was another game to be cheered by trading desks.

FDJ United’s Ali Gill said: “Another good weekend in the Premier League as results continue to be overall layer-friendly.

“No surprise Man City’s 3-1 loss to Forest was the best result of the match round, as their struggles continue after three losses in a row.

“Sunderland beating Chelsea and Leeds beating Spurs were other results cheered loudly in the trading room, as winning accas proved very tough to find.”

Brighton (4/5), who are now second favourites for the Premier League behind Arsenal, beat Brentford 2-0 and Bournemouth (1/1) beat Ipswich away from home. Arsenal (1/10) won 1-0 against Hull.

Gill added: “Brighton winning at home and Bournemouth’s win over Ipswich did give punters some reprieve, but celebrations were few and far between, and even with Arsenal winning against Hull a solitary goal there meant we came out ahead in that one, too.”

In the Sunday evening games, Aston Villa and Manchester United played out a 4-4 rollercoaster fixture, with Villa twice going ahead by two goals only to be pegged back.

Unai Emery’s side surged into a 2-0 lead within five minutes, but conceded twice before halftime.

John McGinn and Leon Goretzka had restored Villa’s two-goal buffer before United proceeded to bag two stoppage time goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu to salvage a miraculous draw (3/1).

Bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “A Manchester United comeback cost us significantly for the second time in five days following an incredible ending at Old Trafford, especially after we had paid out on Aston Villa just five minutes in.

“We did, however, have enough over the weekend to put a few smiles back on faces after yet another heavy defeat in the Champions League during midweek.

“Manchester United kicked off against Aston Villa in the relegation zone, and they’ll stay there despite the fightback. There were 96 pre-match bets on a 4-4 finish, including one customer who predicted HT 2-2, FT 4-4 at 600/1.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins noted: “‘One-nil to the Arsenal’ was the cry at the Emirates as Hull were repelled, shooting the Gunners into 1/4 favouritism to retain their title.

“City slip out to 10/1, the same price as Brighton, who took care of visitors Brentford 2-0 at the Amex. Liverpool won well at Palace 3-1 and can be backed at 11/1, and it’s 33/1 bar those quoted.”

Away from the glamour of the Premier League, the FA Cup first round took place over the weekend, with a customary upset on the menu.

Seventh-tier Wimborne Town (4/1) beat League Two side Crawley Town 2-0 in their second-ever game in the tournament’s first round.

League One Stockport County (1/5) survived a scare at Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers after falling 2-0 behind to emerge 3-2 winners in extra time.

Grimsby Town, who memorably knocked Manchester United out of the EFL Cup on penalties last season, were nearly dumped out by eighth-tier Stafford Rangers.

Stafford, who were the lowest-ranked side in the round, also went 2-0 up, before the game ended 3-3 (4/1) and penalties were required. Grimsby won 3-2 in the shootout.

Freeth said: “The magic of the FA Cup was on display for bet365 customers who supported 8/1 Stafford Rangers and 14/1 Cray Wanderers, as their backers collected despite both teams losing.

“However, 5/1 Wimborne did win on Sunday, making it a great day for punters who celebrated a best-priced 809/1 treble despite only one winner.”

On the continent, it was a weekend for the punters as PSG (1/10), Real Madrid (1/4), Barcelona (4/5) and Bayern Munich (1/4) all won.

Freeth added: “We were scratching around for beaten high-profile favourites on the continent, with fans of the short prices collecting.”

In horseracing, Alfred Wincham won the Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster to close out the Flat season.

The joint favourite, who went off at 3/1 but had been available at 8/1 at points last week, managed to win by a length despite challenges from While Too Soon (22/1) and Real Dream (40/1).

Firkins concluded: “The last big flat betting race of the season, the November Handicap at Donny, was won in good style by joint-favourite Alfred Wincham, trained in North Yorkshire by Patrick Neville and ridden by Oisin Orr.

“Meanwhile the three-day November meeting at Cheltenham takes place this coming weekend with some terrific contests that will feature many who hope to be starring at the Festival proper in March.”