By Nigel Ridgway
May 18 2006

However, while Liverpool are the most likely winners, whether they’re entitled to win like 8/13 shots is another matter, and West Ham (9/2) must have a better chance than their current odds suggest

GET IN THE GAME WITH NIGEL RIDGWAY 11-5-06

HAMMERS VALUE AT 9/2 TO CAUSE SHOCK

Liverpool v West Ham - Saturday May 13th, 3.00pm, live on BBC1 / Sky Sports 2

Is the final piece of domestic silverware destined for Merseyside? Liverpool are red-hot outright favourites at 2/7 here at bet365 to lift the trophy (West Ham 5/2 outright), and those odds are not surprising considering that the Reds are on fire right now, having eleven straight wins in all competitions (their best run for seventeen years!). Not forgetting that they knocked out Chelsea and Manchester United on their route to Cardiff, and did the double over West Ham in the league.

The evidence for backing Liverpool is compelling and I wouldn’t put anyone off from taking bet365’s 8/13 for them to win in ninety minutes. But if you’re looking for bigger odds, then why not take a crack at their Correct Score market, where a bet on 2-0 and 2-1, at 11/2 and 7/1 respectively, could reap dividends. The bet365 First Goalscorer market is also a good source of value, as they’ll give you your money back if your selected player scores the last goal in the game instead. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool players dominate this market but, as with most Liverpool games, it could pay to look beyond the strikers, and Steven Gerrard looks a decent punt at 11/2 and even better value at 6/4 to score at anytime.

However, while Liverpool are the most likely winners, whether they’re entitled to win like 8/13 shots is another matter, and West Ham (9/2) must have a better chance than their current odds suggest. The Hammers are on a good run of their own having won six of their last eleven matches in all competitions and arrive here on the back of confidence boosting 2-1 win over Spurs last weekend. So, with a shock due (it’s been eleven years since a clear underdog won!), the value call has to be West Ham to win in 90 minutes at a tasty bet365 price of 9/2.

Much bigger odds on West Ham can be found in bet365’s Double Result market, where the Hammers can be backed at 11/1 to be drawing at half time and winning after ninety minutes, compared to 3/1 for Draw / Liverpool. As with all Cup finals, both sides will be playing with a degree of caution leading up to the interval, so (whichever side you fancy) it makes sense to include the half time draw in all such bets. For those of you who fancy the draw in ninety minutes, then bet365’s quote of 13/5 is standout!

The game should be a cracker, and even better odds might be available once the match kicks off via bet365’s Live In-Play Console – up to 14 dynamic markets available. For example, Middlesbrough were as big as 25/1 In-Play during each of their amazing UEFA Cup comeback wins, which just goes to show that big odds (and wins!) are available for those of you who keep the faith and choose this exciting form of betting.

Enjoy the game.

Nigel

NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.