While that handicap helps in terms of chances of winning, it also narrows the payout for the team being played. For those that are uncomfortable with losing their bet based on a tie, something that isn’t possible in sports such as baseball or hockey, then it makes sense to play this option as listed by the pay head bookies. However, for those that feel comfortable risking the chance of a draw in order to take the bigger payout on a potential win, the original money line option is easily the better choice. English soccer has the sharpest odds in the world, and can be tough to crack, but the home teams in the Premier League also come through more often than not, and there are good payouts available for those willing to play the draw when road favorites travel to tough stadiums.

One of the biggest reasons for the disparity between home and away records being that much more pronounced is the lengths that teams have to travel in soccer for road games. While North American sports could include a team going from one time zone to another and traveling across the country, European soccer teams could travel across four or five time zones for a game, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. This trend exists in leagues such as the Serie A and the Premier League as well, and that can be because of factors not even to do with the players on the field. When it comes to European soccer fans, perhaps “fanatics” is a better word to describe them, and they can be an imposing force to opposing teams. With flares going off and deafening noise, the intimidating atmosphere could be a major disadvantage to the visitors. When playing soccer on Betonline, make sure to look for these trends with certain teams, as there are stadiums across the world that visiting teams simply don’t win in.

However, by the 1990’s there was a turnaround that coincided with a strong performance by England at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. In the same year, the ban on English clubs from participating in European competition was lifted, and only one year later Manchester United won the UEFA Cup as sports betting underdogs in 1991. There were improved conditions at the actual stadiums, and television money played an important role in the re-development. As the stadiums improved and the match attendance rose, so did the attendances and more money began to flow in to the league. Fast-forward to today and those struggles are a distant memory, as the top 20 clubs in England compete every year to be crowned the best, and while it has come so far over the years, it’s important to remember the origins of the English Premier League and everything it has endured to get to this point as one of the stronger Betonline wager draws.

While the traditional soccer lines feature the money line wins for the two teams competing, and a much more popular tie option with draws much more popular on the pitch, there are also cases where soccer games can be wagered on with a small spread. For example, if EPL leaders Manchester City are taking on a smaller league team such as Wigan, they may be favored by minus-.5, which means that if the game ends in a tie then the Wigan side is actually the wager winner. Under these circumstances, in order for City to be declared the winner, they would have to win by one in regulation. Along with the traditional money line, and the less common spread, there is also a total wager available to all players. The totals lines are usually set anywhere between 2 and 2.5 for most games, and follow the same format as in any other sport such as the NFL or NHL.

Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Monday December 12, 2011 – 20:00 Local Time

Stamford Bridge

The countdown is on as manager Andre Villas-Boas looks to prepare his starting 11 for a crucial matchup against City, which already hold a 10-point advantage in the overall table. United and Tottenham sit between the two, but Villas-Boas still feels as though his team is capable of challenging for that top spot. Chelsea won’t have it easy against the incredible wealth of talent that City manager Roberto Mancini has at his disposal, especially considering that Sergio Aguero and David Silva look to be in top form. While Edin Dzeko is another key contributor that should see time, the jury is out on whether Mancini will risk using the always-controversial Mario Balotelli for this game in such a crucial situation, and he may be wise to avoid that idea according to the pay head bookies. With the NFL Monday Night Football game such a bore, this could be the perfect solution for those looking for a different type of football excitement.

Premier League Betting Pick: Draw

Newcastle is feeling its own sports betting strain after a tough loss to Manchester City prevented them from advancing ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur. The Magpies watched as City striker Mario Balotelli walked to the penalty spot and delivered the game-winning goal, ending their undefeated run and leaving a stunned reaction across the faces of a stellar defense that finally showed some cracks against the overwhelming offense of the top team in the table. Manchester United fans can relate to the feeling of losing to City, who have been on an absolute tear in the Premier League and will be tough to stop with so much firepower up front. Points at the top of the table will be crucial for both of these teams if they are going to have any chance of remaining in contention for first place, and while United can close the gap between them and City with a win, Newcastle will be in tough to avoid falling into a group that includes Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal right behind them at 22 pay head points each.

Manchester City vs. Newcastle United

Saturday, 15:00 – The Etihad Stadium

The Premier League leaders have clinched maximum pay head points in five home games this season, and Newcastle will be in touch to slow them down in their home stadium. The Magpies are undefeated on the road this season with three wins and two draws, but this will be an entirely different territory for a team that will play consecutive games against the top two teams in the standings, a portion of their schedule that will go a long way in determining the potential success of their season. The biggest problem with slowing down City is their wealth of talent at the striker position, with three starting caliber scorers that all have different strengths and styles. Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero rank second and third respectively in goals scored with 10 and 9, while Mario Balotelli has also been a force for manager Roberto Mancini’s side this season with five in the EPL. Newcastle will rely on leading scorer Demba Ba among others to keep this one close, but in the end Manchester City may simply have just too much intertops power to hold them down.

Premier League Betting Pick: Manchester City

Everton V. Manchester United

Saturday, 7:00 AM ET

For as good as United has played this intertops season, the club cannot continue to leave points on the table away from home, a small problem that has made the difference between them and City so far. While they have done well to go 4-1-0 at home, United is just 2-0-2. This Saturday’s match represents the perfect opportunity for Wayne Rooney and company to get back on track against an Everton squad that has really struggled out of the gate. It is still early, but the fact that the host team for this weekend’s contest has captured maximum points at home just once through four tries has to be somewhat of a concern, especially considering their position near the bottom of the pay head table. Rooney and the boys won’t be a welcome sight at

Liverpool V. Manchester United

Saturday, 12:45

United’s unbeaten record will be put to the test by their arch-rivals from Liverpool, with the chance for manager Kenny Dalgish’s side to narrow the gap between the two sides to just a single victory. Manchester United has dominated early on with six wins and only a single draw through seven starts, and their plus-19 goal differential is at least double of what any team other than Manchester City has been able to render to this point. Striker Wayne Rooney is responsible for slightly less than half of those tallies, but the underdogs are hoping that Luis Suarez and company can provide a legitimate sports betting bonus opposition.

EPL Betting Pick: Draw

Chelsea V. Everton

Saturday, 17:30

Stamford Bridge will come alive once again this Saturday as the home fans look to cheer on their side to a fourth consecutive win as the host side to open the EPL season. Chelsea supporters have watched Everton slide through three straight losses, and must already have the blueprint for how to win another crucial pay head game that they simply can’t afford to let get away.

EPL Betting Pick: Chelsea

Liverpool Everton Odds – Saturday, 7:45 AM ET

In the Merseyside Derby, Everton may be slight favorites at home, but even online poker players wouldn’t be surprised if the Reds were favored against their local rivals as they’ve won five and drawn three of their last 10 against Everton, with three games going over the posted total. Liverpool has won three and lost two of their last five at Everton.

Manchester City Blackburn Odds – Saturday, 10:00 AM ET

City share the league lead with their rivals Manchester United, and they’ll be favored at Blackburn, even though they’ve won four and drawn three of their last 10 meetings with Rovers, with half of the games going over the posted total. At Blackburn, each side has won two of their last five meetings, along with a draw.

Arsenal Tottenham Odds – Sunday, 11:00 AM

Finally, in the North London Derby, Tottenham should be the favorites at home, and half of the last 10 meetings between the two have ended in a draw, with Arsenal claiming three wins. Nine of the games have gone over the posted total as both teams usually go on attack mode, so it’ll be an entertaining. In addition to trends, be sure to check the injury reports before making your sports betting picks.