Around the Betting Planet: French Open rocked by fixing scandal

US sports betting news

Thursday Night Football in the NFL: Bears and Bucs

The Chicago Bears will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Thursday Night Football, and they home side are the underdogs at NFL bookmakers. After starting the season off with three straight wins, the Bears succumbed to a devastating seven point loss against the Colts in week four. That performance has caused many fans to lose confidence and sportsbooks to lengthen the odds on them making the NFL postseason.

The Buccaneers are clear favorites, with gamblers backing them in droves. They’ve come back strong in the NFL after losing their week one game against the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs find themselves on a three-game winning streak and are looking to make it to four in week five.

However, Tampa Bay have several key players that may be on the bench due to injuries. OJ Howard is confirmed as out for the remainder of the season with an Achilles problem. Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, and Mike Evans might not feature this Thursday either, so keep that in mind when browsing sportsbooks odds.

UK sports betting news

Wembley warm-up for Wales and England

England and Wales are preparing for a friendly at Wembley Stadium ahead of their respective UEFA Nations League matches on Sunday. It’s a perfect opportunity to get the squads ready for the competitive matches coming up.

Wales are in for a tough match, as Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu are out due to injuries. Aaron Ramsey won’t play on Thursday either, but he could return for the Nations League fixtures. The odds are stacked against them at UK bookmakers, with England expected to win comfortably. 

We’re betting on the Three Lions to win, but there’s a lot of history between these two nations and it will be competitive. We don’t see a way for Wales to defeat the stronger English side if their key players are absent, but this will be more passionate than your average friendly due to the rivalry. 

Africa sports betting news

All-African friendly as Morocco play Senegal

Morocco are preparing to host an international friendly against Senegal. The home side are the favorites with most soccer betting sites as Hakim Ziyech returns to the game. He was one of Chelsea’s summer signings but has been out for several weeks recovering from a knee injury. He’s back in Morocco and training with his national team, but it’s unknown if he’ll feature in the friendly.

Senegal will be weaker without Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, who is ruled out until he returns a negative coronavirus test. Without their main man, it’ll be difficult for Senegal to get past the strong Moroccan side. They may stand a chance with Kalidou Koulibaly’s return after a long injury layoff, but make sure you find the best value bookmaker odds before wagering.

Europe sports betting news

Match-fixing claims mar French Open

The French Open has become mired in match-fixing allegations regarding a number of large bets that were placed on a women’s doubles first-round match. French police are investigating the incident after several tennis betting sites reported unusual activity. 

During a doubles match between Andreea Mitu and Patricia Mari of Romania, and Yana Sizikova (Russia) and Madison Brengle (US), thousands of euros in bets were wagered on Sizikova’s serve to be broken. She served double-faults to love in the fifth set, causing bookmakers to sound the alarm.

Reports indicate that massive bets were placed on the Romanian pair to win the round as well. Watch this space to find out what the investigations uncover and how that will impact French Open betting markets.

South America sports betting news

A day for Argentina at Roland Garros

Argentinian players are in top form in the tennis world, with Diego Schwartzman and Nadia Podoroska both progressing to the semi-finals of the 2020 French Open.

Podoroska made history as the first qualifier ever to make it through to the semi-finals at Roland Garros. She was in spectacular form, defeating Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-4. Svitolina is currently ranked third in the world for women’s tennis, so this was a shock for South American sportsbooks

As for Schwartzman, he had a game of a lifetime in a real test of endurance, stamina, and mentality in his five-hour match against Dominic Thiem. He played his heart out, and we watched him push through as he defeated Thiem 7-6(1) 5-7 6-7(6) 7-6(5) 6-2. French Open bookmakers did not expect that outcome. 

We’re super excited to see a rematch between Schwartzman and Nadal. The betting odds may be more evenly balanced than usual, as the Argentinian beat the King of the Clay in Rome in the lead up to Roland Garros. Either way, you can find some interesting odds and markets out there for this French Open semi-final.

Australia sports betting news

Panthers lose Kikau for NRL prelim final

The Penrith Panthers are through to the NRL preliminary finals on October 17, where they need to win to claim a grand final spot. After this weekend’s Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs fixture, they’ll know their opponents. 

What we do know is that their odds have already lengthened. A verdict by the NRL Tribunal means that key player Viliame Kikau will have to serve a one-match ban. He’s been charged for a high tackle on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves during the game against Sydney Roosters.

Kikau is one of the star players on the Panthers side, and it may cost them a few points, regardless of who they face. It will certainly impact how NRL bookmakers see this match when it comes to the odds. 

New Zealand sports betting news

Bledisloe Cup squad to be revealed on Friday

This weekend we’ll see the first of four Bledisloe Cup matches between the Wallabies and the All Blacks. However, New Zealand coach Ian Foster is yet to announce who’ll make the starting line up. The players themselves already know who is selected for the first fixture, but the public announcement will come on Friday.

Until then, rugby bookmakers have the odds skewed toward New Zealand. The odds can still tilt depending on who’s called up, so check your favorite sportsbooks regularly.