Weekend Review: Bookies enjoy international break as big guns fail to fire

Punters will be delighted to see the back of final international break of 2021 as a series of surprise results gave the layers the edge.

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to inspire Portugal (11/20) to victory against Serbia (9/2), with his side only needing a draw to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Instead, it was Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović who would steal the limelight after his stoppage-time header sealed a 2-1 victory for his country and send them to Qatar, with Ronaldo and Co forced to go via the play-off route if they stand a chance at making the tournament.

SCENES! 🤯

Aleksandar Mitrović scored an injury-time winner as Serbia leapfrogged Portugal to seal their place at the 2022 World Cup! 🇷🇸🔥 pic.twitter.com/EOod5NCYAR

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 14, 2021

Elsewhere, draws for Italy and the Netherlands also pleased the bookies.

Italy (4/7) failed to find the cutting edge in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland (5/1) but could have secured all three points had Chelsea midfielder Jorginho converted a last-minute penalty instead of blazing it over the crossbar.

The Dutch (1/5) had rushed into a 2-0 lead over Montenegro (12/1) thanks to a double from Memphis Depay, only to be pegged back and share the spoils after goals in the 82nd and 86th minute from Ilija Vukotić and Nikola Vujnović.

Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “The dreaded international break saw a few cracking results for us – Portugal’s loss, and draws for Italy and the Netherlands, alongside a strong showing domestically. Can’t wait to see the back of it though, as always.”

England (1/7) eased to a 5-0 win over Albania (18/1) on Friday evening thanks to a hattrick from Harry Kane and goals from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson to all but seal their place at the World Cup.

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “Fairly quiet on the football front as World Cup qualifiers continue to throw up uncompetitive football at unappealing odds. Punters managed to get ahead on the England game on Friday night as a Harry Kane hat trick and 5-0 win were exactly what they were after.”

Perfect night! One step closer… 🎩⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/7FuCa1rYS1

— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 12, 2021

Layers also came out on top during the weekend’s horseracing action with Cheltenham serving as a hub for punter misery.

In the Paddy Power Gold Cup, 9/1-shot Midnight Shadow held on to win by just three-quarters of a length as Ryan Mania rode the eight-year-old to victory.

Midnight Shadow just managed to finished ahead of fast-finishing favourite Protektorat up the Cheltenham hill, much to the delight of Gill.

He said: “9/1 shot Midnight Shadow beat the very well supported 11/2 favourite Protektorat by three-quarters of a length, much to our relief.

“Al Dancer, another very well backed horse, could manage no better than 15th to leave us well ahead in the race, to cap a meeting in which we just about came out ahead of the punters,” he added.

Ladies and gentlemen Midnight Shadow. #SSRacing pic.twitter.com/Cef4b4zHa5

— Sue Smith Racing 🐎 (@suesmithracing) November 13, 2021

Firkins revealed the shortening of odds for some horses following their stellar weekends.

He said: “Shloer scorer Nube Negra is now 8/1 from 14s for a very warm-looking Champion Chase at the Festival, while over in Ireland the redoubtable Sharjah has been clipped to 10/1 for the Champion Hurdle, after a sweet success in the Morgiana.”

Elsewhere, bet365’s Steve Freeth broke down the major cricket, F1 and rugby markets for EGR: “The well backed Australia went from 8/13 into 1/2 after the toss when winning the 20/20 World Cup, Lewis Hamilton went off at 2/1 having been 10/1 earlier in the week, while England’s late score against Australia was far from ideal on the handicap front.

“However, Ireland’s 29-20 victory over New Zealand was very well received.”