Weekend Review: Bookies rejoice after Shrewsbury’s second-half FA Cup comeback
Plucky League One side set up Anfield replay as European football giants boost bookie coffers
League One Shrewsbury Town left it late to help out the layers this weekend as their Sunday evening FA Cup clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool finished 2-2.
Liverpool appeared to be in cruise control after going in 2-0 up at half-time, before Shrewsbury’s substitute striker Jason Cummings bagged a brace to seal the shock of the fourth round.
Big game player! 🃏 #Salop pic.twitter.com/eFVMmkOjEE
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsburytown) January 26, 2020
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “No surprise but Shrewsbury were the heroes here at Kindred over the weekend as their two-goal comeback against all-conquering Liverpool was the perfect bookend to our weekend.
“Six draws across the round was also very layer-friendly, with Newcastle’s stalemate at home to Oxford being the pick in terms of results going our way, outside of Liverpool,” he added.
It was a similar story at William Hill, where the firm’s Rupert Adams described the football betting action as “excellent”. Hills were also helped by Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as Burnley, who lost at home to Norwich.
Betway’s Chad Yeomans added: “It could have been a horrible day yesterday without the Shrewsbury equaliser. Punters saw the three FA Cup games as certain wins for the Premier League sides, so the late Jason Cummings leveller was much appreciated.
“Overall, the FA Cup was okay with plenty of draws dotted around the ties,” he added.
Betfred’s Peter Spencer revealed the operator came out ahead on football betting this weekend for the first time in 2020.
“There were a lot of draws in the FA Cup, which always helps, and we came out on top overall in the football for the first time this year,” he added.
On the exchange at Betdaq, one punter lost £13,510 after backing Jurgen Klopp’s side to win in 90 minutes against their League One opponents.
Home victory with a FULL HOUSE! ✨✨✨ pic.twitter.com/LdsBAzCYeS
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) January 25, 2020
The bookies were also boosted by some surprising results on the continent, including Barcelona’s defeat at Valencia, Atletico’s stalemate with lowly Leganes and defeat for Juventus at Napoli.
Away from football, Cheltenham Trials Day stole the headlines in the weekend’s horseracing action.
Kindred Group’s Gill said: “Santini was the punter’s hero as he came home as the 13/8 well-supported favourite to win the Cotswold Chase, whilst Paisley Park also did the business in the Cleeve Hurdle, but his price of 4/6 kept the damage to a minimum.
“Harry Senior beat 6/4 favourite King Roland in the Ballymore trial in the result, which was our biggest winner of the meeting,” he added.
Hills said racing was “pretty good to them” on the Saturday, before breaking even on Sunday.
The Cheltenham Festival starts on 10 March.
Image: iStock/Zloyel