Weekend Review: European elite edge victories to leave punters elated
England get out of jail against Iceland as Spain and Belgium dispatch opposition with ease in Nations League
A distinct lack of shocks and surprises in the Nations League left layers low following the return of international football.
Victories for the likes of Belgium, England, France and Spain frustrated bookies and bettors alike, as any hopes for accumulator busters went up in smoke.
England survived a late scare against Iceland in stoppage time as Birkir Bjarnason ballooned a penalty over the bar as the Three Lions held on for a 1-0 victory after Raheem Sterling’s 90th minute spot kick.
Start off on the right foot 🙌🏾 @England 🦁 pic.twitter.com/RZAjyM7bZr
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) September 5, 2020
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “Nations League took centre stage this weekend, and punters had an absolute field day as results rolled in their favour and accas copped.
“There was some vastly contrasting emotions between backers and layers as Iceland’s last minute penalty was blazed over the bar, throwing away the chance of a surprise draw which would have helped soften some of the blow of the rest of the results,” he added.
Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati noted there was a silver lining despite England’s much-expected victory.
Apati said: “Notably, BTTS was well-backed in the Iceland vs England game, so we’re grateful to James Ward-Prowse for scuffing that penalty spot.”
Elsewhere, Gill said that Belgium’s 2-0 win over Denmark, thanks to goals from ex-Manchester City defender Jason Denayer and Napoli forward Dries Mertens, dealt another hammer blow to the layers.
Gill said: “Belgium’s win over Denmark topped the tables and was by a comfortable distance our biggest losing event for some time.”
Away from the dizzy heights of international competition, Carabao Cup first round fixtures took place as Championship, League One and League Two teams started their prospective journeys to Wembley.
A swathe of shock results, including League Two outfits Salford City and Newport County disposing of Championship opposition in the shape of Rotherham and Swansea City respectively, gave the bookies a reason to smile.
FULL-TIME!
County have done it! 🔥
We are through to the next round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a brace from Tristan Abrahams over South Wales rivals Swansea City!SOUTH. WALES. IS. AMBER. 🔶🏴#NCAFC 2-0 #SCFC pic.twitter.com/zZnlVRih16
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) September 5, 2020
Apati said: “Rochdale, Plymouth and Salford caused some of the biggest upsets in the Carabao Cup and that helped us.”