I already mentioned this in the wagering forum. I figured I'd do the same here. Nordicbet, a Norwegian online betting outfit, are offering WUSA prices. For week one they are as follows: Carolina Courage - Washington Freedom 1.85 3.30 3.05 Atlanta Beat - New York Power 1.65 3.40 3.70 San Diego Spirit - Boston Breakers 2.25 3.25 2.40 San Jose CyberRays - Philadelphia Charge 2.30 3.35 2.30 For those who don't know, the prices are return on a dollar, including your original dollar. The first price is for a home win, the second fo a draw and the third for an away win. I don't have an account with Nordicbet so I can't comment on whether or not they're a decent outfit. But I frequently scour the online bookmakers looking at prices and this is the first time I've seen any of them carry WUSA (though I'd heard rumors to that effect). Anyway, is there money to be made here? I know too little about WUSA to comment at this point (this might make me a bigger fan though!) but I'd be interested in hearing any predictions here or in the already going thread in wagring forum.
If I were a betting man, I'd put a few bucks on the Freedom - I think the game's a lot more even than the odds show. Other than that, the numbers don't seem surprising. Meanwhile, those who think the Power won't suck this year might be tempted by that game.
They got Atlanta-NY right (I hope, but then again Atlanta is usually shaky on game 1) NY's defence will be unstable this game. Also, I think SJ will win over Philly, and Washington has a much better chance of winning against Carolina than your table indicates. If I were a betting man, I would bet on Washington over Carolina (Big grudge match that the Mia Hamm-led Washington Freedom is determined to win. Washington has never lost to Carolina when Carolina hosted ), SJ over Philly (Philly has never beaten SJ on the west coast and there might be some midfield problems for Philly, since they have some new signings that have only practiced with the team for no more than 1 week), and SD over Boston (SD has a very potent offense especially with the signing of the young American phenom Aly Wagner and the speedy veteran, USSF Women's Soccer Player of the Year, Shannon Macmillan. Boston lost 4-1 to NY in preseason-their defence stinks...but the new coach is working on that). More info on the matchups here: http://www.wusa.com/press_room/350786.html
Week 2 Nordicbet.com Washington 1.40 4.00 4.85 New York Atlanta 1.75 3.30 3.40 Boston Who says there's parity in this league?
Re: Week 2 Both games should be closer than what the table indicates, especially the Atlanta-Boston match. It's tough to call any of the matches because NY will try to prove themselves capable of playing against Washington after the humiliating defeat at the hands of Atlanta, and Atlanta and Boston have very good teams. I wouldn't bet on any of these matches at all.
Just the opposite, there's probably more money to be made betting on WUSA than a popular men's league where the team qualities/quantities are better known.
Ron's right in one way. Where the money is made is NOT in predicting where half the populace will take the favorite minus the goals/points, and the other half taking the underdog plus. It is the bookie knowing his clientele and being able to set a line where he is likely to gauge where they will bet in a losing effort. Knowing this, taking a favorite minus points against the New York Power is a sucker bet. Tiff can go off AT ANY TIME. As for "establishment," the 8 teams are stable in their core personnel; I don't believe a single player who played for the US team in WC 99 has changed teams. Remember: Webber never played a minute, and French was an alternate. It is easy for a bookie to create WUSA odds, and to play around the edges to maximize profit.
Bookies like to offer obscure leagues because it makes their product look more all-encompassing. I imagine hardly any of their customers actually bet WUSA or even know what it is. I don't think they are thinking that they'll make/lose a noticeable amount of money with WUSA. As such, their prices are likely not to be the result of much actual reseasrch. Keep an eye on things like injuries. They tend not to be taken into account. And keep an eye out for mistakes. During the MLS playoffs last year many bookies had the home and visiting teams screwed up (as a result of the US-style home last way of listing games i suspect). So I got LA as a home underdog vs KC and a couple of similar goofs (though I lost one as it turned out to be a tie). They clearly didn't have enough bets placed on the games for anyone to notice, and clealy no one working at the sites knew anything about MLS, so the mistake was never caught.
damn I wish i had money to bet, I got 3/4 of the matches right last weekend. Anyone want to contribute to the give money to me fund? It's a worthy cause, but not tax deductible.
Week 3 Week 3 (4/19): NY 2.40 3.80 2.05 SD CAR 1.65 3.90 3.25 BOS SJ 2.60 3.70 1.95 DC I would have to go against my own team and say San Jose is a great price at home. Against SD, NY isn't too bad a deal at home either - even if betting on them is a tough thing to do. CAR-BOS looks about right. Also, these seem to be unusually high prices for draws.