Ante-Post Angles: The Best Bets for 2021
The new year is upon us and with the current state of affairs outside of the sporting world it’s fair to say that we all need something to look forward to a little down the line. Here at BettingOdds.com we’ve picked out some of our best Ante-Post bets for 2021.
We’ve kicked things off with a selection from the Cheltenham Festival in March, followed by two football plays over May and June. Rounding off the quartet is a pick for Sports Personality of the Year, which is decided in December. For the brave, the four selections can be combined into a 875/1 multiple with Paddy Power which would certainly brighten up another potentially pandemic-prominent year.
Al Boum Photo - Cheltenham Gold Cup - 7/2
Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old Al Boum Photo will bid to join an elite list of names in March as he looks to add a third Cheltenham Gold Cup to his CV. Only four horses in history have won Prestbury Park’s most prestigious prize on three or more occasions with Golden Miller, Arkle, Cottage Rake, and most recently, Best Mate being those to achieve the feat.
In 2020, Al Boum Photo won the Savills Chase on New Years Day before running in the Gold Cup. He repeated that success this year and coming out of the race last week, Wille Mullins reported that he has come out of his traditional seasonal openers at Tramore in great heart.
Some may question whether or not Al Boum Photo has the pedigree and desire to win three Gold Cups, but his experience should stand him in good stead for March’s race. No other real superstars have emerged this term, with Al Boum currently being the only horse shorter than 8/1 in the betting. Guided by the most successful trainer in the history of Cheltenham Festival I think Al Boum can write his name in the history books.
Bayern Munich - Champions League Winners - 11/4
I’ve recommended Bayern to win the Champions League a couple of times for BettingOdds.com over recent months and I’m standing firm that the German juggernaut will also repeat their success of last season with another triumph in Europe’s premier competition.
Hansi Flick’s side continue to play free-flowing football and breezed through their group which included Atletico Madrid and Lazio. The Germans took 16 points from a possible 18 and with players such as Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski who tend to come alive in the latter stages tournament it’s hard to back against them.
Bayern currently sit top of the Bundesliga as we head into the new year with 33 points from their first 14. Robert Lewandowski has 19 goals in 13 league appearances this term whilst creativity has flooded in from other areas in the form of Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich, who have an impressive 21 league assists between them.
In defence Bayern have not looked as stable as last season, conceding 21 league goals after 14 games. However, with the quality of Benjamin Pavard, Jerome Boateng, Alphonso Davies, and Manuel Neuer at the back, you would expect Flick to sort out any defensive frailties for the latter stages of the season. Bayern ooze class from one end of the pitch to the other and although I wouldn’t be backing them at any shorter than 11/4 I still can see them lifting another Champions League trophy.
France - Euro 2021 Winners - 11/2
Much like Bayern in the Champions League, I feel France have the most quality in their ranks of any team heading into Euro 2021. I’m flabbergasted to see that England are a shorter price than the World Cup Champions, even with that much known patriotic punting from our troops.
Didier Deschamps has been in charge of the National side for eight years and knows this current crop of players well. They have been through a lot together and one thing they have instilled over the last few years is a winning mentality.
Many of the players in the current squad have been to both the European Championship final and were part of the World Cup winning team. That vital experience is something that may well have to be called upon to pull them through some of their matches next summer and with leaders such as Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane on the pitch, I think they stand in good stead.
France have an excellent blend of youth and experience with Kylian Mbappe at the head of proceedings and I believe they have the most potent striker at the tournament if he is fit. Paul Pogba has also looked much better of late for Manchester United and is one who always seems to turn it on for the national side.
France have been dealt a tricky hand with Germany and Portugal in Group C and this may be a reason for the slightly inflated price, although I’m quietly confident in this talented squad’s ability to overcome those opponents. The Germans have not beaten France in their last five meetings with the last defeat for Deschamps’ side coming back at World Cup 2014. Yes both teams are different now but France’s recent record gives plenty of confidence here.
France v Portugal is not a fixture that happens every year, however France have beaten the Portugese in ten of their last twelve meetings. Portugal outdid France at Euro 2016 but In this current set of players I think we have a team who can win back-to-back major tournaments just like Spain did a decade ago.
Dina Asher-Smith - Sports Personality of the Year - 8/1
In the last five Olympic years the Sports Personality of the Year award has gone to a member of team GB who has won a gold medal at the Olympics. That list includes Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes, Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and if this year's scheduled summer Olympics goes ahead, Dina Asher-Smith looks to fit the bill perfectly.
In 2019 Dina Asher-Smith claimed Gold in the 200m at the World Championships to go alongside her Silver medal in the 100m where she finished behind Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She currently holds the British record for both 100m and 200m and it would be no surprise to see her claim Gold in either of those or the relay in Tokyo this summer.
In 2019 Dina finished third in Sports Personality of the year after her achievements at the World Championships. She’s well liked by the public and is immensely talented on the track. Her price has already gone from 10/1 into as short as 6/1 over the last fortnight and should the Olympic Games go ahead you would have to fancy the 25-year-old for further success. .
