Breaking News: Paul The Octopus will be predicting the World Cup Final between Holland and Spain as well as the third place play-off between Germany and Uruguay. Can #Octopuspaul make it 8/8?
WITH PUNTERS APPARENTLY reluctant to back Spain to beat the Dutch in the World Cup Final, William Hill are to lengthen their 90 minutes odds to an industry-leading 6/5 for online and telephone clients from 7a.m on Friday morning. ‘Despite already taking bets of £10,000, £25,000 and £50,000 for Spain to win the World Cup, we cannot now seem to persuade punters to back Spain to beat the Dutch in 90 minutes, so, as they are a seven figure winner for us we are trying to tempt punters to support them – hopefully Paul the Octopus will tip them to help us out!’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
A William Hill Manchester betting shop client stands to collect £424,000 if David Villa, now 8/11 favourite to do so, ends up as tournament top scorer after placing a £30,000 double on Holland to win their Group at 4/7, with Villa at 8/1.
Another Hill’s shop punter in Essex placed a £250 treble on Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams to win their respective Wimbledon singles tournaments, running on to Holland – and will collect £30,000 if the Dutch oblige.
‘It has been a good World Cup for bookies thus far, with 52% favs winning , 27% draws and 21% underdogs, which doesn’t sound that great, except that the high turnover matches have tended to go our way – not least the England matches, and the Germany-Spain semi in which there were bets of 500,000 and 75,000 euros on a German win’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
WILLIAM HILL now make Spain 4/7 favourites to win the World Cup, with Holland offered at 6/4.
Hills make Spain 6/5 to win in 90m with Holland 13/5 and the draw 11/5. (PRICES AVAILABLE FROM 7A.M.)
Hills offer 9/2 that the Final will go to a penalty shoot-out; Holland are 10/1 to win by that method, with Spain also quoted at 10/1. Holland are 11/1 to win in extra time, with Spain 9/1 to do likewise.
DAVID VILLA is 8/11 to end up as World Cup top scorer with Hills who also offer 5/2 Sneijder; 4 Klose; 14 Muller; 16 Forlan; 100 Suarez.
VAN BOMMEL FOR BOOKING?
WILLIAM HILL have cut their price for Van Bommel to be booked during the Final (90m play) from 9/4 to 13/8 after taking a string of bets of up to £600 a time on the tough tackling Dutchman to fall foul of the referee.
REPEAT FOR PUYOL?
AFTER Carles Puyol headed Spain to victory against Germany, William Hill offer 25/1 that he will score again from a header during 90m play of the Final.
FERNANDO PENALTY?
WILLIAM HILL offer 12/1 that Torres will win a penalty.(90m play)
ARJEN ROBBEN is 13/2 with Hills to score from outside the box.(90m play)
