You’d need your fingers, toes and an abacus to work out what the ‘true’ probability of four Premier League matches on the same day all ending 2-1 would be.
Either way, Betfair were offering odds of 3,824/1 on such an eventuality as another round of Super Sunday games got underway at the weekend.
It was a proposition snapped up by a handful of the firm’s customers. One had a Yankee – a cover bet multiple, not unlike an acca but in which one or more legs can fail, turning their £1 stake per selection into a £6,000 payday.
But another Betfair punter… well, they chose to cash out their bet as Arsenal entertained Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
And it was a decision that would cost them around £35,000 in lost profits…
| Match | Correct Score | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Fulham v Tottenham | 2-1 | 7/1 |
| Brighton v Nottingham Forest | 2-1 | 15/2 |
| Manchester Utd v Crystal Palace | 2-1 | 13/2 |
| Arsenal v Chelsea | 2-1 | 13/2 |
Seagulls Soar
Three of Super Sunday’s four Premier League games kicked off at 14:00 GMT.
And, in truth, the 2-1 quadruple looked to be done and dusted after just 15 minutes of the clash between Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
Diego Gomez gave the Seagulls a sixth minute lead, before Morgan Gibbs-White hit back with a sizzling long-range striker into the top corner of the Tricky Trees, 1-1 with just 13 minutes on the clock.
And before the fans had even had chance to get their collective breath back, Brighton attacked straight from the kick off, Kaoru Mitoma crosses from the left, Jack Hinshelwood nods it down and Danny Welbeck fires home.
If you’ve backed 2-1 and that’s the exact scoreline after just 15 minutes of play… well, you’re fearing that your luck is out.
But, somehow, that was the end of the scoring, as Brighton comfortably nullified Forest to record a much-needed victory.
Meanwhile, in London, an all-capital affair between Fulham and Tottenham saw Spurs sink even further towards the relegation mire.
Harry Wilson expertly put the Cottagers ahead, volleying home after an Oscar Bobb cross was deflected into his path.
Fulham were completely in control, and when Alex Iwobi netted with a fine long-range strike in the first half, once again the 2-1 scoreline looked to be a forlorn hope.
Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith-Rowe both could have killed off the hopes of 2-1 backers in the second half, before Spurs just started to edge back into the game.
Richarlison, on as a sub, nodded home to get Tottenham back into the contest, but try as Igor Tudor’s men might, they couldn’t force an equaliser.
Set Piece Supremos
Maxence Lacroix went from hero to villain in Crystal Palace’s trip to Old Trafford – the third of the 2pm games on Sunday.
The Frenchman had nodded the Eagles in front after just four minutes from a simple corner routine, before getting himself sent off early in the second half when he dragged down Matheus Cunha.
Bruno Fernandes levelled up the contest from the penalty spot, as an expectant Manchester United crowd roared on their team with more than half an hour to go.
And they didn’t have to wait long. Fernandes received the ball out wide and curled in a sumptuous cross, which Benjamin Sesko steered expertly into the corner.
Despite being down to ten men, Palace pushed for an equaliser, while United themselves had chances to extend their lead. But there would be no more scoring, so 2-1 it was.
Betfair’s Yankee-placing punter had scope to let their wager run – with three selections landing, they knew they’d be in for a nice win with each pick in the region of 7/1-8/1.
But the acca punter… well, they had a decision to make.
They had £10 riding on the final game of Super Sunday – Arsenal vs Chelsea – so decided to take the cash out value of £3,090. Still, a very profitable afternoon in front of the TV.
However, they would have watched on in horror as the Gunners and the Blues traded three goals from corners… with the final result a 2-1 win for Arsenal.
Goals from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber cancelled out Piero Hincapie’s own goal, enabling the Gunners to take another step closer to the Premier League title – much to the horror of our punter.
Had they not cashed out, they’d have walked away from Super Sunday with £38,250 instead.
Betfair’s James Mackie later commented that it was ‘one of the biggest winning weekends for punters for some years.’ Without the cash out button, it could have been even better…