The humble draw: a football result that has caused many a punter to come a-cropper over the years. But some actually seek out draws as part of their weekly bets, hoping to land some big priced accas. It’s a low chance strategy, given that during the 2024/25 Premier League season – as just one example – the stalemate landed in just 24% of games.
However, when your luck is in, your luck’s in. And that was the case for one William Hill punter over the weekend, who somehow managed to correctly predict EIGHT draws in a £3 acca… turning a £3 coupon into winnings in excess of £12,000!
Martinelli’s Late, Late Show
A pair of selections in the English Premier League got things up and running.
On paper, the clash between Bournemouth and Newcastle United looked tasty enough, but Eddie Howe’s conservative tactics helped to blunt the attacking style of his former employer.
In the end, the sides mustered just three combined shots on target for a paltry xG total of 0.60 in a goalless borefest.
Meanwhile, around 350 miles north, Sunderland welcomed Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light.
Ordinarily, the Villains might be a warm favourite for this one, although their sketchy form was enough to convince our punter that the Black Cats had a sniff of getting something from the game.
And, despite having Reinildo sent off as early as the 33rd minute, Sunderland were able to play their part in a 1-1 draw – Wilson Isidor cancelling out Matty Cash’s opener for Villa.
What followed was a mini tour of Europe. Manchester United and Arsenal played out a goalless draw in the Women’s Super League, before our punter stopped off in Greece – selecting Olympiacos and Panathinaikos to also play out a draw.
And that’s the way it would end… but only just. Cyriel Dessers gave Panathinaikos the lead, with the hosts looking good value to see out a 1-0 victory – before Ayoub El Kaabi stepped up with a 92nd minute equaliser.
Next on the list was a trip to the Netherlands. The clash between Dutch giants PSV and Ajax was a classic, ending 2-2 with Oscar Gloukh rescuing a point for the Amsterdam side.
And then, like so many big accas require, there was an almighty stroke of luck and some late controversy in the game between AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
Feyenoord led 3-2 as the clock ticked past the 90th minute, but they then had Anel Ahmedhodzic sent off after the defender was shown a second yellow card.
Was there time for an AZ equaliser? You bet. Our punter would have been dancing with joy as his chosen app or website revealed that the hosts had scored a 98th minute equaliser with pretty much the last kick of the game.
So that was a remarkable six draws from six picks… that in itself would have yielded a handsome payout. But there were more twists and turns to come on that fateful Sunday.
PSG and Marseille’s scheduled encounter was postponed due to heavy rain and storms in Bouches-du-Rhone, before being played out 24 hours later… Marseille picking up a 1-0 victory.
But William Hill had already voided the selection, so it was down to just one more selection: Arsenal vs Manchester City.
The Cityzens took the lead through Erling Haaland, before Pep Guardiola uncharacteristically decided to ‘park the bus’ – allowing wave after wave of Arsenal attack, with Gabriel Martinelli finally breaking through with a late equaliser for the Gunners in a 1-1 draw.
Away Day Joy
Meanwhile, 24 hours later, a Betfair customer was enjoying a similarly big acca win – turning £5 into a cool £5,022.
They had picked out five away teams to win, including the bold underdog selections of beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday at Portsmouth and Bradford City at League One’s most eye-catching side, Cardiff City.
But our punter was rewarded when club icon Barry Bannan scored to help Wednesday to a 2-0 victory at Pompey, while Bradford condemned Cardiff to their first defeat of the campaign.
Preston and Wrexham also obliged, with the former winning 1-0 at Derby and the latter, having gone a goal down, roaring back to beat Norwich in a 3-2 humdinger.
All of which left the Championship clash between Sheffield United and Charlton outstanding, with our punter backing the Londoners – despite the reappointment of Chris Wilder as Blades boss.
And they were rewarded for backing the underdog once again when Isaac Olaofe found space in the Sheffield United penalty area to clinch a 1-0 win for his side and to help our punter to a shade over £5,000 in winnings!