Formbook: horse racing and sports blog

With the emphatic triumph of Old Trafford still fresh in the memory, England hop across the Pennines aiming to wrap up the series at Headingley. Be warned - the last time Pakistan lost to England by an innings (in 2001), they bounced back and won the next Test…

Anticipated overcast conditions will favour the swing and seam of Hoggard rather than man of the moment Monty. English spinners have taken only 2 wickets in the last 8 Test matches played at Headingley.
 
The home team are not without their batting problems and can’t rely on Bell and Cook to carry Pietersen and Trescothick this time. The pressure is on for Chris Read to prove himself as a long term solution at Number 7. His Test average is only around the 15 mark, but recent form (including 150 not out for England A against Pakistan last month) means Jones has had to hand over the gloves.

First Innings Runs
One of Sporting Index’s most popular markets is based on a prediction of how many runs a team will score in the first innings of a Test. This market is available on the morning of the match (as it is influenced by the toss) and Sporting Index is likely to set the spreads at:

England 1st Innings Runs: 380 to 395
Pakistan 1st Innings Runs: 355 to 370

To bet on First Innings Runs, you either “bet high” at the higher price if you think the team will score a lot, or “bet low” if you think that will be dismissed cheaply and won’t score many. How much you win (or lose) depends on how right (or wrong) you are!

For example, let’s take the England 1st Innings Runs. You have a choice to make:

a) Will England score more than 395 runs,
OR
b) Will England score less than 380 runs?

Let’s say that you think the top order will really click and punish the Pakistani attack, so you stake £2 per run on the outcome…

Let’s say you’re right and England manage 450 in the first innings. You were betting on them to get more than 395 runs, at £2 per run. You would therefore win (450 - 395) x £2 = 55 x £2 = £110.00

However it could go the other way. Let’s say the Pakistani pacemen find plenty of swing and seam to skittle England for 360. Because you bet “high” at 395 runs, there is a shortfall of 35 runs (395 minus 360). At a stake of £2 per run, this would result in a loss of (395 - 360) x £2 = 35 x £2 = £70.00

For all the latest prices on this match, and to open your account, click here

Open a Sporting Index account* and place ten sports bets (each with the potential to win and lose £20), and you can claim a free £100 straight into your account**.

*Credit and suitability checks, **terms and conditions apply. See site for further details about an account with Sporting Index. Sports spread betting involves a high level of risk and you can lose more than your original stake. It is not suitable for everyone so please ensure that you understand the risks involved and only bet with money you can afford to lose.