Soccer Investment(s) for 18th December 2016

Hi Guys. Today marks the official start of my quest to earn a full time income through sports betting. I thought this would be a good time to go into a little more detail regarding my goals and how I will monitor and publish my performance. Each day I will post here on 'Goal Trader' clearly stating which bets I placed and my thoughts/analysis behind the advisory. Clearly its my ambition to find value in markets each day that will deliver a profit long term. My expectations are realistic - there will be losses. Hopefully with discipline through the bad periods I'll manage to stay in the green overall.

Robert's Investments for 18/12/2016:

I typically focus on the major European leagues especially over the weekend but there was a market outside of my normal 'comfort zone' that drew my attention. This was the Club World Cup Final between the relatively unknown (outside Asia) Kashima Antlers and arguably the largest soccer team on the planet - Real Madrid. I love to trade markets in matches like this as so much 'uneducated money' backs the better known team. Regardless of other factors - most amateur punters think 'Real Madrid have won the Champions League multiple times in recent years and currently lead the La Liga domestic league in Spain. They have international superstars such as Gareth Bale and Christiano Ronaldo - surely they will thrash a Japanese team will hardly any internationally recognized players?

Bookmakers where largely offering Real Madrid in the 1/10 (1.10) - 1/7 (1.14) odds range which unsurprisingly prices them as a significant favorite. Even at such low odds the vast majority of money backed the Spanish team and I identified and exploited this opportunity to profit. The smart and most effective way to do this would be to 'lay' Real Madrid using a sports betting exchange. I was a little short of time however and had some money left in a bookmaker account so backed Kashima Antlers with the double chance bet (draw or win) at odds of 5.20

I would always recommend using a sports betting exchange over a bookmaker when possible as that will allow you to avoid account restrictions/limitations. If you are forced to use a bookmaker then always use an odds comparison servicer to make sure you are getting the absolute best price.

Unfortunately I haven't practiced what I preach in this case as significantly better odds where available elsewhere and laying Real Madrid on an exchange at odds 1.10-1.15 would have returned significantly more. Rest assured I will be doing that with future bets.

Match Result: 2-2 FT (4-2 after extra time)   Verify Match Outcome @ Soccerway

Bet Slip / Profit Report:

Kashima Antlers produced a solid display and Real Madrid where largely below their best. The match finished in a draw so the bet was a winner at odds of 5.20 (stake of £50 so returns of £260)

Kashima Antlers (Double Chance) at odds of 5.20: £50 stake

It's important to remember that with bookmakers all standard match winner bets refer to the final score at full time (90 minutes). It does not include extra time and penalties unless specified. There are separate bets to consider if you want the eventual outcome as your bet such as 'winner of trophy' if its a tournament.

Join Robert: If you would like to follow my journey to making a full time income through sports betting simply follow me on Twitter and subscriber here on the 'Goal Trader' blog. I'll provide most of my bets ahead of time so you can back them too if you wish. All results tracked and verified on Bettin.gs/GoalTrader

Profit for 18/12/2016: £210.00