Since Betfair was invented in 2001 this means we can only imagine how some of the historic betting events would have played out if they had been in-play. This is a light hearted look at how we feel the markets would have reacted to some of the great sporting events that happened before Betfair was invented. The prices are based on similar matches that have happened since and the article is written as if the event was only yesterday….

Today we look back at the match that is often deemed the greatest in Premier League history. This one would have been a traders dream that is for sure!

 Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle United,1996

Well, that was quite some match and a match I am sure we will be talking about for many years to come.

In January, Newcastle were 12 points clear of Manchester United and traded as low as 1.15 to win the Premier League. Since then they have wobbled massively and they went into last night’s match against Liverpool 3 points behind Manchester United albeit with two games in hand. A win last night would have really put them back in the driving seat but it was not be as the Toon Army were beaten in spectacular fashion.

 Due to recent inconsistent form shown by Newcastle and the strong home record of Liverpool, the markets had Liverpool as favourites @ 2.40 with Newcastle’s price quite tasty @ 3.25 and the draw @ 3.5. Plenty of punters were looking to back Newcastle in this one since they figured that Liverpool would not want to see Manchester United win the league once again, however Liverpool do have a slight outside chance of winning the league too so they will keep going till the end.

It was only into the 3^rd minute of the match when Robbie Fowler gave Liverpool the lead and they traded as low as 1.50 before a quick equaliser arrived from Newcastle’s Les Ferdinand in the 10^th minute.

Just 4 minutes later, and Newcastle were in the lead due to a goal from David Ginola. Liverpool had gone from trading as low as 1.50 out to a high of 5 within the space of ten minutes. Newcastle managed to hold on to the lead and went in at half time 2-1 up and the markets had them priced @ 1.50. So by half time this match was already an epic with both teams trading below 1.50!

The second half was just as good as the first with Robbie Fowler leveling the match once again at 2-2 in the 55^th minute, only for Newcastle to retake the lead just 2 minutes later.

By the time Stan Collymore equalised to make it 3-3 in the 68^th minute, Newcastle had traded as low as 1.25 in the markets but that was to be as low as they would go.

The final 20 minutes were end to end with both teams knowing a draw was not ideal which made it perfect for the “Lay The Draw” traders who were certainly getting involved.

 The icing on the cake arrived in the 2^nd minute of injury time and virtually the last kick of the game. After John Barnes and Ian Rush played a series of one-twos on the edge of the box it was Barnes who squared the ball in for the young starlet Stan Collymore to blast the ball past Srnicek and win the match for Liverpool. The draw price traded as low as 1.08 and Liverpool were backed as high as 18 in the markets.

This was a great night for in-play traders but not such a good night for Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United fans. The markets now make Manchester United firm favourites to go on and win the title this year despite Newcastle still having one more game in hand but a worse goal difference. To win the 1996 Premier League you can now back Manchester United @ 1.66 and Newcastle are now priced @ 2.50.

It will be a tight end to the season that is for sure, but you have to feel that Newcastle will find it hard to recover from the events of this fixture and it would not surprise me if we are still talking about it in about 16 years time 🙂