If you want to win when betting against online bookmakers then you are going to have to think like them. The first step to achieving that is doing what they do, acquiring as much information as possible. They look at bets from all angles and take as many factors into account as possible before setting odds. If you take a moment to watch them, you will see they all release similar odds for an outcome, not because they put their heads together and agree on a price. It’s because they all use similar formulas.

This weekends football friendlies are a good example. Today, Manchester City take on Sporting Lisbon. In serious competition, you could expect a fairly close match yet in today’s game, Sporting Lisbon are at 7/2 with City at 8/11. There are a few punters who would probably jump at the 7/2 on offer for Lisbon – they do look like good odds at first glance.

A little deeper research and you can see why the online bookmakers have been so generous about Lisbon – they play again tomorrow against Spurs. Manchester City are in the same boat playing their second match, albeit many hours later, against the New York Red Bulls.

If you look closely at this weeks schedule, there are a lot of games being played and many of the clubs are playing on consecutive days. How does that help us as punters? Player depth becomes the important issue. Players are not going to be asked to play two ninety minutes games in two days – they play a half of each game, or play one and miss the next.

When it comes to world football, Manchester City has probably got the biggest depth in quality player numbers. They can handle both games with ease – can they win them? That’s a different question. Online bookmakers think they can and have made them favourites. They are short priced but they should win these games. It makes for some interesting accumulators and when it comes to these friendlies, that is where the money is. A small outlay for a much larger return. More risk? Yes, but think of the return.

Do your research, find teams that are not being too taxed and that have the player depth, and you should find some good valued winners. Football friendlies are not necessarily punter friendlies. They are online bookmaker friendlies though so think like a bookmaker and swing the odds back in your favour.