Betting Special: What will Mario Balotelli do next?
Apr 13, 2012 10:00:00 AM
One of the Premier League's most discussed players continues to grab headlines for the wrong reasons at Manchester City, but could the Italian striker be on the move this summer?
What is the meaning of life? Chicken or egg? What will Mario do next? These are some of life’s great conundrums, but Sportingbet have attempted to solve the latter as they make Balotelli 5/4 (2.25) to stick with Manchester City in their Transfer Specials.The madcap Italian was lambasted by an exasperated Roberto Mancini following his red card against Arsenal, telling the gathered press that he would “probably” sell the striker in the summer, and insisting he would not turn out for the club again this season.
Those quotes would seem to make the 4/7 (1.57) for the ex-Inter player to depart look a great bet but his manager has previous history for going back on his word. Just ask Carlos Tevez. Equally evident is Mancini’s soft spot for his compatriot, despite his antics being regularly condemned as a corrosive force on the Citizens’ title hopes.
If he is to depart, just how long would the line be to pick up a player every bit as bizarre as he is talented? Surely the fact Sportingbet make City 11/10 (2.10) favourites to be his employers on September 1 speaks volumes.
AC Milan have previously expressed public interest – a feeling apparently reciprocated by Balotelli having once donned the red and black stripes while still at rivals Inter – and they lead the chase for his signature at 2/1 (3.0).His former club might yet welcome him home now that former youth-team coach Andrea Stramaccioni holds the reins, and Inter are chalked up at 5/1 (6.0), while the 10/1 (11.0) for Serie A rivals Napoli might become an option should Edinson Cavani depart this summer.
The usual list of big spenders follows with PSG 12/1 (13.0), Anzhi Makhachkala 16/1 (17.0) and Malaga 18/1 (19.0), while a shock move to Manchester United would earn you 50/1 (51.0) on your cash! Solve a mystery like Mario and you’ll have a little profit to play with this summer.
Check out all of Sportingbet’s topical markets at www.sportingbet.com/specials.
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Jim Knight is Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast
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