I’ve been enjoying my return to gambling so much that on Wednesday I started questioning my decision to slowly move away from the industry and do something new. I suddenly started missing the opportunity to share picks like this and have the freedom to use my own words to help punters beat the bookmakers.

I was even going to put an extra tip up and really fancied Caceido to be carded in the Brighton v Chelsea game. I had all the stats in my notebook and the price on offer from Unibet was clearly value. I logged in and entered my stake of £6.30!! £6.30, with a company that no doubt is turning over millions and millions each year.

The response? Sorry but that exceeds the limit. Say what? This is a Premier League match. This is a big market and the odds are less than 3/1. The risk to Unibet on this wager? £18.27!!

But somewhere in HQ they’ve determined that risk is too high for them? They’re not willing to risk losing £18.27, they were willing to let me bet £4.44 and risk losing £12.87. What’s the fucking difference? How are they allowed to get away with it?

How are bookmakers allowed to decide what markets we are limited on and what markets we can bet big? What would have happened if I put £50 on red on their roulette wheel. Would I have been limited to £4.44. Would I fuck.

Ultimately it’s this level of greed which has left me frustrated and angry with the gambling industry and why I’m pulling away. You may even ask why I’m writing this article? Well this website still brings me in a small income each month which I then reinvest into my running coaching business. That’s why. Plus I still enjoy the odd bet here and there.

Apologies for my rant, but I wanted you to understand why someone like me, with such a passion for gambling has been forced out. I really hope if bookmakers continue to treat customers like shit, that other punters stop betting, but I doubt it.

What about the tip? Well I’ve got to back Mateta again right? I’ve already landed two winning bets on him in the past few weeks and whilst his price has been hammered into 11/8, I’m still inclined to think there is some value here.

The final day of the season often throws up some crazy score lines and with Villa’s place in the Champions League secure there’s no reason this game should be any difference.

Palace are in superb form winning 5 of their last 6 matches. Mateta has netted 9 goals in his last 10 games. His best work has come at Selhurst Park where he’s scored in the last 6 games running, bagging 8 goals in total.

I mentioned some interesting Villa stats before their Monday night game with Liverpool. Prior to that fixture they had an xGA of 1.91 in their previous 15 matches and had given up 42 big chances in that spell, 2.8 per game, only Luton had given up more.

So it’s no surprise to see Liverpool hammer in 3 goals at Villa Park. Don’t be surprised if in form Palace do the same and if that’s the case then surely our man Mateta will be one of the names on the scoresheet.

As I said last time I tipped Mateta, if you find a bet which is value and keeps winning, keep hammering it. Long term readers might remember the Nkunku drum from last season? This has a similar feel.

I’m pleased to say the bookmaker offering the best price were willing to take my bet of £6.30 today. That’s 10% of my current betting pot which started at £50. I’m heading in the right direction.

Bet: Mateta to score anytime v Aston Villa – 2.38 – 0.63pts

FEATURED IMAGE “Pete the Eagle – The club’s mascot (2016).” by Ajay Suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0.