My betting weekend

I switched my strategy on football from backing against favourites to betting on the draw.

When you back against a favourite, you have two chances – a loss or draw – but with my latter option just the one.

There is always the variable of VAR but the odds generally around 5-2 are attractive.

Few so-called betting experts pointed out that West Ham have never beaten Brighton in the Premier so this was an obvious draw choice validated by the 2-2 result.

The previous day I had backed the Fulham v Southampton draw as Fulham have now had four in a row.

In the face of widespread criticism I cannot see the present VAR justification of dubious penalties lasting.

A good example was Callum Wilson getting a penalty in Newcastle v Fulham. The foul was clearly outside the box, he carried forward into it.

Was there a foul there?

Steve Bruce the first to moan about a referee decision – and anything else – said it was a clear penalty as did ex-ref Chris Foy.

However most thought it was at best debatable and if it’s debatable the ref should not give it. Let’s go back to basics when, if a penalty was awarded, justice was done.