A look at how the Sporting Life recommended bets performed in December 2019.
Points system explained
We use a points system, ranging from 0.5 to 10, to help underline confidence in a selection and to help you weight your stakes. In other words, if your maximum bet is £100 and your normal bet is £10, you might have £10 on a 1pt win selection, £10 each-way for 1pt each-way, £20 for 2pts win, and so on.
Points staked also enable us to keep a fully transparent P&L, which you'll see below, but should be considered a guide only. Only bet what you can afford, and if you are concerned about your gambling please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit .
Click here to view our tips for the forthcoming sporting action.Profit since start of 2003 until start of current month (December 2019) is +3060.11pts
- December fixed-odds running total = -24.34pts
- December ante-post running total = +10.00pts
- December overall running total = -14.34pts
Racing:
Oli Bell (Dec 28) - 2pts win Surrah in 12.25 Lingfield at 11/4 (General). 1pt e.w Point Of Principle in 1.50 Newbury at 10/1 (Paddy Power/Betfair 1/5 1-2-3-4). 1pt e.w Yellow Tiger in 2.10 Lingfield at 7/1 (General 1/5 1-2-3-4). 1pt win Morning Vicar in 3.35 Newbury at 4/1 (General). LOSS=4.6pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 28) - 1pt win Polydora in 2.25 Newbury at 7/1 (bet365, Boylesports, 888Sport), 1pt win Down The Highway in 3.35 Newbury at 22/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Betway). LOSS=2pts
Simon Holt (Dec 28) - 1pt win Moving In Style in 2.25 Newbury at 7/1 (General). 2pts win One For Rosie in 1.50 Newbury at 5/1 (General). 1pt win Mine's A Pint in 1.15 Newbury at 9/2 (General). LOSS=4pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 27) - 1pt win Perfect Man in 2.10 Chepstow at 9/1 (General), 1pt win Prime Venture in 2.50 Chepstow at 12/1 (General), 1pt win Eddiemaurice in 3.35 Kempton at 12/1 (General). LOSS=3pts
Simon Holt (Dec 27) - 1pt e.w The Two Amigos in 2.50 Chepstow at 20/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4), 2pts win Just A Sting in 3.05 Kempton at 6/1 (General). PROFIT=10pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 26) - 1pt win Envoye Special in 1.20 Kempton at 16/1 (General), 1pt win Jarveys Plate in 1.55 Kempton at 16/1 (Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power), 1pt win Getaway Trump in 2.30 Kempton at 9/1 (General), 1pt win Elysees in 3.40 Kempton at 14/1 (General). LOSS=4pts
Oli Bell (Dec 26) - 1pt win Nineohtwooneoh in 12.20 Wincanton at 11/4 (General). 1pt win Daphne Du Clos in 12.55 Wincanton at 9/4 (General). 1pt win Aspire Tower in 1.10 Leopardstown at 2/1 (General). 2pts Simply The Betts in 1.20 Kempton at 4/1 (General). 1pt win Verdana Blue in 2.30 Kempton at 5/1 (General). 1pt win Eaglehill in 2.50 Market Rasen at 11/4 (General). 2pts win Lostintranslation in 3.05 Kempton at 2/1 (General). LOSS=6pts
Simon Holt (Dec 26) - 1pt win SIlver Streak in 2.30 Kempton at 12/1 (General). 2pts win Commanche Red in 1.20 Kempton at 12//1 (General). 1pt win Rocco in 2.10 Wetherby at 8/1 (General). PROFIT=22pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 21) - 1pt win Kobrouk in 1.50 Ascot at 10/1 (General), 1pt win Harambe in 3.35 Ascot at 11/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral). LOSS=1pt
Simon Holt (Dec 21) - 2pts win Acting Lass in 3.00 Ascot at 9/1 (bet365); 2pts win Whoshotthesheriff in 3.35 Ascot at 12/1 (General). LOSS=4pts
Oli Bell (Dec 21) - 1pt win First Flow in 1.50 Ascot at 9/2 (General). 1pt win The Hollow Ginge in 2.40 Haydock at 9/2 (General). 1pt e.w. Mohaayed in 3.35 Ascot at 25/1 (Coral ¼ 1,2,3,4). LOSS=4pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 14) - 1pt win Brelan D’As in 1.55 Cheltenham at 8/1 (General), 1pt win Clondaw Castle in 1.55 Cheltenham at 10/1 (General), 1pt e.w Shambra in 3.40 Cheltenham at 25/1 (bet365 ¼ 1,2,3,4). LOSS=4pts
Oli Bell (Dec 14) - 1pt e.w Generous Day in 1.55 Cheltenham at 25/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5), 2pts win Sam Spinner in 2.10 Cheltenham at 6/4 (Betfair, Paddy Power), 2pts win Pentland Hills in 3.05 Cheltenham at 9/4 (Ladbrokes, Coral), 1pt e.w Mega Yeats in 3.40 Cheltenham at 14/1 (bet365 ¼ 1,2,3,4). LOSS=3pts
Simon Holt (Dec 14) - 2pts win Cepage in 1.55 Cheltenham at 13/2 (General); 1pt win Shambra in 3.40 Cheltenham at 25/1 (bet365); 1pt win Faro De Kerser in 1.35 Doncaster at 9/1 (General). LOSS=4pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 13) - 1pt win Rock The Kasbah in 2.30 Cheltenham at 8/1 (Hills, Boylesports), 1pt win Neverushacon in 3.05 Cheltenham at 10/1 (General), 1pt win Kilbriicken Storm in 3.40 Cheltenham at 10/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral). LOSS=3pts
Oli Bell (Dec 13) - 1pt win Never Adapt in 1.20 Cheltenham at 4/1 (Hills); 1pt win Zara Hope in 1.55 Cheltenham at 8/1 (General); 2pts win Kilbricken Storm in 3.40 Cheltenham at 10/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral). PROFIT=4.2pts
Simon Holt (Dec 13) - 2pts win Ecu De La Noverie in 1.20 Cheltenham at 15/2 (bet365); 2pts win Rock The Kasbah in 2.30 Cheltenham at 9/1 (William Hill). LOSS=4pts
Ben Linfoot Value Bet (Dec 7) - 1pt e.w Minellacelebration in 1.30 Aintree at 40/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5), 1pt win Theo’s Charm in in 2.25 Sandown at 20/1 (General), 1pt e.w Federici in 3.15 Aintree at 22/1 (Hills, Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4), 1pt win Get On The Yager in 3.35 Sandown at 20/1 (General). LOSS=5pts
Oli Bell (Dec 7) - 1pt win As De Mee in 1.30 Aintree at 14/1 (Bet365 & William Hill); 2pts win Sumerville Boy in 1.50 Sandown at 7/2 (Sky Bet & William Hill); 1pt e.w Song For Someone in 2.25 Sandown at 8/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4) LOSS=2.4pts
Simon Holt (Dec 7) - 2pts win Ashutor in 2.25 Sandown at 9/1 (Sky Bet) 1pt e.w Doing Fine in 3.35 Sandown at 18/1 (VOID). LOSS=2pts
Football:
Sunday's Premier League tips (Dec 29) - 2pts Sheffield United to have 3+ shots on target v Man City at 11/10 (Sky Bet); 1pt Over 3.5 total goals in Arsenal v Chelsea at 7/5 (Betfair); 0.5pt Draw and under 3.5 total goals in Liverpool v Wolves at 6/1 (General). LOSS=3.5pts
Saturday's Premier League tips (Dec 28) - 1pt Crystal Palace to beat Southampton at 16/5 (BetVictor); 1pt Tottenham to beat Norwich and BTTS at 21/10 (General); 1pt Watford to be leading v Aston Villa after 75 minutes at 11/10 (Coral); 0.5pt Ayoze Perez to score anytime in Leicester v West Ham at 11/4 (Betfair, PaddyPower). LOSS=1.4pts
Wolves v Man City tips (Dec 27) - 2pts Wolves +2 handicap at 3/4 (BlackType); 1pt Wolves +4 corner handicap at 11/10 (Sky Bet). PROFIT=2.6pts
Boxing Day tips (Dec 26) - 2pts Liverpool to beat Leicester at 23/20 (Marathonbet); 1pt West Ham to win-to-nil v Palace at 5/1 (Unibet, 888Sport); 1pt Tottenham to win and under 3.5 total goals v Brighton at 8/5 (BoyleSports); 0.5pt Willian to score anytime at 7/2 (Betway). PROFIT=2.4pts
Sunday's Premier League tips (Dec 22) - 1pt Watford in draw no bet at 23/10 (Bet Victor); 1pt Emerson to have 2+ total shots in Tottenham v Chelsea at 9/4 (VOID). PROFIT=2.3pts
Saturday's Premier League (Dec 21) - 1pt Everton to win and BTTS at 3/1 (Betfair); 1pt 20+ booking points each team in Brighton v Sheff United at 7/4 (Sky Bet); 0.5 Ruben Neves to score from outside the box in Norwich v Wolves at 10/1 (Sky Bet); 0.5pt Jamie Vardy to have 2+ shots on target in the first half at 12/1 (Sky Bet). LOSS=3pts
Sky Bet EFL (Dec 21) - 1pt Over 12.5 corners in Luton v Swansea at 23/10 (Unibet), 1pt Over 3.5 goals in Millwall v Barnsley at 2/1 (Bet365), 1pt Coventry (-1 handicap) to beat Lincoln at 14/5 (Coral). LOSS=3pts
Carabao Cup Wednesday tips (Dec 18) - 1pt Phil Foden to score anytime at 11/4 (General); 1pt 3+ Colchester corners at 6/4 (Sky Bet). LOSS=2pts
Aston Villa v Liverpool (Dec 17) - 1pt Herbie Kane to score anytime at 11/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power), 1pt Over 4.5 goals at 9/4 (Betfair). PROFIT=1.25pts
Crystal Palace v Brighton (Dec 16) - 1pt 30+ Brighton booking points at 5/4 (General); 1pt Crystal Palace to score 2+ goals at 13/8 (Sky Bet) LOSS = 2pts
Sunday's Premier League tips (Dec 15) - 2pts Man City to beat Arsenal & both teams to score at 11/8 (General); 1pt Wolves to score the last goal against Spurs at 11/8 (General) LOSS=3pts
Saturday's Premier League tips (Dec 14) - 1pt Chelsea to be leading after 30 minutes v Bournemouth at 5/4 (Coral); 1pt Norwich to have 5+ corners v Leicester at 9/4 (Sky Bet); 0.5pt Jeff Hendrick to score anytime at 5/1 (Bet365); 0.5pt Jack Grealish to be carded v Sheff United at 4/1 (BetVictor). LOSS=3pts
Sky Bet EFL (Dec 14) - 1pt Jed Wallace to score anytime in Derby v Millwall at 22/5 (Unibet), 1pt Barnsley to win and over 2.5 goals in the match at 14/5 (General), 1pt James McClean to score anytime in Stoke v Reading at 13/2 (Bet365), 1pt Peterborough (-2 handicap) to beat Bolton at 3/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power). LOSS=0.2pts
Thursday's Europa League (Dec 12) - 1pt Arsenal to beat Standard Liege at 5/4 (Unibet); 1pt Man Utd to beat AZ and both teams to score at 11/4 (bet365, Betfred); 1pt Alfredo Morelos first goalscorer in Rangers v Young Boys at 4/1 (General) PROFIT=2pts
Wednesday's Champions League tips (Dec 11) - 2pts Shakhtar to win and over 1.5 total goals at 2/1 (Coral, Betfred); 1pt Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime at 7/2 (Betfred); 0.5pt Heung-min Son to score anytime at 7/2 (Betfred, Betway). LOSS=3.5pts
Tuesday's Champions League (Dec 10) - 2pts Liverpool to win & both teams to score at 15/8 (General); 1pt Inter Milan to beat Barcelona to nil at 21/10 (Sky Bet) LOSS=3pts
Monday Night Football (Dec 9) - 0.5pt West Ham to be leading at half-time at 29/10 (BetVictor); 0.5pt Sebastien Haller to score first at 6/1 (general). PROFIT=0.95pts
Sunday's Premier League tips (Dec 8) - 1pt Southampton in draw no bet at Newcastle at 11/10 (Betfair, Paddy Power); 0.5pt Harvey Barnes to score anytime v Aston Villa at 5/1 (Betfred); 0.5pt Christoph Zimmermann to be carded v Sheff United at 9/2 (Bet 365, Sky Bet). LOSS=2pts
Saturday's Sky Bet EFL (Dec 7) - 2pts Over 11.5 corners in Huddersfield v Leeds at 15/8 (Bet365), 2pts Sheffield Wednesday to beat Brentford at 13/8 (General). PROFIT=7pts
Saturday's Premier League tips (Dec 7) - 1pt Mason Mount to have 2+ shots on target in Everton v Chelsea at 5/2 (Sky Bet), 1pt Georginio Wijnaldum to score anytime in Bournemouth v Liverpool at 13/2 (VOID), 1pt Crystal Palace (-1 handicap) to beat Watford at 7/1 (Spread Ex), 1pt Angelino to score anytime in Manchester City v Manchester United at 12/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power). LOSS=3pts
Thursday's Premier League tips (Dec 5) - 1pt Both Teams To Score and Over 3.5 Goals in Arsenal v Brighton at 13/8 (Sky Bet); 0.5pts John Fleck to score anytime at 10/1 (Unibet) LOSS=1.5pts
Wednesday's Premier League tips (Dec 4) - 2pts Last goal to be scored in Liverpool v Everton between 76 minutes and full-time at 10/11 (Betway); 1pt Chelsea to beat Aston Villa and both teams to score at 8/5 (BoyleSports); 1pt Tottenham to beat Manchester United at 17/10 (Unibet). PROFIT=2.42pts
Tuesday's Premier League tips (Dec 3) - 1pt Palace to score 2+ goals v Bournemouth at 11/10 (Sky Bet); 0.5pt Time of Man City's first goal - 0-10 minutes at 21/5 (Coral). LOSS=1.5pts
Sunday's Premier League tips (Dec 1) - 1pt Arsenal to beat Norwich & both teams to score at 15/8 (Bet365), 1pt Leicester to win to nil v Everton at 177/100 (Marathon Bet), 0.5pt John McGinn to score anytime in Man United v Aston Villa at 21/4 (Unibet). Loss=2.5pts
Golf:
QBE Shootout (Dec 13-15) - 3pts e.w. Hoffman & Kisner at 14/1 (Unibet, 888sport 1/4 1,2,3); 2pts e.w. Harman & Kizzire at 12/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3). LOSS=10pts
Presidents Cup (Dec 12-15) - 6pts Internationals to win the Presidents Cup at 11/4 (General); 1pt Internationals to win 17-13 at 25/1 (General); 1pt Internationals to win 17.5-12.5 at 35/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power); 0.5pt Internationals to win 18-12 at 50/1 (General); 0.5pt Internationals to win 18.5-11.5 at 66/1 (General); 1pt Adam Scott to be top combined scorer at 16/1 (General); 1pt Louis Oosthuizen to be top combined scorer at 18/1 (General). LOSS=11pts
Mauritius Open (Dec 5-8) - 2pts e.w. Zander Lombard at 25/1 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Antoine Rozner at 100/1 (Coral 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Adrien Saddier at 90/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Hennie Du Plessis at 250/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7). PROFIT=11pts
Hero World Challenge (Dec 4-7) - 3pts e.w. Webb Simpson at 12/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4); 2pts e.w. Patrick Reed at 20/1 (Sky Bet 1/4 1,2,3,4); 1pt e.w. Bubba Watson at 45/1 (Sky Bet, Unibet, 888sport 1/4 1,2,3,4). PROFIT/LOSS=0pts
Australian Open (Dec 5-8) - 5pts e.w. Adam Scott at 8/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7). LOSS=10pts
Alfred Dunhill Championship (Nov 28-Dec 1) - 3pts e.w. Brandon Stone at 22/1 (Coral 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 2pts e.w. Zander Lombard at 25/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Johannes Veerman at 125/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Jake McLeod at 150/1 (Coral, Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7); 1pt e.w. Julien Guerrier at 175/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7). LOSS=6.5pts
Darts:
World Darts Championship (Dec 13-Jan 1) - 1pt e.w. Nathan Aspinall to win the World Championship at 40/1 (General, 1/2 1,2), 1pt e.w. Dave Chisnall to win the World Championship at 28/1 (William Hill, Bet Victor, Boylesports 1/2 1,2), 0.5pts Aspinall v Price final at 50/1 (General), 0.5pts MVG, Aspinall, Chisnall & Price all to win their quarters at 66/1 (Sky Bet), 0.5pts Stephen Bunting to win the first quarter at 28/1 (Sky Bet), 0.5pts Jose de Sousa to win the fourth quarter at 33/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral), 1pt Michael Smith to hit most 180s at 10/1 (Paddy Power). LOSS=6.5pts
Formula One:
F1 Insider: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec 1) - 2pts e.w. Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi GP at 4/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3); 5pts no safety car to be deployed at 17/20 (William Hill). PROFIT=4.05pts
Cricket:
New Zealand v England Second Test (Nov 28-Dec 2) - 2pts Joe Denly to make a first innings fifty at 11/5 (Paddy Power). LOSS=2pts
New Zealand v England Test series (Nov 20 - Dec 3) - 2pts Neil Wanger top New Zealand series bowler at 7/1 (Sky Bet); 2pts BJ Watling top New Zealand batsman at 12/1 (General). PROFIT=38pts
Snooker:
UK Championship (Nov 26-Dec 8) - 1pt e.w Mark Allen at 16/1 (General); 1pt Mark Allen/Ronnie O'Sullivan final at 25/1 (Betway). LOSS=3pts
NFL
Week 17 (Dec 29) - 1pt Eagles (-4.5pts) to beat the Giants at 21/20 (Unibet, 888sport); 1pt 49ers (-3.5pts) to beat the Seahawks at Evens (General); 1pt Packers (-12pts) to beat the Lions at Evens (General) PROFIT=1.05pts
Week 16 Sunday (Dec 22) - 2pts Ravens (-8.5) to beat the Browns at Evens (Sky Bet); 1pt Eagles to beat the Cowboys at 11/10 (General); 1pt Kansas City Chiefs -4.5 and Over 46.5 Total Match Points at 5/2 (Sky Bet). PROFIT=2.1pts
Week 15 (Dec 15) - 2pts Over 46.5 points in Buccaneers @ Lions at 23/20 (General); 1pt Patriots (-10.5) to beat the Bengals at 11/10 (Betfred); 1pt Packers (-4.5) to beat the Chicago Bears at Evens (Sky Bet); 1pt Raheem Mostert to score a touchdown in Falcons @ 49ers at 13/10 (bet365). PROFIT=5.7pts
Week 14 (Dec 8) - 2pts Seattle Seahawks to beat the LA Rams at Evens (General); 1pt Patriots (-3.5) to beat the Chiefs at 21/20 (General); 1pt San Francisco 49ers +2.5 and Over 46.5 Total Match Points 3/1 (Sky Bet). PROFIT/LOSS=0pts
Week 13 (Dec 1) - 2pts Patriots (-3.5pts) to beat the Texans at 11/10 (General), 1pt Packers (-6.5) to beat the New York Giants at Evens (General). LOSS=1pt
Boxing:
Ruiz Jr v Joshua (Dec 7) - 4pts over 7.5 rounds in Ruiz v Joshua at 10/11; 1pt Joshua to win by unanimous decision at 5/1; 2pts Dillian Whyte to win in rounds 6-10 at 13/8; 2pts Alexander Povetkin to win at 7/4. PROFIT=4.64pts
Long-term or ante-post previews
Racing:
Antepost Angle: Festive special (Dec 27 & 28) - 2pts win Delta Work in Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Dec 28 at 9/1 (Sky Bet); 1pt e.w. Spider Web in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on Dec 27 at 16/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4). PROFIT=16pts
Antepost Angle: Welsh National (Dec 27) - 1pt e.w Steely Addition in Welsh National at 20/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4). LOSS=2pts
Antepost Angle: Betfair Exchange Trophy (Dec 21) - 1pt e.w. Whoshotthesheriff in Betfair Exchange Hurdle at 25/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4). LOSS=2pts
Antepost Angle: Becher Chase (Dec 7) - 1pt e.w. Ballydine in Randox Health Becher Chase at 33/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4 bet365, Unibet). LOSS=2pts
Record archive
- November 2019 record = +125.40
- October 2019 record = -81.83pts
- September 2019 record = -65.48pts
- August 2019 record = +131.12pts
- July 2019 record = +63.68pts
- June 2019 record = +2.54pts
- May 2019 record = -104.78pts
- April 2019 record = +1.91pts
- March 2019 record = -19.69pts
- February 2019 record = -64.97pts
- January 2019 record = +63.92pts
- December 2018 record = +129.45pts
- November 2018 record = -81.82pts
- October 2018 record = -106.91pts
- September 2018 record = +7.01pts
- August 2018 record = -7.00pts
- July 2018 record = -142.67pts
- June 2018 record = -70.93pts
- May 2018 record = -81.08pts
- April 2018 record = +151.94pts
- March 2018 record = +1.86pts
- February 2018 record = +48.16pts
- January 2018 record = -101.13pts
- December 2017 record = -46.21pts
- November 2017 record = +135.15pts
- October 2017 record = -44.61pts
- September 2017 record = -58.83pts
- August 2017 record = +101.29pts
- July 2017 record = -16.51pts
- June 2017 record = +4.08pts
- May 2017 record = +78.17pts
- April 2017 record = +98.87pts
- March 2017 record = -56.28pts
- February 2017 record = -53.46pts
- January 2017 record = +7.18pts