Oddsmakers say Super Bowl bets may shift to Pats

Jan 30, 2008 / By Nick Bailey

The betting public continues to bet heavily on the New York Giants to beat the spread against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII this Sunday, but oddsmakers say more money should start coming in on New England as the Feb. 3 kick off draws closer.

As of Wednesday afternoon, about 67 per cent of all Super Bowl wagers at online sportsbooks were on New York to beat the 12-point spread against the favored Patriots.

But with most Super Bowl betting – about 80 percent – taking place in the two days before the game, the betting differential could even out as crowds start arriving in Las Vegas Thursday and Friday.

"Most of the wagering for the Super Bowl is done on the weekend or game day,” said Sean Van Patten, oddsmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants.

“That's when we see the casual bettor coming in, and that outweighs the wise-guy money in the Super Bowl. The casual bettors are almost always on the favorite.”

Depending on how heavily the public starts leaning towards the Pats, the point spread could inch back up to 12½ or even 13.

But most sportsbooks say there will still be solid betting action on the Giants because of the play of both teams – especially against the spread – in recent games, and the fact New England QB Tom Brady did not practice until Monday because of an ankle injury.

In the first half of the season, New England had no trouble covering the spread, no matter how large, as they rolled over opponents. But that changed in the second half and has continued in their two playoffs games.

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