Sporting Life tipping record: How our recommended bets have performed

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 begambleaware.org.

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