Motivational speaking .......

When it comes to sports betting, motivation is the single most important element.

Think about your own working life, compare days when you are enthused and motivated, to those where you are just going through the motions. In the first, time flies, good things happen, on the bad days, time drags and mistakes occur.

When sportsmen are 'up' for an event, especially playing less motivated opponents, they are prepared to 'go that extra yard' and can be backed with confidence.

Look at events/matches from the players/teams viewpoint.

PGA golf, two tournaments to go before the end of the regular tour. You are 135 on the money list, top 125 will earn you your 'card' for next year, the difference between playing for $5-6m per week on the main tour, or for $100/$200K on the Nationwide. To put this into perspective, last year 125th place finisher on the PGA tour earned in excess of $626,000, same placing on the Nationwide, just over $29, 000, probably not enough to cover expenses.
Pressure? Sure, but real motivation to produce the goods. Likewise, the players ranked around the 30 mark, top 30 will get you into the Tour Championship, where 1st place is worth $1.2m and last place is worth six figures, plenty of television coverage and sponsors very happy.

Tennis is exactly the same, every tournament carries ranking points. Ranking position means direct entry into events, which is automatic prize money and not having to pre-qualify, a huge incentive for the 'journeyman' player.

Soccer, you are a professional footballer, albeit an average one. Your team has struggled all season, now with a handful of matches to play, you are bottom of Division 2. What are your prospects? The bottom 2 teams are relegated, this means that you're no longer in the league, you are in the Conference. Maybe your team will go part time, now you are no longer a full time pro, that's allowing for the club not trimming the squad and letting some players go. Now, are you motivated for the rest of the season?

Chester City was in this position on the 29th March, bottom of the entire football league and without a win since, well, forever. However, that night they won away to Boston (odds 4.30) and three days later scored a last minute winner at home to Maccelesfield (2.30). So Saturday evening they are 4 points off the bottom, with 4 teams below them, the players have a spring in their step and maybe a future as a professional footballer.

Look for teams/players that have an extra incentive to win, especially against opponents that are not quite so motivated.