Rule 3: Don't bet on meaningless games

There are several catergories to what I would classify as meaningless, and should be avoided at all costs:

1: Friendlies. Bookies must make a killing on these, especially at the start of the season when bet starved mugs start piling into the big favourites without a second thought. How you can think of backing a team when potentially a reserve team might start the second half is beyond comprehension. Whilst you could argue that fringe players will want to play well and therefore benefit the team, most managers just want to get their key players match fit and avoid any needless injuries.
2: Dead rubber games. These would include newly crowned divisional champions (this could include Champions League and UEFA Cup group stages), teams already relegated and teams marooned in mid-table with nothing to play for.
3: Minor cup competitions. I know Arsenals kids have been a recent exception, but Man Utd's home defeat to Coventry City in this years Carling Cup highlights the fact that it is almost impossible to gage how these reserve/youth teams that the bigger boys put out will fare.