Premiership

So, its back…’The Greatest League on Earth’…’The Best League In The World’…The ‘Most Over-rated and Overpaid Players Come Here To Earn (insert ridiculous amount here) A Week’ League and so on etc etc etc…

But no-one can question its darn entertaining! Kicking things off this season is a mouth-watering clash between hosts Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. With both team lacking defensively (Spurs have no-one fit; Man City’s have just met each other), and with the quality of attacking players on show, the 10/11 @ Blue Sq for there to be over 2.5 goals is a standout bet, as is the predictable draw this will end in (11/5 @ William Hill).

A couple of other games that take the eye from a value betting perspective see Wigan Athletic host Blackpool and Everton travel to Blackburn Rovers. Wigan, @ 4/6 with William Hill, seem bankers to see off the promoted visitors at home. Blackpool have failed to add any real quality to their squad over the summer and a Wigan team that are about to start their sixth season in the top flight, should have too much for them. Everton should also be taken to see off Blackburn (6/4 @ Coral). This season for Everton could be the one that sees them firmly establish themselves in the Premier Leagues top eight, and with a near fully-fit squad to choose from, a spine of Howard, Jagielka, Arteta and Saha should have too much talent and skill for a poor Blackburn team.

Championship

Watford kicked off the new season with an impressive victory away to Norwich City last week, and must be fancied to follow up that success with three points at home to Coventry City this coming weekend (5/4 @ bet365). Danny Graham scored twice at Vicarage Road, and is a 5/1 shot with bet365 to open the scoring against the Sky Blues.

QPR travel to Sheffield United this Saturday, which sees Neil Warnock going back to the ground he left to join Crystal Palace in 2007, and then onto the multi-millionaires at Loftus Road. The atmosphere is sure to be fiery (boos, jeers, objects thrown – what should have happened at Wembley on Wednesday will be made up for at Bramell Lane!) and with both teams pumped up, the match has goals galore written all over it. Take the 5/6 @ Blue Sq for both teams to score, as well as there to be more than 2.5 goals (11/10 @ Blue Sq).

League One

Plymouth Argyle shocked everyone (including myself!) with their opening day win at Gordon Strachan’s Southampton, and must be taken to follow up that win with a victory at home to a poor Carlisle United team (4/5 @ Coral).

Hartlepool United gained a creditable draw at Rochdale last week, and on the back of an impressive 2-0 midweek win over Sheffield United in the League Cup, seem a good value bet to see off a Swindon side that have lost both of their fixtures so far this season. 13/8 @ Ladbrokes is far too good a price to miss out on.

League Two

Bradford City suffered a defeat last week on the road, but will surely have too much for newly promoted Stevenage Borough this weekend. Despite grabbing a point at home in their first match at this level, Stevenage will find out just how much harder League football with a loss to the promotion favourites (1/1 @ William Hill).

Hereford United made a promising start to the season with a win on their travels on opening day, and can be easily backed at 13/8 @ William Hill to see off Gillingham at Edgar Street.

Finally, the Barnet vs Burton Albion game catches the eye, and despite Burton’s goalless home draw last week, the 6/5 @ Paddy Power on there being over 2.5 goals appeals greatly, as three of the four games these two sides have played season already have contained three goals or more.

Featured Bets

Tottenham vs Manchester City; over 2.5 goals – 10/11 @ Blue Sq
draw – 11/5 @ William Hill
Wigan vs Blackpool; home win – 4/6 @ William Hill
Blackburn vs Everton; away win – 6/4 @ William Hill
Watford vs Coventry; home win – 5/4 @ bet365
Danny Graham first scorer – 5/1 @ bet365
Sheffield United vs QPR; both teams to score – 5/6 @ Blue Sq
over 2.5 goals – 11/10 @ Blue Sq
Plymouth vs Carlisle; home win – 4/5 @ Coral
Hartlepool vs Swindon; home win – 13/8 @ Ladbrokes
Bradford vs Stevenage; home win – 1/1 @ William Hill
Hereford vs Gillingham; home win – 13/8 @ William Hill
Barnet vs Burton; over 2.5 goals – 6/5 @ Paddy Power

DP