The start of the UK domestic football season is just weeks away, with bookmakers furiously compiling and adjusting odds as they react to the ins and outs of the transfer window. We are, however, starting to get a picture of what the new season will bring in terms of betting opportunities and, thankfully, there seems to be plenty of value out there.
Below is a look at some of the highlights from a range of top bookmakers, featuring bankers and big-odds value from a range of different UK football leagues. Moreover, you can check out an updated list of free bets no deposit if you’d like to try some of the selections without any risk:
Premier League
Manchester City are being offered at around 8/13 by most major bookmakers, one of the few times in the Premier League’s history that a team has started at odds-on in a campaign. To be fair, they deserve to be favourites, but there is not anything enticing in those odds. A better choice is the 7/1 given to Manchester United (from Bet365 and others), with a view to backing each-way (one-third the odds, top 2 places). The short of it is that those odds will surely drop if, and when, the United board gets its chequebook out.
While there is a temptation to back Arsenal to slip out of the Top 6, neither Everton (7/1, Betfred) or Leicester City (8/1) look ready to pounce. William Hill’s 11/10 for Wolves to finish in the top half looks absolutely massive. The club is on the up, with an ambitious board and links to super-agent Jorge Mendes. If you want to bet on misery, BetStars’ odds of 11/8 that Huddersfield go down look pretty big too. Although, Cardiff City are more of a cert at 4/5 (various).
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wv9NE8l17pE
Championship
As a rule, it’s a good idea to stay away from betting on the Championship outright until the season kicks off and you get a feel for the competition. It’s just too tough to predict. Each year the clubs relegated from the Premier League are made favourites, but they often struggle. However, this may be the year that the sleeping giant of Leeds United awakes. 12/1 Bet365 they win the Championship – three places at quarter the odds for each-way. It’s a strong league, so don’t be surprised if the 5/4 (William Hill) for Rotherham to be relegated looks like shrewd business halfway through the season.
League One and Two
Sunderland will probably get their act together and get promoted, but the odds of 3/1 for them to be League One champions look pretty slim. Peterborough United (16/1) have been knocking around the top for a few years now and their ethos of attacking football could work out in a league that looks weaker than last year. Sky Bet are doing one-fifth the odds for four places in the each-way markets. League Two is as difficult as the Championship to predict, but MK Dons have the look of champions and 13/2 (William Hill) isn’t a bad shout.
Scottish Premier League
A quick word on the SPL: If you want to make a 10% profit on the season – back Celtic at 1/10 (various). Don’t be taken in by the hype around Steven Gerrard taking the Rangers job. Remember,
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