Division 1 Outright

Bristol City 6.00
Hull 9.00
Swindon 9.00
Tranmere 9.00
Walsall 13.00
Sheff Wed 13.00
Barnsley 13.00
Luton 15.00
Wimbledon 21.00
Port Vale 21.00
Bournemouth 21.00
Stockport 26.00
Wrexham 26.00
Bradford 21.00
Oldham 26.00
Hartlepool 26.00
Blackpool 26.00
Doncaster 26.00
Huddersfield 34.00
Peterborough 34.00
Colchester 34.00
Chesterfield 41.00
Brentford 41.00
Torquay 51.00

[PompeyPunt]

I usually have a small bet for the title in each league at the start of the season.

Personally think Sheffield Wednesday represent the best value in this league, 13.00 is a decent price for a side that will surely of learnt from last season's mistakes (already bringing in some experience) and are easily the biggest club in the division.

A good start and they will be bringing in 25,000 every week.

Each way on Huddersfield might be quite shrewd though as well, although they only just scraped it in the end, another big club in terms of second division football, and at that price, with a few good signings, a few quid each way at 34.00 wouldn't be the worst investment in the world

25/1 yer havin a laff!

They nearly got to the p/final and have a nice little set up with a good quality manager. OK not much money, but not many have in Div3, bar BristolC/Hull/Sheff Wed.

With the exception of Hull all the promoted and relegated sides into the division look weak. Tranmere looked good last season in the second half, but the odds of 8/1 fully reflect that.

[Zebedee1]

No more money at Bristol City
Bristol City have sacked Danny Wilson & appointed player, Brian Tinnion as player manager. A couple of staff have gone & a few players released (cost cutting!).Last seasons top scorer (Peacock) has still not signed his contract. 6/1 is far too short for me to back them.

[kompressaur]

I'm siding towards your Sheff Wed at the mo Punter. Anyone got any news on Milton Keynes Dons? Maybe they'll start feeling at one with the town and start playing.

Relegated teams dont do that wel though in Div 2 though dont they?

[PompeyPunt]

Even more confident on value in Sheff Weds with the players they have been signing, looks like they got some decent strikers for that league now komp

I also think you are right with relegated teams not doing to well when they come down from the first (championship ) division. I thought Grimsby would do quite well last season, never did. Also Sheffield Wednesday last season.

If you have any bet on MK Dons komp, let it be to go down

Please don't waste your money!!! There is no value in us to win the league at 12's! The lack of quality in midfield is a major concern.
I am personally fairly confident for the new season, if Hamshaw and Evans remain fit on the wings (both missed last season with cruciate injuries), and our new strikers do well up front we should be alright, as our new look defence looks likely to be quite solid. But we have a dodgy manager, and there is far too much unknown all over the park. It is impossible to know how the new players will play together, how quickly they will gel etc.
Bristol City have made a shrewd signing in Heffernan, and may get MacClean aswell, whilst maintaining most of last years squad, so they are rightly favourites imo.

Predicted finishing position: 4th-6th

This thread might be of use to you:

[manckevin]

Expect great things from Stockport County this season. Now we've got rid of the idiot that was Carlton Palmer, I think we could be there or thereabouts this season as the results towards the latter end of last season show.

I don't think we'll be going up as Champions, maybe not going up at all, but I certainly think we have a good play-off chance, and although it's the heart speaking, I think there is good cause for optimism

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I agree Kevin. I was very impressed the way Stockport got themselves out of trouble once McIlroy arrived. It took him a while but once he got them going, they claimed some big scalps. Whats the latest on Luke Beckett by the way?
With his firepower they could have a good season. The one fly in the ointment is the state of the pitch, once the Sale Sharks start buggering it up

BR

[manckevin]

Don't know too much about Beckett, but I'm hoping he'll be back soon enough seeing as they've sold Alby (Aaron Wilbraham) to 'ull I don't think they'd do something that silly unless they had sufficient cover!

[kompressaur]

Tote

Coca-Cola League 1: Top 6 Finish

Bristol City - - - - - - - 2/9 - - - - - -
Tranmere - - - - - - - 4/11 - - - - - -
Hull - - - - - - - 4/9 - - - - - -
Swindon - - - - - - - 1/2 - - - - - -
Sheffield Wed - - - - - - - 4/7 - - - - - -
Barnsley - - - - - - - 4/5 - - - - - -
Walsall - - - - - - - 4/5 - - - - - -
Doncaster - - - - - - - 5/4 - - - - - -
Hartlepool - - - - - - - 5/4 - - - - - -
Brentford - - - - - - - 7/2 - - - - - -
Huddersfield - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - -
Port Vale - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - -
Stockport - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - -
Bradford - - - - - - - 6 - - - - - -
Luton - - - - - - - 6 - - - - - -
Oldham - - - - - - - 6 - - - - - -
MK Dons - - - - - - - 6 - - - - - -
Blackpool - - - - - - - 8 - - - - - -
Bournemouth - - - - - - - 8 - - - - - -
Colchester - - - - - - - 8 - - - - - -
Peterborough - - - - - - - 10 - - - - - -
Torquay - - - - - - - 16 - - - - - -
Wrexham - - - - - - - 16 - - - - - -
Chesterfield - - - - - - - 40

Well the footy break is almost over the signings and going on's have been noted so its time to spring back into action this weekend, starting with the Ante Post selections.

League One carries the most likely bets IMO with relegation candidates not title hopefulls carrying my strongest pre season recommendation.

The priority for Bradford City this season is to survive as a football club . The Bantams future still seems hazy but one thing is for clear the mass summer exodus and the lack of any replacements make City good value IMO @ 5/1 with Corals to plummet into League 2. Bradford's squad list currently shows just 15 players that includes reserves, manager Colin Todd true can call upon seasoned pro's like Jacobs, Wetherall and Windass but very lttle else. A few trialists are sure to be knocking on the door but chances are Todd will have a wafer thin side to start the campaign, a few early defeats and his on field troubles could begin. The division looks a little stronger IMO this year not necessarily at the top but the so called weaker teams like Stockport, Brentford and Peterboro all look better equipped which could make City's survival job even harder. Grimsby fell straight through the section last year after coming down, I see no major reason why Bradford might not go close to doing the same.

After some thought Bristol City get my nod @ 5/1 win (General) to be the most likely good things to claim that top slot. Having taken a solid e/w 8/1 last year the lesser price was more unappealing but City I feel should again go very close if not finally succeed in achieving their goal.

Danny Wilson has gone but that may not be a bad thing, Bristol have become a bit predictable over the last few seasons, and while Danny could happily take them round the course he just couldn't clear that final fence. Brian Tinnion brings a fresh system and a fresh approach sure it may take time to settle but with the key components kept from last year the extremely passionate new manager stands a good chance. Lack of goals cost City last year, their defence was the best in the lower divisions, letting a stale looking Lee Peacock go is no negative, Paul Heffernan is a more natural finisher while Stephen Gillespie is also a name to watch for. If you add a returning Scott Murray to the equation then the goal power factor looks significantly increased. Bristol's squad is the biggest in the league, on paper if they can shed that nearly men tag they look sure to give good run for your money.

Other big players Sheff Wed and Hull still have a bit to do IMO. Wednesday were a joke last year sure they have signed a few Marsdon and Maclean took the eye but its still going to need a big transition to turn things right around, I said last year it might take 3 years for them to come back I'll stick to that for the time being. Liked what I saw of Hull last year big strong side who have bought well by adding Wilbraham and Barmby amongst others. I wouldn't be happy with Peter Taylor's dual England role though this could be a distraction, City have been great underachievers in the past and like Wednesday despite their superb support might need to find their feet. Tranmere on the otherhand can hit the ground running an excellent finish last year stuffed with clean sheets a good sign, showed their capabilities some shrewd signing as well in Jackson, Rankine and now Jason McAteer while getting striker Simon Howarth back from injury is a big bonus. Rovers are solid but @ around 7/1 maybe a little too short neveraless a team to follow.

Sides like Bournmouth and Hartlepool should do well but are they really title material ? while Swindon and Port Vale have lost several key components. Ambitious Doncaster are on the upward surge while I agree Stockport too are heading in the right direction. For a good outsider though Brentford catch my eye there are some 40/1's around on the Bees but thats far too optimistic. The handicap lists should be out in the next few days and at prices of around 18/1 its here e/w IMO that Martin Allen's men could be some value. Allen is a winner he talks straight plays hard and his side could really unsettle a few next year with a robust style of football that can be productive at this level. Allen has practically rebuilt the Londoners squad signing a few names along the way, though the bid for Di Canio didn't come off John Salako, Deon Burton, Northampton midfielder Chris Hargreaves and Isiah Rankin are amongst 8 or 9 signings not to be dismissed lightly. Brentford might not be pretty but are perhaps not the strugglers Corals or Bet 365 suggest.

Recommendations

Bradford to be relegated 5/1 (Corals)
3.5 pts
Bristol City to win 5/1 (General)
2 pts
Brentford on handicap e/w (Corals / B 365)
0.5 pts

Pts Ratio 0.5 - 5

FA

[PompeyPunt]

Agree with Brentford FA, they have made some decent signings.

Salako will be a good one for them i feel, and so will Deon Burton, who WILL get goals in that division. Not sure why he's had to choose a second division side, he did well for us in 2003 in our first division championship season, far from over the hill. If he can stay fit, he may well be a decent each way bet for top scorer in that league

Brentford just missed out on Frank Sinclair, which would have been another good coup(at that level anyway ), but more to arrive i beleive yet anyway. Martin Allen is going to do a good job there i'm sure of that.

[danq]

My fancies are BARNSLEY , 62 points last season lost 2 key men in Betsy and Crooks but brought in lots of quality : pred top3 . BRISTOL CITY ,82 points last season 83 season before could be a bit weaker at the back but I think they could be better up front manager wants his side to play attacking football : pred top 3 . BRENTFORD look a definite to do better this season 54 and 53 points last 2 seasons . Made good signings this season, looking for a centre back could make play offs

Barnsley were 25/1 originally. Risdale & all the other directors went to local betting shops, all had a punt & within a week they were 14/1 the best price in barnsley. The best i can find now is 12's.

I saw us play against Leicester & i thought we were good, much better than at the end of last season and the squad looks far 'deeper' than it has ever done. I think (i may be wrong) we've brought in 10 new players to be in the first team squad. We've also got a couple of lads from the acadamy who are stepping up and will make there debut's pretty soon.

Conlon should help us score goals, Mcphail & Reid will keep the midfield tight and create problems for other teams while the addition of matt carbon & tony vaughan will keep our defence tight.

I'm feeling pretty confident of our chances this year, although for me 12/1 is too short to back each way.

I did get evens on us finishing in the top 6 though with my local tote - very confident about that

Tranmere, it seems to me, should be favourites this season. They have a tried and tested squad, a capable manager, cover in key areas and some match-winning individuals. Teams will be warier of them this season than last though and they may find themselves shut out - they'll be a pretty good side at picking up 1-0 wins. A slight worry for me is what Brian Little does when things start to go wrong - he stays calm and alters nothing. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. No matter - 8-1 with Skybet and Bet365 is a decent punt.

Bristol C are very slightly overrated just yet for me. A rookie boss, new tactics, some fresh players... it needed to happen, perhaps, but could equally be read as desperation. This is a charge that might be thrown at Chris Turner and Sheff Wed - did he really have to wait a season and a bit to clear out all the dead wood? Turner did good work at Harlepool by letting the team gel and come round to his methods. Now he's turned into Barry Fry. It's maybe a year too early for Hull City. There's no sense yet that Taylor has worked out his preferred formation - accommodating Barmby but retaining enough bite in midfield being the most pressing issue. It's a young side and full of beans and may show their best after Christmas. I don't think Taylor's absence with the U21s will hurt too much - he's been living in Southend and effectively working a three-day week for a season and a half.

Anyone looking at Bet365's top goalscorer market should avoid Ben Burgess (Hull City) at 20-1. He's out of action until the new year. The trouble with this market is that half-decent contenders will be on the first plane to Sunderland/Leicester/Leeds or whoever is most worried in the new year. If Parkin scores 12 before Xmas he'll be on his way.