It¹s that time of the season where I get my thinking cap on and try to work
out the winners for the coming footy season. Normally it is the huge
accumulator for all the divisions in Scotland and England, but I will
concentrate on the three that matter, well to me anyway:-
English Premiership
Not as many contenders as it would seem at first sight, from last season I
can see only Arsenal (7/4), Man Utd (5/4), Newcastle (33/1) and Liverpool
(7/1) making any impact. The capture of Ferdinand is a major coup for
Ferguson and he looks to have secured the services of the player who can
instantly improve his defence, a team that includes Beckham, Vernon, Rio,
Scholes, RVN, Keane et al sounds irresistible, but will Fergie make the
champions league his priority.
At Arsenal only a little movement on the transfer market but I feel his
reliance on the likes of Luhzny and Ashley Cole whom I feel are highly
over-rated will cause his defence to leak goals, and with the absence of
Seaman no doubt for part of the season their price looks very skinny.
Liverpool have one problem in my opinion, that is keeping Michael Owen fit,
if they can then the championship is there for the taking and with the
exciting Senegalese additions they look to be in better shape than last
season.
So it falls to Newcastle for whom Bobby Robson has secured several young
players including the exciting Jenas last season and Ayena the top rated
Portuguese youngster, at 33/1 they must be a sure thing for the top three.
Others to mention are a much weakened Leeds and Chelsea, maybe the surprise
package could be Fulham with a year of experience they could emerge a lot
less naive than last year.
Scottish Premiership
Of course its tempting to say that its a 2 horse race, but in all honesty I
think that Rangers will win the league by a comfortable margin next year, in
midfield they outclass Celtic both in terms of skill and that all important
quality pace with McCann and Lovenkrands, I think that is where the battle
will be won and lost. Celtic and MON have had an easy ride to date due to
the poor performances and lack of belief at Ibrox, but there is a sense of
renewed hope and the signings made at Parkhead wont be making the support
jump for joy and being odds on is a disgrace.
So although I feel Rangers will win, I am not about to take 11/8 about it
and the betting without the OF has Livingston at 7/1 which is better for a
side who have invested the sales money back into new gamble buys and solid
players, the fact they bought Dadi from Aberdeen says all I need to know
about the Dons ambitions.
European Cup
Year on year I find myself looking for the surprise package but never find
Dortmund, Leverkusen, Valencia etc... So this year I will stick with Real
who at 9/2 will make the final again as they have a vast array of talent
which is far superior to that in any other European team, and all being
equal they will win it again. As for the others 7/1 Man Utd is a poor price,
Celtic at 66/1 will be snapped up by know one, so the surprise bets could be
Newcastle or maybe Kiev....
Recommended Bets
Livingston to Win SPL Without the Old Firm at 7/1
Newcastle to Win and E/W Premiership at 33/1
Real Madrid to win CL at 9/2
BRIZY