League One betting, Preston - Colchester

North End are one of the favourites for direct promotion, beside Sheffield clubs and maybe Charlton. Phil Brown turned the things over when he arrived in the club. It was too late for saving in Championship, but it should be a good season in the third tier. Despite an interest from bigger clubs, they have kept key players (except Sean St Ledger - Leicester) and returned Neil Mellor from Sheff Wed.

Considering their moves on the transfer market, mid-table should be again Colchester’s ambition. They’ve brought two experienced players, midfielder Duguid and def Rose from Plymouth and Swindon, and young Tom Eastman from Ipswich.

First game calls on some caution (and hardly all favourites will win), but Preston should be too much for the visitors.

Bet: Preston -0.75
Odd: 2.07 188bet
Stake: 7/10 
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Championship betting, Brighton - Doncaster

After a superior season in 3rd tier, the Seagulls probably couldn’t wish a better opponent for a first game in Championship. As every newcomer, their enthusiasm will be highest at the start. In fact, when I think a little bit better, they maybe even have some chance for good result. Poyet made a first class surprise and beat other rivals for a Craig Mackail-Smith’s signature (35 goals last season in League One). 

Donny were one of the worst travellers last season and conceded 50 goals in 23 away games. They haven’t strenghten the team too much (I’ve noticed Giles Barnes from WBA) and probably one more season of struggling is in front. However, they usually have a good start of the campaign and maybe they can surprise today.

I was in dilemma, home win or goals. Brighton will have to adopt to their new home, Falmer Stadium (will probably be packed though). They scored 54 goals in League One at home and got huge quality in Mackail-Smith. On the other hand, both sides play a nice passing game that usually produces some goals. Over for me.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.96 188bet 
Stake: 6/10

One more...

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Championship betting, Coventry-Leicester 13:30h cet

Sven-Goran Eriksson has brought not less than 10 new players in the club. With those that stayed, the Foxes are public favourites (reasonable in my opinion) for a direct promotion (alongside West Ham). The question is how fast they all can gel up and start producing some results.

On the other hand, I doubt Coventry have a quality to do something in the league. Mid-table is expected and I cannot even exclude a possibility they will be struggling. But the fact is they always have a good start of the campaign and Ricoh Arena is always tough place to go.

I like the look of goals here. Think some books overreacted on Freddy Eastwood’s absence (injury) and 2.13 worth of a shot.

Bet: Over 2.5 
Odd: 2.13 Canbet
Stake: 7/10 

More later... 
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League One Season Betting

Today, I am posting an article about League One. Great season preview by Alan Dudman, from Betfair. Bets suggestions are included.
New season starts tonight, wish you plenty of wins and huge profit! Cheers.
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In preparation for the new League One season, the editor has produced me in peak condition for an assault on the ante-post markets. I have survived the betting.betfair.com bleep test, just. The directive of NO CARBS has been adhered to, whilst my keyboard schools have been honed throughout the month of July. Pre-season can be tough.

Sadly I have no Peterborough to wax lyrical about this season, whilst the void in my life since the departure of Eddie Howe to Burnley, has never quite been filled.
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Winner Market
Huddersfield Town at 6.00 are the title favourites, and were my selection to land top honours last term. They were 11.00 then, but choked in key games and spent most of the campaign chasing the tail of Brighton. Although they finished third, the play-offs were once again their downfall - they should be in the top three, and should be strongly considered.

I am quite intrigued by Sheffield Wednesday 7.60, who survived a relegation scare last season. That should be excused, as the Yorkshire club seemed in turmoil. Manager Gary Megson revived his beloved Owls towards the end of the campaign, and key to that was the strong home form in the closing weeks. Megson now has a clean slate to work with, and will have the financial backing of owner Milan Mandaric.

Wednesday have made some good signings, including the excellent Jose Semedo from Charlton. However, the firepower looks lacking at the moment, with Megson seemingly thwarted in chases for Cody McDonald (Norwich) and Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham). And with this being a bit of a make or break season for the giants of the division, Mandaric won't let a striker slip through the net.

Relegated Preston North End (8.00) have purchased Clarke Carlisle and Neil Mellor, and have the excellent Iain Hume up front. Manager Phil Brown lacks some quality on the left-hand side though. Meanwhile another class dropper Sheffield United 11.00 look more interesting as Danny Wilson got Swindon to the play-offs two seasons ago, and the Blades have a much stronger squad.
 
Recommended bets: Back Sheffield Wednesday to win 7.60

Promotion Market
One of the best footballing teams in the division last term was MK Dons, and their equally exciting young manager Karl Robinson. Having made the play-offs in 2011, I expect a similar sort of showing from the Buckinghamshire outfit. They trade at 4.70, which I think is a good back-to-lay. Their style is pass and move, and score plenty. They must keep hold of livewire striker Sam Baldock though - he turned down a move to Peterborough recently.

I might have a wild dart at Notts County at 9.00, purely on the Martin Allen factor. He worked magic at Brentford taking them to the play-offs on a shoe-string budget, and has a better squad at Meadow Lane. I rate Allen highly as a coach, and this is a big job for him.
 
Recommended Bets
Back MK Dons @ 4.70
Back Notts County @ 9.00

Top Goalscorer Market
Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes 11.00 netted 16 times last season, and should expect around 20 for the new campaign. Rhodes can be a bit streaky, but can find hot spells - especially at home. Neil Mellor 25.00 still had fire in that belly of his last season, scoring 13 times in the league with Sheffield Wednesday. Expect more now back with his former club Preston - who should be one of the forces in the division. A flyer would be Bury's Andy Bishop at 55.00, who was prolific at Gigg Lane before an injury hit two seasons.

Recommended Bets
Back Jordan Rhodes @ 11.0
Back Neil Mellor @ 25.0
Back Andy Bishop @ 55.0

http://betting.betfair.com/football/english-football-league/league-one-season-betting-wednesday-any-day-040811.html 

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League Championship Season Preview

The most boring time of the year is almost over. Championship starts tomorrow, League One and Two at Saturday, Premier next week. I am copying great Championship analyze wrote by Thomas Dobby.

Amazingly, it’s almost time to kick off the new season in England’s lower leagues. It seems just weeks ago (about 9 actually) that Swansea closed the 2010-11 season by beating Reading at Wembley and booking their place in the Premier League. But here we are, on the eve of a new year in one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world. Predictions are futile (I’ll still make them of course). After seeing my beloved Sheff United sink to League One (I still can’t believe it), there is no more bias involved! Hull v Blackpool kicks it off on Friday. As always, I’d love to read your thoughts below.

' 
Who’s Coming:
-West Ham, Blackpool, Birmingham (relegated from PL)
-Brighton + Hove Albion, Southampton, Peterborough (promoted from League One)

Who’s Going:
-QPR, Norwich, Swansea (promoted to PL)
-Scunthorpe, Sheffield United, Preston (relegated to League One)

Manager Merry-go round:
Talk about big-name managers…The Championship starts the season with bosses with some serious CV’s. Allardyce (West Ham), McClaren (Nottingham Forest), and Sven (Leicester) have all been on the biggest stage, while names like Holloway (Blackpool), Hughton (Birmingham), and Poyet (Brighton + Hove) add even more spice on the touchline.

Contenders:
There’s still a lot of activity to come on the transfer market, but the season waits for no one. Listed odds are their current price to win the league (actual odds).
My predictions are at the bottom of this post.

LEICESTER (4/1)-Sven-Goran Eriksson’s charges shoulder huge expectations after a flurry of quality signings at this level. David Nugent, Matt Mills, Paul Konchesky, John Pantsil and Kasper Schmeichel headline the newcomers. Their experience and pedigree are what make the Foxes joint favourites to win the division. But remember, ‘Boro and Bristol City were favourites last seaosn and were closer to relegation tham promotion. Were very good at home, but poor away last season. Must improve away from home to get where they want to be.

WEST HAM (4/1)- Like Newcastle before them, pundits thought West Ham were “too good to go down”. Whatever that means. Newcastle were able to bounce right back up after holding on to a lot of their Premier-League calibre players. West Ham are tipped to do the same. Kevin Nolan, Championship player of the year with Newcastle 2 seasons ago, comes in and will be immense for them. Scott Parker is still a Hammer…for now, but will likely be gone soon. Demba Ba and Carlton Cole are gone back to the Premier League, but Matty Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye join Nolan as solid new recruits.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (12/1)-Back in England after stops in Holland and Germany, Steve McClaren inherits a Forest side who have been throttled in the play-offs 2 seasons running. First is was Blackpool, and then Swansea utlimately leading to Billy Davies’ sacking. McClaren has yet to make any huge signings, inking only Andy Reid, George Boateng and Jonathan Greening. Forest likely need more to get over the hump.

BIRMINGHAM (16/1)- A prototypical yo-yo team, Birmingham find themselves again looking to climb the ladder after a heartbreaking drop on the final day. New boss Chris Hughton did an outstanding job getting Newcastle right back in to the top flight 2 years ago… but this is a different beast. The Blues have lost key performers in Roger Johnson, Lee Bowyer, Craig Gardner, Barry Ferguson and Ben Foster so far this summer, with Cameron Jerome and Scott Dann still possibly on the move as well. Those are gut-wrenching losses. Boaz Myhill comes in as the #1 keeper, as well as free transfers Jonatahan Spector, Chris Burke and Marlon King. Still, tons of work to do…

Playoffs?

MIDDLESBROUGH (16/1)- Very disappointing last season under Tony Mowbray. Maybe less expectation will lead to better results on Teesside?

SOUTHAMPTON (16/1) - Can they earn back-to-back promotions? Norwich just did it!

IPSWICH (18/1)- Some big-name signings in Michael Chopra and Lee Bowyer give them hope.

CARDIFF (18/1)-Big changes after a disappointing play-off exit to Reading. Dave Jones is out as boss, and in comes sexy choice Malky Mackay. Gone are Bothroyd, and Chopra while Craig Bellamy’s future is uncertain. In come signings Robert Earnshaw, Jon Parkin and Kenny Miller, all proven goal- scorers, as well as the promising Aron Gunnarson from Coventry.

LEEDS (18/1)- Stumbled at the business end of the season last year, just missing out on the
play-offs. Will hope for better this time around.

BRIGHTON & HOVE (18/1)- Gus Poyet’s League One winners are full of confidence coming up a division. Major coup winning the signature of striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

READING (20/1)- Beaten in the play-off final, Reading have lost some key performers, with Shane Long likely the next to go. Will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s run.

BLACKPOOL (20/1)- Ian Holloway’s lovable Tangerines will try and scratch and claw their way back to the top flight. But will have to do so without Charlie Adam, DJ Campbell and David Vaughan, who have all signed with Premier League clubs. Vets Kevin Phillips and Barry Ferguson come in.

BURNLEY (25/1)- Strong second-half last year bodes well heading in to the new campaign. Have a lot of crafty veterans, sprinkled in nicely with young blood.

FEARLESS PREDICTIONS:

Going up (automatic): West Ham, Cardiff
Playoffs: Leicester, Ipswich, Leeds*, Burnley
Going Down: Crystal Palace, Peterborough, Barnsley

Enjoy the season!
Thomas Dobby
Footy Show producer
http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2011/08/03/league-championship-season-preview/

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FK Ventspils - Crvena Zvezda 18:00h

Here’s what I promised. Will try to be not biased.

Ventspils - Crvena Zvezda

In the previous round, Latvian side eliminated Belarus Shakhtyor Soligorsk. In the first (away) game, from the highlights I’ve seen, they were very fortunate. Defending all the game and in the stoppage time one shot from the distance for the victory. In re-match they were on the edge, losing 2-1, but got penalty and eventually scored a winner. Considering players’ quality, they’re half-amateur side and few classes below us. Their only advantage will be average height of 190cm(!) that could cause some problems after set pieces. Pitch dimensions are small and stadium has capacity of only 3.200 seats.

Zvezda has some nightmare seasons in Europe, usually being eliminated in this or next round. However, situation has been changed a lot since club’s legend Robert Prosinecki (lift the CL trophy with the club in 1991, played at Real and Barca after) took the charge. His football philosophy is possession and short passes (he’s heavily inspired by Barca). Far best line is midfield, there’re some problems with conversion of created chances (usually we need 3-4 sitters to score once) and biggest problem is defence line. Centre backs will be Tosic (natural position left back) and young Mijailovic (natural defensive midfielder). Both have already played in those roles and while they could be a serious weakness against some stronger rivals, today they should have a good day in the office. Team showed a serious approach and arrived two days before the game.

As I pointed, odd for away win is unexpectedly high. Our reputation in European competitions has been ruined lately, the small pitch is in not so good condition and there’s rain today. Their squad is very tall and we have scoring problems. But on the other hand, we’re far better team. Everything except a convincing win would be first class surprise. 0-2 correct score.

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Europa League Betting, Ventspils-C.Zvezda

There's a great price at Ladbrokes and I am posting this earlier than usual.

FK Ventspils v Crvena Zvezda

Bet: Crvena Zvezda
Odd: 2.00 Ladbrokes
Stake: 8/10
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Champions League Betting, Genk-Partizan

There’re qualifiers and I see it as a warming-up games for the new season. It’s always hard to find some info for the teams from non-English speaking areas, so I will give my insight for this game hoping it might be useful to someone.

Genk – Partizan

Genk are Belgium champions and it says a lot. They play much better at home where they actually won the title beating competition. However, it’s summer vacation time and they probably won’t have stadium packed. They sold a goalie to Chelsea and he was one of two best players. His replacement is far from that level. Genk’s game is very fast and they’re attacking minded. They don't have too much international experience, differently from the visitors.

Our neighbours (their stadium is few hundred meters from Zvezda’s) made some, in my opinion strange moves on the transfer market. They sold almost entire team and brought a bunch of new players. Goalie is the same, but whole defence line is new. Instead top-class Savic (Man City lived their reputation by paying him way too much), skipper and heart of the team Krstajic and both side backs are four new faces. Ivanov, Bulgarian international looks very slow. Rnic came just few days ago. Right-back Rankovic experienced player, but his natural role is defensive midfielder and will play right-back. The strongest link is left-back Volkov. His only bad side is he’s too attacking minded. Defence line is far worst line of the team. Defensive mid Kamara is key on the midfield, Babovic could be good, but Vukic and Ilic are too old and too slow. Attacking duo is consisted of usually harmless Scepovic and top-class Brazilian Eduardo. He’s a great target man and lethal finisher. His striking force and Genk’s not so good goalie will be their best chance.

Stanojevic (Partizan’s coach) is about to do something very strange (considering some info that appeared) and set attacking side. It could easily turn this game in the goal fiesta. In my honest opinion Genk are the favourites and there’s decent possibility of goals. Pinnacle offers 2.05 for over 2.5 and I’ll take it with the smile.

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Bet: over 2.5
Odd: 2.05 Pinnacle
Stake: 7/10
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