So listen, as promised (I know it’s a day late but c’mon I’m a busy girl!) we’ve our first guest blogger entry!!
For all you guys (& girls) who like the occasional flutter like myself Wally Pyrah, sports betting guru and spokesperson for the ‘Racing Post’, has given us a few of his ‘tips’ for the football season! We should consider ourselves very fortunate – But we’ll assess that at the end of the footy season!
Good luck and enjoy xxx
By Wally Pyrah – Director, Square in the Air.
If you thought the 30,000 fireworks that went off in the opening ceremony in Beijing was explosive, wait until the new Premiership season kicks off at 3.00p.m on Saturday afternoon.
The Premiership is broadcast to 211 countries from around the world, and last seasons worldwide total television figures, were a staggering 4.77 billion people. Now you understand why Premiership footballers are paid exorbitant sums of money for 90 minutes work. The revenue made by Premiership clubs is so staggering, it is completely off the general public’s radar!!
Seemingly there’s a ‘credit crunch’ in the U.K, but try telling that to the high street bookmakers. Half yearly figures from a couple of the major conglomerates suggest profits are down (too many favourites have been winning) but turnover continues to spiral. With hardly a day likely to go by without some form of football, either on TV or Radio, the bookies will be rubbing their hands with anticipation and shouting at punters…….”to come on down”
With their promise that you will be able to bet on every eventuality that takes place over the 90mins, be it from singing their National Anthem to how many players will wear gloves in the match, you can understand why bookmakers will anticipate to turnover hundreds of millions in currency this season.
English Premiership
Now who will win the Premiership? The punters believe Luiz Felipe Scolari and Chelsea will do so. So much of their hard earned cash has poured on to the London club over the past week, that one hard nosed bookmaker likened the punters, to the hoards of ‘Orks’ clamouring outside the castle in the ‘Lords of the Rings’ and the ‘goodies trying to pull up the drawbridge!
Manchester United, the original bookies favourites, have drifted like a barge in recent days, and despite winning the Charity Shield, continue to be friendless. “Oh Ye punters of little faith” Sir Alex is still the greatest ‘Master of the Helm’ on the planet. With the best and most dependable squad in the Premiership the current odds of 7-4 should be snapped up without delay.
For those who fancy a flutter on some of the novelty bets offered by the layers, take a second glance at the 11-2 offered about Aston Villa “Without the Big Four”. Martin O’Neill’s small squad made a big impact under the former Celtic manager last season, and with or without Gareth Barry, have the right credentials to be up at the top again.
The ‘Relegation’ battle is obviously highlighted in the betting by the three teams who were promoted last season. All three are odds on to go through the trapdoor again… but be warned! Stoke City under Tony Pulis are not an easy team to beat at the Potteries and could be another Sunderland. More likely to slip into the ‘black abyss’ is Bolton who just managed to stay afloat last season under Gary Megson. The offer of 100-30 about the ‘Trotters’ not making it again this time around is too good to miss.
Finally in the Premiership, it could be worth having a small wager on Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie at 16-1 for the Premiership ‘Golden Boot’. The young Dutchman only scored seven goals in the Premiership last season because of a long term injury. His recent Euro 2008 exploits suggest he is back to his best and he is undoubtably one of the most natural finishers in the game.
English Championship, League 1 & League 2
In the ‘Championship’ division look no further than Steve Coppell’s Reading who are currently quoted at 9-1. The ‘Royals’ who were desperately unlucky to be relegated last season, have still kept eight of their first team who played in the Premiership. With the likes of Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle up front they could prove too good for the likes of Birmingham and QPR
Portsmouth manager and keen punter Harry Redknapp is very keen on the chances of Leicester at 5-1 for Division 1 and the hint should be taken. OK, they were relegated from the Championship last season, but still had one of the best defensive records in the league. Manager Nigel Pearson has some top quality players at his disposal and they should prove too good for the opposition.
Division 2 should be all about Rochdale who just failed to make Division 1 via the ‘Playoffs’ With an average squad age of around 22, there is plenty of improvement top come from Keith Hill’s outfit and they should be great value at around 10/1. For those looking for an outsider Morecambe under Sammy McIlroy fit the bill. At one point the newly promoted Conference team were in the ‘Play Off’ zone until they struggled in the final stages of the season. At 40-1, they could suprise better supported teams.
Scottish Premiership
In the Scottish Premier League, I pass on a strong word for Falkirk, who can be backed in the ‘Handicap’ getting a 40pt start. The ‘Bairns’ just lost out to Rangers recently, but their home form will prove invaluable this season, and at 9-1 should give supporters a run for their money.
