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Hi all, anybody got any opinions on respective Division’s this year.
I have gone with Everton in the Premiership, Cardiff in Coca Cola Championship, Hartlepool League one and Bournemouth, in League two, have done a £1Yankee with a £2 E/W Acc.
Opinions greatly appreciated.
Cheers and whatever you picks BE LUCKY.
Adrian.
Hello Adrian
I’m not keen on the handicaps but good luck with your selections.
Have had a couple anti-post bets for Leeds outright league one 7/2, Zamorston talked me into it on the county cricket thread of all places and Shrewsbury outright league two 12/1, hoping their new signings can fire them to glory they have been backed from 25’s i believe.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Tottenham on +18 look decent to me. I think they’ll have a good season and think the manager is a pretty shrewd character.
If Villa keep Barry I’d fancy them to finish higher than Everton while of the teams further down the list Portsmouth on +27 would have a squeak.
Who won this last year – Everton/Villa?
I was looking at Bournemouth in League Two because of the way they finished last season but I read somewhere they start this season with a 15 point deduction. If this is correct do the handicap odds reflect this.
Morning folks, i had overlooked the fact about Bournemouth so thanks to Pat123 for pointing that out, shot myself in the foot there didn’t i
Cheers again.
Adrian.
Adrian,
I very rarely have a bet in the handicaps in football. The sole reason for this is because if I were to have a bet then I would like to put a lot of work into it, assessing every team etc – and for some reason (call it lazy if you want) I just can never be bothered.
For the purpose of this thread however, I’ve had a quick look at the Premiership. I’ve made a short list of three teams that I think will improve on last season’s finishing position.
These are, Tottenham (goes without saying really), Newcastle (think they will finish top ten) and Middlesbrough (putting together a good young squad).
However, it’s difficult to work out whether they will improve enough to bridge the points gap the handicap has afforded them.
Last season Spurs finished 41 points behind United – this season they are only getting an 18 point start. Can they improve 23 points from last season just to catch the scratch team? And then you’ve got to hope that no other team performs way above their handicap mark. So for that reason I will swerve Spurs, though I do think they will finish top six in the Premiership.
Newcastle finished 44 points behind the scratch team last season and yet this season they are only getting a 29 point start. Yes I think they will improve, yes I think they will finish top eight in the Premiership, and yes I think they can finish 15 points better off from last season…. but only just.
Middlesbrough are the team that interest me, and I promise this isn’t because I’m a fan – well it is, because if I weren’t a fan I wouldn’t be watching them and noticing how well they are blending in friendlies
.They have a talented squad of youngsters, including the likes of Downing and Wheater. Up front they ahve a prolific goalscorer (albeit in the Dutch league) in Afonso Alves. Mido has lost a lot of weight and looks fit as a fiddle and hopefully he will be like a new signing. Tuncay played really well for Turkey in Euro 08 and I think he will improve on his first season in the Premiership. Aliadiere and Marvin Emnes are young and very speedy who can play across the frontline or on the wings.
I don’t have any worries about Boro’s defence as they have plenty of strength in depth, but I am slightly worried about the centre midfield position. We have lost Boateng, Rochenback and Cattermole, and only have Didier Digard, Julio Arca and Gary O’Neill who can play in this position – however, there is talk of a new arrival soon for this position.
In summary Boro finished 45 points behind the scratch team last season with some dire performances and I think (and hope) they can improve considerably on that and finish in the top 8 or 10 of the Premiership. Eighth last season was 30 points behind the scratch team (tenth was 38 points behind) – so I think the 37 point start Boro get gives them a great chance of going close to winning the handicap.
They are available at 26, and if I were to have a bet (and I just might now) then Middlesbrough are the team I would (the more I think of it, out of hope and loyalty) go for.
Now, whoever said never let your heart rule your head?
Mike
Now, whoever said never let your heart rule your head?
Mike
It can pay sometimes to follow your heart as I placed 4 hcap bets at the start of last season and the only one that provided me with a return was the devon team I support Plymouth Argyle. I will not be doing them this season as they have sold their 2 best players and could struggle.
I like hcap betting and In the Premiership, it may be that one of the promoted teams will surprise and I think that Hull City may be the one.
In the Championship, I am surprised that Ipswich are not at shorter odds and they are my choice.
Promoted clubs to Division One are often underestimated by the bookies and I was hoping for more generous odds about Peterboro but they seem fairly priced. Last season I bet on Northampton e/way and they failed by one point to give me a return and I’ll give them another chance this season.
I also fancied Bournemouth in Division two and they could still do it but I’ll go for Rochdale who were nearly promoted last season.
Pete
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