Its the day everyone has been looking forward to for the last 2 months or so, its the return of the Premier League! This weekend will give us the opportunity to start answering some important questions over what will happen this season. How much will Liverpool miss Luis Suarez? Will LVG prove to be more like Sir Alex or more like David Moyes? Have Southampton sold too manyplayers and put themselves in for a relegation fight, and just how big is the gap between the PL and Championship. Of course this is only the first game and there is a long way to go, but the picture will start to be painted, i cant wait!
From a betting point of view its still difficult to spot any form and be truly confident with these early season fixtures, however, i will sift through the games to come up with whats best. Last week i was so close but yet so far with my predictions. I toyed between Wigan and Fleetwood as my value bet of the day, and sods law Fleetwood came in after i decided to opt for Wigan, who could only draw their opener. In the treble, Forest won easily,and Fleetwood landed, however despite peppering the Notts County goal for much of the game Preston could only manage a draw. This leaves me wit £70 to pull back from a P+L perspective.
In the Premier League there is little value in the top 5 as all are odds on and short prices at that. I can see Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all winning, although City have a tough game away at Newcastle, who i think have made some great signings over the summer and will be one to watch over the coming weeks, especially as they are likely to be decent odds. The outstanding bet from the PL comes at the Britannia Stadium where Stoke entertain a weak Villa side. Stoke are 19/20 with Hills, PP and Bet Victor which is good odds for me. They are always defensively very good, and with 2-3 top signings, most namely Bojan will be too strong for an inept and weak looking Villa team.
In the Championship its difficult to ignore Cardiff who are at home to a Huddersfield side who lost 4-0 in the season opener and who are without a manger. Cardiff are 4-5 with Stan James and Bet Victor which is again a good value bet. Also in the Championship Nottingham Forest are 19/10 to win at Bolton. Bolton suffered defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in the season opener and scored a last minute equalizer against Bury at home in the cup to save further embarrassment. Forest however have won their first 2 games of the season and are yet to concede a goal. With 21/20 draw no bet and 19/10 for the outright win Forest are great value to earn some cash back this weekend.
In league 1 is my bet of the day. Bristol City looked strong in winning at promotion rivals Sheffield Utd in week 1, and in my opinion will be challenging this season for automatic promotion. They play a weak Colchester Utd who will be struggling at the other end of the league this season and although only 4-6, they still offer the opportunity for a nice little raise, and are ideal addition for any accumulator.
So here are my Saturday tips:
Nottingham Forest win single 19-10 £20 skybet
Stoke, Cardiff and Bristol City Treble £20 5.7 with Bet Victor
Cardiff and Bristol City double 2-1 £30 Bet Victor
Good Luck
Jared
