With the Premier League AND the Football League seasons kicking off this weekend we take a look at the top-4 tiers of the English footballing pyramid & provide some betting insight..
Premier League
Last season’s runaway winner Liverpool get their season underway against newly promoted Leeds United at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Jurgen Klopp has made just the sole signing this Summer in adding Greek full-back Kostas Tsimikas to his Merseyside squad. Having collected 97 and 99-points over the last 2 Premier League seasons it’s fairly easy to make a case for the Reds to retain their crown this coming season.
Jurgen Klopp has made just the sole signing this Summer in adding Greek full-back Kostas Tsimikas to his Merseyside squad. Having collected 97 and 99-points over the last 2 Premier League seasons it’s fairly easy to make a case for the Reds to retain their crown this coming season.
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Man City will not lay down without a fight though. Pep Guardiola’s side returned a disappointing 81-points last term, 18-points adrift of champions Liverpool- but it is worth noting the Citizens outscored the Reds by no fewer than 17-goals.
City’s season was hampered by injuries to key players Leroy Sane, Aymeric Laporte & Sergio Aguero and with winger Ferran Torres and defender Nathan Ake being added to an already world class squad during the off-season it's no surprise that bookmakers justifiably have 2017/18 & 2018/19 winners as odds-on favourites for 2020/21 Premier League success. |
Championship
Last season’s relegated trio Norwich, Watford and Bournemouth dominate the ante-post market for next season’s Championship title.
Bournemouth have since parted company with long-serving manager Eddie Howe as well as key figures Callum Wilson, Aaron Ramsdale & Nathan Ake all departing while Norwich & Watford have more-or-less retained their squads from last season with the Canaries arguably strengthening during the Summer.
Bournemouth have since parted company with long-serving manager Eddie Howe as well as key figures Callum Wilson, Aaron Ramsdale & Nathan Ake all departing while Norwich & Watford have more-or-less retained their squads from last season with the Canaries arguably strengthening during the Summer.
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Daniel Farke has added both attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell & forward Jordan Hugill on permanent deals as well as securing loan deals for the highly regarded Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp as well as experienced centre-back Ben Gibson from Burnley.
Teemu Pukki hit 29-goals in the Championship when the Canaries gained promotion in 2018-19 and the Fin is well-fancied to top score again this coming season. Last season’s play-off final runners-up Brentford also warrant consideration. The sale of Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa leaves a large void to fill and although the Bees have added last season's League 1 top goal-scorer Ivan Toney it could be a case of settling for the play-off route once again for the West-London outfit. |
League 1
For the 3rd season in a row, Sunderland are set to go off favourites for the League 1 title but having finished 5th in 2018-19 and 7th last year it makes sense to look elsewhere.
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Oxford United defeated Portsmouth on route to the play-off final but Karl Robinson’s side were stunned by Wycombe at Wembley and Pompey arguably make more appeal going into the 2020-21 season.
Kenny Jackett’s south-coast side are just about as solid as they come in League 1 and look good value to achieve automatic promotion this time around. |
League 2
Bolton were an established Premier League side not so long ago but financial turmoil has seen the Trotters free-fall to England’s 4th tier. Keith Hill’s side were always playing catch-up last season after starting the season with a 12-point deduction and their young squad performed with credit at stages to avoid defeat in 16 of their 34 league fixtures played.
Having guided AFC Barrow to the Conference title last season, Ian Evatt is an interesting appointment as manager and the former Blackpool defender has added a whole flock of new signings including Eoin Doyle who scored 25 times for Swindon last season.
Having guided AFC Barrow to the Conference title last season, Ian Evatt is an interesting appointment as manager and the former Blackpool defender has added a whole flock of new signings including Eoin Doyle who scored 25 times for Swindon last season.
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Salford City continue to outspend all bar none in League Two and the 'Class of 92' owned Greater Manchester club are well equipped to sustain a promotion push this season.
Graham Alexander has added experienced trio Tom Clarke, Jason Lowe & Ian Henderson over the Summer and all 3 were involved as the Lions edged out Championship opposition Rotherham in the 1st round of the League Cup. |
All odds correct at time of posting
(10/09/2020 16:00)
(10/09/2020 16:00)
