Football Betting Previews

Championship 2009/2010 Betting Season Preview (Saturday, August 08, 2009)

The Championship 2009/2010 Barnsley Manager: Simon Davey Key Player: Luke Steele Stadium: Oakwell Promotion Odds: 28/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 15/8 Bet365 Transfers In: David Preece, Onome Sodje Transfers Out: Dennis Souza, Diego Leon, Heinz Muller, Kyle Letheren SoccerBetting Opinion - Barnsley survived by the skin of their teeth last season and weren't too far away the season before either. They are a club in trouble and their lack of signings over the summer have done nothing to boost our confidence in Simon Davey pulling off another miraculous escape. Third times a charm for Barnsley as League 1 looms. SoccerBetting Prediction: 23rd Position Blackpool Manager: Ian Holloway Key Player: Ben Burgess Stadium: Bloomfield Road Promotion Odds: 28/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 15/8 Bet365 Transfers In: Charlie Adam, Jason Euell, Billy Clarke Transfers Out: Stuart Green, Shaun Barker, Marlon Broomes, Jermaine Wright SoccerBetting Opinion - Blackpool look a club destined for relegation this season. We simply can't see where their goals will come from. Their forward options look blunt and that's putting it lightly. Ben Burgess appears their only glimmer of hope and they willy rely heavily on his goals this forthcoming season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 24th Position Bristol City Manager: Gary Johnson Key Player: Nicky Maynard Stadium: Ashton Gate Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 7/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Lewin Nyatanga, Danny Haynes, Paul Hartley, Dean Gerken, David Clarkson, Andre Blackman Transfers Out: Chris Weale, Dele Adebola, Scott Murray SoccerBetting Opinion - Bristol City endured what was a disappointing season last term after failing to mount a serious challenge on those play-off positions. They came close to promotion in 2008 after losing in the play-off's but they do appear to have passed their best opportunity up and Gary Johnson's side could struggle to match the high expectations of the City fans. SoccerBetting Prediction: 12th Position Cardiff City Manager: Dave Jones Key Player: Michael Chopra Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Promotion Odds: 11/2 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 12/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Paul Quinn, Anthony Gerrard, Mark Hudson, David Marshall, Michael Chopra Transfers Out: Paul Parry, Darren Dennehy, Darren Purse, Roger Johnson SoccerBetting Opinion - Cardiff narrowly missed out on the lottery of the play-off's last term and will be eager to book their ticket in this year lottery. However, The Championship looks as competitive as ever and Cardiff look out of their depth now. They will remain a tough opponent though and will be involved in their fair amount of upsets this season but we just don't think Cardiff have enough talent in depth to mount a challenge for the play-off's and above throughout the whole of the season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 9th Position Coventry City Manager: Chris Coleman Key Player: Freddie Eastwood Stadium: Ricoh Arena Promotion Odds: 14/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 4/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Sammy Clingan Transfers Out: Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Sean Fraser, Robbie Simpson SoccerBetting Opinion - We really don't hold out much hope for Chris Coleman and his Coventry side this season. The lack of incoming players during the summer is a huge concern on what is a poor Coventry squad. Their forward line is actually half-decent with Freddie Eastwood their biggest goal threat but their defence leaves a lot to be desired. The Sky Blues avoided relegation quite comfortably last season but we think they'll make their supporters squirm this time around. SoccerBetting Prediction: 21st Position Crystal Palace Manager: Neil Warnock Key Player: Freddie Sears Stadium: Selhurst Park Promotion Odds: 9/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 7/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Stern John, Darren Ambrose, Freddie Sears Transfers Out: Paul Ifill, James Scowcroft, Carl Fletcher SoccerBetting Opinion - Although Neil Warnock has hardly gone crazy in the transfer market, he has brought in some talented individuals that could evidentially take the club on to pastures new. Freddie Sears is highly rated back at West Ham and he will be a player to watch throughout the course of the season. Palace finished nearer bottom then first last season but we feel the tables will turn this season and the Selhurst Park faithful will have more to shout about come the end of the season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 4th Position Derby County Manager: Nigel Clough Key Player: Rob Hulse Stadium: Pride Park Promotion Odds: 15/2 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 9/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Saul Deeney, Shaun Barker, Lee Croft, Dean Moxey, Jake Buxton Transfers Out: Liam Dickinson, Lewin Nyatanga, Lewis Price, Emanuel Villa, Tyrone Mears SoccerBetting Opinion - Everyone wants Clough to do well at Derby but with funds currently at a premium, we can only see The Rams struggling to keep up with leading pack and will evidentially spend most the season chasing the promotion contender. They've waved goodbye to some of their first team players and will introduce a few new faces but will it be enough to save the Pride of Derby County? We don't think so. There just simply isn't enough quality within the County ranks to suggest otherwise and another drab season is in the pipeline for Derby fans. SoccerBetting Prediction: 16th Position Doncaster Rovers Manager: Sean O'Driscoll Key Player: Steve Brooker Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium Promotion Odds: 20/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 11/4 Bet365 Transfers In: Quinton Forutne Transfers Out: Jason Price, Richard Wellens, Gordon Greer, Matthew Mills SoccerBetting Opinion - Doncaster are another side who look vulnerable and their one year stint in The Championship could soon come to an end. Losing Matthew Mills to Reading is a big loss and when you put that with their limited attacking options and it makes for one perfect relegation recipe. Doncaster shared the dubious honour of scoring the least amount of goals in the league last season, averaging under a goal a game. It was clear their attack needed strengthening but that hasn't happened and their penalty could be another season back in League 1. SoccerBetting Prediction: 22nd Position Ipswich Town Manager: Roy Keane Key Player: Pablo Counago Stadium: Portman Road Promotion Odds: 11/4 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 28/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Colin Healy, Lee Martin, Damien Delaney Transfers Out: Kevin Lisbie, Dan Harding, Danny Haynes, Tommy Miller, Billy Clarke, Ivan Campo SoccerBetting Opinion - Ipswich were touted as serious promotion contenders before the start of last season but that pressure clearly got to the Ipswich players. Roy Keane is now at the helm and the board will be hoping his appointment will restore some steel into the Ipswich players and inspire them to at least a play-off finish. Roy Keane hasn't gone to town in the summer but this is his level and we expect him to guide Ipswich to great things this season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 3rd Position Leicester City Manager: Nigel Pearson Key Player: Matty Fryatt Stadium: Walkers Stadium Promotion Odds: 7/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 10/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Richard Wellens, Chris Weale, Dany N'Guessan, Wayne Brown, Robbie Neilson, Jack Hobbs Transfers Out: James Wesolowski, Patrick Kisnorbo, Billy McKay, Barry Hayles SoccerBetting Opinion - Leicester were the dominant force in League 1 last season and their promotion back to The Championship failed to surprise any full-time football follower. They've managed to retain some of the players that were relegated back in 2007-2008 and that will lead to Championship experience. Their odds to gain promotion are probably a bit too short in our honest opinions as we think Leicester will settle down to life in mid-table throughout the majority of the new season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 13th Position Middlesborough Manager: Gareth Southgate Key Player: Afonso Alves Stadium: The Riverside Promotion Odds: 7/4 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 33/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Leroy Lita, Danny Coyne, Mark Yeates Transfers Out: Mido, Stewart Downing, Ross Turnbull, Graeme Owens SoccerBetting Opinion - The critics are already out for Gareth Southgate and Middlesborough after their shock relegation from the Premiership last season. However, Southgate has kept hold of the main bulk of the side that were relegated last season and still posses some talented individuals who albeit, failed to shine last season. Afonso Alves will need to justify his hefty price tag with plenty of goals while Robert Huth and David Wheater will look to be the rock at the back for 'Borough'. We believe Southgate is the right man to guide Middlesborough back to the top and we expect a strong season from the Tyneside outfit. SoccerBetting Prediction: 1st Position Newcastle United Manager: Vacant Key Player: Damien Duff Stadium: St. James Park Promotion Odds: 15/8 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 10/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Transfers Out: Michael Owen, David Edgar, Obafemi Martins SoccerBetting Opinion - Club in the shop window, without a manager and now without any world class forwards with Michael Owen and Nigerian Obafemi Martins both exiting the club during the summer. Not only that but as the club is up for sale, owner Mike Ashley isn't willing to dip into his pocket for any new faces so Newcastle are only heading backwards at current. When, or possibly even if at this rate, a manager is appointed he will have some task getting the players to come together for a serious push for promotion. Newcastle are overrated by the bookies and we can't see them getting near the play-off's let alone winning the league itself. SoccerBetting Prediction: 8th Position Nottingham Forest Manager: Billy Davies Key Player: Dele Adebola Stadium: City Ground Promotion Odds: 5/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 9/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Dexter Blackstock, Joel Lynch, Radoslaw Majewski, Chris Gunter, Paul McKenna, Lee Camp, Dele Adebola, Paul Anderson Transfers Out: Matt Thornhill, Mark Byrne, Shane Redmond, James Reid, Joe Heath, Brendan Moloney, Liam Cook, Richard Tait, Iain Breckin SoccerBetting Opinion - Nottingham Forest safely avoided relegation last season fairly comfortably in the end although they will be aiming to push on this season and possibly mount a promotion challenge. They've brought in some very talented players over the summer and should be thereabouts come the end of the season providing the players gel from the off. SoccerBetting Prediction: 6th Position Peterborough Manager: Darren Ferguson Key Player: Aaron McLean Stadium: London Road Promotion Odds: 14/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 9/2 Bet365 Transfers In: Krystian Pearce, Tommy Rowe, Lee Frecklington, Toumani Diagouraga Transfers Out: Rene Howe, Scott Rendell, Chris Westwood SoccerBetting Opinion - 'Posh' will be aiming to complete an historic promotion double this season after gaining automatic promotion from League 1 last season. The job on guiding Peterborough to the Premiership is down to Darren Ferguson, son of Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He done a tremendous job at Peterborough last season and has already lead them out of League 2 and were Peterborough to gain promotion this season, it would be their third in as many seasons. Do they have a chance? Well, possibly although we think they will find several too strong in this league. SoccerBetting Prediction: 10th Position Plymouth Argyle Manager: Paul Sturrock Key Player: Romain Larrieu Stadium: Home Park Promotion Odds: 20/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 5/2 Bet365 Transfers In: Alan Judge, Kari Arnason, Bradley Wright-Philips, Carl Fletcher Transfers Out: Jason Puncheon, Jermaine Easter, Yannick Bolasie, Emile Mpenza SoccerBetting Opinion - Plymouth are under new management but will that produce instanst success on the field? We highly doubt it. Plymouth have one of the weakest sides in the league but seem to do just enough to maintain their Championship status each year. We would love to see the 'Pilgrims' plying their trade in the Premiership but it would need a complete overhaul within the Argyle ranks for that to happen. Plymouth will look to consolidate their status in the league before possibly challenging for promotion in the future. SoccerBetting Prediction: 19th Position Preston North End Manager: Alan Irvine Key Player: Callum Davidson Stadium: Deepdale Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 9/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Paul Parry Transfers Out: Karl Hawley, Simon Whaley, Paul McKenna, Chris Neal SoccerBetting Opinion - Preston surpassed expectations last season when narrowly missing out on the play-off's via goal difference. With that in mind the bookies have priced Preston up as possible promotion candidates although we don't share that faith. Preston had the ability to produce a big performance but always looked a tad out muscled somewhat against the bigger sides. Preston will secure some impressive results this season but consistency will be their downfall come the end. SoccerBetting Prediction: 14th Position Queens Park Rangers Manager: Jim Magilton Key Player: Ákos Buzsáky Stadium: Loftus Road Promotion Odds: 5/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 16/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Alessandro Pellicori, Alejandro Faurlin Transfers Out: Dexter Blackstock, Jake Cole, Lee Camp, Damien Delaney, Zesh Rehman SoccerBetting Opinion - The expectations were high when Flavio Briatore & Co first took over at Queens Park and despite their ambitious plans of getting the club to the heights of the Premiership, they've yet to mount a serious promotion bid. The fans were hoping for a few fresh faces to arrive at Loftus Road over the summer but that hasn't really happened with just a brace of the unknown entering the club. Their inconsistent tendency's cost them dear last season with scoring goals their biggest concern. Before QPR can once again be touted as Premiership contenders, they will need to bring in some star strikers to score the goals needed for success. SoccerBetting Prediction: 11th Position Reading Manager: Brendan Rodgers Key Player: Noel Hunt Stadium: The Madjeski Promotion Odds: 9/2 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 20/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Ryan Bertrand Transfers Out: Leroy Lita, Alan Bennett, Alex McCarthy, Michael Duberry, Scott Golbourne, Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle SoccerBetting Opinion - Reading have lost a handful of the squad that were once plying their trade in the Premiership. However, they gave it a good go last season and came within a whisker of securing promotion back to the top flight but not only did their failure to deliver dash their Premiership dreams but it also spelled the end for manager Steve Coppell. Brendan Rodgers has now taken over the mantle and the season objective will remain the same as always - secure promotion back to the league where Reading fans feel they belong. Will they achieve that this season? We unfortunately can't see it. Their squad looks a lot weaker than season before and they appear to have already passed up their best chance of gaining promotion last season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 7th Position Scunthorpe Manager: Nigel Adkins Key Player: Gary Hooper Stadium: Glanford Park Promotion Odds: 40/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 6/4 Bet365 Transfers In: Rob Jones, Josh Wright, Michael O'Connor Transfers Out: SoccerBetting Opinion - Scunthorpe secured promotion via the play-off's last season and despite their final celebrations, it was evident that the team need reinforcements. However, there are doubts over the credentials of the players Nigel Adkins has brought in and it's hard to see Scunthorpe becoming a big player in the Championship this season. Their main objective will be to maintain their Championship status and we think they'll do just that...just. SoccerBetting Prediction: 20th Position Sheffield United Manager: Kevin Blackwell Key Player: Ched Evans Stadium: Bramall Lane Promotion Odds: 10/3 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 25/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Mark Bunn, Glen Little, Kyle Walker, Ryan France, Keith Treacy, Ched Evans, Andy Taylor, Kyle Reid, Lee Williamson Transfers Out: Sun Jihai, Kyle Naughton, Jamie Annerson, Danny Webber, Ugo Egiogu, Adam Chapman, Nicky Law SoccerBetting Opinion - United suffered heartache in the play-off final last year and they'll be hoping to go one better this season. They've gone to town in the summer transfer window and brought in the necessary replacements to mount a challenge on the automatic promotion spots. Glen Little brings with him Premiership experience while Ched Evans is still very young but already has International experience under his belt. Both, especially the latter, will be big players for United this term and we think Ched Evans will be one of the players of the season this year. SoccerBetting Prediction: 2nd Position Sheffield Wednesday Manager: Brian Laws Key Player: Marcus Tudgay Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 7/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Darren Potter, Tommy Miller, Darren Purse Transfers Out: Sam Liversidge, Steve Watson, Kenny Lunt SoccerBetting Opinion - Sheffield Wednesday have often had to play second fiddle to their bitter neighbours and that appears to be the case for the forthcoming season. The contrast in quality at both Sheffiled clubs is immense and Wednesday are a million miles away from promotion right now. Their one glimmer of hope will be their star forward - Marcus Tudgay. He may only average a goal every 3 or 4 games but he's their one and only bright spark in the final third and they will rely heavily on his goals this season. SoccerBetting Prediction: 15th Position Swansea City Manager: Paulo Sousa Key Player: Nathan Dyer Stadium: Liberty Stadium Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 13/2 Bet365 Transfers In: Jordi Lopez, Steven Dobbie, Nathan Dyer Transfers Out: Jason Scotland SoccerBetting Opinion - Things were looking bright at the Liberty but then came the departure of their star forward in Jason Scotland. Swansea have now lost a player who will bag you at least 15 goals a season and they will find it extremely difficult to replace him. They've brought Nathan Dyer back in after his loan spell and will be hoping the pacy winger can make an impact in the Championship this season. However, the Swansea supporters will be handed a reality check this season and survival will turn into their seasonal target sooner rather than later. SoccerBetting Prediction: 17th Position Watford Manager: Malky Mackay Key Player: Jay DeMerit Stadium: Vicarage Road Promotion Odds: 14/1 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 7/2 Bet365 Transfers In: Jure Travner, Danny Graham, Scott Severin Transfers Out: Steve Kabba, Alhassan Bangura, Theo Robinson, Lee Williamson SoccerBetting Opinion - Gone the days when Watford were battling it out against England's finest in the Premiership. In fact, gone the days when Watford were even challenging for Championship honours. Now, the priority each season is survival with funds at the club at a premium. Their star player Tomas Priskin looks destined for the exit and it does look gloomy for the Watford fans. They've had plenty of surprising seasons before where they've mounted a promotion challenge but we can't see that happening this time around. SoccerBetting Prediction: 18th Position West Bromwich Albion Manager: Roberto Di Matteo Key Player: Johnathan Greening Stadium: The Hawthorns Promotion Odds: 7/4 Bet365 Relegation Odds: 40/1 Bet365 Transfers In: Gonzalo Jara, Reuben Reid, Simon Cox Transfers Out: Pedro Pele, Do-Heon Kim, Luke Daniels, Paul Robinson SoccerBetting Opinion - West Brom have always taken to life back in The Championship pretty well They won the league when they were last involved back in 2007/2008 and they shouldn't be too far off this season. Although they haven't introduced too many enw faces over the summer, they haven't been rushed into offloading too many either. Club captain Johnathan Greening will need another big season if the 'baggies' are to gain promotion back to the top flight and we wouldn't out anyone off backing West Brom to do the business once more. SoccerBetting Prediction: 5th Position Labels: Championship, Championship 2009/2010, Championship Betting, Championship outright betting, Championship promotion, Championship relegation Posted by soccerbetting.info @ 9:23 AM << Home