The football season is still several days away yet football betting odds are being affected by strange goings on. At least, some appear to be strange. I mean to say, who in their right mind would schedule an international friendly three days before the start of the season? Most of the top teams are still trying to prepare for the season openers – and their stars are away on international duty. Not only are they on international duty, they will still be required to play this weekend.

Sound tough? It is for some of the players. These international friendlies don’t just affect English players. International teams from every continent are affected so you have Premier League players who are off to Australia, the USA or the West Indies (just to name a few). Those long flights take a lot out of players – especially those expected to front up again on Saturday for their clubs.

These friendlies are not part of any major tournament – there is no World Cup or Euro 2012 places at stake – they are just friendlies. England are as short as 1/6 to defeat Norway tonight – you can get as much as 12/1 on the visitors so I am sure that waiting a week or two would have been in order.

While these international friendlies are upsetting team preparations, some teams are not helping themselves. There are still player transfers being negotiated with last minute deals being struck everywhere.  Aston Villa are the latest club to shock with successful long term manager Martin O’Neill walking out on the club.  He will be hard to replace given the respect he has earned from both players and fans.

Football betting can be tough at the best of times, but then, I guess that’s what makes betting so attractive. You just never know how one action can affect an outcome. Villa may fall in a heap without O’Neill, or his replacement could work wonders with the club and see them become a powerhouse. Hmm – I wonder what price I can get for Villa to finish in the top four?