Is seems like it was only a month ago we were talking about the end of the football season and wondering what we were going to do while waiting for 2011-2012 season to start. You can wonder no more – the season is about to start and punters are already reaching for their wallets. Football betting is one of Britain’s most popular betting pastimes – and with so many matches to bet on each weekend, it’s easy to see why.
All bar the Premier League restart this weekend with Championship clubs Hull and Blackpool kicking things off on Friday evening. There are plenty of games from Championship League through to League Two on Saturday while Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Wembley on Sunday in the traditional season opening Community Shield match. That’s just a entree into the following weekend when the Premier League starts their season, and with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham all keen to make inroads into Manchester United’s domination, it promises to be an interesting season of football.
While waiting for next weekend’s Premier League action, there’s still plenty of football betting interest in the lower divisions. The opener between Hull and Blackpool tomorrow night is a good start with bookmakers making Hull (at home) the favourite at 11/8. Blackpool are at 23/10 with the draw a tad longer at 12/5. Blackpool fell out of the Premier League at the end of last season and they will be keen to get themselves back on track for promotion again. Relegated teams have a history of either firing and working hard for promotion or quickly slipping back into the back. Hull are one team that suffered that slip, I am not sure that Blackpool will – it’s the first game of the year and we’re tipping Blackpool to either split the points or to come away with a win.
Other games to catch the eye that may produce surprise results at reasonable odds include Bristol City (6/4) against Ipswich (2/1). Ipswich came close to promotion last season and while they may be away from home, they could prove to be too strong against Bristol City. They are good value at 2/1. Derby (9/5) host the relegated Birmingham (15/8) in a tight betting contest. Birmingham have had a little turmoil to deal with in the off season and could be ripe for Derby to pluck at home. We’re tipping Derby to win at home although the draw at 23/10 looks to be good value. The final game that looks to be a good betting proposition is between Peterborough (13/10) and Crystal Palace 21/10. Palace performed last season while Peterborough on the rise having been promoted at the end of last season. Palace are good value at 21/10 and we think they may be too strong for their rivals.
It’s a great weekend of football betting and the season promises to be even better. Join us each week as we try to find the best odds with the best online bookmakers in the business.