As the Premier League doesn’t kick-off until next week, I am going to start-off by rounding up my pre-season ante post bets.
In my Weekend Wager column over the past few weeks I have already shared one ante post bet that I like on Stoke to finish in the top half of the table. They have a settled team and lots of under-rated players so the 7/2 on them with Paddy Power and Blue Square appeals.
Another bet previously mentioned is West Brom to be the top newcomer this season at 9/4 with Ladbrokes, who also go best price 4/1 on Newcastle to go straight back down. The top flight will be a lot tougher this year and with Mike Ashley in charge, they are never likely to be far from trouble. I was very tempted by this bet but instead have taken the 3/4 on arch rivals Sunderland to finish above them with Bwin. They are a settled team with a top goalscorer in Darren Bent and a top ten finish won’t be beyond them.
My final bet for the season is on likely whipping boys Blackpool who are 11/8 with VCBet to concede the most amount of goals this season. Considering how manager Ian Holloway loves his teams to attack, they can expect to be on the end of a few good hidings this season like Burnley last year. At the very least we can expect some cracking post-game interviews from ‘Olly’ – check-out these classics from Youtube… Not the best lookin bird, ranting and raving, and my fave – reacting to news his then Plymouth team are playing Real Madrid.
My pre-season bets
0.5 pt Stoke to finish in top half of table. 7/2 Ladbrokes
0.5 pt West Brom top newcomer 9/4 Ladbrokes
1 pt Sunderland to finish above Newcastle 3/4 Bwin
1 pt Blackpool to concede most goals this season 11/8 VCbet
Whatever you bet on, good luck!