New Season Tips – Part 1

Article by e-Sports Net's Jon Vine

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With only one game remaining in this summer’s World Cup, the attention of the footballing world will soon turn to the start of the new domestic season.

All the teams in England will be looking at finalising transfers, getting their players back to full fitness and enjoying a good run of pre-season games, to build confidence and momentum going into their competitive fixtures.

I will be producing a series of articles over the next month or so, looking at some of the top bets to capitalise on before the season starts.

This first article will look at a Premier League manager under pressure, a struggling Championship side and a League Two team looking to make that final step up to League One.

First Premier League manager to be sacked – Sam Allardyce, 6/1 w. Bet Victor.

There was talk of serious unrest at Upton Park towards the end of last season. Emergency talks were held between Allardyce and the board in May and it was decided that he would keep his job, provided they change to a more attractive, attacking style of football.

“Big Sam” has a very good track record in keeping teams in the top flight, but he has done this through aggressive, direct football. He has brought in Teddy Sheringham as an extra attacking coach, to help with this tactical transition, but he needs top quality forwards to play alongside Andy Carroll if they are to make a change on the pitch.

The board have made a decent amount of fund available for new players, Mauro Zarate has already been recruited and it is rumoured they have submitted bids for Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka and Ecuadorian star Enner Valencia.

However, they will need to start performing straight away. I can’t see the board giving Allardyce six months to prove he has adapted to their tactics, as they gave him plenty of leeway last season. If it’s not working by the end of September, they could move quickly to bring in a new manager.

Blackpool to be relegated from The Championship – 6/4 w. Bet365 & Bet Victor.

It seems like only last year that Ian Holloway's Blackpool side were turning heads in the Premier League, winning many plaudits for their fearless, attacking displays.

It’s shocking now to see how drastically times have changed.

They survived Championship relegation last season by the skin of their teeth. Since then they have changed management and got rid of a lot of players to help ease the wage bill, but the fact still remains that with five weeks to go before the start of the season, the Tangerines have only eight senior players in their squad.

There is no doubt that new players will be brought in, but they will have to settle down as a team remarkably quickly, if they are to survive. From where I’m sitting now though, it doesn’t look like they have much of a chance.

Burton Albion to be Promoted from League 2 – 4/1 w. Coral & Ladbrokes

After finishing in the Play-offs for two consecutive seasons, Burton can count themselves a little unlucky not to have secured promotion on both occasions.

In 2012, they were knocked out at the semi final stage by a Bradford, who were flying high from their Capital One run and went on to thump Northampton 3-0 in the final.

Last season, they made it to Wembley after overcoming a good Southend side in their semi. However, Fleetwood proved too strong in the final and Gary Rowett’s side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Pre-season has already been busy in Burton too, with the England team using their excellent training facilities to warm up for the World Cup.

Some good quality, experienced players like John Mousinho and Stuart Beavon have been brought in, as well as exciting attacking prospect Callum McFadzean, who has joined from Sheffield United on a season long loan. But the most important thing will be to keep hold of their best players.

Last season’s Player of the Year, goalkeeper Dean Lyness, will hope for another outstanding season, as will attacking pair Adam McGurk and Billy Kee. The Northern Island duo have both been linked with moves to bigger clubs, after forming a formidable partnership in front of goal last season.

Burton have always had a good home record, but inconsistency has been a thorn in their side. If Rowett can sort out this problem, then I see no reason why this team cannot secure a top three finish next season.

*All odds correct as of 10:53am 10-07-14

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