WE might as well start as we aim to continue with a tough opening card in the English Championship.
The Premier League kicks off next weekend so England's second tier takes centre stage with Reading v Derby getting us under way last night. And it was a dramatic match too with Derby netting an injury-time winner to put a smile on Frank Lampard's face.
This division is notoriously tough to pick winners but it's good for goals and can be profitable for backers of draws.
Just looking at the opening fixtures and just two sides are odds on – Brentford at home to Rotherham and West Brom at home to Bolton – and that tells its own story.
I've even held off picking any team on the anteposts as it's so tough and it's better leaving for it a few weeks to see how form pans even if that means taking a shorter price.
Derby could be up there and others I'll be watching out for include relegated pair Stoke and West Brom as well as Nottingham Forest.
In League One the favourites are Sunderland and Jack Ross has revamped the squad. Dylan McGeouch and Jon McLaughlin look good signings but Ross may take time to find his feet after leaving St Mirren.
It's another Scots boss Steve Evans who can land the glory. He's much more experienced at this level and has made massive changes at Peterborough after joining them late last season.
Evans gave up a chance of promotion with Mansfield to lead the Posh and now it's his squad he can't have any excuses for failing.
Jason Cummings should score goals at this level and Evans has landed a hot prospect in Isaac Buckley-Rickets on loan from Manchester City while ex-Jambo Adam King is borrowed from Swansea.
Scotland striker Cummings his 55 in 93 league appearances at Hibs and if he stays focused could top score. He is fifth favourite and I'm backing him each way at 16-1 with William Hill.
Sunderland are masive favourites at 3-1 with Ladbrokes but I'd rather be on Peterborough each way at 16-1 with McBookie.
Joey Barton's Fleetwood are being backed at 33s and what about Derek Adams's Plymouth for a top-six finish at 7-2 with McBookie after their superb late run in the last campaign.
League Two's another tough call with Notts County the slight favourites ahead of Notts County and Lincoln. If Lincoln can hang on to highly-rated boss Danny Cowley they'll go close and I'm on them at 8-1 ew with McBookie.
As always the advice is to play with lower stakes than normal for the first few weeks until some form and patterns emerge.
In the Championship today best bets could be West Brom at home to Bolton. Darren Moore was appointed boss after their great finish last season and they face a Bolton side who could be going down after just surviving.
I like Preston at home to Steve McClaren's QPR and expect Aston Villa to start with an away win at Hull on Monday.
In League One we get an early look at Sunderland in the lunchtime live game and it won't be easy against Charlton but I'm on the home at evens with Marathonbet.
Back Barton's Fleetwood at 23-20 with McBookie at home to Wimbledon and look at Plymouth at 19-10 at Marathonbet at Walsall.
In League Two fancied trio Mansfield, Notts County and Lincoln should all start with wins and if you're looking further down the pyramid there should be goals when big-spending Salford face ambitious Orient.
Much has been made of Salford's capture of Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney and Irishman is 4-1 at 10Bet to top score in the National League.
Antepost Tips
- Peterborough ew (16-1)
- Plymouth top 6 (7-2)
- Lincoln ew (8-1
- Rooney top scorer (4-1)
Already Advised
- Liverpool ew (9-2)
- Salah top scorer (9-2)
- Derby ew (16-1)
- Bolton relegated (5-4)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
