One of the biggest questions for those who are looking at their potential sports betting forecasts for next season is whether to wait until the squads have been finalized, or go now, when there is still the element of the unknown in what team each manager will be looking to put out, and the qualities or otherwise of it.
There are pros and cons for both.
It is reassuring to know what hand you are playing with so to speak, in terms of a team’s transfer activity over the summer, and the activity of their rivals. It allows you to make an informed decision, based on the information you have. The same information of course that everyone else has, including the bookmakers. Our very own accumulator tips provide some help of course, but you are playing on a level playing field, as level as it ever can be when you are up against the bookies with their huge resources.
One way to potentially even up the odds, and to even put them in your favour is to get ahead of the game and make a judgement – which is what all sports betting is anyway – of what the situation is going to be when the transfer window shuts.
With that in mind, these are some tips that you can get onboard now, if you feel they align with what will happen over the close season.
Manchester City Dominance
Can anyone catch Manchester City?
Though it may not have looked like it for some of the season, Manchester City were heads and shoulders ahead of anyone else in Europe. Now they have finally got the monkey off their back by winning the Champions League, there is no reason to think why they won’t kick on next season. It is for other teams to close the gap, but even without any transfers incoming – which in itself is unlikely, the current players they have will improve. Stones’ new midfield role is a revelation. Philips will get more game time, and Foden and Grealish will only improve. If they can keep hold of Ilkay Gundogan that will be a huge boost. The only silverware that evaded them last season was the EFL League Cup, a competition they have excelled in. A quadruple next season is more likely than ever before.
Chelsea and Arsenal
The two London sides had hugely contrasting season’s last time out. Arsenal led the league for large swathes of the campaign, while Chelsea finished twelfth. There is no doubt that Arteta needs to strengthen. Doing that and maintaining the spirit and style that gave them success last season won’t be easy. Conversely, Chelsea have made one of their only good decisions in the new Todd Boehly era by installing Pochettino as manager. The American billionaire has already shown he is not afraid to spend. If he has learned from last season, he has the right man at the helm to take advantage. Chelsea to finish above Arsenal will be longer odds than they realistically should be.
Aston Villa
The way Unai Emery transformed Villa was sensational. The club have already bought well, and though the top four may be beyond them, Emery loves the Europa League. West Ham showed how the Conference should be tackled and Villa have to be in with a huge chance of lifting their first European trophy since the European Cup in 1982.
Brighton
Brighton have become a lot of people’s second team. They have constantly shown how shrewd forays into the transfer market can reap dividends. There is an argument that that won’t continue. Add in the fact they are in Europe and their relatively small squad could be put under immense pressure, in much the way West Ham’s was. If you think those factors mean the odds for them to be relegated should be shorter than what are being quoted, it could be worth a punt.
You will have your own theories about what will or will not happen in the transfer window. If you are confident with those hunches, why wait? Steal the march on not just what will happen, but how that will affect the team in question and you will effectively be skewing the odds in your favour. And it never harms to have some expert opinion up your sleeve either.
