The 2023-24 league season starts in earnest tonight with matches north and south of the border.
3,200 Dundee United fans will pack out the away end at Gayfield as Jim Goodwin’s side look to start their quest to return to the top flight with a win at Arbroath.
Goodwin is already under a bit of pressure after a disappointing group stage in the Viaplay Cup which saw them finish behind Partick Thistle and Falkirk and suffer defeat at the hands of the SPFL’s newest side, Spartans.
But the Arabs should have enough quality in their squad to make a quick fire return to the Premiership, starting with a win up the road tonight.
It’ll probably be a close one though, Dick Campbell’s side are always well organised but the Red Lichties are favourites for the the drop this term having avoided being draw in to the relegation play-off by four points last term.
United are 21/20 to edge it.
Two divisions separated Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday last season but they meet tonight in the Championship’s curtain raiser at Hillsborough.
Both clubs start their campaigns with new managers, each with different expectations on their shoulders.
For Russell Martin it’ll be all about trying to secure a quick return to the Premier League for the Saints, whereas former Watford boss Xisco Muñoz will be aiming to consolidate Wednesday’s Championship status.
Southampton have managed to retain a good deal of quality in their squad and Nathan Tella will be one to watch after scoring 19 goals on loan at Burnley last season. If he can carry that form in to his return to the Saints he could be a key man for Martin. The 24-year-old is 5/1 to open the scoring or 2/1 to score anytime.
As for the match itself the hosts are 21/10 to get off to a winning start while Southampton are 13/10. The draw is 12/5.
Few can forget the Owls epic play-off comeback against Peterborough in front of their own fans back in May when they scored five across 120 minutes en route to Wembley. With that in mind we could see both sides contribute this evening and it could pay to back goals where Over 2.5 goals pays even money.
Super Singles
- Dundee Utd to win 21/20 SBK
- Sheff Wed v Southampton – Over 2.5 Goals 1/1 Bet365
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Football Bet of the Day: Bohs to Bag Another Brace at Home
- Gerry Taylor's Scottish Acca – 13/2 Acca Can Kick-Off Season in Style
- English Football Tips: Exciting Championship Clashes Kick Off the New Season
- Fri 19:45 Arbroath vs Dundee United
- Fri 20:00 Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton
- Sat 12:30 Celtic vs Ross County
- Sat 15:00 Watford vs QPR
- Sat 15:00 Middlesbrough vs Millwall
- Sun 16:00 Manchester City vs Arsenal
Horse Racing Tips
Rizzel has picked out three EW priced selections for Day 4 of the Glorious Goodwood Festival.
As ever, please share your tips in for today in the comments section below.
Admin,quick question,,is Desmond still going to be contributing this season? Hope he’s not following the caddy’s betrayal and leaving for the £££££ signs.
It’s not just the caddy who has used this thread to promote themselves then start charging for opinions on sporting events.
Shame as he had quite a following, me included, same with Greg McLean.
Be it need or just plain greed They aren’t breaking any laws but it leaves a sour taste in the mouth when they feel the need to charge posters they have made a connection with here for the same tips.
I’m sure Desmond isn’t cut of the same cloth and would be disappointed if he “turned pro” as he is one of my and I’m sure a few others favourite tipsters here.
Shoot me please 🥺
My question has been answered..Desmonds Tips are up wooohoooo…..and to Stu085,i very much doubt caddys intentions are to help anyone but himself.
América-MG v Red Bull Bragantino
01:00
Copa Sudamericana
1st leg
BTTS 10-11 HILLS
Red bull slight favourite based on their 6th place standing in the league I presume.
They are unbeaten in 6 copa sudamerica games scoring in 5 of them including all 3 away games
America sit 2nd bottom in Brazil but have scored in their last 15 games and have scored in all 6 copa sudamerica games this season.
As it’s a 1st leg could be cagey though.
Prediction 1-1
—————————————————
Finished 1-1 🇧🇷
I think /hope the Lichties might just shock the Arabs tonight. tight game with few goals, However Lichties are short at the back with Hammy not expected back till September
Dick has Stewart playing at left back altho he is a tight midfielder and i think that is where the Arabs will get most of there chances from.
Prediction 1-0 to arabs hope im wrong
Work bet.
Chinese super League
1235
Shandong taishon.
Last time they played the other team. Finished 6 – 0
So pick a score.
All yesterday’s tips came up a goal or corner short so probably be 0-0.
Chinese Super League
Over 2.5 Goals Double
Shandon Taishan v Meizhou Hakka
Zhejiang v Wuhan
@ 2.25
Shandon averaged 2.8 goals per match over last 5. 3 of last 4 over 2.5 Hakka average 1.4 in last 5 and 10/10 over 2.5
Zhejiang averaged 1.8 goals per match last 5. 13/14 games gone over 2.5. Wuhan avg 1 goal a game over last 5 but 1.5 goals a game over the season. 4/6 gone over 2.5
good shout, had something like this
6 1 and 2 1 wins
No joy with my red cards at Easter road LOSERS
Well done all the winners
Loads of rain yesterday so most of my selections have yet to finish. Will post a recap later.
WTA Prague Start time around 10:15am
J Cristian v K Baindl Over 7.5 Breaks of Serve 1.72, Bet365 (NAP)
Not normally I market I get involved in unless I think the line is a little lower than expected which I think is the case here especially given how close this match should be. Thought a minimum of 8.5 was likely possibly even 9.5. Neither player is known for making deep runs in WTA tour tournaments so there are likely to be some nerves. I expect quite a few changes in momentum in this one and if it is a close match as expected this could easily be hit in a set and a half. Would be pretty surprised if each of these players does not break at least 4 times each even if it was won in 2 sets. I do expect this one to be a long match though so this would help this even more if that is the case.
Will just have the 1 more play from the early matches today
should have been on this bet before tourney started
justin thomas to miss the cut
wyndam championship
hes bang on the cut line after an even par round
needs maybe a -2 -3 to make the cut
6/4 on b365
missed the last 6 of 8 cuts
yesterdays round he made 2 birdies and 2 bogeys
had a wee look reckon he tees off around 6pm uk time
1pm us time
Sheff Weds v Southampton
James Ward Prowse to score anytime at 10/3
James Ward Prowse to be booked at 10/3
James Ward Prowse to score and be booked at 18/1 longshot.
Best of luck
Also taken Barry Bannan and Ward Prowse 1+ shot on target each boosted from 7/2 to 7/1 SKYBET
On the eve of the new season here is a wee quick financial insight about Scottish football for those outwith Scotland to get an idea of why it is always Celtic & Rangers & why it will always be a 2 horse race in Scotland unless 1 of the horses falls again…
Data provided by football finance expert Kieran Maguire tells us that Celtic and Rangers make up 70% of the Premiership’s total revenue. Their wages account for 69% of the league’s total, while they amount to 96% for combined squad costs.
In 2021-22, they made up 95% of transfer fees in the division.
Eye-watering numbers for sure – but what’s even more staggering is the changing fortunes over the past 38 years.
In 1984-85, the last season a non-Old Firm team finished on top, Aberdeen generated £110 for every £100 Celtic managed. Now, the Pittodrie club bring in just £16 for every £100 made by Celtic.
3 levels to finances in Scottish top flight football…
Celtic & Rangers way out in front but Celtic are the richer of the 2. Then you have Aberdeen,Hearts & Hibs who spend money on transfers with a decent budget. The rest scrap on loans or free transfers year after year
And a wee snipet to hit back at the farmers league snipers….
In the big picture, according to the league’s research, Scottish club football was, per capita, the most watched in Europe last season by a margin of 65%, with the Netherlands a distant second.
Hard to believe that Scottish football was the most watched in Europe, i don’t know who came out with that stat but they are on something.
Why Macca?
Its per capita not total attendance numbers. Remember that Scotland is a tiny nation of 5.5m or so,there is nearly twice as many people living in London than Scotland as a whole. We have a similar population too Finland,Denmark,Slovakia & Norway
Decided on two further plays for the early matches today.
WTA Prague Start time around 12:30pm
T Martincova -2.5 Games v N Hibino 1.96, Pinnacle
Hibino is extremely fortunate to have made it this far. She lost in 3 sets in qualifying and then trailed 5-0 in the 1st set of her opening round match against Errani as well as 3-0 double break down in the 3rd. She played ok in her last match but really that win was far more down to how poorly Hruncakova played as she was hitting so many unforced errors. Martincova hasn’t had the best of seasons but the last couple of wins here should regain some confidence. There is a slight concern over the 2-0 head to head advantage for Hibino but both of those matches came 7 years ago when Hibino was plating better tennis so is unlikely to be relevant. I expect quite a few breaks of serve again with some long rallies but as long as Martincova doesn’t go error crazy she should win this one, especially with the home crowd behind her.
WTA Prague Start time around 12:30pm
Double:
Martincova to beat Hibino x Cornet to beat Korpatsch 2.64, Pinnacle
See reasoning above for Martincova. Cornet has a great shot of lifting the trophy this week given the poor field. She battled brilliantly as usual when defeating heavy hitter Kanepi last round. My only concern is the fatigue factor but Cornet is known for her stamina given she plays a lot of long matches. I went against Korpatsch yesterday which she came through due to retirement and I’m just not a big fan of her game especially on hard courts. She has a weak serve and although she has some power it’s nothing compared to Kanepi. I expect Cornet will grind her down and force her into errors and get the win.
Best of luck all
Hopefully no one followed on this one as it was a complete car crash!
Thanks to the earlier NAP winning it is only a very small loss so far today despite that awful performance.
Will be back later with my Washington plays.
Looking for a little help from all you fantastic tipsters 0n this great tipping forum.
Regular follower for many years but seldom tip.
Looking to do an antepost accumulator but need some insight into teams that have recruited well over the summer and could to well in the English leagues ( Championship and down ).
Not looking for teams to win the leagues but maybe top half finish at a decent price.
Stu already posted about Salford & Notts County, so any insight would be most appreciated.
Lower Scottish leagues too but most bookies just price to win the league.
My Antepost.
Middlesbrough top 6. EVS
St Johnston to finish bottom. 3/1
Wolves to be relegated 3/1
The BBC SPORT website is running a lowdown on the 72 lower league clubs.
Shef Wed v Southampton
HT gl EVENS – WH
3 SOT each team EVENS – 365
—
Spied a decent special tomorrow wi Slybet, Scottish league specials, 5 games including both Celtic & Rangers
Over 0.5 gls & 3 corners each half – 3/1
Sheff Wednesday vs Southampton BB ,
o2.5 mg’s
o3.5 first half corners
o2.5 second half corners
Pays 12/5 at bet365
Goodluck…………
Slovakia
MFK Ruzomberok
Over 2.5mgl
11/10@ladbrokes
early post for tomorrow
wolves v rennes
after beating forest 5-0
went for rennes
mixture of scores
just 2£ or so on each
3-0 25/1
3-1 17/1
4-0 75/1
4-1 50/1
bfair
Germany Bundesliga 2 corners double. 2 of the stronger teams at home too 2 newly promoted sides
Hertha Berlin over 6 team corners 21/20
Paderborn over 6 team corners 10/11
14/5 double
Acca effort tonight…
Hertha Berlin v Wehen – Hertha 2+ goals & 6+ corners 7/5
Paderborn v Osnabruck – Paderborn 2+ goals & 5+ corners 3/4
Feyenoord v PSV – BTTS & O2.5gls 10/11
Sheff. Wed v Southampton – BTTS & 3+ corners each 29/20
18/1 acca
Best of luck all
Evening gents,
Got the 1st half draw last night but San Lorenzo bagged a goal in the 2nd half to down the 2/1 f/t draw result!
NILF action for me tonight…
LISBURN W VS. LARNE FC W (8.00pm)
OVER 4.5 GOALS
(8/5, bet365) NAP ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best of luck!
Yesterday’s bet lost
Today’s bet
Recoleta v Antofagasta
Both teams to score + over 2.5 goals
William hill. Evens
NAP
Caernarfon Town
V
Porthmadog
19:45
Welsh League Cup 🏴
Porthmadog double chance 13-8
Porthmadog win 9-2
80-20 % stake
I’m going to watch this so having a token bet for interest.
As a Bangor fan I obviously hope Caernarfon Lose as they are our natural enemy.
Like Celtic are to rangers, betis are to Seville etc, on a smaller scale of course so I’ll be keeping a low profile tonight.
Tier 1 v tier 2
Caernarfon struggling financially apparently and all not well in the camp by all accounts and lost at home to tier 3 nantlle vale on Tuesday in a friendly
Don’t know anything of porthmadog to be honest but it’s always quite feisty when these local rivals meet.
Keeping stakes sensible as a result.
Arbroath v Dundee United
Over 10.5 corners at 2.05
Have memory that games at Arbroath usually yield a very high corner count. United will have to go for it to get off to strong start.
14 and counting as head to injury time.
Always good for corners. Difficult to find stats tho
ATP Washington + ATP Los Cabos – Starts around 10:15pm
Treble:
Tiafoe to beat Shang x Wolf +1.5 Sets v Griekspoor + De Minaur to beat Koepfer 2.23, Pinnacle (NB)
Don’t have a great deal of time for a write up on this one but I would be surprised if Wolf does not win at least a set against Griekspoor the way he’s been playing this week. De Minaur should also win comfortably enough against Koepfer.
Finished Caernarfon 2 porthmadog 2, going straight to penalties.
80% of stake was on double chance porthmadog 13-8 so the trip is paid for.
They equalised on 90 minutes 🏴.
Hope Porth win the shootout now 😁
Porthmadog won on penalties, shame for our neighbours from Caernarfon 🤣🤣🤣
We play home to gresford in the cup tomorrow, can’t see odds anywhere yet but if we play like we did last week v llanidloes I’d like to think we can progress.
Forecast is shite though so conditions could become farcical