A COUPLE of weeks ago I was asked to write a piece for a Daily Record supplement tipping the winner of the Premier League.
Even back then it looked a two-horse race for the title between Man City and Man United but I plumped for the Blues to edge it.
However, £24million later I've got say the stellar signing of Robin van Persie could swing the trophy back to Old Trafford. Van Persie and Wayne Rooney could be unstoppable up top if they gel.
European champions Chelsea could be third with the rest trailing in the wake of the big spenders. United are now a best 2-1 (various) for the title while City are favourites at 13-10 with William Hill. Chelsea are 11-2 (BetVictor).
Van Persie is 5-1 at Ladbrokes to score more than 31 league goals. And if you fancy a bet on EPL top scorer the Magic Sign will give you a free bet every time your man hits a hat-trick.
City have a chance to lay down the first marker tomorrow when they host promoted Southampton. It won’t quite be shootie-in for the likes of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez but the Blues should win by at least two. They are 1-5 at BetVictor to pick up the points and 8-13 with Ladbrokes minus one goal.
Best bets today could be Arsenal even without van Persie. The addition of Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud should mean sides such as Sunderland are swept aside so take Gunners at 2-5 (various).
On the Football League anteposts I’m siding with Cardiff for the Championship. I'd taken them before their last-gasp opening win against Huddersfield on Friday and that results should give Malky Mackay's men the confidence to kick on.
He has made quality buys in the shape of Craig Bellamy, Heidar Helguson and Kim Bo-Kyung and should go close. Try the Welsh each-way at 12-1 (various).
Hull are being tipped each-way by some and today can get off to a flier at home to a Brighton side hammered at Swindon in the League Cup on Monday. The Tigers are 13-10 at Blue Square.
In League One I like the look of MK Dons, Sheffield Utd and Paolo di Canio’s Swindon. If pushed I’d pick Karl Robinson’s MK who have strengthened with Alan Smith and Ryan Lowe. MK Dons kick off their campaign at home to Oldham and should start with a victory at 8-11 with Coral.
Take the Blades at 8-13 at BetVictor at home to Shrewsbury and Swindon should beat a Hartlepool side thrashed 5-0 by Crewe in the League Cup. Swindon are a best 6-4 at Coral.
League Two is all about promoted Fleetwood and Rotherham. Last season Crawley were over-hyped but Fleetwood look in even better shape for back-to-back titles. They have strengthened and having lost just five games last season seem ready for their league debut.
We’ll get a better idea about Fleetwood after today’s clash with Torquay but I expect them to win at 21-20 (William Hill) while Rotherham are no bigger than 4-6 (William Hill) for the visit of Burton.
Anteposts
Man Utd
(2-1, various)
Cardiff ew
(12-1, various)
MK Dons
(8-1, BetVictor, William Hill, Ladbrokes)
Fleetwood
(7-1, BetVictor)
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.
Just seen some of the leeds v wolves game. Warnock seems to have sorted leeds defensively and with mccormack and becchio up front they will get goals. With warnocks nous and experience i think they’ll be there or thereabouts come may.