NEWCASTLE were my confident tip to lift the Championship trophy last season but it's much harder picking a winner this time round.
Rafael Benitez's 2-1 shots were the first favourites to triumph since Man City back in 2001 – and did it on the final day after a late collapse by Brighton.
I'm sticking with the jollies and backing Middlesbrough to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Not many teams do it but Boro have changed their manager and made some good signings. Britt Assombolonga will score goals if he stays fit and the £15million man netted 30 in 47 league starts for Nottingham Forest.
Martin Braithwaite has been signed for Toulouse for £9m while Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede are proven Championship marksmen. At the back former Motherwell keeper Darren Randolph is a safe pair of hands at £5m.
Boro are a biggest 7-1 with 888sport and their nearest challengers are expected to be Fulham and Aston Villa. a lot of attention will fall on Villa after the capture of John Terry but I prefer Fulham who were the most entertaining side in the league last season.
Keeping Scotland midfielder Tom Cairney is crucial to their plans and they can follow the example of Brighton who were promoted a year after flopping in the play-offs. Back the Cottagers each way at 9-1 with Ladbrokes (three places).
Assombalonga is top-scorer favourite at 9-1 with bet365 but they key for him is staying fit. Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa will be well backed at 9-1 with Ladbrokes and I'd give last year's winner Gary Wood of Leeds another chance. He is 12-1 at McBookie so back him each way (four places).
At the other end of the table Burton are favourites to finish bottom and have been handed a blow with record signing Liam Boyce, last season's Scottish Premiership top scorer ahead of the likes of Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, suffering a knee injury that could keep him out for most of the season.
I'd prefer to take a chance on promoted Millwall at 5-2 with Skybet but Burton will need to find a new striker.
There are loads of other markets available and I may add something from the specials before it all kicks off on Friday with Nottm Forest v Millwall and Sunderland v Derby.
Recommended Bets
Middlesbrough 7-1
Fulham 9-1 ew
Wood top scorer 12-1 ew
Millwall relegated 5-2
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.
Hi MrF,
Been away for a while due to work and family commitments, glad to be back for the new season!
A few things from the write up. First of all Boyce is out for most of the season unfortunately for Burton due to a very recent injury and also One of their main defenders, a mate I know, Ben Turner, is suspended for the first 5 games of the season due to a bang out of order charge against him. Think they will be well against it.
I’m a Villian and taking us to be top 6 but also very confident of automatically being promoted. That Terry factor is huge!
Borough should be there abouts but it’s all about experience down in the champ with a team which has bonded, could take a few weeks, or months, for everything to come together. Best thing for backers is to wait and the price could drift.
My Villa hat is firmly on but main two bets from the champ would be Villa promotion and Burton relegated.
Good luck all!
Cheers for the Burton update – that’s bad news for them and Boyce.
Not a problem! They are probably the best bet bet to drop and make a nice double with Huddersfield from the prem!