PUBLISHED
21:17 2nd August 2013
by Ferret
A new season provides fresh chances for a bankroll boost as I'll be looking to take my inside information on the Albion, and use it to make the bookmakers pay.*
With the new season comes a new betting partner to the football league, Sky Bet being the latest to put their heads above the parapet as they also sponsor the Football League itself.
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The online bookmaker lists Harry Redknapp’s Queens Park Rangers as their 6/1 favourites to win the division, but Albion's opening opponents Leeds United are likely to attract value punters with Sky Bet's offer of 22/1 for Brian McDermott’s men to win the Championship. Brighton get a 16/1 quote, while Leicester are probably the alternate value bet at 14/1.If picking an outright winner is altogether too challenging in a league that could be distorted by parachute payments, then backing a team to finish in the top six is a viable option. A repetition for the Seagulls is a short looking 6/4 but as with the outright, again Leeds appear overpriced at 11/4. You would expect Reading (11/10) and Bolton (5/4) to gain a great deal of support from the heavy hitters.
On the flip side a tough relegation fight appear on the cards for Barnsley (5/2 to go down) while as a long shot Middlesbrough (10/1) could be this season's struggling giant.
Leonardo Ulloa is 14/1 to top the seasonal goalscorer lists (Jordan Rhodes is 7/1 favourite), while internal to the Albion, Craig Mackail-Smith is 3/1 to top the individual Brighton charts.
Turning to this Saturday's kick-off, Leeds are - not unexpectedly - installed as favourites, but their 6/4 quote suggests the bookies have some doubts. Albion are 15/8 and the Draw is 12/5 and both of these prices are 'about right'.
Better value is available in the half-time/full-time category, where the realistic possibility of Leeds/Draw or Brighton/Draw are both priced up at 16/1 and should be taken. For a correct score the best value is Leeds to win 2-1 at 9/1 closely followed by the same scoreline in favour of the Albion (10/1). Overall then I foresee a tight game that could ebb and flow between both sides.
For a first goalscorer, Brighton's value bet is Ulloa at 7/1, while for last goalscorer take a punt on David Lopez at 12/1.
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A lot of potential wagers above. Happy punting and here's to a profitable season!
Original article