Early bird picks for the new season. Always tricky at this point with no games played, we’ll review come end of August.
Let’s start with the Championship – wide open, I think 7 sides have a chance – at least.
Ross County deserved favourites – but – seems to be a lot of haphazard spending there, smells a bit of desperate measures. Pressure and therefore expectancy to go up. They may well buy their way straight back up again – but at 2/1, not worth it.
Partick – nah.
Falkirk – complete unknown, depends how Hartley has recruited – but the atmosphere down there puts me off them, very negative.
Inverness were my going to be my pick after finishing last season so strongly, but given the summer comings and goings, they don’t look like they will be quite strong enough to win it, so I’ve gone off them.
Dunfermline have had a bit of staff turnaround, but look to me to be slightly stronger than the side who started and finished the season strongly last year. I’m taking a gamble on them this year to win the league at 10/1.
Lastly – good outside bet – Morton 20/1.
League 1.. I was tempted by Airdrie, but think they will fall short. Dumbarton certainly capable, but bouncing straight back always difficult. My choice is between Arbroath and Raith… and to pick one I will plump for Raith as over the copurse of season, their full time status should get them through and 2/1 is just about good enough. I’ll be betting on Arbroath at 8/1 too though…
League 2.. has to be Clyde for me at 11/4…. there’s a buzz about the place…
Difficult to find value on a Premiership bet. Celtic are obviously everyones picks, but no value. Think Rangers will be second at least, but 4/9 is too stingy. As an alternative bet, I’m taking Motherwell at same price, (4/9), to be bottom six, be amazed if they hit top 6.
And to finish, I have a couple of bets on the English game – rarely venture out of Scotland but I am going for Liverpool as the value bet for the Premiership at 4/1 and Sunderland to win league 1 – the Jack Ross effect, (3/1).