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Tiger's Football Tips
Championship Preview
Derby County – 6/1
After losing in the Playoff Final and missing the playoffs in the last two seasons, Steve McLaren was sacked and replaced by Paul Clement. He is inexperience in this role but has a great reputation as a coach.
New Signings: Alex Pearce (Free), Darren Bent (Free), Andreas Weimann (Free), Chris Baird (Free), Tom Ince (£4.75m), Scott Carson (Undis),
Derby have bought quickly & decisively. Bent & Ince have had their loan moves made permanent and Weimann should score well at this level. Question marks will be raised about the Manager’s experience but they look well set to justify favouritism.
Marks Out of Ten
Continuity 8
Signings 8
Manager 7
Attack 8
Defence 6
Middlesbrough – 8/1
Boro missed out in the Playoffs last year after being contenders all season.
New Signings: Alex Baptiste (Undisclosed), Stewart Downing (5.5m), Tomas Kalas (Loan),
Lack firepower up front so far but the addition of Downing gives them an extra dimension.
Continuity 6
Signings 7
Manager 8
Attack 5
Defence 7
Hull City – 10/1
Relegated on the final day. Steve Bruce has kept the bulk of his PL squad so should be confident of a quick return.
New Signings:
Yet to make a move to bring anyone in but have moved a few players out.
Continuity 7
Signings 0
Manager 8
Attack 5
Defence 7
Brentford – 14/1
Missed out in the Playoff under Mark Warburton. Now with Marinus Dijkhuizen in charge.
New Signings: Ryan Williams (Free), Yoann Barbet (Undisclosed), Konstantin Kerschbaumer (Undisclosed), Andreas Bjelland (2.1m), Josh McEachran (750k),
Have shown some ambition in the transfer market, adding to the squad that performed well last season.
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 6
Attack 6
Defence 7
Burnley – 14/1
Always struggling in the PL. Back at a level where they can excel, unfortunately this time without Ings & Trippier.
New Signings: Matthew Lowton (Undisclosed), Jelle Vossen (Undisclosed),
Are weaker than they were two years ago but have brought in decent replacements.
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 9
Attack 7
Defence 8
QPR – 16/1
Have finally started to get to grips with ridding themselves of the over-paid, under achieving players of recent times.
New Signings: Jay Emanuel Thomas (Free), Jamie Mackie (Free), Sebastian Polter (Undisclosed), Tyler Blackwood (Free),
Seem in a bit of a mess and need a bit of an overhaul.
Continuity 4
Signings 5
Manager 5
Attack 5
Defence 6
Wolves – 16/1
Afobe & Dicko promise goals but have they got enough in midfield to create the opportunities?
New Signings: Conor Coady (2m),
Losing Sako could be a big loss but Jackett will deal with this if it happens.
Continuity 7
Signings 5
Manager 8
Attack 8
Defence 7
Ipswich – 18/1
Lost in the Playoffs last season with Murphy scoring goals for fun. McCarthy has worked miracles on a budget & needs to do it again.
New Signings: Josh Yorwerth (Free), Brett Pitman (Undisclosed), Ryan Fraser (Loan), Ainsley Maitland Niles (Loan),
Re-signing Murphy has been crucial and they will need his goals if they are to match last season’s Playoff place.
Continuity 8
Signings 6
Manager 8
Attack 7
Defence 7
Sheffield Wednesday – 20/1
Stuart Gray has been replaced by Carlos Carvahal but more significantly they have a new owner prepared to bankroll a promotion bid. Odds cut from 28/1 a week ago.
New Signings: Darryl Lachman (Undisclosed), Vincent Sasso (Loan), Jack Hunt (Loan), Marco Matias (1.4m), Ross Wallace (Free), Lewis Price (Free), Alex Lopez (Loan), Lewis McGugan (300k),
Have brought some quality players in for midfield & defence but still need a top striker.
Continuity 5
Signings 8
Manager 6
Attack 6
Defence 8
Bristol City – 20/1
Promoted as champions and playing great football. Astute Manager in Steve Cotterill.
New Signings:
Need to add some players with SBC experience to consolidate.
Continuity 6
Signings 0
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 6
Fulham – 25/1
Disappointing last season but appear to have stabilised again now.
New Signings: Ben Pringle (Free), Andy Lonergan (Free), Tom Cairney (Undisclosed), Jazz Richards (Undisclosed), Jamie O’Hara (Free),
Have improved their midfield but O’Hara usually gets relegated.
Continuity 7
Signings 8
Manager 6
Attack 7
Defence 6
Nottingham Forest – 25/1
Started like a train last season under Stuart Pearce but collapsed badly. He was replaced by Dougie Friedman who stabilised things. Michail Antonio is the top provider in the division & if they can hold on to him then they will challenge for the Playoffs.
New Signings: Tim Erlandsson (undisclosed), Matt Mills (Free), Jamie Ward (Free),
Continuity 4
Signings 6
Manager 5
Attack 8
Defence 4
Cardiff City – 25/1
Chaotic season last year but appear to have got back on track, back in blue.
New Signings: Semi Ajayi (Free), Sammy Ameobi (Loan),
Need a bit more flair up front
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 6
Attack 5
Defence 7
Brighton – 25/1
Lost their way last season with some pretty depressing football. More optimism around the Amex for this season.
New Signings: Liam Rosenior (Free), Tomer Hemed (Undisclosed), Gaetan Bong (Free), Niki Maenpaa (Free),
Continuity 6
Signings 7
Manager 6
Attack 5
Defence 6
Blackburn – 25/1
Having to cut back by selling star names. Cairney has gone. If Rhodes & Gestede leave, it could be a bleak season.
New Signings:
Continuity 5
Signings 0
Manager 6
Attack 7
Defence 6
Leeds – 33/1
Unstable sands with a Chairman who cannot keep out of trouble. Quite a few good young players but struggling to develop a team.
New Signings: Charlie Horton (Free), Lee Erwin (Free), Sol Bamba (Undisclosed), Chris Wood (Undisclosed), Tom Adeyemi (Loan), Ross Turnbull (Free),
Really think Wood is over rated so not the solution some Leeds fans think he will be.
Continuity 4
Signings 5
Manager 8
Attack 6
Defence 6
Reading – 40/1
Ended up in a relegation battle last season. Have bought well & early this transfer window so should do better.
New Signings: Orlando Sa (Undisclosed), Stephen Quinn (Free), Paul McShane (Free), Jonathan Bond (Undisclosed), Ali Al-Habsi (Free),
Continuity 6
Signings 7
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 7
Birmingham – 50/1
It all turned around with Gary Rowett’s arrival. Gradually tightened up the defence & made them more creative going forward. Still need more goal power.
New Signings: Jaxques Maghoma (Free), Adam Legzdins (Free), Tomasz Kuszczak (Free),
Continuity 6
Signings 4
Manager 8
Attack 5
Defence 7
Preston – 50/1
Promoted via the Playoffs. Simon Grayson is a likeable manager and is getting the best from Beckford & Garner. Consolidation season.
New Signings: Jermaine Beckford (Free), Paul Gallagher (Free), Will Keane (Loan),
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 6
Attack 7
Defence 4
Bolton – 66/1
The PL days have long gone and the budget has dropped. Neil Lennon might just inspire them to punch above their weight.
New Signings: Gary Madine (Free), Ben Amos (Free), Derik Osede (Free),
Continuity 6
Signings 4
Manager 7
Attack 5
Defence 6
MK Dons – 66/1
MK have over achieved on a small budget for several seasons due to the astute management skills of Karl Robinson. If they lose him……..
New Signings: Dale Jennings (Free), Cody Cropper (Free), Christian Benavente (Free),
Continuity 6
Signings 3
Manager 8
Attack 4
Defence 4
Charlton – 100/1
Seem to be going backwards.
New Signings: Patrick Bauer (Undisclosed), El Hadji Ba (Undisclosed), Simon Makienok (Loan),
Continuity 5
Signings 4
Manager 5
Attack 5
Defence 6
Huddersfield – 100/1
Seem to keep losing players as they get good. Going to be a tough season
New Signings: Dean Whitehead (Free), Jason Davidson (Free), Kyle Dempsey (Undisclosed), Jordy Hiwula (Undisclosed),
Continuity 6
Signings 5
Manager 5
Attack 5
Defence 5
Rotherham – 150/1
The rank outsiders but they appear to have bought well so far. They will miss Pringle but Steve Evans knows how to get the best from his players.
New Signings: Aidy White (Free), Joe Mattock (Free), Lewis Buxton (Free), Emmanuel Ledesma (Free), Tom Thorpe (Free), Danny Collins (Free), Greg Halford (Free), Grant Ward (Loan), Kelle Roos (Loan),
Continuity 5
Signings 7
Manager 7
Attack 5
Defence 6
Obviously there are plenty of signings yet to be made plus players will be lost as well. I am making my predictions now due to holidays but will make a better set of predictions when I return although this will be one round of matches into the season.
Think Hull & Burnley will do pretty well and both have a good chance of making the top six but cannot see either of them running away with the league. QPR could do anything. They could win the league, they could do a Wigan. Probably they will do something in between.
I think that Derby & Middlesbrough are the most likely winners. Derby badly under achieved last season and had vital injuries that derailed their season. They should do much better this season. Boro have lost Bamford & Ledesma but if they replace them adequately then they look a decent bet at 8/1.
I cannot see Ipswich doing as well as last season. The division is a bit stronger and I cannot see Murphy getting as many goals again. Wolves & Brentford did well last season & will have their supporters again this season. At the moment, I can see no reason why Wolves will do better next season. Brentford look stronger but it is uncertain how the loss of Mark Warburton will hit them.
Sheffield Wednesday look the most likely team to show dramatic improvement. They have been the most active in the transfer market and have brought in quality. They still lack a quality striker that will convert the chances that they will no doubt create.
Relegation is interesting because most of the favourites can argue a case for survival. Nobody looks as weak as Wigan, Millwall & Blackpool were last season. Rotherham seem to have bought best, bringing is experience that should be enough to keep them safe.
Bristol City look the strongest of the promoted sides. Preston & MK Dons both need to add to their squads if they want to stay up.
So at this stage, here is my prediction:
1. Derby
2. Middlesbrough
3. Hull City
4. Burnley
5. Brentford
6. Sheff Wed
7. Wolves
8. Ipswich
9. QPR
10. Fulham
11. Nottm F
12. Birmingham
13. Bristol C
14. Cardiff
15. Brighton
16. Reading
17. Bolton
18. Leeds
19. Blackburn
20. Charlton
21. Rotherham
22. Preston
23. MK Dons
24. Huddersfield
There are decent prices for relegation on Huddersfield (9/2) & Blackburn (8/1).
Sheff Wed look good for the top half at 4/5 while Blackburn (5/6), Leeds (4/6) & QPR (11/8) look good for the bottom half.
I like to have two bets to finish in the top six for each division and have had five out of six winners in each of the last two seasons. This season the picks look tougher. I will sort out my picks shortly & have them in doubles & trebles with teams in L1 & L2.
Comments
I'm not sure how easy it will be to keep it up to date but I'm hoping you can do so, as and when significant transfers take place.
My early fancies are Brentford and Bristol City, I was thinking Bristol City might be a good bet for top 6, though was hoping for slightly more than 11/4 or 3/1 on offer.
I think I will follow your strategy and look for doubles and trebles with L1 and 2.
League One Preview
Sheffield Utd 11/2
New Signings: Martyn Woolford (Free),
After losing in the Playoffs, Nigel Clough was sacked and replaced by Nigel Adkins. Little has been done to improve their squad so far so expect a flurry of last minute signings.
Continuity 5
Signings 3
Manager 8
Attack 5
Defence 7
Wigan 7/1
New Signings: Craig Morgan (Free), Donervon Daniels (Free), Max Power (Tribunal), Sanmi Odelusi (Undisclosed), Craig Davies (Free), Will Grigg (Undisclosed), Jonjoe Kenny (Loan), Francisco Junior (Loan),
Gary Caldwell has been handed the task of arresting Wigan’s decline. A couple of eye catching signings in Power & Davies.
Continuity 6
Signings 7
Manager 4
Attack 6
Defence 7
Millwall 11/1
New Signings: Joe Martin (Free), Jordan Archer (Free), Tony Craig (Free),
Like Wigan, the task to get Millwall back has been handed to a former playing hero, Neil Harris. Solid squad for this level but needs a spark.
Continuity 6
Signings 5
Manager 4
Attack 5
Defence 6
Peterboro 14/1
New Signings: Joe Gormley (Undisclosed), Kieran Sadler (Free), Andrew Fox (Free), Souleymane Coulibaly (Free), Lee Angel (Undisclosed),
Don’t appear to be moving forward any more. Look to be hoping that young players come good.
Continuity 6
Signings 5
Manager 4
Attack 6
Defence 6
Bradford 16/1
New Signings: Steven Davies (Free), Josh Morris (Free), Tony McMahon, Luke James (Loan), Mark Marshall Free),
Could be dark horses if they can translate cup runs into league form.
Continuity 8
Signings 7
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 7
Barnsley 20/1
New Signings: Marley Watkins (Free), Luke Berry (Free), Alfie Mawson (Free), Conor Wilkinson (Loan), Joe Rothwell (Loan), Ben Pearson (Loan),
Another side that might come out of the pack to challenge. Lee Johnson is a bright young manager who will move the Tykes forward.
Continuity 7
Signings 6
Manager 8
Attack 6
Defence 6
Swindon 20/1
New Signings: Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill (Free), Jordan Williams (Loan), Kevin Stewart (Loan), Drissa Traore (Free),
Missed out in the Playoff Final last season and Mark Cooper has to get everyone fired up to go again. Feel it could go better or could fall apart.
Continuity 7
Signings 6
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 6
Doncaster 20/1
New Signings: Andy Williams (Free), Gary MacKenzie (Free), Richard Chaplow (Free), Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (Free),
A young squad with a couple of key additions might give Rovers a genuine tilt of a top six place.
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 6
Attack 6
Defence 6
Coventry 25/1
New Signings: Chris Stokes (Free), Sam Ricketts (Free), Romain Vincelot (Undisclosed),
The Sky Blues are another side that need to find the spark to get promoted. Tony Mowbray appears to have stabilised things at the Ricoh. Can he move things forward this season?
Continuity 7
Signings 7
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 6
Chesterfield 25/1
New Signings: Sylvan Ebanks Blake (Free),
The Spireites exceeded all expectations last season but the loss of manager, John Cook has hit them hard. Dean Saunders has taken over and has to contend with the loss of star player, Gary Roberts. Ebanks Blake is an interesting addition.
Continuity 3
Signings 4
Manager 4
Attack 6
Defence 6
Fleetwood 25/1
New Signings: Jimmy Ryan (Free), Eggert Jonsson (Free),
Already over achieving by being here. Could be tougher this season.
Continuity 6
Signings 4
Manager 5
Attack 5
Defence 5
Shrewsbury 28/1
New Signings: Abu Ogogo (Free), Shaun Whalley (Free), Darren McKnight (Free), Matt Tootle (Free), Junior Brown (Free), Liam McAlinden (Loan),
Nicky Mellon has turned the Shrews around with promotion last season. He has bought well and they should progress this season.
Continuity 7
Signings 6
Manager 8
Attack 5
Defence 7
Burton 33/1
New Signings: Callum Reilly (Free), Calum Butcher (Free), Darius Charles (Free), Tom Naylor (Free), Timmy Thiele (Free), Mark Duffy (Loan), Remi Matthews (Loan), Anthony O’Connor (Undisclosed),
Jimi Floyd Hasselbaink kept things moving smoothly after Gary Rowett left last season & cruised to promotion. It will be tougher this season but he has brought in players quickly.
Continuity 6
Signings 6
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 7
Rochdale 33/1
New Signings: Jim McNulty (Free), Lewis Alessandra (Free),
Seem solid with Keith Hill back in charge. Hopefully keep well clear of the drop zone.
Continuity 8
Signings 6
Manager 6
Attack 7
Defence 6
Scunthorpe 33/1
New Signings: Charlie Goode (Free), Scott Laird (Free), Tom Hopper (Free), Luke Williams (Free), Jamie Ness (Free),
Mark Robins has stabilised the Iron but it could still be a tough season & they will rely on Madden’s goals to keep them clear of the drop zone.
Continuity 6
Signings 6
Manager 6
Attack 6
Defence 5
Bury 33/1
New Signings: Peter Clarke (Free), Leon Clarke (Free), Tom Pope (Free), Jacob Mellis (Free), Danny Pugh (Free), Christian Walton (Loan),
Bury just made automatic promotion last season but have added well with Pope & Clarke both proven goal scorers at this level and with Mayor & Mellis providing the ammunition, they could surprise a few sides.
Continuity 7
Signings 9
Manager 7
Attack 8
Defence 7
Oldham 40/1
New Signings: George Green (Free), Jake Cassidy (Free), David Cornell (Free),
Cassidy could add the goals they have been lacking with support but mid-table will be a good achievement.
Continuity 6
Signings 7
Manager 4
Attack 6
Defence 5
Gillingham 40/1
New Signings: Ben Williamson (Free), Bradley Garmston (Free), Rory Donnelly (Free), Max Ehmer (Free), Jordan Houghton (Loan),
Bright young manager but lack the financial muscle.
Continuity 6
Signings 6
Manager 7
Attack 6
Defence 5
Walsall 40/1
New Signings: Jason Demetriou (Free), Neil Etheridge (Free), Milan Lalkovic (Free),
The biggest signing was the one to keep Tom Bradshaw whose goals will keep them mid table if he stays fit.
Continuity 5
Signings 5
Manager 5
Attack 6
Defence 5
Southend 50/1
New Signings: Anthony Wordsworth (Free),
Made via the Playoffs but haven’t added like Burton, Shrewsbury & Bury. Could be a tough season.
Continuity 6
Signings 4
Manager 7
Attack 4
Defence 6
Blackpool 66/1
New Signings: Colin Doyle (Free), Brad Potts (Undisclosed), Kyle Letheren (Free), Clark Robertson (Free), John Herron (Free), Mark Cullen (180k), Jack Redshaw (Undisclosed), Lloyd Jones (Loan),
Big turnover on & off the pitch. The fans are still restless so will be tough. Could do a Yeovil.
Continuity 2
Signings 5
Manager 4
Attack 4
Defence 4
Port Vale 100/1
New Signings: Sam Kelly (Free), Sam Foley (Free), Ben Purkiss (Free), Anthony Grant (Free), Uche Ikpeazu (Loan), AJ Leitch-Smith (Free),
Could be a tough season after losing Tom Pope & need Leitch Smith to replace his goals.
Continuity 5
Signings 5
Manager 4
Attack 4
Defence 4
Colchester 100/1
New Signings: Richard Brindley (Free), Matthew Briggs (Free), George Elokobi (Free), Joe Edwards (Free),
Tough season ahead for Colchester. Little to suggest an upswing in fortunes.
Continuity 5
Signings 5
Manager 4
Attack 4
Defence 4
Crewe 150/1
New Signings: Billy Bingham (Free), David Fox (Free),
Will be tough to survive but Crewe have a habit of defying the odds. Will be much harder this season.
Continuity 7
Signings 4
Manager 6
Attack 4
Defence 4
Still plenty of signings to be made that could make the difference here. The last two seasons in L1 have been easy to get good value with Brentford & Bristol City clearly outstanding prospects that fulfilled expectations. There is always good value with perennial under achievers, Sheffield United, accounting for over 15% of the market. The difficulty this season is deciding who will take advantage. One year Sheff Utd will live up to the hype but they have done little since last season to suggest they will improve next season.
The relegated sides all lack any spark that suggests a quick return. Wigan & Millwall look a few players short while Blackpool seem to be in terminal decline. Peterboro don’t seem to be improving & none of the favourites are jumping out at me. I expect Barnsley to do better and in a season where no-one stands out, Swindon might be the best bet.
Lower down the market, three of the promoted sides have recruited well and Burton, Shrewsbury & Bury may well be the surprise teams here with one of them claiming a double promotion.
Blackpool could make it a double relegation and Colchester, Crewe, Southend and Port Vale are likely to be fighting to stay up.
It is a bit early to predict but here is my early assessment:
1. Swindon
2. Barnsley
3. Sheff Utd
4. Bury
5. Shrewsbury
6. Wigan
7. Peterboro
8. Bradford
9. Millwall
10. Burton
11. Rochdale
12. Coventry
13. Doncaster
14. Oldham
15. Gillingham
16. Walsall
17. Scunthorpe
18. Fleetwood
19. Chesterfield
20. Crewe
21. Southend
22. Colchester
23. Blackpool
24. Port Vale
Decent prices for relegation on Blackpool 11/5 and Southend 4/1. I like Top Half bets on Shrewsbury (5/6), Burton (Evens) Rochdale (6/4). I like Bottom Half bets on Walsall (8/11) & Chesterfield (10/11).
League Two Preview
Don’t have time for a full review for League Two but like Sheff Utd in L1, Portsmouth dominate the market and make great value if you can pick a team to beat them. As with L1, the candidate here isn’t immediately obvious. In fact, I can’t look beyond Portsmouth, even at 9/2. They have attracted Paul Cook as manager from Chesterfield and I believe that he is the man to start their recovery.
He has brought in a number of players including Tollitt, Stockley, Doyle, Burgess, McGurk, Barton & most significantly Roberts.
I am struggling to see who are the most likely challengers. Orient & Notts County are the most likely of the relegated sides to put in a challenge while Luton, Oxford and Northampton will have their supporters.
Bristol Rovers will do well with Chris Lines back at his spiritual home but probably will fall just short of promotion.
Think there is value for Top Half bets on Bristol Rovers at 8/11 and Wycombe at 5/6.
WDWLWW
Rotherham v Fulham