Football League 2012-13 Preview

In just over a month the Football League season gets underway here is a look at how the markets are currently shaping up.

In the Championship Leicester are the 15/2 (sportingbet/Bodog) favourites. The Foxes are favourites due to the strong financial backing of their Thai owners. Nigel Pearson will be looking to strengthen a squad that finished ninth last season, but at the moment it seems a price on ambition rather than merits of the squad.

Next in the market are former Premier league sides Bolton and Wolves. Bolton, still under the management of Owen Coyle, are 8/1 (general) to return to the Premier League as champions. Coyle has been quick to redevelop his squad releasing ten players and taking on loan Matt Mills, while signing free agent Keith Andrews. Wolves, under new manager Stale Solbakken, will also hope to bounce back quickly. The new manager took Copenhagen to the group stages of the Champions League and has used his scandinavian connections to bring in 21-year-old Icelandic striker Bjorn Sigurdarson. The Black Country side are 9/1 (general).

Leeds, under the leadership of Neil Warnock, will be hoping for a return to the big time. Warnock has moved quickly to fix a leaky defence, with Jason Pearce and Adam Drury already on board and keeper Paddy Kenny expected to sign. Leeds are 12/1 (general). Blackburn have shocked many by keeping faith with Steve Kean, but his early transfer work has been promising and they are currently 12/1 (general). Danny Murphy and Leon Best have joined the side, although Yakubu and Junior Hoilett have left. Cardiff fans have spent the summer bemoaning the change from their traditional blue strip to red, but if everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet then 12/1 (general) could appeal, Joe Lewis and Jordan Mutch the early summer signings are promising. Beaten play-off finalists Blackpool at 18/1 (Coral/Skybet) look the value, if they can keep a hold of talented wing duo Thomas Ince and Matt Phillips and manager Ian Holloway.

The League One market has Sheff Utd at the head at 6/1 (general) and Danny Wilson will hope to pick his men up after play-off disappointment. Key players may join Matt Lowton (gone to Aston Villa) in leaving the club.

Next in the betting at 9/1 (general) is the MK Dons while Swindon won league two last season are 11/ 1 (Coral) to land back to back titles. Manager Paulo Di Canio has been quick in the transfer market bringing in a number of players with League One experience. Coventry and Preston are both 12/1 (general), while Doncaster are 14/1 (general). Two teams who may appeal at each-way value are Brentford at 16/1 (general) who just missed the play-offs last season and Notts County who ended the season well under Keith Curle and are also 16/1 (Totesport/betfred/paddy Power).

The market in League Two is headed by Rotherham who finished tenth last season and are now managed by Steve Evans who did so well at Crawley. Evans has been busy in the transfer market and will hope his decision to leave League One bound Crawley does not back- fire on him. Newly promoted Fleetwood are 7/1 (BetVictor/Stan James) to make it back-to-back titles. Those looking for each-way value might be interested in Cheltenham at 28/1 (Skybet) who were in the top three for much of last season and just fell away and look value for a side who made the play-off final.

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07/07/2012     © Frixo 2024