Bolton and Preston look value in the outright markets

Here is our third in our series of summer features that look at major football transfer moves and see how they have affected the betting markets.

Bolton are 10/1 (GENERAL) for the Championship and they have had a good summer in the transfer market bringing in seven players. The main signing has been Jermaine Beckford from Leicester who spent most of last season on loan at Huddersfield where he grabbed eight goals in 21 games. Beckford should benefit from the service from midfield from creative types like Chris Eagles and Lee Chung-Yong.

Dougie Freedman is a shrewd manager and he has moved to strengthen at the back with Marc Tierney and Alex Baptiste both being good additions. Tierney at left-back was one of the standout performers for Norwich at this level before injuries put paid to his chances of performing much in the top flight. Alex Baptiste was highly rated at Blackpool and should form an excellent partnership with Tim Ream or Zat Knight.

The club have a clever manager in Dougie Freedman and ended the season on fire just missing out on the play-offs so odds of 10/1 (GENERAL) look good each-way value.

Another side who have done well in the transfer market this summer are Preston under the guidance of Simon Grayson. Preston have secured Declan Rudd on loan from Norwich for another season who is one of the best young keepers in the country. Tom Clarke is a player Grayson will know well from his Huddersfield days and he will slot in well at centre-back. Chris Humphrey on the wings is a great signing as he looked excellent in the SPL and is thought to have turned down Rangers to move to Preston. He should provide the service for the big signing of the summer in Kevin Davies. Davies should do well a League One and will be a fearsome sight for opposition defenders.

All in all then the 16/1 (GENERAL) looks generous especially considering Grayson has already got two sides promoted from this division (Huddersfield and Leeds).

Southampton have done good business in the summer and I like the look of them in a market run by both SKYBET and STAN JAMES called group betting. The six team market also features Swansea, Newcastle, West Brom, Aston Villa and West Ham.

Newcastle are the 10/3 (STAN JAMES) favourites though the lack of business this summer while others around them have strengthened does not inspire confidence. West Brom have brought in Nicolas Anelka though the 34-year-old is unlikely to replace the goals of Lukaku last season. Fulham meanwhile have not rally impressed with a number of free transfers. Aston Villa have also been busy though none of their six additions are exactly household names. West Ham have signed a few though again nothing that stands out.

The market should then come down to Swansea and Southampton with the preference being for the latter as the former have European football to worry about. The Saints have done well in the transfer market bringing in Victor Wanyama from Celtic who should form a formidable midfield partnership with Morgan Schneiderlin. Dejan Lovren has also come in at centre-back from Southampton adding security.The 9/2 (STAN JAMES) on them looks excellent value.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Southampton to finish top of Group betting, 9/2 (STAN JAMES)
SILVER: Bolton to win the Championship, EW, 10/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Preston to win Division One, EW, 16/1 (GENERAL)

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21/07/2013     © Frixo 2026