Sat 18th Aug: 15.00: Sheffield United are League One title favourites at 6/1 (Ladbrokes) but Coventry are the value bet for promotion.
Given that they finished third before suffering play-off final heartbreak last season, it’s perhaps not surprising to see Sheffield United heading the League One betting at 6/1 with Ladbrokes.
Admittedly, the Blades have lost one or two players, but Danny Wilson has recruited John Cofie and Nick Blackman to boost his attack, an area that looked weak at the back end of the last campaign and United have a strong squad capable of challenging.
They lead the betting from MK Dons (8/1, Stan James) and Swindon (9/1, Coral) but at 12/1 courtesy of Paddy Power, it’s Coventry that stand out from the chasing pack. Admittedly, as Sheffield United can testify, it’s never easy to bounce back up the Championship at the first attempt but the relegated Sky Blues have made some decent acquisitions – a potential star in John Fleck among them and Coral’s 9/2 for them to go up is worth a flutter.
Troubled Portsmouth have avoided liquidation but they essentially don’t have a first team squad and are set to start the campaign with youngsters from their development squad and players signed on short-term, non-contract terms.
Michael Appleton’s cash-strapped side will also start the season with a ten-point deduction and it looks they could struggle to compete in League One, lending appeal to William Hill’s 5/6 for them to suffer back-to-back relegations.
Nevertheless, there’s always the risk that Pompey will be galvanised by their plight and the short price is slightly off-putting so at chunkier odds of 7/4 (William Hill) it might be worth taking a punt on Yeovil to slide into League Two.
The Glovers finished 17th last season, eleven points clear of danger, but they’ve been punching above their weight a touch and conceded far too many goals last term, so a bottom four finish is a distinct possibility.
Recommended Bets:
Coventry to gain promotion – 9/2 (Coral)
Yeovil to be relegated – 7/4 (William Hill)
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