Championship golden boot betting 2011/12

Although there is still the majority of preseason to go, the Championship teams are starting to take shape and its time to start looking at making early bets. The Championship top scorer should be an interesting one this season, with 5 of last seasons top 10 scorers having left the division.

Championship golden boot odds

Danny Graham topped the scoring charts last season for Watford with an impressive 24 goal haul despite his side only finishing mid-table, and that is what earned him his move to newly promoted Swansea City, but with him and many others moving on from the division who is going to follow in Graham’s footsteps? Let’s start by looking at the players relegated from the Premiership who are among the favourites to take the crown.

Carlton Cole – 11.0 Coral
Carlton Cole is the current favourite for the top goal scorer and may well be a good bet at 11.0 with Coral. The former England international had a disappointing season last year, but could be an impressive player in the Championship if he can refind some form under Sam Allardyce. Cole has a good eye for goal but it still remains to be seen if he will stay at West Ham or move back to the Premiership.

Cameron Jerome – 21.0 Skybet
Another player relegated from the Premiership is Cameron Jerome, although his odds are a lot longer than Cole’s, there are several comparisons between the two. Like Cole, Jerome endured a fairly disappointing season last year, finishing with just 5 goals in all competitions. There have also been rumours of him leaving Birmingham before the start of the season. Jerome has scored some spectacular goals for Birmingham and if he can find some consistency this season then he could well be in the running for the top goal scorer award, and with odds of 21.0 available from Skybet, he is definitely worth an outside bet.

Craig Mackail-Smith – 17.0 William Hill
Among the other favourites for the top goal scorer award, is Brighton’s Craig Mackail-Smith. The striker made a big money move from Peterborough in the summer after an impressive season last year scoring 34 goals in all competitions as Peterborough were promoted from League 1. All eyes will be on Mackail-Smith, but he certainly has the talent and desire to impress, and odds of 17.0 from William Hill are not to be sniffed at.

Finally we’ll look at some of the players that performed well in the Championship last year and could well take the next step towards the top goal scorer award this season. Shane Long is one of those players, as the Irishmen scored 21 league goals last season and the striker is the current second favourite to impress again this year. Long has a great shot on him, is a good athlete and can take penalties, with these attributes it is no wonder he is priced as best as 11.0 with Skybet.

Another of these players is Luciano Becchio, who managed 19 league goals last season and is one of the few players from last season’s top scorer’s list still in the division. The target man is great in the air and will no doubt form the centre of Leeds United’s attack this season. Longer odds of 26.0 from William Hill may drift if the Yorkshire club strengthen their current squad and Becchio has a good start to the season.

Read our other Championship betting articles here – Championship winner betting and Championship relegation betting.

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Championship winner betting 2011/12

This season the Championship title looks to be more fiercely contested than previous years. In past seasons, there have been 1 or 2 teams significantly stronger than the rest, whereas last year the league looked fairly even, this season the league looks stronger than ever with 3 or 4 teams looking capable of winning the title. There is of course the 3 relegated teams in Birmingham, West Ham and Blackpool, whilst Leicester have invested heavily to win promotion and of course last year’s losing play off finalists Reading that will all be looking towards that top spot in the league.

Championship winner odds

Leicester – 5.5 Betfred
The current favourites to win the Npower Championship next season are Leicester City, and they are best priced at 5.5 with various bookmakers such as Betfred and Paddy Power. Under Sven-Goran Eriksson they only managed to finish just above mid-table last season, but plenty of big signings such as Paul Konchesky, David Nugent and Matt Mills have propelled them to favourites. Although they may need one more proven goal scorer to get 20 plus in the league, and it is still uncertain whether the players will blend together, they look good value for the favourites tag at the moment.

West Ham – 5.5 Sportingbet
West Ham United are joint favourites with Leicester to win the title next year, with a similar price of around 5.5 also available from many bookmakers such as Sportingbet and BlueSq. The Hammers actually look a better bet at the moment as their squad appears to have more strength in depth. Of course they were always going to be around the favourites after suffering relegation last season, but new manager Sam Allardyce is experienced in getting results and knows the division after achieving promotion with Bolton. They have also made an impressive big money signing in Kevin Nolan, who can get plenty of goals from midfield, and have so far managed to hang on to a lot of their squad from last year. Of course though, these odds may change slightly if the Hammers do lose a lot of their big names, but that looks unlikely as they will be attempting to emulate what Newcastle achieved a couple of years ago.

Birmingham – 15.0 Coral
Birmingham are also among the favourites for the Npower Championship title but are slightly longer odds and best priced at 15.0 at Coral. City appear to be longer odds as they have lost quite a few more high profile players than the other relegated teams, with Roger Johnson, Craig Gardener, Lee Bowyer all leaving the club and Barry Ferguson, Nikola Zigic and Cameron Jerome still expected to follow them out the door. Birmingham also have the Europa League to compete in after winning the Carling Cup last season which will only hinder their chances in the league with the potential for long midweek trips across Europe. They do though, have a good manager in Chris Hughton who has experience in winning promotion from this league with Newcastle.

Those are the main 3 contenders for the Npower Championship title, but there are also a few outsiders that are worth a look at and could well be in with a chance if they have a good season. Nottingham Forest are one of those teams, they’ve been in and around the playoffs the last couple of seasons and under new manager Steve McClaren are expected to be challenging again. A couple of good signings in Jonathan Greening and Andy Reid may well help them on their way and could be a good bet at 15.0 with bet365. Reading are another side who could well be in for a good season after missing out in the Play Off final last season. They have though, lost their captain and centre back Matt Mills to Leicester, and they will be looking to use the money from that transfer to find a replacement.

Read our Championship relegation betting article and Championship golden boot article here.

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Nassau Stakes betting and odds

Goodwood Nassau Stakes betting preview

A glorious five days at Goodwood draws to a close on Saturday with the Nassau Stakes providing the week’s final feature race, writes Mikey Mumford. The fillies’ Group One race part of the QIPCO British Champions’ Series sees seven runners head to post for a share of the £185,000 purse. Midday will look to complete a fantastic week for Sir Henry Cecil and Prince Khalid Abdulla after Frankel’s thrilling success over Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday. Snow Fairy and Misty For Me rate the main dangers for the race over 1m1f.

Crystal Capella Lightly raced filly who has won on her seasonal reappearances for the last two years. She stepped up markedly on her Haydock fourth (the third Meeznah won the Lillie Langtry yesterday) by scooping the Princess of Wales’s at Newmarket latest over 1m4f. Has a 66% strike rate on good ground and should go close again for Sir Michael Stoute.

Field Day Broke her maiden tag at the first time of asking at Newmarket and won a valuable listed fillies’ race at Ascot last year for Brian Meehan. Yet to get going in 2011 and outpaced in her first two starts this campaign and weakened in the final furlong in the Windsor Forest Stakes last time. Bit to prove on that evidence and needs to step up significantly.

Midday Top class filly who won this race in 2009 notched victory at York on her first start this year but has had to settle for a couple of second place finishes since. She was a left behind St Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup on her penultimate start and was no match for Misty For Me at the Curragh latest despite being sent off 1-3 market jolly. Work to do to reverse those placing’s but will be better suited by the Goodwood track and should make a bold bid.

Principle Role Landed a listed event at Newcastle last time after a valiant effort over course and distance the time before where she just lost out at the finish. Often takes a keen hold and may force the pace but can give it a good go from the front but preference is for stable’s other runner.

Snow Fairy A well beaten fourth of five on the Coral Eclipse on her 2011 reappearance after a hugely successful 2010 campaign where only Midday had her measure prior to her dissapointing Leger defeat. A previous course and distance winner who will improve for her Sandown run with Frankie Dettori taking the mount.

Barefoot Lady A real tough sort who won an ordinary fillies’ Group 3 on her first start this campaign and has run well in defeat since despite not landing another blow. A good fifth in the 1000 Guineas and short head defeat to the useful Joviality at York next time reads well and she will fight all the way to the line; good each way claims.

Misty For Me Ballydoyle’s sole representative ran an ordinary sort of race in the Oaks this year after being comprehensively beaten in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Picked up a couple of Group One’s in her native Ireland including last time (a sixth-length win over Midday) and rates a main danger if continuing her good form.

A hugely anticipated race where seven of the finest fillies should put on a show as Glorious Goodwood draws the curtain and Midday should be thereabouts to put the gloss on a fantastic meeting for connections. But the opposition is tough and Snow Fairy should be better for her poor Coral Eclipse display and has a chance but CRYSTAL CAPELLA can give Sir Michael Stoute another winner at Goodwood as his horses start to hit peak form. [Mikey Mumford]

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Championship relegation betting 2011/12

In recent years, relegation favourites have usually been the teams promoted from the Npower League 1. However, last season bucked that trend with all sides finishing comfortably in the top half, with Norwich even achieving back to back promotions. It seems that this may in fact carry on this season, with at least 2 of the promoted teams looking strong and not among the favourites from the drop. Of course, other teams among the favourites to go down are those that struggled last season in Doncaster, Barnsley and Coventry.

Championship relegation odds

Barnsley are the current favourites for relegation from the division after struggling last year, finishing in 17th place, and consequently losing their captain Jason Shackell to Derby over the summer. Although they have strengthened with the money from that transfer by bringing in 4 players, only one of those in Miles Addison is proven at Championship level. This, along with the fact that new manager Keith Hill hasn’t managed at Championship level before appear to be the main reason why the Tykes are the current joint favourites. Best odds 2.88 with Coral.

Doncaster: The other team in line for the drop is fellow Yorkshire club Doncaster Rovers. Rovers finished last season just one place above the relegation zone, despite a good start to the season when they could have been pushing for the play-offs. Their main problem last season was their defence, which saw them concede 81 goals, more than 2 of the relegated teams. In an attempt to rectify this, Sean O’Driscoll has brought in defenders Tommy Spurr from Sheffield Wednesday and Richard Naylor from Leeds. This may add a bit more defensive stability, but you feel their main hopes of survival will depend on the fitness of striker Billy Sharp, who has been prolific for Rovers, when fit, in recent seasons. Best odds 3.0 with Coral .

Peterborough United are another team among the favourites to struggle this season, but with slightly longer odds of 3.5 available at Skybet. Promoted from League 1 last season, the Posh have also lost their top scorer Craig Mackail-Smith to Brighton and have openly admitted that they cannot attract proven Championship players because of their wage structure. They have though, invested in some good young players such as Nicky Ajose from Manchester United and loaned other Manchester United youngsters. It remains to be seen though, if they are able to make the step up in the Championship. Best odds on relegation 3.5 with William Hill.

There are other teams that look likely to be in and around relegation trouble this season and may well be worth a bet. Coventry City currently hold short odds of 3.0 with Sportingbet, as they also fell apart in the second half of last season and have since lost 3 of their key players in Marlon King, Aron Gunnarsson and Keiren Westwood. Crystal Palace are also fairly short odds of 3.4 with Unibet after also just avoiding relegation last season, but they have strengthened their ranks in preparation for the new term.

Read our Championship winner betting preview and Championship Golden boot.

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King George VI betting and odds

Ascot King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Sir Michael Stoute’s Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce returns to the course of his biggest flop to date for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this weekend, writes Mikey Mumford. The next leg of the Qipco British Champions’ Series sees a select field of five runner’s line-up for the 1m4f race. Despite, Workforce’s odds on defeat in this race last year, the support for the Khalid Abdulla owned four-year-old has refused to dry up and he currently heads the market. Godolphin are represented by both Debussy and Prince Of Wales’s hero Rewilding whilst the Aidan O’Brien challenge rests with the rejuvenated St Nicholas Abbey. Nathaniel completes the field for John Gosden after being implemented in midweek. Check out our betting preview for the 2012 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes, and make sure you get a free bet for this race.

Debussy has bits and pieces of form for John Gosden on turf and the polytrack but has yet to build on that form in the royal blue of Godolphin. After changing hands at the end of last year he was stone wall last in the Prince of Wales’s and is expected to play another bit part role here. Ahmed Ajtebi is likely to force the gallop and he should take them on a good early clip but hard to see him sustain it.

Earmarked as the most likely 2010 St Leger winner, Rewilding bounced right back to form following his classic disappointment last September by wearing down So You Think at Ascot latest. Frankie Dettori’s mount relishes the good ground and poses a serious threat here. He was well beaten by Workforce in the 2010 Derby but should be much better and wiser this time around.

He confirmed the promise of his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe win last year with a routine win at Sandown on his reappearance and Workforce looks all set to banish those 2010 King George memories this year. So You Think always looked like getting the better of him in the closing stages of the Coral Eclipse but Sir Michael Stoute’s colt lost nothing in defeat and can go one better here. He’s won at 1m4f and great chance of doing so again.

The nature of Nathaniel’s King Edward VII Stakes success saw John Gosden’s three-year-old colt supplemented for this race at a cost of £75,000 on Monday. The early market signals are positive too with the youngster in the field being trimmed into 13/2 from 9/1. However, he will have to reverse the placing’s with St Nicholas Abbey on the basis of their recent Chester form where the latter succeeded by a head. Not without a chance though, and can prove a tough nut to crack should he get conditions.

A real quality line-up for Britain’s second richest horse race and Rewilding is fairly solid at third-best in the market should he pick up from his Prince of Wales’s victory. Not entirely sure he will and ST NICHOLAS ABBEY and Workforce will be waiting in the wings but slight preference if for the former who can continue his rich streak of form. [Mikey Mumford]

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Newbury Weatherbys Super Sprint betting and odds

Weatherbys Super Sprint betting preview

Another big sprint handicap provides this Saturday’s feature race for Newbury’s Dubai Summer Festival – Weatherbys Super Sprint, writes Mikey Mumford. The sharp 5f sees twenty-five runners head to post for a share of the £200,000 purse. The race is restricted to two-year-old thoroughbreds horses sold as yearlings by public auction and the weights each will carry are determined by the sale price of the horses. Richard Hannon has won this race seven times since its inauguration in 1991 and he saddles four this time in his bid for gold and his unbeaten colt Eureka tops the early market.

Found a couple too good on his first two starts but Electric Qatar (14/1) did pull a little hard last time at Haydock and warrants respect here. Tom Dascombe’s yard is in fine form and stable jockey Richard Kingscote takes the ride and the stiff 5f should suit a horse that breaks well and can take up the running.

Racked up a hat-trick of wins after landing her maiden over 5f at Beverley in April; Lily’s Angel (7/1) does most of her work inside the final furlong and landed the Empress Stakes at Newmarket latest. Fifth in the Albany at Royal Ascot, she is equally adept on soft ground and has won over further; place claims at the least.

Ed McMahon trained John Fretwell’s Temple Meads to victory in this last year and they combine again with Impassive (12/1) this time. Difficult to know what this filly achieved in her maiden against weak opposition at Nottingham but a likely improver; not one to rule out for connections.

Redact (6/1) is unbeaten in his first two starts for Richard Hannon and his going away win on the polytrack at Lingfield was most impressive. He brought forward that form on turf last time at Salisbury justifying odds on favouritism over 6f. Ryan Moore rides and he should make a bold hat-trick bid.

The nature of Mention’s (14/1) victory over 6f at this course last time was eye-catching considering she was headed well over halfway and got back up inside the final furlong. She was off the pace on her first racecourse appearance at Lingfield on good to firm but still plugged on well to take fourth; likely to improve again with the in-form Silvestre De Sousa aboard.

Eureka (9/2) was always travelling well under a patient Richard Hughes ride on route to winning his maiden at 16/1 over slightly further at Nottingham. He won well next time on much firmer ground at Salisbury and should give this a good go in his hat-trick bid. Probably just about the one to beat on paper, he could give Richard Hannon his eight success in this race.

Plenty in with chances as one would expect with these big sprints but Richard Hannon holds a strong hand with both Eureka and Redact who should go close in their hat-trick bids. Impassive cannot be ruled out for connections who won this race twelve months ago but MENTION can hold them all off after winning over further here last time. [Mikey Mumford]

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League Two relegation betting preview 2011/12

Stockport were last seasons horror story, as their finances collapsed they were left propping up the football league for the majority of the season and were relegated into non-league obscurity. Lincoln City joined them after a tense final day of the season where they were beaten 3-0 by Aldershot while Barnet managed to scrape a 1-0 victory condemning the Imps to the drop.

League 2 relegation odds

This season though Barnet are sure to again be dicing with the drop, unless they make some pretty serious improvements on last year it could be the same tense last day for the fans at Underhill. With odds of 4.5 on William Hill they are definitely one of the favourites for the drop and could provide good value if they do.

Plymouth seem to be on a constantly downwards spiral, after relegation from the Championship they suffered a similar fate in league 1 after they were forced to sell star assets to stay solvent. Top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips was sold to league rivals Charlton and from then on it was a downward spiral, which culminated in a point’s deduction leaving them rock bottom at the seasons close. This season the money crisis hasn’t sorted itself out yet and players are still waiting on wages, unpaid players, make poor performers on the pitch and if this continues Argyle could be dicing with the drop for the third season running, with odds of 11.0 on William Hill they are relative outsiders so if they do meet the drop they could prove to be a sizeable investment.

Hereford had a shaky season last year and found it difficult away from home especially and if this poor form continues into the new season they could very well be teetering on the brink of the league again, having spent a lot of last season rock bottom of League 2. A few new faces have been brought in though, however if you don’t think that will be enough to save the Bulls then why not have a gamble with odds of 6.0 on Bet365 for them to meet the drop.

Newly promoted AFC Wimbledon will have high hopes that their first season in the football league will be a comfortable one, however the step up from non-league is a big one and they may not have the luck Stevenage found this season. With long odds of 15.0 on William Hill they could be worth backing for the drop with a few quid.

Read our League 2 winner betting article here.

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League Two Betting Preview 2011/12

The battle for the top spots in the 2010-2011 was a tight one which was eventually won by champions Chesterfield, followed closely by Bury, Wycombe and in the play-offs a little further off Stevenage. This time around it looks set to just as open a race as the last term with a number of teams vying for promotion to League 1.

League two winner odds

Shrewsbury had an unlucky time in the play-offs last season after a season where they were comfortably one of the top teams in the league. They played good passing football and were unlucky to miss out on going up through the play-offs, meaning that this time around they are going to be firing on all cylinders and raring to mount a title challenge, so with odds of 15.0 on bet365 for them to finish top this season, it could be well worth a look.

Relegated Dagenham and Redbridge know how to win this league having done it in the 2009-2010 campaign, a final day of the season defeat to promoted Peterborough sent them back to League 2 on the first time of asking though. They may have lost top scoring pacy winger Danny Green to Charlton, but the core of their side remain, with club captain Mark Arber already a stalwart at this level marshalling the solid Daggers defence for the back. They stand a good chance of bouncing straight back and this is reflected in their handsome odds of 34.0 on Bet365 to win the league for the 2nd time 3 years.

Newly appointed Paulo Di Canio’s Swindon will also be up there fighting for the top spot, and under the management of one of footballs most talented and outspoken individuals they should provide a lot of life for League 2 next season. They are 2nd favourites to win the division and with good odds of 11.0 with William Hill they could be a prudent investment.

Newly promoted Crawley though are the firm favourites for the title, being the Manchester City of non league football last year they have brought their sizeable budget into league football and look ready to take the leagues by storm, they are short in the odds with 4.0 on Bet365 but as favourites with that much cash they are the ones to watch next season.

Read our League 2 relegation betting preview here

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League 1 top goalscorer betting

The leagues top marksmen are usually from teams who gain promotion so it is no surprise that 4 of last years top 5 marksmen will be plying their trade in the Championship next term. Craig Mackail-Smith ran out as comfortable winner in the race to be the top scorer last season with Brighton’s Glen Murray and Southampton’s Rickie Lambert coming in a respectable 2nd and 3rd

League 1 Golden boot odds

Huddersfield are promotion favourites and last seasons top scorer Jordan Rhodes came in with a comfortable return of 16 goals, he suffered though to Lee Clark’s away formation of 4-5-1 in which Benik Afobe was preferred to lead the line. However he should regain his regular starting place and is good value to lead the scoring charts at 9.0 on SkyBet.

Bradley Wright-Phillips netted 21 times last season and in a Charlton team battling for a return to the Championship could prove to be an extremely prudent investment at odds of 9.0 on William Hill to top the scoring charts for league 1 this season. Relegated Sheffield United’s Ched Evans cost £3 million and in the last season only managed 9 goals in the Championship, however he could find his mark at League 1 and with odds of 21.0 on William Hill he could turn out as a real surprise package in the new term in League 1.

Bournemouth had their two top marksmen Josh McQuoid and Bret Pitman pilfered from them during the last season so it was left down to youngster Danny Ings to provide the firepower. At only 19 he does lack experience but this hunger for success and youthful enthusiasm could see him landing a staring role next season in the Cherries march for promotion so why not drop a few quid on young Ings at odds of 26.0 on William Hill.

Bury’s Ryan Lowe ended last season as league 2’s lead scorer and best player and could be relied upon to take up his chances in League 1 as Bury look to consolidate their place in this new division. Lowe has fantastic odds of 41.0 on SkyBet and could prove to be a big money maker if he continues his good form that began last season.

Read our betting preview for the League 1 winner.

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League One Betting Preview 2011/12

League 1 last year was a one horse race, dominated and won comfortably by Gus Poyet’s Brighton, with Southampton and Peterborough joining them in promotion after a season where the tightest race was for the 2nd automatic promotion spot.

League One odds

Three teams dropped unceremoniously into League 1 this season, those teams were bottom team Scunthorpe, Preston North End and Sheffield United. However the favourites to make the move back to the Championship this year are none other than Lee Clark’s Huddersfield who while going unbeaten for 27 games didn’t manage promotion after a 3-0 defeat to Peterborough United at Old Trafford in the play-off final. The Terriers have a strong fan base and therefore a sizeable budget; however key men have departed the Galpharm Stadium. Anthony Pilkington has moved to Carrow Road while Lee Peltier has moved to Sven Goran-Erickson’s Leicester. Huddersfield have still kept the core of their squad which performed so well last season and offer good value at 6.5 on Bet365 to win the League 1 title this season.

Teams who are promoted from League 2 to League 1 always seem to be formidable in their next season so Chesterfield, Bury, Stevenage and Wycombe could all be ones to watch next season. Stevenage ended the season on a massive high and if they continue this good form onto the new season hey could be fantastic value at 81.0 on Bet365 to run away with the League 1 crown.

Charlton are another big club and have made some serious investment in the close season, with no less than 10 new players arriving at The Valley this summer. They had a shaky season last time of asking, but were buoyed by the arrival of proven goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips who in his first full season for the Addicks could provide the goals to send them up, so with odds of 9.0 on Bet365 they could provide good value to win the league this time around.

Read our League 1 top goalscorer betting preview.

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