The 2015/16 SkyBet Football League season is just around the corner and the principal sponsors have a whole host of exciting betting opportunities that we can look at for the entire season.
In this series of ‘Ben’s Bets’ we will take an in depth look at each division, in order and throw up a few markets that might be of value in the Ante Post category.
SkyBet have a promotion on at the moment where new customers can earn a FREE football shirt of their choice – of course, you’ll pick the nice new Yeovil one – but click HERE to sign up for SkyBet and take advantage of that brilliant introductory offer.
League Two – Champions
Yeovil Town. That was easy. Moving on…
… OK, I’ve put the scarf down and removed the green and white goggles.
We’ll talk about Yeovil in more depth, but the Glovers aren’t the obvious choice for the title, but then again neither is the bookmaker’s obvious choice.
Portsmouth at 4/1 seems no value based on the same theory that prevented me from backing Sheffield United in League One. They’ve been at this level, as pre-season favourites for too many seasons without success, why should this be any different?
My League Two selection is a side that have been backed already this summer. Coming in from odds of 20/1 to 16/1 thanks to their signings are Cambridge United.
Their marquee addition has to be Barry Corr, the striker may have been a target for Paul Sturrock at Yeovil, but the location of Cambridge and their willingness to flash the cash may have been a tempter.
Corr scored vital goals for Southend in their successful promotion season last time but has remained in League Two. Added to that the experience of Keith Keane, Jeff Hughes and Elliot Omozusi and they’ve put together a formidable squad.
Elsewhere, I think the South West may have a positive season with Plymouth and Bri… Brist…. You know… them, having good campaigns, so I’d consider them for promotion and play-off betting markets.
Relegation
Dropping out of the Football League altogether is the fear of all 72 teams under the SkyBet sponsored banner. Looking at the odds, there may be a few teams, some of them a bit obvious who could be trying to avoid finishing in the bottom two.
Accrington Stanley finished 17th last time out and have had to reshape their side, a couple of high profile youngsters including Josh Windass may not see out the season in the red of Stanley and as a result, John Coleman’s side will be hovering around the whirlpool of relegation once more.
I’ve toyed around with a second selection, looking at Exeter and their need to promote academy players, as well as some of the bookmaker favourites in Dagenham and Redbridge and Hartlepool, but I’ve settled on Mansfield at 6/1
Here’s why, the Stags finished in 21st last season, just seven points from the drop and that could end up being the best they can hope for again.
In player-manager Adam Murray they have an inexperienced gaffer and the high turnover of players doesn’t grab me with any enthusiasm, Scott Shearer aside the outgoings are more emphatic than the incomings.
It’s an incredibly competitive market; many teams will be concerned about their status and with just two places dropping into non-league it really could be an interesting one.
Specials
There is one bet I like that involves Yeovil Town, the Glovers are 10/3 to finish the highest of the four relegated sides. Beating Leyton Orient, Notts County and Crawley in the league won’t be easy but certainly not out of the question.
As of right now, SkyBet don’t have a top scorer market available, that’ll come as the sides finalise their squads, but I wouldn’t put anyone off Reuben Reid or even Ryan Bird in that market as each way suggestions. Barry Corr will be getting my outright money on that one.
There will be far more markets available for League Two over the coming days and weeks.
YTFC.net will be previewing Yeovil’s chances in the all the available markets so stay tuned for that. Until then, a reminder that you can signed up for SkyBet HERE and you could qualify for a free football shirt.
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