With the football season back this weekend, people all over the country will be digging out their betting slips and having a go at an accumulator to add some financial interest to their weekend’s football enjoyment.
The League’s principal sponsors, SkyBet are once again a market leader and we look at one team from each division to add into a bet this weekend.
Starting in the Championship and Leeds United have been in the headlines all summer; a rookie manager takes his new look side to Millwall on the opening day and despite their less than normal build up I fancy them to beat the Lions.
Leeds overcame Dundee United in their final pre-season friendly in a comfortable 2-0 win.
Steve Morison faces the club he spent last season on loan with and we know that returning heroes more often than not find the net.
Leeds are 21/10 to beat Millwall, who you might remember lost the first game of last season on home turf too.
It may seem a surprising choice, but Dave Hockaday’s squad may be too strong for Ian Holloway’s men.
In League One, the side I am looking to back is a big spending team with momentum on their side.
Fleetwood Town host Crewe on Saturday and the Blackpool-based side have wasted no time in adjusting to their new division.
They have added Stephen Crainey, Adam Campbell and Scott Dobie to an already exciting squad and they face a Crewe side who haven’t been able to keep some of their key players losing, among others, Ajay Leitch Smith to Yeovil.
It’s Fleetwood for me at a shade of odds on at 19/20.
In League Two, my selection is based on who I think may struggle.
Exeter City have had to slash the wage bill this summer and an illness in the camp has ruled a number of those who have remained out of the game against Portsmouth.
Things have got so bad that gaffer, Paul Tisdale has had to register himself as a player just in case.
Facing a Pompey side who are one of the heavy favourites to gain promotion this season is probably the last fixture they would have wanted with such a threadbare squad.
This makes the price of Portsmouth at 6/5 a huge surprise and excellent value.
Put the three together in a £5 treble and the returns are a whopping £66.50.
With the opening day giving everyone a chance to give players debuts and test their new look sides out I won’t suggest more than the three selections.
Sky Bet are running promotions currently where you can win a season ticket for your football club, you can earn your club and you cash prizes in a "transfer fund" prize pool, too.
As ever, Yeovil Town and Sky Bet encourage responsible gambling for those over the age of 18 only.
If you need more information on how to gamble within your limits see the website www.gambleaware.co.uk
All the above prices are subject to change and correct at time of writing, see SkyBet.co.uk for the latest odds.
Sky Bet League One
Yeovil Town v Doncaster Rovers
Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town are considered 23/20 favourites with Sky Bet to open their League 1 with a victory when Doncaster (11/5) visit on Saturday.
The Football League sponsor rate a 1-1 draw as the most likely scoreline at 5/1 while a repeat of the 1-0 victory recorded by the Glovers when the two sides last met at Huish Park is available at 6/1.
Gary Johnson’s men head into the new season with odds of 6/1 to secure promotion while their visitors are just ahead in the betting at 5/1.
A tightly fought encounter is expected with over 2.5 goals available at evens, while another win to nil for the Glovers is available at 11/4.
James Hayter is considered the 5/1 favourite to open the scoring while Nathan Tyson and Curtis Main are rated as the visitors’ main threats at 6/1 apiece to net first.
Best bet: Yeovil to win to nil – 11/4
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers are 11/5 outsiders with Sky Bet for their League 1 curtain raiser with Yeovil on Saturday.
The Football League sponsor rate a 1-1 draw as the most likely scoreline at 5/1 while 1-0 is Rovers’ most likely winning margin at 15/2.
A tightly fought encounter is expected with over 2.5 goals available at evens, while Paul Dickov’s men are 9/2 to win without conceding.
James Hayter is considered the 5/1 favourite to open the scoring while Nathan Tyson and Curtis Main are rated as the visitors’ main threats at 6/1 apiece to net first.
In contrast to the match market, it is Rovers who are favoured in the promotion betting at 5/1 with the Glovers slightly longer odds at 6/1.
Best bet: Curtis Main first goalscorer at 6/1
*odds subject to change
Sky Bet are the Title Sponsor of The Football League. This season, a £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund will go to a Football League club to spend on players in the January 2015 transfer window.
Fans who bet with Sky Bet generate Transfer Fund Tokens and go into a random draw to win a £5,000 prize – and the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund for their Football League club.
To sign up, go to www.ytfc.net and follow the instructions.
