Northwich Victoria v Lincoln

Northwich will be bang up for this game and that, allied with Lincoln’s poor form and Chris Sutton’s travails, and their long injury list, and the fact this game is televised – stack up to create some value on the home side.

Northwich @ 9/4 (Betfred) – 2 points

Gillingham v Burton

Gillingham look the strongest bet of the round, playing a Burton side who are struggling, and look particularly vulnerable to Gillingham’s pacey forward line. Even at 4/6 there is value.

Gillingham @ 4/6 (Widely Available) – 2 points

Notts Forest v Doncaster

Forest are a difficult team to break down and haven’t gone over 2.5 goals in their last five matches. Doncaster will struggle to penetrate and everything points to this being low scoring.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (Widely Available) – 2 points

Newcastle v Swansea

Swansea have kept 8 clean sheets in their last 11 games, and will go to St James’ attempting to add to that tally. Newcastle have ground out their results rather than playing teams off the park and this looks like being a tight game.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Paddy Power, SkyBet) – 2 points

West Ham v Burnley

This game screams ‘goals’. Two sides with porous defences who aren’t afraid to attack suggests an open game with few inhibitions and no clean sheets.

Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (Widely Available) – 2 points

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The first weekend is always a dodgy one to bet on – pre-season form can be deceptive, and you never know quite how a team has gelled, or otherwise, over the summer. Teams that are odds-on are best avoided, although not necessarily layed… and outsiders could just come up trumps. But you never know! Consequently we haven’t gone overboard with selections for this first weekend of Coca-Cola League football – we’ve gone predominantly for lays, as at this stage the ‘unknown’ is a huge factor and short odds are not to be trusted.

Watford v Doncaster

Doncaster’s late season form would have had them in playoff contention has it run throughout the season, and they seem a strangely long price int the handicap market, and in this game. Despite losing Richie Wellens they have kept the majority of the squad that did well mid to late 08/09, and are probably unfairly fifth favourites for relegation. Watford have also lost an influential player in Priskin, and have new manager Malky Mackay who replaced the Reading bound Brendon Rodgers. This early in the season, with uncertainty surrounding form and fitness, the price of slightly odds against on Watford seems too short.

LAY Watford @ 2.22 (Betfair) – 2 points liability

Reading v Notts Forest

Reading struggled hugely at home last season, particularly in front of goal – they only scored three in their last ten games there, and that was a prime reason for their failure to go up automatically. Forest have strengthened significantly in the summer, and are many peoples’ picks as an outside promotion chance. Billy Davies is a hugely successful manager at this level, and will ensure he has his side primed and ready for this tough test. They will not want to get off to a losing start – and we think they can avoid it. Goal-shy Reading, at around even money, are another short home lay.

LAY Reading @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 2 points liability

West Brom v Newcastle

In our Championship preview (see below) we discussed the relative merits of Newcastle and West Brom as co-favourites for the title. We heavily favoured the Baggies in that – and will stick to that here. Having kept the nucleus of the team that was promoted, then relegated, and with Newcastle in complete disarray, the odds against appeals.

West Brom @ 5/4 (Betfred, Paddy Power, SkyBet) – 1.5 points

Brighton v Walsall

Brighton are another home team at short odds, and in our minds another lay. Added to the early season uncertainty is the uncertainty surrounding their squad – so many new player are bound to take time to gel. Walsall on the other hand have had a relatively stable preseason with Chris Hutchings having plenty of time to organise. At odds on, Brighton are just too short.

LAY Brighton @ 2.02 (Betfair) – 2 points

Notts County v Bradford

Everyone knows about Notts County, about Sven, about the investment… but that will take time. They have added to their squad but not overhauled it, and they were not challengers last term. Bradford, on the other hand, were – and are tough first game opposition for the revitalised Nottingham club. Against a decent League 2 side County are just to short, and in our minds another lay.

LAY Notts County @ 2.08 (Betfair) – 2 points

Torquay v Chesterfield

Teams promoted from the BSP tend to fare well in League Two – just look at Exeter. Torquay are far better managed, run and organised compared to when they went down, and are decent value at home to get off to a winning start against Chesterfield, who ha an erratic away record last season (10 wins nine losses). Torquay will be pumped up and determined.

Torquay @ 6/4 (Coral) – 1 point