Promotion/Relegation/Champions 2012/2013 season

trouserdog78 · Handicapper Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 11

Too early for me to place any money yet, but I'll draw up an initial shortlist around this time then get some proper research in (usually trawling through message boards!) to take stock of new signings/key departures etc.

Premier league

Winners

Last season I backed Man City at 9/2 due to how impressive they looked when beating my team (Stoke) in the cup final. It was always going to be between them and United last time, that's why I'm not sure the 9/2 on Chelsea is as good a bet for 12/13- they've got to overcome two quality sides in City and Utd rather than the one realistic challenger that City faced last season. But, they are looking like making some serious moves in the transfer market. Got to wait and see what happens with Tevez and Toure etc at the Etihad before making a decision here. I think i'd rather be on Chelsea at 9/2 than utd at 5/2 though the way things are shaping up.

Relegation

There are probably 11 sides who could get relegated here. I've been stung before backing promoted sides to go down at short prices and I'm not making that mistake again. West Ham will be too solid under Allardyce and momentum will see the other two safe. Norwich without Lambert could be vulnerable, and if I was a neutral then 8/1 on Stoke would be a tempting price. Stoke remind me very much of Bolton in 10/11- a side in terrible form with a manager unable to adopt any sort of Plan B. We won't have as much money to spend this summer, and although Pulis might scrap his way to 40 points I think we'll be bottom 6.

trouserdog78 · Handicapper Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 11

Initial thoughts for the football league are that the championship is absolutely wide-open, and I think I'd rather be taking a chance on one of the outsiders at around 16s to 25s rather than assuming leicester will finally come good at 6s. I've done no research on this yet, but wondering whether Middlesborough could be tempting at a big price? Could Charlton or Sheff wed follow recent tradition and get back to back promotions- both have good managers and momentum.

Barnsley for relegation looks a good bet at anything odds against. They looked awful against west ham and have a side consisting of lower league players.

League One is interesting in that sheff Utd are the obvious candidates at a reasonable price (6/1) but they desperately need to replace the disgraced Ched Evans. Preston have been making a few signings and could be an interesting alternative at 14/1. Clubs that sign a whole new team though could go either way...

League Two is all about whether Rotherham are going to make their money talk. 7/2 is too short for me though- could Chesterfield be a better option at 12/1. They seem to yo-yo their way between these two divisions on an annual basis and have just signed a very decent striker at that level in Marc richards.

KanKeano · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:06 am Post subject:

damorizla · Group 1 Class Joined: 21 Jan 2012 Posts: 259

Think northampton could do well for a change under Aidy Boothroyd. Any cobblers fans optimistic about the new season?

getonit123 · Group 2 Class Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 136

damorizla, quitely optimistic after expecting to be in the promotion shake up last season!

Boothroyd will make sure the players work their socks off. Always a good attribute in league 2.

Jacobs may depart, but already made two additions in Clive Platt and Alex Nicholls.

Key may be trying to get in Clarke Carlisle on a permanent deal.

25/1 worth a go e.w I feel.

Cianoo333 · Group 2 Class Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 161

Liking the chances of reading to stay up with that new Billionaire owner, and the fact that Norwich and Swansea would be my bets to go down after losing their managers.

365pvfc · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:28 pm Post subject:

Thoughts very patchy as of yet and looking forward to the forming of the full set of markets, both domestically and across the continent
However, early thoughts:

Championship: Birmingham 12/1
Sort out away form, keep fortress St. Andrews and they'll be up there

League One: Brentford 16/1
A little bit more consistency needed, hard to beat

League Two: Bristol R 14/1
Below expectation this last season, found their feet and finished season with good results, think they could push on

Blowouts --- I think Rotherham are a terrible price for League 2 (7/2), it's such an open league and they've been inconsistent for a while now. Also Leicester don't tempt whatsoever for next season (6/1-7/1) after being total under-achievers this last year

Ligue 1: Lyon 8/1
I think PSG are easily opposable at 8/13, Lyon consistently have good squads, crowds. Again, it's a case of away form and dropping points at incredibly tight mid-table sides that they need to overcome

Looking forward to posting up actual selections Smile

Micko70 · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject:

KanKeano · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:51 am Post subject:

Chipmonkadidooda · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject:

Some great conjecture thus far. I haven't looked at length yet, but being a Barnsley lad myself I can tell you Barnsley to go down is a good bet. Barnsley would have already been in League One this season if Portsmouth had not got a 10 point deduction. For the past three years Barnsley have done the same - played well up to getting enough points to survive then simply given up. They certainly have a League One squad though - no money to spend (manager will have to pick up freebies). They are not administration threatened though - they actually have one of the most stringent profit/loss books in the Football League.

I can see a manager change by Christmas though if Barnsley don't start well (They were 5 points off the playoff spots after the first few months last season). If he's not employed elsewhere by then any prices for Mick McCarthy to go back to Oakwell?

Online Trader · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:48 pm Post subject: