English football

The English leagues got under way last saturday but in truth i would rather let a few rounds be played before i jump in head first. It often takes a team 3 or 4 games to get settled and we saw that especially with Man Utd last season. So for today, no Premiership bets but i will be keeping a close eye on things

Championship

Norwich V Blackpool

Norwich have hardly set the world alight so far but have just been lacking a little luck in front of goal. They have been creating plenty of chances and having a decent say in the possession stakes at their recent games but just lacking that little spark up front. Of course it could go on for a while but i think they might have better fortune today. Last season was a bit of a struggle and they need to pick up early points and this is the kind of game they should be winning.
Blackpool in truth were lucky to survive last season and their chances are looking slim this year. They sold on some of their better players and really look like a club that will struggle financially to replace them. Lacking the players from last year indicates that this will be a long tough year for them and i cant see them getting anything today. Betsson make Norwich an evens money shot and thats more than generous to me

PICK
Norwich -0.5 ( 2.01 @ betsson) 4 points


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Wolves V Sheffield Wednesday

What are the Molineux faithful to expect this season? Wolves missed out on the championship playoffs on goal difference last year and the start of the season will be vital to their chances of promotion. They always flatter to deceive but i think this could be they year where they finally do what they have threatened for the last few seasons. They have plenty of options going forward in Kightly, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo. This is where i give them the major advantage today as Wednesday have often been weak at the back. Sheffield Wednesday were excellent in their 4 - 1 win against Burnley but it came at a cost, Sam Sodje who had bagged two goals was forced off through injury and it will be very interesting to see how they cope without him in the next few weeks. Up front his absence will be a huge blow and he's a loss mentally to the team also as they will struggle for goals without him.
Wolves haven't set the world alight just yet but should start off their home campaign with 3 points.

PICK

Wolves win (1.9 @ expect) 6 points


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Reading V Plymouth

To be honest its always hard to know how a team will react when they have been relegated. Some will show determination and resolve and make a dam good attempt to bounce back whereas others struggle as they lose too many games that their heads have already won. So where do Reading fit in? I would have liked to see them stay in the premiership last year but things went horribly wrong for them. Doyle had a terrible year and they lacked goal power to threaten some of the bigger teams. But back in the championship they might be a little too strong for some teams. They have kept the most of their squad together and look determined to bounce back at the first attempt.
Plymouth did enough to earn a 2 - 2 draw at home to Wolves last week but on the road they might struggle, in fact i think its going to be tough for them to survive and games like this will probably be better for them to get out of the way early on. The lack creativity which is their main problem and against opponents like today chances are you will have to score at least once to have any chance of taking something from the game. I just cant see them scoring at the Madjeski. Reading to win 2 - 0 comfortably

PICK
Reading - 1 ( 2.22 @ betsson) 5 points