does anyone fancy a flutter??

[bixieupnorth]

well its that time of the year when i start thinking about making my annual donation to the bookmakers benevolent fund (torquay branch)!

got the day off work and the house to myself so i intend investing a few quid on the outside chance that we have a succesful season, theres always one surprise package, or two last year, altho both us and stanley ultimately fell at the last two hurdles

the bookies make us between 18 and 33/1 to win the league, between 9/2 and 7s for promotion and between 10 and 14 for relegation

mcphee and kee are 40s to top score, howe is 50

i think i'm gonna look toward the handicaps for value this year, however there still only appear to be two bookies offering odds yet, both the traditional 18/1 but with +14 and +18 points, not overly generous but i guess reflective of both the cautious, almost mean, attitude of the major bookies these days, and the perceived closeness of the teams in the 4th division this season. so not much excitement there, maybe i'll keep my money this time?

links to oddschecker league two gateway page is here, giving prices on first day games and almost anything else you could wish to fritter yr well earnt money on

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JamieE]

I too love a bet on the football before the start of the season.

In League 2, I've been impressed with Gillingham's signings. They've also got Simon King back from injury, their captain who was out for the whole of last season. They're about 16/1. I'll be having a bit on Crewe's Shaun Miller to be top goalscorer at 16/1, scored 18 last season even with Donaldson alongside him scoring 28. I think he will step up even further and get to around Donaldson's mark of last year. Relegation odds are always too stingy to have a bet, but Swindon at 40/1? The Di Canio era to go horribly wrong? Worth a pound!

League 1 I've had a fiver each way on Brentford, based on the opinion that they have themselves a massively under-rated manager in Uwe Rosler, who has a great managerial record wherever he's been abroad. They've also bought and loaned very, very well up to now and kept their best players. 25/1 looks big. Iain Hume from Preston to be top goalscorer at 16/1.

Championship, small bet on Southampton at 18/1.

I backed Torquay to go up last year, I won't be this year

[royalgull]

Morecambe and Macc to go down whats the odds there?

[JamieE]

Macclesfield 3/1
Morecambe 4/1

I agree with you but Macclesfield always seem to get themselves to about 17th. This year might be different though they are struggling to replace those that have left.

[royalgull]

Morecambe young inexpereinced manager, lost a few players and the ones they have got in don't look too inspiring. Definitely see them down there, Macclesfield perennial strugglers they are due a drop.

[royalgull]

Hereford and Cheltenham aren't a bad shout to go either (around 5/1 for both) and for a long shot Argyle at 12's? Barely got a side together yet.

Outside bet for the league my pick is Northampton. Gary Johnson excellent manager, got a few new players in, 20/1 best price definitely worth a couple of quid.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

I think our league is much more predictable this year and reckon Rotherham.Shrewsbury and Gillingham will all be challenging strongly for the automatics.
I don't really fancy Swindon because of the manager,nor Crawley(will underachieve).but reckon these two along with the Gas,Port Vale,and Bradford will be challenging for the play-off positions.
Surprise packages this season? Crewe and Aldershot.
Relegation-Macclesfield and Dagenham.
Upper Mid for us-say,11th?

[Fonda]

In our division specifically i really fear Crawley will find it as easy as their bank balance ought to make it. So no value there. The other Auto spot? Gillingham, Rotherham and Shrewsbury will contest. For the Play-Offs, add Rovers, Oxford and Northampton into the mix. Part of the reason i think it'll be a tough season for us is because there is real strength in depth in this division this season - though i'm not as fearful after Saturday. For the drop? Got a sneaking feeling for Morecambe and Burton.

[westbaygull]

Pah, mug's game <never got my Manolos smilie>....although 40/1 for top scorer may be worth a little flutter

[bixieupnorth]

yr still sticking by yr mate doughnut then jane??!!

[SuperNickyWroe]

yr still sticking by yr mate doughnut then jane??!!

get ready mate for the abuse!! of course your right though!!

[Warwickgull]

I have only had one bet, not league 2 but got 4to1 on Coventry going down from the championship, they really are in the mire and thats a sound bet for me!

[Awayday]

I am not a Saints fan, but if the odds are favourable that wouldn't be a bad bet for them to win promotion.

I don't normally bet on Torquay but I have a mate who is a West Ham season ticket holder and last season he bet on every home game that they would lose, that way when they did lose he had a silver lining.

I don't think we will be as succesful as last year, but I don't think we will be in a relegation battle either. I guess we have 2 aims, be above Plymouth just for bragging rights and get ourselves some cash with a good cup run.

[bixieupnorth]

hills out to 40/1 now, had a nibble at that ew.

backed swansea (+44 handicap), brighton (+16), carlisle (+24) as a treble, about 6000/1!!

[AustrianAndyGull]

Bixie, i'm a heavy punter and bet on loads of stuff but i don't quite get handicap betting. Could you explain to me as succinctly as poss how it works mate? I'd be grateful. Cheers.