Football Futures (Wiggum7534)

Did you realise it is less than a week until the first qualifying round of the Champions’ League commences? Incredible.

With that, I raise a few points for consideration heading into the new season (with a multi for good measure).

Scottish Premier League

Rangers won their third straight SPL title last May in one of the most incredible seasons of Scottish football. Walter Smith has retired as Rangers manager, paving the way for ‘Gers legend Ally McCoist. However, given McCoist’s inexperience (though he has been Walter’s #2) I expect Celtic to comfortably win the SPL this coming season. Odds of $1.75 aren’t unreasonable as Celtic were desperately unlucky not to win it last season. I expect them to take advantage over the change at Rangers (including an ownership change which appears to have caused some unrest at the club). In addition, Celtic’s squad is far deeper than Rangers and seemingly have a higher budget to bring in new talent if needed.

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona are, without doubt, the best team in the world. There is no argument. However, their recently publicised debt (some 450 million Euros) has caused some concern within the club at their ability to hang onto some of their stars. Despite this, they are still $1.52 favourites to win La Liga again.

Their only real opposition, again, will be Real Madrid ($2.50). Real came close last year but were unable to match Barca’s brilliant consistency. They did, however, provide for some of the greatest El Classico’s of all-time. If Real are going to win La Liga…nup, they can’t do it.

Italian Serie A

AC Milan won their 18th Serie A title last season, their first since 2003-04. They did so mainly by being one of very few teams not to self-destruct over the course of the year. At $2.25 they are decent odds to repeat as champions. However, I favour Inter Milan ($2.30).

Inter started last season having appointed new coach Rafa Benitez. While it was obvious early that Benitez offered a very exciting attacking style of football (not seen in Serie A since the late 80s), they did not achieve great results which upset fans and many of the players. Benitez was sacked in December and, on Christmas Eve, former Milan manager and favourite Leonardo took over. Leonardo’s impact was immediate as Inter rolled off 4 wins in a row. Under Leonardo, Inter’s record was a league best 17 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses.

I am convinced he will continue to have the impact he has had, and Inter will prevail as champions.

German Bundesliga

Am taking Borussia Dortmund to repeat as champions and odds of $5.50 is juicy. While Bayern ($1.60) will be at full strength (and with a new manager who will surely get the best out of them), I do not treat Dortmund’s win last season as a fluke. They are a very young side (their oldest regular squad member is 27) with oodles of talent. The $5.50 on offer is way overs, while Bayern’s odds are way unders.

English Premier League

Have taken the slightly left field selection here of Liverpool. $12 is big odds and Liverpool did have the best record in the EPL since the first of January (coincidentally with Kenny Dalglish took over as manager). While it is obviously a very big ask to have them overhaul Manchester United or Chelsea (the other two I figure to fight it out), Kenny has all of the players and fans believing he can do this. The return of Steven Gerrard, continually injured, will be a monsterous boost to the lads from Merseyside. Liverpool have promised much for the last 10 years and haven’t really delivered (though a Champions League Cup and UEFA Cup are nothing to be sneezed at!). Perhaps that’s why odds of $12 are floating about.

Still, I say this is overs and worth the plunge!

If you were to multi all of these selections, you would end up with juicy odds of just over $400 for $1 bet. #geton

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