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Football | Monday, July 25, 2022 11:38 AM (Revised at: Thursday, July 28, 2022 12:56 PM)

Jack Wright's 5 Best Outright Bets 2022/23 - Odds up to 150/1

Jack Wright's 5 Best Outright Bets 2022/23 - Odds up to 150/1
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Arguably one of the most exciting times of the year is upon us – the eve of the new football season in England. Pre-season is coming to a close, managers up and down the country are finalising their plans with supporters wondering if this year could be the year for their club.

In this article: 

This is my cue to trawl through the hundreds of ante post bets available to us. Here I have picked out my top five with reasoning as to what makes them good bets in my opinion.

With prices ranging from 2.25 up to 151.00, there should be something here for everyone.

All odds quoted are the best odds available as at 09:00 on 25th July 2022. Odds may now differ. 


Three Clubs to Push for Play-off spots in League Two

There are high levels of optimism for the current 2nd-favourites to win League Two, Bradford City. The announcement of club record season ticket sales at this level illustrates the expectancy of the Valley Parade faithful.

The Bantams, of course, famously pulled off something of a coup last season. They made the EFL sit up and take notice of the shocking managerial appointment of Mark Hughes.

The former Wales and Manchester City boss has done nothing to dampen fans’ enthusiasm thus far. He claimed his side were ‘right on track’ following their recent 2-0 pre-season victory over newly promoted Championship side Sunderland.

After a busy summer rebuild, a spot in the playoffs is the minimum requirement. We should see the Yorkshire outfit comfortably secure the first leg of this treble.

Mansfield have retained the majority of the squad that fell just short last season with defeat in the play-off final at Wembley. Proving they are over that disappointment will be their first challenge.

The recent 3-0 friendly win over a Sheffield United side with aspirations of promotion to the top flight of English football delighted manager Nigel Clough and would indicate that the Stags are ready to go again.

Completing the treble we have newly-promoted Stockport County, the bookies favourites to finish top of the League Two pile and secure back-to-back titles.

A defence that conceded just 38 times in 46 National League games last term has been further strengthened by the acquisition of Fraser Horsfall from promotion rivals Northampton Town.

While much-coveted boss Dave Challinor has added the firepower of Kyle Wooton from Notts County and Torquay’s Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to his options – the duo combined for 30 goals in the fifth tier last term.

  • Selection: Bradford, Mansfield and Stockport County to finish in top half (TRACKED TIP)
  • Odds: 2.25
  • Bookmaker:  SkyBet
  • Stakes: 8/10

Zaha to Continue Starring Role for Eagles

The Eagles’ talisman ended last season on fire, bagging eight goals in his last 13 appearances for the club. He ended the campaign with a career-high total of 14.

That haul was six more than that of his nearest rival in the club scoring charts, the now-departed Conor Gallagher.

It would appear the Ivorian international has lifted his game following the arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise to prove he is still the main man. The addition of Jean-Philippe Mateta as the “number nine” seems to be the perfect foil.

If Zaha continues to hit the back of the net from the spot, scoring five of his seven penalties last term, then we should see the 29-year-old as his side’s leading marksman for a third-successive year.

  • Selection: Crystal Palace Top Goalscorer 22/23 – Wilfred Zaha (TRACKED TIP)
  • Odds: 3.00
  • Bookmaker: SkyBet
  • Stakes: 6/10

Vardy and Maddison to Lead the Foxes’ Hunt

The Foxes were severely hindered by a lengthy injury list for much of last season. They still managed to finish a respectable 8th in the Premier League and reached the semis of the Europa Conference League.

Having their key defenders return, in particular, Wesley Fofana, will tighten up a backline that was the leakiest of any side in the top 10 last term.

As a result, I expect Brendan Rodgers’ side to secure a top-half finish for the seventh time in eight seasons.

Despite only starting 20 league games, Jamie Vardy still plundered 15 goals, a feat he has now achieved in each of his last five campaigns at the King Power. Even at 35, he still holds sway over Kalechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka.

To complete this bet, I’m taking James Maddison to pick up where he left off. He provided four goals and three assists in the final four 2021/22 EPL fixtures.

The attacking midfielder produced his best top-flight output, ending the season with 12 goals and eight assists. Following some frustrating injuries which contributed to a dip in form, the midfielder now looks better than ever.

With the likelihood of being overlooked for this winter’s World Cup (5.00 to make the England squad), we should see a refreshed Madders in the New Year to lead this bet home at a nice price.

  • Selection: Leicester to finish in top half, Vardy to score 15+ league goals, Maddison to score 10+ league goals & Maddison to assist 10+ league goals (TRACKED TIP)
  • Odds: 10.00
  • Bookmaker: SkyBet
  • Stakes: 3/10

One Up, Two Down in the Championship

Another same-league treble here and one which looks to have a great chance at what I think are generous odds.

Middlesbrough have the best manager in the league in Chris Wilder. He would have been disappointed to just miss out on the play-offs with a 7th-placed finish last season.

However, having shown plenty of improvement and with a full pre-season under his guidance, I expect Boro to be challenging for automatic promotion from the off this time around.

They’ve already made several impressive signings, including a huge upgrade in goal through Man City loanee Zack Steffan. Boro should invest a proportion of the £12.5m fee received for Djed Spence on a goalscorer to complete the jigsaw.

At the other end of the table, I’m taking Reading to finally fall through the trapdoor. They survived last season largely due to Derby’s points deduction and haven’t improved.

Under a transfer embargo themselves they will find it mighty difficult to replace the likes of Josh Laurent, Andy Rinomhota and especially John Swift, who directly contributed to 24 of the Royals’ 54 goals last campaign.

Paul Ince’s side allowed the second highest average of shots per game last term (14.5), coupled with conceding the most goals from set pieces (21). It’s unlikely that the acquisition of Joe Lumley will improve those statistics – or keep them above the dotted line.

As for Rotherham, they have either been promoted to, or relegated from, the Championship in each of the last six seasons.

Paul Warne’s latest survival attempt was dealt an early blow when both Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith opted to leave for another season in League One with Sheffield Wednesday.

Conor Washington and Tom Eaves have been brought in to replace Smith who was directly involved in 34% of the Millers’ 70 goals last term. It’s doubtful whether the incoming pair will come close to achieving that and another campaign of struggle awaits.

  • Selection: Middlesbrough to be promoted & Reading and Rotherham to be relegated (TRACKED TIP)
  • Odds: 21.00
  • Bookmaker: SkyBet
  • Stakes: 2/10

And Finally, The Longest of Longshots in League Two…

No ante-post preview is complete without a monster longshot and we return to League Two for ours. We’ve already covered Stockport in our previous bet so no need to add to that. They are the favourites for the title for a reason!

If a promotion challenge is built on a strong defence then we are on the right track with Tranmere. Nicky Mellon’s side finished just two points and two places outside the play-offs last season. They kept a whopping 21 clean sheets. A feat matched only by the league’s meanest defence, Northampton.

Rovers have made some strong purchases in the summer window thus far. But with their top scorer, Kane Hemmings, only hitting the eight times last term, a striker who can hit double digits would be the icing on the cake.

Walsall could be dark horses in League Two this season. Last month, an American sports investment firm became majority shareholders in the club and will be backing a manager who knows his way around the division.

Michael Flynn guided former club Newport to two play-off campaigns and will look to improve on the Saddlers’ 16th-placed finish last term in this his first full season in charge.

Flynn has added experience at both ends of the pitch. Veteran defender Peter Clarke joined from Tranmere who helped to the aforementioned league-high 21 clean sheets last term.

Whilst at the other end, Walsall will be hoping new striker Andy Williams will be a good luck charm. He has already gained promotion out of the fourth tier with three different clubs – Doncaster Rovers, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town.

To complete the long shot, we will need Hartlepool to extend their end of 21/22 season form into the new campaign.

Finishing 17th the Monkey Hangers won just one of their last 12 league games losing four of the last five. That ruined any chance interim manager Graeme Lee had of keeping the job full time.

Former Alloa, Dundee, Falkirk and Cove boss Paul Hartley has taken over the hot seat. Unsurprisingly, he has gone north of the border for the majority of his summer recruitment.

Those signings will need to be spot on following the departures of several key players including last season’s nine-goal top scorer Luke Molyneux. It’s a big ask and a return to the National League looks a distinct possibility.

  • Selection: Stockport County to finish in top 3, Tranmere and Walsall to finish in top 7 & Hartlepool to be relegated (TRACKED TIP)
  • Odds: 151.00
  • Bookmaker: SkyBet
  • Stakes: 1/10

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