English League 1 betting guide

English League Division 1 is the school of hard knocks.

Midway between the relative paradise of the Championship and only a slip away from the basement of League 2, little wonder the football is tough, determined and dedicated, with any number of fallen giants seeking to take their first steps towards salvation.

Norwich were a good bet for promotion following their fall from the Premier League and European competition was finally halted by manager Paul Lambert. The former Celtic manager, brought to the club after success at Colchester United, proved he was a good bet to raise the Canaries by taking them to the title.

Leeds United were another club to have fallen from grace, but they showed their pedigree and value in the English League One betting stakes when they overcame a mid-season slump to secure the second automatic promotion place.

The UK punter would be well advised to make full use of the free bets on offer from online bookmakers when they are making their predictions for the new season.

The standings are far from easy to predict and it is a safe bet to assume the tables will be a rapidly changing feast throughout the campaign.

The odds favour the big-spending clubs, but the English League Division One is full of clubs with the ambition to make it into the Championship and then into the Premier League.

The odds are the likes of Plymouth Argyle, relegated last season, but about to appoint former England international Peter Reid as their new manager, will be among the favourites for the title.

But do not count out the likes of Sheffield Wednesday who have a huge supporter base, if not impressive results in recent seasons, to suggest they might yet emerge from their slumbers. However, it’s worth musing over their odds the next time you are on the internet looking for best value from your English League One betting.

The canny predictor looking to use their free bet with an online bookmaker would be well advised to look to the south coast winner of English League Division One.

Southampton were hammered by a points penalty after falling into administration last season and eventually ran out of steam after attracting plenty of interest in English League One betting, but there is a new mood of optimism sweeping through St Mary’s. They have the stadium, the manager in Alan Pardew and money to strengthen the squad. Who’ll be betting against the Saints to go marching on this season?

One of the great appeals of English football League One is the geographical spread of the teams in the division. From Carlisle and Hartlepool United in the north to Bournemouth and Southampton in the south, the 46-game English Football League Division 1 season is a marathon not a sprint, where the clubs who have taken the decision to put their bets on a big squad are likely to best prosper.

Notts County, Bournemouth and, refreshingly of all, Rochdale, made it out of the professional game’s bottom tier and will be worth a look when betting on who can make the play-offs.

There have been any number of clubs who have proven over the years that they have what it takes to leap through the divisions. The likes, Carlisle went from the bottom to the very top in successive seasons, and English League 1 betting should also include the likes of Brighton who have a new stadium to strengthen manager Gus Poyet’s hand and Charlton Athletic, who will be high up when it comes to English League 1 betting.

Well worth a look when it comes to English League 1 betting are Huddersfield, who have strengthened well during the summer, raiding the SPL in particular for new recruits.

And what about Milton Keynes Dons? They have the stadium to be of great interest in English League 1 betting, but the likes of Bristol Rovers and Brentford will be determined to stake their claim.