Pre-Season Friendlies
It’s hard to believe but already some teams are gearing up for next season by playing pre-season friendlies this weekend. The outcome of these fixtures is notoriously difficult to predict as teams are at different levels of fitness in preparation for the season starting.
Teams with new signings have to try and bed them in and get them playing as a team and it’s not the first time managers have used these games to try out new formations and tactics sometimes with disastrous results.
Despite all that we’re picking out some games that think might see a return on our stakes.
Aberdeen v Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson takes United back to his old club, when they meet at Pittodrie tomorrow. The match is being staged to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Aberdeen’s 1983 Cup Winner’s Cup Final win where Fergie lead them to an unlikely win over Real Madrid.
Given the nature of this match and the Fergie connection, Manchester United will probably take quite a strong squad up North. It’s likely that this game will be played more like an exhibition match and while both teams will want to win I have a feeling that this might end up in a result that would please everyone and the draw 13/5 (Coral) is worth chancing. United are 1/2 (Paddypower) while Aberdeen are 11/2 (Coral) to win the match.
York v Leeds United
Leeds make the short trip to York to play the Blue Square Premier side and should come away with a win. Local rivalry will play a big part in neither team wanting to lose this one and it probably won’t be a goal fest. Gary McAllister will want to get Leeds off to a winning start to try and get early momentum going like they did last year. Leeds are reasonably priced at 8/13 (Partybets) and look worth backing.
Tranmere v Liverpool
No matter what type of team Rafa Benitez puts out against Tranmere they won’t lose. No disrespect to Tranmere, but even the Liverpool reserve side these days is packed with class player’s and this has to be a Liverpool win at 1/3 (Skybet).
FC Zurich v Aston Villa
Swiss club football isn’t the strongest in the World (or Europe, or anywhere for that matter) so we reckon Zurich will have to play remarkably well to take anything against Villa. Even taking a lack of fitness on Villa’s part into consideration they’ll be too well organised to lose this one. Villa at 11/10 (Bet365) have to be backed and it could be worth having a bet on the correct score of 1-0 or 2-0 at 11/2 and 13/2 respectively (Coral)
Other bets we’re interested in this weekend include:
Brentford v Ipswich to be a draw 9/4 (Bet365)
Southend to beat Fulham 3/1 (Skybet)
Shelbourne to beat Millwall 11/8 (Skybet)
Ebbsfleet to beat Charlton 4/1 (Coral)