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Norway 1-2 England: Jude Bellingham drags Three Lions into semi-finals
Football
Sun July 12, 2026 · 10 min ago
Joe Townsend
Joe Townsend
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@JoesterT
Joe is our football editor, responsible for Sporting Life's output across multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
England are through to the World Cup semi-finals after Jude Bellingham scored twice to inspire a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami.

Thomas Tuchel's side came from behind, recovering after Andreas Schjelderup's 36th-minute cross-come-shot beat Jordan Pickford, to book a meeting with Argentina after they beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time.

First, just before half-time Bellingham finished brilliantly after weaving into the box following an inside pass from Anthony Gordon.

Then England looked to have turned things around in a matter of moments when Harry Kane dinked home, only for the offside flag to be raised.

After the break Norway were then on the wrong side of a decision themselves, with Torbjorn Heggem's header ruled out by VAR for a foul by Erling Haaland on Elliot Anderson in the build-up.

Norway 1-2 England: Match centre
Norway continued to push, with Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer hitting the crossbar.

England stabilised in the latter part of normal time and needed only three minutes of extra time to strike, with Morgan Rogers' speculative effort causing Orjan Nyland to spill the ball into the path of Bellingham, who made no mistake on the rebound.

The Three Lions managed the remainder of the match comfortably, with VAR again intervening when substitute Djed Spence won a penalty, overruling the referee's decision.

England will take on Argentina on Wednesday at 20:00 BST in Atlanta and are now just one game from reaching a first World Cup final since 1966, and a first ever on foreign soil.

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multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
Football betting tips: World Cup
1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in France vs Spain at 12/5 (Betfred)

1.5pts Draw after 90 mins in England vs Argentina at 21/10 (Betfred)

0.5pt Draws in both semi-finals at 19/2 (Betfred)

1pt France vs Spain to be decided after penalties at 9/2 (bet365, William Hill)

1pt England vs Argentina to be decided after penalties at 4/1 (bet365)

0.5pt Penalty shootouts in both semi-finals at 27/1 (bet365)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

Tuesday, 14 July

France 20:00 Spain
Wednesday, 15 July

England 20:00 Argentina
It was hard to watch Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens being consoled by his team-mates on Friday.

His error, just 17 minutes into a World Cup debut triggered by an injury to Thibaut Courtois on his 115th (and likely final) international appearance, gifted Spain's Mikel Merino an 88th-minute winner in a match destined to end 1-1.


Not only was it a gut punch to a Belgium team that had dealt manfully with the loss of captain Youri Tielemans in the warm-up, but to anyone who had backed the quarter-finals Draw Trixie at 54/1.

Shootouts and draws in quarter-finals?
Draws secure 50/1 and 185/1 acca wins
The remaining two last-eight ties went beyond the 90, with Argentina's extra-time win over Switzerland looking like a very good runner to go the distance and be settled by spot-kicks until a moment of madness from Swiss striker Breel Embolo saw him pick up a second yellow card for simulation.

Even then, the holders needed the brilliance of Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute when they appeared to be running out of ideas.


Having gone with this theory in the quarters, I'll stick with it again.

We can look at history for an indication of how likely it is these matches will need end in a DRAW AFTER 90 MINUTES, with seven of 20 (35%) doing so since 1982, and five of those DECIDED AFTER PENALTIES, but with FIFA introducing "tennis style" seeding for this World Cup, we are in uncharted territory.

It is the first time in history the top-four ranked teams in the world have all reached the semi-finals, surely increasing the possibility of it being difficult to split them.

Backing both FRANCE VS SPAIN and ENGLAND VS ARGENTINA in both markets as SINGLES and DOUBLES to appropriate stakes is advised.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates against Morocco
Kylian Mbappe celebrates his goal against Morocco
France are 13/10 favourites to win the first semi-final having breezed through the tournament to this point.

They are yet to be truly tested, though, and their much-heralded attack now face a Spain team who have conceded only one goal, allowing just 0.3 expected goals against (xGA) per game.

England and Argentina have both battled their way to this stage, needing to fight back and use extra time to keep their hopes alive. While the market favours the Three Lions, it's tough to oppose the holders - especially in 90 minutes.

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World Cup final tips: Spain vs Argentina predictions and best bets
Football
Sun July 19, 2026 · 5h ago
Sporting Life Football
Sporting Life Football
Football betting tips: World Cup
Joe Townsend

1.5pts Spain clean sheet after 90 minutes at 13/8 (General)

1pt Draw after 90 minutes at 11/5 (General)

0.5pt Under 0.5 goals in 90 minutes at 8/1 (Sky Bet)

Jimmy 'The Punt'

2pts Marc Cucurella 1+ shots at 6/4 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

0.5pt Marc Cucurella 2+ shots at 10/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

Tom Carnduff

1.75pts Alex Baena 1+ shots on target at 17/10 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

0.75pt Baena 2+ shots on target at 10/1 (Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair


TV: BBC One, ITV1
Live odds, form and stats
Joe Townsend

However much it stings as an England fan, it's hard to deny that Sunday's biggest game in football will be contested by the correct two teams.

For the first time in history the champions of Europe and South America meet in the World Cup final.

Between them, they have won all of the last four major tournaments that have taken place across those two continents.

Major tournament winners since 2021*
2021 - Euros: Italy / Copa America: ARGENTINA
2022 - World Cup: ARGENTINA
2024 - Euros: SPAIN / Copa America: ARGENTINA
2026 - World Cup: SPAIN/ARGENTINA
*Europe and South America only

Spain can join their nation's class of 2010 by holding both the European and world titles concurrently, an achievement only previously achieved by France (1998 and 2000) and West Germany (1972 and 1974).

Holders Argentina are on the edge of matching the legendary Brazil team of 1962 by winning back-to-back World Cups.

Victory would surely see them usurp that iconic side as the greatest international team of all time, with Lionel Scaloni already arguably the game's best ever manager at this level.

Remarkably, after a 28-year barren spell Argentina are one win from clinching four successive major tournaments across just five years.

argentina vs spain
The teams' routes to the final have been very different.

Spain may have started the tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde - who would go on to take Argentina to extra time - but across their seven matches they have never gone beyond the 90 or fallen behind, with the goal conceded in their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Belgium the only time their defence has been breached.

Argentina, meanwhile, breezed through their group before being made to battle through every stage of the knockouts, with last-gasp fightbacks against Egypt and England, and extra-time wins over Cape Verde and Switzerland.

It's certainly been dramatic.

Last five World Cup finals
2006: Italy 1-1 (AET) France
Italy won 5-3 on pens
2010: Spain 1-0 (AET) Netherlands
2014: Germany 1-0 (AET) Argentina
2018: France 4-2 Croatia
2022: Argentina 3-3 (AET) France
Argentina won 4-2 on pens
This feels very much like a final that could go all the way.

Spain delivered the perfect performance against France in the semis, but their opponents simply didn't turn up. Given the body of evidence we have it's hard to see that being the case with Argentina.

While they seem to be a different team when falling behind, with Lionel Messi bursting into life in a completely different way, Scaloni's side shared an incredibly cagey first half with England, making history as the first game in World Cup history to have no shots in the opening 30 minutes.

Spain's matches have hardly been thrillers. Their last-16 meeting with Portugal was a terrible watch, with Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal saving us all from what would have been a painful further 30 minutes.

They looked destined for extra time in the next round too, before an injury to Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois sent Senne Lammens on to make a terrible error in the closing moments and spill the ball to Merino (again) for a tap-in.

In the group stage, Uruguay were edged out 1-0 in an ill-tempered match that we could very well see replicated on Sunday, and they also had the aforementioned goalless draw with Cape Verde.

argentina vs spain - world cup finals stats
Four of the last five World Cup finals have ended in a DRAW AFTER 90 MINUTES with two of those seeing UNDER 0.5 GOALS.

At 11/5 and 8/1 they are both backed to appropriate stakes, with a SPAIN CLEAN SHEET also taken at 13/8.

Should they replicate their semi-final performance, Luis de la Fuente's men ought to be lifting the trophy. They have the midfield dominance through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo to control the match in a way England simply could not.

They may well have to draw upon all of their patience, though, and be prepared to finish the job in extra time.

But this is Argentina. And they have Messi. I won't be backing Spain outright thank you.

Score prediction: Spain 1-0 (AET) Argentina

Spain celebrate victory over France
Spain celebrate victory over France
Tom Carnduff

France did perhaps boast the star power but Spain have shown they are the best team at the tournament. I expect that to continue in the final.

De la Fuente's side can control a game in terrifying fashion for any opponent. They can make them look ordinary. They could embarrass someone if they wanted to.

While I wouldn't expect the latter given the occasion they can still dictate how the 90 minutes go.

Ultimately, Argentina deserve credit for finding ways to win but they've been on the other end of the 'convincing' scale.

I'm therefore looking at pro-Spain angles and I don't mind the 17/10 for ALEX BAENA 1+ SHOTS ON TARGET here. While not the standout candidate in this attack he has still been contributing.

Alex Baena - shot map
The left winger has had at least one shot in each of his six starts with a goal coming in the win over Uruguay in the group stage. Against France, Baena had two shots although neither found the target.

I do feel Spain can enjoy some success down this side with plenty of defensive focus going into how Argentina will stop Lamine Yamal.

Only Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal have returned more shots on target at the tournament among Spanish players. Cutting in from that left side, Baena should cause Nahuel Molina plenty of problems.

I'll also have a smaller stakes play on the 2+ SHOTS ON TARGET.

Score prediction: Spain 2-0 Argentina

Lionel Messi
Jimmy 'The Punt'

Argentina’s attack is lethal, spearheaded by one of the all-time greats, Lionel Messi.

Before Kylian Mbappe's brace in the third-place play-off, Messi lead the race for the Golden Boot (8) and had set up the second most goals (4).

Is he doing enough defensively though?

Messi
Although it hasn’t proved to be fatal yet, the space Messi leaves when Argentina don’t have the ball is a bit of an issue.

He basically plays as a right winger and opposition who play in a similar area of the pitch have had some joy in the knockouts.

In the semi-final, England’s Anthony Gordon became the latest left-sided opponent to get amongst the goals.

Against Switzerland in the quarters, six of 11 shots came from Dan Ndoye (LM) and Granit Xhaka (LCM) with the former scoring the equaliser which was assisted by Swiss left back Ricardo Rodriguez.

In the round of 16, Mostafa Zico scored Egypt’s second from a fast break. Although he was playing up-front on paper, Zico’s heatmap shows he was more of a left winger.

Trezeguet came off the bench to play on the left and had two shots and the only other shot Egypt had came from their left-back Karim Hafez.

Against Cape Verde in the round of 16, Deroy Duarte (LCM) and Sidney Cabral (LB) both netted with that duo and left-sided midfielder Jovane Cabral combining to have five shots.

Marc Cucurella
Baena (LM), Fabian Ruiz (LCM) and MARC CUCURELLA (LB) will probably form Spain’s left side and it’s the latter's price in the SHOTS market which appeals.

Cucurella is 6/4 with Coral and Ladbrokes for 1+ SHOTS and I’d also gladly take the 5/4 with bet365 or the even money generally available.

He’s averaged 0.57 shots per 90 this summer. This bet only clicked in three of his seven appearances but the angle is based more on La Roja’s opponents.

The bigger prices available on Cucurella having 2+ SHOTS are also worth a punt. He did hit this line in Spain’s first game against Cape Verde.

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Newcastle and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan dies aged 75
Football
Mon July 20, 2026 · 1h ago
Tom Carnduff
Tom Carnduff
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@TomCarnduff
Tom is a football journalist who is also key to our social media and AV content, and host of Sporting Life's This Week's Acca podcast. He produces regular football tips including a Friday Bundesliga column.
Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died aged 75, his family have announced.

Keegan enjoyed a successful playing career which included three First Division trophies with Liverpool, alongside lifting the UEFA Cup twice followed by the European Cup during his spell at Anfield.

His time in Hamburg delivered the Bundesliga title in 1979, leading to him landing a second successive Ballon d'Or crown in the same year.

A managerial career followed at Newcastle between 1992 and 1997 before securing the England job in 1999. He would also manage Fulham and Manchester City.

In June, Keegan revealed that he had stage four cancer after his family initially disclosed he was battling the disease in January.

Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan managed Fulham, England, Manchester City and Newcastle
"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75," a statement from Keegan's family said.

"The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.

"Kevin, a double Ballon d'Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for all their support.

"This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy."

In their own statement, Newcastle, the club Keegan guided to the First Division title in 1993, said: "Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.

"As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.

"As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.

"Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.

"Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him."

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Spurs are finally behaving like a club that expects to move forwards
Football
Tue July 28, 2026 · 3h ago
Ryan Baldi
Ryan Baldi
For years, Tottenham's transfer strategy often felt reactive. A promising target would emerge, negotiations would drag, the asking price would rise and, more often than not, the opportunity would disappear.

This summer has been the complete opposite.

After flirting with relegation for much of last season before Roberto De Zerbi's arrival sparked a dramatic escape, Spurs have wasted little time trying to ensure they never find themselves in that position again.

The message from north London has been unmistakable. Survival was not enough. The club intend to build, and they intend to do it quickly.

Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes is one of a number of recruits at Tottenham
The scale of the investment tells its own story. Sandro Tonali has arrived from Newcastle United in a deal worth around £100 million. Mateus Fernandes followed from West Ham for approximately £85m, while Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton for £52m.

Combined with the experienced additions of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka, Tottenham have already committed close to a quarter of a billion pounds to De Zerbi's first full summer in charge. It is comfortably the most aggressive transfer window of Daniel Levy's tenure.

That represents a remarkable shift in thinking.

When De Zerbi inherited the squad with seven league matches remaining, the objective was brutally simple: stay in the Premier League. Spurs did exactly that, collecting enough points over the closing weeks to finish two clear of the relegation zone after a final-day victory over Everton.

The football was not perfect, but there were unmistakable signs of a team rediscovering an identity. Possession returned. Confidence slowly followed. The mood around the club changed almost overnight.

Rather than treating survival as an excuse to stand still, Tottenham have chosen to treat it as a launching pad.

Sandro Tonali
Spurs spent big to land Sandro Tonali
Tonali is the headline act. Few clubs fighting near the bottom of the table would even contemplate signing one of Europe's finest midfielders, let alone persuade him to join.

Yet De Zerbi's influence proved decisive.

The pair's relationship stretches back to their time in Italian football, and Tonali has openly acknowledged the manager's role in convincing him to move to north London. His arrival immediately transforms the midfield, providing the composure, tactical intelligence and competitive edge Spurs so often lacked last season.

Fernandes offers something different.

At 22, the Portuguese international combines relentless energy with technical quality and already looks tailor-made for De Zerbi's positional game. He can receive under pressure, progress possession through midfield and arrive in advanced areas without sacrificing defensive intensity.

And the fact Spurs fended off rival interest from Manchester United for his signature says everything about the waters the north London side are swimming in this summer.

Together with Tonali, Fernandes gives Tottenham a midfield capable of controlling matches rather than merely surviving them.

Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping his new midfield can help them control games
Van Hecke may prove every bit as important. De Zerbi knows exactly what he is getting after working with the Dutch defender at Brighton. Comfortable stepping into midfield with the ball, aggressive defending large spaces and capable of playing through opposition presses, he is almost a prototype De Zerbi centre-back.

Spurs conceded far too many avoidable goals last season, often because their defensive structure collapsed once opponents bypassed the first press. Van Hecke addresses that weakness immediately.

The spending may not be over.

Tottenham remain firmly interested in Savinho, whose direct running and one-against-one ability would add another dimension to De Zerbi's attack if Manchester City decide to sanction a sale.

Eli Junior Kroupi has also been a significant target, although reports suggest that pursuit has become increasingly complicated in recent weeks.

Even if one or both deals fail to materialise, the ambition behind them says plenty about the club's thinking. Spurs are targeting players who could improve Champions League teams, not merely help avoid another relegation scrap.

Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven is one of those happy with the new recruits
That ambition has not gone unnoticed inside the dressing room.

Micky van de Ven recently described the club's transfer business as evidence of a completely different mentality, highlighting how the investment reflects both belief in De Zerbi and a determination to restore Tottenham to the upper reaches of the Premier League.

It is exactly the sort of statement supporters have wanted to hear after two desperately disappointing seasons.

Of course, spending money guarantees nothing.

Chelsea have demonstrated often enough that assembling expensive footballers is considerably easier than moulding them into a coherent team. De Zerbi's methods are demanding, particularly in possession, and his ideas require patience.

There will inevitably be mistakes as players adapt to a system that asks them to take risks in dangerous areas of the pitch.

Yet this feels different because there is a clear footballing logic underpinning every major signing.

Jan Paul van Hecke
'Jan Paul van Hecke fits the tactical blueprint almost perfectly'
Tonali strengthens the engine room. Fernandes raises the technical ceiling. Van Hecke fits the tactical blueprint almost perfectly. Savinho and Kroupi, if either arrives, would add pace, unpredictability and long-term upside in attack.

These are not isolated opportunities. They are pieces of a carefully assembled puzzle.

So how high can Tottenham climb?

Repeating last season's survival fight should not even enter the conversation if this squad settles quickly.

A finish in the top half appears a realistic minimum expectation, while the race for European qualification suddenly looks far less fanciful than it did in May.

Tottenham trophy multiples (odds via Sky Bet)
No Trophies - 1/5
Win any of Premier League, FA Cup or League Cup - 7/2
Odds correct at 09:40 BST (28/07/26)

The gap between mid-table and the European places is rarely as vast as it appears, particularly when a club finds momentum and stability.

For the first time in a long while, Tottenham are behaving like a club that expects to move forwards rather than simply avoid going backwards.

That may not guarantee success, but it is a far healthier place from which to begin.

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Scottish Premiership tips: Outright best bets and predictions for 2026/27 season
Football
Wed July 29, 2026 · 1d ago
Tom Carnduff
Tom Carnduff
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@TomCarnduff
Tom is a football journalist who is also key to our social media and AV content, and host of Sporting Life's This Week's Acca podcast. He produces regular football tips including a Friday Bundesliga column.
Football betting tips: Scottish Premiership
2pts e.w. Dundee United (+37) to win the handicap at 9/1 (bet365 1/4 1,2,3)

1pt e.w. Zac Sapsford to be the Scottish Premiership top goalscorer at 40/1 (bet365, BoyleSPORTS 1/4 1,2,3)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

It'll be quite the struggle to replicate anything close to the conclusion to last season's title race in Scotland's top-flight.

Hearts - the plucky underdog - held the advantage on the final day where they met perennial champions Celtic in Glasgow. While the neutral was hoping for something new, the outcome was the same as it ever was.

The scenes which followed weren't quite a recreation of David Byrne's bizarre moves in Talking Heads' Once in a Lifetime but the understandable pitch invasion after Celtic's goal which sealed it somewhat overshadowed the outcome.

Ultimately, they were the better team on the day and a wealth of experience in big-game scenarios came to the fore. It's a huge ask for Hearts to produce a repeat this time around.

Then-Hearts boss Derek McInnes has left for the Rangers job with star striker Lawrence Shankland following him to Ibrox. As ever, the feeling among supporters there will be one of optimism at this start point of the campaign.

Celtic are made 5/6 favourites in places to secure the crown once again and while they may not feel like the force of old it's certainly a hard price to ignore.

Some may see it good enough to side with as a single yet it's likely to be a popular pick in the season-long accumulators. I'd not turn anyone off them at that sort of price.

Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy last season
Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy last season
Yet it won't feature here, as much as there's temptation to stick a few points behind it. Instead, exploring the handicap market may open up some value.

The one team I'm looking towards is DUNDEE UNITED who are given 37 points. They were unable to replicate their showings of 24/25 in the previous season.

Now I'm sure this is a line you'll love to hear after I've stated the selection. It has the feel of a pick which will either do it or come absolutely nowhere near and end in humiliation...but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Why? Because yet again we've seen wholesale changes at Tannadice. A number of players have left with new faces in to replace them - so many of which are intriguing prospects.

Jim Goodwin won't quite have an entirely new squad to work with but as has been the case across recent summers, the turnaround is significant. That, of course, can go either way.

There's a distinct Oceania feel to some of their business. Australian duo Joshua Rawlins and Lachlan Rose are in as is New Zealand's Jesse Randall who featured for them at the World Cup.

New Zealand's Jesse Randall has joined Dundee United
New Zealand's Jesse Randall has joined Dundee United
Idjessi Metsoko is another of the attacking reinforcements and it's difficult to place the exact impact he'll make having spent last season playing in the second tier of Slovakian football - they may have unearthed a gem; they may have a player who delivers very little.

It does feel like they've injected a bit of pace into this side with some of their recruitment, although it's the defensive side of things where we need to see real improvement in the new campaign.

The Terrors were one of the worst sides in Scotland's top division for chances allowed to their opponents last season and yet four teams conceded more than they did. Fail to address that and the underlying numbers will likely catch up with them.

But they may be able to pivot to a more effective counter-attacking approach when required. Defend first and break forward when the opportunity presents itself - it could see them secure a few surprise results along the way.

It may also be one thing which turns the draws into wins - another issue of the previous campaign. No side drew more games than they did (15), yet they were middle of the pack for games won and lost.

Dundee United's Jim Goodwin
There's a bit of pressure on Jim Goodwin this season
Goodwin will be demanding of his squad and we don't quite know how they'll react at tough points of the season. However, they've demonstrated what they can achieve under his guidance and while he may draw some criticism, he's shown to be a capable operator at the level.

I have them right on the line of the split currently but that's perhaps down to the tricky nature of working out what to expect from a new group of players. With questions of Aberdeen and Motherwell especially, they may well challenge and finish above that duo.

The +37 is such a big figure that a finish which can be categorised as 'pleasing' may well be enough to do it. Motherwell finished three clear on the handicap last season given 44 points, with Falkirk third with +50 just below Hearts.

If they can secure between 50 and 55 points as a minimum this campaign, there's every chance of returns on the selection.

Sticking with the Dundee United Australian party and one player who is known to supporters, ZAC SAPSFORD, could enjoy a solid season in front of goal. He is 40/1 to be the league's TOP GOALSCORER.

At 23, the forward has plenty of experience at senior level with just shy of 100 appearances in the A-League and Scottish Premiership. He netted nine in 38 last time out.

Zac Sapsford shot map
Sapsford though was playing a lot of football and it's something Goodwin has discussed in the days before the new season starts. An extended summer break seems to have done the trick.

"Zac tired in the middle part of the season and we took him out of the team, tried to give him a bit of freshness and he finished the campaign strongly for us," the manager told The Courier.

"The break was important for a lot of members of the squad, but certainly Zac; he needed it."

The new campaign starts with three goals in four League Cup outings. Lower level opposition, sure, but a positive sign for the months to come.

It's also interesting that he's been operating on the left in three of those contests. He's comfortable playing through the middle as well but as a right-footed left winger, shot volume will likely increase and that could led to more scoring chances.

They probably won't be a high-scoring side but then this award hasn't required a huge amount of goals to land it. Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise netted 17 to win in 25/26 with Rangers' Cyriel Dessers on 18 the season prior.

In what may be a Dundee United season which goes either way, Sapsford looks like he could have a real breakthrough campaign.

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Tom Carnduff's tips: EFL outright and top goalscorer best bets and predictions for 2026/27 season
Football
Mon August 03, 2026 · 9h ago
Tom Carnduff
Tom Carnduff
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@TomCarnduff
Tom is a football journalist who is also key to our social media and AV content, and host of Sporting Life's This Week's Acca podcast. He produces regular football tips including a Friday Bundesliga column.
Football betting tips: EFL
4pts Southampton top eight finish (CH) & Barnet top seven finish (L2) at 2.11/1 (Sky Bet, Paddy Power)

2pts Norwich top eight finish (CH), Plymouth top six finish (L1) & Grimsby top seven finish (L2) at 10.33/1 (Sky Bet)

2pts e.w. Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough) to be Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer at 16/1 (BetVictor 1/4 1,2,3,4)

1pt e.w. Jovon Makama (Norwich) to be Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer at 33/1 (Ladbrokes 1/4 1,2,3,4)

1pt e.w. Lewis Dobbin (Southampton) to be Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer at 33/1 (bet365 1/4 1,2,3,4)

0.75pt e.w. Bojan Radulović (Huddersfield) to be Sky Bet League One top goalscorer at 66/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4)

0.5pt e.w. Southampton to win the Championship, Plymouth to win League One & Barnet to win League Two at 2249/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes 1/4 1,2,3)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

Sporting Life Plus explained
I like international football. I absolutely adore the World Cup - who doesn't - but there's an excitement in a new domestic football season which is unmatched. Well, I'm certainly yet to find something which comes close to it anyway.

It's the puzzle element of it all I find the most intriguing. Trying to solve just how each campaign plays out. It's perhaps more sudoku than jigsaw - the former a game I often find myself constantly changing on the rare occasion I play it.

Because when you think you've got the answer something inevitably pops up along the way to take you off track. The number 5 has to go here, there's nowhere else it could possibly go, that's until you realise it's already in that square and six spaces along the row.

That's the feeling going into an outright preview spanning multiple divisions. A longlist is created which is narrowed down to the most interesting, the most intriguing or the best value picks. Yet just when you think you've cracked it there will be something to place doubt back into your mind.

Coventry City currently hold the Sky Bet Championship trophy
Coventry currently hold the Sky Bet Championship trophy
I'd love for all of these picks to win but they won't. That's the nature of it. If they do then perhaps I go into early retirement from the game. I won't make enough money from it to do so but I'd certainly want to go out on a high - a career change would be calling.

What I do want to deliver though is selections which provide interest across the course of the season, with the obvious aim of having a bit of profit to go alongside it at the end.

Millwall were that team on the +24 handicap last season. Joel Piroe the one before. Raphinha and Antoine Griezmann two others to give us something to cheer on at big prices - both delivering as well.

My shortlist this year focuses on variety (just below the obvious profit). There's shorter options; there's four-figure smaller stakes plays. Each of these I hope provide a way into the outright markets.

The new Championship format
So, what's changed this season? The biggest is undoubtedly the expanded Sky Bet Championship play-offs. A third of the league now has a chance of promotion. I find that odd, I don't like it, but I do like the potential you now get in the markets.

Bookmakers have expanded to the top eight finish while some still offer top six. I'm not sure if they've forgotten about it but go top eight if you can even with the shorter prices.

Basically, top two still go up automatically. Third and fourth go through to the semi finals. Fifth to eighth play new quarter-finals. More teams now have a chance of promotion yet that's not necessarily a good thing.

What it does open up is betting potential in the 'there or thereabouts' teams of previous years. Those you couldn't place between fifth and ninth. It also gives an added safety net to those who should be finishing in the play-offs under the old format.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert
Tonda Eckert will be wanting to put last season's events behind him
The first one to focus on is SOUTHAMPTON. A team which everyone will fully be aware of given the events at the end of last season even if they don't follow the Championship regularly.

We won't go over old ground too much as you'll know what happened. The Saints were expelled from the play-offs just days before the final for spying on opposition training. I really do believe they'd have won at Wembley again too.

For what it's worth, I don't believe they gained a really significant advantage from doing it. I do agree with the decision on the basis that we, as a league, decided this is not an allowed practice following Leeds' charge in 2019, but it feels like it was part of a pre-match 'routine' rather than it being the sole reason of their success.

It's why I'm hot on their chances for the new campaign, even with the spying removed. They demonstrated what a quality outfit they were under Tonda Eckert's guidance and it's been a learning experience which can only serve to benefit a young and still relatively inexperienced head coach.

They also go into the new campaign, technically, on a 21-game league unbeaten run still.

This is a unit filled with quality. The permanent additions of the successful loanees of last season in Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz signal they're a side going for promotion once again, as does the capture of Aston Villa's Lewis Dobbin who netted ten and provided eight assists during a successful stint with Preston in 25/26.

Daniel Peretz
Daniel Peretz was arguably the Championship's best goalkeeper last season
And then there's siege mentality. It'll be there whether or not people believe it was their own fault. A side which feels the world is against them is a dangerous one and with a point to prove, Southampton have the squad and head coach in place to punish the league.

Here's the thing with the prices. It should be shorter based on the fact they should have won the play-offs but then there's a couple of factors to consider.

They start the season on -4 points. Not a problem as they could wipe that out in their first couple of games, yet Eckert has been charged by the FA. There is the potential of a ban.

But Saints will have discussed this and created a contingency plan for the scenario. If there wasn't that investigation lingering over the club, you'd imagine the prices wouldn't exist.

Of course, this isn't just to brush it off as a nothing event and they won't mind it at all. That's far from the case. But I still hold confidence in their ability to get through it.

Anything less than TOP EIGHT would represent an abysmal campaign while I like the 14s TO WIN THE TITLE as well, even with some of the ex-Premier League sides involved.

And, based on some of the pre-season showings, I will also side with DOBBIN TO BE CHAMPIONSHIP TOP GOALSCORER at 33/1.

While the Saints have a good choice of options up front, it feels like Dobbin will see plenty of minutes throughout the course of the campaign whether that's through the middle or pushed out wide.

Lewis Dobbin shot map
As mentioned previously he was involved in 18 goals for a Preston side who slumped to 14th in the final standings and that came after being in and out of the starting XI during the first half of the campaign.

Loan spells at North End, Norwich and West Brom should only benefit his potential this year as it's allowed him to feature in 66 Championship games despite his young age.

A few bookmakers have seemingly forgotten to add Dobbin to their outright markets at the time of writing so some shopping around is required. Enough are offering the option though (with others likely to follow anyway) to allow it to be a staked selection.

Elsewhere, West Ham should top the lot but you can never be certain on the atmosphere around the club. They have the potential to walk it as their 7/4 outright price indicates.

Wolves were a team I did fancy to take on the Hammers at 11/2 but now I'm not certain following Rob Edwards' departure. César Peixoto could well do wonders for them yet it feels a pointless spell of Edwards at the helm when it was clear he was building for the Championship campaign.

And then you have Burnley who have seemingly fallen well behind in their own preparations for the new season. It's tricky to see them replicating a Parker-esque run of narrowly missing out on the trophy.

Philippe Clement
Philippe Clement's Norwich will fancy a promotion charge
I was drawn in by NORWICH last season and it's hard to deny that was an atrocious pick in the end. However, I can't help but be drawn in by them once again.

They'd won just two of their first 17 games of the campaign before a remarkable second-half of the season run under Philippe Clement saw them finishing ninth. If he had a few more games they could have snuck into the play-offs.

It's not been a hugely active transfer window but then does it need to be given the way they were performing? A team winning 16 of 26 games is one which needs selected upgrades not complete overhaul.

We can't be too surprised a coach with an approach like Clement's got the best out of an exciting attack, with little to suggest they can't offer a repeat this time around.

Jovon Makama can enjoy a terrific campaign should he avoid any issues from the injury which kept him out of the final few months. Paris Maghoma showed really encouraging signs as did Mohamed Touré. Andre Brooks is a clever addition from Sheffield United as well.

Jovon Makama shot map
There may well be occasions where they need sheer firepower to get themselves through but the Canaries have just that. It's hard to ignore a team with talent aplenty at the top end of the pitch.

Are they value at 16/1 to win the league? I don't think so given the teams they'll be battling against in that scenario. They are a beneficiary of the TOP EIGHT change though and I'd expect them to be in this area come may.

I'd also love a top four market to appear for both them and Southampton, I'd be intrigued to know what chance they're given of automatic promotion or being one of the two best play-off finishers.

MAKAMA is worth a play to be the TOP GOALSCORER in the division. Again, I'm hoping there are no issues from that injury last season.

He netted seven in 15 league appearances under Clement before his campaign was brought to a premature end with five of those goals coming in eight starts as a centre forward.

Makama also netted a hat-trick when starting as a striker in their FA Cup win over Walsall.

This does feel like an attack where the goals could be shared around but that could also benefit Makama as he's shown his ability as playing as a wide man when required. There will be a spot for him in this XI.

At 33/1, I'm having an each-way stake on the Canaries star, even if he is missing the first couple of weeks through a contact injury picked up in pre-season.

Jovon Makama scores for Norwich
Jovon Makama can enjoy a strong season for Norwich
From the front runners, Jarrod Bowen is an understandable favourite as he is staying with a West Ham outfit expected to go well.

But there's every chance that WILL LANKSHEAR performs much better than his 16/1 odds suggest following his summer switch to a Middlesbrough outfit who created plenty under Kim Hellberg.

Lankshear joins on the back of a very promising loan spell with an Oxford side who were relegated from the division, netting 11 in 44 outings but five of those came across his final 12 after really establishing himself as the starting centre forward.

He's there to convert the chances which Boro were wasteful with last time out. They lacked that clinical edge which could have secured them promotion.

Will Lankshear shot map
It feels a somewhat odd statement to say given that 72 goals is a decent enough return but they will know how many more it could and should have been based on their performances.

Lankshear looks like the ideal candidate. The 21-year-old has others to do the running work for him, allowing him to focus on the finishing.

Preferring to occupy the central attacking spaces, the now ex-Tottenham man is often in great positions to score and, as his time at Oxford shows, he will make the most of that.

But it's not just in the box where his efforts come from, even if it is the majority which do. Lankshear isn't afraid to have a pop from distance if the chances presents itself.

In what should be another positive season for Boro, you'd fancy Lankshear to shine.

Leicester to cruise in League One?
Leicester's shock relegation from the Sky Bet Championship has led to them being made as short as 9/4 favourites for success in League One.

In all honesty, they should do just that. Russell Martin divides opinion given his style and the results which may come with them but it is a strong appointment for a club now in the third tier of English football.

The arrival of Conor Chaplin from Ipswich is another positive. The issue I have is that they're roughly the same price as Birmingham were at this stage and the Blues smashed the record for most points in a season with 111.

But compare the atmosphere around both clubs. Birmingham accepted they were in full rebuild mode and had a fanbase behind them, even in relegation given the new ownership.

Leicester? Not quite the same. Fans will always rally around their side at the lowest point and that deserves a huge amount of credit and yet it feels like so much needs to happen at the club still.

[miri-01]

Best Bets: Carabao Cup tips and predictions for Saturday August 8
Football
Fri August 07, 2026 · 12h ago
Joe Townsend
Joe Townsend
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@JoesterT
Joe is our football editor, responsible for Sporting Life's output across multiple platforms, including This Week's Acca. As well as forming part of that team, he writes regular match previews across a variety of competitions.
Football betting tips: Saturday best bets
Saturday 15:00

0.5pt Portsmouth to beat West Ham (Draw No Bet) at 19/5 (General)

0.5pt Crawley to beat Watford (Draw No Bet) at 8/1 (BetVictor)

0.5pt Northampton to beat Leicester (Draw No Bet) at 8/1 (BetVictor)

Saturday 17:30

0.5pt Colchester to beat Southampton (Draw No Bet) at 7/1 (BetVictor)

0.5pt Cheltenham to beat Charlton (Draw No Bet) at 3/1 (General)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair
It feels odd for the Carabao Cup to open the EFL season, but it's not without precedent.

The same thing happened in 2012, creating an opening weekend that sits somewhere between a final pre-season friendly and the proper stuff.

That year also produced one of my favourite football memories. I made the short trip across the Pennines to Spotland to watch Barnsley face Rochdale, where an awkward-looking 18-year-old right-back named John Stones made his full professional debut. He spent much of the afternoon gliding past opponents, scored what proved to be his only Barnsley goal and looked every inch a future star.

Anyway, enough nostalgia...

Championship outright: Top to bottom
Top scorer preview: Bam Bam
League One outright: On the Hatters
League Two outright: Cobblers a shoe-in
One feature of these opening rounds of the cup is their unpredictability. In 2012, 13 of the 35 first-round matches (37%) went beyond 90 minutes. Last season, with extra time now removed, 10 of 35 (29%) finished level before penalties.

It's not a perfect comparison, but draws occur in around 23% of Premier League games and 21% of Champions League matches over the past decade, suggesting these early-season cup ties are significantly more difficult to separate.

And no matter when the EFL Cup first round takes place upsets are commonplace.

Last year, 15 of the 35 ties (43%) upset the odds over 90 minutes, with nine outright shocks and six draws.

We've already seen that trend continue. Walsall won 1-0 at Bristol City as 7/1 outsiders on Thursday, while 7/2 Crawley also won 2-0 in their preliminary round at York. Tranmere and Rochdale shared a draw.

With that in mind, I'm siding with the outsiders on Saturday.

nuno espirito santo
West Ham have lots to sort out this month
There's no obvious pattern to whether the shocks come home or away, or whether a divisional gap matters, so the biggest prices appeal most. All are backed DRAW NO BET, with stakes returned if the tie is level after 90 minutes.

PORTSMOUTH are worth chancing at 19/5 away to West Ham.

Pompey will take around 9,000 supporters for their first trip to the London Stadium and arrive as a settled, well-drilled side under John Mousinho, now entering his fourth full season in charge.

West Ham, meanwhile, are unlikely to resemble their strongest XI until the transfer window closes, with lots to sort this month, this feels like a competition Nuno Espirito Santo could do without.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert
COLCHESTER appeal at 7/1 against Southampton.

Saints' first game since being expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying is a potentially awkward trip to Essex, where Danny and Nicky Cowley will have Colchester well organised and tough to beat.

With Southampton a general 1/3 to win in normal time, the hosts are worth chancing in what should be a lively atmosphere.

Watford have lost Giorgi Chakvetadze and further key departures could follow
Watford have lost key man Giorgi Chakvetadze
CRAWLEY (8/1) could cause problems for Watford.

Their 2-0 win at York on Monday means they already have competitive minutes in the legs, while Watford are beginning another new era after yet more summer upheaval, with key departures and another managerial change.

I'm just really finding it hard to get onboard with the Hornets at the moment.

Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill
Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill
CHELTENHAM also catch the eye at 3/1 against Charlton.

Steve Cotterill's teams are invariably awkward opponents, especially at Whaddon Road, and Charlton have recent history of stumbling in this competition after losing to League Two Cambridge last season.

The Robins should relish turning this into the kind of physical, scrappy contest that cup upsets are all about.

[miri-01]

Why Andoni Iraola faces Liverpool’s biggest rebuild in years
Football
Mon August 10, 2026 · 1h ago
Jake Osgathorpe
Jake Osgathorpe
Image of the letter X with a black colouring.@JAKEOZZ
Jake is our deputy football editor, involved in the planning and delivery of content across our business. His own column, Jake's Predictions, is a profitable, weekly look at every round of Premier League fixtures.
The managerial upheaval at the top end of the Premier League over the past eight months has been unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Five of the so-called ‘big six’ have changed managers during that period, some more than once, meaning the 2026/27 season begins with more uncertainty than usual among the title contenders. The only exception is reigning champions Arsenal.

Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi both inherited difficult situations midway through last season, taking over at Manchester United and Tottenham respectively and achieving their immediate objectives.

Elsewhere, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all appointed new managers for the start of the campaign – the first time three of the big six have done so in the same summer since 2016.

Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in 2016 as managers of Manchester City and United respectively
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in 2016 as managers of Manchester City and United respectively
That year proved transformative. Manchester United replaced Louis van Gaal with José Mourinho, who delivered the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield. Chelsea appointed Antonio Conte and immediately won the Premier League, while Manchester City finally landed Pep Guardiola, who laid the foundations for one of English football’s greatest dynasties.

Perhaps this summer’s reshuffle will be just as effective.

Guardiola has departed City and been replaced by Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have turned to Xabi Alonso, and Liverpool have dismissed Arne Slot – who won the 2024/25 title – in favour of Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Of those appointments, Liverpool’s feels the biggest gamble.

What we have seen so far in pre-season only supports this, with them twice throwing away two-goal leads to lose to Leeds and Monaco.

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola
Iraola’s arrival represents a huge leap of faith. His aggressive, high-intensity style should immediately excite supporters after a dull and disappointing title defence, but implementing such a demanding system takes time. Add in his lack of experience at an elite club, European football and a squad with several obvious weaknesses, and the risk becomes clear.

The biggest challenge of Iraola’s career
Iraola has performed outstanding work throughout his managerial career.

He has impressed at AEK Larnaca, Mirandés, Rayo Vallecano and, most recently, Bournemouth, winning promotion from Spain’s third tier, reaching two Copa del Rey semi-finals and guiding Bournemouth to sixth place in the Premier League to secure European qualification.

Iraola worked wonders at Bournemouth last season
Iraola worked wonders at Bournemouth last season
Those achievements are remarkable given the resources at his disposal.

However, every one of those jobs came with underdog expectations. He has never managed a club expected to challenge for major honours, never balanced the demands of domestic and European competition, and never entered a season where winning trophies was the minimum expectation.

Liverpool changes all of that.

History suggests need for proven winners
One of the biggest concerns is Iraola’s lack of major honours as a manager.

Aside from the Cypriot Super Cup, his managerial CV contains no significant silverware. That might seem an unfair criticism given the clubs he has managed, but history suggests it matters when stepping into one of the Premier League’s biggest jobs.

Managers who have already won major trophies often receive more patience because they’ve demonstrated they know how to navigate pressure, difficult moments and title races. They have experience to draw upon when things go wrong. Iraola does not.

Over roughly the past 12 years, the managers appointed by big-six clubs without a major trophy on their CV include:

Arsenal – Mikel Arteta
Chelsea – Frank Lampard, Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior
Liverpool – Brendan Rodgers
Manchester United – David Moyes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Tottenham – Mauricio Pochettino, Nuno Espírito Santo and Thomas Frank
Of those 11 appointments, only Arteta, Pochettino and Maresca can reasonably be viewed as clear successes. Arteta and Maresca have delivered silverware, while Pochettino transformed Tottenham into genuine title challengers and took them to a Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss celebrates FA Cup win with his players
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta celebrates winning the 2020 FA Cup
Collectively, that group delivered four trophies.

Compare that with managers who arrived already established winners and the contrast is striking. Excluding Guardiola, nine of the previous 14 big-six appointments involving proven trophy winners resulted in at least one major honour, producing 22 between them.

Even those who ultimately fell short came close. José Mourinho led Tottenham to a League Cup final before being dismissed days before the match, while Unai Emery and Ruben Amorim both reached Europa League finals.

Liverpool’s previous two managers also arrived with championship-winning credentials. Arne Slot had won both the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup with Feyenoord, while Jurgen Klopp had already claimed two Bundesliga titles and a domestic double with Borussia Dortmund.

Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp already had league titles under their belts before becoming Liverpool manager
Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp already had league titles under their belts before becoming Liverpool manager
Iraola arrives without that pedigree, making his task significantly more difficult.

Iraola teams rarely hit the ground running
Another concern is how long Iraola’s methods typically take to click.

His football is exceptionally detailed and physically demanding, requiring players to completely buy into his pressing structure and positional principles.

The evidence suggests that process is rarely immediate.

His first 10 matches at Mirandés produced just one win. Rayo Vallecano started with five wins, one draw and four defeats across their opening 10 league games. Bournemouth endured an even slower start, failing to win until their 10th Premier League match after losing six of their opening nine.

iraola slow starters
At Liverpool he may not be afforded the luxury of patience.

A World Cup summer further complicates matters.

Several key players will have shortened pre-seasons, reducing valuable training time just as Iraola attempts to instill one of the league’s most demanding tactical systems.

Liverpool’s squad raises further questions
The squad itself also looks far from complete.

Alisson remains one of the league’s best goalkeepers but endured an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign, conceding 31 goals from 27.7 expected goals on target faced.

Right-back is a major concern, while Virgil van Dijk is now 35 and currently partners newcomer Jérémy Jacquet, with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni sidelined through injury for the start of the season at least.

Virgil van Dijk
Left-back Milos Kerkez should at least benefit from reuniting with his former Bournemouth coach.

Midfield offers reliability more than dynamism. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister arrive after heavy World Cup workloads - especially for the latter - while Dominik Szoboszlai was both over and misused throughout last season.

Further forward, more questions remain.

Florian Wirtz struggled for form last year, Mohamed Salah’s departure leaves no established natural right winger, and the left flank relies on Cody Gakpo - who continues to be linked with an exit - alongside the inexperienced Victor Muñoz and teenage Rio Ngumoha.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both struggled last season
Up front, Alexander Isak is still searching for full sharpness after last season’s injury problems, while Hugo Ekitiké – arguably Liverpool’s best player in 2025/26 – is unavailable until at least January 2027.

For a side that finished fifth despite spending around £500 million after winning the title the previous year, it is hardly a squad without flaws.

More signings are needed simply to give Iraola a realistic chance, though even that may not be enough for him to succeed immediately.

He is an outstanding coach and one of the most exciting tacticians in English football. But Liverpool are asking him to make an enormous leap: adapting to European football, managing the expectations that come with one of the world’s biggest clubs and rebuilding an ageing squad, all at once.

He may eventually prove equal to the challenge. History, however, suggests the road could be a difficult one.

Things may get worse before they get better at Anfield.

[miri-01]

Football accumulator tips: This Week's Acca season-long, antepost predictions for 2026/27
Football
Fri August 14, 2026 · 2h ago
This Week's Acca
This Week's Acca
Made up of Tom, Jake, Joe and Jimmy, our This Week's Acca team combine to identify value accumulators in the EFL plus some of the biggest TV matches in all competitions.
With the season about to get under way, our This Week's Acca team dig into the antepost markets to build two season-long accumulators at 40/1 and 80/1 across the Premier League and EFL.

TWA outright
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Odds correct 14:55 BST (10/8/26)

Jake Osgathorpe

The Premier League has nine teams in European competition this season, with five of those being non-big-six sides. Usually, we see a big drop in domestic form from teams unaccustomed to playing in Europe; NOTTINGHAM FOREST could be in a good position to take advantage.

Forest were in Europe themselves last season, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League, and were unable to match their seventh-placed finish in 24/25. With no such distractions this season, and the appointment of one of the league's best pound-for-pound managers over the last few years in Oliver Glasner, they can kick on and contend for the European places again this term, with a TOP 10 FINISH on the cards.

Joe Townsend

WOLVES look a strong bet to win PROMOTION after having plenty of time to prepare for life back in the Championship. They retain the bulk of a young squad with the potential to compete at Premier League level, adding vital experience in Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier, alongside the January acquisition of proven second-tier goalscorer Adam Armstrong.

They improved under Rob Edwards last term, shocking Aston Villa and Liverpool and drawing with Arsenal in an encouraging February to March spell that showed what the team is capable of. That groundwork should give new boss Cesar Peixoto a great opportunity to secure an immediate return to the top flight.


PLYMOUTH finished last season like a train in League One and if that form bleeds into the new campaign, they’ll have a chance of automatic promotion, never mind a TOP SIX FINISH. Argyle were bottom of the table in mid-November when Derek Adams returned to the club as director of football.

His experience appeared to make all the difference as Tom Cleverley’s side went on to take the third most points in League One, score the third most goals and concede the fourth fewest from that point onwards. Losing top goalscorer Lorent Tolaj is a blow but Plymouth have proved themselves to be shrewd operators in the transfer market. Besides, in Owen Oseni they already have a capable replacement.

Tom Carnduff

David Artell’s GRIMSBY were beaten by Salford in cruel fashion back in the League Two play-off semi-finals but they’ve kept together the large core of that squad, putting them in a good spot for another TOP SEVEN FINISH.

Repeat showings of the form of last season from Harvey Rodgers and Reece Staunton will provide a threat from full-back while Kieran Green has been a player reborn under Artell’s guidance. The Mariners were excellent in the second half of 25/26 but the one thing which held them back was their inability to turn enough draws into wins, although they still managed to secure plenty of the latter.

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Jimmy 'The Punt' Cantrill

The Championship play-offs have been extended down to eighth this season, allowing a third of the division a shot at promotion to the Premier League and the price about MILLWALL TOP EIGHT FINISH appeals.

The Lions finished third last season on 83 points, one shy of the automatics and 18 clear of Norwich in ninth, and ranked eighth on expected points (xP). Alex Neil has freshened up the squad this summer, adding some more experience and quality, so there is no reason to think they won't have another promotion tilt.