Football betting tips

 FA Community Shield Betting Preview

The Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) has taken place annually since 1908, but in recent years, the exhibition match has gradually lost its relevance, though Community Shield betting remains popular. With schedules already bursting with Premiership, Champions League and other domestic Cup commitments, the Community Shield is barely more relevant than the financially lucrative pre-season global tours that precede it. Despite its diminishing significance, Wembley always provides an exciting spectacle and Community Shield betting gives soccer bettors an early opportunity for to limber up before the real business of the Premiership betting begins.

Rooney & Ronaldo Sidelined for United

Community Shield bettors won’t get to see last season’s top Premiership scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, in action, not because he got his wish and transferred to Real Madrid, but because he is recovering from ankle surgery, that has put him out of action until mid August.; Wayne Rooney is also struggling for fitness and as the Premiership and European Champions are yet to dip into the transfer market, Fergie may struggle up front. Portsmouth, however, have made several high profile new signings who should be on show. The most expensive new Pompey player is Peter Crouch, signed for £11million from Liverpool. Crouch will likely form half of a little-and-large strike partnership with Jermaine Defoe, which will also be the only all English forward double act in the Premiership. Crouch scored the winner in the Community Shield in 2006 giving his former club a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Though the trophy itself has little weight, any competitive meeting between two top Premiership sides will be a red-blooded affair, and there is always the possibility of penalties, as with last season’s Community Shield which United won on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. The Red Devils also won the trophy on penalties in 2003, after an identical score in normal time against Arsenal. The last time this sides met was at Old Trafford in an FA Cup quarter-final when Portsmouth silenced the Theatre of Dreams with a shock 1-0 win, suggesting they are capable of upsetting the Community Shield odds.

*All odds subject to change

 Championship betting preview 9th August

Betting on week one of the new Championship season sees some of the division’s biggest clubs facing off. Birmingham City – relegated last season from the Premiership – host Sheffield United, themselves demoted two years ago. Both sides are desperate to get back into the big time. Players and management know that their fans will tolerate nothing less than success, without which their jobs could be under pressure before Christmas. Birmingham have kept the nucleus of the side that went down last season, which see them as a serious title contender, whereas Sheffield United need to rebuild having ditched, boss, Bryan Robson, halfway through last term’s unsuccessful bid to even make the play-offs. PinnacleSports.com’s 1.840 (+0.5)*– a market priced to close to 102%.

The other big matchday one Championship betting matchup is an all London affair at Selhurst Park, as Neil Warnock’s, Crystal Palace, host Watford. Palace were agonisingly close to making last season’s playoff finals, with only a missed penalty denying them the chance of promotion back to the Premiership. Under Warnock, the Eagles were the form side in the final third of the season, and if they continue were they left off, will be serious contenders in the Championship outright betting. Watford led the division for much of last term, but got a nose bleed late on, and were comprehensively beaten by Hull in the play-offs. Coach, Aidy Boothroyd will have the Hornets fired up to go one better this year. PinnacleSports.com’s 2.000 (0/scratch & +0.5)*.

*Odds subject to change

Best English Championship odds at PinnacleSports.com!