VARIOUS TOTTENHAM BETS APPEAL

I’ve apologised in the racing blog for not updating on Friday. Things became very hectic at Goodwood on Friday and we are close to a break in Canada, as well.

In fact, there wasn’t much to add on the football front and there is still plenty of time before the US Open, where I think Andy Murray may win again. Djokovic does not look quite himself at present, though a win in Toronto would no doubt boost his confidence. He always beats Nishikori but it may be quite close in the final and I wouldn’t take a very short price.

The main football bets are Newcastle to win the Championship and Sheffield United to achieve the same in League One. The prices I use are Wilsons, where the Blades remain 6/1 favourites and Newcastle are 13/8 after recent support.

I think 10/1 about Tottenham in the Premier League is generous and I also think it might be worth looking at the market at the half-way stage publicised by some firms. I can’t see it on Wilsons latest blurb but there is just a chance that Spurs, who started to look very impressive indeed last term before completely losing it in the last three or four games, will build up a lead as the other really big names struggle with new personnel, formations, etc.

For the record, Tottenham are 16/1 (as are all the other teams) for the title on Wilsons’ handicap list, where they receive 14 points. Manchester City are on scratch. The only value apart from Spurs might be Southampton on +28 but I am not sufficiently biased to put them up as a tip before we see how well Claude Puel settles in as new manager. I stay in Southampton during Goodwood week and it seems fairly common knowledge that he was not first choice, though that is not to say he won’t do well. I didn’t mind Pelle moving on and Wanyama irritated people by getting himself sent off three times but he is quite a shield in front of the back four and Mane is a match-winner, of course. That is why Liverpool paid a great deal of money for him and he is one of the reasons I think the Scousers, with no European commitment, will be a big danger to Tottenham.