THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
LONDON CALLING: AT THE EMIRATES OR THE BRIDGE? FEARS FOR EAGLES AND BEES
THANK THE LORD - THE FOOTY’S BACK!!
It seems an age since it left!! By the time you read this column, most leagues would have already kicked off and now is the time for my (almost) pre-season wagers.
BUT FIRST TO LAST MONTH..
Followers of the Book would be quids in, because not only did I pick JANNIK SINNER at a best price of 4/1 for Wimbledon glory in the Men’s, but also picked AMANDA ANISIMOVA in the Women’s at a whopping 33/1! Yes double carpet,and each way paid nearly 17/1. Admit it, had you even heard of her before the tournament??
JOHN RAHM, my headline pick at the Open didn’t trouble the scorers, his putting was dire….
PREMIER LEAGUE WINNER
And so to the footy and centre stage is the Premiership which I predict will finally go to the Gunners. This is clearly going to be Arteta’s last season if he doesn’t deliver the title and his summer signings will finally tip the balance in his favour and away from the Northern powerhouses. In my humble opinion, Slot’s Reds were not the best side in the league last year and also were lucky in the fact that Man City were in transition; a state I still believe they are yet to come out of. Let me go further... and I am a lifelong Blue, I think it’s time that Pep was moved on! As it’s too all samey samey and won’t change without a new philosophy! As to the GOAT for Pep, don’t make me laugh!
What I do believe though is that the two Pep disciples currently in employ in the Premiership, (Arteta and Maresca), or as I like to say: Pep with a twist, have developed a new style that has improved on the original. To that end, ARSENAL are widely available at 5/2 and CHELSEA at 10/1.
In conclusion, the Premier Handicaps are now out and I think CHELSEA with a start of PLUS 12 points is an absolute steal. See your bookmakers list for exact point starts and remember whilst they receive a twelve point start from Liverpool (scratch), they have
PHTM AUGUST 2025
to concede 40 points to Sunderland (plus 52), but at 12/1, (even each way at a quarter the first 4 pays a whopping 3/1), its more likely than Donald Trump cheating on Melania, and we know how much his libido interacts!!
Click link to see the Bet 365 Handicap, but do your research for your fancy as handicaps vary with each bookie in points and odds:
https://shorturl.at/fP1Ti
PREMIER LEAGUE RELEGATION
Conversely, you can also turn a profit on which teams are going to be relegated, and whilst the last two seasons have seen all promoted teams from the Championship going straight back down, this year, while I see no hope for Sunderland, I do see a torrid time for CRYSTAL PALACE (9/1) as their top players are being poached and they will have to play twice a week in Europe. Chalices are often poisoned and last year’s FA success may lead to clouding the only true aim of surviving in the Premier Division.
I also think BRENTFORD’S time in the top flight is also under threat as Thomas Frank’s team punched above their weight and with his departure I can see many a rendition of that Eighties pop anthem being played by Yazz and the Plastic Population (just substitute up for down!) At a whopping 11/2, back now before the season begins.
EFL LEAGUES
A full analysis of the EFL Divisions will be conducted next month, together with the Scottish leagues, but for now my original tips (which might be tinkered with after a few games have been played) are as follows:
CHAMPIONSHIP: MIDDLESBROUGH 20/1 and NORWICH 16/1
LEAGUE 1: LUTON 7/2 LEAGUE 2: CHESTERFIELD 15/2 and GILLINGHAM 14/1 Until next time Good punting
Bernie the Book 75
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